While Takato and the others continued their day, recovering from their encounter with Raremon, back inside the Hypnos building, Yamaki had a superior smirk on his face as he boarded the elevator and made his way to the lower levels.
'Those clueless Tamers and their Digimon, they have no idea what I have cooked up in my lab, and won't they be surprised.' Yamaki thought, entering a massive room, filled with monitors, machinery and many scientists, while inside several (canisters/containers/large tubes) were the remains of Raremon, only they were no longer frozen and floated in the liquid filled containers.
"Sir, we're ready to initiate the data scan." One of Yamaki's employees informed, getting a stoic stare from the blonde.
"What are you waiting for then?" Yamaki asked, just before he commanded. "Do it."
"It's just we are picking up very faint life readings from the remains." The scientist replied, looking at Yamaki with some fascination as he stated. "If we copied the data of this creature and managed to stabilize it, I think we could bring it back to life."
From his words, Yamaki just stared at the scientist with no interest in his words.
"A worm has more life than these creatures, they are just packets of data, zeroes and ones, so why would I want to bring back something that is of no use to me? All I want right now is to analyze the data of this Digimon, to know how they live, and how they can be destroyed." Yamaki replied, looking over at the second scientist operating the equipment and told him with an authoritative tone. "Proceed with the scan."
"Yes, sir." He replied, not asking questions and staying in line as he activated the machine, causing the remnants of Raremon's body to start bubbling and slowly started to break a part, before dispersing into countless particles of data.
"It's gone. The data is still with us, but the body is gone." The second scientist then informed, looking at them empty canisters as he asked Yamaki. "Should I save the data?"
"I don't see the point to that." Yamaki said, remaining with an uncaring tone as he told his scientists. "We got all the data we needed from the scanning procedure. Eliminate anything that's left."
Doing as per Yamaki's orders, the scientists purged the tubes, erasing any residual data of Raremon, while Yamaki looked at the tubes with a dark smile. "We'll scan as many Digimon as we need to, until they're all gone."
-Meanwhile-
While Yamaki was starting his latest plans to rid Shinjuku of all Digimon, back in the park, Guilmon had taken some time alone, where a puzzling thought came to him as he sat on the swings, remembering what Yamaki said on their first meeting.
"That Digital Hazard Digimon is a devil. They are just data and soon that data will be erased."
Yamaki's words echoed in his mind as Guilmon put a claw on his chest.
'If what that man said is true, then that means Guilmon is bad...' Guilmon thought deeply in his mind, starting to fear himself, fearing he would harm Takato and those he called his friends.
And even though Guilmon knew he had some control over his powers thanks to Renamon's training, he was still afraid that one day, he would be consumed by it.
"There you are, Guilmon. Are you alright?" Renamon's voice asked gently, cutting Guilmon out of his thoughts and saw the foxy Digimon had used her great stealth to sneak up to him, where she sat on the swing next to him, while Calumon dropped down from the sky, landing on Guilmon's head, where he looked down at Guilmon with some concern.
And shortly after, Takato, Henry, Terriermon and Rika arrived, all stood before them, looking at Guilmon with concerned expressions.
"Oh, Guilmon thinking about what that man said." Guilmon told Takato and the others.
"Him?" Takato asked crossly, not trusting Yamaki. "Don't tell me he upset you."
"But what if I am a devil? I'll lose control over my bad power and become corrupted again. I'm scared." Guilmon said in reply, continuing to doubt himself and allow his negative emotions get the better of him.
However, he then felt Renamon's hand on his shoulder, causing Guilmon to look at Renamon and saw a stern and serious expression on her face.
"Don't pay any attention to what he said. You have us, and as long as we care about you and protect you, you'll never have to worry about the Digital Hazard controlling you again. I am here. Takato is here and so are all of us." Renamon informed, her words and her tone full of care toward the red dino Digimon.
