The winter season was upon Odaiba as Sunday morning came about. Light snow covered the majority of the island, and as sunlight broke out, the glistening substance dazzled the citizens.
While everyone else was gearing up for the Christmas holiday, the Digidestined were within the realms of the Digital World, ready for one last day of hard work before their much-needed break.
"So, where do we begin?"
"The only concern I have is to find Myotismon."
As TK answered Yolei, the majority of the group pondered on where their new foe was hiding.
"Well…you guys don't really…"
"What was that, Kari?"
As the girl frantically played with her hair, clearly stressed, she looked towards her partner.
"I…don't think you all have to worry about him anymore."
"What do you mean?"
After another glance towards her direction, Gatomon sighed and began to answer Ken's question.
"We had an a…joint dream if that's even a thing. There was one part that we saw together…"
I was in my second, perhaps third, dream last night when I found myself in the Dark Ocean. I started to question why I was here until I spotted Kari walking towards me; she looked equally as confused.
Anyway, before either of us spoke, this array of data appeared out in the middle of the ocean, conversing with someone.
"That…that must be Myotismon," Kari whispered to me, as I nodded, not able to catch what he was saying.
It wouldn't matter, anyway, as a few minutes pass, and we both saw this long tentacle gripping a golden trident.
Without a second to spare, the trident slammed into the data, disintegrating upon impact.
I was elated at first, but then felt frightened – something else was clearly out there, and it wants us more than Myotismon did…
"So Myotismon is dead?" Cody let out in a baffled tone.
"If he is, then we still have another issue on our hands," Davis responded as the rest of the group pondered on Gatomon's dream sequence.
A solid minute passed – all coming to terms of their threat no longer being around.
"Even with an increased threat," Yolei said in response to Davis's statement, "we still need to worry about Arukenimon and Mummymon."
Ken noticed a spire off in the distance, and after a couple of seconds of thought had an idea.
"I have an idea; let us destroy as many spires as we can so that whatever plan they created is weakened."
Everyone agreed unanimously, and as the digimon digivolved and the group began their plan, none of them suspected someone overhearing their plan…
"They aren't on-upping us again…"
Mummymon nodded as his comrade made it back into the jeep and both were on the move.
"Good thing you were over there to eavesdrop."
"And to think that their plan is going to succeed…we have something else up our sleeves."
Within a few minutes, the duo found themselves surrounded by reddened cliffs and a greyish sky.
"This…is an odd place to hold a meeting," Mummymon said as he took a second glance.
"Not if you know the host."
"It's refreshing to know that someone knows of my prowess."
The mummy became uptight as a voice bellowed from around. Within a split second, a black-and-purple vortex swirled a few feet in front of them. Uprising from the vortex was the host, donning a red robe with a grey surplice, and two purplish wings with claws jetting from the back. Two white horns were set on each side of the head, which was clothed with a hood that only showed its sinister, blue eyes.
"Hello there, Daemon."
"Greetings, Arukenimon…and Mummymon. Thank you for coming; do you have anything to share?"
"Yes – the Digidestined are planning on destroying more spires before they head off for their break. Maybe if their break doesn't come due to—"
"If you think you two can go and win against the creature in the Dark Ocean, you both don't stand a chance."
Arukenimon was floored that Daemon knew their plan.
"What makes you so—?"
"I have seen his works – he will have you both at the bottom of the ocean is less time than you think."
The woman sighed and nodded. "Okay, then, what shall we do?"
"Let my group have some fun for now – you two could use a little break yourselves. Don't worry, you both will have your chance later down the road, but for now, I will take it from here."
With that, Daemon escaped within his portal, leaving the duo star struck.
"So…we wait and see?" Mummymon eked out after a couple of seconds of silence.
"I guess we do that – who knows, maybe they'll be too tired after all of this, and our kill will be easy as pie."
"Ooh, I like the sound of that!"
As the duo left the canyon setting, they didn't notice someone right on the cliff, overhearing everything that occurred…
"Awesome work, guys! I think we can call it a day."
Davis felt ecstatic as the Digimon laid waste to dozens upon dozens of control spires around the area. Within a few hours, the group was ready to start their long-awaited break.
As the Digimon returned to their rookie selves and celebrated, Ken remained a couple of feet away, fumbling with the holiday cards he had within his pocket.
"What's the matter?"
