He moved through the inky blackness of sleep. Blissfully unaware of anything, of everything. No thoughts danced through his head, not even on a subconscious level that most couldn't stop if they tried. Myotismon floated through the corridor to the Digital world. Nothing but a few packets of Data. Destined eventually to be reborn as a Digi-Egg and start life anew. . He didn't think, didn't feel, didn't exist. His mind empty, no power left to fight with. Void of everything, empty of life. Almost. A single thought sprung into his mind with the force of years, the power of determination: NO.

A single spark ignited a fire, flickering weakly at first but slowly gaining in strength and ferocity. His eyes snapped open with a cry, " No!"

Thoughts raced around his mind, but he forced them aside, concentrating on taking deep breathes. Panic faded to be replaced by rage. How could he let this happen to himself? Allowing that Seadramon to take him by surprise, everyone knew a partnered Digimon could digivolve far more easily than a normal one, especially when their human was threatened. He should have expected it, should have prepared for it. And in the early stages of the battle, Seadramon had constricted him and Myotismon had feared that it was the end-clearly he had overestimated his own power, he had not been nearly as strong as he thought. Existing in the Real World was far harder than he had ever imagined.

Where was he? He couldn't see, something was stopping him from figuring it out, no matter. Myotismon could afford to wait, to bide his time. Despite her reappearance, it would take her some time to regain lost power. He could wait and gather his energy. Then when no one expected, it he would spring from the shadows with and take his revenge. He felt a smirk start to form as he contemplated his rematch with Seadramon. Next time he wouldn't be so easily beaten. Myotismon clenched his fist, or at least tried to. He felt nothing but a fearful numbness. The vampire Digimon looked down at his hand but there was still nothing to see by.

Then, he felt it. An emptiness that far outstripped anything he had ever felt before. Like he was slowly being deleted piece by piece. Wait, was that possible? He question soon had it's answer, the blackness surrounding him was replaced by a vibrant blue light which once more gave him the power of sight.

And what he saw.... Myotismon's body was being slowly eaten away, the data being stripped from him in preparation for his return to Digi-Egg. He had already lost his right arm all the way up to the elbow, and his entire lower section right up to his waist was gone. Data streamed from him as the deletion continued.

Myotismon cried out, " No. I'm not dead yet!"

Closing his eyes, he called upon his own unique powers, trying to bind his body together against the force which destroyed it. No use, his powers were great but he was exhausted.

With one last gurgled cry, Myotismon was unravelled into streams of data.

__

It was early morning at the crash site. It seemed to be deserted, that is to say no human was anywhere near it.

The darkness-creature was still present, though not visible. It seemed to be talking to itself or perhaps it was doing so to the Digi-Egg.

" I knew that fool would get himself killed-he never did know when to back off."

The egg rattled and the darkness replied, " I know, this place saps our strength. I can barely feel it, my true form is back home but to you.... you who are not even a rookie it must be terrible. You don't have the strength to lose, if you continue to be drained like this..... you may be deleted without ever hatching. That would be bad. Luckily for you, I have discovered a way to stop the drain. It is an old one, and I am surprised I didn't think of it before. Myotismon would never have accepted it but you, young one, you have the potential to surpass us all."

The egg was still. Darkness descended like a thick cloud or smoke and covered the egg completely, when it was gone so had the egg and the other two devices that had transformed from the meteorite.

__

The three friends met at the site of the crash. And the first thing they noticed was that the meteorite had gone.

After a somewhat petty argument about who's fault it was and who was to blame, they decided to forget about it for now and debate the mystery of the day before.

Ruki had quickly formed an opinion, " I think it's clearly some kind of advanced creature, maybe from the bottom of the sea."

Maero however had another idea, " Come on, we all know it's a government experiment got loose! How could anything natural do that kind of thing?"

" There are ways, no one really knows how far evolution can go, if given the time."

Neill was strangely silent through the raging debate. This was so unlike him that it caused Ruki to ask if he was OK.

