"What do you mean Yuto and Kari are stuck in the Digital World?!" Tai yelled as he had gone over to Izzy's apartment after getting a call about an emergency. Once he had arrived with Sora, Izzy quickly explained the situation to both of them.
"I mean that no matter where I look, I can't seem to find a gate that can bring them back to our world. But that's not even the strangest part."
"What's the strangest part then?" Sora asked as she clenched her pant legs, worried for the girl she had loved like a little sister.
"Take a look." Izzy took out a remote and turned on the TV, showing several white dots scattered across a map of the Digital World on it.
"Those are gates aren't they? I thought you said they were closed."
"They are...to return. We can go in but we can't come back. It's almost like someone messed with the gates to stop anyone from leaving the Digital World." Izzy said as he pressed another button on the remote, making the dots begin to flash red.
"But who could do that?"
"King Drasil, that's who." The three heard a new voice and turned to see Davis, Veemon, and Hackmon standing in the doorway.
"Davis? And Hackmon? What are you three doing here?"
"King Drasil has been behind everything. We don't know why or how, but King Drasil has been pulling the strings. It was why the Royal Knights fought, it was why Alphamon and Omnimon had to fight. So if we can't come back to the Human World, it had to have done something to the Digital Gates." Davis explained while Tai turned his attention to Hackmon.
"You're one of Homeostasis's messengers, isn't there anyway it can bring Kari and Yuto back?"
"Kari and Yuto are stuck in the Digital World?!" Davis and Veemon yelled while Hackmon shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. Homeostasis can do many things but I'm afraid Homeostasis can't just send humans back and forth as it pleases. And the worst part is that Dorumon is there too. DexDorugamon might take this opportunity to try to kill Dorumon." Hackmon said before Izzy's laptop began to beep. Izzy quickly opened it and a window appeared with Kari and Yuto on it.
"Thank goodness you two are alright!" Izzy yelled as he turned on his webcam, allowing the two in the Digital World to see them.
"And you have some of the others there already too, this is great." Yuto said as the other three stood behind Izzy so that they could be part of the video call too.
"Where are you two?" Tai asked as he began to tighten his grip on Izzy's seat.
"Dramon Village, don't worry we're alright. But we got attacked by one of the Royal Knights." Kari responded making the other four gasp.
"Who was it?" Hackmon asked popping his head into the screen.
"Dynasmon. He gave Alphamon a run for his money and we barely managed to escape him."
"Dynasmon huh? He's one of the stronger Royal Knights, but his power still pales in comparison to others like Omnimon and Alphamon." Hackmon said as he remembered the time he had spent with Dynasmon in the past. "How did you get away?"
"Angewomon managed to paralyze him but even then it barely held."
"Dynasmon isn't a bad Digimon at heart. None of them are. Thankfully you all managed to run from him, he has a tendency to get a little wild when he fights."
"So any luck on where we can go to head back?" Yuto asked making Izzy shake his head. "Figures."
"It was King Drasil, all of this is King Drasil. We can go over there to join you guys but then we'd be stuck there too." Davis said as he clenched his fists. "I'll head over there right now. Izzy can just open the nearest gate to there and Raidramon and I will-"
"Dynasmon destroyed the closest gate to here. The last thing we want is for you guys to come here now and get stuck in a trap." Yuto said cutting off Davis. "We appreciate it buddy, honestly. But it's bad enough we're stuck in this situation, we don't want you guys to get stuck here too."
"We're going to go there anyway, so don't even worry about that." Sora said giving the two a reassuring smile. "But we should at least let the others know and then whoever's available will meet us in the Digital World."
"Sora's right, not everyone will be available or open to a one way trip to the Digital World." Kari said before smiling at her brother. "It'll be okay Tai."
"Just stay together and stay there. We'll be there in the morning." Tai said making the two nod.
"Say, how did you two even manage to call us?" Izzy asked making Kari and Yuto laugh.
"Would you believe me if I said my missing laptop was actually here in Dramon Village the whole time?" Yuto asked rubbing the back of his head. "But we only have enough charge to call you guys this once, I doubt we'd be able to try again later." Yuto said as he noticed the low battery in the corner of his laptop screen.
