[Last updated July 8, 2016]

IV

The Power of the Commander

Ross and his companions had finally reached the camp's hill again. It was late in the afternoon on the fourth day since they first set out. All three of the humans were low in spirits, and BlackAgumon was as sullen as ever. As they passed the spiked barrier they could hear some kind of commotion at the top: a number of raised voices were competing with each other. Ross found it difficult to care. What he wanted to do more than anything was simply let BlackAgumon deliver their findings to Angemon so he could go off somewhere to lie down.

Despite his weariness, however, he knew that before he got any rest he needed to have a private conversation with Jacob and Joanie. Ever since the violent incident that had occurred two mornings ago, he knew that things were about to get completely out of hand. If they rather wanted things to stay in hand, he and the other two teenagers would have to make the right decision soon—and without the influence of these mad Virus and Vaccine. He glanced over at them and saw that they too were exhausted. It was apparent that for once he would have to work to get them to talk. He didn't relish the prospect.

Once they reached the top of the hill, Ross saw one thing that he had expected and another that he hadn't. The former was a crowd of several Agumon standing around Garurumon, and they appeared to be arguing about something. The latter was a large, winged horse that was lying near the edge of the slope. Its wings were black and somewhat tattered, its body was covered in scars, and the top of its head was covered by a red, steel mask that had a spike coming out of the forehead. BlackAgumon took one look at the creature and glared. "Unimon. There must be some news from the City."

Jacob said, "Let's ask him about it later. I'm bushed."

"Don't bother; you won't get an answer. He only delivers written messages."

Jacob paused to look at Unimon. "Is he one of those…the Gazimon called them 'slow-mutes'?"

At the sound of that word Unimon raised his head and looked back at Jacob. Its eyes were hidden behind a narrow slit in the mask, but Ross could tell that underneath was an expression of disapproval. BlackAgumon motioned to Unimon with his arms and then spoke to Jacob as one would correct a child. "I forgot to mention earlier: you never want to use that term. It's horribly impolite. The proper thing is not to recognize the distinction."

Jacob was embarrassed and his face didn't hide it. This was enough for Unimon to lay his head back down and apparently forget about the matter. "And besides," said BlackAgumon, "I imagine we'll hear of the news soon enough, judging by that racket over there."

"Hey!"

The teenagers turned around and saw Tatiana running toward them. "You made it back!"

Despite his fatigue Jacob managed to smile. "Just like we said we would. How's everyone doing?"

"We're all fine," said Tatiana. "I mean, we've been here the whole time. Why are you so worried?"

Had Joanie not been exhausted, she might have laughed. "Guess we should have known better. Sorry we ever doubted you."

It was then that Tatiana noticed the bow in Joanie's hand and the spear that Ross was leaning on. "Hey, where did you get those!"

"Never mind," said Ross. "What are they arguing about over there?"

Tatiana bit her lip and fidgeted with the goggles on her forehead. "I think the Agumon want some answers."

"Answers to what?" asked BlackAgumon.

"Well…Angemon left this morning and I don't know why."

"He what?"

The force in BlackAgumon's reaction startled Tatiana. A moment later they heard Garurumon speak in an immensely loud voice that silenced the Agumon. "That's enough! Back to your business, all of you!"

The argument was over, and the Agumon dispersed. Garurumon then began to walk in the direction of the crowd at the edge of the hill. As he moved he muttered some combination of curses beneath his breath. BlackAgumon waited until Garurumon was right in front of them before he asked, "What's all this about Angemon leaving?"

Garurumon closed his eyes and groaned. "I don't need this from you, too."

"I'm serious! When is he coming back?"

"I've no idea."

BlackAgumon hissed. "But there is! The Virus are attacking in less than two weeks! We need him back as soon as possible!"

Garurumon's eyes opened wide and he looked straight at BlackAgumon. "What? So soon?"

Tatiana was stunned. Jacob moved close to her and put his hand on her shoulder, which wasn't nearly enough to put her at ease.

"They have at least two DarkTyrannomon, more likely three," said BlackAgumon. "Why isn't Angemon here?"

The usual command and strength in Garurumon's voice was diminishing. "I'll tell you what I told the troops, which is all I know. This morning Unimon came with a message for Angemon. Angemon didn't show it to me, and he didn't tell me what it said. All he told me was that he had urgent business in the Holy City, and that Unimon would stay here to keep our strength up while he was gone. So we still have two Adult-levels, but three DarkTyrannomon? This won't be easy."

