When the kids reached the place that Ken Ichijouji's mom had figured out might be his home, they could hear police sirens blaring across the entire area from far away.
"Is it here?" Davis asked.
Cody stared at the map in his hands and double-checked carefully. "According to Izzy's map, it should be this building."
"Looks like something happened here," Yolei said, listening to the patrol cars that wouldn't stop wailing.
The conversation of two women nearby caught the kids' attention.
"I heard Ken from the Ichijouji family is missing."
They moved closer and saw a couple anxiously talking to the police.
"Officer, I don't know why he ran away from home. I don't know where he went!"
Ken Ichijouji was known as a genius prodigy—he was the pride of this whole neighborhood—so his disappearance was a major case. The police took it extremely seriously, and several times more patrol cars than usual had been dispatched.
"Missing…???" Question marks practically popped over the kids' heads.
"Where would he go?" Davis asked.
"I think he went to the Digital World," Tai answered.
Tai was right. At that very moment, Ken Ichijouji was in that dim control room, completely focused as he operated the console, pouring all his attention into modifying Dark Rings.
"Hurry up! Hurry up! Move it, you useless things!" Ken roared, the whip in his hand lashing again and again at the Digimon rushing back and forth as they worked. Yet his face remained dark and stormy.
That scene kept playing out all across the Digital World. Ken Ichijouji had fallen completely into madness, relentlessly forcing Digimon to build Control Spires for him. Control Spires were rising rapidly throughout the Digital World.
Ken watched his territory expand and expand, delighted, as if he'd already forgotten everything about the human world. When he was happy, he didn't look—and didn't want to look—at the images of his parents grieving and crying.
In the computer lab, the kids gathered around the monitor and watched the map of the Digital World. The blackened regions were spreading at an alarming rate.
"Looks like Ken's been staying in the Digital World this whole time," Izzy analyzed, staring at the dark zones that were growing abnormally fast. "And since he hasn't gone home at all since he disappeared… he might be planning to stay in the Digital World permanently, expanding his influence in one push until he reaches his goal."
"But why is he doing this?" Yolei couldn't understand his behavior at all.
"I think he might be planning to stay in the Digital World forever and never go back to the real world," T.K. said.
Cody looked at the magazine photo of Ken smiling so brightly in the sunlight. He truly couldn't connect that cheerful face with the cruel Digimon Emperor.
"We're going too," Davis said, clenching his fist with determination.
"But it's already really late," Cody said worriedly.
After a noisy round of discussion, the kids decided they would go to the Digital World to take a look—and try to be back before dinner so the adults wouldn't worry.
The place they appeared was a scorching inferno. Lava and volcanic vents were everywhere. The ground was so hot that even the air shimmered with heat. Flames kept bursting up from the earth, then quickly dying out.
Through the wavering heat haze, they could see a twisted Control Spire in the distance. They decided to go there first and destroy it.
Davis kept shouting Ken's name along the way, trying to draw him out—but what answered him was a group of Meramon. They suddenly leapt out of the lava and scared everyone half to death.
Meramon were flame-type Digimon whose bodies were wreathed in crimson flames that never went out. Born from the internet's defensive wall—the "firewall"—they had a fiercely aggressive temperament like the flames surrounding them, burning anything they touched to ashes. Their firepower was even stronger than others of their kind on File Island, making them extremely difficult to tame; even if someone managed it, they could rebel again at any moment.
In battle, anything Meramon touched would catch fire. They were fast, excelled in close combat, and had the special ability to fear no fire-type attacks. They could also use flames to enlarge their bodies and boost their strength. Their finishing move was the "Flame Heavy Punch," igniting both arms and pummeling the opponent.
"All right—let's go!"
"Armor Digivolution!"
"Veemon, Armor Digivolve—Flamedramon, the Burning Courage!"
"Armadillomon, Armor Digivolve—Digmon, the Steel Wisdom!"
"Hawkmon, Armor Digivolve—Aquilamon, the Beating Wings of Love!"
"Patamon, Armor Digivolve—Pegasusmon, the Soaring Hope!"
"Gatomon, Armor Digivolve—Darcmon, the Radiant Smile!"
The kids' Digimon unleashed a barrage of attacks that slammed into the Meramon and knocked them straight into the lava. Just as the kids thought they'd succeeded, a much larger Meramon jumped out again.
