Rika looked calmly at the towering behemoth whose massive frame completely blocked the sun behind it. Most young girls would have run screaming from the sight of a giant, blue, horned dinosaur. Rika, however, simply stared calmly up at it as she casually brushed back a strand of her red hair, which had been disheveled by the heavy gusts of the creature's breathing. For several long moments she and the monster stared at each other. Then, Rika slowly raised her left hand and snapped her fingers.

For a moment the creature's eyes narrowed and then there was a blur of yellow and the giant was on his back. Standing atop its chest was a lithe figure covered in yellow fur. Its head resembled that of a fox. Its arms were covered by long purple gloves. The short fur on its stomach and feet was pure white. The blue giant stared in amazement at the comparatively small figure which had so easily knocked it over. The yellow fox looked back with narrowed eyes. With a bellow the giant scrambled to its feet. The smaller creature leapt off and landed nimbly a few feet away. Rika looked down at a small device in her hand which was displaying a small holographic version of the giant creature.

"Veedramon. Champion level. Big and strong but not very smart. Its attack is V Breath Arrow." Placing the device in her pocket, Rika addressed the smaller fox-like creature. "Renamon, walk all over him."

Renamon leapt into the air and landed feet first on Veedramon's head. Veedramon roared and swung a clawed fist at Renamon who was already out of reach. A flying kick to its chest sent Veedramon sprawling. It got up again and this time a spear of blue energy flew from its mouth. "V Breath Arrow!" Renamon leapt straight up as the ground beneath her exploded.

At the height of her leap she seemed to freeze in mid-air. Renamon crossed her arms and then flung them outward towards Veedramon. A hail of jagged fragments of light shot at Veedramon. "Diamond Storm!" The attack hit Veedramon and he roared as the sharp bits of light cut into his skin. In a blind fury he charged at Rika who stood her ground as Renamon launched a kick into his ribs sending him down yet again.

Rika yawned. "This is getting boring. Finish it Renamon." Renamon flew at the disoriented Veedramon who couldn't put up much of a defense as a flurry of kicks and punches seemed to come at him from all directions.

With her opponent dazed and reeling, Renamon unleashed one final attack. "Diamond Storm!" This time the glowing shards tore Veedramon apart causing his body to evaporate into a cloud of quickly fading blue particles. Renamon closed her eyes as she absorbed the particles into herself.

As the absorption was completed Renamon turned to Rika who had a smile of smug satisfaction on her face. "Next time I expect you to be faster." Renamon nodded and faded out of sight. Rika removed a set of headphones from a pouch at her hip and placed them over her head as she strolled casually away.

Quite a ways from the site of Rika and Renamon's victory was a large apartment building. In a bedroom on the top floor sat a young boy about Rika's age. He had jet-black hair which was slicked back. He wore a black t-shirt and black jeans. He sat cross-legged on the floor of his room studying a flat rectangular object in his hand. On one side the words "Digimon Card Game" was emblazoned. The other side, the one the boy was looking at, held an illustration of a creature vaguely resembling a man wrapped in black leather. Its arms were far too long and ended in long pointed talons. A black mask covered its face and only the lower part of his face was uncovered. The uncovered skin was stark white and clung to the bones giving it a skeletal appearance. Two cruel curved horns sprouted from either side of his head . A pair of ragged leathery wings grew from his back. The eyes behind his mask were blood red and seemed to glow through the cardboard they were printed on. Across the top of the card was the word Devimon. Below the picture were various numbers and stats.

As he stared at the card, the boy began to speak. "You want me to be your tamer? Why should I?" There was a pause as he seemed to listen to a response that only he could hear. "All right. But you'll have to do exactly as I say." Another pause and the boy smiled cruelly. "What should I do?" After a moment he picked up a small computer device next to him. After a moment's hesitation he placed the Devimon card into a slot on the side of the device and slowly swiped it downward. For a moment nothing happened and then there was a flash of light from the screen as the device morphed into a replica of the digi-vice which Rika had held. But where Rika's had been silver and blue, this one was black. The card flew from the boy's hand, hovered in the air for a moment and then disappeared. The boy peered at the screen of his newly transformed digi-vice. A digitized picture of a black egg slowly pulsed in front of him. The boy smiled again and somewhere a cruel laugh echoed for a long time.

Di Di Di...

Di Di Di...

Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!

Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!

Change into digital champions, to save and defend the world!

Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!

Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!

Digivolve into champions! Digi-Modify!

Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!

Digimon, Digital Monsters, Digimon are the champions!

Digimon, Digital Monsters! Digimon!

Digimon Tamers

Evil Rising

It was Saturday and Rika was lying on her bed. Every few moments she would glance anxiously at the digivice on the table nest to her. She was hoping that it would announce the arrival of another wild digimon in the city but so far it had been quiet all day. She jumped off the bed and paced around the room. She glanced at the digivice again as a knock sounded on her closed bedroom door.

"Rika, honey?" The voice of Rika's mother came through the door.

Rika sighed before answering. "What?"

"I was just wondering if you were going to that digimon card tournament in the mall."

Refusing to open the door Rika impatiently replied. "No Mother. I don't play that stupid game anymore." Rika had once been a master of the Digimon card game. She had abandoned that particular hobby when she discovered that there were real digimon in the world. After battling the real thing, the game seemed hardly worth her time anymore.

"Too bad.", her mom replied walking away. "You used to really enjoy those games."

Rika sat back on her bed and stared at her digivice. After a moment she got up, clipped the digivice to her belt, grabbed a pouch of cards from her desk, and ran out the door.

The tournament had been easy to say the least. Rika had beaten every challenger, most with only one or two turns. She had thought that perhaps dominating the tournament would provide some amusement. She had been wrong. It was too easy. There was no challenge in beating a bunch of kids. And there was certainly no glory. The pile of winner chips she had collected were meaningless. As another young girl approached her table, Rika pushed her cards back into their pouch and got up to leave. "Leaving so soon?" The velvety voice took her by surprise. She turned to see a boy her age standing at the other side of her table. He was dressed in black and his hair was slicked back. "I haven't been able to find any worthy opponents here. But you look like you might provide at least a small challenge."

Rika glared at the boy's nerve. She considered simply turning away and leaving but she decided she might enjoy crushing his ego even if the victory itself held no appeal. As she turned to sit back down the boy smiled. "That's the spirit. My name's Jack by the way." Rika did not offer her own name. She simply removed her cards and prepared her usual opening move. Twenty minutes later, Rika was still engaged in the match. It had dawned on her very quickly that this kid was almost as good as she. He countered every card she played and had even made the first steps towards outmaneuvering her. Her attention was now focused completely on the game. She considered the cards in her hand carefully. A wrong move would give him the win and that was not something she was about to let happen. After a moment of careful selection she prepared to put her next card on the table. That was when she heard the scream.

The next moment all hell broke loose. Screaming shoppers of all ages flooded towards the exits. Rika headed in the direction everyone was running from. Her digivice had already began to glow. As she reached the source of the pandemonium she looked at the digivice as it collected data on the beast tearing apart the food court. It was huge and looked very much like a giant lion with a pair of long sharp fangs protruding from its mouth.

"Saberleomon. A mega digimon with a dangerous howling crusher attack." Rika glanced behind her to see that Renamon had already appeared there. "Ready?", Rika asked.

Renamon hesitated. "Rika I'm not sure if..."

"Get in there."

Renamon didn't move. "Rika, this is a mega digimon. I don't know if I'm strong enough to..."