Neill nodded, " I just don't like this place..."

Maero frowned, " But we've been coming here for years, we know it better than most of the city!"

Neill nodded, " I know that but it seems to have changed...."

" Could be the gaping crater in the ground." Observed Maero.

Neill shook his head, " I know this is going to sound stupid, but I don't really feel safe here anymore.."

Ruki gave him a blank look, " You're right, it does sound stupid."

Maero commented, " I feel it too, like the old place has changed somehow..."

Ruki shook his head, " You're both being silly, the place hasn't changed that much."

Neill replied, " I guess you're right. Maybe it's just seeing that thing yesterday."

Ruki nodded, " Yeah, whatever that was it can really throw a guy off."

With a sigh, Neill said, " But that brings us right back to what we were arguing about before-what was it?"

They continued like this for some time, but not a single one of them could agree upon what exactly the serpent thing was. However, their argument was cut short when a figure shot past them. Nearly knocking Ruki off his feet.

Maero caught him, " Are you OK?"

Ruki nodded, " Yeah but that guy... why do I feel as if I've seen him before?"

No one knew, though even Ruki admitted that he did look familiar.

" I wonder why he was running." said Maero.

They didn't have to wonder long. A vague shape started to form out of the thick fog that clung to the park. Thud. The sound reverberated throughout the park. It seemed to Neill that the ground shook with it. Thud. It came again, and this time, he was sure that the ground had indeed moved.

Thud. They were having trouble keeping their balance now as the very earth seemed to shake and splinter.

" Earthquake!" cried Ruki as they struggled to maintain their balance.

Maero shook his head, ( though none of them saw it) " I don't think so."

Thud! A massive form erupted from the mist like a bullet from a gun.

The three humans took a step back from the creature which towered above them. A giant dinosaur like monster with black scaly skin and a huge gaping mouth full of sharp teeth. The beast roared. A terrifying and primordial sound. Walking on it's two hind legs, the beast was hunched over slightly but that only served to bring it's arms, tipped with two razor sharp claws, closer to potential prey.

The three looked up at it in awe, Ruki managed to whisper, " A...a dinosaur!"

The hulking creature peered down at them and Maero noted that it wasn't like any dinosaur he had ever seen on TV, it's arms were longer and tapered down to two fingers from which the claws protruded, and it's eyes had an intelligence about them. It opened it's mouth once more but this time no ancient snarl of rage and hunger, this time a deep, growling but still recognisable voice.

" ....humans...."

" It talked!" squeaked Maero in a horrified whisper.

"...humans DIE!"

The creature lunged forwards with a mighty snarl, the three scattered, working on instinct rather than actual thought. Somehow, they all avoided the razor teeth as they closed around the spot the boys had been, gauging a new crater in the earth.

The beast roared again, " Iron Tail!"

It spun around, it's long tail moving like a flash, Neill and Ruki managed to avoid it but the blow caught Maero square in the chest. He screamed as pain ripped through his body, and tumbled limply to lie unmoving before the dino.

The other two backed away, expressions of fear upon their faces. Neill tried to force himself to move, to save Maero his friend but his limbs didn't move. Terror held his heart in a freezing grip.

I can't just leave him! Still he didn't move, and despite his every effort, Neill was unable to repress the single most powerful thought within his being, the single thing that now prevented him from saving Maero. I might die....

It brought shame to him, to his very being but he was too scared to move.

The dinosaur spoke again, " You humans are so pathetic..... I'll kill you all right now! Fire Blast!"

A huge flame shot from it's open mouth, with enough heat to melt steel no human stood a chance, Neill screamed and tried to save his friend but was still unmovable. Ruki managed to pick up Maero and run for it, the attack missed but the shock-wave nailed him, both boys tumbled to the ground with a scream as the heat washed over them. Nether so much as twitched.

Neill paled, " Ruki? Maero? Get up! It's coming!"

