Chapter 21: The Path to Earth
Infinity Mountain
File Island
10:40 P.M
"No!"Kairo watched helplessly as Cyberdramon was crushed under WarGrowlmon's massive body. Looking around, he realized he had lost, so he bolted, running down the mountain as fast as he could. But Shurimon was on him in an instant. The ninja shot his arm at the boy and wrapped his spring-like appendage around Kairo's legs. Shurimon pulled the boy down to his stomach and dragged him back to the rest of the group.
"Why do evil Digidestined have to be so difficult Takatomon?" Guilmon grunted as he dragged an unconscious Monodramon over to Takato and Shurimon, dropping him next to the entangled Kairo.
"For the same reason you love bread so much," He laughed, "It's in their nature." As Takato laughed, he realized how long it had been since he last had. He looked over to his cousin. "Isn't that right Kairo?"
"I will murder you!" Kairo shouted in fury, and jumped to his feet (which were still tied up by Shurimon's arm), hopping towards Takato. Shurimon pulled him back onto the ground with minimal effort.
"Stop doing things," Shurimon complained to the evil tamer, "I'm tired enough as it is."
"You don't have to hold onto him anymore, Shurimon," Takato told the ninja, "Kairo's harmless now that we've defeated Henry and destroyed the dark beacon."
"Ah, yes," Shurimon dropped his head back and looked up to the sky, releasing Kairo from his binds, "As well as Guilmon's evolution to the ultimate level. What a fine list of accomplishments to go against our string of unfortunate events over the last few weeks."
"Argh!" Kairo leaped off of the ground again and assaulted Takato, grabbing his cousin's neck. Takato braced himself just in time and remained standing, grasping at Kairo's wrists.
"Get off of him!" Halsemon ordered as she, Guilmon, and Shurimon came at Kairo swiftly. Before they could do anything, however, Takato's digivice began to glow, and then shot a burst of light forward, which hit Kairo in the stomach. The evil Digidestined cried out in pain and stumbled backwards, grabbing his shoulder.
"Wha...?" Takato stared at Kairo's upper arm as he clutched it in his palm. A thin black needle was sticking out of the top of Kairo's shoulder, between two of his fingers. "No way." Takato whispered, walking towards his cousin.
"Hey, get away from me!" Kairo yelled as he started to back away, but Shurimon appeared behind him and pinned the boy in his arms. Takato walked over to his struggling cousin and yanked the dark needle out of his shoulder, making Kairo scream in agony once more. Takato then crushed the now harmless needle in his palm, watching the grainy remains pour out of his palm and fall onto the ground.
"What just...?" Shurimon let Kairo go and he dropped to his knees. Kairo looked around at everybody for a few seconds. Then his face went from an expression of anger to one of fear and confusion. "What just happened: where am I?"
"Kairo, it's okay." Takato kneeled next to his cousin and placed his hand comfortingly on Kairo's shoulder. "Do you remember anything?"
"Be careful Takato, he could be trying to deceive us." Shurimon cautioned.
"Takato?" Kairo starred inquisitively at his cousin. "Takato, where are we, and why does my shoulder hurt so much?" He asked, still holding the spot on his arm where the dark needle had pushed itself out. Before Takato could answer however, a look of disgust appeared on Kairo's face. He was beginning to remember what happened. "Oh god, what have I done?"
"Kairo, it's okay, you weren't yourself." Takato tried to reassure him.
"I tried to kill you," Kairo said with disgust, "I tried to kill you, and Kari, and Tai, and all of your friends! I've done so many things..." He keeled over, attempted to cover his mouth his palm, and then vomited.
"You call that deception?" Takato looked up at Shurimon, who looked away shamefully. After all, the dark needle had been expelled, so there was no longer anything controlling him. "Come on Kairo; let's get you off of this mountain." Takato helped his cousin to his feet, putting Kairo's arm around his shoulder, and began to walk towards Halsemon. "Do you think you guys can get us to Primary Village so we can regroup with Sora?"
"It's a short trip," Halsemon answered, "It shouldn't be too hard."
"Takato, Halsemon, Shurimon!" Sora arrived sitting atop an armored horse with a giant swan behind her.
Quasi-Gulag
Reboot Island
10:50 P.M
Blood was splattered on Flaremon's arm. Though MadLeomon's body had dissipated into data minutes ago, the crimson stain remained; a painful reminder of what he had just done. After resting by MadLeomon's death site for a minute and reciting an apology for his actions, Flaremon was now walking solemnly towards Iori, Jeri, and Lekismon.
"What... did you do?" Iori asked with dread as his partner arrived.