"Well then you already have a plan: stay the night there and all of us plus whoever we can manage to get will meet you there in the morning." Tai said making the two nod.
"We'll see you in the morning then."
"Bye guys."
"We'll see you in the morning then."
"Bye guys." Kari said waving to the group on screen before Yuto closed his laptop. He sighed and laid his back onto the wall of the hut Deckerdramon was letting them stay in. The sun had just finished setting in the Digital World and there was still a fear of Dynasmon finding them in the back of his mind. "You okay?"
"It's just been a long day." Yuto replied before Dorumon and Gatomon walked into the hut with sacks over their shoulders. "We got in contact with the others."
"And? What did they say?" Gatomon asked as she placed the bag she was carrying down, revealing a bunch of fruits she had picked from a nearby forest.
"They're going to come in the morning, at least some of them like Tai, Sora, and Davis." Kari said making Dorumon sigh in relief and place his bag down, letting some of the sticks inside fall out.
"Dorumon? Yuto? Can I have a word with you two?" Deckerdramon called out from the lake. Yuto stood up and proceeded to walk out, but when Dorumon tried following him: Kari shook her head and went with him instead. "Sorry if I was interrupting."
"No no, you weren't really interrupting anything." Yuto said as they walked up to the lakeshore. "What's up?"
"I think I know how Dorumon may return to the strength he used to have before. But doing so may require a bit of work." Deckerdramon said surprising the two of them.
"What is it?"
"Well, Alphamon used to have a dear friend. A partner if you will. And that partner was what unlocked Alphamon's true power in the past." Deckerdramon said as Dorumon and Gatomon popped their head out of the hut to see what they were talking about.
"Who is it?"
"His name is Ouryumon. He's a powerful Digimon that was forever loyal and devoted to Alphamon. His power has to be the key to returning Alphamon's original strength to him." Deckerdramon said, surprising Yuto and Kari while Dorumon's eyes widened as he began to remember a golden serpent dragon from his time with the Royal Knights.
"Where do we find him?"
"I don't know, Ouryumon hasn't been seen since Alphamon fell a long time ago. But traces of his data still reside in Dorumon. I've seen him wield the Ouryuken." Deckerdramon said as Kari and Yuto remembered Alphamon's large sword from his battle with Omnimon. "Of course it pales in comparison to the original. Alphamon with the true Ouryuken was a sight to behold. Ouryumon is the key to unlocking it once more, but the mystery to finding him resides in Dorumon's memories." Deckerdramon explained making Kari and Yuto look at each other before giving the other a nod.
"We'll find him. Thank you, Deckerdramon." Yuto said before letting out a small yawn.
"You two should rest, you've had a very long day." Deckerdramon said as Kari nodded and led Yuto back to their hut. "Good night."
"Yeah, good night." Kari said as they made it back inside to see Dorumon starting a small fire to keep them all warm.
"Good idea buddy." Yuto said as he sat down next to his partner. He then began to scratch his head making Dorumon blush and start laughing.
"Stop that! You know I'm ticklish!" Dorumon laughed while Kari and Gatomon got their dinner and began eating.
"I know I know." Yuto chuckled before stopping and patting his partner's head. "You don't remember someone named Ouryumon, do you?"
"I barely do. We heard what Deckerdramon told you but I can barely remember what he looked like." Dorumon said lowering his head before Yuto pulled him closer for a side hug.
"Don't worry, I know it was a long time ago. But we have to try to dig into your memories eventually. He might be our only hope to getting your power back." Yuto said before reaching into the bag Gatomon had brought back and taking out a fruit that resembled an apple.
"You know...all of us here alone, it kinda makes me feel like we're a family." Kari said looking at the fire with a small blush and smile. Meanwhile Kari's thought had made Yuto blush heavily and drop his fruit. Kari noticed this and giggled before getting up and sitting next to Yuto. "Even after six months it's still so easy to tease you."
"You're evil sometimes." Yuto said before grabbing the fruit Kari was eating and took a bite out of it.
"Says you." Kari said before looking deep into his green eyes.
"What's up?"
"Yuto...have I ever told you how lucky I am to have met you?" Kari asked while Gatomon and Dorumon took it as a sign to walk away and have their own conversation. Yuto blushed and scratched his cheek as he didn't quite know how to respond.
