Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the summer of that year, strange events occurred across the Earth.

In Southeast Asia, paddy fields dried up under relentless drought. Torrential rains flooded parts of the Middle East. America was gripped by an unexpected, unseasonal freeze.

But for a small group of children attending summer camp in Japan, these global disturbances were distant curiosities—until the impossible arrived at their doorstep.

Yagami Taichi, a brown-haired fifth grader from Odaiba Elementary, was lounging in a tree when the first snowflake landed on his cheek. He blinked up at the sky, confused. Snow? In the middle of summer?

Soon, a full-blown snowstorm swept across the area, sending the campers scrambling for cover. The seven kids took refuge in an old, abandoned lodge near the campgrounds.

When the storm finally subsided, they stepped cautiously outside into an eerily silent landscape.

Takeru, a second grader from Kawada Elementary, dashed into the snow gleefully, his boots crunching in the fresh powder. His older brother, Yamato—a fellow fifth grader from Odaiba Elementary—chased after him, worry etched across his face.

Sora, also in fifth grade, stood shivering in her sleeveless shirt. Jyou, a sixth grader and the oldest of the group, adjusted his glasses nervously and suggested they return to the adults before anything else strange happened.

Mimi, a fourth grader, was mesmerized by the beauty of the snow-covered world, while Koushiro—another fourth grader—remained inside, frantically trying to get a signal on his laptop and phone, to no avail.

Then the sky changed.

A ripple of vibrant auroras lit up the heavens—an impossible sight in Japan. A swirling green vortex opened overhead, humming with otherworldly energy. Seven glowing objects shot from the portal like comets, crashing into the snow before each child.

One by one, they stepped forward to examine the mysterious items.

Strange, compact devices—unlike anything they'd ever seen—lay half-buried in the snow. As each child reached out and touched the object before them, the screen lit up.

Suddenly, a roaring tsunami of light surged toward them. Before they could react, they were swept up—tumbling through the air as the world they knew vanished behind them.

They fell through what felt like a waterfall… then through light… and landed in a place beyond imagination: a forest.

The first thing they saw were creatures.

Living, breathing beings with eyes full of curiosity. Digital Monsters—Digimon—who had been waiting for them.

The kids were startled by the talking creatures, but the Digimon greeted them warmly. According to Koromon and Motimon, they were now in a place called File Island.

Taichi climbed a tree to get a better view of the surroundings. Using his telescope, he spotted ocean, mountains—and something else. A giant red beetle flew toward him, growing larger with each passing second.

“That’s Kuwagamon! He’s an Atrocious Digimon!” Motimon shouted in alarm.

Kuwagamon sliced through the treetop with his massive pincers. He swooped back toward Taichi and Koromon. At the last second, Koromon blew a stream of bubbles, knocking Kuwagamon slightly off course—but sending the two of them tumbling from the tree.

Grateful yet concerned, Taichi praised Koromon for his bravery, but worried about his recklessness.

Kuwagamon returned again, forcing them to flee. Motimon led them to a hollow, tree-like structure—larger on the inside—where they could hide. The sound of Kuwagamon's wings faded, followed by a familiar voice.

“It’s all right now!” Sora called.

Emerging cautiously, Taichi saw her standing beside a flower-like creature named Pyocomon. Soon after, Takeru came running out from behind the trees, chasing a small Digimon called Tokomon. Yamato followed, scolding his brother, while holding a Digimon with a prominent horn—Tsunomon.

Jyou burst out of the underbrush, yelling for help, with a strange creature clinging to his shoulder. “I’m Pukamon!” the Digimon cheerfully introduced himself.

As the children began to introduce themselves to the Digimon—and to one another—they realized someone was missing.

“Mimi!” they shouted.

She was being chased by Kuwagamon, with the plant-like Tanemon doing her best to keep up. The group sprang into action, racing after her.

Eventually, they reached the edge of a cliff, with a stream rushing below. Trapped, there was nowhere left to run. The Digimon, despite their small size, stood their ground to protect their partners.

Kuwagamon struck hard.

The Digimon fought with all their strength, but they were no match for his size and power. One by one, they fell, exhausted and hurt. The children, watching their new companions risk everything for them, were overcome with sorrow—and determination.

As Kuwagamon prepared for a final strike, the Digimon struggled to their feet, wriggling free from the children's arms.

“No! You’ll get hurt!” the kids cried.

