Failsafe

by PhantomGalaxy13

"If you hear this message, then we have failed. To call this a final gambit would be a gross understatement for the situation we have forced you into. If I could apologize an infinite number of times, it will never be enough. But I AM sorry. Unfortunately, I—and by proxy, you—have little time. You must wake up! I left clues, but you must search for them! Befo—" 1stAnniv! SYOC 15/15

8. The Shadows of the Past

[?]

To defy Ragna Lordmon was to defy the strongest of the Digital World. When he spoke, there was no question but of how his vision will be acted upon.

So, as soon as he gave his order to hunt down the 7th Generation, all agreed without delay.

All... but one.

The Paladins went to work, listening to orders given by Ragna Lordmon in places his visions deemed the highest chances of finding their prey. The only one left was a Paladin he had not "spoken" to recently.

"Nanami Philece," Ragna Lordmon turned his gaze at the final screen, showing the return of the Bio-Hybrid under his command. "Speak. I have inklings of what you want to ask."

"Then I want answers!" Nanami raised her voice but calmed herself down. The tyrant was always unflappable and unreadable, but getting on his bad side was... well... there were less painful ways of suicide. "Forgive me, Ragna Lordmon. But I served you faithfully after Kurata's defeat and you spared my life, so why—when I was devoured by Eaters—did you not restore my mind!?"

"The honest answer is that it was not a high priority to me at the time. Even after the Crown Wars, I deemed my preparations more immediate than returning you to your full state," Nanami fought the urge to bite her lip when hearing that. But Ragna Lordmon went on. "However, I understand that, in your perspective, I have wronged you. As such, I will compensate you for your grief."

Nanami was taken aback by that but Ragna Lordmon continued. "Yet, even with my ability to see the future, I know you enough that riches bore you. Power is more of a tool, so you do not seek it greedily as your ally, Kouki. As such, I have deduced that the only thing to repay my misgivings is to give you something in opposition to your eternal boredom: a thrill."

The blonde woman with golden eyes lit up at the proposition. She had to admit that her interest was piqued.

"Hunt down the 7th generation, and capture them alive. It is the same order as the rest. Yet, unlike them, you know their most recent path. The new generation boasts powers from the older ones and some even hold new Digivices with unpredictable abilities. If you were to capture a Restorer, and the first to do so, I will place you in charge for the rest of the hunt. And all will know and recognize your cunning and ability."

For a second, Nanami said nothing. However, a smile crossed her features before she opened her umbrella. "My my, Ragna Lordmon, I have forgotten how charismatic you can be despite everyone rightfully hailing you as a tyrant."

"I am not doing anything of note. I require your set of skills, so it makes sense to simply accommodate your reasonable wants to keep using it." Ragna Lordmon duly said.

"Common sense. A shame most humans don't even do that," Yet Nanami bowed. "Nonetheless, my king, consider my tantrum over. I recognize that I was simply not important enough to garner your attention. But you have given me a chance to earn it, and I will not squander it."

"I remind you once more, Nanami," Ranga Lordmon spoke again. However, Nanami suddenly felt a soft but commanding undertone. "I need the Restorers ALIVE. If any are killed, even by another's hand, I will consider the task a failure."

She got the message: the lives of the 7th Generation were a top priority. But a thought occurred to her. "What of their Digimon Partners?"

A moment of silence passed. "The visions I have of them dying without their human partners are... inconclusive. To be on the safe side, keep them alive. Aside from Arshan Dillon, whose partner reached the Mega Level already, you should have no trouble subduing the rest. And even if you do happen across his group, I foresee you will adapt and capture them both with great ease. Now, any other questions?"

Nanami smiled. "None, my king."

[Present time.]

Baron didn't know his mother and father; he didn't have many friends growing up as well. Yet, when he arrived on an alien world, one fantastical as it was dangerous, Baron found himself finding real human friends and those who genuinely wanted to be a part of his family.

He never felt so happy in his life.

Yet, even so soon after having a family at last, soon after finally having friends, they were all violently ripped away, akin to Baron waking up from a pleasant dream and back to a horrible reality.

No, it was worse. Baron saw but could not believe Cho-Hakkaimon being killed instantly alongside Ghilliedhumon. Worse still, Koji, Yoshi, and Lalamon were incapacitated as they were the most skilled and powerful of their group, leaving only him, Goofy, Yuma, and Funbeemon. In front of them was THAT ɃǏƮȻȞ who ruined everything, smiling haughtily at them. She was happy. They were gone. She was HAPPY!? They were GONE!

Yuma suddenly heard something akin to an alarm coming from Baron's Digivice. Its light turned dark in a way that looked familiar.

"Y-YOU!" The usually skittish teen glared daggers at Nanami.

"Be a dear," The Paladin aimed a hand at him and Goofy. "And stay still, would you? I worked hard to ensure the actual threats would be taken down in this trap that I didn't finish for you!" As she said this, vines whipped out from behind her as they raced towards Baron and Goofy.

"I'll make you pay!" Baron yelled in utter rancor before dark energy wrapped around Goofy. In a burst of darkness, a new form appeared. Several of the vines were burned and sliced before even reaching the new form. It was similar to Betel Gammamon, but instead of red, it was pure black with purple accents. The new form wore a tattered blue cape but rose despite no wind blowing.

"Huh, so it looks like I'm up," The voice was nothing like Sol's or Azure's. Oozing with hatred mixed with sadism, purple eyes bore into an unimpressed Nanami. "I was hoping to learn more about this, Ragna Lordmon, but I can't have him already making progress in whatever plans he has. So, I'm going to have to kill you."

Yuma only blinked before he used his uninjured arm to pick up his Digivice. "Gulus Gammamon. Champion Level. ...Evil within Gammamon?" His mind remembered why that Dark Aura looked familiar: Arshan used it before! "A dark Digivolution?"

However, in front of this new Digimon, Nanami only laughed again. "Oh, how adorable. It's like watching a kid go through his first emo phase. Does little wannabe wanna listen to heavy metal and cry in his room?"

Instead of speaking, Gulus only smirked. Within an instant, Yuma and Funbeemon were surprised to see he had closed the distance between him and Nanami.

"Death Demona!" Both Gulus and Baron screamed as Gulus' claws ignited with a black flame before rocketing towards Nanami. However, the blonde woman tilted her head, avoiding the blow with ease.

If Gulus was fast, Nanami made that fact look like a joke. The black Digimon fired rapid fast strikes that Yuma doubted he could keep up with, but Nanami kept her smug smile, almost dancing and mocking her attacker.

"Make her pay," Baron gripped his fist as memories of what could have been with Cho-Hakkaimon and Ghiliedhumon were aborted because of that WITCH. He was usually a caring and gentle soul, but his Digivice continued to make erratic heart-rate lines in pure black. "MAKE HER PAY!"

"Looks like we're on the same page then!" Gulus shouted before a new attack came to the mind of an angry Baron. "Dead End Skewer!"

Slash!

In an instant, Gulus' tail whipped forward, stabbing into the head of Nanami. Funbeemon and Yuma stared on in horror at such a gory and violent move—

"How boring."

No one expected Nanami to smile despite the tail blade being lodged into her head. Gulus' eyes widened before Nanami grabbed his tail. In a quick motion, she whipped the dark Digimon into the ground and did so a few more times before jumping and slamming her heel into the chest of the Dark Digimon, causing Gulus to gasp in pain before he shot back and crashed into another tree.

"I thought you said you'd make me pay. Honestly, I do not know what Ragna Lordmon sees in you." Nanami dusted off her clothes before looking down. "Oh. You ruined my favorite hat. Now I have to go find a tailor Digimon."

"W-Wha," Words failed Yuma as he started to see the hole in Nanami's head reconstruct itself. "What are you!? That strength! D-Did you use DNA Charge!?"

"Oh?" Nanami looked over to Yuma. "They didn't tell you about me? Allow me to introduce myself proper: I am Nanami Philece. Technically, I am 5th Generation, but a superior version: a Bio-Hybrid. To make a long story short, I am half-human..."

"DARK PALACE!" Gulus Gammamon appeared above the bowing Nanami, ready to unleash a wave of black fire on her. However, he was not expecting the blonde to stand back up and slam the end of her umbrella right into his neck, causing the Dark Digimon to gasp and drop concentration in his attack. Nanami circled Gulus before kicking her heel into the back of his knees. This made Gulus tumble forward before a strong pressure slammed into the back of his head.

Nanami, standing on top of an easily defeated Gulus Gammamon mockingly bowed again. "...And half-Digimon."

"Half Digimon and Half Human?!" Funbeemon shouted as such an idea made itself known. "That's impossible!"

"Well, I admit, it's not natural," Nanami dug her heels into Gulus, making the Dark Digimon seethe at the trashing he was receiving. "But here I am, defeating this poor, defenseless, and WEAK Digimon." For good measure, Nanami lifted her leg to stomp and dig her heel into Gulusmon's head.

"YOU BITCH!" Gulus Gamamon roared as he ignited his claws and tried to swipe at Nanami. However, the woman easily dodged the attack and jumped back.

Yuma saw the two "fighting" again and quickly readied his Digivice. However, as soon as he was about to call out his transformation, he stopped his voice. An overwhelming pressure came over him, preventing him from even speaking, let alone accessing the power of his D-Tector.

"Hurt her, Goofy!" Baron shouted, blinded by rage. "Make her suffer!"

"Shut up! I'm working on it! And my name isn't Goofy, it's Sata—" The dark Digimon could not finish his name as Nanami tossed up her umbrella as the Digimon attempted to swipe at her. Despite wearing a gothic lolita dress, Nanami moved like a trained soldier, using CQC to grab the champion's wrist and pin it behind his back.