Rika cut her off. "You'll be as strong as I want you to be! Now let's go." Rika pulled a card out of her pouch and slid it through the slot in her digivice. The device glowed for a moment and the card transferred its data to Renamon.

"Digi-modify! Speed activate!" Rika quickly pulled out another card.

"Digi-modify! Power activate!"

Renamon glowed lightly from the power increase given her by the cards.

"Now let's go."

Renamon sighed and then leapt towards Saberleomon. The giant beast digimon noticed the smaller form coming at him at swung a massive claw. Renamon ducked under the claw and ran behind Saberleomon faster than his eyes could follow. She then leapt up and came down with a kick in the center of his back. Saberleomon barely grunted but he did buck his back up violently forcing Renamon to jump away. In midair Renamon released a swarm of light fragments. "Diamond Storm!" The attack hit dead on but Saberleomon shrugged it off. Renamon landed in a crouch and vaulted back up as a massive claw tore up the ground where she had been standing.

Renamon glanced back at Rika who was standing with her arms folded. "Rika! He's too strong! We have to..."

"You're right. He is strong. So you'll be stronger!"

"Rika..."

"You're going to win. There are no other options." Rika pulled out another card and prepared to swipe it through her digivice. She failed to notice the arrival of another digimon. This one was small and white with a large round head and wing-like ears. He had big round eyes and a small, red, triangular crystal on his forehead. His name was Calumon. He had been drawn to the sounds of the fight hoping to find a bit of fun. Rather, he had discovered a very scary digimon fighting Renamon who seemed to be having a disagreement with the angry girl named Rika.

As Rika slashed the card through her digivice, Calumon's crystal began to glow. "Uh-oh"

"Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!"

Rika's digivice flashed with bright white light as Renamon began to glow. "D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N."

"Renamon digivolve to...!" Renamon's skin peeled away to reveal a blue wire-frame underneath. As her body began to change a new skin grew over her. She now stood on all four legs. Her head was even more fox-like. Her tail had become nine tails, each with a blue flame at the end. A silver mane surrounded her head and blue flames encircled her feet. A red and white striped ribbon billowed around her neck. "Kyubimon!"

Henry Lee had been helping his mother shop for groceries when the pandemonium broke out. As the screams and stampede of people had washed over them, Henry and his mom had been separated. For a moment he had frantically searched for her before realizing it was a wasted effort. Instead he made his own way towards an exit and began running for the family station wagon in the parking lot. Henry didn't know exactly what was happening but he had a good idea. The fact that his own digivice had begun to glow confirmed his suspicions. When he reached the car and looked back at the mall Henry saw that the entire building had been enveloped by a thick white fog. "A digital field.", Henry murmured to himself.

He turned back to the car to see a white, dog-like creature with big ears and a green bandana around his neck looking anxiously at him from inside. Henry's mom often commented that he was too old to be taking a stuffed animal with him everywhere he went. Henry imagined it was better for her to think he had an unhealthy attachment to a plush toy than to know that the "toy" was actually a living creature named Terriermon. Henry opened the car door and Terriermon jumped onto his shoulder wrapping a large ear around his neck for balance. "What's in there Terriermon?"

"I dunno, but it's big and mean."

Henry sighed. Unlike Rika, he did not crave battle. He had no real desire to make Terriermon any stronger and he certainly took no pleasure in the defeat or death of other digimon. But, as recent events had shown him, sometimes a battle was inevitable. And whatever digimon was in there was a threat that needed to be neutralized. Henry took off towards the mall with Terriermon in tow. "Remember, we're not looking for a fight. Maybe we can find a way to send whatever it is back to the digital world peacefully."

Terriermon nodded but he secretly doubted it. From the sounds of battle coming from the other end of the mall, this digimon was definitely looking for a fight. While, Terriermon did not share Henry pacifist nature, he had no desire to hurt another digimon if he didn't have to.

As they rounded a corner, Henry and Terriermon got their first look at the battle. The section of the mall was already in ruins. Broken glass and rubble from damaged walls and ceilings was strewn everywhere. It came as no surprise to Henry that Rika and her digimon were in the middle of it all. It seemed that lately, wherever there was trouble Rika couldn't be far behind.

Henry studied his digivice. "A mega digimon! Is she nuts? There's no way that Kyubimon could take that thing!"

Terriermon had jumped to the floor and was prepared to enter the fight. "Want me to get in there Henry?"

"At this point I think that Rika's insured we'll never get him to leave peacefully. But we're no more of a match for Saberleomon than they are."

"Maybe if Kyubimon and I worked together..."

Henry shook his head. "Two champions still wouldn't be enough to stop a mega. If only Rika hadn't tried to fight that thing. Eventually the digital field would have faded away and took Saberleomon with it. Now there's no way it will let us leave."

"Hi guys."

Henry looked down to Calumon smiling up at him. "Calumon. What are you doing here?"

The small digimon blinked. "Well, I was looking for someone to play with and I saw all the children in here. Then there was a lot of screaming and those guys started fighting."

"Uh Henry, I think we'd better do something." Terriermon drew Henry's attention back to the fight. Kyubimon was pinned under a pile of fallen debris and Saberleomon was now advancing on Rika.

"Shit!", Henry cried. "Terriermon! Help her!"

Rika drew back in fear as the huge digimon stalked towards her. She knew that Renamon would never allow any harm to come to her tamer, but Renamon was in no shape to help at the moment. Rika eyes went wide as a razor claw descended towards her. Something hit her hard and her feet left the ground for a moment. She hit the ground hard and opened her eyes to see that Henry had tackled her out of the way. Saberleomon now turned towards both of them and prepared to strike again.

"Bunny Blast!" A bolt of green energy hit Saberleomon right between the eyes. He turned with a roar to see the source of the attack, Terriermon, standing defiantly, glaring at him. "Come on you big bully!", he taunted. Saberleomon charged at him. "Um, Henry!"

Time seemed to freeze as Henry pulled a card from his pocket and ran it through his digivice. Calumon's crystal began to glow again. "Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!"

"D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N."

"Terriermon digivolve to...!" Terriermon's body stripped to its wire frame form and began to morph. His new form was larger and bulkier. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a bandolier across his chest. His arms ended at the elbows and became a pair of gattling guns. The top half of his face was green making it appear that he was wearing a mask. "Gargomon!"

Rather than dodging away from Saberleomon's charge, Gargomon pointed his arm guns straight at him and opened fire. "Gargo Laser!" The laser bolts sprayed across Saberleomon's face forcing him to close his eyes. Gargomon changed his target and blew away a section of the floor in front of Saberleomon causing him to stumble and fall. "Gargomon! Help Kyubimon! We'll need her help!", Henry called.

"Excuse me?!", Rika said. "Whose fight do you think this is?"

Henry turned on Rika in anger. "I didn't want any part of this fight! But if Terriermon and I hadn't gotten involved you'd be dead right now!"

Rika sniffed. "I can handle myself."

"That's not what it looked like a minute ago."

Rika turned away. "Whatever. Just remember, his data's mine."

Henry shook his head in amazement. Now that Gargomon had blasted the rubble off of Kyubimon she was eager to get some payback. Saberleomon had recovered and was charging the two digimon.

"Fox Tail Inferno!" Blue fireballs flew from Kyubimon's tails and peppered Saberleomon. He growled but showed no sign of experiencing any pain. Kyubimon vaulted over a claw swipe as Gargomon soared overhead raining down laser fire. As she hit the ground, Kyubimon released another swarm of fireballs. Saberleomon shook off the attacks and narrowly missed cutting Gargomon in half with his claws.

