The tamers huddled around Jian and his laptop. Kenta pointed to the some strange letters that were highlighted in it. "See these red glowing lines? It matched the ones one the wall over there," he explained, indicating to a faint glow on the opposite wall of the cavern.

"And what does it mean?" asked Ruki.

"It seems to be some kind of a message," said Jian. "It says here - [That which wasn't to be exists. One that dies will be revived. Rebirth from the stream where the data lies recessive. Hand that sheds the light in the darkness, will be a double edged sword.] Judging from this, I'm guessing there's some sort of object to revive old data."

"When you say old data, you mean things that have been deleted?" asked Ryo. "Is that even possible?"

"Seems that it's a possibility. However, I think it depends on the user of this 'object'. If it falls into the wrong hands, it'll spell doom for us," stated Kenta. A sudden beep distracted them. Jian pulled out his pager. "It's a message from Takato. They've had an encounter so he wants us to re-group."

"Then we should get going," said Ruki. "You guys can de-code on the way, right?"

"We could but….. No, I think it's best to stay here. I'll ask Takato and the others to meet us here."

Ruki sighed. "Guess that means we're stuck here till then."

"About the prophecy," started Kenta. "Based on what we have so far, there's a digimon that can transcend time that's trying to come back and it's possible that it's after this 'object' that is able to revive data that is recessive. Though what data is recessive is beyond me."

"That means we'll have to track down what this object is and keep it from falling into evil hands, huh?" said Ai.

"If that's the case then I say we should just get rid of source that's trying to revive itself. Quickest way if you ask me," suggested Ruki.

"True. But we don't know who our enemy is so it'll be difficult to track them down," said Jian. "On the other hand if we can trace this 'object' then I'm sure we'll encounter the enemy as well."

"So, where is this object?" asked Ryo.

"That's the problem. We have no idea. Perhaps the clue is among the hieroglyphs itself," said Kenta. "It'll take quite a long time to decipher these."

"So, we have to wait until you guys finish? That could be an eternity for all we know!" cried Ruki, throwing her hands up in frustration.

"Calm down, Ruki," said Ryo, placing an arm on her shoulder. "Let's survey the area outside. We might find something there for all you know." Though Ruki wouldn't have normally agreed to this, she did so.

If she had to wait inside, she would only fret and fume, hindering the two code-deciphers. Ai sat dutifully next to Jian and watched him decode whilst taking notes on the techniques he used as well as the glyphs. Terriermon and Marineangemon fell asleep next to their partners. Ryo, Ruki and their respective partners headed outside again. They patrolled the area for an hour without much luck and came back. Then they set up a small campfire with the few dry sticks they found and spread out their sleeping bags in a circle. Ryo fell asleep instantly but Ruki found herself in a disturbed sleep. Jian and the others had also fallen into deep sleep when Ruki decided she wasn't going to get a wink of sleep.

"Ruki, you should try and sleep," whispered Renamon.

"Easy for you to say," muttered Ruki. "Hey, Renamon, are you really not from this digital world?"

"I can't say for sure but yes, I think that's the case. I have a vague memory of being on an island like place before," replied Renamon.

"So, that means that there's more than one digital world, like parallel worlds." She paused for a while before continuing, "Hey, Renamon. Do you ever wish to go back to that other digital world?"

"Not really. I don't have many memories of it other than those of Tailmon and Wizamon. Besides, you are my partner Ruki. The place I want to be is by your side," replied Renamon. Ruki smiled. "Thanks, Renamon." She quietly slid out of her sleeping bag.

"What are you doing?" asked Renamon.

"I can't sleep. I think I'll go for a short stroll," answered Ruki, tucking her bag away.

"I'm coming with you."

"I thought that's a given," said Ruki, with a smirk. Together the two wandered outside. As they walked in silence, the area around them began to change from the grassy patch, to a dull grey.

"Something's not right. I feel an evil presence," stated Renamon. "We need to be careful." She scrutinized their surroundings, preparing for an attack. Ruki drew out her deck and D-Ark. For a few moments nothing happened and then a dark blast hurled itself straight at them. Without a moment's hesitation, the fox digimon picked up her partner and dodged. Where they were moments before was a dark patch.

"Who's there?" called out Ruki. A digimon clad in darkness stood a few feet away from them. It's eyes glowed red, the mark of evil on its chest. Ruki's D-Ark read - 'Devimon, virus type champion digimon, Special Attack: Touch of Evil'

"It's nice to meet you, Ruki Makino," greeted the devil-like digimon. "Or perhaps it would be better if I called you, 'Digimon Queen', hmm?"

"Whatever. I'm taking you down. Renamon!" Ruki pulled out a card and slashed it across her D-Ark.

"Card Slash! Chou shinka Plug-in S!"

"Renamon shinka... Kyuubimon!"

"Fiesty one. I think I'll play with you for a while," sneered Devimon with a smirk.

"You'll regret it! Go, Kyuubimon!" cried Ruki.

"Onibidama!" Blue will o wisps formed on the Kyuubimon's tail before firing at Devimon. The evil digimon merely floated upwards to dodge.