The dinosaur was indeed plodding towards them, it's feral features set in a chilling grin. " See? No challenge. No point. I'll kill you anyway."

Neill found himself shaking violently, what is this thing? The beast noticed him and it's smirk widened, " Coward."

The word struck deeply into Neill, coward? Am I a coward?"

The dinosaur opened his mouth again, " Fire Blas-"

A new voice cut him off, " Dark-Tyrannomon!"

The dinosaur looked over, a new figure was emerging from the fog, he was about Neill's height and age. His hair was loose and uncared for, his clothes were patched and repaired as if he'd not been anywhere near civilization for a long time.

He stood unafraid as Dark-Tyrannomon turned and ran at him, " I'll crush you, Digi-Destined!"

The human stood his ground and snarled, " I don't think so, Betamon go!"

A small form darted out from behind the boy, it was a green amphibious creature.

" Digivolve!"

A bright light exploded into being around Betamon, and a voice cried out, " Betamon Digivolve to-"

His shape was changing rapidly now, growing longer and thinner until it towered almost to the same height as Dark-Tyrannomon.

" Seadramon!"

The light exploded outwards to show a completely changed being. Neill found himself face to face with the serpent that had been on the news.

He was rooted to the spot as the creature turned towards the charging dinosaur, " Ice Blast!"

Dark-Tyrannomon saw it coming, " Fire Blast!"
The two streams of opposites met in mid-air with a roar. Fire and ice struggled for dominance, steam quickly formed a cloud around the warring elements.

Dark-Tyrannomon slowly took a faltering stem forward. Another, fighting against the pressure of the attacks he steadily advanced on Seadramon.

The boy turned to Neill with a shout, " what are you waiting for? RUN!"
Neill found that he was once more under his own power, with a cry he raced towards his fallen friends. The fight carried on around him, with a roar, Dark-Tyrannomon let loose with a powerful surge and his attack overcame Seadramon's! The fiery blast washed over the sea Digimon.

It did little damage-the serpent had sufficiently weakened it with his own icy blasts, The dinosaur charged Seadramon with a roar but the serpentine Digimon fought back, the two clashed with amazing force.

Neill managed to hoist Maero onto his back, he prodded Ruki desperately, " Come on, I can't carry you too!"

The other groaned but gave no other sign of life. Neill cursed, What do I do? I can't take them both but I don't want to leave ether of them. There's got to be away I can take them.

Dark-Tyrannomon slammed Seadramon head first into the ground and snarled, " Fire Blast!"

His attack scorched down, striking Seadramon in the face! The serpent Digimon writhed but he was being held down by Tyrannomon's bulk.

The unknown boy raced towards Seadramon, worry clear on his face, " Seadramon! Fight back!"

He just about reached the body of his fallen Digimon when Dark-Tyrannomon grinned once more,

" Big mistake, Iron Tail!"

The huge tail swept forwards again, aiming to smash into the teen's chest and maybe even break some bones, luckily for him, the boy managed to duck under it at the last second.

The boy cried out, " Seadramon, Digivolve!"

The serpentine creature writhed more fiercely but was still unable to free himself, " I can't!" he blurted out, " I've used up nearly all of my power, I've got nothing left."

The boy paled, "N-no, this can't be. You've got to have something!"

Dark-Tyrannomon roared in triumph and racked Seadramon with his sharp claws. The creature cried out but could do nothing else.

The teen continued towards Seadramon but a shout stopped him in his tracks, Neill was back after carrying Maero to safety, " Is that creature worth your life? If you go near, the dinosaur will wipe you out!"

The other snapped, " Yes!"

He said nothing more but continued towards the battle. Dark-Tyrannomon was slashing Seadramon rapidly now, laughing as the sea Digimon screamed and squirmed.

The teen continued his suicidal charge, picking up a heavy stone from beside the path and lobbing it at Dark-Tyrannomon. The dino grunted as it struck him just under the eye. " I'll tear you apart!"