"Aww, widdle edgy boy wants to take the name of one of the ultimate evils?" Nanami mocked the Digimon, bending his arm and making the dark Digimon yell in pain instead of responding. "To be honest, you look more like a Stanley. You fight like one too." Suddenly, Nanami brought up her free hand and pressed it into the head of Gulus Gammamon. The second after, she kicked the dark Digimon away.

"Bitch!" The dark Digimon snarled. He felt something off in the way she touched him just now with her fingers. "What did you do to me!?"

"Go ahead," Nanami raised her arms to catch her umbrella as if timing everything to that toss. She then rested her hands on the item and said, "Say your name again."

"I said, my name is Stanley!" Gulus Gammamon froze as he heard what just came out of his mouth. "I said, Stanley! Stanley! I'm Stanley! FUCK YOU, BITCH!" Stanley yelled as he realized she had done something to his name.

"Well, you heard it here everyone, his name is Stanley," Nanami mocked before her eyes went dark toward Gulus Gammamon. "Trust me, little poser, I've seen a true Satan. And I watched someone even more fearsome rip his wings and cause him to fall a second time... I will admit, your power probably rivals even some strong Ultimates right now. But I am beyond Ultimate."

From out of the shadows, ANOTHER Nanami stepped beside the first one. "I am the pinnacle of Human Science..."

A third one walked to the empty side of the first. "And have mastered even Digimon Magic."

"Damn it," Stanley cursed. "I was careless. She's been using magic this whole time."

"You cannot stop me." All three Nanami(s) shouted towards them.

"WHY!?" Everyone turned to Baron. Tears streamed down his face as he shouted again. "Why did you kill them!?"

"Who?" All three clones tilted their head.

"My family!"

Nanami couldn't help but unleash a mocking laughter after hearing such a line. "Oh, now that's even sadder than the poser over there! You consider these aliens as your family? No wonder you were abandoned."

"Baron! Don't let her get to you!" Funbeemon shouted, but her cries fell on deaf ears as the alarm on Baron's Digivice became more erratic and frequent.

"I... I hate you!" Baron shouted. "I HATE YOU!" He suddenly clutched his heart as he gasped for air and fell to his knees.

"Shit! He can't handle the output yet." Gulus Gammamon turned to the Nanamis, ready to fight until...

...He also felt the pressure that froze Yuma. It was another overwhelming aura, but it was starkly different than that of Nanami's.

"I do not understand," A voice akin to a blade pierced through the glooming darkness Nanami had created. The Bio-Hybrid looked at where the voice came from and all three of her clones looked annoyed. "Why do you continue to waste time? Incapacitate them now, so we may bring them to our King."

Funbeemon's heart sank. Something moved beyond the dark vines, appearing before all of them. At first, she thought it was Zero in his Mega form, but that hope quickly got quashed when she realized Zero never turned into a pitch-black Digimon with samurai armor and twin blades.

Nanami clicked her tongue. "There is no "We" in this, Gaioumon! I found them first and defeated their guardians! I will bring them to Ragna Lordmon! Just because you're also a Paladin, doesn't mean I'll allow you to share the glory."

Gaioumon. Baron and Yuma's Digivice revealed that before them was a Mega Digimon of the Greymon species. In other words, it was in the same class as Zero's Victory Greymon. Nanami was implied to be Mega Level, and she handily defeated even a Dark Digivolution. However, with two Paladins now, their already abysmal chance of escaping shrunk even more.

"The only glory I seek is in combat," Gaioumon planted his blade before he looked down on the remaining Restorers and their Digimon. That oppressive aura that stopped Yuma earlier... it was the gaze of this Digimon!? "A shame that you chose to defeat their guardians that way. I would have preferred to test my steel against theirs. But if you wish for this sport, I will simply stand by."

Even Stanley—and he absolutely loathed that even in his mind, the name refused to change—had to admit the situation went from bad to worse. He underestimated his opponent, and now a new strong one has appeared. Not only that, the stress and pain of losing Cho-Hakkaimon and Ghilliedhumon was getting to Baron, meaning he had little time in the driver's seat of this body.

As much as he hated it, Stanley had only one option left. "Ha! Death Demona!" He launched himself at the Nanami clones, making them all scatter as he wildly attacked each of them with blasts of fire. However, after their initial avoidance, the clones stopped dodging and let themselves be burned. All three turned into nothing but vines before they were melted into dust.

"Fine, you spoiled my fun anyway." A new voice made Stanley look behind him before he felt a powerful force slammed him back into the ground. There was no longer a human, but a female Mega Digimon that the Digivices called a Lotusmon.

"As fun as this was," BioLotusmon began as she applied more pressure on her foot to crush Stanley. "My associate is right. I'll knock you all unconscious now, but I'll make sure it won't be painless."

"Ha...haha...hahahaha!" Gulus Gammamon broke into flights of laughter after struggling under BioLotusmon's heel.

"I know; it's hilarious how weak you are," Nanami spoke aloud.

"That's not what I'm laughing about, bitch. I admit, you Paladins had more power than I expected. But it seems neither of you are as smart as you say you are." Gulus looked up to Nanami and smirked.

"What?"

"His last desperate charge was not aimed at you," Gaioumon's voice made Biolotusmon turn to him. The black Mega turned his gaze elsewhere. "He made it seem like he was but his true target was..."

BioLotusmon wouldn't have a chance to see what Stanley was aiming at proper.

"Na...na...MIIIIIII!?" A flare of pink energy exploded from one of the restraints. Nanami noticed too late the fading black fire that weakened her seals on the actual threats.

Fingers pierced through the hole in the vines before a powerful force ripped them open, revealing Yoshi fully powered by her DNA Charge. Her eyes fell on Nanami as BioLotusmon. "I am sick and tired of your Digi-Magic!" Yoshi acted fast, picking up a broken tree root and quickly enveloping it with DNA Charge. With a javelin throw, the branch shot out like a ballistic missile, slamming into Nanami, who barely got her staves out in time to block the incoming DNA Charge attack. Yet, even though the Mega blocked the attack, Yoshi's DNA Charge was pure and concentrated enough that it sent BioLotusmon crashing into the ground.

"Execute! Fusion Evolution!"

It was only at that cry did Nanami realize that Gulus didn't just aim for Yoshi's prison! He also attacked Koji's as well!

"Cleansing Light!" Light beams smashed into Nanami as she quickly tried to get up. Beowolfmon had joined the fray, and his presence cut through the darkened prison created by the Bio-Hybrid.

"Ha... who's... weak... now?" Gulus gasped as he felt Baron faint. The energy dissipated, turning the dark Digimon back into Goofy.

Koji saw the human fall, and his attention fell squarely on him. "Baron!?" Beowolfmon cried out as he ran to pick up the downed Restorer. At the same time, Yoshi was freeing her partner, Lalamon, and quickly reached the Mega Level with her.

As the dust settled, BioLotusmon returned to her full height, staring in anger that her prey was regrouping! She turned to a still unmoving Gaioumon. "Why didn't you stop them!?"

"You implied that I was not to intervene. I am simply obeying your words." The other Paladin threw Nanami's words back at her.

"Grr!"

"Koji!" Yoshi ran up to Beowolfmon while helping up Yuma and Funbeemon. "What do we do!?"

"Run! We can't fight two Paladins while defending these guys!" Thankfully, Beowolfmon's speed allowed him to quickly pick up Gammamon and return to the others.

"Oh no you don't!" Nanami gathered energy into her staves as she aimed it at the East Group. "I won't let you escape! Fantasia Fatal!"

"Forbidden Temptation!" Rosemon called out her attack to clash with Nanami's. The two flower-themed attacks crashed into each other before combining and causing a massive explosion.

As the attack subsided, Nanami used her powers to clear away the smoke. However, there was no sign of any of the East Group.

Gaioumon lifted his blades to rest on his shoulder. "The last of the 4th Generation is among this group? I've been meaning to test my blade against his."

The aura around Biolotusmon flared. This did not go unnoticed by Gaioumon.

"Now then. Are you still going to cling to your pride? Or are you going to put effort into hunting them?"

Biolotusmon slowly turned to Gaioumon. She won't deny that a piece of her wanted to skewer the sword Digimon right where he stood. However, she was aware that was far more effort than it was worth.

"Fine," Nanami still had moves to play. They escaped, but this time their trail was fresh, even with someone in their group capable of reaching light-speeds. "Let's see how well they fair next time. I may have to kill their partners after all."

[West]

"I realize I never asked," Marc began as he pushed away the giant jungle leaf. "But who are the Digidestined we're going to look for?"

Kari made sure to watch her step. After all, they were on a giant, winding tree branch instead of solid ground. Looking down wasn't going to help, even if they had Digimon that could Digivolve into fliers. But she answered, "Their names are the following: Ryo Akiyama, Richard Sampson, and Homer Yushima. Aside from Mr. Yushima, Mr. Sampson and Ryo both lost their partners before the 6th Generation fell, so Taiki sent them to search for these Legendary Digimon that could help turn the tide against Ragna Lordmon. We lost contact when Bargramon forced the final confrontation sooner than anyone expected."

Marc raised his brow as he picked up what Kari said. "Wait. Mr. Yushima? Mr. Sampson?"

"Right, we didn't get a chance to explain. After the 4th Generation and Susanoomon lost, the Digital World got very desperate. Instead of the usual teens with attitude, many of the 5th Generation came from different age groups, a good chunk of them adults."

"Right," Marc's eyes widened. "It just clicked to me that you said Marcus Damon's dad is right here. The Digital World brought a son and a father here together?"

Kari frowned. "Well, yeah. But it wasn't just age. Usually, the Digital World brought "children with pure hearts", but in the 5th Generation, it was getting desperate. It didn't just bring in adults, but one of them was... a monster." Kari shivered at the thought.

