Episode Three: Beneath the Deep

Taiyo: "Wait for them to come back?"

===================================

Salamon growls at the monsters, the light from her ring intensifying.

Salamon: "This is a bad place."

A creature howls in pain, its eyes going out like a light as a new [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] emerges from the bushes cleaving it apart. Their D-Terminals vibrate with its arrival.

The two Digimon Digivolve, the light revealing the black monsters which shield their eyes and back away into the darkness of the forest.

Eve:<How about no?>

*Eve crosses her arms*

<I'm sorry for being cross with you, but we can't just wait around here. They may never come back.>

A"Come on, we haven't even waited 5 minutes!"

E"We can't just do nothing! They need our help. The world needs our help."

R"Maybe someone should head back & see what that smoke is all about?"

Taiyo: "We don't know where they are or how they just disappeared."

===================================

Grimmon charges, blade raised, Angemon intercepts the monster, trying to push it back while Gatomon circles around it, her ring glowing.

Azuma: "Grimmon, Champion level, Darkness, few attacks, very little information available."

===================================

On the Web Continent, Zarek approaches a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] that sits in a lotus position, beads in hand at the edge of a weather worn stone path in front of a stone temple with big, heavy metal doors with eight squares on it. On each side of the path is several piles of rubble and a statue of an armor clad angel.

Zarek: "Any news for me, Sanzomon?"

Sanzomon: "It has awakened."

Zarek looks to the temple which had been sealed shut since the time of the Warrior Ten then back to her.

Zarek: "You're not refering to Ogudomon, are you?"

Sanzomon: "No, the Sinful Priest."

Zarek: "The Sinful Priest? Hadn't your master sealed that away many years ago? A darkness so strong Shakamon could not purify it."

Sanzomon: "The very same."

Zarek: "Is the seal still in place? Has its city risen?"

Sanzomon: "No. It still remains trapped within R'yleh."

Zarek: "Is it targetting the Chosen Ones?"

Sanzomon: "I cannot say. I will speak to Anubimon and seek permission to look through its lens."

Zarek: "Fine by me. I will pay a visit to GranDracmon. If Millenniummon's origin can be discovered, it should be the one to know."

Sanzomon stands and sets off while Zarek opens a portal and steps through.

R"Right, so nobody cares about what's going on at the mountain?"

Eve:<We can head over there.>

*Saberdramon lands*

<I can carry a few of you.>

Renamon: "Some of us should remain here to await their return."

===================================

Gatomon clawed Grimmon across the back while Angemon staggered and was forced back by a blast from the monsters cannon. With Angemon out of melee range, it began to coil around Gatomon.

Kylie:<Lunamon and I will.>

R"So who's going with us?"

Taiyo: "Euryale and Aroma haven't eaten so far."

Renamon: "Those who are capable of flight and can carry those who wish to go should go. If the smoke is near Mt. Infinity, it'll be a lengthy flight. You don't want to exhaust your partner carrying someone of mine or Guilmon's weight."

===================================

Angemon peppers Grimmon with Holy Shot, its attention turning back to him, it slithers towards Angemon who swings his staff at the monster only for it to be blocked by its blade.

Gatomon runs around it and attacks, causing it to redirect its cannon attack towards a tree which is vaporized by the blast.

===================================

Sanzomon crosses the desert, the pyramid coming into view. The heat is unbearable for most, but with many ordeals Sanzomon had gone through with her training, it was a minor annoyance. LadyDevimon's minions were also less likely to appear during the day.

Entering the pyramid, she slowed her pace to take in the hieroglyphs as she often did noting new hieroglyphs forming on a once blank wall.

She stopped to view a set of hieroglyphs that always fascinated her. It depicted a great vermilion bird and a black sphinx, the bird destroying the sphinx in a sea of fire.

Anubimon: "Would you like me to tell you the story of my predecesor for the...I seem to have lost count."

Sanzomon: "Perhaps another time, old friend. I come to ask a favor."

Anubimon: "You wish to look through the lens."

Sanzomon: "Yes. An evil my master had sealed away has awoken. I'd like to know the extent of its awakening."

Anubimon: "Understood."

R"Flying Digimon..."