"It had to be done Iori." Flaremon sighed, little confidence backing his words.
"You, you killed him," Iori quivered, "You killed him without hesitation."
"I had an opportunity that wouldn't present itself again. MadLeomon was disarmed and if I had waited any longer, he would have gotten back up and I wouldn't have been able to stop him. I know this is hard to accept Iori, but we are in a war. There are going to be casualties, on both sides, and by killing MadLeomon I've reduced the amount of deaths on our side considerably."
"It's just... he was... I don't know..." Iori couldn't find the words to express his qualms with Flaremon's actions.
"Listen Iori, MadLeomon is not gone forever. He will be reconfigured, purified, and sent back to Primary Village as a Digi-egg to begin his life anew."
"I understand Flaremon," Iori sighed, "I just, I need a minute." Iori walked off, holding his forehead in his palm.
10:51 P.M
Digmon stood outside the fortress gate, hiding partially behind the wall as he watched Flaremon walk away from the spot where he had just slaughtered MadLeomon. "He's not a Digimon, he's a monster." Digmon whispered. "I've got to get out of here." He then silently shuffled away, towards the beach. "Slide Evolution... Submarimon." The submarine Digimon dropped to his stomach on the water's edge and began to push towards the sea with his fins.
"Where do you think you're going?" A voice growled from behind. Submarimon's eyes widened fearfully as his fin was grabbed by a large paw, and he was swung back and thrown away from the beach and into the fortress wall, knocking him out.
Port USB
File Island
11:00 P.M
Takato and Sora stood on the docks, watching the ocean, waiting for Swanmon to return. Guilmon was at a picnic table, feasting on a mountain of bread given to the Digidestined by a grateful baker, and Kudamon was right next to him eating as well, though not as ferociously. Biyomon and Hawkmon were in a boathouse a short distance away, tending their wounds along with Kairo and Monodramon.
"Are you sure that TV report was accurate?" Takato asked Sora for the umpteenth time, nervously tapping his foot on the dock.
"It was a news crew standing on the outskirts of Tokyo, showing a huge white fog over the city that was somehow preventing anyone from entering the city, and then two giant monsters started fighting near the top where the cloud wasn't as thick, that's what I saw." Sora reiterated.
"How is there even TV in the digital world anyways?" Takato asked, trying to stay in a state of denial.
"Takato the point is we've stopped Henry, and now we need to get back to Reboot so the four of us can return to Tokyo and figure out what's going on there."
"Takatomon, you have to try this bread, it's amazing!" Guilmon, oblivious, called to his partner.
"Sorry, but I'm just so confused. How could all of this happen?" Takato asked rhetorically.
"Never mind, it's all gone." Guilmon called again.
"We've only been gone a day!" Takato continued, "An eventful one yes, but how could all of Tokyo be taken over in the time we've been gone?"
"You realize we just took two island strongholds in that same amount of time right?" Sora asked obviously.
"But it's Tokyo!" Takato argued, but it was futile.
"Digidestined!" Swanmon returned gleefully, apparently with good news. She had been off trying to find transportation for the Digidestined to Reboot Island within a reasonable amount of time. Halsemon had made the trip in only a few hours because she was lightning fast, but she was too tired now and it was a two day journey for most other Digimon.
"Did you find someone to get us to Reboot really fast?" Sora asked hopefully.
"Yes," Swanmon nodded to Takato and Sora's relief, "This Tylomon here claims he can make the trip in 12 hours if it's nonstop." Takato and Sora looked around curiously, but the Tylomon soon revealed himself by rising out of the ocean by the docks with an explosion of water, soaking everyone on land. The Tylomon was a large sea serpent dinosaur, blue with four large fins, and a blue visor covering his snout and jutting out far behind his head. Two thick cables were attached to his head piece, connected to a wooden vessel, short and thin, that would easily cut through the water with Tylomon towing it behind him.
"We'd better get moving," The Tylomon bellowed joyfully, "The journey's a long one and I'd rather not dawdle."
"I'll go get the others." Sora said, and then jogged off towards the boat house.
"Thank you very much for the ride Tylomon," Takato said appreciatively, "We know it's a lot to ask, taking us so far in such a short time."
"Hey, anything for you guys," Tylomon cheered, "The way I see it, you pretty much just saved the digital world, again! The least I can do is to give you all a little ride."
"Well, thanks again." Takato reiterated.
"We're ready!" Sora called, with Hawkmon, Biyomon, Kairo, and Monodramon behind her.
"What's he doing here?" Tylomon suddenly growled, glaring at Kairo. The boy saw the Digimon's stare, and dropped his head shamefully.
