Coming face to face with Uroboromon had opened the eyes of the Tamers and the Digimon.
Now that they knew what it was, they knew that it wasn't aloud to be released, but still had questions about it, to which the four made a brief detour from pursuing Lilithmon and headed to the room she and the masked Digimon had been monitoring them.
Entering the control room, Takato and Rika began searching through papers and files lying around, as well as examining a collection of X-rays on the wall.
"I think I found something." Takato spoke up, taking several notes hanging beside the X-rays, which he read aloud.
"This instruction manual contains important information concerning the proper handling and use of the Uroboromon virus."
"Number one: Using the virus for anything outside the uses listed in this manual may result in the extermination of the handler."
"Number two: Using the virus for anything outside the uses listed in this manual may result in the extermination of those within the handler's vicinity."
"Finally, when using the virus, please follow the instructions in this manual carefully. Virus dosage is proportional to the subject's Level, so use the following chart to avoid any mishaps."
"Rookie...1 dose"
"Champion...2 doses"
"Ultimate...2-3 doses"
"Mega and above...5 doses"
"After being administered, the virus will recognize and adapt to the test subject's Data. During that time, the virus will enter a state of dormancy. If it is unsuccessful in adapting to the subject's Data, it will begin to assimilate other Digimon, alive or dead in order to fuel its growth. The immediate vicinity around an unsuccessful adaptation is extremely volatile. Those in the area should be advised to evacuate the vicinity of the test subject's corpse or incinerate it to prevent its spread. The virus will transform the cells inside the test subject's body into black leech-like tentacles, then expel them through the skin, consuming the subject completely. Individually these pustules are not a threat, but as a collective mass they become dangerous to other Digimon and will try to feed on them, increasing their size and strength, so take extreme caution when handling the virus, your demise is not my fault."
"Finally, while all test subjects have ended in failure, it seems I am an exception. I have regained my power without any negative side effects and whether this is because of my rank in power or my type is unknown, all I know is I must thank him and will do so by helping him achieve his goals. Signed Lilithmon."
With Takato finishing the last of the notes on Uroboromon, he, along with Guilmon, Rika and AquaVeemon had some thoughts they wished to share.
"Well now we know how Lilithmon restored her power." Takato commented.
"It just leaves the question as to who was the one who did all this." he then said, wondering who was the real mastermind behind the Uroboomon project.
"There's also a question I had." AquaVeemon then said, remaining beside Rika in her spirit form, where she then asked. "When Uroboromon attacked you, I saw it trying to consume you. And while I am relieved it didn't, those notes mentioned that it could feed on others to add to itself. I am just curious, but why didn't it absorb you?"
"My guess is because it couldn't." Takato replied, confusing Rika and AquaVeemon, until Guilmon explained.
"Remember, Lilithmon's notes mentioned she was exposed to the Urobormon virus as well and didn't wind up a monster. My guess is because she is a Virus Type Digimon, just like me. And I'm guessing this gives us a stronger resistance to the more dangerous effects of Urobormon." The bearer of the Digital Hazard mark told his friends.
"Well now that we know you've got a higher immunity towards those Urobormon freaks, we still have to stop the virus from spreading." Rika pointed out.
"Which means we have to find Lilithmon, this new ally she is working with, as well as that masked Digimon and stop them before anymore Digimons affected by the virus die." Takato said in reply, to which Guilmon and the girls were in agreement with the brunette, headed out of the control room and down the hall, determined to stop all those desiring to release Uroboromon upon the Digital World and turn it into a living nightmare.
After the four had left, finding themselves back on the higher levels of the factory, seemingly under construction, they saw they were not alone, to which Plagamon infected Digimon were waiting for them.
Letting out fearsome roars, two Commandramon drew their rifles and began firing madly, causing Takato and Rika to act fast and take cover behind some scaffolding on the right of them, while Guilmon and AquaVeemon took cover to the left.
But even with their protection, the four knew they couldn't stay behind the scaffolding forever, as they knew close combat Digimon, including Yasyamon and Strabimon were coming for them.
And to make matters worse, peering behind their protection, Takato and the others saw a cocoon just like the ones they had seen in the lower levels then crack open, hatching another Shadramon.
"This is not good, there is a another Shadramon cocoon. And it just hatched." Takato said.
"And to make matters worse, it has taken sides." Guilmon commented, proven as it walked past the Commandramon and alongside the Plagamon ridden Digimon.