He leapt towards the Digi-Destined once more, but an icy beam struck him in the back of the head.

He cried out in pain and turned with a mighty roar, Seadramon was back up! The sea serpent let put a defiant cry, " I'll not have you harming Duna!"

The dinosaur started walked towards his weakened foe, " I don't think you have a say," he taunted, " because our Dark Master is giving us all the power we need to crush you like a worm. And even if by some miracle you defeat me, there will be more! Until we destroy you if only be weight of numbers. Now DIE, Fire Blast!"

The red torrent of burning flames spouted from his mouth and towards Seadramon, it struck him full on the head and tossed him back like a doll, Dark-Tyrannomon grinned, " Now to finish you, Iron Tail!"

His tail leapt towards the falling Digimon like an iron whip, lancing out at his eye, and was blocked! Duna had thrown himself in the way of the attack, his back taking the bone-shattering blow. Both human and Digimon slowly fell over, Seadramon shrinking back to Betamon.

Tyrannomon towered over them, " Digi-Destined. Ha! What a joke, you aren't worthy of that name. I'll destroy you for the master, Fire Blast!"

Another stone collided with his head, this time hitting his eye. Tyrannomon blinked away tears, and turned to see his attacker.

Neill stood, rooted to the spot with fear, shivering and trembling, both of his friends now safe he had attempted to save Duna. " Run!" he cried to the other, wishing he could follow his own advice. Yet fear held him still, unable to escape as the dinosaur approached him.

" You know, " said Dark-Tyrannomon, " You're actually braver than the other, at least you had the nerve to face me directly rather than sending a lackey to do it for you. Fire Blast!"

The fiery attack shot at him, faster than he could even think of running, Neill saw it close the distance ( but not faster than it took for him to learn the meaning of true terror) and engulf him in it's lethal embrace.

He closed his eyes, feeling the searing heat that would soon burn his bones to nothing but dust.

It didn't happen. The air was truly very hot but not boiling. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and slammed them shut again! The fire was all around him but didn't burn. When nothing happened he opened them once more and this time saw clearly. A thin shield of red energy separated him from the fiery attack.

Dark-Tyrannomon stopped his attack, " what?"

Duna slowly raised his head, " what?"

Betamon did the same but his face showed not confusion but rather triumph, " We found him."

There was a sign upon the shield, a simple hourglass shape glowing red.

Slowly, comprehension dawned on Duna's face, " Him?"

Slowly, the shield receded, leaving Neill unprotected, but forming a crude egg-shape. There was a flash and the egg was filled with fire, slowly, the flame began to take shape.

Dark-Tyrannomon roared, " Not on my watch! Fire Blast!"

His attack once more soared straight at Neill but this time, the egg/shield moved to intercept. Engulfed in flames, it cracked open and exploded! A shock-wave of golden fire forced even Tyrannomon to take a step back.

Where once there was egg, no a creature had been formed. Born of living flame it appeared to be a small round creatures, all face. A friendly looking Digimon kept in the air by four feathery wings.

Neill was still shaking from the dark Digimon's assault, but he noticed that a small portion of the golden shock-wave had somehow formed into an orb in his hand, as he looked at it, the fire faded but left something behind.

A small device, like a hand-held computer game, Dark-Tyrannomon launched himself at them but the device started to glow.

The fluffy Digimon began to glow, like Betamon had, and a voice announced, " Igmon Digiolve to.."

The light exploded outwards to show a bird-like Digimon. Small enough to perch on Neill's shoulder, her feathers were coloured red. Her beak sharp and glinted in the sun, her eyes black, her talons wickedly sharpened.

Betamon said, " I've never seen this Digimon before-but I know she's good news!"

The Digimon seemed to hear him because she said, " I am Ignimon, though only a rookie my Living Flame attack is the bane of virus Digimon everywhere."

Neill watched the bird as it talked, a bird, talking? Was he going mad? It would certainly explain things....

