"Very well done," Clockmon said as he stopped his reverse time spell. "I must say I was not expecting such an attack, either. The both of you were slow and disorganized at first. But I saw firsthand the powers each of you possesses when you learn to work together. You two certainly achieved many things a lot faster than the Virtue Chosen."
The praise from the normally solemn and level-headed Machine Digimon was rather surprising, considering how judgemental he was earlier. Both Digimon bowed to the Adult Machine Digimon and Ultimate Fairy Digimon.
"Thank you. It has been an honour," Examon said before he and Medieval Dukemon reverted back to their previous forms, returning to their partners' sides.
"Does this mean we are ready to save Taichi and the others?" Dracomon asked the pair.
"Yes, I believe you are ready to head to the Digital World with your team," Lotusmon said, but from what little features they were able to make out were not very comforting. "However, you must keep a few things in mind. There are many Digimon, including Wizarmon, held prisoner deep within the vampire's damp, dark lair. There have been rumours that Vamdemon has been recruiting Megalo Growmon to guard his prisoners and surrounding domain, but they should be a piece of cake to take out now that you both have Ultimates on your side."
"As of currently," Clockmon spoke up. "Taichi and his friends are currently trapped in the Digital World, so it will be your mission to find a way in and get them and Wizarmon out."
Hikaru shared a glance with Miyuki. The girl bore a quizzical expression on her normally expressionless face. Okay, so they were to get in, retrieve the other team and Wizarmon and get out. That seemed easy enough, or was it?
"This seems too simple. What's the catch?" Miyuki asked, her heated gaze shifting from one Digimon to the other.
"The Digital World is not a safe place. Vamdemon's domain is home to many enslaved, evil, vicious Digimon. They will not hesitate to kill you if that is Vamdemon's wish."
Lotusmon nodded at her comrade's statement. "Clockmon is right. I'm afraid. Even the most angelic, innocent and purest of Digimon were turned into mindless monsters that only Vamdemon can control." Her rosy red lips were turned down ever so slightly. "It would be wise not to engage them if you can help it."
His heart dropped. Shit, this is bad .
Hikaru glanced at his friend, trying to gauge how she was feeling by what was revealed. Unfortunately, just as before, Miyuki's features were blank. They betrayed nothing of what the girl must be feeling. It was like he was staring at a blank statue made of the most expressive marble in Japan.
"Are they located outside the caste?" The question sounded wrong, foreign even. How could a simple question sound so detached, distant even?
"Yes," came Clockmon's response, "but some do linger within the shadows of the dungeon."
Fuck .
Miyuki heard Hikaru ask after her as if from a distance. "Miyuki, you okay? You don't sound yourself." She looked slowly over at him and nodded, the movement feeling as though she were having an out of body experience.
"It's just a lot to take in. I didn't think we'd get this far. I didn't expect to ever get chosen…" Miyuki trailed off, glancing down briefly with her one eye. After a moment, she raised her head. "But we have made it this far together, so let's go rescue them."
Hikaru watched Miyuki for a few seconds, but seemed satisfied. Miyuki watched him turn to Lotusmon after the Ultimate opened her mouth to speak again.
"The two of you will need to go to the summer camp that Taichi's team stayed at. That is a weak point for the barrier between worlds." The fairy-like Digimon explained, glancing between the two children.
Miyuki tilted her head, confused by the terminology used. "Weak point? What do you mean?"
"It means it's easier for Digimon to enter the real world when the barrier dividing the two is weakened." Lotusmon clarified.
Miyuki nodded. "Thank you for explaining. That makes sense now."
"You're welcome, child." Pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts, Lotusmon continued by adding that they should be automatically transferred to Vamdemon's castle as the Digital World was in distress. "Be prepared to fight MegaloGrowmon and defeat them in order to help the other team escape."
"Other enemies will stop us?" Hikaru questioned.
Lotusmon nodded, levelling a deadpan look at him. "Yes. What did you expect? To not be challenged and have an easy run of the castle? This is the Digital World we're talking about. It's survival of the fittest. MegaloGrowmon are formidable in their own right, so be very careful."
Miyuki gave a quiet moan of fright but took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. They were so close to the end of their mission. She was not going to back down now; Wizarmon and the other Chosen needed rescuing. "I can do this." Miyuki glanced at Hikaru and nodded, stiff.
"Are you sure? You sounded scared-"
"Don't say it. We need to do this. Our mission is almost finished. Let's get this out of the way and come home so we can relax."
