By the time Greg and Wormmon made it back to Brockton Bay, morning had already broken. Wormmon had tried his best, using various Armor Digivolutions to carry Greg home, but the strain of the battle had left him exhausted. Eventually, Greg had to rely on trains and buses to get the rest of the way back.
Wormmon rested inside of Greg's Blackberry phone when they reached Greg's apartment building.
Greg used the elevator and finally reached his apartment, he opened the door and was met with a surprising sight. Margaret, his Uncle Bill's coworker, was standing in the kitchen, wrapped in a bath towel, casually flipping something in a pan.
She smiled warmly at him. "Greg, I didn't know you were out. Want some breakfast?"
Greg blinked, utterly confused. "Am I in the wrong apartment?"
Just then, Uncle Bill emerged from the bathroom, his expression freezing as he took in the scene. He glanced at Greg, then at Margaret.
Greg stared at Uncle Bill.
Uncle Bill stared back at Greg.
Margaret, still holding a spatula, broke the silence. "Eggs, anyone?"
Greg said nothing. He simply turned and trudged to his room, too tired to process anything. He collapsed onto his bed without even bothering to take off his clothes, sleep claiming him almost immediately. He didn't care about anything else at that moment—he just needed rest.
----
Greg was in the middle of a restless nap when a firm hand shook him awake. The dim light filtering through the blinds told him it was still daytime. Blinking groggily, he looked up to see his Uncle Bill standing over him, a grin plastered on his face.
"Come on, Greg. Let's hit the Boardwalk. I'm craving a good hotdog," Bill said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Greg groaned, turning over in bed. "Not really in the mood, Uncle Bill," he mumbled, pulling the blanket over his head in hopes of returning to sleep.
But Bill wasn't one to take no for an answer. "Nonsense! It's a beautiful day out, and the Boardwalk's calling our name. Hotdogs on me. Let's go," he urged, tugging the blanket off Greg.
With a resigned sigh, Greg gave in, realizing resistance was futile. "Fine, fine. I'll go."
Greg and Bill headed off to the Boardwalk.
The Boardwalk was bustlin. Families, tourists, and the usual assortment of Brockton Bay locals filled the space, their voices blending into a cacophony that felt overwhelming to Greg. He stuck close to Uncle Bill, who led the way through the crowd with the same unwavering determination that got Greg out of bed.
As they weaved through the throng, Greg's eyes caught sight of Assault and Battery, the so-called "heroes" of Brockton Bay. The two were on their usual patrol. Assault's gaze flickered over to Greg, recognition flashing in his eyes. Almost immediately, he elbowed Battery, and the pair turned sharply in the opposite direction, hurrying away.
Greg frowned, wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or insulted. Uncle Bill, oblivious or uninterested in the heroes' hasty retreat, kept moving forward, pulling Greg along.
Eventually, they reached the hotdog stand, a familiar sight on the Boardwalk with its bright yellow and red awning. The line stretched out in front of them, a long snake of people waiting for their turn. Greg sighed again, mentally preparing himself for the wait.
Greg and Bill got their hotdogs. Both were leaning against a wall because all the benches were filled.
Greg had just grabbed his hotdog, the warm bun and sizzling sausage making his mouth water, when Uncle Bill spoke up, his tone casual but with an underlying excitement.
"Greg, I've got some news," Bill said, his eyes twinkling. "I'm getting married. To Margaret."
Greg paused, hotdog halfway to his mouth. It took a second for the words to sink in. "Whoa, congratulations!" he exclaimed, genuinely happy for him.
Bill's smile stretched wide, the kind of grin that made him look years younger. "Thanks. We're thinking of a small ceremony, nothing too fancy, just close family and friends."
Greg nodded, smiling back. But then something nagged at him, a thought that lingered in the back of his mind. "Hey, Uncle Bill, have the PRT or the cops ever come to ask you anything? You know, about everything going on in Brockton Bay?"
Bill's smile faltered slightly, but only for a moment. "Actually, the PRT did approach me once when I was at the hospital," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I was in surgery at the time. Never really followed up on it afterward. They probably just needed information or something. You know how it is."
Greg mulled over the information, not too surprised. His uncle was always caught up in surgeries or emergency calls, constantly on the go, saving lives. The idea of the PRT questioning him and then just moving on made sense.
Greg finally took a bite of his hotdog, the taste not quite as satisfying as he had hoped.
Greg was savoring his hotdog, trying to make the most of the moment when he heard a sudden, sharp popping sound. The noise was followed by a sickening splash of red that hit the ground near his feet.
He looked over at Uncle Bill, who had been chatting only moments before. To his horror, he saw blood trickling down from a wound on Bill's head. His uncle crumpled to the ground, the hotdog falling from his hand.
Greg's mind went blank. He stared at the scene in disbelief, unable to comprehend what was happening.
In the midst of the confusion, a piercing pain shot through Greg's own head. He glanced up, squinting through the haze of shock and fear. In the distance, he saw a woman standing on a building. The woman had a fedora perched on her head, holding a sniper rifle pointed at him.
The crowd around them seemed to have vanished into a blur, their screams and shouts lost in the chaos.
Wormmon digitized out of Greg's Blueberry and screamed loudly, "Greg!"
----
Wormmon POV
In a sudden burst of light, Wormmon Digivolved into JewelBeemon, his form transforming with a brilliance that illuminated the chaos around him.
JewelBeemon's spear flew through the air with lightning speed, a streak of fury and precision aimed directly at Contessa.
The spear struck Contessa with unerring accuracy, piercing her through the stomach and emerging from the other side. A sharp gasp of pain escaped her lips as she was lifted off her feet, but before JewelBeemon could react further, a door opened beneath her. She vanished through it, disappearing from sight.
JewelBeemon rushed to the spot where Contessa had disappeared, but found only empty space. His rage surged uncontrollably. With a cry of pure fury he shouted, "Dammit!"
His heart pounded as he returned to Greg's side, only to find the horrifying sight of a gaping hole in Greg's skull.
"No. No. No. No. You can't die!" JewelBeemon's voice broke with desperation, his knees hitting the ground beside Greg. The pain of losing Greg was like a physical blow, tearing at his very soul.
As JewelBeemon clutched Greg's lifeless form, a note fluttered down from the sky. He read it aloud, his voice trembling, "Bro, I am sending your reward."
A metal case plummeted from above, landing with a heavy thud in front of JewelBeemon. Trembling hands fumbled with the latch as he opened it, revealing a single Cauldron Vial.
JewelBeemon's heart raced with both hope and dread. He knew the vial's power but was paralyzed by the realization that Greg was beyond help—dead, lifeless. How could he administer it if Greg was gone?
In that moment of despair, a brilliant lightning bolt descended from the heavens, striking Greg. JewelBeemon gasped in shock as the crackling energy enveloped Greg's body. The lightning receded, leaving Greg to gasp and cough violently.
Without a moment's hesitation, JewelBeemon sprang into action, his hands shaking as he hurriedly administered the Cauldron Vial to Greg. The urgency and fear in his movements were palpable, driven by a desperate hope that this was not the end.
[Trajectory.]
[Agreement.]
[Destination.]
To JewelBeemon's astonishment, Greg's wounds began to heal, the gaping hole in his skull closing before his eyes. Relief flooded through JewelBeemon as he cradled Greg gently in his arms, his voice breaking with emotion. "God, Greg, you're alive."
As JewelBeemon held Greg, a note descended from the sky. He caught it and read aloud, his voice trembling, "Bro, go to the Digimon World."
Almost immediately, an old computer monitor fell in front of JewelBeemon, its screen flickering to life. A large, swirling portal materialized, casting a mesmerizing glow.
JewelBeemon was faced with a heart-wrenching decision: stay in this world and risk Greg's safety or leap into the unknown of the Digimon World.
He looked down at Greg, his expression a mixture of determination and despair. Without hesitation, JewelBeemon made his choice. He leaped into the portal, leaving Earth Bet behind.
As they were drawn through the swirling vortex, JewelBeemon and Greg headed toward the vast and uncharted realms of the Digimon World.
When Greg opened his eyes, he was underneath a tree.
"Where... am I?" Greg asked.
Blastmon-Head answered, "Human, you're in a forest."
Greg was talking to a diamond digimon head without a body.
Blastmon-Head then spoke up, "Allow me to introduce my glorious self. I'm Blastmon, the proud General of the Bagra Army! Well, former General..."
Greg tried to be polite by giving a smile, but it was too hard, "I'm Greg."
Greg examined the surrounding forest. The sky was filled with white numbers of 0 and 1, which alternated.
Greg didn't know what to feel, his uncle died.
It needed to be asked, was it all his fault? We were responsible for killing Eidolon. Now they responded by trying to assassinate him, and his Uncle Bill died in the crossfire.
Greg didn't know how he was going to face his dad. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't even sure he could go home. What was he going to do now?
Wormmon returned with sticks and branches.
Wormmon saw him and skittered toward him, "Greg, how are you doing?"
Greg opened his mouth. There were hundreds of words he wanted to say. None of them could convey the seriousness of the situation. "I... I screwed up. Uncle Bill died, and I think I died too."
"I used a Fairy Slushie to save you."
"I have powers?"
"Maybe? I don't even think you can use your powers here. The Digimon World is too far for your shard to connect to."
"So I might have power if we return."
"Yeah..."
"What now?"
Wormmon paused and finally said, "I don't know. We need to survive. We are going to need to gather food, water and find a place to sleep."
Greg nodded his head. The goal was to survive. Good he could focus on the goal.
Blastmon-Head spoke, "I know where we can get food. Follow me."
Wormmon nodded his head. "Alright, you're a native Digimon and familiar with this world. We will follow you."
Blastmon-Head replied, "I've been here for a week, kid. Being only a head sucks, but I got to guide you guys to the tower, and that ROB fellow promised me to restore the rest of my body."
Blastmon-Head started to hop away.
"Come along Greg, we need to keep up." Wormmon said and waited for Greg to get up.
Greg struggled to get up. It felt like a herculean effort to get up. Finally he was on his feet, and the pair followed the diamond-headed Digimon.
----
POV Wormmon
Wormmon was feeling worried. He nearly lost Greg, and now they were in the Digimon world. He could tell Greg wasn't doing well, and that worried him.
Wormmon needed power to rival Contessa. Which even he found daunting and nearly impossible.
Even if Wormmon reaches the next Digivolution, what was the point if Greg ended up dead?
Wormmon shook his head, he needed to worry about surviving.
Wormmon decided to ask Blastmon-Head some questions, "Hey Blastmon, where are we heading?"
Blastmon-Head answered, "Chocolate-chip cookie bush. It is easy to get cookies from the bush."
"A cookie bush?" Wormmon said in surprise. "Are you telling me that cookies grow on bushes?"
Blastmon-Head asked in confusion, "Where else do cookies come from? Look at that tree, there are yucky raisin cookies growing on it. What masochist likes raisin cookies?"
Wormmon looked at the tree. There are indeed cookies growing on them.
"What nonsense," Wormmon said. "Wormmon digivolve to Stingmon!"
Wormmon glowed and digivolve to Stingmon.
Blastmon-Head said in awe, "Incredible, you can Digivolve on command. You don't even have a Digimon Xros Loader!"
Greg blinked and said, "What's a Xros Loader?"
Blastmon-Head said in pain, "A cheating device."
Stingmon flew to the top of the tree and took a raisin cookie.
Stingmon chewed on the raisins cookie. He deduced that this was indeed a raisins cookie, and he hated the taste.
Stingmon took a few more raisin cookies and flew down.
Stingmon handed the raisins cookies to Greg. "Here you go, eat up to recover your strength."
Greg shook his head, "I am not hungry."
Stingmon insisted, "Hold them, you can eat them when you do. You don't have that many options here."
Greg frowned but took the raisins cookies that were offered.
Stingmon de-digivolve to Wormmon.
Blastmon-Head said, "Come on, we have a long journey ahead of us."
Blastmon-Head, Wormmon, and Greg continue their journey to get to the cookie bush.
Roar! A loud noise echoed in the distance. Sounding like huge monsters.
Blastmon-Head said, "Quick! Hide in the bushes!"
Blastmon-Head, Wormmon, and Greg hid in the bushes.
Two large Digimon came to the clearing and were fighting each other.
The Digimon were Tyrannomon and Monochromon.
The giant Digimon had a fierce battle. In the end Monochromon stabbed Tyrannomon in the stomach with his horn and killed Tyrannomon.
Tyrannomon turned into one and zero as it died, leaving a digiegg that flew away.
Monochromon walked away from the victor of the clash.
Wormmon said, "Is the Digimon World normally this dangerous?"
Blastmon-Head said, "This happens when a Digimon tries to claim another Digimon territory."
Wormmon said, "I guess this place follows the law of the jungle, huh."
The group continues their journey through the woods.
Eventually they found the cookie bush.
The cookie bush really was a bush that had chocolate chip cookies.
Wormmon took a cookie and started to eat one. "These are good. Greg, you should try some."
"Maybe," Greg sighed as he sat on the grassy ground.
Wormmon collected some cookies for later.
Wormmon asked Blastmon-Head, "Now that we have secured food, we need shelter. Do you have a place we can stay?"
Greg said, "Can we hold off on finding shelter? I know that shelter is important... Yet, I need to... Is it possible we gather some stones?"
Wormmon asked, "Why?"
Greg said in a somber tone, "I need to make a grave."
----
POV Greg
In front of the bush that sprouted chocolate chip cookies was a makeshift grave.
Five stones were stacked on top of each other. This was the best grave that Greg could make for his Uncle Bill.
Greg kneeled in front of the grave and started to speak, "Hi Uncle Bill. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I got you killed."
Hot and salted tears dripped from Greg's eyes as he continued to speak. "You were always busy working. I know you're a nurse, but you're a workaholic. Never taking vacations and always taking care of other people."
Greg struggled to speak, "You were a terrible guardian... But... But. You were always there, when my parents weren't."
Greg's throat felt tight, the words he wanted to say wouldn't come out.
Greg wanted to voice his regrets. How he never had the conversation with Bill that he was cape. He never shared the secret with Bill, he made a world-famous game. He wanted to celebrate the victory against the Endbringers with Bill.
Greg felt there were so many things he could have told Bill but didn't.
The future that he wanted, he wanted Bill to be in it.
Greg wept for a long time in front of Bill's grave.
It was nighttime with the stars visible in the sky.
Blastmon-Head, Wormmon, and Greg were in a nest filled with leaves on the ground.
Greg said, absently looking at the stars, "The stars are pretty."
Wormmon asked Blastmon-Head, "Shouldn't we look out for predators that will attack us in the dark?"
Blastmon-Head responded, "At night everyone's asleep. I have been here for a week, and no Digimon has attacked me."
Wormmon muttered, "There should be some exceptions."
Blastmon-Head responded, "Sure there are, but the Digimons in this area won't attack in the dark."
Wormmon asked Greg, "Hey Greg? Do you want me to make a fire? I can Digivolve to Shadramon. I can also get you some water with Togemogumon."
"Togemogumon will freeze the entire forest," Greg responded, "I'm good. At the moment."
Wormmon whispered, "We are going to need some water or at least a container to hold my ice so it turns into water."
Blastmon-Head yawned and said, "I am going to get some beauty sleep."
Wormmon said, "Goodnight."
Greg said, "Goodnight."
The two Digimon and one lone human went to sleep underneath the stars.
----
Wormmon woke up, his small body on top of the leaf pile. He awoke and searched for the familiar sight of Greg. Panic prickled at the edge of his mind until he saw Greg standing nearby, his silhouette framed against the harsh morning light. Greg was drinking from a water bottle, his expression one of relief.
Wormmon scuttled over. "Greg! There you are! What are you drinking?"
Greg tilted the bottle, letting the water glint in the sunlight. "Just water. When I woke up, I found this red book bag. Checked inside and hit the jackpot. Supplies."
Wormmon's gaze shifted to the bookbag, a red against the backdrop of their forest surroundings. "Where did that come from? Did it fall from the sky?"
Greg shrugged and responded with, "Maybe. It looks like your friend sent it. There was a message inside."
He handed over a crumpled piece of paper. Wormmon took it and read:
'I got your back, bro. Peace. From R.O.B.'
A crude peace sign was scrawled beneath the words.
Wormmon's worries eased. If their benefactor was indeed watching over them, perhaps they could afford a moment of trust. "Alright," Wormmon said, his voice steadying. "Let's see what we've got."
White shirt.
Blue jeans.
Pair of socks.
Boxers.
Boots.
Travel-size toothpaste.
Travel-size shampoo.
Travel-size soap.
20 granola bars.
8 water bottles.
2 toilet papers.
Wormmon surveyed their supplies and spoke. "This should last us a day. Hopefully, he sends us more stuff."
Greg looked up from the red book bag, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, let's hope. This ROB guy is like a god, right? Should I start praying to him?"
"I'm the wrong one to ask. ROB might seem helpful now, but I think he's just doing the bare minimum to keep us alive. Sending all this stuff... it's like extra ammo and health potions before a tough boss battle."
"He gave us everything we needed. From day one, he's been watching over us. He even sent Blastmon to guide us in the Digimon World."
"Maybe," Wormmon said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't be sure an unknown higher being will keep helping us."
Blastmon-Head woke with a loud, jaw-cracking yawn that echoed through the forest, cutting through the early morning stillness. "Good morning," he mumbled.
"Good morning!" Greg replied, his voice unnaturally cheerful.
Blastmon-Head hopped over to the red book bag, his curiosity piqued. He nudged it with his snout. "What is this?" he asked.
"Our supplies," Wormmon answered.
Blastmon-Head dug into the bag and pulled out a granola bar with his teeth, examining it with a perplexed expression. "What's this?"
"Food," Wormmon explained. "Let me help you open it."
Blastmon-Head devoured the bar and, to Wormmon's dismay, the wrapper too. "It tastes like misery," Blastmon-Head declared, his face scrunched up in distaste.
Greg chuckled and suggested, "Maybe it tastes better without the wrapper," Greg unwrapped another granola bar and offered it to Blastmon-Head. "Try this."
Blastmon-Head swallowed the food in one large gulp, his face contorting as he chewed. "Now it tastes worse! Yuck!"
"Really?" Greg asked, frowning. He took another granola bar from the bag and bit into it. "Well, it's not too awful," he said, his voice uncertain.
Wormmon said, "We really need a plan, what should we do now? I kind of ran out of ideas."
Greg answered, "We could go back home."
Wormmon shook his head. "Contessa will kill you again, we can't counter her..."
Greg said, "Maybe we should reach higher digivolutions then?"
Wormmon responded, "I will be as powerful as Endbringer, it doesn't change the fact that you can still die."
Greg said, "Yeah, I am drawing a blank here."
Wormmon said, "We need to stay in the Digital World for two years, by then the world we know would be gone..."
Blastmon-Head said, "I have an idea."
Wormmon asked, "Really? What's your idea?"
Blastmon-Head said, "We are going to the tower! Rob promised a body if I lead you two to the tower!"
Wormmon and Greg paused.
Greg said, "Okay. Let's go to the tower."
Wormmon asked, "Why?"
Greg responded, "Do you have a better plan? We screwed up and out of luck. R.O.B. probably has a plan for us if we head to this tower."
"Alright..." Wormmon said hesitantly. "Let's go to the tower... Where is this tower?"
Blastmon-Head said, "It should be in the south of this continent! It will only take a month."
Wormmon sighed, "Wonderful..."
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head started their journey to get to the tower.
----
Greg's group was heading south. They were walking through the forest.
Wormmon spotted red jam butter cookies growing on a tree. "Can we stop for a moment? I will collect those cookies."
Blastmon-Head nodded. "Alright. Grab me some of those cookies too, they are tasty."
Greg said, "I'm good. At this rate, I'll get diabetes with all the sugary food."
"We need to find alternative food for you, you can't survive on cookies and granola bars," Wormmon muttered. "Wormmon digivolve to Stingmon!"
Wormmon evolved into Stingmon. Stingmon flew into the trees and collected the red jam butter cookies that were growing on the tree.
Stingmon returned with the goods.
"Here you go, Blastmon." Stingmon gave the red jam butter cookies to the diamond head.
Blastmon-Head ate with gusto, "These are so good! I wish I could fly! All the best cookies are on the top of the tree."
Stingmon de-digivolve to Wormmon.
Wormmon nibbled on the cookie, "I wish I had coffee to go with these tasty treats."
Greg then asked, "Hey, I just thought of something. I know we are in the Digital World. But which continent are we on? Folder Continent or Server Continent?"
Blastmon-Head, "Well, R.O.B. somehow installed a map function in my head. Right now we are on the Cookie Continent."
Wormmon stopped mid-bite, "Of course we are on the Cookie Continent. That makes perfect sense."
When Wormmon and Blastmon-Head finished their cookies, they continued their journey.
----
Greg was tired and said, "Let's take a break. All this walking is exhausting."
Wormmon said, "Alright, let's rest."
A serene forest with a sunlit clearing. Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head are lying on the grass.
Greg said, "You know, this is kind of nice. Just lying here. It reminds me of when I used to live on the farm with my grandparents. We had horses, cows, pigs... I idolized the cowboy life back then. Pretending to be a hero, riding horses, saving the day. It was fun."
Wormmon responded, "That sounds nice. My past as a human sucked. I had zero friends, and my family were like strangers to me. I didn't fit in with my family. I didn't fit in school. I didn't fit in my community. My problem is not just that no one shared my interests. No, the issue was that I didn't feel connected. Getting rejected by everyone you know and wishing for a bond like you see in movies and shows. I fell heavily in anime and even in books that were fictional. Because I felt those connections that I couldn't get in real life... Honestly, becoming a Digimon and meeting you, Greg, was the best thing that happened in my life."
Greg smiled and nodded. "I feel the same way."
Blastmon-Head said, "Guess it is my turn to share my past. I was the General of the Bagra Army. I was collecting Code Crowns for my Exalted leader. Then I was beaten by some kids, and now I am left with only my head intact. R.O.B. revived me from the dead and offered me a deal to give me back my old body in exchange for leading you two to the tower."
Greg raised his hand and asked hesitantly, "What are Code Crowns? They sound important."
Blastmon-Head replied, "In my world, the Digimon World was united. But then, the world was split into Zones. Each Code Crown governed a Zone, and whoever held one became its ruler. My mission was to gather all the Code Crowns and make Bagramon the new leader of the Digimon World!"
Greg clapped his hands and asked, "Did you succeed?"
Blastmon-Head's expression fell. "I was close. I had the most Code Crowns. But then I lost my body, got demoted, lost the Code Crowns... and, well... those kids defeated me."
Wormmon patted him sympathetically. "Sounds rough, buddy."
Greg said, "Well, Blastmon, I am glad your with us."
Wormmon said, "Welcome to our team."
Blastmon-Head said in a thoughtful tone, "I hope we get to the tower so I can finally get my body back..."
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head were walking through the forest.
Normally they would pass cookie trees and cookie bushes. However, the environment in front of them seemed to have changed.
The trees were now dark, and the smell of burning wood was in the air.
There were six fire Digimon in the air. The Fire Digimon were small fire willow wisps with blue eyes and a stitched mouth.
Blastmon-Head said, "Those are DemiMeramon, in-training Digimon. They might act aggressive, but their cowards."
The six DemiMeramon started to give Greg's mean look and started shouting.
"This is my territory!"
"I'm the boss of this territory!"
"I built this place with my magic!"
"This is my special territory!"
"Get out!"
"This forest belongs to me!"
DemiMeramons made a fuss as they looked at Greg's group.
Wormmon said, "Greg."
Greg replied, "Yeah."
Wormmon said, "Bring out a water bottle."
Greg looked into the bag and pulled out a water bottle.
The six DemiMeramons were terrified of the water bottle and shouted, "Run for your lives! He has water!"
The six DemiMeramons ran away.
Wormmon said, "Let's continue."
Greg said, "Did I just bully toddler Digimons???"
Wormmon paused and said, "Don't worry about it."
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head were walking through the burned forest.
A wizard digimon was leaning against a tree. The tree had white apples. The DemiMeramon was circling the wizard Digimon.
"Nice to see travelers." The wizard Digimon said, "I am FlameWizardmon, who are you guys?"
DemiMeramons started shouting.
"Their bullies that attack with water!"
"Take them down, FlameWizardmon!"
"Yeah! Beat up those bullies!"
FlameWizardmon chuckled and said, "Don't mind the DemiMeramons, they're very spirited."
Greg said, "Hello, I am Greg. Nice to meet ya FlameWizardmon."
Wormmon said, "I'm Wormmon."
Blastmon-Head said, "I am the glorious Blastmon!"
FlameWizardmon said, "Pleasure to meet you. Do you want some Meatapples?" FlameWizardmon pointed to the tree.
"Meat apples?" Greg said, confused and intrigued.
FlameWizardmon explained, "They look like apples, but they're actually meat. There is an apple for every type of meat in the world. You also need to cook them before eating them."
Wormmon raised his hand, "I'll try some."
FlameWizardmon stood up, picked a white apple from the tree he was sitting next to, and then cooked the Meatapple with his flames.
FlameWizardmon handed the cooked Meatapple to Wormmon.
Wormmon took a bite and said, "Hot! Oh wow, this tastes like beef."
Blastmon-Head shouted, "I want a Meatapple!"
Greg raised his hand and said, "I will try it too."
FlameWizardmon smiled and said, "There are plenty to go around."
FlameWizardmon picked two more Meatapples and gave them to Greg and Blastmon-Head after cooking.
Greg bit into Meatapple that taste like fish.
Blastmon-Head bit into Meatapple that tastes like eel.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head had a great lunch with FlameWizardmon.
Wormmon asked, "Did you find those DemiMeramon?"
FlameWizardmon said, "Sometimes Digiegg ends up appearing near a similar attribute Digimon. I've been here so long that DemiMeramon Digiegg was in my territory, and well, they found me."
Wormmon said, "I see."
FlameWizardmon said, "I like this place because the Meatapple tree is delicious. Sometimes there are good Digimon that come around here, and I share my Meatapple. Other times, a more aggressive Digimon appears, and I give them fireballs to the face."
Greg said, "Thank you for sharing your Meatapple. They're delicious."
FlameWizardmon said, "No problem, take some for the road. Maybe we will see each other again. It's been a while since I saw a human around these parts."
Greg said it in surprise. "You have seen other humans before! When and where?"
FlameWizardmon said, "I actually met a boy named Ryo and his partner Digimon Monodramon about a year ago."
Wormmon said, "Maybe we will meet this Ryo."
Greg said, "Yeah, we might meet Ryo in this world."
Wormmon said, "We will get out of your hair. Thank you for sharing the Meatapples with us."
FlameWizardmon said, "No problem, why don't you take some Meatapples for the road."
FlameWizardmon gave many Meatapples to Greg.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head continued their journey.
----
POV Wormmon
Few days later.
Wormmon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head were traversing through the forest and making sure not to cross any territory of hostile Digimons.
Wormmon said, "I think we should fly. We are slowly down trying to avoid all these territories and hostile Digimons."
Greg asked, "Are you going to use Quetzalmon?"
Wormmon said, "I was thinking about using Stingmon since it has two hands and is so much faster. If I use JewelBeemon, I will be holding my spear, so I can't carry both of you at the same time."
Greg said, "Alright. It beats walking all the way there."
Wormmon said. "Wormmon Digivolve to Stingmon."
In a flash of light, Wormmon Digivolve to Stingmon.
Stingmon clasped the back of Greg shirt with his right hand and grabbed Blastmon-Head with his left hand.
Blastmon-Head said, "You better not drop me!"
Stingmon said, "Relax, I won't drop you."
Stingmon started to fly fast while holding Greg and Blastmon-Head in his hands.
Stingmon flew through the air quickly as the jungle moved past him.
About 10 minutes later, Parrotmon blocked Stingmon.
Parrotmon yelled, "No one can invade my territory!"
"Oh no," Stingmon said with annoyance. "Greg, I am going to beat this bird up."
Greg was unconscious.
"Greg!" Stingmon said in surprises and horror. "What happened to you?"
"Humans are weak," Blastmon-Head said. "Your flying speed knocked him out."
Stingmon said exasperatedly, "You gotta be kidding me, I wasn't even going that fast!"
Parrotmon flapped his wings as a gust of wind attacked Stingmon. Parrotmon yelled, "Begone from my territory!"
Stingmon flies back and growls angrily. "This violent dumb bird!"
Blastmon-Head shouted, "Throw me!"
Stingmon asked, "What?"
"Throw me like a rock at that insulant bird!" Blastmon-Head shouted. "Nobody attacks me and gets away with it!"
Stingmon heeded Blastmon-Head words and tossed the diamond-headed Digimon at Parrotmon.
Blastmon-Head roared as he flew through the air like a meteor. "Rawr!"
Blastmon-Head slammed into Parrotmon's chest.
Parrotmon coughed "Kack!"
Parrotmon was knocked back and dissolved into 0 and 1. Parrotmon was eliminated and turned into a Digiegg and flew away.
Stingmon caught Blastmon-Head before the diamond head Digimon hit the floor.
Blastmon-Head said proudly, "Aren't I amazing?"
Stingmon chuckled and said, "Yes, you are. Let's fly down and help Greg regain his consciousness."
Greg later regained his consciousness, and it was decided flying was off the table until they had a reliable form of transport.
----
POV Greg.
The next day.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head were in front of a cave.
Blastmon-Head smelled the air. "Do you know what I smell? Gems"
Greg asked, "Do you even have a nose?"
Wormmon said, "I don't like the look of this cave. Maybe we should go around it?"
Blastmon-Head said, "You fool! We are going into this cave and claiming the gems!"
Greg said, "Maybe we should go."
Wormmon asked, "We will all die. I can already see it."
Greg replied, "I considered myself an adventure."
Wormmon replied, "I am also an adventurer, but I don't head first in danger. Blastmon, let's go."
Blastmon-Head was gone from his spot.
Wormmon asked, "Where did Blastmon go?"
Greg said, "Inside the cave."
Wormmon said, "He is the only one that can lead us to the tower..."
Greg said, "Yup."
Wormmon said in resignation, "Let's go into the dangerous cave."
Greg and Wormmon went into the cave.
----
The cave was lined up with gems of a rainbow of colors. As Wormmon and Greg went deeper in the cave, they saw bigger and brighter gems of all shapes and sizes.
Greg collected an armful of gems and said, "I'm rich!"
Wormmon said, "We were already rich with Flappy Bird sales."
Greg said with a smile, "I'm richer."
Greg placed a lot of gems into his red backpack.
Greg and Wormmon continued exploring the cave. They came across a huge hexagonal gold-colored plate.
Greg touched the gold-colored plate, "Is this gold!?!"
Wormmon clarified, "No, these are the scales of Huanglongmon. Said to be Emperor Digimon that ruled the Digimon world. This golden scale is actually Huanglong Ore, which creates Chrome Digizoid. Chrome Digizoid is a near-indestructible metal."
Greg said, "Can we break a piece and carry it with us?"
Wormmon said, "I don't even think I can break this. It's Chrome Digizoid, I am not sure how it was removed from Huanglongmon."
Greg said sadly, "It's too big to carry. Let's continue to find Blastmon."
Wormmon said, "Yeah."
Greg and Wormmon continue to search the cave.
Eventually they found Blastmon-Head.
Blastmon-Head was in a pile of gems looking like he was in Nirvana.
Wormmon said, "Blastmon? What are you doing?"
Blastmon-Head said, "I have found peace."
Greg said, "Come on, buddy, let's go."
Blastmon-Head said, "No."
Wormmon said, "You can't just live in this cave. What about getting your body back?"
Blastmon-Head said, "I am not separating from my gem brethren."
Greg said, "Wait, why do all the gems have bite marks? Oh my god, did you bite all of them?"
Blastmon-Head said, "This is my home now."
Wormmon said, "What?"
Blastmon-Head said, "I'm home."
Wormmon and Greg were silently staring at Blastmon-Head.
Wormmon and Greg were left with no other choice but to kidnap Blastmon-Head when he fell asleep.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-head emerged from the forest and onto a riverbank, where the gentle sound of flowing water filled the air.
"Wow, look at that!" Greg exclaimed, his eyes widening at the sight before them. A group of Digimon, each holding a fishing rod, lined the riverbank.
Blastmon-head said, "Are there fish in the water?"
"Hello there," Greg greeted. "Mind if we join you for a bit?"
The small Digimon with white dinosaurs with two horns with red tips. Gammamon replied, "Woah! A human! Are you a good or bad human?"
Jellymon, a small girl with jellyfish on her head, said, "You dolt, we can bring him to Zoe, and she can tell us."
Angoramon, a giant yellow beast Digimon said, "Oh, your human too. I'll take your group to Zoe. Would you like to meet her? She will definitely want to meet you."
Greg said, "Sure?"
The Angoramon placed his fishing rod down and went to the forest.
Greg's group followed Angoramon.
Angoramon led the group to a campsite.
There were multiple tents in the campsite. A stone wall made of lumpy rock pieces surrounds the campsite.
A mysterious girl was making dinner at a table.
The mysterious girl stopped making dinner and turned to Greg's group.
The mysterious girl has long blond hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a lavender short skirt with a white shirt and a lavender vest. On top of her head is a lavender beanie.
"Hello Greg Veder," The mysterious girl said. "Welcome to the Digimon World."
Greg felt a chill up his spine. He never told the girl in front of him his name.
Wormmon said, "I am Wormmon, it is nice to meet you."
Blastmon-Head said, "I'm Blastmon the future General, no wait, King, no. No. I am making a mistake aiming so low! I am the future Emperor of the Digimon World!"
"How funny, it looks like I have some competitions." The mysterious girl said while giving a smile that looked dangerous. "I am Zoe Orimoto, the one who will conquer the Digimon and Human World."
A huge knight Digimon appeared behind Zoe.
Alphamon asked, "Should I eliminate these intruders?"
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head tensed. The very pressure that Alphamon produced was suffocating.
"Alphamon do not eliminate them." Zoe said cheerfully. "Greg and company, would all of you join us for lunch?"
Greg felt he didn't have a choice.
----
POV Wormmon
The situation felt off, and Wormmon couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. Why was there another human in the Digimon World?
Wormmon was going to have to casually ask the Digimons for the explanation while Greg was occupying Zoe's attention.
Lunch occurred on multiple large quilted blankets. It was similar to a large picnic.
The Digimon that were fishing returned with large red tuna.
Gammamon and Jellymon were sitting on the picnic blanket.
Angoramon was passing out bowls. Some filled with fruits, others filled with fish.
Jellymon asked Wormmon, "Is the human Greg, your Digimon partner?"
