Ami, Takuto, Mameo and Kouta trudged through the blizzard. "Ngh…" Ami started slowing down as her eyelids grew heavy.

"Ami!" Rosemon shook her. "Don't fall asleep!"

"Ahh!" the girl gasped. "Trying… So cold…"

"Are we any closer to the temple?!" Ophanimon asked, trying to get her voice through the howling wind. "I swear this storm is getting stronger and Ami doesn't look like she can hold out much longer!"

Mameo was looking at his Digivice. "According to the map Mirei gave me, it should be right around here!"

Kouta looked ahead. "Wait, over there! I think I see something!"

"Really?!" Takuto narrowed his eyes and a shadow appeared in his view. "Nova, can you clear this storm a bit?!"

"I'll try!" The WarGreymon flew above them. "Firewall!" He burst with fiery light and the storm cleared away a bit. Enough so everyone could see a tall stone tower in front of them.

"There it is!" Yukimura gasped. The storm then returned in full force.

"Oh, come on!" Takuto groaned.

"At least we know where we're going!" Kuzuhamon said. "Ami, can you hold on a bit longer?! Ami?!"

Rosemon Burst Mode felt her Tamer slump into her arms. "Ami?!" She looked at the girl to see her eyes closed. "AMI!" She started shaking her. "AMI WAKE UP!"

Everyone turned to the girl. "Not good!" Mameo said. "It's not safe to sleep in this cold!"

"Let's hurry to that temple!" Storm said. "Hopefully it'll be warmer inside!" Rosemon took her cape off and bundled Ami up with it before lifting her up in her arms, and they all sprinted towards the temple.

"Fire Tornado!" Rikka incinerated three Cerberusmon at once.

Another three got behind her. "Emerald Blaze!" Rikka yelled as she was hit by hot fire.

"Hide and Seek!" Noir ambushed the three of them before noticing three more trying to attack him. "Judgment!"

As the fighting broke out Hosaka kept a close eye on Takumi and Shiki. "Belphamon."

The Deadly Digimon of Sloth had Gaia trapped in a chain until TyrantKabuterimon slashed it freeing her. Belphamon blocked a Meteor Fall from BlackWarGreymon and swung at him only for his target to back away before he glanced at Hosaka. "What do you want?"

"You wanna make sure Takumi can't beat us? Then listen close…"

"Line Surge!" Diaboromon spun in place extending his arms smacking multiple Cerberumon down. "Mach Rush!" He finished them off by ramming them all down.

PileVolcamon punched over a target. "Volcanic Driver!" He slammed on top of it. Then another Cerberumon tackled him to the ground from behind. "Agh! Help! Help!"

"Flying Kick!" Hudiemon knocked it off of him.

A Werewolf Mode grabbed her arms in its giant head hands. "Inferno Divide!" It breathed fire right into Hudiemon's back making her scream.

"Erika!" Keisuke shouted. MetalSeadramon slapped Hudiemon's attacker off her with her tails.

Jesmon grunted as five Cerberumon pilled on him. He threw one of them then spun in place shaking the rest of them off. "These things just keep coming!"

"Then let's turn up the heat!" Shiki put her hand over her Digivice and turned her head towards Takumi. "Hey Takumi! Show us what the training Takuto and I put you and Ami brought about!"

"Right!" Takumi put his googles on. "It's secret weapon time! Rapidmon Armor! BlackWarGreymon! Dorugoramon!"

"Skyla! Gaia!"

As Takumi and Shiki's Digimon gathered in front of them Hosaka pointed at them. "Now!"

"Extra Cross-

Belpahmon roared as two of the chains around him flew and snipped Takumi and Shiki tying them up. The two Tamers yelped as they were pulled across the battlefield. "Takumi!" Yuuko shouted.

"Shiki!" Shoma rushed towards them with her, but they came to a forced halt when Plutomon landed in front of them.

"Ah!" Yuuko gasped when the enemy swung his claws at them, but Noir and Samudramon ran up and blocked the attacks with their swords. Yuuko gritted her teeth as she watched her friends get dragged over towards the enemy. "No!"

