Back inside the main room, Datamon was still fighting off Weregarurumon and Antylamon, but both of them were slowing down. The nanites were weakening them by the second and everyone started to look weaker and sick.
“Give it up!” Datamon spoke after dodging another kick from Weregarurumon. “The only way to stop the swarm is if I permit it or you destroy me and that is not going to happen. Take a good look at your friends you fist-lobbing buffoons and see what your continued persistence is costing them.” 
“Matt!” Weregarurumon called back, seeing him holding tight to Sora and Biyomon as they struggled to stay awake. 
“Don’t worry about me! Give it all you got!” Matt called back. 
“Willis, no!” Antylamon cried out as Willis collapsed onto the ground. Antylamon couldn’t hold his form anymore and reverted to Terriermon and joined his brother in tending to Willis. 
“This is the end for you.” Datamon cackled, as a thunderous knock came at the door. “Finally, the monkey did something right this time.” He noted, leaping up to the computer he opened the door to reveal Warankylomon and Cody. “What the!? Of course. I should have known that brainless oaf couldn’t handle the most simple of tasks.” Weregarurumon however took advantage of the distraction and picked up Datamon in one swift move and lofted him into the air. 
“Wolf claw!!” He fired Datamon harshly at Warankylomon who answered in kind. 
“Twin-Iron Stars!” He slammed the digimon down, shattering the glass on his head and mutilating his form. 
“No-n-n-no. Thi-s-s-s is not... Error. Error. Error-r-r-r-r-r.” He spoke with his voice warping and distorting as he disintegrated. Gasping the Digi-destined were freed from the nanites, as Cody and Izzy rushed over to Willis’s side. 
“Oh no, is he ok!?” He asked, cradling Willis’s head. 
“This is bad. Willis was already concussed. Anything that went for his nervous system likely made it worse.” Izzy stated. 
“Right, he’s out of here. Terriermon, Lopmon. Get Willis to safety. This fight’s over for him.” Matt ordered. 
“Right, ok.” Terriermon submitted. 
“It’s ok Willis. You’ve been so good taking care of us; we’ll take care of you now.” Lopmon comforted, stroking his head. Everyone stepped back as Terriermon activated Willis’s return band and ported back to Izzy’s apartment. 
“Well, look what we got here.” Matt smiled up to Warankylomon. 
“Like the look! We should spar sometime, would be a lot of fun.” Weregarurumon smiled, patting the big digimon’s back. 
“Hahaha, I wouldn’t wanna hurt ya my friend.” He chuckled as the two of them reverted back to Gabumon and Upamon. 
“Oh?” Upamon pondered. 
“It was your first time going ultimate.” Gabumon explained. “Don’t worry, you only get stronger from here. You should be super proud of yourself, you were amazing!” 
“I’ll say.” Cody joined in, scooping up Upamon. “We took down this over puffed monkey digimon called Etemon. He really got on my last nerve.” 
“You beat Etemon!?” Izzy exclaimed. “Prodigious!” 
“Guys, we can celebrate later.” Matt reminded them. “Right now, we gotta figure out how to break into King Drasil’s server tree to stop that avatar before it gets the chance to fight. Datamon and Etemon were likely a distraction. Izzy, get on there and start tracking down where the dark digimon are. We need full intel before we go in, so let’s get to work.” 
“Right, let’s get back on track!” Tentomon agreed.

“Imperialdramon, don’t let up!” Davis cried out from the sunny beaches of Maui. Metalseadramon and his pack of digimon had made landfall at Waiehu Point. Joe, Davis and Ken were set at the beach, watching the fight unfold as Zudomon and Imperialdramon were engaged in battle against Metalseadramon. 
“You digi-destined never learned your lesson. It doesn’t matter how hard you try, you’ll always fall to us!” Metalseadramon taunted. “River of Power!!” He cried out, firing on Imperialdramon. 
“Positron Laser!” He fired back, as the two blasts collided in the air. 
“Vulcan’s Hammer!” Zudomon slammed down, firing on Metalseadramon however the mega level digimon seemed barely phased by the attack. 
“Zudomon, let’s step this up! Don’t hold back now!” Joe cried out. 
“Zudomon, digivolve to! Vikemon!” 
