Adventure Chronicles III: Rize of the Corrupted

Author's Notice: Thank you, reviewer! It's nice to know I'll have someone who seems to be willing to comment on each chapter. You know, I didn't get ANY reviews for that last one on fanfiction.net? I don't write for the reviews, but they ARE nice reasons to keep it up :)

...chapter THREE – The Return

What am I doing here? Even after all this time, I don't understand how they can justify the kindness and mercy that is bestowed upon me. I've gotten used to the children acting kind to me, and even having Angemon by my side, though that in itself is something I never, ever expected, but I can't get over what happened...

I could have died. No... I should have died. Grankuwagamon was coming right at me. I hurt my arm, a foolish mistake, the result of not listening to someone I should have. I was a goner. Until Holyangemon evolved. For me. He evolved for me. But was it really for me, or would it have happened whether I was present or not? After all, he was the only one who hadn't been knocked down, and the others were losing...

In the past he showed dificulty evolving unless it was the most extreme of circumstances. I heard about his battle with Devimon not long after it had happened. He had sacrificed himself, used up all of his energy, and faced death in order to save his human partner. I heard stories of him evolving to keep Piemon from doing terrible things to the boy as well... He's only ever evolved for the first time when his partner was in extreme danger and could have died. For him it was always love and fear that caused evolution...so I MUST have been the reason it occurred...

I don't doubt that he loves me now, it is obvious in the way he behaves and what he has come to tolerate from me, but I never thought it would extend so far as to allow the achievement of ultimate evolution to save my life. He says it isn't a big deal, but it is to me. Then again, even when I saved Ken from being run over I was the one who thought the situation was more serious than others. Ken himself said it wasn't a big deal while still being grateful. Maybe this says something about me... It does, but it also says much about the ones I surround myself with.

...do I surround myself with them? I wonder if I asked to leave if they would let me. Would I even want to? I would never say it out loud, at least to the majority of the children, but I am happy here. They treat me well, I'm with someone who genuinely cares for me, though for what reasons I still don't understand, and I'm protected. I am incredibly grateful. I wish the children of my time were as kind, then Edward might have lived. But if he had, none of this would have happened. What a terrible thing to think, but it is true. This generation might not even have been needed...

I can't dwell on this. Angemon says I can't handle thinking about those times, and it's true. I can't. It drives me to think desperate things and behave inappropriately. I suppose then I should stop thinking about things that have happened. It is always said not to dwell on the past...'

Vamdemon leaned to his side, expecting to push himself into the warm feathers of his bed mate, and promptly fell upon the ground. The thud echoed through the wooden cabin, causing Holyangemon to poke his head outside the bathroom door to see what had happened. Upon seeing Vamdemon's body on the floor he smirked and returned to his business inside the room.

“Real nice, jerk.” Vamdemon groaned, pushed himself up with a cough. “Nothing like offering to help me up.”

“Terribly sorry.” Was the muffled reply from around the corner as the angel continued packing up the bathroom. Vamdemon stood, unbalanced, and sat on the bed he had fallen from. He glared at Holyangemon as he emerged with a thick bag in his arms.

“Your sarcasm isn't necessary.”

“Neither is yours.” The angel said and thrust the stuffed bag against Vamdemon's torso. “And instead of sleeping in you should have been getting ready. We're leaving today, remember?”

“Of course I remember.” Vamdemon grumbled and glanced around the room, which was bare.

“I took the liberty of packing for you.” Holyangemon stated and tapped Vamdemon's suitcase. The seated man furrowed his brows at the annoyed tone of the angel.

“You're acting like I've wasted the entire day away.”

“Vamdemon, it's eleven already. We wanted to be gone by six-thirty, so we could catch all the children at home.”

“...oops.” Was the only reply the ex-digimon could muster.

With a sigh, Holyangemon set himself upon the bed besides Vamdemon. “I slept late too... Last night exhausted me.”

“Obviously.” Vamdemon smirked slightly and let out a nervous laugh. “You reverted. I told you I was good...”

Holyangemon frowned at the torn emotion in Vamdemon's voice, but continued speaking. “Yes, you did, and I never doubted you, but it's no excuse to have overslept.”

“You're too hard on yourself.” Vamdemon breathed. “Always so serious...it's alright to relax once in a while.”

“I've fulfilled my quota for the year then. Get up.” Holyangemon instructed. Vamdemon rolled his eyes, but stood, bag still in hand, and traveled to the door.

