"I had my last dream," Sean said with a slightly haunted expression on his face. "We're going. All of us." His tone broke no contradiction as the group prepared their gear. "Where to?" Carter asked, bringing up his email to notify the local Digi-destined or Chosen. "London." A sharp intake of breath came from Raine. "But, is that really a good idea? I thought with the current situation..." "It can't be helped," Benjamin said, shaking his head. The Gennai clone had appeared that morning bearing bad news. "With the appearance of Pharoahmon's generals, I think you should get the last mask and unseal him. Then, you can deal with the generals." "I don't like this," Carter remarked, tapping furiously at his computer. "We're going to be sitting ducks out there. The only reason why Hikaru was able to achieve ultimate last year during the Ice Devimon Campaign was because she was empowered by the Snow Crystal. We'll be going in with four perfection and one adult." "Unfortunately, I cannot do anything about that at the moment," Benjamin said, shaking his head. "I would ask Qinglongmon for a Digicore but he is out of my area. Gennai is busy with his own Chosen teams and none of the other holy beasts have been awakened yet from Piemon's seal." Yami nodded, having taken control of Raine at the moment. "I could try to boost the software power of your D-3's but I don't know what that would do for you, other than make the D-3's a bit more versitile." "It's okay," Eric said, standing up, cane in hand. "We'll be fine. And then we'll send those slimeballs back to the sewers they crawled out of." "I wish I had your enthusiasm, Eric," Lee said. "But I have a feeling we'll be over our heads this time." ----------------------- Digital Diaries : Adventures 2003 Written by Shaun Garin Toei owns Digimon, Saban translates it, I just write. And Lord Archive has created the London group. ---------------------- File 24 : Full Circle "Greetings," The butler said, nodding politely. "Master William has been waiting for you with his comrades. Please, this way." The six Canadians with their digimon headed out to the living room where a group of teenagers and a younger boy sat with Digimon, all conversing quietly. The first one, a blonde male with well groomed hair, stood up, extending his hand. "I'm Chuck of the London Team and the leader of this group at the moment. Welcome to London." He looked around at the other Londoneers and sighed. "I'm sorry about the lack of reception but with current events..." Eric nodded, leaning on his cane. "I can relate." Chuck looked into those sorrowful red eyes and nodded. "I see." he said softly. "Hi, I'm Teresa." This came from a girl with long brown hair, a modest chest size and was short. Short as Eric was, and he was the shortest of them all. Despite this, she looked fifteen but carried a burden that was visible to see. "And this is Tapirmon." "Henry, and this here is Tuskaimon." Henry was a brown haired boy, the same age as Teresa. He seemed a bit more well off than Teresa but he definately carried a similar burden. "Is that hair natural?" Carter sniggered. "All the time," he replied, feeling the green locks over his eyes. "Wish I could have something like that," Fredrick said, a bit sadly. He and Goblimon stood to the side. "Fredrick is the name. And this chap here is Goblimon." "George," the large burly teenager said, looking up from the guitar he was strumming. "And this is Kokuwamon." The metal insect waved. "William." The young Lords stuffed his hands into his pockets and deemed to say nothing else. "And I'm Melissa," the last girl with her black hair in a bowl shape and a slightly larger chest size nodded. "And this is Modoki Betamon." "I'm Eric, as you may have guessed," Eric said, Lopmon standing on his shoulder. "And this is Lopmon." "Raine, and this is Labramon." "I'm Sean," The digimonless Digi-destined said, folding his arms, the golden gauntlet shining in the light. "And I'm Hikaru." The girl sighed. "I'm sorry we had to disturb you all so soon after this christmas." Fredrick shook his head. "No, it's quite all right. We're dealing with it in our own ways." Eric blinked as he looked down at his belt and plucked his D-3 from the belt. Extending the blade to full length, he scowled. "It's glowing. Bad sign." "Nice sword," Henry said with a smile. "What do the runes say?" Melissa peered at the blade and read the words. "Guardian be my name, I am evils' bane." "That's no sword you have there, that's the bleeding Sting!" Chuck exclaimed as the blade glowed