A deep blue world stretches out beyond the transparent walls—an endless realm of dusk and twilight. A thick darkness covers the horizon as if concealing a terrifying creature behind that black fog. Shooting stars rain down from the surface, illuminating the dim abyss.

"Wow, so we really were underwater this whole time?"

I touch the transparent shell around the island, its smooth, squishy surface reminds me this isn't a game anymore.

"Captured by a human... This is humiliating..."

Dobermon's tail twitches in frustration.

Well, anyone would be angry if restrained like this.

"Big sis, should we silence this mutt?"

But Blanc, why are you making such an outrageous comment with that cute smile?

"Grrr! Child, do you really believe you can defeat me without evolution?"

While Blanc has reverted to her usual form, do you think the [Chrome Rope Y]—those bindings made of the strongest metal—will let you resist?

I sigh before turning to Dobermon, crossing my arms.

"As promised, we'll let you go as long as you lead us to the game world—what you called it? A virtual space?"

According to Dobermon, this forest is an island at the bottom of the Net Ocean in the Network—Internet, the Dark Web. The world of Digimon Daydream apparently floats in the upper regions of the sea.

"A fake—artificial world, one of the many man-made servers in the Deep Web."

Dobermon walks forward, its claws scratching against the solid ground.

"We should get moving. That flashy move of yours earlier, they might've detected it already."

"Who—"

Before I could ask, Dobermon sprints towards the see-through bubble, passing through it like thin air before swimming back, gazing at Blanc from outside the shell.

"Child from the old world, hurry up with your human if you want to leave."

"Blanc doesn't need your advice, dumb pup!"

A pouty expression appears on her face as she turns to me, handing me her golden trident.

"Big sis, hold Cross Barbée for Blanc."

"Um, okay—Huh?!"

As soon as I take the trident, she scoops me up.

Wait... is this a princess carry?!

"Here we come!"

"Wait, Blanc! We don't have any diving equipment!"

Ignoring my protest, she jumps straight onto the bubble. I instinctively hold my breath, a silky, intangible sensation washing over me.

"Big sis! Open your eyes!"

Blanc's voice? But it's surprisingly clear to be underwater.

"Uh... I ...can't breathe—huh, I can?"

I open my eyes to meet Blanc's curious silver gaze as she glides through the waves, effortlessly carrying me in her arms.

"This water... Is not wet?"

"Fool! This isn't mere water! It's the Sea of Networks—a special place for us."

Dobermon releases a low growl while swimming next to us.

"The Data Stream is this way!"

It swims towards a shimmering ocean current soaring towards the surface.

"Let's go too, big sis!"

"Um, Blanc, I can swim by myself."

"But it's faster this way, big sis."

"By the way, the Data Stream carries information from all around the Network. If separated, those noises can drift you who knows where."

My body shivers from Dobermon's words as I tightly hold onto Blanc.

Okay, I absolutely cannot let go.

With a soft pop, we fall into the iridescent currents, the blinding glow forces me to close my eyes, and when I open them—

The breathtaking scene leaves me speechless.

A bright tunnel stretched out before my eyes, phosphorescent beams flying past us with neon hues, like bioluminescent trails.

"Just follow the [Address] while avoiding the noisy data."

Dobermon dashes forward, using the passing pieces of information as footings, dodging the pulsing '0s' and '1s' around the path.

"Oh, that [Address] from earlier."

My eyes dart to the screen of the [Digimon Dock] hanging from my jacket.

[01000100 01100101 01100101 01110000 00100000 01010111 01100101 01100010 00101100 00100000 00110110 00110000 00110000 00110000 01011000 00101100 00100000 00110001 00110000 00110000 00110000 00110000 01011001 00101100 00100000 00110001 00110111 00110000 00110000 00110000 01011010]

Yeah, it's best to leave it to Blanc...

I look up at the doll-like girl hopping over the holographic particles. The lights dance over her pure silver hair, her shining silver eyes complementing her mystical look.

Being held like this—strangely enough, it feels comforting...

