Oh ho...

That was... very...

Hmm.

"An audience?"

Antylamon nodded. "Yes."

Antylamon didn't elaborate.

This was...

An odd... opportunity, actually.

"Very well."

One that I was going to take.

I followed Antylamon as we headed off to Azulongmon.

Antylamon seemed to easily navigate around, seamlessly following a path that was taking the three of us directly into the deepest parts of the Digital World- the Sovereign's own domain.

It was an odd feeling. Going to meet one of four of some the most powerful Digimon in existence- and also one of the oldest.

Takato's and Guilmon's 'surprise Megidramon' act had prepared me for the whole powerful thing. The old thing, not so much, but that wasn't... that bad.

Antylamon came to a stop in front of a Data Stream, turning around to face me.

"This Stream was prepared by Lord Azulongmon. It will take us directly to him." Antylamon explained.

"No point in holding off then, is there?" I asked, walking forwards.

Antylamon didn't respond, merely turning around and heading off into the stream.

Antylamon was so... well, not boring, but-

I shook my head.

No. Now is not the time.

I touched the Data Stream-

And was whisked away through the Digital World, taken to the very highest layer.

I stepped forwards, taking a moment to admire the Sovereign's domain, the expansive, circular blue ocean, the massive crevice in the center of it, and the four... areas? Castles? Environments?

The individual palaces of the Sovereigns. Whatever.

Didn't matter too much at this particular point in time.

Finally, there was Azulongmon himself.

I do have to say, he looked impressive in the flesh, so to speak.

He hung in the air, surrounded by empyreal blue energies. His body, ethereal, crackling with energy, and surrounded with chains, twisted through the sky, oddly reminiscent of Shenron.

"Sovereign Azulongmon." I greeted.

I could see the curiosity he had in his Heart, accompanied by a slight degree of caution, and several more emotions, blending together. But mostly, I could see the curiosity and interest.

To the side of me, Antylamon bowed, and turned around, walking back to the Data Stream.

"Greetings." Azulongmon's voice thundered, loud and echoing.

In that regard, it was not unlike Megidramon's voice- though it otherwise shared little in common. Certainly, there was none of the underlying, dangerous menace.

Perhaps fitting.

"My name is Drich." I introduced myself, my hand coming up to my chest. "You wished to speak with me?"

"Indeed." Azulongmon stated. "You... are the entity that expressed knowledge of the True Enemy."

"The D-Reaper, yes." I nodded. "You wish to discuss such a thing?"

Azulongmon nodded, his four eyes trained on me. "Yes. But before that..." His eyes flicked downwards slightly- though that was only barely noticeable. "You brought another?"

I reached into my pocket, gently cupping the DigiGnome and slowly bringing it out, cupping it in my hand.

It was so tiny...

Azulongmon stared at it for a moment, his eyes coming back up.

"It fell asleep on me a short while ago- quite literally, at that." I explained. "But the DigiGnomes are cute enough to get away with such a thing."

Azulongmon gave a rumbling grunt of agreement, which was so very reminiscent of the Typical Uchiha Grunt of Agreement(TM) that I simply couldn't help but be reminded of Sasuke.

I looked at the DigiGnome for a moment, before depositing it back into my pocket.

Let it sleep.

"But, I digress." I stated. "The D-Reaper?"

"Yes. I take it that you are already aware of its capabilities and goals?"

"Of course." I looked to the side, taking another glance at all three islands-

And noting that Zhuqiaomon was getting close.

Or at least I assumed it was Zhuqiaomon, anyway. The other two islands- the rocky, mountainous area; and the forested plain, both had a Heart on them.

Baihumon and Ebonwumon, I assumed.

"It seems that your colleague is coming for a visit." I pointed out.

Azulongmon looked up, his eyes glowing for a moment.

"Indeed." He sounded significantly less enthused.

A look at his Heart only confirmed it, weariness appearing.

"Zhuqiaomon will be here shortly." I turned back to Azulongmon. "But anyway, the D-Reaper. I take it you haven't found a solution to it?"

"I haven't." He... didn't sound too pleased to admit that. "I tried to find a way, but I was not successful."

"You did buy more time to find one, however." I noted. "What you did with the Catalyst... having the DigiGnomes transform the Light of Digivolution into a Digimon was a brilliant move, all things considered. It brought time to array forces against the D-Reaper."

Azulongmon stared at me.

I stared back.

"I... will refrain from asking you how know about that." He stated, no small degree of caution in his voice.

"Probably for the best."

"These 'forces'... What are they?"

"Perhaps not as much as is truly necessary... but a group that will be helpful nonetheless." I stated. "A long time ago, they called themselves the Monster Makers."

Azulongmon's eyes widened.

Oh, he knew.

"The original creators of the first Digimon program... reunited together again with the purpose of stopping the D-Reaper." I looked to the side again. "Funny how those things work out, isn't it?"

Zhuqiaomon was really close now.

"Plus a few more." I turned back to Azulongmon. Again. "A few children who have partnered with Digimon."

Azulongmon stared at me.

"I fail to see what a few children can do against the True Enemy."

I couldn't laugh, but I really wanted to. "Oh, believe me Azulongmon, those children will surprise you." They had a habit of doing that.

"The things that they are capable of... Yes, they are young, in mind and body and soul, but letting their age fool you is a mistake."

"Azulongmon!" A screeching voice called.

I turned to the side, idly noting Azulongmon doing the same.

And now to deal with the giant flaming chicken.