Okay, I'm back, so is this story, so let's get rolling.

Disclaimer: Digimon is not my property in any way. I mean, really, wouldn't I be making this into the prospective eighth season if I did?

LAST TIME:
DAICHI: Crossing the canyon was no small feat; not only was our mobility restricted, but we were confronted by Hyogamon, one of the main Digi-Agents as well as the one who sent all those other Digimon after us. And this time he brought in a Golemon. Our attacks didn't seem to work too well, with close-range attacks risking close proximity to Golemon and long-range attacks being virtually useless. This was only made worse by Dracomon's inability to fly as Coredramon. But after I got knocked into the canyon, Dracomon surprised all of us by Digivolving to a Coredramon of a different color who could actually fly. With his help, Stingmon defeated Coredramon, but Hyogamon sent the canyon wall on top of us.

Chapter 7
Cave

A bright light suddenly lit up the rocky walls of the cave. Isamu held the flashlight in his hand and pointed the light at what was their entrance, now blocked by large rocks.

"Do you think he's gone?" Stingmon asked, referring to Hyogamon.

"Even if he is," Daichi replied, "I doubt it would make a difference. Even if we could move these rocks," he pointed to the pile that blocked the entrance, "we'd probably risk another cave-in."

"What do we do now?" Coredramon asked.

"For now, you guys should De-Digivolve," Daichi answered. "It'll only waste your energy." Both Digimon complied. The group was about to walk deeper into the cave when they suddenly heard a low growl. They looked around frantically for the source, fearing another attack. The noise started again.

"Oh, sorry," Dracomon said, "that'd be me. Haven't eaten since breakfast." Daichi brought his hand to his face.

"Of all the Digimon…" he whispered. "Well, I suppose it is close to lunchtime. But I don't think we have time to stop right now."

"No problem," Isamu said, already digging into his backpack. "I have the perfect thing to keep us full for a little while and ensure that we keep moving." He held up four carrots.

"Carrots?" Daichi asked. "Really?"

"Why not?" Isamu said. "They're vegetables so Wormmon can eat them," he tossed one to his partner, "plus they'll help us see better in here," he added humorously. Daichi glared at him.

"How does—?" Dracomon started.

"They have a vitamin that promotes eye function," Daichi interrupted. Isamu threw two of the remaining carrots to him and Dracomon. "Well, I guess it'll keep Dracomon quiet, both stomach and mouth."

The group walked on while eating their snack. Isamu held the flashlight steady in front of them. They all walked for what seemed like hours. It wasn't long before all four had noticed something. At first they thought the cave had been dug out by Golemon, but the tunnels were beginning to lead in many directions. It wasn't impossible that some other Digimon either lived here or frequently visited the cave. Whether there were any Digimon in the cave presently was yet to be determined.

Isamu pulled a pocketknife from his pocket and opened it. He approached a wall where two caves met and made an "X" in it.

"Isamu," Wormmon asked, "what are you doing?"

"Duking it out with the cave wall," Dracomon said. "And winning at that."

"Funny," Isamu said sarcastically. "You two met us at summer camp, and one of the big things they teach you there is how to survive. I'm just leaving a trail behind. That way, if we need to turn back, we have a good idea of where we are."

"Makes sense to me," Dracomon said. "Not," he added to Wormmon.

"Let's just get going," Wormmon said, ignoring Dracomon.

Isamu continued to lead the pack with his flashlight lighting the way, marking the walls of the cave with his knife. He noticed a faint beeping sound coming from behind him. He turned to find Daichi doing something with his D-Power. He flipped the light in his direction to grab his attention. "Hey, Daichi, no offense, but could you do that at a time when we don't have the threat of a new Digimon after us?"

"Sorry," Daichi said, "but I was just checking something out."

"What's that?" Isamu asked.

"Coredramon." Daichi held his D-Power so everyone could see Coredramon on the Digi-Analyzer. The image showed the Digimon in its green-skin form. "After what happened during the last battle, with Coredramon being blue instead of his original green," Daichi explained, "I was trying to find out why he changed."

"What'd you get?" Dracomon asked.

"So far, nothing I'm looking for," Daichi admitted. "But I was able to find something else." Daichi placed two images of the dragon Digimon side by side. "Essentially, both forms are the same in terms of shape, level, and power. But they seem to have different types."

"Seem to?" Isamu repeated.

"It's not noticeable, but Green Coredramon has some sort of properties in its data that make it part-virus type. Blue Coredramon, on the other hand, has properties of a part-vaccine type."

"Part?" Isamu asked. Both Digimon shared his look of confusion.

"It has little to no affect on it psychologically, but is still noticeable," Daichi explained. "Remember how Blue Coredramon could fly? His data allows for strength in his wings. Green Coredramon, however, diverts that same power to the hind legs."

"Okay," Dracomon said, holding his head like when they first met. "Head… hurts… much…" Daichi took this as a cue to put the Digivice away.