At that moment, the Digimon Emperor arrived, riding an Airdramon with Wormmon beside him. From far off, he could already see the kids and their Digimon facing down a swarm of Meramon.
Airdramon was a Mythical Dragon Digimon with enormous wings. Because it was such a rare monster, it was regarded as an existence close to a god. It excelled at aerial combat—its roar could call forth storms, and its wingbeats could summon massive tornadoes. Though extremely ferocious, it also possessed high intelligence. An ordinary tamer trying to command it would be almost impossible. Its finishing move was "Spiral Needle," flapping its huge wings to create sharp vacuum blades.
Airdramon gathered a razor-sharp vacuum blade in midair and launched it at the kids. Before it could reach them, Darcmon—flying above—cut it apart with a single sword strike. The kids lifted their heads warily and stared at the Digimon Emperor in the sky.
"What are you trying to do?!" Davis shouted up at him. "You vanished like this—your parents are really worried, you know!"
"Hmph. Hmph. What I'm doing? You'll find out soon enough," Ken said with open contempt. "As for them—how can a bunch of useless people compare to a genius like me? And you—being 'chosen children' alongside you all is a disgrace to me. This time, I'm going to give you a proper welcome."
"What?! How can you say that?" Cody yelled, unable to understand.
"You—!" T.K. shouted furiously. "Do you even hear what you're saying?!"
"Why are you controlling and abusing these Digimon?" Kari asked, bewildered. "Why can't everyone just live peacefully together?"
"Hmph! This is my world. I'll do whatever I want," Ken said. "Now—take a look at my newest masterpiece."
He shifted aside, and a blue wolf strode forward. A Dark Ring hung around its neck; its eyes glowed red. It lifted its head and howled at the sky.
"This is…" T.K.'s eyes widened in disbelief.
"Even though I can't properly control an Ultimate like Andromon, if I just force a Champion to Dark Digivolve into an Ultimate, I can control it," Ken declared. He raised his black D-3 Digivice high and shouted, "Garurumon—Dark Digivolve!"
With a howl, black energy poured in. Garurumon was swallowed by black fog—and when it emerged, it had become BlackWereGarurumon.
BlackWereGarurumon was a beast-man Digimon whose fur had turned jet black. It was a bipedal beast-man type. By becoming bipedal it lost some of its original speed, but its attack and defense became far stronger, making it a tactical assault Digimon. Inheriting Garurumon's leg power made its kicks especially deadly, and its jumping ability was among the best. After infection by a virus, its attacks gained corrosive properties, able to pollute and erode an enemy's body and weapons, crushing their will to fight.
Its finishing move was "Kaiser Nail," shredding the opponent with sharp claws carrying a computer virus. It also had powerful kicking techniques and movement skills that could disrupt an enemy's vision and rhythm.
"Hahahaha!" Ken laughed gleefully. "Go, BlackWereGarurumon—wipe out these useless fools!"
"Kaiser Nail!"
But BlackWereGarurumon didn't do what Ken expected. It turned and swung its claws at him instead.
"Ken, watch out!" Wormmon slammed into Ken and knocked him off Airdramon's head, barely dodging the strike. The wind from those razor claws scraped past Ken's scalp. In Ken's shocked, disbelieving stare, the blow ripped into Airdramon's head and tore open a huge hole.
Airdramon screamed in agony and fell out of the sky.
Wormmon hurriedly brought another Airdramon over, caught Ken, and flew upward fast, pulling away from the rampaging BlackWereGarurumon.
BlackWereGarurumon kicked through the air again and again at impossible speed—afterimages flashing—its body rising against gravity. It leapt from one Airdramon to the next, killing them mid-flight, and kept jumping again before their bodies even fell.
The kids watched in horror as Airdramon dropped one after another, crashing to the ground—some plunging straight into lava.
"This… this…" They couldn't believe it. In just a few seconds, the Digimon the Emperor had brought had slaughtered seven Airdramon.
With a heavy thud, BlackWereGarurumon landed on the ground. It stood up, bared sharp teeth, and fixed the kids with a vicious glare.
BlackWereGarurumon stomped toward the kids.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Each heavy step felt like it was crushing their hearts. Its savage display left them frozen.
