Digimon Wars: Heaven and Hell

by Coral the Leviathan

A war has gone on for so long in the Digital World against the Seven Great Demon Lords. One that is slowly starting to affect the human world. Only the Chosen Humans and their Digimon partners can put an end to the pointless war. However, not everything in the war is as they appear to be.

3. Double Trouble! Twin Dragons

Okay. Let me just first say that this chapter turned out a lot longer than I initially planned it. Regardless, I hope you readers come to enjoy it all the same.

---

It was the late afternoon on Earth. While most people were at home, going about their own business, one teenage boy was at the public library, hoping to check out some books. 'Hoping' to, that is, only to come up empty along the aisle.

"Come on, not one of them?" he muttered. "I know I checked the computer, too. Did they not get updated or something?" Exiting out the aisle, he noticed the checkout center up ahead and walked over to it. "Excuse me. Can you help me look for some books?"

"Of course. What books are you looking for?" the receptionist asked.

"If you have any one of these books, that can help me out a lot. I've been searching everywhere, but could find a single one. Did someone just check them out or something?"

The receptionist took a look at the list before inputting them into her computer. With each title typed in, though, a funny expression formed on her face, much to the boy's confusion.

"You sure you checked the shelves carefully enough or didn't see anyone with any of those books?" she asked, resulting in a sigh from him.

"Again? This is the third time books I couldn't find are said to still be in this place. You truly need to do something about your system," he stated.

The receptionist only shrugged before rising from her seat. "If you'd like, I can lead you right to them."

"Would you do that? That's great! Thank you." With that, the boy and the receptionist went back to the aisle to check on the books.

Unknown to them, a couple floors above, one of the books the boy was looking for was on top of another book shelf, along with several other books. A small scaly hand grabbed it, replacing its spot with another book the boy sought.

---

Meanwhile, in a public gym, another teenage boy was doing some workouts on a punching bag, practicing some combos. At some point in his practice, the boy held the bag steady, before turning to a window nearby with a raised brow.

"Yo. I'm gonna close up shop soon. Still working over there?" an adult male called out, snapping him back to his senses.

"Huh? Oh! Nah. I'm good," he said, picking up a towel by his side and wiped away some sweat.

"You've been spacing out a lot lately, kid. Got something on your mind?" the man asked.

The teen didn't say anything, as he looked to the window again. "… Do you think monsters exist?" he muttered. Too low for the older guy to hear.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. It's nothing important." Without another word, the teen grabbed his stuff and made his way to the door. "Thanks again for letting me practice here. See ya next week."

"Later, kid," the adult waved off.

After doing some final cleanups and checkups on the place, soon enough, the man also left. Locking the door as he took his leave.

Unbeknownst to him, from the window the teen stared at earlier, the very same hand as back at the library rose and grabbed onto the ledge, followed by another hand. One of the hands poked a claw into a tiny, unnoticeable hold in the window, lifting it open, as a figure snuck into the building.

---

"School, school~ Time for school~ Time for Kira to go to school~"

Kiran chuckled at the song Betamon was singing, as she got dressed for school. "Do you even know what school is?"

"I heard a bit from other humans! It's a place you all gather to do brain work!"

"Well, that's one way of calling it."

It had been a couple days since the encounter with Peacockmon. To Kiran's relief, there was not a single attack that occurred the next day, granting her the whole day she needed to recover. Not just from her head injury, but also form her torso, in which she received back when Peacockmon head butted her. Thankfully, no one- not her parents nor the restaurant staff- found it off how she had remained in her bed the whole day.

While recovering, she had hoped to be able to connect with her mysterious benefactor- especially now that her Digivice is active- but she hasn't heard word of that person since. Whoever helped her out was a true mystery to her.

Finding it pointless to try connecting to someone she can't reach, or even know how to reach, Kiran decided to spend the day learning the Digivice functions, as well as the DigiChips. Particularly the new chip she got from Peacockmon's defeat, in which she was surprised to have found in the very spot said Digimon was defeated.

She had hoped that the chips and Digivice can give more info about what was going on, but aside from obtaining a new move from her new chip, unfortunately, Kiran was not able to find out anything else from the two items.

"Hey, Kira. Can I really come with you today?" Betamon asked.

"Of course. If anything, I feel more assured knowing you're with me than leave you here. Just, a small word of warning. School will last a while, so you're definitely going to be bored, Meg."

"I'm fine! So long as I'm with you!"

Ah, another thing that happened during Kiran's day of rest. A new name for Betamon.

---

*FLASHBACK*

"You know what else I found out?" Kiran asked Betamon, who looked down at her in confusion. "Your name. It's not Betamon. And it's not Coelamon."

"What do you mean? I am Betamon," Betamon said.

"Well, yes. Only that's a 'what'. From what Peacockmon said, there seems to be other Piddomo- Uh… The 'Human Bird', in that 'Digital World' they come from. She even said there was a Digimon stronger than his particular kind. And from the sounds of it, there are multiple of that certain Digimon, too. If that's true, and there are other Betamon in that Digital World place, I'd rather have something special to call you to avoid any sort of confusion."

Betamon's eyes sparkled at those words. "A name just for me?!"

"Of course."

The confirmation brought the Digimon more joy. "What name?! What name?!"

Kiran giggled at the excitement Betamon was displaying, before placing a hand on her head. "Okay, Betamon. Let's calm down there for a moment." As the giddy Digimon settled down a bit, Kiran took a moment to think on a name. "Hmm… When I first saw you, one of the things I thought you were was a sea monster."

"But I'm not a Seamon."

"No, I know that." Kiran sighed and rubbed her head, wondering if there was such a thing as a 'Seamon' in the Digital World.

'I should introduce her to some movies…' she then thought, before resuming on thinking of a name for Betamon. 'Let's see, the most common and famous sea monsters are leviathan, kraken, siren, and Loch Ness monster. Though, thinking back to Betamon's evolution, none of those would sound right… Naming her after anything having to do with water sounds unoriginal, too.'

"Anything yet, Kira?" Betamon asked her.

"Give me a minute," she answered, holding back a chuckle at the little fella's excitement, as she patted her head. "Really hard to believe a creature small and playful like you can turn into that big and strong armored fish." As she said that, a thought came to Kiran's mind. One that helped her think of a name for her friend. "How does the name 'Megalodon' sound? Or 'Meg' for short?"

"'Mega-'… What's that?" Betamon asked.

"Megalodon is the largest and most powerful shark- That is… a fish- in the world. I didn't think you were much of a fish, but your other form did look fish-like. And something tells me you're going to get a lot stronger. Like Megalodon."

Betamon's eyes brightened up even more at the reason, as she started to jump around Kiran. "Meg! Meg! I'm Meg!" she cheered.

---

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Done getting dressed, Kiran picked up both her school bag and her swim bag. "Remember to stay in the bag and stay quiet, okay, Meg?" she reminded.

Meg covered her mouth with one claw and saluted to her with the other claw, completely understanding her role, much to the human's relief.

"Alright. Time for school."

---

*OPENING**Stand Up By Twill*

(Instrumental)
(Scene begins with a reflection of a seagull flying across the ocean. Camera moves up to the real seagull, displaying it flying towards Fornia Town, and then to the sky. The seagull gets replaced by the title, a glare on the right side caused by the sun shining on it.)

Yeah, Stand Up Boys!
Come on, face forward
(Scene changed to Copace High School's swimming pool, where Kiran was swimming at full speed down her lane. Upon arriving at the edge, Meg handed her a towel in which she used to dry her face.)
The call enveloping you is your guide; step towards tomorrow
(Her phone screen lit up, alarming the pair, as Kiran swiped to open it. Camera zoomed in as she did, revealing a list of sort. Zooming out, scene changed to a male silhouette and a dragon-like Digimon in a library, the former holding his own phone that displays the list. The former pointed up and the latter flew to grab a book above them.)

Yeah, Stand Up Girls!
At the end of what's more than real
(As the Digimon opened the book and flipped through the pages, camera zoomed in to the book. The pages soon stopped flipping and camera zoomed out, now showing the same Digimon silhouette with a different human male silhouette, practicing some fighting skills displayed in the book out in a park.)
We'll grab a light that's been covered by thick clouds
(Camera flew to a tree behind them and went to the other side of the tree, where a female silhouette seemed to be singing with a different Digimon by her side. As the female silhouette sang the last few words, a breeze blew by, and the camera followed it to Vandalla Private Academy and zoomed into a window.)

How we spent our days before isn't good enough
At full speed
(A nun walked down the halls, greeting students who greeted her back. As she passed a large frame, a silhouette similar to the nun's walked alongside her, only to then stop and look back with a troubled expression)
We can blast through
Even the highest walls
(Camera zoomed to the bustling city, where a crack suddenly formed and grew bigger, until a breach occurred)
Stand Up For Your Dream!
(Kiran and the three other Chosen instantly noticed the sound from their respective locations and turned to the source with a serious expression, and her Digivice lit up)

Be enthusiastic at what you do, no matter what it is
Pushing your way through to make an opening
(Each partner Digimon silhouette Digivolved into their Champion Level form)
No matter how far
The answer you're seeking is
(Enemy Digimon flooded out of the portal and had the Chosen and their partners surrounded)
Stand Up For Your Dream
(The Chosen took out a DigiChip from their person and inserted it into their Digivice)

Even if my feelings, show weakness
(Coelamon took out a group in a burst of speed. The Champion-level dragon Digimon obliterated a number with a fist full of malicious spirit)
Your voice that I hear close by
(The other Champion-level dragon Digimon took down an army with a swift and heavy tail swing. The angelic serpentine-like Digimon soared high to the sky and spread her wings out, emitting a dangerous aura before the remaining enemies)
Gives me courage and strength
(In the Council Room, the Royal Knights and Olympos XII all watched the battle occurring, with the camera zooming in on Omnimon)
I can go the distance
(Opening ends with the Chosen and their partners at their hideout.)

---

The pair arrived at Kiran's school. Once there, Kiran was greeted by several students. More than 'greet' her…

"Umira-senpai! Are you sure you're well enough to attend school?"

"Senpai! It's great to see you again!"

"We heard you were injured, but it was that bad?"

"I can't believe there are people who would just attack a student."

"Are you okay?"

Several students gathered around Kiran, extremely worried about her as they asked about her condition. Kiran grew uneasy by the attention given. Especially now that she has Meg with her. At this rate, if nothing is done, Meg will be seen by everyone, and she will have to tell a tale she knew either no one will believe her on, or will get her and Meg in a world of trouble.

"Guys, I'm okay. Really," she told them, keeping both bags close to her. "Look, I'm fine. But I won't be for long if I'm kept out here any longer, and neither will you. Come on, we have class to get to."

Without another word, Kiran managed to give her peers the slip and rushed into the building.

Managing to slip past the students, Kiran now sat in her seat at the back of her classroom, letting out a relieved sigh.

"Never thought there'd be a day when getting to school would be exhausting…" she muttered, setting her school bag by her desk, and her swim bag on her lap. "You okay in there, Meg?"

"Yeah. And you, Kira?"

"I'm fine. Now remember. For the next several hours, stay quiet and in the bag."