"W-Well, not really. But where's this coming from?"
"It's just rare to have a real moment alone like this." Kari said before placing a hand on his cheek. "Dorumon's lucky to have you for a partner."
"Why?"
"Because you're so caring, understanding, you don't rush into fights like a pair of the knuckleheads I've been around for years. Honestly the time I've spent with you has been the best of my life." Kari whispered as she placed her forehead on Yuto's. "If I had to be stuck here with anyone: I'm so glad it's you."
"We're going to go home. Plus after tomorrow, we'll have our friends here with us." Yuto said before looking to the side. Kari shook her head and knocked his forehead with hers slightly.
"I know what you're thinking. And I'm going with you." Kari said making Yuto sigh in defeat and smile. "We're going to find Ouryumon. Together."
"But the others are still going to come here, it's too late to stop Tai and Davis."
"Then we'll tell them our plan, if they want to join us: they can."
"We don't even know where to start. We'd just be going on a wild goose chase."
"And that's fine. Dorumon can find him, we just have to give him a chance to do so."
"You know, I'm really lucky I met you too. Well, I had already met you a few years ago. You just had no idea I even really existed."
"To be fair, you didn't really talk to me in Junior High." Kari said before the two of them started laughing quietly. "If I hadn't gone to that party, we'd never be together."
"If I hadn't taken you to that arcade, I probably wouldn't have gotten your number." Yuto pointed out making Kari shrug in agreement.
"Well, I was gonna ask you about your Digivice and my brain hesitated and asked for your number instead." Kari clarified surprising Yuto who remembered his Digivice falling when he dug into his pocket that night.
"Wow. I guess not cleaning out my pockets helped me for once."
"Yeah well, your mom's asked me to remind you to clean them out before you do laundry so don't think you're off the hook with that." Kari said making Yuto flinch from her tone. She giggled at his reaction and bumped his forehead again.
"Well, she she does see you as her daughter after all." Yuto said before laying down and resting his arms over his eyes. Kari sighed and laid down next to him, keeping their hands locked together. "I'm so sorry."
"For what? All of this? It's a normal Friday for us anyway." Kari giggled as she closed her eyes, finally allowing her exhaustion to wash over her. "Besides...when you love someone, you can look past things like this." Kari whispered as she drifted to sleep. But Yuto heard her loud and clear and took a deep breath as he could feel his heart pounding throughout his entire body. He pulled her closer and held her tightly as he began to fall asleep as well.
"And you'd do anything to keep them safe too..."
"So you don't remember much about Ouryumon?" Gatomon asked as she and Dorumon sat on top of the hut, looking up at the night sky.
"I wish I did. If he was someone who swore to follow me to the end: I owe him that much to find him again." Dorumon said looking down. Gatomon took note of this and placed a hand on his back.
"Why does something tell me this is more than just finding an old friend?"
"He was my partner. And I abandoned him."
"You didn't abandon him, your entire life got hit with a big fat reset button. Until we met, you had no idea who you were even were."
"And if it happens again? And I forget Yuto?" Dorumon asked making Gatomon sigh and shake her head.
"You and Yuto are so inseparable. You know that day, Yuto was devastated when he thought he lost you. He looked so broken at the thought of losing you, he sobbed and sobbed in Kari's arms for hours. That connection of yours is so strong that no matter where you went: I'm sure he'd find you." Gatomon said as she recalled the trip back to Dramon Village six months ago after Magnamon purged Alphamon and Omnimon from King Drasil's virus. "You would never forget him and he would never forget you."
"And if I did?"
"Then I'd beat his memory back into your head." Gatomon chuckled and playfully punched Dorumon's head. "We're going to find Ouryumon, you just have to dig deep inside and remember him the best you can. Even the tiniest lead would help." Gatomon said earning a nod from Dorumon before sitting in silence and looking up.
"Hey Gatomon?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"For helping me out so much today. You backed me up every chance you could and stood up to me to try to keep my head straight. I really appreciate that." Dorumon said making Gatomon smile and nod.
"It's nothing really. We're in this thing together too." Gatomon said turning to face him. "You're my friend Dorumon, if a friend can't help another friend then what's the point?"