“Did you load the car?” He asked.

“Mostly. I'll grab what's left, you put that away and make sure everyone else is up.”

Vamdemon glared at him for being sent on an errand before he opened the door and approached the vehicle. He was thankful the weather was warmer than it had been the previous day. The trunk was already opened when he arrived. He stuffed the bag inside and shut the door before beginning the short trek to the cabins across from his.

He started from the far right, traveling down the patio and banged continuously on the boards of wood that made up the walls as he walked. Slowly, doors opened to investigate what had caused the ruckus.

“I should have known it was you.” Tailmon groaned as she stepped out of the door, stretching as she moved. Piyomon and Palmon poked their hands around the frame to get a look as well.

“Shut up fur ball. I was sent by your boyfriend to round you all up.”

“You're boyfriend.” She retorted.

Vamdemon glared at her with as much hatred as he could muster, but the digimon who weren't already aware of the truth interpreted the words as teasing and banter. “Just get your stuff and get in the car.” He muttered. “And get as small as you can, you all have to fit in the back and look like toys again.”

“Aww...” Gomamon whined and changed into Bukamon. Similar dull flashes of light occurred and multiple baby II digimon were standing where child levels did before. They followed him back to the car and loaded themselves into the back seats. He rolled down the windows so the creatures wouldn't suffocate and leaned against the vehicle to wait.

A few minutes later, Holyangemon finally emerged from the building with the last of their stuff. He threw it into the trunk and entered the passenger seat as Vamdemon slid into the drivers side.

“I hate making these things go...” Vamdemon muttered as he turned the ignition. The engine roared to life and was set into the correct gear to get it moving.

“I know, Vamdemon. You say it every time we travel.”

“Only because it's true.” He grumbled, and pressed on the gas. The car jerked forward and traveled slowly over the bumpy terrain until they reached the road.

“You know the reasons that you must be the driver.”

“I do - It's the fault of your damned wings.”

“That's right, so stop complaining.”

“Fine, I will.”

Holyangemon rolled his eyes at Vamdemon's moodiness. “You guys in the back, you know what you're supposed to do when we bring you home?”

“Inform our partners of the horrible threat looming above our little heads?” Bukamon asked happily.

“...not quite like that.” Holyangemon said lightly. “Remember, we don't know how dangerous the situation is. What happened yesterday could have been an isolated event-”

“Wrong, stupid.” Vamdemon interrupted. “Remember the foul smell Weregarurumon reported? That Okuwamon was a minion of Piemon.”

“What I mean by isolated, is that we don't know for sure whether that enemy was part of an army or was patrolling on it's own and found it's way to the camp. That will be an important point to the children, since you all know how some of them tend to jump to conclusions.”

“Damned goggle head.” Vamdemon muttered.

“That's enough from you.” Holyangemon scolded. “I'll tolerate some of your attitude and language, Vamdemon, but you're pushing your luck.”

“Whatever.” Was the reply as the car sped up, having reached the main streets and joined with traffic. Holyangemon tucked his wings behind his back more tightly to keep them from straying eyes of other passengers.

“So...” Tailmon started, breaking the silence after a half hour of wordless driving. “How are we all getting back to our homes?”

“That's a good question.” Tsunomon added. “We've come back earlier, so no one knows we're arriving.”

“You can't expect us little guys to hop all the way back...can you?” Bukamon asked.

“Especially me!” Tanemon exclaimed. “I can't walk all the way to America, and I certainly can't go through the digital world alone.”

“Sure you can, that's what all this training was for!” Koromon piped up. “You can evolve into Lilimon and beat all your enemies!”

“Not after yesterday, I'm exhausted still.”

“Aww come on princess, it's not a far if you go through the digital world, you'd only have to evolve for a little while.” Tsunomon teased.

“I'd like to see you do it!” Tanemon shot back.

“Yeah! You wouldn't last two minutes before wanting a three course meal.”

“Would so!”

“Would not!”

“I could.” Tsunomon bragged.

“Yeah right, maybe in your dreams.” Tanemon laughed. “You'd last even less than Koromon.”

“Wanna bet?” He argued.

“Yeah!”

“Then you're on!”

“Fine, I'll race you there!”

“Great, first one to Mimi's house is a rotten digi-egg!”

Their bantering was interrupted as Vamdemon's face was suddenly in theirs, glaring down at them with a look mixed with frustration, amusement, and disgust. “Shut up. You children are giving me a headache.”