Hikaru stared for a few more seconds, before he relented. "As you wish, my friend."
Lotusmon clapped her hands once to gain their attention and, as they looked over at her, she spoke up. "You may start getting ready to head out to the summer camp then. I'll be sending a strike force of Baalmon and Meicrackmon with you to assist with the rescue."
Miyuki watched as Hikaru drew himself up and uncharacteristically saluted, before he bowed. "Thank you for your help, Lotusmon. I don't think we would've reached Ultimate in time if it hadn't been for you and Clockmon."
A short laugh escaped from Miyuki's mouth, but Lotusmon waved Hikaru off. "No thanks necessary."
"It's snowing here too." That was the first thing they noticed as they entered the campsite. Miyuki could understand why this campsite of all places in Japan was what LadyDevimon and Clockmon called the weak point between the two worlds. There had to be at least two to three feet of white, fluffy snow stretching beyond the adults' cabins. As a result, it was impossible to tell where the camping ground began and where it ended.
The peaceful scene brought forth memories of a long-forgotten past, a time where her mother was still alive and well and where her father would come home every night to spend time with them after a long day at work. She really missed those days.
"We are here." LadyDevimon's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as they stopped in front of a lake where the kids had last been spotted before their disappearance. Miyuki and Hikaru were silent as they gazed at the clear lake. With how cold it was, the lake should have at least had some frost or ice accumulation, but it wasn't. It was as clear and warm as it should be for a hot summer day.
But that wasn't the odd part. As they gazed into the lake, they could see winged dinosaur-like monsters flying around mountains and trees and little creatures around a campfire as an older-looking monster entertained them with stories of the old.
"Is that the…" Hikaru began, but couldn't finish his question as a wasp-like creature seemingly coming out of nowhere ambushed the small group of campers.
"The Digital World," Lady Devimon finished for him. "Yes, it is. The Digital World is such a beautiful place, much like your world. Growing up, I had two very good friends. Kudamon, Wormmon, and I used to spend hours exploring the forest of the WWW Continent, dreaming of the day we were old enough to explore the rest of the Digital World."
"What happened?" LadyDevimon's team of Baalmon and Meicrackmon remained silent, unsure if they had the right to intrude on the conversation.
LadyDevimon glanced at her, not saying anything for a very long time before a long, sad sigh left her lips. "Kudamon joined the ranks of the Royal Knights, never to be heard from again. For many years, it was just me and Wormmon until Gennai visited our humble village. He had proclaimed Wormmon as a Chosen Digimon," she said with a sneer. "With his new status, he had to leave. He tried to stay in contact, but with the Holy Beasts' lapdog around, watching his every move, it had become difficult."
LadyDevimon shook her head, her eyes filled with sadness and pain. "It has been a while since I heard from either of them. I can only hope they are alright."
"I am sorry," Miyuki said. "I can't say for certain if they are okay or not. We can only hope they are thriving as much as you are."
The Virus Digimon nodded with a smile. "Thank you."
Miyuki glanced around briefly, before turning her gaze back to Lotusmon. There was only one thing she was confused about. "How will the transfer work?"
"Ah yes." Lotusmon met Miyuki's eye and gave a more natural smile. "Just hold up your Digivices and the Digital World'll summon you."
"That seems easy enough." Hikaru commented and looked at Miyuki, who nodded in return. Miyuki retrieved her Digivice from her backpack and held it up at the same time as Hikaru.
A rainbow pillar of light came out of nowhere and enveloped them, pulling them up into the sky effortlessly.
A few minutes later, Miyuki felt ground underneath her feet. Looking around, she noticed the surrounding environment was in darkness and very eerie looking. Miyuki decided she did not like this area of the Digital World at all.
"When we're done, I hope we never have to come back to this part of the Digital World again. It's too creepy for my liking."
"I hope we don't have to come back here either." Hikaru agreed, quiet.
Miyuki glanced up at the castle, a sense of dread growing in her stomach as she entered with Hikaru by her side. This sucks… "Let's do this as fast as we can. In and out. Hopefully not too many hold ups or enemy attacks."
Dracomon and Plotmon X evolved to their Ultimate forms in preparation of any fights that did occur. There was no harm in being cautious, Miyuki decided as she continued to walk beside Hikaru. She kept an eye out for any danger with her only eye, turning her head this way and that.
Shadows flitted at the edge of the hallway which made her flinch in surprise, but she recovered her composure and gave Hikaru a nudge. "We have unexpected visitors."