"I take it this guy was bad news?"

"You don't know the half of it," Kari responded before she realized her tone and sighed. "I won't get into his atrocities today, but I will say when Ragna Lordmon's Paladins destroyed him, many of us breathed easy."

Marc took in that information. A guy so bad that the others were glad when Ragna Lordmon defeated him? Perhaps it was time to change the topic. "I also caught what you said: two of them lost their partners?"

"Yeah, Ryo and Mr. Sampson. Ryo lost Cyberdramon because it was unnaturally aggressive and still tried to pick a fight with Ragna Lordmon. Mr. Sampson or Commander as some like Yoshi called him, lost his partner in the last fight of the 5th generation on the moons. Mr. Yushima is the only senior citizen brought by the Digital World. He's a great and relaxing presence, but we didn't want to risk him on the front lines."

"I see, so Taiki sent those Digidestined because they couldn't fight in the final battle," Marc observed from what Kari told him.

Kari moved a stray hair behind her ear. "Mr. Yushima could. Technically, he still has his partner in Kamemon. But yeah, they offered to help even as the fighting got bad. Taiki gave them that mission so they wouldn't feel like a burden."

Marc nodded, mentally adding that to his list. "Alright, so where are we going? I noticed we didn't have a specific location compared to the other groups."

"Right, we're heading towards their last location: it's one of the older parts of the Digital World, and ironically one of the first places Ragna Lordmon destroyed. It used to belong to the Olympos 12 Digimon."

"Ah? You mean it's related to Coro?" Bibi perked up, recalling a conversation she heard about the Coronamon's Mega form.

"Coro may Digivolve into an Apollomon, but the original Olympus 12 Digimon are all long gone," Gatomon answered. "They're only related by coincidence."

"I wish you were there to tell that to GD and Funbeemon," Bibi sighed, recalling how learning of "technicalities" from Terriermon caused the two partnered Digimon to get into another fight... that Arshan paid the price for.

Kari laughed nervously as she recalled how much Gatomon complained about having to heal the poor kid in one day. Afterward, she turned to Marc. "Do you have any other questions?"

"The only question I have left is how can I reach the Ultimate and Mega Level with Bibi? With Ragna Lordmon after us, I feel it's prudent to accelerate our training."

Kari gave a nervous look, but luckily for her, Dorulumon spoke up. "Karatenmon was our best trainer in physical combat. I know a few drills, but that is not the only way for you to gain strength. But I believe there is more focus on this fact: you have good leadership instincts. I can work with that. I used to be a major tactician for both Xros Heart and Bargramon's army. Considering you use 3rd generation cards, I feel like there's potential in making both of you masters of the battlefield than in direct combat."

"You should listen to Dorulumon here, Marcy," Kari motioned to the champion. "This guy was trained by a Digimon named Tactimon! And he was born for war tactics!"

Marc seemed excited as he turned to Dorulumon. "I'd be glad to learn... wait. Did you call me Marcy?" The afroed teen turned his head to Kari.

"What? Bibi kept calling you that, and I think it's fun to say." The sister of Tai smiled.

"See! I'm not the only one!" Bibi smiled as well, happy someone agreed with her.

Gatomon smirked before saying, "Alright, all in favor of calling Marc into Marcy, say Aye."

"Aye!" "Aye." "Aye!" Bibi, Gatomon, and Kari all raised a limb upward.

"Hey!" Marcy yelled before he looked over to Dorulumon. "At least you didn't join them."

"..." Marcy did not appreciate how the wolf Digimon was starting to sweat. He looked behind himself and spotted the other three giving knowing smiles at the Xros Heart tactician.

"Please don't," Marcy asked the only ally he had left to not give into peer pressure.

"I seem to recall someone once telling me you had a special weakness... wasn't it under your belly~?" Gatomon glinted ambition in her eyes.

"Cutemon...why did you tell her of all Digimon...?" Dorulumon grunted under his breath before he looked away.

His eyes snapped open as he saw what was ahead. "There's a town."

The West Group turned to what the tactician pointed to. Marc thought back to when he was very young and fell in love with the idea that trees could have mini houses one could play in. The reason that memory came to him was because even as he was, even in a place as dangerous as the Digital World, the child in him never stopped loving tree houses. So imagine his surprise when he saw an entire town comprised of tree houses, each with its own spin of crayoned wood, tire swings, rope bridges, and mismatched cut wood. The place looked more like a playground than it did a town.

However, it didn't stop everyone from making their way to the area.

"Hey, where is everyone?" Bibi looked around, but despite being a sizeable place, there was no sign of everyone.

"Something's not right," Dorulumon narrowed his eyes as looked through an open door. "The food on that table—steam is still coming from it. And it smells fresh."

"Where did everyone go?" Marc looked around. Despite looking like a playground paradise, the only thing the West Group heard was the wind pushing some squeaky swings.

"Shh!" Dorulumon shifted into a stance as his ears twitched. Gatomon's ears followed, but the wolf Digimon continued. "Hide."

The 5 went into the biggest tree house, hiding beneath the open windows and pressing themselves against the wooden planks and tree trunks.

Marc didn't know what Dorulumon sensed, but soon he heard the sound of something... multiple somethings... heading their way. But the closer it came, the clearer it sounded. He could hear... footsteps?

"Where is everybody? It's like a ghost town in here." "Michael, I want to go on the swing!"

Marc's eyes widened as he heard the name. Michael was a human name! he was about to look before Kari shook her head vehemently. The look on her face was drained of color. She knew them—and it wasn't a good thing.

"We gotta focus, Betamon. The last thing we want to do is disappoint Ragna Lordmon."

Marc suddenly realized why Kari stopped him. This Michael was a Paladin! He knew and heard other DigiDestined surrendering and becoming a part of Ragna Lordmon's group, but to hear one of them right now?

Wait a second. Marc thought he heard more footsteps than the two.

"Hey, Catherine? Did Ranga Lordmon say where these Restorers were?" Marc's heart rate skyrocketed. They used the dice to roll for one of the paths toward the west. It was one out of 15 planned paths. Did they just get unlucky?

"He said his visions concentrated within this area," A female voice with a French accent spoke next. Marc had to admit: the owner of the voice sounded pleasing to the ear. "A majority of them said they would be alone."

The West group made no sound. Marc reached for his cards in the deck-carrying belt Henry gave him, steeling himself for a fierce fight.

"Lucky us then, huh?" They heard Michael give a small laugh.

"Michael! Michael!" The owner of this voice sounded loud and somewhat excited. "Put me up on one of those swings! I wanna try them!"

"After, Betamon," Marc assumed Betamon was Michael's partner. "We need to find those 2 Restorers that Ragna Lordmon said were here."

The tension dissipated somewhat from the West Group. There weren't two Restorers here, only Marc.

"Actually," Catherine's voice paused as it felt as if she turned around. "Floramon, take Betamon up that large swing above us."

"Alright, Catherine!" The one assumed to be Floramon before the two Digimon started making their way to the tree houses and playground above them.

"Micheal, we need to talk," Catherine said after the two Digimon left.

"What is it, Cat?"

"... Should we really be doing this? The more humans that get dragged into the Digital World, the more they get trapped in this endless cycle of war. I... I don't want to subject these newcomers to this."

"Catherine..." Kari mouthed. Marc noted the way Kari said the name mean meant that she knew this Paladin personally?

"Cat, be careful! You know Ragna Lordmon could be listening to this right now!"

"Oh, what!? He's also seeing a hundred visions of me flipping the bird!" It was unladylike, but it didn't stop her from venting her frustrations. "How long are we going to do this? He works us to the bone, and he knows we can't defy him. ... What if we were to run away?"

"We can't."

"It can't be too hard! We could find some of the last of the others! Kari and her brother are still out there fighting! We heard they're protecting some of the newest Generation! Shouldn't we be joining them?!"

Marc couldn't believe his ears. Paladins who wanted to escape Ragna Lordmon? The situation wasn't as bad as it could have been. They could potentially have more allies to help them in the long term!

"You think I don't want to!?" Micahel shouted back, making the arguing between the two become silent. "We did try fighting against Ragna Lordmon. In the 3rd... and the 4th... then the 5th... and that last one...! Guess what Ragna Lordmon did to those who lost? The ones that couldn't escape during each generation's last battle?"

Marc and Bibi saw both Dorulumon and Kari look down in shame at Michael's words.

"Cat, I... I don't want you to become controlled by an Eater... or worse..." They could hear Michael move slowly to the other young lady.

"M-Maybe," Catherine sniffed as she started to sob. "Maybe it's better that way. At least my mind will be gone from being forced to hurt innocent Digimon. And I won't see these others lose hope like the rest of us."

"You know that's not how it works. If anything, he'll put you and Floramon into more of the fighting! Worse, you might even be commanded by the Lord Knights as one of those puppets!"

Marc raised his brow before looking at Bibi. "Lord Knights?" However, a look from Dourlumon made both shut their mouths.

"Micheal..." Catherine's sobbing got louder. "I don't think I can keep doing this."

"Hey, hey... just... just let it out... I'm still here for you, moi chérie."

"Y-You," She choked. "You still suck at speaking French."

"It's not my fault that your country uses all the letters except the ones being sounded out!" Michael shouted.

His exasperation made Catherine chuckle a bit. "I'm serious. Don't make me laugh."

"Or what?"

"Or..." Was Marc hearing things... or was Catherine's tone... different? "Or I make you let go of my stress in a différent way."

Huh... was it him, or could Marc feel Michael's body shiver from all the way from here... and it wasn't from fear...

