Woah, when I first started this, I never thought I'd get all the way to this point...and it's been less than a month!

Okay, I'm not going to put this chapter off. Enjoy!

The Dungeon

Matt was waiting, his partner standing very still in deep thought. After several moments of silence, Gabumon sighed and shook his head. "I don't know, Matt. I know we've been in a place like this before, but I can't really put a paw on it."

The human smiled at his companion and decided to explain. "It's been a while since we've been there, but Myotismon's castle was just like this."

Recognition filled Gabumon's face. "That's it! Do you think this is the same castle?"

"I don't know," Matt shrugged. "I thought it was destroyed as we were leaving through that door to the Real World."

"Same here," Gabumon replied as the two continued walking down the hall. It was a long corridor, and ended in a small flight of stairs leading up to a wall. Matt stopped in disappointment, seeing no way to go beyond that point. He jumped in surprise as he found Gabumon standing next to him. The digimon seemed just as shocked, not realizing he had ceased walking on the ceiling. Matt chuckled.

"Well that solves that."

Gabumon nodded, but turned to the wall with a disturbed look. "But it's a dead end."

The human replied with a sigh, and cast a glance behind him towards the hall they just traversed. He spun around to do a double take. Matt's jaw dropped slightly, and he murmured to his companion.

"Uh, Gabumon?"

"Hmm?" The digimon replied, turning also. Gabumon gasped and reacted in a similar manner to Matt. "Oh. How...?"

There was no longer a long dark hallway behind them, but rather a long staircase leading upwards. It was hard to fathom the change that took place just behind their backs. The first step lay not even a foot away from where Matt stood.

"Do we go up?" Gabumon asked his friend.

Matt looked over his shoulder to make sure the wall was still there. It was. He faced the huge stairwell in front of him. "Nowhere else to go, so I guess that's a yes."

The two began the trek up the newly discovered path. They spiralled up several floors, which made Matt curious as to how high the building went, or how deep they were underground. The stairwell was built around a pillar of stone so that there was no way for him to look and see how many levels were above them. He could only hope that the way out was around the next corner. When it didn't come for several more turns, Matt finally stopped and turned to Gabumon.

"How about we digivolve? This is getting kind of old."

"Glad to," Gabumon said excitedly. Matt didn't bother to hold out his device as his partner began to glow. "Gabumon digivolve to...Garurumon!"

The human vaulted onto his companion's back, and the two were swiftly off, racing up the final flights of stairs. It was definitely a pleasant contrast to the slow progress of walking. Still, after a minute of sprinting, Matt noticed his partner was breathing quite heavily, and the air felt thick as it brushed past them. It took some time, but they did finally reach the end of that long staircase. Matt leapt off of Garurumon, and stretched his arms as the champion dedigivolved. They continued on, slower now, in order for Gabumon to catch his breath. Matt felt rather uneasy in the thickening atmosphere.

"Sorry to make you run through that, Gabumon. It's kind of humid."

The digimon took one last deep breath. "I'll be fine. Do you think we're close to the ocean?"

"Feels like it, doesn't it?" The two were once again walking down a corridor. If it weren't for the change in atmosphere, Matt would have thought they were going in circles.

The scenery soon changed as the hallway turned a corner, and the two came upon what looked like an old abandoned prison block. The two took their time, not exactly enjoying the place, but not being able to help but take a glance at each cell they passed. Doors of iron bars stood left and right, and for the most part the cells were empty. Eventually however, they came upon a curious sight. There was a strange creature locked up behind bars. Its body seemed to be made of pure darkness save for the grey eyes. It was as tall as a full grown man, which wasn't too much taller than Matt. Its limbs were long and skinny, and used them to reach through the bars as Matt and Gabumon approached. The pair paused and looked suspiciously at the creature. There was no way it could be a digimon.

"What happened to you?" Matt said quietly. He wasn't expecting the answer that came. On first impression the creature didn't even look like it could talk. It strained against the bars, deep groans beginning to leave its throat. It finally spoke in a rasping voice.

"It was my Master."

The response caught Matt by surprise. "What?"

"We tried to rebel against his harsh rule, but he imprisoned me and tortured my comrades. I do not think they survived."

The words sent chills through the human's body, and he wasn't sure what to think. He definitely didn't trust the gangly creature, but it seemed sincere enough. The Shade continued.

"We are weak compared to the Master and his allies. After he captured us, he turned us over to one of his henchmen, and I have not left the dungeons since. We do not have the strength to rebel, and the only one who can lead us to victory is our enemy."

"What are you saying?"

"The Queen of Light. She has the power to defeat the Master, but her presence is painful to us and she refuses to help."

"Queen of Light..." Matt paused to ponder over the creature's words. The being fit a description Kari once gave to Tai that he had overheard. Kari. What was her full name? Hikari. The Crest of Light. She must be the queen the Shade was talking about. Matt gave the creature behind bars a look of finality and strode onward, ignoring the grunts and moans that ensued. He wasn't going to give his aid to one of the creatures that once attacked his best friend's sister. He and Gabumon went on in silence, still sparing each prison cell a glance, but not giving attention to any more imprisoned Shades.

At last there came an end to the cell block, as Matt spotted the huge doors that led to the rest of the castle. He smiled in relief and hurried the last few metres. The doors looked heavy, but before he could attempt to open them, he felt a tug at his jeans that was followed by Gabumon's voice.

"Matt, look!"

The boy turned to see his partner staring off into one of the cells, pointing fervently. Matt followed his partner's troubled gaze and looked beyond the bars of the cell adjacent to them. His jaw dropped.

"Wha?" Matt took a breath, speechless as he ran forward and grabbed the steel bars. "Patamon!"