Defenders Keep IV

Gennai appeared in his usual holographic form. "Hmm. Big party?"

"Jokes don't become you, Gennai." Raven said weakly.

"You look terrible." Gennai said crouching beside him.

"Vipermon venom, meant for Mimi." He explained. "How long do I have?"

"Fourteen days. No one's survived longer than that." 

"Got a place for me?" 

"Yes. Your digivice will lead you right to it. We'd better wake the others."

"Hey Izzy, wake up."

"Five more minutes." Izzy muttered.

"I'd love to man, but some holograms are early risers." Raven said as a bleary eyed Izzy focused on Gennai.

"Gennai, do you have any idea what time it is?" Izzy grumbled rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Yes. It's almost noon." Gennai said calmly. "Digidream berries are rather potent."

"Hey Mimi, What time do you have?" Izzy said shaking her.

"Izzy, I need my beauty sleep." She moaned.

"You're stunning already." Izzy assured her. "What time is it?"

"You mean it?" She asked fumbling for her digivice.

"Absolutely." Izzy promised, reaching for his bag where his own digivice hung.

"This can't be right." Mimi moaned. "I've got noon."

"Same here." Raven said rolling to his right, igniting a fresh burst of pain in his lower back.

"You okay?" Izzy asked.

"Not really. Kari, wake up."

"What is it?" She asked looking surprisingly alert.

"We have to get everyone up. It's past lunchtime."

Kari sat up, stretched, and said. "Cover your ears."

Mimi shot a questioning glance at Izzy who shrugged and clamped his hands over his ears.

Kari grinned, took a deep breath and blasted her whistle as loud as she could, awakening human and digimon alike.

"Ahh!" Tai yelled springing to his feet. "What's the big idea, Kari?"

"Don't yell at her!" T.K. said coming to Kari's defense.

"I can take care of myself!" Kari snapped.

"She's my sister and I'll yell at her if I want to!" Tai retorted.

"Who told you to but in anyway?" Kari said turning on T.K.

"How you talk to Kari is your own concern Tai, but never raise your voice to my brother." Matt said with astonishing calm.

"Tai was being mean to you." T.K. replied.

"So that makes you my own little defender, is that it?" Kari snapped viciously.

Within moments the four digidestined had escalated their argument into a small verbal war. Mimi and Joe surreptitiously faded from the scene leaving Izzy, Sora, Raven and Gennai to witness the debacle.

"Does this happen often?" Raven asked.

"Tai and Matt, yes." Sora said. "But T.K. and Kari are new."

"And what are you going to do about it, Mr. Cool?" Tai yelled at Matt.

"Izzy, Sora. Help me up." Raven said in a deadly calm voice.

"Why don't you just drop dead, you ungrateful little bitch!" T.K. yelled at Kari.

"ENOUGH!" Raven roared in a voice like thunder. Gennai flinched, Izzy jumped and Sora clamped her hands over her ears. "YOU FOUR SOUND WORSE THAN THE ETERNALLY DAMNED!" Dropping his voice to a more normal register he continued. "I don't know how you survived this long but I do know-" He broke off in a coughing fit but waved Izzy and Sora away. "that nothing will tear you apart faster than internal dissension. I had Kari wake you up." He finished as Joe and Mimi returned with the same stealthy grace they exited with. "Gennai's here and he has some things you need to know if you're finished acting like infants." 

"Thank you Raven. There are things you must know about Shadowmon and the black digivice. It weren't created by the Digiworld elders."

"Then who created it?" Izzy asked.

"Myotismon." Gennai said, his face darkening. "He created Shadowmon and the black digivice so he could rule the digiworld or destroy it."

"Oh no!" Mimi exclaimed.

"I'm afraid so." Gennai said. "I was a younger man then, and I placed an operative inside Myotismon's operation and utilized the information they provided to create your digivices and crests."

"I have a question, Gennai." Izzy said. "We've encountered many various digimon in our travels and my computer has, thus far, been able to identify them immediately. That was not the case for Shadowmon."