Rapidmon Armor, BlackWarGreymon Dorugoramon, Skyla, and Gaia flew towards their Tamers but were blocked by Lucemon and Babramon. Belphamon plopped Takumi and Shiki onto the ground next to him. They sat there chained back-to-back. "At long last…" Belphamon grinned and held up his claws. "Vengeance will be mine!" Takumi and Shiki shut their eyes and braced themselves.

"Hold!" Hosaka held his hand up.

Belphamon paused and looked at him. "Huh?"

Hosaka strode over to Takumi and Shiki and grinned smugly at them. "We'll take these two with us once we're done here. They have value as prisoners. And we can learn more about the X-Antibody and EXE from them." Takumi and Shiki glared at him.

"Ugh, why go through all that trouble?"

"In the short term, perhaps it's troublesome. But in the long run having more tools accessible will make life much easier for us later down the road."

"Is that so?" Belphamon turned away from Takumi and Shiki. "Fine. They live… for now."

"Give them back!" Skyla yelled flying at Belphamon.

"Come and get them!" Belphamon roared and charged at her.

Arata's eyes went from his captured friends, to Hosaka, to each of the Deadly Digimon, to Plutomon, to all the Cerberumon currently surrounding them to the ones still appearing. "This whole mission went straight south fast."

"I agree." Jesmon said.

"Yeah…" Nokia sighed. "This bites."

Ami mumbled as she regained consciousness to the sound of shoes clanking on stone floor. Her eyes fluttered open. Her vision needed a moment to adjust before she could see straight. "…Rose…mon…?"

Rosemon Burst Mode looked down at the girl she still carried in her arms. "Oh, are you awake Ami?"

Everyone turned to her. "Thank goodness." Takuto smiled. "I don't know what we'd tell Takumi if something happened to you."

Ami looked around. She was bundled up in Rosemon's cape like a newborn. Nova walked next to her Digimon holding out a palm that emitted fire in front of Ami helping her warm up. The team was walking down a hall of stone with torches lighting the path. "Where are we?"

"Inside Baihumon's Temple." Mameo replied.

"Are you alright Ami?" Ophanimon asked.

Ami shivered slightly. "Yeah… just cold."

"EDEN avatars can't catch a cold, can they?" Kouta asked.

"As far as I'm aware, no." Ami shook her head. "Otherwise, I'd probably have one by now for walking through a blizzard in a skirt. Anyway, thanks guys. Sorry for being so much trouble." She wriggled a bit in her cocoon and her Digimon's hold trying to get out. "I'm good to walk now."

"Don't worry about it." Rosemon Burst Mode replied before readjusting her grip. "And no. You're resting up for now. If something comes up, we'll need you at full strength."

"Agreed." Ophanimon and Kazuhamon replied in sync.

Ami sighed. "You three are worse than Takumi sometimes."

Kazuhamon smiled. "Well, you said it yourself. We are family. Just like you two."

Ami smiled and closed her eyes. "Yeah. Okay, you win. Just…" She let out a small yawn. "Wake me if something happens. Promise?"

"Promise." Ophanimon smiled.

Takuto, Mameo, and Kouta all chuckled as Ami relaxed. "Still…" File looked around. "A whole lot of nothing so far. Not even any traps."

"No signs of the Next Order either." Nova added.

"You're right…" Mameo said folding his arms.

"Mr. Mameo?" Kouta looked at him. "What's wrong?"

"I'll tell you when we get back. For now, we need to hurry and find the core." Mameo quickened his steps, walking ahead.

Kouta turned to Takuto. "Takuto… Mr. Mameo seems concerned even thought this is going well."

"Yeah." Takuto whispered back. "I wonder what's on his mind."

Takumi and Shiki grunted as they tried to pull free from the chains holding them, but they were too strong. Yuuko couldn't avert her gaze from her friends. "Takumi…"

"Yuuko, stay back!" Samudramon said deflecting a claw swipe from Plutomon.

"Hell's Gate!" Jaws of darkness opened up in front of Plutomon. Samudramon backed away before they slammed down in front of him. He thrusted one of his swords and Plutomon caught it between his hands. Noir tried to get him from the left, but Plutomon swung Samudramon into him. "Destruction Cannon!" He fired a projectile from his hand knocking them into the dirt. "Hmph. Too easy."

