The kids were assembled in a group just outside of the building they had spent the night in. Some had awoken in the morning to a surprise; several digimon had inadvertently digivolved in their sleep during the night. Popmon was now Friimon, the little digimon that was naught but a mane, head, and tail. Pupumon was now a large yellow bee named Puroromon who sat on Tanomoshii's head and contrasted badly with his hair. Puffmon was now a rabbit-and-catlike creature named Kyaromon that Anchuu had to hold onto so the wind wouldn't blow it away. Much to Shoki's surprise, Poyomon, too, had digivolved. He was now Tokomon. Monmon was still Monmon, but with a good nights sleep he was incredibly energetic. He was kicking Tanshin's soccer ball around, and Tanshin was kicking right along.

"Thanks for the roof over our heads!" Kokoroe and Wizardmon said in unison.

"You're welcome!" the digimon shouted enthusiastically.

Andromon stepped in front of Seidaku and shook her hand. "You be safe," he said.

"You too," Seidaku said. "You watch over these digimon, you hear?" Andromon nodded and stepped back With Seidaku and Syniomon leading the way, the kids left the group of digimon behind.

- - - - - -

It didn't take long for Shinzen and Elecmon to begin bickering, or for Roten and Falcomon to start complaining about the bickering. Kokoroe walked next to Shinzen mostly in silence, though she would answer all of curious Wizardmon's questions. Tanshin and Monmon kept running ahead of the group with the soccer ball, kicking it between themselves.

Tanshin often called for Tomo to join in, but Tomo was more comfortable just walking along with his hands in his pockets. Gatomon stayed on his shoulders, her long tail keeping her in balance perfectly. Tanomoshii and Shoki began talking about Puroromon's possible digivolutions with Tokomon making silly, sarcastic comments on each suggestion. Puroromon kept laughing cheerfully at the suggestions, seeing them as being very silly. Denkou and Friimon soon got involved in the moving soccer match, with Friimon being incredibly swift for having no legs. Seimei walked quietly by Lopmon. Anchuu was now playing with Kyaromon, throwing him tot he wind and then quickly catching him. Kyaromon was annoyed at first, but was soon finding it fun. All the while, Kanki and Renamon walked at the front with Shinai and Mushroomon. Mushroomon cured his boredom by occasionally poking Syniomon, who would retaliate by chasing Mushroomon around the group before she became tired. Shinai and Kanki were talking while Renamon walked along quietly. Seidaku was quiet content walking by herself. She found a sort of peace hearing and seeing the fun that the group was having.

"Hey Seidaku!" she heard Denkou maybe an hour or two later. Denkou and Tanshin were far ahead with Monmon and Friimon. The four were stopped in the middle of the trail.

As they got closer, Seidaku replied, "What is it?"

"Are there trains in the digital world?" Tanshin asked. The group looked at the set of tracks that crossed the trail at a diagonal.

"There are train-like digimon," Seidaku said, looking down both ends of the track. "They're called Trailmon. You know, if we find one we might be able to hitch a ride west and take us closer to primary village."

"Ride in a digimon?" Seimei said warily.

"Who cares!" Roten and Falcomon said. "A train! Hooray!" Some members of the group rolled their eyes before realizing that Seidaku was already heading left down the tracks. Syniomon, Kanki, and Renamon were right behind her. Everyone else hurried behind her, leaving Roten and Falcomon to their daydreaming. When the two realized they had been left behind, they hurried to catch up. They hadn't gotten far off of the trail before they could see the tracks vibrating.

"One's coming!" Seidaku shouted to the group. They stepped away from the tracks, but since Seidaku continued on they followed.

"I hope the one coming will give us a ride," Roten said to Falcomon.

"Agreed," Falcomon said. "My legs hurt."

"Well, then fly," Roten said. Falcomon shook his head.

"My wings aren't good for flying."

- - - - - -

Even though the tracks continued to vibrate and rumble, no train appeared for a long time. It wasn't until much later down the track that they heard the distinct sounds of a train coming up behind them. They all turned and saw the strangest train any of them had ever seen, save for Seidaku and the digimon. It was muddy brown and had a face on the front. "Let me do the talking," Seidaku said as she passed by everyone. She lifted her arms and waved them. The Trailmon slowed, and then stopped just in front of Seidaku.

