"I suppose we could start by asking about the castle," You suggest. "I mean, that's the best idea we have on where Kari's Digimon could be."
It'll probably be dangerous, of course. Places where Digimon don't really come out tend to be that. But it's not like there's a lot of things you've done that weren't dangerous in some form or another.
At least, not in this world.
"Shouldn't we start with places that Digimon don't just disappear to and never return?" Joe asks. "You know, rule out the options that don't send us someplace insanely dangerous?" Right, Joe's new. You keep forgetting that.
"I mean, if we see the castle, and Kari isn't being pulled inside it, we can just leave without going in, right?" Tai points out. "It seems like a good enough idea."
Somehow, you don't think that it helps to hear that from Tai, of all people. He's not that bad at talking to others, and can handle himself in a fight, but greater strategy is one of those things you don't really trust him with. Not that you'd tell him with. Even if he agrees with you, you think he might still take offence on principle.
"We still don't know where it is, though," Izzy admits. "All we've ever been told is that is was west of here."
"...Why not just ask?" Mimi has a good point there, and you should probably listen to her more often. "They'll probably worry, but if we say it's for DigiDestined stuff..."
Right. They probably wouldn't want to get in the way of the DigiDestined. Even if it means you're going to be showing your Digivice to just about anyone who asks.
Somehow, you don't think you're going to enjoy this all that much...
You were entirely correct, it turns out.
The second you mention anything about the castle, the nearby Digimon freeze up in fear. Apparently, despite the distance from it, many have seen friends vanish into the castle in search of answers, but never return.
This means, of course, that they're more than a little cautious about sending the chosen heroes of the Digital World in that direction. For good reason, admittedly, but it makes things a bit more of a hassle than they would be otherwise. Mostly because they insist on seeing your Digivice, and still fuss about it afterwards, even when you point out that your team has three Ultimate Digimon available.
Eventually, however, you manage to gain some basic knowledge of where the castle is located. It's decently far to the west, and somewhat south, in the middle of a dark pine forest near the place where the mountains meet the lake. Made of old stone, and generally surrounded by fog.
Pleasant.
There's also a bit of a ruckus when some of the local Digimon tries to pick on Kari for not having a partner. Tries. Tai shows up partway through, they were all plant Digimon... there was really only one way it could go. With a crowd of Weedmon fleeing in terror.
"Is this sort of thing normal?" Joe asks. You've sort of become used to hearing that from him by now.
And you're sure he's grown used to you simply shrugging and replying with, "Welcome to the Digital World." You aren't sure how much he actually needs to ask anymore, or if he's just waiting for your response.
Or maybe he's just hoping that this world isn't always this insane. In which case, you think you'll let him hope for a while longer. It's not like it's hurting anything.
Izzy, once he knows what he's looking for, even manages to download some good maps of the area around said castle, which means you can see all the best routes to choose from.
It takes some discussion, but you eventually decide on...
[ ] Tai's suggestion. You'll be going in a straight line there and dealing with wild Digimon or local geography as it comes up. It'll be a difficult route, but it'll be harder to get sidetracked.
[ ] Kari's suggestion. You'll be travelling to the lake, and looping around the shore. There'll be fish, and fresh water, and enough local Digimon that you can ask for help if anything else comes up. Of course, said Digimon are probably already aware of your presence in this world...
[ ] Joe's suggestion. You'll be travelling to the lake, and then seeing if you can't use Ikkakumon and Birdramon to cross it. It'll be faster than walking along the edges, but also more likely to draw attention.
[ ] Mimi's suggestion. You'll start by heading for the mountains, and taking one of the previously-marked trails. Little-to-no chance of getting lost, but the terrain can be rather rough in places. After all, it wasn't exactly made for humans to travel.