"There's worse news, too. I'd rather divulge it in private."

The Commander. That wasn't the least of the things that had been heavy on Ross's mind over the last two days.

Garurumon nodded to BlackAgumon. "We'll discuss it in the captain's tent." He then spoke to the teenagers. "You three can go rest now. I'll speak with you later."

"Got it," said Jacob. Once Garurumon and BlackAgumon had left, Jacob yawned and was walking off when Ross spoke up.

"We need to talk."

"Can it wait?" asked Joanie.

"No."

Jacob bit his lip. "Let's keep it short." He turned to face Ross and looked at him expectedly, but Ross was not yet satisfied.

"Tatiana, go find all the others and tell them we're back."

Tatiana got the message, but she was clearly indignant about it. "Why?"

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Ross, it's fine."

"No it isn't. We need to talk alone, just the three of us."

"Why aren't I part of 'us'?"

Tatiana's insistence was getting to Ross's nerves. "Because we're bigger, got it?"

"You don't have to be nasty about it," said Joanie. Then she looked him straight in the eye. She made a subtle motion with her bow, tapping the bottom of her quiver. Ross understood her. The conversation was going to be in part about death, and none of the teenagers were sure they wanted to broach the subject with the kids yet.

Jacob seemed to understand her meaning as well, and he found a way to resolve the matter without letting Tatiana in on anything. "Is this about those sores on your backside, Ross?"

Ross wanted to punch Jacob in the face, but he knew a good gambit when he saw one. "Yeah. I think we need to take a look at them; they might be infected."

The indignity on Tatiana's face was now replaced with disgust. "Actually, I think I'll go."

Tatiana left, and Ross led Jacob and Joanie well out of the earshot of anyone in the camp. When they were standing next to the spiked barrier, Jacob said, "This had better be really important."

Since none of them had any desire for the conversation to last long, Ross got straight to the point. "We have to leave as soon as possible."

Much to Ross's crushing disappointment, both Jacob and Joanie responded with complete incredulity. "What?" they both said at once.

"Ross, that's out of the question," said Joanie. "It's too dangerous out there, and we wouldn't know where to find food for all eleven of us."

"And besides," said Jacob, "the Virus are coming. It's not going to be safe away from the army."

'The army,' noticed Ross. Not 'the Vaccine army,' but simply 'the army,' as if it were 'our army.' If Jacob already counted them all as being allied with the Vaccine, this was going to be difficult.

"That's exactly why we have to get away and lay low. You heard how worried Garurumon and BlackAgumon are. They're going to lose without Angemon and then we're in trouble. And besides: we're not Vaccine, this isn't our army, and this isn't our war."

Jacob's brow grew stern. "I don't think you have the right idea, Ross." He pointed off into the west. "There is something very wrong about that Virus army out there. For now it is our war because it's not going to be safe for anyone around here if they take over."

"You don't know tha—"

Jacob cut him off. "Did you notice that Gazimon's eyes?"

This gave Ross pause. Missing Tip's eyes were solid red when he and Jacob had stabbed him. "…Yes."

"I thought so." Jacob's voice was quickly growing more forceful. "Three nights ago, when we were in the woods again? You kept muttering 'red eyes' in your sleep. Those little things you fought off on our first night here, were their eyes glowing red too?"

Ross glared. Bringing up sleep-talk was crossing a line.

"Hell," Jacob continued, "Even BlackAgumon's eyes were getting pretty red that one time he got real mad, and he's on our side! The Virus are dangerous. If you don't think we're going to be in deep shit if don't stick with the Vaccine, then you're nuts!"

Joanie covered her eyes with her hand. "Jacob, please."

This got Jacob's attention, and he took a few seconds to calm himself. When he spoke again his eyes were no longer angry. "I'm going to fight in this battle."

Joanie was shocked. "What?"

Ross was shocked as well. He was now less angry at Jacob and more bewildered.

"I mean it. We have to keep the kids safe, and that's going to depend on Angemon's army driving the Virus back. I can help."

"You going to bet your life on that?" asked Ross.

"Yes. I like the odds, and you can't change my mind."

With that, Jacob turned around and walked back up the hill as Joanie and Ross simply watched him. When he was out of sight, Ross turned to Joanie.

"Do you agree with him?"

Joanie stared at the grass. "There's no way I can take part in a battle. But…I can't say that he's wrong. It's our responsibility to protect the kids, and I believe we're on the right side of the fight."