"Oh, WHATEVER do you mean, moi chérie?" Andddddd Michael's voice tone also changed. Marc wished his mind didn't recognize the tone he just used.

"I mean, Floramon and Betamon do tend to lose track of time playing... whose to say... we can't do the same. Maybe I can make that stupid mouth do more than just say words wrong..."

Marc made the mistake of looking at Kari. He hoped that whatever beings up there he wasn't making the same horrified expression Kari was having at that moment as they realized the situation they were in.

"Ah~!"

(Oh God. Oh God. Oh God!) Marc was by no means religious, but if there was a time to pray for divine intervention it was now!

"The Paladins are distracted. We should make our escape now. Sneak towards the other door."

Marc wanted nothing more than to cry and profess his undying love at Dorulumon. The Champion Digimon kept his guard up and remained on task.

Marc and Kari were furiously nodding their heads before Marc and Dorulumon started making their way—

"Pft!"

To Marc, time slowed to a stop as he turned—with wide and pleading eyes—at Bibi, who was starting to tremble, clamping her beak, and fighting—and failing—to hold down her smile.

"Bibi?" Marc hoped he was seeing things.

"I-I don't," Bibi struggled to whisper as bits of her voice started to rise. "Know what they're...rk! Doing...! B-but it... sounds... so...funny...!"

Marc was at a loss for words, and not just because he was trying to be silent. Was his partner seriously finding THAT funny? Dang it, she was. Curse the fact they're in an alien world!

"Ahhh~!?" "Pfbbtt!"

Marc abominated the situation they were currently in, and it took every fiber of his being not to facepalm.

"Bibi," He said trying his best to ignore the sounds outside. "DO. NOT. LAUGH." He told his partner as he tried to get closer to her to help clamp her beak.

"Hmm~ Michael~!" "pffBWHAHAHAHAHAH!"

"W-What!?" "Oh my god!?" "RUN!"

Dorulumon shouted that last sentence as the West group bolted out one of the other exits, Marc grabbing and running with a guffawing Bibi under his arm.

"Is that them!?" "WERE THEY LISTENING!?" "Betamon/Floramon DIGIVOLVE!"

"Kari!" Dorulumon, as they ran across the wooden bridge, shouted to the 2nd Generation.

"Gatomon!" Kari took out her Digivice.

"Gatmon...!" "Betamon...!" "Floramon...!"

"WARP DIGIVOLVE TO...!"

Energy wrapped and finished around Gatomon, turning her into Ofanimon. Marc's Digivice lit up when he heard two more names call out.

"Aegisdramon!" "Cendrillmon!"

Marc cursed under his breath as his Digivice showed him a vehicle-like Dragon Digimon capable of amazing speed and power and a gorgeous princess Digimon that was deceptively living in places like volcanoes despite looking like an ice queen. But more alarming were their levels. 2 Megas!? Even with Kari and Ofanimon, they were in a bad situation!

"Kari, Hammer Formation!" Dorulumon shouted something odd before the experienced Digidestined nodded as Ofanimon flew up and her Digivice allowed her to follow after in the form of an energy orb.

Dorulumon jumped and turned around, making Marc and Bibi look on with surprise. "Marc, activate the cards you need and Digivolve now!"

"What!? But they're Megas!?" Bibi shouted.

"Do it!" Dorulumon's voice held no room for arguing as Marc did what he said.

"Digimodify! Digivolution!" The afroed teen did so. He then saw Ofanimon leading the one called Cendrillmon higher to the treehouses above them while the Aegisdramon and Micahel reading on top of him closed the distance between them.

[Kari and Ofanimon.]

Kari knew Catherine and Micheal, she befriended them after Davis Montoya attempted to defeat Ragna Lordmon by using the power of Miracles to summon more Digidestined to help and restrain the Tyrant. Their power worked... until he survived his finishing blow. Davis' miracle... turned out to be a tragedy as select people from around the Human World now got trapped in the war against Ragna Lordmon. Micahel and Catherine, to be honest, were the ones who also tried to stay hopeful alongside the other Generations, but they were the last ones to join Ragna Lordmon even before the 6th Generation.

Kari and Catherine became friends, even if she found it somewhat annoying how both her brother and another friend knew she was attractive. Secretly, she too was envious of the French beauty. Yet... even though the two were technically still friends... they were on opposite sides.

But none of that mattered because of the way Catherine stared at Kari, who was doing her best not to focus on how flushed the beauty's face was or how hastily and messy her clothes and shawl were.

"Kari."

"C-Cat." Kari tried to be friendly as both Ofanimon and Cendrillmon stared each other down.

"... How long were you there?" There was no point in delaying the inevitable. Catherine asked with emotionless but deadly seriousness.

Kari, for once, found it very hard to speak at that moment. "Err... I'm happy you and Micahel got together?"

The only movement the brunette saw in the French beauty was the slight twitch on her lower left eyelid. Other than that, she was as immobile as stone. "Kari, I'm going to kill you."

"Honestly? Fair."

"No, it isn't!" Ofanimon lowered her lance javelin at the opposing Cenrdillmon. "Eden's Javelin!"

Cendrillmon lifted her leg, "Glass Spear!" Before launching it with equal ferocity as the angel Digimon in front of her.

[Marc, Bibi, and Dorulumon.]

Marc had to admit, even if it wasn't as powerful as the auras of Zero, Ancient Wisemon, or even Ragna Lordmon, being in front of a Mega Level Digimon was imposing. He wished he could be like Doulumon: even as a Champion, the Xros Heart founder showed no fear despite how horribly outclassed they were.

"So, you, I don't recognize," Now that Marc got a good look at Michael, he had to admit the man was fairly attractive. Though, he tried to ignore the handsome man's hastily worn and messy shirt. "And the fact I don't even see an Ultimate... you must be a Restorer."

Smart too. Marc supposed he could see why the French beauty fell for this guy.

"Nothing personal, but I'm knocking you out and helping Cat. On a one-on-one, neither of us stands a chance against Kari," He looked down. "Aegisdram—"

"Drill Buster!" Dorulumon was quick on the draw, but he didn't aim for Aegisdramon. Instead, he shot one of the wooden bridges above, specifically one end. The bridge broke and fell—where its end would swing right into Michael!

"I got you, Michael!" Aegisdramon shouted as he lifted his cannon arm to block the incoming bridge. However, with the Mega turning, Dorulumon suddenly pounced and pinned Michael into another platform.

"Michael!?" "Don't move!" Dorulumon said after Aegisdramon. "I won't kill him, but I will knock him out conscious with my tail. He's 2nd Generation, which means as soon as he's knocked out cold, you stop gaining the energy to stay Mega." Dorulumon tilted his head oddly before pressing his claw on Micahel's face.

"That's dirty!" Aegisdramon shouted.

"Long before I even was a part of Xros Heart, I was Tactimon's student in Bagramon's army. He made sure I knew how to deal with Megas, especially those with human partners. In a fair fight, few can defeat a Digidestined pair... that's why I don't intend to fight fair!"

Marc suddenly felt a pressure spike as he looked up, seeing Ofanimon gathering energy.

"By the way—catch! Buster Drill!" Dorulumon did two things at the same time while everyone looked up. First, he kicked Micheal off the platform, forcing Aegisdramon to look back down and dive for his partner. At the same time, Dorulumon launched another Buster Drill above them. This second attack destroyed the platform... that Catherine was standing under.

She also screamed as she fell, forcing Cendrillmon to look back and quickly try to rescue her partner as well.

However, with the Paladins all falling... Ofanimon had a clear shot on both of them in a single line.

"Celestial Cross Smite!" Ofanimon spun her lance before a pillar of divine light struck down Cendrillmon and Aegismon, who were forced to cover their partners to take on the brunt of a tower of celestial energy in the shape of a cross. Marc and Bibi covered their eyes as the beam of the attack sent the two down below, past the fog that obscured the bottom of the giant trees in the area.

"Let's go!" Dorulumon shouted. "We have our opportunity to escape!"

Marc and Bibi only stared in shock as Ofanimon and Kari caught up with them.

"Y-You defeated a Mega!" Bibi shouted, looking surprised at Dorulumon.

"Wrong, I outmaneuvered a Digidestined Pair," Dorulumon glanced at the newcomers. "This is what I wanted to teach you, Marc. Until you and Bibi reach the higher levels, I was going to train you to fight tactically: avoid your opponent's strengths while making sure you are in control of the conditions of your fight. Having a 3rd Generation Digivice with the ability of those cards helps tremendously in versatility than raw power."

Marc smiled, more amazed that he could learn to possibly fight hard even as they were now.

"Good call on the Hammer Formation," Ofanimon said to Dorulumon as they made their way. "Haven't done that since the Crown Wars!"

"We were lucky. If it was any of the Digidestined as skilled as Kari, I doubt I could easily pull off the same trick on them."

As the West Group was making their escape, Kari suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Kari?" Dorulumon turned back as he noticed even Ofanimon froze. He looked up... and his eyes widened. "Oh no."

Marc and Bibi followed everyone's direction. He thought they defeated all the Paladins. So why was there a lone figure with an oppressive Aura flying over them?

"... That was a powerful move you did there, Ofanimon." Marc saw... it was another angel Digimon?! From its aura, it almost felt on par with Ofanimon, but... something didn't feel right about it!

Marc looked at his Digivice. "Seraphimon. Mega Level—wait what? Seraphimon Black? Hold on. Why is it swapping between... and why is he half and half?"

The Digimon in front of them was an odd Seraphimon. The right half was the holy Seraphimon; while the left half was Seraphimon Black mode.

"No," Dorulumon gasped as Marc noticed only he and Bibi didn't know who this Digimon was in front of them. "P-Patamon?"