“Two on one huh?” Metalseadramon questioned, thrashing his tail in the water as he stared down the two megas before him. “Fine, I’ll take you down piece by piece!” He roared, lunging for Vikemon. Meanwhile Yolei was riding atop Aquilamon as they flew over the jungle. A few of the Octomon and Divermon had snuck passed the others, and after terrifying the townsfolk moved into the interior. 
“Keep your eyes open, we can’t let them get away.” Yolei stated. 
“You got it!” Aquilamon agreed. 
“Yolei? Find anything?” Ken radioed in. Pressing her finger to her ear she responded. 
“Nothing yet, but we’re searching. How are things at the beach?” 
“We got him on the ropes, almost done here. The Shellmon and Gesomon have been taken care of too, but. We just received a transmission from Izzy. He thinks the Divermon and Octomon gathered south-west of your location but then lost sight of them.” 
“Alright, I’m on it!” 
“Be careful, Yolei.” Ken ended the transmission and Aquilamon dove to the south-west and began searching once again. Braving a closer look through the trees, the search seemed to be going alright until Aquilamon suddenly found his leg snatched by a vine. 
“AHH!!” Yolei cried out, as she was flung from his back and tumbled through the trees, landing harshly on the ground. Aquilamon suffered a similar fate and was shivering on the ground. “Oh man, let’s not do that again. Did ya get caught on something?” She complained rubbing her head. 
“I wouldn’t say on something.” The big tree digimon chuckled, revealing himself. “More like someone, the names Cherrymon.” 
“Hey! Let him go!” Yolei ordered. 
“Gladly, but you two should be more careful. It’s not exactly safe. I had to wipe out some nasty digimon around here to protect the reserve.” He explained, releasing Aquilamon. After a bit of a fuss to find his footing he covered up Yolei, but she peeked out from under his wing. 
“So you took out the Divermon and Octomon?” She asked. 
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I do what I had to protect the trees? After all, this place is my home.” Cherrymon explained. 
“Your home? But you don’t belong here, how long have you been in our world?” She questioned, crossing her arms and raising her brow. 
“Long enough to know that you’re a digi-destined and that while Metalseadramon is out fighting with your friends, they sent you out here to clean up the weaker ones. I guess they don’t have a lot of faith in you.” Cherrymon surmised, stepping a little closer. 
“What’s that supposed to mean!?” Yolei scowled. 
“I don’t think I like this guy.” Aquilamon joined in. 
“Relax would ya, I’m just callin it like I see it. The boys get to handle the big bad digimon while you clean up the weaker ones. Not every digi-destined is meant to be as powerful as the others right? It’s ok to be the weakest.” He played off. 
“You really think I’m the weakest?” Yolei tried to argue. 
“Look at your digimon, I could destroy him right now, no sweat.” Cherrymon chuckled, pointing his cane at Aquilamon.
“Wanna test that theory!?” Aquilamon growled. 
“Go ahead, throw your life away to prove my point, it’ll just leave her vulnerable and disheartened. Besides, think how angry your friends will get when they realized you tried to take on an ultimate digimon with your weak little champion. Sure he’s tougher than a normal champion, but he won’t stand a chance against me, or Metalseadramon or any real threat.”
“Humph.” Yolei huffed, crossing her arms once more. 
“I’m just telling you the truth, you can get huffy about it if you want but it doesn’t change anything. I’m just trying to watch your back.” Cherrymon playfully dismissed. 
“How exactly is that supposed to be watching my back?” She asked. 
“Cause I’d hate to see ya aiming above your station and getting destroyed. Just lay low, keep your head down while you’re on the bottom rung of that pecking order and try not to make waves. Though I’ll admit that’s hard to do out on this pretty island.” 
“You’ve got some nerve talking to Yolei like that!” Aquilamon angrily lunged for Cherrymon who caught him in vines and wrapped him up tight. 
“No! Aquilamon!” 
“See what I mean. I could crush ya right now and you’d never even get to scream. Ya learn your lesson yet bird brain?” Cherrymon chortled, dropping him to the ground. Yolei rushed to his side, kneeling down to stroke his head. “Stop trying to be something you’re not. You’re digi-destined alright, but don’t go thinking your heroes with that self righteous attitude and that useless sparrow.” 
“Yolei!” Matt cried out over the transmitter.
“Huh?” She asked. 