Ross shook his head. "I can't say I'm sure we're on the right side, or if there is a right side. This Forbidden City of theirs rubs me the wrong way, and I'm not sure we can trust Angemon. The way he…talks to you is freaky, and looks can be deceiving."

Joanie sighed. "That's understandable. One question, though: do you trust Garurumon?"

She was playing for feelings. Ross hated it when Christians did this while he was trying to be rational, but he had to be honest. "Yeah. I guess I do."

"In that case, I think we can accept for now that we're under his care."

Ross took a deep breath. "Seems like I've lost the argument anyway."

Joanie lowered her head, and Ross kept speaking. "Can you agree to one thing, though? That during the next two weeks we work out an escape plan in case the fighting goes badly? It can be just us and the kids if Jacob wants to fight to the bitter end. I just want to be sure we know where we can take the kids to hide in case of disaster."

Joanie nodded. "That's a good idea, we'll do it."

Ross nodded back and they both began to walk up the hill, hoping to finally get some rest. "Just don't mention 'the bitter end' again," said Joanie. "I'm not sure I can take it."

Her voice wavered, and Ross felt that she was near tears. He looked down, and he saw that the bottom of his shirt was still stained red.

The first few days following their return were uneventful, but Ross felt this sickening tension and anticipation in the air. He and Jacob hadn't spoken since their last conversation with Joanie, which was fine with Ross. He was content to avoid Jacob and instead distract himself with such day-to-day duties around the camp.

It was three hours past noon one day when Ross was leading several of the children back to the camp from the well, which was about a quarter of a mile away. Ross was carrying two buckets of water on the ends of his spear, which he held on his shoulders. For the remaining buckets there were two kids to a branch. He was half-listening to one of the girls—was it Rebecca?—as she described to him the game of highly improvised baseball that Tatiana had led them in last week.

"Jamie had a hacky-sack, so we used that for the ball and sticks for bats."

"The field was really narrow and second base was uphill!" That was one of the boys, and for the life of him Ross could not remember his name.

"I got Michael out at first three times!" That was Steven, or at least Ross thought so. It could have been another one of them.

"Did anyone hit a home run?" asked Ross, as he saw the bottom of the camp's hill come into view.

"Nope," said Rebecca (maybe). "No one could hit the ball far enough."

As they neared the barricade Biyomon appeared and perched herself on one of the spikes. "Thanks for covering for me, Ross."

"No problem."

"Okay kids, I need those buckets over by the mess tent! Oh, Ross, could you take yours over to Unimon? He drinks a ton!"

Biyomon hopped down and led the kids on their way. Ross veered off and made his way to where Unimon was lying. The winged horse had barely moved since he had arrived, which made Ross wonder if he was going to be worth all the food he ate. As Ross lifted the spear from his shoulders and set down the buckets, Unimon moved his head slightly in acknowledgment and went back to staring at the horizon or whatever he was doing.

Ross walked away from Unimon and further into the camp without a destination in mind. He happened to pass by a clearing where Jacob and Agumon—the Agumon they had first met, Ross guessed—were facing each other off in a mock battle. Partly out of curiosity and also because he knew he couldn't stay out of Jacob's way indefinitely, Ross decided to watch.

Jacob was holding his sword in front of him, and Agumon had his arms raised and knees bent. In a swift motion Agumon dove for Jacob with a swing of his claws, and just as swiftly Jacob shifted to the side and avoided the attack while keeping his guard up. "You're starting to get the hang of it. The Gazimon just about always attack like this, so it's only any trouble if they gang up on you."

"Got it." Jacob was nearly out of breath, but the spirit in his voice was high.

"That's why you gotta work close with your platoon to split them up."

"Right."

"Think that's enough for today. I'm gonna grab lunch."

Jacob returned his sword to its sheath. "I'll join you in a bit. Thanks a ton!"

"Hey, thank you. We need all the help we can get." Agumon said that, but Ross knew that there was some help that Agumon would much rather do without. He also knew that the less anyone said about the matter in any Agumon-oid's presence—black or orange—the better.

As Agumon trotted off toward the mess tent, Jacob turned around and approached Ross. "Hey Ross, got a sec?"

Ross had all day, and he figured a second of it spent talking to Jacob would be tolerable. "Sure."

"So, Joanie told me you and her are putting together an evacuation plan for the kids."