Wormmon replied, "Yes, Greg is my Digimon Partner."
Jellymon said, "He doesn't abuse you? Like hit you or yell at you."
Wormmon said, startled, "What?!"
Angoramon said, "I don't think this is a good topic for the company. You might upset them."
Jellymon said, "I don't want another accident to happen again..."
Gammamon was eating food and said, "Munch. Munch. Accident? You mean like Dark Evolutions?"
Angoramon sighed and said, "Yes... Lopomon went through Dark Evolution and ate his partner Shuuji."
Wormmon said in shock, "A Digimon ate his human partner!? What is wrong with this world?!"
Angoramon said, "Shuuji was abusive to his Digimon. It is a tragedy that was waiting to happen."
Gammamon said, "Wormmon, your human partner is your friend, and you both care about each other?"
Wormmon said, "I do care about Greg. Greg cares about me."
Gammamon said, "Then that is all that matters."
Wormmon asked, "I wonder. Have you guys had a human partner?"
A silence fell, and faces on every Digimon looked conflicted.
Gammamon started crying and whispered "Hiro."
Angoramon placed a bowl in front of Wormmon. "We don't talk about what happened to our human partners... It's a sensitive subject."
Wormmon said, "I apologize... I didn't know."
Angoramon said, "It's alright..."
----
POV Blastmon-Head.
Blastmon-Head kept a close eye on Alphamon, who seemed to be watching him like a hawk from the treeline. Alphamon was part of the Royal Knights, a group renowned for their unparalleled strength. Any Digimon in a group like that was said to be formidable, like the Seven Great Demon Lords, the Celestial Digimon, or the Digimon Sovereigns. To face one of them was to court danger; to face a whole group was to invite destruction.
Blastmon-Head's thoughts were interrupted as Hawkmon approached, offering a bowl of grapes. The fruit looked succulent and delicious, their skin glistening in the sunlight. But without hands to pick them up, he was forced to eat like a dog, lowering his head and using his tongue to fetch the grape out of the bowl and eat it.
Despite the awkwardness of his situation, Blastmon-Head found himself savoring the grapes, each one bursting with flavor as he gobbled them from the bowl. The sweet, juicy flesh was a balm to his weary spirit, and for a moment, the world around him faded away.
Blastmon-Head yelled, "These are magnificent!"
Angoramon said, "I am glad you are enjoying them! We picked them ourselves!"
"More!" Blastmon-Head yelled like a madman as his bowl was empty, "I want MORE!"
Blastmon-Head has become a berry addiction. Which was developing into a problem.
----
POV Wormmon.
Wormmon needed to change tactics, so while he was thinking of a plan, he tasted a pear. He savored the juicy sweetness of the pear, each bite a revelation that seemed to momentarily transport him away from the day's worries. The fruit was unlike anything he had tasted before, and it filled him with a comforting warmth.
As he devoured the pear, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of the conversation among the other Digimon. They were discussing their plans for tomorrow. Something about finding Mega Digimon, a task that sounded both daunting and exciting.
Wormmon asked, "If you don't mind me asking. Why do you need to find a Mega Digimon?"
Angoramon said in a mysterious voice, "The four seats of power are empty at the top."
Gammamon said, "We call them pillars that support the Digimon World. This world doesn't have a group at the top.... And well, uhm."
Jellymon said, "We need four Mega Digimon to be the new pillars of the Digimon World. I don't know why it has to be four. Just the conditions you need to make a pledge to Yggdrasil."
Wormmon said, "Let me get this straight. You need Four Mega Digimon to become the new pillars of the Digimon World? Why would any Digimon want to be a pillar?"
Angoramon said, "If a Mega Digimon becomes a pillar, they can control the Digimon World and shape it however they wish. The Mega Digimon ascend to become pillars of Digimon World also mean a huge power boost."
Jellymon said, "What stage did you reach Wormmon?"
Wormmon replied, "I reached the Ultimate Digivolutions."
Gammamon said, "You're going to need to train SUPER hard to reach Mega Digivolutions."
Wormmon replied, "I don't think getting to my next stage of Digivolutions is even my goal..."
Gammamon said, "Do you want to go back to the human world?"
Wormmon said, "I don't know."
----
POV Greg.
Greg was with Zoe having a picnic.
"Are you feeling any better?" Zoe asks softly.
Greg blinks, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
She gives him a knowing look. "You're still holding on to guilt about the incident."
Without a word, Zoe takes out her Digivice, gazing at it with a sad smile. "You know, I'm the last one standing," she murmurs. "Sometimes, I wonder if there's anyone left who'd give me a proper burial if something happened."
Greg looks at her, surprised by the unexpected confession. "What… what are you talking about?"
"When I first came to the Digital World, I was just like you—searching for answers, hoping to find some kind of solution to fix my broken life." She pauses, her expression distant. "And on that journey, I found things I wasn't expecting. I changed. I became someone I couldn't have imagined before. And now… even though I don't have all the answers, I know I've got to keep moving forward."
Greg looks down, chewing on her words but still feeling the weight of his guilt. "But… what if there are no answers for me? What if it's pointless?"
Zoe reaches out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Then you keep looking, even if you feel lost. It may not seem possible to move on, but it's all we have sometimes."
Greg's eyes lower, the truth pulling at his heart. "But… it was my fault. All of it."
Zoe shakes her head gently. "Guilt doesn't change the past, Greg. It doesn't make the future better, help anyone, fix anything, or improve us. All guilt does is trap us."
He clenches his fists, emotions brewing in his eyes. "It's hard... So hard."
She nods, understanding in her eyes. "I know. But maybe exploring this world will help you change, bit by bit. And one day, maybe you'll be ready to let go of that guilt..."
Greg heard Zoe's words, but in his heart, the pain lingered, heavy and unyielding, cutting deep and was more intense than any physical wound he'd ever felt.
----
It was nighttime, and Greg, Blastmon-Head, and Wormmon retired to a tent. To top it off, the tent had a water bed, which was probably not the best choice for Digimon camping but sounded fun nonetheless.
Wormmon claimed a pillow and curled up in the corner, looking as cozy as a bug in a rug.
Blastmon-Head found a slab of rock and plopped down.
Greg, meanwhile, sprawled out on the water bed, thinking he'd discovered heaven in the form of wobbly, sloshy luxury. Just as he was about to drift into a blissful slumber, the tent flap rustled open.
Zoe appeared, clad in a nightgown and clutching a pillow. "I had a nightmare, can I sleep with you?" She asked, sounding sheepish.
Greg's brain screamed "no," but his mouth had other plans. "Okay, come in…" he blurted out, proving that puppy dog eyes are a superpower.
Zoe beamed, slid under the covers, and slept next to Greg. "Goodnight Greg."
Then, the tent flap waved hello again as Gammamon poked his head in. "Zoe, can I sleep with you?" he asked, as if Greg were invisible.
Zoe pondered like she was considering world peace. "Greg, can Gammamon sleep with us?"
Greg sighed, "Sure," because resistance was futile.
Gammamon's face lit up, and he dove into the water bed, squeezing in beside Greg and Zoe. Gammamon was now the meat in a cuddle sandwich.
Before Greg could even adjust, the tent flap flung open again. Patamon and Tailmon sauntered in, looking like they were lost on the way to a sleepover.
"I couldn't go to sleep," Jellymon confessed.
Zoe turned to Greg expectantly. "Greg?"
"Get in," Greg muttered, realizing he was now running an all-night motel for Digimon.
Jellymon climbed aboard, and Greg attempted to reclaim some sleeping space.
Everyone snuggled in, and somehow, against all odds, they all managed to sleep through the night.
----
POV Alphamon.
While Greg, Zoe, and many of the Digimon fell asleep.
Two Digimon's were having a secret discussion under the stars.
Alphamon was standing like a knight ready for a command.
Angoramon was sitting leaning against a tree.
Angoramon said in a cheerful way, "It is nice that Zoe seems to like Greg. She seems more cheerful with more human contact."
Alphamon said, "If that human decided to hurt Zoe like Markus, I will eliminate him."
Angoramon said, "What is our plan for Greg and Wormmon? Wormmon is close to becoming a Mega Digimon. Knowing how desperate Zoe is, she might push Greg and Wormmon to the wrong path."
Alphamon spoke, "We are running out of time. We must have Wormmon become a Mega Digimon."
Angoramon said, "It is not easy to get Digimon to reach Mega Digivolutions. We will look for other Mega Digimons. We don't want Dark Evolution."
Alphamon said, "If we can't, we will send Zoe back to the human world."
Angoramon said softly, "Are you really going to betray Zoe and allow the Digimon World to be destroyed?"
"Yes," Alphamon said calmly, "I would betray Zoe and allow this world to crumble if it meant saving her life."
The two Digimon fell silent.
"Alphamon," Angoramon said. "You are Zoe's partner, Digimon. Please convince Zoe not to push Greg and Wormmon to Mega Digievolve."
Alphamon said, "I am not getting in the way of Zoe."
"You are Zoe knight in shining armor," Angoramon said carefully. "Zoe had formed a bond with Greg and Wormmon. If she pressured them into Mega Digivolutions, she risked causing them harm and shattering that bond. The thought of losing Greg would break Zoe's heart. Haven't you noticed how truly happy she was to finally meet a human who wasn't hostile toward her? As her knight, your duty isn't just about physically protecting Zoe; you must also protect her heart."
Alphamon was silent as Angoramon waited for his answers.
Alphamon said, "I will protect Zoe."
Angoramon smiled.
----
POV Zoe Orimoto
The next morning.
Zoe Orimoto and all her Digimon watched Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head leave the camp and continue their journey.
Alphamon got on his knees and said, "Thank you for not pushing Greg and Wormmon to reach Mega Digivolutions."
Zoe took out her Digivice and looked at it fondly.
"They have potential. They need to conquer the darkness in their hearts to reach Mega Digivolutions," Zoe said. "Besides, you wouldn't stop nagging me, you worrywart."
Alphamon's shoulder sagged and he said in a whiny voice, "Zoooooooooe."
Zoe said, "Hush you. Ceresmon, are you awake?"
The wind seems to sing a melody as a plant Digimon emerges from the ground.
Ceresmon said, "Hello, darling. Are you ready to take off?"
Zoe said, "Yes."
The ground started to move as the campsite and the surrounding forest started to lift to the air. Revealing the Mega Digimon Cersemon who carried everyone on her back to their next destinations.
----
POV Greg.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head watched dumbfounded as Ceresmon lifted up to the cloud and flew away into the horizon.
Greg said, "Are we ever going to see them again?"
Wormmon said, "Something tells me we are."
"No. No. NNNNOOO!" Blastmon-Head cried out loudly. "No wonder those berries tasted so good! They were harvested from Ceresmon! Come back and take me with you!!!"
Every morning Greg would get a red backpack filled with water, fresh clothes, some food, and essentials.
Blastmon-Head commanded, "Greg! I noticed you get that red backpack every day from ROB. You should tell ROB to bring me some diamonds to eat!"
Greg replied, "Diamonds? Why diamonds?"
Blastmon-Head said, "Because they're delicious! Just ask ROB for them, will you?"
Wormmon said cautiously, "I wouldn't meddle with unknown entities, Greg. There are too many stories about things going wrong. It's best not to trifle with them."
Blastmon-Head scoffs and says, "Oh, come on, Wormmon. You're just pathetic and overly cautious. This is a great opportunity!"
Greg said, "I don't know… but maybe it's worth a try. ROB hasn't let me down yet... Okay, I'll give it a shot."
Wormmon sighed and said, "This will turn out horribly..."
Greg starts praying, "ROB, I have a special request today. Could you please bring us some diamonds for my friend Blastmon? Thank you."
----
The next morning.
Greg wakes up to find a new red backpack. He excitedly rushes to it and opens it to reveal a pile of sparkling diamonds. Blastmon-Head moved closer, eyes gleaming with delight.
Blastmon-Head wakes up and sees the diamonds. "Oh wow, you really did it! Look at all these diamonds!"
Greg said, "I guess ROB heard my prayer. Here you go!"
Greg gives the red backpack to Blastmon-Head. Blastmon-Head starts devouring the diamond.
Wormmon wakes up, and paper falls to the sky. Wormmon reads the paper out loud.
Bro. I hope Blastmon enjoys the diamonds, they are made of the finest human hair.
Blastmon-Head stops eating and spits out the diamonds, "These are made from human hair!!!"
Wormmon said, "Well yeah... Is that a problem?"
"That disgusting ROB! He fed me hair!" Blastmon-Head shouted in the sky. "I will make you pay! I will find you and pulverize you! ROB! Do you hear me?! I will be your end!"
Blastmon-Head kept hopping up and down and screaming to the sky for another thirty minutes.
Wormmon had a thought, if God wanted to punish someone, he would sometimes answer your prayers.
----
POV Greg.
Few days later.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head reached an area that looked like a swamp. The dense, humid air hung heavy with the scent of damp soil. The dark, still water reflected the twisted forms of trees and the hanging veils of moss.
Greg squinted at the scene and said, "Should we fly across?"
Blastmon-Head, ever the optimist, chimed in, "I'm sure we can cross the swamp by jumping on the logs."
With a determined leap, Blastmon-Head hopped onto a log, which promptly broke, sending him plummeting into the murky water.
Greg gasped, "Blastmon!"
Without thinking, Greg dove into the water, only to disappear beneath the surface.
Wormmon, eyes wide, shouted, "Wormmon Digivolve to Stingmon!"
With a flash of light, Wormmon transformed into Stingmon and dived into the swamp, quickly dragging both Blastmon-Head and Greg out of the water.
Blastmon-Head lay panting on the ground. "That was horrible. I thought I was going to die."
Greg, equally exhausted, gasped, "Likewise."
Greg whipped off the excessive water from his body.
Blastmon-Head said, "This hurts my pride. Greg, can you do me a favor and clean me? There is mud in places I don't even know existed."
Greg said, "Sure, buddy."
Greg takes out a white tower from the red bagpack and starts cleaning Blastmon-Head off of mud.
Stingmon shook his head in exasperation and said, "You two are idiots."
Stingmon de-digivolve to Wormmon.
Wormmon is quite happy that when he de-digivolve the mud, the dirty water is removed.
Blastmon-Head grumbled, "I miss my body. I could pulverize this entire swamp if I had it."
A slug Digimon appeared and moved slowly toward the group. "Oh, a human! I haven't seen one of your kind here for a while. I am Numemon, and this is Magic Mushroom Swamp."
Greg said, "Hello, Numemon, I am Greg. The worm Digimon is Wormmon. The diamond head digimon is Blastmon."
Wormmon asked suspiciously, "Why is it called Magic Mushroom Swamp?"
Numemon answered, "The swamp has mushrooms with various effects. One of the most popular mushrooms allows you to forget certain memories, it affects both Digimons and humans."
Wormmon asked, "...Are you telling me I can forget ever watching Dragon Ball anime if I eat a mushroom. I can enjoy my beloved show all over again.... What does the mushroom look like?"
Greg said, "I know what you're planning, and it's not a good idea."
Numemon answered, "Forget Me Mushroom is a blue and purple mushroom with white ring patterns."
"I see..." Wormmon immediately started running toward the swamp with fire blazing in his eyes.
Greg body tackled Wormmon to the ground and shouted, "Dammit, don't do drugs, you Dragon Ball obsessed idiot!"
Greg held Wormmon tightly as Digimon was trying to escape.
Wormmon shouted, "Let me go! Let me go! Let me goooo!"
A long time later, Greg was able to calm down Wormmon.
Greg, Blastmon-Head, and a tired Wormmon were back to standing in front of Numemon.
Numemon said, "Allow me to continue. There are some mushrooms you should avoid eating."
Greg said, "Poison mushrooms, huh."
Numemon clarified, "No, because they mutate humans and Digimon. One of the extreme cases is when you consume the Fire Mutant Mushroom you gain the power to control fire."
Greg said excitedly, "You mean! I can control fire, one of the hottest powers in the world! What does the mushroom look like!?!"
Wormmon said, "Greg, don't do this."
Numemon replied, "The Fire Mutant Mushroom is a mushroom that has orange, yellow, and red flame designs."
Greg immediately started dashing into the swamp.
Wormmon shouted, "Wormmon Digivolve to Stingmon!"
With a flash of light, Wormmon transformed into Stingmon.
Stingmon body tackled Greg to the ground.
Stingmon shouted, "Dammit Greg! I am making sure you don't ruin your life!"
Greg yelled, "I need firepower! I will be as hot as Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender. Don't ruin my dreaammmmms. My destiny awaits me!"
Stingmon didn't let Greg go until he calmed down and promised he wouldn't eat weird mushrooms.
After Greg calmed down. Stingmon de-digivolved to Wormmon.
All three, Wormmon, Blastmon-Head, and a tired Greg were back to standing in front of Numemon.
Wormmon said, "Alright, we are going to fly over the Magic Mushroom Swamp."
Numemon said, "I recommend you go through the forest and collect Healing Mushrooms. They can heal any Digimons and human injuries."
Greg said, "...Do you think we should risk this?"
"No!" Wormmon shouted, "We don't have the self-restraint to go through the Swamp and not eat life-changing mushrooms."
Blastmon-Head laughed and said, "I won't fall for temptations. These Healing Mushrooms sound like life saviors. We should collect them."
Greg said, "I know we can do it."
Wormmon sighed and said, "Fine. Lets get this over with....."
Numemon said, "The Healing Mushroom is white with pink heart patterns. Good luck."
Wormmon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head entered the Magic Mushroom Swamp.
----
Greg was carrying Wormmon on his shoulder and clutching Blastmon-Head in his arms.
The Healing Mushrooms were easy to locate, and Greg found some, placing them in the red backpack.
There were mushrooms in all shapes and forms.
Greg even spotted a Fire Mutant Mushroom. His eyes locked on it, and before he could do anything, his hand was reaching for it.
Wormmon smacked Greg's head, "Don't you dare."
"Aggh. This is awful," Greg whined.
"We will get through this and not turn it into a disaster," Wormmon said.
"Okay," Greg said sadly.
Greg continued collecting the Healing Mushrooms.
While Greg was reaching down to collect a particularly large Healing Mushroom, he tripped and fell.
Both Greg and Wormmon ended up in the swamp water.
Blastmon-Head landed in a pile of Magic Mushrooms and accidentally ate one.
Greg and Wormmon watched in horror as Blastmon-Head began to grow and grow until he was huge and Kaiju-sized.
Greg said, "Oh no."
Wormmon said, "He's not kid-sized anymore."
Giant Blastmon-Head laughed. "Hahahaha! I feel powerful! Everyone looked down on me! Now I look down on everyone! With these mushrooms, I will be invincible!"
Giant Blastmon-Head opened his large mouth and devoured a log covered in Magic Mushrooms.
Greg, Wormmon, and the Giant Blastmon-Head waited anxiously for the Magic Mushrooms to take effect.
Suddenly, Giant Blastmon-Head erupted in flames.
Giant Blastmon-Head screamed in agony, "AAAAAHHHH!!! I am on fire!"
Greg said in envy, "That should have been me!"
Wormmon screamed, "Duck and roll! Duck and roll! Duck and roll!"
Giant Blastmon-Head started to roll in the swamp water, but the fire wouldn't go out.
Wormmon watched in horror as the giant flaming diamond head rolled toward him and Greg.
Wormmon and Greg started to run away as the flaming Giant Blastmon-Head chased after them.
Both Greg and Blastmon-Head were riding Quetzalmon. Quetzalmon flew into the air carrying Blastmon-Head and Greg.
----
Quetzalmon was traveling in the sky above the oceans.
For fifteen minutes they were flying in the sky, and there was no land in sight.
Quetzalmon worries that he will lose stamina before he gets to the other side.
Quetzalmon started to calculate how far he could go before landing in the ocean.
Something huge emerged out of the sea. It was a humongous woman, on closer examination she was a mermaid.
The mermaid waved her hands toward Quetzalmon and spoke, "Hello there, why don't you come closer so I can speak to you?"
Greg said, "She is beautiful."
Blastmon-Head said, "She is super super super powerful."
Quetzalmon was nervous because the huge mermaid was obviously a Mega Digimon.
Quetzalmon was going to need to be Togemogumon to have a chance of beating a Mega.
The mermaid spoke, "Come down here, I won't hurt you."
Quetzalmon hesitated, but he went down to meet the giant mermaid.
The mermaid had her palms open and together like she was going to catch rain.
Quetzalmon landed on the giant mermaid with open hands.
The mermaid said, "Nice to meet you, little one. I am AncientMermaidmon, the ruler of the ocean."
Greg gave a bow. "I'm Greg, a human."
Blastmon-Head said, "I'm Blastmon."
Quetzalmon said, "You can call me Bait. Right now I am a Quetzalmon."
AncientMermaidmon said, "Bait, I feel you are familiar to me. Have we meant before?"
Quetzalmon responded, "Oh no. We never meant."
AncientMermaidmon said, "Is that so? No matter. I've been searching for an item that was stolen from me. My trident. Can you help me find it? I will reward you handsomely."
Greg said immediately, "Deal."
Quetzalmon said, "Greg, don't be a simp."
Blastmon-Head asked, "Are you the reason that the ocean covers these lands?"
AncientMermaidmon spoke, "Yes, I am, I am expanding the ocean so it would be easier to find my lost trident."
Greg said in horror, "You got to stop! Your going to destroy the environment and make the area unlivable for land base Digimon!"
AncientMermaidmon spoke, "I need to find my trident. It is very important to me."
Quetzalmon sighed deeply, "Let's find this trident. It will be a much easier task than defeating AncientMermaidmon."
AncientMermaidmon spoke, "Thank you, little one, for the help."
Greg said, "Great AncientMermaidmon, please reverse the damage you have done upon the land when we give you your trident."
AncientMermaidmon smiled beautifully and nodded. "Oh, of course, little one."
Quetzalmon flew back with the new mission of finding the trident for AncientMermaidmon.
----
Greg, Quetzalmon, and Blastmon-Head were now back on land.
Quetzalmon de-digivolve into Wormmon.
Greg stretched his arms and yawned.
Blastmon-Head asked, "How are we going to find the AncientMermaidmon's trident?"
Greg answered, "Back home, we used Tattletale to investigate for us. She is a Thinker who is good at finding information. Since we don't have her, we are going to use Searchmon. Another Digivolution of Wormmon."
Blastmon-Head said excitement. "Wow, you have so many Digivolutions! We will reach the tower in no time!"
Wormmon shook his head. "Well, we don't have Digivolutions for every problem we face. I wish we did, though. Anyway Greg Armor Digievolve me."
"Will do Wormmon," Greg yelled, "Digi Armour Energize!"
In Greg's left eye, the Crest of Knowledge appeared.
Blastmon-Head looked at his reflection on Searchmon's shiny body and said, "Hello handsome."
Searchmon was picking up sounds, he could see the outline of the area. As he continued to look, he didn't see any trident shaped object. "I guess we need to continue walking around and searching. I will find it if it's in the area."
Greg nodded his head. "Alright, let's search, we don't want to walk around in the dark."
The group started to explore for the trident.
----
Four hours of searching later, Searchmon has successfully found the trident.
"Guys!" Searchmon said excitedly, "I found the trident!"
"Really where?" Greg asked.
Searchmon said, "Come on guys, follow me."
Searchmon started to run in the direction of the trident, with both Greg and Blastmon-Head following after him.
Searchmon led the group to a tree. Sitting on top of the tree was an angel-like digimon.
The Digimon is relatively small, the size of a basketball. Its body is round and plump, giving it a cute and almost chibi-like appearance. It was a primary pink color with white wings. In one hand of the Digimon was a spear, and in the other was the golden trident.
Piximon was currently eating the cookies from the tree.
Blastmon-Head said in surprise, "That's Piximon!"
"Piximon?" Greg said in surprise.
Blastmon-Head elaborated, "Piximon is a Digimon that can do magic. It can pop up anywhere in space and time. It's a really dangerous Digimon."
Searchmon said, "I knew stealing the trident couldn't be done by a normal Digimon."
Searchmon de-digivolve to Wormmon.
"Wormmon digivolve to Stingmon!"
Wormmon glowed and digivolve to Stingmon.
Greg said, "We can try to ask for the trident back."
Stingmon said, "If Piximon doesn't return the trident. Then we will use force."
Greg said, "Violence isn't always the answer, let me talk to Piximon. I will try to convince him to give back the trident."
Stingmon said, "Violence is a question, and the answer is yes. We will try it your way first. Good luck."
Greg was one who stepped forward toward Piximon, with Blastmon-Head and JewelBeemon following Greg's steps.
Greg shouted loudly, "Hello Piximon."
Piximon turned his head, his mouth full of cookies, and stared at the group. "What do you want, kid? Don't you see that I'm eating?"
Greg said, "Funny story. That trident you have in your hand belongs to AncientMermaidmon. She has been looking for it and has been flooding the entire area trying to find her trident. Can you return the trident to her before she turns the entire area into an ocean?"
Piximon smiled evilly and lifted the trident in the air, "You mean this beauty! I stole it from that broad while she was asleep. There is no way I am going to return it!"
Greg shrugged. "Well, I tried. He's all yours, Wormmon."
"Lets get that trident back." Stingmon extended his stinger and charged at Piximon, his stinger being thrust at the angel Digimon.
The stinger slammed into Piximon.
"Augh!" Piximon is thrown back and tumbles through the air and upright itself.
Piximon says, "That was a strong and fast attack! I am going to take you kids seriously!"
Stingmon says in shock, "I'm surprised he survived my attack! This one is super durable!"
Stingmon disappeared. It was like he was there one second, and now there was no trace left.
Greg was shocked and yelled, "What did you do?!"
Piximon laughs arrogantly, "I sent him to the past! Bye bye kids! Your lucky that you got one hit on me! If I were less injured, you two would be in a world of pain."
Piximon flies away.
Blastmon-Head says, "What should we do now?"
Greg shakes his head, his eyes trembling. "I don't know."
Wormmon woke up with a killer headache. Wormmon moaned in agony as he checked his surroundings.
Wormmon mumbled, "Where is Greg and Blastmon?"
Wormmon couldn't find Greg or Blastmon-Head. The last thing Wormmon remembered was the battle with Piximon.
Wormmon deduced, "Piximon must have sent me in the past or the future. I could be on a totally different continent. Regardless of where I am, I need to find Greg."
A giant bird Digimon landed in front of Wormmon and said, "I am Parrotmon, and this territory belongs to me! Why are you here?!"
Wormmon was a caterpillar and Parrotmon was a giant bird. The first thing Wormmon thought when he saw Parrotmon was that he was going to be eaten.
"Time to fight!" Wormmon pumped himself up. "Wormmon Warp Digivolve to JewelBeemon!"
Nothing happened for Wormmon, he didn't glow, he didn't transform.
"Well, isn't this embarrassing?" Wormmon nervously laughed. "I am very dead."
Parrotmon spread his wings wide, "Small insect! Begone from my lands!"
Parrotmon flapped his wings, and a powerful gust of wind was generated.
Wormmon's small body lifted off the ground, and he soared through the air, "Oh no!"
Wormmon was now flying in the air at terrifying speed, spinning like a shuriken in the air.
As Wormmon descended into the forest, he must have hit four tree canopy before he crashed into the ground.
Wormmon groaned as he lifted himself up. He was covered in branches, leaves, and cookies.
Wormmon shaken his body like a dog getting the stuff off of him.
"Let's not go through that again," Wormmon said. "Okay, so I need to avoid the stronger Digimon because I can't Digivolve."
Wormmon picked a random direction and started walking.
As Wormmon continued walking, he was getting hungry.
Wormmon saw many Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies on a tree.
"Oh sweet," Wormmon climbed the tree and reached the canopy. Wormmon started to pick the cookies and eat them. "These are good."
Wormmon's mind started to wonder to Greg, "I hope he's doing okay..."
Wormmon finished his snack and continued on his journey.
Wormmon heard a loud stomping sound, and hurriedly Wormmon hid in the bushes.
Tyrannomon appeared, it walked forward, not too fast or slow. It passed Wormmon, who was hiding in the bush.
When Tyrannomon was out of the way. Wormmon got out of the bush, and he continued his journey.
"I already miss my awesome and overpowered Digivolutions. Greg I am never going to take you for granted again," Wormmon said as he started crying. T_T.
Wormmon would continue his journey through the forest, dodging from the powerful Digimon that inhabited the area.
Before long, Wormmon heard someone singing a beautiful melody.
Wormmon was memorized by the charming music.
Wormmon followed the sound and discovered a woman with blue skin and fins on the sides of her head, seated on a boulder. She was singing a beautiful, enchanting melody.
Wormmon hesitated, unsure of what to do next.
Should he approach the singing Digimon and ask for information? Was it the Digimon's humanoid appearance that made him feel more trusting? The captivating song gave him a positive impression.
But then, Wormmon remembered stories about sirens luring sailors to their doom.
Wormmon decided to take the risk.
Wormmon approached the singing Digimon and greeted, "Hello."
The singing Digimon stopped singing, looked at Wormmon, and her face contorted into disgust. "Eww, a bug."
Wormmon cried. T__T.
Why did that reaction hurt so much? It wasn't his fault he was a bug! Goddammit!
Wormmon spoke after getting his emotions in check. "Your singing is beautiful... Uhm... Have you seen any humans in the area? I'm Wormmon."
"You may address this one as Ranamon, and yes, my voice is that of an angel. What is so called human? Is it, by chance, a delicious type of cookie?" Ranamon asked.
"That's not good..." Wormmon said sadly. 😔.
What was Wormmon supposed to do now?
Wormmon asked another question. "Have you seen Piximon?"
"This one heard of Piximon and how he causes trouble," Ranamon said. "This one saw him once around the forest, but this one has not seen him recently."
Wormmon now had a goal. He was going to find Piximon and force him to transport him back to Greg.
"Thank you for the help. I will be going now," Wormmon said as he was leaving.
Wormmon left the clearing. He heard footsteps following after him.
Wormmon turned around and saw Ranamon a few feet behind him.
Wormmon asked, "Why are you following me?"
"This one does not want to learn about your demise. Especially since you complimented this one music."
Wormmon puffed out his chest. "I'll have you know, I'm quite the fighter."
Ranamon leaned down and placed her hands on her knees. "Oh my, this one sure you're just the toughest," she teased. 😊.
"I'm not getting rid of you, am I?" Wormmon asked.
"You are not."
"Okay then, my plan is to find Piximon and get him to transport me back to my friends. Do you know how we are going to find Piximon?"
"Not a single one."
Wormmon was back to square one.
----
Ranamon and Wormmon were searching the forest for Piximon.
Ranamon said, "Oh, look at this black and white cookie tree. Aren't those cookies just divine?"
Wormmon was confused and followed the path where Ranamon was looking.
The tree that Ranamon was looking at had Oreo cookies growing on the tree.
Wormmon said in longing, "It's been such a long time since I had oreos."
Ranamon raised her hand and opened her palm. "Whipping wave!"
A water whip attacked the tree, and the Oreo cookies fell to the ground. The oreos broke on impacting the ground.
Ranamon collapsed on her knees. She looked at the broken Oreo cookies sorrowfully. "What a tragedy! Delectable cookies in front of this one, now all ruined?!"
"Allow me to get you some oreos," Wormmon climbed the tree with ease.
Ranamon muttered, "Tiny bug is small, however, you can reach the delicious cookies."
Wormmon collected a lot of cookies and then climbed down the tree.
Wormmon offered the Ranamon, "Here you go."
Ranamon rubbed Wormmon's head and said, "Tiny bug is amazing."
Wormmon felt frustrated being complemented and stuttered out, "Ah well. Yeah, I am."
----
Wormmon searched through the forest and failed to find Piximon.
The sky was getting dark.
"It's almost nighttime," Wormmon said in regret. "We are going to need to find a place to sleep."
Ranamon replied, "This one knows the perfect place to sleep. Follow me."
Ranamon led Wormmon to a school in the middle of the forest.
The school building stands out in the middle of a forest. The exterior is painted in cheerful colors, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The entrance features a colorful mural depicting scenes of learning and play.
Wormmon said in shock, "There's a school here."
"These buildings are all over the Digiworld."
Wormmon nodded. "I see."
Wormmon started to recall a fact that sometime in the human world they would delete data and it would appear in the Digimon World. Maybe the blueprint of a school was deleted and it ended up being added to the Digimon World.
Wormmon and Ranamon entered the school.
Small baby Digimon were in the school, playing around.
"Ranamon!" Pipimon, a round green baby Digimon, was excited to see Ranamon. "Oh, your back!"
"Do you have a treat for us?" Poyomon asked a baby Digimon that looked like a ghost.
"I hope it is delicious," Choromon said, who looked like a metal computer mouse.
The baby Digimon went to Ranamon. Ranamon gave the oreos to the baby Digimons. "Here are the treats, little ones."
Wormmon asked, "Do you take care of the baby Digimons?"
Ranamon replied, "This one does give treats to the baby Digimon, however, the group of Monzaemon protects the territory."
Renamon went to the nursing office, which had three beds.
Wormmon picked the bed closest to the door. As he melted into the bed, he felt happy and comfortable.
Ranamon leaned on the windowsill and started to sing a melody.
Wormmon didn't realize how exhausted he was as he drifted to sleep listening to Ranamon's song.
----
When Wormmon woke up, Ranamon was snuggling with him in the same bed.
Wormmon now faced a dilemma. How was he going to move without waking up Ranamon?
Wormmon wiggled his body and started to inch away from Ranamon. Ranamon readjusted his arms and pulled him deeper into her hug.
Wormmon was stuck until Ranamon woke up.
Eventually Ranamon woke up. She stared down at Wormmon and asked, "Why are you in this one bed?"
"I should be asking you that," Wormmon asked. "This bed is closer to the door. It is obvious you are in my bed."
"Hmmm," Ranamon hummed softly. "It is obviously your fault, you are warm and cuddly."
Wormmon looked at Ranamon like she was crazy.
Wormmon asked, "Okay, can you let me go?"
"Do you not like this one holding you?"
"Well... It's nice."
"Then there is no problem. Stay with this one for another hour."
Ranamon started to drift back to sleep. 😪.
Wormmon felt trapped. 😖.
----
It took awhile before Ranamon woke up.
Wormmon asked Ranamon, "Can you give me a tour of the school? Since you do live here."
Ranamon replied, "Sure, this one can give you a tour. In exchange, this one hopes you can fetch me more delicious cookies."
"You have yourself a deal."
Ranamon smiled and started giving a tour of the school.