"We don't have much time." Takato stated, before thinking quickly and taking charge.
"Rika, you and AquaVeemon cover us by beating the Commandramon while we do what we can to stop Shadramon and his new friends." The brunette then commanded.
"Gogglehead, don't you remember what happened last time? That thing almost killed you." Rika said, sounding worried.
"Almost." Takato replied with a smile, before getting serious as he told her. "But this time we now know what tricks it has."
"Let's go!" He then called out to Guilmon, earning a nod from his partner, before accessing the power of his D-Armour, combining their power and charging at the Shadramon, Yasyamon and Strabimon.
"You better be careful, Gogglehead." Rika said softly, before focusing her attention AquaVeemon, making both nod, trusting Takato and following his command.
"Let's go, AquaVeemon!" Rika called, drawing upon her own D-Armour and becoming one with AquaVeemon, accessing all her power and summoning it in the form of blades of ice that she then threw at the Commandramon, striking and piercing both right in the head.
However, while one went down, falling to its knees as it dispersed into nothingness, the second clung onto life as the Plagamon within its body burst from its neck and began to aggressively thrash around.
And continuing to control what remained of its host body, while showing its anger, the Plagamon picked up the remaining rifle and started to fire at Rika, forcing her to take cover once again.
As Rika tried to counter against the armed Plagamon, Takato had come into contact with Shadramon and the two Plagamon by its side.
"Let see if can take the heat." He said, drawing out a Digimon Card, where he announced. Digi-Modify! Nova Blast activate!"
Releasing the power of Greymon, Takato's fists were encircled in powerful flames, proven as Yasyamon lunged at him, his kendo blade drawn, only for Takato to repel the attack as he grasped both blades, causing both to burn in his hands, before releasing some of the flame, blasting into Yasyamon's chest and knocking the puppet Digimon down, clearing the path and increased the intensity of his attack, consuming all three of the attackers, causing screeching and cries to emit from within the flames.
With the three burning away, Takato turned his focus on Rika, seeing she was still pinned behind the scaffolding, while the headless Commandramon relentlessly shot around her, slowly tearing through the scaffolding with each round fired, causing the brunette turn his attention upon the pair, oblivious to the fact that while the Plagamon infected Digimon had died in the flames, the Shadramon, though burnt, had survived the fate of death, drawn out its sickle-like arms and prepared to tear Takato to pieces.
"Rika!" Takato called, using the last of Greymon's power to release a burst of fire that hit the worm-like Plagamon, making it hiss in agony, before bursting, causing the empty shell of the Commandramon to collapse and die away.
And though glad he had her back, Rika, despite her distant self, showed she would always have his.
"Takato!" She yelled, quickly summoning a spear of ice and threw it at the brunette, which narrowly shot past his right ear, which was then filled with the sound of an agonized screech, making Takato turn to see that the ice had struck a bulb throbbing from the burning Shadramon's neck, causing the mutated Digimon to thrash around as it clung onto what life it had left, before falling onto its back and melting away into a black ooze.
With another bunch of hazardous Digimon eliminated, Rika ran up to Takato.
"I told you to be careful." She berated, before surprising the brunette when she suddenly hugged him and added. "But thank you for helping me, Gogglehead."
"Uhh... no problem." Takato replied, surprised Rika would ever willingly hug him, before feeling comfort with Rika embracing him, making the brunette return the gesture by holding her in his arms.
But remembering they still had to stop Uroboromon, Rika broke from the embrace and began to walk off.
"Just use your brain for once in you life." She said in a more serious tone, causing Takato to sigh and smile.
'Same old Rika.' Takato thought, watching as Rika continued to head off, before running and catching up with the red haired Tamer and resumed in their goal in stopping Lilithmon and Uroboromon, to which Takato and Rika continued to head down the catwalk, while taking in the scenery.
"You can see everything from up here." Guilmon spirit form commented, looking around, where he saw an assembly line, manufacturing missiles, making him point and call out. "Over there!"
Looking to where Guilmon was pointing, Takato, Rika and AquaVeemon saw what had gotten Guilmon riled up, for on the sides of the missiles were serial numbers and the word 'Uroboromon' written upon each one.
"Now we know how they plan to spread Uroboromon." Rika said, before adding. "No doubt every single missile is filled with those gross worms."