He snapped into reality when Wormmon crawled over to ask him that question.
"…Yeah, I guess."
"That didn't seem too confident," the caterpillar responded, his head cocked to one side in confusion.
Ken sighed as he knelt down before whispering, "What if nobody wants to come?"
"Oh, don't be foolish. They would be happy to join."
"Join what?"
Ken looked up to see Yolei staring at him, her question waiting to be answered.
The genius had his eyes widened – it was now or never.
"I…" he started out as he grabbed the small envelopes from his pocket, "would like to cordially invite you all to a small gathering at my place on the night of Christmas Eve. I know this is a last-minute event, but it was the only time my parents were fine with having guests around."
"Hey, we've dealt with shorter deadlines – if it makes you feel better, I should be able to make it."
Ken's eyes went from widening due to fear to now glossing with joy at TK's response.
"Really?"
"Yeah," the boy reassured with a nod, "I'm close to positive that my mom wouldn't mind; plus, my brother has his concert that night, so the family is mostly occupied."
"…You know, my brother is going to that as well," Kari said, "and we normally don't have anything going on during the nighttime…so count me in as well."
"My folks shouldn't mind, as long as I'm back at a reasonable time," Cody said.
"…Seeing that I'm working the store that night, I'll try to pull some strings so that I can join."
As Yolei gave her comment, Davis was the only one that had to answer.
"Well, if everyone else is going, I guess I can make it…"
Suddenly, an idea came to him.
"…but I think it would be best to bring my friend along – she's the one I have been dealing with for the past few days."
"The one that I helped you out with during Myotismon's removal?"
"Yeah, Noriko; I think she has a few things on her mind, and maybe bringing her around can help…well, keep her alright."
"I don't think my parents will have a problem with that," Ken said with a firm head nod.
"That's good," was the response that Davis gave, but was now pondering on one small task – getting Noriko to go to the party.
"Hey, Ken?"
The boy looked down to see Veemon, along with the rest of the Digimon, huddled around him.
"We're invited to your party…right?"
Ken smiled towards the blue dragon and said, "Yes, you all are. The holidays wouldn't be the same without you guys."
Davis' eyes shot wide as another thought came to him, and as everyone turned towards him, he spoke on behalf of his newly hashed-out plan.
"This may sound crazy, but I have an idea; one that should please everyone…"
Within a half hour, Davis managed to collect the older children's Digimon, as they were wondering what the situation was.
"So, how would you all like to see you partners for the holidays?"
Davis's question was met first with silence, and then with jubilation.
"Really? You mean it?" Agumon was among the first to ask, not able to contain his gleeful attitude.
"Yes; I contacted Izzy to have everyone meet up at his place for a surprise."
"Ooh, I can't wait; it's been too long since we've seen our partners," Biyomon said."
"I know," Gomamon added, "and plus, when they were around, we were too busy running from the Emperor to enjoy their company."
The silence that hovered after his statement made the seal feel a bit embarrassed.
"…Too soon?" he asked Ken, a cheeky grin on his face. "Sorry if it is."
"I'm not bothered by it."
"Hey wait, what about me?" Palmon asked with a sense of worry. "Mimi lives in America, remember?"
"Don't you worry," Kari said, "we have all of that figured out – thank Izzy later for setting everything up beforehand."
"Ooh, don't you worry, I surely will!" Palmon cried out, her worried state now washed.
"Alright, with everything set, it's time to put this plan into motion."
It only took a few minutes of traveling to the nearest television set, but once there, Davis helped preset the correct coordinates to send Palmon to her destination. Once he was done, and everyone said their goodbyes, the portal whisked the Digimon away.
"Now it's our turn."
With another couple of turns, the rest were ready to make their entrance.
"So, I'm glad you all could make it on such short notice."
Izzy grinned and nodded his head towards the rest of his comrades, as each had the same question they wanted to be answered – why where they here.
Their answer came with a sudden white flash of light engulfed the room, and upon dying down, the younger Digidestined were there with their partners.
Everyone was speechless for only a few seconds before the celebrations kicked in – seeing that a few months have passed since their last reunions, to say the teenagers were ecstatic to see their partners would be a serious understatement.
"Davis," Tai said as he hugged Agumon, "I don't think a simple thank you will do any good."
"It's like I was saying earlier – you all would be surprised."
"Was Palmon able to reunite with Mimi?"
