Disclaimer: Nada mio.
Tai sighed for the umpteenth time that day, the rainy day outside of his classroom perfectly representing his mood at the moment. His thoughts not focusing on the test, but on the news he received yesterday from his sister and former leader, now roommate.
Agumon...
His best friend, his partner, his ally was turned again into that beast, SkullGreymon, by that sno-nosed brat Ken. When his sister and Killua arrived yesterday they informed him of everything, Killua barely able to look at him in the eye, even after being reassured that it wasn't his fault.
Today he had to go. They will all go hunting for his partner to bring him back.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. 'Five more minutes...' He look down at his empty sheet, his parents were going to flip if word got out about this. 'Damnit I don't have time for this.'
Killua tapped his foot impatiently against the floor, looking at the clock intently, while sitting on the floor behind some shelves, the Digimon were all playing a card game in the top of one. The others would arrive soon, and he knows that Tai will be coming with them this time, and right now he preferred to not be in the same room as the original goggle boy. Not out of anger or spite, but shame. Even if Tai reassured him that what happened wasn't his fault, doesn't change the fact that he couldn't do anything to help out this time around. SkullGreymon wasn't affected by his lighting, and Blademon caught him off guard by keeping up with his Lighting Speed. 'Should've used Whirlwind to see that coming.' He bitterly thought.
The Kamiya household has been nothing but welcoming for him, even when he didn't interact with the patriarch of the family much due to his job, they didn't complain with him staying there, so letting Tai down hit him harder in this occasion. He wasn't going to let the Emperor get away with Agumon this time, much less knowing that Tai is coming with them, it was useless to discuss that. If to recover Agumon he'll have to stay in the Digital World to search for him all night, then he was going to do so.
He heard the door opening and turned to see Cody, Izzy and Tai arriving. "Hey," He greeted.
"Hey," Izzy and Tai said while Cody mumbled a 'hello.' Izzy looked around the room. "We might need some space."
Cody booted the computer and grimaced when he saw the map. "It's growing..." He said, looking at the black squares. "But... The place where you sent the message is still clean..." He said.
"Okay," Izzy said, while he and Tai moved chairs out of the way. "Do it, then."
Cody nodded and pointed his Digivice at the screen, the program appeared and the light turned green. "Digiport Open!" He entered the Digital World, then after a few seconds he came back with the partners of the veterans, except for two... On top of him. "Ouch..."
"How did we end up like this?" Gomamon asked, blinking.
"I'm kind of okay!" Palmon chirped, at the top of the dogpile.
"I'm not..." Cody said, at the bottom.
They got out of the boy's back and Tai walked to them. "Matt, Sora and Joe will come soon to pick you guys up," Tai said. "Palmon, you'll be staying with Sora for now."
Palmon nodded. They all been explained of the situation by a message sent by Izzy. And Palmon received an explanation about Mimi's absence in Japan. It was better that they were here in the human world rather than staying on their own and be captured again by Ken. Funnily enough, the only Digimon not present at the moment were the Tentomon and Agumon. The latter for obvious reasons, but the former wanted to help in Agumon's search.
Killua looked at the clock and clicked his teeth. "Where are the others? The bell rang a while ago."
Just as he asked that, the door bursted open, and Kari, T.K, and Davis entered, panting. "S-sorry we're late..." Kari said. "We got into some... trouble," She said, eyeing not-so subtlety at Davis.
"Hey," He said, trying to defend himself. "Okada is the one who started the hockey game!"
"And yet you're the one who hit the teacher on the face with a paper ball," T.K sighed. "We had to help you getting those erasers clean."
As they tried to justify themselves, Killua felt getting a bit angry at the lot. 'This is not the time to be fooling around!' He took a deep breath and exhaled, not used on getting worked up and lashing out at them. "Where's Yolei?" He settled for asking.
Poromon floated down the shelve. "Hasn't come yet, maybe she's still in class."
Davis shook his head. "Nope, classes are already over, and she isn't in our class to get in the same problem as ours."
"Is she sick?" Palmon asked the feathered ball, tilting her head.
"She didn't seemed ill though," He muttered, rolling in the air as she thought about her partner's state.
Tai crossed his arms and looked at the younger kids. "Then go look for her!" He said, as if it was the most obvious thing, his tone one of impatience.
"Okay, going!" Davis said, raising his hands defensively.
"I'll go with you," Cody said, a bit of worry on her older, and oldest, friend.
They didn't have to look far, however, the moment they stepped out they stopped and turned; Yolei was standing by the doorframe with a downcast look. Davis turned and put his hands on his hips. "Where were you? We're already running late!"
"Sorry," She mumbled before entering.
As she entered, Izzy nodded and turned, looking for a safe area. "Okay, we're all here!"
Tai uncrossed his arms and stood by the red-head's side. "Good, finally!" He said.
"Be sure to bring Agumon back!" Gabumon said, the other veteran Digimon nodding along.
Killua walked to Izzy's other side, more than eager to finally go back and complete his mission from yesterday.
Davis looked at Yolei with a grin. "Come on now, Yolei, say the phrase so we can jump right in." Yolei stayed silent and that raised alarm flags in all of their minds. "Hey, you okay?"
Poromon flew in front of her with a worried frown. "Are you sick?" He asked, remembering Palmon's question.
"No, that's not it... Just..." She tried to find the right words, but none came out. She just sighed, hoping her nerves would just settle down.
"We can help," Demiveemon said. "If you tell us what's wrong!"
Killua noticed how she was growing more uncomfortable, he reached a conclusion as he saw her eyes darting to the computer. "Look, if you're not up to it, you don't have to come," He said.
Yolei flinched at hearing this, and everyone was also surprised by hearing that statement. Kari walked forward. "Killua, are you sure?"
Tai continued for the white haired leader. "We won't get mad if you decide not to come," He said. "I know that this last days might've been too stressful for you. Heck, I wanted at first for just Killua, Kari and I to go. I know how dangerous that encounter with SkullGreymon must've been, and I would like to not get you guys in danger, but I know I need your help to be able to fight the Emperor."
"You don't have to think much about it, Yolei," T.K told her. "Remember that this isn't something we're forced to do," He reassured her.
"You can wait with us for Sora and the others to arrive!" Piyomon chirped, wanting the girl to feel better.
"But guys, we-" Davis tried to say. They all had to go! It was Tai's partner they were talking about, but he was interrupted by an elbow to his ribs.
Cody coughed as he retrieved his elbow from Davis' side. "T.K's right! We decide if we want to help or not," He remebered how Joe explained how it was their decision to help and not just a job they were forced to do. If Yolei wasn't up for it, then they would do it.