Meg nodded at that, as she placed a claw on her mouth in silence. Relieved, Kiran proceeded to put her bag down by her other side, when a voice called out to her.

"Kiran!" Kiran flinched at the sound of the new voice, while Betamon quickly hid back in the bag. Next the girl knew, another girl rushed right at her, and wrapped an arm around her neck. "Hey, there~! Great to see you out of the hospital~!"

"Hey, Tristy," Kiran greeted with a light groan.

Almost as soon as she gave her greetings, Tristy was pulled off of her.

"Come on, Tristy, calm yourself, will you?" another one of Kiran's classmates told her. One who looks like she could be a delinquent.

"But Becky~! Kiran's been out for days in a hospital!" Tristy whined.

"That doesn't mean you can just bother her. Besides, like you said, she just got out of the hospital. You shouldn't be jumping on her. Also, stop calling me 'Becky'. It's 'Rebecca'."

Tristy pouted at the point made, in which Kiran couldn't help but laugh at.

"It's fine, Rebecca. I think I recovered enough over the weekend," Kiran assured. "Though… Sorry, I couldn't attend the meet."

"Huh? What are you apologizing for?" Rebecca questioned.

"Yeah. It's not like you wanted to get hurt. It's the fault of whatever wise guys went and jumped you," Tristy agreed. "It's only a shame no one knew who attacked you, though… That couldn't made the cops' jobs easier."

Kiran held back a flinch at those words. Even if the cops knew about the Digimon, she highly doubt they could do anything to help.

"Yes. If only we know anything at all about your assailants," came a voice behind Kiran.

Kiran jumped and turned to the source, where another one of her classmates stood behind her. This one having a gothic appearance. "Wah! Spooky!" she yelped, with Tristy jumping into Rebecca''s arms. "Don't do that. How long have you been there?"

"For a while," Kiran sweat dropped at the response, as that was Spooky's usual response.

"All these years of knowing you, and you'd think we would get used to that little jump scare by now," Rebecca stated, dropping Tristy to the ground.

"Ouch. Still, it wouldn't be Spooky if she doesn't do that," Tristy pointed out. "That's basically why we call her that. Well, that, and she is our second swimmer in relays for a reason."

Spooky lightly blushed at the compliment, before turning her attention to something else. "But still, you must really be out of it, Kiran. You brought your swim bag to class."

Kiran flinched slightly, hoping Meg remains still and hidden in her bag. "Uh, yeah. I guess so. My mind must have gotten that fuzzy, even with an extra day of rest."

"You were even talking to it." Kiran felt her world starting to fall when Spooky said that.

"Wait, what? Did you bring something else with you?" Tristy asked, managing to get out of Becky's grip and make her way to Kiran's bag.

"Come on, Tristy. Don't go rummaging into other peoples stuff," Rebecca told her.

"Yeah! Besides, it's nothing. I was just talking to myself," Kiran said.

Neither Spooky nor Tristy believed that, as the former opened the swim bag, to Kiran's fright.

"Ah! Wait!" Her words may as well reach deaf ears, as Spooky took out the towel concealing Meg.

With Meg's cover gone, the Betamon looked up at Kiran's friends, who looked back at her. Kiran, on the other hand, was mentally freaking out. She had a feeling the bag won't keep Meg hidden for long, but she didn't think she'd be exposed this soon!

'Over already?!' she thought.

"Wow. I guess your head really did get hit bad," she unexpectedly heard Rebecca, as Tristy widened the swim bag with a confused expression.

"Yeah, there's nothing other than the usual in here. Sorry for doubting you, I guess," the energetic girl apologized.

Her words confused Kiran and Meg. Do they not see the Digimon? Wanting to confirm for herself, Meg poked out of the bag and waved a claw at Tristy's face, getting no reaction from her.

"If anything, this towel… This is not your usual towel," Spooky stated, unfurling the object in her hand, revealing it to be pink with some colorful flowers on it.

"Yeah, no kidding. Besides, this looks more like a towel a kid would use," Rebecca stated.

"Y-Yeah. A staff member heard about my condition and bought me this as a get-well gift. I told them they didn't need to, but they insisted…" Kiran explained.

"I sense they were trying to curry up a favor," Spooky said.

"What? No way. Her family owns a restaurant. What favor would they want?" Rebecca doubted.

While they were talking amongst themselves about the worker's actions, Kiran snuck glances at Meg, who went around the classroom, checking to see if anyone was taking any notice of her at all. To both their surprise, though, no one was reacting in her presence at all. Not even as she jumped on their table and waved at people's faces.

'Do they… not see her?' Kiran wondered.

"Kiran? Are you listening?" Tristy asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, um… Sorry, what did you say?" Kiran asked back.

"I'm really starting to think you should've taken an extra day off," Rebecca stated.

Spooky looked at the direction Kiran was looking- where Betamon was- noticing a few of their classmates watching something on their phone.

"Ah. You must be bothered by the news, too," she assumed.

"What news?" Tristy asked.

"The one about the weird virus going on, right? Yeah, that is bothersome," Rebecca said, also taking notice of the video being watched. "It wasn't bad before, but now? Some people are starting to worry that it may affect our everyday lives if nothing is done."

It wasn't anything new for Kiran. If anything, the strange virus being spoke of had been around for a while now. No one knew who started it or how it came to be, but these days, there was always some kind of electrical problem occurring in town. The issues were never anything big. Usually they were things like glitches on the network or gps going wonky or even a call gone wrong. At worse, there were times when blackouts occurred in certain parts of town. Why, even Umira's got hit by a system error in online takeout orders and a blackout. It was truly a mess for everyone. That said…

"It'd be nice if the police at least got one hint about where the virus originated from. You'd think after the event yesterday they found something," Rebecca sighed.

"Why? What happened yesterday?" Kiran asked, having not seen the news as she spent all of her time yesterday figuring out more on what the Digivice and DigiChip does.

"One of the gaming machines at an arcade broke last night," Spooky explained. "No one knew what caused it, but while someone was playing on it, it just suddenly broke down."

"No, calling it a 'break down' would be understating it. I heard that the machine exploded. Thankfully, the person playing it didn't get hurt, but it was still a dangerous incident," Rebecca said.

Kiran widened her eyes at those words. The mysterious virus got that bad?!

"Yikes! That really does sound bad. And not one clue was found?" Tristy asked.

"Not as far as anyone knows. Here's to hoping your family's restaurant won't get affected by this strange virus again."

"You're telling me. A blackout and takeout errors are bad enough. I don't want any more damages that can put Umira's out of business," Kiran agreed, glancing at Meg, who was still trying to get attention from some of the other students, only to be unnoticed by them all, still.

'I should probably stop her before she accidentally causes some real trouble,' she thought, wondering how she would be able to call Meg back without causing a commotion.

Soon enough, the door to the classroom opened up, and their homeroom teacher walked in. "Okay, class! To your seats!" she called.

At her call, all the students went to their assigned seats. Meg- being in the middle of the class- grew shocked by the sudden group movement and hastily returned to Kiran's swim bag. All while carefully avoiding everyone's legs and feet.

'Huh. That was easy enough,' the human thought in slight amusement.

"Alright, before I start attendance, I have a couple small announcements to make. Today, we will be having a small emergency assembly once homeroom is over. If any of you have seen the news, I'm sure you know what it will be about. That said, though the principal will say these words later himself, I do ask for you all to please be careful when handling technology. Be it our computers, your phones, even the trains and vehicles. Be careful when handling technologies, and be careful when you make your way home. Do I make myself clear, everyone?"

"Yes," Kiran and her classmates answered.

Upon noticing the young swimmer in the back, a soft smile formed on the teacher's face. "Good to see you back, Miss Umira. Glad to see you're still kicking."

Kiran smiled back at those words. "It's good to be back."

The smile then formed into a frown as the teacher took notice of the bag by her feet. "However, even if you do have a head injury, I do hope you remember sports team are to have their bags in their gym lockers until it is time for their sports club."

Kiran rubbed her head with a small laugh. "Ah haha… Sorry, Ms. Russo. I'll put my bag back when we go to the assembly," she said, glancing down at her bag to see Meg not hiding in it.

"I hope you remember to do that," Ms. Russo accepted, taking out a binder. "Alright, time for attendance. You all know the drill. Who is on duty today?"

As the class went over their daily roll call, Kiran looked down at Meg, who was looking back up at her. Not even the teacher could see her. But why?

---

In the Digital World, an intense battle was occurring at a gorge, as a small Angel Army was facing off against a small Demon Army. The two sides fought with everything they had, all in hopes of ridding each other from their world.

One Digimon, though, was far stronger than the rest, as he charged on through the battlefield.

"Come on, come on, you bunch of Troopmon! Don't you dare let up on these Kiwimon!" a black lion-like Digimon called out. "We're all in this war for a reason! Don't you dare forget what that reason is!"

"I see some things haven't changed, have they?" came a voice on the other side of the forms, most especially grabbing the beast's attention.

He turned, and saw approaching him was a lion-man Digimon with a short sword sheathed behind him.

"Well, if it isn't Leomon," he said.

"Leomon- No… MadLeomon. What are you doing?" the lion-man questioned.

"Isn't it obvious what I'm doing? I'm commanding my army! Reminding them of what we fight for!"

"That is not what I mean! What I mean is… Why are you fighting alongside the demons?! Where is your Digimon pride?! Where is your sense of Justice?! How could you throw it all away for these fiendish brings?!"

MadLeomon let out a sigh at the question asked. "You say I threw my pride away… when it is more that I've regained it! Sure, my appearance leaves much doubt and question about my allegiance. However, this is something that has to be done! If only to end this war!"

Leomon gripped his fist at the claim. "You mean to say that you do this for the good of everyone? I know you've had much doubts about the war, but to think you've fallen so far as to sell your soul to the demons! As your brother, I will ensure that you return to being the kind and noble Digimon you once were!"

MadLeomon shook his head at the declaration. "Likewise, I never thought you'd be so naive, brother… Alas, if it is a death battle you wish for, it is a death battle you will get!"

"I never asked for death. Only an honorable duel."

---

After one long assembly, it was back to class for Kiran and the other students. As Ms. Russo had said, it truly was about the latest happening, for the most part, as the principal reminded the students of the safety procedures when handling electronics these days. Mainly to make sure there is a supervisor around to help in case of any tech trouble. He also reminded them of trying to limit themselves when it comes to using their own device, in case if any happening occurs on their very phone. So far there were no such case happening involving their own personal belongings, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Other than that, apparently club activities were also put on hold for the next several days. Since the current incident involved a store's machine exploding on the person playing it, the board of education decided to have after school activities to be put on hold. Wait out and see if a similar incident may occur again. They did not want the students' lives to be put at risk for things they loved to do, after all.

It was different in the case of sports team, though. Specifically the ones that contributes most to their school. In a way, they were still allowed to continue their practice, so long as it was in the outdoors and they had a guardian pick them up and drop them off at school. Though it may be overdoing things for them, the principal really does cherish the safety of his students, who took a while to understand the reason for this, and had no choice but to accept anyway.

Time later, classes came to an end, and with club activities canceled for today, it was time for the students to head on home.