As soon as the question left Izzy's mouth, the room was painted with the white light again. Once it fizzled out, the boy had his answer, as the duo openly sobbed into each other's arms.
"Umm…Mimi?"
She heard Matt greet her, and upon opening her eyes, was instantly confused. A few seconds prior, she and Palmon were in her father's office.
"Oh, hi everyone! Thanks for bringing my partner to me!"
"Looks like we were interrupting your nighttime sleep, huh?"
Mimi chuckled at Sora's ribbing, as the brunette was in her nightgown.
"So…not to be rude, but why are you here?"
Before Joe could receive his answer, the room was illuminated in white for the third time. When it ceased, a mysterious figure donning a white robe was in their midst.
"Okay, can someone please explain what is going on?"
The figure removed his hood to reveal an adult, his brown hair done in a ponytail, and his blue eyes giving off a look of anguish.
"I can probably help," the man said directly to Davis, hoping that would help answer his question.
"No way…"
All eyes looked towards Izzy, now at the center of attention. With that, he only had one question to ask.
"Gennai, is that you?"
One nod was the only gesture he needed to give.
"Wait, but how? The last time we saw you, you were an old, small man?" TK asked.
"You would be surprised at what tricks I have up my sleeve…but now is not the time. Instead, I came to explain something urgent that can affect the Digital World."
Everyone was silent, ready to listen.
"The Daemon Corps – made up of three Ultimates and a Mega – are finalizing an all-out assault on Odaiba. Their intentions are still unknown, but if I had to guess, they want to rid you from here so that the Digital World can be conquered by their leader once and for all."
"Is there anything we can do to stop them?" Tai asked.
Gennai shook his head. "They create their own vortex – we cannot seal the Digital World to halt their quest."
"So, how do we win?" Matt asked with a hint of distress in his voice. "Do you expect us to beat even one of the Ultimates if we can only evolve up to Champion?"
"That is why I have brought you all here," and with that, Gennai pulled out an orb from his robe.
"What is that?" Cody asked.
"This," the elder started to explain, "is one of the twelve digi-cores. It was given to me by Azulongmon after I have explained what was coming. I ensure you all that this will tremendously aid you in the upcoming battle. Can you all please hold up your digivices?"
As all of the Digidestined obeyed Gennai's request, the sphere began to disperse beams of white light throughout the bedroom.
"I feel rather strange."
"Welcome to the club."
"Hey, why can't I join?"
As DemiVeemon felt betrayed due to Gatomon's and Patamon's sudden flush of strangeness, he began to feel the same radiant feeling. In a matter of seconds, the three In-Training Digimon digivolved into their rookie counterparts.
"Woah, Davis, look at me!"
"Did we…digivolve without any effort?" Armadillomon asked.
"That's the sphere for you – everyone now has the ability to digivolve to your highest forms, including Ultimate."
"Yes!" Gatomon shrieked as she clapped her paws in jubilation. "I can finally unleash Angewomon on these enemies!"
Everyone seemed pleased with the upgrade…but there was still one person trying to piece a big part of the puzzle.
"Gennai," Mimi asked, "how am I going to help out if I'm in America? Even with the configurations set on my end, it'll be rather difficult to abruptly transport when needed."
It took a couple of seconds before Sora spoke.
"Don't worry – after Christmas, explain to your family what's going on, and stay over here until everything blows over. My mother will definitely not mind having you guys over in the slightest."
Mimi smiled and embraced her friend. "Oh, thanks a million! I do hope they understand."
"We all do, Mimi – it wouldn't be right if you weren't here to help fight for a good cause," Tai said.
"And you better well know it!"
"Alright," Gennai said as he approached the computer monitor, "seeing that everything is straightened away, I will be heading out. Please reach out with any concerns, and please, be on the lookout for the Corps – we must be ready when they strike."
With everyone delivering a head nod in agreeance, the elder departed from the group.
Later that night, Yolei was slumping over the counter of the convenience store, a look of boredom that was easily recognizable.
'It'll be all worth it…'
That was her current mindset. She had to take this on so that her attendance for Ken's party would be an easy slam.
"Two nights of this – shouldn't be that difficult, right?"
She tried communicating with her partner, but he was too ingrained with being a stuffed bird – his top priority was to not scare any customers.
"Psst, nobody is here, you can stop the charade."
