Old Ones Return (VII)

Renamon could probably sneak on up to a tower and Vulcan Nerve Pinch (read: bash them in unconsciousness) a mother fucker, but that would inevitable end poorly before it began.

~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon~

*Dynasmon uses a blast of energy to break the electronic lock on the gate, at which point sirens sound & the MPs dive behind their desks, radioing for backup & reaching up to fire blindly from over the counter. Meanwhile, Magnamon fires missiles up to the camera to destroy it.*
====================================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra~

*Exemon just charges right through that goddamn gate. Naturally, sirens begin going off, but the MPs realize they're outmatched & run away. The aura radiating from Gankoomon reaches up to melt the camera.*
===============================
~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron~

*The guards fall unconscious as King Drasil passes, & the gate opens by his simple touch. They stroll inside, but after passing some light guards, enter a room full of conveyor belts that seems to be assembling weapons. After seeing the door guards fall unconscious, the mercenaries spread around the area begin firing blindly in their general vicinity. Someone engages sirens.*
================================
*Hearing all of the sirens, Kurata switches 1 of his monitors to a display of a map of the base, & another to a three-way split display showing mostly static, but also the invasion in the weapons manufacturing plant.*

Kurata<I see. So this is what you've been buying time for. And I suppose those disabled cameras are no glitch. Very well, then. Vanessa, ready the new weapons! It's showtime!>

*He grins, rubbing his hands together, as Vanessa starts to head out, Thiera whispering that she doesn't have to be his pawn.*

*Kylie and Lunamon biomerge, then Dianamon uses Goodnight Moon to put the remaining guards to sleep*
===
*Lyra and Kotemon biomerge, then Crusadermon attacks off after Examon*
===
Cameron:<Stand back!>

*Cameron and Biyomon biomerge, then Ornismon flaps his giant wings, using Tempest to blow the mercentaries back*

None of them have any abilities particularly useful for crowd control beyond individually hitting the soldiers and that'd come down to a lot of self-restraint. Or in SlashAngemon's case, none at all seeing as it's made of swords.

Thus they try to stay out of the line of fire.

~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon VS Sinduramon & Pajramon~

*With the guards asleep, they continue on. Eventually, the lights in the tunnel go out one by one, as if something is draining the power, before a blast of lightning strikes the tunnel over their heads, causing it to start to collapse. In the midst of the thunder, they swear they can hear a cluck.*
====================================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra VS Majiramon, Mahiramon, & Sandiramon~

*They eventually reach a large open space with steel walkways over head, at which point the lights go out, but thanks to Gankoomon's aura, they can see a bunch of arrows being shot at them. The Royal Knight's aura raises an arm to defend, but suddenly a goddamn tiger is in front of it, snapping its tail like a whip, the resulting sonic boom sending it & Examon plowing into the others. In addition to the arrows still heading towards them, a hoard of Gizumon descend from the ceiling & start firing at them.*
===============================
~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

???<Do not fall back. Lord Kurata's orders are to provide support fire for us.>

*An odd voice rings out from a passage beyond the factory, high & squeaky, but distorted & occasionally developing a much lower, feminine tone. As an oddly dressed monkey steps out of the shadows, Gallantmon steps back in surprise. King Drasil looks over.*

Drasil<You are familiar with this wretched beast?>

G<Yeah, that's Makuramon. But he was absorbed by....>

A<Kurata recovered data that allowed him to rebuild the Devas.>

G<Oh...and they're probably a lot stronger than when we faced them, huh?>

Makuramon<Indeed. For example....>

*He holds up a hand, imprisoning King Drasil & anyone standing too close to him (so his Royal Knights) in a Primal Orb that slowly begins to eat away at their data. As ordered, the mercenaries train their weapons on the Digidestined, to discourage them from moving. Behind him, a very large dog & an even larger horse monster force their way through the tunnel, Indramon rearing up to his hugely impressive bipdeal height once he's in the open space of the factory.*

Makuramon<The Primal Orb has been reinforced with data from the D-Reaper's kernel sphere, so you won't be escaping any time soon. Since you are an unknown element, Lord Kurata has tasked me to contain & eliminate you as quickly as possible.>
================================
*Vanessa soon returns to find Kurata rubbing his hands together, gleeful at what he's seeing on the monitor.*

Kurata<I see you've done what I asked--very good, Vanessa--& the experiments seem to have found their targets well enough.>

Th"They will not be able to win. They are too outnumbered, and those are some of the most powerful Digimon there are."