From the sidelines Henry was beginning to panic. "They'll never win this fight! We have to do something!"

"I am doing something.", Rika replied. She pulled a card and swiped it through her digivice! "Digi-modify! Metalgarurumon's Ice Wolf Bite!"

The form of a metallic wolf appeared faintly around Kyubimon as a barrage of missiles flew from her body. "Ice Wolf Bite!" The missiles exploded against Saberleomon covering him in a layer of ice. For a moment the massive digimon was trapped but then the ice sheath began to crack.

"Hurry up and hit him with something!", Rika snapped to Henry.

Henry lowered his head. "We have to end this.", he said softly. "Gargomon, do it."

The ice shattered and Saberleomon reared up with a roar. The noise was cut off as Gargomon jammed one of his guns into Saberleomon's mouth. Saberleomon's eyes went wide. "Gargo Laser!" The gun spit lasers into Saberleomon. The attack continued until Saberleomon pulled back and collapsed in pain.

Rika stepped forward. "Finish it Kyubimon." Kyubimon prepared to attack. "Wait!", Henry cried! "He's beaten! You don't have to kill him!"

Rika narrowed her eyes. "Grow up. This is how it works. Kyubimon, do it." "No! Gargomon stop her!" Gargomon moved to block Kyubimon.

"Stay out of my way.", Rika growled.

Henry didn't move. "Don't let her near him Gargomon."

The standoff was broken up by Saberleomon's roar of pain. Both humans and digimon looked at the cause. A small round creature with bat-like wings, covered in black hair, and wearing a stitched up leather mask had sunk its fangs into Saberleomon's neck. With another roar, Saberleomon collapsed again and this time his body disintegrated into a cloud of particles which the nasty little digimon quickly absorbed. "No!", Henry cried.

"Hey! He was mine!", yelled Rika charging forward.

"Sorry. But she who hesitates is lost." Rika and Henry spun to see Jack standing smugly behind them. "Good work Demidevimon.", he smirked as the little black digimon flew across the room to settle on his shoulder.

Henry and Rika gaped. "You're a tamer?", Henry cried.

"Soon to be the most powerful Tamer ever." Jack turned to leave. "I'll see you later Rika. Thanks for the game."

"Who the hell does he think he is?!", Rika yelled. Renamon stood behind her. "Let's go Renamon." Rika stomped away as Renamon faded from sight.

Henry turned to his digimon. "C'mon Gargomon. We better get out of here before we have to answer any questions." The two quickly slipped away.

Jack and Demidevimon watched from the shadows. "The data from that mega digimon gave me a valuable boost in power. How nice of those foolish tamers to weaken him for me. A few more like that and I will be able to digivolve. And then..." Demidevimon began to laugh . Jack narrowed his eyes and smiled.

* * *

The next Monday at school, Henry was describing the events at the mall to his friend Takato. Like Henry and Rika, Takato was a digimon tamer. Takato had only been partnered with his digimon a few months ago, but he was learning quickly.

"A mega level digimon?!", Takato cried. "Wow! I wish I'd been there." "Believe me. There was nothing fun about this. Rika was nearly killed. If Terriermon and I hadn't been there..." He stopped short when he noticed a girl named Jeri from Takato's class standing nearby listening.

"Talking about your digimon game again?", Jeri asked with a smile.

Takato blinked and ran a hand through his hair. "Uh, yeah! Just talking about a game. You know how we guys are. Always talking about something. Heh." Takato managed a weak laugh. Henry just rolled his eyes. Jeri walked away giggling.

"We ought to be more careful talking about stuff like that.", Henry remarked. "Yeah. The last thing I need is Jeri knowing I've got a real digimon hidden in the park."

"What's with her anyway?" Henry nodded towards Jeri who now seemed to be having a lively discussion with a hand puppet.

"Beats me. She's always been a little weird."

"Cute though.", Henry said.

Takato laughed weakly again. "I hadn't noticed."

That evening Takato walked along an isolated path in the park. He carried a shopping bah full of rolls of various shapes and sizes. At a certain point he turned off the path and walked a short distance through the trees until he came to an old brick structure built against a small hill surrounded by a rotting metal fence and gate. Pushing the gate open, Takato walked into the structure. The back wall was collapsed and the earth behind it had been burrowed away to create a short tunnel. Takato set the bag down and whistled. A pair of yellow eyes appeared from the shadows in the dug out tunnel. A moment later a creature resembling a small red dinosaur leapt out of the shadows and enveloped Takato in a hug.

"Takatomon!"

"Hey Guilmon!"

Guilmon stooped to sniff at the bag Takato had brought. "Bread?", he asked, starting to salivate.

"Yep! It's a good thing Mom and Dad don't mind me taking the bread that didn't sell at the end of the day. Takato's parents owned a bakery and unknowingly provided the majority of Guilmon's sustenance. They weren't quite sure why he took an armload of bread with him every night since he obviously wasn't eating it himself. Takato's father believed he was hiding a pet dog somewhere, but his mother was not so sure, especially since she had never heard of a dog that ate nothing but bread. As Guilmon joyfully devoured the rolls, Takato rifled through the deck of cards he carried in his pocket. Before meeting Guilmon, the digimon card game had been Takato's favorite pass-time. After being partnered with an actual digimon Takato had learned that the cards used in the game could give be used to give his digimon certain powers in battle. "Henry and Rika met a new tamer this weekend.", Takato told Guilmon. Guilmon looked from his meal. "Oh boy. A new friend for us."

"I don't know. He didn't sound very friendly. Kind of a jerk actually."

"Like Rika?"

Takato smiled. "Naw. Rika's kind of obsessed but she isn't evil. Henry said there was something ominous about this guy."

Guilmon gulped down the last of the bread. "Will we have to fight him?"

"I dunno. If we did I don't think he could give us much trouble. All he's got is a Demidevimon."

Guilmon blinked. "What's that?"

Takato shuffled through his cards and pulled out a Demidevimon card.

Guilmon examined the card and laughed. "He's tiny!"

"Yeah, but he was strong enough to finish off a mega level digimon, after Gargomon and Kyubimon had already weakened it."

Guilmon suddenly tensed and swung his head to look at something past the entrance of the building. Takato strained to see into the dark but couldn't make out anything.

A voice suddenly came out of the shadows. "So you're the other Tamer I've heard about." Jack stepped into the light. Demidevimon was perched on his shoulder. "I'd hoped for a battle, but your little rookie digimon is hardly worth the effort.

Takato clenched his fist. "At least he can fight his own battles!"

Jack smirked. "And why should we have wasted time and energy fighting Saberleomon when we could just sit back and let those fools do the work for us?"

"I guess you don't have a problem with cheating?", Takato said.

"Cheating? This is no game. Perhaps I ought to show you how serious I am." Jack stepped forward and Guilmon growled and bared his teeth. Demidevimon hissed as his fangs grew.

"What's going on here?" All four turned to see Henry and Terriermon standing at the entrance of the shed.

Jack smiled. "Just teaching your little friend the ways of life."

Henry scowled. "I don't think he has anything to learn from you." Terriermon growled softly as he looked at Demidevimon and Henry slowly reached into his pocket for a card.

"Another time." Jack turned and walked slowly out. As Jack disappeared into the shadows outside Takato let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for the help Henry. I didn't think you'd pick a pick a fight with him like that."

"He was the one who picked a fight. I was just sticking up for a friend."

"Too bad he backed down.", Terriermon said. "I was looking forward to kicking his butt!"