But their partners were resolute.

At that moment, the children’s Digivices lit up. Beams of rainbow light shot into the sky—seven brilliant columns connecting child to Digimon.

Koromon digivolve to... Agumon!
Pyocomon digivolve to... Piyomon!
Motimon digivolve to... Tentomon!
Tsunomon digivolve to... Gabumon!
Tokomon digivolve to... Patamon!
Pukamon digivolve to... Gomamon!
Tanemon digivolve to... Palmon!

The children watched in awe as their partners transformed, standing proud and tall, ready to face the enemy once more.

Palmon lashed out. “Poison Ivy!” Vines wrapped around Kuwagamon’s leg.
“Air Shot!” Patamon shouted, unleashing a blast of wind
“Petit Thunder!” Electricity sparked from Tentomon’s wings.
“Baby Flame!” Agumon exhaled a ball of fire.
“Petit Fire!” Gabumon’s blue flame collided with Kuwagamon’s shell.
“Magical Fire!” A swirling green flame burst from Piyomon’s beak.

Kuwagamon screeched as his head caught fire. He reeled backward, crashing into the forest.

The children and Digimon ran to embrace each other, celebrating their impossible victory.

But it wasn’t over.

With a furious roar, Kuwagamon returned and slammed his horns into the ground. The cliff beneath them cracked, then collapsed.

The kids and their Digimon screamed as they fell into the rushing stream below.

This was the beginning of the longest—and shortest—summer vacation they would ever have.

Their adventure had just begun.

Far away, someone else also felt the shift in the world—and looked up at the sky.

Chapter Text

Across the sea, far from File Island, a girl with short brown hair stood silently by the shoreline. A dark green cape fluttered around her shoulders in the coastal wind. She gazed toward the horizon — toward File Island.

From the deep, a massive shadow surfaced. Moments later, the sea parted as Whamon, the great whale Digimon, rose from the waves with a gentle rumble.

“Thank you, Whamon,” the girl said softly, offering a small smile. She stepped forward without hesitation. Beside her, a small purple Digimon walked in stride — Impmon, her partner.

“Ready, Impmon?” she asked, her voice calm but resolute. This was the continent where she had lived and grown over the past four years. Now, she was leaving it behind.

Impmon glanced up at her, a confident smirk curling on his face. “Always,” he said reassuringly.

It took five days for Whamon to reach File Island. They spent most of the journey in silence, the sea stretching endlessly around them. She often sat near the edge, watching the water, while Impmon lounged nearby — pretending not to worry every time she leaned too far forward.

“You’re thinking about the past again, huh?” he said one evening, glancing at her. “I get it. But hey — you’ve got me now, remember?”

She smiled faintly, her thoughts drifting back.

Memories stirred within her — fragments she couldn’t fully piece together. She didn’t remember how she had arrived in the Digital World. Just the jungle. Crying. Alone. Until a man in a white hood found her and took her to a stone castle filled with strange machines and others dressed like him. That man was called Gennai.

Inside the castle, a glass cabinet held nine differently colored eggs, each connected to a small device and a tag necklace. She didn’t understand the purpose — she was only four years old — but Gennai spoke to her often. He told her it was a miracle she had ended up there. That she should believe in herself. That everything would be all right.

One day, he gave her a purple Digi-Egg from the cabinet. The other eight remained safely stored. She spent her days holding it, stroking it, talking to it. It was almost as big as her tiny body. The egg would rattle gently, as if answering her.

“I used to think the egg could hear me,” she murmured aloud, brushing her fingers across Impmon’s head. “That’s why you came out.”

“Obviously,” Impmon muttered. “I mean, I’m pretty perfect.”

She laughed.

Then, the attack came.

Guardromon and Mekanorimon — machine Digimon — stormed the castle, firing lasers and missiles. She hid, trembling, as chaos erupted around her. Then came a figure even more terrifying: Piedmon, a clown-like Digimon. He shattered the glass cabinet and took the tag necklaces. As he turned toward the eggs, Gennai attacked him with a sword. Piedmon retaliated, plunging something into Gennai’s back, causing the man to cry out in pain.

The girl screamed. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the egg to her chest. Piedmon noticed her and began to approach. She shook in fear.

But then — a radiant light burst from the egg in her arms.