"Relax Tylomon," Takato calmed him, "Kairo was under the control of the dark needle, but he's free of it now. He's one of the good guys again."
"Are you sure?" Tylomon asked warily.
"I promise." Takato assured.
"Well then, let's get a move on!" Tylomon cheered again, Takato's words easing his concerns. "Everyone who's going should get on." He dragged the small but sturdy vessel over to the dock and motioned for everyone to climb in.
"Takato, Sora," Hawkmon addressed the two humans; "Swanmon and I are going to stay on File Island for now. I should be here in case Henry resurfaces. We don't really know what happened to him."
"And I need to watch over the eggs at Primary Village, especially while they're so vulnerable." Swanmon added.
"We understand completely." Sora nodded. "And don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we know Tokyo is safe, and we'll help clean up this mess."
"Thank you Sora," Hawkmon bowed.
"I'm afraid I won't be accompanying you to the human world either," Biyomon stated, "I need to be on Reboot and Shadowtech to deal with any of Henry's remaining forces."
"We understand Biyomon," Takato assured her as they clambered onto the boat, "You need to keep your world under control while it's in a power void. We know you'd come to our world and help us if you didn't have those obligations."
"Thanks for understanding, all of you." Biyomon said with tears of joy.
"Here," Sora held out her hand to help Kairo into the vessel.
"Oh, thanks." Kairo looked down, avoiding eye contact, and climbed into the sea craft. Monodramon, Guilmon, and Kudamon jumped in as well, and then everyone was ready.
"Alright, let's get this thing going!" Tylomon roared, and then shot away from the dock with tremendous speed. The passengers on the boat waved a quick goodbye to Hawkmon and Swanmon before they were out of sight, and then sat down in the fast moving barge as Tylomon towed them to Reboot Island and the portal home.
Middle of the Digital Sea
6:00 A.M: January 31st, 2010
Tylomon fought through turbid waters, struggling to keep the floating vessel in tow behind him from capsizing and drowning the sleeping passengers within. Halfway through his journey, a storm had crept upon him from the southeast. He had tried to escape, but the torrent finally caught up with him a few minutes ago, and was doing its best to steer him off course.
"When did this happen!" Takato yelled over the screaming winds to the pilot, who saw the boy out of the corner of his eye.
"It's about time you woke up!" Tylomon bellowed, "I've never met anyone one, much less seven, who could sleep through a storm like this!"
"We had a really long day yesterday!" Sora cried out as she wobbled to her feet, the rest of the group woken by the wind, rain, and waves.
"I can't keep going through this storm!" Tylomon stated, getting on topic. "I'm going to have to pull off and find land as soon as possible! I'm sorry, but I won't be able to get you there as soon as I promised!" He lamented.
"It's okay Tylomon, do whatever you need to do!" Takato assured him.
"There's an island to the east!" Kairo yelled, pointing out into the ocean. Tylomon glanced in the direction Kairo had indicated and saw a small patch of land in the distance.
"That'll have to do!" Tylomon bellowed, and then turned towards the island, fighting the waves and current as fast as he could. He reached the island within a few minutes and threw the sea craft into the beach, lodging it in the sand.
"Go inland and find some cover!" Tylomon ordered as his passengers scrambled out of the vessel. "I'm going to dive under and wait for the storm to pass! Come back to the ship when the wind and rain dies down!"
"How long do you think that will take!" Sora inquired.
"We're on the northern edge of the storm!" Tylomon answered. "As far as I can tell, it's moving west! As long as it doesn't change course, we should be clear in a few hours, but storms are unpredictable!"
"Thanks Tylomon, get yourself somewhere safe!" Takato told him.
"Good luck Digidestined!" Tylomon roared above the storm as he dove back into the ocean.
"Come on!" Biyomon ran for the tree line, beckoning the others to follow. "We must find shelter!" The Digidestined followed her off of the beach and into the island forest, where the rain was blocked by the dense canopy above. They marched through the jungle for about five minutes until they ran into a natural ditch, about ten feet deep, with a stream running through at the bottom.
"There's probably a cave down there to hide in," Kairo suggested, "Or at least an overhang in the rock where we can take shelter."
"I'll go check." Biyomon offered. "You all wait here a minute." She then flew off down the stream, searching for shelter.
"Sora, are you alright?" Takato looked over at his friend, who was shivering.
"Yeah, just a little cold," She answered, rubbing her arms with her hands, "I guess it was a bad idea to leave our jackets in the real world." Her yellow sleeveless shirt didn't provide much insulation.
"File Island's a pretty humid place," Takato reasoned, "We didn't think we'd need them."
"We'll make sure to bring parkas next time, right?" Sora laughed forcefully.