blue. The glow abruptly shut off as Eric shrugged. "Whatever it was, it's gone now." ------------------- Datamon wrung his hands. "Our lord and master is not going to like this..." "Aw, come on. What could possibly happen?" A sword impaled itself into the ground before Pumpkinmon as the pair of small perfections leapt back in shock. Vajiramon pulled the blade from the ground as he snarled at them. "Useless fools," he growled. "If not for the masters wish to wait until the fifth general is unsealed, I would take you both on right now and absorb your data!" "Oh yeah?" Pumpkinmon challenged as Datamon backed up a step, only to bump into the much larger Santiramon who looked down on the pair. "Well just try it you stupid cow!" Vajiramon made to lunge at the small digimon but a hand claped down on his shoulder. "Forget it," came a voice that was smooth as ice. The larger Garudamon looked down at his comrade. "He's worth nothing, merely a waste of data." Vajiramon snorted but backed off at her order. A padding of feet announced Cerberumon's arrival. "They are all gone to unseal Lady Devimon." "Good," hissed the large form in the shadows. "Then, we will be together once again." A chuckle was heard as a wafting of alcohol tainted breath washed over the group. ------------------- The trip to Sherwood Forest was quick, having experienced what Eric dubbed the "Sailor Teleport". Melissa and Teresa were amused, as with Fredrick. The rest of the boys just sighed and continued their trek into the forest. "Swamp, Mountian, Field, Island and now Forest." Lopmon mummured. "Is there anyone besides me who sees a connection here?" The rest deemed not to answer the bunny digimon as they made their way into the depths of the forest. William looked over and said, "Eric, your sword is glowing." Eric nodded as he tightened his grip on the weapon. "Keep close people." A startled gasp made Melissa fall backwards. Teresa buried her head into Henry's chest as he held her. The canadians, exchanging glances, rushed to the forefront to see a mask carved into the face of a beautiful, yet evil looking woman. "It's a face of..." Chuck swallowed hard. "Morgamon," Plotmon hissed. Raine walked forwards, hand outstretched. Laying on hand on it, a flash of images tore through her mind. Abruptly, she jerked her hand away. "What?" she breathed. A slow sinister chuckle was then heard. "Weak pathetic fools," the voice hissed. The Londoneers paled as the voice of their hated foe was heard. "Weak pathetic fools. You come to destroy me? You are all the same." "SHUT UP!" William howled, barreling forth. The mask suddenly flew up out of range and a darkness formed around the back of it. William struck again and again, the mask hovering out of reach. Suddenly, the darkness formed hands, feet, a gown oh so familiar. William stopped in mid strike that would have struck the head of the evil witch off as she removed her mask, revealing the bright blue orbs of... "SIS?!" William dropped his sword, the blade morphing back into a digivice. "Sis, is that you?" "Yes, it is," she replied. There was a dangerous edge to her voice that the Canadians noticed, but the Londoneers seemed to be drawn to the spectre. "I have returned, my brother." "Susan?" Fredrick had dropped his sword as well, advancing forward. "Is that really you?" "Yes it is Fredrick," Susan replied calmly, holding out her arms. "I have returned for you." "Susan..." Fredrick's eyes watered. ------------------- "I have brought what you have requested master," Datamon said, handing over a small item. The creature chuckled happily. "Ah, yes. The Orb of Doom. The very thing our master was using to evolve to his highest form of High Pharoahmon when those accursed children destroyed him." It took the orb in one head as it raised it to the elevated platform of the dark warehouse they were in. "Now, we just need Garudamon. I am sure our intrepid Digi-destined are doing the work for us." "And then, when he arrives, we will pool our powers and summon our fallen master from the four corners of the digital world!" Vajiramon raised his sword in a cheer, the others followed. The creature slithered into view, topping to the highest part of the warehouse, eight heads and a long wickedly barbed tail. "And we will be victorious. Yes." ------------------ Eric's hand trembled. "It's darkness. It's not real! Everyone, wake up!" But his cries were to no avail. He scowled as he threw his cane to the side, gripping the handle with both hands. "Guardian is my name, I am evils' bane." His eyes