"Humans," it said. "You humans are a rare sight. You must be the outlawed ones. You must also be going to Primary Village, am I right?"

Seidaku nodded. "Will you help us?"

"I have an allegiance to freedom," Trailmon said. "You lot represent that freedom we have been denied for so long. I'll take you as far as I can." Roten and Falcomon jumped for joy and were first to get into the compartment that Trailmon had opened. The others followed, with Seimei and Kokoroe saying a polite thanks.

Denkou laughed and shook his head. "You know," he said to Friimon as he went to get in, "A few days ago, this would have seemed mighty strange."

Seidaku smiled. She looked up at Trailmon. "Thank you very much," she said. "This means a lot."

"No problem," Trailmon said. "I was wondering if those rumors were true. Though, I thought you'd be a little more careful about who you trust. Not that I don't appreciate it, though!"

"It's okay!" Syniomon said. "We have to be careful, sure, but I have an intuition about who can be trusted!"

- - - - - -

In their car, the group relaxed. Roten and Falcomon had kicked back, their feet on the seat beside them. Kokoroe and Wizardmon were watching the land go by through the window as Wizardmon asked more questions. Elecmon was asleep, with Shinzen's feet resting on his back. Shinzen was leaning against Tanomoshii, who was also sitting sideways, with Puroromon on his lap, asking him curiously about what food humans ate. Seidaku and Syniomon were sitting silently in between Seimei and Tomo, who were both equally silent. Lopmon and Gatomon were asleep on the floor in front of their partners. At the opposite end of the car, Tanshin and Monmon were facing off against Denkou and Friimon in a small soccer game. Shinai and Mushroomon stepped in on Denkou's side, leveling the playing field quite a bit. Kanki kept himself entertained by watching them while trying to explain the rules of real soccer to an uninterested Renamon. Anchuu was busy pulling at Kyaromon's ears while avoiding his teeth. The two of them had made a game out of this. Out of sight of the others, Shoki sat alone on the floor across from the door. She was sitting with her back against the wall. She was looking at her feet sadly. Tokomon was on her shoulder. "Why are you so sad?" he asked.

Shoki shook her head. "It's a lot of things back home," she said.

"You can tell me," Tokomon said. "Maybe it will make you feel better."

Shoki shook her head, then looked at the door in thought. "Well, it's my family," she said. "When I was ten, my mom left my dad and I for a guy in Kobe. That was two years ago, and I'm still so sad. My mom just ditched us. We were just a happy family, too. They never fought, never argued. I don't know why she left us for another man. I don't know why she left my dad. He was the sweetest, kindest, most gentle man in all of Tokyo. Then, when mom left, he changed. He's quiet. He doesn't joke, he doesn't smile, he doesn't even say hello or good bye to me without me saying it first. It's as though a part of him died. He always looks so sad." She sighed and wiped away the tears that were forming with the back of her hand. "I try to make him happy, to make him smile. My grades are perfect, I'm in important clubs and programs and I even got a small job, but nothing seems to make him smile, to make him happy. I just don't know what to do!"

Tokomon looked down the little hall to the main car. Thankfully, no one noticed Shoki's sadness. He looked back at her and said, "I'm not sure this will make you feel any better, but TK had family trouble, too. See, his parents separated when he and his brother Matt were still young. His mom took him while his dad took Matt. Their parents never got back together, even after things with the Digiworld were settled, but still, TK and Matt had each other."

Shoki rubbed her nose and said with a laugh, "You're right, it doesn't help. But just proves that family doesn't mean much in these lines."

"You don't know that," Tokomon said. "You know, Shinzen is Matt's descendent. Matt and TK were brothers, making you and Shinzen related somehow. Maybe you two could become family."

"I highly doubt it," Shoki said. "We're too different, her and I. Trust me." Tokomon sighed, not knowing what else to say.