The shell cracked open, forcing Piedmon to shield his eyes. At that moment, Gennai returned, piloting a Mekanorimon. One arm grasped the eight remaining eggs, the other reaching for her.

They escaped, flying through the sky under enemy fire. A pink egg slipped from the Mekanorimon’s hand during the retreat. Gennai didn’t stop. He landed on an island, carefully hid the remaining eggs, and took the girl and her newly hatched partner — a small, round, purple Digimon named Keemon — to his home beneath a lake.

There, she lived with Gennai and Keemon. She learned from him, helped him, and grew. The thing Piedmon had embedded in Gennai’s body took a toll. He aged rapidly. Soon he looked like an old man — large grey mustache, nearly bald save for a small ponytail. His eyes always shut.

Even now, she still didn’t know why she had ended up in the Digital World — or why Gennai had chosen to raise and teach her. But she believed in him, no matter the mysteries he kept. She trusted she was here for a reason — and with Gennai and her partner at her side; she would be ready for whatever came next.

Time passed quickly when lost in memory.

Soon, File Island appeared on the horizon. Whamon stopped at a hidden shore, avoiding unnecessary attention. The great Digimon gave a rumble of farewell and slowly submerged into the sea.

The girl smiled and waved. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Once he vanished beneath the waves, she turned to her partner. “Let’s go, Impmon.”

Impmon gave a quick nod, walking beside her in silence.

Her boots crunched quietly over the damp sand as they followed the curve of the shoreline. Sea breeze stung her eyes. Then she froze. In the distance—movement. They saw a group of children being attacked by a Shellmon. The kids’ partner Digimon were clearly exhausted — except for one: an Agumon who still stood his ground.

A boy with brown hair and goggles grabbed a piece of metal piping from the ground and charged Shellmon, striking it with all his might.

The girl’s eyes widened slightly as she watched him. He had hair like hers… something about him felt strangely familiar.

“The ones you waited for are finally coming.” She remembered Gennai told her before sending her off to File Island.

She doesn’t fully understand, but trusts him.

“We found them quicker than expected,” Impmon said, pulling her back from her thoughts.

She nodded. “It’s not a good idea to provoke Shellmon more.”

“Need me to help?” Impmon smirked.

She shook her head. “Let’s observe for now. Gennai told us not to interfere unless absolutely necessary.”

Shellmon lashed out. The boy was ensnared by one of its tentacles-like hair. Agumon struggled beneath its massive foot. The creature’s grip tightened on the boy.

Then, his Digivice shone with brilliant light.

Agumon digivolve to… Greymon!

Greymon roared and knocked Shellmon off balance, freeing the boy. With a fierce charge, he launched the enemy high into the air.

“Mega Flame!” Greymon unleashed a blazing fireball, sending Shellmon hurtling into the sea.

The battle was over. Greymon reverted to Agumon. The group, cautious and confused, quickly left the beach, wary that the creature might return.

From the shadows, the girl and Impmon watched.

“Would’ve been way easier if I just took him out,” Impmon said, arms folded behind his head.

The girl smiled and gently patted his head. “That’s because you have more experience. Everyone needs time to grow.”

Chapter Text

Haruka and her partner Digimon, Impmon, trailed the seven children and their Digimon from a cautious distance. After their encounter with Shellmon, the group had trudged into a dense forest, where they were nearly caught between two Monochromon locked in a violent battle for territory. The children's fatigue was beginning to show — not just in their slow steps and drooping shoulders, but in the way their voices grew quieter, their curiosity dimmer. The strange island was taking its toll.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the trees, the group emerged into a clearing and found a vast, glimmering lake. Sitting in the center, impossibly out of place, was a tram cart marooned on a small island. The children rushed toward it, hope flickering in their eyes — perhaps this cart would hold answers. Perhaps it meant civilization, or safety, or a way home.

But the tram was empty.

Hidden among the trees, Haruka tilted her head, puzzled.

“…Why are they all rushing toward that cart?” she whispered.
“Maybe they’re looking for shelter,” Impmon replied with a shrug. “Can’t really blame them. They’ve been through a lot.”

They remained hidden beneath the dense canopy, silent observers once more. Occasionally, Haruka voiced her thoughts, and Impmon responded with his usual blend of sarcasm and subtle concern.