"Here." Takato slipped out of his hoodie and draped it over Sora's shoulders.
"Thanks Takato." Sora sighed in relief, warmth returning to her arms. "Hey is it the best idea to be hiding in a cave down in a ditch?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Takato and Kairo asked.
"What if there's a flood?" She answered with another question, making both boys feel foolish.
"Hey I just thought of something!" Biyomon called as she returned to the group from down the stream. "What if-?"
"Yeah, the ditch is a bad idea, we get it." Kairo sighed, bending down with his arms swaying. Monodramon patted his partner on the shoulder to console him.
"So where do we go now?" Guilmon whined.
"Get the hell off my island!" A shower of energy beams showered upon them from above.
"Run!" Takato ordered.
"I was just curious!" Guilmon whined. Everyone scattered off into different directions to escape the rain of death. Takato ran along the bank of the stream, but he stepped on a patch of wet grass and slipped, tumbling down into the ditch and splashing head first into the stream as the world spun out of view.
Island in the Digital Sea
6:23 A.M
As Jijimon aged, his mind began to slip away, which was unsurprising considering how long he had been alive. The elder mega Digimon had a human appearance, though only a few feet tall, and sported a white beard that along with his hair covered most of his head. He was dressed only in a tattered brown robe, and carried a wooden staff capped with the curled yellow paw of some unknown creature.
Jijimon had forgotten how he used to look. He also forgot what his name used to be, before he started to go by Jijimon. Some of his more intact memories were those on the island, a peaceful paradise in the middle of the ocean, guarded from visitors by his assistant, Lilamon. But not all of Jijimon's memories were of the island. The most important ones from his past were clear in his head, as if they had happened yesterday. The adventures of his past, the horrors, the events that had defined him, ended his previous life, and forced him to seek the solitude of the island. Those memories were the ones he wished would disappear most, but they never did. Every morning, when he woke up in his bed, in a wooden shack in the middle of the woods, his first thoughts were to that day, centuries ago, when he had paid a high cost to stop the digital world from annihilation.
He had never told anyone what he knew, even Lilamon, though she had only been his assistant for the past year, when she washed up on the island as a Lalamon. Jijimon had trained the young rookie extensively, helping her progress far in her training to become a champion and eventually an ultimate level Digimon. In return, Lilamon promised to protect Jijimon, from others and from his decaying mind, until she became a mega level, whereupon she would regain the memories of her former life.
Jijimon sat in his shack, pushing back and forth in a rocking chair, watching the rain hammer across the window, sipping a cup of tea. Lilamon had learned of the herbal concoction on the mainland and had prepared it for Jijimon, insisting that it would help heal his deteriorating mind, but he was skeptical. Still, he drank it for her. Jijimon could tell that the idea that his memories and mental state could recover was important to Lilamon, even though Jijimon knew preserving his life was pointless. He couldn't die, at least not yet. He still had a job to finish. Thousands of years ago he had opened Pandora's Box, and it still clutched at his soul, preventing him from passing on and being reconfigured as a digi-egg until he could use the knowledge of what happened to end the madness he had started.
"Master Jijimon!" Lilamon burst in, holding something under her arm. She resembled a human covered in a large flower petal, with pink limbs, and a yellow torso. However she did not have hands or feet, but rather flower petals capping each limb that allowed her special abilities, such as hovering in the air instead of walking. A large pink flower bloomed on her back, and a smaller version rested on her head, partially covering her face and her long green hair. "Jijimon, there are intruders on the island!"
"Oh dear." Jijimon grunted, easing himself out of the rocking chair. He grabbed his cane from its resting place against the wall and limped over to the girl as she flew inside, closing the door behind her to block out the storm. She then dropped the bundle in her arm on the bed, which after a short study Jijimon realized was a human child. "Hmph, a human, haven't seen one of these since Spiral Mountain." Jijimon peered over the boy, who had messy brown hair and wore a white t-shirt. Jijimon noted how wet he was, realizing the boy was shivering, even in his unconscious state, and threw a blanket over him.
"Jijimon, he's one of the humans who's been trying to conquer the digital world!" Lilamon said with urgency.
"Perhaps..." Jijimon calmly reasoned.
"I saw one of the tamers who had been attacking us, Kairo. He was with this boy when I found them." Lilamon tried to persuade her mentor.
"And when you found them, did they fire upon you?" Jijimon inquired.
"Well..." Lilamon looked down in shame.
"You attacked first, didn't you?" Jijimon asked judgmentally.
"I told you, I recognized him. He's been terrorizing our people on the mainland, they must be stopped!" She pleaded.