"That's right! Who cares if you have some bad Data inside of you? You're precious to us, and that's all it matters." Rika said, confident in Guilmon, certain that with their friendship, Guilmon could and would continue to remain in control of himself.
"Don't fret about it anymore, buddy. If we see that man again, we'll be ready." Takato added.
"I hope you're right. Guilmon's been lucky so far." Guilmon said, before stating. "I just don't want to harm you all."
"Right, so we'll just keep training you, and..." Takato started to say, stopping when all felt the ground shaking a little, causing Rika to ask. "What is that?"
"I'm not too sure, but I think that is causing it." Takato pointed out, where all looked back to the city and saw a stream of blue energy shooting from the top of a large building, producing a set of digital waves, which confused the Tamers as to what it was.
And their confusion continued, as did the shock when Calumon let out a sudden panic filled cry as he was suddenly pulled off of Guilmon's head and began to float away, seemingly against his will.
But acting fast, Rika jumped for Calumon, managing to grab him, where she brought him down and held him close to her chest, making Calumon smile.
"Thank you, Rika." He said, grateful he wasn't sucked away.
"No problem." Rika replied, smiling back at Calumon, before her expression turned serious as she gazed at the energy, which had turned into a massive void. "But whatever that thing is, we have to stop it."
"Before it sucks us all up." Terriermon added, he too feeling the strange effects of the void trying to drag him off.
"Then let's go." Takato said, running toward the source of the void, heading out of the park and causing Henry and Rika to follow the duo.
-On a bridgeway-
Yamaki looked in the sky, smiling victoriously at his accomplishment, where he then said. "My greatest creation, Juggernaut, This will rid us of all those vermin. Goodbye beasts of mayhem, time to go away. The world will soon be free of this pestilence forever."
And his smile remained as he turned his head, looking to see Takato, Guilmon, Rika, Renamon, Calumon, Henry and Terriermon arrive.
"Well look who's come to marvel at my brilliance." He said, facing Takato, Guilmon and the others.
"You again!" Takato called, looking upward at the strange void, where he saw Digimon being forcefully sucked into it, before breaking into particles and fading away, concerning Takato and making him say. "It's like some huge Digimon vacuum. What's happening to them?"
"We had no other choice." Yamaki spoke up, pushing up his sunglasses as he approached the Tamers. "Let's just say we're controlling an infestation, all vermin must go."
"But you can't just destroy all the Digimon, they're our friends." Takato pointed out, which Yamaki saw as childish naivety.
"Really? You still consider these monsters to be your friends?" Yamaki asked, causing Renamon and Terriermon to glare at the blond, while Guilmon snarled a little.
"These things are incapable of friendship. They're nothing more than artificial lifeforms." Yamaki then said, believing he was done in his conversation as he walked past the Tamers.
"That's not true! Digimon aren't what you think." Takato called, continuing to defend Guilmon, Renamon, Terriermon and Calumon.
"Takato..." Guilmon interrupted, his tone sounding serious as he informed. "It's coming."
Turning their attention away from Yamaki, Takato and the others all saw a dark stream flood down from the void, unsure what exactly was happening or what was coming out of it, as was Yamaki.
"Sir, something is coming out of the Juggernaut!" Riley informed through his earpiece, shocking him.
"But... but that's impossible, this program is flawless, I designed it myself!" Yamaki said as he looked up to see the sky darkening, where he called in disbelief. "This cannot be happening!"
Continuing to watch on as the Juggernaut program was turning unstable, the sky above the Hypnos building suddenly split open, looking like a code of data that hovered over the city, causing all the homes to lose power and the appliances to suddenly die.
But from the void, all heard a voice speak.
"Humans created us, but now we are free. The time has come to claim our place in the Real World. You have but one purpose, to serve the Digimon!" The voice boomed, just as a Digital Field slowly engulfed the Hypnos headquarters.
"I'll never be a servant to any of you data scum!" Yamaki yelled, which caused the voice to counter, pointing out. "It's because of you that all this happened. I should thank you. You have opened a portal to the Real World for all of us."
