It was awfully early. Jeez, why the hell did they need to go so early? She was actually excited to go, so going early was a nice idea. She just liked to complain, she knew Michael would think about some way of solving their non-existent problems. Or he used to. He was catching up. Why did he have to be so smart? He was handsome and kind and sweet, it was unfair that he was smart as well. She liked that he was smart, however. Because Michael was with her.

She was concerned with someone discovering Betamon. Sure, before 2002, people could've easily believed he was some sort of plushie or stuffed animal, but nowadays, everyone knew what a Digimon was and Betamon was very noticeable. However, since they went so early, there were very few people on the streets (sober people, at any rate), and as such Betamon could even talk without getting much attention. He was sharing some anecdotes. Being capable of digivolving into Seadramon made him capable of exploring the most remote parts of the Digital World, and he had seen some impressive things as a result, such as a giant Shellmon so big he looked like an island. She had forgotten how much she loved the Digital World. For all its ups and downs, it was a great place. Even if she usually forgot when she was there.

After the initial dizziness from crossing the Gate, Mimi looked around. They were in a forest. Definitely not a forest like any that could be found in the Digital World. The colors, the shapes… there was no doubt. She was back.

"Awesome! Oh God I can't believe it!"

She ran towards the trees. No one could tell they were digital merely by touch, but to Mimi they were almost like family. She had slept so many times under the shadow of trees like that… That's something Michael would never experience. She had bought a cowboy hat for the occasion. It was red, not pink, and it wasn't anywhere near big enough, but she was simply struck by nostalgia.

"So where is Palmon?"

"There's a Locomon nearby, it won't take long"

"Locomon?"

"Ah, right, you haven't seen them. For the last couple of years, some Digimon started to build railways for the Locomon, who are very similar to trains in your world"

"Oh, really? Awesome!"

On the way to the station, she saw so many familiar faces. She didn't personally know any of those in particular, but she saw a Monochromon, a Monzaemon, and even a Kabuterimon in the distance. She saw many Rookie Digimon, but she didn't know their name. When they got there, there was Locomon. It looked like a normal steam locomotive, but had two big, human looking eyes.

"Hi, Locomon!"

"…Humans? I haven't seen any in a while. This is most unexpected"

"Not just any human! I am Mimi Tachikawa!"

The Locomon looked at her with utmost disinterest. She expected to be a bit better known. Its booming, deep voice didn't change at all.

"You'll have to forgive her, Locomon. She used to be a Princess here, you know?"

"Oh, really? Doesn't look very royal to me"

"What the hell are you saying!?"

"Come on, come on, no need to get angry! Locomon, where are you leaving?"

"Uh? Whenever I desire. I guess I could leave now. If a Queen so says…"

"Princess! Not queen"

Queen Mimi had a good ring to it. She had to go see the Gekomon. She had two days, after all. The three of them went inside. Besides them, there was only a single Digimon, a Guardromon, sleeping. Since when did machines sleep? She sat next to Michael, and rested her head on his strong shoulder. She gave her hat to Betamon, and it covered almost all of him.

"Hey!"

"Come on, Betamon, you look adorable"

"I'm no adorable… I'm a badass dangerous Digimon"

"You sure are"

She hugged Betamon, who tried and failed to keep his dignity intact. Michael laughed. When Betamon finally got away from her, she looked at him and thanked him. Then, she fell asleep.

"Mimi! Come on, lazy ass!"

She woke up suddenly. Locomon wasn't moving.

"Hey you big machine thing! Get going already!"

Michael laughed.

"We're already here! A certain someone fell asleep like a baby"

Well, of course. They woke up way too early.

"Can you blame me?"

"Nah, I understand. I might have slept a bit, too. You'll never know. So I prefer to tell you you're rude"

"Idiot"

He gave her a very quick kiss and jumped out of the train. She still hadn't fully woken up. Guardromon and Betamon weren't there. Her hat was on the ground. She had to tell Betamon something.

When she got out, it was another forest. But this one was different. It looked closer to a real forest. She stretched and looked around. She couldn't see anyone.