The ride was very peaceful the next few hours. The soccer game went off and on, with Renamon getting in a one-on-one with Mushroomon, and quickly claiming victory. Those who slept continued to sleep. Shoki and Tokomon remained at their place in the hall. Suddenly, the car came to a screeching halt that shook everyone out of their activities and lack-there-of. Seidaku peered out of the window and gasped. "Everyone down!" she said in a panicked whisper. Everyone got onto the floor, with Wizardmon pulling Kokoroe down. Everyone pressed themselves down. Seidaku was on one knee. "Go for the hall," she whispered. When her eyes connected with Gatomon, she said, "Kodimon." Gatomon nodded in acknowledgment and hurried Tomo along.

Evelomon remained behind with Seidaku as everyone filed into the hall. Roten was being strangely compliant. Even Falcomon noticed. He seemed slightly worried, but Seidaku chalked it up to the threat of Kodimon. Suddenly, the car rocked sideways. Kanki nearly flew to the window, but Renamon grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back before he touched. Soon, only Seidaku and Evelomon were left. "Wait, I don't remember seeing Shoki and Tokomon," Seidaku whispered.

"They're in here," Denkou said, poking his head around the corner. Seidaku nodded, and went to join them when the sound of shattering glass from behind her sent her flat to the floor. "It's Kodimon!" Denkou shouted, coming out with Friimon. Denkou and Seidaku were caught off-guard as Friimon was surrounded in the light of digivolution.

"Friimon digivolve to Leormon!" Friimon shouted as he became Leormon, who immediately launched himself at Kodimon and sank his teeth into the giant bear's arm. Seidaku took a fighting stance as her D-Arc began glowing with Evelomon.

"Evelomon digivolve to StarEvelomon!" Evelomon shouted. The giant rabbit sprang out of the car and tackled Kodimon just after Leormon was flung aside. Seidaku climbed out of the car. She was followed by Denkou, who stared in wonder at the yellow and white digivice in his hand.

In the hallway, those with digimon prepared to go and help. Tanomoshii, Shoki, Anchuu, and Tanshin where preparing to make a run for it. Before any of them could do anything, the door to the outside was ripped open. Standing outside was Polamon. "Hello children," he said with a grin. Falcomon ran to the doorway, followed closely by Roten, who clutched her purple and white digivice as it glowed. Falcomon was enveloped in the same light.

"Falcomon digivolve to Diatrymon!" The light exploded, revealing Diatrymon. He opened his beak, shouting as he did, "Destruction Roar!" Pounding waves of sound struck Polamon and threw him into the nearby trees.

"Go and help Denkou and Seidaku!" Roten shouted roughly. "Diatrymon and I will take care of these guys!"

No one argued with the suddenly-changed Roten. Tanshin and Anchuu hopped out of the car, followed by Tanomoshii as he helped Shoki. Roten followed riding on Diatrymon's back. "Head for the trees!" Diatrymon told the four. They hurried to shelter as Polamon got up. From behind the trees, they watched as Roten and Diatrymon had a stare-down with Polamon.

Back against Kodimon, Leormon and StarEvelomon were slowly losing their grip. Kodimon seemed to adapt to everything that they did. The fight had moved quickly from Trailmon, and Seidaku and Denkou had a hard time keeping up. When they finally did arrive, they watched as StarEvelomon was pinned beneath Kodimon. Leormon took advantage of this and sank both teeth and claws into Kodimon's exposed wings. Kodimon roared and arched his back in pain. He flapped is wings hard, throwing Leormon into the distance and pushing StarEvelomon into the opposite direction. In his rage and pain, Kodimon wheeled around and pointed his paw at Seidaku, who was running toward her fallen partner. She didn't notice the ball of fire that flew at her. Luckily, Denkou did, and came running up behind her in time to push her to the ground. Denkou fell beside her, but was only down for a moment before pulling her up and running out of the way of another fireball.

"Leormon!" Denkou shouted, looking to where his partner had been thrown. Leormon was still on the ground, but he was moving. Denkou gasped as Seidaku pulled him to a stop. A row of fireballs erupted in front of them. They watched at they were surrounded by fire. Kodimon loomed overhead, his paws alight with red fire. Denkou pushed Seidaku behind him, holding her there with his hands on her arms. "Stay behind!" Denkou shouted.

