It had been two days since their fight with Piemon and Mei-Ling and the others were close to reaching Zhuqiaomon, their final destination before they could successfully return to the Real World with all the Tamer's Digimon. They had found Cyberdramon a short time after the battle with Piemon but he had no interest in following them, rather staying in the Digital World to continuing fighting. Mei-Ling decided to accept this, thinking that if the two partners eventually wanted to reunite, they can do so by themselves. They'd just be wasting time otherwise. Beelzebumon, who had devolved back to Impmon, hadn't sustained any permanent damage and had almost completely recovered. He, at first, was reluctant in joining them, stating that the idea of them all reuniting with their partners was ridiculous. However, his desire to see Ai and Makato quickly overshadowed any of his reservations and he went along with the rest of them. Now they just needed Lopmon. And there was only one place Mei could think of that he'd return. To the Digimon God, back to Zhuqiaomon.
Zhuqiaomon and the Angels had often been in conflict with each other ever since the Angels had chosen to accept humans and Digimon as partners, one even going so far as to acquire their own Tamer. While the Gods overlooked the living Digimon from the highest level of the Digital World, it was the Angels job to contain the broken data of deleted Digimon, preventing it from becoming corrupted and forming into deadly undead Digimon that were bent on destruction. However, a considerable amount of data had one day caught a virus that had formed into the Digimon the Angels were desperately trying to keep out of harm's way for years. They caught him in a mass of chains and sent him into exile in the lowest level of the Digital World, where no other Digimon ventured. Ever since, they had kept him under control like this. This had worked for many years, until the D-Reaper started evolving, where all the destruction it caused tore away at the levels and chains that were preventing the Ultimate Demon Digimon from breaking free. After the gates between the two worlds had been closed Zhuqiaomon had been quite satisfied that humans and Digimon could no longer interact. Now, Zhuqiaomon would have to put aside his distaste for humans again in order to fight against another common enemy. Mei had a feeling he wasn't going to comply so easily.
Zhuqiaomon's castle had been rebuilt but was not quite as intimidating as it once was. Andiramon had resumed her previous post as guarder of the gate and was more than surprised when she noticed the rather large group coming towards her.
"Terriermon, Guilmon… And The Angels… What are you all doing here?" He looked like he was having a difficult time focusing on the group, like he'd spent a lot of time staring into space.
"We're here for you, actually." Zihao piped up "We'd better speak to Zhuqiaomon first though before we wisk you away back to the Real World."
"The Real World. How? I thought we couldn't exist there anymore?"
"My sister's a bit of genius when it comes to these things. You'll be able to exist there without devolving into formless data, trust me. Do you not want to see Shaochung again?"
"Of course I do. Just how do you know her name?"
Zihao just grins "We're friends of the family. You think you could take us Zhuqiaomon?"
"If that is what you wish"
"Then let's get this over with."
Andiramon led them to where Zhuqiaomon was resting, instantly stirring at the sound of their approach. The flames surrounding him seemed to intensify and quiver with rage at the sight of them, his focus quickly settling on The Angels with Mei-Ling beside them.
"So, you Angels have returned to the human's side again. And what is she doing here!?" As usual, Zhuqiaomon didn't even bother to hide either the distaste or fury in his voice.
"If you'll allow me to speak for myself Zhuqiaomon," Mei's eyes narrowed at Zhuqiaomon, despite the magnificent difference in size. "I'm here for Andiramon, so I can return the Tamer's Digimon to them."
"Ridiculous! Our World's were separated so this atrocity of partnership between Digimon and humans could cease to exist."
"The Worlds were separated," Mei takes a large intake of breath, already losing her patience "because it was dangerous for them to co-exist. That's no longer the case."
"So, I'm supposed to happily let you break the barrier between the Worlds, potentially causing damage for the both of them. Absolutely not! There's no reason to do something so outrageous. We can handle things without human interference!"
"You know we have no choice. He'll wake up soon. We need the powers of the Digimon and Humans combined or we'll never stand a chance."
"Adramelechmon?…"
"Yes. He can no longer be contained. This will be an even more difficult foe than before. He's much more intelligent and ruthless than the D-Reaper ever was. We promised to keep him contained before he became too much of a threat but unfortunately after the D-Reaper, that's just not possible any more."
"Maybe if the Angels hadn't been playing around with you for so long, they would have succeeded in keeping him imprisoned"
"You seriously think I've been playing a game!? I…"
"It was never Mei-Ling's fault, Zhuqiaomon." Angemon jumps in to defend Mei-Ling before her temper could take over. "This was going to happen eventually. A Digimon so powerful can never be completely contained. To be honest, I think he was just playing with us up until this point… You respected the Tamers enough to fight the D-Reaper, let it be so again. You really want to put our entire world in danger just because of your feud? They helped defeat the D-Reaper. They'll do so again with Adramelechmon."
Zhuqiaomon had become uneasy since Adramelechmon had been mentioned. He knew Adramelechmon had power beyond even his own. "Hmm, Lopmon, do you wish to see the humans again?"
"If she still waits for my return, then I shall go, Kami."
"Very well.. You will let all humans take control of the Digital World eventually…"
"That's not my intention." Mei turns to leave. "All I want is for Humans and Digimon to live alongside each other peacefully as equals. I don't want to control anything or anyone. We're leaving. Andiramon will be fine with us." She storms out before Zhuqiaomon could get any chance in having the last word.
"Zihao runs up beside his sister "On a scale of 1-10, just how pissed off are you right now?"
Mei just let's out a sigh "11. Let's just get back to the portal and go home already. I'm so tired…"
It would be a three day trek back to the Palace and the portal. Mei's upbeat and enthusiastic mood had been completely obliterated by Zhuqiaomon.
It was going to be a very long journey back.