The swan boat, which they'd borrowed from a to-remain-unnamed red-banded turtle that threatened to gut them if they laughed, moved slowly across the lake.
"What's wrong, you guys? Can't you make this bucket go any faster?"
Leo glared at the roof, knowing his partner was there.
"We'd gladly trade places with you…" Agumon started.
"But our little legs won't reach the petals!" Gomamon finished.
As both laughed, a vein pulsed in Leo's forehead.
'They're just kidding…Just kidding…'
"We could go faster if we just threw you off!"
"You wouldn't!" Agumon stated.
"It's awfully tempting…"
"You'd better not…" Gomamon muttered.
They finally reached a beach, and got onto the sand.
Anne looked up at the large cliff, seeing the castle.
"Th-That castle i-is huge!"
Leo nodded, noting the many stairs leading up to the large structure.
"There are a lot of stairs…"
Anne sighed.
"A-As if I-I wasn't t-tired enough a-already…"
Gomamon jumped onto her shell, resting his chin on her head.
"Well, we might as well start!"
Anne nodded as Leo looked at his Digivice.
"Well, someone's up there. So let's go."
The four started up the large, long stairway, and it took quite a while for them to reach the white front door.
Opening it slightly, the grey-banded turtle looked in.
Hearing panicked shouts and yells, she stepped in.
Gomamon looked around from his perch on her head as Leo and Agumon followed the two in.
"Oh, these are Gekomon. I know them! They really like music, though it's not a surprise, since they're born with those horns." Gomamon informed.
"And I've heard of the other Digimon. They're called Otamamon." Agumon added.
"Wait!"
A Gekomon stopped, turning to look at the group.
"Can you help us? We're looking for someone." Gomamon asked.
"It's about time you got here! Where's the triple-fudge sundae we ordered for delivery to the princess."
"That's not us." Leo admitted.
"Then you must have her bacon cheeseburger with fries and a super-sized milkshake." Another Gekomon stated.
"Th-That's not us, either." Anne replied.
"Of course not! They're here with the garden-fresh salad with low-fat dressing without desert." Another stated.
"We'd like to ask a question, if you don't mind." Agumon stated.
The three green-skinned Digimon started arguing, and Leo couldn't get a word in.
Then the Otamamon started fighting, and the turtle's could barely hear themselves think.
"This princess sure sounds spoiled." Leo muttered.
"I wonder what happens when they don't do what she says…" His partner agreed.
"Here she comes!" The other Digimon chorused, seeming to scatter.
"Presenting her highness! The Princess!"
"Here she comes…" Leo muttered.
But the person they saw made both of the turtle's jaws drop…
"JUDIE!?"
The green-banded turtle was wearing what looked like a green and white kimono, with a hole cut out in the back for her shell.
She even had a fake green flower tucked in the side of her mask.
"Annie? Leo? What a surprise!"
"Y-You're telling m-me!" Anne replied.
"What are you doing up there?" Leo asked.
"I'm being a princess!"
Anne sighed, nearly smacking her forehead.
'NEVER leave Judie alone…She'll become delusional…'
"So YOU'RE the spoiled princess we've been hearing about!" Agumon stated.
Leo DID smack his forehead.
'He needs to learn not to be so blunt…'
"We should've known-."
Anne covered her partner's mouth before he could finish.
Judie led them up to a large room, which was decorated in varying shades of green.
"Th-The important th-thing is th-that you're o-okay." Anne stated, smiling softly at her younger sister.
"Well, we'd better get a move on." Leo stated.
"No way!"
Both turtle's looked at the 'princess' in surprise for a moment.
"You want to change first? That's alright. We can wait." Leo assured.
"Excuse me? I'm keeping this dress on!"
"And it's beautiful! But it's not the best thing for walking long distances." Agumon stated.
"Walking? I'm not walking anywhere!"
Anne looked JUST as surprised as Leo…
"A-Are you ex-expecting us t-to CARRY y-you out o-of here?!"
"No. Because I'm not going."
Silence…
"Why would I leave? I'm a princess here!"
"Y-You're a D-Digidestined!" Anne replied.
"But who knows if we'll ever get home. So I might as well be large and in charge."
"You must be kidding!" Leo stated.
He half-expected the girl to give one of her silly grins and say 'gotcha!' before giving them a hug and leaving with them.
He knew that's what the old Judie would do
He just didn't know this turtle.
"Is something wrong?"
That voice sounded familiar…
"P-Palmon!"
"Finally, a voice of reason! Palmon, can you come in here and talk some sense into Judie?" Leo asked.
"As in Princess?" Palmon asked, stepping into the doorway.
She even had the same kimono on as her partner…
Anime fall…
"Not you, too!" Leo groaned, smacking his forehead.
"W-We don't h-have time t-to play a-around." Anne reasoned.
"So wh-why don't y-you two j-just change s-so we c-can go."
"I'm not playing around, Annie!!"
Both turtles looked at the, technically, youngest turtle, in shock.
"You guys can go and find the others on your own!! And tell Donnie I'm doing just fine!!"
Something clicked in Leo's head.