"Big sis?"

"Ah, nothing! Let's head there!"

She tilts her head before focusing on the shining path ahead.

My cheeks heat up as I cover my face with my hand.

I've done it again—so embarrassing...

Her grip suddenly tightens on me as if reassuring me. Her hands are small and delicate, yet... somehow safe.

How long has it been since I felt like this?

Well, this isn't so bad.

"Stop fooling around! We're almost there!"

Dobermon's growl brings me out of my daze.

In the next moment, the darkness outside fades. Massive islands float within transparent bubbles, like beautiful snow globes. Broken fragments orbiting them like asteroid belts.

The radiant tunnel branches into countless glittering veins, connecting to each of the drifting islands.

"This is... the Deep Web?"

I guess this is what they call web surfing.

"Just the border, past here is outside of their usual patrol area."

Them again?

"That's it! Who're you talking about since then?"

As if answering my question, a high-pitched noise, akin to a police siren resonates in the distance.

"Tsk, we were too late."

Dobermon's ears twitch, a low growl escaping its throat.

"Big sis, several Digimon are coming this way."

Blanc's usual smile fades, her grip tense around me, her clear-silver eyes gleaming with a sharp focus.

As I follow her gaze, three figures come into view—machine giants emerging from the horizon, exposed gears and wires rattling from their joints. Sharp claws extend from their long, spindly arms, ready to rip apart any adversaries, reminiscent of a battle droid from a sci-fi movie.

"Self-proclaimed law-enforcers of the Network, working under those damn humans—The Digipolice!"

Dobermon's eyes narrow in disgust.

"Unidentified Digimon detected! Initiating neutralization!"

[Name: Mechanorimon]

[Level: 4]

[Attribute: Virus]

"The Digipolice? There's a police force here too? Maybe if we ask—"

"Naive human! We're trespassing in their zone. If caught, there are only two options—imprisonment or elimination."

Dobermon barks as darkness start to swish between its jaws.

"Schwarz Strahl!"

The jet-black arrow tore through the waves, streaking toward the robotic menaces.

"Aggression detected! Twinkle Beam!"

A bright crimson laser erupts from the lead Mechanorimon's torso, meeting the incoming darkness head-on.

"Aaah!"

"Big sis!"

The shockwave from the clash almost knocks me out of Blanc's arms as white, glitching smoke covers my vision.

"You two! This way!"

"Hey! That was dangerous!"

Turning around, Dobermon jumps into a nearby branching stream, ignoring my shouts.

"It's okay." The ears on Blanc's klobuk sway cutely.

"Blanc will flatten those junks if they come after big sis!" A dangerous glint visible in her eyes as she follows after Dobermon.

"Um, thanks Blanc, but that's not the issue here..."

Why is fighting their first instinct? Am I the only sane one?

"Swoosh..."

The swift waves carry us towards the surface, like a water slide flowing upwards.

"They... aren't following us?"

Something is wrong. They gave up too easily...

Why can't I shake up this feeling in my chest?

"Dobermon, let's turn back! There should be another route, right?"

"Human! Are you trying to delay me from my freedom?"

"I'm not! But no matter how you look at it, this is too weird!"

"Quit stalling—"

"Ripping Net!"

Suddenly, a thunderbolt cracks out, and in the next moment, Dobermon falls, wrapped in a sparkling net, writhing helplessly.

"Gah!"

With a sudden zap, the hound's limbs tremble before going limp.

"Dobermon!"

The web moves, dragging the captured prey to the source of the bizarre lighting—a steel wasp in dazzling black and gold, adorned with blood-red spikes. A single metal stinger, resembling a futuristic cannon extends from its spherical lower body, preparing to deliver judgment upon any intruder.

[Name: Waspmon]

[Level: 4]

[Attribute: Virus]

No… They've set traps… Even Dobermon was taken out so easily—can we really escape?

"Big sis, hold tight!"

As I was frozen in shock, Blanc twirls, fearlessly hopping through the waves with quick, nimble steps. Her grip is gentle, brushing away all my confusion.