"That's true. This whole mess with DexDorugamon and the Royal Knights doesn't have me thinking clearly. It's like fighting myself and my old friends are helping him, how am I supposed to handle that?"
"You take a deep breath and you remember you're not alone. Besides me you have Veemon, Agumon, Gabumon, and Hackmon all fighting to save their friends too. We'll open their eyes and we'll stop DexDorugamon." Gatomon said before jumping off the roof and to the ground. "Come on, it's getting late." Dorumon nodded and followed her, smiling as her words settled in his mind.
'Right. I'm not alone and I can open their eyes.' Dorumon thought as the two walked back into the hut to see Yuto and Kari fast asleep. Gatomon yawned and curled up behind her partner while Dorumon did the same behind his. 'And I'm going to find you Ouryumon...wherever you are.'
"Alright Tai we made it." Matt said as he walked into the Kamiya household with T.K. The two looked around to see Tai, Sora, Davis, Ken, their Digimon, and Hackmon sitting in their living room.
"Perfect, so that's everyone." Sora said standing up and getting everyone's attention. "We messaged everyone and despite some of them having busy schedules and other engagements, they agreed to hold down the fort here in the Human World should any of the Royal Knights or any other Digimon pop up here."
"So Yuto and Kari are really stuck in the Digital World?" T.K. asked with the thought of his best friend being stuck in the Digital World worrying him even more.
"Temporarily, once we beat DexDorugamon and King Drasil we should be able to bring them back home." Tai explained before standing up next to Sora. "We talked last night with Izzy and the best plan of attack is to find their hideout and take them on directly."
"Really? That seems like more of a one way trip than it already is." Ken noted only for Hackmon to step forward.
"Right, however it's safe to assume that DexDorugamon and King Drasil revived them already in their Mega levels."
"So their power probably isn't back completely?" Matt asked crossing his arms. "I guess being already sent into the Mega level didn't let their power naturally grow to where it should be."
"Most likely. When we spoke to them yesterday: Yuto had told us that they had already encountered one of them and they barely managed to escape." Hackmon explained while Davis slammed his fist into his other hand. "Their opponent is one of the strongest of us, so the fact they were able to paralyze him long enough to escape means that he didn't have enough of his strength back."
"If Alphamon struggled against them, we have to go to them full force and stop them from before it's too late." Davis said making the others nod. "So let's get rolling to the Digital World now and find Kari and Yuto!"
"What time is it?" Yuto groaned as he was hit directly in the eyes by sunlight entering the hut from the window. He looked around, seeing their bonfire was out and only Dorumon was fast asleep and snoring on his back.
"Late morning more or less." He looked in the doorway to see Kari coming in with small wooden cups filled with water in her hands. She sat down in front of him, handing him one of the cups which he quickly and happily drank. "You were thirsty."
"I guess." Yuto said as he sat up as well. He bit his lip, thinking about what happened right before they went to sleep. "Hey Kari?"
"Yeah? Is something wrong?" Kari asked putting her cup down. "Is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine." Yuto said as he moved some of the hair that was dangling in front of her face. "I was just gonna ask if you're really serious about coming with us to find Ouryumon."
"Of course I am. You're not going to do that alone. You're going to at least need me there with you so you don't get lost." Kari said raising a finger to scold him. Before Yuto could respond, Dorumon began to stir and mutter in his sleep.
"Ouryumon...what do you mean you're going back home? I'm still the same Alphamon you met a long time ago." Dorumon muttered in his sleep surprising the two of them. Before he could continue talking, Dorumon suddenly let out a loud sneeze that woke him up. Shaking his head and seeing where they were, he greeted the two next to him. "Good morning."
"Well I guess that was as good a lead as we're gonna get." Yuto said patting Dorumon's head, confusing the small fox dragon.
"We have a lead?"
"You started talking in your sleep and you said Ouryumon went home. Now we just have to find out where that home is and hope he's still there." Kari replied confusing Dorumon even more as he couldn't seem to remember the dream he had.
"Everyone, your friends are here." Deckerdramon called out making the three of them run out and see Birdramon and Garurumon headed towards them with Tai and the others riding on them.