"And how many humans are there in that, what do they call themselves?" He thought for a second. "The Soldiers of the Glorious Revolution, is that it? Yes, how many humans command it?"
"Three." Lilamon answered.
"And how many were in the group that you fired upon?" Jijimon asked.
"Three!" Lilamon said with exasperation.
"And the other two, this boy and the one that got away, do you recognize them as well? Are they the other two humans who are leaders of the SGR?"
"No," Lilamon sighed, "I do not recognize them as those other humans."
"You know Lilamon, the Digidestined were created to be a force of good." Jijimon explained. "They were brought to the digital world to save us from oblivion. It was only after the forces of darkness got a hold of them were they corrupted and used for evil."
"Master, what are you trying to say?" Lilamon asked.
"Long ago, during the times of Spiral Mountain, which unfortunately happened because of the actions of evil humans, a second group of Digidestined arrived in the digital world. They escaped the clutches of evil, freed their human brethren, and together destroyed the evil. After that they returned home to the human world, and everything was peaceful until these new three arrived. But now, all of a sudden, we have two humans who are unaccounted for. Curious, don't you think?"
"You're saying these two are good Digidestined who have come here to save us from the bad ones?" Lilamon was unhappy with what she was hearing. "Then why were they traveling with the one named Kairo, who I know to be evil?"
"Did I not also say that the Digidestined freed their human brethren from the forces of darkness upon their arrival?"
"Do you really think that these three are here to help us?" Lilamon asked warily.
"Guilmon..." The boy moaned as he began to awaken. "Guilmon, where are you?" His eyes suddenly fluttered open and he pushed himself up, eyes darting around the room. "Guilmon?" He called desperately. "Guilmon, Guilmon!" He jumped off of the bed and ran for the door, but Lilamon blocked him.
"Calm down boy," Jijimon hooked his claw-tipped cane into the boy's shoulder and pulled him back onto the bed, "Your partner will be fine, along with the rest of your friends. I apologize for the actions of my assistant. Lilamon acted rashly when she attacked you, but she was only trying to protect me from whom she thought was an attacker."
"I humbly apologize." Lilamon bowed, but her voice was filled with sarcasm.
"Who are you?" The boy asked curiously, though his impatience was obvious. Jijimon knew the second there was an opening the boy would dart out of there and go to look for his friends.
"My name is Jijimon." The old Digimon explained. "I live on this island with Lilamon, my assistant, and I have been here for a very long time. Now, may I ask your name, and what you are doing here?"
"My name's Takato," He answered, relaxing a bit, "I was on my way to Reboot Island with my friends when the storm forced us to take shelter on your island."
"Why were you on your way to Reboot Island?" Lilamon interrogated. "That place is a fortress for the Soldiers of the Glorious Revolution."
"Not anymore," Takato answered, "We freed it. You see," He pulled out his digivice out, "I'm a Digidestined. So are the two people who were with me, Sora and Kairo."
"Kairo is an evil man and one of the leaders of the SGR." Lilamon rebutted.
"He used to be," Takato answered, "But he and I got into a fight on File Island, and my digivice forced the dark needle out of him."
"Oh, and I suppose you're going to tell me that File Island has been liberated as well, eh?" Lilamon asked.
"Yeah, it has. The SGR is all but dead. The dark beacon is gone, Kairo's been turned, Junpei's digivice is broken so he can't fight anymore, and Henry..." Takato thought of the best way to explain it. "Well, Henry kind of blew up."
"That's quite a tale you've just told." Jijimon laughed not with disbelief but with joy. "Well, I am certainly glad to hear of our people's liberation. You have our deepest thanks." Jijimon offered Takato a hand and the boy shook it happily.
"Master," Lilamon flew over to the mega and pulled him aside, "Master please, I believe you're making a mistake. You know how your mind wanders." She urged.
"Lilamon my dear, I understand and respect your concern, but don't forget who taught you everything you know. You still have many things to learn my dear, trust being one of them."
"I hope you're right." Lilamon said worriedly.
"Come boy, let us go and find your friends while you tell us more about the defeat of the SGR." Jijimon said, more welcoming than before. "I don't often like visitors on my island, but for a Digidestined I can make an exception."
"Thank you very much sir." Takato bowed in respect.
"Master, is it wise for you to be out in this weather in your condition?" Lilamon warned.
"Relax my dear, the rain does little but command this unruly hair of mine." He fluffed his mane as Lilamon opened the door and let them out. "My brother used to make it rain all the time. He would summon the clouds to release a torrent upon us for the simple joy of playing in the rain. It's more fun than many give it credit for."
"Do you even remember who your brother was, Jijimon?" Lilamon asked skeptically.