"Goodbye, princess"

"It's Queen! No, wait, you were right. Thanks for everything, Locomon!"

The big Digimon left, leaving her completely alone, with no sound but his own. Why did Michael have the habit of making her wait?

"Mimi!"

It couldn't be true. She looked inside the forest. It was hard to see everything, but there she was.

"Mimi!"

"Palmon!"

She ran towards her, and when they got close enough, Palmon jumped to her arms. She hugged her, as if they hadn't seen each other in a lifetime. It certainly felt like that. She even noticed a few tears. Michael and Betamon were there.

"Thank you, thank you. Thank you. How have you been, Palmon?"

"I've done so many things since I last saw you, Mimi! I lived with the Gekomon and Otamamon until one of them evolved into another ShogunGekomon. She keeps in check the older one and rule together. So I started travelling a lot. I saw Yolei and Aquilamon! And then I came here. Some Bug Digimon had threatened the forest so I offered to help. And I've been here ever since! Oh my, Mimi, you look gorgeous!"

"You too!"

"Don't lie! I haven't changed at all. But you have and you are incredible!"

"You always have been!"

They hugged again. She had missed her so much.

"Hey, Palmon. I don't want us to stay away for so long. Promise me we'll see each other more often"

"Mimi you know I'd love to but…"

"Even if I have to keep you hiding or I have to open Digital Gates by headbutting them! I don't care!"

"Aren't they cute together, Betamon?"

"I'd say so!"

It took some strength to walk away from Palmon, but she did. She kissed Michael, and then punched Betamon.

"You better learn to treat my hat better!"

"Why are you always so mean to me"

"Because when I'm not you complain! You're just like Michael!"

They all laughed.

"Well, where do we go now? I assume you've got a fancy house, Palmon"

"Not very fancy, no. But I did my best to keep it cute"

"We can go there first, if you want"

"Oh? You have another place planned?"

"Yeah. But we'll get there"

The forest was full of Digimon she had seen before. A Cherrymon acted as Palmon's butler, and two Blossomon seemed to watch over her house. It was on top of one of the biggest trees, and was no bigger than a room. Palmon had her taste when decorating, however.

"Where do you eat? This seems like it's just your bedroom"

"We all eat together. We're like a big family! You'll see later!"

Palmon had changed so much. She was a leader now. Mature, responsible, and respected. Her little sister had turned into her big one.

"Well, and this is just the beginning. Palmon and I found a beautiful lake, just outside the forest. It's quiet, it's calm, and it's perfect to camp there. You're gonna love it"

She grabbed Michael's arm, as they walked towards their next objective. They left a wall built inside the forest. Palmon's friends had built it after the last Bug attack, but apparently, their enemies had left the forest completely just a couple of weeks ago, making the place completely safe.

"It's weird, you know. Bug Digimon tend to be vicious and simple minded. When they get something on that head of them they keep at it until they succeed. But they left the forest, and we can live safely now"

"You know, Palmon, seems like you're forgetting about Tentomon and Wormmon"

"Yeah, you're right. Izzy is more of a Bug Digimon than either"

They laughed again, and reached the lake. It was enormous, crystalline, and clean and there was enough room for the four of them to set up a camp site, if so they wanted. But they weren't alone.

Before they went out of the woods there were two figures walking alongside the water, who didn't notice them. Both of them were a head taller than any human she had ever seen. One of them looked like a humanoid goat, with long horns and bat-like wings. His companion seemed entirely human, but was completely covered by a reddish cloak. He had two horns and two demon-like wings. The voice of the goat was deep and inhuman, but the voice of the "human" was terrifying. It was otherworldly deep and sinister, but extremely powerful.

"I swear it wasn't my fault, My Lord. I… I couldn't have predicted it!"

"I know. That's why you're still alive, Mephistomon"

Michael and Betamon had slowed down, but Mimi forced them to stop. Whoever they were, it was obvious it was best to leave them alone.

"We should go" she whispered

"Why?" he said, notably louder

"Look at them! I don't want to get into trouble with two demon digimon"

Their conversation didn't stop.