"Yeah. Biyomon says there's a number of homesteads a few miles east, where it's flatter. She said she'll help us get away if things go south."

Jacob nodded, and looked first to the east but then to the fog in the west. "That's all good. Nice you got it worked out."

"Yup." Ross figured that Jacob was hiding some of his thoughts on the matter. Undoubtedly Jacob was thinking that Ross was looking for an excuse to get away from the armies, and he wouldn't be wrong about that.

"And believe me," said Jacob, "I think you've got the right idea on this one. Mind you, I think we can win, and that even if we have to retreat it'll still probably be safest with the army, but the worst case scenario is that the Virus have something up their sleeve and we're toast. If that happens it's absolutely the right choice to find somewhere to lay low. I'm glad you're planning for the worst; you always need someone to do that."

That was Jacob, Ross supposed: always trying to spin discord as cooperation. After all, if Ross had his way they'd already be long gone. "That's the idea."

"And hey, I know things got a bit out of hand when we came back, but us humans from the Creators or America or whatever got to stick together. We still good?"

"Of course." After all, if Ross didn't act 'good' enough with Jacob, then he'd be on worse terms with Joanie, and that would make things much more difficult when they found themselves alone with the kids following the defeat.

Jacob smiled. "Great. Catch you later, I'm starved." Jacob slapped Ross on the back and went on his way.

In that moment, Ross felt that BlackAgumon's earlier description of him and Jacob as 'snakes' was entirely appropriate. He went on his way as well, and didn't get far before he heard Tatiana calling, "Hey, Ross!"

'I'm popular today,' thought Ross. "What's up?"

Tatiana ran up next to him. She looked excited about something. "You gotta come see what Joanie found!"

"What is it?"

"Just come on! You've really got to see it! It's in the supply tent!"

Ross supposed he could let her have her surprise. "All right, I'm coming."

He made a point to walk at his own pace, and Tatiana slowed herself down to match him. When they were getting close to the long supply tent, Tatiana asked him a question in a much more subdued tone than she had used earlier. "So, uh…how's your…how's your butt?"

Ross was confused for a moment, but then he remembered. "Oh, it's fine now. Nothing to worry about. Thanks for asking."

Tatiana nodded, and Ross again felt the desire to punch Jacob in the face. He tried to put it in the back of his mind as he parted the supply tent's flap and they walked in. Joanie and Michael were squatting on the ground some fifteen yards in, engrossed in conversation.

"I think," said Michael, "it's like you can't see it and then stop yourself, because then you wouldn't have seen it."

"Yeah, that's exactly right. Pretty wild, huh?"

Ross couldn't make heads or tails of the exchange. "What are you guys talking about?"

Joanie and Michael looked up. "Hey," said Joanie, "take these for a second."

Joanie stood up and showed Ross a small, shiny, black stone and a clump of iron. Ross was perplexed, and looked around at everyone's faces. They were eager about something, and Michael in particular looked like he was about to come out of his skin. Ross raised an eyebrow, trying to think of what was going on. Seeing as there was no better way to find out than to play along, he laid down his spear and took the rock and piece of metal from Joanie.

"All right," said Ross. He took another look at the stone. Apart from its peculiar luster, he didn't see anything special about it. "Am I missing something here?"

Tatiana giggled, and Joanie smiled. "Okay," said Joanie, "take the stone and hit it against the iron, real hard."

'Oh please,' thought Ross. 'They don't think I've ever seen flint before.' Unimpressed, but willing to humor them, Ross raised the stone over the iron. And then nothing happened. Ross did not bring his arm down, and the stone did not move.

Ross's lip began to tremble. He had brought his arm up with the intent of moving it again, and he still had that intent. And it wasn't as if his arm were paralyzed: he could move it back and forth just fine, and he even managed to bring the stone down slowly and softly to touch the iron, but that was it. He shook his head and brought his arm up again, but still he could not bring it down quickly so as to strike the iron. Or was it 'would' not? He didn't know, and that scared the living daylights out of him.

He looked up, and he could see that Joanie and Tatiana were stifling laughter.

"You have to really mean it," said Michael. "Don't think about anything except your arm. Tell yourself you're going to move it no matter what."

Ross had no idea how that would help, or why he even needed help for that matter. He took a deep breath and returned his attention to his arm. For a few seconds he just breathed, until finally his mind was absolutely made up.

