Taichi surveys the surrounding desert of the Server Continent, the sand stretching on as far as his eyes can see. Where had the portal dropped him? Was he in the same place he'd been thrown from after he and MetalGreymon had blown up Etemon? Eagerly, Taichi searches for the sphinx statue or the inverted pyramid where from he'd rescued Sora, but then he remembers what had happened: The pyramid and the sphinx had both been obliterated by Etemon. There were no familiar landmarks about Taichi and therefore no way of knowing where he'd been deposited by the portal.
"Taichi!" a voice calls to him and Taichi immediately recognizes it.
"Agumon?" Taichi calls back, cupping his hands about his mouth and looking this way and that. The sun overhead shines brightly, forcing Taichi to squint his eyes; but eventually, he spots Agumon's silhouette in the distance. The orange reptile blends somewhat with the surrounding sand, making him easy to miss at a glance.
"Taichi!" Agumon calls out again, running towards Taichi as fast as his little legs can carry him. In turn, Taichi runs to meet Agumon and gives him a great bear hug.
"Agumon, you're okay!" Taichi says.
"Taichi!" Says Agumon, "I was so worried! You've been gone for so long! I thought you were going to stay behind."
"That long?" says Taichi, puzzled. "Oh, that's right," Taichi says. "Time works differently here." He remembers the calendar. When he said goodbye to Hikari, it had only lasted a few moments. But in the Digital World? Had it really taken that long! Thinking back on this, Taichi realizes that any traces of the obliterated pyramid or sphinx statue would have long been buried by the sand. They truly were lost.
Once again looks towards the expanse of the surrounding desert, contemplating thier next course of action. Agumon turns from Taichi and peers in the same direction.
"We're back," says Agumon, anxiously breaking the silence.
"Yeah," replies Taichi.
"Was this really for the best?" Agumon asks concerning his Taichi's excursion from the real world.
"We'll definitely go back home one day," says Taichi. "After we've done what we're meant to do."
Taichi thinks back on everything he'd seen; Digimon were appearing within the real world and they were the ones responsible for all the strange weather. Moreover, there was the fight with Ogremon right before the portal opened. Nobody could see them! Apparently only he noticed them. But then, didn't Hikari also mention that she was able to see them? What could that mean? He then ponders what Leomon told him and the others in the moments before they made their move against Devimon. Albeit Leomon did say it was all just a rumor, they—the Chosen Children—had a purpose to fulfill here. But he gotten his Crest to activate and they'd destroyed Etemon. What now? With both Devimon and Etemon destroyed, who or what was next in line? More presently, where were his friends? Was he simply to wander the desert aimlessly until he found them? Taichi then remembers when Agumon scouted out the Koromon village near the shore where they first landed on the Server Continent.
"Agumon," Taichi says.
"What is it Taichi?"
"Do you...smell anything nearby?"
Agumon perks up his nose, sniffing the air like a bloodhound. He walks around a bit, continually testing the particles about them.
"Anything?" Taichi asks after a few moments. Agumon sniffs a bit more before his face falls.
"I'm sorry, Taichi, but I don't—"
All of a sudden, Agumon's nostrils flare. He's caught onto something!
"What?" Taichi asks.
"I'm not sure," Agumon says, "But it's…something…"
Agumon takes off, with Taichi following close behind. The two then travel across the desert for a time until arriving at what appears to be a massive sinkhole; the surrounding sand has caved in about it like the center of an hourglass.
"Any idea what this is, Agumon?" Taichi asks.
"I think…" Agumon says, "…I think this is where I blasted Etemon."
"Oh?" Taichi says, peering about the sand-filled crater. Then, it hits him: "This must be where the pyramid was!"
It made sense—the size of the crater seemed to Taichi to be about as large as the pyramid was. Taichi then congratulates his partner, giving Agumon a high five—or, perhaps a "three" given the number of fingers on Agumon's claws.
"Still, we don't know where the others went." Taichi remarks.