"Oh… I was hoping to go for a swim after…" Tristy whined, as she, Kiran, and their two other friends walked out of the classroom. Meg was in Kiran's swim bag, also glad that school was over, as she had been bored out of her mind throughout the day, just as the human had warned her.

"It can't be helped. With what happened at the arcade, it goes to show that this mystery virus has become more dangerous than before," Spooky stated.

"I know, but that doesn't have anything to do with swimming, does it?!"

"Give it up, Tristy. And look on the bright side. We can still attend our club activities. Just… it'll be a little more annoying than before," Rebecca pointed out.

"I mean, I guess so…"

"Here's another bright side. At least I'm not alone in the not-swimming thing for today," Kiran pointed out.

"Isn't that only for you?" Tristy questioned, in which the group of four then laughed at.

Though she did not understand half the conversation, Meg was happy to see Kiran enjoying herself. She may not know who these other humans are, but they must be good friends of hers, if Kiran is this happy with them.

"Well, we can't go for a swim in a pool. How about at the beach?" Rebecca then suggested.

"Hey. Are you trying to make me feel left out?" Kiran questioned.

Just then, a feedback was heard from the school speakers.

"Umira Kiran-san, please report to the Student Council Room immediately. Once again, Umira Kiran-san, please report to the Student Council Room immediately."

The group was baffled by the announcement made. Report to the Student Council? Why?

"Why are you being called there?" Rebecca asked Kiran.

"I don't know," she answered.

"You think it has to do with your hospitalization? Maybe the student council and the principal are concerned about you since you did get attacked," Spooky suggested.

"That is a possibility," Tristy agreed.

"Well, there's only one way to know for sure," Kiran said. "You guys can go on ahead. Meet you tomorrow?"

"Sounds good to me. See you tomorrow, Kiran," Rebecca said, waving farewell as she and the other two took their leave.

"Later, Kiran~" Tristy said, also waving.

"See you, guys!" Kiran waved back, before making her way to the Student Council Room.

A bit into her walk, Meg poked her head out of the bag. "Hey, Kira. What's a 'Student Council Room'?"

"It's a… Place where some of the smartest and most reliable students gather to make school better for their peers," Kiran explained. "At the same time… How to say it…? It is usually also a place where they call problem students in to… rehabilitate them?"

Meg took notice of the hesitance in her tone. "You don't sound sure."

"Like I said, they also usually call students to their office if they caused any sort of trouble. But… I didn't do anything to cause trouble, so that worries me. What could they want?"

"Didn't you say that they may have called you for your 'hosbiti-'… What's it called?"

"'Hospitalization'. And I only assumed it to be the case. I don't know for certain if it is," Kiran corrected her. "Well, I guess there's only one way of knowing."

---

Soon enough, Kiran found herself standing in front of the door to the Student Council. She passed the doors plenty of times in the past, but being in front of them now? She couldn't help feel intimidated.

"Not gonna open?" Meg asked.

"Just give me a sec," she whispered, before finally raising her arm.

As she was about to knock the door, however, she could hear something from the other side. Something that sounded like… arguing?

"Look, I'm telling you, I'm not making it up!"

"You do realize if that does exist, it would've been hot topic around the school. Regardless, that does not excuse you for barging into the telecom and use it to call an injured student here."

"Except that very same student was there! You have to believe me!"

With each word Kiran was overhearing, a bad feeling grew in her. What was being spoken of in there? Something that has to do with her?

Sterling herself for the worse, the girl gave the door a few knocks.

"You may enter," one of the two voices called.

Swallowing down her remaining nerves, Kiran glanced at Meg, who went back into hiding in her swim bag, and entered the room.

Upon entering, she saw there were only two teens her age already in the room. Both had similar features, but one seemed more 'well kept', sitting at the Student Council President's desk, while the other seemingly more on the rowdy side, standing right by him.

Kiran knew well who these two are. Bill and Will Sanada. Twins who are also star students at Copace High, like Kiran.

The rowdy boy, Will, widened his eyes at the sight of her. Pointing his finger at her. "That's her! The girl with that fish!"

His accusation confused Kiran. What fish was he talking about?

The well-kept boy, Bill, sighed at his brother's shout. "Will, can you please act your age? You're really going to get an injured involved in your imagination?"

"Except I'm not imagining things! I swear!"

Bill did not pay his brother much heed, as he turned to Kiran and said, "I do apologize for Will's actions. You can disregard this meeting and continue about your own business, Umira-san."

Kiran became confused by this. "Huh? But you were the one who called me over, weren't you?"

"No, that was Will. Who insisted that I wait until you come in before sending you back."

"And he insisted that because…?"

"Isn't it obvious?! Because you have a monster in your possession!" Will shouted, in which Kiran was shocked to hear. "I know what I saw. Back in the auditorium, and the night before you got hospitalized! That frog monster, and the huge fish! What the heck are they?!"

The question shocked Kiran even more. He can see Meg? More than that, he knows the truth behind her hospitalization?! How?! She thought other people can't see Digimon!

Bill sighed at Will's claim. "Will, will you just cut it out? There is no such thing as monsters. If there were, I am very much so sure there would've been a huge commotion of such by now."

"But that's the weird part! For some reason, even though that thing- whatever that thing was she has- was out in the open, no one reacted to it! In fact, it was like they don't even see the thing!"

Each word coming out of his mouth was making Kiran feel even more nervous, as she tightened her grip on her bag, so as to not make any unnecessary movement that would get this guy's attention.

Bill, on the other hand, let out a sigh. "Okay… Let's say you are telling the truth, and she does have a monster with her. Where is it?"

"It's with her before. And from what I saw, it's small. Small enough to fit into that swim bag," Will stated.

Kiran did not like where the conversation was leading to, as she held her swim bag protectively behind her. "You're not thinking about looking into this bag, are you?"

"No, no, no! We will not!" Bill hastily exclaimed, sending his twin a light glare. "Will, there are things that we- as guys- need to steer clear from. A girl's belongings is one of those things. Surely you're not stupid enough to not know that much."

"There is a time and a place for everything! And right now is not the time to go talk about manners and such!" Will argued, before turning back at Kiran. "That monster of yours is hiding in that bag, isn't of? Take it out, now!"

Kiran was getting nervous with how persistent this boy was being. "Say is I am hiding a monster. What do you plan to do then?"

"Do what any normal person would do and report it, of course! Besides, a bunch of weird stuff has been happening around town, and I wouldn't be surprised if that thing has anything to do with it! Specifically if most people can't see it!"

"Okay, now you're just pushing it," Bill sighed, unamused by how his twin was acting. "I know you're worried about what goes on in our home city as a citizen, but pinning the blame on your peer? When you don't even have the evidence to back it up?" To Kiran, he then said, "Umira-san, you can just take your leave now. Don't bother abusing my brother any further."

"I think I will," Kiran agreed, turning to leave when Will shot out of his seat and grabbed her arm.

"Not until you show us what's in that bag."

"That's an invasion of privacy. I don't see why I need to show a boy what's in here."

"You don't! Will, be civil about this and leave her alone, now!" Bill warned. "This is your last warning!"

Unfortunately, the guy would not let up, as he practically snatched the bag from Kiran's shoulder and undid the zipper.

"Hey!" she gasped at the act, keeping the opening closed to prevent Meg from getting seen.

Watching his brother act that way was the last straw for Bill, who shot up from his seat and rushed to stop Will. "Will! What did I just say?!" he shouted.

In the middle of the three-way struggle, the door was slammed open, prompting the trio to flinch and drop the bag.

"What on earth is going on in here?!" the principal shouted.

As Kiran's bag hit the floor, a sick-looking Meg and a few of her belongings tumbled out of it.

"Oh… No more bag ride…" she groaned, holding her mouth to keep any vomit from coming out.

Kiran was mentally panicking, seeing Meg now in full view. If Will was able to see her, what of the principal and Bill?!

Thankfully, it seems there was nothing to worry about in regards to the principal, who demanded, "Someone care to explain why the three of you are here? I believe I made it clear that club activities are canceled for today. Including the Student Council."

"Principal, do you not see this thing?!" Will questioned, gesturing to Meg.

"Of course I see the swim bag. But I DON'T want to see anything inside it. Do you not know anything about respecting a girl's privacy?!"

Will widened his eyes at the question. Does the principal really not see the monster lying on the floor?!

"I apologize for my brother!" Bill exclaimed. "It would appear that he must have eaten something funny to be seeing a hallucination of sort. I tried to talk him out of forcing Umira-san to show her belongings but…"

Will turned to him in shock. "Bill, you don't see it, either?!"

Bill only glanced at him for a bit before kneeling down to Meg and Kiran's things. "I'll help you, Umira-san," he said, carefully putting Kiran's dropped belongings into her swim bag.

The principal nodded in approval at the action. "Very nice, Bill-kun. As to be expected from our proud Student Council President." The joyous expression on his face turned to rage as he turned to Will. "As for you, Sanada Will-kun… Why are you so different from your twin brother?! You two are supposed to be siblings, and yet you act so differently! How could you be so ill-mannered as to do such a thing to a girl?! Moreover a hallucination?! I know you have been a rowdy brat, but with how you have been contributing to our school, I have been lenient towards you! For you to have gone this far, I do need to question what I should do with you!"

While the principal was giving Will an earful, unknown to him, Bill carefully glanced at him, and gently placed Meg into the bag. Kiran widened her eyes at this. So he could see her, too? Noticing the baffled expression, Bill placed a finger on his lips to silence her, in which she nodded in agreement.

Soon enough, with all of Kiran's dropped belongings back in her bag, Bill called out to the principal. "So, we'll just be going now, if that's fine."

"Yes, you may go," the older man allowed.

Just as he was about to resume scolding Will, the latter noticed the Digimon back in the bag and yelled, "Don't let her get away! There's a monster in that bag!"

Of course, his shout greatly displeased the principal, who went back to scolding him. With the pair occupied, Kiran and Bill took their leave.

---

Back in the Digital World, the battle between MadLeomon, Leomon, and their army raged on. While the Troopmon and Kiwimon were practically falling like flies, the two beasts were still going strong, as they continued to exchange fists, with some claw attacks or sword strikes in between.

"Poison Nails!"

"Lion King!"

The pair locked claws and blade once more, trying to push the other back.

"Open your eyes already, MadLeomon!" Leomon shouted.

"My eyes are already open!" MadLeomon exclaimed. "If anything, it is you who needs to truly open your eyes! How much longer do you plan on being blind? To just do as you are told!"

Leomon grimaced at his brother's words. It was clear that whatever darkness turned him into this has clouded his mind. What can he do to…?

Just then, a cry was heard throughout the battlefield. Many heads turned and were baffled to see a baboon Digimon leading some monkey Digimon down the cliff into the battlefield. All were sniping away the Troopmon, keeping them away from the Kiwimon.

"What?! Monmon reinforcements?!" MadLeomon gasped. Next he knew, a figure landed before him, and knocked him away from Leomon. Recovering from the strike, MadLeomon saw that it was a baboon-like Digimon that knocked him away from his brother and snarled. "To think that you went as far as to get help from a group of Neutrals… What happened to not getting innocents involved, brother?! Going back on such promise does not sound 'just' at all!"