The two shared the small bounty they’d gathered — wild berries and forest fruit, tangy and sweet — as the children lit a campfire and began roasting fish along the lakeside. As night blanketed the sky, Haruka overheard bits of their conversation. Words like North Star, hemisphere, and Southern Cross — unfamiliar terms to her — floated through the air. She frowned slightly. Gennai had never mentioned anything like that.

Her attention turned to the goggle-wearing boy as he leaned toward Gabumon and began tugging at his fur, seemingly trying to peel it away like a costume.

“That’s not very nice,” she muttered. “Poor Gabumon… he must be scared.”

Before she could finish her thought, the blond-haired boy in a sleeveless green top stepped in, shoving the goggle boy aside with a firm expression.

“He must be Gabumon’s partner,” Impmon murmured. “Not bad. Standing up for his Digimon.”

Eventually, the children began crawling into the tram cart, curling up for the night. Only the boy with goggles remained outside, Agumon at his side. Whether they stayed as guards or simply couldn’t sleep, Haruka couldn’t tell. The night air grew colder.

Up in the tree, Haruka wrapped herself tighter in the dark green cape Gennai had given her. The fabric shielded her from the chill of the wind, but it was the warmth of Impmon beside her that brought comfort.

As she drifted into a light sleep, a strange sound reached her ears — calm, smooth, unfamiliar. She stirred slightly. Half-asleep, she opened her eyes and glimpsed the blond boy sitting by the lake, playing a small mouth instrument. The melody was gentle and clear, unlike anything she had ever heard before. They carried a softness she hadn’t heard since before she came to this world.

She listened, entranced, until the tune cradled her back into a dreamless sleep.

A sudden roar shattered the stillness.

Haruka jolted awake. The branches above her rustled violently from the echoing cry. The lake below, once still and moonlit, now churned with wild, frothing waves.

“Seadramon,” she breathed, eyes wide.

 The massive sea serpent Digimon thrashed in the water, roaring with rage. His long, serpentine body circled swimming furiously in the water, dragging Tram Island slowly away from the shoreline. His tail had somehow snagged with the island.

“Why is he so angry?” Haruka asked, frowning. “Seadramon are usually calm… unless they feel threatened.”

“Haruka!” Impmon’s voice snapped her back to the scene. He pointed urgently. The blond-haired boy — the same one who had been playing the tune had jumped into the lake, cutting through the water with powerful strokes. Gabumon followed closely behind him, swimming with surprising strength.

“Oh no,” Haruka whispered, hands rising to her mouth. “That’s not a good idea at all…”

Another boy — the one with the green hat — lost his footing and toppled into the lake. Fortunately, Gomamon was there in an instant, hauling him out of danger. But their movement caught Seadramon’s attention. The serpent whipped around, eyes gleaming with predatory focus.

Yamato called out, trying to draw Seadramon away from the others. Haruka’s heart pounded as she watched him swim closer to the serpent, shouting and waving his arms.

A terrible mistake.

Seadramon lunged. Gabumon was flung aside by a vicious tail swipe. In the next breath, the serpent’s coils wrapped tightly around Yamato, lifting him from the water.

“Yamato!” shouted the goggle-wearing boy from the shore.

Haruka stood on the branch, fists clenched. “Should we go? Seadramon won’t stop — not until he—”

But then Yamato’s Digivice blazed with light.

Gabumon’s form shimmered.

Gabumon digivolve to… Garurumon!

 The sleek, wolf-like Digimon burst from the water in a streak of silver and blue, howling fiercely. He slammed into Seadramon, his fangs gleaming in the moonlight. With swift precision, he slashed at the coils constricting Yamato, freeing him before turning his full attention to the enemy.

Yamato swam quickly back toward the island, coughing and gasping. But the battle wasn’t over. Garurumon got knocked off into the water by Seadramon’s tail. They soon starting to swim around the lake while attacking each other, Seadramon used his Ice Arrow to struck Garurumon and the surface beneath him, locking them in a cage of ice.

Garurumon struggled, growling low. Then—

“Fox Fire!”

The ice shattered as Garurumon unleashed a blast of shimmering blue flame. It struck Seadramon dead-on, searing through the serpent’s defenses. With a pained cry, Seadramon twisted and vanished beneath the waves, defeated.

Haruka let out a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. The battle was over.

Garurumon padded back onto the island and reverted to Gabumon. Slowly, the light of dawn crept over the horizon, washing the lake in gold.

“Well,” she said softly, smiling, “looks like we weren’t needed again.”

