Episode Six: Absolute Territory

To save the digital world?
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<No way am I helping you.>
---
<I've failed...>

*Cameron falls to his knees*

Zarek: "Two of you care to come over here for a bit?"

The DarkTyrannomon are right mangled once the meteor disappears. They return fire as much as something with no real sense of direction can.

Meanwhile, Taiyo and Raidramon head for the gate.

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LadyDevimon: "Correct. But you fought valiantly. It just wasn't enough to save the distressed damsel who'll remain in my captivity until I get bored with her."

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Devimon's claws emerge from the ground, grabbing ahold of Baalmon while Angewomon fires a Holy Arrow at it.

Baalmon: "This is where I make my exit."

Baalmon wrestles away from Devimon and unleashes a flurry of bullet-like projectiles at Angewomon as she readies another arrow before taking off.

Azuma goes to Devimon who reverts to Patamon.

Patamon: "I don't feel so good."

Azuma: "I'm sorry..."

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She sees the words "You have no sense of self," the voice closer and more clear. Suddenly all she sees is red, feeling something pierce her chest with the words "It feels strange, doesn't it?" appearing.

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MetalPhantomon: "You're already helping me by being a valuable test subject. Unfortunately the project isn't a complete success. Just look at you. You're on the verge of..."

MetalPhantomon's words drift away as Gargomon passes out.

*Dorugreymon swerves. Sunflowmon fires at a Dark Tyrannomon, while Growlmon fires at the other. Euryale, Aroma, & Roatha head for the gate.*

Cameron:<The others will come, and then you'll be sorry.>
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Shut up!

*Eve screams*

Raidramon backs away from the gate, growling as something big hammers on the other side.

Zarek: "Let's do this quick. Place a hand on the barrier and think only about dispelling this barrier. Be ready for what's on the other side."

Zarek places a hand on the barrier, Taiyo does the same.

In quick order, the DarkTyrannomon are destroyed.

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LadyDevimon: "I'm sure they will."

LadyDevimon presses on the wound on Kylie's left shoulder, digging a nail into it.

LadyDevimon: "You're so warm on the inside. Not the sweetest spot, but it will suffice for the time being."

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The voice becomes clear enough that she can recognize it as her own, constantly saying almost chanting "Ignorance."

The last thing she sees is the phrase ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΑΥΤΟΝ before a rendition of herself without the Crest emerges from her.

Eve: "Who am I?"

<You're me, which means you are Eve Tantus, child of Knowledge and partner of Terriermon.>
---
*Kylie lets out a tiny squeak of pain*

*As do the trio, though they're probably also thinking about tits.*

The gate behind the barrier begins to crack. Those touching the barrier begin to feel warm and soon hot as their hand's burn, Taiyo's the first to pull her hand away. The barrier collapses, a shockwave pushing everyone back as MetalTyrannomon X-Antibody breaks through the gate.

Zarek: "We don't have time for this."

Raidramon rights herself and fires a lightning bolt at MetalTyrannomon X. Irritated, it prepares to fire a laser at her.

Taiyo: "We can keep it occupied while the others go in the castle."

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LadyDevimon: "Shh...there is nothing wrong in being dominated by me."

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Eve: "I am the Eve Tantus that exists in your mind prior to your coming to the Digital World."

A second Eve emerges from the first.

Eve II: "Why am I here?"

*Euryale looks at her hand, shaking it & biting her lip.*

E"God damn it, you didn't tell us this was going to happen!"

*Aroma is tearing up & gasping, trying not to cry as she wraps her hand up in any loose clothing t hat she has. Seeing this, an angry Sunflowmon slaps Zarek. With a smile.*

R"It doesn't matter right now. We have to get into the castle. Since Dorugreymon is the strongest one here, & Growlmon will fight better where his enemies can't get away with him, I say Sunflowmon stays behind to help Raidramon while the rest of us go on ahead."

E"I don't know about that, Taiyo & I might be stronger fighting side-by-side."