Shoma growled. "This guy is tough. Any ideas Yuuko? Yuuko?" He looked around himself. "Where did she…?"

Takumi and Shiki felt something grip the chains around them. "Huh?"

"Shh. Don't draw attention."

Shiki looked around searching for the source of the voice. "Yuuko? Where…?"

"Stealth Hide." Takumi smirked. "Clever."

"These things are tight…" Yuuko muttered as she tried to figure out how to unravel them. "Give me a minute… there!"

Hosaka heard the sound of chains rattling and looked behind him. The coils were sliding off of Takumi and Shiki as they stood up. "What- He pulled up a monitor and a bright flash hit Yuuko who shrieked as her Stealth Hide faded. "Ah HA! Tried to trick me, did you?! Belphamon, we're adding her to the hostage list!" Belphamon looked at Takumi, Shiki, and Yuuko as his eyes glowed red. The chains at their feet rose up and ensnared all three of them, tying them back-to-back. They yelped as they fell onto their backsides.

Nokia caught a glimpse of the three struggling in the chains. "Ah! Yuuko got captured too!"

"Oh, goddammit." Arata growled.

"Out of my way!" Samudramon swung his swords fiercely at Plutomon who blocked them with his hands before jabbing him in the gut.

"Samudramon!" Yuuko shouted.

Hosaka laughed. "Ah, love it when the plan comes together! I-GAH!" A chain whacked him in the back of the head knocking him over. "What the…?!" He rubbed his head looking behind him on his knees.

Yuuko, Takumi and Shiki gasped. There was someone holding the lose end of the chain tying them up swinging it like a lasso. Yuuko was the most shocked. "F-Fei?!"

Everyone looked at her. "You!" Hosaka glared.

"I told ya Hosaka." Fei flailed the chain into him, hitting him in the face and knocking him down. "Ya picked the wrong gal to mess with." She dropped the chain and started loosening it around Takumi, Yuuko, and Shiki. "Hang on…" Once it was loose, she pulled it off of them.

"Thanks Fei." Takumi said as the three of them got up.

"Fei, what are you doing here?!" Yuuko asked. "HOW did you get here?! How did you know to COME here?!"

Fei held up one finger. "Making things right." She held up a second. "Used the teleporter at the city. And…" She then held up a third finger before pointing at Keisuke.

"Me?" Keisuke pointed at himself. "I never- He then remembered when he was in Fei's cell earlier and she put her fist against his chest. He put on his Digivice. "You wiretapped my Digivice?"

"And overheard you're plan to come here… so I broke out of that cell and hurried over."

"Why?!" Yuuko asked. "Fei, it's dangerous to come here without a Digimon!"

"I don't care! If I'm ever gonna atone for my crimes, I'm gonna have to take action! I ain't waiting for anyone's approval! Besides… when all's said and done, no matter how you feel towards me… I swore I'd support you Yuuko. And that's what I'm gonna do!"

"Fei…"

Hosaka snarled. "You little…!" Fei faced him and started whirling the chain over her head again. "Belphamon!"

Belphamon's eyes flashed, and the chain slipped out of Fei's hands and circled around her, Yuuko, Takumi, and Shiki. "Look out!" Fei shoved Takumi and Yuuko into Shiki knocking all three of them down just before the chains closed in and ensnared her. "Hrk!"

"Fei!" Yuuko shouted.

Fei was roughly yanked over to Belphamon. The Deadly Digimon of Sloth held her up. "Are we taking this one prisoner too?"

"Pfft!" Hosaka rolled his eyes. "Tried that and she caused us more trouble than benefit. Do whatever you want with that feisty hag."

"In that case…" Belphamon's claws glowed.

"NO!" Takumi yelled.

"FEI!" Yuuko ran towards her friend. But just as Belphamen was about to strike a Phoenixmon slammed into the arm he was about to claw Fei with.

"Skyla!" Shiki gapped.

"I'm over here!"

Shiki noticed her Phoenixmon was still fighting the Cerberumon. "Huh?" She looked back at the Phoenixmon holding Belphamon's arm in her talons. "Then who…?"