"Yeah, me too.", Guilmon said as he flexed his arms. Takato laughed and patted his partner's head.

"There's something off about that guy.", Henry commented as he and Takato walked home a while later.

"Yeah, creepy.", Takato replied. "We'll have to keep an eye on him." A few minutes later Takato reached his parents' bakery which had their apartment overhead. He waved to Henry and walked inside. Henry and Terriermon continued on their way. Neither noticed Jack and Demidevimon step out of a shadowed alley as they walked away.

"I still don't think they're worth our time.", Jack said quietly to Demidevimon. "I'll decide who and what is worth our time. The girl's Renamon has already absorbed a considerable amount of data. The Terriermon has been strengthened under a skilled trainer even if he is rarely allowed to fight. And I sensed a great power in that other boy's digimon. I could not identify it but there is something special about him. Once I have enough power to digivolve, I will enjoy adding their data to my own."

* * *

The next day after school Takato and Henry met in the park. While the humans sat under a tree doing their homework, Guilmon and Terriermon wrestled playfully nearby. Takato was trying to do a particularly difficult math problem when the paper was snatched away from him. He looked up in surprise to see Calumon holding the paper, trying to make sense of his equations and numbers.

"This game looks complicated.", he said turning the paper upside-down.

"It's not a game.", Takato said gently taking the paper back. "It's homework. And if I don't finish it I'm going to be in big trouble."

"Can I help?" Calumon grabbed the paper again.

"Hey! C'mon give that back!" Takato reached for his paper but Calumon jumped out of his reach. He tried again but the little digimon jumped up on top of his head. Takato sighed and looked up at Calumon who smiled down at him. "Can I please have my homework back?", he asked.

"Nope!" Calumon jumped down and took off into the trees.

"Hey!" Takato ran after him. Henry chuckled and looked over at the other digimon. Terriermon had placed Guilmon in a headlock using his long and dexterous ears.

"Play nice guys.", Henry warned with a smile going back to his own homework. Takato emerged a moment later out of breath but clutching a wrinkled sheet of paper in his hand.

"He's pretty fast considering he's got such little legs.", Takato panted. Without warning Calumon jumped up and grabbed the paper again running back into the trees laughing. "I give up." Takato slumped to the ground. Calumon appeared a moment later having folded the paper into a hat which sat on his head. He jumped onto Takato's head and proceeded to beat a light rhythm on top of it with his paws. Takato just sighed.

* * *

The next day Takato was trying to pay attention to his teacher as she explained the periodic table of elements. His attempts to copy the notes had degenerated into doodles of various digimon including Guilmon.

"Takato!" Takato looked up to see the teacher as well as the entire class staring at him.

"Um, yes?"

"I asked you what the atomic mass of helium is." Takato frantically scanned the chart on the front board trying to find the correct information.

The teacher sighed. "If I catch you doodling in class again, you're getting detention for a week."

"Yes ma'am."

The momentary distraction over, the rest of the class turned back to the front of the room. Takato looked quickly around the room and noticed that Jeri was still looking in his direction. She waved her finger at him and then turned away in a fit of silent giggles. Takato sighed. "Girls."

The rest of the class passed uneventfully until there was about five minutes left. That was when a loud beeping caused everyone to look up and try to find the source of the noise. Takato turned bright red as he realized the noise was coming from his digivice.

"What is that?" The teacher scanned the classroom.

Takato realized he had to say something as the noise wasn't stopping. "I think it's my, uh, pager.", he said.

"You have a pager Takato?"

"Um, yeah. I think my mom is trying to call me. Can I go to the office and call her?"

"Yes, but hurry."

With a sigh of relief Takato ran out of the room. As soon as he was in the empty hallway he pulled out the digivice. The beeping continued as the screen displayed a small compass. "There's a digimon nearby.", Takato whispered to himself. For a moment he considered his options. After looking back into the classroom quickly, Takato ran down the hall and out the front door. As he sprinted across the front lawn he hoped that no one had seen him leave. Maybe he could explain this later by saying that his mom had called him because there was an emergency at home. But then the school would probably call home and of course there was the fact that he had never actually gone to the office. It seemed like he was going to get in trouble after all.

The compass guide on his digivice led him several blocks away from the school into a residential neighborhood. Following the arrow on the screen of his digivice, Takato rounded the side of an apartment complex to see several buildings covered in a thick white fog.

"Takato."

Takato turned to see Guilmon standing behind him with a feral look on his face. The presence of a wild digimon always brought out primal instincts in Guilmon. "All right Boy. Let's see what's in there."

Takato headed cautiously into the fog with Guilmon right behind him. Within the cloud, There were almost no traces of fog. Takato could see that the digital field encompassed three buildings which were built close together. "Where is it Guilmon?" Takato could see no digimon in the immediate area.

Guilmon sniffed the air for a moment before looking up and growled. Takato followed the direction Guilmon was looking and in a moment he saw something resembling a giant stingray attached to the side of the building farthest from him. He pointed his digivice at the creature and a list of data appeared on the screen.

"Hmm. Mantaraymon. A champion level aquatic digimon. Its natural environment is the ocean but it can survive anywhere. His attacks are Torpedo Ray and Paralysis Tail. All right Guilmon let's see if we can get his attention."

Guilmon took a step forward and opened his mouth. A red ball of energy erupted form his jaws and flew towards the digimon on the side of the building! "Pyro Sphere!" "Guilmon wait!" But it was too late. Takato watched as the red ball struck its target releasing a large cloud of smoke. "Guilmon we can't just attack like that. There are people in these buildings and we don't even know if that thing is dangerous!" Guilmon lowered his head. "Sorry Takato."

"You guys aren't very good at this." Takato glanced down to see Calumon grinning up at him.

"You better get out of here. This could get dangerous."

Calumon pouted. "But if I leave I'll miss all the fun!"

Takato did not have the patience to deal with Calumon at the moment. "Fine, stay. Just don't get in our way." He turned back top the building. The area where Guilmon's attack had hit was still shrouded in a cloud of smoke. Takato watched anxiously as the smoke cleared. The bricks were scorched and cracked but still intact. The digimon was nowhere in sight. "Uh-oh. Where did it go?" Takato looked around frantically while Guilmon tried to catch its scent.

"Takato?"

Takato turned to answer Guilmon when a streak of blue slammed into the dinosaur digimon and sent him flying. Takato looked up to see Mantaraymon hovering over them. "Uh...would it help if I said we were sorry?"

"No."

With a roar Guilmon charged headfirst into Mantaraymon knocking him away from his Tamer. Mantaraymon whipped up his pointed tail and wrapped it around Guilmon's neck.

Desperate to help his friend, Takato pulled out a card and slid it into his digivice. "Digi-modify! Togemon's Needle Spray activate!"

Guilmon instantly gained the power of another digimon's attack. "Needle Spray!" Hundreds of needles erupted from Guilmon's body. Mantaraymon released his grip and howled in pain. Mantaraymon flew towards the nearest building and then right up the side of it.

"We've got to follow it! C'mon Guilmon!" Takato and Guilmon took off towards the building at a run. Takato reached into his pocket to pull out another card. "Digi-modify! Hyper Wing activate!" Six glowing white wings appeared on Guilmon's back and carried him into the air. Takato grabbed Guilmon's leg and was hoisted up with him. Together the flew up the side of the building. As they reached the rooftop, Guilmon's wings faded. The scanned the area searching for Mantaraymon.

"I don't see him!", Takato cried.