"Denkou!" Seidaku shouted in argument. Before she could say anything further, lightning poured from a cloud above, enveloping Kodimon and throwing him off balance. Kokoroe and Wizardmon were quickly approaching.

Kyubimon quickly overtook them. On her back was Kanki, Shinai, and Mushroomon. Kyubimon slowed down just enough for Shinai and Mushroomon to jump off safely. She quickly got back up to speed, and when she was just a few feet from Kodimon, she shouted, "Fox-Tail Inferno!" Little flame lit on her tails and flew at Kodimon, attacking him across his stomach and finally knocking him over.

While Mushroomon and Shinai tried to figure out how to digiolve, Turuiemon and Seimei caught up. Turuiemon left Seimei and charged at Kodimon. "Gauntlet Claw!" he shouted, bringing his silver "claws" up as they began to glow. He leapt into the air, and drove the claws into Kodimon's wings, pinning him to the ground. Kodimon roared in pain. He violently began thrashing about, threatening to tear Turuiemon apart. Woodmon couldn't get close enough to attack. Gatomon, on the other hand, could do something about it.

After she and Tomo checked on Leormon, she quickly ran at Kodimon and, nimbly avoiding his claws, landed on his face. "Cat's Eye Hypnotism!" With her eyes staring into his, she hypnotized Kodimon into paralysis.

"What did you do to me?" he asked fearfully. Now, everyone was together. StarEvelomon had returned to Evelomon and was being held by Seidaku. Denkou was kneeled beside Leormon. Gatomon flipped backward to land on Tomo's shoulders.

"What do we do with him now?" Seimei asked as Turuiemon returned to her.

"We destroy him," Gatomon said. Tomo gasped.

"What?" he asked. "Why?"

"We shouldn't!" Shinai said fearfully. "He's defenseless now!"

"I agree," Mushroomon said. "Beside, we could force him to help us."

"We should be rid of him quickly," Turuiemon said as he wiped the blood from his "claws." "After all, Gatomon's hypnotism won't last forever."

"Don't I have a say in this?" Kodimon asked meekly. Everyone responded with a unison "NO!" "But if you spare me I'll help you!"

"How do we know you won't turn on us?" Seidaku asked calmly as she stepped closer.

"I won't, I promise!" Kodimon said. "Polamon and I only serve Soritamon so we won't be deleted!" By now, Kodimon was crying. Seidaku nodded and sighed.

"Gatomon," she said, "Release him."

"What?" Gatomon was shocked. "Are you crazy?"

"Just do it!" Seidaku said irritably.

"Then the rest of us are going to help Roten and Diatrymon!" Shinai said. She and Mushroomon climbed onto Kyubimon's back with Kanki and rushed back to the Trailmon.

Seidaku and Denkou looked at each other in confusion. They stayed behind with their fallen digimon as Gatomon released Kodimon. "I promise to help you," he said, hiding his torn up wings behind his cape. "But, you have to protect me against him!" Seidaku nodded. Tomo and Gatomon rushed back to the Trailmon as Seidaku and Denkou walked back with Kodimon.

- - - - - -

Roten and Diatrymon were holding their own against Polamon. At least, they did for a while. Polamon soon adapted to them. By then, Roten was standing by the trees with the others, for she had been thrown off by the force of Diatrymon's "Mega Dash Impact." From her place she watched in horror at Diatrymon was thrown against Trailmon, causing the train digimon to roll to his side.

"Why didn't Trailmon leave?" Shoki asked.

"I don't think he could," Tokomon said, "Or he didn't want to leave without us."

"He should have left," Anchuu said, gritting his teeth and clutching his fist. "He's just getting hurt this way!"

"Diatrymon!" everyone watched at Polamon began pummeling Diatrymon into Trailmon. Even Diatrymon's metal feathers couldn't protect him from Polamon's fury.