"Which means we have to act fast and stop Lilithmon, before it's too late." Takato replied, running ahead of Rika and AquaVeemon, with Guilmon remaining by his side, only to come to a swift halt, for another obstacle was in their path, three Plagamon infected Digimon were on the other end of the platform, guarding a small room, with the hosts consisting of Tankmon, which would no doubt prove a challenge.
And seeing the Tamers, the machine Digimon got into a frenzy and started to attack.
"Hyper Cannon!" The Tankmon yelled, each firing a missile from the gun barrels attached to their faces, forcing Takato and Rika back, taking cover behind more scaffolding, just as the missiles shot past, blowing up behind the Tamers.
"Oh great. Now we have take down those living can openers." Rika groaned, annoyed by the constant tricks and traps Lilithmon had set behind to slow them down, and annoyed further that being held back, they wouldn't find out what had happened to Renamon.
"We need find a way to beat those Tankmon." Aquaveemon said, appearing beside Rika in her spirit form, making Guilmon nod and say in reply. "They are tough."
Stopping for a moment as he felt the impact of their missiles strike the scaffolding.
"But not invincible." The Hazard Digimon finished, making Takato and Rika nod in reply.
Facing the brunette, Rika asked. "So what's the plan, Gogglehead?"
Thinking about what to do, Takato remained quiet, finding it hard to concentrate as the missiles kept blasting the scaffolding and past them.
But breaking the silence, Guilmon spoke up.
"I have one." He said, forcing his power into Takato's hand and creating flames around it, which took to form a fireball.
Getting what Guilmon wanted, Takato, after the Tankmon fired, reared his body from behind the scaffolding and threw the fireball at the Tankmon.
However, the Tankmon countered.
"Machine Gun Arms!" The Tankmon called back, unleashing a heavy set of bullets that cancelled out the flames.
But Guilmon didn't seem fazed.
"Just as I thought." He said, before facing his friends with a serious expression, where the red dino Digimon then told them. "I have an idea, but it will put us all in danger."
"Whatever it is, we trust you, boy." Takato replied with a smile, making Guilmon smile back, before looking at Rika and AquaVeemon, where he saw AquaVeemon smile, while Rika showed off a faint smile, showing her trust toward Guilmon.
"Takato, Rika, both of you activate a Digimon Card, one with some serious power to it." Guilmon instructed.
"Whatever you say." Takato replied, before he and Rika each drew out a Digimon Card and called out simultaneously. "Digi-Modify!"
"Sword of Annihilation activate!" Takato announced, gaining Leopardmon's Sword of Annihilation.
"Kikurin activate!" Rika followed up, gaining the blade of Samudramon.
But with the weapons now in hand, Rika asked. "Now what?"
"Disengage our links with the D-Armour." Guilmon replied, just as several more missile blasts were heard.
And though Takato and Rika were slightly unsure, trusting Guilmon, they did as he commanded, making the two become four.
Looking behind the scaffolding and seeing the Tankmon about to fire, Guilmon turned back to his Tamer and friends, where he then said, gesturing to the catwalk, which lead around the area and to the Tankmon. "Now, on my signal, Takato, Rika, you make a run for it while AquaVeemon and I cover you."
"Hyper Cannon!"
"Now!" Guilmon then called out as the shots were fired, to which he and AquaVeemon emerged, letting the shots strike around them, before the pair began to attack.
"Rapid Strike!" AquaVeemon called out, creating several shots of water that she threw at the Tankmon.
"Pyro Sphere!" Guilmon then added, unleashing a barrage of fireballs, only each headed right at AquaVeemon's attacks, confusing her, until they hit, creating a wall of steam between them and the Tankmon.
And with the steam obscuring their vision, it allowed Takato and Rika to strike, to which they ran from the side of the catwalk, with the blades of Leopardmon and Samudramon in their possession and went for the Tankmon, to which, after the steam cleared, Takato and Rika stood victorious, with the Tankmon, now in pieces, which burst into data particles and faded, making the brunette face Guilmon, smile and give him a thumbs up for his plan and their teamwork, which Guilmon mimicked.
Now that the Tankmon were gone, Guilmon and AquaVeemon ran across the catwalk, rejoining Takato and Rika, before the four entered the break room.
And though it was empty, the Digimon's heightened senses picked up something.
"Lilithmon and that masked Digimon were here." AquaVeemon said, before she added. "There is also a faint sense of darkness. It's not Lilithmon, but it is just as dangerous."
With her words, Guilmon nodded, sensing the darkness as well.