Dark-Tyrannomon lunged at her saying, " You may have hatched but that doesn't change a thing, two rookies against a champion? I'll crush you both like bugs!"

Ignimon flew into the air, narrowly avoiding his claws. Betamon called up to her, " He's right, run now while you can!"

She didn't even bother to answer, just made a turn and cried out " Living Flame!"

A beam of fire leapt from her beak and struck Tyrannomon in the face, he staggered back but didn't seem to take any real damage.

Ignimon moved to fly back into the sky but her foe was too fast, his swipe caught her and she was tossed aside, " Iron Tail!"

The tail smashed into her and with a scream Ignimon tumbled to the ground. Tyrannomon lifted a foot to crush her, and Betamon cried out in despair but Ignimon managed to fly out in the nick of time, nevertheless, Dark-Tyrannomon laughed and said, " This is who I've been sent to destroy?"

Ignimon hovered in the air, " I'll show you true power, Living Flame!"

Her attack shot down at him but Dark-Tyrannomon opened his mouth and cried, " This is how you do a real attack, Fire Blast!"

She couldn't get out of the way in time and the attack slammed into her, sending her burning corpse spiralling down to earth.

Neill caught himself gasping, surprised at the extreme worry he felt for it, after all it wasn't like they had any kind of connection, was it?

Dark-Tyrannomon laughed, " Another fool dead."

Betamon was near tears, " No! It was all worthless! My whole life!"

And then, a voice boomed out, " Take heart, this battle is nowhere near over!"

And then, Ignimon pulled out of her dive, the fiery attack still raging around her, Dark-Tyrannomon gasped, " Impossible!"

And she soared into the sky, like a phoenix bathed in red flames. " Now, you'll see what true power is," she said, " True power isn't the ability to fight, true power is the ability to help others, Will of the Living Flame!"

And the fiery aura exploded outwards, super charged and turning golden, it struck Betamon and he flinched, but soon he was back on his feet, amazed, " I feel stronger, all my energy has been restored!"

Ignimon nodded, " I took all the power from Dark-Tyrannomon's attack and turned it into energy. Call it a gift for guarding me so long."

Duna found himself grinning, " Betamon, it's payback time."

The small Digimon smirked wickedly, " yeah."

His aura of light formed, " Betamon Digivolve to Seadramon!"

It wasn't over yet, the light remained, " Seadramon Digivolve to..."

Dark-Tyrannomon took a step back, worried for the first time since the start of the battle.

Seadramon grew in size and power, his skin changing colour, " Mega-Seadramon!"

Dark-Tyrannomon gulped, " Not good, maybe I can take him out before he finishes, Fire Blast!"

Too late, Mega-Seadramon roared, " Mega Ice Blast!"

A huge wave of freezing water smashed into the attack, freezing and devouring it and continuing on towards Dark-Tyrannomon.

It struck him squarely in the chest, freezing a good portion of his body and knocking him back. The dinosaur Digimon cried out in pain and fear. He could sense it, here was a foe he could not overpower, not in a million years.

His breath was frosty as he gasped, " You can't do this!"

Mega-Seadramon struck, " Think again! Lightening Javelin!"

A powerful bolt of thunder sped towards the weakened Digimon, he cried out and collapsed to the ground. The earth shook as the massive bulk of the dinosaur Digimon crashed into it but after that, he was still.

Mega-Seadramon gasped for breath and reverted to Betamon.

Neill found himself creeping closer to the downed Digimon, " Exactly what is that?"

Duna also found himself walking towards the fallen dinosaur, though in his case he was more interested in the human Neill than in Dark-Tyrannomon.

They both jumped when a croak came from the body, it came again and they realized it was not a croak-it was words. Weakened, mortally wounded, Dark-Tyrannomon was talking.

" You think..you've w-won? ...th...ink again.... more will come....."

Betamon demanded, " More what? More Digimon? What Digimon?"

" Every....kind....all of us..... we avenge our fallen.... Digi-Destined, you're time.... is up....but I will be...reborn.....I'll have the last la-ugh...."

