Chapter 65: Boss BlackGatomon, Why Is This—!?
As if to confirm their worst suspicions, the thick fog ahead violently parted. Several spheres of crackling, black-blue energy shot out from the gloom, hurtling toward the DigiDestined and their partners with blinding speed.
"Dark Spirits!"
Six consecutive blasts tore through the air. Despite their heightened guard, the sheer velocity of the dark energy gave the Digimon no time to evade.
"What!?"
"Oh no—!"
In the blink of an eye, Togemon, Biyomon, Kabuterimon, and Garurumon were blasted off their feet, their bodies crashing heavily into the dirt. Seadramon managed to withstand the brunt of the impact thanks to his massive, armored bulk, but his pained hiss made it clear he was suffering.
Only Angemon, realizing evasion was impossible, spun his holy staff in a rapid arc to block the incoming sphere!
"Damn it... Such overwhelming strength. Is this an Ultimate level?!" Angemon gritted his teeth. The dark energy pushed him backward, his boots carving deep trenches into the soil as he struggled to neutralize the attack.
Just then, Seadramon's panicked voice echoed from his flank. "Angemon, look out!"
"Heaven's—"
"I'll 'Heaven' your way, you filthy Numemon!"
"Dark Spirits!"
Exploiting the split-second Angemon was pinned down, Etemon materialized at his side like a phantom. The monkey Digimon slammed another sphere of dark energy directly into Angemon's ribs, sending the angelic warrior flying.
Angemon's airborne body crashed squarely into Seadramon. The sickening thud of impact was followed by simultaneous cries of pain as both Digimon collapsed miserably into the dust.
Dust settled over the groaning Digimon. Etemon strutted into the center of the clearing, his chest puffed out with sheer arrogance. He waved his oversized hands in exaggerated, mocking gestures, laughing at the fallen defenders.
"Is this really all you've got?" Etemon sneered, adjusting his sunglasses. "Hahaha! You DigiDestined are truly a massive disappointment!"
Still reveling in his own taunts, Etemon dramatically pulled a microphone from his belt, preparing to unleash his dreaded vocal attack.
But before the first screeching note could leave his lips, a massive, searing fireball tore across the battlefield and slammed directly into his rear!
"What—?! Ouch, ouch, ouch, OUCH!"
Scorched by the sudden blast of intense heat, Etemon dropped his microphone and fell to the dirt, rolling around in a frantic, undignified panic to extinguish the flames licking at his backside.
"Who was that?!" Etemon shrieked, finally patting out the last smoldering ember on his fur. He glared furiously at the tree line. "Setting fires everywhere! Do you have absolutely no public decency?!"
Under Etemon's murderous glare, the smoke cleared to reveal Taichi and Greymon stepping onto the battlefield.
Taichi's expression was unreadable, his eyes locked onto the monkey Digimon. "Everyone, this guy is incredibly strong," he called out without looking back. "Leave the rest to me."
"..."
Looking at the unwavering backs of Taichi and Greymon, the rest of the DigiDestined exchanged weary but trusting glances. They nodded in silent agreement.
"Sorry, Taichi. We'll leave him to you," Izzy said. He carefully scooped up the bruised Tentomon and quickly retreated toward the rear lines with the others.
Etemon barely spared a glance at the fleeing children. They were weaklings he could crush whenever he pleased. Right now, his absolute priority was the insolent brat who had dared to set his royal backside on fire!
"You... ah, forget it. I have zero interest in learning the names of the dead," Etemon growled, raising a hand and arrogantly beckoning Greymon forward. "Since you stepped up alone, I assume you've prepared yourself for the consequences, right?"
"..."
In response to the blatant provocation, Greymon let out a low, bone-rattling growl. Flames licked at the edges of his jaws.
At that exact moment, Taichi raised his Digivice high into the air. The device erupted with blinding, piercing light.
"Alone? You couldn't be more wrong!" Taichi shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. "The bond between Greymon and me isn't something a joke like you can even begin to comprehend!"
He smirked, a fierce fire burning in his eyes. "Oh, right. I almost forgot to mention."
Bathed in the radiant pillar of Digivolution light, Greymon's body began to expand rapidly, the sheer force of the transformation carrying Taichi upward onto his rising crest.
"Greymon Super Digivolve to...!"
Metal armor fused with flesh. A massive cybernetic arm slammed into the earth, and tattered wings ripped free from his back.
"...MetalGreymon!!!"
"Roooooar!!!!"
An impassioned, earth-shaking dragon's roar pierced the sky, scattering the remaining fog. Standing tall atop MetalGreymon's armored skull, Taichi looked down at the suddenly pale-faced Etemon and delivered his final ultimatum.
"Etemon! You are the challenger now!"