"Maybe there are some tracks nearby?" Agumon suggests.
"They'd have disappeared," Taichi tells him, "Remember, time moves far more slowly in the Digital World."
"Oh yeah," Agumon says, bashfully.
How long had it been? A few weeks? Months? Years? In all that time, how much distance could the others have traveled? Taichi's train of thought is broken when, at that moment, the ground begins to shake all about them.
"W-What's going on?!" Taichi says, trying to keep his balance.
"Taichi, look!" Agumon shouts, pointing into the crater. Somewhat off the center of the crater, a distinct object is rising from the sand. At the moment, what it is cannot not be determined and so Taichi and Agumon are made to watch in anticipation as the ground beneath them continues to rumble. Then, it appears: a giant reptilian head rises from the sand followed by its neck, its shoulders, and finally its arms. Sand was thrown in every direction, even reaching Taichi and Agumon. Brushing themselves off, the pair dare peer down into the depths of the pit once more and look upon this creature. It's a red dinosaur, with green stripes about its back.
"It's a Tyranomon!" Agumon says.
He was, of course, correct. The upper half of a Tyranomon can be seen protruding from within the sandy pit. It has sickly look about it and several cables are attached to its body, including one wrapped about its neck.
"It's one of Etemon's guys," Agumon growls.
"Yeah," replies Taichi, "Somehow…he must have survived."
The pair watch the Tyranomon, struggling to free itself from the sand. Unfortunately for it, not only has the sand trapped him, but the surrounding cables have fastened themselves to its flesh, digging deep into the sand.
"I think he's stuck," Agumon says. "Maybe we should just leave him behind."
Taichi nods, but still holds his ground, watch the poor creature as it struggles amidst the sand. Then, Taichi shouts:
"Hey! Tyranomon!"
The Tyranomon ceases its struggle for a moment and looks up at Taichi and Agumon. Having become familiar with Agumon's features, Taichi recognizes the helpless look on Tyranomon's reptilian face.
"He needs our help," Taichi says.
"Are you sure, Taichi?" Agumon asks. "What about the cables?"
"I know," Taichi says, "But we destroyed Etemon, so…"
Tyranomon's pleading look doesn't falter and Taichi continues to stare back. Then, knowing what he must do, Taichi takes action.
"Agumon," he says, grasping his Digivice. "Evolve."
Agumon nods and a bright light surrounds him, increasing in size and assuming a much larger shape. The next moment, Greymon is standing in front of Taichi.
"What now?" Greymon asks.
Lifting himself upon his Greymon's shoulder, Taichi points in Tyranomon's direction:
"Do you think you can reach him, Greymon?"
Greymon grunts in response. Then, with mild trepidation, begins to ascend down the sloping sand. At first, all seems well, the sand shifts slightly but barely under Greymon's weight. Yet as the pair draw closer to center, the shifting increases, burying Greymon's feet below the ankles. Taichi wavers for a moment, and Greymon brings his claw up to steady his balance.
"Taichi! You should get to safety!" says Greymon.
"Idiot!" Taichi says, leveling face with Greymon's eye. "I'm not letting you do this alone. Now keep moving!"
Greymon growls in confirm and continues making his way towards the lone Tyranomon. Taichi tightens his grip on Greymon as best he can. Even as Greymon closes the distance between them, the entire crater begins to shift about him, the sand pooling towards the center, threatening to overwhelm the Tyranomon.
"Quickly, Greymon!" Taichi yells. Then, Greymon is upon Tyranomon, managing to grab hold of it before the sand causes it to become submerged again. Grasping the sinking Digimon underneath its arms, Greymon pulls with all his might. For a moment, it seems to be working: the Tyranomon is lifted from its entrap in small measure. However, the surrounding sand continues to whirl about them, causing Greymon to sink once again. The sand threatens to swallow all of them, even as Greymon attempts to keep Tyranomon afloat with all his might. Taichi cries out in vain as the sand builds up about them; before long all three of them become buried bneath the sand.