Impmon crossed his arms and nodded with a smirk. “Not bad for them.”

Haruka looked down at the group. They were bruised and weary, but still standing. Still united. Something in her chest stirred — not quite envy, but something gentler. A warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Everyone is growing,” she said.

 She sat in silence for a moment longer, watching the children begin to regroup on the island.
Even though they had no idea she was there — even though they didn’t yet know they were being watched — she felt something inside her stir. Not envy, exactly. More like a quiet warmth. Hope.

“We’re not alone,” she whispered, almost to herself.

Chapter Text

As Haruka and Impmon trailed behind the children through the winding forest, she began piecing together their names from overheard conversations.

The boy with goggles was Taichi — loud, impulsive, always charging ahead. The girl in the blue hat was Sora, steady and calm. Mimi, in pink, spoke with dramatic flair but showed genuine kindness. Jyou, the tall boy with glasses, was anxious but reliable. Koushiro, the one with the laptop, constantly asked questions — always digging deeper. And the youngest, the boy in the green hat who had fallen into the lake, was Takeru.

Haruka repeated their names silently, each one falling into place like a puzzle piece.

As they walked, a black shape sliced across the sky. Haruka glanced upward and frowned. A gear — flying unnaturally fast.

“Did you see that?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah,” Impmon replied, watching it vanish into the clouds. “Something about that felt... wrong.”

A quiet unease settled in her stomach.

Soon, the forest gave way to a strange, dry expanse. The air turned hotter, the wind thick with dust. Telephone poles jutted from the sand like skeletons, wires tangled and swinging aimlessly.

The children slowed, wiping sweat from their brows. Haruka and Impmon followed from afar, the open desert offering few places to hide.

Eventually, the children reached a Pyocomon village nestled beneath the looming shadow of Miharashi Mountain. From a distant ridge, Haruka paused to observe.

Then, without warning, pillars of flame erupted from the earth, tearing into the sky.

Haruka’s eyes widened. “That’s… not normal.”

“Let’s get closer,” Impmon urged, already stepping forward. “Something’s off.”

They hurried toward the village — just in time to see a fiery shape descending the mountainside.

“Meramon,” Impmon muttered, voice grim. “He doesn’t normally leave the mountain…”

Haruka’s brow furrowed. “Then something must be forcing him down. The Pyocomon can’t fight that.”

By the time they reached the outskirts, the children were already battling. Meramon loomed large, flames flaring brighter with every roar — something was driving him into madness.

“He’s growing...” Haruka whispered.

Then, from above, a massive, blazing form soared through the air — Birdramon, wings aflame.

With a piercing cry, she unleashed Meteor Wing, striking Meramon and driving him to the ground.

Haruka exhaled, only then realizing she’d been holding her breath.

“That must be Piyomon’s digivolved form,” she murmured, eyes on the now-reverted Piyomon fluttering near Sora.

As Meramon collapsed, something dark and broken slipped from his back — a black gear, cracked and crumbling into dust.

Haruka stared, stunned. “The Black Gear... is that the darkness Gennai warned me about?”

“Should we try contacting him?” Impmon asked.

She pulled out the sleek communicator Gennai had given her. The screen remained dark. Static.

“No signal,” she said. “Ever since we arrived on this island. And... we can’t leave them alone.”

She looked toward them — laughing now with the Pyocomon, unaware about the greater danger they might be facing.

“Then it’s up to us,” Impmon said, laying a gloved hand gently over hers. “I’ve got your back.”

Haruka smiled faintly. “I know.”

Later, after leaving the village, the group trudged on, visibly exhausted. Mimi and Takeru collapsed onto the sand, too tired to continue. As the others rested, Haruka noticed Koushiro pulling out his laptop, frowning at the screen.

He tapped at the keys. Nothing.

Then Taichi strode over and — to Haruka’s shock — snatched the laptop from Koushiro’s hands and started hitting it with his palm.

“What… why would he do that?” she whispered, startled. “First Gabumon, now Koushiro…”

“He doesn’t think — just acts. Maybe he thinks he’s helping.”Impmon raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.

Suddenly, Taichi spotted something ahead and took off running.

A factory.

Large and metallic, the building rose from the sand like a relic of another world — silent, intact.

The children entered with caution and curiosity. To Haruka’s surprise, Jyou’s voice echoed excitedly through the walls.