It seemed familiar to him.
But before he could go into it further, Takato spoke up.
"Speaking of Lilithmon, check this out." He called, getting the attention of the Digimon and Rika, where they saw the Gogglehead, sitting at a desk and examining a laptop, which all four gazed upon and saw various sections of the factory.
"Looks like Lilithmon has been monitoring us this whole time." Rika said, guessing that was how Lilithmon knew when to unleash the more dangerous creatures of the Uroboromon project, such as the mutated SkullScorpiomon.
"And look." Takato then said, clicking the mouse and bringing up a new image, displaying Lilithmon on the monitor, watching as the Demon Lord walked up to a large steel door, which opened and allowed her to leave.
"That was taken not too long ago." The Gogglehead told Rika and the others, making Rika say. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
In agreement with Rika, Takato, Guilmon and AquaVeemon followed the redhead, entering through the second door of the break room, which took them through a rather dark hallway, leading to a large chamber where they fought the mutated SkullScorpiomon.
And upon entering the room, AquaVeemon asked in a confused tone. "Are we going in circles?"
"No. This is a different room." Takato replied, while feeling disgusted at seeing more pods, knowing that Lilithmon and her allies were experimenting on even more innocent Digimon.
"Do you think Lilithmon will send another SkullScorpiomon after us?" AquaVeemon then asked, sounding concerned, only for Rika to shake her head and say. "I doubt it."
"Lilithmon isn't so predictable, but I bet that witch has something planned." Rika then said, approaching the centre of the room, to the monitor and found there were only two floors, making it that much easier to find the black clad demon.
And after gaining access to the top floor, the platform began to move, slowly rising, until it reached the top, where the saw their exit, the same massive steel door they had seen Lilithmon access beforehand.
But approaching it, Guilmon then stopped, causing Takato to stop as well and ask. "Was is it, boy?"
"Lilithmon is right behind it." Guilmon replied, sensing her, causing Takato, Rika and AquaVeemon to nod in understanding, fuse with their Digimon partners and brace themselves as they opened the door and saw the Demon Lord was inside, with her back turned to them.
"Lilithmon! Stop right there!" Rika called out, causing a smirk to appear on Lilithmon's face as she turned and faced the Tamers.
"Bravo." She said, clapping her hands in a mock applause, angering the Tamers and making Guilmon's spirit form appear and question. "No more tricks. No more running, where is Renamon?"
"Renamon?" Lilithmon asked.
"Maybe I'll tell you, maybe I won't." She then said, continuing to smirk, confusing the Tamers as to why, until the cloaked Digimon caught them by surprise as she dropped from the roof and kicked Takato and Rika down.
But acting fast, Takato quickly recovered from the kick, pulled himself up and threw a fireball at the mysterious Digimon, striking her face and blasting off her mask, before throwing several more, which caused the cloaked Digimon to go on the defensive and back flip several feet while avoiding each shot as best she could.
Annoyed by her antics, Guilmon snarled. "Stop playing around, we want some answers!"
"Guilmon, Guilmon, Guilmon. All this time and you haven't changed a bit." A familiar voice to the Tamer's ears suddenly commented, causing the four to look up and saw on the second floor of the ruins was Guilmon dark half, BlackGuilmon, who smirked at them, while they glared at him.
"BlackGuilmon! So you are alive!" Guilmon said, shocking AquaVeemon at how similar the Guilmons looked and made her ask. "That's BlackGuilmon?"
"Yeah, but don't be fooled. He is a complete jerk, nothing like the real Guilmon." Takato replied, a comment BlackGuilmon just ignored as he made his way down the stairs.
"We last met at Barbamon's castle, wasn't it? Well, isn't this one big Tamer reunion?" BlackGuilmon asked as he made his way over to the cloaked Digimon and said. "I would expect you all to be happier to see us."
"Us...?" Guilmon replied in a confused tone, earning another smirk from BlackGuilmon and what he was about to reveal.
"So slow to catch on." He said, grabbing the mysterious Digimon's hood and pulling it down, revealing her to be Renamon, shocking Takato, Rika, Guilmon and AquaVeemon as she stared at the four with a hostile look.
"Renamon... Renamon! It's me, Guilmon!" Guilmon then called out to her, but she didn't respond.
"Wait. Are you sure that's her?" AquaVeemon had to ask, confused as to why a Digimon like Renamon would ally herself with a Digimon like BlackGuilmon.