“Just listen. Izzy and I got a hold of work station here in the ruins after clearing out some bad digimon and he’s reading that you’re right next to a Cherrymon.” 
“Yeah.” She replied. 
“Yeah what?” Cherrymon tried to ask, confused as to who she was talking to. 
“Whatever he’s saying to you, don’t buy it. Cherrymon messed with my head enough to trick me into fighting Tai and Agumon. And I mean fight, we nearly went all out. He’ll weave the truth in with his lies, don’t believe him. Whatever happens we have faith in you.” Matt stated.
“Oh don’t worry.” Yolei smiled, rising to her feet. “I could smell the stink of his lies alright. Not a hero? Weakest of the weak, huh? For someone trying to lay some truths on me, you’re about as honest as a shifty thief. Matt’s right, it’s our faith in each other that makes us strong. I wasn’t sent out here to clean up the weaklings because I’m weak, it’s because they all trust me to do what needs to be done to protect our world from evil digimon like you!” Yolei barked.
“But-“
“Oh you want some truths? How bout the fact that I know you’re trying to play me against the others. Or that you’ll never win against us! That no matter how many times you beat us back or trick us, we’ll come back stronger and stronger and here’s one more for you. I do not like being lectured to by some jerk head shrub with a superiority complex! Aquilamon!” 
“You got it!” 
“Aquilamon! Digivolve to! Garudamon!” 
“Wha!?” Yolei stood in awe as her crest of honesty radiated brightly. She had seen Sora digivolve Biyomon into Garudamon before, but never thought that Aquilamon could do the same. They seemed exactly alike, save for him being just tad lighter in color to that of Sora’s, bore a deeper voice to Aquilamon and shared in Hawkmon’s eye color. 
“Oh boy.” Cherrymon shook, shedding a few leaves in the process. Snatching him up by the top of his branches, Garudamon carried him high up into the air. 
“Still think we’re the weakest of the weak, Cherrymon?” 
“Vine attack!” He tried to wrap up Garudamon’s arm, but he easily snapped away from the vines with his talons and threw Cherrymon high up into the sky. 
“Wing Blade!” Garudamon unleashed the same firebird shaped attack and it struck Cherrymon head on. Lost in the fiery explosion, Cherrymon vanished as he was defeated. “Clearing the deadwood is tough, but it’s honest work.”
“Way to go, Garudamon!” Smiling he flew down and kneeled, extending his hand for Yolei to climb into. 
“Come Yolei, our friends at the shoreline need our help.” 
“Yeah let’s go! I can’t wait to tell Sora. We’re totally digi-sisters now with matching digimon to boot!” Yolei giggled, Garudamon chuckled along while the pair aimed back toward the beach.

Back with Tai and his team, they were quickly becoming overwhelmed. Devimon and Machinedramon had joined in the battle and were wearing on the whole team. Ophanimon had turned her focus to Venommyotismon while Meicrackmon and Wargreymon took to Diaboromon. Rosemon decided to pick up Machinedramon and Seraphimon stood down Devimon with a smile. 
“Do you really think you have a chance?” Seraphimon aimed his blade at Devimon. 
“My powers have grown since we last fought, thanks to the grace of King Drasil. No matter what pathetic form you take, you will fall to me! Feel the touch of Evil!” He shouted, extending his clawed hand at Seraphimon. He easily deflected the attack and slashed off Devimon’s arm. “AHHH!!” He cried out, as black data began to pour from the wound. “It’s of no consequence. You cannot win!” 
“Strike of the Seven Stars!” Seraphimon launched his seven holy spheres right through Devimon and destroyed him. “I’ve no time for games with you.” 
“Great job Seraphimon!” T.K called out from the ground. 
“Giga Cannon!” Machinedramon fired a volley of shots at Rosemon who struggled to avoid the blasts. 
“Forbidden temptation!” She cried out, however raising up his arm he shielded himself from the attack as best he could. The metal on his arm radiating from the heat from her blast. Lunging for Machinedramon she was going to try to get a closer shot to a more vital area but soon found herself near the end of his right barrel. 
“Giga Cannon!” He fired, blasting her back toward Myotismon’s castle walls and slumping down to the ground. “Giga Cannon!” He fired a more consistent stream at her, the cliffside exploding as Rosemon de-digivolved to Palmon. 
