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Chapter 19

Endgame

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               Wrath threw open the wide doors of the dark citadel quickly stomping his way through the lobby and into the great hall. There he began to climb the stairs to the throne room where he found his queen sitting on the arm of the throne. A grin crossed her face as his return and she stood herself up speaking softly, â€I trust all went well then?â€

               Wrath froze midstride at the question gripping his reptilian hands until he reverted back into a more human shape. The long white hair played along his shoulders for a few moments before he spoke, â€Checkmate my queen… They have the weapon that will end our reign…â€

               â€What!? That’s impossible Renamon was killed,†Responded the dark queen with rage in her voice. Her rage was short lived though as her emotions were betrayed and they quickly turned to panic. She looked about frantically for some sort of answer to this problem but knew there was none to be had. The gods that had so well eluded her for these many years had set their plan in motion and she would be in for the fight of her life.

               â€They have gathered a large force and advance on our position. We have but a few hours before they breach the gates of digicentral and storm the citadel itself. I recommend we fortify the citadel and pull all of our remaining troops into the city. We are fighting a losing war now and will have to resort to every tactic we possibly can in the urban environment. We can win this if we fight well but I will not allow myself to believe that this will be an easily won battle,†Replied Wrath as he gave a bow going to one knee.

               Skullrenamon grinned slightly at the subservience of the once hero before her. Walking to him she ran her fingers through his hair hushing him gently as she leaned down and whispered in his ear ever so softly, â€Hush my king… You’ve no need for such formalities around me. We will face them together outside the citadel. We make our stand against this rebellion here.â€

               Wrath looked up and smiled slightly as his queen used her paw to help him to his feet so they might share an embrace and a gentle kiss. The two cared for each other but the blackness in their hearts would never allow them to trust the other. Always they had to be prepared with the dagger behind their back even as they cried for the other’s comfort.

               Releasing Wrath Skullrenamon turned to the throne and the skeleton that sat in the seat with a grin, â€We still have a few tricks up our sleeves and I’m positive that without that annoying boy they haven’t a chance at really saving this world. We’ve won the war even if they take this battle,†Said the queen softly as she opened a door behind the throne and retired into her private chambers beyond.

               Wrath grit his teeth the moment she left and gripped his arm with a groan of pain. Looking down at it he saw the coat he wore was nicked and under he saw a small stream of blood. Renamon had just barely grazed him but he still felt the vaccine working through his system. He didn’t have much time left. Inside he felt the tide of the war changing.

               Storming out of the room and to the barracks Wrath called together all the rest of the remaining intelligent generals he had at his disposal and assigned them each a district to defend. This helped get his mind off the growing pain in his arm. He felt his body becoming more and more lethargic and uncontrollable as the day wore on. His bones ached for the confrontation that he might put the pieces into a true checkmate before his grip on this body was lost.

               â€You won’t win you know. You’re already feeling your grip slipping. You think I can’t tell Wrath,†Asked the voice of Rukan making the Sin look up and around paranoid. He couldn’t find who spoke and the other generals were looking at him strangely. They were all suspicious of him as he had only recently been their most feared enemy.

               Wrath pointed to the map again shouting a bit louder than he should have, â€Berzerkermon you will take the arena district! I won’t accept failure this time. The queen was livid when she learned to had let the renamon live!â€

               Rukan’s voice was laughing now as he appeared on the map checking over his blades. He looked quite healthy while Wrath was chocked with a cold sweat and was finding it harder and harder to lift the arm that had been cut. Wrath drew a kama from his jacket and threw it into the table as Rukan disappeared laughing again as all the generals leapt back now with genuine fear in their eyes.

               Wrath knew the boy was getting stronger every moment the vaccine pumped through his system. He had even less time now than he thought. Looking up at the commanders of the military under his command he frowned and shouted loudly, â€LEAVE ME AT ONCE! YOU’VE PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE TO BE COMPLETED!â€

               The generals nearly tripped over each other as they tried to escape Wrath and went about their work in the city. Wrath found the nearest cot and sat down pulling his coat off to inspect the wound. The white flesh was gaining a pink look to it as Rukan spoke up again, â€You’ve lost Wrath. Accept defeat with honor.â€

               â€You’re naught but a parasite Rukan! You’ll not have this body back. Try as you might I will have this form and ensure you don’t succeed before I fall to this illness your bitch infected me with,†Exclaimed Wrath as he spit in the direction of the illusion.