"...Not just Patamon..." Two voices overlapped each other. The half-and-half Seraphimon turned his gaze to Kari. "I'm... glad to see you're okay, Kari."

"Oh my god," Kari brought her hands to cover her mouth. "TK?" Her voice almost couldn't believe who was in front of her. "Y-You're alive?"

"...Well... I wouldn't really say that. The only way left for me to be conscious was to fuse the remains of my soul with Patamon's. In a way, I'm now permanently Seraphimon. I always did wonder how Biomerging worked..." He gave a despondent chuckle.

"By the Digigods," Dorulumon gasped. "TK. I am truly sorry. We didn't expect Bagramon to appear in your section during the last fight."

"I don't regret having to face him... though... waking up to being forced into Ragna Lordmon's Paladins... I'm sorry, Kari. I didn't know what my brother did until it was too late."

"Uhh? What? What's going on? Who's this!?" Marc yelled.

"Huh," Seraphimon turned to Marc and Bibi, who both felt tremendous pressure. "He's one of the 7th Generation? Is he the one named Arshan Dillon?"

"No..." Kari answered.

"It's odd. Ragna Lordmon told us that there were two wandering 7th Generation DigiDestined here. Granted, he can see many possible futures, but he claimed there were many of them unprotected being here, not of one being protected by Xros Heart." Silence came from the other angel Digimon. "I'm sorry, Kari. ...I... didn't want you to see me like this."

"W-We can help you!" Kari suddenly shouted. "The Restorers! They can heal the Digital World, maybe they can—"

"What? You want us to HELP a PALADIN!?" Bibi shouted in panic.

"He's not a Paladin, he's our friend!" Kari shouted.

"You're wrong, Kari. I am a Paladin. Ragna Lordmon holds my life in his hands now..." Seraphimon raised his hand, forcing Ofanimon to fly in between them and the others. However, it was beyond obvious she did not want to fight. "As much as I want to just let you go... I... I can't disobey him anymore. The way he fused me and Patamon ensured there are things I can't freely do anymore."

"TK..." Kari started to tear up. "I-I..."

"Kari, run. We're powering up." Seraphimon lifted both his hands as holy light and dark light gathered.

"Twilight Cross!" "Holy Barrier!"

Ofanimon created a shield as the Half Seraphimon unleashed a powerful combination of black and holy light. Ofanimon's shield held, if barely. However, Dorulumon's trick worked against him. The environment surrounding them was not enough to take on Seraphimon's power. As such, only Kari and Ofanimon, who were closest to the shield, were spared from the wood beneath the other three from failing and causing Dorulumon and Marc to fall.

"Marcy!" Bib yelled as she dove into her champion form after her partner. However, when Ofanimon looked back, she took her attention away from Seraphimon Half.

"Unison Clash!" The opposing archangel motioned his hands quickly and unleashed a pulse attack that hammered into Ofanimon's shield, causing a massive explosion.

[A few days ago. On Ancient Troiamon.]

Before Xros Heart separated, and while Ancient Troiamon made its way toward the drop-off zone, Arshan was walking around the ark, in search of his partner. It didn't take him long to see Coro circling in a group with other Baby Digimon.

"Oh? Hey, Arshan, check this out!" Arshan hoped Coro wasn't going to rope him into one of his shows again, but complied and walked towards the group.

"Ancient Troiamon picked this up and just dropped it here. When I asked him, he said he didn't realize he brought it up to him." That caught Arshan's attention: Ancient Troiamon picked up something and didn't realize he did? However, when Arshan looked at it, he was confused as it looked like a normal glacier.

But then Arshan saw the disk frozen in the chunk of ice. He also recognized the symbol written on it: similar to Koji's and Ancient Troiamon's, that was Ancient Wisemon's symbol. The brunette quickly asked Coro to melt the ice, stopping before reaching the disk.

Arshan inhaled deeply, before touching the symbol. As he did, the disk lit green.

It didn't take long before both Arshan and Coro were in the void again. However, the young empath felt something amiss.

"BecarefulJohnthatisn'tarootebegadon'tforgettocallyourpartnerwatchoutforthatmegaEggattacklookoutsara'sgonnatackleyaandmakesurethatCecilliaandtheothersfightwellfortheroyallords."

Arshan turned to the sound of a hundred or so sentences overlapping with each other. He saw Ancientwisemon, speaking with the speed of an Olympic runner.

"What's happening to him?" Coro asked.

"...Is this what everyone else meant in him being... crazy?" Arshan knew Ancientwisemon could see so many potential futures. But it could make him do this? ... Then how fearsome was Ragna Lordmon to remain "sane" and even weaponize such an ability when the original user was like... this?

Yet, Arshan could tell the sage was doing his best to help them. He stepped forward. "Ancient Wisemon?"

The vision stopped erratically moving. His eyes looking in Arshan's direction but not truly focusing. "O-Oh? Wait. Arshan? A-Are you in this vision? There's an overlap. So...So many... Tai was right to leave things to chance to avoid Ragna Lordmon... but it also strains me... so many visions... so many branching paths-100 multiplied by a thousand multiplied by a million multiplied by..."

Arshan decided to speak again to stop the sage from spiraling. "Hey, thank you for your help. We were able to save Ancient Troiamon."

"Who was with you? No. Nevermind. Too many variances," The sage shook his head. "But ... it's nice... hearing a thank you... it feels like centuries since I heard gratitude."

Arshan could hear the tiredness of the Digimon's voice. For whatever it's worth, the teen walked up and hugged the echo.

Ancient Wisemon's features softened as it looked as if the stress was leaving him. "Thank you... your visions...they're always like an oasis in a desert. I never know how."

The world started to glitch.

"Wait. I..." Ancient Wisemon broke the hug. "I have to warn you." He motioned to his head.

"Warn us about what? The path we're taking?"

"No. Worse. At all costs avoid the moons."

"The moons?" Arshan and Coro shared a look. "From what everyone else implies, we're not even learning what's there, let alone figuring out how to travel there."

The vision flickered again, signaling it was ending soon.

"You don't understand! ... The moons! You must not be there at all costs! Go get captured by Ragna Lordmon if given the choice between them! I see what you do-what you ALL do!" Ancient Wisemon stepped back, starting to wince in immense pain as the visions returned a hundredfold.

Going to Ragna Lordmon was BETTER than being on the moon? Why?

"Arshan!" The sage cried out desperately as the vision faded.

"It will go against everything you all believe in! You will have the chance to save your friend! But you must not!"

"What?" Arshan and Coro looked on with shock.

The void turned white, erasing the lingering essence of Ancient Wisemon. However, he was able to scream one last prophecy.

"To save the Digital World, you must let your friend DIE!"

...

Arshan and Coro snapped back to the present, both gasping for air as the stone with Ancient Wisemon's symbol faded... and destroyed itself.

"Kid?" Ancient Troiamon's voice reached the two. "You alright? You looked like you saw a ghost."

Arshan and Coro looked at the broken plate. "I... uhh... I don't know."

The last words repeated in both their minds, but... "... Ancient Wisemon... what did you mean by that?"

...

"What did I say about Ancient Wisemon visions, Arshan? DON'T use them. And what did you do!?"

"Koji."

"You used them! After I specifically warned you not to! How is it that you listen to everything BUT the important parts!?" Koji yelled at the shrinking Restorer.

"Koji!" Tai yelled with a glare. This time, Koji relented, slumping into the seat.

As soon as Arshan came too, he and Coro asked Ancient Troiamon for Tai and Koji. The brunette felt like he had to speak about what he saw and heard. But he didn't know if it was a good idea to tell the others. So, he told the ones he believed were the best ones to hear it.

Tai took a second for the five—six counting Ancient Troiamon—of them to reset the mood. He then looked at Arshan. "Ancient Wisemon... or Ragna Lordmon... is telling you that if you do go to the moons, the only way to save the Digital World is to let a "friend" die?"

Arshan nodded. "What's on the moons?"

Zero, Tai, Koji, and Ancient Troiamon were silent.

"It's..." Tai exhaled into his hand. "A long story. I want to tell you, but there's a reason why Gatomon is right in that you at least need to reach Ultimate to learn what's up there. It's more than just dangerous. When you guys reach Ultimate, you'll be more prepared to hear about what happened up there."

"We reached Mega." Coro offered.

"That doesn't count. You both will kill yourselves in that unstable form." Koji sharply rebutted.

"Point is," Tai spoke to get attention back on him. "Telling you now what's up there will only make you more stressed. There's also supposed to be nothing of interest there. That's why we're not talking about it. But since the visions point to it..."

"It could still be Ragna Lordmon getting Arshan to go to the moon." Koji looked at Tai.

"While an option, we just saw how he needs them ALIVE. The moon is tied with the worst place Arshan and the others could be, the other being Ragna Lordmon's HQ tower on File Island.

"Wait, being there is JUST as bad as being under Ragna Lordmon's clutches?" Coro tilted his head.

"Again, stop asking about the moon," Tai sighed. "Let's focus on the prophecy. Either Ragna Lordmon or Ancient Wisemon want you to "let a friend die" in order to "Save" the Digital World?"

Arshan and Coro nodded.

"I don't know about the message, but the context is usually accurate. If the Restorers are on the moon, something will happen. For now, I believe this should be kept secret from the others."

"I don't think keeping this a secret is a good idea," Coro said.

"Normally, yes. But timing is everything. I don't want to stress everyone more than they already are with this information." Tai looked back. "Your survival and protection come first before we figure out why your generation is tied to the moons. Yet, I understand how important this is. I'll call the other older generations. The moment one of you reaches the Ultimate level, I'll have them tell your generation what's on the moon and your vision when they're safe."

"B-But... it might mean I have to let Stefania...Yuma... or Marc..."