“Someone must be here!”

Haruka tilted her head. “Who’s he expecting to find?”

“No clue,” Impmon muttered.

The group split up to explore. Curious about Jyou’s optimism, Haruka and Impmon followed his group — which included Taichi and Sora.

It didn’t take long for things to go wrong.

In one corner of the factory, beneath a mound of rusted gears, lay an inert Andromon. The children pulled him free... and he stirred.

Then suddenly — grabbed Sora by the leg, hoisting her into the air.

“INTRUDER SECURED.”

His voice was metallic, lifeless.

Haruka stiffened. “No good. He’s an Ultimate. Their Rookies — even Champions — won’t stand a chance.”

“Andromon isn’t normally hostile,” Impmon added. “Something’s seriously wrong.”

Haruka’s hand hovered over her Digivice, her breath shallow. “You ready?”

Impmon nodded, eyes narrowing.

Impmon digivolve to... Wizardmon!

Agumon launched a Baby Flame at the ceiling, sending debris crashing onto Andromon. The children took the chance to flee.

But Andromon recovered fast. His Spiral Sword slashed through the air as the kids leapt off a bridge, barely clinging to its support beams.

Beneath the bridge, cloaked in shadow, Haruka and Wizardmon waited.

“We move if they’re in danger,” Haruka whispered.

Above, Taichi seized control of a crane and managed to trap Andromon in its massive hook, suspending him mid-air. The group fled.

“I saw someone!” Jyou yelled. “Two people! Capes!”

“You’re hallucinating,” Taichi snapped. “We’re alone — just us and the crazy robot!”

“No — I saw a green cloak and a purple one! I swear!”

“Enough!” Sora barked. “Focus on running!”

“Have we been spotted?” Wizardmon asked quietly.

Haruka kept her eyes on the fleeing children. “Doesn’t matter. We just need to make sure they’re safe. That’s what Gennai asked of us.”

Together, cloaked in dusk and dust, they continued their silent vigil — guardians in the shadows.

Chapter Text

The children regrouped atop one of the facility rooftops. Taichi’s group had barely reached the others when the roof buckled beneath them as Andromon exploded upward — a metal behemoth tearing through concrete like paper. The ground shattered beneath their feet — Andromon burst through the floor, metal limbs swinging.

Everyone froze in shock as Andromon rose to full height, eyes glowing, his voice mechanical:

“INTRUDERS LOCKED.”

Before anyone could react, Gatling Missiles launched from his chest, streaking toward the second group.

“Takeru!”  Yamato shouted as his little brother stood frozen in terror.

Gabumon Digivolved to Garurumon  just in time, lunging forward to slash one missile away with a powerful claw swipe. It exploded in the air behind him. But the second missile twisted in midair and changed course, heading straight toward Taichi’s group.

Agumon Digivolved to Greymon , roaring as he intercepted it with a heavy tail strike. The explosion sent smoke billowing across the rooftop.

Then Greymon and Garurumon charged Andromon together, but the Ultimate-level Digimon swatted them aside with a single swing of his arm. Their attacks had no effect.

Behind the smoke, Haruka stepped forward, Wizardmon at her side. She was just about to join the fight when Koushiro shouted, already typing furiously on his laptop.

Koushiro’s Digivice pulsed with energy. A warm glow surrounded Tentomon as he rose into the sky.

“Tentomon Digivolve to... Kabuterimon!”

The enormous insect Digimon flew into battle, but even his lightning attacks failed to slow Andromon. Sparks crackled across the metal titan's body, but he didn’t falter.

Then Koushiro spotted something.

“There’s a spark on his right leg — a malfunction!”

“Kabuterimon! Aim for his right leg!”

Haruka’s eyes narrowed, following his gesture. She nodded to Wizardmon.

“Same target.”

Kabuterimon crossed him arms in front of his chest , and he fired a Mega Blaster, a glowing sphere of energy aimed directly at the weakened joint.

At the same moment, Wizardmon lifted his staff and called out:

“Thunder Cloud!”

Lightning surged from his staff, crackling through the air to join Kabuterimon’s blast. The combined attack struck true — and with a shriek of metal, a black gear exploded from Andromon’s leg, shattering into dust that scattered in the wind.

Andromon froze. Then, slowly, his posture shifted — no longer hostile.

The children stared in stunned silence, but Koushiro was the first to speak.