“We're not children, were a level below.” Koromon laughed. The glare being sent his way deepened, causing the little pink headed monster to shrink backwards into the seat.

“Any more wise cracks?” Vamdemon tested.

“No sir.” Koromon said quickly.

Vamdemon smirked. “Good. Now get out.”

The digimon glanced around, surprised to be parked in front of Takeru's apartment. Upamon and Poromon evolved into Armadimon and Hawkmon and stood to the side as the rest of the digimon filed out.

“So...” Tailmon started again hesitantly. Vamdemon glanced at her wearily; a cue for her to continue. “How ARE we all getting home? Some of us are fairly close, but walking back on our own might cause a slight uproar.”

“It would...” He sighed, looking towards Holyangemon, who was lifting their suitcase out of the trunk. “Can I bring Tailmon and Koromon back to the Yagami apartment?”

Holyangemon peered at him for a moment before turning back to his work. “You sure you won't get lost?”

Vamdemon crossed his arms and glared in the angel's direction. “Of course I won't get lost.”

“I don't know...”

“There wouldn't need to be any doubt if you let me out once in a while, and besides, the two will be with me. They can correct my direction if I stray.”

The angel placed the suitcase on the ground and turned towards Vamdemon. He gave him a stern look as he though. “Alright, take them home. I'll fly the rest to their respective places.”

“What about me?” Tanemon asked from the ground.

“You can stay with us. Vamdemon's meeting with Mimi on Wednesday, so you can go with him then.. Follow me up to the apartment and I'll let you in with the luggage.”

“Okay!” She exclaimed and bounded down the sidewalk to wait by the door.

“And you're sure you'll be alright?”

“Yes.” Vamdemon groaned as he bent down to allow Koromon to hop into his arms. “I'll be fine.”

“Okay...try not to be too long.”

...

“You're going the wrong way.” Tailmon said lazily from her perch on Vamdemon's shoulder. He furrowed his brows and turned around, making another left off of the street he had just turned down. They passed more buildings, then turned down the next street.

“And again...” She muttered. He growled and turned in place, traveling back to the street once more. “I thought you said you knew you're way to our place?”

“I did.”

“...so why are you turning down the wrong street at every intersection?”

“It's been three months since I've traveled this way, give me a break.”

“Three months is a long time...” She admitted. “Which leads me to wonder why you haven't visited me. I thought we were friends.”

“Friends?” He laughed. “Hardly. More like...forced aquaintances.”

“Sure.” She said as she rolled her eyes. “But surely you'd like to get out a little. Just what are you doing cooped up in that room for all that time?”

Vamdemon's step faltered, jarring Tailmon and Koromon, who had been sleeping in his arms. “What are you implying?”

“...nothing.” She shrugged. “What are you suggesting?”

“Mind your business.”

“Are you hiding something?” She wondered.

“Of course not.” He stated, turning down yet another street.

“I think you're lying.”

“I'm not.”

“You mean to tell me nothing has happened between you two after being cooped up together for so long?”

“That, my little fur ball, is none of your business.”

Tailmon smirked and stretched a bit on his shoulder. “You really are a terrible liar.”

“So I've been told.” Vamdemon growled, finally approaching the destination and shuffling into a fairly crowded elevator. A few people waved at Tailmon, recognizing the cat. She beamed proudly under their gaze, even as the elevator stopped at her floor and Vamdemon headed down the hallway towards her door.

“Tailmon...” He said quietly. She glanced down at him with interest. “If anything had happened I wouldn't still be stuck as a human... You know that.”

Her ears drooped slightly. “That's true.” She admitted.

He shook his head, and with a sigh, knocked loudly on the door. A thud sounded from the other side followed by a groan and a bellowed laughter. The door opened to reveal Yuuko, who was shaking her head gently.

“Tailmon, Koromon,” She said with a smile, “What are you doing back so soon?”

“There was a problem, we'll explain in a minute...” Vamdemon said lowly, entering the room and dumping the two digimon onto the couch he slept on months before. On the floor beside the couch laid Hikari, who looked rather uncomfortable.

“It's not funny, Tai...” She groaned from the floor as she propped herself up on one arm, sleep still evident on her face.

Taichi continued laughing, but was silence when Vamdemon smacked him in the back of the head. “Shut up, nuisance. I was in that position this morning. It's not exactly fun.”

He stared at him in surprise then smirked. “Haven't we all been? That' doesn't make it any less amusing.”