"You're wrong! I didn't ask for assistance!" Leomon argued. "In the first place, it seems you are the one who has forgotten! This area is home to Baboongamon and his group of Monmon!" Leomon then glanced at Baboongamon with a slight grimace. "Even though I told them to stay out of this fight…"

Baboongamon didn't say anything in response; just grunted and screeched as he slammed his arms on the ground in rage.

Leomon only sighed at the response. "I suppose it is only natural for homeowners to want to protect their own home." To MadLeomon, he then said, "This is your last warning, MadLeomon! Leave now, and we can pretend that this battle never happened!"

"You and I both know that is not possible. Not while this war continues," MadLeomon denied, getting back into fighting shape. "If there is one thing I will regret most, it is not being able to have you see the true light."

Leomon narrowed his eyes at those words. His mind may have been warped by the darkness plaguing him, but his heart is still strong as ever. Surely, there has to be a way to change him back…

---

Back in the human world, not far from Copace High was a public library. Hiding out there were Kiran, Meg, and Bill. While the Betamon was recuperating from the tug-of-war earlier- that is, having sips of a boxed apple juice bought for her on the way with some occasional pets from Kiran- the two humans were at a table studying. Or so it would seem, at least, when really it was a front as the pair were sending texts to each other, for better convenience in Kiran explaining her and Meg's situation to the academic boy.

"So Meg is a Digimon called Betamon, supposedly from another world?" Bill texted to Kiran, in which the girl looked up at him and nodded in confirmation. "And this Digital World place is currently at war? With Meg somewhat involved in it?" Kiran shrugged in uncertainty. At least, uncertain about Meg's involvement in that war. "And the reason for your absence all this time was because of that war?"

"Indirectly," Kiran responded then. "At least, I think so."

Bill crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat with a sigh. Kiran grew worried upon hearing that. It was clear that the guy was having a hard time believing her words. Not that she blamed him. Who would believe in there being another world out there? Not only that, but monsters attacking? When there was not a single report or news told about such?

The sound of air getting sucked through a straw reached their ears, as the humans turned to see Meg let out a satisfied sigh upon finishing her juice. Kiran softly smiled at that and- seeing no eyes on them- gave her a few pats on the head.

"Feeling better?" she asked in a whisper.

"Yeah. Much better," Meg answered.

A soft smile formed on Bill's own face, as he sat back up and texted to Kiran. "I believe you." She widened her eyes at the message. He believes her? "I won't say I believe all of it, but I believe you on some parts." That next message brought her much ease, as she saw another message come in. "So, what the plan?"

Kiran grew confused at that. What plan? "Plan?"

"With these attacks done to you, surely you're thinking of doing something, right? Plus you did say you were probably mistaken as one of the Chosen. Are you planning on finding them?"

When Bill puts it that way, he had a point. As things were now, if another member of the Angel Army were to appear, she and Meg would most likely be seen as an enemy. But what of the real Chosen? What if the army gets vague word about her and Meg, and one of the real Chosen have a Betamon or another aquatic Digimon? More than that, if she and Meg can prove they are on the side of good, maybe they won't get attacked by another Digimon. At least, not from the Angel Army. Then again, thinking back, considering how the two members of their army felt no remorse in trying to kill her, she wasn't sure if the Angel Side is as good as real angels are said to be. That said, what of the Demon Side of the war? Do they know about the Chosen? Are they truly as bad as Piddomon claimed?

A stomach growl broke the silence, and eyes were turned to Meg once more. She who was rubbing her hungry tummy.

"I think now is a good time to leave," Kiran whispered, as she put her books back in her school bag.

"I could grab a bite myself," Bill stated, doing the same. A thought then crossed his mind as he swapped to the Notes App on his phone. "You two can go on ahead. I need to borrow out some books first."

"We can wait. Right, Meg?" Kiran asked, in which the Digimon nodded in response.

"Except this will definitely take a while. Longer than it should."

This confused the pair, especially the human girl. "How so?"

"Lately whatever book I'm looking to borrow in this library is not available to be borrowed."

Kiran raised a brow at that. "And that's a problem? You could just check the computers to see if they're available, can't you?"

"What did you think I was doing earlier when we walked in?" Kiran bit back her tongue at the question, recalling the guy walking to a computer before they sat down to talk about the Digimon Situation. "Besides, even so, they never guarantee the books are on the shelves where they should be."

"You don't think someone else just happened to borrow them?"

"If it was one or two books, maybe. And if it was once or twice, that's also fine, but it happened a lot of times. This month alone, it happened ten times. And all the books I'm looking for are not on their respective shelves."

Now that caught Kiran by surprise. None of the books he wanted were around? More than that, this one month alone, it happened ten times? Out of a larger number of times?!

"You sure no one snuck them out?" she asked then.

"Not with the security system at the entrance and exits," Bill answered. "All the books here are locked and registered in the computer system. If they get taken out without authorization, the security system would've alerted the place."

"Like a clothing store's system?"

"Quite like it."

This intrigued her even more. A system as great as that, and yet he still couldn't find the books here?

"Why don't Meg and I help you find them?" she offered.

Bill was taken aback by this. "Huh? You don't need to do that. Besides, wasn't Meg hungry?"

"I can wait," Meg answered. "Food tastes better with more people."

"So she says," Kiran supported. "Besides, it's better to have more people helping you in your search, right?"

A relieved expression gradually formed on Bill's face at those words. "I could use an extra pair of eyes or two," he accepted.

Just then, Meg smelled something and hopped out of Kiran's bag, much to the girl's surprise. "Huh? Meg?"

"Where's she going?" Bill asked, as they watched the Betamon hop away from them.

"I don't know. She never acted like that before," Kiran said, a hint of worry in her tone. "We should follow her." She didn't bother waiting for a response, and followed after Meg.

Bill was at a loss of what to do. For all he knew, it could be some Digimon thing that he shouldn't get involved with. At the same time, though, as Student Council President, it was practically his duty to support his peers however he could. Even if such duty usually does not extend to otherworldly matters.

'Still, it has a student of my school involved,' he thought, following after them in the end.

---

Some time of silently chasing later, with Kiran and Bill both being careful not to attract any sort of attention as they chased after Meg, the pair of humans found the Digimon in a secluded part of the history section, jumping around one of the bookshelves with a glare.

"Hey! Hey~!" she called out in a whisper.

"Meg!" Kiran called, picking Betamon up in her arms. "What do you think you're doing? You know you shouldn't go off on your own."

"I know, but that guy up there," Meg pointed.

"What 'guy'?" Bill asked, as he and Kiran both also looked up at the shelf.

Due to the lack of lighting in the section they were in, it was a little hard to see what was here. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they could make out a figure sitting up there.

"Someone's up there?" Bill gasped in shock.

"I don't think it's any 'someone'," Kiran corrected, before looking down at Meg. "Remember how no one can see or hear you back at school?" The Betamon nodded in response to the question. "Make a bit of noise." At those words, Kiran tossed Meg upwards, to the latter and Bill's surprise.

As Meg rose into the air, screaming and flailing, she looked over to the bookshelf and made eye contact with the figure hiding at the top. The figure's eyes widened as she started to descend and leapt off the shelf, grabbing her in its arms. Wings unfurled from its back, somewhat slowing their descent as the figure landed on their feet before the two humans.

To Kiran and Bill's bafflement, standing before them with Meg in its arms was a cyan and white child-sized dragon, with red horns on its head and small red wings on its back.

"A Digimon?!" Kiran gasped out.

Surprisingly enough, the Digimon placed a claw on its lips and shushed her, much to her, Meg, and Bill's confusion. Until he pointed to a poster on a wall, that is. One that states people to be silent in the library. One look at that, and Kiran covered her mouth in slight embarrassment.

"S-… Sorry…"

"No, don't just apologize," Bill told her, voice still in a whisper. "More importantly, what's a dragon doing here?!"

Next they knew, the Digimon harshly pointed at Kiran, puzzling her for a moment. It set Meg down, and took out a few books from the shelves, lining them them up in the floor, and pointed at one on their top left.

The action confused the Betamon and two humans. Why was it setting books down like so?

"Do you want to know our preference and are telling us yours?" Kiran asked.

The sour look the Digimon gave her completely told her she was wrong, as it pointed at the book again.

It did not take long for Bill to know what the creature may actually be going for. "'The Silk Roads- A History of the New World," he read.

The Digimon made a gesture that he was close, and pointed at the book again. Rather, at the title.

"'The'." Seemingly satisfied, it pointed to another part of the title. "'Road'." Then another. "'History'." An arched brow indicated he was wrong, as Bill took another guess what the dragon was really looking for. "Um… '-ry'?" Satisfied against, it began to point at another book. This time, pointing at the author's name. "'Daniel'. No, 'Dan'." It took another book and pointed at its title. "'Gen-'." Then to another part of the title. "'World'."

It seemed to be done there, as the Digimon crossed its arms with a slight huff. Meanwhile, the humans and Betamon were trying to make sense of what it was trying to do earlier.

"… Did you get that?" Kiran asked them.

"Can't say I did…" Bill reluctantly answered.

"Can't you speak?" Meg asked.

The way it was arching a brow in a 'really' manner made the humans guess that it could, but wouldn't? Bill took a look at the woods and syllables the creature made him read. "'The'… 'Road'… '-ry'… 'Dan-'… 'Gen-'… 'World'… 'The-Road-ry'… 'The-Road-ry…'" His mind then thought back to how it pointed at Kiran a little earlier. "'Throwing'?"

To their increasing puzzlement, the creature nodded confirmation at his guess.

"Really?" Meg asked.

"If it's about throwing, then 'Dan-Gen-World' as in 'dangerous'?" Kiran guessed, resulting in another nod, as well as a glare from the dragon. It did not take long for her to realize what the creature was really trying to say, as she turned to Meg. "Right... Sorry for just tossing you up there, Meg. I got a bit panicked thinking it was a Digimon on the shelves."

"It's okay. I understand," she accepted.

The dragon Digimon nodded again, this time with a satisfied expression on his face.

Bill was slightly amused by this, as he stated in a whisper, "I've heard how noble dragons can be, but to the point that they would have manners. What are you?"

"Actually, this may not be the best place to talk about this," Kiran said. "Now that we have one more person- er, Digimon- joining us, I'd feel more comfortable talking about this when all of us are able to speak freely."

"I agree~" Meg spoke, resulting in a hush from the dragon Digimon from how loud she spoke, in which she covered her mouth with her claws in response.

"Like I said, when we're all able to speak freely," Kiran repeated, holding back a chuckle.

"Can't argue with that," Bill agreed. "I especially want to get to know the dragon, and I can't do that well guessing through books."

The Digimon in question blushed lightly at those words, also wanting to go along with the plan.

---

Meanwhile, in the Digital World, the battle was still raging on in the gorge, as many Troopmon, Kiwimon, and even Monmon were getting felled by their respective enemies. One battle, especially, was getting intense, as MadLeomon was managing to hold his own against both Leomon and Baboongamon. Even more so when...