smouldered as Fredrick walked into her grasp, one hand becoming a wicked set of talons. "NO ONE TOYS WITH THE HEART! DIE FOUL CREATURE!" The Susan abruptly let her control lapse for a split second as Eric slammed into her. William and the others seemed to come out of the trance as the hissing darkness battled against Eric's glowing sword. "My god, am I so weak?" Fredrick asked, sitting on the ground as he saw what he believed was Susan fighting the young crippled man. "The heart will guide you," Hikaru replied as she cracked her knuckles. "But it's time to get down on this demon." Eric slashed downwards, splitting the mask in half. For a brief second, the darkness seemed to dissipate. Then, suddenly, a tendril of black inky power slammed into his chest. Eric flew backwards, rolling to his feet. "Pest!" The demonic power hissed. "You will die!" "Get in line," Eric snarled as he threw himself forwards as the mask sprouted hands and feet, rushing to do battle with the evil before him, blade shining brightly. "I say we kick it's butt from here to the digital world!" Chuck shouted as he unsheathed his own sword and rushed into the battle. Eric grinned, in spite of his exhaustion. "Glad you can join the party." A third limb was severed by Teresa's Claymore. "Lets take down this foul creature that calls itself our friend!" The battle raged on, the London group exacting vengance on the one who would impersonate Susan. Eric fell back as Sean stopped him. "It's not our fight," he ordered. "But Carter, have Penguinmon evolve just in case the mask decides to bug out." "Gotcha." Carter said. The mask rolled to a halt and came up short to William who stood, sword in hand. It abruptly switched forms. "You wish to hurt me?" the Susan look alike asked. "Susan is dead," William said firmly. "And so will you be!" The darkness snarled as it threw its hands forward, dark power blasting the young boy backwards. She looked around for a way out, and grinned as it grabbed the fallen duffle bag of masks. "I fight on!" she proclaimed, causing a momentary snigger to come from Eric. "Dream on." Fredrick shouted, rushing her. The creature threw the bag at him. One of the masks tumbled free, flying through the air as Fredrick dodged the flying mask, only to get tackled, his sword tumbling to the side. "You love is your downfall," it growled, reaching for the Mask of Love. "Let us see what it does to you... when you are faced with the darkness!" The hand holding the mask thrust it into Fredrick's face, suffocating him with darkness. Fredrick struggled as the darkness overtook him. But then, he stopped struggling as his hands went to his face. A warm red light flowed from the mask as the creature was blown backwards by a bolt of red. "Fredrick?" Melissa gasped. Fredrick stood up, glared through the heart shaped mask as he thrust out his hand at the creature. ------------------ 'What is this light?' 'It is MY light. My friends. My love.' 'Away with you!' 'No!' 'Love Beats Cruelty' ----------------- The creature screamed shrilly as it stood stock still, grasping it's face in agony upon the mental assult. William, taking his chance, grabbed his short sword in hand and rushed forward with a cry of "For Susan!" The creature seemed to be stunned as William turned his back on it, sheathing his short sword. Then, it split into half down the middle. Then, it fell backwards, exploding in a tremendous flash, a shockwave buffering everyone. Then, a mask clattered to the ground. "What a finish," Chuck breathed, heaving himself to his feet. "Nice move. I give it a 10," Numemon added. William looked at the mask that lay on the ground and picked it up. It glowed faintly before resolving into a mask with a flower shaped crest on it. "The Mask of Kindness." Eric was being helped up, having fallen to the ground in the battle. "Well, we beat it." "Impressive." Everyone whirled to see a large bird man float to the ground. "Impressive for a bunch of humans. Thanks for unsealing me as well." Carter glared at it. "I knew it. Garudamon." The digimon bowed dramatically. "I see you still remember me, Windam." "Butcher!" Carter snarled. "You killed everyone in that village because they spoke to us!" "Why... yes, I did. Pity. They were such lovely baby digimon." Garudamon's smirk turned nasty as he reached down, grabbing the bag of masks. Then, he grabbed the mask of love off of Fredrick's face, tossing the boy into the arms of Melissa and Chuck. "I am short one. Oh yes." One massive hand went around Eric as he was lifted into