“No! Palmon!” Mimi cried out, rushing in to catch her partner. She just managed to in time as Machinedramon turned his attention to her. 
“Mimi get out of the way!” Tai cried out. 
“Oh no you don’t!” Wargreymon bellowed, snapping away from Diaboromon. Though he was down one of his Dramon Destroyers, he still came in for a harsh slash across the right barrel of Machindramon’s cannon, shearing it off in the process. Crying out in agony as the massive gun fell to the ground and disintegrated, Machinedramon focused his anger on Wargreymon. 
“You’re going to pay for that one Wargreymon.” He snarled in his raspy voice. 
“Web Wrecker!” Diaboromon shot at Meicrackmon, blowing her toward Wargreymon. Seraphimon cut in an began to take on Diaboromon while Wargreymon rushed in and caught Meicrackmon in his arms. 
“Gotcha.” He huffed, cradling her for a moment. 
“Phew.” She sighed, taking a moment to admire his arms. “Can’t complain about being rescued by those. You doing anything after, handsome?” She playfully complimented, stroking his shoulder. 
“Ah haha, well I haven’t made any plans yet.” He bashfully replied. 
“Hey Wargreymon!” Tai shouted out. “Flirt later! Fight’s still on behind you!” 
“Giga Cannon!” Machinedramon fired at Wargreymon as he just dodged the attack. Releasing Meicrackmon, the two nodded to each other and ran back to their respective opponents. 
“Sefirot Crystal!” Ophanimon launched her best attack at Venommyotismon and the blast hit true, sending the massive digimon to the ground. “I keep putting him down, but he just keeps getting back up.” Meicrackmon resumed her fight with Diaboromon but found it next to impossible to keep up with the powerful mega form digimon. Slapped to the ground once more by a Cable Crusher, Seraphimon attempted to intervene, only to take a direct blast to the chest. 
“Web Wrecker!” He fired, sending Seraphimon to the ground, with a cackle Diaboromon dove for cover as his eerie voice carried over the wind. “Time to heal.”
 Wargreymon was finally gaining an upper hand on Machinedramon, slicing through his last cannon and slapping the big machine down with a hard punch. 
“Terra Force!!” He launched the massive ball of flame onto Machinedramon who attempted to catch it but found it almost impossible to hold. “Terra Force!” Wargreymon followed it up with another, the two spheres colliding and causing a massive explosion that consumed Machinedramon. The blast wave forcing Tai to cover Meiko and Mimi while T.K covered Kari. Gasping for breath as he hung in the air, Wargreymon was clearly exhausted as Seraphimon and Meicrackmon met up near the others. 
“Where did Diaboromon go?” Seraphimon questioned. 
“I don’t know, he knocked me down and I lost him. Wargreymon, you ok?” Meicrackmon called out. 
“I’m.. Alright.. Just need.. To catch.. My breath..” He spoke between pants. 
“Tai!!” Izzy called out over the communicator. 
“What is it?” 
“It’s Diaboromon! He’s using the same trick he pulled on the net! He’s multiplying, you gotta stop him or you’ll be overrun!” He warned. His message crackling before the transmission ended. 
“No, not again!” Tai gasped. 
“Where is he!?” T.K cried out. “Seraphimon, find him!” 
“Right!” However the search didn’t have to go long. Sixty-four Diaboromon flew up from the wreckage of Myotismon’s castle and began to circle around Wargreymon. 
“No!! Wargreymon!” Tai cried out, however they all began firing on him. Wargreymon tried his best to avoid the blasts but he was too worn out from the battle to keep it up. Shot after shot bombarded him, taking off chunks of his armor as he cried out in pain. As the blasts subsided, a smoldering Wargreymon began plummeting to the ground but Meicrackmon rushed in to catch him as he reverted back to Agumon. Seraphimon suddenly found himself staring down the swarm of Diaboromon while Ophanimon took one more good shot at Venommyotismon and rushed to his side. 
“Kari!” T.K cried out. 
“I know. We have to stop this right now! We can’t let this go on any longer, it’s just too dangerous, we have to protect everyone!” She rushed for him holding him tight. “Ophanimon!” 
“Seraphimon!” 
“Seraphimon digivolve to!”
“Ophanimon digivolve to!” Their bodies converting into data as pink and yellow sparks combined in the sky, radiating down a shower of light he raised his sword and readied his shield. 