"Anyway, I was trying to figure out how the change occurs, perhaps even how to control it." Isamu was about to say something when they heard something ahead of them. They ran until they reached a corner. They looked around it and found what looked like a yellow beetle. It had its hands and nose, which were revealed to be drills, inside the rock wall. It also had a second pair of regular arms under its active ones, along with the bottom legs allowing it to stand.

"Is that who I think it is?" Daichi asked in a whisper.

"It must be," Isamu said. "He has the Crest of Knowledge on his back."

Daichi pulled out his D-Power again as Wormmon asked, "Don't keep us in the dark; we're already there. Who is that?"

"That's Digmon," Daichi said, "an insectoid Digimon, vaccine type, armor level. Watch out for its Gold Rush attack; it's not rich for its targets."

Digmon stopped drilling and turned. Everyone quickly ducked behind the corner to avoid being spotted. "You think he saw us?" Dracomon asked.

"Who's there?" asked a voice that sounded almost like a cowboy. The group heard footsteps.

"That answer your question?" Wormmon retorted.

"What now?" Daichi asked.

"I say we strike the minute he comes around," Dracomon suggested, "then get the heck out of dodge."

"No wait," Isamu said. "We don't know he's going to hurt us."

"Isn't that what you said with Tryannomon?" Dracomon pointed out.

"Har har," Isamu said. The steps began to get closer and soon it was too late to take any action; Digmon was soon in front of them.

"Well, howdy there," he said in a friendly tone. "You guys look like you ain't from around these parts."

After a bit of unease, Isamu spoke up. "If by that you mean the Digital World, you're right."

"Call it a sixth sense," Digmon said. "Name's Digmon, in case you're not aware."

"We're aware," Daichi said, flashing his Digi-Analyzer with Digmon's picture.

"Boy, do I really look that fat?" Digmon said humorously.

"So I take it by the way you're being so friendly with us," Isamu surmised, "you're not a member of the Digi-Agents?"

"Nothin' to do with no Agents, no sir," Digmon replied. "Just here on business."

"What kind of business," Dracomon asked, finally daring to speak.

"You boys ever hear of Chrome Digizoid?" Digmon asked.

"Chrome Digizoid…" Daichi thought. "Isn't that supposed to be the strongest alloy in the Digital World?"

"That is not an exaggeration, my friend," Digmon said. "You see, I'm a treasure hunter by trade. If it's buried, it won't hide from me for long. But I've been at this too long; my drills are beginnin' to dull a bit."

Isamu approached one of his hand drills and touched the point. "Ouch!" he exclaimed. "Dull? You could cut through an entire forest with these!"

"Forests maybe," Digmon admitted, "but not rock. On a good day it might take me at least an hour or two to get in at least one drill-length into solid rock. Back in the day, it would take less than a minute."

"But what does this have to do with Chrome Digizoid?" Wormmon asked.

"Like your friend here said," Digmon explained, "Chrome Digizoid is a tough metal. Not only is it strong, but it's durable. When I heard there might be some ore in this canyon, I immediately started diggin' like I never dug before. If I can line my drills with that stuff, not only will they be sharper than ever, but they'll stay that way for years to come." He paused. "What about you guys? What are you doin' in here?"

"It's a long story," Isamu said.

"Don't worry," Digmon said. "I was thinkin' of takin' a break anyway."

"Well…"

Hyogamon, back in his icy lair, was nervously pacing back and forth. "I don't get it," he said to himself. "Those brats never came back out; they haven't done anything; not even my seeing-crystal can find them. So why do I still feel uneasy?" He turned to look at his crystal, which showed nothing still. "I have to be sure that they're gone once and for all. But how?" Suddenly, he paused to think. "Wait. I just remembered: Golemon was using the tunnels dug by one of my henchman. Careful, kiddies," he said as he touched his crystal, "this is not a drill. But of course, I can see where you'd make that assumption." He chuckled to himself as the crystal glowed.

"Boy, you boys must lead quite a busy life," Digmon said after hearing the boys' story.

"Yeah," Isamu agreed, "two days in the Digital World and we're already making enemies."

"And we still have to find a way out of this cave and to that lake," Dracomon added.

Digmon thought for a moment. "Hey, tell you what: you guys help me find some Chrome Digizoid, and I'll help you get out of here. And, as an added bonus, I'll drop you off within a hundred Digimeters of the lake."

"Assuming 100 Digimeters is a short walk, we'll do it," Daichi said.

Everyone wasted no time. The boys Digivolved their partners (Coredramon had mysteriously become green again) and went straight to work. Daichi used an Iron Drill card so Coredramon could dig through the rock, and Stingmon used his Spiking Strike attack, careful to not cause the cave to collapse.

"How you boys doin' back there?" Digmon asked as he worked on his own section. They all had been working for about two hours.

"We haven't found anything that looks like anything," Isamu said. Stingmon readied another attack.

"We're not finding anything on this end, either," Daichi said. "Who knew Chrome Digizoid would be so hard to find? I mean, you'd think with all the 'Metal' Digimon, it'd be in abundance."

"Sorry to disappoint you," Digmon said. "Truth is I've been down here for a few days now."