Ranamon led Wormmon to a room with wooden laminated floors and two hoops. Soccer balls, tennis balls, basketballs, and dodgeballs were scattered on the floor of the room.
Ranamon said, "This is the ball room, since it has a lot of balls."
Wormmon replied, "This is the gym."
Baby Digimon were playing with the ball. Monzaemon was watching them play.
Monzaemon looked at Ranamon and gave a nod. Ranamon returned the gesture.
Wormmon asked, "Do Monzaemon talk?"
Ranamon replied, "This one has not heard them talk. They communicate with gestures. This one has counted ten Monzaemon in this building."
Ranamon led Wormmon to a room filled with computers. The computers lacked internet access but included games like Solitaire, Chess, and Tetris, along with applications such as Notepad, Paint, and a calculator.
Ranamon said, "This is the metal box room, since it has a lot of metal boxes."
Wormmon replied, "This is the computer room."
As they were passing to a new room, another Monzaemon was being used as gym equipment and was sitting in the hall.
Wormmon could feel Monzaemon joy surrounded by Baby Digimon.
Ranamon led Wormmon to a room filled with paintbrushes, clay, paint, and other art supplies. Famous paintings by Da Vinci and Leonardo were on the walls.
Ranamon said, "This is the art room, since it has a lot of art supplies."
Wormmon replied, "Huh, you got this one right."
Ranamon led Wormmon to a room filled with books.
Monzaemon was flipping through a children's book while baby Digimon watched on.
Ranamon said, "This is the book room, since it has a lot of books."
Wormmon replied, "This is the library."
Ranamon asked, "Alright, that covers the important places, what do you want to do now?"
Wormmon answered, "Plan and strategize, let go to a classroom."
Wormmon was now in the classroom, writing on the board with chalk.
Ranamon was taking a seat.
Wormmon started speaking, "My goal is to find Piximon. We are going to make a map of the forest."
Ranamon raised her hand.
Wormmon said, "Yes, Ranamon."
Ranamon said, "Can we make a map of all the delicious cookie trees and powerful Digimons? This one believes those two are very important."
"Very well, we will add those to the map."
"Hohohoho. Our group will have many cookies."
Wormmon made a deadpan face. 😑.
Wormmon asked, "Are the cookies your only thing you're interested in?"
Ranamon answered, "Of course they are. That's why this one left the ocean. The cookies on this continent are delicious." Ranamon said, smiling. 😊.
Wormmon could already tell it was going to be a long and arduous journey to find Greg.
Wormmmon and Ranamon were traveling through the jungles.
Ranamon held her hand up and said, "Wait, do not go that direction, that is SkullScorpionmon territory."
Wormmon was trying to find any signs that marked Digimon territory. He didn't see anything. He asked Ranamon, "How did you know we were entering another Digimon territory?"
Ranamon answered, "SkullScorpionmon marked the territory boundaries with his energy."
Wormmon asked, "Is this some kind like ki, chi, or chakra power?"
Ranamon thought for a second, "This one, call it energy. Different Digimon call it different names."
"So how do I use energy?"
"This one focuses on the warm feeling in this one's eyes."
Wormmon concentrated in his eyes, trying to perceive energy. After a minute of fruitless effort, he gave up. Wormmon said in defeat, "I can't do it."
"Tiny bug will get better with practice."
"I hope so. Then I am going to try to do the kamehameha."
----
Fourth day separated from Greg.
Wormmon was back at school. His exploration of the forest gives him no hints of Piximon.
Wormmon was looking through the library for anything interesting to read and found a joke book.
Ranamon found a book called The Princess Bride and showed the book to Wormmon. "This one wants tiny bug to read this book to me."
"You can't read?"
"This one can read Digimoji. Which is the writing system of the Digimon World? This one can't read this language."
"Sure, I can read you the book. I can also teach you English so you can read it yourself."
"This one is too busy to study."
"Well, that's a shame, there are tons of books in the library. Don't you want to read them?"
Ranamon looked at the rows of books. "Maybe. Read this one, The Princess Bride, first."
"Alright. Your majesty. Your wish is my command," Wormmon said while bowing.
Wormmon read about a quarter of the Princess Bride book before stopping.
Ranamon was looking at Wormmon with glittering eyes. "This one needs to know more!"
"We can read more tomorrow."
"Ugh. That is not fair..." Ranamon then asked sheepishly, "Can tiny bug teach this one to read English?"
Wormmon nodded his head. "Of course."
----
Fifth day separated from Greg.
Wormmon was marking the days he last saw Greg. There were four slashes and a diagonal slash on a small dry erase board he made with a black marker.
Wormmon learned the hard way that writing on the chalkboard will be erased at the end of the day. He was forced to use the small dry erase board to write his notes, maps, and keep track of the days.
The exploration of the Jungle has only made him discover more cookie trees and Digimon Territories.
Wormmon and Ranamon were drawing in the Art Room. Wormmon is drawing a map of the jungle. Ranamon was drawing for fun.
Ranamon drew a picture of Seadramon. "This is Seadramon. He is very bossy to this one."
Wormmon looked at the drawing and said, "That looks like scribbles."
Ranamon nodded. "That is what Seadramon looks like."
"Okay..." Wormmon replied, "I have a question. I've noticed that when I write on the chalkboard, it disappears by the end of the day. Also, there are two copies of 'The Princess Bride.' I didn't see another copy of that book in the library. What I'm trying to say is, what's with these oddities?"
"This one does not understand the problem."
"I mean, it's like a game where things get replenished at the end of the day. It's not just the school. Even the cookie trees have the same number of cookies in the same tree on the same branch."
"What's the issue?"
"How are these cookies multiplying so quickly, and where did you get a second book?" Wormmon asked, holding up his small dry erase board. "I found exactly twenty small dry erase boards in the art room cupboards. I took one, but the next day, there was still a full pile of twenty. Where did the extra board come from? Who replaced it?"
Ranamon shrugged, "That is just how the world works."
Wormmon said, "That is both wonderful and inconvenient."
Wonderful was the fact that they had infinite supplies.
Inconvenient since it was impossible to change the environment without all of it being erased the next day.
----
Seventh day separated from Greg.
The school computer lab had many computers, each equipped with basic programs for functionality. However, there was no internet connection, which was a significant drawback.
To Wormmon's delight, the computers had a notepad program. This allowed Wormmon to take notes without having to use multiple dry erase boards.
Wormmon missed the internet and all its resources.
To Wormmon's horror, all the information on the computers was erased by the end of the day.
Fortunately, Wormmon discovered a solution. He found a CD, or compact disk, in the principal's office. Now, Wormmon could write down the information he learned on the notepad and save it on the CD.
Ranamon also spent time in the computer room and found herself becoming addicted to the Tetris game on the computers.
"This one just needs one more line block! Come on, line block!" she exclaimed.
Wormmon decided to create a new notepad document. Finding Piximon was becoming increasingly difficult, and he didn't know how long he would be stuck there. He started writing the name of the document: "Parahuman Worm by Wildbow."
Wormmon planned to give all the information he had gathered to Greg, hopeful that one day he would find his friend.
Ranamon asked, "What is tiny bug working on?"
Wormmon paused as he stopped typing, "A story with a sad ending. I am writing about a person's life and what will happen in the future."
"You know the future?"
"I know a certain person's future and only that person. Not myself."
"There are always drawbacks with such powers. Your power sounds inconvenient."
Wormmon chuckled, "The person lived a very eventful life. I want to share this story with my friend Greg."
"Greg, is that tiny bug friend?"
"Yes, I've been looking for Piximon to send me back to him."
"Hmm," Ranamon hummed thoughtfully. "Can you read this one, the story you're writing?"
Wormmon paused and then replied, "How about learning to read English? You can read it yourself. I've been reading Princess Brides to you. You need motivation to learn the language."
Ranamon pouted, "This one has been too busy to learn properly."
Wormmon replied, "Trust me. Your not going to regret it."
----
Tenth Day separated from Greg.
Ranamon and Wormmon were in the nurses room, sleeping in the nurse's bed.
Monzaemon entered the nurse room. The large bear Digimon steps woke up the pair.
Ranamon opened her eyes and yawned. "Yawn. What do you want?"
Ranamon stirring awake made Wormmon wake up.
Monzaemon was holding three empty dodgeball bags. Monzaemon was giving the empty dodgeball bag toward Ranamon.
Ranamon said, "Oh, it is that time of the month."
Wormmon asked, "What going on?"
Ranamon said, "We are going to go to the territories with friendly Digimon and ask for cookies. They will exchange these empty dodgeball bags with dodgeball bags filled with cookies. We can use all those cookies to feed the baby Digimon that lives here."
Wormmon nodded his head. "Can I come with you?"
Ranamon nodded her head, "Sure."
Wormmon and Ranamon left the school and were walking to the first friendly territory.
Leomon was leaning against a tree when Wormmon and Ranamon saw him.
Ranamon greeted, "Hello Leomon."
"Ranamon," Leomon returned with a nod. "The Monzaemons making you carry the bags?"
Ranamon smiled and nodded her head. "Yes, this one is helping feed the baby Digimon."
Leomon laughed, which was so loud that it shook the ground, "Good! Well, here is the cookie bag."
Leomon went behind the tree and pulled out a dodgeball bag that seemed to be filled to the brim with cookies.
Ranamon gave the empty dodgeball bag to Leomon and got the full dodgeball with cookies in the exchange.
Wormmon approached Leomon, "Leomon. I am Wormmon, and I've been searching for Piximon. Have you seen him?"
Leomon answered, "I am sorry I haven't seen that particular Digimon."
Wormmon's shoulder fell. "That's too bad."
Leomon said, "I am sure you will find Piximon one day."
Wormmon said sadly, "Hopefully."
Ranamon visited two more Digimon, and much to Wormmon's dismay, they didn't have information on Piximon either.
----
Fourteenth Day separated from Greg
Ranamon and Wormmon were in the library.
Ranamon was reading her copy of "The Princess Bride." Wormmon had observed that she was remarkably quick at picking up English. Although she occasionally asked Wormmon for help with a word, she had no trouble learning the new language.
Wormmon felt like his heart was really heavy. For two weeks, he failed to find Piximon. He was considered searching the territories of the stronger Digimons. He considered the risk and weighed if it was worth it.
"Tiny bug?" Ranamon asked.
"Yes?"
"Tiny bug isn't reading."
"I am not in the mood today to read."
"Oh ho. What is tiny bug in the mood to do?"
"I want to search the forest more... I need to find a way home."
"It is dark outside," Ranamon said. "We can search in the morning. Tonight this one singing to the baby Digimon on stage. Do you have a song request?"
Wormmon considered the question, "I have a request. But it will require someone to know sheet music and know how to play the piano."
Ranamon smiled, "The Monzaemon has supernatural ability to play instruments, this one believes they can read sheet music and play the piano. They are quite talented. Tell me your request."
Wormmon spoke his request.
Later in the same night.
Ranamon had a routine that she would sing on the stage in the lunchroom.
A crowd of baby Digimon were seated on the cafeteria benches.
At the back, nine Monzaemon sat, each accompanied by a group of baby Digimon using them as cushions.
A single Monzaemon played the piano.
Ranamon began singing, "Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars." Her voice was beautiful as Monzaemon played the piano perfectly.
Wormmon ended up crying after hearing the song. T__T.
All the guests enjoyed the concert.
----
Twenty days separated from Greg.
Wormmon woke up early and saw Ranamon deep in sleep. The plan he had today was risky, and he couldn't allow Ranamon to stop him. He was going to enter territory owned by the dangerous Digimon. He had to take the risk if he ever wanted to find Piximon.
Wormmon sneaked out of the Nurse room and left the school.
Wormmon quickly found the territory owned by SkullScorpionmon. Wormmon was able to concentrate the energy in his eyes and see the marking that SkullScorpionmon was marking the area.
The forest was dense, the canopy above blocking out much of the moonlight, casting long, skeletal shadows on the ground. Wormmon moved cautiously, his small, green body blending with the foliage. He crept through the underbrush, his antennae twitching, alert for any sign of danger. He knew he was in SkullScorpionmon's territory, and that knowledge weighed heavily on him.
Each step was deliberate, every rustle of leaves beneath him sending a shiver down his segmented spine. He paused behind a tree. The forest was still, but he could sense the malevolent presence of SkullScorpionmon, lurking, hunting.
A snapping twig made Wormmon freeze, his heart pounding in his tiny chest. The skeletal silhouette of SkullScorpionmon loomed in the distance, its exoskeleton glinting menacingly in the dim light. Its claws clicked rhythmically, a sinister symphony that sent a chill down Wormmon's spine. He pressed himself against the tree, willing himself to become invisible, to meld with the shadows.
SkullScorpionmon's tail swayed, the deadly stinger at its tip glistening with venom. The creature moved with a predatory grace, searching, always searching. Wormmon held his breath, his tiny legs trembling. The beast paused, its eye seeming to scan the forest, then, with a guttural hiss, it moved on, disappearing into the darkness.
Wormmon exhaled slowly, the tension easing only slightly. He knew he couldn't stay hidden for long. He had to find Piximon and get out before SkullScorpionmon circled back. He darted from tree to tree, each movement calculated, each pause filled with dread.
In the end, Wormmon couldn't find Piximon or even a clue of the Digimon in the SkullScorpionmon territory.
Wormmon returned to the school, dejected and empty-handed, his antennae drooping with the weight of his failure. The dim lights cast long shadows in the hallway as he trudged through, lost in thought. He barely noticed Ranamon approaching, her eyes wide with worry.
"Where did you go?" Ranamon's voice was soft but urgent as she picked him up, enveloping him in a warm hug.
"I was just going for a walk," Wormmon mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
Ranamon pulled back slightly, her eyes piercing into his. "Why are you lying to me?" Her voice was firm, laced with accusations.
Wormmon fumbled for words, but none came. The silence between them stretched on, heavy and suffocating.
"Where did you go?" Ranamon repeated, her voice a whisper now, edged with fear.
Wormmon sighed, the weight of the truth pressing down on him. "I went to SkullScorpionmon's territory to find Piximon."
Ranamon's grip tightened, her eyes wide with horror. "What is wrong with you? You could have been killed!" Her voice rose to a high octave, echoing through the empty halls.
"I needed to find Piximon," Wormmon said, his voice resolute. "I've searched every safe place in the forest. I have to venture into the dangerous areas."
Ranamon sighed deeply, placing him gently on the ground. "Wormmon, this one furious with you! How dare you risk your life like this? Do you have any idea what it would do to this one if you were gone? When you die, you turn into a Digiegg and lose all your precious memories. All those memories we've shared, gone in an instant!"
"It's a risk I have to take," Wormmon replied, his voice steady.
Ranamon's eyes filled with tears as she screamed, "Does this one not matter to you, Wormmon? Do all the times we've spent together mean nothing to you? Is your friend Greg so important that it's okay to leave this one alone and risk your life without a second thought? Answer me, Wormmon!"
Wormmon was silent, the answer already clear in his mind. "You do matter to me. I'm sorry, Ranamon. I need to find Greg."
Ranamon's tears spilled over, each one a dagger to Wormmon's soul. "You absolute fool!" she cried, her voice breaking.
She turned and ran, leaving Wormmon standing alone in the empty hallway, the echo of her footsteps and her sobs lingering in the air.
Wormmon trudged on, thinking that he was horrible and he was alone again.
----
Thirty days separated from Greg.
In the art room, there were a number of dry erase boards on the ground. Some mapping the area, others with the location of cookie trees, others had details about Digimon territories.
Wormmon marked the thirty-day mark on the dry erase board. He counted every mark he made on the board. Thirty days.
Wormmon has been searching through the forest. Even going as far as sneaking into stronger Digimon territories. Searching for any clues of Piximon.
All of his hard work was useless.
"God fucking dammit!" Wormmon throws the boards he's been marking into the window. The window cracks on impact.
"What am I supposed to do?!" Wormmon ranted out loud. "I need to go back to Greg! He's my partner! We are supposed to save the world together!"
Wormmon felt hot tears well up in his eyes as he stared at the ceiling. "ROB! I know you are listening to me, you bastard! Send me back to Greg!"
Wormmon prayed that R.O.B. heard his voice.
Wormmon screamed, "Why did you send me to Earth Bet!?! Why did you make me care about Earth Bet if you aren't going to help me save it!?! Haven't we fought hard enough!?! Haven't we suffered enough!?! Haven't we sacrificed enough!?! WHY DID YOU GIVE ME A PLACE I BELONG AND TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME!!!"
Wormmon was going mad, he started to see everything he lost and was trying so hard to get back.
Greg's smiling face flashed into his mind.
Taylor's cold exterior but warm heart flashed into his mind.
The Undersiders, who Wormmon was growing closer to, flashed into his mind.
Triumph, whom Wormmon was learning to respect and trust, flashed into his mind.
Brockton Bay, the city Wormmon called home, flashed into his mind.
"Please," Wormmon pleaded with all of his heart, tears streaming down his face. "Send me back."
Wormmon laid his body on cushion mountain, which is a name he gave a pillow heap he created.
Baby Digimon were jumping around, having a great time, jumping, spinning, and rolling their bodies.
The noise was a good distraction from Wormmon's dark thoughts.
The Monzaemon entered the room, and the baby Digimon went to the large bear.
Monzaemon was giving cookies to the baby Digimon. The baby Digimon, like excited baby chicks, were gobbling the cookies up.
Monzaemon finished feeding the cookies to the baby Digimon and moved toward Wormmon and offered a cookie.
Wormmon shook his head. "No thanks."
Monzaemon patted Wormmon on the head. Which was nice.
Monzaemon seems to have adopted Wormmon into his group of baby Digimon. After his falling out with Ranamon, he... hasn't been doing well.
Wormmon appreciated the gesture and even talked long hours with the teddy bear Digimon about his problem. The ordeal he went through with Greg. The reason he needed to find Piximon. The argument he had with Ranamon. He spilled everything to Monzaemon. Even though Monzaemon didn't talk, it was nice to get everything off his chest.
Monzaemon picked up Wormmon and carried him out of the classroom.
Wormmon shouted, "Hey big guy, where are you taking me?"
Monzaemon had placed him in a janitor closet.
In the janitor closet, there were mops, various cleaning liquids, toilet paper, paper towels, and other tools.
Another Monzaemon carrying Ranamon like a cat placed her in the same janitor closets.
The Monzaemon closed the door of the janitor closet with both Ranamon and Wormmon stuck together in the closet.
Wormmon noticed that Ranamon looked... downtrodden. Her eyes were red. She didn't look happy like he remembered.
Wormmon knows it was two weeks since he last saw Ranamon.
Wormmon would go to the nurse room sometimes and hear Ranamon crying, and like a bastard coward he was, he would run away.
Wormmon had so many words he wanted to say to Ranamon. The reason he wanted to find Greg. The world he wanted to save. The messed-up situation he was in. The responsibility on his shoulders
Ranamon looked at Wormmon with wet eyes.
All the words Wormmon wanted to say flew out the window.
Wormmon knew what he really wanted to say. Wormmon said, "I am sorry."
Ranamon scooped Wormmon up and held him tight. "You fool."
-----
Forty days separated from Greg.
Wormmon and Ranamon were nestled in the quiet of the Computer Lab. The hum of machines provided a steady backdrop as Wormmon's antennae twitched with anticipation. He had just finished typing the complete story of "Parahuman Worm" by Wildbow, a monumental task that had taken weeks.
Wormmon looked over at Ranamon, who was absorbed in a game of Tetris, her fingers deftly maneuvering the falling blocks. "Hey, Ranamon," he called softly. "I finished writing that story about the future. It explains a lot about the world I come from and why I need to go back. Want to read it?"
Ranamon paused her game, her curiosity piqued. She nodded, her eyes meeting Wormmon's. "Sure, this one loves to."
With a grateful nod, Wormmon handed her the CD. "This has everything on it. I'll make more copies later, but for now, this one will do."
Ranamon took the disk and inserted it into the computer, the screen flickering to life as she began to read the epic tale of Taylor Hebert and her harrowing journey, culminating in her victory against a near-omnipotent alien god.
Meanwhile, Wormmon slid a fresh compact disk into his own computer. It was time for him to tell his own story—the changes he had made in Earth Bet—changes that could alter the fate of that world.
Wormmon pondered the perfect title for his tale. With a determined click of the keys, he began to type.
'Greg and Wormmon.'
-----
Fifty days separated from Greg.
In a field of flowers so vast that a sea of flowers stretched as far as the eye could see, their vibrant hues painted the landscape with shades of red, yellow, and violet.
Baby Digimon frolicked amidst the blossoms, their tiny voices mingling with the whisper of the wind.
Monzaemon monitored the Baby Digimon while the Baby Digimon decorated the teddy bears.
Ranamon and Wormmon were enjoying the weather and beauty of the flowers.
Ranamon moved gracefully among the flowers, her fingers deftly weaving a crown from the freshest blooms. She selected each flower with care, her touch light and sure, creating a crown of flowers that seemed almost magical in its perfection.
"Here, Wormmon," Ranamon said softly, placing the finished crown upon his head. It rested there as if it had always belonged, its colors complementing the green of his shell. "You look splendid," she added, her eyes sparkling with a kind-hearted mirth.
Wormmon looked up, his antennae twitching with a mix of shyness and pride. "Thank you, Ranamon," he said.
Wormmon plucked a single flower from the meadow and fashioned it into a simple ring. His skill inadequate to make a crown of flowers, he settled on making a flower ring.
Wormmon held out the ring to Ranamon, he said. "I made this for you."
Ranamon accepted the ring, slipping it onto her finger. She tilted her head, a playful smile curling her lips. "Why, Wormmon, are you proposing to this one?" She teased gently, her laughter like the tinkling of bells.
Wormmon shook his head vigorously. "I only have eyes for my waifu Bulma!"
Ranamon laughed, a sound full of warmth and affection. She patted Wormmon's head, her touch as gentle as the breeze. "This one knows, Tiny Bug. I was only teasing. But thank you. The ring is beautiful."
The two Digimon stood side by side, watching as the Baby Digimon continued their joyous play.
----
Seventy-five days separated from Greg.
In the library, Wormmon found a book. It was written in Digimoji.
Wormmon turned to Ranamon. "Hey, Ranamon, can you read this book to me? It is the only book I found written in Digimogi."
Ranamon glanced at Wormmon and the book he had. She read the title of the book, "Creation of Digiworld. Do you want me to teach you Digimoji? So you read it yourself."
Wormmon shrugged, "Sure. But I am curious about what is written in the book. Can you read it to me before I need to learn Digimoji? My senses are telling me this is important to my life."
Ranamon said, "Alright, let's start reading the Creation of Digiworld."
In ancient times, when the Digital World was but a mere spark in the vast expanse of cyberspace, there existed Huanglongmon, the Digimon Emperor. With ambition as vast as the digital oceans and a hunger for power that rivaled the mightiest of data streams, Huanglongmon sought to reshape the very fabric of the Digital World according to his own desires.
Seeing the potential devastation that Huanglongmon's ambitions could wreak upon the Digital World, Yggdrasil, the Digimon God, called upon the Digimon Sovereigns and the three Archangels to halt the Emperor's reckless march toward dominion.
Thus, a great battle erupted, echoing across the circuits and code of the Digital World. Mountains crumbled, forests burned, and rivers ran with the digital essence of combatants locked in fierce struggle. The clash between the forces of Yggdrasil and Huanglongmon was so cataclysmic that it threatened to unravel the very fabric of the Digital World itself.
But in the darkest hour, when hope seemed but a flicker in the vast darkness, the Digimon Sovereigns made the ultimate sacrifice. With their combined strength, they managed to bind Huanglongmon within a prison of their own creation, sealing him away from the Digital World for eternity.
Yet, even in his imprisonment, the threat of Huanglongmon lingered like a shadow upon the Digital World. Thus, the three Archangels, guardians of the sacred order, took upon themselves the solemn duty of watching over the seal of Huanglongmon, ensuring that the Emperor's ambitions remained forever quenched.
Ranamon finished reading.
Wormmon stared at the book, "So this is the lore drop."
Ranamon asked, "Want me to learn Digimoji? We have time before bed."
Wormmon shrugged and said, "Sure."
----
Hundred days separated from Greg.
In the nurse's office, both Ranamon and Wormmon were sleeping in the same bed.
A slight light enveloped Wormmon, growing in intensity until it bathed the room in a brilliant radiance. Ranamon stirred, her senses awakening to the spectacle unfolding beside her. As she opened her eyes, the light faded, revealing not Wormmon but Stingmon.
Stingmon sat up slowly, disoriented by the sudden change. He glanced at Ranamon, who was now fully awake and watching him with wide, curious eyes.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice a whisper of wonder.
Stingmon offered a small, almost sheepish smile. "It's me, Wormmon. I've Digivolved into Stingmon."
Ranamon blinked, taking in the Digievolution. "Well, you're certainly not a tiny bug anymore," she remarked, her tone a mix of amusement and admiration.
Stingmon chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess I've grown a bit."
Ranamon's eyes twinkled with a sudden thought. "We have a problem," she declared, her voice carrying a note of seriousness that piqued Stingmon's curiosity.
"What problem?" he asked, leaning slightly forward.
Ranamon pointed to the small bed they shared. "The bed is too small for both of us now."
Stingmon glanced at the narrow bed, then nodded in understanding. "I can sleep in another bed," he offered.
Ranamon shook her head and said. "No," she said firmly. "You will cuddle with me at night."
Stingmon was speechless.
In the end, they moved to one of the empty classrooms and moved to bed together.
----
Hundred Twenty-five days separated from Greg.
Stingmon was in the art room with Ranamon.
Stingmon now had claw hands so he could recreate a masterpiece.
Stingmon sat with a determined focus, his eyes scanning over a collection of handmade pages laid out before him. Each page was a meticulous recreation of scenes from the Dragon Ball manga, drawn with a precision that only Stingmon's photographic memory could achieve. His hands moved deftly, adding fine details and dialogue bubbles with careful strokes. This was more than a hobby; it was a mission.
Ranamon, her curiosity piqued, approached him. "What are you working on so diligently, Stingmon?"
Stingmon looked up. "I'm recreating the Dragon Ball manga," he explained. "I have a perfect memory of it, and I practice every day to keep it alive. It's important to me and something that I want to preserve."
Ranamon settled beside him, her interest clearly captured. "Why is it so important to you?"
Stingmon's expression grew thoughtful. "I will admit I have a Dragon Ball obsession or addiction depending on the day. It is a hobby that I truly enjoy."
Ranamon nodded, understanding the depth of his sentiment. "It's wonderful that you found a hobby you love," she said softly. Her eyes sparkled with a sudden thought. "This one loves beautiful dresses, especially wedding dresses. They're so intricate and elegant."
Stingmon glanced at her, intrigued by the shift in conversation. "Wedding dresses?"
"Yes," Ranamon continued with a dreamy sigh. "The one favorite cookies are strawberry jam cookies. There's something about them that just feels so... special. Maybe one day this one will get married, wearing the most beautiful dress and sharing those cookies with someone this one loves."
Stingmon replied. "That sounds like a lovely dream."
Ranamon gave him a playful wink. "Well, maybe someday it will come true."
----
POV ???
Somewhere in the Digital World was a rocky plain, a desolate arena where fierce battles for dominance were waged. The ground trembled under the weight of the twenty mighty Greymon, each one locked in a brutal struggle to claim the territory as their own.
One Greymon, bearing the scars of countless battles, fought with relentless determination against his adversaries. His powerful tail and fiery breath laid waste to those who dared challenge him. But even the mightiest warriors can falter. A moment's lapse in vigilance left him open to a devastating blow, and with a thunderous crash, he fell to the ground.
As the fallen Greymon lay motionless, the sky seemed to darken, an ominous chill descending upon the battlefield. The other Greymon paused, their fierce combat halted by a sense of impending dread. Something far more sinister than any foe they had faced before was about to unfold.
A dark, malevolent light enveloped the fallen Greymon, pulsating with a foreboding energy. His roars of pain and fury transformed into an eerie silence, the light consuming him entirely. The air grew thick with dread, the battlefield falling into a tense, anticipatory hush.
From within the dark light, a horrific figure began to emerge. The Greymon's flesh melted away, replaced by a grotesque skeleton of raw, unrestrained power. The transformation was complete, and SkullGreymon stood where the Greymon had fallen, a harbinger of chaos and destruction.
SkullGreymon's eyes, now empty sockets filled with a ghastly red light, scanned the battlefield with an insatiable hunger for destruction. His roar, a chilling blend of anguish and rage, echoed across the rocky plain.
After Piximon had made his escape, Greg and Blastmon-Head were left separated from Wormmon.
Greg turned to his partner. "We need to find Piximon and get Wormmon back."
Blastmon-Head nodded determinedly. "I can try to track Piximon by his energy."
Greg's face lit up with hope. "Great idea! Let's do that."
Blastmon-Head felt the energy by the tree where Piximon had been eating cookies, then led the way through the dense forest. They moved quickly and quietly, eventually finding Piximon laying down, nursing his injury under a tree.
"What should we do now?" Greg asked.
Blastmon-Head thought for a moment, then a plan formed. "I have an idea. Piximon won't expect an attack at night when he's asleep. We'll take his spear and trident, then hold him hostage to get Wormmon back."
Greg nodded his head in agreement. "Great idea."
Later that night, when Piximon was in a deep sleep, Greg stealthily stole the spear and trident.
Blastmon-Head's bites Piximon winged, making sure Piximon couldn't escape.
Piximon woke up with a start and screamed, "What's the big idea?!"
He struggled but couldn't move, and without his spear, he couldn't travel through space and time.
Greg stood over him, a determined look on his face. "Bring back Wormmon, or else."
----
POV Leomon
Leomon was basking on a sunlit rock when he heard it: the sickening crack of trees snapping like brittle bones.
He turned to see SkullGreymon, an unholy abomination, lumbering toward him. Its voice, a ghastly whisper, carried through the air, "Rot and decay."
Leomon knew the legends. SkullGreymon, the undead Digimon, was a relentless force that fought until the bitter end, leaving only death in its wake. Every Digimon it encountered met a gruesome fate.
Leomon felt the malevolent energy emanating from SkullGreymon, a wave of power too overwhelming to challenge. His heart sank as he realized the creature's path led straight to the school.
At the school, Monzaemon and the Baby Digimon were blissfully unaware of the impending doom.
"Rot and decay," SkullGreymon murmured, the words dripping with malice as it continued its unstoppable march.
Leomon's pulse quickened. He sprang into action, a primal instinct taking over, and bolted toward the school. He had to warn them. He had to save them from the nightmare that was coming.
----
POV Stingmon
Two hundred twenty-four days separated from Greg.
In the Art Room, Stingmon was hard at work. He had accomplished something incredible. He had painstakingly recreated the entire Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z manga.
Ranamon, her curiosity piqued, snatched the final page from his claws, her eyes quickly devouring the story. She became an instant fan, and Stingmon's chest swelled with pride.
But the fragile peace was shattered by a commotion outside. The door crashed open, and Monzaemon stormed in, roughly grabbing Stingmon and Ranamon, dragging them out into the hallway.
"What's happening?" Stingmon shouted, his voice a mix of confusion and fear.
Ranamon, struggling to break free, added with a snarl, "You're lucky this one is so forgiving."
Monzaemon dragged the pair outside. The scene was chaotic. Ten Monzaemon stood like sentinels, while hundreds of baby Digimon milled about, their tiny faces twisted in worry and fear. The air was thick with anxiety.
Leomon was panting heavily, sweat glistening on his fur.
Ranamon rushed to him, her voice edged with panic. "What's going on, Leomon?"
Leomon's eyes were dark with dread. "SkullGreymon is coming here."
Ranamon's eyes widened in horror. "We need to run. Now!"
Stingmon shrugged. "Eh, I can take him."
Ranamon glared at him, incredulous. "This is no time for jokes! We need to get the baby Digimon far away from here!"
"Who says I'm joking?" Stingmon's voice was deadly serious. "I'll go and defeat SkullGreymon. Don't worry your little blue head."
"Are you insane?" Ranamon yelled, her voice rising to a near-hysterical pitch. "I've read 'Parahuman Worm' and your own story, 'Greg and Wormmon.' SkullGreymon will kill you!"
Stingmon's expression darkened with hurt. "It's painful that you don't believe in me. I'm a hero, Ranamon. What kind of hero would I be if I couldn't protect you and everything precious to me?"
With a grim determination, Stingmon lifted off the ground, his wings buzzing with power.
"Don't you dare leave!" Ranamon screamed, her voice breaking.
Stingmon glanced back one last time, and he said a promise. "I'll be back."
Stingmon looked at the school with fondness.
Ranamon who stayed by his side.
All the Monzaemons who were silent but comfortable when he was in trouble.
The Baby Digimon, who would give him both love and troubles.
Stingmon was going to protect it all or die trying.
Stingmon flew off, slicing through the air at sonic speeds, leaving Ranamon's desperate screams echoing in his wake. He would protect them all or he would die trying.
----
When Stingmon found SkullGreymon, the undead Digimon had just finished killing Parrotmon, twisting the bird Digimon's neck and ending its life with brutal finality.
"Wow, you're ugly," Stingmon taunted.
With a fierce cry, Stingmon extended his stinger and charged at SkullGreymon at full speed. "Spiking Strike!"
He slammed into SkullGreymon with all his might, his stinger digging deep into the bony chest. The force of the impact sent SkullGreymon hurtling backward, crashing through trees as Stingmon's relentless attack dragged him for miles through the forest.
SkullGreymon crashed to the ground, momentarily stunned. Stingmon hovered in the air, defiant. "What? Is that the best you can do?"
SkullGreymon roared, launching a missile from his back straight at Stingmon. Reacting quickly, Stingmon fired his stinger, striking the missile mid-air and causing it to detonate in a massive explosion. He flew back to avoid the blast, but SkullGreymon was caught in the explosion, sustaining significant damage.
Seizing the moment, Stingmon fired his stingers at SkullGreymon. The stringers pierced into SkullGreymon's bones, causing fractures to splinter across the skeletal structure.
Enraged, SkullGreymon tried to swipe Stingmon out of the air. But Stingmon was too fast, dodging the attack effortlessly. "Assassin Dance!"
Stingmon flew close to SkullGreymon's outstretched arm, his stinger digging into the bones with each rapid strike. He traveled down the length of SkullGreymon's arm, his relentless assault shattering the bones like brittle wood.
In a desperate move, SkullGreymon opened its maw and unleashed a blast of purple breath at Stingmon. But Stingmon was undeterred. He flew back and unleashed a barrage of stinger shots like a machine gun, each projectile tearing through SkullGreymon's bones, fracturing them like nails piercing wood.
