The next morning Keisuke sighed as he sat on a set of stairs in the middle of Cache City. He slumped with his hand on his chin staring at the cement. His Digimon were watching him from a distance. "Keisuke…" PileVolcamon muttered.
"Morning guys!" The Digimon noticed Ami walking up to them.
"Oh… good morning, Ami." MetalSeadramon said.
"What's wrong?" Ophanimon asked. "Couldn't sleep last night?"
"Not exactly…" TyrantKabuterimon turned towards their partner. "Keisuke seems… out of it. He's been acting depressed ever since we got back from Hosaka's tower."
"Oh?" Ami put her hands together behind her back looking at the hacker. "Did something happen?"
"Well… before you showed up, Keisuke tried to get us to evolve with EXE like what you and your brother can use… and it didn't work."
Ami looked at them in surprise. "Really? I would think Keisuke could pull it off no problem."
"Yeah… I could feel it working at first." PileVolcamon said. "But Hosaka started saying things like how Keisuke couldn't stop Erika from leaving Hudie, or how Arcadiamon attacking her group earlier was his failure. It really shattered Keisuke's confidence… I think he's lost all faith in himself."
Ami's eyes saddened. "Oh Keisuke…"
"Do you think you can talk to him for us?" MetalSeadramon asked. "Human to human?"
"Um, sure, but why don't you guys talk to him? You're his partners."
"Maybe we should, but…" PileVolcamon sighed. "I'm sorry, I just don't know what we should say… funny how after all this time we're still learning about humans after all this time."
Ami nodded. "Okay… Rosemon, you and the others wait here with them."
"Alright."
Ami slowly walked over to Keisuke who didn't seem to notice her approach. She stood in front of him before speaking. "What's going on Keisuke?"
He looked up. "Oh… hi Ami."
"Something bothering you?" Ami asked. "You seem down."
"Just… sorting my thoughts out." Keisuke sighed.
"Hey, we're all here for you." Ami took a seat next to him on the stairs. "We're a team. If something is bugging you, we want to help."
Keisuke let lose another big sigh. "Ami… you, Takumi, Takuto, Shiki… and now Sayo and Koh. You guys are true heroes, you know that? You stood up to the biggest threats and saved your worlds… and then there's me. The lowly side character who wound up here by accident."
"Keisuke, if this is about what Hosaka said don't let him get to you. Everything that came from that asshole is just a load of crap."
"Is it? When Hudiemon and the others were in danger, Takuto saved them. You guys rescued Koh and Sayo, and I couldn't do my own job. I got utterly crushed by him even with Fei's help and the moment you, Takumi, and Shiki entered the fray you had him beat!"
"Keisuke, he had three Deadly Digimon on his side! Two of which possessed X-Antibodies, the other one being the head of the group! We were only able to defeat them because of past experience and my timing with learning Matrix Link! Not to mention the X-Antibody and EXE!"
"Exactly! I can't even activate it even though I had three powerful Digimon and the X-Antibody! I tried to but… I dropped the ball."
Ami looked at him sadly. "Is it that hard for you to find faith in yourself?"
"Can you blame me?" Keisuke folded his arms and looked away. "It was you, Takumi, Arata, Nokia, Yuuko, and Yuugo who saved our world while I failed to save Erika that day. Just like how yesterday I was the only one who failed his part of the job leaving you to pick up the pieces."
"You know Keisuke, maybe that's your problem."
"My incompetence. I agree."
"No!" Ami yelled. "I mean how you keep comparing yourself to me and my brother! Keisuke, all of us are fit for doing different things. Can Takumi and I hack as well as you? Can Nokia? Think, most of us came here out of obligation. You came here because you wanted to help people. Aren't you a hero for that virtue?"
"What good does virtue alone do if I can't protect anyone with it?" Keisuke stood up. "Sorry, I just… need to be alone for a bit." Keisuke walked away.
Ami sighed. "Oh, Keisuke…" Ami and Keisuke's Digimon walked over to her. "Sorry guys, I tried."
"Poor guy…" Rosemon Burst Mode sighed. "Losing to Hosaka must have hit him hard."
"I think I know why." Everyone turned to her as she explained her theory. "Hosaka was the one who hacked his EDEN account in the other reality. And Keisuke was the one who defeated him… I think Keisuke though that defeating Hosaka was his responsibility."