"At the rate we're going," Coredramon said, "it might be faster to drop us off right now."

"Maybe," Digmon admitted, "but I'd be worse off than I am now. My drills would be noticeably dull even by you guys."

"He's right, Coredramon," Stingmon said as he struck the wall again. "It would be better for all of us to find the Digizoid." He looked at the wall and struck again. The second he did, however, everyone felt the ground shaking. Isamu looked up at Stingmon. "Don't look at me," the insectoid Digimon said, holding his hands up. "I've been careful about my strikes since we started. I'm not about to blow it now."

"It wasn't us either," Coredramon said. "It would take more than these drills to cause this."

"It's not you guys," Digmon said. He stood facing them, drills in attack position.

"What do you mean?" Isamu said.

"It's comin' from under us," Digmon answered. Immediately after he finished speaking, a large drill appeared in the middle of their chamber.

"What is that?" Isamu asked.

"It's not one of my drills, I can promise you that," Digmon said.

Daichi pulled out his Analyzer, believing this to be the work of a Digimon. "Uh-oh," he said when the picture appeared. "Looks like we've got a Drimogemon on the loose. They're beast Digimon, data type, champion level, and their Iron Drill Spin attack feels like a root canal at the dentist."

The drill continued to rise until Drimogemon's large, purple, mole-like body could be seen. In addition to the drill on his nose, he had three miniature drills on the toes of each foot. He turned to face the Digi-Destined. "So, there you are," he said. "Master Hyogamon wondered what happened to you four."

"Sorry to keep him waiting," Isamu retorted darkly. "Stingmon!" Stingmon immediately drew its blade. "Spiking Strike!" He thrust it forward, only to be blocked by Drimogemon's drill.

"Hey, ugly!" Digmon's voice called out. Before the mole could turn, Digmon had called out his attack. "Gold Rush!" The drills on his hands and nose flew off and struck Drimogemon. Dust flew when the drills made contact and they all returned to Digmon. But when it cleared, Drimogemon showed no sign of damage.

"It that the best you can do?" he taunted.

"Hey, my wares aren't exactly at top performance right now," Digmon answered.

"But mine are," Coredramon said. "Green Core Blast!"

"Moon Blaster!" Stingmon fired a laser blast and combined it with Coredramon's fireball. The attacks hit Drimogemon's body and created an explosion.

When the smoke lifted, Drimogemon said, "I'll admit, I didn't see much in you kids, but now you're forcing me to get serious." The drill on his nose began to spin until it reached a high velocity. "Iron Drill Spin!" He thrust the drill in the direction of the Digi-Destined, who quickly dodged. The drill pierced deep into the wall. When it was pulled out, a silver gleam could be seen in the indent.

"Hey!" Digmon said. "That's it! Chrome Digizoid!" The boys turned to the hole. "If we can apply that to my drills—"

"Say no more," Isamu interrupted. "Daichi, you keep Drimogemon busy a little while longer." Daichi already had a card in his hand. "Stingmon, De-Digivolve."

"Why?"

"Trust me on this." Stingmon did not look convinced but did as he was asked. Once Wormmon stood in front of him, Isamu pulled out his D-3.

Digi-Armor, energize! Wormmon Armor Digivolve to… Shadramon, the Inferno of Courage!

"Now," Isamu ordered, "use your fire to melt that Digizoid to a moldable state." Shadramon pointed his arms at the silver gleam. "Flare Buster!" A few fireballs shot out. "Psychic Wave!" The fire moved slower and surrounded the Digizoid. The metal was pulled out and began to change shape, almost like a cone. Soon it divided itself into five smaller cones. All of them flew over to Digmon and landed in the appropriate places. The fire finally dissipated and Digmon's drills looked shinier than before.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about," he said triumphantly. "Alright, you boys grab hold of the wall." Coredramon let loose one final Core Blast and backed away toward Daichi, who was already leaning against the wall behind him. Isamu and Shadramon did the same. Drimogemon prepared for a final strike. "Rock Crackin'!" Digmon yelled. He lowered all five drills into the floor and it began to crack. The crack sped toward Drimogemon, who turned to see what was happening. Suddenly the floor gave way and created a large hole, with Drimogemon falling in.

The boys and their De-Digivolved partners ran up to Digmon along the wall. "See ya' next fall," the drilled Digimon yelled into the hole.

"Thanks, Digmon," Daichi said.

"My pleasure," Digmon returned. "Now, I believe I owe you guys a run to the outside world." He faced the wall behind him. "All aboard the Digmon Express! Now heading for the lakeside, nonstop." The group grabbed onto Digmon's secondary arms. Isamu pulled his goggles over his face. "Hang on to your hats, everyone; this is gonna be a bumpy ride." Digmon stuck his drills into the rock wall and began to bore through it. Digmon was gone from the chamber before his passengers even knew he was moving.

Next stop: the special lake. What will the Digi-Destined find there? And more importantly, what will Hyogamon's next move be? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

This is CF, signing out.