Sayo and her Digimon reported to the command room and saluted Chief Julia and ChaosGallantmon. During her mission on Proxy Island Lilamon became Lotosmon. "You called for me?" Sayo asked.
"Sayo, you're here. Evreything is going smoothly." ChaosGallantmon replied. "Center Bridge should be restored soon."
"It's almost time to move in on Sunshine City..." Julia added.
"Good." Sayo nodded. "Koh's been getting even more tense lately. I just hope he can hold on a little longer."
"We need to move with caution. Oh, but before that…we need to make an emergency call to gather everyone here."
MirageGaogamon blinked. "Whoa, I never really thought about that. But Night Crow and Light Fang are essentially about to go to war."
Julia grimly nodded. "Make sure you can come to Center Bridge anytime."
"Okay. I'll let Koh know as well." Sayo replied. But then she heard loud footsteps behind her. She turned around.
"We've got trouble! Julia, ChaosGallantmon!"
"SkullBaluchimon?"
The genius of Kowloon Co hurried over. "Hey you guys! We've got trouble! Huh! Sayo, you're here too?!"
Lotosmon sighed. "It's almost like she's a member of Night Crow, imagine that."
"Anyway, something big is happening!"
"What happened, Skull Baluchimon?" ChaosGallantmon asked.
"I'm not sure, but Tamers are gathering on the Sunshine City side of Center Bridge!"
Everyone shuddered. "What did you say?!" Dianamon asked.
Julia put a finger on her chin. "Is it Light Fang? What's going on?"
"They might be trying to move in on this side?" ChaosGallantmon suggested.
"Or maybe they're setting up a defense to keep us from entering their side." Dianamon replied.
"We should have expected as much." MirageGaogamon growled. "Of course, they'd notice if repairs on the bridge were underway."
"At any rate, let's stay calm and take action." Julia said.
"Chief Julia! Sayo, we have trouble!" Everyone looked back at the ramp to see Koh hurrying to them this time.
"Koh? What's wrong?" Julia asked.
"The Union sent me an emergency call to my Digivice! It said all Light Fang should report to Center Bridge!"
"We heard." Sayo replied. "Any idea what they're planning to do?"
"Defeat the traitors in Darkmoon City!"
Everyone gasped. "So, this is why the Light Fang Tamers are gathering at Center Bridge!" SkullBaluchimon said.
Julia nodded. "It looks like Light Fang is preparing an all-out attack on us…"
Koh cringed. ChaosGallantmon turned to his partner. "Julia. They're just being controlled by Chrono Data…"
"I know…"
Sayo held Koh's arm. "He's right Koh, we know they aren't evil."
"…Thank you." Koh murmured.
"I think that it might be best to halt the restoration work on Center Bridge…" Julia said.
SkullBaluchimon went bug eyes. "What! Don't tell me you're canceling our work! You can't do that! My beautiful program isn't complete yet!"
"But if you fix the bridge before we're ready, Light Fang will overrun us!" Sayo said. "They already gathered their forces there and we're not prepared!"
"Don't worry, SkullBaluchimon. Restoring Center Bridge is a must, so there's no way we'll cancel!" ChaosGallentmon said.
"The other side is acting strangely so we just can't connect the bridge yet…" Julia replied. "Just as Sayo said, once we connect the bridge and Light Fang start coming to Darkmoon City like an avalanche…then we're in big trouble!"
"I see...You have a point." SkullBaluchimon replied. "Well, if you guys are defeated, and we don't get paid, it's bad for us also…"
"Depending on how much of the bridge is fixed, they may try to finish it themselves and get the drop on us." Apollomon said. "Is there a way we can stop them from doing that?"
SkullBaluchimon's eyes lit up. "How about this? Why don't we put a lock program on the bridge, so they won't be able to come across this way so easily?"
"You can do that?" Sayo asked.
"Yeah, well I guess we won't charge you extra for this! It's important to first protect the client."
"Thanks, SkullBaluchimon!" Julia smiled. "You're a big help!"
ChaosGallantmon nodded. "Yeah…you really are!"
Koh grinned. "Wow, SkullBaluchimon, you have good service. I'm seeing a whole new side of you! I thought Kowloon Co was a bunch of bad guys."
Sayo nodded. "Same here."
"Bad?! Us?! Of course not! Kowloon Co finishes any job to perfection, no matter who the client is! That's business! Don't you think so?"
Koh rubbed the back of his head. "…Uh, yeah. I'm sorry I called you guys, bad. But I heard that Kowloon Co was known as the Merchant of Death."
