Chapter 4

Recap: The mysterious figure that the DigiDestined seen escaping from them turns out to be a human, namely 13-year-old Kay-Celes 'Kaci' Kuryido, a former soccer team-mate of Sora's, and her Digimon accomplice Kitamon. Kaci, it seems, has been the one planning against the DigiDestined, but as Kitamon discovers, she's not really the one in charge…

"So, what's our next move?"
"Can we get away from here, please? That big weed could come back." Mimi still hadn't quite recovered from the shock of being attacked by Vrksasmon.
"As safe and sound as that option appears, remember as soon as all the Digimon digivolved, Vrksasmon retreated. So it would be safe to conclude that-"
"He's a big chicken."
"Yes, Tai, you've already said that. As I was saying, it would be safe to conclude that it wasn't meant to be a direct assault on us, just an opportunistic sneak attack."
"Whoever this is, is certainly trying to be clever about it. I mean, they knew where we were, and that Mimi and Palmon had separated from the rest of us. It sounds like Etemon again, he had everything rigged."
"No, Zudomon and SaberLeomon took care of him."
"Man, if only we knew more about this creep. It's like the first time with Devimon, we didn't have a clue what was going on."
"We didn't know anything about the Digital World that time. This is worse, coz we're supposed to know what we're doing by now."
"I hate it when this stuff happens."
"Yeah, I wish we knew more of this situation. It certainly would help constitute some kind of plan. How can we defeat something we know nothing about?"
"We may as well be fighting blind here."
"We'll just have to hope something turns up we can use."
"Atta boy, T.K."
"You're da man!"
"Yeah, we just gotta keep going and see if we can come up with something."

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"Leomon?" Kaci looked up as the door opened.
"Yes, Your Grace. You sent for me?" The mighty warrior lion, a strange possessed look in his eyes, approached Kaci, who was sitting in a chair sorting and connecting cables to her laptop.
"I did actually. Despite the fact you have a Mega form, I have decided to make an Ultimate form, one of the Asanas, for you. Your digivolution to SaberLeomon suggests the likeliness of the experiment succeeding will increase if I use you. Are you willing to do this?" She sniggered to herself. Of course he would, he had to. The boss had made him submit to her will. She merely asked out of manners, a mere formality. These mighty creatures who any other time would blast her to bits if she tried ordering them around were hanging on her every word, doing what she asked with barely no question. Other Digimon, because of what she did, feared her. The sense of power and control over her own destiny, and others', could be very intoxicating.
"Of course."
"That's good. We'll begin at once. Lie down on the table there." She quickly finished with the wires, and attached some to Leomon. She resumed her place at the computer and started running the program she set up. The data transfer surged through every bit in Leomon. He started to glow as the digivolution took place.

"Leomon digivolve to... Kesarinmon!"
Kesarinmon was a armored, feral, quadruped version of Leomon with much darker tendencies. The wild, bloodthirsty look in his eyes belied his slavery. Kaci pointed her D-Tec at him, and an new entry appeared.
"Kesarinmon, Beast Data, Ultimate Level. Attacks- Call of the Jungle, Feral Destroyer. This Digimon's only happy in the thick of battle. He's built to kill."
"Not too bad for a first attempt, if I say so myself. Kesarinmon, return to your place."
"When will I be able to fight, Your Grace? I need action." Kesarinmon was already growling and baring his teeth in frustration.
"Patience, Kesarinmon, is something you'll have to learn. But don't worry, as soon as I locate the DigiDestined, you'll get your chance. And get off that table, you're gonna-"
There was a huge crack and a splintering sound, followed by a huge thud.
"-break it. Get out of my sight, you oversized alley-cat." Kaci resisted the sore temptation of kicking Kesarinmon as he left the room with his tail between his legs and almost taking the door with him on his way out. Kitamon smiled as she came out of her corner and leapt to Kaci's shoulder.

"Should have left him standing, shouldn't I?"
"Probably. He's not the most graceful Digimon in the Digiworld, is he?"
"Perhaps not Kitamon, but hopefully he can carry out what I have planned for him. He's certainly enthusiatic about it, and that's what I like to see. I don't like slackers. Talking of which, I have more work to do. No rest for the wicked, is there?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, the DigiDestined had moved on, in case anyone attacked the Yokomon village again while they were there. It had suffered badly in the attack, so they felt they should leave for the Yokomons' safety. Trekking through the desert was hot, thirsty work, but they didn't suffer as much as they should, as they'd brought as much water as they could carry from the lake. At every opportunity that day they spoke to any Digimon they came across, but unfortunately either most ran away at the subject of trouble, or could turn up few clues. It was a very tired and bored group of DigiDestined who set up camp that night.