"I think he was a Vikemon, but alas that is one of my more faded memories." Jijimon sighed. "But anyways, off we go. Lilamon, you lead the way, back to where you found this boy." Jijimon pointed his cane up into the air, and Lilamon begrudgingly led the group into the forest.
"So tell me more about your accomplishments on File Island," Jijimon asked after a few minutes of walking. "Tell me how the one called Henry... blew up you said?"
"Yeah, well, I'm not really clear on all of the details." Takato explained as they marched through the forest. They had almost arrived at the stream where everyone had gotten separated. "I mean, I saw it happen, but I'm still not sure. You see, he's had a dark needle in him for a very long time."
"Dark needle?" Jijimon inquired.
"It's what Devimon used to control the original Digidestined." Takato answered.
"Ah, yes." Jijimon said with piqued interest.
"Well, Henry was one of them, but somehow he got separated from the others and they didn't remember about him. Then four years later the dark needle grew to control him, or amplify his dark side, I'm not really sure, but the point was, he was really evil, with these powers that he got from the needle. He could absorb people and Digimon's life force and unleash it as an attack, and he could craft more dark needles and black gears from one of Devimon's original gears."
"Is that so?" Jijimon nodded.
"Yeah, but then, I found out that the source of the dark beacon, which is what controls all of his black gear infected Digimon and stops everyone else from digivolving, was his digivice. So I grabbed it when he wasn't paying attention and smashed it, destroying the signal. Then Henry lost control. I guess breaking his digivice made something in his head snap, not that he wasn't crazy already. But he started grabbing his head and talking to himself. Then this field of black energy swirled around him, and..." Takato made a gesture akin to an explosion with his hands. "Boom."
"It seems you had quite the experience." Jijimon said half-heartedly, his mind drifting off.
"Uh, Jijimon?" Takato tried to gain the monster's attention, but to no avail.
"He does that," Lilamon spoke for the first time since the trip began, "He's an ancient Digimon, his mind is not what it used to be."
"I'm sorry." Takato said solemnly. "Forgive me if this sounds rude, but why hasn't he passed away yet. I mean, wouldn't that be better? That way he could be reconfigured as a digi-egg."
"He should have a long time ago, but something keeps him here. He doesn't want to lose the knowledge he has, not yet. He claims he needs to do something, and he cannot forget that information once he's reconfigured until it's passed on to the proper successor."
"It sounds important." Takato commented.
"I would think so, considering how much Jijimon has suffered to stay alive all this time." Lilamon shot a dirty glance at Takato.
"Are we almost there Lilamon?" Jijimon spoke to Takato's surprise. He wondered how long the mega had been coherent for.
"The stream is just up ahead." She pointed forward, and Takato could see the brook that he and the others had found just a few yards ahead.
"Guilmon! Sora! Kairo! Biyomon!" Takato began screaming.
"I sincerely doubt they stayed in this area boy." Lilamon scoffed.
"Takatomon!" Guilmon squealed into the air. He appeared out of the trees and galloped for his partner.
"It's just not your day is it?" Takato asked with a smile. Within a few seconds Guilmon pounced on him, playfully nudging the boy. "I missed you too boy." Takato said with relief.
"Takato!" Sora and Kairo called as they joined the group with Monodramon, Kudamon, and Biyomon. "Takato, where were you?" Sora continued.
"I was picked up by these two." Takato nodded to Lilamon and Jijimon. "This is Jijimon," Takato pushed Guilmon off of him and stood up to introduce their hosts, "And his assistant Lilamon. This is their island and they were kind enough to take me back here to find you guys... after a bit of a misunderstanding, that is." He looked at Lilamon, who glared in response. Takato gave her a smile and held out his hand, trying to dissolve tensions. Lilamon's face softened and she nodded quickly, but didn't shake his hand. Obviously she was still suspicious of them.
"It's nice to meet you Digidestined." Jijimon shook everyone's hands. "Takato's been telling me all about your adventures. I'm very excited for everything, and I hope this storm clears up soon so you can get to your destination."
"I should hope so." Takato sighed. "I didn't mention it before, but we're on our way to Reboot to meet up with two more Digidestined and get back home. Our world is in trouble; for some reason there are Digimon there attacking our hometown, Tokyo."
"How ironic," Lilamon said sarcastically.
"Well, it looks like you're in luck." Jijimon looked up to the sky. The rain had stopped and sunlight pierced the clouds. "It looks as if your fortune is turning."
"This is great!" Sora cheered. "Let's hurry and get to the beach. Tylomon will be waiting for us." The group, accompanied by Lilamon and Jijimon, then headed out of the forest and to the beach where Tylomon's sea craft sat lodged in the sand.