With a slight poke at his wing, Hawkmon instantly flinched.
"Well, sorry for acting. Besides, how will someone react is they see us talking?"
"I think they would think things were going a bit crazy around here."
The duo froze hearing the voice but sighed in relief when they saw Ken enter the store.
"Hey – what brings you down here?"
"My parents were fine with me taking a little stroll…that eventually turned into a subway ride over here. Wormmon was fast asleep before I could ask if he wanted to join."
"I see," Yolei responded before asking, "you aren't here to buy anything, right?"
"Not really…I had a few thoughts swirling around, and I felt like a little one-on-one could help."
"Well, don't be shy," Hawkmon said, interested in hearing the conversation.
Ken sighed and nodded before starting. "Alright, so I feel they this…Daemon Corps team will be coming after me."
"What makes you say that?"
"…I…had one of my recurring dreams last night – in the Dark Ocean as a young boy—"
"What!"
His eyes widen as Yolei interrupted. She glanced around to make sure nobody else heard her – all attention went towards Ken.
"You were in the Digital World before you became the Emperor?" she whispered after a few seconds of checking.
Ken nodded and bit his lip, realizing now that nobody had known, outside of Wormmon, what he went through during his past.
"I feel that I need to start from the beginning. Before I do, I need to let you both know that only my partner knows what I am about to say. This needs to stay between the three of us, got it?"
Yolei nodded and turned towards her partner, who nodded towards the teenagers.
"Thank you," Ken said before continuing, "So it goes like this – I was introduced to the Digital World due to my digivice. One day, it came from my brother and I's computer screen; since he was older, he took hold of it. He always had a way to get under my skin – his smarts and skills thrilled my parents, and in my mind, I thought that they liked him more than me.
I wanted to prove that I could be someone, to stand out from his shadow. So, I ventured into the Digital World for the first time behind his back. There, I met Wormmon, we killed a Digimon, and upon him disintegrating, one of his dark spores plunged into the back of my neck.
When I got back, my brother and I got into a fight, and I…wished he wasn't around. He died a while later."
"Oh, Ken—"
"Please – thanks for the gratitude, but it's still hard to talk about. Anyway, I wanted to leave after that time, but instead of re-appearing in the Digital World, I was transported to the Dark Ocean. The digivice that I had changed into my D-3, and from then on, my life changed.
With all of that, this Corp may be after my spore. If they truly want to tilt the Digital World into darkness, then it would be best to retrieve what empowers that darkness in the first place—"
"Which would be the spore…meaning they would want you."
Ken nodded – Yolei has now cracked the riddle.
"If they get to me, it's endgame for us."
"They won't, not with us around, right Hawkmon?"
"You are correct," the avian nodded, "and plus, you'll have your own partner there to protect you."
Ken smiled while nodding, noting the idea of Stingmon not giving an inch when it came to protecting his partner.
"Hey, I got an idea."
It took Ken a second to grasp Yolei's statement, but quickly asked, "What would that be?"
"You probably need a break from this whole…Digital World fiasco before anything even begins. How about we hang during Christmas Day, the two of us in the afternoon?"
"That would be nice, but my parents always look forward to the holidays as a way to bond with each other."
"I know – that's why I said the afternoon; plus, you'll still have the evening to go with the morning. Please; it would mean the world to me."
She couldn't help it, but she had to throw on a pouty face in the hope that her guilt trip would woo him over.
Ken smiled before saying, "I'll get back to you on that, okay?"
Yolei nodded before the boy noticed the clock on the wall and the time that it was. As the teens bid goodbye, Ken left the store feeling secure, knowing that there was someone else that was there and will continue to be there whenever he needs it.
"Ooh, that Gennai – he has another thing coming if he thinks he can stop our attack."
Daemon eventually came back to the same surroundings that he held the meeting, drifting and pondering on what was to come.
"All I need to do is get a hold of Ken Ichijouji and retrieve the dark spore. Once that is done, I can conquer Odaiba, hold them Digidestined hostage, and venture into the Dark Ocean to team up and wreak havoc once more…only this time, it will be a success."
With a grin on his face as he wrung his hands together, Daemon was pleased with his master plan.
"Sooner rather than later – we'll give you time to relax, but they won't expect us arriving, and by then, it'll be too late."
As he opened his vortex and began to descend, his sinister laugh echoed throughout the canyon.