There was still conflict on her eyes. She wanted to go, but too many things were happening one after the other. "I..."
"Yolei, you can stay here, even if you don't go we can keep an eye on the map and with your D-Terminal you can warn them of any change," Izzy told her.
"D-Terminal?" Killua asked, being the first time he heard the term.
"The rectangular PDA that hold the Digi-eggs," Izzy explained. "Digital Terminal of various functions."
"Yeah, sure," Killua by this point learned that just nodding and giving his approval was enough to satisfy the genius -- The real genius, not like Ichijouji.
Yolei looked down as she felt even worse that no one seemed to disagree with her desire of staying, making her feel somehow even more selfish. "Yolei," Poromon said and flapped down to her arms. "I don't want to be rude with you, but if your mind is elsewhere it could get us in trouble."
Yolei sighed, she knew it wasn't ill intended, but it sank her mood even more. "Sorry..." She apologized, accepting her state and deciding to stay.
"Don't you worry about that," Davis said, clapping her shoulder. "Kari, you say the thing!"
Killua rolled his eyes. "Is that part really necessary?" He asked, finding the phrase to be just too... Cheesey.
"It's the catchphrase of the group!" Kari said, trying to burst the morale with a bright smile. "Digiport open! Let's go Digidestined!"
Flash of light appeared, and the veteran Digimon, Izzy, Poromon and Yolei stayed behind.
The Emperor glared at the screen showing the schematics of a Dark Ring. His mind flashed back to the events where he tried to control Ultimates with the ring. Andromon freed himself, breaking the collar around his neck. At first he thought it was because of the pink girl's Digivice, but now with SkullGreymon's case being fairly recent he wasn't sure what to think anymore.
"Why?" He asked himself. "What's the problem?" He pressed the keys on his control panel and started to run scans on the energy input his rings were giving. "Could it be that my rings aren't enough anymore?" He asked himself.
He clenched his hands in front of the keys and closed his eyes. Come to think of it, those were not the first time his rings failed him... It happened in the beginning of his reing, back when he was planning on conquering File Island.
When he met Blademon.
(Months Ago...)
The Emperor, not Ken Ichijouji, sighed and sat down on his throne. His base was complete and the Control Towers were ready to function along with the rings. Soon this world was going to know his greatness!
Wormmon looked at the recently built base with a bit of wary eyes. Shifting nervously at the darkness covering the room. "Umm, Ken? Don't you want to do something else?"
The Emperor growled and turned. "Here you shall call me Master, do you understand?!" He asked, his Ren flaring up.
Wormmon cowered and nodded. "Yes, Master!" He said.
The Emperor chuckled and turned to the screen, good the worm knew his place. And soon every being in this world will too! They were all data, insignificant mobs in his own playground. And he was the main player, the protagonist, the God. Moreso with this blessed power he's perfected for years.
His blissfulness was interrupted when his screen started flaring, he looked up to see his screens. They showed the entrance of his base and a figure covered in a gray cloak that hid their entire frame. The figure summoned a broadsword out of thin air and slashed the door to the base open.
The Emperor's eyes widened and he clicked his teeth. "The nerve! Who dares comes to my lair without permission?!" His scowl turned to a sadistic grin as an idea came to him. "Well... It seems we'll have a volunteer to become my first servant!"
He pressed the keys on his control panel and watched the screens showing the stranger walk along the hallways of his base. From the walls around the intruder, many Dark Rings started to be shot forward, ready to capture the stranger. The Emperor's grin broadened in excitement at having his first capture.
Then, it happened. Just as the rings got close to him, a glow emanated from beneath the intruder's cloak and his rings were all repelled. They exploded around the room and the stranger continued on his way.
The Emperor gawked at the display of power. His rings, his all powerful creations, have been completely useless against this one Digimon. Before he could try and do something against the intruder, he spoke. "To the owner of this base. Your rings are ineffective against me. Wait where you are and I'll give you answers to questions, you no doubt have." He said, while continuing walking.
The Emperor gritted his teeth. How dare this mob speak to him in such a manner?! He turned around, his cape fluttering behind him, and he took his gloves off. "Wormmon, I'll deal with this intruder by myself!" He said.
Wormmon gasped and went after his partner. "Wait, Ken! I can help!" He said.
The Emperor scoffed, the stupidity of the statement making him pass the slip on his name. "You? What would you do? Wrap him in useless webs?!" He asked, not for the first time wondering why does the little creature was always at his side.
Wormmon looked crestfallen as they turned another hallway. "I..."
Suddenly The Emperor stopped and Wormmon looked up to see the intruder in front of them. He looked at the worm and then at the human and his broadsword appeared on his hand.
The Emperor let out his Ren, morphing it into Ken (Oh, the irony of the name) and preparing to use his Hatsu. "You have a lot of nerve for appearing here!" He said, ready to slam his hands on one of the base's surface to trap him, and or kill him.
But that proved unnecessary, as the intruder stabbed his sword in the ground and knelt, surprising the two in front of them. "I am Blademon. I am a warrior without a master, a sword without a purpose. So when I heard the rumors of a human in this world, I knew it was someone worth serving!" He spoke with fervor, his eyes drifted to Wormmon. "Although... It seems you already have a follower."
The Emperor was... Pleasantly surprised. He thought Wormmon was going to be the only Digimon to know his place beneath his boot, but now this Blademon fellow does the same. He lowered his Nen and looked smugly at the Digimon. "Well, then, Blademon, I don't see a problem with you serving me. But why did my rings didn't affected you?" He asked, even if this creature was going to serve him he needed to know of any failure, as much as it irritates him to admit, in his design.
"It was my armor my liege," Blademon said, uncovering part of his cloack to reveal his white, furry arms with black stripes. They had blue metal bracers strapped to them. "They protect me from dark energy, something your rings possess."
"Hmmm, I see," The Emperor mused. That might be a problem in the future if they ever crossed ways with a Digimon of similar characteristics, but he'll fix that later.
Blademon got up and grabbed his sword, dispelling it into the air, and walked towards them while looking at Wormmon. "That creature... Is he your partner, my liege?" He asked.
Wormmon cowered and hid behind The Emperor's leg, only for him to kick him away. "Apparently," He grounded out.
Blademon hummed and summoned his sword again, pointing his tip at the worm, who yelped and flinched back. "According to the legend of the Digidestined, you have the power to trigger a temporary evolution, my liege."
The Emperor scoffed. "My Digivice is special. It allows me to nullify it."
"Well... I think more power in your forces never comes bad," He said, a glint on his blue eyes, visible in the hood.
