Ch.25 "THE NIGHT OF TRUTH."
It was some hours after Von's visit to Izzy's house. Dinner was over for all the Digidestines, and it was time to gear up for the next battle before making it a day. According to the Digidestine team, it was the night that would decide whether Von is or is not the Digimon Emperor.
Instead of splitting up into two smaller teams, the Digidestine decided it was wiser to just stay together as they carefully made their way into Silver Lake. According to them the Emperor will have to show up and confront them sooner or later, and it would be a great advantage to have strength in numbers.
"We're back, and ready to rumble," Armadillomon commented.
"Not yet, Armadillomon. Our host hasn't arrived yet," Cody said.
"Then, how about a little warm up?" Gomamon asked.
"All right, Gomamon. Into the lake, and do your thing," Joe replied.
"I figured you say that," Gomamon said, and digivolved into Zudomon, one of the guardians of the waters.
They others nodded. "Good luck, and don't take too long. Fifteen minutes in and afterwards, report to us," Joe requested.
"Not to worry. Be back in a flash," Zudomon said, and dove into the lake.
That's what I'm afraid you'll say, Joe thought.
"Has it been fifteen minutes yet?" Matt asked.
"Nope. Not for seven minutes," Yolei said as she checked the time on her D-terminal.
"Fifteen minutes sure is taking long to pass," Veemon commented.
"And our nemesis hasn't even arrived," T.K. informed.
"Don't worry, T.K. He'll soon show up, right after he finds out that Zudomon destroyed the dark pyramid," Patamon assured.
"And I probably would feel more relaxed knowing that."
"You're welcomed," Patamon replied in amusement.
"Three minutes to go," Hawkmon informed them.
"I really do hope the Emperor shows up," Sora commented.
"Me too. I can wait until we get rid of this Emperor, so we can finally some peace and quiet in the Digital World," Davis added.
The others looked at Davis oddly. They were wondering if it was really Davis that had just said that he wanted some tranquility.
"What? Why are all of you staring at me like that? A guy, like me, is allowed some quietness and besides, I need some sleep," Davis defended, and laid onto the soil. He shut his eyes and said, "Wake me when he gets here."
"You snooze, you lose," T.K. commented as he watched Davis on the ground snoring. "Wow, he falls asleep fast."
"Never mind, someone's coming," Gatomon informed, "Listen!". They turned their attention in the direction of the noises. A figure in shadow was approaching, step by step. Every step took the figure closer to the Digidestines, and every step took the Digidestines closer to figuring out who this was.
"Why isn't Zudomon back yet?" Joe asked.
"Think there was some trouble in there?" Tai guessed.
"Don't think so, but we have some now," Hawkmon replied. "Look, it's Zudomon?"
"Zudomon?" Joe and the others repeated.
"Joe!" Zudomon replied as he walked closer towards his friends.
"What happened?" Mimi asked.
"I have no clue. All I know was that as soon as I came close to the pyramid, I was somehow being placed somewhere else. I was walking around trying to find you guys. Lucky, I found the trail of sunflower seeds Davis was feeding on."
"Ah?! Someone called my name? Is it the Emperor?" Davis blurted out as he got back on his feet. "Oh, Zudomon, you're back. Great."
"Actually, no so great. I didn't get to destroy the pyramid," Zudomon answered disappointingly.
"Go on, tell us what happened next," Palmon said.
"Well, after finding Davis' trail of sunflower seeds, I followed it and led me here, back to where we started."
"Lucky I left the seeds there. Even luckier that I woke up before the Emperor found his queen."
"You mean Empress, Davis," Izzy commented.
"That's it. Empress," Davis agreed.
Suddenly, the water of the lake divided into two, and the dark pyramid underneath ascended. A voice spoke out from the bottom of the lake, "Password accepted."
"What's going on?" Yolei asked.
"Someone said 'password accepted'," Veemon answered.
"What password?"
"Never mind the password, look," Matt said to Gabumon.
"The dark pyramid surfaced out of the lake's bottom when the water divided," Zudomon answered.
"Now, it's back to normal. Well, all except that the dark pyramid is floating," Agumon commented. "What happened?"
"What could have caused this?" Biyomon asked.
"A password. Judging by what had just happened, the dark pyramid accepted a password. One of us may have said it," Izzy explained.
"Let's repeat the last few words we used," Ken said.
"Great idea! How about sunflower seeds?" Davis asked. They waited for a movement.
"Nothing. That wasn't the word," Kari replied.
"That's it, how about queen?" Yolei tried. They waited for the voice to call out again.
"Guess not," Yolei said.
"Don't give up yet, try Empress," Joe said. They waited for any movement.
This time, the pyramid moved. A voice called out, "Your password entry is accepted."
Instantly, an opening appeared at one of the pyramid's triangular sides, revealing to the Digidestines that the dark pyramid may hold some secrets. Light filled the opening of the dark pyramid, making its entrance more visible to the Digidestines, making it more convenient for them to get into the building.
"Let's go! Last one there, pays for the next meal," Tai yelled and dived into the water, swimming towards the entrance of the Emperor's dark control building. It wasn't a very long distance to the entrance, just about a few metres.
"Hey!" Davis shouted and followed Tai. The other immediately dived into the lake, right behind Tai and Davis.