V<We'll see about that.>

Kurata<Indeed we will. You see, I've greatly improved upon their designs, after I saw how you defeated the first of my Devas--barely, I should add, and with the help of your ragtag army. And of course, even if they DO somehow win, I'll always have another ace up my sleeve. Huhuhuh.>

Th"...Does your ace involve sacrificing Vanessa to buy yourself some time to escape, you cowar--?"

*Kurata had pressed the button to soundproof her tube, while Vanessa remained stiff and apparently disinterested with their argument, her hands remaining ready by her weapons.*

*Crusadermon teleports behind the nearest Gizumon, then uses Spiral Masquerade to chop it to pieces. If they destroy the first one, they move to the next couple, doing their best to avoid the shots headed in their direction*
===
*Dianamon moves to avoid any falling rumble, then lights up the tunnel using the moons on her legs. She fires an Arrow of Artemis in the direction of the "cluck"*
===
*Ornismon does freeze, one eye trained on King Drasil and the Royal Knights*

Other than Taiyo as Digivolving is grounds for getting shot, they Digivolve so as to avoid dying by various means.

SlashAngemon and Magnadramon try not be crushed by some enormous dragon.

~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon VS Sinduramon & Pajramon~

*The enemy is a giant chicken! A cross between a centaur & a goat moves out from behind it, firing the Arrow of Artemis out of the sky with several light arrows of its own, before releasing an echoing BAAH! down the hallway. Tsune & Gomamon had started to Biomerge, but wind up passing out right where they stood. The other Digimon become drowsy, the Royal Knights stumbling forward & attacking with energy auras of blue, gold, & black. The giant chicken blasts again, more lights in the hall going out as its lightning seems to barely be holding them off.*
====================================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra VS Majiramon, Mahiramon, & Sandiramon~

*Examon's huge ass forces them back into the tunnel, pinned as moving forward means being struck by arrows & lasers. Crusadermon somehow manages to get behind the Gizumon, but more descend from the ceiling in a surprise attack, shooting their arms out in a web in an attempt to ensnare her. In the flashes of light, Crusadermon can see that the arrows are coming from a serpentine shape flying around.*
===============================
~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*King Drasil & the trapped Digimon attack, though it shows no sign of breaking the Primal Orb.*

E"Fine time to be caught without my armor...."

Makuramon<Kill them.>

*Just then, a bright light is emitted from Kudamon's earring. The mercenaries begin shooting wildly, Euryale & Agumon pulling Taiyo & Renamon respectively to the ground. The shadow of Indramon can vaguely be seen withdrawing his enormous horn from his back & breathing deep as Euryale & Agumon begin to glow bright gold.*

<BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION!>
===================================
~Center: Kurata, Thiera, & Vanessa~

V<They're not going down so easily.>

Kurata<Just give it time. It's true that they're surprisingly strong, but you can see they're being worn down. And this is the perfect time to cut down their little army back in the Digital World. Then we can use the damage to the city to show what this errant data does to anyone who opposes them, & how only we can protect the world. Three birds, one stone.>

*He presses a button, a prompt on his monitor coming up to announce that his modified Digimon army is being "downloaded" to the Village of Beginnings. Thiera alternates between helplessly staring at the screen & helplessly staring at her Digivice.*

*Dianamon covers her ears in a likely futile attempt to stop herself from falling asleep. After moving to the side to avoid the chicken's attack, she edges herself in front of Tsune and Gomamon, then uses Goodnight Moon on the two Devas*
---
*Using their lightning fast speed and slight teleportation abilities,  Crusadermon starts to dart through the descending Gizumon, avoiding as many arms as they can and cutting through those they can not. Crusadermon flies in the direct of the big serpent, using Spiral Masquerade if they can get close enough*

Crusadermon:<Focus on the Gizumon! I'll get whatever's firing the arrows!>
---
*Ornismon roars, sending his mouth beam sweeping across where the mercenaries are firing from*

OOC: After trying like 80 different times to get Hartard to post, I'm just going to plow ahead, come whatever may.