The Emperor cupped his chin and took out his Digivice while looking at the worm. The useless creature that clinged to his side with no purpose whatsoever might have something if he tests his Digivice... "Wormmon... I order you to evolve." He raised his Digivice up and dark light was emanated from it... Before it was changed by a soft pink-ish one.
They didn't noticed how Blademon's eyes seemed to narrow his eyes at this change.
"Wormmon Digivolves to... Stigmon!"
The Emperor couldn't hide his surprise gasp as he saw the creature his partner had turned into. Now this he could accept to be his companion! It was a huge creature with two stings on his hands. "Not bad!"
Stigmon clenched his fists and looked at his hands. "I didn't thought I could get this kind of power..."
Blademon laughed. "Impressive!" The hooded Digimon turned to his master. "My lord, allow me and this Digimon to be your guardians and most trusted warriors. We'll follow every order you take..." He eyed the newly evolved Digimon. "Right, Stigmon?"
Stigmon flinched at the tone and looked down to see Ken staring at him with an expectant glare. He sighed and nodded. "Of course."
The Emperor smirked and laughed. "Now this day sure came as a surprise," He turned to Blademon. "I sure hope you can back those words up," then he looked at Stigmon. "And you better prove that that form isn't a waste of time."
Blademon bowed. "I won't disappoint, my liege."
Stigmon did the same. "Of course Ke-... Emperor."
He opened his eyes and shook his head off the flashback. But made him think about his loyal servant. He did make sure his rings could bypass any natural defense Digimon might have against dark energy after meeting with the hooded Digimon, but was that the true reason his rings didn't affected him back then? Could it be that his servant is actually a Ultimate Level?
'If that's the case, that would explain how he takes down Champions with ease...' He mulled over. Then he felt an inkling of pride in himself, he has sparred with the Digimon and beaten him many times in the past. His strength was at par with an Ultimate!
And so, he had to find a way to control them.
He focused on the task at hand. He pressed keys and started to run various scan on the design of his creations, trying to find a way to increase the input of energy in them.
The group arrived at the same blazing pits where they encountered SkullGreymon yesterday. It was the best place to start to look for clues of Agumon's whereabouts, as well as the Emperor's.
Tentomon arrived at the scene, fluttering down to a dead tree branch. "Hey, guys, good to see you." He greeted.
Tai for his part was looking around at the area, there were still trails of his partner's rampage around the area. "So this is the place..."
"Yeah," Kari mumbled, the memories of the battle from yesterday still fresh on her mind. She was still trying to wrap her head around the idea that Agumon could evolve into a creature like that.
"When I heard the news I really panicked," Tentomon said with a shudder. "I still remember our first encounter with SkullGreymon, and I don't wanna repeat it."
Davis clenched his fist. "When I see that Emperor I'm going to rip him a new one! How dare he use Tai's partner like that?!" He asked, more angry than usual at the Emperor's manipulation on Digimon.
"He wants to humiliate us," Killua said. "He wanted to show us he had a trump card under his sleeve after he basically revealed himself completly," He said, referring to his revelation of his Nen abilities and his identity. "I bet he didn't expected to backfire like that."
Tai frowned as the image of the giant, skeletal dinosaur flashed through his mind. He sighed. "That's what he gets for forcing an Evolution."
"You can force an Evolution?" Davis asked, looking at his Digivice. "It always comes so natural when I turn V-Mon in Flamedramon."
"Armor Evolution is different from the normal evolution," Tentomon said. "After all, yours isn't affected by the Control Towers. So it's normal that it works differently, more... smoothly."
"But when someone tries to force an Evolution it brings bad results," Tai said, clenching his fists. After all, he was the one who made Agumon evolve to SkullGreymon first by trying to make his Crest work.
"It's unforgivable!" Cody snapped, grabbing a branch and starting to swing it around like a sword with a sneer. "To play with lives that way it's simply despicable!"
"Cody, chill out!" Armadillomon said, as the 'sword' his partner was using passed by his head.
"We need to put a stop to him," Cody said. "Just thinking of the things he's done makes me feel embarrassed to be a human like him."
"Cody!" T.K turned with a concerned expression.
Cody realized what he said and lowered the branch with an ashamed expression. "Sorry..." He mumbled.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Killua looking at him. "You don't have to feel that way, feel the other way around. Be proud that you aren't like him." Inwardly he added. 'Or like me, for that matter...'
With that kind of reaction, he wondered how the new generation was going to react if they know of his past. Better to keep that information back for the moment, better to not cause tension on the team for the moment.
The boy nodded slowly and gave a small in appreciation for the encouraging words. "Okay, I understand," He said. Though he kept a grip on the branch.
"Where do we go from now, then?" Patamon asked, from T.K's arms.
His partner sighed. "That's just the thing, isn't it?" He asked outloud.
Tai just sighed and put his hands on his pockets, his expression showing his fear and concern for his partner.
Davis grinned and put his hands behind the head. "Don't get so down, Tai," He said, trying to cheer his role model up. "You'll see how we can bring Agumon back in no time!"
"Yeah!" V-Mon pumped his fists. "The Emperor won't know what hit him!"
To their surprise, Tai turned to them with a heated glare. "Don't make promises you can't keep!" He growled.
Davis and V-Mon flinched and lowered their heads. Kari eyed her brother with worry, she doesn't remember a time where he was this mad. "Tai..."
Killua got a concerned look on his eyes as he looked at Tai. That kind of attitude didn't led to anything good... If Tai got obsessed with getting Agumon back, then he would have to interfere and just hope that Tai doesn't snap...
He gulped, the similarity of the situation giving him shivers. 'I hope I can do something this time...' He thought, thinking of a certain spike haired boy wearing green.
"I've never seen Tai so mad before," Gatomon mumbled, loud enough only for T.K and Patamon to hear her.
T.K just gave a sigh. "Can't blame him, I'll be the same if it was Patamon..."
"We ain't gaining anything by staying here," Killua said, hands on his pocket. "We have to look for any nearby town or places with a tower. Digimon on those zones must have a clue of where the Emperor is. We find the prick, we find Agumon."
"I'm ahead of you guys!" Tentomon said, flying upwards and taking off. "I know of some places that might be of use to gain some info! I'll go to the south and you go in that direction, to the west!"
Everyone nodded and taking the lead the insect gave them, the search for the last of the partners of the veterans has started.
"Time to start the tests again," The Emperor said through a connection between his throne room and the holding area. "General Greymon, ready?"
The dinosaur nodded, his empty red eyes glowing in the darkness of the room. "Yes, my master." He grumbled.