A staff flew in and smashed the dangling end of the chains around Fei letting the rest of them holding her drop to the ground with her. Sakuyamon then flew in and kicked Belphamon in the face. Belphamon snarled and another chain tied Sakuyamon up, but TigerVespamon flew in and cut her loose then slashed Belphamon with her Royal Meisters making him stumble back. Fei gasped as she sat up. "You're…!"

As Sakuyamon pulled her staff out of the ground, TigerVespamon along with Phoenixmon hurried to Fei's side. "Are you alright Fei?!"

"What are… why are you here…?!"

"Eternal Nightmare!" Belphamon roared blowing all three of Fei's Digimon away. He then rushed at her with his claws out. But just before they sunk into the ground, something zoomed in moving Fei out of the way. "Huh?!"

HiAndromon dragged his hand into the ground coming to a halt. Yuugo was on his back holding Fei in his arms. "That was a close shave."

"Brother!" Yuuko gasped.

Yuugo jumped down with Fei. "Are you alright?"

Fei was staring at Yuugo while at a loss for words and a slightly red face. "U-uh…" Yuugo set her down and HiAndromon slashed the chain around her off with a hand chop. "Why are…?"

Fei's Digimon hurried over to her. "When we saw you weren't in your cell, Yuugo tracked your Digivice here." TigerVespamon said.

Hosaka growled. "Oh, COME ON! You maggots are just crawling out of the woodwork, aren't you?!"

Plutomon roared as he knocked Samudramon and Noir down. He then turned to Yuugo and Fei. "More fools who resist justice! Their lives are forfeit!" He flew straight at them.

Rapidmon Armor shot Belphamon in the face before he BlackWarGreymon, Dorugoramon, Skyla, and Gaia flew towards Takumi and Shiki. "Shall we try this again?"

Takumi nodded and held his hand forward. "Rapidmon Armor! BlackWarGreymon! Dorugoramon! Extra Xross Evolution!"

Shiki held up her Digivice. "Skyla! Gaia! Extra Xross Evolution!"

BlackWarGreymon and Dorugoramon merged with Rapidmon Armor transforming him. "Rapidmon Armor X!" Skyla and Gaia transformed into the BloomLordmon Fei.

"Takumi and I can take the Deadly Digimon!" Shiki said. "Shoma, lend us a hand?"

"Anytime."

HiAndromon took the twin bladed weapons from his back and paired two claw swipes from Plutomon before backing up. Sakuyamon flew in and swung her staff. Plutomon blocked it and pushed her back. Yuuko ran to her Digimon. "Samudramon, we have to help them!"

"Ugh… I'm sorry Yuuko…" Samudramon groaned trying to get up.

"Oh, someone doesn't have a Digimon to fight with…" Babramon laughed as he aproached Yuuko.

"Takumi, protect Yuuko!" Yuugo said.

Takumi stepped in front of Yuuko holding an arm out in front of her. Rapidmon Armor X flew in front of them. "Takumi…" The boy looked at Fei who spoke to him while facing away. "You always were good at taking care of her… even better than me… so don't screw this up."

Takumi smiled. "I know."

Yuugo turned to Fei. "You sure you don't want to help him?"

"Nah. He's got this. Besides…" Fei faced Plutomon. "Yuuko would be devastated if something happened to you."

"Thank you."

"Fei! We stand by your side!" TigerVespamon said. "Now and forever!"

"Guide us to victory!" Sakuyamon said. "Just like you used to!"

"With you supporting us, this freak stands no chance!" Phoenixmon declared.

"Heh. You three haven't changed." Fei grinned. "Alright ladies, let's take this mad dog back to the pound!" Fei looked at her Digivice as it glowed. The icon for the Digital Monster app glowed. "Huh?" She opened it and saw the three icons representing her Digimon glow. The shined onto her three Digimon.

"What is this...?" Sakuyamon asked.

"I feel power... rising in me..." Phoenixmon said.

"This is Fei's strength." TigerVespamon said. "I can feel it."

"HiAndromon and I have your back Fei!" Yuugo said as his Digimon stood ready.

"Alright!" Fei got into a fighting stance. "Let's do this!"