My hand moves over my heart.

Yeah, I'm not alone anymore. With her, I can do this.

"Blanc, stop—we're saving Dobermon!"

"Got it! Big sis is kind after all!"

With a soft grin, she halts her steps, setting me down.

"I'm not! But, I made a deal with it, I can't just back down on my words."

"Whatever big sis says~"

What's with her? I'm not that nice… am I?

My hands retrieve the [Digimon Dock] from my jacket.

"What was it called again? MindLink... Found it!"

Then, my consciousness was pulled into a familiar warmth.

"Rogue Digimon neutralized. Class IV... requesting further orders."

The armored insect hovered, Dobermon immobilized in its jolting net.

"Swish!"

In a flash, our trident—Cross Barbée slices through the net.

"Enemy alert! Proceeding—"

"Bug smash!"

Waspmon barely registers a blur before our fist slams into its metallic face, sending it spiraling into the flowing noises with a loud clang, the noisy currents drifting it away.

[Name: Blanc (Sistermon Blanc)]

[Level: 3]

[State: Main Partner (MindLinked)]

[Form: Awakened]

[Attribute: Vaccine]

"Here, this should cure the paralysis!"

As we open our palm, a ripe melon drops from the void.

"Why..?"

Dobermon weakly chews on the Digi-Melon, blinking its crimson eyes. "You already have the [Address]... Then, why would you?"

"Big sis says she won't leave without freeing you."

Blanc shrugs her shoulders before beaming a helpless smile.

"..." Dobermon stares blankly for a moment before speaking. "Is that human an idiot?"

Hey, I can hear you from here!

"Enemy spotted!"

Mechanical voices echo in the water as three Mechanorimon appear from the shadows.

"It's just as big sis said."

"Yeah, it was an ambush... Dobermon, can you follow my instructions?"

"That voice—Never mind, I don't have a choice anyway."

The cybernetic behemoths surround us in perfect coordination.

"But, this is perfect."

Why Dobermon was targeted first? Simple, it was a higher level—a greater threat. Then… what'll happen when Blanc is in her Awakened mode?

"Gyro Break!"

Their claws whirl, spinning like drills, aiming at us.

"Protect Wave!"

The radiant curtain spreads out, instantly blocking the incoming blows, and when they're focused on Blanc—

"Dobermon, now!"

With my signal, the hound leaps over the trio, releasing a bone-chilling howl from its maw.

"Grau Lärm!"

The Mechanorimon halt in place, paralyzed by an unseen force.

"Wow, that move is really nasty when you're not prepared."

"Trusting an enemy? You really are stupid, human!"

Dobermon lands next to us.

"Stop calling me human! I'm Lily."

"...Lily, huh?" The beast's gaze lingers for a moment. "I'll remember that."

Okay, the plan worked. Now, to the border—

"ALBION!"

In an instant, the world shook, the sea split, the Data Stream glitched before shattering with a tremendous roar—pierced by an unstoppable ray of destruction.

Even within Blanc's DigiCore Realm, my body trembles from the sheer force of the blast.

"No... A positron cannon..."

Dobermon shudders, its voice shaking.

"Positron? Isn't that anti-matter?"

I mutter in awe.

"A Digimon evolved with extragalactic data... That monster joined the Digipolice?!"

The haze clears, revealing a metal-plated triceratops, its horn cannons smoldering, crackling with energy—the source of the earlier tremor.

"Ooooh! That felt good!" Its voice playful, unfitting of the annihilation it just caused, yet a chill ran down my spine.

"Code-Crackers, Rogue Digimon, whoever you are—surrender now, or face kaboom!"

[Name: WezenGammamon]

[Level: 4]

[Attribute: Data]

AN:

The Net Ocean structure is used from Digimon Seekers, though readers might notice some unexpected twists.

As for WezenGammamon's appearance, while it may come as a surprise, rest assured this isn't a crossover with the younger brother from Ghost Game.