Meramon didn't care about any of that. They all rushed in at once.
"Flame Heavy Punch!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their attacks hit BlackWereGarurumon—more accurately, it didn't even try to dodge. Flames swallowed its body, but the footsteps never stopped until it walked out of the firestorm.
BlackWereGarurumon was completely unscathed. The five Meramon had failed to do even the slightest damage. It opened its jaws, teeth glinting, and howled. Then it blurred into motion, an afterimage weaving through the Meramon.
When it stopped, all five Meramon collapsed—and with a pop of data, they dissolved and vanished from the Digital World.
"How can it be like this?!" Cody cried, tears in his eyes.
BlackWereGarurumon slowly turned its head toward the kids and their remaining Digimon.
Flamedramon charged first.
"Flaming Fist!"
Flamedramon's hands ignited as it punched in—but BlackWereGarurumon simply dropped its body to the ground, effortlessly dodging, then snapped its rear leg upward.
"Ah!" Flamedramon let out a short, pained cry as it shot into the sky. By the time it fell back down, it had lost consciousness—reverting to Veemon midair and collapsing onto the ground.
"Veemon!"
Digmon struck next.
"Big Crack!"
Its drills spun, shattering the ground into cracks—yet when Digmon lifted its head, BlackWereGarurumon was already gone.
"Watch out above!" Pegasusmon shouted urgently, firing its attack in a panic.
"Shooting Star!"
But BlackWereGarurumon was far too fast. Pegasusmon's attack missed, and BlackWereGarurumon's foot slammed onto Digmon's head, kicking it away. Digmon crashed down, instantly knocked out, and reverted into Armadillomon.
"Armadillomon!"
As soon as BlackWereGarurumon landed, it stomped hard and shot upward again, claws slicing into Aquilamon before it could dodge. Aquilamon was smashed out of the sky and slammed into the ground.
"Hawkmon!"
In less than ten seconds, Flamedramon, Digmon, and Aquilamon had all been taken out. Only Pegasusmon and Darcmon remained in the air.
"Damn it!" Darcmon beat its wings and dove, twin swords flashing as it rushed BlackWereGarurumon.
Clang!
BlackWereGarurumon crossed its arms and blocked the blades with its clawed hands.
"What?!" Darcmon's eyes widened in shock.
BlackWereGarurumon curled its lips into a vicious grin. Darcmon felt a chill—black mist was seeping from BlackWereGarurumon's claws into the swords.
BlackWereGarurumon flipped, its left leg carving a blood-red crescent blade that slashed at Darcmon.
Bang!
Darcmon couldn't dodge in time. The blood-red blade struck its waist, smashing it to the ground with overwhelming force. Its swords flew from its hands.
Pegasusmon saw Darcmon in danger and rushed forward.
"Shooting Star! Shooting Star!"
It tried to drive BlackWereGarurumon back—
"Kaiser Nail!"
BlackWereGarurumon lunged forward and smashed Pegasusmon in the chest with a brutal red claw strike. The impact reversed Pegasusmon's momentum instantly. The armor on its chest shattered into pieces, and it reverted to Patamon, slamming into the ground and tumbling several times.
"Patamon!"
Darcmon struggled to its feet. It extended its left hand—its Holy Ring flared and reshaped into a sacred staff engraved with a symbol of light. The staff spun once and traced a luminous circle, forming a radiant holy shield that began to orbit around Darcmon.
"Behind you!" Kari shouted desperately.
Darcmon turned—and a blood-red claw mark was already slashing in. But the holy shield flashed into place in front of Darcmon at the last instant. The blood-red strike crashed into it, rippled like water, and dispersed.
BlackWereGarurumon's feral expression flickered with a trace of surprise.
Darcmon swung the sacred staff again. A beam of white light blasted into BlackWereGarurumon's chest, hurling it back and smashing it into the ground. Before it could rise, Darcmon raised its right hand—its Holy Ring shone and formed a glowing lasso that bound BlackWereGarurumon tightly.
"So strong…" the kids breathed.
Their emotions had been whipped around too violently—BlackWereGarurumon's effortless slaughter, then Darcmon turning the tables. They could barely keep up.
"Aaaargh! Aaargh!" BlackWereGarurumon thrashed and roared, rolling across the ground—then suddenly tumbled into the lava beside them.