But there, Taichi's Digivce vibrates wildly and another bright light surrounds Greymon. Next, the sand about them gives way and suddenly bursts as MetalGreymon rockets skyward. Safe carried within the palm of MetalGreymon's right-hand claw, Taichi cheers. Meanwhile, MetalGreymon's cybernetic claw has entangled itself about the cables attached to the fallen Tyranomon, ripping it free from the confines of the sand trap. They're safe!
"Well done, MetalGreymon!" Taichi shouts up to his partner. MetalGreymon smiles in appreciation.
Soon, the Tyranomon is upon level sand, far from the crater. MetalGreymon lands and Taichi hops down to ground. Flanked by his Digimon partner, Taichi anxiously approaches the Tyranomon, noting how emaciated its scaly flesh is. With great effort the Tyranomon lifts its head to look at Taichi and MetalGreymon.
"Ch-Chosen…?" the Tyranomon begins, but its voice is cut off by a wheezy cough as an inky black liquid leaks from its mouth. MetalGreymon scans the severed cables injected into Tyranomon's backside, noticing the same substance leaking from them.
"Taichi," MetalGreymon says. "He doesn't have long to live. I think the cables were keeping him alive."
"What?" asks Taichi. "How do you know that?"
"This isn't just for show," MetalGreymon explains, tapping the cybernetic plating about his head.
Taichi's nods and turns back to the dying reptile. "Don't worry, Tyranomon," he says. "We…we'll find some way to save you!"
"…Too…late…" the Tyranomon begins to say, but is cut off by more coughing.
The surrounding cables sputter and spill as Tyranomon's life ebbs away.
"Tyranomon…" Taichi says, pleadingly. But he knows there's no way he'd be able to get help before Tyranomon life gave out.
"Th-thank…you…" the Tyranomon says. Then, with great effort, the dying Digimon lifts its head ever-so-slightly, causing Taichi to take a step back. Then, turning it in a particular direction, Tyranomon collapses once again. "Th-there…" It manages to reply, before falling silent and closing its eyes.
"What?" Taichi remarks looking in that direction. "Are you saying that's where we should go?"
The Tyranomon doesn't answer. Breathing its last, the beast falls into a heap, its body disintegrating into a mass of particles as it dies.
"Tyranomon!" Taichi walks into the indentation within the bed of sand where the fallen creature once was, falling to his knees in anguish. He picks up a handful of sand where Tyranomon once was, squeezing it until the particles sift between the gaps of his fingers.
"Taichi…" comes a small voice says from behind him. Taichi turns to see a familiar pink creature shaped like a ball.
"Koromon?" says Taichi, taking the baby Digimon in his arms. He'd been so caught up in that moment, he hadn't even seen that MetalGreymon's energy had run out.
"Taichi…" Koromon pleads, "Let's go."
"Right," Taichi replies, wiping his face. "Time to go."
On and on Taichi goes, the sun continually beating down upon him and Koromon. He wishes he had brought a hat with him before he'd been pulled back into the Digital World, in addition to a bottle water, some sunscreen and maybe some sandals. He feels the sand slowly filling his shoes as he walked, but that's nothing compared to how thirsty he is. The heat is becoming more and more unbearable, rising even hotter than he remembers it had been when he and the others were on the run from Etemon. Taichi wonders how long he'd been walking for.
Taichi stops for a moment and looks ahead. Then, he looks back at his tracks.
"Koromon?" he asks, his voice becoming raspy.
"Yes?" the little Digimon replies. His voice is also very hoarse.
"Do you think we strayed too far from the path?'
"How should I know?" Koromon asks.
Taichi notes the location of the sun as best he can. Even though he's without a watch, one can usually get a feel for the time of day based on where the sun was. This was odd and it seemed to Taichi that the sun was hanging in place for peculiarly long period. What exactly did that mean? Nonetheless he keeps moving as best he can, spiting the heat. All the while, Taichi checks at Koromon every few minutes. Koromon's once-pink body has become as pale as a ghost. Taichi even notes his own dehydration; his shirt is crusted with dried perspiration.