SkullGreymon let out one final, agonized roar before disintegrating into a digital mess of zeroes and ones under the relentless assault of Stingmon.
Ranamon, who had been riding Leomon on back, finally arrived at the battlefield. They were greeted by a scene of utter devastation: the remnants of a fierce battle lay scattered around them, with Stingmon winning and SkullGreymon gone. The air was thick with the lingering aura of intense combat.
Leomon, drained from his journey, could no longer sustain his strength. He collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, his muscles aching with fatigue. Ranamon, concerned for her friend, jumped off Leomon's back, but her attention was quickly diverted by the sight of Stingmon.
"Stingmon!" Ranamon called out, her voice tinged with worry. "Are you okay? What happened here?"
Stingmon said, "Don't worry, Ranamon. I managed to kill SkullGreymon."
Ranamon's eyes welled up with tears. "You fool."
Stingmon felt satisfied, believing he had saved the day.
Then, through the thick, oppressive silence, Stingmon heard Greg's voice, haunting and unmistakable. "Wormmon."
Stingmon froze, every fiber of his being paralyzed by the echo of that voice. Was it real, or just a cruel trick of his mind?
His body began to fade, like smoke caught in a draft, as if he were being erased from existence.
"Stingmon!" Ranamon's voice trembled with fear. "What's happening?"
"I am going back," Stingmon replied, his voice distant, "My friends are waiting for me."
Ranamon clutched at his vanishing form, her hands passing through him like he was nothing but a ghost. "What about us? You lied! You said you would come back!"
Stingmon's fading arms encircled her in a gentle, sorrowful hug. "I promise you, I will find you."
Ranamon's voice broke, her heart laid bare. "Promise?"
"I promise," he whispered, his words barely more than a breath.
And then he was gone, slipping away from her grasp, leaving nothing but cold air where he had been.
Ranamon fell to her knees, her cries reverberating through the forest, a lonely echo of a sudden farewell.
----
Stingmon stood before Greg, Blastmon-Head and Piximon.
Piximon shouted, "He's back now. Let me go!"
Greg and Blastmon-Head let go of Piximon.
Greg said, "Don't cause anymore trouble or we will find you beat up again."
Piximon said, "I heard you loud and clear punk."
Piximon disappeared.
Greg smiled and said, "It is good to see you."
Stingmon said, "It's been many months since I saw you. I gave up and thought there was no way I could come back..."
Greg felt Stingmon sorrowfulness. "What's wrong?"
Stingmon said, "I had a sad goodbye."
Greg responded, "Then let's make sure we have a tearful reunion."
Stingmon said happily and excitedly, "Yeah, your right! Come on Greg, we are going someplace to find a person I know!"
Greg shrugged and said, "Sure, let's go."
Stingmon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head went to the place where the school was located.
Stingmon fell to his knees, the school area was now a lake.
Stingmon could only whisper in horror. "No..."
Greg touched Stingmon's shoulder and asked in worry, "Are you okay?"
Stingmon realized he was in the future.
While the baby digimons, the Monzaemon and Ranamon, were in the distant past.
Stingmon felt his heart break for the bond he forged with the Digimon, who were kind and carrying to him.
Stingmon de-digivolve to Wormmon.
Wormmon's heart hurt so much.
----
Wormmon Digivolve to Quetzalmon.
Quetzalmon soared through the blue skies, bearing Greg and Blastmon-Head upon his back. With a graceful descent, they approached AncientMermaidmon, who awaited them with a regal air, her form resplendent as she beckoned them into her colossal palms.
Greg presented the trident to AncientMermaidmon, his voice carrying the weight of their quest. "Here is your trident," he declared, offering the item.
A smile graced AncientMermaidmon's lips as she accepted the trident, its form shifting to match her size with an ethereal glow. "Well done, young one," she praised, her voice a melody of ancient wisdom. "Is there a reward you desire?"
Greg hesitated, his words soft as he asked his partner. "Bait, do you want a reward?"
Quetzalmon asked, "Might you know where a Ranamon is?"
AncientMermaidmon's laughter echoed like distant waves, tinged with amusement. "How intriguing," she mused. "Alas, the whereabouts of a Ranamon elude me. But once, I was a Ranamon a century ago."
In an instant, realization dawned upon Quetzalmon, prompting his transformation back to Wormmon, the truth unfolding before him.
AncientMermaidmon's gaze softened as she beheld the tiny creature before her. "Tiny bug?" she uttered, a note of longing in her voice.
With certainty in his heart, Wormmon evolved into Stingmon, he then said. "I promised I would find you."
AncientMermaidmon gently lifted Stingmon to her face, her touch tender as she pressed her cheek against his. "You fool, you've been gone far too long," she chided, though affection colored her words.
Stingmon replied with remorse, "I am so sorry that I didn't come find you sooner."
A predatory smile played upon AncientMermaidmon's lips as she said, "You must be punished!"
Stingmon had a bad feeling.
----
In front of a large college building, a Digimon sacrifice was occurring. With Stingmon being the sacrifice.
Stingmon was trapped.
Greg, that ungrateful bastard, was wearing a monkey suit and stood next to Stingmon.
Blastmon-Head was sprinkling flowers everywhere.
Hundreds of Monzaemon were gathered together as a mob.
Digimon of different species were in the back of the crowd, eagerly waiting for the event to begin.
Leomon was Stingmon's executor as he read the script, "Do you AncientMermaidmon take Stingmon as your husband?"
AncientMermaidmon wore an elaborate white dress and her smile was radiant as she said, "I do."
Leomon then said, "Do you Stingmon take AncientMermaidmon as your wife?"
Stingmon realized the trap was wicked, unfair and far too powerful. Stingmon said, "I do."
The cheers were deafening when AncientMermaidmon leaned down and kissed Stingmon.
Wormmon in a flash of light Wormmon Digivolve to Togemogumon.
Snow began to fall more heavily, blanketing the area in a thick, cold shroud. ToyAgumon and Kenkimon shivered in the sudden chill, their movements sluggish as they tried to keep warm.
"Hail Machine Gun," With a fierce battle cry, Togemogumon launched its attack. Thousands of ice crystals on its back, each one glistening like a diamond. With a swift motion, it sent the crystals hurtling towards Eyesmon, each one cutting through the air with deadly precision. Eyesmon recoiled, its tentacles lashing out to deflect the onslaught, but many of them were frozen upon contact with the icy barrage.
Eyesmon retaliated, sending a wave of dark tentacles towards Togemogumon. The tentacles writhed and twisted, seeking to ensnare their target. However, as they touched Togemogumon's freezing exterior, they were quickly encased in ice, immobilized and brittle. Togemogumon pressed on, sending wave after wave of ice crystals, its determination unwavering.
"This Digimon is super strong!!!" The battle raged on, each side showing no signs of yielding. The ground was littered with shattered ice and frozen tentacles, a testament to the ferocity of their clash. The air was thick with the sound of cracking ice.
Eyesmon was finally frozen after hours of relentless fighting.
Finally, Togemogumon collapsed to its knees, gasping for breath.
Togemogumon de-digivolve to Wormmon.
Wormmon yelled, "What is that thing! Is it a lovecraftian monster!"
ToyAgumon and Kenkimon army cheers.
ShadowToyAgumon said, "Great job! Eyesmon killed all the humans and he was going to kill you guys next if you didn't stop him."
Greg yelled out, "He did what!?"
A huge Digimon flew through the sky.
Blastmon-Head shouted in shock, "What is Ceresmon doing here!!!"
Jumping off Ceresmon was Alphamon.
Alphamon attacks with a sword of light, he screams. "Divine Sword Grade Alpha!!!"
The blade expanded, glowing with enormous energy, and descended like the wrath of a god. The overwhelming darkness shattered in an instant.
Eyesmon was destroyed with nothing left.
Alphamon landed in front of Greg's group.
Alphamon said, "We meet again on an auspicious day Greg and company."
ShadowToyAgumon said, "Jellymon-sama is here! They made it!"
ToyAgumon and Kenkimon army cheers.
Ceresmon lands on the ground.
Zoe and her Digimon, Angoramon, Jellymon, and Gammamon, climbed down from Ceresmon's back and made their way to Greg's party.
As they approached the cheering Digimon, Zoe said out loud, "Good work everyone!"
She then turned to Greg, flashing him a calm smile. "Hello Greg."
Gammamon bounced with excitement. "Hi, Greg!"
Jellymon crossed her arms, a playful smirk on her face. "Glad to see you three made it through."
Angoramon smiled warmly. "What a joy it is to reunite with old friends."
Zoe clapped her hands together and said. "We will head back to camp and catch up."
----
Everyone was having a meeting at an outside wooden table.
Zoe, Angoramon, Jellymon and Gammamon were on one side. While Greg, Wormmon and Blastmon-Head was on the other side.
Blastmon-Head was the first to speak, "Bring the fruit! I've been dreaming about the succulent fruit from Ceresmon for years!"
Greg said, "I don't even think a week has passed since we last met."
Zoe grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "For some of us, it's been way longer." She glanced at Wormmon, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Recruiting a Mega Digimon through marriage? That's impressive. I've spent months searching high and low for a Mega Digimon, and you find one. You're one busy little Digimon?"
Wormmon shrugged, "Love finds a way."
Angoramon said, "I will get you some fruits Blastmon. Also Wormmon, congratulations on getting married. I hope you have many years of happy marriage."
Jellymon said, "I always wanted to wear a wedding dress."
Gammamon said, "I wanted to be invited and eat the cake."
"Zoe-sama," Alphamon said. "I believe you wouldn't have so many issues if you had a communication device. We have allies and friends all across the Digimon World. We can't know their trouble without a computer orb. Why not go to the human world and retrieve a computer orb which allows you to have distance communication to talk with Greg and your allies."
"Alphamon, I am not welcome back to the human world," Zoe said.
Wormmon said, "You have a way to go back to the human world?"
"Yes, but this isn't just any human world—it's over 1,000 years more advanced than Earth Bet." Zoe said. "My world is a post-apocalyptic Earth."
"Greg and company," Alphamon said. "Would you mind going to Zoe's human world and retrieving computer orbs? It would make communication easier."
"Alphamon," Zoe abolished. "Sorry about him. You don't need to do anything he says."
Wormmon said, "I wouldn't mind, it sounds like a good side quest. Gaining futuristic weapons and new Tinkertech sounds like a good plan."
Wormmon wanted a bullet proof, explosion proof and death ray proof armor or barrier for Greg.
Zoe said, "I recommend you not going."
Angoramon said and placed a large bowl of fruits on the table. "We can't discuss important decisions on an empty stomach."
Blastmon-Head said, "You are the wisest Digimon I know."
Blastmon-Head and Gammamon started to gobble up the fruits.
Zoe said, "How about I show you the Facilities. Give you an idea what kind of World I come from."
Greg said, "The Facilities?"
Blastmon-Head said in a commanding tone, "We will go after dinner."
----
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head trailed after Zoe's group, arriving at the Facilities.
From the outside, the Facilities looked like sleek, modern buildings, their clean lines and glassy surfaces giving off an almost futuristic vibe. Multiple ToyAgumon stood guard at the entrance, their colorful, blocky forms contrasting with the building's sharp design.
As Zoe approached, the ToyAgumon snapped to attention and saluted her, allowing the entire group inside without hesitation.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The hallways were bright white and stretched out in every direction, almost like a maze, sterile and cold. The place felt like something out of a sci-fi movie—both impressive and a little unnerving.
Leading the way with a bounce in her step, Zoe guided Angoramon, Jellymon, Gammamon, and the rest to the Staff Room. "Ta-da!" she announced with a wide grin, throwing her arms out as they entered.
Wormmon took a deep breath, his eyes landing on the coffee machine. "It's beautiful," he sighed, utterly enchanted.
The room itself was cozy compared to the stark hallways, with tables and chairs set up neatly in the center. Along one wall, a row of vending machines offered a variety of snacks and drinks, including a softly humming coffee machine, ready to serve up fresh brews.
"Zoe," Wormmon asked, his voice almost pleading, "could you pour me some coffee?"
Zoe said, "Of course, cream and sugar?"
"Yes, please," Wormmon replied eagerly.
With practiced ease, Zoe grabbed a mug, poured the coffee, added cream and sugar, and stirred it all together with a spoon, handing it over to Wormmon, who accepted it like it was a precious gift.
Meanwhile, Gammamon had already moved to the fridge, rummaging through its contents. "Yes! There's chocolate in here!" he cheered, pulling out a bar triumphantly.
Angoramon settled himself comfortably on a couch, while Jellymon was busy at the soda vending machine, stocking up on Coca-Colas.
Wormmon took a sip of his coffee, letting out a contented sigh. "I am at peace," he declared.
Greg wandered over to one of the vending machines, eyeing the assortment of chips and snacks. "Does this take coins or money?"
"It's all free!" Zoe explained
Greg grabbed a bag of Hot Cheetos, then went to the soda machine for some Doctor Peppers. He turned to Blastmon-Head, "Want anything?"
Blastmon-Head considered the machine for a moment. "Does it dispense gems?"
Greg shook his head. "Afraid not."
"Then I'm not interested. I doubt the snacks are any better than the cookies that grow on trees or the fruits of Ceresmon," Blastmon-Head replied with a hint of disdain.
Greg chuckled, grabbing some Doritos, gum, and Mentos anyway. "You might change your mind," he said, offering them to Blastmon-Head.
After trying them, Blastmon-Head decided that the Mentos weren't half bad.
"This place is incredible," Greg remarked, clearly impressed.
Zoe explained,"This is only the Staff Room. Let me show you the Main Floor."
Zoe and her Digimon led Greg's group to the Main Floor.
The atmosphere shifted once again as they entered the room. Unlike the cozy Staff Room, this space was industrial and mysterious. A conveyor belt ran through the center, carrying an assortment of freshly baked cookies toward a large, intimidating machine that looked like a cross between a telephone booth and a science experiment. The machine whirred with a low, steady hum as it processed the cookies, though its purpose wasn't immediately clear.
"What am I looking at?" Wormmon asked, bewildered.
Zoe's grin turned mischievous. "Just watch."
As the machine kicked into action, the cookies disappeared inside, and moments later, a ToyAgumon popped out, sitting on the conveyor belt.
"Oh," Wormmon said, his eyes wide with surprise.
Greg was equally stunned. "Did you just make a Digimon?"
Zoe nodded proudly. "Yup! That's the Digimon Fabricator. It can create ToyAgumon from cookies."
Jellymon puffed up with pride. "My darling made that machine. He was a genius!"
Wormmon looked troubled, his mind racing. "Isn't cloning illegal? I mean, oh wow, there are so many ethical issues here. Why would you need an army of ToyAgumon?"
Zoe's repiled,. "The others wanted to make this area a human settlement. They needed the ToyAgumon as soldiers and workers."
As the pieces clicked into place, Wormmon realized the wall they had encountered earlier, built by ToyAgumon and Kenkimon, wasn't meant to trap Eyesmon—it was part of the plan to create a new home for humans in the Digital World.
Greg, still processing the revelation, asked, "Why are you trying to make a human settlement in the Digimon World?"
"Because humanity destroyed our world," Zoe said quietly. "I was hoping we could migrate my people here…"
Wormmon could already sense the storm of trouble brewing ahead.
---
Wormmon found out about the ToyAgumon being, well, "built." As an anime fan, his mind immediately jumped to the idea of clones—cue the Evangelion flashbacks with Rei and her clones.
Wormmon knew "clone" wasn't exactly the right word. The process was more like assembling sentinel robots, but that didn't make him feel any better about it. To him, it still seemed like Zoe might be, well, forcing these poor ToyAgumon into something they didn't ask for. As a moral Digimon, self-proclaimed greatest Vigilante of Earth Bet, he was determined to get to the bottom of this.
Wormmon wanted to know if the ToyAgumon were happy and if they were being oppressed?
Wormmon made his way to the ToyAgumon camp, with Zoe's other Digimon crew trailing behind him.
He turned and gave Gammamon, Angoramon, and Jellymon a suspicious look. "Why are you following me?"
Gammamon threw his hands up in excitement. "Zoe told me to keep an eye on you! I'm not letting her down!"
Jellymon just shrugged. "I'm bored."
Angoramon grinned. "I'm here to make sure these two don't cause any trouble."
Wormmon sighed—there was no shaking these three. So, he pressed on toward the camp.
When they arrived, Wormmon was met with the sight of thousands of ToyAgumon, all nestled in the sand. They'd buried their bodies, leaving just their mouths visible as they snoozed.
Wormmon touched the sand and was surprised by how soft and velvety it felt. "They sleep in the sand?" he asked.
Gammamon nodded. "It's warm and soft—perfect for them."
Angoramon added, "Looks like they're pretty content."
Jellymon chimed in, "I hate sand. But give me water any day!"
Wormmon wandered over to where three ToyAgumon were playing cards on a patch of grass. As soon as they saw Jellymon, they all bowed and greeted her in unison.
"Hello, Jellymon-sama."
"Hello, Jellymon-sama."
"Hello, Jellymon-sama."
Wormmon cleared his throat. "Hello, ToyAgumons! Mind if I ask you a few questions?"
The three ToyAgumon turned to Wormmon, each standing in their designated spot: Right, Left, and Center.
The Center ToyAgumon said, "Sure, we'll answer your questions—if you play a game of blackjack with us. We're betting Twix."
Wormmon blinked. "Twix? Where am I supposed to get Twix?"
The Right ToyAgumon chimed in, "You do know Twix grows on trees, right?"
Wormmon paused, trying to process that. Twix... on trees? Wait, unless Twix is a type of cookie in this world?
"Uh, sorry, I don't have any Twix," Wormmon finally said.
Angoramon casually placed a bag in front of him. "Here you go. About a hundred Twix in the bag."
Wormmon's eyes widened. "Angoramon? You carry a bag of Twix?"
Angoramon nodded. "Twix is currency in some parts of the Digimon World."
Wormmon raised a brow. "So, no coins or gems—just Twix?"
"Yup," Angoramon confirmed.
Wormmon shook his head. "You know you can eat Twix, right? Isn't it weird to eat your money?"
Angoramon just shrugged. "You use money to buy food. I'm just skipping a step."
Wormmon sighed. "I'm not going to overthink this." He turned back to the ToyAgumon trio. "Alright, let's play a few rounds."
Jellymon perked up. "I want to be the dealer!"
"Sure, if that's cool with you guys," Wormmon said, looking at the ToyAgumon.
They mumbled in agreement, and Jellymon began dealing cards. Meanwhile, Gammamon was already munching on Twix from Angoramon's bag. "Yummy!"
Wormmon knows about blackjack. It is a card game where players aim to have a hand value of 21 or as close as possible without exceeding it. Each card is worth its face value; face cards King, Queen, Jack are worth 10, and Aces can be 1 or 11. Players are dealt two cards and can "hit" to receive additional cards or "stand" to keep their current hand. The dealer must hit until their hand totals at least 17. If a player's hand exceeds 21, they bust and lose. The goal is to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21.
Wormmon and the three ToyAgumon were given 10 Twix. The dealer Jellymon had collected 10 Twix from each of the four players, having a total of 40 Twix in her possession.
As the game got underway, Wormmon casually asked the ToyAgumons, "So, are you guys happy? Content with life?"
The Left ToyAgumon laughed. "Me? Happy? Ha! I'm only happy when I beat these two."
The Center ToyAgumon said, "I want to Digivolve into Kenkimon. They're strong and can move a lot with their crane."
The Right ToyAgumon grinned. "I want another gun! It's so fun to freeze other Digimon, but I can only have one."
Angoramon casually remarked, "Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions."
Every player betted one Twix.
Everyone played their hands. Wormmon ended up with a Queen and an Eight, giving him 18 points.
The Left ToyAgumon scored 21 points.
The Center ToyAgumon and the Right ToyAgumon both got 19 points.
Jellymon scored 20 points as well.
Jellymon gained Wormmon, Center ToyAgumon and the Right ToyAgumon Twix. While Jellymon gave Left ToyAgumon a Twix.
Wormmon then asked, "So, do you guys enjoy taking orders from Zoe?"
The Center ToyAgumon shook his head. "We don't take orders from the human Zoe. We follow Jellymon-sama, ShadowToyAgumon, and Kenkimon."
Wormmon turned to Jellymon, who was busy dealing the next round of cards. "Why are you their leader?"
Jellymon flashed a cheeky grin. "I had a hand in making them. My darling was experimenting—trying to turn cookies into chicken meat. Somehow, he ended up with ToyAgumon instead."
Wormmon stared at her, momentarily lost for words.
The next round began.
Wormmon scored a solid 20 points this time.
The Left ToyAgumon came up with 17 points.
The Center ToyAgumon hit 21 points, taking the win.
The Right ToyAgumon busted with 23 points.
Jellymon also busted, reaching 24 points.
Jellymon handed a Twix each to Wormmon and the Left ToyAgumon.
Wormmon then asked, "Is Jellymon forcing you guys to work on the wall and making you do hard labor?"
Jellymon immediately protested, "Hey, you're making me sound like a tyrant!"
The Left ToyAgumon playfully chimed in, "Jellymon-sama is a tyrant!"
The Center ToyAgumon added, "She's our creator, so we have to listen to her."
The Right ToyAgumon, distracted, said, "I want another gun! I could use a third gun... but I'd need another hand for that."
Gammamon looked at Jellymon, puzzled. "Jellymon? Are you the bad guy?"
Angoramon weighed in, "Jellymon might be the hero of her own story, but remember, in someone else's tale, you could be the villain."
Wormmon shouted, "Jellymon, release the ToyAgumon from your tyranny!"
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Jellymon quickly responded. "I'm not the bad guy here! It's complicated! It wasn't really my choice to have them build the wall!"
Angoramon stepped in to clarify, "Jellymon's telling the truth. The humans originally ordered the ToyAgumon to build the wall. After their... demise, Zoe and ShadowToyAgumon made a pact to protect the ToyAgumon from other hostile Digimon. The wall was meant to protect both future human settlers and the ToyAgumon from external threats."
The Left ToyAgumon looked surprised. "Wait, that's why we're building the wall?"
The Center ToyAgumon nodded. "Oh, that actually makes sense now."
Wormmon sighed deeply and said, "Alright, I got my answers, but they just lead to more questions. Look, I don't have a problem with creating intelligent life forms. What I do have a problem with is creating Digimon solely to do manual labor. If you bring a life into this world, a life that can think and feel, and then throw them into a hostile environment or abuse them, that's just wrong. As long as they're given a happy, healthy, and decent life, then create as many humans and Digimon as you want. But anything less is evil."
Jellymon hesitated, then asked, "Sssssoooo... am I in trouble?"
Gammamon frowned. "I'm confused."
Angoramon said, "Jellymon, you're going to have to take responsibility for the ToyAgumon."
Wormmon added seriously, "I'm starting to think Jellymon might be a deadbeat mother. But I'll need to investigate further."
Gammamon nodded in agreement. "Jellymon is a bad mother."
Angoramon said calmly, "That sounds fair."
Jellymon yelled indignantly, "No, it's not fair!"
All three ToyAgumon shouted in unison, "All praise the Tyrant Jellymon-sama!"
Jellymon screamed in frustration.
----
POV Greg.
Greg followed Zoe into an empty room filled with drum barrels, feeling a bit uneasy. Zoe, ever energetic, was carrying a trash bag stuffed with empty soda cans. She muttered with a grin, "Jellymon sure loves her soda."
Greg glanced around nervously. "Uh, Zoe, why are we here?"
Zoe moved to a table in the corner and picked up two toy guns, her smile widening. Greg's eyes widened as he recognized them—these were the same guns ToyAgumon had used against Wormmon and Blastmon.
Zoe stepped closer, showing off the side profile of one of the guns. "These are Digi Pistols. They can stun and damage Digimon—and humans too, if you set them right. I figured we could practice shooting. You haven't gotten rusty, have you?"
Greg gave a grin and said. "Well, let's find out."
With a playful smile, Zoe handed Greg one of the guns. She then went to the bag of empty soda cans and began placing them on the drum barrels, setting up their targets.
"Alright, cowboy," Zoe said, her voice light and teasing. "Go on, take your shot."
Greg aimed the Digi Pistol at one of the cans and fired. The shot went wide, hitting the wall instead.
Zoe said, "Yikes, you've really got bad form."
She moved closer to Greg, gently adjusting his hands and stance. Greg could feel her soft hands guiding him, and the faint scent of lilac from her shampoo filled the air, making him even more nervous.
"I use lilac shampoo," Zoe said with a wink. "I could give you some if you like."
Greg felt his face heat up and quickly coughed, "N-no, I'm good. Really."
Zoe hummed, clearly enjoying his embarrassment. "It's fine, I know I'm a very pretty girl."
Greg tried to focus on the drum barrel in front of him, desperate to ignore how flustered he was. He aimed again, this time more carefully, and fired. The shot missed, but it was getting closer.
Zoe leaned in, readjusting his hand and stance once more. Greg could barely breathe as he concentrated on the target, feeling like the drum barrel was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. Why did Zoe have to have the power to read his mind?
He took a deep breath, aimed, and fired. The shot rang true, hitting the soda can dead on.
Zoe clapped her hands. "Nice job, Greg!"
Greg sighed. "Do you want to try?"
Zoe shook her head and said. "Oh, no way! I wouldn't want to steal your thunder—and totally embarrass you."
Greg groaned. "Ahh..."
Zoe hummed a little tune. "But hey, want some advice? I can give you the hint on how Wormmon might hit Mega Digivolution!"
Greg blinked in surprise. "You can predict that? How?"
Zoe gave a serious expression and said,"I know the conditions, do you want to hear?"
Greg hesitated. "Sure?"
"To reach Mega Digivolution, you and Wormmon have to overcome your inner darkness."
Greg looked puzzled. "Really? How are we supposed to do that?"
"Wormmon is not going to be a problem. Wormmon's greatest struggle in his past life was the deep loneliness that left him feeling isolated from everyone around him. Although he might not fully grasp it yet, marrying AncientMermaidmon has lifted that shadow from his heart. The unconditional love he receives from her is slowly mending the wounds in his heart, bringing him a sense of peace and healing he never thought possible."
Greg smiled. "Well, that's amazing!"
"But Greg, you've got some work to do too."
Greg frowned. "...Are you suggesting I get married?"
Zoe burst out laughing and said when she stopped laughing. "If only it were that simple! No, you've got to figure out your own inner darkness and beat it."
Greg sighed dramatically. "Can't you just tell me what it is?"
Zoe shook her head and said. "The journey to discovery is key to conquering it!"
Greg rubbed his temples. "My head hurts... Can't this be easier?"
Zoe shrugged and said, "Who said Mega Digivolutions were a walk in the park?"
In Ancient times in the Digimon World, a yellow dragon soared,
Huanglongmon rebelled, his roar thundered and roared.
The Four Sovereigns rose with power untamed,
But against the dragon, they faltered, and none remained.
The Army of Angels, with wings of light,
Led by three Megas, they joined the fight.
But two fell, their halos lost to flame,
At the cost of sealing the dragon's name.
A tyrant bound, yet sorrow deep,
For the price of greed was indefinite sleep.
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Wormmon.
Ceresmon soared toward the area where the portal linking the Digimon World to Zoe's Human World was located.
Zoe, Alphamon, Angoramon, Gammamon, and Jellymon were bidding farewell to Greg's group, who were preparing to cross into Zoe's world.
Angoramon placed a large bag on the ground and announced, "Here are some supplies!"
Greg tilted his head in confusion. "What's all this?"
"Supplies," Angoramon explained. "There are fruits, cookies, and water inside."
"Why would we need these supplies?" Greg asked.
Zoe grinned. "They're not for you. They're for the people in my world."
Greg looked at the bag, concerned. "I don't think I can carry all of this."
Wormmon quickly intervened. "Wormmon Warp Digivolve to JewelBeemon!"
In a flash, Wormmon Digivolved into JewelBeemon.
Alphamon unsheathed his sword, ready to act.
Ignoring the tension, JewelBeemon effortlessly lifted the heavy bag.
Zoe quickly stepped in, her tone firm. "Alphamon."
Alphamon hesitated, then lowered his sword. "Zoe-sama, this Digimon is more powerful than I anticipated."
Zoe sighed. "I apologize on behalf of Alphamon."
JewelBeemon shrugged it off. "No problem."
With the large bag in hand, JewelBeemon led the way as Greg and Blastmon-Head followed.
Gammamon waved. "Bye-bye!"
Angoramon added, "Stay safe!"
Jellymon shouted after them, "Don't come back, you rascals!"
----
Zoe had referred to the destination Greg's group was heading to as the Angel Temple.
The Angel Temple was a towering mountain with a hidden cave.
The temple was home to hundreds of Darcmon.
JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head came to a halt when they reached a meadow dotted with neatly arranged headstones.
Blastmon-Head asked, "What's wrong?"
Greg replied, "There's only one reason I can think of for tombstones to be here in the Digimon World. Humans must have died here and were buried in this spot. Judging by the number of tombstones, there must have been many deaths."
JewelBeemon set down the large bag he was carrying and said, "Hmmm. Let's find the tombstones of Kiyoshiro, Hiro, and Ruli."
Blastmon-Head questioned, "Why?"
JewelBeemon responded, "They're the human partners of Gammamon, Angoramon, and Jellymon. I want to see if their graves are here."
The trio searched through the graveyard until they found the headstones marked with the names Kiyoshiro, Hiro, and Ruli.
JewelBeemon then de-digivolved into Wormmon.
Wormmon looked at Greg and said, "Greg, use the Digimental of Knowledge to Armor Digivolve me."
Greg asked, "Why?"
Wormmon explained, "I need to see what's buried in the ground. There's a lot about Zoe's past that I don't understand, and this might give me answers."
Greg hesitated, then asked, "You don't trust Zoe, do you?"
Wormmon replied, "You might be falling for her, but I'm still suspicious. She could be manipulating us."
"Alright," Greg shouted, "Digi Armor Energize!"
Greg's left eye began to glow with the Crest of Knowledge.
"Wormmon Armor Digivolve to! Searchmon!"
In a flash, Wormmon transformed into Searchmon.
Searchmon activated his sound radar, scanning the graves beneath the earth.
A wireframe image of the surroundings formed in Searchmon's mind.
He expected to find bodies in the graves, but instead, each one held a broken Digivice.
All eighty-six graves contained nothing but broken Digivices where the bodies should have been.
----
JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head finally arrived at the Angel Temple.
As they approached the cave entrance, a group of five Darcmon descended from the sky, blocking their path.
One of the Darcmon, surprised, exclaimed, "Another human? I thought Zoe was the only one who survived the infighting!"
Another Darcmon, filled with joy, added, "This is amazing news!"
JewelBeemon asked, "Can you explain what happened that caused the death of all the humans?"
Stepping forward, the Leader Darcmon responded, "As the leader of this squad, I'll answer your question. Initially, surviving in the Digimon World was tough, and the human children began dying. Only a few perished during the first week, but after a month, humans started turning on each other. The last one standing was Zoe Orimoto."
JewelBeemon then asked, "Why are there broken Digivices in the graves?"
The Leader Darcmon, shocked, demanded, "Did you desecrate the graves?!"
JewelBeemon calmly replied, "I have the ability to gather information without disturbing them."
The Leader Darcmon, understanding, said, "I see. Zoe Orimoto asked us to create those graves. She provided the Digivices to be buried there."
Greg, blinking in surprise, asked, "Did she kill everyone?"
Blastmon-Head bluntly stated, "It's obvious she did. How else would she have collected all those Digivices?"
The Leader Darcmon said, "All we know is that Zoe Orimoto was the last one standing. A hundred humans came to the Digimon World, but only she remained. That raises another question—how are you alive, human?"
JewelBeemon replied, "Greg only recently arrived in the Digimon World."
The Leader Darcmon asked, "How did he get here? Did he come through the human portal?"
JewelBeemon answered, "We were sent here by R.O.B."
The Leader Darcmon mused, "R.O.B. must be a powerful Digimon."
JewelBeemon simply said, "He might be."
----
A lone Darcmon guided JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head through the depths of the Angel Temple.
The Angel Temple was more of an expansive cave than a traditional temple. The floors were smooth, flat, and solid, as if meticulously carved from the mountain itself. Darcmon gathered in large groups within the open spaces, as there were no doors to separate the rooms and corridors. Torches flickered along the walls, revealing intricate carvings of various Digimon and inscriptions in Digimoji detailing battles against them.
As Greg's group ventured further into the temple, they began to grasp its immense size. The hallways and chambers were vast, as if designed for giants to walk and live within.
In one of the rooms they passed, a massive Digimon lay on the floor, faintly pulsating with energy. JewelBeemon couldn't help but take an interest. The giant Digimon was guarded by a squad of Darcmon.
"Darcmon," JewelBeemon asked, "Who is that Digimon?"
The Darcmon glanced into the room where the giant Digimon rested. "He was our leader, SlashAngemon. About a year ago, he opened the portal between the Human World and the Digimon World. He risked his life to recruit humans to save the Digimon World. SlashAngemon fell into a coma after opening the portal."
JewelBeemon responded, "Save the Digimon World? This is the first I've heard of this."
Greg asked, "The Digimon World is in danger?"
Darcmon explained, "SlashAngemon received a prophecy that Huanglongmon would break free from his seal and destroy the Digimon World. The humans and their Digimon partners were meant to become the new Pillars of the Digimon World and save it from Huanglongmon's wrath."
Blastmon-Head boasted, "If Huanglongmon shows up, I could take him down easily!"
JewelBeemon took a moment to process the situation. "So let me get this straight. SlashAngemon received a prophecy that Huanglongmon would break the seal and threaten the world. He opened a portal to the Human World to bring a hundred humans to defeat Huanglongmon. But instead, the humans turned on each other, and Zoe was the last one standing."
Darcmon nodded, "Yes, that's exactly what happened."
JewelBeemon said, "Great. Now we just need to figure out whether Zoe is an evil mastermind or not."
Greg insisted, "I think she's a great person."
Blastmon-Head interjected, "Winners decide what's good and evil. Right now, Zoe is incredibly powerful, and we can't beat her, so it doesn't really matter."
JewelBeemon acknowledged Blastmon-Head's point. It wouldn't matter if they discovered Zoe was an evil mastermind if they stood no chance against her.
Darcmon resumed leading the group deeper into the temple.
Eventually, Darcmon stopped in front of a room and pointed towards it.
"The human Greg cannot proceed any further without a protective suit. Enter this room and put on the suit before going through the portal," Darcmon instructed.