"Tylomon!" Sora yelled out into the ocean, hoping to get his attention. "Well, I had to try."
"Can you believe our good luck!" Tylomon cheered as he exploded out from under the surface, sending a small wave of water crashing down on the beach. "The sky is so clear, and I had such a nice rest, I feel as if I could get us there in a quarter of the time!"
"Then let's get moving!" Biyomon proposed, and flew into the vessel. Kairo, Monodramon, Sora, and Kudamon followed. Guilmon stayed by Takato, who lingered for a few seconds.
"Thank you for your hospitality Jijimon, Lilamon." He nodded to both of them.
"It's no trouble at all." Jijimon nodded. "Now go, get to the human world and save your home." He pushed the boy with his cane, and Takato nodded, running off towards the vessel.
"I'll come back someday, if that's okay, to tell you how everything went!" Takato called back as he climbed into the sea craft with Guilmon.
"I'd like that very much!" Jijimon called back. "I'll expect your visit!"
"Good luck Digidestined!" Lilamon said sincerely, putting a smile on Jijimon's face.
"Alright then, let's get moving!" Tylomon was reconnected to the sea craft, so he yanked it out of the sand, jostling the passengers within, and sped off into the sea, towards the northern horizon.
"How fortunate, that storm ending when it did." Lilamon thought. "It seemed as if that one would take hours to pass over."
"Well perhaps Vikemon heard us speaking of him and came to help." Jijimon joked.
"What did you do master?" Lilamon asked, believing Jijimon had caused the fortune.
"I have no idea what you're talking about my dear," Jijimon scoffed, "I had absolutely nothing to do with the weather change. It was simply good luck for the Digidestined. They'll need all they can get." He said solemnly.
"I'm sorry?" Lilamon picked up the ominous tone in the mega's voice.
"It's what I've been waiting for Lilamon; the time to pass on my knowledge has come. It's coming to a close."
"Master, what is?"
"What I started centuries before," Jijimon sighed, those persistent memories returning, "The cost to save the world so long ago has finally come seeking payment, and those children will have to be the ones to stop it from collecting, otherwise the Digital world as we know it will cease to exist."
Quasi-Gulag
Reboot Island
12:27 A.M
If there was one thing Jeri didn't like about Iori Hida, it was that he snored. Jeri was amazed such a small boy could make a sound louder than an entire fleet of Brimpmon. Lying on a bunk bed in a room in the barracks section of the fortress, Jeri was above Iori, and though the previous days' trials had put her out for almost 11 hours, for the last hour Iori's snoring had finally gotten to her, and she had to jump out of bed and leave the room if she ever wanted some peace and quiet. As she did so, however, she was met with more displeasure.
"Jeri, you're up, how pleasant!" Coronamon cheered as he came barreling down the hallway. "Dressed and ready for the day, are you? I'd imagine so after sleeping half of it away!"
"I went to bed in this." Jeri replied groggily, still feeling sleep-deprived despite her extended nap. "What's going on?"
"Great news! Takato and Sora have returned from File Island victorious! I have come to retrieve you and my partner for the meeting. Does he still slumber?"
"Takato's here?" Jeri squealed. She felt as if she hadn't seen her friend for ages. With a new burst of energy she ran down the hall towards the stairs.
"Hm, she could have at least answered me." Coronamon shrugged, and opened the door. "What is that dreadful noise!"
Jeri climbed the stairs two steps at a time, finally reaching the ground floor. She ran out into the bright sunlight, squinting harshly, and saw a group of humans and rookie Digimon standing in the middle of the courtyard.
"Takato, Sora!" She called to her friends while running over to them. As she ran, however, her eyes began to adjust, and she noticed the boy standing with them: Kairo. "Agh!" She stopped quickly upon seeing his face, and began to back away nervously.
"Jeri, it's okay!" Takato called to her as he made his way over, the rest of the group behind him. Jeri could see that Hawkmon had not accompanied them back to Reboot.
"Why is he here?" Jeri asked warily.
"Kairo was freed from the dark needle." Sora explained as the two girls came face to face. "Takato's digivice forced it out of him."
"I pulled it out and crushed it in my hands." Takato said proudly, "Now my cousin's all better and ready to help us kick some digital butt."
"Thanks Takato." Kairo whispered with embarrassment.
"Are you sure?" Jeri flinched when Kairo stepped near her.
"We promise Jeri." Sora nodded.
"Okay then," Jeri walked up to Kairo and grabbed his hand, shaking ferociously, "Welcome to the team." She said cheerfully.