"Torpedo Ray!"

The roof exploded around them. Takato had to duck to avoid being hit by flying chunks of debris. Before he could recover something hit Takato with massive force and propelled him over the edge of the roof. Mantaraymon had tackled him. As he fell, Takato acted on instinct, slashing a card through the digivice which he still clutched in his hand!

"Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!"

Down on the ground Calumon fell back as his crystal erupted in a flash of light! "Why does that always happen around these guys?"

"D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N."

"Guilmon digivolve to...!" Guilmon's skin tore away until he was nothing but a red wire frame. His body shifted and grew as a new layer of skin formed. He was now nearly a story tall. His arms, legs, and chest rippled with muscles. Black markings resembling war paint covered his face. A pair of horns grew from over his eyes and a mane of silver hair grew on the back of his head. "Growlmon!"

Growlmon leapt off the side of the building! His larger size allowed him to quickly catch up to Takato. He plucked the boy out of the air and held him protectively in his arms. Growlmon struck the ground with the force of a bomb. The concrete shattered under his weight. But his massive body absorbed the impact leaving Takato shaken but unharmed.

With his tamer safe, Growlmon turned back to the digimon who had been foolish enough to attack the person he cared so much about. Mantaraymon streaked down the side of the building with ever increasing speed. He slammed into Growlmon. But this time, Growlmon stood his ground and used Mantaraymon's momentum to lift him up and throw him backwards. Mantaraymon hit the ground and skidded several yards.

He recovered quickly and launched a pair of energy bolts from beneath his fins. "Torpedo Ray!"

"Pyro Blaster!" A gout of flame from Growlmon's mouth engulfed the bolts and detonated them before they were close enough to do any damage. Growlmon charged with a roar. Mantaraymon flew right at him. They collided and grappled with each other. Mantaraymon's tail wrapped around Growlmon's neck and Growlmon's claws dug into Mantaraymon's body.

Takato and a winded Calumon watched from the sidelines. Takato silently rooted for his partner. With a burst of strength, Growlmon thrust his opponent away. "Dragon Slash!" A large spike grew from Growlmon's left wrist which he swung in an arc, slicing into Mantaraymon's underside. The wounded digimon collapsed in a heap in the ground. His body began to shimmer as he neared death. Growlmon looked questioningly at Takato who shook his head. Growlmon stepped back to allow Mantaraymon's data to discorporate where it would return to wherever he had come from.

Just as his body vaporized a black shape few into the cloud of data and absorbed it. Takato gasped in shock as he recognized Demidevimon.

"What did you do that for!?"

Demidevimon sneered. "Why let good data go to waste?"

Takato gritted his teeth in anger. "He would have returned to the digital world and reformed but now he's truly dead!"

"And I am stronger! That is all that matters!"

"Well said." Jack was standing behind Takato. "What kind of tamer doesn't reap the fruits of his victory?"

Takato spun and raised a fist! "Being a tamer isn't about killing other digimon!" "And how did your digimon ever digivolve without absorbing data?"

Takato lowered his eyes. "I let him absorb data from other battles. But that was before I knew that these wild digimon were just as real and alive as Guilmon!"

Jack strode over to Demidevimon. "You're a fool. They're alive all right. And they exist to provide power for those who are more worthy."

"More worthy of life?!"

"Exactly."

Takato rushed at Jack who easily sidestepped and shoved him to the ground. The digimon and tamer both laughed.

Takato grunted in pain. "You can't just play games with life."

"I can do whatever I want. You and your little pet had better stay out of my way or you'll personally see what happens to those who lose to me."

Jack turned to leave but Takato had had enough! "Growlmon attack!" Growlmon had been waiting for just that command. Calumon gasped and Growlmon charged at Jack with a roar.

"Let's see how well you do against someone who isn't already beaten!" Demidevimon's wing flashed out and a black dart flew at Growlmon. "Devi Dart!" The dart Struck Growlmon in the chest and he immediately froze.

"Growlmon!", Takato yelled.

"I can't move!"

"Sorry Takato.", Jack sneered. "We don't have the time to waste with you. Maybe next time." Jack and Demidevimon sauntered away. Takato and Growlmon were left standing with looks of fury on their faces.

* * *

Rika leaned idly against a wall in the electronics district of Kyoto. Her eyes were obscured by a pair of sunglasses and she wore a pair of headphones over her ears. For a moment the music in her ears stopped. It was quickly replaced by the voice of her digimon partner. "Rika, we need to talk."

Rika responded under her breath. "So talk."

"This new tamer. I sense something unusual about his digimon, something dangerous."

"How could that little thing be a danger to anyone?"

"It defeated Growlmon."

Rika smirked. "That's not saying much."

"He's stronger than you give him credit for."

"Please."

"That isn't the point. He's a threat. We have to do something about him."

Rika raised an eyebrow. "So you're giving me orders now?"

Renamon began to sound frustrated. "That's not what I meant."

"Good. I decide who we fight. And I'll decide who's a threat to us."

"He may be a threat to everyone."

"So?"

"Dammit Rika! It's time you realized that we have a purpose other than meaningless fighting!"

Rika's eyes widened in anger. She continued to talk under her breath but her tone was harsh. "Your purpose is to win battles and follow my orders."

"And what happens when you grow bored with battle? Will you discard me like you did your card games?" Rika did not respond.

"We were brought together for a reason Rika. We can't stand by and allow innocent people to be hurt if we can prevent it."

"Get real. Jack and that puny digimon of his haven't hurt anyone."

"But they will! I know it! You must believe me."

Rika began to walk. "You want to do something, go ahead. Leave me out of it." With that Renamon's voice faded and the music resumed. Rika was alone again.

Renamon watched from above as Rika walked away. Why couldn't her tamer understand. Renamon allowed Rika to treat her like this way because of how much she cared for her. She wanted Rika to be happy, content. But all the battles didn't make her happy. They only seemed to make her more restless and angry. What did Rika truly want? If only she knew the answer to that question. Whatever was coming, Renamon could not face it alone. She knew that. But Rika seemed unwilling to accept the truth. Unwilling, or unable? Did Rika truly believe that digimon were nothing more than lifeless data? Did she truly have no feelings for anyone but herself? No! That wasn't true. Somewhere inside of Rika was a kind heart to accompany her fighter's spirit. That was why Renamon had been drawn to her in the first place. Rika was searching for something. Something she herself might not even know about. But whatever Rika needed, Renamon needed for them to be together. Not just the two of them, but the other tamers as well. The coming threat would require all of then to work together. But Renamon feared that Rika would not see the truth until it was too late. Whatever happened, Renamon had to follow her heart.

* * *

Takato and Henry had met after school. Takato had detailed his encounter with Jack and Demidevimon. Henry was more worried than ever. "There's more to him than meets the eye. It's like he's deliberately holding back, conserving his strength."

"What could they be after?", Takato wondered.

"Whatever it is, I think we need to stop him. We should talk to Rika. We'll probably need her help."

Terriermon poked his head out of Henry' s backpack. "Well you're in luck! There she is." Henry and Takato looked where Terriermon was pointing. Rika was indeed walking with her head down nearly a block ahead of them. Henry and Takato ran to catch up.

"Rika!"

"Hey Rika!"

They were nearly upon her before she turned around. Her eyes narrowed when she saw them. "What do you want?"

"We need to talk to you about that Jack guy."

Rika rolled her eyes. "You too? What is it with you guys? Renamon's convinced he's some kind of super evil or something."