And then it happened. As soon as Ross shut everything else out of his mind, a brilliant green flash and a hundred sparks erupted from the iron in his hand. Less than a second later, Ross brought his arm down and the stone made impact with a little noise and nothing more.

Ross stood still for several seconds. "Someone tell me what just happened."

Joanie was more than happy to oblige. "So, imagine that you had hit the iron, but the flash had happened just after you hit it."

Ross was still reeling, but he followed her. "Okay."

Michael jumped in. "That's basically what happened, except the flash showed up early."

Ross looked at the rock, and then back at Joanie. "That's impossible."

Joanie grinned and shrugged. "That's what happened, though."

"Joanie said it's a PPTR," said Tatiana.

This was not helping Ross. "A what?"

"Paradox-Proof Time Rock," said Michael, who was also grinning.

"Think of it this way," said Joanie. "When the rock hits the iron, it sends out sparks." She closed a fist and opened it again to demonstrate. "But, instead of just sending the sparks out into space, it also sends them back in time." She then moved her hand sideways.

Ross was speechless.

"It fits. That flash came out from just where you were going to hit the iron a split-second later. The reason why you were having trouble going through with it is because it's impossible for you to see the flash and then stop yourself in surprise and not hit the iron. If you did that there wouldn't be any sparks to surprise you in the first place!"

It did fit. Ross looked at the rock one more time, and he understood the logic that held the thing together in a temporal sense. He raised the stone again, and this time it took very little hesitation on his part for the sparks to fly and for him to strike the iron. He also noticed this time that the flash seemed to extend through his hand and out the back, though he felt no heat. He smiled a little, and a small laugh even forced its way from his lungs. "This is incredible."

"It gets better," said Tatiana. "Watch this!"

Tatiana took the stone from his hand and walked further into the tent. Joanie and Michael backed up closer to the walls and Ross followed suit. Tatiana stopped when she was well past the closest of the iron poles that held up the ceiling. Ross wondered for a moment what she was up to when suddenly she wound up and delivered. As the rock left her hand, an astoundingly large flash burst from the pole and moved in the direction that the rock was moving. The rock hit the pole with a clang, and the flash kept flying for a good twenty yards before fading. The sparks from the impact hung and danced in the air for several seconds before they too disappeared.

Ross's jaw hung open. As Tatiana retrieved the stone, Joanie spoke again. "It seems like the more force the rock has on impact, the more pronounced the effect is."

"No kidding. How did you find this thing?"

"Dumb luck. I was walking around and looking for some spare blankets when my foot slipped on it. I picked it up and was about to throw it, and then I just didn't."

Ross was in awe. The awe, however, began to slip away when Joanie spoke again. And when Ross heard what she said, he began to suspect that she attributed her finding of the stone to providence rather than to 'dumb luck.'

"I think we can make something to help Jacob with this."

Here Ross had been so happy to see something so fantastic, and now she had to remind him that the battle was approaching. "How so?"

Joanie took the stone back from Tatiana and examined it closely. "Garurumon said a while ago that one of their big problems is that it's hard to make an organized retreat when everyone's so spread out."

Ross's first thought had been to make something with the stone that would surprise the enemy, but this was a much different matter. "Go on."

"Judging by how far the flash went when Tatiana threw it, I'll bet that the distance the flash travels is closely tied to how far the rock would have traveled had there been no impact. I think if I could break down and reshape this rock—and it seems brittle enough for that—I could get it to fit on a crossbow bolt."

"You want to make a signal flare."

"That's right. All the crossbow would need is a piece of metal fixed to the front end for the rock to hit."

Ross thought about it for a moment. "That makes some sense. There could be someone keeping watch in a high place where they can see the whole battle. And if things get really bad, they start firing signals for retreat."

Joanie nodded, and then made some indentations in the short grass with her finger. "Ideally the watchers would be somewhere to the side of the fighting."

Michael asked, "So the soldiers don't have to turn around to see the signal?"

"Exactly."

Ross thought about this a little more. "Depending on how close the battle is to the camp, and how bright the flash is, everyone here might be able to see it too."

"That would be perfect," said Joanie. "Oh, but there is the fog to consider, though."

Ross had forgotten about the fog. That could indeed through a wrench into the whole thing. "We'll test it out. This is too good an opportunity to ignore."

"Of course. We ought to go talk to Garurumon about it now."

"Agreed."

Joanie and Ross stood up to leave, and Michael handed Ross his spear. "Thanks. We do have crossbows, right?"