               Rukan chuckled softly standing up and walking to Wrath before kneeling down to be at eye level with him. He reached out and put a hand on the man’s shoulder speaking softly, â€You used to inspire courage in your troops but now they fear you. You know this fight is over Wrath. Just give up.â€

               â€And fade to nothing!? I have just as much a right to exist as anyone else,†Shouted Wrath making Rukan pause for a moment. It was true. Even though he was nothing but the dark side of Rukan, nothing but a true manifestation of the hatred and anger he held inside, Wrath had developed true sentience and did have every right to exist.

               Rukan sat back with a sigh knowing just as well as Wrath that he had no choice in the matter now. He would fade into the background eventually so he may as well go with honor. Rukan reached up again and smiled slightly, â€Then go inspire your men… At least give them hope in this lost battle… Let them go as warrior so that you might go with them, with honor.â€

               â€You’ve changed… Before you had nothing but hate for your enemies,†Replied Wrath slowly lifting his gaze to look Rukan in the eyes. He knew the boy wasn’t actually there for anyone else but him, but would humor the illusion for the time being, â€What happened?â€

               Rukan chuckled rubbing the back of his neck slightly, â€Well I guess you happened. I learned that while they may be my enemies they are still people. They still feel and bleed and fear just like anyone else. I can’t demonize everyone I guess. Though you are a demon… maybe you are those feelings I gave up… You are my sin. The embodiment of what I had to overcome.â€

               â€And when I fade,†Asked Wrath with a trembling in his voice.

               â€You’re always a part of who I am… The obstacle I made myself and will continue to have to overcome. You are my vice,†Replied Rukan as he stood himself up and crossed his arms across his chest, â€You can’t hurt her. We both know you can’t complete your mission. At least give some hope to those about to be reborn into a better world.â€

               â€To trade one tyranny for another is what is happening here Rukan. The gods cared not until their own territories were stepped upon. Before you came here they cared not for the digimon… This may have changed their minds. They may take over and rule with more force than my queen. I seek only true peace,†Replied Wrath with a frown on his face.

               Rukan shook his head putting his hands on both of Wrath’s shoulders, â€Peace without free will is not peace. It’s subservience. There are a lot of might happen and could happens in the world but it’s not our place to try and stop all of them. Your mistress I know seeks only power and that is the road that led her to hell. Don’t fall to the same sickness.â€

               Wrath laughed softly shoving the invisible arms away as he began to walk out of the barracks. Rukan was close behind as he listened to his sin speak, â€I’m already damned Rukan. You need to give up this idea that you can save everyone. The world doesn’t work that way. If that is the only lesson you take away from me then so be it.â€

               Rukan shook his head with a sigh as they walked out onto the low balcony over the courtyard only to find Skullrenamon standing there waiting for Wrath. Fading back into the recesses of Wrath’s mind he would leave the sin be for now.

               Wrath smiled slightly at the sight of his queen giving her a slight nod as he walked to the edge of the balcony looking over the elite guard below shouting so they could hear, â€Everything they have is risked in this attack and I say we take just that. Destroy this finally assault and this world is ours! They may have a new weapon but it is a single flickering light in the darkness! Our numbers are still greater! Our weapons are still potent and our resolve stronger!â€

               â€For long years we have waited for our moment and when it came little stood in our way until the humans came to this world with their digimon pets! Fear was returned to us with the amazing power they held. I now tell you that their threat is long gone. Let my existence be a beacon of the darkness to you all! The great heroes of their side vanquished and their hope broken they throw all of their tattered hope into this assault! Look at the fear we have instilled in them! It will be our triumph!â€

               â€Do not falter in your resolve! We will win and after that we will have our lasting peace and our beautiful queen will have her rightful place as the ruler of this world… but we will not stop there. The humans have sent their seeds of destruction to this world and we will answer their declaration of war! Upon crushing this resistance under the heel of our boots we will march on the human world and defeat them as well! All will follow our god queen SkullRenamon and know her embrace as the only way to the end of conflict! Today is the beginning of the new era! The end of pointless fighting! You will all be the ones to usher that era in! March now and topple their last resistance!â€

               Wrath lifted his arms to put his hands on the railing of the balcony and pointed out at the edges of the city as the troops cheered and began to march to their assigned positions. Their hearts, while under Skullrenamon’s sway, felt energized as they all felt victory was certain.

