Morning came all too quickly for the group, who had spent most of the night struggling to sleep. It had been especially hard for Shizuka, as Tadashi explained to Yoko, because she was still sour over the fact she had gotten her partner hurt. Even Daiki was rather sluggish when he got out of bed. They were all looking for quiet time to relax before they decided anything, but their peaceful atmosphere was gone with the arrival of the three Digimon friends they had helped to reunite. Mikami was in no mood for their antics, though she had no reason to worry. When the trio approached the group, who were sitting at the breakfast table eating, they weren't overly excited. In fact, they had grateful expressions on their faces. Once the brunette turned to face them, the brown rabbit launched into a rain of appreciation and thanks.

"Really," Lopmon said, grinning. "I do not think I could ever thank you enough."

Flustered, Mikami looked away from the rabbit. "It's alright. Could you please stop thanking me?"

"I helped too," Shizuka said. "She's right though. No need to say thanks so much."

Tadashi was about to add something when Leomon strolled in with Renamon just behind him. The bipedal lion paused, a curious look on his face as he watched Mikami push Guilmon away from her when the dinosaur tried to give her a hug. Shrugging his shoulders, Leomon cleared his throat and looked at those in the room as he prepared to speak.

"We are going to be heading for File City," Renamon stated, cutting off Leomon. "Information can be gathered there that may prove to be essential to our quest."

Leomon, despite being agitated by the interruption, nodded. "I would like for us to leave before noon, if that is alright with everyone. Impmon is with the others outside."

"File City?" Yoko asked.

"It is the largest city on this continent," Renamon explained. "The city was built in the canyon north of this forest."

"What's so special about it?" Daiki asked, looking at the two. "Couldn't we just ask around the village?"

Terriermon, who had been quiet up to the point, burst out laughing. "These guys? That's funny! This village is basically cut off from most of the world. It's just the place where Digimon are born. No one comes here that often anymore, let alone anyone with news!"

It was Tadashi's turn to glower at the white and green rabbit. "Since you apparently cannot answer the base question that Daiki asked, I shall ask you: Why File City?" The question was a clear jab at Terriermon that earned a snicker from Shizuka.

"Er…" Terriermon frowned, folding his tiny arms. "Digimon from all over the world go there. Does that answer your question?"

"At any rate," Renamon said, "it is the best place to gather information concerning the movements of the enemy. As such, we shall be heading there."

A soft sigh escaped Mikami's mouth as she turned around to glance at Leomon. "Alright. How long do you think it'll take to get there?"

"Not long," Leomon stated. "It will be easy to get there from here."

"Biyomon and I have agreed to carry you there," Renamon continued. "So long as Daiki and Shizuka are in agreement, of course."

Turning, Mikami glanced to Daiki. There was a thoughtful look on his face as he contemplated it. Eventually he nodded to his partner, giving his consent. The brunette then turned her attention to Shizuka. The younger teenager scowled, obviously not happy with the idea. She knew that it was their best choice, though, as Birdramon was capable of carrying most of them by herself. Having the Champion Digimon take the group there was the quickest option they had, not to mention the only good option. With a huff, Shizuka rubbed the back of her neck and mumbled a soft "yes" to the waiting girl. Mikami nodded, looking at Leomon and Renamon.

"Looks like that's what we're doing," she said, standing. Yawning, she stretched. "Alright, might as well get going now. Sooner the better, right?"

She grabbed a piece of fruit and took a bite out of it while she walked out of the room, Leomon at her side. Tadashi snorted, looking at his sister. Shizuka merely shrugged, pushing herself to her feet. Quietly muttering under his breath, Tadashi stood as well and hurried after his sibling. Daiki made to follow after them when he noticed that Judai was still seated.

"Come on," Daiki grunted.

Judai groaned. "I don't see why we have to leave right now," he said, sliding out of his chair. "I mean, we just got up like, what, half an hour ago?"

There was a chuckle as Daiki inclined his head towards a watching Renamon. "Well, I don't like it any more than you do. I didn't get much sleep last night. Who knows, though? We might find someplace better at the city. Maybe we can find a better inn to stay at."

"Okay, yeah," Judai sighed, trailing after the taller teenager. "That sounds good."

"Now that you have sorted that out," Renamon said, "we should go."

Daiki waved her off, heading out of the room with her and Judai. The others were already gathered outside when they exited, waiting for the trio to join them. Shizuka dug her Digivice out of her pocket at the same time as Daiki, and the two held them up to their respective partners. The familiar glow indicating Digivolution surrounded them, disappearing once the two had changed to their Champion forms. Shizuka climbed onto Birdramon and sat close to the bird's head. Tadashi, Judai, Yoko, and their partners climbed on as well. This left Daiki, Mikami, and Impmon to sit on Kyubimon's back.

"What about you, Leomon?" Yoko asked.

The lion merely smiled at the concerned girl. "No need to worry. I will be able to keep up with you on foot."

"Let's go!" Shizuka shouted.

Birdramon rumbled in acknowledgement, lifting off the ground. As she flew off, Kyubimon and Leomon ran below, heading off into the woods.

~0~

The room was dark, the only sources of light being candles along the walls. Even so, most visitors would be unable to discern most of the decorations. The only ones visible were banners between the support columns, which displayed a single rose surrounded by thrones. At the far end of the circular area there was a throne, with its inhabitant hidden in the shadows cast by the columns. Two shapes kneeled at the foot of the throne, awaiting orders from their leader.

One of the duo was Devimon, a tall, lanky Virus Digimon with the appearance of a demon. He wore a cloak, its hood pulled over his head, which hid most of his body.

The other was a young adult human. Her long blonde hair framed her face and partially hid her green eyes. She wore a cloak similar to that of the Digimon sitting by her side. Beneath it she had on a grey t-shirt with a stitched black leather jacket, along with dark leather pants and tattered brown boots.

"You called?" she asked.

"Indeed. I am going to assume that you have heard the news of the arrival of the DigiDestined?"

"I have, my lord."

"That is good. You see, they have beaten the Digimon I sent to the Village of Beginnings. Now they seek information in File City. I want you and Devimon to intercept them and make sure they do not arrive at their destination."

"Of course. We will see to it."

"Good. Go, now. When you report back, I expect to hear that your mission was successful."

The woman nodded, standing. Devimon did the same, following her as she took her leave. Once the doors to the throne room were closed, the Virus Digimon looked down at his partner with a wry grin. It was a look that she knew all too well from the time she had spent so far working with him. Rolling her eyes, she frowned at him.

"What?" she demanded.

A glint in his eye told her that she was not going to like when he had to say.

"One of the DigiDestined," he said, "is a girl named Mikami. That's the one you knew, isn't she, Angela?"

"What about it?"

"Weren't you two friends at one point?" he asked in a condescending tone. "Close friends at that. Perhaps even what you would call…best friends?"

Angela rounded on him, snarling, and pointed a finger in his face. "There was nothing between me and that good-for-nothing, sorry excuse of a girl. Understood? Don't you dare bring her up again."

As she stomped off, furious, he began to laugh. "Oh, looks like I touched a nerve!"