"This is indeed Renamon. See for yourself." BlackGuilmon answered, just before the vixen Digimon showed she was indeed the Renamon the Tamers once knew when she threw off her cloak, leaving her naked, shot at them with a great burst of speed and kicked Rika in the stomach, using the momentum to push the Nonaka back, while she performed a flip, landing on her feet before she went after Takato.
Striking at Takato with punch after punch, Takato brought up his arms and defended himself, while left conflicted and couldn't bring himself to attacking Renamon, allowing Renamon to deliver several punches in unguarded spots.
"Renamon, stop!" Rika then called out, causing Renamon to glare behind and saw Rika creating a spear of ice.
"I don't want to hurt you." She said, only to be knocked down again when BlackGuilmon joined in on the fight, slamming the redhead with a powerful punch and knocking her down.
And seeing Takato and Rika both stand together, BlackGuilmon smirked.
"Now let's finish this once and for all. I think the odds are fair, two on two. Right, Renamon?" He asked, however, Renamon just remained silent, while the hostile expression remained on her face.
Walking over to the Tamers, BlackGuilmon smiled, looking amused as Takato and Rika tried to hit him with a combination of fire, water and ice, which the dark doppelganger dodged with ease.
"Poor performance." BlackGuilmon commented, before charging at Takato, where he picked the boy up by the throat and threw him across the room, into a steel door, which broke down upon the impact.
"Takato!" Rika called in concern, rushing over to check to see if he and Guilmon were alright, while managing to avoid Renamon, who had taken to the air and was using her Diamond Storm attack, trying to tear through Rika with great hostility.
Helping Takato to his feet, the pair saw BlackGuilmon and Renamon approaching, which caused Rika to say. "We'll never win like this. We need to change tactics."
"We should hide." AquaVeemon suggested, taking notice of a flight of stairs that lead to the second floor of the ruins.
However, watching the Tamers retreat, BlackGuilmon laughed.
"There's no point in hiding." He stated, making his way up the stairs alongside Renamon.
"Don't forget Guilmon, I can sense you." The corrupt Digimon then called out, knowing Guilmon and the others heard his statement.
"The same applies to you." Guilmon called back, sensing the unique darkness that made up BlackGuilmon walking through the halls of the ruins, which he knew could help him and Takato avoid BlackGuilmon for a while, but not forever.
"We cannot keep hiding like cowards." Rika stated.
"We need to fight back." The red haired Tamer then said.
"You're right." Takato replied, before taking lead and instructing. "We'll see what we can do to stop BlackGuilmon. You try facing Renamon."
"But try not to be too rough on her." Guilmon added.
"Got it." AquaVeemon replied, just before Rika headed off to confront her partner.
With Rika and AquaVeemon in pursuit of the redhead's former partner, Takato and Guilmon took a separate path.
"You're merely postponing the inevitable!" BlackGuilmon announced, his voice echoing through the halls.
And as much as Takato and Guilmon hated to admit it, they knew BlackGuilmon was right.
"How are we going to beat BlackGuilmon?" Guilmon asked, knowing that with superior strength, speed and senses, they were at a disadvantage against the dark copy of Guilmon.
But drawing an Alias Card, Takato had an idea.
-With BlackGuilmon-
Continuing to walk down the halls, following his senses, he stopped for a moment when he felt Guilmon's energy lower, almost like it had split into fragments.
But wanting to see his creator and the Tamer dead, BlackGuilmon ignored it.
And after turning a corner, he saw Takato, who was up against a wall, trapped like a rat.
"There you are!" BlackGuilmon yelled as he lunged at Takato, who tried to defend himself by throwing fireball after fireball, which BlackGuilmon avoided, before coming in close, pulling his right arm back and then stabbing it into Takato's chest, pinning him against the wall.
"Got you!" The corrupt Digimon said, thinking he had killed Takato and Guilmon, but was confused when Takato smirked.
"Guess again." The brunette managed to say, smirking, before suddenly fading into Data particles, which confused BlackGuilmon a little more, that was until he picked up on Guilmon's presence, turned around, where Takato, with his right arm drawn back and his hand clenched, slammed his fist into BlackGuilmon's face, knocking him down.
"Little brat!" BlackGuilmon snarled as he got back up and saw Takato running away, making him chase after the brunette, around another corner, where he saw Takato just standing there.
"Nice try." BlackGuilmon said, sensing something behind him, to which he turned and saw Takato jumping down at him.