Etemon took a step back, his jaw tight. "Heh heh... An Ultimate level. Is this what gave you such false confidence?" Though clearly caught off guard by the sudden digivolution, the monkey Digimon forced a strained smirk, quickly regaining his composure.
"I'll admit, an Ultimate level certainly has the basic qualifications to stand before me," Etemon declared, puffing his chest out once more. "However! That doesn't mean you actually have what it takes to defeat me!"
His muscles bulged, dark energy swirling around his fists. "If you want to know why—!"
Boom!!!
Etemon stomped his foot, shattering the solid ground beneath him into a spiderweb of deep fissures.
"Because I am the strongest King of all Digimon! King Etemon!" he roared, launching himself directly at the towering MetalGreymon.
Just as the explosive clash between Taichi and Etemon officially began, on the far side of the battlefield, Mizuki finally met his own opponents.
Step.
Following the heavy crunch of footsteps, the silhouettes of two Digimon emerged from the lingering mist, blocking the path of Mizuki and Kari.
Sensing the danger, Kari immediately reached for her Digivice, preparing to call out Phantomon. But before she could act, Mizuki gently placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"Kari, your brother specifically asked me to look after you," Mizuki said, his tone light but firm. "If I let you do the fighting now, it would make me look terribly irresponsible, wouldn't it?"
"..." Kari looked up at Mizuki's calm, reassuring smile. After a moment of thought, she lowered her hand, abandoning the idea of a fight.
"In that case, please be careful, Mizuki."
With a quick nod, Kari turned and sprinted back toward the rear lines where Izzy and the others were regrouping. Mimi was currently the only one tending to the injured Digimon, and she would definitely struggle on her own. After all, her partner's abilities leaned far more toward purification than actual physical healing.
Seeing the young girl run off, one of the two opposing Digimon stepped forward to intercept her, but was immediately held back by its companion.
"Big Sister BlackGatomon, why are you—?"
The Digimon speaking was none other than Tyrannomon—the very same lackey who had run off to inform Etemon of their location the night before!
As for the one who stopped him, her identity was already glaringly obvious.
"It's fine to let the child go. We only need one hostage anyway," BlackGatomon said faintly, her cold gaze fixed forward as she slowly walked toward Mizuki.
At the same time, Mizuki stood up from his makeshift resting spot. With a casual flick of his wrists, the parasol and handbag he was holding shimmered, reverting back to their true, lethal forms.
The crimson, dragon-headed shield on his arm opened its metallic maw. Under Mizuki's precise control, the shield clamped its razor-sharp teeth down onto the flat of his holy sword. He violently yanked the blade through the dragon's jaws, striking a shower of brilliant sparks into the air—sharpening the edge with a menacing screech of metal.
Zzz-zzz-zzz!
BlackGatomon: "..."
Mizuki: "..."
The human and the dark Digimon stood perfectly still, facing each other in dead silence. The tension hung thick in the air.
Feeling the suffocating aura of two absolute powerhouses locking onto one another, Tyrannomon subconsciously shrank his thick neck. He didn't fully understand the depths of their power, but his instincts screamed at him.
'This human couldn't possibly have the strength to fight Big Sister BlackGatomon... could he? How could such a ridiculous thing be possible?!''But...' Tyrannomon clutched his rapidly beating chest.'Even though it feels completely unbelievable, why am I getting so excited?!'
A fanatical light began to shine in the dinosaur Digimon's eyes.
"So exciting! This is so exciting!" Tyrannomon muttered to himself, practically vibrating with anticipation. "I never thought I'd get to witness a life-or-death showdown between true masters out here! Even dying in the crossfire would be worth the price of admission!"
However, the very second those dramatic words left his mouth, the heavy, life-or-death atmosphere completely shattered.
Under Tyrannomon's utterly stunned gaze, BlackGatomon and Mizuki instantly dropped their deadly serious expressions. The two "bitter enemies" closed the distance and gently embraced each other.
"Welcome back, Bei. You worked hard," Mizuki said warmly. He casually stabbed his terrifying holy sword into the dirt and began gently stroking BlackGatomon's back.
BlackGatomon wrapped her paws tightly around Mizuki's neck, affectionately rubbing her soft cheek against his collar. "It's alright. As long as it's for Mizu, I don't mind doing anything!"
Tyrannomon's jaw hit the floor. "Big Sister BlackGatomon... w-why is this happening?!"
Staring blankly at the sickeningly sweet, intimate display between the human and the dark Digimon, Tyrannomon suddenly felt his usually clever brain lagging severely behind reality.
Why was the terrifying, powerful figure he had just sworn absolute loyalty to yesterday now aggressively cuddling with the enemy?!
Could someone, anyone, please tell him what the hell was going on?!
???
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