It went still.
Seeing BlackWereGarurumon vanish, Darcmon finally let out a breath. It picked up the swords that had fallen nearby. The sacred staff glowed as it shone over the blades, and the black mist clinging to them dispersed.
Darcmon sheathed both swords again, then looked toward the other Digimon who were still unconscious—each cradled in a partner's arms. It lifted the staff and cast a healing light. Bright motes fell over them; wounds faded, and one by one they opened their eyes.
But before anyone could relax, a thunderous boom erupted from the lava. A black Digimon wreathed in flames leapt out—it was BlackWereGarurumon again, roaring wildly.
Then black light surged over its body. It devolved back into Garurumon and collapsed to the ground.
"This is… Garurumon?" T.K. gasped.
"What? Garurumon—like Matt's?" Davis blurted out.
A sudden rush of wind—an Airdramon swooped down, snatched Garurumon up in its claws, and shot back into the sky.
"Haha—this time I lost," the Digimon Emperor's voice rang out from above. "Next time, I won't let you go!"
He'd seen BlackWereGarurumon devolve and immediately moved in to retrieve Garurumon.
"Don't think you're getting away!" Darcmon beat its wings, about to pursue—
"Hahaha! Then you should look behind you first," Ken said smugly.
Darcmon turned—and five DarkTyrannomon were advancing on the kids.
"Damn it…" Darcmon clenched its teeth and flew back to protect them. The other Digimon had already lost the ability to keep fighting. They had no choice but to let the Digimon Emperor go for now.
DarkTyrannomon were dinosaur-type Champion Digimon whose entire bodies were corroded by vicious computer viruses. They looked similar to Tyrannomon, but were consumed by the virus and filled with dark power. Among Champions, they were particularly dangerous. Their attack was "Fire Blast," spewing enormous pillars of flame that could incinerate an enemy in an instant.
The five DarkTyrannomon stomped forward, their massive weight making the ground tremble. The kids looked tiny in comparison.
"Fire Blast!"
All five opened their jaws and unleashed towering flame pillars at once.
"Aah!" the kids screamed as the fire rushed toward them.
But when they opened their eyes—there was no heat. A wall of white light had blocked all five flame pillars. The source was the glow pouring from Darcmon's sacred staff.
Darcmon raised its swords.
"Dancing Sword (Love Baptism)!"
Two blades traced beautiful arcs—then flashed across the necks of the five DarkTyrannomon, shattering the Dark Rings there.
Darcmon turned its gaze to the nearby Control Spire, swung its sword, and released a slicing blade of energy. The spire was cut cleanly in half—the cross-section smooth as glass.
At last, the kids felt the worst had passed. Everyone—kids and Digimon alike—was exhausted. It was already late, and no one had the energy to do anything else.
They returned to the computer lab in a daze. Today had left them with far too many unanswered questions.
Ken's strange behavior. The appearance of BlackWereGarurumon. Whether that Garurumon was Matt's partner or not—none of it had answers yet.
And most importantly…
They glanced at the monitor. The black zones had expanded again. Their pace of destroying Control Spires couldn't keep up with Ken's pace of building them. The darkness was spreading day by day.
Ken's face was gloomy as his thoughts churned with nothing but failure.
Back in Tai City, that Andromon had been controlled by a Dark Ring—but it never followed Ken's detailed commands, only its preset program. Ken had exhausted himself just to alter it slightly.
And just now, BlackWereGarurumon had outright ignored every order and attacked him instead.
Worst of all—he'd embarrassed himself in front of the kids he hated most. The "strongest subordinate" he'd boasted about had turned on him.
"Useless… trash," Ken hissed.
"Why? Why can't I control an Ultimate?" Ken muttered, fingers flying over the console as he called up the Dark Ring's schematic and data. "Is it because the ring's power is limited…?"
He stared at Garurumon locked inside a sealed cage.
"If that's the case… where's the real problem?" Ken fell into deep thought.
Ken raised his D-3 Digivice again.
"Garurumon—Dark Digivolve!"
Black energy flooded into Garurumon's body. The calm Garurumon instantly went berserk. After evolving into BlackWereGarurumon, it began smashing walls in a frenzy. Fortunately, Ken had prepared for this—everything around it was built from hard Chrome Digizoid. Otherwise, the control room would've been destroyed long ago.