"I'd have been surprised if your computer could have identified her, Izzy. Shadowmon is one of a kind, the only artificially created digimon."

"I was born to be evil?" Shadowmon asked drifting silently into camp. 

"No." Kari said crouching down to look her in the eye. "Myotismon may have created you to be evil, but what you are and what you become do not have to be the same thing."

"She's right, Shad." Raven said weakly, sipping water. "What do I always say?"

"'Your life is your own, so live and die on your own terms.'"

"Right." He said simply.

"Here's a prophecy you might be interested in." Gennai said. "'When the Digidestined face the Dark One, that which he created would ultimately destroy him.'"

"My kind of prophecy." Shadowmon said.

"But we defeated Myotismon." Kari said. "Didn't we?"

"I have reason to believe someone may have somehow revived him."

"But you're not certain?" Sora said.

"No, I'm not and I hope I'm wrong. If he is back it will take the combined power of all the digidestined to defeat him."

"How many digidestined are there?" Izzy asked. 

"Well, there's two more that I'm sure of, for a total of eleven." Gennai said. "Two girls. I'm going to try to send them their digivices soon. Next topic. Both Matt and Tai have managed to access their digimon's mega stage, Metalgarrurumon and Wargreymon respectively."

"So that's what that is." Matt mused.

"Do all digimon have a mega stage?" Izzy asked.

"Yes, but more importantly, there is another stage after that, the extreme level." Gennai said.

"Sound's interesting." Tai said in a not so casual tone of voice.

"Whoa Tai. Remember Skullgremon?" Sora said.

"How can I forget?" Tai said shuddering. "What was that, Gennai?"

"Iso stage." Gennai said distastefully. "A digimon's dark side, but you're not going to have to worry about that yet. With the exception of Raven, all of you have your crests, correct?"

"Courage." Tai said pulling his tag out of his shirt.

"Friendship." Matt said bitterly.

"Love." Sora said casting her eyes down.

"Reliability." Joe mumbled.

"Knowledge." Izzy mused.

"Sincerity." Mimi whispered.

"Hope." T.K. said thoughtfully.

"And mine is light." Kari finished. "Right?"

"Wrong!" Gennai said. "Those are half crests, or half tags to be more precise."

"Where are the other halves?" Izzy asked.

"Guarded by some of the digiworld's most dangerous digimon." Gennai explained. "Joe, yours is right out there."

"The Krakenmon." Raven moaned. "I should have known he wasn't hanging around for his health."

"'Fraid not." Gennai said. "Izzy and Raven have maps charting the location of the crests on their computers."

"Uh Gennai?" Sora said.

"What is it?" 

"Someone is trying to kill me."

"Care to explain?" He asked Raven.

"Can't really say." The angel answered, grabbing a hanging branch and stretching "One of my old friends is really insistent that Sora dies."

"What? Do I owe him money or something?" Sora asked. "Is there anything you can do Gennai?"

"Everything I can do has already been done." Gennai said mysteriously. "Listen to Raven. If anyone knows how these people operate, he does. Speaking of Raven, the vipermon venom should run its course in fourteen days, but the site I've selected for him will only comfortably hold four people and their digimon. Raven and Shadowmon are number one by default, so who else is going?"

"I am." Izzy said as Raven dropped gracefully to the ground triggering a new spasm of pain.

"Izzy, we need you with us." Tai said.

"No Tai. I always go along with what you say, but not this time." Izzy said firmly. "I know I'm the brains of the group, but for fourteen days you'll have to make do without me."

"But Izzy why?" Sora asked.

"Because I've been where he's going. I didn't survive." Izzy said cryptically. 

"Are you quite sure, Izzy?" Gennai asked.

"Affirmative."

"All right that's two. Who else?"

"Me." Kari said.

"If Kari's going-" Tai began

"I'm going." T.K. said.

"It's your choice, Kari." Gennai said.

"We need some time apart Tai, and this the perfect opportunity." 

"As you wish." Tai said dejectedly.

"Are you sure, T.K.?" Matt asked.

"Mmm Hmm." He said.