Everyone looked towards him. "Yeah… I think you're right." TyrantKabuterimon replied.
"Hey Ami." Himari walked over with Koh and Sayo. "How's it going?"
"Oh, Hi Himari. Sayo, Koh, you two adjusting to the city?" Ami asked.
"Himari's showing us around." Sayo replied before noticing something. "Hey, why are Keisuke's Digimon with you? Where is he?"
Ami sadly glanced in the direction she saw her friend walk off in. "Keisuke… he's in a bit of a depression. Losing to Hosaka yesterday, failing to use EXE and Hudiemon's team getting hurt hit him hard."
"Really?" Himari asked. "It's not his fault. We underestimated him."
"Keisuke thinks he's just a side character who shouldn't be here. He thinks he failed…"
Koh put a hand on his hip. "Hmmm…"
Fei and Arata walked into the lab where Mirei, Agumon Expert, and Hudiemon were waiting for them. "You called for us Mirei?" Arata asked.
"That's right." Mirei nodded. "Fei, it occurred to me that like Takumi and Ami, you have three partner Digimon."
"Yeah." The girl folded her arms. "So?"
"Like Takumi's Dorugoramon, your TigerVespamon carries an X-Antibody. So, I think you have all the requirements to use EXE like him, and Ami."
"Wait, me? For real?"
"Why not?" Hudiemon asked. "You're a talented Tamer. I think it might be worth a shot. Wouldn't hurt to carry the program and see what happens."
"Alright." Fei smirked. "Hit me."
"Sending it now." Mirei typed into her laptop.
"On the topic of X-Antibodies, Keisuke and his team recovered another artificial X-Antibody from Hosaka." Hudiemon said. "Mirei fixed it up so it's good to use. We were thinking you should use this one Arata."
"Are you sure?" Arata asked.
Mirei nodded. "Like Kouta you learned the importance of knowing what power is for and how to control it. To not let it overwhelm you. We think you can use it responsibly."
Arata nodded. "Okay. I'll take it."
"Good." Mirei worked on her laptop again. Arata and Fei checked their Digivices as they got what Mirei sent them. "I hope you two put this to good use."
"We will." Fei replied. "Hosaka may have gotten me yesterday, but that just means I need to get stronger."
"I'm all for becoming more powerful." Arata said, turning to Fei. "But don't let yourself get drunk on power and forget what it is you're using it for. Believe me, that's one road you don't wanna go down."
Fei lightly bumped Arata's shoulder. "Don't you worry. I lost sight of what mattered when I let Matadormon get in my head. Never again."
"Just checking."
Mirei smiled as she watched the two leave. "It's always a pleasure watching the young grow."
"Nobody is above making mistakes." Hudiemon said. "But overcoming them and accepting that is how you truly become strong."
"Indeed."
Darcmon entered the room. "Ah, there you are Mirei."
"Darcmon, can I help you with something?"
"I was wondering if I can do anything to help speed up the process of getting the city in the sky."
"Appreciated, but unnecessary. Some of the others are putting on the finishing touches now. We should be ready in a few hours."
"I see… if there's anything I can do please let me know."
Hudiemon eyed Darcmon strangely as she left. "What was that all about?"
Mirei tilted her glasses. "She's not wrong to be in a rush or to want to get involved."
Boltboutamon was humming to himself as he looked at the computer in front of him. A tube containing a blue orb with a red X was connected to it. "Yes… very good. This should improve stability."
"You."
He looked over his shoulder to see Creepymon behind him and spun his chair around. "Well, this is a rare surprise. To what do I owe this unexpected visit Creepymon?"
"I require your assistance. Regarding my "partner"."
"Oh my. Are you and Brother Sorrow not getting along?"
"Sort of. Every time we have a chance to end Yuuko, something causes that fool to go soft and make us retreat. And frankly, I'm getting sick of fleeing like a coward."
"I thought the guy hatted Yuuko enough for you to feed on his hatred."
"He does. Whenever he encounters her his wrath intensifies… it's simply exquisite."
"But let me guess. You ain't getting your fill?"
"Not even close. He always insists on leaving her to finish off later whenever others get involved!"
Boltboutamon shrugged. "Don't you think it's for the best that he drags it out? I mean think about it, once he destroys Yuuko, the hatred will die out. Why not savor the meal?"