Ken watched intently, eyes locked on the data stream, refusing to miss a single detail.
"Kaiser Nail! Kaiser Nail!"
BlackWereGarurumon raked its claws over the walls again and again. Even Chrome Digizoid began to crack under that manic assault—until, with a final Kaiser Nail, it tore open a huge hole.
At the same time, the energy in BlackWereGarurumon's body ran out. It was forced to devolve back into Garurumon and collapsed, drained.
"Hahahaha!" Ken stared at the data on the monitor and burst into delighted laughter. "So that's it. That's the reason."
"Ken, you figured something out?!" Wormmon bounced excitedly when it saw Ken's mood change.
"That's right. Now it's time for the real test," Ken said, eyes blazing as he lifted his D-3 Digivice. "Come on, Garurumon—Dark Digivolve again."
BlackWereGarurumon appeared once more, continuing its destructive rampage as before. Ken watched it as if he were staring at a long-lost lover, thrilled beyond words.
His fingers hammered the keyboard—so fast it seemed like he wanted to turn every thought in his head into reality at once. Endless data flowed across the screen, and the shape of the Dark Ring began to change.
"If the ring's shape can only handle Champion data and can't process Ultimate data… then I just need more of them," Ken muttered, growing more and more excited. "And if that's the case, then changing the shape solves it."
"Expand the functions. Change the shape. Hahahaha—my dictionary doesn't contain the words 'impossible.'"
With Ken's laughter echoing, the final design appeared on-screen: a spiral-shaped Dark Ring.
No—now it should be called a Dark Spiral Ring.
"Hahahaha! Processing capacity increased. Transmission and reception improved too," Ken said, voice shaking with glee. "Now even without a Control Spire broadcasting power, the Dark Spiral Ring can receive the signal from my Digivice directly! That means my territory won't be limited by Control Spires anymore!"
"The whole Digital World is going to be mine! Hahaha! Come on, Garurumon—try this out!"
Garurumon was fitted with the Dark Spiral Ring and evolved back into BlackWereGarurumon—but this time it didn't rage. It stood quietly, waiting for the Digimon Emperor's orders.
"It worked… it worked!" Ken trembled with excitement. "The Digital World is mine!"
"This time, I'm going to make those people taste my power. I'll kill you—every last one of you," he snarled.
"You said what? You saw a Garurumon, and it was controlled by the Digimon Emperor?" Matt demanded, staring intensely at T.K. "How is that possible?!"
"Matt, calm down," T.K. said, grabbing his hand. "We can't be sure yet that it was Gabumon. That's why I came to you—we should go to the Digital World and check whether Gabumon is still there."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Matt snapped—already dragging T.K. into a sprint.
"Gabumon! Gabumon!" Matt shouted as he searched the area where Gabumon usually stayed. The other kids and their Digimon joined in, calling Gabumon's name.
"Matt!"
A familiar voice sounded from afar.
Matt sprinted toward it, climbed over a hill—and a familiar blue wolf ran to him.
"Garurumon!"
"Matt!"
Man and wolf clung to each other—well, Matt clung to Garurumon's huge wolf head.
After they exchanged what had happened since they'd been apart, they finally got to the point.
"What?! A Garurumon was controlled by the Digimon Emperor, and it Dark Digivolved into BlackWereGarurumon?" Gabumon stared, shocked.
"Yeah. We saw it with our own eyes," T.K. said, still shaken. "And that BlackWereGarurumon was insanely strong. Even all of us together weren't a match. If it hadn't run out of energy…"
"I think we should call Tai and Izzy and everyone else over and talk," Matt said calmly. "If the Digimon Emperor can control Ultimates now, it'll be dangerous for you to deal with him alone. We need a plan."
"Okay. I'll notify Tai and the others," Kari said, pulling out her D-Terminal and sending the message.
Ken stood there, gaze burning as he stared at the tall BlackWereGarurumon in front of him. He circled it slowly, admiring those sharp claws, powerful legs, and gleaming fangs—everything about it screamed strength.
After receiving Kari's message, Tai arrived in the Digital World with Sora. Izzy had already gotten there first.