“Aegismon!” 
“My poor Agumon.” Meicrackmon consoled, handing him off to Tai. 
“He’ll be ok, he just needs some rest.” Tai assured her, taking him into his arms. Meiko rushed over, clasping Meicrackmon’s hands. 
“Mei, it’s time. We can’t afford to hold back, not anymore.” 
“I know, I’m ready.” She agreed. The two radiated with the same pink energy from their trial. Meiko’s hair rising as Meicrackmon ascended into the sky. 
“Meicrackmon, digivolve to! Rasielmon!” 
Now, Rasielmon stood against the swarm of Diaboromon while Aegismon took to Venommyotismon. The cluster began to swarm around Rasielmon seemingly primed to attack, firing their Web Wreckers, she raised a shield of ice around her and blocked the flood attacks. Shattering the ice, she launched the shards into fifteen of them, piercing and ripping them apart. 
“I have foreseen the end of this conflict. You will perish, and I will offer no mercy for the torment you inflicted upon my love!” She decreed, raising high into the air. “Knowledge Stream!!” She began to channel all of her elemental energy into her hands and in a massive burst of prismatic light, dozens of beams chased down and blasted the remaining Diaboromon. She took special note of one that tried to escape to attempt another duplication and flew off to cut him off before he could duck for the rubble within the castle. “You will go no further.” 
“Cable Crusher!” He launched his hand at her, but snatching it in her massive claws, she halted the attack and slashed off his arm with her free hand. “Ah!” He gasped, seeing the severed arm as he began to digitize a new one. 
“Not this time.” She smiled, lunging for him, she drilled her claws into his chest and began to rip. “Rrrrraaah!!!” She cried out, tearing Diaboromon in half as his body disintegrated shortly after.  
“So, you think because you combined powers you can stop me!?” Venommyotismon taunted. Winding up he threw a hard punch aimed right for Aegismon who braced for the impact as his fist came right down on his shield. With a loud clang, the angelic digimon wasn’t even moved from the attack, and smiled as he leapt into the sky. 
“Seraphin’s Blade!” Aegismon fired back, the shimmering X shaped attack slamming hard into Venommyotismon as he crashed over what remained of his castle. “You’ve an awkward location for that beast within you, but I recall your last battle with Wargreymon and Metalgarurumon. I won’t allow this fight to carry on any longer, you must be destroyed.” Aegismon lunged in and slashed across the groin area of Venommyotismon. Shuddering from the attack, the strange beast within emerged once more. 
“You digi-destined can’t win! You’ll never win against the darkness, we’ll always return!” It shouted. 
“It is not a matter of whether or not you return, but only that we rise to meet you.” Aegismon stated, raising his blade in the air, it began to crackle with light, as six other lightforged blades began to circle around him. “To that end, we shall never yield. Crusade of the Light-keeper!” He called as the swords delved into the beast within him, Aegismon lunged in and slashed straight through him, landing behind Venommyotismon as an explosion of light blew him in half. Venommyotismon cried out as he dissolved in a massive cloud of data that showered over the battlefield. 
“Yeah! You guys did it!!” T.K cheered. 
“That’s my girl! You guys are the best!” Mimi joined in. Aegismon and Rasielmon joined the others and settled in but decided to hold to their forms. Meiko was keeping focus to hold Rasielmon together, but walked over to her, radiating energy and all and smiled holding her hands. 
“You did wonderful.” Meiko complimented. 
“Thank you, my dearest friend. It is through your heart that my true strength is able to shine.” Rasielmon smiled. 
“Agumon, Palmon, are you alright?” Aegismon asked, sheathing his sword and placing the shield on his back. 
“We’ve had better days.” Agumon chuckled. 
“I’ll say.” Palmon joined in. 
“Then allow me.” Aegismon bowed. “Holy healing!” He called out, channeling light into the two of them. Slowly but surely their wounds began to fade and after only a few seconds they were restored to full strength. 
“Thanks Aegismon!” Agumon praised. 
“So Tai.” T.K chuckled, picking Tai up. “Who you think would win, Omnimon, or this guy?” 
“Ya, really? You wanna play that now huh?” Tai chortled, grabbing T.K’s head for a noogie. “Big talker, big talker. Better focus on taking good care of my sister knucklehead.” He laughed, along with Kari, Aegismon and Mimi. “Alright, Matt come in. We got the front line secured.” He said, talking into the communicator. However no reply came after a few moments. “Matt, Izzy, Cody. Any of you guys, come in.” 