"You underestimate wrath my friend." Creepymon folded his arms. "It does not fade so easily. Even when the target perishes, the fires of hate will continue to burn."
"Okay, so why not just intensify the wrath inside him when he starts to get fired up? You're the Deadly Digimon of Wrath. Can't you just do what Lilithmon and Leviamon did with K?"
"I could. But I'm concerned those fools CresGarurumon and BlitzGreymon will intervene. They care deeply for the human's welfare. And as much as I hate to admit it their combine power outclasses mine. Besides, even if I do try to control him, he might resist like Fei did."
"Hmm, point taken." Boltboutamon leaned back in his chair.
"That's where you come in. When you gave Lilithmon and Leviamon these X-Antibodies, they could easily overwhelm that girl with her emotions. I think having one myself would solve my problems and allow me to remove this useless sense of mercy inside Brother Sorrow."
Boltboutamon nodded. "I see, I see… well as much as I'd love to help you big guy, I can't just give out X-Antibodies to anyone. They are difficult to create, and it's not like I got a bunch to spare."
"What about that one?" Creepymon asked pointing to the tube.
Boltboutamon looked at his work. "Oh, this little thing? This is my new experiment with it. Do you recall when we first saw the X-Antibody in action?"
"It was when Takumi Aiba faced one of Flotia's "heroes"."
"Bingo. Shortly after the fight Takumi's Digimon split. And when Lilithmon and Leviamon tried to use it, they lost control. That's when I had a little epiphany. What my artificial X-Antibodies need is a means of controlling their power. I figured the best means of doing so was a way to actively initialize and deactivate the power. An on and off switch if you will."
"Does it work?" Creepymon asked.
"I have yet to test it on a subject, but I've run all the simulations to convince me it will work. This will allow the barer to transform like Rapidmon Armor at will. And revert back when things get hairy."
"I see…" Creepymon's gaze remained on the X-Antibody before turning to BoltBoutamon. "If you need someone to test this on, let it be me. I need this, and you need a test subject."
"I appreciate your willingness to volunteer…" Boltboutamon stood up. "But it's not up to me. After we lost four of my creations the king has been super strict that all candidates must be run through him. Speaking of… now that I finished this, I need to let him know…" He started walking towards the door.
"Wait! I-
"You know…" Boltboutamon stood in front of the doorway. "I really need to hire a guard for this door. I mean I don't even have any security cameras in here. It would be a real shame if somebody stole something from here. I wouldn't be able to do anything about it…" Creepymon looked at Boltboutamon's back as he exited his lab. He then looked back at the X-Antibody in the tube.
Jesmon was outside the city with Sistermon Blanc and Sistermon Ceil. "So far another eventless patrol." Blanc said.
"Stay vigilant." Jesmon said. "There's no telling where an enemy could be lying in wait."
"Hmmm… so Blanc?" Ceil looked at her sister. "Do you think Master Gankoomon will recover soon?"
"Since coming to city we've had the medics and resources of the entire Resistance helping him! It was hard because we had to leave his injuries be while on the run, but now that he's had time to rest and get them treated, he should be back to full strength any minute now!"
"Great! Once he's back in fighting form it'll be a great help for- Epp!" She bumped into Jesmon's hand as he stopped holding it in front of them. "Jesmon?"
"Shh!" The knight pressed them behind a tree peeking into the clearing ahead.
Blanc and Ceil peeked at what he saw. "Oh my…" Ceil gasped.
"Look at them all…" Blanc whimpered.
"And they're heading towards…"
Jesmon scooped up both Sistermon in his arms. "We need to warn everyone! Now!" He flew back towards the city as fast as he could.
Keisuke was watching everyone working hard in the city. He sighed to himself quietly. "Everyone is doing so well… what am I even doing here? Am I even making a difference? Maybe I should just go home…"
"That is not something to be decided by yourself."
Keisuke turned around and saw Koh standing behind him. "Oh…uh… Koh, right?"
"Yeah. I heard you've been taking what happened when you fought Hosaka bad."
Keisuke put his hands in his pockets. "It's not just that… it's just… I feel like I really don't mean anything… When I overheard Takumi and followed him to where the others met and planned on coming to the Digital World, I was excited to join them because I wanted to see Erika again… but even though I promised them all I'd help them win this war, I haven't really done anything…"
"What are you talking about?" Koh asked. "The others brough me up to speed. Weren't you the one who helped take over this city giving the entire Resistance a place to unite?"