"Kari already told me the details," Tai said gravely. "Our enemy isn't just Champions anymore. Now it's powerful Ultimates. With the strength we have right now, we can't handle that. WarGreymon can't keep appearing and fighting forever."
"But, Tai… aside from Kari's Digimon, our Armor Digivolutions can't beat that BlackWereGarurumon at all," Davis said dejectedly. Then his tone turned pleading. "So… how about you give all of us the materials for Kari's Light armor? If we all had that kind of power, we could beat BlackWereGarurumon."
Tai gave Davis a blank look and replied casually, "Sure. As long as you find where Huanglongmon is, defeat it, and take all the Huanglong ore off its body. Then I'll give you as many of those Digi-Egg armors as you want."
"Tai… is Huanglongmon strong?" Davis asked, forcing a smile that only grew more desperate. "Is it stronger than WarGreymon?"
"Not that strong," Tai said, still sounding completely indifferent. "It's only about as strong as Omnimon in its Supreme Form."
"Omnimon… Supreme Form?" Davis blinked, question marks filling his face.
"Basically, just dozens of times stronger than WarGreymon," Tai added like it was nothing.
Davis froze on the spot.
Sora covered her mouth and giggled.
"All right, stop teasing Davis," Sora said, lightly punching Tai's shoulder. "You're older than him."
Tai finally got serious. "Huanglongmon disappeared from the Digital World tens of thousands of years ago. Only legends remain now. I only know it was sealed away by an Angel Digimon in ancient times—but no one knows where."
Davis's last shred of hope shattered.
Tai patted Davis's shoulder to encourage him. "But don't get too discouraged. Your Digi-Eggs aren't that much weaker than Kari's. The real issue is that your Digimon haven't fully brought out the power of Armor Digivolution yet."
"When the power of the Digi-Egg is fully unleashed, every one of your Digimon can reach strength not inferior to an Ultimate—an Ultimate at its peak. Only Mega-level would still be above you. And Kari's Light Digi-Egg, when fully awakened, can match Mega-level power."
"No way!" Every kid and every Digimon who heard that stared in shock. Tai had said something like it before—but this time he explained it clearly. None of them had imagined Armor power could be that immense.
"But when we fought, we already used everything we had," Veemon said, thinking hard about the battle, then shaking his head. The other Digimon nodded—they felt the same.
"An Armor form's battle power depends on the Digi-Egg used and the Digimon's own abilities," Tai explained. "And the compatibility between the Digimon and the Digi-Egg determines how much of that power you can actually draw out."
"Compatibility?" Everyone looked even more confused, waiting for Tai to elaborate.
"Each Digi-Egg has its own attribute—Courage's Fire, Love's Wind, Friendship's Thunder, Sincerity's Water, Purity's Wood, Knowledge's Earth, Hope's Light," Tai said. "Those seven attributes correspond to the most fundamental rules of the Digital World."
"Then what about mine?" Kari asked, curious when she didn't hear herself included. "Tai—what's mine?"
"Kari's Crest is Light," Tai said solemnly. "The most fundamental, deepest Light of the Digital World—the Light of Evolution. The Light of Evolution that fills the entire Digital World with life and vitality. The reason Digimon can evolve at all… depends on the Light of Evolution inside Kari."
"Light of Evolution…?!" The kids went completely still.
"That's right," Tai said. "Before the Hikarigaoka incident—before Botamon arrived at our home—Digimon evolution relied entirely on the World Tree or Millenniummon. But after that, it was like a giant door opened. Kari's light spread through the Digital World, the gate of evolution opened, and Digimon began walking the path of evolution."
"So incredible…" Yolei said, eyes sparkling with awe.
"As for how to increase your compatibility with a Digi-Egg," Tai concluded, "that depends on your heart."
"Our… heart?" The kids shouted together, still confused.
"Exactly," Tai said, face serious. "Digi-Eggs were created from the data of the Crests. Crests correspond to the power in our hearts—and Digi-Eggs are the same. The key to a Digimon's strength is the strength of our hearts. The power of your Crest—your heart—is the most crucial factor that determines how strong your Digimon will be."
"But how do we increase the power of our Crests?" Davis asked quickly. The others looked just as eager.