"There are some in the back," said Tatiana.

The four left the tent, and went looking for Garurumon. As they looked for him, Ross contemplated his responsibility to keep the little ones out of harm's way. This was perhaps just the opportunity he needed to make sure they could escape from this impending disaster, despite all of Jacob's reckless efforts to the contrary.

The days were passing quickly, and the outlook in the camp was not growing more optimistic.

The sun was dropping in the western sky, and it lit the surrounding clouds on fire. For the third time that week the hills were mostly free of fog, but overhead it was dark and promised rain. It had been one week and six days since Ross had sat around the Gazimons' campfire, and Biyomon had just returned from her scouting mission with the news that the Virus army was coming their way, and would reach the camp in four hours at their current pace. It was time to march out to meet them.

Ross was squatting next to BlackAgumon and double-checking that he had everything. He had his spear, a modified crossbow, a number of ordinary bolts, and one bolt made of the PPTR. He was ready. He slung the crossbow over his shoulder, took his spear in hand, and stood up. It was then that Joanie approached him from behind, and BlackAgumon frowned. "No goodbyes this time. We have to get to the Bluff before the fighting starts."

Joanie understood. "Then I'll walk with you for a while."

BlackAgumon nodded and then led the way out of the camp. On their way down the hill they passed Jacob and a group of six Agumon. The Agumon all looked away, BlackAgumon kept his eyes forward, and Jacob waved. "See you later, Ross, Joanie!"

"Good luck out there." Ross was by no means over his anger at Jacob, but he did mean it when he said that.

"And be careful," said Joanie.

"Don't worry about me! Just watch out for the kids!"

And that was the last Ross heard from Jacob before they passed the spiked barricade. He now let out some of his frustration. "What a nutcase."

"Don't say that about him," said Joanie.

"All right." It pained Ross how thoroughly Joanie defended that weasel. All three of them were silent for some time.

"Not that I don't love the company," said BlackAgumon eventually, "but didn't you come along just to say goodbye?"

Joanie sighed. "Sorry. By the way, I really appreciate you doing this, BlackAgumon."

"Think nothing of it. It wouldn't make sense to have a Vaccine do the job; they'd stick out like a sore thumb."

Ross spoke up. "I don't think she was taking it for granted that I'd have an escort at all."

"Ah. But what, would you do it alone? That's a laugh. You wouldn't even be able to find the place."

"Fair enough." Ross would have felt that he was being babysat, but his adept capabilities at carrying things and using thumbs made him invaluable for this mission.

"By the way," said BlackAgumon, "It's a great use you all found for those little rocks. I had always wondered why Angemon insisted on keeping them."

"How long have you known about them?" asked Joanie.

"Everyone's always known about them. We didn't think they were anything more than oddities to provide light amusement for the simple."

It baffled Ross that they could find something so fantastic so mundane, but he didn't say anything. They reached the crest of a hill and he could see the mountain range to the northwest where their destination was. Ross was starting to get worried that Joanie wasn't going to leave them, so he moved things along. "Keep a close eye out for the signal. You and the kids need to head for a homestead as soon as you see it."

"We'll be okay. We've got Biyomon to help us. The kids love her, and they'd follow her anywhere."

"The same goes for you."

"Isn't this all touching," said BlackAgumon.

Joanie ignored him. "Be careful. The enemy's bound to see that signal too."

"We know," said BlackAgumon. "We won't be sticking around once it's over."

Joanie began to slow a bit, and Ross understood her. They both stopped. "Bye, then."

Joanie reached out and touched his shoulder. "God bless," she said before she turned around and headed back to the camp where the children were waiting.

Ross shook his head. He knew that was just the most sincere way she had to say 'good luck,' but it still felt irritating to his ears.

Now that Joanie was gone, BlackAgumon hastened his pace to the point where it got tricky for Ross to keep up. For the next hour they walked up some hills and around some others, and as they went the hills grew steeper and taller. Eventually they reached a rocky path that changed their course from northwest to due west. Ross looked to his left and was amazed at how far he could see. The vast forest was visible in the distance, and he could even make out the tents on the large plateau behind them. He also discerned some movement in the hills: several groups of small orange figures. He was trying to spot Garurumon when BlackAgumon spoke to him. "Look there."

He faced forward, and saw that BlackAgumon was pointing west and a little south. At the very edge of the hills at the horizon there were three black shadows spaced well apart. Ross swallowed, and he knew what he was looking at.