"Pyro Grenade!" BlackGuilmon exclaimed, releasing a fireball made of darkness, blasting Takato down.
But as Takato fell to the ground, he suddenly broke into particles of Data as well, revealing he too was a copy, stunning BlackGuilmon that he was deceived again, before turning and was struck with a series of punches by the real Takato, followed up with the brunette igniting his right fist and smashed it into BlackGuilmon's chest, causing it to explode, while knocking BlackGuilmon down. And enraged by Takato and Guilmon's trickery, he snapped.
"Enough!" BlackGuilmon yelled, claws bearing as he tore his way through any Takato Alias copies that dared attack him, before getting face to face with the real Takato, where he delivered punch after punch to the boy in a violent frenzy. Finishing off, by slamming his tail into Takato's chest and knocking him through the stonewall, where he smashed through and fell back to the first floor, landing on the ground, greatly damaged, which forced their fusion to disengage, leaving Guilmon standing before his unconscious partner.
-With Rika and Renamon-
Managing to lure Renamon back to the first floor, Rika fought her hardest against her former partner, knowing that while Renamon was working with BlackGuilmon, something was off with her, allowing Renamon to break through Rika's defences every so often and attack her.
And when Takato broke through the wall, landing nearby, it caught Rika off guard, to which Renamon span around and kicked Rika in the head with a great amount of force that knocked her out.
Breaking the fusion with her partner, AquaVeemon stood alongside Guilmon, determined to protect Takato and Rika as BlackGuilmon jumped from the hole he had created, to the second floor of the ruins and stared at the pair with a look of arrogance.
"I admit you and Takato gave me some entertainment." BlackGuilmon admitted, referring to the Alias Card trick.
"But I expected more of a challenge than that. How disappointing." The corrupt Digimon then said, turning around and walking away, which caused Guilmon and AquaVeemon to storm up the stairs.
"BlackGuilmon, stop!" Guilmon ordered, which BlackGuilmon did, but then turned and smirked from the combination of his lighter half trying to command him, as well as watching as Renamon leapt from the first floor, landed on her hands and performed a spin kick, knocking down both Guilmon and AquaVeemon.
And while AquaVeemon was knocked down the stairs, Guilmon was knocked to his stomach.
But before he could get back up, Renamon pressed her foot into his back, grabbed his right arm and began to twist it, causing Guilmon to groan out from the pain.
"Nice try, Guilmon. But now that your 'partner' has arrived, I'll leave you two to catch up." BlackGuilmon said, turning away and making his leave, while Renamon continued to twist, inflicting more pain on the real Guilmon.
Feeling Renamon could break his arm at any moment, but knowing the real Renamon would never fight with such cruelty, Guilmon called out to her. "Come on, Renamon! Get yourself together and wake up! Renamon!"
With his plea, a small amount of emotion appeared on Renamon's face.
"Gui... Guilmon..." She said, before letting go of Guilmon's arm and backing away from him, as if though she were resisting herself, leaving Guilmon confused and concerned for the vixen Digimon, just as AquaVeemon returned.
"What's going on?" AquaVeemon asked, unsure what exactly Renamon was doing.
"Still resisting at such an advanced stage." BlackGuilmon then said, sounding somewhat impressed, causing Guilmon and AquaVeemon to see BlackGuilmon had yet to leave.
"No more time for games, Guilmon. I've got work to do. Have fun watching Renamon suffer." BlackGuilmon then said as his hand started to radiate with a dark power, triggering something within Renamon as she began to writhe and cry out in pain.
Seeing Renamon in distress, Guilmon demanded an answer.
"Wait! What did you do to her!?" He questioned, but BlackGuilmon just ignored him, stepped into the elevator behind him and took his leave, angering and annoying Guilmon, before he turned when Renamon's cries of agony grew.
And as she screamed out, Renamon grabbed at her mane, ripping off a tuft of the fur, revealing an odd contraption on her chest, filled with the same negative energy BlackGuilmon had summoned beforehand.
Confused, Aquaveemon asked. "What's that thing on her chest?"
"I think that's what's controlling her. So if we can remove that device, she might return to normal." Guilmon theorized, but knew it would be easier said than done when Renamon stopped crying out, took a more battle ready stance and glared at the pair, showing her mind was under BlackGuilmon's control once again.