"Courage's Fire, Love's Wind, Friendship's Thunder, Sincerity's Water, Purity's Wood, Knowledge's Earth, Hope's Light—these are the best qualities in our hearts, and they're also the attributes of your Digimon," Tai said. "Shurimon was able to beat those Chamelemon in that forest because it had a wood attribute and could draw out overwhelming power in the woods."
"In the same way," Tai continued, "Submarimon in water, and Digmon in the earth—those are the environments where they can bring out their greatest power."
"Oh—Tai," Davis suddenly said. "Cody and Yolei both have another Digi-Egg already. So… is the Digi-Egg of Friendship mine?"
"Catch." Tai tossed a turquoise Digi-Egg to Davis. "This is the Digi-Egg of Friendship, and it represents the thunder attribute. Like its name, it's the fastest Digi-Egg—lightning-speed. Veemon, do you have the confidence to master it?"
"I do!" Veemon clenched its fist. "As long as I'm with Davis, I won't be afraid—and I won't lose!"
Up in the sky, the Digimon Emperor sat on Airdramon and watched BlackWereGarurumon slaughter everything in sight, laughing wildly.
"Hahahaha! This Dark Spiral Ring really can control Ultimates. Now nothing can stop me anymore! Fight for me!"
Rumble—rumble—rumble.
The kids rode inside Locomon's train car, speeding along the rails toward Ken's location. It was their first time taking a train in the Digital World. The scenery along the line was so fascinating that they couldn't look away—Yolei even stuck her head out the window, letting the cool wind hit her face, smiling in pure enjoyment.
"So fast… and so convenient," Matt said, watching the landscape blur past.
"Yeah," Yolei agreed. "Before, when we saw tracks in the Digital World, we were wondering if there could really be a train here. Turns out there is."
"Tai, why didn't you tell us about Locomon earlier?" Davis complained. "We wouldn't have had to walk everywhere!"
"We're traveling a long distance to find Ken this time," Tai said helplessly. "Before, you weren't going that far. There was no need for Locomon."
"According to Izzy's message, the Digimon Emperor should be up ahead," Cody said, checking his D-Terminal.
They met in a wide wasteland. A cool wind swept dust and gravel across the plain.
"You little brats again," the Digimon Emperor sneered. "This time I'm going to show you what I can do. BlackWereGarurumon—teach them a lesson!"
"You're not getting away this time!" Davis stepped forward, holding up the Digi-Egg of Friendship. "Veemon—let's go!"
"Veemon, Armor Digivolve—Raidramon, the Unbreakable Friendship!"
Raidramon was a beast-type Armor Digimon, evolved through the power of the "Digi-Egg of Friendship." The Digi-Egg of Friendship carried the thunder attribute, granting lightning speed that could pierce the earth as it charged the enemy and struck with electric skills. Its finishing moves were "Lightning Blade," releasing an electric blade from the horn on its head, and "Blue Thunder," firing powerful lightning from the three horns on its back.
"Go, Raidramon!" Davis shouted.
"BlackWereGarurumon!" the Digimon Emperor snarled. "Teach them properly!"
"Kaiser Nail!"
BlackWereGarurumon slashed out two blood-red claw strikes.
Raidramon's body flashed like lightning, dodging at extreme speed.
"What?! How is that possible?!" Ken's eyes bulged in disbelief.
"Blue Thunder!"
Raidramon's three back-horns gathered fierce electricity into a clustered energy mass and fired it at BlackWereGarurumon.
BlackWereGarurumon twisted aside and dodged, then swept its right leg—forming a blood-red energy blade that cut toward Raidramon.
"Lightning Blade!"
Raidramon lowered its head and released an electric blade from its horn. It collided with the blood-red slash—BOOM! A violent explosion erupted.
Before the flames even cleared, BlackWereGarurumon and Raidramon had already crossed past each other, tangling again at close range.
At the same time, Garurumon leapt up and blasted blue fire at BlackWereGarurumon's back.
"Fox Fire!"
BlackWereGarurumon punched Raidramon back, spun, and shattered the Fox Fire with a single blow—then slammed its right leg into Garurumon's abdomen, kicking it flying.
"Garurumon!" Matt rushed over and pressed his hand against Garurumon's head.
"Blue Thunder!" Raidramon fired again.