"Blademon, Stigmon, General Leomon, in standby in case of recapturing," He said, looking through a second screen.
The three Digimon were just outside the dome where the test was going to happen. Blademon with his sword ready, Stigmon's stings glowing, and Leomon was sporting a dark ring around his neck and had his blade on his hands. His teeth were gnashed and he was snarling like a beast. The only two without a collar nodded. "Yes, master!"
The Emperor raised his Digivice and pointed it at the screen with Greymon. "Now, evolve!"
Greymon started glowing in a dark light and his frame grew. The terrifying, SkullGreymon appeared again. He started thrashing in the room, slamming his claws and tails against the walls to destroy them and try to break free. Anger and hate could be heard from his screeches, as he wanted nothing more than to tear down the dome around him.
Rather than watching the monster's rampage, the Emperor watched the screen above the camera. It showed the status of the ring around the monster's neck. The energy SkullGreymon was liberating was more than the one the ring was giving. "What is this?" He muttered, trying to make sense of what was going wrong.
SkullGreymon crouched and started firing his Zero Ground missile to try and break the room, now that his smashes and slashes proved to be useless against the room. The nuclear explosion proved to be more effective, it made a hole in the ceiling of the room and SkullGreymon happily jumped to it, but was received by an electrical shock.
The Emperor watched him fell and sighed in disappointment. "Another failure..." He sighed as the monster hit the ground and started reverting back to Greymon. The image of the rings started twisting and flattening, like a wet piece of bread, his shape shifting constantly. "Huh? What's this..."
"Master, did you find anything?" Stigmon asked, having watched the test from a television outside of the dome.
"Maybe..." He mused and raised his Digivice. "Again, Greymon!"
Blademon watched the prone form of Greymon with narrowed eyes, as he started to transform again. This might be troublesome if the brat starts controlling Digimon even stronger than him. He gave a side-way glance to Leomon, knowing of his Mega form, if the Emperor managed to control it, who says he won't get rid of him. 'Have to think of how to deal with this...' He mused.
Stigmon just watched the scene with a sense of pity for the poor dinosaur, and deep down he also felt a bit of envy. He was strong as Stigmon, why couldn't Ken use him for this tests? He would do so if that makes him happy...
On a plain, sand field, one of the Control Towers stood. It was an odd sight, since there was nothing noteworthy there, but if the Digidestined could take it down, then so be it. Davis had already evolved V-Mon in Flamedramon and was watching the tower with predatory eyes. "Get it, buddy!"
"You got it!" Flamedramon said as he charged forward. Then he noticed something digging out of the earth. "What?"
"What now?!" Davis groaned.
A Woodmon appeared from beneath the earth, a Dark Ring around his forehead. "I am the great fighter, Woodmon! Don't take another step!" He warned.
"Fire Lariat!" Flamedramon charged at the Digimon, completly ignoring his warning, and slamming his body against his forehead.
Woodmon was slammed against the tower and groaned. "Ugh, I told you not to..." He moaned. The tower started cracking and it started falling forward. He turned back and yelped, holding his hands up to catch the falling tower. As he struggled against the weight of the obelisk, the ring around his forehead broke and he started to look around wildly. "Uh? What?"
"Excuse me, Woodmon!" Tai called, as the Digimon kept grunting in effort. "Do you know somewhere where the Digimon Emperor could be?"
Woodmon just grunted in response.
"Well?" Tai inquired further, almost oblivious to the Digimon's struggle.
"Should we help?" Kari whispered, seeing the struggle.
"In a moment," Killua said, amused by this predicament.
Woodmon raised one of his foot-roots and pointed west. "O-over there..." He said.
"Cool, thanks!" Tai said, taking off running, quickly followed by the new generation.
Killua stayed behind and ran to the struggling Digimon. With a flying kick, he broke the part that Woodmon was holding so he could be allowed to move. The Digimon sighed in relief. "Thank you."
Killua shrugged and smirked. "It was nothing," Then he ran off to catch up with the others.
As the water was gone down the sink, Yolei watched her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes didn't have that spark in her anymore. She sighed and raised her Digivice. "Let's go, Digidestined..." She tried to bring the usual cheer to her voice, but just couldn't.
She sighed and looked at the mirror. "I I should have go with them... But with the enemy being even stronger now I don't feel the same drive..." She mumbled, reprimanding herself inwardly for her coward attitude. "I now I should go but..."
She remembered the sight of that monster that it's supposed to be the partner of their predecessors, and shivers went down her spine. Not even Killua, someone they saw fighting monsters of that size or even bigger like Kabuterimon or Birdramon could harm it.
Not to mention that Ken, no, The Emperor could use Nen as well as their leader. Even if Killua managed to beat him what chance does that leave them if something happens to the whiter haired boy?
In the computer room, Izzy received a signal from Tentomon. The insect was giving Izzy a small report of the situation. "I ninety-nine percent sure of this! It's a town called Rail Town, apparently that's where the Emperor was seen last."
"Rail Town?" Gabumon took on a pensative stance as he pondered about that place. "It's almost a ghost town, barely any Digimon live there."
"Perfect for the Emperor to go hiding then," Gomamon shrugged.
"I see, I'll tell the others," Izzy nodded to his partner. "Good job, Tentomon."
"Aw, shucks, it was nothing," Tentomon said through the screen. "I'll keep looking for info, just in case!"
At that moment Yolei entered the room. "Any news?" She asked.
Piyomon nodded. "Yup! A town named Rail Town! That's where the Emperor might be hiding."
Yolei took out her D-Terminal and started typing. "Then let me tell the others... It's the least I can do..." She mumbled.
Izzy nodded at the girl and turned to the screen, looking at the square where that town is supposed to be. Of course it was covered in black, which meant that aside from possibly encounter Agumon, they might face new enemies.
The door opened and they turned to see the three remaining veterans in the country. "Hey!" Sora waved.
"Sora!" Piyomon tackled her into a hug. Sora just laughed and pat her head.
"Hey, Piyomon, ready to go home?" She asked.
"Yup!"
Matt walked forward while ruffling Gabumon's head. "Hey there," He said to his partner, then he turned to Izzy and Yolei. "Word from Tai and the others?"
"Nothing yet," Izzy said. "But we just got a lead from Tentomon. Yolei just sent the coordinates."
"How come you didn't go?" Joe asked, Gomamon now hanging to his neck and on his shoulder.
Yolei looked down, feeling the stares judging her. "I am... I... I'm honestly quite scare, okay?!" She blurted. "That thing from yesterday was waaaaay out of our league! How can we fight Ken when he has something like that?!" She asked.