~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon VS Sinduramon & Pajramon~

*Dianamon is not asleep, but drowsy & moving sluggishly. Unsurprisingly, Goodnight Moon doesn't work. The Royal Knights continue their charge, but Pajramon carefully fires blasts in their joints, limiting their movement & adding power so that Sinduramon can overwhelm them. They are blasted back, & from kneeling positions, try to fire lasers & energy arcs from their weapons. The Treasure Pestle detaches from Sinduramon's back, crashing down in front of the Devas, shielding them before rolling down the hall in an attempt to crush everyone. There is barely enough room to fly above it, but the sparks flying from the steel to either side indicate that there's no going around.*
====================================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra VS Majiramon, Mahiramon, & Sandiramon~

*Examon assists Crusadermon, firing shells to destroy the Gizumon. As the damaged Gizumon start to fuse together, he keeps firing. UlforceVeedramon generates a blue tower shield of energy from his wrist gauntlet thing & gains the aura of a dragon. He & Gankoomon fly up to assist with the Dragon Deva, only to be smacked into a wall by its tail. He proves to be Cursadermon's equal or perhaps greater in speed, catching Crusadermon's arms & legs with 4 of his own claws. This leaves 2 of his own claws free to jab at Crusadermon while he exhales a stream of fire on him. Meanwhile, with a roar, Mihiramon, the tiger Deva, leaps back in front of the cavern. Snapping his segmented tail against the rocks, he causes another cave in, with the intent to bury the angelic Digimon.*
===============================
~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*There is screaming, followed by explosions from where the mercenaries are. They are probably not okay. The blasts set off the remaining weapons on the assembly line, bullets pinging off of the walls around them as rockets fire in random directions & explosions rock the machinery, causing it to collapse, the spreading oil from them bursting into flame. It becomes blazingly hot, & things only get worse as Indramon blows on his horn, the amplified sound producing horrible pain in everyone's ears, causing Taiyo's & Renamon's to bleed. WarGreymon, of course, shields the pair from the direct blast, digging her claws in to prevent from being blown back. The sound causes the support beams to bow out & the rock walls to crack, the cavern rumbling ominously.*

Makuramon<It seems we can simply bury them. Come, Indramon.>

*Makuramon chooses to survey the scene, charging Primal Orbs in both hands so he's ready for whatever defense or counterattack they choose to mount.*
===================================
~Center: Kurata, Thiera, & Vanessa~

*The trio simply survey the scenes in silence, Kurata switching on a broadcast of a Korean anchorwoman. The subtitles talk about Digimon assaulting a Japanese fort, & deals between the government (via the Hypnos agency) & the United Nations.*

*Dianamon grabs Tsune and Gomamon, shaking them as she does so. When the pestle gets near, Dianamon leaps up, squishing herself again the ceiling. She drops as soon as it is clear, firing an Arrow at Pajiramon if she can*
---
*Crusadermon jerks away from the dragon, using their blades to cut through the claws if necessary. They then use Fist of Fear to teleport around behind the Deva's head, executing the attack once they are in position*
---
*Ornismon digs his claws into the ground to weather the attack, then fires his mouth laser on Makuramon. Immediately after firing the blast, Ornismon moves and crashes into Indramon, clawing at him*

OOC: If Harley hasn't done or said otherwise by the next post, he'll be assumed to have quit, & I'll kill off his characters.

~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon VS Sinduramon & Pajramon~

*The Royal Knights are now knocked out, & the giant chicken seems to be trying to eat them. Dianamon's plan was successful. It only wounded Pajramon, who can unfortunately still fire a hail of arrows with 1-hand, as she is using a crossbow. Still groggy, Gomamon tries to counter it with Marching Fishes, which the arrows basically just slice right through. The Treasure Pestle also comes back towards them from the other side.*
====================================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra VS Majiramon, Mahiramon, & Sandiramon~

*The heavily injured Dragon Deva falls towards the ground, but wraps its tail around Crusadermon & performs a spinning backhand, attempting to take him down with it. Examon extends his wing to keep the angel Digimon from being buried, before angrily shoving them out of the way.*