"Diamond Storm!" Renamon suddenly called out, jumping into the air and throwing a barrage of bright shards at Guilmon and AquaVeemon, causing AquaVeemon to jump back, while Guilmon surprised AquaVeemon when he jumped up at Renamon.
Ignoring the pain as the diamond shards hit him and tore through him, Guilmon leapt up at Renamon and tackled her, knocking her to the floor.
"Renamon stop this! Renamon! Answer me!" Guilmon called to Renamon, grabbing the device and trying to pull it off of her.
However, with her arms free, Renamon punched Guilmon in the side of his head, knocking him off of her and allowing her to get back up, where she turned to the fallen form of Guilmon and was about to stomp on his head, only to be tackled to the ground by AquaVeemon.
With Renamon on her stomach and AquaVeemon on top of her, AquaVeemon took hold of Renamon's wrists tightly, but felt Renamon struggling underneath, causing her to call out. "Guilmon, hurry!"
Guilmon nodded in reply before he bent down before Renamon, placed his claws on the device and tried a second time to remove it, feeling that while it was almost fused with her, it was loosening.
But Renamon continued to fight against them as her tail suddenly shot around AquaVeemon's neck, catching AquaVeemon off guard and caused her to accidently let Renamon's arms go, to which the foxy Digimon then performed a sweep kick to push Guilmon and AquaVeemon away, before she retreated, jumping down to the first floor.
Rushing to the balcony, Guilmon called out to Renamon. "Don't do this, Renamon! I don't want to hurt you!"
His pleas seeming to reach Renamon as she grasped her head, fighting against the device controlling her and causing it to start to spark heavily, showing both the device and Renamon were being pushed to their limits.
It was a battle for Renamon's mind and there could only be one to control it.
And as Renamon continued to fight, showing signs she was losing control and was about to attack again, the foxy Digimon found herself restrained when Takato and Rika, both still injured, but conscious, grabbed her arms and held them tightly.
"Go for it, boy!" Takato called to Guilmon, making him nod and jump from the balcony.
"Come on Renamon! Snap out of it!" Guilmon yelled, jamming his claws with great force into Renamon's chest, plunging them deep enough into the device without penetrating Renamon's being and then pulled them back, tearing off the device, which he then tore in half.
And with it removed, Renamon was free from BlackGuilmon's influence, to which she groaned loudly, before the strain on her mind and body took its toll when Renamon's body went limp and she slumped down.
"Renamon!" Guilmon called, concerned for her wellbeing, as were Takato, Rika and AquaVeemon, to which the Tamers slowly let go of Renamon's arms, allowing her to collapse into Guilmon's chest, causing him to hold her close as he gently lowered himself, so Renamon was resting on his legs.
And slowly coming to, Renamon opened her eyes, causing the four to look at her, wondering if Renamon was back in the right state of mind, to which they got their answer when Renamon managed to whisper Guilmon name, before wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close.
"Guilmon, I'm so sorry. I couldn't control my actions, but I was still aware. Please forgive me." Renamon said, almost in tears, but felt a secure warmth around her when Guilmon embraced her back.
"It's all right." He told her, causing Renamon to remove her head from his chest and smile.
"Thank you." She replied, smiling back, before Guilmon helped her to her feet, where she remained close in Guilmon embrace as she turned her head and was glad to see Takato, Rika and the new member of their team, AquaVeemon.
But remembering what she had heard while under BlackGuilmon's control, Renamon knew their time together had to be short.
"Everyone. I'll be fine, you must leave and stop BlackGuilmon." Renamon told them, her tone turning serious.
"But we just got you back." Rika said, expressing her feelings, sounding quite concerned and upset.
"Rika's right. We can't just leave you here." Guilmon added.
While grateful for their worries, Renamon told them. "I promise I'll be fine. And this is your only chance! If BlackGuilmon succeeds, Uroboromon will be spread across both worlds. You need to stop him!"
"Guilmon, you're the only one who can do this, before it's too late. Don't you trust your partner?" She then asked, causing Guilmon to nod in reply and was about to head off.
But before leaving, he felt Renamon holding his hand, causing him to turn his head, where his lips met Renamon's in a sudden, but loving kiss.
"For luck." Renamon said after breaking the kiss, making Guilmon smile at the foxy Digimon and nod, before he and the others took off, leaving Renamon, who slumped into a corner and closed her eyes for some well deserved rest for all she had been put through, knowing that her friends were the only ones who could stop BlackGuilmon and his evil intentions before both worlds would fall into chaos and ruin.