"Sure, we make some dangerous items at times, but it's just business! If you guys ever need anything, we'll get it for you right away! We'll even give you a deal!" Koh and Sayo nervously chuckled.
Julia shook her head. "Now, let's all work together to protect Darkmoon City!" Everyone nodded. "SkullBaluchimon, I want you guys to work on the lock program for Center Bridge. Koh, let us know if you see any new Light Fang activity! And Sayo…You keep watch on Center Bridge. Stay alert!"
"Please man your posts everyone!" ChaosGallantmon ordered.
"We still don't know much about the enemy…So make sure you act with extreme caution."
"I'm going to head back to Center Bridge and talk to the boss!" SkullBaluchimon said. "Leave it to me!"
"Thank you."
Apollomon watched SkullBaluchimon leave. "Anything" he says…"
ShineGreymon looked at his fellow Digimon. "Apollomon?"
Apollomon whispered into Koh's ear. They boy's eyes widened, and he looked in the direction SkullBaluchimon left in. "Chief Julia, ChaosGallantmon…I'll also head to Center Bridge."
"Koh?" Sayo watched him leave.
"Apollomon was whispering to him just now." Lotosmon said. "What are they up to…?"
"You don't think they'll turn on us, do you?" MirageGaogamon asked.
"Absolutely not!" Sayo yelled. "Koh would never betray us!" Everyone looked at her in surprise. Her face softened when she saw how shocked they were. "Sorry…" she murmured in embarrassment.
"It's alright."
"In any case, they may be up to something they don't want us to know about. Sayo, I think we should follow them." Dainamon said. Sayo nodded and hurried out of the command room via the teleporter.
At the square, Koh was with SkullBaluchimon. "SkullBaluchimon…How does it look? Will it work?"
"It's me you're talking to. Leave everything to SkullBaluchimon!"
"What's going on here?" Sayo asked as she walked up to them.
The two gasped as they faced her. Koh forced a smile. "H-hey Sayo! H-how's it going?" There was a moment of silence. "I-I haven't asked any favors of SkullBaluchimon! Yup!"
SkullBaluchimon cleared his throat. "So, Koh…Wanna start heading to Center Bridge?"
"Y-yes…Let's go…" Koh then turned to Sayo. "Well… Sayo, we'll be on our way to Center Bridge…" Koh and SkullBaluchimon left.
"Koh…" Sayo murmured.
"Know I know they're up to something." Dianamon said.
"Let's follow them."
At the bridge the remaining members of Kowloon Co. stood in front of a multi-layered barrier they formed. "I wonder what the other side is doing right now?" GrandDracmon murmured.
Gaiomon folded his arms. "Most likely waiting for the order to move in…"
On the other side, a researcher from Sunshine City stood in front of a army of Tamers. "Proceed to…Darkmoon City…Defeat…Night Crow…"
"All is for…Light Fang…" a Gold Tamer murmured.
A Silver Tamer groaned. "Night Crow is…an instrument of evil…"
A Bronze growled. "Digital City belongs to Light Fang…!"
On the other end Gaiomon turned to Mercuimon. "Mercurimon! Make sure you don't let them get in! Understand?!"
"No worries, boss! My lock program is great as usual. I think…"
Sayo hurried over. "Guys, we heard what happened. How's the situation?"
"It looks like something terrible is happening…" GranDracmon replied. "But don't worry! We, the Kowloon Co. finish every job we take on!"
Sayo looked at the other end of the bridge. "That's a lot of Light Fang…Koh said they were all given orders to attack us. How's the lock holding up?"
"No one can unlock the special program so easily…" Mercurimon replied. "I suppose…"
"You suppose?" MirageGaogamon asked. "Not very reassuring. Light Fang is serious about taking over all of Central City."
"SkullBaluchimon told me." Gaiomon replied. "Leave this to us!"
"Speaking of SkullBaluchimon, have you guys seen him or Koh?" Sayo asked.
"Those two?" GranDracmon pointed at a purple portal on the ground nearby. "They went that way. I think Koh wanted SkullBaluchimon's help with something."
"I see. Thank you." Sayo hurried into the hole.
On another section of the bridge, SkullBaluchimon and Koh looked at a golden square. "How's it going?" the Seraphimon that Digivolved from Koh's MagnaAngemon asked.
"Ok! I've succeeded in rewriting their access program! I'm a genius! I impress myself."
"Can we change it anytime now SkullBaluchimon?" Koh asked. The Digimon nodded. "Now, I'll go back to SunshineCity and wake Chief Glare and the others up! Hold on!"