Mameo and his team stepped into a large room. "Is this it?"

Takuto and Kouta looked around them. "Looks kinda where the core was stored in the last temple I was in." Kouta said.

Takuto looked at the far end of the room. There was a carving of a giant tiger. In front of it was a casket. "Is that…"

"Where the core is no doubt."

"Oh, Ami." Rosemon noticed the human in her arms was awake. "Did we wake you?"

"No, I just woke up." Ami fidgeted a bit. "Thanks guys. Don't worry, I'm fine now, I promise."

"Okay." Rosemon put Ami down and unwrapped her cape before putting it back on. Ami stretched out a bit.

"The casket might be rigged like the other ones." Ami said. "Let's be careful."

"We still haven't encountered any traps." Takuto said. "It's weird."

"Hey, let's not question good fortune." File said.

"File's right." Nova nodded. "Let's grab what we came here for and beat it."

They approached the casket but as they got closer to the center of the room yellow fire lit the torches on the walls around them. "What the…?!" Kouta muttered as they stepped back.

"Halt." A flash of light rose in front of them. As it died down it revealed a Digimon clad in white and blue armor and long silver hair. He folded his arms staring at the humans. "Who dares approach the DigiCore of Lord Baihumon?"

"Who are you?!" Yukimura asked.

"I am MirageGaogamon Burst Mode. Retainer of the Land Deity of the West."

"You mean the Sovereign Digimon?" Ophanimon asked.

"After the great war, and this temple was built to honor my master's sacrifice, I alone swore to stand guard and watch over his one surviving Digicore."

"The battle with Huanglongmon…" Mameo said.

MirageGaogamon looked at him. "You… you're humans… why did you come to this temple?"

Takuto stepped forward. "Have you been guarding this place ever since the fight with Huanglongmon?"

"Of course. I swore to always be by my master's side."

"Then you missed out on a lot in this world… a new war has started. Leopardmon and a handful of Royal Knights and their servants overthrew King Drasil and are trying to conquer the Digital World. They're trying to gather all the Digicores of the Sovereign Digimon. We don't know why, but they already have the other three."

"We came here to find Baihumon's Digicore before they do so we can keep it from their clutches." Ami said. "Please, let us have Baihumon's Digicore."

MirageGaogamon kept his gaze on them. "Assuming you speak the truth, what makes you think you can keep the core safe from them? And how do I know you are not secretly in league with Leopradrmon? How do I know you will not do anything vile with my master's power? Humans like you do not belong in this world."

"Perhaps they don't." Yukimura said stepping forward. "Even less so humans like Kouta who came from a Parallel World. But they only came here because of their desire to help others."

"And we need their help." Kuzuhamon said. "Humans may lack the physical abilities of us Digimon, but they possess their own strengths that when combined with ours can surpass any challenge."

"Is that right?" MirageGaogamon asked. "And this power you speak of… is it noble?"

"Of course!" File said. "Mameo and the others are good people. And that's what makes this power so valuable."

"…Then prove it." MirageGaogamon Burst Mode held out his hands. A glowing yellow weapon with a spiked ball on one end and a sickle on the other appeared in his grasp. "I challenge a Digimon backed by this strength to single combat. Should they prevail, I will allow you to take the Digicore."

"I had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy in the end." Mameo said.

"Let's show him what we can do!" Storm said.

"Hold it guys." Ami said. "He said single combat. That means only one Digimon will fight him, or we won't prove our point."

"Okay… who's it going to be?" Takuto asked.

"Yukimura and I'll go." Kouta said.

"Kouta? Are you sure?" Ami asked.

"You and Takuto are more used to fighting with multiple Digimon. Yukimura and I are used to fighting with just us."

"Your logic is solid…" Mameo admitted. "Alright. Just be careful Kouta. This guy has to be powerful if he's been guarding the core all alone."

"Right. Let's do this Yukimura!"

"Right!" The Gallantmon approached with his Tamer.

MirageGaogamon snapped his fingers and a wall of light spread around them forming a box. "Come. Show me what this human power can accomplish!"

"Yukimura, let's show him our power!"