E<If you won't fight, then stay out of the way!>

*He blocks the tiger Deva's bite attack with his spear, then whips it aside before it can strike with its own tail. At this point he rushes forward, stabbing with the spear & blowing all of his shells, creating an enormous crater. Unfortunately, he missed the tiger Deva as it leaped aside. Sandiramon slithers out of the shadows, spitting a spear out of it, but Dynasmon manages to pull himself out of the debris in time to slash it in half. Gankoomon charges at the snake, at which point it vomits up another Treasure Lance, but this time wields it in its tail.*
===============================
~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*Makuramon uses his Primal Orb to intercept the attack. Ornismon isn't doing so well after that sound blast, & so Indramon is able to easily kick him away. As they back out, the cavern trembles & starts to collapse, quickened when Makuramon throws the other Primal Orb at the ceiling. WarGreymon's armor is chipped, but the Brave Shield has taken the brunt of the blast. She reaches up to grab the collapsing tunnel & turns her head towards the others.*

<"We need to find the others & regroup! Go back the way we came, I'll keep you safe until you get there! And take them with you!">

*She gestures with her head to King Drasil & the Royal Knights, still trying to break free of the Primal Orb.*

Justimon takes flight to scoop up Tsune & Gomamon. Flying higher up, hopefully they have the decency to not be occupying both of the Kamen Rider's arms, so they can fire some lightning from the Blitz Arm at the Devas.

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

SlashAngemon & Magnadramon take flight to flank Mihiramon, Magnadramon using Heaven's Cutter to ram it and take off so Magnadramon can close and attack with Apocalypse.

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

Because my goal is to make Euryale feel even worse which is honestly so easy it may as well be equivalent to breathing, Taiyo Biomerges and Sakuyamon sends some fox spirits towards the Deva.

*Since Dianamon is still holding Tsune and Gomamon, Justimon's free to attack however he pleases. Dianamon uses her scythe to block the arrows, then attempts to disable Pajiramon's other hand. Whether or not that is successful, Dianamon attempts to dodge the pedestal in the same way as before*
---
*Crusadermon attempts to use their blades to cut through the flesh surrounding them, using Fist of Fear to teleport out if the former is unsuccessful*

Crusadermon:<Look out!>
---
*I suppose Ornismon reaches out a claw to grab the sphere, since he doesn't have hands. He awkwardly waddles back into the tunnel*

Ornismon:<We've known you long enough to trust your judgement. Sakuyamon, we need to do as WarGreymon says!>

~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon VS Sinduramon & Pajramon~

*Pajramon is destroyed by all of the attacks, though Sinduramon absorbs the data & starts eating the lihtning. Gomamon & Tsune finally shake off their grogginess. Gomamon Digivolves to Zudomon, blasting ice at the chicken Deva. It is melted by the lightning, resulting in an unstable reaction that triggers an explosion, Tsune using the energy field from the D-Power to contain it so it doesn't cause a cave-in, then scan the data. With it gone, the Treasure Pestle dissolves as well.*
====================================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra VS Majiramon, Mahiramon, & Sandiramon~

*Crusadermon's armor is pretty beat up, but it is successful in destroying the dragon Deva, the tiger Deva being obliterated soon after. Gankoomon deftly dodges the stabs, grabbing the spear & snapping it. Sandiramon attempts to attack with a kind of poison breath, but he rips out a chunk of the ground, turning it over on the snake & crushing it. Examon snorts in the general direction of the angels.*

Examon<'Bout time.>
===============================
~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*The dog Deva turns into a giant hammer to bash away the attacks, though when it transforms back into a dog, it now has a noticeable limp. As the cave goes down, the debris blocks them from any more attacks.*
=================================
~Center: Kurata, Vanessa, & Thiera~

*Vanessa levels her gun at Kurata's head, but her arm jerks up as her gun flies out of her hand towards an electromagnetic coil. This is soon followed by her bombs, machetes, knives, & any other weapons she has on her. Kurata turns around, calmly cleaning his glasses as a pair of Gizumon enter.*

Kurata<Did you honestly believe I didn't realize you would betray me if I seemed to be losing control? The lot of you were always a bunch of opportunistic parasites. You were useful for leeching the life out of Hypnos, but now your showtime is over.>

*Vanessa tries to use her Digivice, but quickly realizes it doesn't work. She then darts behind the tube Thiera is trapped in, causing the Gizumon to simply vaporize the glass.*

Kurata<Really, now, what use is some unarmed little girl who couldn't even protect her own sniveling digipet going to be? It's absurd that she's even managed to manipulate you to this degree. I thought for certain you were at least smarter than that.>

*Thiera & Vanessa quickly exchange glances before running to opposite doors while being fired upon by Gizumon.*

*Dianamon regresses to Kylie and Lunamon, who both go around and try to wake the sleeping Royal Knights up*
---
*Crusadermon also regresses back to Kotemon and Lyra to save energy*

Lyra:<We better keep moving.>
---
*Ornismon looks back at the cave behind him*

Ornismon:<...WarGreymon? Sakuyamon?>

Justimon fires more lightning at Sinduramon and while it would be best to swoop in and chop it to pieces, carrying some dead weight hinders that.

