"So, you want to know how to unlock the Crest of Darkness?" A demonic voice surrounded BlackGuilmon as he floated in the nothingness of his subconscious. "I thought you said you didn't want my help."

"I didn't say anything about advice!" Blacky whined. "I feel like I might need some guidance."

"All you must know is that the power of the crests will be revealed in time." The voice cooed. "But heed this warning; do not try to evoke the powers of the crest when your mind is not sound. If your emotions run wild, so will your evolution, and you will lose yourself."

"That sounds dangerous." Blacky shifted around. The darkness around him began to creep along his body like a thousand spiders.

"Oh, don't worry, young one." The voice assured him. "If you ever lose control, I'll make sure to take over for you in your time of need."

"I gotta get going. Will and I are going out for patrol." Blacky bowed his head. "By the way, what should I call you?"

"Duke." The voice chuckled. "Call me Duke."

…

Platinum sighed in frustration as she walked with her mother down into the mall parking lot. She carried four bags of clothing in her arms, all stuff she didn't plan on wearing anytime soon. The sun was beating down hard, and the young tamer was absolutely exhausted from following her shopaholic mother.

"Is this really nessasary?" Platinum gasped. "I feel like my arms are going to pop off like a Barbie doll."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Plato." Zelda smiled, "Don't you think you looked nice in all those dresses?"

The teen grimaced at her nickname. Why does everyone like to call me that?

A soft, rhythmic crowing sound came from behind the two. Hawkmon jumped to them. "Wow! Zelda, look at all that stuff!" She said. "It's a lot less than normal. Are you feeling well?"

"Just fine!" Zelda replied as they reached her minivan. "It's all for Platinum, dear."

Renamon's voice hissed from within the Digivice. "I'd hate to see how much she'd get for herself…"

"Platinum, dear, put those in the trunk." The woman motioned as she and Hawkmon entered the van. The trunk suddenly popped open, prompting Platinum to store her shopping bags inside.

"Well, hello there." A familiar voice whispered into Platinum's ear. She dropped the bags into the trunk and turned to see an older girl with pink hair.

"You…" Platinum stuttered. She remembered Aoi Nobou all too well. The older girl's brown eyes flashed with amusement.

"Platinum? What is it?" Renamon called. The redhead covered her D-Wrist.

"Relax." She said smoothly. "I'm not here to fight you."

"Right. Am I supposed to believe that?" Platinum wasn't going to be swayed by the girl's words.

"I thought it would be a good idea to tell you that Starmon is planning another attack later at sunset. The port to be exact."

Platinum froze. "Why would you tell me that?"

Aoi stepped closer to the younger girl, dipping her head so that it was only a few inches away from Platinum's. "You'll need the heads up…" She whispered. "There is a storm coming, kid, and you better prepare yourself, or you'll be swept away into a black torrent of nothingness."

Platinum forced herself to stare into Aoi's eyes. They seemed soulless, dark and intimidating. The redhead tensed, expecting Aoi to do something lethal.

But Aoi simply pulled away from her. She smiled and strolled away leisurely, leaving the younger tamer to catch her breath.

Platinum heaved a sigh of relief as the woman left. "God, my heart almost stopped."

"Plato, dearie?" Zelda called. "What are you doing back there?"

The tamer steadied her breathing and hurried to the front seat of the vehicle. "Nothing, Mom. Just found some useful information."

…

"Really? Good, cause I'm actually pretty close to the port, actually." Will said as he floated with Blacky on the Upper Bay. The two were riding on Ikkakumon as they patrolled the outside of Manhattan.

Platinum was talking on Will's cell phone. "Just remember not to take him on yourself, Will. Wait until I get the others."

"Soul is around these parts too." Will stated as he checked his D-Wrist's radar. A light blue spot was blinking a few miles away. "I'll get her."

"Alright. I'm counting on you." Platinum finished. Will put his phone away.

"What's going on at the port?" Blacky asked his tamer.

"Starmon's coming to fight us again."