"Right!" Yukimura held up his lance and charged. "Buster Dive!" MirageGaogamon blocked the tip of his lance with his sickle then spun around and slammed it into Yukimura's back. The knight rolled across the floor before facing his foe again. "Fighting Aura!"

"Attack Break Field!" When Yukimura tried to buff himself up, MiragGaogamon nurfed his power back down. "You will need to deploy better tactics then that to defeat me."

"This won't be easy." Kouta murmured. "Yukimura, attack from a distance!"

The knight leapt back. "Judgment!" He fired a beam of light.

Kouta waited for MirageGaogamon Burst Mode to knock the attack away with his weapon. "Now! Close in!"

"Gallant Charge!" Gallantmon rammed his lance into MirageGaogamon's chest. "Saint Shield!" He then burst with light.

MirageGaogamon Burst Mode backed up. "Oh? Not bad. It seems human's do indeed make Digimon more powerful." He straightened up. "But will that power be a blessing to this world? Or a curse? Huanglongmon held great power. And he was consumed by it. It drove him mad endangering this world. Will the same thing happen to you?"

"Been down that road once before." Kouta said. "And I promised myself and Yukimura never again."

"Is that so?" MirageGaogamon asked. "Huanglongmon once swore he would only use his power to bring balance to our world. And then he tried to destroy it. You may say you won't be blinded by power now, but how long will you hold onto that oath?" MirageGaogamon Burst Mode glowed. "Final Aura!" His wounds healed instantly. "Luna Hook Slasher!" In a flash he zoomed in and smacked Yukimura's lance, then the shield aside then slashed into his chest. He then jumped up and kicked Yukimura in the face.

"Yukimura, fight back!"

"Lightning Joust!" Yukimura fired a bolt of lightning. MirageGaogamon dodged it. Then another. And another. No matter how many Yukimura fired the enemy was too fast to hit.

"You're frightened now." MirageGaogamon said. "You can't touch me while in a panic." He then started slashing Yukimura repeatedly at a speed impossible to keep up with.

After being blown back Yukimura held his shield forward. "Shield of The Just!" It fired a brilliant gold blast.

"Full Moon Meteor Impact!" MirageGaogamon Burst Mode spun in place before sending the mace forward. It pushed through Yukimura's attack then smashed into his shield leaving a massive dent before smashing him against the wall.

"Yukimura!" Kouta shouted.

"This guy's thought." Mameo cringed.

"Burst Mode is powerful." Ami said. "This might be too much for Yukimura to handle…"

"Kouta!" Takuto banged on the barrier separating them from their friend and his foe. "Tag out! Let me fight him with Omni!"

"Takuto…" Kouta clenched his fist. "I…"

"No, Kouta…" Yukimura tried to stand up but struggled on his knees. "We can do this…"

"Yukimura?"

"Are you that desperate to prove yourself?" MirageGaogamon Burst Mode asked. "Face it. You're outclassed."

"I don't believe that… I believe that Kouta will see us through to victory…"

"Why would you, a Digimon put so much faith in a human?"

"Because he's my partner… and I believe in him! Before he felt he was not strong enough to make a difference… but he has great strength! And I have seen it for myself!"

"Yukimura…" Kouta frowned. "You really think a guy like me can get us through a situation like this?"

"I know you can Kouta! Trust yourself! And if you can't do that… trust me and those who believe in you!"

"You learned not only how to obtain power, but how to do it correctly. That's why we agreed with Takuto and Shiki when they said you can be trusted with it."

"You both have helped me and this boy come to peace with our mistakes and put our differences aside. That is not something that someone who uses power wrongly can do. You two have also proven to be able to see the best in others. And that is why you are worthy."

Gallantmon and Arata's words echoed in Kouta's head. "That's right… they gave it to me because they trusted me… that's why Takuto and Shiki chose me…" Kouta looked at his hand. "Ever since what happened I found it hard to believe in myself… but if others can believe in me…" He clenched his hand into a fist. "Then I can believe in me too! I have to believe I have the power to surpass the challenge in front of me! And I have to believe that I can use it correctly!" Kouta's left wrist glowed red. "Huh…?"

Yukimura was washed over in white light. "Oh…!"

MirageGaogamon shielded his eyes. "What is this?"