BlackWereGarurumon stomped and launched upward, dodging the strike—then kicked Raidramon's head hard, forcing it back. Raidramon's claws raked the ground, carving deep furrows.
"Hmph. You think I only made one Dark Spiral Ring?" Ken's voice dripped with smug pride. "Let me show you my Ultimate army."
"What?!" The kids stared wide-eyed.
"Come out—MetalTyrannomon! CannonBeemon!"
Two enormous Digimon appeared behind him.
MetalTyrannomon was a cyborg Digimon that modified its body to obtain tremendous power, rebuilt for ground combat after an anti-air model. Its hardened jaw could crush any defensive armor, and its reinforced body could withstand all attacks. Its offensive power was terrifying—capable of smashing even heavy armaments with ease. Its finishing moves were "Giga Destroyer II," firing an organic missile from its right arm—destructive power said to surpass even MetalGreymon's Giga Destroyer—and "Nuclear Laser," a powerful laser beam fired from its left wrist.
CannonBeemon was a super-sized Digimon that guarded the mysterious aerial "Royal Base," an airborne secret base surrounded by danger on all sides. From the massive weapon containers on its back, it could unleash a blanket of bombardment across a huge area. Its finishing moves were "Nitro Stinger," a large-caliber laser cannon mounted on its tail that could pierce even heavy armor, and "Sky Rocket ∞," a relentless storm of missiles launched from its hive-like weapon containers that continued like a raging tide until the alert ended.
"Don't get cocky!" Cody stepped forward, eyes serious. "We won't lose!"
"That's right," Tai said, stepping forward with a smile. "You really think three Ultimates controlled by Dark Spiral Rings are enough to beat us? Enough to conquer the Digital World? You're underestimating this world."
"You're completely blinded by darkness," Tai said. "So let me show you our true power."
"Agumon—Warp Digivolve to MetalGreymon!"
Clang!
Two massive mechanical Digimon slammed into each other, the collision ringing out like a huge metal bell.
"We're going too," Gatomon said to the others.
"Yeah!"
"Armadillomon, Armor Digivolve—Digmon, the Steel Wisdom!"
"Hawkmon, Armor Digivolve—Aquilamon, the Beating Wings of Love!"
"Patamon, Armor Digivolve—Pegasusmon, the Soaring Hope!"
"Gatomon, Armor Digivolve—Darcmon, the Radiant Smile!"
"Biyomon—Digivolve to Birdramon!"
Digmon and Raidramon surrounded BlackWereGarurumon, fists and claws ready.
Birdramon, Aquilamon, Pegasusmon, and Darcmon surrounded the airborne CannonBeemon.
Meanwhile, MetalGreymon and MetalTyrannomon were locked in a fierce brawl—punch for punch, neither backing down.
Garurumon struggled to stand, wanting to help Raidramon and Digmon. Matt hurriedly blocked it.
"Garurumon—you're already hurt!"
"It's fine, Matt," Garurumon insisted, eyes hard. "Everyone's fighting. How can I lie here? I'm going to fight with them."
Garurumon leapt, vaulting over Matt's head, and plunged back into the battle.
"Gold Rush!" Digmon launched its spinning drills at BlackWereGarurumon.
BlackWereGarurumon's claws flashed—sparks bursting—knocking every drill away.
"Blue Thunder!" Raidramon followed up immediately.
"Kaiser Nail!" BlackWereGarurumon slashed and dispersed it.
"Raaagh!" Garurumon suddenly lunged in, tackling BlackWereGarurumon to the ground. It opened its jaws to unleash Fox Fire—
BlackWereGarurumon's rear leg snapped up and kicked Garurumon off its head, sending it flying. Garurumon slammed down again.
"Garurumon!" Matt cried out, voice breaking.
BlackWereGarurumon sprang high and raked Digmon with a brutal claw strike, sending it flying.
Then it whipped back with terrifying speed and kicked Raidramon again. Raidramon tried to dodge—but even its speed couldn't keep up.
Garurumon roared and charged again—only to be kicked out of the air once more.
The instant it hit the ground, it forced itself up and charged yet again.
"Garurumon…" Matt stared at his unyielding partner, smiling through tears. "I'm staying right here with you. So don't give up, Garurumon."
Matt clenched his fist as the blue light of Friendship flashed on his chest—solid, unwavering.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810