"Quit hiding behind hired help and fight!" MadLeomon demanded, swiping his claws at his counterpart.

"I am not hiding! And I most certainly did not call for Baboongamon's help!" Leomon argued. "Even if his assistance is quite helpful now."

Baboongamon, incapable of speech, only screeched as he continued his assault on the Demon Army commander.

"You people are such pain!" MadLeomon exclaimed. "Why can't you see as I do about the war?! Don't you realize that something is wrong?!"

"If something is wrong here, it is your head! Need I remind you whose side you're on now?! What happens if the Demons win this war?!"

"Even if I have become like this, as a fellow Leomon who knows more about justice than most other Digimon, I must say, I am disappointed with now narrow-minded you are, brother!" MadLeomon exclaimed, locking his claws with Leomon's sword.

"Don't talk about justice, when your mind is clearly clouded by the darkness you've succumbed yourself to!" As he exclaimed that, he tightened his free fist and pulled it back.

MadLeomon noticed the action and did the same.

"Beast King Fist/Beast King Fallen Fist!" Both unleashed their respective lion face-shaped aura from their fists at one another, causing a strong shockwave to occur, blowing away some of their allies and enemies nearby.

"Wah! Commander Leomon!" a Kiwimon cried out.

"All of you, evacuate from here at once!" Leomon ordered.

"Same for you, Troopmon! This will get ugly!" MadLeomon also advised.

The soldier Digimon did not bother arguing about the situation and hastily took their leave. Carrying their downed comrades with them. All except for one.

"Baboongamon, you as well!" Leomon said. "At the very least, someone needs to protect the little ones from him if he slips away!"

MadLeomon got ticked off from those words. "You think me a coward now?! I am anything but!" As he shouted that, he threw a punch at his brother, knocking him back. "And you should know better than to look away from your opponent on a battlefield!"

Leomon gritted his teeth, feeling a bit insulted by those words. Next he knew, Baboongamon rushed towards MadLeomon, much to his shock. "Baboongamon, no! Fall back at once!"

Baboongamon did not listen, as he hurled a rock on his arm at MadLeomon, who blocked the attack.

"I mean you no offense, but I have had enough of this monkey business!" he exclaimed. "Poison Nails!" His claws coated in purple malicious glow, MadLeomon swung at the baboon Digimon, who swung his rocky tail to block. As the two attacks struck, another shockwave was unleashed. Unknown to any of the Digimon, the air around them even wavered form the intensity of the attacks.

Leomon narrowed his eyes, wondering if there was a way he could stop MadLeomon before anyone else gets hurt. Before this battle could worsen in any way. That was when he took notice of MadLeomon's free fist getting pulled back.

'Not good!' He thought fast and pulled his own fist back.

"Beast King Fist!"

"Beast King Fallen Fist!"

The two aura fists got unleashed. Before the purple one could strike Baboongamon, the orange one struck it first, cancelling it out with a heavy shockwave. One that was far stronger than before. So strong, a crack actually appeared in the air by the two fighting Digimon, to everyone's bafflement.

"What the-?!" the former gasped, as bright light shone from the crack, prompting those closeby to shield their eyes.

As the light died down, Leomon lowered his arms. To his increasing bafflement, MadLeomon and Baboongamon had disappeared.

'They're gone?! Where did they go...?'

---

With Kira and company in the human world, they were now at a park, in an area where not many people were walking by. There, the group feasted on some fast food takeout Kiran and Bill bought along the way. Especially one dragon, who was apparently so hungry, he was taking big bites of the burger and stuffing his face with fries.

"Whoa. That's some appetite you have there," Bill said, watching the Digimon eat.

"I haven't had a decent meal in so long. Kept managing to sneak away bits of snacks the other humans eat in the library," the dragon Digimon, whom they came to learn was called Dracomon, stated.

"Want the rest of mine?" Meg offered her half-eaten fish burger.

"Can I?! Thanks!" As soon as Dracomon gave his thanks, he took the rest of Meg's burger in his mouth, devouring it. "So good~"

Kiran was most especially entertained by the way he was acting. "You remind me much of the time Meg and I first met. She had a big appetite, too, back then."

Meg took some offense to that. "It was those birds' fault! They kept taking my food..."

Kiran lightly chuckled and patted her on the head. "Yes, I know."

Dracomon took some sips of the soda they also bought and turned to Meg. "So you're called 'Meg'? I thought for sure it was Betamon. You sure look like one."

"It was before! Now I'm Meg! Short for Megalodon!" Meg explained.

"Do I want to know why the name? You can't be telling me you'll get bigger than this," Bill asked.

"Oh, if only you knew," Kiran only answered. "Speaking of which, Dracomon. Now that you've had some bites, maybe you can help answer some questions?"

Finishing his burger, Dracomon answered, "I'll try my best. But if it's anything about the Digital World, I won't be of much help. I was born in this world, after all."

"That's the thing. You said you were born here. Meg is more or less on the same boat. She knew she was a Betamon, but other than that, she doesn't seem to know anything else about her kind or the Digital World. Do you know how you got here? More importantly, what about your parents?"

"You say 'parents', but since Dracomon is basically a dragon, I'm pretty sure he was more born from an egg. Anything can happen to a baby born from an egg, even getting separated from its birth parents," Bill stated. "Aside from that, we're talking about a time from when he was a baby. No one can remember what they did from that point."

"He has a point there," Dracomon agreed. "The earliest I can remember clearly was growing up in the library, doing a lot of reading and studying."

"Studying? Even if you don't go to school?" Meg asked.

"School is not the only place where you learn. Some people take lessons from their own home instead for various reasons," Kiran explained.

It was then Bill realized something. "Are you the reason why I couldn't find any of the books I wanted to borrow out of the library? We did have to help you put away all those books before we left. Not just the ones you took out to communicate with us, but even the ones you put on top of the bookshelves to study. I am very much so sure amongst the ones we put back, there were a lot of the ones I had been looking for."

Dracomon nervously scratched his cheek with a laugh. "Well, there were a bunch of books there. Some which are really difficult for even a young Digimon like me to read and understand. So I usually follow along with the humans' learning capabilities. Starting from the really younger ones. Then from there, I took peeks of the lessons they would take and secretly grabbed books based on those lessons and the level of difficulties. Well, at first I just wanted to know what was being written in those books, but then I found studying to be fun! I've learned a bunch of stuff!" As he said that last part, he dumped a small handful of fries into his mouth.

The two humans were delighted by his reason. "I guess even amongst Digimon there are bookworms," Kiran stated.

"Don't say it like it's a bad thing," Bill said.

"I wasn't, Kaichou."

In the middle of their chatter, an explosion was suddenly heard not far from them, catching all four by surprise.

"What the heck?!" Bill gasped.

They turned to the source, where they saw smoke coming out from somewhere.

A growl emanated from Meg and Dracomon's throat, catching the humans' attention.

"What's wrong, Meg?" Kiran asked.

"Something there. Something bad," the Betamon answered.

"Yeah. I sense it, too," Dracomon said.

While she wasn't sure about the dragon Digimon, she recognized how Meg was acting.

"Kaichou. You can use my bag. Take Dracomon and get away from here," she instructed, much to his confusion.

"Huh? What are you…?" It did not take him long to realize what man was going to do, as she set Meg on her head.

"Hang on tight, Meg."

"Okay!"

"Hold it!" Bill grabbed hold of her hand, preventing her from leaving. "Where do you think you're going? Not to the source, I hope!"

"We have to go! A Digimon is over there! If the first two encounters with them has taught me anything, it is that any Digimon recently arriving from the Digital World is bound to be dangerous! Meg and I have to go there to stop whatever Digimon is there!"

"But from what you told me, they also saw you and Meg as enemies! Worse off, what if whoever over there is from that Demon Army? I have high doubt they'll be any more reasonable than the Angel Army Digimon."

Kiran shook his hand off her arm. "Even so! Right now, Meg and I are the only ones who can do something about them! At the very least, until we know who the real Chosen are and where."

"How can you talk about responsibilities?! Especially one as big as that?!" Bill questioned, gesturing to the place of explosion. "No matter how you look at it, that's not something a teenager should be responsible for!"

"You're right, it isn't! In fact, right now, I want to run from there instead of towards it!"

Bill became confused by the claim. "Then why...?"

"Someone has to. And it can't be the police, when they can't even see Digimon. Besides, it's not like running away will solve everything."

"Kira and I have to do something! Against the birds... Against any that hurts Kira!" Meg vowed.

Kira was a bit humored by the second half, before looking back at Bill with a serious expression. "So, there you have it. Now if you don't mind, Kaichou, Meg and I need to go." Without another word, the swimmer rushed to the source of the explosion.

As Bill watched her leave, he couldn't help feeling something deep down. It was not just the urge to stop her, but something else. Helping her? What could he do to help?

"Are you just going to stand there?" he heard Dracomon ask. Looking down at the dragon Digimon, he saw the little guy throwing away the trash in a trash can nearby, looking back at him with a serious expression. "We have to go, too."

Bill grew confused at those words. "'Go'? Go where?"

"Isn't it obvious?! Help them help the people stuck over there!" Dracomon answered, pointing to the incident.

The response baffled Bill even more. "H-Huh?!"

---

Meanwhile, at the scene of the explosion, people were panicking from the occurrence.

"Whoa! What the heck happened here?!"

"An explosion?! But why at a gym?!"

"What about the people inside?!"

Next thing they knew, a strong wind blew by, and claw marks appeared on a wall of a building nearby.

"W-What the-?! Where'd these claw marks come from?!" Almost as soon as a bystander questioned that, some rocks came crashing down, nearly crushing him and a couple others.

"Where did these rocks come from?!" one of them gasped, for the building by them showed no sign of ever getting damaged. How could there be rocks falling from the sky?!

Another crash occurred in the area. No longer wanting to stand around asking questions that can't be answered, all the people in the area hastily ran, prioritizing their own safety.

Unknown to them, the 'questionable occurrence' was actually MadLeomon and Baboongamon battling. Both Digimon got dragged into a portal that opened up from the former and Leomon's attack colliding, and found themselves here. Despite the initial surprise of being in a completely different area, the shock quickly left them, as they resumed their fight.

"You stubborn monkey! Away with you! Beast King's Fallen Fist!" MadLeomon shouted, unleashing his signature attack at Baboongamon, who leapt up to avoid the strike, as it struck the wall behind him, leaving behind quite the heavy mark.

Baboongamon let out a screech and charged at MadLeomon at high speed. Once close enough, he swung his rocky tail at the beast, in which he blocked, unfazed by the strike.

As the pair duked it out, in the gym, several people were lying injured and unconscious. Towards the back of the gym was one person who was still conscious and unharmed, hiding behind some equipments for cover.

'What... Where the heck did those monsters come from?!' Will questioned.

After getting horribly chewed out by the principal earlier, the boy was finally allowed to leave the school and head on home. Instead of going home, however, after feeling betrayed by his own brother about the frog monster, he decided to let off some steam in his usual gym. After he was done with his workout, he was about to take his leave, when he noticed the receptionist and owner huddling around at a computer. He was about to walk over and ask what was wrong, when he saw statics coming out of it and ran towards the back. Next he knew, an explosion occurred, and that black lion monster and rock-armored baboon emerged out of it.