"That's the problem with Ancient Wisemon visions, Arshan," Koji interrupted the teen from finishing that sentence and thought. "He'll be vague on the worst parts, even if he is trying to help us. Not to mention, the vision he tells us may not even come to pass. Remember how he said you "Needed" to Digivolve Coro before fighting Ancient Troiamon?"

Arshan thought back to how that was true. Coro technically Digivolved AFTER the fight and not before.

"See, look at how much of a headache he causes. Aside from filling in newcomers of what's going on, he's useless." Koji exhaled deeply.

"Arshan," Tai spoke again. "Thank you for warning us. Leave this problem to us. You focus on learning from Yoshi before we separate. Okay?"

"... Alright. Thanks."

"Ancient Troiamon, send the two to Yoshi." Tai looked up before the floor beneath the pair descended.

"So, Tai, what do we do?" Zero asked when the pair was gone.

"... I guess I have something else to ask my old enemy when I go there." Tai looked up. "How about you, Koji?"

The Warrior of Light stood up from his seat. "I'm going to Henry. I'm making sure he prevents Arshan from picking up more Ancient Wisemon visions."

Tai exhaled deeply before pinching the bridge of his nose. "His visions always cause headaches."

[Present time. Westward.]

"I have such a splitting headache." Well, it was at least a sign that Marc was alive. Though, he'd rather have a more pleasant one. "Bibi? Where are you?"

"Here. ...Wherever "here" is." Marc looked behind him as he saw both his partner and Dourlumon. Good, they were together at least. But where were Kari and Ofanimon? Were they still fighting that Biomerge?

Marc looked up—only to see a stone ceiling. He inwardly cursed as he took on more of the surrounding area. Instead of a giant forest, they were now in an underground cave? No, "cave" wasn't the right word; the walls were properly cut and had inscriptions that looked worn out. Marc recognized they were in a ruin of some kind but that didn't matter much at the moment.

"We have to get to Kari and Gatomon! They're in danger!" Marc shouted to the others.

"She'll be fine. Even if he was forced to, TK will not hurt her and Ofanimon. Maybe defeat them, but leave them alone after." Dorulumon got back up but winced as he felt a jolt of pain in his right leg.

"Who is this TK?" Bibi asked. "You all looked so frightened to see him."

"His formal name is Takeru Takaishi, but everyone calls him TK. He is the same as Kari, one of the true 2nd Generation Digidestined. To make a long story short," Dorulumon briefly explained how Kari's Generation attempted to defeat Ragna Lordmon. Marc was surprised that the 2nd Generation, at first, had few members. But Davis' Miracle to use the power of others around the Human World to stop Ragna Lordmon failed and ended up trapping other humans who over time slowly joined Ragna Lordmon's ranks The two they saw: Michael and Catherine, were among those numbers.

"So," Marc took in what Dourulumon said alongside how Kari acted. She looked so desperate to help the guy, even risking him and Bibi? "Who is TK to Kari?"

"They... grew close," Dorulumon was civil in his answer. "From my understanding, they knew each other even before coming here. ...Maybe not as close as the last two, but then again..."

"What were those first two doing?" Bibi asked.

"Not important." Marc and Dorulumon said flatly and at the same time. It did surprise Marc a little that Dorulumon seemed a bit more knowledgeable on that topic, but it was best to drop it.

"The point is, he was a good friend." Dorulumon sighed and looked down. "He fought for Xros Heart. But in the last battle, Taiki and I agreed to send him, Kari, and others to reinforce one of our southwestern flanks. We were outmaneuvered as the main force we focused on was a distraction. Bagramon himself, a powerful Digimon at the time who rivaled Ragna Lordmon in power, had launched a special pincer attack on us in the final battle. Kari and TK had to face a Digimon who could rip souls out of other Digimon and mold them as he wished."

"R-Rip out souls!?" Bibi gasped while Marc paled. They could see why someone like that was to be feared like Ragna Lordmon.

Dorulumon went on. "I believe you caught him saying it flat out, and by now it's obvious, but Bagramon used his power to rip TK's soul. I thought he wasn't just dead, but denied even an afterlife—from what humans told me their death cycle is like." Marc could only gape in horror that something that powerful was hit by any human, especially one that sounded like he could have been a stalwart ally in the battle against Ragna Lordmon. "But as you can see, Ranga Lordmon "saved" him by fusing him with his partner in a permanent Biomerge. ... That... unfortunately explains something else..."

"What?" Marc asked.

"The details are painful to remember, but I'll try to tell you the main point. TK said it himself also: he would have rather died fighting against a tyrant than be revived and forced into the will of another. However, the decision wasn't his, but by his brother. Like Kari, TK had an older brother in the 1st Generation who was strong and invaluable in the fight against Ranga Lordmon. He was even Tai's best friend. However, when we lost, and with TK's existence on the line with the only possible power to save him belonging to Ragna Lordmon..."

"He betrayed Xros Heart," Marc finished. He didn't judge, but hearing it from Dorulumon made him feel torn hearing such a story. To think, Xros Heart was filled with amazing and powerful Digidestined like Tai and Kari, but the losses against Ragna Lordmon caused all of those tragedies to happen instead?

"Even now, I would not frame it like that. His first priority was always those he fiercely loved. And he loved his little brother. But the rest is a story for another day; we need to get going."

Marc looked back up at the ceiling, or rather where he hoped Kari was. "Are you sure it's alright to leave them alone up there?"

"Kari is stronger than anyone thinks, even herself. But our priority is your safety and growth. We need to escape from here before the other Paladins find us. If we woke up here, they'll not be far behind."

Dorulumon turned as Bibi started to fly after him. Marc did so as well, but he started to feel frustrated. In that last fight, he was utterly useless. Kari and Gatomon were of course amazing, but Dorulumon showed why no one questioned having a Champion Digimon being seen as an equal companion to even other experienced Digidestined.

He gripped his Digivice tighter.

Bibi happened to look back at the moment. She could tell the afroed teen seemed not himself. "Are you alright, Marcy?"

"It's fine," Marc started to walk after them. "We should get to Kari as soon as possible."

Dorulumon was silent before he decided to keep up with Marc. "I recommend saying what's on your mind. Keeping it all in, one day you may regret it."

"Why does everyone have to ask that? Look, sometimes when someone says they're alright, there's not always a deeper meaning to it."

Dorulumon kept his calm composure even when Marc looked tense. "This is not one of those times. I've fought with humans enough to know when something's bothering them. And with you being a newcomer, it's more obvious."

"Marc?" Bibi looked over to her partner. Marc wanted to dismiss them both and keep walking. But then he remembered what happened after Bibi first evolved. Arshan calmed him down by opening himself up. And even though the teen didn't show off the best first impressions, he still struggled and risked to achieve something no one else could imagine. And well, he didn't want to trail too behind everyone else now.

"It's just," He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I feel so useless. Especially since I didn't get to do anything in that last fight."

"Don't worry about that. You'll set your own pace." Dorulumon said.

"We literally met 3 Paladins before even reaching to half-way of our destination. I don't want to hold us back." Marc glanced at his bandages as he said this.

"You won't. You aren't the first to feel overshadowed by the older Generation. Taiki was as well until he grew into becoming everyone's leader. Don't force yourself; we will find a way to boost you and Bibi's bond." Dorulumon told Marc.

Marc appreciated the words, but he wished he could put it into action.

"How about we do this," It seemed as if Dorulumon sensed Marc's doubt. "I'll teach you what Tactimon taught me while we make our escape here."

"Tactimon," Marc muttered aloud with curiosity. "Who is he? I know you hyped him up but I don't know much about him and you."

"Tactimon is one of, if not the most battle-oriented Digimon in the Digital World. There's a reason why he was revered as Bagramon's most trusted general. He was a Digimon who even Ragna Lordmon took as a serious threat, maybe even more so than some Digidestined. Allow me both to tell you a tale..."

Dorulumon told Marc and Bibi about how he came to be under Tactimon's wing and eventually left his side to meet up with Taiki and Xros Heart. He explained the best tactics he learned from both Taiki and Tactimon to Marc and scenarios where he saw both of them at play. The champion was true to his words as he started to test Marc with scenarios based on all his battles before, and made sure to correct Marc into creating new situations on the fly.

However, it wasn't long before the group started to notice... they didn't seem to be making progress in finding a way out of the ruins they were in. They would always pass the same three-way fork in the road. And no matter which one they took, they'd seemingly end up at the entrance of the fork again.

"Hmm, this is one of the Digital World's mazes. This could be a problem. They're hard to escape." Dorulumon noted aloud.

"Is there something we can do? I don't want us to be trapped here. Or worse, run into..." Marc stopped speaking when he heard something else coming from the path on the right.

There was a rumbling—

"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!?" Before hearing around four beings scream in panic as a giant boulder rolled behind them...

Wait.

"WHAT!?" Marc, Bibi, and Dorulumon yelled before bolting into the entrance of the middle path. Before Marc went in, he waved to the four running for their lives. "Over here!"

The afroed teen raced in. Shortly after, two Digimon and two humans sped into the middle path just before the boulder turned them all into permanent floor mats.

"I told you not to touch it!"

"But I needed to know what it did!"

Marc, Dorulumon, and Bibi couldn't believe their eyes. It was another human and Digimon pair, but it wasn't Micahel and Catherine. If it was, they wouldn't even need to run from a boulder as both of them could reach Mega. In fact, the two humans who just spoke looked different.

The first one who spoke was a teen on the shorter side. Marc would have assumed him a kid if he hadn't noticed the bags under his eyes—or one of them. He was also a brunette with a bob cut that covered one of his brown eyes, showing off one. Marc could barely spot the baggs underneath the covered eye. He wore an overly large black hoodie with grey baggy pants and black running shoes.