“Tai, we haven’t heard from em either.” Davis responded. “Sorry Tai, gotta get back to ya, we kind of got our hands full!” 
“Hang on.” Meiko spoke up. 
“Huh? What is it babe?” Tai replied, walking over to her and Rasielmon. Smiling she turned to her digimon, and without speaking a word she understood Meiko’s request. 
“Of course.” Rasielmon bowed. Closing her eyes she was quickly disturbed by the sight she saw. “Oh no.” 
“What is it!? Please, Mei-mei, Rasielmon! What happened!?” Mimi pleaded. 
“We are out of time. Matt, Sora and Izzy are facing King Drasil as we speak.” Rasielmon responded. “We must collect Davis and the others and move, now.” 

Just moments before, back in the temple where Izzy was speaking to Tai.
“I got the message out to Yolei.” Matt stated. 
“That’s a relief.” Gabumon joined in. 
“Good, it’s been particularly useful this workstation can view both worlds for digimon appearances.” Izzy carried on typing away on his laptop. 
“So long as no more evil digimon show up here we should be good.” Sora noted. 
“Even if they do, we’ll be ready!” Upamon cheered. 
“Well here.” Cody smiled, producing a small energy bar from his pocket. “It’s not much, but I figured it prudent to hand on to a snack or two just in case we ended up needing a recharge.” 
“You da mon!” Upamon cheered, Cody unwrapped it and Upamon gobbled the whole thing up in one massive bite with a big smile on his face. 
“Whoa! Oh no! I’ve seen this before!” Izzy exclaimed. 
“What’s going on?” Matt rushed over, placing a hand on Izzy’s shoulder. 
“Diaboromon, his signature is getting bigger and bigger. I’m pretty sure I know why!” 
“Let me guess, he’s doing that split up trick of his.” Matt shuddered. Izzy nodded and confirmed Matt’s suspicion and opened a channel to Tai. 
“Tai!!” Izzy called out over the communicator. 
“What is it?” 
“It’s Diaboromon! He’s using the same trick he pulled on the net! He’s multiplying, you gotta stop him or you’ll be overrun!” He warned, but as he spoke the communicators began to crackle and hiss. “Huh!?” Izzy pondered as his screen began flickering and the lights in the room began to burn brighter and brighter. 
“This can’t be good.” Sora huddled close to Biyomon while Cody brought Upamon into his arms, getting in closer to Matt and Izzy. 
“Izzy, find a dimmer switch!” Tentomon suggested. 
“It’s not me! Tai! Davis, anyone, can you read me!?” He called out, but no response came. The lights continued to flare brighter and brighter, and Izzy’s computer shut down on its own. Everyone huddled together until at last the lights shattered, and the room filled with darkness save for the portal at the center of the room. First opening as a gate before them and then falling to the ground, widening like a vortex it began to suck in the digi-destined. Crying out as they fell through, they dropped to the ground in a crystal like room, filled with shallow water and a giant blue sphere in the middle. One by one they picked themselves up. However Izzy was disappointed in the fact his computer was submerged. “Oh no.” He moaned, shaking off the water and placing it back in his backpack. 
“Izzy, where are we?” Matt asked as his voice reverberated around the room. 
“It’s cold.” Sora noted with a quick shiver. 
“And creepy.” Biyomon joined in, leaping into Sora’s arms. 
“What do you think of that sphere there?” Cody asked.
“Well, only one way to find out.” Matt said, slowly reaching out and touching it. Just as his finger touched the surface, a sudden wave of light filled the room and a voice came through the air. 
*Light is born from darkness, darkness finds its way north to become water, while light sails south to give birth to fire. Wind ebbs and flows between the light and the dark, light slips inside darkness where it returns to earth.*
“Huh? A prophecy?” Izzy pondered. 
“No.” A deep and shadowy voice boomed through the room. “A reality.” The room faded away into a deep and dark shadowy realm, the walls lined like bark from a tree save for a few cables that ran through in sporadic locations. Everyone turned to see the monolithic figure behind them embedded in the wall. Its red eyes glaring down at them as Matt took to the front. “For all your efforts, all your light, your attempts to defeat me are futile. Resisting the dark is to resist the very nature of life and death.” 