               â€That was kind of you… You’re acting strange Wrath. You’re not seeing him again are you,†Asked Skullrenamon as she wrapped her arms around him from behind letting her paws run up over his chest and tickle along his chin. He could feel her cold breath on the skin of his neck as he closed his eyes enjoying what would most likely be their last moment together.

               â€I am injured… I haven’t long before I fall to the sway of the blade. Rukan is coming closer to the surface with each hour that passes… I am sorry but I have failed you my queen. The least I could do was inspire hope in the troops even though they march to their doom. This battle is lost even before it began,†Replied Wrath with a frown.

               The paws froze on him for a moment as her eyes went wide with fear. The words he spoke were ringing true. She held a bit tighter for a few moments as she turned him around to look him in the eyes. The truth was shining in them and to show he lifted his arm to show her the nick that was now showing his entire arm had the color back in it.

               â€How… how could this have happened? You are the best I have… if they beat you so easily,†Replied the dark queen but she was interrupted as the sound of the manhole in the courtyard being blown free and crashing onto the ground made them both look to the sound of the disturbance.

               There stood Renamon, Narwith Taka and Datamon all with rage in their eyes as they looked up at the two. The guards nearby rushed to stop them but Narwith and Datamon were more than enough to hold them off as Renamon lifted her hackles at Skullrenamon and shouted, â€It’s over! Hand him over and surrender! Already the invasion has started and the vaccine rebellion is making their way to this place!â€

               â€The sewers? Hah… how like rats to crawl through the muck to get here,†replied SkullRenamon as she looked to Wrath and nodded. A final stand would be the way to go but it would be Wrath that would take this fall. She could wait for centuries for another to come along. He was just as disposable as the previous.

               Almost as if on cue Wrath leapt from the balcony drawing his kamas and taking up a fighting stand between Renamon and the entrance to the dark citadel. There surrounded by the ruined city Wrath stood off analyzing every movement Renamon made. The fear in her eyes told him she was second guessing the idea of actually hurting him.

               The pain he felt inside made it so he couldn’t attack himself. They had themselves a Mexican standoff and no real ammunition in which to end the moment. This was the perfect time for SkullRenamon to make her escape and that is exactly what she did running through the curtains and slamming the door behind her she retreated into the citadel.

               Renamon shook her head shouting to Wrath, â€Rukan I know you can hear me. I feel you close to me again! Fight him! Don’t become a monster!â€

               â€It’s worthless! He’s already fallen to the virus! Nothing of the boy you knew remains,†Replied Wrath as he held firm but still made no move to attack her. It was like his boots were made of cement. Gritting his teeth he finally was able to break the hold and make a wide and clumsy swing at her. Time seemed to slow for the both of them.

               Renamon saw how open the swing made him and knew that Rukan had something to do with it. In that moment she reached into the open spot grabbing the collar of Wrath’s shirt and using his momentum turned him over and threw him to the ground. She was quick to pin him down and disarm him.

               In the dark space inside of the body’s mind Rukan held a tonto to Wrath’s neck. Both of them battered and tired from their endless duel finally a victor was found. Wrath had no fear in his eyes as he faced the oblivion, only pride that he had done his best for his queen. Rukan didn’t go in for the kill though as he let Wrath go shaking his head. He offered and hand for a handshake.

               Renamon looked into Wrath’s eyes as she saw the confusion there. Wrath lifted his hand slowly and with that the two were bathed in light. When the light finally died down Rukan and Renamon were once again holding one another as tears streamed out of their eyes. Their tearful reunion was cut short though as Taka and Narwith were quickly becoming overwhelmed.

               Leaping to their feet Rukan reached to his belt pulling a card free and slashing it through the D infinity at his wrist shouting as Renamon tossed his blades to him, â€METAL GATLING!†They moved like a well oiled machine together. Rukan tossed the card up as he caught the blades by the hilt. Renamon looked down as her paw glowed slightly and in a flash she was holding a pair of Gatling guns normally found on a metal garurumon.

               Little time was wasted as Narwith and Taka retreated back to the two and Renamon opened fire while Rukan danced about the line of fire cutting into the infected. It wasn’t long before instead of attacking the infected were running in fear. No time was left for them to celebrate though. Rukan looked to Renamon and smiled slightly with a nod as they turned to face the doors of the citadel and their final challenge that lie within.