Henry's eyes widened. "Renamon knows something about him? Where is she?" "Who knows. She went off to confront them or something."

Takato gasped. "You let her go to fight them alone?! Are you nuts?"

"They're dangerous Rika! Renamon could be hurt!"

Rika scowled. "Renamon can take care of herself. Besides, if she wants to go running off on her own, she deserves whatever she gets."

Takato began to get angry. "Don't you even care about her?! She's your partner!"

"She's my digimon.", Rika corrected.

"She's your friend! And she obviously cares about you if she puts up with your crap all the time and doesn't leave!"

"What do you know?! You have no idea what Renamon and I are!", Rika yelled! Henry cut in. "And what if Renamon dies Rika? Would you care? Would you?" Rika stammered. "She...she won't die. She can't. She's just...data."

"Enough of this!", Henry cried in disgust. "If you won't help her, we will!"

With that Henry and Takato took off running. Rika was left staring after them with a strange expression on her face. "Renamon...my friend?"

Renamon stood on the lightning rod which topped one of the highest buildings in the city. her eyes were closed and she was obviously in deep concentration. Renamon possessed a certain level of extra sensory perception. It was how she was able to sense when Rika was in danger and why she could feel the evil of Jack and Demidevimon. Now she was straining those abilities to the maximum trying to locate her targets. Suddenly she sensed something but it wasn't Jack or Demidevimon. She opened her eyes and gazed out over the city. Over a mile away a digital field was forming in the middle of a crowded street. Renamon could hear the honking horns and squealing tires from her position. Then it hit her. Jack and his digimon were moving towards the field. This was her chance to stop them before the could do whatever they were planning. While Renamon did not know what their ultimate goal was, she did know that it would result in an enormous loss of life. But, could she fight Demidevimon without Rika? He was only a rookie like her, but she felt an incredible amount of potential power within him. Making her choice, Renamon leapt to a nearby rooftop and began to make her way to the digital field. Whatever, they were up to, it was obvious that Demidevimon planned to absorb as much data as he could before they made their move. Her first priority was keeping Demidevimon away from the digimon in that field. And then, she had killed before at Rika's command. Was she prepared to do it out of her own choice? Did she even have any other options?

Within minutes, Renamon was perched on a building overlooking the digital field. People were still running out of the white cloud and Renamon could hear crashes and screams as the digimon inside wreaked havoc. She was here to confront Demidevimon, but she couldn't let that wild digimon harm innocent people. The choice was taken out of her hands when a blast of pure force slammed into her from behind sending her hurtling through the air. Renamon fell downward but the momentum from the blast also propelled her sideways until she crashed through the window on the tenth story of a building.

She lay still for a moment before painfully opening her eyes. The owner of the office she had crashed into was backed against a wall staring fearfully at her. She tried to stand up but a fire in her chest told her that at least several ribs were broken. Her left arm felt stiff and was probably broken as well.

"You don't look so good."

Renamon slowly lifted her head to see Demidevimon hovering in the ruins of the broken window. "I saw you spying and I thought it was time we got to know each other better."

Renamon struggled to fight the pain and get to her feet. 'What are you? No rookie could have that much power."

"I don't follow the rules my dear. I make them. I beat you easily enough, but there is still a good deal of power in you. Perhaps absorbing your data will give me the rest of the power I need."

"You'll never have my data!", Renamon growled fiercely.

"A rather empty statement considering your current state." Demidevimon smiled showing his fangs. "Don't worry. I'll finish you quickly."

Henry and Takato had planned on using the built-in digimon scanners in their digivices to find Renamon but the appearance of the digital field and reports of a strange yellow creature flying through the window of an office building had narrowed their search considerably. They now stood at the foot of the building which Renamon had crashed into. They had been joined by Guilmon and Calumon. Far above them they could see the shattered window.

"What do we do?", Takato asked.

"We have to get up there and help Renamon!", replied Henry.

"But what about the digital field?"

"The people have all gotten out of there and the digimon can't leave the boundaries of the field. If we're lucky the field will just fade away and take him with it." "All right. Let's do it!" Henry and Takato pulled out their digivices and prepared to slash a card through them.

"You ready guys?", Henry asked Terriermon and Guilmon. Both digimon nodded.

The cards slashed down! "Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!" No one noticed the glare from Calumon's crystal

"D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N."

"Terriermon digivolve to...Gargomon!"

"Guilmon digivolve to...Growlmon!"

Takato and Henry jumped onto the backs of their respective partners! "Okay! Going up!", Takato called. Growlmon leapt straight up. He rose several stories and dug his claws into the side of the building . He quickly continued to scale the remaining distance.

Gargomon pointed his guns straight down. "Gargo Laser!" The force of the blast propelled him upward with Henry's arms wrapped around his neck.

They reached the window at the same time and leapt into the room. Demidevimon was preparing to unleash a killing blow on the wounded Renamon. "Bunny Pummel!" Gargomon's arm cannon smashed down onto Demidevimon throwing him to the ground. The smaller digimon bounced right back up completely unharmed. "How could he be so strong?!", Henry cried.

"Demon Blast!" The same attack that had beaten Renamon blew Gargomon out the remains of the window.

"No!" Henry ran to the window to see Gargomon, unconscious hit the ground far below.

"That's impossible! No rookie level digimon could have an attack that strong!" "Let's go Growlmon!" Growlmon charged past Takato extending his arm blades. "Dragon Slash!" Demidevimon dodged out of the way as his wings carried him away faster than Growlmon could move.

"Behind you!", yelled Takato. Growlmon spun around too late.

"Demon Blast!" The large dinosaur digimon was thrown through five walls before he came to a stop.

"Well that was rather embarrassing wasn't it?" Jack had arrived. "Two champion digimon beaten so easily by one rookie. Pathetic."

Takato drew back his fist and ran at Jack. "I'll show you pathetic!"

"Devi Dart!" Takato froze, suddenly paralyzed.

"Finish this one.", Jack said pointing at Renamon who still lay on the floor. "Then we'll get Growlmon."

"No.", Takato said weakly.

Demidevimon hovered over Renamon. "Goodbye my dear."

Fighting the pain, Renamon managed to raise one arm. "D-Diamond Stor.." Hee arm fell and she collapsed.

Demidevimon smiled. "Demon..."

"Get the hell away from her!"

Jack and Demidevimon looked up in surprise to see Rika standing in the remains of the doorway to the ruined office.

"And what do you plan to do?", Demidevimon asked with a sneer.

Rika moved quicker than they could react, slashing a card through her digivice. "Digi-Modify! Full Revival activate!" Renamon glowed brightly for a moment and was on her feet in an instant. Her wounds were healed and her strength was restored. "Fool!", Demidevimon shouted. "I'll still..."

"Digi-Modify! Digivolution activate!" Jack and Demidevimon shielded their eyes as the light enveloped Renamon.

"D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N."

"Renamon digivolve to...Kyubimon!"

"Fox Tail Inferno!" A hail of blue fireballs pelted Demidevimon driving him back "Dragon Wheel!" Kyubimon's body erupted in blue fire which quickly took the form of a dragon around her. She charged at the stunned Demidevimon as her body went into a rapid spin. They collided and the impact threw Demidevimon out the shattered window. He plummeted towards the ground and disappeared into the digital field below. "Now for..." Rika realized that Jack was nowhere in sight.

With a gasp Takato slumped to the ground as Demidevimon's attack wore off. Henry moved to help him.

Kyubimon was looking at Rika who was now looking back apprehensively. "You came to help me Rika?"