"I'll admit it, I'm impressed." Apollomon said. "You really can make anything right away."
"It was easy to tweak Koh's Digivice because it was originally registered in Sunshine City. At any rate…The Union's security isn't that secure…"
ShineGreymon sighed. "I'd argue against that if all of Sunshine wasn't corrupted by an enemy virus right now..."
"No…I'm just that great!"
"Oh, are you now?" They all felt a jolt of surprise when they heard Sayo's voice behind them. They turned around and saw the Tamer with her arms crossed, tapping her foot with a stern expression. "So, this is what you boys were up to."
"Sayo! Were you there the whole time?!" SkullBaluchimon asked.
Sayo looked at Koh. "Your acting is terrible, you know that, right?"
They all went quiet. Koh sighed and hung his head. "I just want to get everyone at Light Fang back to normal. That's why I want to get back to Sunshine City."
Sayo unfolded her arms. "Koh…I understand you just want to help your friends. Ever since you started helping me, I've been asking myself, what if it were the other way around? What if Night Crow was being controlled by the enemy, and I had to flee to Light Fang to help save them? When I think about having to fight my friends…Dorothy…Newton…Chief Julia…It breaks my heart."
"Sayo…"
"That's how I know how desperate you must feel. But I also know it won't be easy for you. When we had to fight ChaosGallantmon back in Access Glacier, I panicked. Koh, be honest with me. Can you fight against Chief Glare, Ophanimon, and all of your friends? When you do fight them, you're going to have to win! They'll see you as an enemy and will do everything in their power to crush you! Can you bare to see them like that?"
Koh went silent. "I know… When you say it like that, I don't know…"
Sayo looked at Koh. She then turned to SkullBaluchimon. "Koh's Digivice is the key to getting in, right?"
"Yeah, but it'll only be able to bring in one Tamer."
"I see…" Sayo looked back at Koh. "Koh…Give me your Digivice."
The boy looked at her in shock. "Sayo…?"
"You heard me. I'll go instead!"
"Sayo! Are you sure?" SkullBaluchimon asked. "You are strong…I think that would be our best bet, but…"
"Yeah, I'm sure. In order to save everybody, we can't afford to lose! Besides, I was able to resist that strange virus at Access Glacier! I have the best odds if that monster is also in SunshineCity!"
"I agree." Dianamon replied. "It's for the best."
Everyone went silent. "…No." Koh shook his head. "I can't let you do that Sayo!"
"Koh…"
"I told you before! Light Fang isn't just my team, they're my family! I can't let someone else take responsibility for them! Besides, you have no idea how strong Chief Glare is!"
Sayo grabbed his shoulders. "Koh! I know this means a lot to you…But I won't have you suffer fighting your own family! Even if you succeed that could haunt you forever! I can't let you do this to yourself! Besides, Light Fang is part of the Union, just like Night Crow! We're all just as responsible as you!"
Koh looked into Sayo's serious eyes. "But I can't…I just…I don't want something bad to happen to you and for it to be my fault. That would truly haunt me forever…Even more then fighting Chief Glare and Light Fang…"
"Koh…"
The Digimon around them stood quietly for a moment. "Koh, would it put your mind at ease if I accompanied Sayo?" Everyone turned to Apollomon.
"Apollomon…?" Koh murmured.
"Hmmm…That's actually a good idea." SkullBaluchimon replied. "The Digivice can only take one Tamer, but Digimon accompanying said Tamer are a different story."
"And Sayo has never been to SunshineCity before, has she?" Seraphimon added. "She may need a guide."
Apollomon kneeled to Koh. "Koh, I promise you, I'll protect Sayo with everything I have. Just as you would. So please, let us do this."
Koh took a deep breath. "…Okay. Chief Glare is strong…but I'm sure you'll be able to beat him!"
Sayo smiled. "You have a good partner Koh."
"Sayo…Do it for me also!" SkullBaluchimon replied.
The Tamer nodded. "Leave it to us."
"So, it's decided. Sayo will go…Koh, give your Digivice to Sayo. It's needed to go to SunshineCity."
Koh took his Digivice off from around his neck and looked at it. He didn't feel right without it, but he knew he had to bear with it for a while. "Take good care of it!"
Sayo gently took it into her hand. "Koh, I promise you, I'll save everyone."
SkullBaluchimon's eyes lit up and he grinned. "Oh, I just came up with a masterpiece of an idea!"
"And what would that be?" MirageGaogamon asked.
"Let's have Apollomon pretend he captured Sayo and is taking her to SunshineCity as a prisoner!"