"There were others there who did as much as I did. I was just a small part of that."
"Well sometimes it's the small things that matter! Keisuke… I know exactly what it is you're feeling right now."
Keisuke looked at Koh. "Really?"
Koh nodded. "Back in my world, tamers were divided by two sides. Sunshine and Darkmoon. We were rivals. But we got along. We supported each other. We protected the peace of the Digital World. Then one day… it happened."
"What happened?" Keisuke thought a bit before coming to a conclusion. "Wait… you mean YMIR?"
Koh nodded. "One by one, people and Digimon in Sunshine City were put under the control of the Chrono Virus. Somehow, I wasn't affected… but it took me too long to realize what was happening… Chief Glare suddenly said that Night Crow was trying to destroy City… both sides clashed in Register Jungle… but after I fought Sayo there I started feeling doubtful… then we helped each other out in Thriller Ruins. After we decided to get to the bottom of things together, Sunshine City took a turn for the worst. The whole place was taken over. I had no choice but to flee to Darkmoon where Sayo took me in. During that time, I felt so powerless… All my friends back home were suffering… and all I could do was hide…"
"Koh…"
"When I found a way to go back to Sunshine to help them… Sayo insisted she took my place… I complied almost immediately. At the time I didn't know why I was so quick to have her fight my battles… but now I know. I was scared of fighting Chief Glare. Fighting my friends. It made me feel like a coward… but sometime after the incident Sayo told me…"
"Koh, if it wasn't for you, I never would have gotten to Suneshine City in the first place!"
"That seems more like my Digivice and Kawloon Co. helping you than me. I just did a small thing…"
"Well, maybe it's the small things that matter!"
"Why? You were the one fighting… you're the one who defeated Chrono and saved this world… I just sat back and watched."
"Koh… does it matter which one of us did it?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Ever since you started helping us and we found out what happened to Sunshine City, I asked myself… what if it was the other way around? What if it was Darkmoon City that was overrun by YMIR? What if I had to run away to Sunshine City? What if I had to entrust everything to you?"
"Sayo…"
"I know if it was you getting attacked by Kawloon in Thriller Ruins, I would have stepped in to help you just like how you helped me. So, tell me Koh, if I had to run away from my side of the city, would you have taken me in?"
"Of course, I would!"
"And if I looked like I was about to go back to fight Chief Julia on my own, would you have volunteered to take my place?"
"Absolutely!"
"Then there you go! It didn't matter which one of us went! That says nothing about our competence. It's just the circumstances that were given to us! That's why you will always be a remarkable Tamer in my eyes Koh. Don't dwell on what others did. It's never about that. It's about who you are and what you do with the choices given to you that matters."
Keisuke stared at Koh's knowing smile. "The choices given to us…"
"Look at it this way Keisuke. What if it was you who was fighting some of the battles you look up to Takumi and the others for? Who's to say you wouldn't have done as well? Or maybe even better?"
"He's right ya know!"
Keisuke noticed a MarineAngemon float to him. "Hey… aren't you Yu's Digimon?"
"That's right! Glad you remember me! I know I sure remember you with how much Yu talked about you! You're his hero!"
"Me?"
"Yeah! He told me how you always saved him from bullies! Just like how you saved him from Matadormon! Takumi and the others had nothing to do with that! That was all you!"
"See what I'm saying?" Koh smiled. "Those circumstances led to you being his hero. It's not about being capable. It's not even about saving the world! It's about doing your best with the opportunities given to you."
Keisuke stood there quietly. Then both he and Koh heard their Digivices ring. Keisuke put his visor on. "Hello?"
"Everyone come to the war room immediately!" Mirei said. "It's an emergency!"
"What's wrong?" Koh asked looking at his Digivice.
"Just hurry over here! We haven't a moment to spare!"
Keisuke took his Digivice off. "I guess we better get going."
"Right." Koh nodded. "We'll finish this later."
"What did you say?!" Takuto asked.
"Jesmon saw it himself." Mirei replied. "An army of Next Order forces is coming this way from the southeast."
"How large is the enemy force?" Kouta asked.