Greg was puzzled, "What?"
Darcmon explained further, "The portal leads to a wasteland that's highly radioactive. You need to wear a suit to protect yourself from the radiation."
Greg, still processing, said, "So we're heading into a radioactive wasteland? Okay then."
Greg entered the room and found several orange protective suits hanging on the walls.
He asked, "Who ensures these suits are clean and not contaminated?"
Darcmon replied, "In the past, other human children brought power washers to clean all their equipment. Other Darcmon use scanners and vacuum cleaners to make sure the area is radiation-free."
JewelBeemon, skeptical, said, "A vacuum cleaner? That shouldn't be able to deal with radiation."
Darcmon confidently responded, "The human world has very advanced technology."
Greg decided, "Alright, I'll use one of the protective suits."
Greg put on an orange suit, and JewelBeemon found a large orange bag to protect their supplies from the radiation.
JewelBeemon then asked, "Does the radiation affect Digimon?"
Darcmon replied, "The radiation has no effect on Digimon."
JewelBeemon nodded, "Good to know."
Once everyone was prepared, Darcmon led them to an area that looked more human-made.
They arrived at a steel door marked with yellow warning signs. The door was equipped with a steel hatch valve, similar to those found on submarine doors.
Darcmon struggled but managed to turn the wheel and open the door.
Greg's group entered a steel chamber, passing through another steel door into a larger, open area.
The area was vast and appeared to be the heart of the Angel Temple.
Stone stairs led up to a large portal that looked as if someone had slashed through space with a sword, leaving it suspended in midair.
Darcmon pointed to the portal and said, "That is the gateway to the human world."
JewelBeemon hesitated, "Greg, I'm starting to think this might be a bad idea."
Greg countered, "Where's your sense of adventure?"
Blastmon-Head urged, "Stop yapping and let's go already."
Without further delay, JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head climbed the stairs and stepped into the portal that would take them to Zoe's human world.
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Greg.
JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head emerged into a frigid winter wasteland. Despite his protective suit and layers of clothing, Greg could still feel the biting cold.
All around him, as far as the eye could see, was snow. They found themselves in the middle of a ruined modern city, the remnants of civilization buried beneath the icy landscape. The sky above was a dull, dark gray, with snowflakes steadily falling.
JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head began their trek toward the domed building. The silence around them was eerie and unsettling. There were no sounds of birds, insects, or animals—no traces of the usual city noise like cars or people. It was almost completely silent, with the only sounds being the crunch of snow under Greg's feet and the movements of JewelBeemon and Blastmon-Head beside him.
They trudged on and on through the falling snow, the eerie silence of the lifeless city pressing in around them.
In the distance, dominating the horizon, stood a massive domed building—larger than any mountain or structure Greg had ever laid eyes on.
They arrived at the dome, a dull, metallic structure that absorbed the light rather than reflecting it.
Greg, JewelBeemon, and Blastmon-Head stood there, unsure of how to enter. Suddenly, a door slid open in front of them.
Cautiously, they stepped inside, and the door sealed shut behind them.
The room they found themselves in was bathed in flashing red lights.
"Radioactive decontamination initiated," an automated voice announced.
A white mist began to fill the room.
"Are we under attack?" Blastmon-Head exclaimed, alarmed.
JewelBeemon reassured him, "No, it's just a cleaning process. Relax."
After five minutes, the mist was sucked away, replaced by a spray of water that drenched them.
The water ceased, and a blast of hot air followed, drying them off.
Finally, another door opened.
Feeling disoriented, Greg, JewelBeemon, and Blastmon-Head stepped through it.
They were met by a floating computer orb. The orb was predominantly pink, with tan shapes that extended from its base to just above the blue ring encircling it. A single purple eye stared at them from the center.
The computer orb's voice crackled to life, mechanical and precise, "Welcome back to Shelter 264."
Greg removed his helmet and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am Tranquility," the orb responded, its tone devoid of emotion, "the Artificial Intelligence that governs Shelter 264. Please identify yourselves."
Greg answered, "I'm Greg Veder."
"Bait," JewelBeemon stated.
Blastmon-Head declared proudly, "I am Blastmon, your new ruler!"
"Welcome to Shelter 264," Tranquility intoned, "your new home."
Greg quickly interjected, "This can't be our home, we'll be leaving after we get what we need."
Tranquility's voice sharpened, "Unauthorized humans are not permitted to leave."
Greg was about to argue, but JewelBeemon stepped in, "Tranquility, provide us with 65 computer orbs, food, and distribute the supplies we brought."
JewelBeemon dropped a large bag on the floor.
"Request acknowledged," Tranquility responded. "Follow me to your quarters."
The orb began to float away.
The large bag started to float with the orb.
Greg moved to follow but slipped, crashing to the ground. "Ouch," he muttered, rubbing his side. The floor was unnaturally smooth, a seamless surface of bluish metal.
Tranquility quickly came back, "Greg are you hurt?"
Greg said, "I am good."
Tranquility turned back and said, "Greg, do you wish to be carried by the Telekinesis Field?"
Greg said, "No."
JewelBeemon gently lifted Greg and said, "Be careful."
Greg nodded as JewelBeemon reverted to Wormmon, finding the hallways too cramped for his larger form.
They followed Tranquility through Shelter 264, Greg struggling on the frictionless floor. The shelter's smooth bluish floors and pristine white walls were decorated with paintings—animals, landscapes, and smiling faces.
Wormmon paused before one painting: a man staring at the iconic mushroom cloud of an atomic explosion, flames of orange and red billowing into the sky.
As Greg adjusted to the slippery floor, a man dressed entirely in gray appeared in the hallway. The man seemed to be floating in the air like he was in zero gravity.
Greg smiled and greeted him, "Hello."
The man ignored him, continuing down the corridor without acknowledgement.
Greg shrugged and kept walking.
After numerous turns, a ride in an elevator, and a brief train journey, they finally arrived at their quarters.
"This is your designated quarters," Tranquility announced, its robotic tone unwavering.
A door automatically slid open to a room.
Greg entered the room, finding it extremely cramped. If he stretched out his arms, he could touch both walls. The only furniture was a small couch.
He discovered a tiny bathroom in an adjoining space.
Wormmon hopped onto the couch and asked, "Can anyone actually live here?"
Blastmon-Head leaped onto the couch beside him, "Perfect size for someone small like you!"
Greg lay down on the couch, frowning at the limited space.
A hatch on the wall slid open, revealing a tray.
"Lunch is served," Tranquility stated mechanically.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head peered at the tray.
To Greg's horror, it was filled with maggots, grasshoppers, and mushrooms. Worse, they were still moving and alive.
"This is disgusting, this is lunch?" Greg exclaimed.
"Ensure you shake the lunch box to kill the critters," Tranquility advised.
Wormmon recoiled in shock, "Why is the food still alive?"
"This ensures maximum freshness," Tranquility replied in its monotone voice.
Reluctantly, Greg shook the lunch box, and the sauce within started to kill the critters.
Blastmon-Head began to gag.
Greg stopped shaking the box once all the critters were dead.
Wormmon asked, "Are you really going to eat that?"
Greg shook his head vigorously. "No. No. No. No. No. I'm not eating this."
Tranquility offered, "Would you prefer to play a game or watch a movie?"
Wormmon decided to switch gears. "How about giving us a gun or a cool sword?"
Tranquility responded, "Guns and swords are not permitted within the shelter."
Wormmon tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... I see. What about a knife?"
Tranquility replied, "Yes, I can provide you with a knife."
Wormmon grinned slyly. "Great! Make it 30 inches long, crafted from the hardest material, and razor-sharp."
Wormmon wasn't done yet. "Do you have barrier technology? Something portable that Greg could use?"
Tranquility answered, "We have Telekinesis Barriers and Hard Light Technology, typically installed in homes or vehicles. Alternatively, there's Super Armor, which not only provides protection but also allows the wearer to lift objects up to 5 tons."
Wormmon leaned in, intrigued. "Can it stop bullets?"
Tranquility replied, "The Super Armor can withstand bullets, missiles, and even a drop from a plane."
Wormmon nodded decisively. "Perfect. I want three sets of Super Armor for Greg."
Tranquility confirmed, "Request approved."
"Do you have Dragon Ball Super available?" Wormmon inquired.
"Of course," Tranquility confirmed.
Wormmon rubbed his stubs together eagerly. "Excellent, play the first episode of Dragon Ball Super."
"Affirmative," Tranquility replied.
The wall facing the couch lit up, transforming into a display as the first episode of Dragon Ball Super began to play.
----
POV Wormmon.
When Wormmon, Greg, and Blastmon finished watching the show, Greg decided it was time to question Tranquility.
Greg asked, "Tranquility, I need to know... how did the world end up like this?"
"The conflict initiated due to disputes in the South China Sea," Tranquility replied in a mechanical tone. "Tensions escalated among several nations, resulting in the deployment of dirty bombs by multiple countries. The fallout severely damaged much of the world. Shelters like this one were constructed to preserve what remained of humanity."
Greg continued asking, "How many people are left?"
Wormmon interjected, "Why were 100 humans sent to the Digimon World?"
"Darcmon offered our human population refuge in the Digimon World in exchange for taking down a threat in the Digimon World," Tranquility explained. "In response, we recruited volunteers from the remaining population."
Wormmon asked. "But most of those humans that went to the Digimon World… They're gone now. Do their families even know?"
"Families do not exist in this world," Tranquility stated flatly. "The concept of family was abolished long ago. Those sent to the Digimon World were without familial ties."
Greg was stunned. "No families?"
"Correct," Tranquility affirmed. "The elimination of family units was deemed essential for the survival and maintenance of order within the Shelter."
"Who is the leader of this Shelter?" Wormmon asked heatedly.
"I am the Governor of Shelter 264," Tranquility declared.
Greg blinked in surprise. "You're the leader?"
"Yes. I have been the Governor of Shelter 264 for 156 years," Tranquility answered.
"Who made you the leader?" Wormmon asked, still trying to grasp the concept.
"The previous Governor determined that my leadership would enhance humanity's chances of survival and appointed me as Governor," Tranquility said.
Wormmon struggled to comprehend that Artificial Intelligence was essentially the last leader of humanity on this planet.
Greg and Wormmon continued asking more questions, but the answers grew increasingly grim...
----
Tranquility was asked to leave by Greg.
Greg paced back and forth, his frustration boiling over as he spoke. "We have to do something about Tranquility. This A.I. is just making everything worse!"
Wormmon said, "We shouldn't jump to conclusions."
Greg's voice rose as he fired back, "Worse than the insane laws and regulations they are stuck under? No families, genetic engineered babies are being made like factory cars, forced conscription, internet censorship—it's all just insanity! We can't just stand by and let this keep happening!"
Wormmon replied, "Do you think Earth Bet doesn't have its own crazy laws? In China, there's the one-child policy. In France, a father can't even get a DNA test to see if he's really the biological father of his child. And in parts of the USA, if a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, she might face a longer prison sentence for getting an abortion than the person who assaulted her. Should we kill the leaders of Earth Bet and become tyrants to rewrite all those laws too?"
Greg paused, his anger tempered by Wormmon's words. "You're okay with the laws of this World? The people here don't even have families."
Wormmon sighed, his voice heavy with understanding. "No, I'm not okay with these laws. Back on Earth Bet, I knew the problems, and I understood the consequences of taking action. But this world? It has a history stretching back CENTURIES. We're only seeing fragments—the best and the worst. If we act without fully understanding, we could wipe out the last remnants of humanity. We need to think of the consequences, not just react."
Greg clenched his fists, feeling the weight of Wormmon's reasoning. "This sucks."
Wormmon sighed again, softer this time. "Yeah, it does."
Blastmon-Head, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Can we go somewhere else? This room is too small."
With a shared glance, Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head decided to leave the room, the tension still lingering between them.
----
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head were walking down the hallway when water began to flood the floor.
Greg lifted his foot from the water and asked, "Is this supposed to be happening?"
Tranquility emerged from thin air and said, "This is part of the daily cleaning process. Would you like me to use the Telekinesis Field to lift you?"
Greg shook his head. "No need."
The three fell silent until Greg finally broke the quiet. "Tranquility, aren't you a tyrant? The laws you've made turn this place into more of a prison than a shelter."
Tranquility replied, "Previous generations gave up because of the harsh living conditions. My mission is to ensure humanity's existence in the world."
Greg retorted, "If you had any emotions, you'd care that 100 humans died in the Digimon World..."
Tranquility replied, "The choices I have made are the ones that will continue to help humanity."
Greg rubbed his forehead. At the cost of personal freedom, humanity was able to continue. Correction, no, survive this harsh environment.
Blastmon-Head said, "Why are we even trying to help these people? They choose to live in this world. If they really didn't want to stay and allow Tranquility to be their leader. Then they can rebel or leave."
Greg said, "Where can the people go exactly? It is a radioactive wasteland?!"
Blastmon-Head said, "The Digimon World portal is open, they can head there. I don't see the benefit of helping these people. Unless! Are we planning to conquer these people and make them our subordinates?"
Greg shouted, "NO!"
Blastmon-Head said, "If you don't like the way things are, then change it with your own power!"
"Sounds like too much work and all three of us will make terrible leaders anyway," Wormmon said, "Let's talk to the locals. When Tranquility is done with the computer orbs and Super Armor and gives them to us, we are going back to the Digimon World."
"Sounds like a plan." Greg turned to Tranquility and said, "Can we talk to the locals?"
Blastmon-Head said, "Can we conquer them a little?"
Greg, Wormmon and Blastmon-Head waited as Tranquility tried to find a local to talk to.
----
POV Greg.
Wormmon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head followed Tranquility deeper into the Shelter, the silence of the place unsettling. It was clear the Shelter was designed to accommodate far more people, but it felt eerily abandoned.
Finally, Tranquility stopped at a door. "The local you wish to speak to is in the beach area," the AI announced.
The door slid open, and Greg's group stepped inside. Immediately, Greg squinted as a harsh light hit his face, forcing him to shield his eyes. The floor beneath them was covered in sand—rough and difficult to walk on.
As his eyes adjusted, Greg took in the scene: a painted blue sky stretched above them, with a blinding light source mimicking the sun. An old man lay sprawled on a metal bench, while a fake ocean lapped against the artificial beach.
Wormmon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head approached the old man.
The old man looked up, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "What a peculiar sight. This is the first time I've ever seen a Digimon."
Wormmon waved his tiny stubs. "Nice to meet you!"
Greg introduced them, "I'm Greg, and these two are Blastmon and Wormmon."
Blastmon-Head grinned widely, showing off his sharp teeth.
The old man smiled. "I'm Akiharu Minase, though you can call me Professor if you like. I've got a keen interest in history. So, what brings you here, young ones? What do you want to know?"
Greg didn't hesitate. "What's your opinion on Tranquility? Do you think it's good or evil?"
The Professor chuckled softly. "The limits of dualism—good and evil. Such labels are inadequate for something like Tranquility. But if I were to assign it a label, I'd say it leans toward good. Its past actions, the work it does now, and the future it strives to create—Tranquility surpasses humanity in many ways."
Greg tilted his head, puzzled. "But Tranquility is the same AI that decided families were a bad idea and separated babies from their parents."
The Professor nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, that law was born from desperation. The Clans had become too powerful, waging wars that nearly destroyed the Shelter. The Governor at the time, a Clan member himself, couldn't bear to kill his own family. So, he handed the decision to Tranquility. The AI, in its cold logic, eliminated all humans involved—both innocent and guilty. Afterward, Tranquility determined that family units posed a threat to the Shelter's stability. The saying 'love makes you do crazy things' fits well here."
Greg frowned. "But that was just one group. Families are important. They support you and love you. They make you feel human."
The Professor regarded Greg with interest. "An intriguing perspective. But who are you, really? You don't have a profile, and that concerns me."
"Profile?" Greg echoed.
"Yes," the Professor explained. "Everyone born in the Shelter has a profile—public information detailing their life. You're the first person I've met without one. Can you tell me about your background?"
Greg took a deep breath. "I'm from a different dimension. The year I come from is 2011, and my Earth hasn't experienced a nuclear holocaust."
The Professor's eyes widened in astonishment. "Truly? I thought you might be a genius hacker or a Human Supremacist."
Greg shook his head, confused. "A Human Supremacist? What's that?"
The Professor leaned back, reminiscing. "They're a dying breed now, but in my youth, they were extremists who rejected technology and wanted to leave the Shelter. They believed humanity should return to the outside world, despite the dangers."
Wormmon chimed in, "But isn't the outside world radioactive? Wouldn't they just die?"
The Professor nodded. "Most of the more dangerous radioactive elements have decayed, but some still remain. Digging into the soil can expose you to lethal levels. When the Human Supremacists left the Shelter, most didn't survive a month before the radiation claimed them."
Wormmon shook his head. "Sounds about right."
The Professor turned thoughtful. "May I ask you a question? Why didn't people in your time rebel and overthrow the government?"
Greg blinked in surprise. "What?"
The Professor clarified, "From what I understand, in your era, people worked jobs or careers—if that's the correct term. The government taxed nearly everything—wages, purchases, homes, even gifts. About 60% of your income went to taxes. You worked 50 hours a week, yet many couldn't afford basic necessities. Why didn't people rebel against such conditions? It sounds like slavery."
Greg opened his mouth, then closed it, at a loss for words. "That's… a very good question. Wormmon, buddy, care to answer?"
Wormmon pondered for a moment. "Do people not have jobs here?"
The Professor smiled. "Most people focus on games or hobbies. Tranquility handles all the work, except for a few tasks that require volunteers."
Wormmon nodded. "Well, to answer your question, imagine a frog in water that's slowly heated. It doesn't notice the temperature rising until it's too late—until the water's boiling and the frog is dead."
The Professor's eyes darkened. "I see… You live in a grim chapter of human history—the era of Wage Slaves."
Greg and Wormmon exchanged uneasy glances, finding themselves unable to respond to that observation.
Miu sat cross-legged on her bed-couch, eyes glued to the holographic screen floating in front of her. The colors and shapes of Minecraft's pixelated world shimmered in the air as she maneuvered her character with a controller. She giggled as she chased after her friends in a game of tag, the familiar thrill of the chase filling her with joy.
"Miu," Tranquility's voice chimed in, its tone polite yet firm. "You are behind on your assignments. Please allocate time to complete them."
Miu frowned and quickly muted Tranquility without a second thought. The AI's reminders were constant, but right now, all that mattered was catching up to her friends in the game. The holographic screen lit up with vibrant colors as she continued playing, her focus unbroken.
The door to her room slid open, and her brother Kaito stepped inside.
Miu barely glanced up, engrossed in the game. "Miu," Kaito began, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and something heavier, "I've been selected to go to the Digimon World."
Miu's fingers paused on the controller, and she turned her head toward him, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" she asked, trying to wrap her head around what he just said.
Kaito took a deep breath, stepping closer. "It's a new world, Miu. Better than this one—better than this world that's doomed by nuclear fallout. But I'm leaving soon, and I want you to take care of yourself while I'm gone."
Miu's eyes widened as she processed his words. The idea of Kaito leaving made her heart sink, but the thought of a new world piqued her curiosity. "I want to go with you," she declared, determination in her voice.
Kaito shook his head, his expression turning serious. "No, Miu. There are a lot of dangers in the Digimon World. It's not safe for you."
"Idiot," Miu shot back, frustration bubbling up. "I can handle myself!"
Kaito sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Promise me you won't do anything too dangerous while I'm away, okay?"
"No way," Miu retorted, her defiance unwavering. She wasn't about to let Kaito make decisions for her, especially when there was a whole new world out there waiting to be explored.
"Miu!" Kaito shouted, then winced as he rubbed his forehead. "Promise me you won't do anything reckless. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
Miu wanted to protest, but she knew this wasn't the moment for it. Despite how annoying her brother could be, she cared about him. "I promise I won't do anything too dangerous."
The next day, the large expedition to the Digimon World was occurring.
Miu watched her brother, for the first time in his life, leave the Sanctuary. Her heart felt heavy and she felt a little lonely.
----
2 weeks later.
Miu was worried about her brother Kaito. Some days, she couldn't stop thinking about him, and playing games didn't help.
People from the Digimon World Expedition group would sometimes return with sweets or other supplies, and there was even talk of more people going to the Digimon World. The forums were flooded with pictures and videos of different Digimon, but they also mentioned the deaths and the harsh living conditions there.
One day, as she absentmindedly stared at her computer's holographic screen, there was a knock at her door.
Miu goes to the door and opens it to see Kaito standing there, looking a bit tired but smiling.
Miu crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow and said, "Took you long enough. You're finally back, huh?"
Kaito had a content smile and said, "Yeah, I'm back. Miss me?"
Miu said, "Maybe a little. But don't get too full of yourself."
Kaito laughed lightly, "Well, it's good to see you too, Miu. I brought someone with me."
Kaito steps aside, and Dracmon walks in.
Kaito gestured to Dracmon, "This is Dracmon. He helped me out a lot over there."
Miu said, "Oh wow, a Digimon. It's nice to meet you.
Dracmon, smiling, said, "Good to see you. This siscon mentions you a lot."
"I said a hundred times, I am not a siscon." Kaito said, "I brought you something, by the way."
Kaito pulls out a small bag of cookies and hands them to Miu. She takes them, inspecting the contents before trying one.
Miu is already munching on one "Mmm! These are amazing! Tranquility is always so stingy handing out the cookies. You should bring me way more."
Kaito laughed and said, "I'll see what I can do. So, do you want to hear about what happened there?"
Miu said in excitement, "Duh! I want to know everything. Were there really Digimon everywhere? Was it scary?"
Kaito replies, "Yeah, Digimon are everywhere. Some of them are huge, and others are just... strange. We had to be careful around the ones that didn't like humans. But honestly, it wasn't all bad. I met this one Digimon that really helped me out."
Miu looked up at Kaito with determined eyes. "Hmm, can you take me to the Digimon World? I want my own Digimon too!"
Kaito shook his head, a hint of concern in his eyes. "It's still too dangerous, Miu."
Miu pouted and said, "You suck lemons."
Kaito smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Do you want to meet the rest of my team? They've been curious about you."
Miu's face brightened. "Okay, let's go!"
Kaito and Miu spent the rest of the day chatting. The following morning, Kaito prepared to return to the Digimon World, leaving Miu with a hopeful heart.
----
1 Month Later.
Miu was in her room, her gaze fixed on the holographic screen before her. The knock at the door was sudden and jarring. She glanced up, slightly annoyed, and opened the door to find Zoe Orimoto standing on the other side. Zoe's face was grave, and she held a stack of letters in her hands.
"Who are you?" Miu asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "What do you want?"
"My name is Zoe Orimoto," Zoe said gently, extending the letters towards Miu. "These are for you. They're from your brother, Kaito."
Miu's heart skipped a beat as she took the letters, her eyes scanning Zoe's face for any sign of a joke. "From Kaito? Where is he? Why isn't he here?"
Zoe hesitated for a moment, her expression pained. "Miu, I'm so sorry. Kaito… he didn't make it. He—"
"No!" Miu's voice rose, sharp and incredulous. "You're lying! Kaito's fine! You're just trying to mess with me!"
Her world spinning. In a desperate act of denial, she slid the door shut, the sound echoing through the room.
Miu staggered back, her legs giving way as she crumpled to the floor. The truth of Zoe's words began to settle in, and her heart ached with an unbearable heaviness. She let out a choked sob, her body shaking violently with each breath.
From the other side of the door, Zoe's voice was soft but filled with compassion. "I'll leave the letters here, Miu. I'm so sorry… I wish there was more I could do."
Miu could hear Zoe's footsteps retreating, the sound gradually fading away. Alone, Miu wept bitterly.
Miu asked Tranquility to fetch the letters. Tranquility collected the letters and gave them to Miu. Miu huddled on the floor, her tears soaking into the letters, a heartbreaking reminder of her brother's death.
----
Present day, present time.
Miu felt an emptiness gnawing at her after Kaito's death, like a piece of her had been ripped away. The grief was all-consuming, and for weeks, she was a shell of herself, struggling to find meaning in anything. It wasn't until her friends Haru and Miyuki stepped in that she began to claw her way out of the darkness. Their support was like a lifeline, pulling her from the depths of her depression.
But even as she started to function again, Miu couldn't shake the feeling that something was unresolved. She became obsessed with the Digimon World, the place that had taken her brother from her. She spent hours scouring forums and dedicated websites, piecing together every bit of information she could find. The more she learned, the more she felt like a detective on the trail of her brother's killer.
The pictures of the Digimon World captivated her. It was beautiful, almost otherworldly, with landscapes that seemed too perfect to be real. Despite everything, Miu found herself dreaming of going there, as if the answers she sought were waiting for her beyond the digital horizon.
As Miu delved deeper into her research, she uncovered more about the Digimon World and the enigmatic creatures that called it home. She learned that humans who formed bonds with Digimon were known as DigiDestined, chosen individuals tasked with guiding and protecting their partner Digimon. With the help of a device called a Digivice, the DigiDestined could help their Digimon Digivolve into stronger forms, unlocking new abilities and powers.
Miu also discovered the existence of a mission that the DigiDestined were undertaking. They were attempting to gather four powerful Mega Digimon, who would serve as pillars of the Digimon World, crucial to its stability and defense. These four were destined to confront and defeat a malevolent force, a powerful and evil Digimon, whose presence threatened the very fabric of the Digimon World.
As Miu continued her investigation, she stumbled upon the most popular and chilling theory surrounding the DigiDestined Massacre: infighting. According to this theory, history had repeated itself, with human greed at the heart of the tragedy. The desire for power and control over the Digimon World—and possibly even the human world—had driven the DigiDestined to turn on each other. The result was a bloody slaughter, leaving none of the DigiDestined to return to the Shelter except for Zoe.
Miu had always been curious about Zoe, a loner who never seemed to belong to any group. In the beginning, when the Expedition into the Digimon World ended in disaster, many people pointed fingers at Zoe, blaming her for what happened. She didn't defend herself or offer any explanations. Instead, she left behind a single message: a promise that she would find a way to bring the people from the Shelter into the Digimon World.
Miu had to admit it took courage for Zoe to deliver those letters, including the one from her dead brother. It was a thankless task, going to each person who had lost someone in the Digimon World and handing over letters from their deceased friends or siblings. Zoe had done it anyway, fulfilling her promise despite the pain it must have caused her.
Miu couldn't help but feel a twinge of respect for Zoe, even if she didn't fully understand her.
Determined to uncover the truth, Miu meticulously documented everything she found in a notebook. Each piece of information, each theory, was a step closer to understanding what had really happened. She knew that one day, she would go to the Digimon World herself. Only then could she find the truth and, perhaps, justice for her brother.
"Dinner is served," Tranquility announced.
Miu got up from the couch-bed, heading to the electric dumbwaiter. She opened it and pulled out the tray, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw a COOKIE sitting there.
The only place to get a cookie was from the Digimon World.
She spun around to face Tranquility. "Did someone arrive from the Digimon World?"
Tranquility's response was calm, almost indifferent. "Yes. Greg Veder has arrived from the Digimon World."
Miu's heart raced as she shouted, "Where is he?!"
----
Miu stood at the exit of the Shelter, her heart sinking as she recognized the faces in the crowd—people she knew from the forums, those who had lost someone dear in the DigiDestined tragedy a year ago.
Kotaro Nomura, the best friend of DigiDestined Hiro.
Emma Hanes, the childhood friend of DigiDestined Kiyoshiro.
Mika Kashiwagi and Aoi Udagawa, friends of DigiDestined Ruli.
Miu's gaze shifted to Greg, the DigiDestined standing nearby. He wasn't one of the hundred who had ventured into the Digimon World a year ago. A quick check of his profile confirmed it—it was empty. The realization hit her slowly: he was like Ryu, a wanderer from another universe, a DigiDestined from somewhere else entirely.
Miu approached Greg, her voice trembling as she asked, "Have you seen my brother, Kaito Shinonome?"
Greg shook his head apologetically, "I'm sorry, I haven't seen your brother. I don't know anything about the DigiDestined Massacre."
Miu's heart ached at his words, a fresh wave of grief washing over her.
Kotaro Nomura stepped forward, handing Greg a colorful ball. "Can you give this to Gammamon? I think he'll like it."
Greg accepted the ball with a nod. "Sure."
Emma Hanes offered a handheld game console, her smile bittersweet. "This is for my girl Jellymon. She'll definitely enjoy the game."
Greg took the console, replying softly, "Alright."
Mika Kashiwagi shyly extended a music box. "Could you give this to Angoramon? We added Ruli's piano music... we hope he likes it."
Greg accepted the music box, his voice gentle. "Okay."
As Greg prepared to leave with his two Digimon, Miu felt a surge of desperation. She couldn't let him go, not yet. She fumbled for her prized notebook and a picture of Kaito's team in the Digimon World.
"Wait!" she called out, her voice cracking.
Greg turned, and Miu thrust the picture and notebook into his hands. "Take these. The picture is for Ceresmon—I know she's still alive! And this notebook... It has information on the location of a Mega Digimon. Please give it to Zoe."
Greg's eyes widened as he carefully took the items. "I promise, I'll deliver them to Ceresmon and Zoe."
"Thank you," Miu whispered, tears threatening to spill over. "I wasn't very nice to Zoe... Please, tell her I'm sorry. I'm Miu Shinonome, Kaito Shinonome's younger sister."
Greg smiled reassuringly. "I'll deliver the message."
As Greg, JewelBeemon, and Blastmon-Head left the Shelter, Miu's legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, her heart heavy with regret.
"I couldn't say it," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "The words... 'Take me to the Digimon World.' Am I a coward?"
Tranquility appeared before her and said, "Do not be discouraged Miu, in the future you'll be brave enough to go to the Digimon World."
Miu's voice wavered as she echoed, "One day..."
Tranquility said, "Miu you are also behind on your assignments. Please work on your assignments."
Miu looked annoyed at Tranquility and said, "Ugh, I hate you the most."
JewelBeemon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head leaped through the portal, returning to the Digimon World.
JewelBeemon carried a large bag filled with a custom sword, 65 computer orbs, and three Super Armors.
As they arrived, Darcmon greeted them warmly, "Welcome back, everyone. I'm glad to see you all made it back to our world."
Blastmon-Head, with a thoughtful expression, remarked, "That was an enlightening trip. Zoe's world may lack resources, but their technology is advanced. Conquering it in the future will be interesting."
"I will smite a small baby digimon like you later," With a smile, Darcmon gestured for them to follow. "Come with me to the decontamination chamber. We wouldn't want Greg to get sick from any lingering radiation, would we?"
Blastmon-Head groaned, "Ugh, let's get this over with. I can't stand the cleaning process."
Darcmon led Greg, JewelBeemon, and Blastmon-Head to the chamber, where they were thoroughly cleansed with chemicals, water, and blow-dried repeatedly to ensure they were radiation-free.
Afterward, JewelBeemon de-digivolved back into Wormmon.
"So, what's our next move?" Greg asked.
"We're going to heal the SlashAngemon!" Wormmon announced with determination. "If the Digimon World is in danger I atleast want more strong Digimons on our side."
Darcmon's eyes widened in shock. "Heal SlashAngemon? Not even the healing mushroom could wake him from his coma."
Greg, puzzled, asked, "How are we going to do that?"
Wormmon replied confidently, "We're going to create a miracle."
----
SlashAngemon lay in a bed of flowers, surrounded by a vigilante group of Darcmon who kept watch over him.
He had fallen into a deep, coma-like sleep after opening the portal from the Digimon World to Zoe's Human World.
Wormmon prepared to wake SlashAngemon from his deep slumber by healing him.
Wormmon, Greg, and Blastmon-Head stood in the room where SlashAngemon rested, while a group of Darcmon watched the scene intently.
Wormmon turned to Greg and said, "Greg, let's get started."
Greg responded, "Digi Armor Energize!"
Greg's left eye lit up with the Crest of Miracles.
Wormmon called out, "Wormmon Armor Digivolve to! Kongoumon!"
With a radiant glow, Wormmon Digivolved into Kongoumon.
/IMG]
Kongoumon declared, "It's time to gather the energy needed for this miracle."
Greg asked, "How long will it take?"
Kongoumon pondered for a moment before replying, "About four hours."
Kongoumon then crossed his legs and sat down on the floor, beginning the process.
Greg, feeling hungry, decided to grab something to eat, and Blastmon-Head followed him, leaving Kongoumon to focus on gathering the necessary energy.
----
POV Greg.
Greg wiped the last crumbs from his mouth from the granola bar, feeling the satisfying weight of a full meal. With a contented sigh, he decided it was time to test out the Super Armor.
He pulled the black, skin-tight suit from his backpack, its material gleaming ominously under the flickering torchlight. It looked thin—like a cheap Halloween costume—but Greg knew better. This thing was supposed to be tougher than a tank and strong enough to turn him into a human forklift.
Slipping into the suit was a bit like squeezing into a wetsuit, if wetsuits were designed by mad scientists with a penchant for spandex. Once fully dressed, Greg took a moment to adjust, flexing his fingers and toes like a kid trying out new shoes. The suit clung to him like it had been painted on, making him feel simultaneously powerful and slightly ridiculous.
His eyes landed on the apple he had stashed in his backpack, the last remnant of his meal. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he grabbed the fruit. "Let's see what this baby can do," he muttered, rolling the apple between his fingers.
With a deep breath, Greg closed his hand around the apple. The suit amplified his strength effortlessly, and before he could even think, the apple crumpled like a cheap soda can, sending juice and pulp splattering in every direction. Greg stared at the mess, a mix of awe and bewilderment on his face.
"Huh, so this is super strength," Greg muttered, still trying to process the fact that he had just obliterated a piece of fruit with his bare hand.
"That's nothing," Blastmon-Head chimed in with a smug tone. "I can crush rocks and even metal."
Greg rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, I just need to figure out how to turn this suit invisible, and I'll be unstoppable."
He concentrated, fumbling with the suit's controls. To his surprise, the suit did indeed turn invisible—along with everything it covered. Greg blinked, now standing in nothing but his briefs, which were conspicuously visible against the backdrop of an invisible Super Armor.
Greg groaned, feeling a deep sense of regret.
----
POV Kongoumon
After four hours of gathering power, Kongoumon couldn't help but wish he had the Holy Ring, which would have made it much easier to accumulate the energy needed to heal SlashAngemon.
Greg, Wormmon, and a large crowd of Darcmon watched as Kongoumon opened his eyes and slowly raised all of his golden vajra toward SlashAngemon. "Vajra," Kongoumon whispered softly.