eye level with the large digimon. "Prepare to breathe your last, boy." Then, he ripped the mask off of his face and dropped him like a stone, Saberdramon flying up to meet him. The digimon saluted jauntily. "Well, time to go kiddies! See you later!" With that, he took off. Saberdramon let Eric down gently and stepped aside. Sean was at his side immediately as Chuck hovered over him. "How is he?" Chuck asked. "I'm sorry. He'll be too far gone in a few minutes. There's nothing I can do." Sean hung his head. Eric closed his eyes. "I'm sorry everyone. Looks like this is it." Lopmon fell to his knees, the link between them dying. "Don't go," he whispered, teary eyed. "I'm sorry. I... I'd like to... but I have to..." Eric whispered. "Lee... take care of Raine...." "No..." Teresa let out a long undulating wail as she ripped the claymore from the ground and held it over Eric. "By the light of Compasion, HEAL!" Henry took her hands as she started to feed energy into Eric who's breathing had nearly stopped. "It's... been fun..." Eric said as he grasped Lopmon's hand. "Take care of everyone." With that, his eyes closed. Sean hung his head when a faint beeping was heard. He looked down, taking up the Tricorder in his hands. He scowled at the readouts. "What the hell?" "His body is fine," Carter echoed in an awed voice as Teresa merely smiled. Raine leaned over, opened her palm... SMACK! Eric jerked awake. "What?!" He then realized something. "I'm... not dead..." Lee grabbed Eric by his shirt as he hoisted him up. "You IDIOT!" He yelled. "Scaring us again with the 'I'm Dead' thing again?!" Lee turned to see Raine tugging at his shirt. "Put him down," she replied, folding her arms. Lee reluctantly put Eric down as Eric straightened his clothes. "Thanks..." he began to say, but never got the chance to. "RAGE!" Raine enunciated as she proceeded to kick the snot out of Eric in a half crying/furious fit. ---------------- "Um, Teresa?" Teresa looked over at Eric who was shifting on one foot to the other. "I just wanted to say, thanks. Thanks for everything." "It's the least I can do," Teresa said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I couldn't let you die without doing something." Eric smiled and nodded. "All the same. Thank you." Teresa smiled as she looked over to where his friends were getting ready to leave. "Go on." The younger boy grinned, tipped a SeeD salute to him, palm turned inwards with the flat of the hand outwards, and leapt into the computer. ----------------- "Garudamon. Good of you to arrive," Orochimon greeted. "Do you have the Masks?" "Yes." Garudamon poured out the masks which floated to hover around the Orb of Doom. "Very good. Let us begin." A haunting chant of Ancient Digital Language, a tongue used when Pharoahmon came into power, filled the air, the energy warping, crackling... And in a burst of power, the roof exploded. ----------------- "It's so good to be home," Lee said, stretching. "Guys!" Gina ran into the room, looking frantic. "Look at the skies!" The others jammed themselves around Carter's bedroom window as they stared into the skies, a beam of dark power lancing upwards into the skies. "Oh bad, oh bad bad bad!" Raine exclaimed. "It is the Orb of Doom," Benjamin said as he appeared, startling everyone with his appearance. "The effect can be seen in the digital world. They are trying to summon their lord and master, Pharoahmon." "But his data was scattered to the four corners of creation," Renamon exclaimed. "Yes. But with the Orb of Doom and the five masks of Light, they can summon and reform Pharoahmon." Benjamin said, looking solomn. "Then," Sean said, clenching his fist. "We'll be there... to stop him once again." Eric nodded as he marched towards the door. "Lets do it! Everyone Transform and Roll Out!" "You watch too much TV," Lopmon said, but evolved into his larger form. Boarding their digimon, Raine looked at Gina. "Better take shelter," she said. Gina nodded as she got into her new jeep and tore off. ---------------- "So this is the base," Eric said as the digimon raced towards the middle of town. "What do we do?" "Pray," Carter said. "And fight." Cerberumon looked over and chuckled at the assembled digimon and their partners rushing towards them. "Too late," he warbled as the skies were ripped asunder. ----------------- Authors notes : One down, one more to go. The story will be on hold for a month at the most if I decide to work on other fanfiction after finishing DDA. If everything goes well, DDA will be resumed in a week or less.