"Massive." Jesmon replied. "And I saw Crusadermon leading the charge."
A ring caught everyone's attention and the war table displayed another Digimon. "This is UlforceVeedramon! Another army is approaching us from the northwest! Craniamon is leading it!"
"Another one from behind?" Zero asked. "A pincer attack then..."
Justimon appeared on another screen. "We just spotted another army coming from the northeast! Dynasmon is with them!"
"Dynasmon, Craniamon, and Crusadermon?" Shoma asked. "They're pulling out all the stops."
"We have another army coming this way!" Gallantmon said. "They approach us from the southwest!"
"Who's leading this one?" Arata asked "Surely not Leopardmon himself."
"No. It is the human we encountered at the top of URL Mountain."
"Brother Sorrow..." Yuuko muttered.
"That guy you told us about?" Sayo asked.
"They have us surrounded." Magnamon said. "They're plan must be a siege."
"They could not have picked a worse time." Hudiemon groaned. "We're still in the process of getting the city ready!"
"If we can just get it off the ground that will limit their attack options." Mirei said.
"There's no time!" Justimon said. "They'll be here any minute!"
"Then all of you get back here!" Gankoomon said. "We'll have to make time!"
The Digimon nodded and the monitors closed. "We need to hurry!" Luche said. "We need the city to fly!"
"Agreed." Mirei said. "Arata, Hudiemon, Keisuke, Luche, Zero, Bokomon, Professor Agumon, Terriermon Assistant and Doctor Datamon, I need you here. Darcmon, Himari, Yuuko, Koh, start moving those who can't fight into shelters. The rest of you prepare for battle."
"Roger that." Kouta nodded. "We'll buy you guys the time you need."
"Got a feeling this one's gonna be a doozy." Arata murmured.
As everyone started leaving Mirei typed something into her laptop and hit the enter key. Takumi and Ami both got a message from their Digivices and read it before they nodded to each other and hurried ahead. "This inconvenient timing is no doubt the work of that spy." Mirei whispered to herself. "It's high time we did away with them."
Crusadermon marched in front of her troops as they moved forward. They soon stopped when the city was finally visible in the distance. She held up her hand and a monitor split into three showing Craniamon, Dynasmon and Brother Sorrow. "Enemies are defending the gates to the city."
"They've been waiting for us." Craniamon said.
"Not surprising. We are each approaching with a large army anyone can detect." Brother Sorrow replied.
"It would be ideal to crush the Resistance here and now." Craniamon said. "But we cannot be careless."
"Agreed." Dynasmon nodded. "Our priority is the Sovereign Digicore. Scanning teams are at the ready. If everyone is in position let us strike the heart of our foe."
"Just one thing before we do." Brother Sorrow. "Tell all your troops that I am offering a bounty of one million Bits to whoever can capture Yuuko Kamishiro alive."
"Are you dense human?!" Craniamon asked. "Our priority is the Core! We don't need our troops to be distracted with thoughts of a prize for your personal feud!"
"Let him do what he needs to do Craniamon." Crusadermon ordered.
"What?!"
"I know the aching pain of revenge. The only way our friend will get this anguish and regret out of his system is if he deals with Yuuko on his own terms. Besides, he has done so very much to aid the Next Order, taking risks we cannot fathom just to be here with us. Do we not owe it to him to help him with his problems?"
Dynasmon folded his arms and pounded. "...Capturing one of the humans alive could prove beneficial to our cause..."
"Hmph. Fine then." Craniamon scoffed. "Let's just hurry up and get started."
Crusadermon closed her monitors before turning to her troops. "Listen up! We shall soon arrive at Cache City! This city was stolen from us by the Resistance! We will not allow our beloved lands to stay in the hands of outsiders and traitors! However, there are two priorities we must focus on above all else! One is locating and retrieving Baihumon's DigiCore!" Crusadermon showed them an image of Yuuko. "The other is to capture this human alive! There will be a substantial reward of one million Bits to whoever can apprehend her!" Her men broke into gasps and murmurs. "But remember, no matter what we must claim the Core! Today we shall take back what is ours! And take a giant glorious step towards unification and everlasting peace for the Digital World!" Her troops cheered as she held up her shield. She turned around. "March brave warriors! Cache City awaits!"