"Take care of my lil bro." Matt told Izzy and Raven.

Raven nodded before coughing up blood. "Although it seems more likely that he'll be taking care of me."

"Well, Gomamon, let's go get that crest." Joe said gloomily.

"Hurry. The tide will be in soon." Gennai said vanishing.

"Let's go." Raven said grabbing his cane and draping his cape around his shoulders. "Sora, would bring me my black bag?"

As she did, Raven gripped her hand and saw an image of her falling.

"Whoa!" she said yanking away. "I guess I should stay away from high dives, huh?"

"And cliffs." Raven said grabbing his duffle bag. "That's why I'd rather use objects." He explained taking a few shaky steps with his cane.

"Raven, you shouldn't be up." Joe said sternly. 

"Get it all out your system Joe, because I'm going to be doing a lot of things I shouldn't."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that I'm gonna keep fishface there occupied, while you and Gomamon get that crest."

"He's delirious." Matt said.

"Come now Matt. This is your chance to get rid of me." Raven said lightly.

"Raven wait." Matt said stepping in front of him.

"Wait Shad." Raven said as she took up an attack position just behind him. "I want to hear him out."

"Look, I know we didn't get along but even though it's my crest, friendship isn't my strong suit. But after what you did for Mimi and Sora..."

"Matt wants to be your friend." T.K. piped up.

"I wouldn't put it like that." Matt said.

"Then let's start at acquaintances and work our way up." Raven suggested, extending his hand. "Deal?"

"A deal my... acquaintance." Matt said shaking his hand. "But are you serious about being a decoy?"

"It's the best plan I could come up with."

"I don't believe you're in any condition to implement or execute a plan of action." Izzy said doubtfully.

"Maybe not Izzy, but there are four reasons why I'm better suited for this." Raven said. "One." He dropped his bag on the beach. "I'm faster than any of you. Two." He pulled off his boots and socks. "I'm stronger than any of you simply because I am what I am."

"Not stronger than me." Tai bragged puffing up his chest.

Raven didn't answer right away. Instead he reached down and tossed Tai a rock. "Squeeze that as hard as you can." Tai did grunting with exertion.

"Give it up, Tai." Agumon said. "That's digigranite, the hardest rock in the digiworld."

"How hard is it?" Izzy asked.

"It's said that not even Wargreymon's terraforce can penetrate it." Tentomon said. "At least that's what I heard."

"I give." Tai said tossing the rock back to Raven.

"Observe." He said closing his fist around it causing a series of cracking sounds. When they had subsided, he opened his fist to pour the dust and gravel fragments onto the sand.

"Prodigious!" Izzy exclaimed. 

"Don't stress yourself, Tai. I'm an angel, I'm just stronger. And there are some who are stronger than me." Raven explained. "It's just my nature."

"So why else are you better for this little suicide run?" Mimi asked.

"Three." Raven stabbed his cane into the sand. "I'm immortal. My wounds will heal eventually."

"Even if you lose your head?" Kari asked.

"This family is just full of good thoughts." Raven said paling. "I never thought of that one."

"If you do, I'll bring it back and we'll see if your body can reattach it." Shadowmon said.

"Your concern for my welfare is touching, Shad." Raven said caustically.

"Relax. I'm gonna be right there with you." Shadowmon said.

"So what's that fourth reason?" Sora asked.

"Krakenmon will only attack something in the water and Gomamon has to go with Joe to get that crest." Raven said. Turning to Joe, he said. "Give me five minutes and then go get that crest."

"Right." Joe nodded.

"Kari, can you hang on to my cape and get it back to me as soon as I get out of the water."

"So the evil digimon don't see your wings, right?"

"Sharp as a razor." Raven said draping the cape over her waiting arms before shooting out into the water in a burst of angelic speed before disappearing beneath the waves.

"Well Gomamon, you better digivolve." Joe said.

"Right." He said padding into the water. "GOMAMON DIGIVOLVE TO...IKKAKUMON!"

"Hey Joe, I know you want to do this alone, but if you get in over your head, just say he word." Tai said. "We'll be there."