"Wait, what?" Sayo asked with an uneasy expression on her face.
Lotosmon looked at Sayo. "That…might work…I don't think Light Fang knows Koh is helping us yet. They did send him that message just now."
"They might be suspicious about our absence." Seraphimon replied.
"True." MirageGaogamon said. "What if they ask where he's been and why he isn't with Apollomon?"
"I know!" SkullBaluchimon said. "Let's say that Sayo captured Koh while he was in a Digi Area and that he was held prisoner in Darkmoon city! And that when he made an escape attempt, he got caught again, but Apollomon managed to escape with Sayo in tow!"
"That is just ridiculous!" Sayo retorted.
"Sayo, this may be the best course of action." Dianamon replied. "We're strong, but not strong enough to fight all of Light Fang by ourselves at once."
"Besides, maybe they'll take us straight to Chief Glare." Lotosmon replied.
The very thought of this plan embarrassed Sayo, but she had no counter argument and sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine, but how do we justify one Digimon capturing a Tamer? Especially if I'm bringing three of my own Digimon with me, how do we make that look convincing?"
"Oh! Oh! I got an idea!" SkullBaluchimon replied. "Hey Koh, come here a second." He leaned over and whispered into Koh's ear.
Sayo got uneasy when she saw Koh's mischievous smirk. "Something tells me I'm not going to like this."
"And you brought that stuff with you?" Koh asked.
"I have it right here! And I tooootallt wasn't going to use it on you and Sayo back at Thriller Ruins, really!"
"Right…" Koh replied unconvinced. He then grinned at Sayo. "Hey Sayo, you mind putting your Digimon in your Digivice for a moment? And then your hands behind your back?"
"Are you done yet?" Sayo asked, annoyed at the situation she found herself in.
"Hang on." Koh grinned from behind her as he wound some form of yellow, glowing cords around Sayo's wrists and tied them tightly together behind her back. More of the material was wound around her upper body and arms and more looped around her waistline with a leash that Apollomon held. Koh finished the final knot. "There we go! Prisoner nice, snug and secure!"
Sayo glared at him with her face slightly red. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Koh patted her head, making her blush deeper. "Maybe."
"It's a special kind of binding I've been working on." SkullBaluchimon said. "Even most Digimon can't break it easily."
"Really?" Sayo asked. "I'm surprised you didn't use it on us when we were enemies. Not that I'm complaining mind you."
"Well, it's only a prototype. Besides, I'm still working on one tiny little bug in the program."
"What kind of bug?" Seraphimon asked.
"It dissolves if somebody holding it snaps their fingers."
"Really?" Apollomon asked. "That's an…oddly specific bug." He looked at the end of the rope in his hand then held up his other with his middle finger on his thumb.
"Wait! Don't do it yet, I only have so much! Just snap your fingers when you're ready to fight Chief Glare and Ophanimon!"
"And you thought this was going to help you beat me and Koh?" Sayo asked. "This is why we beat you guys time and time again "genius"."
SkullBaluchimon glared at Sayo in annoyance. "Opps, I forgot something." Suddenly two wider and thicker bands appeared on Sayo. One over her mouth and another over her eyes.
"Mph!" Sayo yelped in surprise as she was suddenly blindfolded and gagged. She grumbled angrily as she shook her head and twisted and turned in her binds.
"Was that necessary?" Koh asked.
Apollomon sighed. "Well…I suppose we should go now. Sayo has Koh's Digivice in her pocket, so we can pass through."
"Sayo, Apollomon, good luck!" Koh said.
Apollomon looked at Koh's other Digimon. "ShineGreymon, Seraphimon, look after Koh."
"Of course." Angemon nodded.
ShineGreymon folded his arms. "Don't worry, we'll protect our Tamer."
SkullBaluchimon turned to the Tamer. "Sayo, just one thing. You can't use a Gate Disk from SunshineCity to come back." Sayo nodded. She knew what that meant. Once she stepped on that glowing square it was the point of no return. She'd defeat the enemy and save Light Fang or perish trying. "Good luck! Shake up Light Fang. I value you highly." SkullBaluchimon said.
Koh looked at Sayo uneasily. Then unexpectedly he wrapped his arms around her. "Be careful Sayo…Get Chief Glare back to normal…Please!"
Warmth spread through Sayo's body at the sudden embrace. Unable to return it with her arms tied, she rested her chin on Koh's shoulder. After a moment she reluctantly stepped back.
"It is time." Apollomon said. "Let's go, Sayo." He walked over to the square of light leading Sayo there with him. They stepped on it and disappeared in a bright flash.