"Nothing, nothing, NOTHING!" Tai kicked an empty water bottle in frustration. "What is with this guy? He hardly ever makes an appearance, but they just freak at the mention of him. What kind of creepazoid is he?"
"It's certainly intriguing how he manages to do it. Obviously he uses his mystery as part of his strategy, that means they never know when and where he'll strike next. The Flymon we saw is always spotted too late. But something about this just doesn't add up."
"What's that, Izzy?"
"That if this threat is as lethal as people fear, he certainly would make his presence more well known. Let them know who's in charge."
"But look around, you only had to see some of the reactions we got today. He doesn't need to. They say he has spies everywhere. It's like something out of Big Brother."
Suddenly T.K. and Kari, who'd been whispering the last couple of minutes, interrupted the conversation.
"Can we ask a question?"
"Sure, T.K., what is it?"
"What's this guy's name, anyway?"
 The whole camp grew quiet. There was some quiet thought as everyone looked back, trying to remember any mention of the threat's name. They all drew blanks.
"Uh... that's a good question."
"You got me."
"No idea."
"Well, that is interesting, how come no-one realized that before?"
"It just never seemed important somehow."
"Of course it's not that important, the important thing is that we kick his butt!"
"That may be true Tai, but we need a plan to... kick his butt, and for that, we need more information."
"And if we don't have that-"
"We're lost in a mall with no signs, no security guards and no intercom?"
"Not the best analogy, Mimi, but I think I see where you're going."
"Good, 'coz I don't." Everyone groaned.
"Oh, Mimi!" Palmon shook her leafy head in despair at her ditzy partner.
"Well, I think we should go to sleep and get a fresh start in the morning. It seems like it'll be a long day tomorrow."
"You're right."
"According to you, she's always right."
"Well, why not?"
"I'm just saying-"
"I think someone's jealous!" Matt tried to tease his best friend into getting all worked up. It was one of the funniest things to watch. But he knew it could be a risky pastime. Tip Tai too far and it could get ugly.
"I'm not jealous!"
"Come on, admit it!"
"What's there to admit to? I'M NOT JEALOUS!"
"Oh will you guys please stop it? There's more important stuff to worry about, and Sora's going as red as her gloves." One glance is Sora's direction proved this to be true. Both boys immediately stopped.
"Alright gang, lights out!"
"But there's no lights, Tai."
"You know what I mean."

A long while after this, Sora was still awake, thinking about the argument. She never liked it when Matt and Tai fought, even in fun, and especially when she somehow (directly or otherwise) got into the argument. They were probably her best friends out of the DigiDestined, so to have them fighting upset her. But it was over and done with, she was probably worrying over nothing. She turned over to get some sleep. Not very far away, hidden in the undergrowth, someone/ something was watching...

"SSssooo, theesth are the DigiDessstined. Very interessting, who'd havth realissed they'd causth sssooo much trouble for sso many of the Digimon before. Not to worry, Her Gracth will not be ssoo foolisth assth they. The Asssanas will conquer them and we sthall TRIUMPHTH!" The figure laughed to himself, slithered away a little further and opened a communicator.
"Your Gracth?"
"Bhujangmon, what have you found?"
"I haf found the DigiDessstined. They are assleep. Sthall I dissposse them for you?"
"Not yet, Bhujangmon, I have someone who also wishes to have a little fun. Remain out of sight until we arrive."
"You are coming too, Your Gracth?"
"I want to make sure the job's done. We can't go fouling things up, Bhujangmon. The boss would be extremly angry if we passed up this easy chance."
"It iss ssso. I will wait."
"Good work, Bhujangmon."
"Thankssss."
"Be patient, we'll put them to sleep- permanently- very soon. Kaci out." The com at the other end shut out. The massive snake-like Digimon settled down, laughing to himself again, and waited for the others. Meanwhile, Kaci was running down a long hallway, Kitamon hot on her heels, until she got outside the hideout. Kesarinmon was standing there, shivering with inaction. He couldn't stand it.
"Bhujangmon's spotted them, a few miles west of the desert. You still want action?"
"I am always ready for battle."
"Good, coz you're gonna get it. Follow me." Kaci called for her Flymon, mounted it with Kitamon and gave the order to move out. The group sped off into the black night, while their opponents slept, unaware of the attack soon to be sprung upon them...

The guys are in quite a bit of trouble now, but how are they going to get out of this one? Keep reading for more!