Will couldn't believe it... Two real monsters were fighting before him.

'I knew it... I knew they were real,' he thought, before turning his attention to the few injured people caught in the explosion. 'I need to get them away from here. Before those monsters to anything to damage the gym any further and…' Will did not want to continue the thought, as he tried to move from his spot. 'Tried' to, only to found himself stuck in his place. Looking down, Will found his legs shaking. 'Stupid legs! Not's not the time to be shaking! I need to… I have t get them out of here! Move it… Move it!'

Baboongamon's screech dragged him out of his thoughts, as he looked up in fright and saw the monkey Digimon launching more rocks from his arms at MadLeomon, who in turn knocked them all away. In doing so, though, he also sent the boulders flying at the gym, damaging the place, and caused more debris to fall down.

Will grew even more frightened by this. Even more so, as he watched one part of the building fall on…

"Owner!" Will cried out, watching as the debris fall on the downed owner of the gym.

Will couldn't believe what he witnessed. He watched someone die! He could've done something! Something other than tremble in fear! And yet… He just…

'No…' What was he thinking? Of course there was nothing he could've done. Not to a pair of monsters who are still engaging in their battle, paying no heed to the damage they were causing. What could he- a hothead troublemaker- do against those two? A memory popped in his head. One of a certain point in his childhood that no one would ever believe. 'Damn it... This is just like... Like back then.'

"Electric Shock!" Before MadLeomon and Baboongamon can clash again, a bolt of electricity struck the ground between them, catching their attention as they turned to the source.

Will also heard the shout and saw the static. Peeking past the equipment, he was baffled to see Kiran's monster standing by an alley.

"That thing?!"

"You no bird. But you do damage to Kira home! You still enemies!" she exclaimed.

---

DIGIVOLUTION

"Betamon Digivolve to!"

Betamon's body grew bigger, her limbs became longer, and her body was getting covered in what seemed to be armor. Her orange fin turned white, and her tail was now a white tail fin. Whatever skin was not covered by the armor turned pink, and her claws poked out of her gauntlets.

"Coelamon!"

---

Will widened his eyes at the sudden change. The frog monster… turned into an armored fish?!

"A digivolution that fast?!" MadLeomon gasped in shock, for normally, it would take a while for a Digimon to Digivolve. How could a small thing like a Betamon o through the process that fast?

Baboongamon, on the other hand, only grew irritated at the sight of a new for and rushed at her.

"Iron Scales!" Her body became covered in iron as she took the baboon Digimon's tail attack. Unfazed by the hit, she fired the scales at him, pushing him back. "Water Bullet!" She followed up the attack by firing bullets of water right at MadLeomon, who raised his arm and blocked the attack.

"Why you! Poison Nails!" he shouted, his claws getting engulfed in poison as he rushed at Meg.

"Iron Scales!" Once again, Meg managed to defend herself from the attack and fired her scales at the beastly opponent, pushing him back as well.

While Meg had them both distracted, Kiran snuck past them and rushed into the destroyed gym.

"Remember, Meg. Keep them away from the gym. And if possible, make sure their attacks don't hit any people or the other buildings," she instructed through her Digivice.

"Got it!" she responded.

As soon as she got the response, Kiran turned her attention back to the gym. Mainly to the people inside.

"Hello! Is anyone in there?!" she called.

Will took his chance and called out to her. "O-Over here!"

Kiran rushed to the source as quickly as she could, catching sight of several injured and unconscious people along the way. She could feel her inside twist at the sight. Bad enough she had Digimon attack her, now they're arriving to harm innocent people?! Sure, from what she saw, it was more that they were focused on attacking each other with no regards to everyone else, but still! Why?!

'What the heck is going on in that world?!' she questioned.

As she got to the source, she was surprised to see Will here. "Will-kun?! Why are you here?!"

"Why else?! More importantly, what the hell is going on?! Where did those lion and baboon monsters come from?!" he demanded.

Kiran couldn't believe she was meeting him again. More so, during a Digimon attack. Looking back to the battle taking place outside, she decided now was not the time for such thoughts, and helped him to his feet. "No time for that! Meg won't be able to keep those two distracted for long. Is there anyone else in here?"

"Well, yeah, but they're unconscious," Will answered.

"How many?"

"About fi-… I mean, four."

Kiran clicked her tongue at this. Four unconscious people? And with all the debris here, it may take a while for them to get one to safety.

'Still, I have to try!' she decided.

"Help me get them out of here!" she told Will, to his sheer bafflement.

"Wait, what?!"

"Don't 'what' me! Right now, we're the only ones who see what's going on outside! If we don't get everyone out before the battle escalates, who knows what will happen?!" Almost as soon as she said that, a crash was heard outside, causing the building to shake, as some dusts fell from above.

Kiran turned and saw it was meg who crashed into the building. "Meg!" she cried in worry, taking out her Digivice. "Meg! Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine! Kira, get people out!" Meg insisted.

"Hold it right there!" Will called out then. "You're not saying you're going to bring us out for that thing!?"

Kiran grew confused by those words.

---

Outside, while Meg was doing the best she could to keep MadLeomon and Baboongamon from attacking any other buildings, specifically those with people in them, Bill and Dracomon arrived at the scene, hiding in an alleyway as they watched the battle go on in bafflement.

"What the heck?! Umira-san didn't say anything about how big you guys can get!" Bill exclaimed.

"Meg needs help! We have to help her!" Dracomon told him, to the human's shock.

Before he could join the fray, Bill grabbed him by the tail. "Hold on! You can't go out there! You'll get creamed! And even if you can help, don't forget that people can see you unlike they couldn't with Meg!"

"But someone has to help! Meg is fighting alone! She can't keep them company for long!"

"I know that but..."

"Then what do you want me to do?!"

"Just keep quiet and let me think!" Bill shouted, looking back to the battle at hand.

As Dracomon stated, though Meg was putting on a good fight, with a two-on-one, it was practically impossible for her to keep them both company. Being only one Digimon, as she put her focus on one, the moment she stayed in place, the other 'mon would take the chance to strike her. Even if she was successfully keeping their attention away from the other humans in the area, at the rate it was going, Meg may not last long enough.

As Bill surveyed the area, he spotted something that could be of use. "Dracomon. You can breathe flames, right? How hot?"

"Hot enough to melt the earth," Dracomon answered.

Bill turned to a lit-up lamppost not far from the Digimon Battle. "Then how about that? Think you can melt the base just enough for it to tumble down?"

Dragomon turned to the post he spoke of, and caught on to his plan. "I get it. Leave it to me!" He rushed towards the very lamppost and took his position at a certain angle. "Here looks good. Baby Breath!" He breathed out flames from his mouth, melting the surface of the lamppost's base.

---

Back in the gym, Kiran was trying to convince Will to help her get the people to safety. "It's better if we get these people out of here. Especially for Meg's sake."

"So it's either die getting crushed or die getting eaten?! I'd rather stay in here and get crushed!"

As soon as he said that, Kiran realized what he really meant. And grew irritated with it. "You want to stay and die? Fine! But at the very least, I'm not letting my friend suffer for nothing!" Without another word, she went to search for the people knocked out from the explosion. Or so she would have liked to, when she heard another scream from Meg, and turned to see the Coelamon having some difficulty holding MadLeomon and Baboongamon back.

"K-Kira!" Meg cried out.

"Meg!" Kiran called back in worry. "I'll give you backup now!" She reached into her pocket and took out her one of her two DigiChips. "Good thing I brought these along. DigiChip! Activate: Strelitzia!"

Just as before with Piddomon's Chip, once she inserted the chip into her Digivice, the screen lit up, displaying the one move Kiran had already downloaded into her Digivice through the chip. With a push of a button, the screen glowed brighter, sending light towards Meg and transferred the move to her.

---

"Strelitzia!" At her call, Meg's white fin glowed bright, ceasing MadLeomon and Baboongamon's movement for a moment.

Once the light died down, MadLeomon was surprised to see copies of his Coelamon opponent all around him. "What?! More Coelamon?! How?!" he gasped.

"Heheh! Try and find- Gah!" Meg got interrupted by a hit to the head. One so hard, it broke her concentration on her borrowed move, as the illusions all disappeared on MadLeomon.

"What? They were just illusions?" he gasped, turning back to the Coelamon.

'How is that possible? No Coelamon is capable of such ability,' he wondered.

---

"Meg!" From the gym, Kiran grew baffled when she saw Baboongamon strike her friend, even though he should have been affected by the Strelitzia attack. That is… until she took notice of the beast Digimon's eyes.

'His eyes are covered!' From what she could tell, Strelitzia blinds the opponent with a flash of light before conjuring illusions of the user. With the opponent's eyes covered to start with, though, the move was practically useless! 'Dang it. I didn't think that far.'

She turned to Will and exclaimed, "Change of plans. You take everyone out of here. Meg needs help!"

Will instantly did not like the idea, as he grabbed Kiran's hand. "Oh, no you don't! You're not going out there to help any of those things!"

Irritated by this foolish boy's insistence, Kiran turned to him with a glare and demanded, "Why are you so intent on stopping me?! Don't you see Meg is trying to help?!"

"You say 'help', but that thing is-!"

Will got cut off by the sound of something crashing down hard, and he and Kiran looked to see a lamppost fell right on top of MadLeomon, who sprawled out on the ground in pain, getting slightly electrocuted by the electricity running through the street light.

"Meg! Now's your chance!" the two humans heard, as they looked and saw Bill standing by the melted lamppost with Dracomon. "Dracomon and I will keep this lion busy! Do what you can with that baboon!"

"Okay. Thank you!" Meg thanked, her focus now solely on Baboongamon as she swiped her claws at him.

'Bill is helping out?' Kiran thought in shock. She would have thought the Student Council President would know better than to get involved in this, particularly with how he had acted out earlier. But now? He was standing up to fight? With Dracomon?

She was not the only one surprised by the turn of events, as Will also stared at his twin in shock. 'Why is Bill helping them…?' he wondered.

"Even though he knows this is not a problem he can help solve as Student Council President…" Kiran muttered out, getting his attention. "I already told Bill about how dangerous this is. He knows full well of the risks there were in getting involved. And yet, he didn't seem to mind it much at all. Unlike a certain someone here. Instead, rather than just focusing on what was here, he was more focused as to what was happening. Something in which you should've thought of, too! I don't want to be that sort of person, but the principal was right about you. You are way too different from Kaichou!" Without another word, Kiran shook his hand off of her and got to work in saving the unconscious people. With Bill and Dracomon helping out, she could focus her attention in saving the innocents instead.

As she did so, this time, Will did not stop her, as he brought his attention back to the battle outside. 'Focused on what was happening? What is there to focus on? Monsters are attacking our home! But…' He wanted to believe that, and yet there was something about what he was seeing that was saying otherwise.