While concerned about the new Digimon enemy, another threat was in the works, where Henry pointed out to the others. "If our worlds overlap, we could all be destroyed."
"Then we need to plug that hole." Takato guessed, about to head into the Digital Field, but stopped when he heard Yamaki yell, sounding most infuriated.
"This is intolerable! Stupid!" Yamaki yelled out as he slammed his fist against the bridge wall. "I shouldn't have let children interact with Digimon! What was I thinking!?"
"You..." He snapped, glaring at Takato, before he grabbed the brunette by his throat and lifted him up.
"This is your fault! This is because of you all!" Yamaki yelled at Takato, Henry and Rika, sounding as though he had lost his mind. "You ignorant Digimon loving freaks!"
"Leave Takato alone!" Guilmon demanded, feeling his anger increasing at seeing his Tamer being harmed, where he lunged and slammed his head into Yamaki's chest, making him let go of Takato.
"You're not worth it." Yamaki said bitterly, straightening up his clothing and getting back up, where he then turned and began to stumble away, a shell of a man as he fled from his mistake.
Concerned for her boyfriend, Rika asked as she helped the brunette back up. "Takato? Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." Takato replied, turning his attention back to the Digital Field, where he then said. "But for now, we have a job to do."
Nodding in reply and understanding, Henry and Rika followed Takato into the Digital Field, turning their gaze skyward as they all looked at the top of Hypnos, knowing that was where the new Digimon now dwelled.
"You guys ready?" Takato asked, about to use his Hyper Wing Card to allow Guilmon to fly and command Guilmon to head up to the top of the Hypnos tower, only for Rika to stop the duo, placing her hand on Takato's.
Confused, Takato asked. "What's up?"
"If Guilmon said there is a powerful Digimon up there, I think we should do some surveillance before attacking, know what we are up against." Rika replied, looking at Renamon, who nodded in understanding, before she began to climb up the building, using her great speed and claws to keep from falling.
But as Renamon reached the top, looking around, she found nothing.
"I can't get anything. What's going on?" Rika questioned back from the ground floor, having withdrawn her D-Power and found she couldn't pick up on any opposing Digimon signals.
But though there was no sight of a Digimon didn't mean one was not around, evident as Renamon turned her head and suddenly leapt to her right, narrowly avoiding a sneak attack from the enemy Digimon, allowing her to get a good look at him and relay that to Rika's D-Power, which looked like a yellow furred tiger with armoured platings on his legs and a set of wings.
"That Digimon is huge!" Rika said, seeing the tiger Digimon displayed on her D-Power, certain she would need to Digivolve Renamon in order to beat it, to which the red haired Tamer withdrew a Digivolution Card and prepared herself for battle.
"Digi-Modify! Digivolution Activate!" The redhead then called, slashing the Card through her D-Power, giving its power to her partner, who felt the energy power her up.
"Renamon Digivolve to... Kyubimon!" Kyubimon announced as she achieved her Champion form, before lunging at the tiger Digimon with all her might.
"Dragon Wheel!" She called, surrounding her form in blue flames as she shot at the enemy Digimon at great speed, only for the opposing Digimon to counterattack as his tail transformed into a three-section staff.
"Samurai Tiger Tail!" The beastly Digimon yelled, slamming his weaponized tail into the flames, cancelling out Kyubimon's attack and defeating her in one shot.
"Kyubimon!" Rika called in shock and concern, watching as her partner reverted back to her Rookie form as she fell from the top of the building.
"Digi-Modify! Hyper Wing Activate!" Takato called, slashing said Digimon Card through his D-Power.
And with the effects of the Card transferred into his body, Guilmon used the temporary wings to shoot up toward Renamon, catching her in his arms, before making a sharp turn and headed back down, gently placing Renamon's beaten form on the ground as he sat beside her with concerned eyes, just as Rika and the others rushed over to Renamon, all looked at the foxy Digimon with great worry.