"T-Taichi…" Koromon manages to say, right before he passes out.
"Koromom?" Taichi asks, shaking his friend, "Koromon?!"
Koromon doesn't stir. Gritting his teeth, Taichi presses forward.
The day goes on, but Taichi's journey doesn't get any easier. He sees the sun has finally begun to set. Why did that seem to take such a long time? The entire day's walking has taken its toll on Taichi; he's parched and heavily fatigued. Looking back at his tracks, he wonders again if he fell from the path. He yearns to have Koushiro at his side, figuring out where to go with his computer. Taichi's body aches to drop, but he looks at Koromon in dismay, wondering if his little partner would last through the night.
The night…?
Taichi peers at the sun again—an dimly-lit orange ball peaking halfway above the horizon. But…how long it had been sitting there? Again, Taichi wished he had some way of keeping track of the time. He stares at sun for a while and even starts to count the seconds. Before long, he figures it out: The sun really had stopped moving! But how? And Why?
Taichi very nearly collapses right then and there. He imagined that if he had collapsed in the desert, that, somehow there would at least be the hope that someone—human or Digimon, would find him and Koromon. However, a heavy wind picks up and the sand plets his face. The surprise stirs him awake once more, kick-starting whatever adrenaline he had left within his system. Taichi then takes off through the sandstorm, looking this way and that for any signs of shelter. He continues to run, blindly now as the wind has completely obscured his vision. If he hadn't strayed from the path earlier, Taichi though he'd have surely gone off course by now.
Just as Taichi felt that his legs wouldn't carry him anymore, his feet hit a very hard metal surface. The next thing he knew, he stumbled across a long ramp sloping downwards. The fall had knocked the wind out of him and as he struggled to get up, peered down the ramp. The was wide enough to accommodate a tank at the end of the ramp Taichi could see a pair of steel doors with the number 009 painted on them. Since the ramp lead underground, Taichi could only guess that this was some kind of bunker. Thanking his lucky stars, Taichi stumbles toward the door and, reaching it, pounds on with all his might.
"Open up!" He yells. "We need help! Open up!"
Taichi waits, but there's no response; the doors remain shut. Looking around, he sees no handle, no knob, and no apparent method of getting the doors open. Unwilling to give up, Taichi continues yelling until his voice gives out complete. Still, no answer. As his reserve strength fades, Taichi sits with his back against crease between the two doors, all while cradling Koromon within his arms. Then, he looks at the poor Digimon, its mouth hanging open and barely breathing.
"I'm sorry, Koromon…" He says, making every effort to keep his eyes open. Moments pass and the sandstorm continues to rage about Taichi. His current circumstances are looking more and more bleak. Then, he begins feels the doors behind him begin to vibrate and then open, causing him to fall backwards. Try as he might, he can't lift his body from the ground: he's now completely succumbed to exhaustion. He even finds he's unable make out two figures coming towards him from within the bunker. But he can hear their voices.
"It was a human child! Just like I said," one voice growls.
"Okay, bring them in, quickly! I'll get some water!" another voice replies.
Taichi feels two furry paws lift him from the ground, carrying him toward some unknown destination. Then, a pair of hands slip Koromon out from under his arms. Was it possible that, beyond all hope, he and Koromon had been saved? Even so, Taichi can't help but wonder at the second voice of his two saviors. The first voice he didn't recognize at all, but the second voice was all too familiar to him.
"S-Sora…?" Taichi manages to say.
"Do you know this guy?" the first voice asks. It's coming from the creature carrying Taichi.
"I…I don't know," the second voice replies. "But let's worry about that later, okay?"
"Roger that," the first voice replies.
That beat of hesitation from the first voice made Taichi's heart feel like it could have exploded. It was Sora! Taichi was sure of it! How desperately he wanted to shout out to her and tell her about all that had happened to him. Unfortunately, he drifts into unconsciousness.