“King Drasil!” Matt scowled as Gabumon joined Matt’s side. 
“All things born unto the worlds conceived by the quantum sea, exist to live, suffer and perish. A path no different than the light you cling to so blindly. Ever born from darkness it sows the seeds of chaos and flame, only to return to its source once more. An endless, futile cycle in which digimon and human alike suffer and fade. However should darkness be made eternal, then all that is born of darkness will persevere for eternity. Is that not the answer to your most fervent wish?” King Drasil glared, raising the digi-destined off the ground in crimson energy he began choking and crushing them. “The digimon would exist forever, that was your only worthy desire and I shall gladly grant it. You should thank me for this gift. You pitiful humans are but a flickering candle meant only to be extinguished. Your partnerships; a blight upon this world that would see it scorched to its core. I will tolerate such a perverse corruption of this world, no longer!” King Drasil shouted, tossing the Digi-destined against the wall and dropping them to the ground. Matt shuddered and steadily picked himself up along with Gabumon. 
“Sora.” He breathed, seeing her struggle to find her feet. “Izzy?” He turned back, however Izzy and Tentomon were steadily getting up. 
“I’m ok. Cody?” He rushed over, but Cody was struggling to breathe. “Cody come on, can you hear me?” Izzy cradled him in his lap. 
“Izzy.” He stammered. “Wheres... Upamon?” Upamon was lying next to him unconscious. Izzy grit his teeth and picked up Upamon and helped Cody hold him in his arms. Slapping the button on Cody’s wristband, a portal opened up and Izzy threw him through it.
“Forgive me, Cody.” He shuddered.
“Partnerships.” King Drasil continued. “Digi-destined. A flawed design by a poor creator. Still, you served me well enough to help craft my perfect weapon. For that. I will grant you a blessing I will deny all others. A swift, merciful death.” 

Davis, Ken, Yolei and Joe were in upstate New York. Vikemon was chasing Puppetmon through Black River Wild Forest, just north of Utica, while in the air overhead, Imperialdramon and Garudamon were battling with Kimeramon. 
“Wing Blade!” He fired for the big digimon, but he turned and responded in kind. 
“Heat Viper!” The blast from his mouth deflecting his attack. 
“Positron Laser!” Imperialdramon countered, and this one landed a direct hit, sending Kimeramon crashing into the trees. It wouldn’t be long before he got back up, growling as Garudamon tried to lunge in and take him hand to hand, but his grip with the claws of Devimon stung him horribly, punching Garudamon in the belly with Skullgreymons arm he fired again. 
“Heat Viper!” He shot, blowing Garudamon back. 
“Na-nana-na na na!” Puppetmon taunted, as Vikemon struggled to land a single hit on Puppetmon. “Geez, you’re slow. Who taught ya how to fight?” 
“Arctic Blizzard!” Vikemon responded, creating a mass of ice before him and shattering it with his maces the enormous chunks flung at Puppetmon. 
“Batter up! Puppet Pummel!” He answered, smashing them to pieces. Vikemon shielded himself easily from the shards, growling at the little digimon. “Boy you sure are weak for a big guy! Maybe you need someone to show ya how to use those things!” Puppetmon taunted, flinging his strings along Vikemon. He was doing his best to resist, but gradually he was turning his attention on Joe. 
“Vikemon! Come on you can beat him! Don’t give up, I believe in you!” 
“Joe!” He cried out. “Please, run, I can’t!” 
“Tenryu Slash!!” A thunderous voice shouted as a searing blade flung through Puppetmon, blowing him in half. Slayerdramon landed with William and Katherine on his shoulders before whipping the blade back to his side as Puppetmon disintegrated. “Sorry to cut in there, but it seemed you had your hands full.” 
“Was more than welcome! Great to see you guys in person!” Joe thanked them as Lotusmon joined in, parking right beside Joe with a big smile. 
“We’re here to help. Anything you need dear friends?” Lotosmon offered. 
“Right, we heard about the attack and were watching for evil digimon as best we could.” Katherine explained. 
“After a brief stop for some fish and chips at my father’s pub of course.” William winked. 
“I think it’s just him left.” Joe pointed off toward the battle with Kimeramon and Imperialdramon. 