"Renamon?" Rika asked with a continued concern for her partner. "Are you...?"
"So strong... Possibly Ultimate or even Mega..." Renamon groaned in reply, finding she lacked the energy to continue fighting, let alone remain conscious.
"If this Digimon really is that tough, it'll be foolish to fight it alone." Henry said, thinking logically, which earned a nod of agreement from Takato.
"Alright then." Takato replied, drawing out a Digivolution Card, only for Henry to stop him.
"Hold up. I have a better idea." Henry said, taking out his own Digivolution Card and his D-Power.
"Digi-Modify! Digivolution Activate!" Henry then called, running the Card through his D-Power, which gave Terriermon the energy to reach his Champion form.
"Terriermon Digivolve to... Gargomon!" Gargomon announced, gaining him his Vulcan Arms, his bandolier and sturdier body, where he stood proudly, awaiting his Tamer's commands.
"Guilmon." Henry said, turning his focus upon the red dino Digimon. "Get on Gargomon's back."
Trusting Henry, Guilmon did as he told him and climbed onto Gargomon.
"Now, blastoff!" Henry then called, which Guilmon didn't quite understand, though Gargomon did, to which Gargomon then brought his arms down, charging his Vulcan Arms with energy, before releasing the energy and repelling himself up the side of the Hypnos building, while Guilmon found the lift a little fun, but made sure to keep a close hold on Gargomon as not to accidentally fall and hurt himself.
Landing on the roof, Guilmon got off Gargomon's back, where the two prepared to fight their new foe.
But like Renamon, neither Guilmon or Gargomon could see him.
"This is bad, I'm picking up no data on him." Takato said as he held out his D-Power, but got no signs of the opposing Digimon.
"Which means we are practically fighting blind." Henry added, he too unable to pick up on any data on his D-Power.
But even though they couldn't see the Digimon, Guilmon's sharp sense of smell kicked in.
"Get down!" Guilmon called, pushing Gargomon to the floor just as the tiger Digimon leapt at them from behind, his claws narrowly missing the pair.
"So you're the big bully who hurt Renamon, then let's see how you like it!" Gargomon yelled, releasing a stream of energy bullets at the tiger Digimon, each shot hitting him dead on and enveloping the figure in a blast of smoke.
But even with Gargomon's onslaught, it seemed ineffective as the Digimon suddenly leapt from the smoke and around Gargomon, his tail transforming back to its three-section staff form, which he quickly slammed upon Gargomon's form, making him cry out from the colossal amount of damage inflicted to him.
And like Renamon, Gargomon not only De-Digivolved, returning to Terriermon, but was smacked off of the rooftop.
"Terriermon!" Henry called out, rushing over and held his arms out, managing to catch his partner, leaving Guilmon facing the massive beast Digimon.
But Guilmon and Takato refused to back down.
"It's all up to you, boy!" Takato called, bringing out his Digivolution Card and brought it to his D-Power, where the brunette called with great might. "Digi-Modify! Digivolution Activate!"
"Guilmon Digivolve to... Growlmon!" The Hazard Digimon bellowed, achieving his Champion form, which glared at the tiger Digimon who had greatly harmed his friends.
But determination could get them only so far.
There was part of Takato that was worried that Growlmon would fall to the power of the unknown Digimon.
"Henry... Takato..." Terriermon let out, causing the Tamers to look at the small beast Digimon, who used the last of his energy to say. "I noticed something when I fought him... he always circles around before he attacks..."
"Then that's when we can strike." Takato said, watching through his D-Power as the enemy Digimon and Growlmon shot alongside each other, where the brunette then saw his chance.
"Now go for it!" Takato called, causing Growlmon to do as per his Tamer's command.
"Dragon Slash!" Growlmon yelled, extending the blade appendage on his right arm and ran it alone the tiger Digimon's body, actually damaging him a little.