“Brat.” Vamdemon muttered and grabbed Hikari up from the floor. She watched him with confusion for a few moments before shrugging and sitting next to Koromon and Tailmon. He surprised her even more when he sat to her right and leaned back into the couch and her side.

She turned her head towards him. “Are you feeling alright? Maybe you hit your head a little too hard this morning...”

He glared at her for a moment before shutting his eyes. “I landed on my arm, not my head, Hikari, and I'm just exhausted. Yesterday was quite an ordeal.”

“Oh? Is that why you're back so soon?” She wondered.

“Unfortunately.” He sighed.

Yuuko appeared from the kitchen and pushed a bagel stuffed with cream cheese into his arms. “Eat dear, you look terrible.”

“Thanks...” He muttered, but took a large bite out of the sandwich she had made. He knew better than to not accept the meal from the woman. She had a pleasant exterior, but she was not a person you wanted to be angry with you. Taichi sat on the couch on the other side of the two in order to hear the information.

“So what happened?” Hikari asked.

“We were attacked.”

“What!” Taichi exclaimed, a worried expression etched on his face. “By what? When? Why?”

Vamdemon put a hand to his forehead for a moment, apparently counting to himself. Of course the ex-leader would overreact over just three words. “An Okuwamon that evolved into a Grankuwagamon. I think we picked up the scent around two, it wasn't too long after we had lunch. As for why, well, we still don't know.”

“Surely you have an idea...” Taichi pressed.

“Of course I've got an idea, it's just I can't pinpoint a motive...”

“...well?”

“The digimon was a minion of Piemon-”

“What!”

“BUT, we don't know if it was sent as part of an army or if it was a lone monster out on patrol that strayed off course. This is why we returned early. No matter why the creature appeared, the point is that there is a method for his servants to find their way here. It also says that Piemon does indeed have servants following him, or else the Okuwamon wouldn't have smelled of his virus.”

“This is really bad...” Taichi muttered.

“It is,” Vamdemon admitted, “But at least we know about it. We destroyed the monster, so it couldn't report back to it's master than it had seen us.”

“You said it evolved...” Hikari said with concern. “How were you able to defeat it?”

“I'm not the one you need to ask.”

“Why not?” Taichi inquired.

“...I fainted.” Vamdemon said quietly. “The last thing I remember was the thing coming at me. I guess some of your digimon evolved and took it out.”

“Do the other's know about this?”

“That depends on if their digimon have been returned yet. Holyangemon was taking most of them to their homes. He's a fast flier, I would assume that most of them are back by now.”

Taichi nodded and stood, walking to his room and shutting the door to make phone calls. Yuuko moved as well, into the kitchen with Vamdemon's empty plate.

Hikari gave Vamdemon a disbelieving look. “But surely you asked what happened after you woke up?”

“Of course I did.” He said, glancing at her.

“Then why did you say you don't know how the Grankuwagamon was defeated?”

Vamdemon stared around, making sure Taichi was truly out of earshot, then leaned closer to Hikari. “All of the other's were losing, and I tried to shoot at it with a bow. My arm gave out and it came right at me. I passed out, but before I lost conciousness I saw a flash of light. When I woke up...Seraphimon was kneeling beside me.”

“Seraphimon?” She whispered.

He nodded. “He saw what was happening and evolved to protect me... I would have been killed if he hadn't intervened.”

“Wow.” She said. “I see why you left that out earlier.”

“Yeah... He didn't want me fighting in that battle either, but I didn't listen to him. I should start doing that I guess, he usually isn't wrong. Seeing him like that was sort of like a wake up call to me. We've been together since Christmas, and all through that time I had doubts that he loved me the way I do him. I knew he cared about me, but after all the disappointment and sorrow I've faced in life I guess I sort of set myself up to expect him to be dishonest. If he had been, there's no way he could have achieved ultimate in response to my distress. I've been kicking myself for doubting him all night...”

Hikari smiled and teased, “You're only human, Vamdemon. It's natural to think that, especially in your situation where its so important. All that matters now is that you know for sure.”

Vamdemon sighed. “I guess so. I'd better get going...he'll be waiting for me.”

“Are you sure you can make it back without getting lost?” Tailmon asked.

“Yeah, I'll be fine. I was rusty earlier, but everything is fresh in my mind.” He said as he stood and walked towards the door.

“Bye then. I'll see you soon!” Hikari said.

“Don't count on it, Child.” He said and shut the door. She merely smirked.