“Positron Laser!!” He fired, the blast this time going straight through Kimeramon and sent him to the ground, gushing data from the wound. 
“Correction; it was just him left.” Joe and Vikemon said together. Joe and Vikemon burst out laughing, as he reverted to Gomamon.  
“That should have done it, but assure our victory Slayerdramon!” William ordered. 
“My pleasure!” He leapt off. Kimeramon was trying to pick himself up, as Imperialdramon and Slayerdramon landed side by side. 
“Whoa, I wasn’t expecting you.” Imperialdramon greeted. 
“Good to see ya as well. However. Koryu Slash!” Slayerdramon wrapped his blade around Kimeramon and spun, rending him apart in a burst of data. “Always make sure he’s down for good. Hate to see a sneak attack get off.” 
“Hey!!” Davis, Ken and Yolei greeted. Yolei with Poromon in her arms as they joined the others. 
“Wow, William and Katherine! It’s great to see you guys!” Yolei happily bowed. 
“The more the merrier.” Ken added in. 
“Well to be honest.” William said, scratching the back of his head. “We weren’t really coming for you, but to pick up another member for our party.” 
“A party, now really?” Davis attempted to scold him. 
“Haha, no no.” Katherine corrected. “You see, a girl here with a Morphomon is being released from prison temporarily to help combat this digimon invasion. We came to ensure she stayed on the up and up.” 
“Eosmon and Menoa Belluci!” Ken exclaimed. “That could be dangerous.” 
“No, it’s quite alright.” Katherine refuted. 
“I worked with Menoa.” William jumped in. “See, before she went all 6’s and 7’s, she was a wonderful digimon researching peer while I was attending my studies at Oxford. She regretted the incident two years ago deeply and now with Morphomon back, she’s begging for a chance to set things right.” 
“Guys.” A voice came over the communicator. It sounded like Cody, but he was very weak. 
“Huh, Cody is that you?” Yolei asked, pressing on her ear. 
“They’re... in danger... Matt... Sora... It’s Drasil.” Cody whimpered. 
“Oh no! What happened, we lost contact with you guys.” Davis exclaimed. Snaring their attention away, a gateway opened up and stepping through was Tai, Meiko, T.K, Kari and Mimi along with Aegismon, Rasielmon, Palmon and Agumon. 
“Davis, we gotta move.” Tai ordered. 
“But what about earth!?” He protested. 
“Don’t worry lads!” William touted. “We got the real world covered.” 
“Yolei, head back to Izzy’s and help out Cody and Willis. Willis is doing his best to manage the gates for us but he’s in rough shape.” Tai explained. 
“Oh, alright. Sidelining me huh?” She snickered. “Right after I get my own Garudamon to boot.” 
“We need a second line.” Tai hung his head. 
“Huh?” She asked more sympathetically. Everyone leaned in a little closer to listen as well. 
“Wherever we’re going. We’re facing down King Drasil, and if what we think is true. Matt, Sora and Izzy were beaten. We’re going in short handed. Davis and Ken will go with us so we’ll have Imperialdramon. But if we fail. Every digi-destined on earth with fighting experience and mega digimon will be needed. They’ll need a good leader.” Tai spoke meeting Yolei eye to eye. “I’m counting on you. I’m not going in with any intention of failing but, we need a fall-back option.” 
“Right.” She sighed. “I understand. Thank you Tai.” She bowed. Ken was clenching his fist as Tai explained the whole situation, caught up in the moment, he ran to Yolei, taking her into his arms and kissing her passionately. It caught everyone a little off guard, but as he set his hand on her cheek he forced a smile. 
“I’ll be back for you, ok?” 
“You better.” She nervously chuckled, rubbing her head on his chest. 
“Yolei, Cody and Willis are likely injured. Izzy has a first aid kit in the kitchen next to the pantry. Do what you can till I get back.” Joe instructed. 
“Willis, can you read me? You still got that lock on where Matt’s group landed?” Tai asked through the communicator. 
“Yeah. I uh. Ugh. Sorry. I’m uploading the coordinates now to your bands. Tai, be careful.” He fumbled through, as a gateway opened behind them. Imperialdramon and Vikemon dropped back down to Veemon, Gomamon and Wormmon. 
“Guys. Everyone. Don’t hold anything back, it’s all or nothing.” Tai spoke, leading the way through the portal.