'She's trying to fill the hole in her chest with things…while all she really needs is Donnie…'
"Judie, they're your friends…" Palmon reasoned.
"If you want to go too, be my guest!!"
"That's enough! You need to come with us!" Leo stated.
"I-Imouto, we came to find you because y-you're part of our team…"
"That's very nice, but I'm not going!"
"B-But…"
'You're a Digidestined, a teammate, a comrade…my little sister…'
"But we've got to stick together!" Leo stated stubbornly.
"And we're not leaving until you decide to come with us!"
"Yeah!" The two Digimon agreed.
"You're forgetting whose in charge around here!"
The green-banded rang a little bell, letting in a group of Gekomon and Otamamon.
They lifted the four off the ground, and practically THREW them out the front door.
Rubbing her head, Anne tried to relieve the pain as she sat up.
Lifting Gomamon up to be sure he wasn't hurt, she had a sad look on her face.
"Annie?"
"I-I don't know wh-what happened to her…She's s-such a sweet person…I-I didn't think…"
"She's just confused, Annie."
She looked up at the blue-banded turtle.
"From what I hear, her and Donnie didn't have a great parting. She's just trying to get things to replace him. We need to get them together so they can apologize."
Anne nodded, standing up.
"I wonder what she did to get them to wait on her hand and foot like this…" Gomamon admitted, on his partner's head again.
"Do you really wanna know?"
The group turned to see a small group of Gekomon and Otamamon.
"Y-Yeah…"
They were led to the back of the palace, the turtles looking around warily for any hint of a trap or such.
"Are you sure we won't get caught?" Leo asked.
"You won't."
The room they were in was dark, with a stage.
"This is our master, Lord Shogungekomon." One Gekomon introduced.
The very LARGE Digimon was sitting on the stage, looking like he was sleeping.
"I-Is it a statue?"
"No, it's not a statue. He's very much alive."
"He may be alive, but he's not lively." Agumon noted.
"He's sleeping."
"He's been this way for three hundred years. You see, Shogungekomon was proud of his voice, so he entered a singing contest. But…he lost…He was so sad he fell into a deep sleep from which he has never recovered. It said that only a voice as beautiful as the one that beat him could wake him."
"But we've tried for century, and every songs failed."
"We Gekomon love music, but, unfortunately, none of us has a voice considered beautiful."
"Then we got a break. A strange little Digimon spoke of a girl with a pretty voice. He told us where to find her, and we did."
They explained how she'd been when they'd first brought her in.
"And that's the way it's been. One excuse after another."
"We've done everything she's wanted. We even redecorated the entire palace for her."
"And if anyone of us complains to her…"
"So we're in a dangerous position, you see. We're totally hopeless."
"Y-You guys gave h-her the life she's a-always wanted…And, before, I-I thought she deserved it…"
"Well, since you're friends with her…"
"Could you reason with her? We'd be so eternally grateful!"
"I don't think she knows what reason is…" Agumon stated.
Leo furrowed his brow.
"…If we could sing, it would make this easier…"
"B-But we can't…"
Leo nodded.
"Hey, guys."
"P-Palmon…"
"Why'd you guys leave like that? It was like you weren't even happy to see us."
"What are you talking about? If you hadn't noticed, Judie's gone nuts!" Agumon replied.
"Yeah?"
…
"…Now that I think about it, she HAS gone off the deep end! Even for her!"
"…Yeah, you're a regular Sherlock…" Leo muttered.
Palmon smiled sheepishly.
"But I think we've got a plan…"
--
The two sat on the balcony outside Judie's room, Leo with headphones over his ears and a recorder on the floor in front of him.
Anne and Agumon kept watch through a window, and Leo heard Palmon talking.
But, apparently, Judie caught wind of their plan…
And screamed…
Leo noted that the girl had quite a set of lungs…
They were tied up and thrown into a damp cell in the 'dungeon' with Palmon, and sat up.
"You thought you could pull a fast one on me, did you?"
"We're not trying to trick you. We're trying to help." Anne pleaded.
"How is that helping?"
"You've forgotten about your crest." Leo stated.
"And you've forgotten because you're hurt. We're trying to bring you back."
Still silent, she turned to walk away.
"Wait!"
She turned to see her partner.
"There's something I want to tell you…Nobody likes you more than I do…And it hurts me deeply to have to say this, but…"
Palmon seemed near tears, but forced out her next words as loud as she could.
"You're a spoiled brat!!"
Judie looked hurt, they could see it in her eyes.
But they were so much DARKER than Anne remembered…
"…Well, it's nice to know how you really feel!"
Judie seemed to have tears in her eyes, but she just turned and walked away.
No one noticed a shadow in the prison window as she left…
--
Everything was so DARK…
The air was black as pitch, and felt as cold as death on Judie's skin.
Evil laughter made her whirl around, and she was faced with Devimon and Etemon.
Backing up, she caught sight of the Gekomon and Otamamon.
"You've got to help! Please!"
Refusing, the Digimon disappeared as Judie begged.
Devimon and Etemon were getting closer, and she nearly cried out until her friends appeared.
"Leo! Annie! Please, help!"