"Kouta…!" Takuto gasped in surprise alongside Mameo and Ami. "Your Digivice!"

Kouta looked at the screen. The words X-Evolution with a giant red X and an image of Yukimua and Kouta. He slowly put his other hand over it and felt a warmth through his body as he and Yukimura closed their eyes. When they opened them Yukimura rose from the ground glowing brighter. MirageGaogamon Burst Mode slid back on his feet slightly. "What is this power?"

Kouta raised the arm with his Digivice. "Yukimura! X-Evolution!" Yukimura spun into the air and a shell of light forming a white egg around him appeared. His shield and lance vanished. Then the armor on his arms and legs changed shape. His shoulder plates grew with a gold pattern on them. His chest plate transformed with a green crest on it. His cape extended with a gold trim. A white piece appeared over the top of his helmet with a green crest. He held up his hand and a golden light stretched into an extended weapon. It had a green spear tip on one end and a crimson and gold axe on the other. He spun it overhead in both hands before swinging it holding one hand out and the weapon in the other. The shell exploded revealing a MedievalGallantmon.

The new Yukimura let lose a blinding light. "What… is that form?!" MirageGaogamon Burst Mode gaped.

"Whoa…" Takuto gasped.

"Is that the power of the X-Antibody?" File muttered.

Kouta looked at the MedievalGallantmon. "Yukimura… That form is amazing! Did the X-Antibody do that?"

"Not just that Kouta. You helped me unlock this power."

MirageGaogamon held up his weapon again. "Interesting… but will this new evolution be enough!" He charged at Yukimura. "Saint Knuckle!" His fist glowed as he threw a punch, but Yukimura blocked it with his free hand effortlessly. "What?! Gah!" Yukimura tossed him into the air. MirageGaogamon spun into the air before straightening himself up. "Shining Laser!" A rain of heavenly lights came down on Yukimura forming a dust cloud around him. MirageGaogamon charged up energy in his hand. "Holy Light!" He threw a golden orb into the dust that exploded before landing on his feet. He staired into the resulting dust waiting for the first sign of his target.

Yukimura rushed out of the dust completely unharmed ramming his fist into MirageGaogamon's gut making him hunch over. Yukimura then spread his arms. "Flame Storm!"

The eruption of heat made the spectators back up. "Wow! Suddenly not so cold anymore." Ami muttered.

"Yukimura's power is through the roof!" Mameo said. "He might be a match for you and your sister now Takuto!"

The boy grinned. "I knew Kouta was the right choice."

After sliding back MirageGaogamon dawned his weapon and charged. "Luna Hook Slasher!"

"Deflect it!" Kouta said.

"Spin Attack!" Yukimura spun with his Dynas knocking MirageGaogamon upward. He then pointed it towards MirageGaogamon spinning like a drill. "Spiral Driver!" He rammed into MirageGaogamon then lifted his weapon upward. "Shining Nova!" A burst of light rained down on MirageGaogamon Burst Mode.

"That's it Yukimura!" Kouta cheered as his Digimon returned to him.

MirageGaogamon Burst Mode stood back up. "Most impressive... it seems I have no need to hold back!" He held his weapon up and a shining moon appeared raining light onto him.

"Yukimura, here!" Kouta threw his Digimon a Utility Booster X. Yukimura caught it then held his Dynas in both hands. He and MirageGaogamon charged at each other. Yukimura blocked the spiked ball then thrusted the lance end of his weapon at MirageGaogamon who moved his head aside then swung the sickle. Yukimara blocked it then lowered the axe at MiragGaogamon who jumped back.

"So, this is your power human?" MirageGaogamon asked.

"No." Kouta replied as the clash continued. "This is my and Yukimura's power! And we'll use it to save this land! And we'll fight for our friends!"

Takuto smiled. "Kouta…"

Mameo chuckled. "He's really grown up."

"Full Moon Meteor Impact!" MirageGaogamon spun then flailed the mace at Yukimura.

Yukimura deflected the spiked ball then slashed it's tether off with his axe. He then charged holding the jewel lance forward. "Rage of Wyvern!" The end of the lance glowed forming a dragon of energy. MirageGaogamon tried to shield himself with the rest of his weapon but the Rage of Wyvern shattered the whole thing like glass before smashing MirageGaogamon to the floor.