Matt raised an eyebrow. "You mean SkullGreymon, right?" She nodded at him. "I guess that's fair, that Digimon was something out of a nightmare."
Gabumon shivered. "And it was back before we used the Crets."
"It's okay to be afraid, Yolei," Sora reassured with a smile.
"And you're not forced to go all the time," Joe said, trying to ease her worries.
Matt however seemed more stern. "But that doesn't mean you can just keep like that," He said. "At some point you'll have to go again."
Yolei sighed. "I know!" She looked at the screen. There she was moping and quivering in fear while their friends fought the skeleton of a dinosaur. She clenched her hands. "Ugh, what am I doing!" She got up abruptly and took out her Digivice. "I shouldn't be just sitting here! Better try and make Ken lose his beast and make Tai regain his partner!"
"That's the spirit!" Poromon said, flapping at her side.
Matt walked to her side. "I'll go too, even if to give Tai some support," He looked at Gabumon. "I know how it feels to have your partner under that brat's control."
"So... I can't go?" Gabumon asked.
"Not right now, and with those towers there's not much to do," Matt said. "Sorry, dude. And I don't wanna risk you going back to being a General."
"I understand, Matt," He smiled.
"Be careful," Izzy said. "You guys won't appear on Rail Town, since I haven't set the coordinates."
"Then we'll get there in no time!" Yolei's glasses flashed with light. "Digiport Open! Veteran and new Digidestined, let's go!"
With a flash, the three of them were gone. Leaving only older kids behind.
Sora couldn't help but giggle at her enthusiasm. "Well, she sure is motivated."
SkullGreymon roared in anger again as he fired missile after missile at the dome over his head, to try and find a way out of his prison. From behind the bars, the three Digimon the Emperor ordered to warden him watched with different expressions. Ranging from being blank, amused, and worried.
The Emperor stared at the screen showing the details of his Dark Ring, showing how it changed and morphed, trying to adapt to the data the Ultimate Level was giving. Without success.
SkullGreymon shot more missiles at the top of the dome, causing debris to fall on his head. He stumbled around and collapsed, his body glowing and reverting back to Agumon.
The Emperor's mind clicked. "I see," He mumbled. "So it's the shape that's stopping me from fully control him," He said. "While it works in worders for Champions and below, the Ultimate's level of data is too much for the ring, it doesn't matter how many power I put in it."
With a smirk he opened the intercom. "Guards, you three come back, I think I finally make a breakthrough. Blademon, take Leomon back to his cell."
Stigmon reverted to Wormmon when he heard that and Blademon nodded at the boy's orders. "Yes, master," He shoved Leomon away and the two made their way back to the last General's prison.
Wormmon stood outside the door leading to the dome holding Agumon. He looked back at it and his eyes sparkled with an idea... If he was caught he was going to be severely punished, but it was better this way. Agumon would be free, and Ken will still have a test subject.
The group received the message from Yolei and were given the coordinates to go to Rail Town.
They stood ove a hill looking over the town. It seemed to be completely empty, with no signs of either citizens or slaves of the Emperor.
There was a Control Tower in the middle of the town, so at the least, if they couldn't find anything on Agumon or the Emperor, at least they could get rid of another territory if the tyrannical human.
"This is it," Patamon said, flapping his wings as he looked at the town surrounded by hills.
"It certainly makea honor to its namesake," Killua said, looking at the different rails running around the town in a zigzag pattern.
Tai clenched his fist and looked at the town with renowned determination. "Hang in there, Agumon. I'm coming for you!" He declared and took off running, the rest of the team following behind them.
With The Emperor busy, and Blademon nowhere in sight, Wormmon got into action. He crawled inside of the testing dome where Agumon was laying unconscious, he eyed him with sympathy and with one of his claws he broke the collar around his neck.
"Go, be free," He muttered as he watched the dinosaur, and crawled away from the holding cell before he was discovered.
Agumon stirred and opened his eyes. "W-what?" He mumbled and looked around. "The door is open..." He said, looking at the exit of the dome. "I'm free... Tai!" He thought of his partner, for some reason he felt him closer than ever. He dashed out of the room, eager to meet again with him... If his hunch was right that is.
Wormmon watched him go and sighed. Now the Digimon was free and safe, while he could put up with Ken's experiments. He turned around and gasped, a towering figure looking at him with crossed arms. "B-Blademon..."
Blademon's blue eyes were narrowed behind his hood, glaring at the small worm before him. But, contrary to what Wormmon thought, he just sighed and turned around. "Hope that the master doesn't find out," He said, walking down the hallway.
Wormmon sighed, both in relief and slight nervousness. He could never understand what was going on with his fellow Digimon, but right now he'll have to be ready for Ken's imminent wrath.
The Emperor liked to think of himself as someone professional, someone who doesn't let his emotions show in a childish manner. Yet he wanted nothing more than start clapping and cheering when he saw how his magnificent mind managed to create a new design for his rings. "The output of energy is three times stronger! Not only that, but its self-powered, they won't have to be near the Control Towers to work!" He felt giddy, he wasn't going to deny it.
The new Dark Spires, as he liked to call his new creation, were the mix of three rings fused together. The energy they released was more than the one SkullGreymon constantly gave off. So he could keep him under control and was sure that now he could access to the power of Agumon's true Ultimate Level: MetalGreymon!
"Time to test it!" He cheered, and changed to the camera of the holding dome. His good mood immediately died as he saw it was empty. "No..." He checked different cameras and clenched his fist. "How... HOW?!"
Everyone gathered at the center of the town. There was not a single signal of anyone living in the town, and Killua hoped it was because the Digimon evacuated before the Emperor started constructing his towers.
"Okay, where do we have to go now?" Tai said, looking at the town with wild eyes. Wanting to start the search for his partner as soon as possible.
"Let's split," Killua said. "Everyone should look in different places of the town."
"Sounds pretty solid to..." Gatomon stopped talking as her ears twitched. "... Me?"
Kari looked at her curiously. "Are yoy okay?"
"Something is coming."
"The enemy?" Killua asked, looking around.
"Maybe... It's a train," She said and ran to one of the tunnels in the town, everyone following behind.
They could heart the whistling of a train coming out from one of the tunnels, and a light was shining in the end of it. "Here it comes!" V-Mon said.
"Better be ready, buddy!" Davis said, getting his Digivice out. It could be one of the Emperor's forces.
The train came out, zooming past them at high speed. However, among all the grey the train was, Killua noticed an orange spot in it. He looked at the train's front and gasped. "Agumon is there!"