*He crosses his arms & looks up.*

R"I guess that would be...Dorugamon, Saberdramon, & Sunflowmon."

Eve:<Saberdramon, can you carry me as well?>

*Saberdramon nods*

Eve:<Then I'll go too.>

Cameron:<And me.>

Sunflowmon has gathered quite a bit of seaweed. They could probably bind and gag Kylie if they so pleased and still have left overs for eating.

Renamon: "Will that be all?"

===================================

Angemon's bracelet glows and he attacks with a Heaven's Knuckle, Grimmon howling in pain as the blast burns a portion of its face.

The spectacting creatures groan and back off, others howling as dark forms that resemble dragonflies fly from the woods and pelt Angemon.

Grimmon howls again when Gatomon claws a deep wound in its back. The data rapidly dissolves, taking the form of smoke as it drifts from the wound.

===================================

Anubimon did not have to guide Sanzomon to the top of its pyramid where the lens was, Sanzomon regularly visiting the pyramid to share her experiences with Anubimon regardless of whether or not it saw them through the lens.

Sanzomon flipped the lens over to take a look at the side that viewed the Dark Area and began searching for the desired view.

The lens overlooked a decrepid coastal town that had appears to have been abandoned for many years then switched to a view of a black ocean,its waters calm and empty for some time until a small island holding only a dark obelisk came into view.

The view returned to the town before going beyond to a forest that could be scene as lifeless of not for the flashing lighs coming from it until the battle came into view.

Sanzomon: "They are being targetted."

Sanzomon turns and bows to Anubimon, thanking it for allowing her to use the lens amd then departs.

R"I think so."

*He climbs up on Dorugamon's back.*

R"We'll see you later."

*Meanwhile, Sunflowmon is waddling over to Taiyurle with Aroma in tow.*

*Cameron climbs onto one claw, Eve on the other*

Terriermon:<Stay safe guys!>

Taiyo: "See you later."

She looks at Sunflowmon.

Taiyo: "That's an awful lot."

===================================

Gatomon readies another attack when what appears to be a swarm of birds strikes her, knocking her away from Grimmon.

Angemon recovers from the attack and retaliates with another Heaven's Knuckle. Grimmon tries to shield itself with its arms which is relatively successful, although the blade on its one arm dissolves into data then smoke. It directs its cannon at Angemon who manages to avoid the blast, a tree behind him being disintegrated instead.

===================================

Zarek readies to open a large set of wooden doors at the front of a large, gothic castle, a pair of Devimon opening them instead.

Devimon 1: "Enter. The master is expecting you."

Zarek shuddered. GranDracmon always expected him even though his visits were always without warning, but it still sent chills up his spine. He suspected it had something to do witb the castles lord having existed since the creation of the Dark Area, supposedly being involved in its creation as well.

The Devimon shut the door behind him as he entered and made his way through the dark grand hall, Candlemon being used to provide some light. He would not make it to GranDracmon as soon as he would like as he'd inevitably get lost in the enormous castle which GranDracmon always found amusing.

R"Thanks, bye!"

*They take off. Sunflowmon smiles down at her with its ridiculous, vaguely off-putting face.*

L<That's good! I don't want anyone to go hungry. In fact, maybe we should dry some out & take it with us.>

*Saberdramon takes off as well. Kylie waves as he departs*

Taiyo: "That'd probably be a good idea."

===================================

They start off passing over the Misty Trees and eventually Toy Town. It'll be a relatively lengthy flight.

===================================

Grimmon turns its attention to Gatomon who's pelting it with Cat Laser, cannon raised. Angemon charges, bracelet glowing it runs Grimmon through using its staff as a javelin.

The monster howls in pain and begins thrashing about as Angemon removes the staff, striking him in the process as its body dissolves into data then smoke.

Their Digivices vibrate and upon looking at them, they're shown a map where the Crest of Light is visible some ways away.

They begin walking through the forest, Angemon raises a hand, the light from his bracelet warding off the creatures it exposes. Shackled to the wrist of each creature is a spiral made of some kind of metal, showing signs of age.

Azuma: "What are these things?"

Angemon: "I do not know, but if they fear the light they can't have good intentions for trying to come near you two."

Hitomi: "Do you know what they're saying?"

Angemon: "No."