"I had a feeling there were three," said BlackAgumon.

Soon BlackAgumon turned south and away from the path. They climbed a gentle slope until they reached the top and found themselves at the edge of a steep cliff. "This is Seraphimon's Bluff," said BlackAgumon. "I think it's pretty self-explanatory."

As Ross looked around he could see that BlackAgumon was right. The hills before him and the army walking through them were now impossibly easy to see, even though the sun was getting very low and they must have been miles off. When Ross focused, he found that he could even spot the color in an Agumon's eye. He scanned the entirety of Angemon's forces, finding Jacob's unit at the southern edge, Garurumon a few hills north of there, and lastly Unimon at the northern edge, closest to where he was standing.

"You might as well sit," said BlackAgumon. "We're going to be here a while."

Ross sat next to BlackAgumon and laid down his spear and the crossbow. And then with a heavy heart he looked to his right and saw the three towering monsters. They easily dwarfed Garurumon and Unimon in size, and the twin claws on their arms gave Ross a chill. In front of them were many bands of Gazimon darting from hill to hill. Ross counted perhaps twice as many of them as he counted Agumon. As one of the DarkTyrannomon let loose a roar that just barely reached his ears, Ross asked, "How long do you think till the fighting starts?"

"Less than a quarter of an hour. The DarkTyrannomon are terribly sensitive when it comes to detecting attributes, so they should begin a ranged attack shortly. They aren't exactly accurate, but it will force the Vaccine to engage the Gazimon more directly than they'd like."

"What's the Vaccine's strategy?"

"The Adult-levels—Garurumon and Unimon—will try to break through or get around the grunts and take down the DarkTyrannomon one-on-one. The others and your friend Jacob will try as best they can to trap the units of Gazimon and split them up. If there were only two DarkTyrannomon and only two-thirds as many Gazimon, this battle would be no problem for the Vaccine. Or, for that matter, if Angemon were here."

Ross glanced at BlackAgumon, who was fuming. "I should have known it'd be like this," said BlackAgumon. "I stuck my neck out to get that deceitful coward everything he needs to know, and he left before I could get it to him."

It was then that Ross felt a few raindrops. He looked again at the Virus army, and suddenly he realized they were forgetting something important. He scanned the area, and then he found a lone figure walking alone one hill in front of the center DarkTyrannomon. It was a young man who was clad in gray clothes and a black cape. At his side Ross could just make out what appeared to be a black sword that hung in his belt without a scabbard.

"And what about the Commander?" asked Ross. "What are they planning to do about him?"

BlackAgumon looked where Ross was looking, and shivered. "For the time being, they're going to ignore him. They're hoping that he has no real powers or strength—like you and your friends—and that the Virus are just using him as a tool of propaganda for the grunts."

Ross focused as hard as he could on the Commander. His face seemed to be obscured by scars and bandages. "And what if he's no fake? What are they going to do then?"

"They'll play it by ear."

It didn't strike Ross as a great plan. He kept staring at the Commander, and the longer he stared the worse he felt about him. After a number of minutes, the Commander stopped in his tracks, and the DarkTyrannomon followed suit. Ross felt the rain falling harder as the Commander reached for the sword at his side. He drew it and swung it in the direction of Angemon's army as his cape billowed in the wind. Immediately the DarkTyrannomon reared their heads, and then launched massive balls of fire from their mouths. The shots soared over the Vaccine forces and made impact several hills back, leaving three smoldering craters.

And so began the battle. Once the shots were fired, Angemon's army began to advance. "You'd better load that crossbow now," said BlackAgumon. "We don't know how long this will last."

Ross reached into his pocket and brought out the special bolt. He only stopped to look at how it shone for a moment before he placed it in front of the bowstring. It took all of his strength to pull the string back to the catch; the flash was certainly going to fly high. He kept the crossbow in his lap, and continued to watch.

The Vaccine's strongest wing seemed to be to the south. There Garurumon was jogging ahead of three units of Agumon, one of which contained Jacob. When they got close enough, Garurumon sped into a sprint and bounded clear from one hill to another right over the heads of a mass of Gazimon. The Gazimon turned around in the hopes of flanking him, but they were shortly flanked themselves by a barrage of small fireballs from the Agumon.