"Really?!" Tai asked and looked ahead. It was true, his partner was in the front cabin of the train. "It is! Agumon!" He called.
"We gotta stop that thing," Gatomon said, she looked around and spotted a lever at the side of the rails. She ran to it and pull it, the rails' direction changed and was sent to a wooden stop, ramming it and bring it down but stopping the machine.
Everyone ran to the front of the cart to check on the Digimon. Tai leading them as he wanted to finally see his dinosaur friend. "Agumon! Are you okay, Agumon?"
After the sudden stop, Agumon shook his head and turned to see Tai running to him. "Tai? It is you!" He jumped into his arms and the two enveloped each other in a hug. "Tai! Tai! It's you!"
"Of course it's me! Who else if not?!" The goggled teen asked his partner.
Agumon laughed and saw the rest of the group joining them. His eyes settling on the other person he recognized. "Killua? Is that you?"
"Hey, pal," Killua said, smiling at him. "Long time, no see."
Agumon's eyes then went to Kari and T.K. "Kari, T.K, you've all grown a lot!" He said in awe.
Kari joined in on hugging Agumon. "I'm glad you're okay, Agumon!" She said, but felt Agumon flinch under her hug. She looked at him with worry. "Wait, are you injured?"
Agumon nodded. "Yeah, but it's nothing serious."
T.K walked forward. "We better get out of here, the Emperor might appear soon, it's better if we just go now."
Davis shoved T.K at the side and voiced against it. "What? We just got here! We should destroy towers while we're at it!"
"No." Killua cut it, eyeing Davis seriously. "We already got what we came looking for: Agumon. We better get him out of here before the Emperor decides he wants his General again. Remeber that not all the times we have to fight."
Davis grumbled and deflated. He wanted to yell at the Hunter for his cowardice and hypocrisy after he was the one to let Agumon be taken yesterday, but had to admit he made good points. He shoved his hands on his pockets and grumbled. "Fine."
Tai smiled at his successor with a smile. "Don't worry, Davis. Don't think I'll forget what the Emperor did to Agumon, someday he is going to pay. But for now let's take Agumon to a safe place due to his injuries."
Davis sighed and nodded. He couldn't defy the logic behind that.
The Emperor seethed with rage as he saw the screens. "It doesn't make sense, how did he escaped?!" He asked to no one in particular. "I should have let Blademon and Leomon to guard the door..."
Wormmon walked innocently in the throne room, wanting to try and feign innocence on his plan of letting the dinosaur go. "What's wrong, Ken?"
"Agumon escaped," He spat, venom in his voice. "I don't even know how he took off the Dark Ring."
Time to take his chane. "You know what, Ken?"
"What?!" The Emperor growled.
"If this is all because you need a subject on your Digivolution experiments you can use me," He said. "As Stigmon I could reach a whole new level. You don't need Agumon at all, just let him be."
Something clicked on the Emperor's mind and he swirled around to glare at the insect. "It was you! You let him escape!" He growled and marched to his servant, anger flowing through him.
"Ken, please!" The Digimon begged. "I'm your partner, I know I can Digivolve to a form stronger than Stigmon if you just left me!" He tried to reason.
The Emperor just scoffed as he heard his arguments. "My partner, yeah right."
"Ken-"
"Listen here!" He growled. "Agumon already had that power dormant within him according to the records. You? I had to force that power out of you because you can't do anything on your own, you miserable scum!" He lashed out, angrier than he's ever been in his life. "Someone like you can't be my partner! I am the Digimon Emperor, and so something like you can't be my partner!"
"Ken-" He was interrupted by a kick that sent him back.
"Listen! You're always going on with Ken this, Ken that! You forget that you have to call me Emperor, or master in this world!" He demanded.
"I'm sorry, Ke- Digimon Emperor," Wormmon said. "Please, forgive me."
"Enough!" He went for his whip to deliver punishment on this treacherous leech, when the alarms of his base went on. He looked at the screen and saw the Digidestined, with one of the older ones carrying Agumon. "So there he is... Time to get my property back!" He growled and walked away from the green Digimon. "You got lucky!"
"Ken..." Wormmon tried to follow, but the whip cracked in front of him making him flinch.
As he walked out, he passed by Blademon. The Digimon bowed, but the Emperor ignored him and went his way. Blademon rolled his eyes and entered the throne room. He ignored the moody Wormmon and watched the screen.
While he wanted to chase after Zoldyck right there and there, he wanted to see what the Emperor's new toy could do. 'If he plans to use that thing on me, better be prepared...'
The Digidestined's group crossed the desert between Rail Town and the Blazing Pits, where the port to their home was. Tai was giving Agumon a piggy back ride so he could rest. "Agumon, you're sure you're okay?" He asked.
"Yup, just tired," The orange dinosaur reassured.
Killua stopped and exhaled from his nose. He noticed a presence watching them and felt more annoyed than anything. "He's here..." He sighed.
An obnoxious laughter filled that air of the desert and the Digidestined all turned to see The Emperor standing over a mesa, in all of his pretending glory.
T.K scowled. "Ken Ichijouji!" He growled.
"Would it kill you to call me Digimon Emperor?" He asked. "Because it would give me another reason to go by that name."
"You're no Emperor! You're just a kid, Ken Ichijouji!" Davis said and then started to mock him with his name. "That's who you are! Ken, Ken, Ken, Ken Ichijouji!"
The Emperor clenched his fist and glared at the idiot with square goggles. "You're pissing me off!" He said. "Do you really want me to turn you to dust?" He asked, aura flaring up.
"We should be the ones saying that!" Tai said, setting Agumon down. "How dare you use our friends as your attack hounds like that?!" He demanded. "You better be ready to pay!"
The Emperor laughed. "A high school student threatening a middle schooler?" He teased. "How shameful."
"You are the shame here!" Cody said, pointing his sword stick at him with anger "I am younger than you and I think you're a disgrace to the human kind!" He said, hurling the stick at him.
The Emperor caught the wooden object and used his aura to break it to pieces. "I don't care about the opinion of scum like you!" As he said this, three Airdramon appeared behind him, guarding his as his attack mascosts.
Killua smirked. "Then how about me? If I beat you, and I'm scum, then what does that make you, Ken?" He asked, sharpening his claws.
The Emperor's teeth almost broke through the pressure of him gritting them. He didn't have the strength to beat Zoldyck yet, he needed more training sessions, and his body wasn't at a hundred percent yet. "Enough talking!" He cracked his whip and five DarkTyrannomon appeared to surround them.
V-Mon look at them and punched his fists together. "Okay, Davis! I'm ready!"