Rika looked down and shuffled her feet. "Well, I...yeah. I had to. You're my...friend."

Kyubimon's face softened as a tear formed in her eye. "Rika. Thank you." Rika had also begun to tear up as she rushed forward to throw her arms around Kyubimon's neck.

"I'm sorry.", she whispered. Kyubimon glowed faintly and returned to her Renamon form as she returned Rika's hug. Henry was helping Takato to his feet but he glanced at Rika and Kyubimon and a smile formed on his face.

"T-Takato?" Guilmon staggered through the hole in the office wall which he had crashed through.

"Guilmon! You're all right!" Takato and Guilmon embraced.

"I'm sorry I couldn't keep being Growlmon Takato. I wasn't strong enough." "Don't worry about it buddy. I'm just glad you're all right."

With a gasp Henry ran to the remains of the window and anxiously looked down. "Terriermon! I don't see him! What if he...?"

"Momentai Henry."

Henry spun to see Terriermon, looking considerably bruised but otherwise all right, climbing over the edge of the hole Growlmon had left in the wall. Henry ran forward and Terriermon leapt into his arms. "I'm so glad you're all right!"

Terriermon smiled wrapping his ears around Henry's neck. "It would take more than that stupid bat to finish me off." Henry laughed and hugged his digimon again. The reunion was broken off by an inhuman howl from below. The three humans and digimon looked towards the window in shock.

"The digital field!", Henry cried. "We forgot about the digimon in there!" "Demidevimon is in there!", Takato said in panic.

"We have to stop him Rika!", Renamon said already moving towards the window. "Let's go!", Rika yelled grabbing Renamon around the neck as she jumped out the window. Terriermon leapt out after them allowing his wings to spread out acting as a parachute. Henry grabbed Terriermon's feet as they floated downwards.

Guilmon hesitated for a moment. "Um Takato, can we take the stairs?"

Takato and Guilmon reached the street moments after Rika, Renamon, Henry, and Terriermon got there. Together they ran into the digital field. A few steps behind Calumon followed, happily unaware of the danger. The sight that met them caused them to stop short. Demidevimon hovered over a large, green, insectoid digimon. It was severely wounded and having trouble breathing. Takato's digivice identified the fallen digimon as Snimon. "We have to stop him before..."

"Demon Blast!" A bolt of green energy from Demidevimon speared Snimon causing him to disintegrate instantly. Calumon whimpered and hid behind Takato's leg. "Get him now!", Rika shouted. The three digimon rushed forward.

"Diamond Storm!"

"Bunny Blast!"

"Pyro Sphere!"

The attacks flashed towards Demidevimon who simply grinned as they hit him. He barely flinched. The three tamers gasped.

"You're too late fools. With this digimon's data I at last have the power I need. Now human!"

Jack grinned and pulled a card from his pocket. His hand hovered for a moment over his black digivice before swiping the card down.

"No!" Rika had charged forward but she only got one step before being blasted back by a shockwave that exploded outward from the space around Jack and Demidevimon.

"Digi-modify. Digivolution activate."

The result was instantaneous. A torrent of black energy enveloped Demidevimon as his body began to pulsate. "Yesssss!", he screamed. The gale that arose prevented and of the tamers or digimon from getting near him. Jack, too, was blown back. "Demidevimon digivolve to...!" Demidevimon's body split open like a cocoon. A form seemingly too large to have fit inside his tiny body began to uncurl. It was humanoid but several feel taller than a normal person. His arms were ridiculously long and each finger ended in a long, sharp claw. His body was wrapped from head to toe in black leather. Only the lower half of his face was visible. The skin there was chalk white. A pair of fangs protruded from bloodless lips. The eyes that could be seen through the leather cowl were blood red. A pair of long, cruel horns grew from his head. A pair of ragged leathery wings unfurled from his back. "Devimon!"

Jack stared up at Devimon with awe. "At last.", he murmured. Takato, Henry, and Rika stared in horror. Guilmon growled bearing his teeth. Terriermon and Renamon edged forward nervously, shielding their human partners.

Devimon seemed oblivious to those around him as he examined his new body, flexing his claws and admiring the gaunt muscles of his arms and chest. At last he seemed to notice the others gathered beneath him. With a smile he stared at Jack. "Thank you human. I could not have accomplished this without you. For some reason it is impossible to digivolve in this dimension without the assistance of some fleshling." Jack advanced eagerly. "So glad to help. Now give me the power you promised!"

Devimon smirked admiring his claws again. "Yes, about that..." With a lightning quick movement, Devimon's arm extended and shot forward. Before anyone realized what had happened, his claws were embedded in Jack's chest. With a groan Jack's eyes rolled up and he slumped forward. Devimon yanked his claws out of the boy's chest letting the body fall to the ground. "I lied." The three other children stared in horror at the body and the pool of blood which was rapidly seeping from underneath it.

"You killed him!", Takato yelled with a fury which belied his small stature. Devimon simply grinned. "Of course. He was a fool to presume he ever had any power over me."

"You won't get away with this!", Henry cried!

"Oh really?" Devimon gave him an amused look. "Please, do your worst little one. I'm afraid none of you could begin to measure up to the digidestined I have faced before."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but you are going down!" Takato brandished his digivice. Behind him Rika and Henry did the same. "Nail him Guilmon!" "Do it Terriermon."

"Be careful Renamon."

Three cards came out. "Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!" Calumon's face set in a look of resolve and his little fists clenched as his crystal erupted in light. "D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N."

"Terriermon digivolve to...Gargomon!"

"Renamon digivolve to...Kyubimon!"

"Guilmon digivolve to...Growlmon!"

The three champion digimon advanced on Devimon who hovered calmly several feet above the ground. "Go ahead, amuse me.", he sneered.

"Fox Tail Inferno!"

"Gargo Laser!"

"Pyro Blaster!"

Devimon shot into the air as the attacks passed harmlessly below him. One arm lengthened and swept towards the digimon. Kyubimon ducked under it but Growlmon was struck in the side of the head. Gargomon charged forward with his arm guns blazing. Devimon stuck out his hand and the barrage of laser fire stopped in midair. With the slightest gesture he sent it flying back at Gargomon who was knocked back by the force of his own attack.

"We can't just attack him!", Henry cried.

"Yeah!", Rika agreed. "Let's do this right! Kyubimon attack!"

Kyubimon leapt into the air towards Devimon. A beat of his wings took him sideways and she sailed past him. With his attention diverted he was caught by surprise as Gargomon's lasers peppered his eyes! With a howl of pain his hands went to his face. "Dragon Slash!" Growlmon's arm spike cut deeply into Devimon's chest. With a roar Devimon spun on Growlmon but didn't see Kyubimon coming from behind him. "Dragon Wheel!" Kyubimon's flaming body hit Devimon in the square of his back sending him flying. He hit the ground and struggled to regain his focus. That was when all three digimon attacked at once.

"Pyro Blaster!"

"Gargo Laser!"

"Fox Tail Inferno!"

This time the attacks hit home and Devimon screamed in rage and pain.

"Let's finish him!", Takato yelled!

"Hit him with our strongest attacks!", Rika agreed.

Each tamer selected a card and slashed it through their digivice.

"Digi-modify! Megaseadramon's Thunder Javelin activate!" A massive bolt of lightning struck from Kyubimon to blast Devimon

"Digi-modify! Andromon's Gattling Attack activate!" A pair of large missiles shot from Gargomon's cannons to detonate against Devimon. "Digi-modify! Omnimon's Supreme Cannon activate!" Growlmon's arm morphed into a giant cannon. Devimon was already staggered. He tried unsuccessfully to rise to his feet as Growlmon leveled the cannon at him.