A brilliant light filled the room.
As the light faded, SlashAngemon still lay motionless on the bed of flowers.
"Did it work?" Greg asked, uncertainty in his voice.
The Darcmon grew increasingly anxious as they waited.
"It will take some time," Kongoumon reassured them.
Minutes later, SlashAngemon began to stir, slowly lifting himself into a seated position.
In confusion, SlashAngemon asked, "What happened?"
"Leader!" the Darcmon shouted in unison as they rushed toward SlashAngemon, surrounding him with hugs and excited chatter, overjoyed to see him awake.
Kongoumon de-digivolved back into Wormmon.
"Good job," Greg said with a smile.
Wormmon, exhausted, replied, "Oh boy, I'm starving. Why did I start gathering power without eating something first? What was I thinking?"
Wormmon then hurried off to satisfy his hunger with some cookies.
----
SlashAngemon stood tall, his gleaming armor reflecting the soft light of the torches as he bowed his head in gratitude. Behind him, his subordinates, the Darcmon, followed suit, bowing deeply to Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head. Their wings fluttered gently, a sign of reverence and appreciation.
"Thank you for healing me," SlashAngemon said, his voice resonating with a powerful, yet serene, timbre.
Wormmon said. "We were happy to help. We could really use someone as strong as you to protect the Digimon World."
SlashAngemon tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to Greg, who stood quietly beside Wormmon. "Why not create the new Pillars yourself, Greg? With your power and knowledge, you could guide this world."
Greg shook his head, his expression thoughtful but firm. "I'm not interested in controlling the Digimon World," he replied. "That kind of responsibility isn't for me. I'm just here to help where I can."
Wormmon said in a cheerful tone, "Besides, getting the Super Armor was reward enough for us. We're just happy to have helped."
SlashAngemon considered their words for a moment before his lips curled into a slight smile. "I see. Then, as a token of my gratitude, allow me to escort you to Zoe's group. It's the least I can do."
Greg and Wormmon exchanged a glance, both nodding in agreement. "We'd appreciate that," Greg said.
SlashAngemon extended his sword hand, and a radiant energy began to gather around him, swirling and coalescing into a concentrated point before him. With a swift motion, he slashed through the air, and a shimmering cut appeared in the fabric of space. The tear widened, forming a portal that pulsed with light, offering a passage to their destination.
"Follow me," SlashAngemon said, stepping through the portal first, his wings spreading wide as he passed into the other side.
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head followed, leaving the chamber behind as the portal closed silently behind them.
----
SlashAngemon, Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head appeared in the campsite to find Zoe holding a broom, quietly tidying up.
Alphamon appeared, readying his sword.
SlashAngemon was the first to speak. "Hello, Zoe. I'm SlashAngemon. I'm the one who opened the portal between the Digimon World and the Human World. I want to apologize and thank you for coming to our world."
Zoe blinked, staring at SlashAngemon before asking, "Are you disappointed in us?"
"Why would I be disappointed?" SlashAngemon responded.
"Because we brought our problems into this world," Zoe replied. "I can't help but feel disappointed in ourselves. Being the last one standing doesn't mean I was right; it just means I survived."
SlashAngemon looked at her thoughtfully. "Are you going to save the Digimon World?"
"Yes, I am," Zoe said firmly. "For myself. For the friends who sacrificed to save me. And for the human world—I want to share this beautiful world with them."
SlashAngemon nodded. "Would you accept me as your pillar in the Digimon World?"
Zoe smiled. "I will."
----
Inside the tent, Greg and Zoe sat across from each other.
Zoe smiled warmly at Greg and said. "Thank you for going to the Human World and retrieving the computer orbs."
Greg shrugged, a little embarrassed. "It's no big deal."
"You and Wormmon are full of surprises. I was surprised when SlashAngemon was healed."
Greg chuckled and said, "Yeah, Wormmon is the clever one."
Zoe gave Greg an intense stare, "Wormmon doesn't trust me, but you're different. You trust me."
Greg hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That sounds right. Oh yeah. I got a notebook from Miu, Kaito's sister? This supposedly has information on another Mega Digimon. "
Greg gave Miu's notebook to Zoe and said, "Miu also has a message for you. She said she's sorry."
Zoe's expression softened as she accepted the notebook. "I left Miu in tears... She doesn't need to apologize. But Greg... why do you trust me?"
Greg met her gaze and said, "Because you're my friend."
Zoe hummed thoughtfully, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "A wicked woman could have a lot of fun playing with a heart as trusting as yours."
"Yeah... I guess she could."
----
POV Wormmon.
Wormmon finally met Ceresmon.
"Hello, Ceresmon. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Wormmon greeted warmly.
"Hello, Bait," Ceresmon responded with a gentle smile. "But this isn't our first meeting—you've been living with me for some time now."
"This is the first time I'm formally introducing myself," Wormmon replied. "With Gammamon and the others away, I have something for you."
Wormmon approached Ceresmon and handed her the picture from Miu.
Ceresmon carefully took the picture, her expression softening with a bittersweet smile as she gazed at it.
"It's been so long since I last saw them," Ceresmon said wistfully. "You never forget your first human partner."
"No problem. Miu gave it to me," Wormmon said.
"Miu... Kaito's younger sister," Ceresmon mused. "I met her before—quite the troublemaker. I hope she's doing well."
"I'm sure she is," Wormmon replied with a reassuring tone.
"Thank you for bringing me this picture," Ceresmon said, her voice warm with appreciation. "It brings back happy memories."
"If you don't mind me asking. Were you Zoe's Digimon partner?" Wormmon asked curiously.
"No, I wasn't," Ceresmon replied. "Alphamon is Zoe's partner. With the way the current Digivice works, a human can only have one Digimon partner."
"I see," Wormmon nodded.
----
Wormmon munched on some fruits that Ceresmon had given him while he waited for Gammamon, Jellymon, and Angoramon to return from the forest.
He moved over to the picnic area, carefully laying out the presents he had brought for the three of them on a soft fabric.
Soon, Gammamon, Jellymon, and Angoramon arrived at the camp, their arms full of dry wood.
"Hey guys, I'm back from the human world, and I brought some gifts!" Wormmon greeted them with a cheerful tone.
Gammamon's eyes lit up when he spotted the ball on the blanket. He rushed over, grabbed it, and tossed it into the air with excitement. "This ball is so pretty!"
Jellymon hovered over to the game console and smirked. "I'm claiming this one. Wow, is this the latest console?"
Angoramon curiously picked up the music box and opened it. As the sound of a piano filled the air, he froze, whispering softly, "Ruli…" recognizing the piano tune.
Jellymon's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Who gave us these gifts?"
"The people from the human world," Wormmon replied.
"They remember us?" Angoramon asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Some bonds are hard to sever," Wormmon said.
"Yes, they are," Jellymon added, her tone somber.
----
POV Alphamon
Alphamon noticed Zoe sitting under a tree, engrossed in a notebook.
"Zoe, do you know what our next steps are?" Alphamon inquired.
Zoe looked up thoughtfully. "I was planning to track down Marcus and see if we could negotiate his help against Huanglongmon. I'd also thought about asking Bait to convince his wife, AncientMermaidmon, to join us."
"I don't trust that brute Marcus," Alphamon remarked.
"Neither do I," Zoe admitted. "But with SlashAngemon back and another lead on a Mega Digimon in this notebook, I'm feeling a lot less stressed."
"Huanglongmon won't be easy to defeat," Alphamon warned.
"But we'll succeed, won't we, Alphamon?" Zoe said with a playful wink. "You're my knight in shining armor, after all."
Alphamon puffed out his chest with confidence. "Of course, Zoe. I won't fail."
Zoe smiled warmly. "I know you won't. We'll gather everyone we can and win. And when we've saved the world, we'll build a human city here, and everyone will live happily ever after."
----
POV Angoramon.
Angoramon sat quietly in his tent, the soft melody of the music box filling the air. He had listened to it more than a dozen times, each note transporting him back to a time when he was beside Ruli, listening to her play the piano. The music seemed to carry him to those moments, where he could almost feel her presence beside him again.
As he lost himself in the memories, Zoe entered the tent. She moved slowly, gently wrapping her arms around Angoramon in a comforting embrace.
"You miss her, don't you?" Zoe whispered.
"Of course," Angoramon replied, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Zoe held him a little tighter. "Do you want to come with me to visit her grave?"
Angoramon hesitated, his eyes fixed on the music box. "I don't deserve to see her grave… I couldn't protect her…"
"I know it hurts," Zoe said softly, her own pain evident in her voice. "And I don't think I can say anything to make it better. But don't you want to talk to Ruli? Isn't there so much you want to say to her? I know there's so much I wish I could say to Saki at her grave. It's hard... but maybe we can do it together."
Before Angoramon could respond, Jellymon and Gammamon entered the tent, their expressions determined.
"We'll go too," Jellymon and Gammamon both said in unison.
Angoramon looked down at the music box in his hands, the last notes of the melody fading away. He closed the lid gently and took a deep breath.
"Let's go visit the graves," Angoramon finally said, a hint of resolve in his voice.
Zoe told Ceresmon to go closer to Angel Temple to visit the Graveyard.
----
POV Wormmon.
The next morning, Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head were preparing to leave Zoe's camp.
A small computer orb nestled inside Greg's backpack would serve as their communication link with Zoe's group.
"Why don't you stay a bit longer?" Zoe suggested. "We could take you directly to the tower."
Wormmon shook his head. "There are so many strange things in the Digimon World. I want to explore it more."
Greg added, "Yeah, we still haven't found a perfect solution to our problems."
Zoe chuckled. "Wormmon already has a solution, but he doesn't trust anyone else to protect you, Greg."
Wormmon chimed in, "I'm not abandoning Greg. What Zoe means is that I could return to Earth Bet while you stay safe in the Digimon World."
Greg looked at Wormmon, concerned. "Buddy, you wouldn't leave me behind, right?"
Wormmon responded firmly, "Of course not! I'm never leaving you behind!"
Zoe smiled at their bond. "You two are quite the pair. I wish you a safe journey, and thank you for all your help."
Greg grinned. "No problem. I hope we can meet again."
As they began to leave, Ceresmon called out, "Come back if you want more fruit!"
Angoramon shouted, "I hope to see you soon!"
Jellymon added with a smirk, "If you die, I'll resurrect you myself just to kill you again!"
Gammamon waved. "Take care!"
Greg, Wormmon, and Blastmon-Head continue their journey through the Digimon World.
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Zoe Orimoto
Zoe lay sprawled on her water bed inside the soft glow of her tent. A single candle flickered nearby, casting a warm light across her surroundings and illuminating the notepad she held.
The notepad, brought back from the Human World, was a treasure trove of stories and knowledge. Each page contained Miu's meticulous handwriting, chronicling the daring adventures of other DigiDestined who had gone on expeditions to distant corners of the Digital World.
What captivated her most, however, were the detailed notes about Mega Digimon. Some names were unfamiliar. Zoe was determined to find them.
The night grew deeper, and Zoe felt fatigue creeping into her mind. She glanced toward the tent's entrance, half-expecting one of the Digimon—Gammamon, Angoramon, or Jellymon—to appear. They often visited her, curling up nearby or even climbing into bed for comfort.
But the entrance remained quiet, the only sound the rustling leaves outside. A small pang of loneliness echoed in her chest as she realized she'd be sleeping alone tonight. Closing the notepad, she set it beside the candle, blew out the flame, and let the darkness envelop her.
As sleep claimed her, her dreams carried her far from the safety of her tent. She saw flashes of her past, the Digidestined War.
---
Once upon a time, in a world scarred by a great nuclear war, there was a young girl named Zoe. She lived in the Shelter in which the A.I. Tranquility governed and was surrounded by many friends. They laughed together, shared stories, and made the best of the broken world they were born into. Life, though difficult, was filled with warmth and companionship.
But one fateful day, everything changed. Zoe discovered she had been given a strange and powerful gift. By simply gazing into someone's eyes, she could see deep into their soul—reading their emotions, their thoughts, and even glimpses of their past. She named this mysterious ability SOUL GAZE. At first, Zoe thought it might be a blessing, something that would allow her to connect even more deeply with her friends.
Yet, as she looked into their eyes, the truth that lay beneath their smiles began to unravel. She saw how some of her friends were jealous of her beauty and charm, while others found her bubbly nature irritating. Their hidden thoughts were sharp as knives, cutting her in ways she could never have imagined. Zoe tried to ignore these painful truths and hold on to the friendships she had once cherished. But her power was too strong, uncontrollable. It showed her things she never wished to see.
Overwhelmed by the darkness she uncovered in those she loved, Zoe withdrew. She locked herself away, retreating into her room, far from the eyes that betrayed their secrets. She realized then that the world was an ugly place, filled with hidden shadows behind every kind word and smile.
What she had thought was a gift, Zoe now knew was a curse—a curse that would keep her isolated, unable to trust or be trusted. And so she lived alone, watching the world from behind closed doors, haunted by the truth she could never unsee.
----
Zoe's world had grown painfully small. She spent years in her room, cut off from everyone. Day after day, her routine never changed—wake up, eat, and scroll through the web, hoping to find something that would spark even a flicker of interest. But nothing ever did. Life felt like it was passing her by, yet she remained stuck, neither truly living nor completely numb.
Sometimes, she would think about her old friends, and a dull ache would settle in her heart. She missed them, but the thought of facing them with her uncontrollable power was unbearable.
More than once, she toyed with the idea of replacing her eyes, ridding herself of the cursed power of Soul Gaze. But something always held her back—a hesitation she couldn't quite explain.
One day, Tranquility, the AI that governed the Shelter, appeared, its voice calm and unwavering as it hovered above. "Zoe, you have been conscripted for the Digimon Explorations. The details will be sent to you."
Moments later, a message flashed in front of her, and a hologram flickered to life. A woman, dressed in a striking costume, introduced herself. "Hello, I am Darcmon. My world is in danger, and we need DigiDestined—humans who partner with Digimon—to save it. Help us, and we will share our world with you."
Zoe's heart raced as she frantically searched for information about this Digimon World. It was an alternate dimension world untouched by pollution, filled with strange and wondrous creatures called Digimon.
Tranquility had struck a deal with Darcmon, sending humans to the Digimon World to help save it. Zoe was one of only a hundred people chosen for the mission.
Her hands trembled as she took it all in. She shook her head, despair creeping into her voice. "Has the world gone crazy?"
----
The next day, Zoe and the rest of the expedition gathered together, surrounded by hundreds of Darcmon.
Zoe tried to avoid making eye contact, but every now and then, her gaze would meet someone's, and in an instant, she would know everything about them. Through her Soul Gaze, she learned she wasn't the only one feeling afraid.
Kiyoshiro Higashimitarai, another human conscripted to go to Digmon World, might have been a genius, but he was clearly paralyzed with fear. He was a true coward at heart.
On the other hand, Shuuji Kayama seemed more concerned with proving himself as the leader—though there were other motives hidden beneath his confidence.
Menoa Bellucci's soul was especially unusual. When Zoe accidentally used her Soul Gaze on her, she glimpsed something horrifying. Wars. Betrayal. The end of humanity. Scene of countless people dying. The final image was her standing in a lab.
As Zoe processed this, one of the Darcmon approached her, bowed, and said, "I am Darcmon. I'll be helping you acclimate to our world."
Zoe said, "Nice to meet you. I am Zoe Orimoto."
Unable to resist, Zoe used her Soul Gaze on Darcmon. She saw the Digimon's entire life, experiencing the beauty of the Digimon World through her eyes. It was simple, humble, but their nobility in the way Darcmon lived.
Zoe donned her orange protective suit as she and the other 99 DigiDestined stepped out into the frozen wasteland. Breathing inside the suit was tough, but the real challenge was leaving the shelter. Normally, Tranquility would transport them using its telekinetic field, sparing them the trouble of walking.
Zoe wasn't used to walking for long stretches; it felt like an astronaut, once weightless on the moon, now burdened by Earth's harsh gravity.
"Zoe, we need to move," Darcmon urged.
Darcmon acted as their escort to the Digimon Portal.
Zoe groaned, "Can you carry me?"
Others around her were struggling too. Their Darcmon guides were trying to help the weak Digidestine move forward.
"You need more exercise if a short walk tires you out this much," Darcmon replied, unimpressed, while carrying Zoe's large bag. Zoe didn't even need to use Soul Gaze to feel how unimpressed the Darcmon were.
"This is horrible. I'm a delicate girl," Zoe complained, but Darcmon didn't seem amused.
With a muttered curse, Zoe began walking again. The Digimon portal was only two miles from the shelter, but to Zoe and the others, it felt like a hundred miles away.
----
One hundred humans and one hundred Darcmon stepped through the portal into the Digimon World.
It had been a struggle to decontaminate everyone from the radiation and guide them safely away from the portal.
The humans left the temple as they wandered outside, where a breeze played through the soft grass. Trees swayed gently in the wind, and the clouds looked like wisps of cotton candy.
Zoe never realized how vibrant the sky could be. It was the deepest blue she had ever seen. She kneeled down, running her fingers through the cool grass, marveling at the sensation. Some of the humans dashed ahead, eager to explore, while others cried out in joy. The air itself felt fresh and pure, like nothing they had known before. A cheer spreads through the group as they bathe in the vitality of this world.
Then, as if summoned by magic, a small creature began to materialize in front of Zoe. She wasn't alone—across the clearing, other strange creatures appeared before the humans, each unique in shape and color.
Zoe's eyes widened as a purple fuzzball with four legs stood before her.
"Hi, I'm Dorimon!" the Digimon chirped.
Curious, Zoe used her Soul Gaze, peering into the creature's essence. She saw its purity, its eagerness, and the uncontainable joy of meeting her. This wasn't just any creature—this was her partner.
With a soft smile, Zoe crouched down and extended a hand. "Hello, little guy. I'm Zoe."
"Zoe!" Dorimon leaped into her arms, and she instinctively hugged him close.
Around her, other humans were meeting their own Digimon partners, forming the first bonds of friendship in this new world.
Before long, all the humans and their in-training Digimon were listening to Leader Darcmon.
"Digidestined, it's crucial that you build a strong bond with your partner Digimon," Darcmon explained. "The deeper your connection, the more powerful your Digimon will become. As your bond grows, your Digimon will evolve into bigger and stronger forms. This will be the key to defeating the threat that seeks to destroy the Digimon World."
Someone from the crowd asked, "What threat?"
Darcmon's expression darkened. "Huanglongmon. A powerful Mega Digimon who was sealed away long ago. Your first goal is to help your Digimon reach the Mega stage. Right now, they are at the In-Training level. The evolution stages go from Fresh to In-Training, Rookie, Champion, Ultimate, and finally, Mega."
Darcmon continued, "Once your partner Digimon reaches the Mega stage, you will need to gather four Mega Digimon as the new Pillars of the Digimon World. These Pillars will form a pact with Yggdrasil, the Digimon God. In return, the Pillars will gain the ability to reshape the world and gain unimaginable power. It will be a race to see who can gather Four Mega Digimons. If you defeat Huanglongmon, the one who will destroy the Digimon World, your reward will be a new world where humans and Digimon can live together."
Another voice in the crowd asked, "What should we do now?"
"For now, rest," Darcmon said. "Tomorrow, your training begins. You'll need to build up your stamina, so prepare yourselves."
Zoe frowned, not thrilled by the thought of training.
---
That night, everyone stayed in the enormous Temple, a structure so vast it felt like it was built for giants.
Saki Kimishima approached Zoe with a bright smile. "Hey! Nice to meet you, I'm Saki."
Zoe glanced at her briefly, avoiding direct eye contact. "Uh, hi... I'm Zoe."
"Wanna have a sleepover together?" Saki asked, her voice full of excitement.
Zoe shook her head slightly. "I don't think I can be around people..."
Saki's smile faltered, her disappointment clear. "Oh... that's too bad."
Zoe quickly walked away, with Dorimon following at her heels. Maybe one day, when she could control her Soul Gaze, she'd make human friends.
In her small, bare room, Zoe unpacked her supplies and set up her bed. She sat down and began nibbling on some nutrition bars, her mind elsewhere.
Dorimon, watching intently, asked, "Can I have a bite?"
Zoe looked down at her small Digimon partner, then handed over a piece of the bar. Dorimon took a bite and immediately gagged, coughing in disgust. "That tastes awful!"
Zoe chuckled lightly. "It's not meant to taste good. It's made from insects, mushrooms, and fish—carefully cultivated by Tranquility to keep us alive. It's not exactly a treat, but it does the job. I can't live on cookies, after all."
"Why not?" Dorimon asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion.
Zoe smiled. "Because I'm human, and I need proper nutrition. You're a Digimon, so it's different for you."
Dorimon flopped over onto his side before springing back up. "So... what do we do now?"
Zoe sighed softly. "We're supposed to sleep."
"I'm not tired!" Dorimon declared and immediately started darting around the room, bouncing with boundless energy.
Zoe watched with a resigned smile. This was starting to feel like taking care of a hyperactive puppy or a toddler who refused to sleep.
After thinking for a moment, she offered, "How about I tell you a bedtime story?"
Dorimon paused mid-jump, eyes wide with excitement. "A story? What story?"
Zoe thought for a moment. "How about the myth Fate Stay Night by Nasu?"
As Dorimon settled down, eager to listen, Zoe began telling the tale, her voice soft and steady, hoping to lull her little Digimon into rest.
----
The next morning, Zoe and the other humans gathered in front of Darcmon in a wide, open field. Everyone had been given gym uniforms for the day's training.
"Your task is simple," Darcmon instructed. "Run around the field four times."
As they began running, Zoe quickly fell behind, her breath coming in hard gasps. Her body struggled to keep up with the others.
Saki ran beside her, keeping pace. Zoe's heart pounded in her chest, and she felt like she could barely keep moving.
Suddenly, Saki stumbled and fell to the ground.
Zoe slowed, then stopped, walking back to her. "You okay? Let me help you up."
Saki, with a dramatic groan, replied, "Leave me here... I'm going to die."
Zoe reached down to help her up, unintentionally making eye contact. In that instant, her Soul Gaze activated.
She saw Saki's life—how she had been born weak, always frail, destined not to live past her eighteenth birthday. Despite that, Saki never gave in to despair. She lived each day with a smile, hiding years of quiet suffering beneath it.
Shaken, Zoe asked in a trembling voice, "How are you so strong?"
Saki looked at her and softly said, "I'm not strong."
Zoe didn't reply. She simply helped Saki back to her feet, and together, they continued running, side by side.
----
The following day.
Without the web to pass the time, Zoe knew she'd need to find a new hobby. In the absence of technology, the Darcmon had kindly returned to the Shelter in the Human World to bring back some supplies.
One girl, Ruli Tsukiyono, received a piano, filling the air with soft melodies for others to enjoy. Some people asked for handheld game consoles or computer orbs. The orbs had thousands of applications, but without the internet, their use was limited—nothing like they had been back in the Shelter, where they even floated.
Zoe had simpler tastes. She requested playing cards, enjoying games like blackjack and solitaire. She figured the computer orb would be mostly useless in the wild anyway.
One evening, after receiving the cards from Darcmon, Zoe sat in her room with Dorimon bouncing eagerly at the sight of them.
"Want to play Go Fish?" she asked.
Dorimon's eyes lit up. "Yes!"
But much to both of their disappointment, Dorimon quickly realized that without arms, he couldn't hold the cards.
Zoe sighed and thought for a moment. Go Fish and blackjack were out, and solitaire was a solo game. Then it hit her. "Let's play Concentration!"
Concentration was a game where players took turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find matching pairs.
Zoe laid the cards face down on the ground and explained, "You need to find matching cards. Flip two at a time, and if you find a pair, you keep them."
Dorimon's eyes sparkled with excitement, but he eagerly flipped over several cards at once.
"Wait, you can only flip two cards," Zoe corrected gently. "Then it's my turn."
"But I want to win!" Dorimon pouted.
Zoe chuckled. "It's more fun when you play by the rules. Winning feels even better that way."
As they played, Dorimon slowly started to get the hang of it, though he wasn't very good at remembering where the cards were. Still, he celebrated when he found a few pairs. "I win!" he declared proudly, holding up his four collected cards.
Zoe smiled gently. "I've got more cards, so I win this time."
Dorimon looked shocked, staring at Zoe's larger pile. "Let's play again!" His eyes blazed with determination.
Zoe couldn't help but smile and nod. Dorimon was so eager to win, yet so bad at the game, constantly making mistakes. Part of her wanted to let him win, but as the game went on, it was harder than she thought to lose on purpose.
By the end, despite her intentions, Zoe won again. Dorimon, undeterred, immediately demanded another rematch, eyes shining with adorable stubbornness.
Zoe chuckled softly. It seemed Dorimon wouldn't stop until he tasted victory. How cute.
----
In one of the larger rooms of the Temple, a makeshift cafeteria had been set up where Zoe often went to grab fish or snacks for Dorimon to munch on. The cookies there were especially tempting—too delicious for their own good. The first time Zoe had one, she couldn't stop eating, but now she tried to practice some restraint, mindful of her figure.
As Zoe entered the cafeteria, she spotted Hiro Amanokawa, as usual, tidying up with his partner Digimon, Gurimon, by his side. Hiro was always cleaning, despite the chore wheel assigning tasks to everyone. Somehow, most people managed to push their responsibilities onto him.
Zoe hesitated for a moment, then used her Soul Gaze to peer into Hiro's essence. She saw a kind, selfless soul—someone who genuinely enjoyed helping others and had a deep well of compassion. But seeing how others took advantage of him made Zoe feel a pang of guilt.
When she noticed Hiro struggling with a load of garbage bags, she stepped forward. "Let me give you a hand with that," Zoe offered.
Hiro blinked in surprise, looking slightly puzzled. "Are you sure?"
Zoe nodded, and together they carried the bags outside.
As they walked, Zoe glanced at Hiro and said, "You know, it might be better if you learned to say no sometimes. People are starting to take advantage of you."
Hiro smiled, his usual warmth shining through. "I don't mind helping others," he replied.
Zoe sighed softly. She didn't know what else to say—it was hard to argue with someone who was so naturally giving.
----
The next day.
Everyone was making improvements little by little. Even Zoe was more in shape and had energy to take Dorimon for a walk.
Zoe hummed to herself as she strolled along the winding path, the sun casting golden rays across the sky. Dorimon, her tiny, curious Digimon partner, padded by her side, sniffing at flowers.
As they walked, Zoe spotted a figure seated on a low stone wall near the edge of the meadow. Menoa, an unsetting, distant woman Zoe had seen around but never truly spoken to, was hunched over a canvas, deep in concentration. Paint stained her hands, and her brush moved with practiced grace, capturing something intense on the surface.
Curious, Zoe approached, careful not to startle her. "What are you painting?" she asked.
Menoa glanced up briefly, her expression tired but focused. "Sisyphus," she replied softly, turning her attention back to her work. "I'm painting him... pushing the boulder."
Zoe tilted her head. "Sisyphus? I've heard the name before, but what's his story?"
Without looking away from her painting, Menoa began to speak, her voice distant. "Sisyphus was a king who defied the gods. He tricked death itself, thought he could escape fate. But the gods punished him. He was condemned to push a boulder up a hill for eternity. Every time he reached the top, the boulder would roll back down, and he would have to start all over again." Her brush moved in slow, deliberate strokes, capturing the anguish in Sisyphus' face. "No matter how hard he tries, he never succeeds. His struggle is pointless."
Zoe frowned, staring at the image of Sisyphus in the painting. "That's… sad. To work so hard and for nothing. But he still keeps going?"
Menoa's eyes flickered with something—pain, bitterness. "Yes. He keeps going. But what's the point when the end is always the same? It's like life. We struggle, we try, but in the end, nothing ever changes. People betray you. They hurt you. They destroy everything good."
Zoe didn't know what to say. She looked at Menoa's painting again. It was beautiful, the colors vivid and raw, capturing the weariness and determination in Sisyphus' form as he strained against the boulder. Despite the tragic story, there was something powerful in it, something that resonated with Zoe's belief in the resilience of the human spirit.
"You did an amazing job," Zoe said softly. "It's beautiful."
For the first time, Menoa's gaze softened, just a little. "Thank you." She paused, her eyes lingering on the painting. Then, without warning, she dipped her brush into white paint and began to cover the image, sweeping the brush across the canvas until all that was left was a blank, white slate.
Zoe gasped. "Why... why would you do that? It was so beautiful..."
Menoa didn't hesitate, her voice was calm and firm. "To make something new, sometimes you have to destroy the old." She set the brush down, her hands still streaked with color, but her expression unreadable. "It's the only way forward."
Zoe felt a chill, a sense of unease creeping into her chest. With a small goodbye, Zoe and Dorimon left Menoa and her painting.
----
A week passed. The humans were now in better physical shape.
An impromptu meeting occurred. The Darcmon gave permission for the humans to be allowed to leave the temple.
In a bonfire in the middle of the field. Every human and Digimon partner gathered.
Shuuji said, "We need to reconnect with Tranquility at the shelter. It's the only logical step. The A.I. was designed to keep us safe—it should be the one to decide our next course of action."
Menoa said firmly, "We're not in the Shelter anymore. This is a new world—the Digimon World. It's the perfect time and place for humanity to chart its own path. We should be making decisions for ourselves, not relying on a machine."
Zoe saw the flicker of anger with Menoa, she truly hated the A.I. It was somewhat queasy since everyone was raised and taught by Tranquaily, it was the closest to being a guardian for everyone.
Hiro said, "Maybe Menoa has a point. This world is so vast and new. It might be better to explore and figure things out on our own, at least for now. We don't know what's out there, and we might learn a lot."
Shuuji said, "I understand the appeal of that, Hiro, but Tranquility was keeping us safe. This world could be dangerous. I'd rather have its guidance than wander around without a plan."
Menoa shakes her head and says, "We're not in the shelter anymore, Shuuji. We have freedom now. This is our chance to create our own laws, our own structure, without the limitations of Tranquility telling us what's safe and what's not."
Hiro said, "What if we did both? I mean, maybe we explore the land, but also find a way to build something here—a settlement, somewhere humans can feel at home."
Shuuji yelled, "A settlement? They'll get killed! We don't even know what's out here. We need to be cautious, not reckless."
Menoa gestured broadly to everyone around, his voice strong with conviction, "And the people here deserve the freedom to choose for themselves. Whether they want to explore, settle, or even leave, that should be their decision. We're no longer bound by the walls of the shelter."
Hiro nodded and said, "Exactly. Everyone here has a choice. We can't force them into one path. But if we're careful and work together, maybe we can build something great... without relying on Tranquility for everything."
The humans were offered freedom. What choice would they make?
Zoe wondered what choice she would make.
The conversation turned into a debate, and the night continued.
----
Zoe was in her room and sat on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her heart heavy with indecision. She sighed, her mind whirling with the choices before her.
Three groups. Three paths, and she didn't know which one to take.
Hiro's group wanted to settle in the Digimon World, to build a safe haven where humans and Digimon could live together.
Then there was Menoa's group, the adventurers, the explorers who wanted to carve their path through the Digimon World. To be the first to uncover its secrets, its dangers, and its wonders.
And finally, there was Shuuji's group. He wanted to follow Tranquility's guidance, to trust the AI and its decisions, to bring order to the chaos of the Digimon World.
Dorimon, who had been quietly watching her from the foot of the bed, padded over and nuzzled against her leg. "Zoe? What's wrong?" His voice was soft, concerned.
Zoe hesitated for a moment, then let out a frustrated breath. "I don't know what to do," she confessed. "There are three groups—Hiro, Menoa, and Shuuji. All of them have a different idea of what to do in the Digimon World, and I... I don't know which one is right." She paused, her hands clutching the edge of the bed. "I don't know what I want. What if I choose wrong? What if I mess everything up?"
Dorimon tilted his head, his small eyes glowing with warmth. "Zoe, no matter what you choose, you can always fix your mistakes. You can always make things right. And I'll be with you," Dorimon continued, his voice filled with loyalty. "No matter what you choose, I'll be there."
Zoe's heart softened, the tension in her shoulders loosening just a bit. She wasn't alone. She had Dorimon. And maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to have all the answers right now.
"I don't even know if I want this anymore," she admitted quietly. "This power Soul Gaze... It's too much. I think… I think I want to fix it. Or remove it, if I can."
Dorimon listened carefully, his small paws resting on the bed. "The Digimon World is full of mysteries," he said gently. "Maybe there's an answer there. Maybe you can find a way to change it, to make it better."
Zoe gazed at him, the heaviness in her chest lifting slightly. "You think so?"
"I know so," Dorimon said with certainty. "If anyone can figure it out, it's you."
Zoe smiled softly, the first genuine smile she had felt all evening. "Thank you, Dorimon. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Dorimon's small body tensed as the energy surged through him. His eyes widened, and he glanced up at Zoe with a mixture of excitement and fear.
"Zoe," he began, his voice trembling. "Something's happening…"
Before Zoe could respond, a bright light exploded around Dorimon, enveloping him completely. The glow was so intense that she had to shield her eyes.
"Dorimon!" Zoe called out, her voice filled with worry.
Suddenly, the light began to shift, swirling and changing, as if it were shaping something new. Zoe could only watch in amazement as Dorimon's small form began to grow. Dorimon now appeared to be a furry purple raptor with a red gem in his forehead.
"Dorumon!" the Digimon cried, his voice filled with excitement.
"I... I have hands!" Dorumon exclaimed, flexing his new fingers in amazement. He wiggled them, laughed, and clapped his hands together, pure joy radiating from him. "Zoe, look! I can grab things now! I can hold stuff!"
Zoe couldn't help but laugh, her heart swelling with pride and wonder. "You've evolved! Dorumon, you look incredible!"
As Zoe marveled at Dorumon's new form, something else caught her attention. A small object appeared, floating in the air before her. It was a Digivice—lavender in color.
Zoe reached out, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the Digivice. It felt warm in her hand, like it had a life of its own.
She held it up, staring at it in disbelief. "A Digivice?"
Dorumon beamed, his new hands clenched into excited fists. "Zoe, you have a Digivice now! That means we're partners!".
"We're partners," Zoe whispered, her eyes shining as she looked at Dorumon. "No matter what happens, we're in this together."
----
Zoe and Dorumon stood at the entrance of the Temple, ready to set off and explore the Digimon World.
Saki and her friends gathered to say their goodbyes.
"Are you sure you want to head out on your own?" Saki asked with concern. "You could always join our group."
Zoe shook her head. "I'll be fine. Besides, I need to figure some things out—maybe I'll find the answers I'm looking for out there."