"That's it I've had enough!" Puroromon shouted. He left Tanomoshii's head and flew at Polamon. He landed on Polamon's ear. "Chikkuritto!" Puroromon shouted. He planted his stinger on the ear and stung, injecting as he did a small amount of poison..

Polamon shouted in surprise more than pain and turned around, flinging Puroromon back toward the trees. He was promptly joined by Monmon and Kyaromon. Kyaromon charged at Polamon and jumped. Using the gentle breeze, he slammed into Polamon's face, slightly crushing the bear's nose. Kyaromon bounced back and floated in the wind before catching Roten's hat.

Monmon was armed with his enormous slingshot. Lodged into the little cradle was a large rock. Monmon pulled it back and launched it at Polamon, who caught the rock and crushed it with in his paw with a laugh. He looked up in time to see Monmon mere inches from his face, swinging the slingshot at Polamon's face. The slingshot got his eye. Polamon roared and threw Monmon away. The green monkey landed hard on the ground, rolling twice before stopping. Tanshin ran out of the trees to Monmon just as he de-digivolved into a green digimon with a leaf on its head. Tanshin picked him up and looked up to see a giant sphere of ice heading for him. The ice shattered mere inches from him, the shards scratching him.

He looked over and saw a larger, meaner version of Puroromon. Next to it was a white weasel-looking thing with purple markings and its body wrapped around a large gold bullet cartridge. Anchuu and Tanomoshii were standing close behind holding Digivices like Roten had. Anchuu's was black and white while Tanomoshii's looked to be green and white.

"Okay Kudamon, let's take care of this idiot," Anchuu said to the white weasel.

"Go for the wings FanBeemon!" Tanomoshii shouted to the large bee. Both digimon nodded and flew to Polamon. Kudamon started to rotate his body as FanBeemon flew hard and fast at Polamon. FanBeemon bent his back and pointed his stinger at Polamon's glowing paw.

"Gear Stinger!" he shouted. From his stinger came a great needle. It flew at Polamon and lodged itself in his paw. The Polamon withdrew his paw. Kudamon, now rotating his body quickly, shouted, "Bullet Whirlwind!" His body rapidly unwound and released the golden bullet, sending it roaring toward Polamon. The bullet hit Polamon's stomach and threw him over Trailmon and onto the ground on the other side. FanBeemon followed, firing needle after needle at Polamon. Kudamon helped Diatrymon up and they followed. Anchuu and Tanomoshii also followed. Roten, on the other hand, stayed back with Tanshin and Shoki.

"Tanshin, are you and Monmon okay?" she asked. Tanshin nodded.

"I'm raring for battle!" Monmon, now Tanemon, said as he leapt from Tanshin's arms. Tanemon was soon up on Trailmon and heading over. Tanshin quickly followed.

"What about him?" Roten asked, looking at Tokomon.

"I'm going to help, too!" Tokomon said, trying to free himself from Shoki, however, wasn't giving in.

"Let's go and check on Trailmon," Shoki said.

- - - - - -

Meanwhile, Polamon was being held down by Diatrymon's roars and FanBeemon's stings. Kudamon kept Polamon blinded by a light being emitted from his earring. Tanemon and Tanshin were arguing near by. Not far from the little battle were the others, running as fast as they could. At the lead was Kyubimon with Shinai, Kanki, and Mushroomon, followed almost immediately by Turuiemon with Seimei on his back. Kyubimon slid to a halt, allowing Shinai and Mushroomon to get off. This time, Mushroomon had no trouble digivolving into Woodmon. Turuiemon and Seimei stopped to the left of Polamon. Tomo and Gatomon were to his right. Shinzen and Leomon stepped in enclosing the circle that surrounded Polamon.

"Time to give up," Shinzen said. "You're surrounded!"

"I'll never give up!" Polamon shouted.

"Polamon, it's okay." Polamon looked over at Kodimon approached, flanked by Seidaku and Evelomon on the left and Denkou and Leormon on the right. "give up," Kodimon said. "We can help them defeat Soritamon and be free. They'll protect us."

Polamon's eyes narrowed as he glared at Kodimon. "Traitor."