"You bet." Joe said reaching for Ikkakumon's fur.

"Hey Joe." Mimi stepped up to him and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Good luck." 

"Thanks." Joe said burying his blushing face in Ikkakumon's fur as he climbed up.

"Lucky bastard." Izzy muttered, opening his laptop. He wasn't really surprised Mimi chose Joe over him. It seemed like everyone had someone, T.K. and Kari, Tai and Sora, even Mimi and Joe for Christ's sakes. But Gennai's news lifted his spirits. Two new digidestined and they were both girls, so even if Matt did come out of is perpetual sulk, Raven wasn't even human so she was as good as his. Ikkakumon's continued digivolution brought Izzy back to the present.

"IKKAKUMON DIGIVOLVE TO... ZUDOMON!"

"Good luck Joe, you lucky bum." Izzy whispered as his eyes began to water. 

"You're not crying are you, champ?" Sora asked quietly.

"Nah." Izzy said. "Just got some sand in my eye."

Sora wasn't fooled. "Hey," she said lifting up his chin. "there's other fish in the sea."

"But what if it's a very small sea?" Sora gave him a lopsided smile but it was a sad attempt. She silently cursed her crest for the umpteenth time as Izzy continued. "Thanks for the try Sora, but I guess it's time to let go of childish dreams."

"It's not over yet." Sora said squeezing him into a bear hug, before moving away up the beach, leaving Izzy with his thoughts.

Izzy turned away from his own pensive thoughts to see Zudomon's lumbering bulk creep deeper into the water before Joe dived in and disappeared.

"Can you see Raven, Tai?" Izzy asked.

"He's moving too fast." Tai said scanning the frothing waves with his pocket telescope.

"He shouldn't be out there." Sora said.

"I know." Izzy said. "But we can't really argue with his reasoning."

"He tries to take on everything himself." Tai fumed.

"Doesn't sound like anyone we know." Mimi said sarcastically.

"Watch the sarcasm, might ruin your crest." Matt said airily. "I know this might sound weird, but when I look at him, I see..."

"See what?" T.K. asked.

"Oh my God!" Tai cried.

"What is it?" Izzy asked grabbing the minitelescope from Tai.

Out in the water the Krakenmon had Raven trapped in a crushing embrace.

"BRIMSTONE BLAST!" Shadowmon shouted unleashing a fireball which glanced harmlessly off Krakenmon scaly hide.

Joe surfaced gripping the other half of his tag. As he fastened it to the back of his crest of reliability, a small flare of orange light ran around the outside, sealing the two into one.

"Reliable." Joe scoffed as he watched Shadowmon swoop and dive among the tentacles trying to free Raven from Krakenmon's deadly grip. "The only thing I'm reliable for is being a worry wort."

"Do you want to go back?" Zudomon asked.

"Let's..." Joe trailed off staring at the scene. He knows my secret. He thought. He could tell the others and they would coddle me forever. It would be easier to just let him...

"Joe?" Zudomon asked lifting him up.

"No." Joe said, surprising himself with his vehemence. "Raven put himself on the line for me, so we're going to help him."

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes. Raven's counting on me." He said as his crest began to glow.

"ZUDOMON DIGIVOLVE TO... MERRIMON."

A moment later, Zudomon was gone, replaced by a giant human with green scales, a white beard, and a massive trident. 

"Wow!" Mimi said. "Look at Zudomon." 

"That's not Zudomon." Izzy said pulling out his digimon analyzer. "This is Merrimon, his mega stage digivolution. The trident he carries is razor sharp, and can create violent whirlpools."

"Looks like this fight just got a lot more interesting." Matt said approvingly.

"DEATH CHILL!" Shadowmon shouted unleashing a blast of ice that froze Krakenmon's tentacles solid. "SONIC BLAST!" She shrieked unleashing a sonic boom that echoed across the beach.

"Whoa!" Sora said. "My ears are going to ring for a while after that one."