"You got it, pal!" Davis raised his Digivice. "Digimental Up!"
"V-Mon Armor Digivolves to... Flamedramon! The Courageous Fire!"
Armadillomon looked at Cody. "Cody, if I don't so somethin' I'm gonna explode!" He said in an eager tone.
"Then go!" He said. "Digimental Up!"
"Armadillomon Armor Digivolves to... Pteramon! The Armed Love!"
One of the DarkTyrannomon launched a fireball at Flamedramon, but he just crossed his arms over his body and then enveloped himself in fire. "Fire Lariat!" He charged at the dinosaur and slammed his head in his stomach, causing the possessed Digimon to fall on his back. Flamedramon jumped into the air and his fists were coated with fire. "Fire Rocket!" He spun in the air as he fired the missiles, the balls of fire destroying the downed Digimon's ring and the one of another dinosaur who was charging at him.
Pteramon just had to fly high enough to deploy his wings and point his weapons at the dinosaur's rings. "Missile Storm!" The rockets were launched and they all impacted with their respective targets. Engulfing them in smoke and leaving them free, but unconscious.
The Emperor was shocked to see his servants defeated so quickly. "WHAT?!"
"Oh, Kenny~"
He flinched at the voice calling his name, and barely had time to dodge as Killua jumped in front of him and brought his arms down in a double fist. The Emperor wasn't ready to fight him again, so he leaped on an Airdramon's back and stayed out of his reach.
Gatomon and Patamon glared at him. "Kari, bring me wings to take him down!"
"Imma squash him!" Patamon said.
The youngest veterans nodded and brought their Digivices up. "Digimental Up!"
"Patamon Armor Digivolves to... Pegasusmon! The Flying Hope!"
"Gatomon Armor Digivolves to... Nefertimon! The Angel of Light!"
They got on their respective partners' back and charged at the Emperor. Nefertimon's helmet glowed and she shot a twin pair of lasers. "Queen's Curse!" The lasers impacted the two Airdramon's that didn't have cargo, and broke their rings while leaving them unconscious.
"Needle Rain!" Pegasusmon shot his hair like needles as the Emperor, but he used his cape, somehow working as a shield. The Digimon growled and his forehead glowed green. "Equestrian Beam!"
The Emperor leaped off the dragon as the beam impacted against it. Mid-air he took off his gloves and flipped to land on his knee. As he did, he slammed his hands on the ground and from the earth a giant pillar of earth was formed, The Emperor was still out of reach in the air at the top of it.
Killua narrowed his eyes. "His Hatsu again..." He looked down and his eyes saw that, around the center of the pillar of rock, the ground had lost some mass. 'All the mass in the ground went to the pillar the moment his hand made contact... Another clue of how his ability works...' He mused and slid down the mesa to regroup with his friends.
Agumon narrowed his eyes and prepared to shoot at the Emperor, even at that height. "I got him!" He said, charging a Pepper Breath attack.
"Enough games!" The Emperor declared and took out his newest creation. "This is the Dark Spiral!" The object glowed red and The Emperor threw it at Agumon.
Agumon stopped his attack and the spiral latched on his arm. "Ah! What's this?!" The Spiral started clenching around his arm and Agumon grunted in pain while collapsing. "Argh!"
"That is just like a Dark Ring," The Emperor explained as Agumon's eyes glowed red. "But improved."
Tai got close to his partner with a concerned expression. "Agumon?" In response, Agumon turned and opened his mouth. Fire crackling in his mouth.
"Get down!" Killua tackled Tai out of the way as Agumon fired a Pepper Breath. They both looked at the dinosaur with frowns. "Damnit he got it!" Killua cursed.
"It can't be!" Kari clenched his fists in anger at the Emperor. After all the events leading to this and their search, Agumon was back to their enemies control?!
The Emperor laughed and raised his Digivice. "And the best part has yet to come! Now, Agumon, become my brand new General and destroy those pests!"
Agumon roared and was covered in a sick blue light. His frame growing and changing to add new features. The light dispersed and revealed Agumon's Ultimate form: MetalGreymon. But his coloration was different, instead of the usual orange, it was a dark blue.
"He did it..." Killua growled. His enemy somehow gained access to Agumon's Evolution line.
"But why is it blue?!" T.K asked, trying to wrap his head around the change of the color.
The Emperor just smiled, his face stretching farther than ever at his success. "It worked! My Dark Spires are a success!" He laughed.
Tai walked forward and looked up at his partner. "Agumon! Come on, it's me!" He tried to reason with him.
"It's useless," The Emperor mocked. "He is not your partner anymore--He's my slave. MetalGreymon, show him your power!" He ordered. MetalGreymon raised his claw and was ready to impale Tai with it.
Killua grabbed him and leaped back before the claw impacted with them. It dug itself into the ground, causing breaks around the impact zone. Killua clicked his teeth and turned to Tai. "Stay back, he isn't in his right mind at the moment!"
"But I have to reason with him!" Tai said, getting up and wanting to walk forward. "I can break through him!" He said, but was stopped by Davis getting a hold of him. "Davis let go!" He grunted.
"We have to stop him!" Pegasusmon said, circling around the cyborg Digimon. "Nefertimon, let's do it!"
"Right behind you!" Nefertimon said as her forepaws started glowing along with Pegasusmon's. "Power Bond!" They said together and tied the dinosaur with the golden energy. To try and reduce his strength, they lifted him over the air and then let him fall.
Tai gasped as he saw this and struggled further. "What are you doing?! You're hurting him!" He yelled.
"Davis, what do I do?!" Flamedramon asked, unsure on how to act after seeing MetalGreymon being attacked.
"You're asking me?!" Davis asked, struggling to keep the older boy back. He was also surprised to see his friends attacking the dinosaur, they were supposed to help him, not injure him! "A little bit of help here, Killua?!" No response. "... Dude, help me- Where did you go?!"
Davis looked ahead to see Killua charging at MetalGreymon with lighting on his hands. "Him too?!" Davis growled in anger, first he left The Emperor escape causing all this mess and now he attacks Tai's partner?!
Oblivious to Davis' anger, Killua jumped over the head of MetalGreymon and charged electricity on his palms. "Lighting Palms!" He slammed them on the helmet and MetalGreymon roared in pain. Killua gritted his teeth and continued, just waiting for the spire to break, but it didn't happened. "What's happening?! Why isn't it breaking?!"
"You really thought I won't thought of making my new models resistant to your lighting, Zoldyck?" The Emperor asked, crossing his arms and grinning smugly.
Killua growled and jumped away from his possessed friend's head. He looked at where the spire was, but it was wrapped by the Power Bond, out of his reach. "Shit!"