Takumi was looking through his goggles. "Okay, just need to get there without being noticed." he murmured to himself. "I just hope the others can make do without me for a while..."
"Takumi, what are you doing?"
Takumi gasped and turned around. "D-Darcmon?! When did you get here?!"
"I've been here hording the little ones when you came in. Whatever you're doing it must have your head in the clouds."
"I-I'm not doing anything Darcmon!" Takumi nervously smiled. "Nothing at all!"
Darcmon replied with a blank stare. "...Takumi... what are you hiding?"
"Urk..." Takumi gulped. "...I guess I can't hide this from you..."
"Takumi, out with it." Darcmon demanded.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you! But you must swear you won't say a word of it to anyone!"
"Very well. You have my vow."
Takumi looked around to make sure nobody was looking before he talked. "Mirei needs one thing done in order to get the city off the ground."
"And that is?"
"Before Hudie's Dream took over Cache City, they used an underground bunker as a base. In there is a computer that has certain protocols for Cache City Mirei needs to integrate her system into the city itself. I need to go down there and access the computer to retrieve them before it can get damaged in the chaos."
"I see…" Darcmon nodded. "So, if you can't retrieve the codes, we need the city won't be able to fly."
"That's right. But don't tell anyone, okay?"
"Why? This concerns all of us. Are you worried that the spy might catch wind of this?"
"That too, but once I get down there if I get attacked and pinned down there will be no way out. If the others know what I'm up to they'll try to tag along, and we can't lose too much firepower with the enemy at our doorsteps. Darcmon you have to promise me you won't tell anyone."
"Very well. I can keep this a secret."
"Thanks. I'm counting on you."
"You better hurry. We need to get this city off the ground, or we're done for." Takumi nodded and ran off. Darcmon quietly stood there watching him leave.
Craniamon stood in front of his army as they halted in front of the city. Magnamon, Silphymon, Shoma, Yuugo, and Shiki and a small army of Digimon were standing in wait. "You stand before the forces of King Leopardmon and the Next Order! You will leave this city and give us the DigiCore of Biahumon or be grinded to dust where you stand!"
"You and your fellow turncoat are no longer calling the shots Craniamon!" Magnamon said.
"We don't surrender." Shiki said. "We stand tall and fight on!"
"And we'll keep fighting!" Shoma said. "To protect this Digital World!"
"You claim that the Next Order is what's best for the Digital World." Yuugo said. "But all you're doing is attacking those who want to live in peace! Just like what you did in EDEN! You won't have your way!"
"So be it." Craniamon slammed his spear into the ground. "You shall fall before our righteous blades!"
Dynasmon's army stopped near the city when they spotted a force of Digimon. Leading them was Mameo, Takuto, Jesmon, and the two Sistermon. "So, you chose to oppose us even with our superior numbers." Dynasmon said. "I commend your courage."
"I assure you, there's more to it than simple courage." Mameo said.
"There's more to battles then numbers." Takuto added. "We'll show you the strength of our will! Our will to press on and protect this world!"
"When I stand by the people who believe in me, no obstacle can hold me back." Jesmon said. "That's what Takumi and my friends taught me! They are the source of my power that makes me a true Royal Knight!"
Dynasmon bore his claws. "Very well. Show me this power you speak of!"
In front of another side of the city Nokia stood by Fei, Kouta, UlforceVeedramon, Justimon, and a number of other Digimon as Brother Sorrow and his army approached them. "Here they come." Justimon said.
Brother Sorrow stepped in front of Creepymon, BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon as he stared at the enemies before him. "What are the odds?" Fei crackled her knuckles. "I got a score to settle with you ya asshole!"
"I should have just ended you when I had the chance. I will correct that mistake here and now." Brother Sorrow said before noticing Nokia. "So, I face the former leader of the Rebels. Is this the work of fate I wonder?"
"This is happening because you jerks keep trampling the lives of others!" Nokia replied. "Well, it ends here! Our noble hearts and love for this world and Digimon are going to stop you here and-
"You haven't changed a bit Nokia." Brother Sorrow said.
Nokia blinked. "Eh?"
"Wait, you know this slimeball Nokia?" Kouta asked.
"Uh... do I know you?"
"This is our first time meeting face to face." Brother Sorrow replied.
"More like face to mask. Why do you need that weird looking thing? Are you shy? Do you think it makes you look cool? Of wait! You collect masks don't you? I know someone who does that!"