<I'm guessing you are also me at sometime in the past.>
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*Kylie looks away, trying not to burst into tears*

Zarek: "I didn't think that would happen. Collapsing under the power of this...thing was not something I expected."

Raidramon jumps back as the laser fires, putting a large hole in the ground. Raidramon readies a counterattack, but has to put it on hold as MetalTyrannomon X comes barreling at her.

Zarek: "Decide now!"

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LadyDevimon: "All you lose is the emotion of pride."

LadyDevimon removes her finger from Kylie's arm and turns her head toward itself.

LadyDevimon: "To be dominated by me is no worse for you than being dominated by someone of your own species."

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The second Eve repeats the question.

Eve: "That is the Eve Tantus that exists in the mind of the Child of Hope."

A third Eve emerges from the first, the appearance of this one kind of faded.

Eve III: "Why do I exist?"

<Maybe I don't wanna be dominated by anyone!>
---
<Because everyone sees me differently? I don't know?>

E"Whichever one does more damage to it!"

R"Right, makes sense!"

<Pyro Blaster!>

<SUNSHINE BEAM!>

Zarek begins to cross the courtyard into the castle.

Bastemon should still be alive.

MetalTyrannomon X turns on the others and fires its laser, dragging it across to hit anyone foolish enough to be on the ground, paying no need to Raidramon gnawing on its legs inflicting as little damage as the attacks that drew its attention away from her.

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LadyDevimon: "Do you think you have a choice in the manner? As a slave, you do nothing but obey what the master says."

LadyDevimon scratches Kylie's other cheek, drawing blood.

LadyDevimon: "Correct?"

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Eve: "That is the Eve Tantus that exists in the mind of the Child of Light."

Eve II: "You are here because it is what you fear most."

Eve III: "You cannot answer why you exist because you are unsure. You believe it is to serve a greater purpose, but that same purpose could be served by any other person in existance."

A fourth more faded Eve emerges from the first.

Eve IV: You have no sense of self."

Four more Eve's each more faded and transparent than the last spawn from the first, all repeating the questions and statements.

Eve: "Each Eve Tantus is how you are seen in the minds of those around you. While there are many they are all a true Eve Tantus."

The seven Eve's all return to the first.

OOC: Shouldn't there be 8?

<I am as sure of myself as I can ever be.>
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Kylie:<I'm...not your slave!>

R"Okay, new plan."

*Roatha produces a [s]deus ex machina[/s] coin from his pocket.*

R"Heads, Euryale goes in, tails, Aroma."

*When he flips it, it comes up tails, because that seems to be the plan. Aroma whimpers slightly, but tries not to draw the ire of Euryale. Roatha grabs her hand & they run inside, Aroma looking like she does not enjoy the contact at all. Growlmon tries to counter the laser with fire.*

OOC: Slashes is strike in brackets not s.

The laser passes through the flames, knocking Growlmon on his ass before kicking Raidramon off of it.

Taiyo: "It's really strong."

MetalTyrannomon X-Antibody looks between the two, determining which to attack.

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Inside the castle's main hall, DarkKnightmon stands Twin Lance in one hand, axe with a name I can't pronounce unshouldered in its other hand across from Zarek.

DarkKnightmon: "So it's true the Agents weren't entirely wiped out during the Crack Team & D-Brigade spectacle. I'd love to see if you live up to your name, but these Children are of more importance."

DarkKnightmon slashes with its axe, tearing a hole in the fabric of reality opening a hole showing a barren, wartorn landscape where robotic looking creatures destroy Digimon en masse sans a few Digimon that appear to be working with them. A NeoDevimon emerges from the other world, the hole closing up.

DarkKnightmon: "Most interesting."

OOC: There's your fucking crossover.

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LadyDevimon slaps Kylie.

LadyDevimon: "Your present circumstances say otherwise, welp."

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OOC: I don't know, probably. Math was never my forte.

Eve: "How sure of yourself can you be when you're so full of doubt?"

Azuma and Hitomi appear between the first Eve.