Ignimon landed on Dark-Tyrannomon's head, peering into his eyes she said, " Last laugh? You may be reborn but you wont have any memories, you might not even be the a Tyrannomon, I don't call that winning."

" Ugh.....hah.....wont be a Digi-Egg....I have power....be-beyond any other......"

Duna quickly snapped, " What do you mean? What power? Power over what?!"

".....I h-ave...the Darkness...Sign.....urg....This isn't the last....you'll see....of...me....."

One last sigh and he was gone, the spark of life vanished from his eyes. His body slowly breaking up into so much Data.

While Neill watched, spell-bound as the Date floated up into the air, Duna pondered this latest news, Darkness Sign? Power beyond any other? This doesn't sound very good. And I'm no where nearer to understanding just how these Digimon are getting into the real world....

He looked at Neill, who was now watching him expectantly, what do I tell him? That he's one of the Chosen? A Digi-Destined? Will be believe me? How do I say it?"

Neill fought against his shivering body, terror still bubbling just below the surface. The last few minutes going through his mind again and again, that red torrent fire coming towards him....

" What was that?"

Duna spoke quickly, experience easily answering the question, " A Digimon, that stands for Digital Monster. "

He saw the blank uncomprehending look on the other's face, " I see I have some explaining to do. But maybe we should go somewhere more private? I mean, someone might have noticed the giant dinosaur..."

Neill saw that Duna was making sense but.... do I trust this guy enough to go somewhere with him? I mean, how do I know he's not some kind of murderer..... and that serpent....

Yet other things drove him, Neill wanted to know what his attacker was, Digital Monster didn't mean anything to him. He needed an explanation, knew that he wouldn't be able to truly rest without one. " Fine, do you have anywhere in mind?"

Duna nodded, " as a matter of fact, I do. Follow me."

" Wait for us!"

They both turned, Betamon tensed ready for another fight, Ignimon took to the air in preparation. Two figures emerged from the bushes, one had an arm around the other's shoulders and was supporting him.

Maero smiled weakly through his pain, " You're not going anywhere without us.."

Ruki showed his agreement, " Yeah... we're a team..."

" How are you?" questioned Neill

Maero was pale sweaty, he clenched his teeth in an effort not to cry out at every movement.

Ruki answered the question for both of them, " That thing gave me a lot of burns, nothing bad," he added as he saw Neill's expression, " But my back hurts like hell. Maero's not so lucky.... I think broken bones. I'm no expert but he should be in a hospital."

" That looks bad," Neill said as he examined his friends, " Come on, we'll take him there now."

He made to help support Maero but found Duna standing between them.

" This is important," Duna said quickly, " You have to hear me."

" I'll listen to you after I get my friend to the hospital."

Neill tried to get past but Duna moved so that he was still between them, the Digi-Destined said,

" You don't understand, there are things you must know. Things which will keep you alive."

Neill paused, keep me alive? What does he mean by that?"

" Is that a threat?"

Duna shook his head, " Not by me, you saw how powerful Dark-Tyrannomon was, there are more coming, they might be even stronger. One thing I do know, they will come after both of us."

" Why do they want me?"

Duna sighed, " I'm afraid it's because of me..."

Neill sealed away his fear, bottling it up for later, he could worry about the future then but right now there was a friend in need of help and that took priority.

" That doesn't change anything-I'm still taking Maero to a hospital. You can tell me later."

He pushed past the other before he could try anything else and helped to move Maero towards the park exit.

Duna and Betamon watched as they slowly made their way through the park, " He's so strange..." pondered Duna out loud.

Betamon responded, " Did you expect someone more like yourself?"

" Yeah, I guess I kinda did.."

" Of course everyone will be different, that's the whole point of a team. Different people, different strengths."

" Yeah..."

But as Neill, Ruki and Maero left the park, Duna thought, different strengths also means different weaknesses. Betamon and myself have survived on our own for so long, I only hope that this new team can survive just as long.... He shook his head, There are so many things that could go wrong... I have no idea how things will turn out.