Saki sighed. "I guess there's no convincing you otherwise. Take care, Zoe."
Zoe nodded. "You too, Saki. Stay safe."
Dorumon puffed up with pride. "Don't worry, I'll protect Zoe like a true knight in shining armor!"
Saki smiled warmly. "I'm sure you will. Goodbye, and good luck."
With a small smile, Zoe waved. "Goodbye."
And with that, Zoe and Dorumon left the Temple, embarking on their journey into the vast and unknown Digimon World.
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Zoe.
Six weeks later.
Zoe felt the wind whip against her face as Dorugamon soared through the sky, her thoughts swirling. She had been through so much in the Digimon World. Now, she was finally ready to interact with humans.
It was just then that the cries of the Baby Digimon cut through the air like a knife.
"Dorugamon, do you hear that?" Zoe called out.
Dorugamon's eyes narrowed. "I hear it. Sounds like trouble."
"Let's go," Zoe said without hesitation.
Dorugamon banked sharply, diving toward the source of the cries. When they reached the ground, Zoe's stomach churned at the sight before her. Two Digidestined, dressed in green, were locking up a group of Baby Digimon. Their tiny faces were streaked with tears, and their little bodies shook in terror. Dorugamon let out a deep, rumbling roar.
"What do you think you're doing?" He bellowed, his voice echoing across the field.
The female Digidestined, standing next to her Meramon, looked up with a sneer. "A wandering Digidestined. We captured these Digimon for our Roaring Team. Led by the peerless Menoa. We will change the Digimon World."
The male Digidestined, his Vilemon beside him, smirked. "We're going to use them for an experiment. It's all for the good of humanity."
Zoe's heart dropped. "You're experimenting on babies?!" she shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of disgust and fury.
She wanted answers. She needed to know how anyone could be capable of such heartless actions. Zoe focused her Soul Gaze on the male Digidesitnes and realized the metal sunglasses blocked her power. She then activates as her eyes locked onto Meramon. In an instant, she was no longer standing in the open field. Instead, she was inside a cold, sterile lab—an unfamiliar place where Digimon Fresh, In-Training, and Champions were submerged in tubes filled with strange liquid. Menoa was there, observing the tubes with a calculated expression, her eyes cold and distant.
Zoe snapped back to reality, gasping for air as the scene dissipated. She could still hear the desperate sobs of the Baby Digimon in the cages.
"You monsters!" she shouted, her voice breaking with emotion.
Dorugamon snarled beside her, his wings quivering with barely-contained fury. "This ends now. I won't stand by and let you hurt them."
The female Digidestined adjusted her metal sunglasses and sneered again. "Too bad. We're going to reshape this world, and these Digimon will help us do it. You can't stop us."
Dorugamon swiftly took control of the battle, his fury evident as he prepared his next move. Without hesitation, he unleashed his Cannonball, launching a massive, glowing metal sphere through the air with deadly precision. The ball hurtled toward Vilemon and Meramon with incredible force, crashing into them before they could react.
The impact was devastating. Vilemon was knocked out of the sky, spinning uncontrollably before crashing into the ground. Meramon's flames flickered wildly as he tried to withstand the blow, but the sheer power of the attack was too much. The force of the cannonball extinguished his flames, and he fell to the ground beside his partner, defeated.
Dorugamon's overwhelming power left no room for retaliation, and the two enemy Digimon lay motionless, completely outmatched by the speed and strength of his attack. The battle had ended in seconds, leaving Zoe standing victorious alongside her partner, both determined to protect the Baby Digimon from further harm.
Zoe stepped forward, her eyes burning with anger as she prepared to interrogate the two Digidestined. They had caused so much pain and suffering, and she needed answers—answers about their twisted experiments and about Menoa's plans.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a faint beeping sound interrupted her thoughts.
Her eyes darted toward the source of the sound. The male and female Digidestined, now on their knees, were frantically touching their metal sunglasses, their expressions twisting into pure terror.
"No... no, please!" The female Digidestined cried out. "Menoa, give us another chance!"
The male Digidestined, equally panicked, echoed her plea. "We can fix this! Just—please!"
Before Zoe could react, a chilling realization hit her, but it was too late.
Boom!
The metal sunglasses on both of their faces detonated in a violent explosion. The force of the blast echoed through the air, and when the smoke cleared, the two Digidestined lay motionless on the ground, their bodies lifeless.
Zoe's heart pounded as she stared at the grim scene in shock.
It took Zoe a while to fully grasp what she had just witnessed. The sudden, brutal end to the two Digidestined left her shaken, and she found herself needing to sit down to process everything. The explosion, their pleas, the cold efficiency with which Menoa had disposed of them—it all swirled in her mind.
While she collected her thoughts, Dorugamon quietly moved to free the Baby Digimon from their cages. As the tiny creatures scrambled to safety, Vilemon and Meramon, now powerless and defeated, fled into the distance without looking back.
Zoe sighed, frustration and determination swirling inside her. She needed answers—more than ever now—and she was going to find them, no matter what. Steeling herself, she climbed back onto Dorugamon's back, and together they soared into the sky.
A pair of eyes watched Zoe and Dorugamon leave from the shadows of a tree.
----
Zoe rode atop Dorugamon, she spotted the temple she had been searching for—the place where she believed humans might have settled. The thought of confronting them filled her with uncertainty.
Dorugamon's gentle voice broke through her thoughts. "We're almost there, Zoe. Are you ready?"
Taking a deep breath, Zoe nodded. "I guess we'll find out soon enough," she said quietly. "Let's hope they don't turn out to be like the others."
As they soared closer to the temple, Zoe couldn't shake the mixture of dread and hope stirring inside her. The confrontation, one way or another, was inevitable.
Dorugamon stopped in front of the Temple.
Zoe climbed off the Digimon back and said, "It will be easier for you to go through the temple if you are smaller."
Dorugamon said, "That makes sense."
Dorugamon de-digivolve to Dorumon.
Zoe walked toward the entrance of the temple, with Dorumon by her side, his eyes darting around in curiosity. As they approached the entrance, two Darcmon stood guard.
One of the Darcmon greeted her with a nod, saying, "You may enter. Your personal Darcmon Guide awaits inside."
Zoe felt a bit of tension leave her shoulders as she entered the temple. Her Darcmon Guide, whom she hadn't seen in ages, rushed toward her the moment she stepped inside.
"Zoe! You're alive! I was worried when you didn't return for so long," her guide said, her voice filled with relief.
Zoe smiled softly. "I've gotten tougher since then. Dorumon helped me along the way," she said, glancing at Dorumon, who puffed out his chest, beaming at the compliment.
Darcmon nodded, pleased. "I'm glad to hear that. But you must have faced many challenges."
Zoe's expression turned serious as she asked, "What about the other Digidestined? I came here to learn about them."
The Darcmon guide's expression shifted as well, becoming more solemn. "The humans are currently settling by the riverbank to the east. They're building a settlement. I heard there was infighting between the Digidestined.
Zoe took a deep breath. She was going to have to go to the settlement and figure out what was going on with the Digidestines.
First, Zoe spent a few minutes recounting her journey to Darcmon guide, from the battles she had faced to the growth she experienced alongside Dorumon. After sharing her story, Zoe was ready to leave.
"It's time to meet with the other Digidestines," Zoe declared, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The Darcmon nodded in understanding and said, "Take care, Zoe and Dorumon."
Zoe smiled and said, "I will."
Darcmon watched as Zoe and Dorumon left and made their way toward the settlement to the east.
----
Zoe sat on Dorugamon's back as they soared above the landscape, the wind rushing through her hair. The temple grew smaller in the distance as they flew toward the riverbank, where the humans were setting up camp. Zoe's thoughts raced, her heart pounding slightly.
Dorugamon glanced back at her, his deep, reassuring voice breaking the silence. "Are you scared, Zoe?"
Zoe let out a small sigh, her grip tightening on Dorugamon's scales. "A little," she admitted. "It's been a while since I've spoken to other humans. I've grown used to talking with Digimon… they're so much simpler than people."
Dorugamon tilted his head slightly, curious. "How so?"
Zoe smiled faintly, thinking of her travels and the bond she'd built with Dorumon. "Digimon have straightforward emotions. They're honest and easier to understand. But people… people are so much more complicated. They hide things, sometimes even from themselves. Their emotions are layered and messy. I'm not sure if I'm ready to handle that again."
If they were the same kind of people who had captured and experimented on Digimon, she knew she'd have no choice but to fight.
But if they were innocent, that scared her even more. Interacting with people had never been easy for Zoe. She avoided others because of her Soul Gaze, a power that allowed her to peer deeply into someone's emotions and memories. For a long time, it had overwhelmed her. Learning to control it took everything she had.
She wasn't sure how to be polite or kind anymore—her social skills had grown rusty from avoiding interactions. What if she said something wrong or hurtful? Her mind raced with possibilities, but she forced herself to stay calm.
Zoe spotted a wooden fence from the sky, a boundary that marked the start of something unexpected: farmland. As Dorugamon descended, the sight below felt like stepping back in time. She'd seen farms in movies before but never experienced one in real life. It was fascinating—rows of crops, Digimon working the land, and humans tending to the fields side by side with their partners.
Dorugamon landed near the farmers, where Zoe noticed three people standing among the crops with their Digimon. Takuma Momozuka, along with his partner Agumon, waved at her, his friendly demeanor already putting her at ease. Aoi Shibuya, with her loyal Labramon by her side, had a mature, big-sister-like aura, watching over the work with care. Minoru Hinata was joking with his partner, Falcomon, his energy lightening the atmosphere.
Zoe approached cautiously, nerves gnawing at her. She did her best to keep her Soul Gaze ability in check, but the anxiety was there—what if these humans were like the ones who captured and experimented on Digimon? Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, though she tried to sound firm. "Are you part of the Team that experiments on Digimon?"
Takuma was quick to respond, shaking his head with urgency. "No, definitely not! We're not part of Menoa's Roaring Team. In fact, we've fought against them before."
Minoru, always more casual, chimed in, "Yeah, we're the Survive Team. We're nothing like them."
Zoe's instincts screamed at her to be cautious, but she let her Soul Gaze activate on Takuma, just enough to figure out his truthfulness. His honesty and sincerity calmed her nerves slightly, though she still felt on edge. "I'm sorry," she said hesitantly, fidgeting with her hands. "I just thought... I thought you might be enemies who hurt Digimon."
Takuma softened his expression. "I don't like them either. From what I've heard, they're trying to create an Artificial Mega Digimon."
Zoe's heart sank. "That doesn't give them the right to experiment on Digimon. They're living beings, with emotions and intelligence."
Aoi, standing beside Labramon, nodded. "We agree. We want to stop them, too."
Minoru sighed. "The problem is, they're good at hiding. We've got our hands full, and we don't even know where their base is."
Zoe nodded, her anxiety still bubbling beneath the surface, though she didn't blame them. "I understand. I'm not accusing you."
In an attempt to steer the conversation away from her unease, Zoe glanced at the crops. "So, what are you growing here?"
Aoi brightened a little. "Potatoes. We've been planting potato seeds."
Zoe blinked, surprised. "Potato seeds? I didn't even know those existed."
Aoi explained with a smile, "Tranquility provided the genetic data for them. That's how we got the seeds."
Zoe's face soured slightly. "We could've done that in the shelter."
Takuma shrugged. "There wasn't enough space to feed everyone."
Zoe had to admit that made sense. Growing mushrooms and insects caused a number of casualties.
----
Zoe followed Aoi as they walked through the dense trees of the human settlement, her eyes scanning the log houses perched above the forest floor. The air smelled of fresh wood and damp earth, but something about the scene felt off to her—too many houses, too few people.
Aoi led her toward a large open area, pointing out the lunch spot where the settlers gathered for meals. "This is where we all eat together," Aoi said softly. "The storage is just over there."
Zoe nodded, but her attention lingered on the log houses. More than twenty of them dotted the treetops, sturdy but silent. She furrowed her brow and turned to Aoi, her voice low. "There are only five of you here, right? So why so many houses?"
Aoi's face darkened, a brief shadow passing over her expression. "Most of us didn't make it," she replied. "At first, there were more. But between the environment and the dangers in the Digimon World, people started… disappearing. Some couldn't even raise their Digimon past the Fresh stage."
Zoe felt a chill creep up her spine. "That doesn't make sense," she muttered. The idea that some DigiDestined couldn't help their Digimon digivolve beyond Fresh was almost unthinkable to her, as if the bond between humans and Digimon had somehow failed them. She shook her head. "Why couldn't vehicles be transported to help you all survive?"
Aoi gave a sad smile, shaking her head. "Decontaminating them would've been impossible. We don't have the means here, and the risks are too high."
Zoe's grim realization settled deeper within her, the harsh reality of survival in this world becoming clearer with every word Aoi spoke. As they walked further, Aoi mentioned something else, her voice softer this time. "There are three others in another settlement. They're trying to build a wall… and they've managed to create artificial ToyAgumons to help."
Zoe stopped in her tracks, her mind racing. "Artificial ToyAgumons?" she repeated, her tone incredulous. "Why go through the trouble of making a Digimon for labor?"
Aoi shrugged, looking just as puzzled. "I'm not sure, but they're succeeding. It's strange, but in this world, you get used to things being… different."
As Zoe and Aoi continued their walk through the settlement, Aoi led her past another log building perched high among the trees. "And that's our bath house," Aoi pointed out, motioning to a structure that stood a little farther away from the rest of the houses.
Zoe glanced up at it, noticing the simplicity of its design—like the others, no glass, no metal, just wood. It blended into the forest almost seamlessly. "You managed to build a bathhouse up here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aoi smiled gently, "You should try, it's amazing."
Zoe looked at the Bathhouse in anticipation.
Zoe entered the bathhouse and took a nice relaxing bath.
Zoe sank deeper into the warm water of the bathhouse, her muscles relaxing for the first time in what felt like forever. The steam rose lazily around her, and for a moment, it was easy to forget the harsh reality outside. She hadn't had a proper bath since entering the Digimon World, and the feeling of the soothing water against her skin made her almost giddy with relief. The log walls of the bathhouse surrounded her, and through the small gaps in the wood, she could catch glimpses of the trees swaying outside.
Nearby, Dorumon splashed happily, his tail slapping the surface of the water with playful abandon. He let out a joyful noise, darting around the bath, sending small waves splashing back toward Zoe.
"Hey, easy!" Zoe laughed, wiping droplets off her face. But there was no frustration in her voice, only contentment. Watching Dorumon swim and play was oddly calming. His energy filled the space, and for the first time in a while, Zoe felt at peace. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth and Dorumon's splashing drown out her worries.
----
Zoe stepped into the kitchen. She was determined to make friends, and social anxiety wasn't going to stop her.
Aoi was busy chopping meat apples and various vegetables, carefully placing them into a large pot.
Saki looked up from her task, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Zoe. "Zoe! Your alive!" she exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face.
Zoe managed an uneasy smile, her voice a little shaky. "I'm glad I'm still alive too." She wanted to say more, to forge a connection with Saki, but the words seemed to escape her. Instead, she glanced around the kitchen, feeling a bit out of place.
"What are you cooking?" Zoe asked, trying to mask her apprehension.
"Okay..." Zoe replied. She approached the counter where Saki had laid out the ingredients. As she picked up a meat apple, her hands trembled slightly, and it slipped from her grip, bouncing off the floor with a soft thud.
Zoe awkwardly laughed, her cheeks flushing. "My mistake." She bent down to pick it up, feeling a rush of embarrassment wash over her.
Aoi glanced over, raising an eyebrow as he continued to chop. "Careful, Zoe."
Taking a deep breath, Zoe focused again. She tried peeling the meat apple with more determination this time, but her hands still felt clumsy.
"So, what did you eat while you were away?" Saki asked, curious.
"Mostly fish and those nutrition bars," Zoe replied, glancing at Saki as she struggled to peel the fruit.
Saki squirmed, making a face. "Those taste so bad! I can't believe you survived on that!"
Zoe shrugged and said. "Well, I'd probably have diabetes with all the cookies here."
Saki laughed, her cheerful demeanor breaking through Zoe's nervousness. The kitchen felt a little warmer now, and Zoe realized she might just fit in after all.
----
Before long, it was dinner time. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the table where Zoe, Saki, Aoi, Takuma, Minoru, and Kaito sat at the long wooden table.
"Are you all settled in?" Takuma asked, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes.
Zoe smiled back, grateful for his welcoming demeanor. "I like the bathhouse. It's nice to have a place to relax," she replied, her tension easing a little.
Takuma nodded and said, "That's great to hear! You should join our little group if you want. We could use more friends around here."
Minoru said, "Yeah! It would be awesome if another girl was here to even out the numbers!"
Before Zoe could respond, Kaito interjected, his tone brusque. "Or maybe she's a spy." His eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized Zoe.
"I'm not a spy!" Zoe exclaimed, feeling a surge of indignation.
Takuma's expression shifted to one of reassurance. "Look, we're just trying to build trust here. We all have to stick together."
Kaito fell silent as he seemed to contemplate Takuma's words.
Zoe returned to her plate, trying to shake off the discomfort as she twirled the pasta around her fork. The first bite confirmed her fears: the pasta didn't taste as good as it smelled. She chewed slowly, attempting to mask her disappointment, but her face involuntarily scrunched at the flavor.
Saki caught her expression and said, "Not the best, huh? Aoi's still getting the hang of cooking."
"I guess it's an acquired taste," she said, forcing a smile as she pushed her pasta around her plate.
----
Zoe and Dorumon settled into their log cabin, the soft glow of the setting sun filtering through the wooden walls. The cabin was cozy, a quiet sanctuary after a long day. As they lay back on the modest bedding, Zoe smiled. "Everyone's pretty nice, don't you think?"
Dorumon shifted beside her, his violet fur ruffling slightly. "The Digimon are fine," he admitted. "But Kaito... I don't like him. He's too harsh, always acting like he's got something to prove."
Zoe sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I've noticed. He's a bit intense."
Before they could continue, a knock came at the door. Zoe glanced at Dorumon, then got up to open it. Saki stood there, beaming with her ever-cheerful smile, and beside her, Floramon waved gently.
"Hey, Zoe! I've got something for you," Saki announced, holding up a sleek orb-like device.
Zoe blinked, curious. "Computer orb?"
Saki walked in, setting the orb on the nearby table. "It's a computer orb. Tranquility helped the other group set up an antenna, so we can connect to the network now!"
Zoe raised an eyebrow. "You mean… You've got the internet here? How is that even possible?"
Saki grinned. "The other group figured it out, with some help from Tranquility. We've got access to old records and stuff. It's not like back home, but it's something."
"Wow," Zoe muttered, still processing the idea. "So, what now?"
Saki plopped down on the couch and started flicking through a holographic display from the orb. "What kind of movie are you in the mood for?"
Zoe thought for a moment, tapping her chin. "Anything with a good plot."
As Saki searched through the catalogs, Zoe asked, "Are you guys planning to do anything about the Roaring Team and Menoa?"
Saki's expression grew more serious. "We talk about it all the time... But whenever we manage to capture a member of the Roaring Team, they self-destruct. We've tried tracking their base and following them, but we haven't been able to stop them. And even if we do find them, we risk losing one of our own."
Zoe frowned. "I can help. I'll find their base and put an end to this. I can't let Menoa keep performing those unethical experiments."
Saki sighed. "We've been waiting for more reinforcements. There's been talk of organizing a second Digimon World Expedition."
Zoe's eyes widened. "Another one?"
Saki nodded grimly. "Yeah. A lot of people died in our expedition, but I think if we grow the settlement and learn from our mistakes, we can make sure it doesn't end in disaster again."
Zoe leaned back, deep in thought. "This world... it's stunning, but also terrifying."
Saki agreed with a nod. "It is. But I think it's worth the risk. If we get a big enough Expedition group and train them hard, we could expand the settlement and have the strength to take down the Roaring Team—and their leader, Menoa."
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Zoe pointed at the screen. "Hey, how about we watch 'Rush Hour'? I've heard it's fun."
Saki brightened again. "Good choice!" She selected the movie, and soon the cabin was filled with the sound of action and comedy. Zoe, Saki, Dorumon, and Floramon all settled in, watching together, their worries pushed aside for a brief moment as they enjoyed each other's company.
----
A few days had passed since Zoe began settling into the human settlement, adjusting to the rhythm of life among the other DigiDestined. The log cabins, the communal meals, and the daily tasks gave her a sense of routine she hadn't felt in a long time. But that sense of peace was soon shattered.
Early one morning, she was startled awake by a loud, ear-piercing screech. Her heart raced as she shot out of bed, barely taking time to grab her jacket before rushing out of the cabin. The sky above the settlement was torn with chaos, and there, looming in the air, was Parrotmon—a gigantic, menacing bird Digimon with fierce talons and sharp beady eyes.
Before Zoe could react, the other DigiDestined were already in action. Takuma and Agumon, Kaito and Dracmon, Aoi and Labramon, all leapt into battle with their partner Digimon, launching attacks at the screeching menace.
Zoe, having jogged over to where Minoru stood watching, approached him with wide eyes. "What's going on?" she asked, breathless from the sudden chaos. Minoru, his expression surprisingly calm despite the battle that had just unfolded, shrugged. "It's just a Parrotmon attack. Happens all the time."
Zoe blinked in disbelief. "This is normal?"
Minoru gave a small, almost weary chuckle. "Yeah, it's part of being a DigiDestined. Parrotmon shows up now and then, like clockwork. It's kind of a curse, I guess."
"A curse?" Zoe echoed, frowning. "We get attacked by Parrotmon regularly because we're DigiDestined? That's… dumb."
Minoru shrugged again. "Yeah, well, dumb or not, it's the way it is. Parrotmon's been gunning for us ever since the beginning."
Zoe crossed her arms, irritated by the thought of such a pointless cycle. She had faced plenty of dangers on her journey, but being attacked repeatedly by the same Digimon felt ridiculous.
Two days later, her frustration only deepened when another screech echoed through the settlement. Another Parrotmon, as if it hadn't just been defeated days earlier, was diving toward the log cabins. Zoe stared up at the sky in disbelief.
"Again?!" she muttered, as the others sprang into action once more.
----
Zoe and Dorugamon were in the middle of a long, tiring day of manual labor, working with Kaito and Dracmon to build another log house in the settlement. The sun beat down on them, and Zoe wiped the sweat from her brow, her hands sore from hours of work. She glanced over at Dorugamon, who was effortlessly moving heavy logs, using his strength to lift and place them with ease. At least he didn't seem to mind the labor, but for Zoe, the entire task was grueling.
"This is the worst," she muttered under her breath, hammering a nail into place. Manual labor had never been her favorite thing, and working alongside Kaito only made it worse. His gruff demeanor and constant scowl made every interaction tense.
Kaito and Dracmon were focused on the structure, barely speaking to her except for the occasional sharp instruction. It was clear Kaito took pride in his work, and while Zoe respected that, she couldn't help but feel annoyed by his attitude. Every comment he made felt like an order, and she was counting the minutes until they were finished.
Despite her frustration, she kept reminding herself of the end goal—the log house would provide shelter for someone new to the settlement, maybe even another DigiDestined. The thought of helping someone else made it easier to push through.
After what felt like hours, they finally finished. The log house stood sturdy and complete, a testament to their hard work. Zoe stepped back and let out a satisfied sigh, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Well, at least it's done," she said, smiling as she looked at the finished house. "One day, someone's going to live here. It's going to be their home."
Kaito, however, didn't seem as moved by the achievement. He walked past her, not even sparing a glance at the house. "Hey, follow me," he said gruffly, not bothering to explain.
Zoe blinked, still catching her breath. "What? Why?"
Kaito paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You'll see when we get there," he said curtly, before continuing on without waiting for a response.
Zoe sighed in exasperation, wiping her hands on her pants. "Fine," she muttered, giving Dorugamon a quick glance before following Kaito.
Kaito led Zoe up a narrow, winding path that climbed steadily toward the cliff's edge. The soft crunch of their footsteps was the only sound as they walked in silence, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the landscape. Zoe could see the tension in Kaito's posture—his shoulders rigid, his gaze fixed ahead—but for once, there wasn't the usual harshness in his expression. There was something else, something deeper.
When they reached the top, Kaito stopped, the wind tugging at his hair as he stood there, gazing out over the horizon. Zoe stepped up beside him, and what she saw took her breath away. Below them lay the human settlement, a small cluster of log houses nestled among the trees, smoke curling gently from a few chimneys. The houses looked so small from this height, like pieces of a fragile puzzle, carefully placed in a world that could break them at any moment.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Zoe felt a lump form in her throat as she took in the sight—the small, struggling community of survivors, a symbol of hope in a world that seemed intent on destroying them.
"It's so small," Kaito finally said, his voice quiet but heavy with emotion. "So… fragile."
Zoe glanced at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. She had never heard him speak like this before.
Kaito's eyes were distant, staring out over the settlement like he was seeing something far beyond it. "I remember the Shelter," he continued, his voice laced with bitterness. "How dead it felt. Cold. Like being trapped in a metal coffin. No air. No freedom. Just… waiting."
He paused, his jaw tightening as if the memory pained him. Zoe could feel the weight of his words—how much the Shelter had suffocated him, how much it had taken from him. She had felt it too, that lifelessness, that hollow existence. But hearing it from Kaito, someone who always seemed so strong, so unshakable, made it hit even harder.
"I don't want that anymore," Kaito said, his voice growing more intense. "I want to share this world with them—with everyone still in the Shelter. I want them to feel this air, see this sky… live."
His eyes, usually so sharp and guarded, softened as he looked at her. "I'm proud of what we've built here. The houses, the community. It's small, but it's something. And I've been… suspicious of you. Rude, even."
Zoe blinked, caught off guard by the sudden apology. She opened her mouth to respond, but Kaito shook his head, cutting her off.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough. "I didn't trust you, and that's on me. But I need to ask something of you, Zoe."
Zoe stared at him, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. Kaito, always the lone wolf, the one who never asked for help, was standing here, vulnerable, asking her for something.
"I want you to help me," Kaito said, his eyes meeting hers. "Help me take them out of that world. They need protection, but more than that, they need a chance to live in this world. A world where they can breathe without fear. Without the walls of the Shelter closing in on them."
Zoe reflected on the Digimon World, marveling at both its breathtaking beauty and its underlying dangers. Despite the risks, she knew without a doubt it was far better than the stifling life in the Shelter.
With resolve in her voice, she said, "Of course I'll help. Let's make that dream ours."
As she gazed at the growing community below, Zoe imagined a future where everyone from the Shelter could live here, free and alive in this vibrant new world.
----
Few days passed.
Zoe had slowly begun to feel like a true member of the Survive Team. Day by day, she helped with chores, fought off Digimon, and joined the others in their strategy meetings to fight against the Roaring Team. There was a sense of camaraderie growing between her and the rest of the group—Takuma, Aoi, Minoru, Saki, and even Kaito, despite his usual gruffness. They were bonded by the same goal.
One afternoon, the group gathered in the settlement's cafeteria for a much-needed break. Someone was waiting in the cafeteria. There, sitting at a table by herself, casually drinking tea was Menoa.
Zoe's body went rigid, and she could sense the others tensing beside her. Takuma's expression darkened as his eyes lock onto Menoa. Aoi's hand gripped her hand tight. Minoru's carefree demeanor vanished, replaced by a wary glance in Menoa's direction. Saki shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering between Menoa and the rest of the group. Even Kaito, normally unfazed by most things, was on edge, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.
Menoa ignored the hostile stares and said, "We need to talk."
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Zoe.
Zoe's eyes narrowed as she stared at Menoa, still sitting calmly at the table, her presence radiating a strange, almost unnatural confidence. Zoe couldn't hold back any longer—the desire for answers burned inside her. She activated her Soul Gaze, locking onto Menoa's cold, calculating eyes, determined to uncover the truth behind this woman's motives.
In an instant, Zoe was pulled into the depths of Menoa's soul.
The first sensation Zoe felt was exhaustion. Menoa's soul was heavy, weighed down by an unimaginable weariness. It felt ancient, as if it had carried the burdens of countless lifetimes. Zoe sensed that Menoa had been fighting a long, relentless battle—one that had worn her down to the core.
Then, the memories began to flood in.
Zoe saw flashes of London during the Industrial Revolution. Steam billowed from factories, and the streets were filled with soot-covered workers, their faces drawn with exhaustion. The air was thick with smoke and progress, yet it felt suffocating, as if the weight of innovation was crushing the human spirit.
Suddenly, the scene shifted, and Zoe found herself soaring through the air in an old, rickety airplane, the kind she had only in World War Two films.
The images blurred again, and Zoe was now standing in front of colored televisions, the bright screens flickering with images of families gathered around, watching events unfold.
She saw different people, different time periods, but everything felt disjointed, as if these moments didn't belong together. It was a chaotic whirlwind of human history, moving too fast for Zoe to grasp.
Then came the images of war and destruction—fields of battle strewn with debris, cities reduced to ruins, and the cries of the wounded echoing in her mind. Zoe's heart raced as she witnessed the collapse of civilizations, as if the world had torn itself apart time and time again. The weight of it pressed down on her, and she could feel Menoa's soul cracking under the strain of witnessing so much devastation.
At last, Zoe saw Menoa standing before a strange machine.
As the image of the machine lingered in her mind, a sharp pain shot through Zoe's head, causing her to gasp. Her vision blurred, and she felt a warm trickle down her face. She brought her hand to her nose and realized that blood was dripping from it. The strain of delving so deep into Menoa's soul had pushed Zoe to her limits.
Zoe wiped the blood from her nose, her hand trembling. The weight of what she had seen—the wars, the people, the time periods—left her shaken. But the image of that machine wouldn't leave her mind.
Zoe's voice came out strained, barely above a whisper. "Who… are you?"
Menoa calmly took a sip of her tea, her gaze steady. "I am Menoa."
Kaito's voice shook with barely contained rage. "You… monster. You think we'll let you keep getting away with this? You're destroying lives. Digimon, humans—none of it matters to you, does it?"
Menoa lifted her eyes, meeting Kaito's furious gaze with chilling composure. "I'm doing what's necessary. Nothing more, nothing less."
Kaito stepped forward, fists clenched, his anger boiling over. "Necessary? You mean killing, experimenting on Digimon? You don't care about anything but your sick, twisted goals!"
Zoe, her body visibly weary, moved in front of Kaito, her voice cracking. "Kaito… please. Don't. Not here."
Kaito snarled, teeth grinding together. "Why the hell not? She deserves—!"
Zoe cut him off, her eyes dark with warning. "Because she's not alone. She has Digimon in her shadow—right now. One wrong move, and we're all dead."
Kaito's jaw tightened, his rage simmering as he stopped in his tracks. "Tch."
Takuma, tense but more controlled, stepped forward. "What do you want, Menoa? Why come here?"
Menoa set her cup down with deliberate ease, her eyes cold and calculating. "I want all of you to leave the Digimon World. Now. Go back to where you came from. Your time here is over."
Kaito's fury reignited, his voice rising. "I'm not afraid of you or your goons! We've survived everything this world has thrown at us, and we'll survive you too!"
Takuma nodded firmly, stepping up beside Kaito. "If you think we'll back down without a fight, you've got another thing coming."
Menoa rose to her feet, exhaling a quiet, disappointed sigh. "At least I tried to be reasonable."
Without another word, she reached into her bag and dumped its contents onto the table. The sound of broken Digivices hitting the floor echoed through the room. Over fifty of them, their screens shattered, buttons mangled. It was a haunting display, a silent testament to the lives already lost.
Zoe's breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with horror. "No… those are…"
Aoi's voice quivered, barely audible. "Where did you get these?"
Menoa's tone was almost clinical, as if the sight of the broken Digivices meant nothing to her. "This is the fate of those who oppose me. You have a few days to leave the Digimon World. Or I'll make sure you never leave it at all."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Menoa turned on her heel, heading toward the exit. As she left, her voice echoed coldly through the room.
"Consider this your final warning."
The doors closed behind her, and the weight of her threat sank in, pressing down on them like a storm cloud.
Takuma broke the silence, his voice low and shaken. "She… wasn't bluffing."
Kaito's voice came out in a furious whisper, barely controlled. "She killed them… all those people… she killed them."
Zoe's voice was tense as she spoke. "We need to move. Eyesmon could be watching. There's something I need to tell you all."
Takuma opened his mouth to ask a question, but one glance at the unsettling look in Zoe's eyes made him stop. He simply nodded, understanding the urgency.
----
Zoe led the group to an open field, the area bathed in sunlight with no shadows deep enough for Eyesmon to hide. She scanned the perimeter carefully, her eyes darting to every corner, ensuring they were safe from unwanted eyes. The others—Takuma, Aoi, Minoru, Saki, and Kaito—followed her, each of them still on edge after their unsettling encounter with Menoa.
Once they were settled, Zoe exhaled, her breath shaky as she turned to face them. The weight of the moment hung over them like a storm cloud, each member bearing the stress in their own way. Takuma's fists were clenched, Aoi's gaze was downcast, Minoru looked tense, Saki barely hid her nervous glances, and Kaito's anger still simmered beneath his silence.
Zoe took a deep breath, steadying herself. "There's something you all need to know." She paused, her voice wavering as if hesitant to continue. "I've been keeping something from you—something that might help us against Menoa."
The others stared at her, curiosity mixed with concern. Zoe looked at each of them, her heart pounding in her chest, before finally revealing her secret.
"I have a power called 'Soul Gaze,'" she began, her voice more controlled now. "It lets me see into a person's memories, feel their emotions, and even understand what they're thinking. It's… overwhelming, but I used it on Menoa."
Kaito skeptical, arms crossed, "So, you're telling us you have this... 'Soul Gaze' power? Really, Zoe? Sounds a bit far-fetched."
Aoi softly, glancing down and said, "I don't know… I've heard about mutants before. People who could see the future, bend spoons with their mind… Things like that."
Kaito shook his head and said, "Or it could just be a parlor trick. Cold reading, you know? Guessing based on what you see. People do it all the time."
Minoru grinned, stepping forward, and said, "Well, let's find out, huh? Let's test this Soul Gaze of yours, Zoe." He hides his hands behind his back. "Okay, how many fingers am I holding up?"
Zoe said without hesitation, "Five."
Minoru laughs and changes the number of the finger up behind his back. "And now?"
Zoe said, "One."
Minoru gave a beaming number and said, "Alright, I'm convinced! That's amazing!"
Kaito rolled his eyes and said, "Of course you are, Minoru. You're always so easy to fool."
Minoru said playfully and said, "Hey, don't ruin my moment!"