For one thing, unlike when the lion and baboon were fighting, Will noticed how careful the fish was as she attacked and defended herself against the latter monster. Not in a way where she was making precise hits on it, as it was more that she was trying not to damage the town and more than before, especially the gym. As for his brother's end, the lion recovered from the lamppost, and started to attack him and the dragon with him in turn. Throughout that side of the one-sided fight, the dragon was doing his best to protect Bill from harm while retaliating against the lion monster.

Taking a look at the scene, Will couldn't help but wonder if maybe he was wrong about these monsters. If not all monsters are the same as the ones from that time.

'If that is true then…'

His mind was cut short when he noticed something moving. Turning his full attention to it, he saw it was the debris that crushed the owner seemed to be shaking a bit. Curiosity took over, as he walked out of his hiding place and over to the rubble. He looked between the gap and gasped at the sight of another small dragon inside, struggling to keep the wreckage over his head, with the owner under him.

"D-… Damn it… If only I… was stronger…" he heard the dragon say. "Someone… Hurry here… Help him…"

If the actions outside weren't enough to convince Will he was wrong about all monsters, this one did. A dragon as small as him… risking his life to save a human?

'I… What the hell was I doing this whole time…?' he questioned himself. 'I'm so pathetic!'

Snapped out of his stupor, Will did what he could to separate the pile of remains. Unknown to him, as he moved the wreckage away, one small part of his chest was starting to glow.

---

With Bill and Dracomon, the two were doing the best they could against the pissed MadLeomon. Well, one of them was, whereas the other was keeping a safe distance from the fight, looked around for anything they could use to their advantage.

"Beast King's Fallen Fist!" MadLeomon shouted, unleashing his signature attack at Dracomon, who managed to block the attack with the lid of a trash can nearby, though not completely as he got pushed back still, and the lid got destroyed.

"Okay, I heard from Kiran about the state of your world! Why the heck are you here terrorizing our city?!" Bill questioned.

MadLeomon grew more irritated than he was confused, as he answered, "What the hell does a human know about what goes on in the Digital World?! It's not like even half of the Digimon there knows what's happening in full. What point is there in telling a human?!"

"But to get our world involved in your problems?!" Bill questioned.

"All you are is a mere human, siding with a confused Rookie Digimon," MadLeomon continued. "While I am not one to attack weaklings, I will if I have to. Anything to ensure the betterment of my home world! Even if it is to eliminate my own kin!" To Dracomon, he then said, "And you there, you shouldn't even be with a human. You shouldn't be here on the battlefield! Don't tell me the angels actually went as far as to have a child join their ranks! Then again, they did let those Monmons join their fight, and they're on the neutral."

As he said that, Bill couldn't help getting interested in the topic.

'He's got quite the loose lips,' he thought.

Before he could ask any more questions, MadLeomon let out a roar, keeping his eyes on his opponent. "There is no point in telling you any more than this. This war must end, one way or another! I only pray once you are defeated, you will remain as an egg until this fighting is done! Beast King's Fallen Fist!"

As he unleashed his signature move again, Dracomon turned to Bill. "Get down!" he shouted, pushing the human away. In the process of doing so, however, he took the full force of the attack and got knocked back.

"Dracomon!" Bill cried out.

Dracomon struggled back to his feet, glaring at MadLeomon. "Bill… I got this guy. You help Kiran get those people out of the gym," he told him.

Bill widened his eyes at those words. "What are you talking about? You want me to abandon you?!"

"I'm telling you to save your life! You know as well as I do that there is nothing you can do against that monster! Even an idiot would know that! And there is nothing here we can use to catch him off guard like earlier!"

"Even so, I won't run!" Bill exclaimed, rushing to Dracomon's side. "I was more or less often told to do things for the sake of others, and always did exactly that… All because I took those as a responsibility! Now the one time I actually feel like helping someone, I'm getting denied to do that? The one time I am doing it because I want to! My own peer is getting involved and clearly has been hurt plenty of times doing this. As a Student Council President- rather as a person who can see you guys like she can!- I'm not going to turn a blind eye to this! Call it stupid or illogical, it is how I feel! I won't run and leave you with that monster, Dracomon!"

Dracomon could only stare at his in shock. He has read plenty of stories pertaining humans and monsters fighting and knew well that Bill was not the sort of human who could fight. Despite that, Bill was still going to stay? Even though he wanted to be away from here earlier?

A smile made its way to his face. "Can't be helped. I won't say I'll definitely protect you, but I won't let him lay a claw on you!" he vowed.

"Don't even worry about me. I'll pull my own weight!"

At those words, Bill's body suddenly started to glow, as did Dracomon's. The two and MadLeomon were perplexed by the sight, as the light came out of the human, and took on the form of a Digivice much like Kiran's.

"A Digivice?!" Bill gasped.

'Digivice?' MadLeomon mentally repeated.

"If I have this, then…" Bill trailed off there, as he turned to Dracomon, who still glowing and looking back at him.

With a nod from the Digimon, Bill had made up his mind, and raised his Digivice, causing the light from its screen and Dracomon's light to glow brighter.

---

DIGIVOLUTION

"Dracomon Digivolve to!"

Dracomon's body grew bigger, becoming an older, fiercer version of himself. His body turned dark blue, red wings turning blue and white, and a red horn grew out of his snout. Even the horns on his head became spiky. Once the Digivolution was done, he breathed out flames from his mouth.

"Coredramon!"

---

Bill widened his eyes at the sight of Dracomon's new form. Before he looked like a baby dragon, but now? He was definitely an adult dragon.

"Another fast Digivolution?!" MadLeomon gasped.

"Do you not know?" Coredramon spoke, confusing the beast Digimon. "I don't know how it is in the Digital World, but here, those who do not abide to the rules, get strictly punished!"

"Get him!" Bill shouted.

"Blue Flare Breath!" Coredramon breathed out blue flames from his mouth right at MadLeomon.

"Don't screw with me! Beast King's Fallen Fist!" MadLeomon unleashed his lion-shaped aura punch again at Coredramon. The two attacks collided, coming to a standstill. "Don't get cocky just because you are able to Digivolve, brat! With power that great are responsibilities youngsters like you are not ready to handle!"

"That is not for you to decide!" Bill retorted. "We may be young, and we may be inexperienced, but that doesn't mean we won't do what needs to be done!"

"Now feel our ambition… in these flames!" Coredramon shouted, putting more strength in his attack, and successfully burning through MadLeomon's aura.

"What?!" was all the guy could gasp out, as he got struck by the flames.

His corpse-like body gradually burned down, revealing what seemed to be a chore at the center of his chest.

"That looks like a weak point! Strike it!" Bill called.

Coredramon did not need to be told twice, as he flew over to MadLeomon and thrusted his claws at the core, destroying it. The moment it was destroyed, MadLeomon let out a scream and dissipated away into data, leaving behind a certain small badge that changed into a chip.

Bill panted as he witnessed MadLeomon's passing. All the adrenaline he was experimenting before left his head, as he fell flat on his butt. 'We… We got one down,' he thought. 'God, that was mentally exhausting. Umira-san went through this twice?'

As soon as he thought that, Meg's scream was heard, and he turned to see the armored fish get knocked down by Baboongamon.

"Geh… Sorry, Kira…" she groaned, before turning back into Betamon.

"Meg!" Kiran cried out, carrying an unconscious teenage girl out of the gym.

"Coredramon! Help her!" Bill told the dragon.

"No need to tell me twice!" he said, making his way towards the remaining enemy.

Kiran noticed the new Digimon approaching. 'Is that Dracomon? Then…' She looked to where Bill was, seeing no sign of MadLeomon. Though she did spot the chip lying on the floor not too far from him.

"Kaichou! Use that DigiChip!" she called out to him.

"DigiChip?" Bill repeated in question.

"I told you before, didn't I? When I defeated Piddomon and Peacockmon, they left behind a chip containing their moves. That's why!"

"Use it to gain some advantage, right? Got it!" Bill scrambled back to his feet and searched for MadLeomon's chip. "Let's see… I think I saw it right… Here!"

Taking the unconscious girl to a safe place, Kiran noticed Bill retrieving the chip and informed, "Since it's your first time using that chip, once you insert it into your Digivice, you need to manually select a move it contains, and point the screen at Dracomon!"

"Got it!" As soon as he gave his response, Bill inserted the chip in his device, reading through the list of moves MadLeomon knew. "We saw how strong this one was. Beast King's Fallen Fist!"

As the light from the Digivice glowed at his call, Bill pointed the light at the dragon Digimon, transferring the move to him. Feeling power well up in him, Coredramon clenched his claws into a fist and pulled it back. "Beast King's Fallen Fist!" He threw the punch forward, unleashing his own lion-shaped aura at Baboongamon.

The baboon Digimon heard the attack coming and turned to face the attack. With a screech, it slammed its arms down, hurling rocks its arms at it, weakening it, and slammed its tail at it, cancelling it out.

"That monkey knows how to cancel it out?!" Kiran gasped, holding Meg in her arms.

"Dang it. Dracomon! At least keep it busy!"

"It's Coredramon now!" the dragon Digimon corrected, before approaching the remaining Digimon enemy, getting in a rumble with him.

As he was keeping Baboongamon busy, Bill rushed to Kiran's side. "Umira-san! How's Meg?"

"She's okay. I hope," Kiran answered, putting her digital friend in a safe area.

Meg groaned before opening her eyes. "I'm okay… but monkey is… too fast. Faster than bird. Hits harder, too."

The two humans grew confused by this, until they heard Coredramon's pained scream, and turned to see the baboon strike the dragon hard with his tail, knocking him down.

"Coredramon!" Bill called in worry.

"I'll lend you my DigiChip! Focus on stopping that baboon!" Kiran instructed, handing him Piddomon's DigiChip.

"Right. Thanks!" he thanked, accepting the chip.

---

Back inside with Will, he managed to finally get all the rubble off of the gym owner and the dragon Digimon holding them up away from the unconscious man. The Digimon instantly let out a sigh of relief and slumped down on his back.

"Ugh… I thought… I was going to die…" he weakly breathed out.

Will also slumped down on his butt, tired from moving all the heavy debris away. "You got some strength… for a little guy," he stated. Glancing at the 'mon, he noticed something else about him. "Hang on… Aren't you that same Digimon with my bro?"

"Huh? What same Digimon?"

True to Will's words, the dragon Digimon keeping the owner alive was none other than Dracomon. A Dracomon, rather.

'A twin, then?' Will wondered, looking back to the battle outside.

To his bafflement, while the lion monster was nowhere in sight now, he was witnessing a bigger dragon fight against the baboon monster.

"Wah! A-A bigger dragon?!" he gasped.

Dracomon picked his head up and looked at the fight taking place. "Ah! A Coredramon?!" he gasped.

"Coredramon?" Will repeated.

Rather than answer, Dracomon rushed to the battle outside.

"Wha-?! Wait a second!" he called, before getting back up on his feet and carried the owner on his back.

---

Coredramon struggled to do anything to Baboongamon. As much as he wanted to land his breath attack on it, with how swiftly it was moving about, going from building to building, it gave Coredramon no chance at all to land a hit. Of course, he was also not foolish enough to just breathe flames everywhere. Not at the risk of burning the buildings around them.

"Dang it. I can't get a good aim," he grumbled. "Bill! I need that DigiChip boost!"