"Koenryu!" Kyuubimon turned into a blue dragon but Devimon stopped her with one hand and knocked her away.

"Kyuubimon, no!" cried Ruki rushing to her partner.

"I expected you to be stronger seeing as your partner is the Digimon Queen, Kyuubimon. I'm truly disappointed," taunted Devimon.

Kyuubimon stood up. "I won't let us insult us and get away! I'll show you the power of the Digimon Queen!" Ruki pulled out two cards. "Card Slash! Angemon's heaven's knuckle!"

Kyuubimon proceeded to launch the holy attack. Devimon dodged but the attacked grazed his shoulder causing him to wince. "How's that?" yelled Ruki. "Finish him, Kyuubimon!"

"Looks like playtime's over." Before Kyuubimon could attack the devil, the evil digimon caught Ruki in one swift movement.

"Ruki!" cried her partner.

"L-Let me go!" yelled Ruki, thrashing and struggling against the dark digimon.

"Don't move!" ordered Devimon to the fox digimon. "Or your partner will be more than just hurt! Now then, let's get this thing out of the way." Devimon gripped Ruki with one hand and threw her D-Ark with the other. He then grabbed the girl so she was face to face with him.

"You've really become weak Ruki. Those cold eyes you had before were a mark of your true strength," he rasped.

"No! That was my weakness because I didn't believe in my partner back then. I'm stronger now because Renamon and I fight as one!" said Ruki.

"The partner talk again. How pathetic." Devimon began to crush her with his claws.

"RUKI!" yelled Kyuubimon.

"Kyuu-bi-mon. Attack him now! Don't...worry about...me," managed Ruki.

"LET HER GO!" The fox digimon ran and tried to tackle the enemy. Devimon merely fly upwards in the last second. "Pathetic, really. I'm going to bring out your true potential Ruki. You deserve better. We have been observing you and Renamon closely for quite sometime now. I believe you both are strong... strong enough to help us in our cause."

"I don't know what cause you have but we're not gonna help you!" declared Ruki.

'We'll see about that. I've never tried this on a human before but since you're in the digital world I'm sure it'll work," whispered Devimon.

"What are you...?"

"Touch of Evil" a dark aura poured out from Devimon into Ruki. The fiery haired girl writhed in pain. She saw visions of her cold, ice queen side mocking her for being 'weak'. She tried to fight back but a powerful will seemed to oppress hers. "Re..na...mon", she said, barely a whisper.

"RUKI!" yelled her partner and jumped at the devil. Holding Ruki in one hand, Devimon hit Kyuubimon with his 'Touch of Evil'. As his red eyes bore into Ruki and her partner, their mind slowly began to bend to his will. When he set them down on the ground, Devimon placed a dark D-Ark into Ruki's hand. The two were engulfed in a black mist. Kyubimon's fur slowly turned to raven black while Ruki's eyes glazed with an empty look, her stoic demeanour coming back once more. Just as they were leaving a teardrop fell from Ruki's cheek. 'Save me... someone... Ryo!'

The legendary tamer awoke with a start. The first thing he did was look in Ruki's direction. There was no sign of the flame-haired girl. He rubbed his eyes to make she he wasn't groggy. He looked around and noticed that Renamon wasn't there either. Fear gripped his heart. He'd heard Ruki's voice calling for help. He quickly got out of his sleeping bag and shook Jian.
"Jian! Jian wake up! Ruki's missing!" he bellowed into the sleeping boy's ears.

"Stop, yelling into my ears, Ryo!" shouted Jian, tossing the other boy's arm away. "What do you mean by Ruki's missing?"

"She and Renamon are not here. They could be in some kind of trouble!"

"What's going on? What's all the commotion?" asked Kenta, sleepily. MarineAngemon floated near him, spitting heart shaped bubbles.

"Um... I don't think we need to worry about Ruki. She's so strong after all," muttered Ai, who was sleeping nearby.

"She maybe strong but we don't know our enemy yet! She could be in some kind of trouble for all we know!" snapped Ryo.

"Calm down. You don't have to yell at Ai. Though I think she should be back soon, let's split into groups and search for her," said Jian. They all put away their sleeping bags and were about to leave the cave when two silhouettes appeared at the entrance.

"What are you guys doing?" asked the flame-haired girl.

"Ruki!" they all cried in unison.

"Where have you been?" asked Jian.

"I couldn't sleep so Renamon and I went out for a stroll," she answered.

"Should have known. You should have told us. Ryo was so worried about you," said Kenta.

"Oh? Well, I'm strong so there's no way some lame digimon can beat me," retorted Ruki.

"Yeah, you're not the digimon queen for nothing after all!" said Ai, happily. Ruki smirked. She was about to pick up her bag when she noticed Ryo staring at her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's...nothing," said Ryo, a serious look on his face. His partner watched him with concern.

'Something's not right...' thought Ryo as he glanced at Ruki again.

A/N: I planned to have Devimon appear since he's so badass. We he used his special move on Leomon and mind-controlled him, it made me wonder what would happen if he used it on a human. Also, there is a reason why he threw away Rika's digivice. I think you all already know the reason