But not too pleased by the attack, the enemy Digimon suddenly countered as he bit into the left side of Growlmon's body, causing Growlmon to cry out from the pain, feeling the tiger's teeth sink deeper into his body, while Takato suddenly dropped his Digimon Cards and his D-Power, which finally displayed the name of their new foe, Mirihamon.
Seeing Takato fall, Rika asked with some concern. "Takato? Are you alright?"
"I can feel it... I can feel Growlmon's pain..." Takato replied, feeling weak, to the point he was unable to compose himself any longer and fell to the floor, losing consciousness.
"Takato!" Rika called in great concern, worried for the wellbeing of her boyfriend, to which the red haired Tamer ean over toward Takato, knelt by his side and placed his head on her chest, looking down at him with a continued worry.
With Takato, Terriermon and Renamon all down, Rika and Henry feared that nothing would be able to stop Mirihamon.
-Back in the park-
While Takato, Rika and Henry were risking their lives, Kazu and Kenta were packing up their Digimon Card, feeling some conflicts toward their friend and the Card game they had grown to love.
Breaking the silence, Kazu began to say. "Kenta, about Takato..."
"Are you jealous that he's a Tamer?" Kenta asked, which just made Kazu laugh in denial.
But the mood changed when both noticed the strange aura circling the Hypnos building, causing the pair to rush out of the park and make their way to the strange occurrence, where many people had gathered, including Jeri, who looked upon the scene with worry, not sure, but she was certain her friends were in danger.
-With Takato-
Regaining consciousness, the brunette saw he was no longer in Shinjuku, but was floating in a mysterious void, filled with purple mist and spinning clocks.
"Where am I?" Takato asked as he took in his surroundings, before grasping his shoulder and questioning. "And why do I feel Growlmon's pain when he's the one who is hurt?"
"Takato?" The brunette then heard his Digimon'v voice call, causing Takato to turn and saw Growlmon, who was floating several feet from him, while a serious expression adorned the red dino Digimon's face.
"Takato, listen to me, you have to let me fight again. So we made a couple mistakes, big deal. I know we can take him but I really need your help." Growlmon said, which left Takato silent as images of the injured forms of Terriermon and Renamon came to his head, doubting himself.
"But... I'm not worthy..." Takato said with great hesitance in his voice, crying a little as he called. "It's all my fault. You wouldn't have gotten hurt if it wasn't for me! I've been a coward and I'm so sorry."
"Our friends need us, Rika needs you, but most of all I need you." Growlmon said, feeling Takato's emotional pain, but continued to believe in his Tamer. "We have come so far since we first met and became friends, we cannot give up now."
"You're right. Growlmon, if you are willing to give me another chance, I'll take it!" Takato said as he let out a powerful cry, with a newfound confidence, both in his Digimon and in himself, reaching out for Growlmon, before regaining consciousness, finding he was holding Rika's hand, who looked at the brunette with a caring smile to see him awaken.
"Has anybody told you that you talk in your sleep?" Calumon then asked in a curious and friendly tone, while Henry, Rika, Terriermon and Renamon just smiled.
"It's good to have you back." Rika then said, wrapping her arms around Takato, glad to see him awake again.
"It's good to be back." Takato replied, pushing himself as he got to his feet.
"But I'm not finished yet... we haven't finished yet... Growlmon is still willing to fight, and as long as I'm still breathing, I'll be right there by his side." The brunette stated, refusing to accept defeat as their option as he picked up his D-Power and reached for his Digimon Cards, where he then called. "It's time we used the power that brought us here in the first place!"
"This battle has only just begun!" Takato called in great might, holding up his Digimon Card, which shone with a great light as it transformed into a blue card, one Takato ran through his D-Power as he announced with a continued strength. "Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution!"
From the release of Takato's power, Growlmon felt his strength returning, confusing Mirihamon, for he found himself unable to pierce through Growlmon and actually saw the red dino Digimon regenerating.