"Got it!" Bill replied, inserting the chip into his Digivice.

"Against an enemy that speedy, you best use Pid Speed," Kiran advised, carrying another unconscious human out of the gym. "That's the only speedy attack I have."

"Yeah, about that…" Bill spoke, grabbing her attention. "Is there an ownership limit or something with these chips?"

Kiran grew confused at that. "What do you mean?"

"Because…" Bill trailed off, as he showed Kiran what was being shown on his Digivice. That being a red 'x' displayed on the screen.

Kiran was baffled by this. A red 'x'? "Don't tell me… Only one user can use these DigiChips?" she wondered out loud.

"Come on, Coredramon! What are you doing?!" the two then heard, much to their bafflement.

They turned and were puzzled to see another Dracomon by them.

"Fight back! You're going to get creamed at this rate! Take that stupid monkey down!" he shouted.

"Another Dracomon?!" Bill gasped.

"My god, it's just one thing after another lately," Kiran stated, wondering if she was ever going to catch a break from all this craziness.

From above, Baboongamon dashed down from the buildings, making its way towards the two humans and Dracomon, in which Coredramon noticed.

"Bill!" He hastily got in Baboongamon's way, just in time for the Digimon to swing its tail at him, striking him in the throat.

"Coredramon!" Bill called in worry.

Coredramon stood his ground, and turned to his foe. "Blue Flare Breath!" He breathed out his blue flames at the monkey Digimon, causing him to screech in pain from the burn.

Unfortunately, he couldn't breathe the flames out for long, with the pain inflicted on his throat earlier, as he let out coughs, cancelling the attack.

"Hey! Don't stop there!" Dracomon called.

"Idiot! He can't keep breathing flames with an injured throat!" Kiran scolded. "We need to keep away from here!"

"Good call. Any more people inside?!" Bill asked Kiran.

"No one else!" came Will's voice, as he finally rejoined the group, to Bill's shock.

"Will?!"

"No time for questions! We need to get the people away from here!"

Just as Kiran said that, unfortunately, they heard something clash and turned to see Baboongamon finish off Coredramon, knocking him down, as he turned back into Dracomon.

"Dracomon!" Bill rushed to the downed Digimon.

With another Digimon taken out, the monkey Digimon- recovering from its burns- let out some victory hoots and screeches.

Kiran grimaced as she looked up at Baboongamon. Compared to the previous Digimon, this one was just unpredictable. It didn't help that it couldn't speak human. Not only that, but they were still in the middle of a city; they shouldn't do any more damage here than already done.

"Why you! How dare you do that to Dracomon!" Will's Dracomon exclaimed, running towards Baboongamon.

"Hey, stop!" Will called out to him, only to be ignored, as Dracomon jumped and spin about.

"Tail Smash!" he shouted, slamming his tail against the baboon Digimon's face with all his strength.

Sadly, it wasn't enough, as Baboongamon smacked him back down to the ground.

"Dragon!" Will rushed to Dracomon, and helped him up. "Are you crazy?! You saw how strong that thing is!"

"I don't care! That stupid money has got to go!" Dracomon leapt up once more to strike Baboongamon, only for it to be unfazed again, and once again slam Dracomon back down.

Again, the dragon did not stay down, as he instead slowly stood back up. "This… stupid monkey!" And again, he rushed towards Baboongamon, only for the same thing to happen again.

"Kiran! Isn't there anything we can do?!" Bill questioned.

"Even if you ask me that…" Kiran trailed off, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what to do in this case.

---

Unknown to them all, on the rooftops not far from them, a certain figure watched the battle taking place. A frown on her lips.

'It seems this one is out of their league,' she thought. 'I stayed back, wondering what other potentials they have. But it seems, it's still too early for them.' The figure reached for a gun in a holster strapped to her side, only to stop as she caught sight of something else.

"Hm?"

---

Back at the battle, Dracomon once again tried to attack Baboongamon, only for it to be unfazed by the hit, and slam the dragon back down to the ground once more.

The humans were astonished at the sight. Doesn't this Digimon see how hopeless it was to keep trying? The difference in power was too great. More than that, the two Digimon that could've stood a chance against the Digimon got taken out by it. What was that stubborn little thing thinking?

One of them couldn't help but think back to just a little earlier, when Dracomon risked itself to save the gym owner. He didn't need to. He was a different species from them! And yet, he still went out of his way to help? For what reason?

"Can you just stop it?!" Bill shouted at Will's Dracomon. "Don't you see that you're too weak against that Digimon?! Why the heck are you still trying to fight it?!"

"Isn't it obvious…?" Dracomon asked back, weakly standing back up on his feet. "This isn't a matter of who's stronger… This is a matter of pride!"

The humans were baffled by the answer. "Pride? Just that?"

"It's not 'just' anything! Dragons are supposed to be the strongest and most noble creatures! And yet one of my kin got beaten by a monkey! You heard that laughing screech it did, didn't you?! That thing was definitely mocking my kind! On my pride as a dragon, I refuse to back down!" At that shout, Dracomon once again rushed at Baboongamon. Unlike before, though, rather than attack him, he grabbed it by the hand and pulled, angling his body in an attempt to throw his enemy over his shoulder, only for nothing to happen. Even Baboongamon found it pointless to continue fighting the weaker dragon at this point.

"We have to do something!" Bill told Kiran.

"I know! But our two Digimon are down, and it's not like we can do any-" Kiran got cut off as she saw Will retreat back in the gym, to her shock. "Wha-?! Will-kun! Where are you-?!"

Baboongamon grabbed hold of Dracomon and lifted him up to his face. Before he could do anything else to him, the dragon Digimon opened his mouth at it. "Baby Breath!" He breathed out his flames at his face. This time finally doing some damage to the monkey Digimon, though more successfully irritated it even more as he raised his arm up and slammed Dracomon down.

Kiran and Bill were horrified by the sight. Especially as the dust settled, revealing Dracomon's body acting a little funny.

"Tell me I'm not seeing his body breaking down," Kiran requested. Sadly, she got nothing but silence from Bill.

Baboongamon was not as soft-hearted, as he looked down on Dracomon for a brief moment, and raised a leg. It didn't take either humans long to know what was going to happen, as Bill turned Kiran away from what was going to happen next.

Before Baboongamon could lower the leg, he was suddenly struck by a weight plate tossed to his head, leaving a crack on his rock mask that made him recoil a bit.

Dracomon- somewhat recovered from his body's breakdown- leapt up at his face with a war cry. "Tail SMASH!" With all his strength, he smacked his tail right at the crack, finally dealing some damage to Baboongamon- if the screech was of any indication- as the beast lost its balance and began to fall on its back.

This caught the humans by surprise, as they looked and saw Baboongamon get knocked down, with Dracomon landing on his feet, panting heavily. Footsteps were then heard, and they saw Will rushing out with a long bar in hand.

"I'm going to fight, too!" he exclaimed, to Kiran and Bill's bewilderment and the combating Dracomon's awe.

"'Fight'? You don't actually mean you'll fight with Dracomon, do you? Against that Digimon?!" Kiran asked.

"Don't be stupid! I know you're stupid before, but this is way past 'stupid'!" Bill reasoned.

"SHUT UP!" Will shouted silencing them. "After seeing a little guy like you risk your hind for us… God, how pathetic do I have to be all this time? Getting so cautious around all of you monsters. I have my own pride, too. My pride as a man!" Baboongamon soon recovered from the double strikes as it got back up. "Now come at us, you stupid monkey! I ain't scared of you. Not ever again! For I am… A MAN!"

Dracomon smirked at those words. "That's what I want to hear… from the human I respect!"

As soon as he said those words, his body and Will's started to glow, catching their attention. Especially as the light around Will brought out a little something from him.

"What the…? The heck is this?" he asked.

"Will! Grab hold of that Digivice!" Bill told him. "If you have that, you'll help Dracomon get stronger!"

"Huh? Like your's did? But your's couldn't do anything to that thing before!" Will argued.

"This could be different!" Kiran retorted. "Call it a feeling. But after that last strike, your Dracomon could…!"

Will wasn't sure if he should believe her about the Digimon by him, but taking into consideration how much bigger and stronger Baboongamon was, he decided he may as well take his chances, and took hold of his Digivice.

---

DIGIVOLUTION

"Dracomon Digivolve to!"

Dracomon's body grew bigger, becoming an older, fiercer version of himself, much like Bill's Dracomon did. Unlike Bill's Dracomon, his body turned green instead of blue, with his red wings turning green and white, and a red horn grew out of his snout. Even the horns on his head became spiky. Once the Digivolution was done, he leg out a fearsome roar.

"Coredramon!"

---

As Coredramon let out another roar, the humans were baffled upon seeing his appearance. Similar to Bill's Dracomon, yet the color is different?

Baboongamon did not seem to think much of the change, as he hurled more rocks from his arms at the newly Digivolved Digimon.

"Look out!" Kiran called out.

Coredramon's eyes widened a bit, his pupils contracted, as he charged at the boulders, avoiding each of them with ease.

"Whoa, he's fast!" Bill gasped.

"That's not it," Will spoke. His voice calmer compared to before. "Looking at it up close, those boulders are just predictable."

After passing by all the hurled rocks, Coredramon swung his claws at Baboongamon's cracked rocky face, sending him tumbling back. Baboongamon quickly recovered from the strike and leapt away from the green opponent, taking it to the rooftops and leapt around the Coredramon.

Bill's Dracomon regained consciousness right then, and saw the Baboongamon moving about so swiftly. "C-Careful!" he struggled to say. "That Digimon… He confuses you first before-!"

"Yeah, I know," Coredramon interrupted. "Don't worry about me. None of that means nothing to me."

"He's right. If you're going up against someone fast, you don't fight speed with speed," Will stated. "You don't go to them."

At this point, Baboongamon leapt down at Coredramon, and swung his tail at him. Before the attack can connect, the green dragon Digimon turned to the monkey Digimon and grabbed the rocky tail, to the foe's and humans' bafflement.

"They come to you," Coredramon finished for Will, a smirk on his face. "So kind of you to come down here, you stupid monkey. Now how about you take what you've been giving?!" He landed a clean punch at Baboongamon once more, seemingly dazing it, and tossed it into the air.

"Slam it down hard!" Will shouted.

"Just what I had in mind!" Coredramon wasted no time and flew up to the airborne Baboongamon. "You like to strike hard? Strike this! Strike Bomber!" With a spin, he slammed his tail at the monkey Digimon hard, sending it flying down to the ground. Without giving it a chance to recover, Coredramon flew back down to him, tail at ready once more. "And one more! Strike BOMBER!" He slammed his tail down at the enemy once more, causing him to finally disperse into data, and defeated him for good.

"Yes! Nice one!" Will cheered.

Kiran and Bill, on the other hand, were just baffled. An opponent Meg and Bill's Dracomon had a problem with… handled without an issue by Will and his Coredramon.

No, more than that, Kiran couldn't believe she actually found not one, but two of the Chosens Peacockmon spoke of. While she doubt she had to worry much about Bill, she did wonder how she was going to properly explain to Will about the whole thing.