Meanwhile, Garurumon ran on and confronted the south-most DarkTyrannomon. Ross could see that the dinosaur's teeth were smoking and shaking, which he interpreted to mean that at least for a while Garurumon wouldn't have to worry about more fire. This left the twin claws, and though the DarkTyrannomon swung them with tremendous force, they were not quick enough to strike Garurumon. Ross saw a brilliant torrent of blue flame shoot forth from the wolf's mouth, and it scarred the DarkTyrannomon's face.

On the north wing, Unimon appeared to be doing just as well as Garurumon. He had flown over the Gazimon with ease, and was now harassing the north-most DarkTyrannomon with a series of white energy blasts, also shot from the mouth.

"It looks like they're doing fine," said Ross.

"It does look that way, doesn't it?"

It was then that Ross remembered the Commander, and turned his attention to him. He was still in front of the second DarkTyrannomon, who was raising his head to prepare for another shot. The Commander was in a squat. He held his right hand to his chest and stared at the ground.

"What is he doing?" muttered Ross to himself as he wiped the rain from his arms.

The battle raged on, and Ross looked mostly at the Commander. At one point his eyes strayed to see Jacob far in the distance dodging and then stabbing a Gazimon. Later he saw Garurumon avoid a blast of fire and then jump at the DarkTyrannomon's throat, knocking it over. Around the same time several Gazimon were overpowering one of the Agumon. They were busy eviscerating the Vaccine-type when reinforcements came and burned them alive. While all this went on the Commander did nothing, until finally he stood again.

In that moment the rain fell harder still, and a sound of rolling thunder came from miles away. The Commander raised his right arm to the clouds, and Ross could feel something in the atmosphere that set his hair on end. "What is that?" asked BlackAgumon, who apparently could feel it too.

Then a mighty gale swept eastward over the hills and battered Ross's face. The wind grew stronger and stronger, and the rain fell harder and harder. As the storm peaked there came a gigantic flash and an ear-splitting crack that Ross could feel in his chest: a towering bolt of white lightning burst from the heavens and struck the Commander's welcoming hand. The Commander took this in passing, and held his ground as if it were nothing. He then kept his hand in the air as he turned around and aimed his palm at the center DarkTyrannomon.

The DarkTyrannomon began to twitch, and bucked his head back and forth. Its body began to spark with little flashes of electricity, and the flashes grew quicker and brighter until the entire creature acted as a strobe light. And then before Ross's very eyes the monster appeared to grow.

"No!" shouted BlackAgumon. "No! This can't be happening!"

All of the fighting had ceased as both armies gaped at the sight. The DarkTyrannomon's body was approaching twice its previous size when he let loose the most terrifying screech Ross had ever heard. It was as if the DarkTyrannomon's ordinary cry had been amplified and accompanied by grinding gears and twisting steel. It shook the very ground on which they sat.

"Fire the signal! Now!"

Ross did not hesitate. He pointed his crossbow skyward, and in an instant there erupted a green light that nearly blinded him. As the flash shot to the clouds for all those in the surrounding miles to see, he pulled the trigger. While thousands of sparks hung in the air over his head, Ross's sight returned to him and he could see the result of the transformation. The thing was colossal, and though before it had been entirely flesh and blood it now had bright metal plates covering half of its body. Its joints glowed deep purple, and they grew brighter as the beast rose to its full height.

Unimon wasted no more time and flew away from his earlier foe and straight at the new monster. As the winged horse fired some shots that merely glanced off the thing's armor, BlackAgumon pressed his claws to his head and despaired. "He evolved him to Perfect level…this is a disaster. The whole region is lost. That damned MetalTyrannomon! That damned Commander!"

MetalTyrannomon raised his left arm and aimed his robotic hand at Unimon as if out of irritation. Seconds later the exhaust opening at the center of his palm looked ready to explode. Unimon folded his wings and dove just quickly enough to avoid the concentrated blast of energy that followed. The shot climbed into the sky and retained its shape even as it sailed over the mountains. When Ross saw how long the new monster's range was, a horrible thought occurred to him. "No."

Unimon got too close, and a swing of MetalTyrannomon's arm was enough to swat him out of the way. MetalTyrannomon then turned to the east, and aimed his arm well past Angemon's retreating army.

Ross jumped to his feet and spun to the east as well. "Joanie!"

No one heard him besides BlackAgumon as a flash of purple sent a second shot clear over the hills. Its impact was like an earthquake. It blew away half of the plateau and turned the rest of it into a sea of fire. Not a single trace of the tents remained.