Cody looked up at his partner in the air. "Pteramon, can you attack the spire?" He asked.
Pteramon tried to find the right angle, but there were too many factors that didn't gave him a clear shot. "Sorry, Cody! He moves too much and the prevents me from getting aiming straight at it!" He explained.
Flamedramon walked forward, his fists enveloped by flames. "Should I take him down?!"
"Don't you dare!" Tai roared, still trying to get out of Davis' grip. "Leave him alone!" He yelled.
Killua gave him a glare. "This isn't the moment for that, Tai!" He said. He didn't like this either, but right now Agumon was the enemy.
"We have to do something now!" Kari said, looking at the golden rope and how it was budging at MetalGreymon's struggle. "It's going to break!"
"But what can we do?" T.K asked, knowing after their encounter with Andromon that an Armor wasn't enough against an Ultra. And Killua's lighting wasn't enough to destroy the collar and he couldn't break the spire without risking breaking the golden rope.
Cody looked nervously at the monster that was MetalGreymon at the moment. "We better think of something to keep him down, and quick!" He said.
Tai was getting more desperate with every word they said. "Please, wait! Hold on!" He tried to say.
"Tai, there's no other choice other than attacking!" Killua said, just waiting for the moment the rope breaks to go for the Dark Spire.
Davis scowled at him as he continued to hold back the older boy. "Listen, sparky! If Tai said wait, the we have to wait! Whether you're leader or not!" He growled.
MetalGreymon roared and snapped the rope around him, causing a small shockwave due to the power of the rope. Then he jumped up high, his withered wings holding him in the air as the chest plate opened. "Giga Blaster!" Four missiles were launched.
One went to the ground, impacting near Flamedramon, the explosion throwing him back and reverting him to V-Mon. The other three missiles impacted against the flying ones and causing then to revert and fall to the ground.
Killua looked up and cursed. Even if he propelled himself to the air, he couldn't reach the spire in time before being pushed back by a missile or by MetalGreymon's Metal Claw.
The Emperor laughed in victory as he saw the Digimon defeated. "I knew this Digivolution was stronger!" MetalGreymon flew near the column he created and the Emperor jumped on his head. "This was so easy! MetalGreymon, with your help I'll take this world faster than ever! Now to the next zone!"
MetalGreymon flew off with the Emperor in his head, while breaking various rock formations on his way.
Everyone watched them go helplessly, Tai finally broke off Davis' hold. "Agumon!" He yelled for his partner.
"MetalGreymon..." Davis breathed out. "It's so powerful."
"We can't beat him..." Cody said, cradling Armadillomon. "Not right now!"
"Damnit!" Killua cursed and was ready to take off after them, when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked back to see Tai holding him back. "What are you doing?!"
"What do you plan to do?" He asked, nervously.
"Break that spire, even if it means fighting Agumon!" Killua said, getting out his grip. "I already let him get away once! We can't do it again!"
"But... But fighting Agumon?!" Tai clenched his fist and looked down with a conflicted look. "There has to be other way."
Killua was about to say something else, when a shout made them all turn back to the source. "GUYYYYYS!"
Yolei was on a cart train with Hawkmon, and jointed to theirs was another one with Matt on it.
"Yolei!" Cody smiled and ran to the cart train.
"Matt?!" T.K was surprised to see his older brother in this place.
They all ran to meet with them. Yolei made a bow and apologized. "I'm sorry for not coming before, guys, it won't happen again!" She said.
"Well you're here now, that has to count!" Cody said, giving her a rare smile.
Matt jumped off the cart. "Yolei staying might've be a blessing in disguise," He said. "Now, tell me what's happening? What's the situation?"
Killua sighed. "Oh boy, sit down. We have quite a tale..."
The sun was already setting by the time Yolei and Matt were up to date with the events of the day. Tai was off to the side, looking at the distance with a lost stare, while mumbling. "What can we do... What can we do?"
Matt sighed as both he and Killua walked to them. "So, who would do the honors of snapping him back?" He asked the Hunter.
"You should," Killua shrugged. "After he made me stay behind I'm angry at him and might use Nen by 'accident,'" He made quotes in the air while smiling, despite the whole situation. He needed to lift the mood somehow.
"Okay," Matt smiled back and walked to the goggle wearing teenager. "Hey, Tai!"
Tai looked at the blond and promptly received a right hook to the face that sent him down to the floor. Davis saw this and ran to them. "Hey, what are you doing?! He just lost Agumon and you're hitting him?" He asked in anger.
"Davis," Killua said, looking at him. "Calm down."
"How can you said that?!" He asked. "You're just standing there watching your friend get hurt? I thought Tai and you went way back!" He wasn't getting any of this. First he wants to injure Agumon and now he lets Tai get punched?!
Before he could jump on Killua to strangle him, Tai got up caressing his injured cheek and looked at the blond with a smile. "Thanks, Matt," He said.
Matt smiled back. "It was nothing, it was obvious you need it."
Tai scratched his head and nodded. "Yeah it's true," He looked at Killua and chuckled nervously. "And I guess I should be thankful it was him and not you."
"Damn straight," He said, crossed his arms. "But now you know what to do, right?"
Tai nodded. "I can't let the doubt cloud me again," He said. "I have to fight with everything from now on and don't hesitate, if I want Agumon back."
"I'm sure that's what Agumon expects from you," Matt said with a serious frown. "He would rather be destroy than to continue being used by the Emperor."
"Of course we'll try to not let it get to that," Killua said, hands on his pockets. "But that also means that from now on we have to go with everything."
Tai nodded. "Yeah, you guys are right," He walked past them to address the new kids, T.K and his sister. "Listen, next time we encounter Agumon don't go easy on him! Attack with everything you got."
The kids were surprised by that. "Are you sure, Tai?" Kari asked, a bit hesitant of that.
"No, he's right," Gatomon said. "Agumon would do the same for us... Listen, if we want to finally free the last General then we can't hold back," He told the other Digimon who nodded back.
"Okay then let's-" Killua stopped himself and turned to Yolei. "Actually, Yolei, you do the honors."
Yolei grinned. "Let's go, Digidestined!" She exclaimed.
Finding more carts to travel with the group all started going in the direction where MetalGreymon went. They were going to set him free once and for all.
Tai, Matt and Killua were in the front cart, looking ahead on the horizon with determined stares. With Tai smiling gratefully at the two.
Davis stared at their backs with confusion. First Matt hits Tai and Killua lets him, then Tai says that they have to attack Agumon with everything they have? 'I don't get any of this...' He thought.