"Oh boy, that's not good."

"Perhaps I can be of service again." Ikkakumon spoke up. Since he had been captured by Will, he had not only become a reliable source of water transportation, but also an able fighter whenever Blacky was put at a disadvantage, which was unfortunately rare.

"Oh course. Let's begin by getting on land." Will pointed to the direction of the city. Ikkakumon grunted and drifted into port.

"It's getting cloudy." Will commented on the black clouds that covered the sky. "I hope this isn't a bad sign…"

…

"Soul!" Will and the degenerated Gigimon found the blonde tamer on Broadway. She was looking around, studying the area for some reason. She was simply sitting on a bus stop with Lopmon next to her.

"Oh. Will. Hi." Soul's looked terrible. Her clothing was wrinkled and dirty, and her eyes had bags under them. Lopmon clasped her tiny hands together.

"You look terrible." Will shuddered. "Are you okay?"

Soul waver her hand. "Oh, of course. Just didn't get that much sleep last night. Don't mind me. What were you going to say?

"Starmon's going to attack the port." Will announced. "We're headed to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal."

"What?" Soul's voice was edged with fear. "I mean… We have to go stop him…"

"You sure you're okay?" Gigimon asked.

"Never better." Soul yawned again.

Will could tell she was lying, but he knew Soul. She wouldn't do something dangerous if she know she couldn't handle it. "Let's go then." Will nervously said. "I have a way to get there quick."

"Really…" Lopmon murmured. She was making a motion that said 'Fighting not a good idea'.

Will didn't pick up on Lopmon's cues. "I found a lost Digimon on the bay today. It's a Bird Digimon. We can fly on it."

Soul snapped her fingers. "Good going! Gosh, I wish I had a DigiFarm of my own."

"Yeah. On one hand, I get more Digimon. On the other, I have to deal with Ranamon…" Will muttered.

Soul gave the dark-haired tamer a thumbs-up. "Let's see this Bird Digimon!"

Will led Soul and Lopmon into an alley behind a nearby theater. "Reload, Thunderbirmon!" He shouted as he pressed a button on his D-Wrist.

A massive Bird Digimon materialized from the watch. It was dark blue, with electrical patterns on its large spike-tipped wings and back. A large helmet with a bolt-shaped horn covered the top of its head. Its talons were also in the shape of electric bolts.

"At your service." Thunderbirmon's voice was strong like thunder. He then turned to Soul, and instantly began a light birdsong. "Oh my! How might this lovely woman be?"

"What's with this frisky bird?" Lopmon asked.

"He's a bit of a hopeless romantic." Gigimon sighed. "Thunderbirmon! Give us a ride, would ya?"

"Oh course! Anything for my buddies!" Thunderbirmon cawed. "And of course, a lovely lady!"

"Keep your feathers to yourself, would you." Soul stuck out her tongue playfully.

Will jumped onto the massive bird Digimon and pulled Soul on board. "Let's go already."

Soul gripped onto Will's back. He could sense the fear radiating from her. Yesterday wasn't the first time we've lost a battle... The dark-haired tamer thought to himself. Why is she so terrified now?

…

"Down there!" Will shouted. Thunderbirmon nodded and set down on the dock of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, surprising a crowd of people.

"Don't worry!" Will yelled as he slid of his Bird Digimon. "We're professionals!"

"Hey! Everyone's gotta clear out of here!" BlackGuilmon yelped. "Bad Digimon are coming here soon!"

The crowd dispersed, leaving only the tamers and their Digimon alone. Will sighed. "Okay, the sun's almost down. I'm going to call Platinum to see if she's on her way."

"What? No! Call everyone!" Soul called out.

"Don't worry." Will smiled. "She's brining Viral and Spade with her."

Soul wasn't eased. "I mean everyone! Ranamon! Our parent! We could never have too many Digimon!"

"You're really starting to over-react…" Will sounded worried.

"Mama…" Lopmon murmured.