"Do it Growlmon!", Takato cried to his partner.

Growlmon nodded. "Supreme Cannon!" A torrent of energy spewed from the cannon and engulfed Devimon.

For a moment Devimon was lost in the smoke raised by the attack. Takato, Rika, and Henry watched tensely. The smoke began to fade to reveal Devimon crouched on the ground. His wings were folded around him like a cocoon. Slowly they unfolded. Devimon raised his head. His red eyes glinted and a smile formed on his bloodless lips. His leather wraps were charred but as he slowly stood he showed no sign of injury. Henry and Rika gasped. Takato's mouth hung open in shock.

Devimon smirked and made a show of brushing ash from his arm. "Ouch." Before they could react Devimon's claws shot forward. "Death Claw!" He grabbed Growlmon and Gargomon lifting them into the air. His hands glowed with red energy. The digimon cried out in pain. Kyubimon charged forward. "Razor Wing!" Shards of darkness flew from Devimon's tattered wings and sliced into Kyubimon like a hail of razors. Kyubimon screamed as Rika ran forward. Devimon laughed and threw the limp bodies of Growlmon and Gargomon towards her. Takato tackled her out of the way as the massive bodies crashed to the earth cracking the pavement. For a moment they glowed and then reverted to Guilmon and Terriermon. Kyubimon struggled a moment longer and then fell to the ground and reverted to Renamon.

Henry frantically searched through his cards. "Rika! Do you have another revival card? We have to..." He was cut off as the cards flew from his hand. Takato and Rika gasped as their own cards flew from their hands. The cards circled around Devimon's hands.

"I'm afraid playtime is over. No more cards and no more digivices!" With a wave of his hand, the digivices were wrenched from the tamers' hands. The three digivices landed in the palm of Devimon's hand. He studied them for a moment before clenching his hand and crushing the devices. With a snap of his fingers the fluttering cards were reduced to ash!

"No!", Takato yelled.

"Oh dear. All gone." Devimon grinned and gestured towards the unconscious digimon on the ground. Slowly they floated into the air.

Rika began to rush forward but Henry grabbed her arms and held her back.

"Let go of me! I have to help her!"

Henry struggled to hold her back. "Rika! He'll kill you!"

"We have to do something!", Takato cried.

None of the Tamers noticed Calumon as he fearfully watched from around the corner of a building. "This isn't any fun.", he whimpered. "That bad digimon is hurting my friends." For a moment the little digimon began to cry but then with a gasp he fingered the crystal on his forehead. "Maybe I can help." Calumon clenched his eyes shut and tried to will his crystal to glow as it always seemed to do right the before the other digimon changed. For a moment nothing happened, and then his head began to tingle.

A claw shot around the corner and snagged Calumon, whipping him into the air. "Nooooo!", Calumon cried as he lost his concentration. Devimon's hand dragged the little digimon towards him.

"Well well. I haven't seen an evolution digimon in quite some time." Devimon peered at Calumon through slitted red eyes. "I had thought your type extinct, but perhaps in this dimension that is not so."

"Leave him alone.", Renamon managed to gasp trying to fight the paralyzing effect of Devimon's energy.

Devimon gave her an amused glance. "Oh, I'm not going to hurt this little one. I can put his abilities to good use."

Clenched in Devimon's hand, Calumon had locked eyes with Renamon. The yellow fox gave an imperceptible nod and Calumon began to concentrate again. His crystal shimmered, attracting Devimon's attention. "I don't think so.", he growled. Devimon released Calumon who floated over to the others. He rose higher into the air and gestured towards the ground. The street below began to shake violently as the pavement started to crack. Rika lost her balance and fell to the ground. Takato stumbled and nearly fell before Henry grabbed his arm to keep him up. The ground beneath Devimon split open and a black point protruded from the broken pavement. It slowly rose up revealing more and more of a spire shaped structure. The ebony needle continued to grow out of the ground until it was over ten stories tall.

The tamers stared up at it with horror. "What...", Takato stammered.

"Just a little toy a friend of mine created.", Devimon shrugged. "I call it a control spire. Now even your little friend can't help your partners digivolve." Devimon inspected the control spire with satisfaction. "Since you've all been so helpful to me, I'll let you live for now. Now if you'll excuse me..." With a wave of Devimon's hand, the three children were lifted into the air and sent flying away. They landed a dozen blocks away falling to the sidewalk from several feet up. Takato slowly got to his feet and tried to help Rika up. She angrily shook him off and turned to Henry who was staring back in the direction they had come from.

"It's over.", he said on disbelief.

"What do you mean it's over?!", Rika demanded. "We have to find a way to stop him!"

Henry was still dazed. "We can't. He's too powerful. What could we ever do against him?"

Takato grabbed Henry. "We can't just give up! Devimon may be stronger than us, but we're the only ones who can stop him!"

"Gogglehead is right!", Rika cried. "There has to be something we can do." "Like what Rika?! He destroyed our digivices and cards and our digimon obviously aren't strong enough to fight him on their own!"

"So we have to do something ourselves!", Rika said with determination.

"Like what?", Henry said dejectedly staring at the ground.

"I don't know.", Takato replied. "But if we don't stop him, just think about what he'll do to this city, to the entire world."

Suddenly chilled, Rika crossed her arms across her chest. "The innocent people who'll suffer. My mother." A tear spilled from Rika's eye.

Henry saw it and his fists clenched. His little sister was at home right now, probably wondering where he was. Takato thought of his parents and his friends. It was past the time when he was supposed to be home for dinner. His mom was probably worried sick. Their thoughts were interrupted as the ground began to shake once again, this time even more violently! Takato fell to the ground and the others quickly followed him. "What's going on!?", he yelled.

"Look!", Rika cried. Deep shadows were creeping down the street. In a moment they saw why. In the distance a black wall seemed to be rising out of nowhere. It continued to grow larger. As it grew higher it began to curve inward. Within minutes the sky was being obscured by the dark growth. It was coming from all sides and growing over the city. The streets were already dark and the patch of sky they could see was rapidly growing smaller.

"My god.", Henry gasped.

"What's going on?", Takato cried.

"He's sealing the city.", Rika whispered.

Indeed the black dome had grown all around the edges of the city. It started as a ring and then began to close over the top of the city. Within minutes, only a small circle of the evening sky could be seen. The three tamers watched in silence as it shrank away. For a moment the city was in nearly complete darkness. Power lines that lead out of the city had been severed. Some emergency generators had kicked in, but the majority of the city was totally black. Then a red glow came from the sky. A number of glowing, red orbs had formed over the city. The light they cast was only enough to turn the darkness into a sea of eerie shadows.

Over the center of the city Devimon hovered with the conquered digimon floating below him. He surveyed his new kingdom with satisfaction. His power was growing. Soon he would be able to tear open the boundaries between this world and his own. Then he would use the fortress he had created from the city to wage war on those who had beaten him before. They would die, and their world would burn.

In the light of the orbs, Takato, Henry, and Rika stared into the sky at the barely visible form of Devimon floating high over the city.

"What do we do now?", Henry murmured.

"Maybe I can help."

At the sound of the voice all three tamers spun around. Standing calmly behind them was a young man with short brown hair wearing a white robe.

"Who are you?", Rika demanded.

The man smiled and extended his hand. "My name is Genai. Pleased to meet you."

TO BE CONTINUED...