Brother Sorrow scoffed. "You really haven't changed at all. Still the same babbling buffoon who spews self-righteous crap, gets involved in things she doesn't understand, and drags others into dangers she's ignorant to without caring of the consequences! You may think yourself a brilliant hacker and leader who fights for justice, but you are nothing more than an arrogant fool who dooms others through her own immaturity and incompetence!"
"W-what did you say?!"
"Clearly not your biggest fan is he?" Fei murmured.
"I have not forgotten your involvement in the events of that day..." Brother Sorrow leered at Nokia. Then Fei. "Both of you. Or Yuuko. Today... true justice will finally be served!"
"What day?!" Nokia asked. "What are you talking about?!"
"Cut the crap!" Fei shouted. "Just who are you?! What is it you want revenge for?!"
"Should we tell them?" Creepymon asked. "Shall we remind them of their crimes and tell her what they did to you, my friend?"
"Perhaps I'll whisper it into their ears..." Brother Sorrow's right eye glowed with the Crown of Wrath. "As you tear their wretched bodies to pieces."
"Yes…" Creepymon grinned wickedly.
Nokia shuddered. "I thought this guy was an enemy of Zaxon, what's his beef with me?"
"You know what?" Fei scoffed. "Dosen't matter! Yuuko and Yuugo are in this city! I'll defend em with my life! I don't need to know who you are! You threaten them, you tango with me scumbag!"
"Don't think this will end like before pal!" Kouta said. "Yukimura and I are much stronger than we were the last time we fought you!"
"And this time I got my Digimon to mow your ass down!" Fei glared.
"As usual Fei, pride will be your undoing." Brother Sorrow calmly replied. "Just as it will be hers."
Creepymon snickered. "You mean Omegamon's brat partner Nokia, or that bitch Yuuko?"
"Both."
Crusadermon extended a blade from her whip as she and her army faced Ami, Sayo, Gallantmon and a hord of Digimon. "So, we meet again Cyber Sleuth."
"Crusadermon..." Ami glared. "After I beat you, you will tell me how to save Alphamon!"
"You think you can stop me? Even with our overwhelming numbers?"
"We believe in our friends." Sayo said. "They will get their job done. We just need to take care of ours. And so, we will stop you!"
"Hmph." Crusadermon raised her sword. "You will try."
A eerie silence surrounded the city parameter. Craniamon was the first to break it when he held his spear towards the city's guards. "For the Next Order!" He held his shield up and charged with his army.
Shiki held her hand up. "Don't let a single one get through!" She, Shoma, and Yuugo charged with their Digimon rushing alongside them and their army.
Dynasmon pointed forward. "With justice and honor!" His army charged and he flew in with them.
"Let's take em all down!" Takuto shouted before going in with his Digimon, Momeo and their forces.
Brother Sorrow held his hand forward. "Are you prepared to face judgment!?" His army roared as they rushed towards the city. And he and his Digimon vanished into it.
"Tch! I lost sight of him!" Fei growled.
"Then we hunt him down!" Kouta replied.
"Right! Rebels! Chaaaaaaarge!" Nokia, Fei, Kouta and the Digimon with them all rushed forward.
Crusadermon pointed a rose forward. "Go! The shining rose of victory will be ours to claim!" Her army roared as they rushed past her towards the enemy.
Ami held her hand forward. "We will protect the city and our friends!" She Sayo and their forces charged forwards.
From all sides surrounding Cache City the battle broke out. Digimon clashed immediately. A Tyrannomon and DarkTyranomon clashed skulls. Elsewhere Silphymon dodged a Gigadramon's missiles before firing back. A GoldGuardromon blew up a BlackGuilmon before getting cut down by a Phantomon. A WhiteKnightChessmon and BlackKnightChessmon clashed in an epic joust.
Dynasmon threw a Piddomon then pulled up a screen. "Arial unit engage! Keep the scanning crew covered so they can locate the core!"
"Roger!" A swarm of MailBirdramon flew past Crusadermon overhead of the fighting.
Ami spotted them while her Digimon fought and put her goggles on. "Heads up guys, airborne enemies incoming!"
"I see them!" Beeltemon said as he sat in a turret. He and other Digimon in cannons opened fire. Some of the flying Digimon evaded. One was soon shot down.