"What is this!?" He demanded, watching as Growlmon's form was engulfed in light.
"Growlmon Digivolve to..." Growlmon began to call, where the power of the crystal catalyst changed his form, casing his chest in red armour, which included blasters mounted in the front and thrusters in the back.
His arms coated in metal that had two steel blades extend from the sides, while his jaw was covered by a metal plate.
And with his new form, came new power, where he called with a mighty roar. "WarGrowlmon!"
With the power of his Digivolution, Mirihamon was thrown back, stunned to see Growlmon had Digivolved further.
"Our little boy's growing up." Henry commented, making Takato cheer. "Yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about. WarGrowlmon, Virus Type, Ultimate Level. Now we have what we need to take down this stray feline."
"Nice presentation, but no one beats Mirihamon!" Mirihamon said back, believing himself to still be the more powerful of the two Ultimates as he then attacked.
"Samurai Tiger Tail!" The tiger Digimon roared, slamming his weaponized tail upon WarGrowlmon's form, who defended and blocked each attack.
Stunned that WarGrowlmon was able to hold his own, Mirihamon questioned. "How are you able to Digivolve to this level? Don't tell me that human had something to do with it?"
"Takato is not just any human, he's my best friend." WarGrowlmon said back. "And I will not let you harm him or any of my friends anymore!"
"Big words, but let's see you survive this! Armoured Tiger tail!" Mirihamon yelled, causing his tail to transform again, gaining a set of spikes along the end, while the tip became razor sharp, which the tiger Digimon then lunged with at WarGrowlmon, planning to stab right through his being.
"No matter what, we won't let you win." Takato called, stepping forward and causing Wargrowlmon to copy his movements, where both Takato and WarGrowlmon brought their hands out and grabbed Mirihamon's tail, stopping him in his tracks.
"It's time to end this." Takato and WarGrowlmon then said as one, tossing Mirihamon upward and giving him no way to defend himself.
"You've been a bad kitty and now it's time to pay. Atomic Blaster!" WarGrowlmon exclaimed, releasing a set of streams of red energy from the blasters mounted on his chest, enveloping Mirihamon, who felt he was no match for such power and caused him to cry out. "Fool! You and your Digimon could of had supreme power over both worlds, but you had to ruin everything!"
And unable to withstand WarGrowlmon's power any longer, Mirihamon was destroyed, which filled Takato and the other Tamers with great pride at seeing WarGrowlmon the winner in his fight, unaware that Yamaki was watching the events of Guilmon's new Digivolution.
"I can't believe it. Those kids were actually able to defeat him, and all this time I thought they were just playing that stupid game." Yamaki said, taking off his glasses as he commented. "This is going to acquire additional research."
"Awesome!" Kazu called upon seeing WarGrowlmon flying back down to return to Takato and their friends, where he rushed over to his friends.
"That is one amazing Digimon." Kenta added as he joined Kazu and the others.
But seeing him, Jeri had to ask. "Is that really Guilmon?"
"That's his Ultimate form, WarGrowlmon." Kazu corrected, smiling as he added. "And Chummley was pretty cool out there. He's an amazing Tamer."
Continuing to smile to see WarGrowlmon, Takato embraced his partner, hugging his claw.
"Takatomon, thank you." WarGrowlmon then said with gratitude, causing Takato to look up at his partner and smile.
"I didn't do anything, but trust you and myself." Takato replied, tearing up a little as he hugged WarGrowlmon's claw, while WarGrowlmon started to cry a little, not from sadness, but to see his Tamer filled with pride in them.
And with WarGrowlmon now part of the Tamers, Rika, Henry, Renamon, Terriermon and Calumon all smiled as they approached him, as did Jeri, Kazu and Kenta, for it seemed watching WarGrowlmon fight was the kick in the pants they needed to get over their fear and see that Digimon were indeed real and could be their friends