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

Sakuyamon used Talisman Sphere as getting crushed would be as awful as acknowledging things that have no business being acknowledged.

OOC: Apparently including the fact that Sinduramon is already deleted.

~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*After the cave-in is finished, the way ahead is blocked by a huge pile of boulders & the roof is sagging ominously, barely supported by shattered support beams. WarGreymon puts an arm around Sakuyamon to keep from falling to her knees.*

<"I'm glad you're better...but we still need to regroup. We're in no shape to fight them at the moment.">

*To make things easy on Ornismon, the sphere finally starts to crack. Gallantmon & Craniamon leap into action, slicing at the crack to try to increase it.*
=================================
~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon

*Seeing as they didn't fall asleep, but rather got ran the fuck over & nibbled on by a chicken, she is unsuccessful. Zudomon de-digivolves & she & Gomamon jog up.*

G<We should heal them!>

Ts"We don't have time for that."

G<Well, we can at least help a little....>

Ts"Oh, alright, fine!"

*So Tsune helps. A little.*
=============================
~East: Gankoomon, UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Huckmon, Sistermon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra~

*Gankoomon turns back to start shifting the boulders aside.*

<Continue on. When I have helped Huckmon & the Sistermon extricate themselves, we shall join you.>

*The other Royal Knights nod & continue forward.*
==============================
~Center: Thiera, Vanessa, Kurata~

*Thiera digs out her D-Power & swings in the general direction of the magnet, hoping it still has some power in it. To her relief, it materializes an energy whip, which when it strikes the weapons stuck to the machine, causes them to explode. The blast pushes the Gizumon aside, throwing off her aim, & the destruction of the machine starts a fire. This & the emergency lights become the only illumination as a surge knocks the power out. She continues running into the nearest hallway, heedless of whatever Vanessa is doing.*

Kurata<NO! Forget about them! Stay here & protect ME!>

*Kylie and Lunamon try and help as well, ignoring Justimon attacking thin air*
===
*Ornismon sets the sphere in its side, then starts pecking at the crack*
===
Lyra:<...Good luck.>

*She and Kotemon follow the others*

Probably won't be picking up WarGreymon, so they presumably shuffle along as quick as they can.

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

Following the knights.

~South: King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*Eventually, the sphere shatters. Craniamon falls to a knee, using his weapon to prop himself up. Gallantmon reverts to a Guilmon & some guy in a suit, who lie exhausted on the ground. Monitamon falls over & Kudamon droops over King Drasil's neck. The God-King's image becomes staticy & pixellated, pieces of it altering between his more robotic form & his human disguise.*

Drasil<ERROR! ERROR! CIRCUIT OVERLOAD! ESTIMATED TIME TO REBOOT: 10 MINUTES!>

Craniamon<Do not worry about the King. We will protect him, then come to aid you in defeating Kurata. Until then, just move on without us.>

Monitamon<D-Reaper data received! Transferring to Hypnos...20%...45%...60%...80%...97%...transfer complete!>

<"Kurata must be tracking our movements with hidden cameras. He'll know we survived soon, & adjust accordingly.">
=================================
~North: Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon

*After being healed somewhat, the Knights regain consciousness. Nodding to the Tamers in acknowledgement, they get up & stumble on wordlessly.*
=============================
~East: UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra (Gankoomon, Huckmon, & Sistermon lagging behind)~

*They continue down a series of twisting hallways, eventually coming to a dark corridor, at the end of which they can see red lighting. However, blocking the way is a swarm of D-Reaper agents. UlforceVeedramon steps out in front & forms a shield as the Agents start firing at them. Examon takes cover behind it as best as he can & starts shooting back.*