The second human was female and pleasing to the eyes. A beauty similar to Catherine a while ago in that she too was blonde but with straight hair and pink eyes. She wore boots; jean shorts that she wasn't afraid to show off her legs; she had a pink jacket; and styled a pink flower on her hair.

Despite looking like two opposite spectrums, it was the smaller, gloomy boy shouting at the nervous-looking blonde. Now, for the Digimon beside them, both caught Marc's attention. To the girl's side was something that looked more like a regular dog than a Digimon, but Marc's Digivice confirmed it was a Labramon. The boy's Digimon, on the other hand, looked extremely alien. Argomon was listed in its name, and it floated near the boy with a rather expressive look.

"I thought it was super fun! Even if we were in trouble!" Despite how alien and off-putting it was, Algomon seemed very chipper about almost being flattened.

"Relax, my lady, we are safe," The Labramon spoke very formally. "Thanks to the aid of these noble strangers."

The two humans turned to the West Group, specifically Marc.

"Hey, wait a second," Marc remembered what he overheard. "Are you two Restorers?!"

"What's that?" The female teen asked with a tilt of her head.

"I think AncientWisemon told me about it. Maybe? He was saying a lot of words..." The gloomy boy looked annoyed trying to think back.

"Okay," Marc calmed down as he realized these two were like him and the others: the 7th Generation that the Paladins were looking for! That's why they were surprised to see Kari but not him! "Well, my name is Marcus Graves, but there's already another Marcus the others talk about, so I mostly go by Marc."

"Or Marcy!" Bibi piped up, making Marcy turn to her with narrowed eyes.

"Finally! Someone who sounds like who knows what's going on!" The small teen with a bob cut groaned. "I'm... Jackson Bloom. Now, hurry up and get us out of here."

"D-Don't be so rude, Jackson!" The girl looked to her campion before to the others. "I um... I'm Rose... I think?"

That caught the West Group's attention. "You... think?"

The beauty rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I woke up... and I didn't remember anything aside from my name? Do you know this AncientWisemon? Jackson said he met with other humans."

"Wait," Dorulumon turned his gaze at Rose. "You don't know AncientWisemon?"

"Umm? Maybe I did? Like I said, I woke up, helped Labramon, and had this odd thing in my pocket," It was a small item, but it was distinct enough that Marc recognized it as a Digivice.

"Ah. That's a standardized Digivice." Dorulumon turned to Marc. "It's First Generation, but one older than Tai's and in between the Second Generation. It's basic but powerful."

"Is that the reason why Kari's is called a D-3?" Bibi looked to Dorulumon.

"Oddly enough, the others found bizarre evidence that suggested these Standard Digivices were the first, Tai's Digivice 01 was made second—despite being the first to arrive, and the D-3 of the Second Generation came after," Dorulumon said aloud.

"That makes even LESS sense!" Marc shouted.

"Perhaps it was best they stopped numbering them after Kari's generation." Dorulumon concurred.

"I have the same as hers," Jackson showed his, which was also a standard one. However, his was indigo and green whereas Rose's was plain white.

"That's so fascinating!" Rose's eyes lit up before looking at Dorulumon. "How do you know so much about Digivices and humans? Are you this guy's partner? Wait, I see that Biyomon, do you have two partners?! How!?"

"One question at a time please," Marc sighed as he felt like meeting Stefania all over again.

"But I want to know!" Rose looked on passionately and huffed.

"That kind of thinking almost got us killed!" Jack snapped at Rose. "Look, I get you want to find out more about yourself and everything around you because of your amnesia, but you're too heavy-handed about it!"

"Watch your tone, Mr. Bloom. I will not take kindly to insults to my mistress." Labramon growled.

"Alright, calm down," Marc stepped in. "Look, we're all on the same side. So let's focus on getting out of here. I take it we shouldn't go where you four came from."

"Actually, can we step back for a moment?" Rose pointed back to the crossroads. "I noticed a pattern I want to confirm."

The West Group looked at each other in confusion. They didn't see anything out of the ordinary but followed Rose as she pointed just above each cave.

"See, every time we pass one of these crossroads, a new symbol appears atop them," Rose pointed to the middle cave they all escaped from, and true enough, there was a symbol no one from the West Group spotted. "So, I've been keeping track of how they operate. To keep it simple, I think they're some kind of number. Whenever Jackson and I went through one of these, the symbols above the path we took changed."

"Impressive to keep track of something so small in a place so dimly lit," Dorulumon noted aloud. "However, while you seem to have solved how it works, we don't have a clue as to the answer."

"Err actually? T-That's why we were being chased by a boulder earlier." Rose rubbed the back of her head.

Jack answered for her. "Rose wanted to see what would happen if all 3 path symbols were the same. Turns out, each time she did so, a new trap activated that we had to avoid. That boulder was the 6th one."

"W-Well! That actually means something! The cave is saying it's the wrong answer, so if we keep doing it, we'll eventually arrive at the right answer!" Rose said.

Marc thought about it. "She does have a point. We don't know the nature of this maze, so there's no harm in trying, especially when we prepare ourselves when a trap springs out."

"You want us to keep going?" Jackson sneered over to Marc.

Yet, the afroed teen remained calm. "Trust me. Ranga Lordmon's men are too nearby. If the traps are anything like the one we just saw, I'd rather face 6 of those than meet with the Paladins."

"I kinda want to meet him!" The West group turned to Rose, who continued. "I mean! Think of how mysterious he is! Jack told me that he is an immortal whose secret is hidden from even someone who has future sight! Isn't that exciting?!" Rose's features rose when thinking about the mystery of Ragna Lordmon's immortality.

"Well, I'm pretty sure even before she lost her memories, she was a mystery nerd," Jackson folded his arms.

"Then I prefer you solving that mystery when he and his powerful allies aren't watching your every move or worse," Marc rubbed his head. "Anyway, let's try out the next number then."

As they went through each cave seven times, Marc informed the two of any questions they had. Rose of course had the most questions, but most of them were easy enough to answer. Marc and Dorulumon told the new four everything they could, about the Digital World, about Ranga Lordmon, about them and the 7th Generation, and their confrontation with the Tyrant after saving Ancient Troiamon.

"That's interesting!" Rose was absolutely taking in everything Marc and Dorulumon told them. "So, somehow, this Arshan can access the Mega Level?"

"It sounds pretty easy," Jackson dismissed. "All you have to do is use intense emotions."

"If it was that easy, Ranga Lordmon would have fallen in the 2nd Generation," Dorulumon stated. "Arshan's case is different as he's an empath, a human who can feel other's emotions as his own. Instead of strengthening his emotions, he was able to raise them because he could recognize and copy someone else who already reached that level."

"Wait, I also had strong emotions at the time," Marc had a thought as he looked at Dourlumon. "Couldn't I access Mega because I was feeling incredibly stressed at that moment?"

"The key difference is that Arshan copied and used POSITIVE emotions to force his Digivolution. Digivolution isn't just using your emotions to reach higher levels for your partners, but that emotion gets multiplied when your partner—or transformation in Yuma's case—reaches those higher levels. If you use strong but uncontrollable feelings, such as fear, anger, and others like it, that emotion will be amplified by the power boost of each level. If you're angry, the Digimon level the partner will reach will become angry multiplied by the power boost of its level. If you tried to Digivolve, while you were stressed as you said, you would have had a Dark Digivolution that would have gone berserk because the negative part of it would have been amplified with the Digimon Level you were attempting to reach. That would have overwhelmed your sense of reason along with Bibi's. I've seen records of that happening in the older generations multiple times. I cannot stress this enough: Dark Digivolutions are dangerous. We're still trying to get Arshan to do Digivolution properly."

"But that guy showed the system can be cheated," Rose said aloud. "Makes me wonder how someone was able to make our Digivices work like that?"

Dorulumon groaned. "You'd have to find the Digital Human known as Gennai. Unfortunately, Ragna Lordmon silenced him a long time ago."

"Silenced?" Rose tilted her head. "Not killed?"

"... It's best if I drop that topic. There's a light up ahead." Everyone looked ahead.

It turns out that the 7th time was the charm as the Digidestined found themselves no longer at a crossroads. Instead, they found themselves in what looked to be an underground city, styled after those found in South America. Looming, old, and expansive stone ruins with vines growing beyond the size of trees wrapped around the area. But what was more noticeable was the large exodus of Digimon entering a massive temple with the top part looking almost like a being staring down at everyone.

"Whoa!" Rose and Algomon gasped as they took in the sight before them.

"Hey, what are you doing!?" The group turned to see some rookie-level Digimon motioning them over. "The Great Movement is about to commence!"

Rose gasped in delight. "I don't know what that is, but I want to!" Without waiting, she ran off. Labramon was after her mistress.

"Dang it, not again! She doesn't even know if it's dangerous or not!" Jackson groaned before he followed Rose, making the others do the same. However, while trying to chase after Rose, it wasn't long before the others got caught in the pace of the group of Digimon. When they entered the temple, they noticed that it was pitch dark. Even the fliers decided to stay with their partners as the group got pushed and shoved deeper in...

Until everyone felt the Digimon come to a stop after entering in.

"... WELCOME. ONE AND ALL." A voice echoed throughout the darkness. Marc felt nervous as he could feel Digimon suddenly giving him space.

"Bibi?" "Marcy? Oh good! I thought I lost you!" "Dorulumon? Jackson!? Rose!?" Try as Marc might, he didn't hear the others.

"YOU HAVE ALL WAITED. NOW, IT IS TIME." In the distance, a single spotlight shone. A lone Digimon appeared on top of some stage. Marc quickly looked at his Digivice as it showed a Baronmon.