"Sorry, but we only help our friends." Leo stated, face stony.
"What's wrong? I thought you were having the time of your life."
The two turtle's disappeared with their partners, leaving Palmon.
"Palmon, help!"
"I'm sorry, but I've got to go."
"PALMON!!"
But the Digimon had already disappeared into the chilling darkness…
Shadows fell over her, and tears escaped as she felt the imminent threat…
A scream seemed to shatter the very darkness…
Her eyes snapped open, and she looked at her room.
It was shining with moonlight, making it look surreal…
Like a dream shining with angel's feathers…
"Hey…"
Green eyes found crimson, and her heart jumped joyfully in her chest…
"Rosie?"
"Do you have any idea what that horrible dream was trying to tell you?"
A smooth three-fingered hand rested on her forehead, cooling her, as the voice soothed her with warmth.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry!"
The same hand wiped tears away as Rose put a soft smile on her face.
"You know what you need to do to make things right…"
Judie nodded, feeling safe and warm…
"Yeah…"
The smile grew, and the orange/red-banded turtle kissed her sister's forehead…
"That's my imouto…I knew you'd find yourself again…"
Judie opened her eyes again, seeing the glow of her crest lighting her room.
Sitting up, the glow died, and she looked around the room.
The light wasn't as surreal, and there was a faint breeze that tickled her skin…
Knowing what she had to do, she threw off her covers and grabbed her old gear.
'I won't let you down, Rosie…I've learned my lesson…'
She ordered for the Gekomon and Otamamon to get her friends and gather in the room that held Shogungekomon.
Once she was ready, she headed there herself, and stood in front of the microphone solemnly until everyone was present.
"…There's something I have to say to everyone here…Leo, Agumon, Annie, Gomamon…Palmon…All of you have been so nice…"
Her voice cracked as tears welled up, and she bowed.
"I'm so sorry…"
Everyone seemed surprised at this, and showed it with stunned silence.
"I've been such a shell-for-brains…If you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, and I don't know why you would, I'd like to sing for you…One last time…"
She stood up straight, tears glistening down her cheeks.
"We forgive you!"
Those words made her heart soar, especially as they seemed to flow through the air…
"Hit the lights and cue the music!"
The lights turned on, and Judie composed herself.
Once she was sure her voice was steady, she started to sing…:
I want to sing a song
A song to bring Shogungekomon around
When he hears my voice
I hope he likes the sound
He has to listen
Listen to my sincere heart
I've learned that friends are friends even when they're apart
I've asked my friends to forgive me from the bottom of my heart
If it were my choice, his eyes would open wide
And the Gekomon will be cheering
Cheering with pride-
The music stopped abruptly as Shogungekomon stood up, not really looking HAPPY…
"I was having such a nice sleep! Which one of you clowns woke me up? Or should I just squish all of you?"
The Digimon scattered as Judie ran off the stage, barely dodging Shogungekomon's foot.
Holes were broken through walls, and the ceiling started to crack as its supports crumbled.
"Musical Fist!"
Leo, Anne, their partners, and the Gekomon and Otamamon flew out of the newly-made hole in the wall.
Judie skidded to a halt, rocks falling from the ceiling above her.
"PALMON!!"
"Palmon, Digivolve to…TOGEMON!!"
Punching the rocks away, Togemon looked down at her partner worriedly.
"Togemon…you're the best…" Judie stated, hugging her partner's large fist.
"I'm just glad the old Judie's back." Her partner replied, gently placing her other fist on her partner's shell.
"Really?"
Togemon nodded, and Judie turned to grab a microphone.
"Then let's take care of this out-of-tune goon."
She turned to Shogungekomon.
"Hey! You! How about some gratitude?"
THAT caught his attention…
"I wake you from your three hundred year nap, and you blow my sister and friend out of a wall? You're nothing but a big jerk!"
"That racket?! It was you?!"
"…Not one of my smartest moments…"
She backed up into her partner's protective hold.
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
A single explosive struck the ground between them, making the larger Digimon step back.
"Thanks, Annie!"
Looking out of the hole in the wall, the green-banded turtle saw her sister wave and smile.
"Nova Blast!"
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
"Musical Fist!"
The attacks were destroyed, and both Digimon were hit back a bit.
Shogungekomon jumped down, ready to crush them…
"ANNIE!! LEO!!"
"Greymon, Digivolve to…METALGREYMON!!"
The Ultimate-level Digimon threw Shogungekomon back with his mighty head, and Togemon jumped down with Judie into safety.
"Give it to him, Metalgreymon!"
"Giga Blaster!"
The missiles went into Shogungekomon's horns, and the resulting explosion seemed to be the end of his fight.
It was morning by then, and Leo scooped up Koromon as Judie ran up.
She gave both of them a big hug, still feeling guilty.
"I'm so sorry for what I did! I don't know what came over me! I promise, I'll never do that again!"
Anne smiled in understanding.
"I-I'm glad, imouto…"
"Yeah. We just want you to be yourself." Leo agreed.
Judie nodded, hugging Palmon to her chest like a stuffed animal.
'I'm sorry, Donnie…I promise I'll apologize…'