"You don't... hate me?" He asked nervously yet curiously.
"Why would I? It's not your fault you did what you did. You were under the control of enemy technology. The important thing is you're with us now and ready to help, right?"
"Right." Kairo nodded, smiling.
"So you're really one of the good guys now?" Iori appeared from behind Jeri with Coronamon and Lunamon.
"Yeah, I am." Kairo nodded with confidence after Jeri's blessing. "That is, as long as you're okay with me here."
"I won't pretend like I trust you." Iori replied bluntly. "But I trust Takato, and if he trusts you, then that's good enough for me to work with you. Just watch yourself." He said with a glare.
"Right, okay." Kairo replied nervously.
"Iori if you're done staring down Kairo we've got bigger issues to deal with." Sora snapped, gaining everyone's attention. She then explained about what she had seen on the television.
"I can't believe it: the human world is under attack?" Jeri gasped.
"By who?" Iori asked.
"We don't know, but we have to get back there." Takato proclaimed. "We've done all we can for the digital world right now. Now it's time to go home and deal with whatever is happening there."
"Right." Iori and Jeri nodded.
"Now how do we get home?" Takato asked. Neither of them answered. "Didn't Izzy tell you how to get home?"
"No, I thought he told you." Iori answered.
"Sora?" Takato looked at the girl. She shook her head. They all stood in silence for a second.
"Jeri why'd you have to go and jump into the portal before we were ready? Izzy hadn't finished explaining what to do!" Takato said rapidly.
"I'm sorry Takato, I was really enthused." Jeri defended herself.
"I know how to get us back." Kairo interjected.
"How?" Sora asked.
"I installed a module on my digivice that allows me to open a portal to the human world from my machine." Kairo explained. "We can go right now, as long as J.P.'s still at the controls. Otherwise we'll have to go find a hot-spot where inter-dimensional activity has already occurred."
"Well let's get going then, shall we?" Coronamon proposed.
"I'm going to stay here." Biyomon explained to Iori, Jeri, Coronamon, and Lunamon. "I need to be here and help deal with whatever mess is left."
"If that is what you wish Biyomon," Lunamon nodded at the bird, "But you should know, Armadillomonis locked up downstairs. We captured him last night."
"Thank you for telling me." Biyomon squawked. "He'll be trouble for sure, but I'll be able to handle him. What about MadLeomon?"
"I took care of that ruffian!" Coronamon bellowed proudly, pumping a fist into the air.
"You digivolved to ultimate?" Guilmon bent down and asked the lion rookie.
"Yes, impressive eh?" Coronamon said with his chest puffed out.
"I digivolved to ultimate too, last night!" Guilmon squealed happily.
"Ayah!" Coronamon deflated, dropping his head.
"What's wrong Kairo?" Takato asked his cousin, who had been clicking a button on his digivice with no result.
"J.P. isn't answering. Great, now we have to find a hot-spot." Kairo sighed.
"That's just anywhere where a portal has been opened, right?" Takato asked.
"Yeah, do you know somewhere we could go?" Kairo asked.
"Follow me." Takato ordered, and then ran for one of the staircases. He led the group down a few floors until they arrived at a large hole in the middle of the room, then crossed a catwalk going through a gate to the other side, taking the group past a string of corridors going off in either direction down to the end of the main hallway, which opened right and left. Takato took the path to the right, following the hallway as it curved, then turned right again, until they arrived at a door. He entered, flipped on a light switch, and beckoned for the others to follow.
"Henry's chamber, of course," Kairo realized, "You've opened a portal here before. We've never traveled to the digital world to or from here, it being Henry's and all."
"Let's do this Kairo." Sora nodded at the boy, telling him to activate the portal.
"Right." Kairo pressed a button on his digivice that was not available on any of the other Destined's digivices. A few seconds later, there was a ripping sound and a large sheet of plasma opened up in the middle of the room.
"Goodbye Digidestined, good luck with your mission, and please come back soon!" Biyomon called to them from the door.
"Goodbye Biyomon, and don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we're done!" Takato answered, and then jumped into the portal. Guilmon followed, and the other Digidestined trailed after him. A few seconds after Monodramon jumped into the portal, it closed, leaving the room dark again, aside from the pale light coming from the lamps above. Biyomon turned around and began to close the door, when a pain in her side caused her to wince.
"Ugh," She grabbed her stomach with her wing, limping out into the hallway. "What's that all about?" She pondered. She had mostly recovered from her wounds battling Cyberdramon, so she wasn't sure why she was in pain now. It soon faded away though, so she thought chose to ignore it. She flipped off the light and shut the door, leaving Henry's chamber in total darkness once again.