"Time to end this!" Kouta shouted.

"Right!" Yukimura crossed his arms and the crest on his chest glowed green.

MirageGaogamon Burst Mode got up and crossed his arms. "Final Mirage Burst!" He shot golden light towards Yukimura.

"Final Crest!" Yukimura shot a golden beam from his chest that collided with the Final Mirage Burst. They attacks intercepted each other before Yukimura's pushed through and enveloped its target in emerald light. When it died down MiragGaogamon Burst Mode was flat on his back.

"That was incredible!" Nova said. "I never saw Kouta and Yukimura fight so fiercely!"

MirageGaogamon Burst Mode stumbled trying to get up. "That power… it rivals even Lord Baihumon's… this is the power of humankind…?"

"I told you." Kouta replied. "This is my and Yukimura's power. It doesn't belong to one of us anymore than the other. We stand together in battle and look out for each other."

"That is what it means to be partners." Yukimura stated.

"Such righteous words…" MirageGaogamon slowly got back up. "The world has changed since my master's time…"

Yukimura held Dynas ready to fight. "Shall we continue?"

"No." MirageGaogamon snapped his fingers. The barrier around them dissipated. He then held his hand towards the casket. It unlocked and slowly opened. "You have both shown me your resolve and your strength. I yield. You have proven yourselves worthy of interesting Lord Baihumon's Digicore." MirageGaogamon Burst Mode bowed.

"Yes!" Takuto and the others ran over to Kouta as Yukimura reverted to normal Gallantmon form. Takuto put an arm over Kouta's shoulders. "Dude, that was sick!"

"Yeah, you and Yukimura really showed us what you could do!" Ami smiled.

"You've grown up Kouta." Mameo smiled. "Both as a person and as a Digimon Tamer."

"Thanks guys." Kouta said. "But I was only able to come this far because you all believed in me. The strength Yukimura and I have… you guys… my friends… you're the source of it."

"Maybe." Takuto said. "But the way you wielded that strength today was something else. You have my respect, Kouta."

Kouta smiled before they all walked to the casket. Inside was a yellow Digicore. He slowly picked it up. "Here it is. The Sovereign Digicore."

Ami turned to the guardian. "Thank you for believing us, MirageGaogamon. So, what will you do now?"

"Hmm. A good question." MirageGaogamon Burst Mode looked away. "I swore my loyalty to Lord Baihumon. After his passing I swore to watch over his last Digicore. But now that I am no longer required to do that… I am without purpose."

"In that case…" Takuto walked up to him. "If you don't have any plans… how about joining us in the City."

Mameo looked at him. "Takuto?"

"You can find a new purpose in helping us protect the Digital World from the Next Order. We could use more powerful Digimon like you."

"Protecting the Digital World…" MirageGaogamon said. "Like my master did before me… Very well. I hereby pledge my loyalty to you." MirageGaogamon bowed. "I will help you topple Leopardmon, I swear it."

"Thanks!" Takuto smiled. "Welcome to the Resistance MirageGaogamon!"

"That's Takuto for you." Mameo smiled. "He sure has a knack for recruiting Digimon."

Ami smiled. "Yeah… even former enemies. It's a real blessing."

"Well then what say we head back and tell everyone the good news?" Kouta said. "…Huh? What's wrong Mr. Mameo?"

The man was staring at the floor. "The Next Order never showed up."

"Uh, yeah? Isn't that a good thing?" Takuto asked. "We finally secured a Sovereign Digicore!"

"That is good…" Mameoa said. "But it also confirms Mirei's theory."

"Is this about why she sent Takumi and the others to the wrong place?" Ami asked.

Mameo sighed. "We'll explain once we gather everyone. Come on. Let's go." They all activated Home Disc's and left the temple.

People were probably expecting Crimson Mode or Gallantmon X, but MedievalGallantmon is painfully underrated despite its badass design. So, I'm giving Yukimura this form in part of my quest to make Kouta more relevant then Digimon World Next Order did. Anyway, Next chapter we'll wrap up the battle in Cracker Feild.