Hitomi: "'In his city, the dead god waits.'"

===================================

As expected, Zarek had gotten lost and had been attacked by different things. Not Digimon through just some elaborate traps GranDracmon had placed to see who'd fall for them.

A pair of Devimon opened another set of doors, letting him into the throne room where the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] resided.

GranDracmon: "Greetings Zarek. Enjoying my castle?"

Zarek: "More than ever. Especially when I don't any limbs."

GrandDracmon: "Excellent. Now what can I do you for? Murmukusmon's indifference towards IceDevimon's taking over File Island? Or Myotismon being too self-absorbed to do anything about it?"

Zarek: "Neither, but that does help somewhat with a previous problem. I want to know Millenniummon's origin."

GrandDracmon: "The Thousand Year Monster. Why everyone knows this one. A Machinedramon and Kimeramon joined to form one of the least interesting creatures to try its hand at conquoring the two worlds."

Zarek: "I know that. Where did the two originate from? Kimeramon aren't exactly common, nor are Machinedramon ever since the Crack Team disbanded."

GranDracmon: "Where did Seraphimon have its castle before falling from grace? Also becoming quite boring."

Zarek: "What is it you find boring about Millenniummon and Daemon?"

GranDracmon: "Oh not just those two, but anyone whose goal is to conquor one or both worlds. You've seen it once, you've seen it dozens of times. And when you've loved as long as I have, you see a lot of things. At least Leviamon had the right idea. Devouring the Digital World. I have never heard of such a thing."

Zarek: "Right...Thank you for your time."

GranDracmon: "I'll see you again, Zarek. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. It might sting a little."

*They continue flying*
===
*Kylie and Lunamon sit down*

Lunamon:<And we'll have coconut milk to go with it.>

*As do they.*
============================
E"Yay...but what do we put it in?"

*Sunflowmon begins passing out seaweed.*

Taiyo: "We could wrap it in-"

Taiyo is interupted by a jet of water being fired from the ocean, striking Sunflowmon in the back.

From the ocean emerges a Shellmon which hangs back away from the shore which a trio of Coelamon come swimming up.

===================================

The temperature shifts, coming much hotter as they pass over a dry, arid valley. Those hanging on to the flaming bird are probably digging it less.

===================================

From the forest comes a cave lit up by stalagmites with glowing moss on them. A barrier of sorts keeps Azuma and Angemon leaving them ward off the crearures.

A"Sunflowmon!"

*Sunflowmon turns & SUNSHINE BEAMS a Coelamon. Meanwhile, Guilmon Digivolves & spits fire at them.*

*Lunamon digivolves and fires Tear Arrow at a Coelamon*

Renamon Digivolves and pushes past the Coelamon, launching a volley of fireballs at Shellmon as it fires another stream of water, aiming for Growlmon this time.

The Coelamon shields itself with its armor-like scales, tanking Lekismon's attack. They each then slash, sending energy blades at the three attacking them.

===================================

The smokes becomes more visible as Overdell comes into view, the smoke coming from the ruins of the mansion where they can see something stagger out.

===================================

The cave is illuminated by a sort of dim light although no source is visible and at the back is a stone alter featuring the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] of the signal.

Alongside the alter is another Hitomi although her skin is ghostly white and sags and droops like it's about to start falling off and her attire is entirely grey. It stares at the ground not looking towards them

Gatomon bears her claws.

Dark!Hitomi: "Do you know what 'Light' is? It's a weird trait to be associated with, isn't it?"

Gatomon lowered her claws as the two looked on at the dark image, confused.

Dark!Hitomi: "Well, Light is supposed to be a sort of umbrella term covering the different traits about a person. If I could use a different word, I might try something like "Understanding". You see, Light represents what we can see, what we can know, what we can know. It represents a higher state of awareness. 'Enlightenment' if you will."

Hitomi steps towards the dark image of herself which begins to twitch and turn like a puppet on tangled strings to look towards her.

Hitomi stepped back and Gatomon stood in front of her when they both got a look at the black spheres the dark image has for eyes behind its grey glasses.

The Digimental glows and the image disappears.

Dark!Hitomi: "We'll continue this later. You know when."

The Digimental disappears in a flash of light, appearing in Hitomi's D-Terminal.