UV<We must be getting close! We cut through!>
==============================
~Center: Thiera, Vanessa, Kurata~

*Thiera feels her way along the dark corridors for what seems like hours, but is probably just a few minutes. Eventually, something grabs her, pinning her arms to her chest & covering her mouth so she can't yelp.*

V<Shh! It's me!>

*When Thiera relaxes, Vanessa lets her go. Thiera turns to face her.*

V<I trust you have some kind of plan?>

Th"Yes. We found a way to isolate the D-Reaper's code. Once Hypnos finishes analyzing it, they will be able to shut down all of the converted Digimon & D-Reaper agents.>

V<I see...yes, that would leave Kurata with only a few soldiers & Gizumon to protect him. What's left of our mercenaries would most likely abandon him.>

*Thiera starts & looks around as she hears a loud groan, almost like an angry whale, & something very large moving around.*

V<But until they succeed, we should probably keep moving. Stand back, I should be far enough away from the jammer signal to Digivolve now.>

*Thiera steps back & Vanessa presses a button on her wrist-mounted Digivice, at which point she becomes enveloped in the Digivoltuion Egg. It breaks away as her wings, claws, & tail force their way through. Finally, her completed dragon head glares down at Thiera, who tries hard to disguise her shaking as wisps of fire curl around its teeth.*

V<Are you afraid of me? You should be. Don't misunderstand, you're only still alive because you're my ticket out of here. Get any crazy ideas about double-crossing me, & I'll see that you meet a very agonizing end.>

Th"I understand--Ma'am."

V<Good girl.>

*After making what might be a sneer, she slithers off down the hall, with Thiera on her nonexistent heels.*

*Kylie and Lunamon follow along*
===
*Lyra and Kotemon rebiomerge, then Crusadermon uses Scarlet Tempest to create a whirlwind around the agents in they can use it from behind the shield*
===
*Ornismon blinks at the human that was once part of Gallantmon*

Ornismon:<Wait you're...nevermind. Catch up with us when you can, we need you.>

SlashAngemon can't attack without totally exposing themself while at least Magnadramon, so Magnadramon peeks from behind the shield to spit hot fire at the agents.

~King Drasil, Kudamon, Gallantmon, Craniamon, Taiyo, Euryale, Cameron + Kylie, Tsune, Hideki, Magnamon, Dynasmon, Leopardmon VS Caturamon, Indramon, & Makuramon~

*The human nods. As they need to go around, & the cave-in has left only a single option, they presumably take the tunnel to their left. With everything that's happened, the base is pretty much deserted, so they're largely wandering through empty corridors. Eventually, they enter a 3-way intersection, where they come across Kylie, Tsune, & Hideki's group.*
=============================
~East: UlforceVeedramon, Examon, Azuma, Hitomi, Lyra (Gankoomon, Huckmon, & Sistermon lagging behind)~

*The more D-Reaper agents they destroy, the more seem to respawn, until eventually they all just sort of seize up, followed quickly by dissolving into data on the spot. This leaves a straight shot to the room beyond.*
==============================
~Center: Thiera, Vanessa, Kurata~

*Thiera & Megiddramon are about to face off against a group of Converted Aldamon when they witness the same self-destruct phenomenon.*

V<Looks as if your plan succeeded.>

Th"In that case, we should head back, to assist in the fight against Kurata. He would probably have to disable the Digivolution Jammer in order to Digivolve himself."

V<I don't like those odds.>

Th"Do you have a better option?"

*Without warning, Megiddramon swings her tail, Thiera just narrowly leaping back as it slices away part of her shirt & puts a dent into the solid steel wall. She holds up her D-Power to protect against her subsequent flame blast.*

Th"What are you doing?!"

V<With the base ransacked, there's nobody to stop me from just running away & rebuilding my forces in hiding. And once I kill you, nobody will have the faintest idea where I am!>

*Of course, during that speech, Thiera had taken off running, darting around the corner & forcing the dragon to slither on after her.*

*Kylie and Lunamon run forward, Ornismon regressing to Cameron and Biyomon*

Kylie:<Are you alright? What happened to everyone else?>

Biyomon:<We were ambushed and nearly crushed. Drasil has to 'reboot' or something.>
===
*Crusadermon regresses*

Lyra:<Well, that's awfully convenient.>

*Presumbly, they continue on*