"But the sonic resonance of the blast had the desired effect." Izzy said as Raven dropped back into the water. "Tentomon, I thought digimon only had one attack in each stage, but I've seen Shadowmon use three different attacks of three different types."

"I know." Tentomon said. "Perhaps because she's artificial."

Meanwhile out at sea, Merrimon strode up to Krakenmon, his powerful legs creating whirlpools as he advanced. "You've terrorized this beach long enough, Krakenmon." He announced in a deep rumbling voice, slicing away the tentacle that reached for him.

"This thing only has one eye." Shadowmon called. "Take that out and he's helpless."

"Hey ugly." Raven called. "Your mother was a sardinemon!"

"Raven what are you doing?" Joe yelled.

"Shad can't pull off a razor attack with you two here, so I'm turning him around." He said swimming in an arc toward Merrimon.

"I understand." Merrimon rumbled poising his trident to strike. When the single red eye appeared, he thrust down with such force and speed that the eye popped like an overly ripe grape.

"Gross." T.K. said, closing his eyes and turning away.

"That'll give me nightmares for weeks." Kari said burying her face in Raven's cloak.

"Thank goodness for the cheap seats." Mimi groaned.

"Glad I skipped breakfast." Izzy said forcibly retaining his last meal. Behind him Matt paled and Tai looked away. 

Sora fell to her knees in the surf vomiting violently.

"You done champ?" Izzy asked kneeling beside her.

"No." She retched a moment longer before finishing in a series of dry heaves. "Now I'm done."

Izzy pulled a handkerchief seemingly out of nowhere, wet it in the surf and gently cleaned Sora up. "Better?"

"Yeah, but I'd rather not have their seats." She replied nodding back out at the battle.

With Krakenmon blinded, Shadowmon began flying in a low circle over the water.

"What are you doing, Shad?" Raven called.

"I'm a very vindictive digimon." She replied picking up speed. "This is my vengeance for that bear hug." She continued gaining speed and altitude pulling Krakenmon into a column of water.

"But Shad, he tried to crush me."

"I'm supposed to protect you. It made me look bad. Hit it Merrimon!" 

"TSUNAMI SMASHER!" Merrimon shouted whipping the water into a devastating tidal wave with his trident.

"Shushi, anyone?" Shadowmon quipped as the blast annihilated Krakenmon. "And that's a love tap, compared to what I've got planned for Demidevimon."

"Well done Joe." Raven said. "I knew I could rely on you." Suddenly he sank as he blacked out.

"Raven!" Joe cried plunging into the water as an energy drained Merrimon digivolved back to Gomamon.

"Just keep his head above the water!" Gomamon said. "The incoming tide will carry us back to shore.

Sure enough, the tide dragged the three weary adventures to the beach, with Shadowmon gliding in overhead.

"Are you two all right?" Tai asked as he and Kari rushed to Raven and threw his cape over his wings.

"So," Izzy asked as he and Matt helped Joe to his feet. How does it feel to be a big hero?"

"I'll pass." Joe said coughing up water.

"Hey Joe." Raven said. "Above and beyond, man. I owe you."

"Think nothing of it." Joe said as Raven attempted to stand only to fall back to the sand.

"You're too weak to stand by yourself." Izzy said.

Raven bit back a sarcastic reply. I've been with Shad too long. He thought. "I'm open to suggestions." He said aloud pulling on his socks and boots.

"We could camp here." Tai said. "Go on tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow I may not be mobile." Raven said as T.K. and Izzy pulled him to a standing position as Kari retrieved his cane. "Besides we still have about six or seven more hours of good daylight."

"We could... never mind." Mimi said.

"What is it Mimi?" Palmon asked as Shadowmon retracted her talons and perched on Raven's shoulder.

"I thought we could be human crutches." She mumbled.

"Come here, Mimi." Raven said. "You are..."

She winced.

"A genius." He said kissing her cheek. "I've got my cane, so you can support me in shifts."

"I'll take first shift." Joe said as Matt brought Raven his bag. "I walk the slowest anyway."

"All right." Tai said as Raven fastened his cloak about his neck. "Let's go."