"They had Digivices. And an Ultimate Digimon"

"You had the bad luck of running into two Crest Bearers, Mephistomon. You weren't ready for such a challenge. The Brothers will be"

"I hope I didn't mean to fail my mission. I'll do whatever I can to prove my worth"

"This was an unexpected setback, but a minor one. I was well aware something could go wrong, and the master of the Dark Ocean will take care of my unique concern"

"I want to go back, My Lord. I want my revenge"

"You shall have it. When I say so"

Mephistomon kneeled before the other figure. What the hell were they walking about? Crest Bearers? Did they mean Tai and the others?

"Come on, Michael. Let's go"

"What are you talking about, Mimi? We have to do something. These guys are talking about attacking people!"

She had a very bad feeling about it all. They should've left.

"Mimi Tachikawa. The Crest Bearer of Sincerity. I would be honored if you joined our conversation"

Her heart froze. The voice came from Mephistomon's Lord. He was looking directly at their position. She was completely paralyzed.

"What… what are you talking about, My Lord?"

The Lord pointed his hand towards them, and a dozen trees surrounding them disappeared completely.

"You should know it's bad to spy on someone"

"Yeah? Well whatever you two were planning is bad as well! Let's go, Betamon!"

Michael's Digivice started to shine, as Betamon jumped into the lake and turned into Seadramon.

"I was not addressing you, worm"

"Mimi, let's go!"

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. She knew it. Seadramon opened its mouth and large ice spikes came out of it, hitting the Lord, but leaving him completely unscratched.

"Mimi!"

She snapped, and Palmon digivolved into Togemon. She had seen Palmon just a little over an hour ago. She didn't want to fight. Why, why were those two right there, in that moment.

Togemon tried to use all her strength in a single punch, but the Lord stopped her with a single movement of his hand. Togemon couldn't overcome her enemy.

"Is this the best you can do?"

"No, of course not!"

Her Digivice turned green as Togemon digivolved into Lillymon. The flower fairy stood flying away from the two demons, looking at them. Mephistomon looked concerned, but it was impossible to tell what the Lord was thinking because of its cloak.

"Now, Lillymon!"

"Help her, Seadramon!"

"Flower Cannon!"

Lillymon's attack went straight to the Lord, as Seadramon's attack approached him from the back. He didn't even try to block, and when both hits connected, there was an explosion. Mephistomon covered his eyes from the dust, while Michael celebrated victory. Mimi just got more worried.

And the Lord was standing in place, without a single scratch. Michael couldn't believe it. Mimi could. The hand of the lord started burning.

"My turn?"

"Seadramon!"

Seadramon jumped towards the demon trying to bite him, or maybe even swallow him whole.

"Michael, Seadramon, no! Don't do that!"

She saw it coming. She saw it coming but couldn't prevent it. The demon held Seadramon's head, which was roughly the same size as he was, with both hands. Seadramon was in pain, and couldn't get rid of him.

"Lillymon! Save Seadramon! Now!"

Lillymon went flying towards the demon, who simply flapped his wings. An enormous amount of energy was released, and Lillymon was sent flying towards Michael and Mimi. She rushed towards her partner. She seemed to be relatively fine. Michael couldn't move from his place. He was terrified.

"You must learn your place"

Then, his hands crushed Seadramon's head with insulting ease. They only saw the result for a second, an unforgettable, nightmarish second, and Michael's partner disappeared, turning into nothing but data. Her heart stopped beating, and couldn't help but cry. Michael screamed like no one had ever screamed. He yelled his partner's name, and a lot other things no one could've understood. Michael started running towards the Lord, but Lillymon grabbed him by the waist, stopping him. Then, her partner held her in her other hand, and went away flying, getting nothing but a look from the two Demons in return. They didn't move, and they didn't say anything. Lillymon was flying faster than she ever had. She couldn't fully grasp what had just happened, and as she realized it, she started sweating and crying. Michael screamed and cried. And he only stopped once his voice gave up.