I apologize to any loyal readers for my huge hiatus of writing, but here is the next chapter, finally.

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Chapter 9 - Onward to Shadow Village!

I turned to the source of the voice, curious as to who it was that was volunteering to assist us. The source of the voice happened to be, or rather what appeared to be, a Maildramon. I stared up at the tall Digimon, it's shiny gold and silver armor almost mesmerizing.

"You're a rare sight for a Digimon, Maildramon," I said, speaking the truth, in manners of the show and card game.

"So you already know me, then might I ask your names, and perhaps what business you might have in Shadow Village?" Maildramon asked.

"My name, is Nathaniel, or rather Nathan for short," I answered.

"And I'm Nicole, he's Joshua," Nicole said pointing to herself and then to Joshua.

"And as for our business in Shado-" Joshua started.

"Sakuyamon told us that we should head that way, maybe get some answers," I spoke up, interrupting Joshua.

I noticed a slight glare from Joshua, as Lopmon peaked around his shoulder, thus I decided to smile in return, causing both to cringe a little.

"Hmmm, I see, then is it safe to assume you have no knowledge of the current state of Shadow Village?" Maildramon asked.

I immediately wanted to be smart and ask back 'What is with the twenty questions?' but I held back the urge.

"No, we're not, but I assume it's not good, nor do I really care," I responded.

Nicole elbowed me, causing me to turn my head towards her, as she whispered 'manners?' to which I just shrugged.

"Well then, hop onto my back, and I'll fly you three there," Maildramon said, kneeling down to make it easier for us to climb up.

I moved first, getting to the front, so to speak, as Nicole, then Joshua sat behind me.

"Hold on tight," Maildramon said, of which I figured was common sense, and then he took off with us on his back.

I watched the scenery, looking to the horizon as I saw a billowing tower of smoke, and then a huge black and red tower just outside a village. I assumed the village was Shadow Village, considering that was the direction Maildramon was headed.

"I don't like the look of that tower," Nicole stated, which obviously didn't help the mood.

Moments later Maildramon landed just outside the village, opposite of the tower. We quickly got off and Maildramon flew away, which made me wonder what was up with the tower all the more, my curiosity getting to me.

"Well, off to the spooky looking tower," Joshua spoke, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Thank you...Mr. Obvious," I responded.

We began our trek through the village, noticing the destroyed Digimon homes, and the lack of any Digimon nearby, as we headed towards the large tower, which had to be at least fifty stories tall.

"I wonder what the tower is for," a voice coming from my Digivice spoke, who was none other than Infinimon.

I pulled out my Digivice and summoned Infinimon, who once released turned her head to look around.

"Ahhh, finally!" Infinimon said, stretching.

I couldn't help but notice both Joshua and Lopmon's reaction, one of either pure shock, or something else I didn't want to think about.

"Okay, everyone ready now?" I asked, slightly annoyed, snapping Joshua and Lopmon out of it.

"Y-yeah," Joshua said.

We continued walking towards the huge tower, Infinimon curiously leading the way as I followed right behind.

As we approached the tower, smoke began to fill the air, the source seeming to come from just up ahead at perhaps one of the village houses.

"Infinimon, hold on," I said, causing Infinimon to stay put as I continued to walk ahead.

I saw something amidst the smoke that I wanted to investigate. I couldn't help but sense an air of familiarity, like I had been here before, or somehow knew this place, or the tower from somewhere. I searched my mind, thinking hard as I tried to remember, walking forward into the smoke, and loosing site of the others behind me.

"Ah...welcome...back," a raspy voice spoke softly.

I tried to look toward the source of the voice, but it felt as if it was all around me, and not in any one direction. I continued walking, slowly moving one hand in front of me, the other to cover my nose and mouth as I continued through the smoke. I wondered distantly why the smoke wasn't causing me to cough, like I wasn't breathing the smoke in. My hand soon touched something smooth and flat, and I figured I was touching a wall, wishing the smoke would clear a little bit.

"Tiny Twister!" I heard the familiar voice of Lopmon shout out

I watched as the smoke quickly blew away as sight of the others quickly returned, the twirling Lopmon using one of it's attacks to blow the smoke away.

"Good going Lopmon" Joshua said, smiling happily.

I looked back to where my hand was touching and saw that it was the tower.

"Now...to find the door," I said softly.

"Why do you need to find the door?" the same raspy voice from earlier spoke.

"Who are you? Come out!" I said aloud.

"If you...insist," the raspy voice said.

I saw something in the corner of my eye, and turned towards that direction, as a shape approached from the shadows of a nearby village house that was still aflame. My jaw nearly dropped as I saw what stepped from the shadows.

"I am...as you called once before...AntiUniversalmon," the source of the voice said, standing there a few feet before me. "Welcome back."

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I will try and update once I get close to 35 reviews or so, as a test to see if anyone is (or rather if enough people are) even still interested.