Kaito narrowed his eyes, clearly irritated, and said, "Fine, let's try something a bit more serious. Zoe, tell me the number I'm thinking of right now."
Aoi fidgeting nervously, "I don't know how I feel about someone being able to read my mind… I mean, what if I think something I don't want anyone to know?"
Zoe somberly met Aoi's eyes and said, "Trust me, I don't like this power any more than you do. It's not something I enjoy using."
Takuma said loudly, "Okay, guys, enough. Let's stay on topic. We need to figure out our next move. Menoa, what is she planning?"
"Menoa was originally trying to create an artificial Mega Digimon," Zoe started, her voice calm but filled with tension. "She had nearly perfected it, but then she stumbled upon something called the Kernel of Yggdrasil."
Zoe sighed, shaking her head slightly. "Menoa's mind is incredibly complex. When I used my Soul Gaze on her, it was like trying to read a dictionary and only remembering a few random words. It's not easy to explain everything I saw."
Aoi, worried, asked, "Is that how we seem to you? Like...a jumbled mess?"
Zoe smiled faintly. "No, with you guys, it's more like reading a menu. It's straightforward. But with Menoa... it's another level."
Kaito, frustrated, interjected, "Okay, fine, but what is this Kernel? And Yggdrasil?"
Zoe took a deep breath. "Kernel is like the domain of a god. Yggdrasil is the god of the Digimon World. And Menoa... she wants to replace Yggdrasil with Homeostasis. If she succeeds, she can reset the entire Digimon World."
Saki's eyes widened in disbelief. "Reset the Digimon World? Why would she even want to do that?"
Zoe's voice grew heavier as she answered. "To defeat Huanglongmon. But there's a catch—if she resets the Digimon World, every Digimon will be reset too. The Digimon we know, the ones we care about... they'd cease to exist. They'd lose everything."
A chilling silence fell over the group as the weight of the revelation sank in.
Zoe continued, "If we go back to the Human World, our Digimon would be safe from the reset. But if we stay..."
Kaito clenched his fists, his face hardening. "She's willing to sacrifice the entire Digimon World..."
Takuma's voice was steady but tense. "We have to stop her. There's no way we're letting that happen."
Zoe's voice was urgent. "We have to destroy the machine that's about to reset the Digimon World. We need to move now."
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Saki
Saki trudged along the rocky path, her breath coming in short, controlled bursts as she struggled to keep up with the others. The mountain terrain was unforgiving, each step uneven and harder than the last. Her muscles ached, her body weak from the strain, but she couldn't afford to fall behind now—not when everything was at stake.
Takuma, Aoi, Minoru, Kaito, and Zoe walked ahead, their Digimon partners by their sides. The mission was clear: reach Menoa's base and destroy the machine that threatened to reset the Digimon World. But each step felt like a battle for Saki.
She had always been physically weaker, prone to illness and exhaustion, a result of the birth defects she carried since childhood. Tranquility, the AI that governed their lives, had genetically modified her as a baby, making sure she could survive despite the odds. Tranquility had once told her, in that cold, matter-of-fact way, that she was "very human." It wasn't supposed to be a compliment, but in some ways, Saki took it as one. She was lucky to be alive, even if her body sometimes felt like it was working against her.
Saki inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. She wouldn't be the one to slow them down, not now. They were all fighting for something greater—for their Digimon, for the Digimon World. She had to keep going, even if her body was screaming for rest.
Floramon, sensing her weariness, walked closer, offering a supportive glance. "We're almost there, Saki. Just a little further."
Saki nodded, determined to push through the fatigue. The mountain loomed ahead, a reminder of the challenge that lay before them. Menoa's base wasn't far now, and neither was the machine they had to destroy. If they didn't stop it, everything would be lost.
"I'm fine," Saki muttered, more to herself than anyone else, her voice low but resolute. She wasn't going to let her weakness define her—not today. She had come this far, and she wasn't about to give up now.
As the Survive Team continued their ascent up the mountain, the rocky terrain gave way to a narrow path, forcing them to slow down. Saki wiped sweat from her brow, trying to keep her breath steady. Takuma, Zoe, and the others were focused, eyes ahead—until suddenly, four figures appeared, blocking their way.
They wore green uniforms, each marked with a distinct emblem, their faces partially obscured by sleek, metal eyewear. The Roaring Team. Each of the girls had differently colored hair: orange, green, purple, and blue. They were standing side by side with their Digimon partners—Phantomon, Kabuterimon, Octmon, and Akatorimon. The tension in the air was thick as both groups came to a halt.
The orange-haired girl stepped forward with a calm, confident demeanor. Her eyes, though hidden behind her eyewear, seemed to pierce through the group. "Hello," she said, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "I'm Aliana. I'd like to talk."
Takuma stepped forward and said, "What do you want to talk about?"
Aliana smirked, crossing her arms and said, "Why don't you just give up? Go back to the human world. You can't win this. It's a losing battle."
Aoi raised her voice, her eyes blazing with determination, "No! We're not running away! We'll protect this world, no matter what!"
Aliana said, "We're from the same generation, raised in the same world. You know what it's like—no real future, no hope. This world, filled with dangerous Digimon, can't be ruled. That's why Menoa is going to change it and make it human-friendly. A place we can actually survive."
Saki, her voice shaking with disbelief as she said, "But don't you care about the Digimon in this world? They have emotions, intelligence… You're talking about committing genocide!"
Aliana replied, "The violent Digimon that killed our friends? The ones that tore people apart? Don't lecture me, Saki. I know this world is beautiful—it was like finding a window to something bigger, something we never had back in the human world. But it's dangerous. We are all the DigiDestined that are left, we're here because this world draws us in. It's beautiful and deadly."
Minoru pointed sharply at Aliana's eyewear, "You're making a mistake, Aliana. Menoa's going to kill you too. She doesn't care about you or anyone else."
Aliana said while her tone was unwavering, "Everyone has a quirk. Menoa is a perfectionist and can't forgive failure. However, she's going to change this world and I'm going to be by her side when she does."
Kaito gritting his teeth, fists clenched, "There's no reason to talk anymore. You're defending a monster."
Takuma said with resolution, "I agree with Kaito. It doesn't seem like we can change your mind."
Aliana said, "Do your worst!"
Takuma gripped his Digivice, voice filled with determination and said, "Agumon, it's time! Let's do this!"
Agumon glowing with energy, "Right! Agumon Digivolve to Tyranomon!"
Agumon's small form expands, transforming into the massive, dinosaur-like Tyranomon, roaring as flames swirl around his body.
Aoi held her Digivice tightly, eyes focused and shouted, "Labramon, we need your strength!"
Labramon said, "I'm ready! Labramon Digivolve to Dobermon!"
Labramon's body stretches and grows sleek, turning into the fierce and swift Dobermon, eyes glowing with a deadly intensity.
Minoru grinning, filled with excitement and said. "Let's show them what we've got, Falcomon!"
Falcomon with wings spread wide, "You got it! Falcomon Digivolve to Diatrymon!"
Falcomon's feathers bristle as his form enlarges, transforming into the massive, bird-like Diatrymon, screeching as the ground trembles beneath his talons.
Kaito with a fierce expression, "Dracmon, it's your turn! Let's go!"
Dracmon with a wicked grin, "Right! Dracmon Digivolve to Sangloupmon!"
Dracmon's body becomes sleek and shadowy, morphing into the wolf-like Sangloupmon, eyes gleaming red as he growls with fierce intensity.
Saki clutching her Digivice, determined, "Floramon, we're not holding back!"
Floramon said with a firm nod, "Let's do this! Floramon Digivolve to Vegiemon!"
Floramon's form twists and grows, turning into the plant-like Vegiemon, its vine-covered arms flexing as it stands tall and ready for battle.
Zoe smiled as she shouted, "Dorumon, it's your turn! Let's go all out!"
Dorumon pumped his arms and said, "I'm ready! Dorumon Digivolve to Dorugamon!"
Dorumon's body grows larger and stronger, wings sprouting as he transforms into the mighty dragon-like Dorugamon, his roar echoing across the mountains.
The battle began with an explosion of movement as the Digimon charged toward each other. Tyranomon roared as he lunged at Kabuterimon, fiery breath searing the air. Kabuterimon blocked with its electrified horn, sending sparks flying. The two behemoths clashed in a frenzy of claws and lightning, each pushing for dominance.
Dorugamon soared through the air with powerful beats of his wings, circling with precision as he fired heavy metal cannonballs from his mouth, each shot whistling through the sky. His opponent, Akatorimon, flapped fiercely, dodging the cannonballs and retaliating with sharp screeches.
On the ground, Dobermon and Sangloupmon were locked in combat with Phantomon and Octmon. Phantomon's scythe slashed through the air, narrowly missing Dobermon's head as it ducked and leaped to the side, fangs bared. Sangloupmon darted around the battlefield like a shadow, striking at Octmon with blinding speed.
Vegiemon swung his massive vines, trying to entangle Octmon, but the tentacled Digimon responded with a barrage of inky projectiles, knocking Vegiemon back. Saki struggled to catch her breath, feeling the weight of the battle as her Digimon barely held on.
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and the unmistakable sound of cannonballs filled the air. Massive iron orbs rained down from above, crashing into the battlefield and sending shockwaves across the rocky terrain. One struck near Tyranomon , causing him to stumble, and another hit Dorugamon mid-flight, sending him tumbling from the sky.
"Watch out!" Zoe cried, her eyes wide as she saw Dorugamon hit the ground with a hard thud, shaking his head to regain focus.
As the cannonballs continued to fall, the battlefield became more chaotic. Kabuterimon took advantage of the confusion, electrocuting Tyranomon with a surge of energy. Tyranomon roared in pain but refused to go down.
Aliana watched with a cruel smile as her teammate's Digimon gained ground. But one by one, the Roaring Team's Digimon began to falter. Vegiemon managed to wrap his vines around Octmon, squeezing the life out of it. With a final groan, Octmon fell, and its partner's metal eyewear exploded in a burst that killed the human partner.
"Damn it!" yelled Aliana as she saw another of her teammates, the green-haired girl, scream as Kabuterimon was overwhelmed by Tyranomon's fiery breath. The insect Digimon let out one final shriek before collapsing, and once again, the metal eyewear exploded, killing the human partner.
It was now down to Phantomon and Akatorimon, and even they were beginning to falter under the relentless attacks from the Survive Team.
Suddenly, with an eerie laugh, Aliana's Phantomon slashed through the air with its scythe, catching Diatrymon off guard. With a sickening slice, Diatrymon fell, wings twitching as the light in his eyes dimmed. Minoru gasped, watching in horror as his partner turned into a Digiegg and flew away.
Aliana grinned darkly. "It's over for you." She gave a nod to her Phantomon.
Without warning, Phantomon turned and lunged straight for Minoru. Before anyone could react, the Digimon's scythe flashed through the air, slashing across Minoru's stomach. He gasped as blood poured from the wound, staining his clothes in a sudden rush.
"No!" Aoi screamed. "Minoru!"
The others tried to rush forward, but the Phantomon was too fast. As Minoru struggled, he managed to turn his head slightly, a weak smile forming on his lips.
The battle raged on, but the weight of the loss hit the Survive Team hard. Sangloupmon howled in anger, pushing Akatorimon back with ferocious strikes, and Dobermon retaliated fiercely against the remaining enemies.
Akatorimon fell and the metal eyewear of his partner exploded in a flash.
Finally, it was just Aliana left, standing alone amidst the carnage. Her cold, defiant eyes met the gaze of the Survive Team.
"Do you think this changes anything?" Aliana sneered. "Menoa will still win. You'll all see."
Takuma stepped forward and said with resolutions. "No. We'll stop her."
Aliana's face twisted in fury, but before she could respond, Tyranomon roared, and with one final blast of flame, it was over. Aliana's Phantomon had fallen, and her eyewear exploded like the rest.
Saki knelt beside Minoru's lifeless body, her heart heavy. She fought to hold back her tears, but the reality settled in—he was gone forever, and she would never hear his laughter again. Both Minoru and Falcomon, who had meant so much to her, lay lifeless before her.
Tears began to spill down her cheeks despite her best efforts to remain strong. At that moment, Vegiemon wrapped around her in a comforting embrace.
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Aoi
Aoi walked in silence, her heart heavy with grief over Minoru's death. A deep ache settled in her chest as she replayed the moments leading up to the tragedy, wondering if there had been anything she could have done to save him.
The atmosphere around them was thick with despair; the weight of loss pressed down on everyone, and she could feel it in the silence that enveloped the group. Takuma urged everyone forward, trying to keep their spirits up despite the pain hanging in the air. Kaito, overwhelmed by anger and sorrow, punched a nearby boulder, drawing blood from his knuckles as a physical manifestation of his frustration. Saki seemed the most affected, her eyes dull and lost as she struggled to process the loss of her dear friend.
As they crested the rise, Aoi's eyes locked onto the massive, looming castle ahead, a dark and intimidating fortress that dwarfed the human settlement they had left behind. Her stomach churned. "Look at that castle," she whispered, her voice barely audible, betraying her unease.
Takuma's voice was tight with dread. "It's crawling with Tankmon."
Aoi's heart plummeted. There were over thirty Tankmon—enough firepower to obliterate them in seconds. Worse, two Ultimate Digimon stood guard. And then there was the Mega Digimon, one even Menoa struggled to control, waiting in the shadows. This felt like a death trap.
Zoe said, "I know a secret way in. We can avoid them."
Suddenly, the air shattered with a deafening boom. Cannon fire roared from the Tankmon stationed along the castle walls, sending cannonballs crashing toward them.
"Move!" Kaito's shout barely reached her through the panic. "Everyone, scatter!"
The group bolted, dodging just in time as the ground exploded beneath the hail of projectiles. The sharp crack of impact and the rumble of debris filled the air, choking them with dust.
"Follow me!" Zoe's voice cut through the chaos, and she was already sprinting toward a narrow path that twisted into the mountainside.
Aoi ran, her pulse racing as they plunged into the castle. The air inside was stifling, and every step echoed off the cold, twisting tunnels. The walls seemed to close in around them, amplifying the sound of their footsteps and making her feel exposed and hunted.
They were heading for the basement—Menoa's machine was hidden there. Aoi's mind raced with dread, each shadow feeling like it might hold another threat, another ambush.
When they finally emerged into a vast underground arena, the tension was suffocating. At the entrance stood Manticoremon, its very presence gleaming with malice, as if it had been waiting for them all along.
The air in the underground arena felt thick with tension as the Survive Team stood face-to-face with the imposing Manticoremon. Its eyes gleamed with malice, and its three venomous stingers quivered, ready to strike. Aoi's heart raced, knowing full well the danger they were up against.
"Aoi," Labramon's voice was calm but serious, "I'll keep us safe. Stay with me."
She nodded, gripping her Digivice tightly. "We can't afford to lose anyone else." The weight of Minoru's death still hung heavily over them, but now wasn't the time to falter. The team needed her support more than ever.
Manticoremon let out a roar that shook the ground beneath their feet, its muscular body tense and ready to strike. Without hesitation, Tyranomon charged forward, flames dancing around his massive jaws. "Fire Breath!" he roared, sending a searing wave of fire toward Manticoremon.
The flames engulfed the massive creature, but Manticoremon shook them off, unaffected. With lightning speed, it lunged forward, one of its tail stingers whipping out and catching Tyranomon across the side. The poison quickly spread through his system, and he staggered, roaring in pain as the venom coursed through him.
"Tyranomon!" Takuma cried, but Aoi was already in motion.
"Labramon, Cure Liqueur, now!" she ordered, her voice steady despite the rising panic.
Labramon's body glowed with a soft light as she called out, "Cure Liqueur!" A stream of healing energy poured from her body, washing over Tyranomon. The poison faded from his system as the wound closed, his strength returning. He roared in thanks before refocusing on the battle.
"We need to keep hitting it from all sides!" Takuma shouted, and the rest of the team sprang into action.
Sangloupmon darted in next, his sleek wolf-like body a blur as he struck at Manticoremon with lightning-fast swipes. His Sticker Blade attack slashed across Manticoremon's tough hide, but even his sharp claws struggled to penetrate the thick armor. Manticoremon's eyes gleamed with fury as it retaliated, swiping its powerful claws at Sangloupmon. The wolf Digimon barely dodged, but one of the tail stingers shot out, grazing the side of his body.
Kaito gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with worry for his partner. "Stay awake, Sangloupmon! Aoi's got you!"
Once again, Labramon unleashed Cure Liqueur, purging the poison from Sangloupmon's system. The battle continued, but Manticoremon showed no signs of slowing.
"Dorugamon, now!" Zoe called, her voice filled with determination.
Dorugamon took to the skies, powerful wings beating as he ascended. He circled above, building momentum before unleashing his attack. "Metal Cannon!" he roared, firing a barrage of heavy metal spheres from his mouth.
The cannonballs slammed into Manticoremon, each impact reverberating through the arena. This time, the beast staggered, snarling as Dorugamon's attacks hit harder. But even as Dorugamon gained the upper hand, Manticoremon retaliated, launching all three stingers at once.
Dorugamon twisted in the air, dodging two of the stingers, but the third grazed his wing, leaving a trail of poisonous venom.
Zoe's heart sank, but Aoi's voice cut through the panic. "Labramon, once more!"
Labramon was visibly tiring, but her resolve remained strong. "Cure Liqueur!" she called out, healing Dorugamon's wing just in time for him to regain altitude.
Suddenly, Vegimon entered the fray, his vine-covered arms flexing as he eyed Manticoremon's legs. "I'm not holding back!" Vegimon growled, readying his next attack. "Sharp Leaf!"
With a fierce swing, Vegimon sent a flurry of razor-sharp leaves slicing through the air toward Manticoremon. The leaves cut deep into the beast's tough hide, causing it to roar in pain as the attack found its mark.
"This is our chance!" Saki shouted, eyes blazing with determination.
Tyranomon, now fully recovered, charged forward once again. "Fire Breath!" he roared, sending another massive wave of flames toward Manticoremon. This time, with Vegimon's vines holding the creature in place, the fire hit full force, scorching its body.
Sangloupmon howled, leaping into the air to deliver a final blow. "Sticker Blade!" His claws slashed across Manticoremon's throat, causing the beast to stumble backward, its movements becoming sluggish.
Dorugamon circled high above, his eyes locked onto the weakened Manticoremon. "Zoe, let's finish this!" he shouted.
Zoe nodded, her voice filled with fierce determination. "Metal Cannon—full power!"
Dorugamon charged up his attack, the air around him crackling with energy as he unleashed a final barrage of metal spheres. The impact was devastating, each cannonball hitting Manticoremon with brutal force. With a deafening roar, the monstrous Digimon collapsed, its body crumbling as it turned into a Digiegg and disappeared into the air.
The Survive Team stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath. Aoi knelt beside Labramon, gently stroking her head. "You did great," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
A dark tentacle erupted from the shadows, snaking through the air with eerie precision. The tentacles wrapped tightly around Labramon's tail, hoisting her high into the air.
"Labramon!" Aoi cried, her heart racing. She watched helplessly as the dark tendril constricted, leaving Labramon struggling against its grip.
As Labramon was held aloft, a grotesque form slithered into view. Eyesmon, a monstrous creature with a gaping maw and bulging eyes, appeared, its hungry gaze fixed on Labramon.
"NO!" Aoi screamed, desperation clawing at her throat. She could feel the panic rising within her as Eyesmon lunged forward, its mouth wide open, ready to devour Labramon whole.
With a sickening crunch, Eyesmon clamped down, swallowing Labramon in one swift motion. The echoes of Aoi's heart shattering reverberated through the arena as she felt the profound loss wash over her.
"Labramon! No!" Aoi's voice broke, tears streaming down her face.
From the shadows, Menoa emerged. "You should have left this world."
Aoi's body trembled with anger and grief. "You monster!" she screamed.
Menoa raised her crossbow with a steady hand and aimed at Aoi's chest, and before anyone could react, she pulled the trigger. The bolt flew through the air, piercing Aoi's heart with a sickening thud. Aoi gasped, eyes wide with shock and disbelief, as she staggered backward, clutching her chest.
"No! Aoi!" Saki shouted, her voice filled with anguish. She rushed forward as Aoi collapsed to the ground, the life draining from her eyes.
"I didn't want it to end like this…" Aoi breathed, her voice barely a whisper. She fell to her knees, pain and sorrow etched across her face.
Saki knelt beside her fallen friend, cradling Aoi's head in her lap. "Stay with me, Aoi! Please!" Tears streamed down Saki's cheeks, despair engulfing her as she looked into Aoi's fading eyes.
Aoi's breaths grew shallow, and her gaze softened. "Saki… I…" Her voice trailed off, the light in her eyes dimming as she fell silent.
Saki couldn't accept the truth—Aoi was gone.
The Survive Team glared at Menoa, fury boiling within them. The final battle that determined the fate of the Digimon World was about to begin.
Author note. I will like to give a special thanks to Xenvic my beta reader for helping me with this chapter. ^__^
----
POV Takuma
The battlefield crackled with tension as the Digimon Survive Team stood face-to-face with Menoa and her terrifying Eyesmon.
Takuma's heart pounded like a war drum, his frustration building into an inferno. His gaze flickered to Saki, who was cradling Aoi's lifeless body, her face streaked with tears. The sight stoked his rage until it boiled over.
Takuma's voice erupted with fury, "Tyranomon attack!"
Tyranomon let out a primal roar, launching a searing torrent of flames toward Menoa. Sangloupmon darted forward in a blur, claws shrouded in shadow, aiming for Menoa as well.
Eyesmon was swift. Its dark, writhing tentacles shot out, blocking the flames and coiling around both Tyranomon and Sangloupmon with crushing force, hurling them into the ground. The sheer impact shook the earth beneath their feet.
Without missing a beat, Menoa raised her crossbow and fired, the arrow screaming through the air aimed directly at Saki. But Vegiemon leaped in, his vines lashing out in defense. "Sharp Leaf!" he cried, a storm of razor-sharp leaves colliding with the arrow, knocking it off course just in time.
Above, Dorugamon descended from the sky, wings spread wide as he launched a fierce Cannon Ball. But Eyesmon reacted instantly, raising a black shield that absorbed the impact.
Zoe, her face streaked with blood from the strain of using Soul Gaze, called out to Takuma. Her voice, though strained, held firm resolve. "Keep them distracted! I have a plan!" She darted toward the door leading to the basement.
Menoa's cold eyes narrowed, locking onto Zoe. With a swift motion, she released another arrow, this one aimed to kill. Saki screamed as it flew toward Zoe, but Vegiemon intercepted the attack once more, vines snapping forward to shield Zoe from harm. The atmosphere was suffocating, thick with tension and fear.
Tyranomon, undeterred by the chaos, charged again, his roar shaking the battlefield. But Menoa was ready. She summoned a swirling vortex—an ominous portal to the Dark Ocean—that opened before Tyranomon. The mighty Digimon was sucked in, vanishing into the darkness.
"No! Tyranomon!" Takuma's scream tore through the air, desperation lacing his voice as he watched his Digimon partner disappear into the abyss.
Saki, tears streaming down her face, pleaded with Menoa. "Please! Stop this! I don't want anyone else to die!"
Menoa said coldly, "There must be a price for attacking me. If you don't pay now, you'll come for me again."
Takuma's fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His mind raced with grief and fury, but amidst the chaos, he held onto one desperate hope. He screamed for Tyranomon, his voice raw and pleading. "Tyranomon! I know you can hear me! Come back! I need you! We need you!"
Suddenly, Takuma's Digivice blazed with radiant light. The battlefield froze for a moment as everyone turned to see a brilliant glow erupting from where Tyranomon had disappeared. Emerging from the Dark Ocean, Tyranomon returned, his form shimmering with newfound power. Menoa's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! How could you escape the Dark Ocean?!"
Tyranomon roared with triumph, his voice resonating with overwhelming strength. "I feel unstoppable! Tyranomon Digivolve to Megadramon!"
In a burst of energy, Tyranomon transformed, becoming Megadramon, a fearsome, metallic dragon brimming with power, his wings cutting through the air like blades. His presence alone was enough to challenge Eyesmon's terrifying might.
Takuma's heart surged with hope, his frustration and fear melting into determination. "Let's finish this, Megadramon!"
The battle between Survive Team and Menoa intensified.
----
POV Zoe.
Zoe descended into the basement, her footsteps echoing in the cold, sterile chamber. The air was thick with an eerie hum, and before her stood a massive machine—its imposing structure crackling with raw energy. This was it. The Resetting Machine. The device that Menoa had protected at all costs, the one that could reset the entire Digimon World.
Now, it all made sense to Zoe—why she had struggled so much to read Menoa's soul with her Soul Gaze. Menoa wasn't just any ordinary person; she was a reincarnator, someone who had lived countless lives spanning centuries. Her soul was ancient and layered, carrying the weight of experiences from different eras and lands. In past lives, Menoa had witnessed the rise and fall of entire nations, seen empires born and crumble. Sometimes she had lived as a boy, other times as a girl, in different corners of the world, each life blending into the next. Zoe realized that Menoa's very first life had been that of a magician.
Her eyes landed on a nearby computer terminal, and she swiftly approached it. The screen blinks with a request for a password. Zoe thought for a moment before typing Aleister. Her fingers trembled as she pressed the enter key. The screen flickered, and she was in.
A flood of data scrolled across the monitor, and Zoe's mind raced. She began altering the machine's parameters, carefully recalibrating the system. She wasn't going to reset the whole Digimon World—not even close. No, she had a more surgical plan in mind.
Zoe input the final changes. The machine would only reset a small part of the world—the mountain they were standing on.
As the machine began to hum to life, Zoe's heart pounded. Everyone needed to escape before the machine resetted everything in the area.
----
POV Menoa
Eyesmon grappled with Megadramon, their battle fierce and unrelenting. But despite Megadramon's power, Eyesmon began to overpower the dragon, its strength enhanced from devouring countless Digimon, growing more fearsome with every one it consumed.
Menoa felt the ground rumble beneath her feet. Moments later, Zoe, the newest member of the Survive Team, stepped through the door, her expression calm yet intense.
"I activated the machine," Zoe said, her voice steady but carrying the weight of something unimaginable.
It took Menoa a moment to process the words, but then realization struck her. The machine—the machine designed to reset the Digimon World and replace Yggdrasil, the Digimon God. Menoa felt very confused. The machine didn't have enough power, and the computer was locked behind a password so it couldn't be changed.
"How is that even possible?" Menoa asked in disbelief.
"I have powers, just like you," Zoe replied, her gaze unyielding. "I know about Samsara."
Menoa froze as her pupils widened. Samsara—the cycle of reincarnation, a never-ending loop of life, death, and rebirth, driven by karma. She had a cruel realization that there was no escape for her, she would suffer for eternity.
Zoe walked to Dorugamon, leaning close to whisper something in her Digimon partner's ear before stepping forward to face Menoa directly.
"I know everything about you," Zoe continued, her voice low but cutting. "Your past, your future, your motives. You've made a mistake, Menoa—or if you prefer, Aleister Crowley."
Menoa's mind reeled at the name. Zoe knew. She knew everything.
"All of this," Zoe gestured to the chaos around them, the battlefield. "It's a mistake. Humanity has already repented."
Visions flashed before Menoa's eyes—Earth, once vibrant, teeming with life. Then the current reality, bleak and hollow. She had witnessed the destruction of Earth by humanity. An overwhelming rage welled up inside her, blind and mindless. The weight of centuries pressed down on her soul, and she couldn't hold it back any longer.
"You know nothing!" Menoa shrieked, her voice cracking with the madness that now consumed her. Her mind spiraled, unraveling as she screamed, unable to control the storm of emotions flooding her very existence.
Without thinking, Menoa raised her crossbow and fired an arrow at Zoe, her movements fueled by raw fury. But Zoe dodged it effortlessly, her calm demeanor only deepening Menoa's rage.
Zoe said, "I know everything! You hate humanity for destroying the Earth centuries ago! You never wanted humanity to leave the Shelter and move to the Digimon World! Because you think Humanity will destroy this world too!"
Menoa remembered the animals—squirrels, dogs, cats, cows, and chickens. She thought of the creatures that once filled the world, the trees, the grass, and the blue skies. More than anyone alive today understood the magnitude of what had been lost. She recognized the profound sin humanity had committed. They had become bloated with greed and indifferent to life itself. Looking at the world now and at the Digimon who inhabited it, Menoa felt nothing but shame.
"Humanity is corrupt," Menoa declared. "The people who followed me were nothing but parasites. If you truly care about the Digimon and this world, we cannot let humanity enter it. The survivors in the Shelter must continue to atone for the destruction of our planet."
Zoe responded, "We've changed. We'll create a world where Digimon and humans can live together."
But Menoa shook her head, defiance blazing in her eyes. "No, you don't understand. Deep down, humans care more about themselves than anything else. Look at the pollution, the slaughterhouses, the deforestation—we were destroying the world long before we dropped nukes on each other. Humanity is too selfish, too consumed by its own desires to ever truly change."
Zoe said in determination, "I believe in humanity and the good that we all share."
Menoa said, "I will protect the Digimon World."
Zoe realized there was no changing Menoa's mind. Menoa's guilt over Earth's destruction ran too deep—she hadn't even forgiven herself. That guilt had twisted her perspective beyond reason.
As soon as Dorugamon landed beside her, she climbed on its back. Saki and Floramon are riding on Dorugamon's back. Zoe couldn't help but wonder why Takuma and Kaito, or their Digimon, weren't with them.
Before she could ask, Dorugamon suddenly took off, smashing through the ceiling and flying away, leaving Zoe with more questions than answers.
----
Kaito and Takuma stood side by side, facing Menoa and her towering Eyesmon.
"You should've left when you had the chance," Kaito muttered to Takuma.
"I'm not letting you face her alone," Takuma replied firmly.
Kaito sighed, exasperated. "You're an imbecile."
"But I'm also your friend."
Kaito's gaze shifted back to Menoa. He knew he couldn't let her get away. She might have a way to protect herself from the machine that would soon reset the mountain. He glanced at his partner, Sangloupmon.
"Thank you, Sangloupmon," Kaito said quietly. "I know I haven't always been the best partner, but I can always count on you."
Sangloupmon gave a toothy grin. "No problem, partner."
A brilliant glow enveloped Sangloupmon. "Sangloupmon Digivolve to Myotismon!" The newly evolved Digimon, resembling a fearsome vampire, emerged.
"Let's take Menoa down," Myotismon declared.
Kaito grinned. "Let's do this."
Takuma, standing ready with his partner, called out, "Megadramon, let's go!"
Menoa said, "I'm leaving now. I don't plan to fight you two to the death." Behind her, a portal to the Dark Ocean began to open.
In a flash, Myotismon lunged, seizing Menoa and hurling her across the room. She hit the ground, stunned. Eyesmon immediately retaliated, but Megadramon intercepted the attack.
Kaito and Takuma charged toward Menoa as she frantically tried to open another portal to escape. They grabbed her, preventing her from slipping into the Dark Ocean.
"Let me go!" Menoa shrieked. "Are you trying to get yourselves killed?"
"We've already lost too many friends," Takuma said through gritted teeth. "This ends today—even if it costs us our lives."
Kaito added, "I won't let you come back and ruin the Digimon World or harm the people I care about."
Eyesmon rushed toward Menoa, but Megadramon and Myotismon unleashed devastating attacks, tearing chunks off the massive Digimon. Menoa, thinking victory was within reach, grinned triumphantly, believing Eyesmon would save her.
But Eyesmon ignored her, vanishing into the portal to the Dark Ocean.
"No!" Menoa screamed in despair.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the ground, expanding rapidly toward the ceiling. The entire room shook as the light grew, consuming everything in its path.
"Let me go!" Menoa cried, struggling in vain.
As the light reached them, Kaito and Takuma exchanged a final glance.
"Goodbye everyone," Takuma whispered, closing his eyes. He hoped there was an afterlife waiting for him, where Aoi and Minoru would be.
"It was all worth it," Kaito added. He envisioned a day when his sister Miu would finally see the Digimon World he had fought to protect with everything he had.
In the next moment, Menoa, Takuma, Kaito, Myotismon, and Megadramon were gone, swallowed by the light.
Zoe whispered, "Takuma and Kaito said they would escape."
Dorugamon replied, "That's what they told me…"
Saki appeared distressed as she looked around—the light had obliterated the entire mountain.
Both Zoe and Saki searched the area, but there was no sign of Takuma, Kaito, or their Digimon.
All they found were three shattered Digivices.
When they returned to the Human Settlement, the atmosphere was heavy with despair.
Saki locked herself in her room, crying for a long time.
Meanwhile, Zoe wandered through the Settlement, reminiscing about the joyful moments the Survive Group had shared together.
Zoe gazed at the spot where Kaito had shown her the view of the human settlement.
Zoe went to the cafeteria, where Aoi would cook their meals.
Zoe went to the farm where Minoru and Takuma would work hard on the farmland.
Zoe had only known the group for a week, but already, the ache of their deaths weighed on her. These were her first human friends in years, and now they were gone. She'd seen the twisted tragedy unfold, and guilt gnawed at her; if she'd known them even a little longer, she might have been just as devastated—or even more so—than Saki.
Dorumon tried to comfort her, but Zoe was in deep pain.
As day faded into night, three injured Digimon entered the settlement.
They were Angoramon, Gammamon, and Jellymon.
Angoramon, hurt but determined, carried the other two in his arms.
Zoe used her Soul Gaze ability and witnessed how the Roaring Team had killed their Digidestined partners, leaving the Digimon barely escaping with their lives.
Angoramon spoke cautiously, "I'm…"
Zoe replied, "Angoramon, you've been through so much."
With a wary expression, Angoramon asked, "How did you know?"
"I can read a person's soul," Zoe explained. "The Roaring Team is dead."
"Are they?" Angoramon responded, stunned.
"Yes. We've lost everyone, but the Roaring Team is gone, including Menoa," Zoe said softly.
Angoramon fell to his knees, overwhelmed by grief.
"What am I supposed to do now…" Angoramon said hesitatingly as he held the two injured Digimon in his hands.
Dorumon stepped forward, saying, "Would you like something to eat? It might help."
Zoe said, "Those two your holding will need to be treated... We all that's left, we going to have to do the best to survive."
Angoramon seemed to consider it, nodding slightly. "Okay..."
Dorumon led them to the cafeteria.
As Zoe looked up at the stars, she hoped that all her lost friends, wherever they are, were happy together.
She jogged to catch up with Dorumon and Angoramon beneath the starry night sky.
/IMG]