"Nightflare!" One of the MailBirdramon shot into one of the cannons blowing it up. A Commandermon was blown out of it and landed on the pavement injured and screaming. Mercurymon rushed in holding up his shield to block attacks from above. Lobomon was right behind him, and they rushed the injured Commandermon to cover where Lilamon was with others healing other injured Digimon.
"Bifrost!" Kentaurosmon shot at the incoming flying Digimon with icy arrows that made them freeze and shatter when they hit the ground.
A rumble could be heard from in the lab. Mirei looked up. "It has begun." She looked at her laptop. "Darcmon, Koh, Himari, Yuuko, are the civilians safe?"
"We're just rushing the last of them into the shelters now." Himari replied. "Darcmon and Yuuko are doing one last sweep."
"We'll join the others once everyone's accounted for!" Koh said.
"I'd advise you to hurry." Mirei changed the image on her screen
"Luche are the jets intact?"
Luche was projecting an image of herself from the laptop. "Yup! And the engines are raring to go!"
"Arara, is the programing complete?"
"Just finishing that up now."
"Zero, anti-virus measures?"
"Installing now."
"Bokomon, cooling system?"
"It should be online in five minutes."
Mirei looked at an image of Cache City through her screen. "The pieces are coming together..."
Crusadermon watched the battle unfold. She heard a beeping and pulled up a monitor. She read a message sent to her. "Interesting..." She made some inputs. "Drimogemon. I have a task for you."
Takumi looked at a map through his Digivice as he and his Digimon stood in front of a manhole. "This is the one."
"Step back." BlackWarGreymon stabbed his claws into it and ripped it open. He jumped inside and Rapidmon Armor let Takumi onto his shoulder before following with Dorugoramon.
Takumi got down when they stood in the sewers. "Okay, the entrance should be close by." They started hurrying down the tunnel.
But shortly after they started moving Rapidmon Armor sensed something and turned around aiming his firearms. "Who goes there?!"
Takumi screeched to a halt and looked behind him. "What? Did somebody follow us here?!"
"You should be more cautious of your surroundings if you wish to do things covertly."
Takumi gasped when someone and their Digimon came into view. "Yuuko? What are you doing here?"
"We were looking out for more civilians when I saw you and your Digimon dive into the sewers." Samudramon replied.
"I think the real question is what are you doing here." Yuuko replied. "We're in the middle of an attack and trying to get the city afloat and you're sneaking off here? You're clearly hiding something..."
Takumi looked away. "It's kind of important that I keep this a secret..."
"Then I suggest you tell me what's going on." Yuuko put her hand on her Digivice. "Because with one call I can tell everyone you're down here. Or the time I had you laughing like a child while you were pinned to that tree."
Takumi sighed. "You're mean sometimes, you know that? This is how you got the title Yuuko the blackhearted."
"Takumi, I know you wouldn't be doing this without a good reason." Yuuko said. "And I want to know what that reason is. It's not that I don't trust you. But you need to be more open with others. Aren't you the one who's always telling me I'm not alone?"
"Fine, I'll tell you, but only if you two promise you'll keep it to yourselves, the city's safety is on the line!"
"If that truly is the case I won't tell."
"You have my vow as well." Samudramon nodded.
"Okay." Takumi nodded.
"Let's tell them on the way to the bunker." BlackWarGreymon said. "We need to keep moving."
"Right." Takumi gestured Yuuko to come beside him and they continued walking through the tunnel with their Digimon. "The truth is..."
Mirei was still working in the city when she got a message from Takumi and read it in her head.
Takumi: Yuuko followed me to the sewer, I had to tell her the plan. But nobody else was around and she promised to keep our secret.
"Good." Mirei thought to herself. "So long as it's just us and her this should still work out."
Terriermon Assistant noticed her focused stare. "What's the matter Mirei?"
"Nothing." The woman got back to work. "Arata, progress report."
"Just doing the final check on the program. Engineering and Luche said all the machinery is put in place and stable."
"Start installation as soon as you're done. It's time to get this City off the ground."
Will the Resistance keep their city and the Sovereign DigiCore out of the Next Order's grasp? Will our heroes defeat the rouge knights and Brother Sorrow? And will Takumi and Yuuko complete their mission safely? Tune in next week to find out.