The sun became a thin line above the bay as the sky turned a deep chocolate color. The wind became abnormally strong, blowing Will's messy hair into his eyes. He released Ikkakumon and prepped his backup Digimon for battle.

A gust of wind shook the wooden boardwalk the group was standing on. "It's coming." Blacky snarled.

A massive whirlwind engulfed the docks. Within the center of the gale was SuperStarmon, gleaming in the sunset. The wind dissipated, and the Ultimate approached the tamers.

"You! I was looking for you." SuperStarmon clenched its fists in rage. "Vengeance will be mine."

"Damn… I guess we'll have to buy some time by fighting." Will gritted his teeth. Soul whimpered but nodded.

"Digivolve!" Will and Soul said in unison. Blacky grew to a tremendous height and became BlackGrowlmon. Lopmon cried out, but remained the same.

"Lopmon," Soul called. "This is the part where you turn into Turuiemon."

"I'm trying!" The Digimon struggled. "It's not working."

"Super Star Soaker!" SuperStarmon shot giant stars at the group of Digimon.

"Harpoon Torpedo!" Ikkakumon launched its horn at the attack. The stars swallowed the missile and broke into tiny pieces of data.

Blacky rushed the Ultimate, who was about to cast another Super Star Soaker. He bit down into its arm, clawing it as he held on. Thunderbirmon aided his comrade by slashing with its talons.

"Lopmon! Digivolve already!" Soul stamped her feet. "Will can't do this by himself!"

"There's nothing I can do!" Lopmon was just as baffled as her tamer. "Maybe you're doing something wrong?"

Meteors fell from the sky at SuperStarmon's command. "Halley's Squall!" The massive space rocks pelted the dock, creating large holes in the wooden boardwalk. Soul had barely enough time to jump out of the way from them.

Will was shielded by Blacky, who jumped away from the Ultimate to protect his partner. "Soul! What's going on?"

"I could have been killed, Lopmon!" The female tamer had tears in her eyes. "Don't you remember what happens if I die?"

Will wore a confused look. "What are you talking about? What happens?"

"Thunderstorm!" Thunderbirmon flapped its wings, causing a shower of electricity to rain down on SuperStarmon. The attack came down upon the Vaccine Type like a thousand needles.

"Gah!" The enemy Digimon growled in pain. "Galactica Eyes!" Its sunglasses lit up red, and a beam of energy ripped through the air, impaling one of Thunderbirmon's wings.

The Armor Digimon fell into the bay. Will commanded Ikkakumon to retrieve him. The Aquatic Digimon nodded and jumped into the water after the giant bird. SuperStarmon didn't seem to care as he shot blast after blast from his eyes, blowing up anything that was in his line of sight.

"Blacky, It's all you, big guy!" Will placed his hand on the Champion's thigh. "We gotta last until Platinum and the others get here."

"Right. I can take him." BlackGrowlmon nodded. "Dark Blade!" The dark dragon roared as he slashed the Ultimate with the blades on its elbows. SuperStarmon seemed to smile as he shot beams at the Virus Type, who was able to deflect them.

Blacky brought his blades down on SuperStarmon. The Mutant Digimon caught them, struggling to push him away. "You're strong, BlackGrowlmon!" He praised the dragon. "That virus within you is truly something."

"I'm not sure what you're talking about, but thanks." Blacky sneered. "Now I'm going to take you out."

"Oh really?" SuperStarmon chuckled. "Then I'll have to make things unfair for you."

Will clenched his fists. He could barely hear what SuperStarmon was saying because of the argument between Soul and Lopmon that was going on behind him.

"My fault? You're the Digimon! You're the one who's supposed to transform!"

"Well, you're the one with the Digivice! That watch is what makes me evolve!"

"Shut up! Both of you!" Will turned around. "You aren't going to figure this out by yelling at each other!"

"Will!" Blacky roared. "Watch out!"

Will turned behind him to see a beam barely missing his legs, hitting the wooden platform under him and exploding in a puff of splinters and smoke. He was thrown over the boardwalk and into the water.