__

Night in the Digital World. The thick leafy forests that covered an area known simply as Region 02. This was a strange place, a place that would very likely not exist if it weren't for the conquest of the Digital World by the nine Dark Lords. Led by a monsterus and evil Digimon, the Dark Lords now had total dominance over the lands and seas, and they each divided it into regions, each ruled over by one of their own.

02 was a forest region, in the daytime, thick golden sunlight streamed through the numerous tree branches down to the underbrush. There was a tremendous crashing and one of the older trees slowly fell to the ground, scattering the many small Digimon gathered around it's base.

A sharp voice bellowed, " Back to work!"

There was the crack of a whip and a scream of pain. This was not the first tree to be felled, indeed a large clearing had been constructed around a central building of stone. A massive pyramid to dwarf even the largest of human buildings. Large enough for Digimon the size of Kuwagamon and Kabuterimon.

And in the very core of the pyramid, a dark room. A single huge screen completely taking up the right wall. Right now, it showed not one but eight pictures each separate from the others. Each one displaying a separate Digimon shrouded in shadows. One was talking right now,

" Should never have trusted him," a Digimon was saying, " both Nine and his secondary were deleted."

Another voice, harsh and machine like, " beginning data reconstruction. Estimated time... unknown... damage extensive.."

" Yes, yes," another voice, this one a strange mixture of playful and commanding, " I am open to suggestions now."

" Crush...them..."

This voice was weird, it spoke in a slow and deliberate way. Like every word had to be thought through.

The mechanical spoke again, " I agree, take our strongest units to the gate points, the humans have no real defence, even the so called Digi-Destined wouldn't be able to stop is. "

" That would be suicide."

This voice seemed to be older than the others. More experienced. " For all we know, the Digi-Destined may be capable of mega-level."

" Impossible!"
" Let us look at the evidence, firstly Myotismon was not only beaten back but also deleted. Myotismon may only be of the ultimate level but I think we can all agree he is a powerful one."

Murmurs, some of agreement others of dissent.

Something in the shadows of the room moved. Though shadows coated it and made it hard to truly see what it was, the creature was massive and insecticidal.

" I recall," said the insect, " That you are yourself of the ultimate level, Master-Tyrannomon. Not scared, are you?"

The voice, now identified as Master-Tyrannomon, replied, " Hardly, I am only presenting the trouble we will all have to overcome if we are to continue our conquest."

" ....Crush them...all"

The commanding voice again, " That's your answer to everything. I admit it works most of the time but I think this may require a more delicate touch. Master-Tyrannomon, what do you have in mind?"

" Did I say I had a plan?"

" You usually do."

" In fact, I do have a plan of sorts, but it is nowhere near completion."

" In that case, does anyone else have any ideas?"

" I do." the machine voice once more filled the room.

" Well, Machinedramon?"

" I have several units ready for transportation at many gate points. "

" Wired for surveillance?"

" Of course."

The commanding voice, " Then it is settled, Machinedramon will remove this annoyance for us. Are we agreed?"

Eight voices spoke at the same type in terrifying unity, " We are."

A different room. Different and yet the same. Same main room, same pyramidal structure, but this time made of steel not stone.

Machinedramon slowly eased his massive bulk into the corridor that led from the main room.

Eventually, he stood at the very top of the massive building, looking out at a huge city of gleaming steel as far as the eye could see.

Now that he was sufficiently high up to guarantee reception, Machinedramon's on-board transmitter kicked in, " This is Number Four, units are to advance upon the enemy and crush them. Operation Elimin-eight."

And as the machine Digimon watched over his city he found himself thinking: Digi-Destined, you have defeated one of our number but don't think you're out of the woods. By deleting the weakest you have attracting the attentions of the strongest. My armies will grind your cities to dust, we will destroy your Digimon and conquer your world. There is no escape.