To say that Agunimon was feeling apprehensive would be an understatement. His fingers twitched, his eyes focused on the tiniest of movements, and there was a pressure in his chest that reminded him of Duskmon stepping on him. There was no doubt in his mind that the coming fight would be hard. Even with extra help, it would take all their strength to defeat Duskmon. They couldn't afford to be distracted.

The problem was that Agunimon was distracted. Duskmon had seemed interested in fighting them again judging by his parting words. There were questions Agunimon wanted to ask Duskmon concerning his interest, but he knew he could get no answers. That didn't change the fact that he wanted answers.

Gargomon looked at Agunimon. "Are you sure he's gonna be here?"

It was an understandable question. There was no way to be sure whether or not Duskmon would be there, but Agunimon had a gut feeling that he would be. At any right, the only way to know for certain if Duskmon was there would be to call out to him. Agunimon raised a hand to motion the group to stay put while he walked forward.

"Duskmon!"

His voice echoed and was followed by a period of silence. For a moment, Agunimon wondered if he had been wrong.

"Back so soon?"

"You issued the challenge. We accepted it. Now we're here to beat you."

Stepping out from behind one of the pillars, Duskmon eyed the group with mild amusement. "Do you truly think bringing a few more Digimon will help you win against me?"

"Maybe not," Agunimon admitted, "but we still have to try."

Duskmon snorted, and then began to laugh, shaking his head. Agunimon glared, sliding one foot back and raising both his fists. Lobomon walked forward to stand beside Agunimon, drawing his swords. Gargomon and Turuiemon positioned themselves on either side of the duo, and Growlmon came to a stop just behind them, baring his teeth. The amusement fell from Duskmon's face and was replaced with disdain at the sight.

"I suppose I'll just have to kill all of you."

Agunimon ran forward with a right hook. Duskmon raised an arm to block the hit and swung, only for Lobomon to pull Agunimon back and block with his sword. With a grunt, Lobomon shoved Duskmon back, giving Turuiemon an opening to punch him in the stomach. He stumbled back and then swung. Turuiemon raised one hand up to her face, the blade hitting her gauntlet and bouncing off. She kicked him in the chest, making him stumble. Lobomon and Agunimon charged, moving in sync with one another as they attacked. Duskmon managed to dodge until Turuiemon slipped in and hit his jaw with an uppercut.

The three jumped away seconds before Gargomon opened fire. Duskmon was so focused on avoiding the gunfire that he failed to notice Growlmon until he was hit in the stomach by the dinosaur's tail. The strike sent him flying back into one of the rock pillars, shattering it. He landed on his feet and swayed to the left before he caught his balance.

"A cheap shot," Duskmon grunted, moving away from the broken rocks. "I must say I am surprised you would stoop so low after placing yourselves on such a high pedestal."

"Say what you will. It doesn't matter to me what tactic we use against you," Lobomon stated.

Agunimon pounded his fists together. "Hope you're ready, Duskmon, because we're just starting!"

Duskmon snorted and swung his blade upwards. An energy blast forced the group to move out of the way, barely avoiding the attack. Duskmon appeared behind Gargomon and aimed at the center of his chest. Turuiemon interrupted him, kicking him in the side and knocking him away. He stumbled, surprised, giving Growlmon an opening to launch a fireball. The flame exploded against Duskmon's back, knocking him off balance. Once he found his footing, he turned to attack and was met by Lobomon instead.

His anger getting the best of him, Duskmon swung wildly with his blade. Lobomon ducked down and stabbed one of his swords forward, leaving a fair sized cut along Duskmon's side. Agunimon jumped into the fray and brought his foot around to kick the side of Duskmon's head. The force knocked him down onto the ground. He made to get up, only to have Growlmon pin him down.

Agunimon stood beside Growlmon, his arms folded. After his attempt to wriggle himself free failed, Duskmon glared up at Agunimon with hateful eyes.

"I'm gonna give you a choice, Duskmon. Come with us peacefully or by force."

"I would never agree to go with you."

Agunimon sighed and reared his fist back. "Fine. You made your decision."

The punch that followed knocked Duskmon unconscious. Growlmon moved his foot away cautiously, afraid that Duskmon might suddenly wake up.

"Alright, Purimon, you're up!" Gargomon shouted.

The small Digimon walked forward, looking at Duskmon. "I will need some privacy while I work."

Nodding, Agunimon picked up Duskmon and walked over to the rock spires, Purimon following him. Once he placed the Digimon down, he headed over to where the others had sat down to rest.

"What are we supposed to do while she's messing around with him?"

"Wait until she's done," Lobomon said. "After that, we will be traveling to the nearest Resistance base."

"How far away is it?"

"About a day's travel."

Gargomon groaned and leaned against Growlmon.

It was an hour later that Purimon announced she was done. Agunimon was quick to jump to his feet and run over. He stopped in his tracks within moments of seeing Lowemon, feeling himself getting emotional at the sight.

"You—you really did it," he whispered, looking at Purimon. "How?"

She smiled. "I suppose you could say that there is a specific reason behind my name."

Confused, he stared at her until Lobomon cleared his throat.

"We should be leaving now. We need to get to headquarters as soon as possible."

"Right."

~0~

"Knightmon! You there?"

A helmeted head appeared over the edge of the wall to look at the group standing below. The sight must have surprised the knight, who let out a gasp.

"Agunimon, Lobomon! You have finally returned!" He shouted. "But who are those strangers with you—goodness! Is that Lowemon?"

"You and I can talk later," Agunimon said. "Please open the gate."

"Yes sir!"

The knight disappeared. Gears grinded as the gate opened. Once it was open, the group made their way inside. The bustling activity in the entrance hall came to a sudden stop upon their entry, the various Digimon within staring at Lobomon and Agunimon. Behind them, Growlmon shifted his weight back and forth. Shoutmon, standing at the top of the stairs, bolted down a hallway, disappearing from sight. When he returned, Harpymon was with him.

"I see you didn't get yourselves killed," she said, walking down the stairs. "Have you realized how reckless—" She cut herself off. "Lowemon."

"I'm sorry for leaving the way we did," Agunimon said, "but I'd rather not talk about it right now. I'm going to go take Lowemon to his room."

He trudged up the stairs, passing her by in the process. She turned her head to look at him, noting the way he was walking. Though there were many things wanted to say to him, she remained silent and decided to approach Lobomon instead. She eyed the group behind him with a critical gaze.

"Care to explain?"

Motioning to each of them, Lobomon said, "Growlmon, Gargomon, and Turuiemon are looking to join."

"How capable are they?"

"They did well while helping us fight Duskmon."

"Then I will take your word for it. Find them rooms to sleep in."

Lobomon nodded and ushered the trio to follow him up the stairs. Harpymon looked down at the last of the group.

"And you are?"

"Purimon, at your service. I was the one who restored Lowemon."

"I see…" Harpymon frowned, skeptical. "How can you be sure that he is truly back to normal?"

"I assure you that he is. I must request that I stay here for the time being, though, to make sure his recovery goes well."

"So be it."