"Will!" Soul screamed. Lopmon was completely terrified.

At that moment, Ikkakumon had surfaced with Thunderbirmon draped over him. Blacky rumbled, "Will fell into the bay! You gotta save him!"

"Right!" Ikkakumon hoisted Thunderbirmon back onto the deck and headed back underwater.

"Lost without our tamer, I see." SuperStarmon snickered. He held out his hands. "Super Star Soaker!"

BlackGrowlmon was consumed by a mass of star-shaped bubbles. He cried out in pain as the attack drained his energy.

"Blazing Ice!" Lopmon shot a blast of ice at Blacky, freeing him from the attack. But the damage was too great, and Blacky fell to the floor. He was still conscious, but unable to move.

"Now that you're down," SuperStarmon flicked the Dragon Digimon in the snout. "I can take all the time I want to take you two out." He raised his hands over his head, scowling at the girls before him. "Halley's Squall!"

Meteors fell at alarming speeds. Soul attempted to dodge them all, but the sheer amount was too much for the young girl. She lost her footing, and a meteor graze her side. She fell on top of Lopmon, her heart racing.

Blood welled from the wound on the girl's side. Her eyes welled up with tears from the pain. It wasn't a serious injury, but it was more than enough to cause Soul to freeze up in shock.

"Mama! Mama!" Lopmon covered the wound with her ears. "Don't worry, Mama. I've got you. I'll protect you."

"I don't want to die…" Soul sobbed quietly. "Please, I don't want to die."

Lopmon continued to comfort her mother. Her pretty brown and pink fur was now covered in red blotches. "It's going to be okay, Mama." Her voice was shaking. "I won't let you die."

"I'm going to win." SuperStarmon cracked his knuckles. "Where so many others failed, I will succeed. Milleniummon will surely throw a feast in my honor!" The Ultimate's fists began to glow. "Now to end this. Super Star Soaker!"

SuperStarmon launched his attack. Will was missing, and all three of his Digimon were either busy or out of commission. Lopmon clutched her mother as she awaited defeat. Soul shuddered.

Then something unexpected happened. Soul grabbed Lopmon violently and held her in front of the blast.

Lopmon's eyes were wide with fear and shock. Her mother, the woman who raised her from an egg, was using her as a shield. The tiny Digimon tried to thrash around to break free, her eyes filled with tears of betrayal, as her mother turned her head away in fear. Neither one of them noticed the dark red light escaping from Soul's D-Wrist.

"I'm sorry…"

An explosion wrapped the port in a black cloud. SuperStarmon was laughing hysterically. "That's two down. There're still the other three, but they seem like pushovers." The sun had set, covering the area in darkness.

The Mutant Digimon walked to the exhausted BlackGrowlmon. He stepped on the dragon's face. "Well, it looks like the tables have been turned, my friend. Milleniummon will become ruler of this world, and you were to powerless to stop it. You're a disgrace."

"Grrr…." Blacky growled weakly. SuperStarmon responded by driving its heel into his snout.

"Shut your maw, trash." The Ultimate stepped away. He then looked at the thick smoke cloud that blanketed the pier. "Hmm?"

SuperStarmon staggered, as if he'd been pushed. "What was that?"

Soul gasped as she regained consciousness. She coughed from the smoke that surrounded her. Her throat was burning, and her side felt like lava. "Whe… Lop…mo…" was all she could squeeze out of her lungs.

A demonic, pained growl surrounded Soul. She could barely see where it was coming from. "Lo…Lopm…." Every sound was an excruciating effort.

"Betray… me…" The growl became easier to understand. "…why…?"

The smoke was cleared by a sudden gust of wind. Soul tried to let out a scream.

A giant monster stood before Soul, silhouetted by the moonlight. Its fur was pale brown, and its skin was blood red. It had a small head and a large muscled body. A skull like hat sat on its head. Its beady red eyes bored into the blonde tamer.

"You…betray…" It said. "Why…?"

Soul swallowed painfully. "Lo…Lopmon?"