"TRAVELERS FROM AFAR," The Baronmon motioned his hands as his voice echoed throughout the vast darkness. "BEGIN... THE... PARTY!"

"What did he just say—" Marc did not have enough time to process his last word as lights erupted from the ceiling above, and not just any lights but disco balls shining multi-colored lights.

"~I LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT. I LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT. YOU LIKE TO...?~"

"MOVE IT!"

Rave music blasted from every direction as Marc noticed Digimon dancing in tandem with the music.

"Well!" Marc tried to shout over the sick beats. "This was significantly less dangerous and ominous than I imagined! Bibi, let's find the others! ... Bibi!?"

Marc turned behind him to see Bibi dancing along with a Gorilliamon and an Otamamon.

"Bibi!" He yelled again.

The Biyomon spotted Marc talking to her and blinked. "Oh!" Before she flew after Marc.

"~PHYSICALLY FIT! PHYSICALLY FIT! PHYSICALLY PHYSICALLY PHYSICALLY FIT!~"

Marc did his best to look around, but the dancing lights and the myriad of different Digimon moving around made it hard for him to find any of the people he recognized. While trying to look, Marc didn't see another being pushing past the dancing and bumping into him.

"Oof!" "Sorry about that!"

Marc knew he was at least looking for humans, but he wasn't expecting to see one that was different from the newcomers he just met or the Paladins.

He spotted black curly hair in a lanky build with tanned skin. The young man, perhaps a little older than him, had purple eyes and a shocked look on his face seeing him as well. The adolescent styled himself with a thin grey jacket, black shirt, and beige pants, and had black sneakers trimmed with red colors.

"Huh? Oh! A human! ... Please tell me you're not a Paladin." He was jovial, but Marc instantly noticed his eyes darting quickly as if trying to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

"I... am not. And from what you asked, I'm guessing you aren't either?" Marc kept his guard up. He didn't know who else was a Paladin, and this one could be trying to trick him.

"7th Generation. Trying to avoid them," The adolescent fixed his jacket and raised his hand for a shake. "The name's Kentaro Akiyama. And you are?"

"I'm also 7th Generation. Marcus Graves, but I go by Marc," "Call him Marcy!" "Bibi!" Marc looked back at his partner before looking at Kentaro. "You're being awfully friendly. How do you know I'm not a Paladin?"

"For one, you're cautious, but you don't have that thousand-yard stare the older Generation has, Marcy," Kentaro smirked as he looked at the afroed teen.

Marc groaned as someone else was now hooked into calling him Marcy.

"Kentaro!" From where the curly-haired stranger came from, a new Digimon followed after him. Marc quickly noticed that it was a Kotemon—from what his Digivice told him. "Ah? A new human. Who is this stranger, Kentaro?"

Kentaro looked back at Marc, but his eyes widened when he spotted Marc's Digivice. "Oh! Looks like you and I have the same Digivice, Marcy!" Kentaro pulled out his own Digivice, revealing a D-Arc similar to Marc's but colored Black with yellow accents.

"It's Marc!" Marcy yelled at him.

"Well, anyway, I'm glad I found you instead of a Paladin. So I have a question about..." Kentaro's question would have to come later as the music slowed down and everyone turned back to Baronmon.

"Oh!? Ooooohhhh!?" Baronmon looked up behind him before he turned back to the crowd. "Everybody! We've got a heck of a treat! Our Groovy Leader is slidin' over! MirrorBallmon, hit it!" Baronmon pointed as a walking Disco Ball with anime eyes rolled over to the host Digimon and stood on two feet styled similar to Pacman's. It spun dramatically before shooting its hand stretched out as a mic fell perfectly into his open palm.

"~There are despots and dictators

Political manipulators

There are blue bloods with intellects of fleas

There are kings and petty tyrants

Who are so lacking in refinements

They'd be better suited swinging from the trees!~"

Behind Baronmon and the MirrorBallmon singing with a deceptively baritone voice, the face of an Aztec statue lit up. The very dance floor shook violently while the music grew louder.

"~He was born and raised to rule

No one has ever been this cool

In a thousand years of aristocracy

An enigma and a mystery

In Meso Digimon History

The quintessence of perfection that is he!~"

The Aztec statue opened up, revealing what looked to be a smaller Aztec statue of a face. Only, Marc and Kentaro noticed quickly that the "face" was a headgear of a small humanoid Digimon with blue skin wielding two staves.

"~He's the sovereign lord of the nation

He's the hippest dude in creation

He's a hep cat in the emperor's new clothes

Years of such selective breeding

Generations have been leading

To this miracle of life that we all know!~"

The Digimon in question jumped off the stairs and started to GROOVE to the music. Despite being the size of a human toddler, he moved animatedly and exuberantly to the music. Kentaro and Marc looked at their Digivices when it showed the image of the new Digimon. But even if they didn't Mirror Ballmon helped out by singing,

"~What's his name?!~"

"TLALOCMON!"

Marc and Kentaro focused on something else besides his name. Despite the impression the child-like Digimon was giving off, their Digivices told the two that Tlalocmon was a Mega-Level Digimon, someone absolutely not to be trifled with.

Tlalocmon threw one of his staves in the air as he opened his palm to MirrorBallmon. The Discoball threw his mike at the small Mega as he caught it and screamed.

"What up my dancers!?" His voice made everybody cheer. "Now, now. I know I'm super amazing and all that. But, and I really hate to be the party pooper, but a ruler's gotta do what a ruler's gotta do. It turns out, we've got Paladins in the house."

The collective booing of what felt like a Stadium of Digimon made Marc and Kentaro pale. Marc in particular darted his head around. Were Micheal and Catherine already here!?

"So, let's get choppy choppy so we can go back to dancey dancey! Will everyone but the Paladins, please leave the dance floor!" Tlalocmon tossed back the mike before he caught his other staff just as it came down. He twirled both before slamming the bottom ends on the ground.

Four pillars erupted... Marc and Kentaro were alarmed when they found themselves inside these pillars!?

"Wh-What?!" "Hey!"

The Digimon cleared out of the dancefloor, revealing the other two pillars to be Jackson and Rose with their partners.

"Now, I can't have Ragna Lordmon messing up another dance floor! I just had this finished! It's so hard to keep moving these. So, say bye-bye Paladins!" Tlalocmon dismissed as rain and thunder started to gather into his two staves.

"Wait! We're not Paladins!" Marc, Kentaro, and their partners tried to say. However, it seemed like no one bothered to care about what they were shouting.

Lucky for them, a figure jumped out of the crowd and tackled MirrorBallmon. His tail quickly wrapped around the mike and shouted, "They're not Paladins!"

Marc, once again, was unbelievably grateful that Dorulumon was a part of their group. The Xros Heart Tactician saved their lives by having all eyes on him.

"These humans are the 7th Generation! They're with Xros Heart!" Although Dorulumon screamed this, Kentaro and Kotemon widened their eyes when hearing the name of Xros Heart.

"Uhhh, did this guy just throw off my groove?" Tlalocmon looked to Baronmon. The host of the part coughed as he snapped his fingers. Soon after, around a dozen Champions came in, holding spears pointed at the Tactician.

"We're sorry, but you have thrown off Tlalocmon's groove," A Guardromon said. "Prepare to be defenestrated."

"I have no time for this," Dorulumon ducked under the swipe of the spear before going under the metal Digimon and using the momentum to throw him onto the dance floor. "Tlalocmon! Reconsider your order! These are not Paladins!"

"Huh? Aren't they Human? All Humans are Paladins." Tlalocmon looked over to MirrorBallmon and Baronmon, who both nodded.

"No, they're not. They're here to protect the Digital World from threats such as Ragna Lordmon." Dorulumon spoke on the mike.

"Then why do they keep joining him after he kicks their sorry butts? Uh-Duuuh!" Tlalocmon stuck out his tongue. "Best to get rid of them before Ragna Lordmon gets more of those hormone-driven punks with the power to level mountains."

This wasn't looking good! Even Dorulumon couldn't get through the flippant and dismissive attitude of Tlalocmon. Not to mention, the crowd was eating the Mega Digimon's words. Marc knew that the Digital World hated humans, but seeing it firsthand was still so disconcerting. But what exactly could they do? Should they try to escape? With an entire stadium of Digimon and a Mega surrounding them? Fat chance. He doubted he even had cards that could get them out of this situation.

Wait. What was it that Dorulumon said? "Avoid your opponent's strengths while making sure you are in control of the conditions of your fight." There had to be something here that could prevent them from being destroyed or dogpiled.

Marc looked down. And his eyes widened as he thought of a chance.

Marc stepped forward, shouting as loud as he could. "Tlalocmon!"

Everyone turned over to Marc as he was about to unleash his master plan to save everyone!

"For our freedom, we challenge you to a Dance Off!"

...

"WHAT!?"

[Author Notes]

As much as I love to continue from there, I'm gonna have to choose to end this chapter on a cliffhanger. The adventures I plan are a lot longer than I expected, especially when adding World Building and the like.

So, Catherine and Michael are from the 2nd Generation/2nd Season of Digimon. The American and French DigiDestined that appeared. MirrorBallmon is technically both an official and an OC Digimon as it is listed to appear, but never officially did. A friend of mine in ButterflyLeviathan/TheBlueTigrex joked about this Digimon a while back.

But now, allow me to introduce two new OCs! (Which, hopefully, they'll get a better showing next chapter.)

Meet Rose by yuman28

And Jackson Bloom by BudBear5110!

And just for the sake of reintroduction, we have Kentaro Akiyama by Ventus Knight 2!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm gonna try and aim to introduce everyone very soon!

Thanks for reading, and please support me with a review!