Azuma: "So you know of our plight. How does that make you feel? Are you happy? Does it give you a sense of enlightenment? Do you feel closer to us? Like we're now closer as a team?"

Hitomi: "Do you feel any different? Do you feel better about yourself?"

The two step forward stopping as the words "I HATE YOU" flash through Eve's mind.

Azuma: "Or has your view of us remained the same?"

Hitomi: "How does one who doesn't ask question deserve to bear the mark of Knowledge?"

OOC: Nope, so fuck you.

E"We can beat it."

*And so Growlmon charges its ass.*
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*Sunflowmon fires a SUNSHINE BEAM! Dorugreymon fires a smaller version of its attack.*

*Kylie looks defiantly up at LadyDevimon, however it's pretty obvious she's about to burst into tears*

<I will never be your slave.>
---
<Actually, I feel bad for you both now.>

MetalTyrannomon X-Antibody grabs hold of Growlmon and begins to force it back. Raidramon fires lightning from her shoulder spikes at its back.

Nefertimon flies over the castle walls, seeing the battle and turns into the castle's open door witnessing the battle in there.

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DarkKnightmon twirls its lance, conjuring up a vortex that dispels Sunflowmon's attack and charges, swinging its axe. The sound of metal on metal fills the room, sparks fly as DarkKnightmon cleaves through the meteor.

Nefertimon slams DarkKnightmon with a Rosetta Stone catching it off guard.

NeoDevimon lunges at DoruGreymon, claws wreathed in electricity.

Zarek slips off to the basement, meeting the medium Gazimon.

M Gazimon: "Are you here to rescue the Children of Kindness & Reliability?"

Zarek: "I came for Bastemon. Is she still alive?"

M Gazimon: "Yeah, the Goddess is imprisoned with a Biyomon. I can take you to them, but someone'll have to deal with the guards."

Gazimon fidgests nervously, taking glances at DarkKnightmon while Zarek calls Azuma over. They head to the dungeon.

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LadyDevimon slaps Kylie again.

LadyDevimon: "Either submit or die and your brother will take your place."

To emphasize its point, LadyDevimon holds its lance-like arm at Kylie's throat.

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Hitomi: "Are these feelings genuine?"

Azuma: "Or is it merely disgusted pity? You can be honest. We're all friends, right?"

*Growlmon breathes fire in its stupid, ugly face.*
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*Dorugreymon uses its attack again. Not shit is going to hit it while it's doing that.*

A"Maybe we should go rescue the others."

*Kylie looks away*

<I'll submit to save my brother.>
---
<Yes, I pity you both. Why does it matter?>

MetalTyrannomon X-Antibody sets to bite Growlmon's head off with its not glowing hot mouth.

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NeoDevimon dives, plunging its hand into the floor. It emerges from the floor in front of DoruGreymon and begins to choke a bitch while NeoDevimon stares on, its mask showing no emotion.

NeoDevimon shields itself with its wings as Nefertimon blasts it with Curse of Queen.

DarkKnightmon blocks, shielding itself with its weapons and attacks Sunflowmon with Treason Vortex.

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What am I doing here? There's nothing for me here.

Zarek: "Why are you helping us?"

M Gazimon: "That DarkKnightmon is scary. The Mistress has her entertainment, but the things that Knight does...you saw that monster outside, didn't you?"

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LadyDevimon: "Wonderful. Let's go for a walk, shall we?"

LadyDevimon's arm returns to normal and she goes off to fetch a leash, returning with Dobermon.

Securing it to Kylie's collar, LadyDevimon undoes the restraints, promptly Kylie to hit the ground.

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Eve: "Did sharing their experience teach you nothing?"

Azuma: "Or did it only further your resentment?"

<It taught me to be careful what you wish for?>
---
*Kylie takes the falls silently*

*He ducks below MetalTyrannomon's reach & jabs his plasma blades into its sides.*
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*Sunflowmon fires a SUNSHINE BEAM into the vortex & also flicks her tail, sending spikes at him. Dorugreymon lashes at NeoDevimon with its claws & tail.*