“That wasn’t just Kabuterimon…”  he whispered. “There was another attack.”

They turned, following the trajectory — and spotted two cloaked figures standing on a high ledge nearby.

One figure was a girl, brown hair half-hidden beneath a hood, a dark green cape wrapped around her body and lower face. The other stood beside her — a robed figure holding a staff, purple hair spiked and distinct.

“See?” Jyou said, pointing. “I told you I saw two people back at the factory!”

Taichi squinted at the girl. A wave of familiarity washed over him, strange and piercing.

“Hikari?”  he said softly. Then louder: “Hikari! What are you doing here?”

He took a step forward, push through the others, trying to get a better look — but the cloaked girl turned sharply and disappeared from sight, cape billowing behind her as she retreated into the shadows.

Outside the facility

Haruka and Wizardmon slowed their pace. The fight was over, but the name still echoed in her ears.

As they cleared the perimeter, Wizardmon shimmered — and reverted into Impmon, slightly breathless.

He gave her a concerned glance. “You okay?”

Haruka’s brow furrowed. “I… I don’t know. That name — Hikari — it sounded… familiar. Too familiar.”

Impmon rested a gloved hand on her shoulder. “If it’s important, you’ll remember. When you're ready.”

Haruka nodded faintly, but her thoughts clung to the name like mist on a cold morning.

They had lost track of the group. Haruka waited outside the factory, assuming the others would emerge. But as the sun dipped low, there was still no sign of them.

“Could there be another exit?” she asked, frowning.

“Maybe,” Impmon replied. “Let’s find somewhere safe for the night. We can search again tomorrow — even ask Andromon if he saw them leave. No point stressing now. They’re stronger than before.”

Haruka smiled faintly, comforted by his calm presence, though the weight of uncertainty remained.

They found shelter nearby. Haruka perched on a thick tree branch, wrapping her green cape around herself for warmth. Impmon took a higher vantage point, eyes scanning the horizon.

As she curled into the branch, trying to rest, her fingers brushed the silver whistle hidden beneath her cape.

Her thoughts wandered.

The black gears… the boy named Taichi… and the name Hikari. Why did that name hurt to hear?

She fidgeted with the whistle unconsciously, fingertips brushing the cool metal.

She didn’t remember much before she arrived in the Digital World — just that she was small. Gennai once told her she’d appeared suddenly, without explanation. She was terrified back then. Just a four-year-old girl, barefoot and lost, chased by wild Digimon.

But not all Digimon were cruel.

A Leomon had saved her that day. Then Gennai came, bringing calm and structure to her world. Food. Clothes. Knowledge. Safety.

Still, she knew she was different — not a Digimon, not like Gennai either, who had once told her he was just data in human form.

Haruka had grown here, shaped by the Digital World. But the past still echoed.

She stared at the stars between the tree branches.

“...You really should get some sleep,” Impmon called down softly. “We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

Haruka smiled quietly. “Okay… good night, Impmon.”

She pulled her cape tighter and let her eyes drift shut — though the questions in her heart remained wide open.

Chapter Text

Haruka slept nestled on the tree branch, her body still but her mind adrift. Dreams stirred — hazy and distant, yet warm. Memories long buried began to rise.

There was a computer screen, glowing softly in the dark. She was holding someone’s hand, standing close as they watched the light flicker. From the screen, a Digi-Egg, as large as her small body, emerged, slipping gently onto the floor.

They took the egg and climbed into bed together, placing it between them like a precious secret.

The other person… who was she? Dressed in pink pajamas. A girl?

They woke up the next morning. The egg was still with them, nestled in someone’s lap as they sat at the table. Someone else was cooking — not an adult, but another child, a little older than them. A boy, maybe.

She and the girl sat quietly, blowing into matching whistles — soft, high-pitched notes directed toward the egg, as if trying to speak to it.

The egg wobbled. Then rolled, as if playing hide-and-seek with them. It bumped along the floor until it cracked open — and a tiny black blob appeared.

Botamon.

Startled, the Digimon quickly scurried under the bed. The three of them followed, giggling, heads ducked beneath the bunk bed frame.

The boy tossed something — maybe a toy? — which startled Botamon, causing him to blow a flurry of bubbles. But when they blew into their whistles again, the little Digimon began to respond.

A bubble. Then another.

They laughed and called to him, coaxing him out.

The room soon filled with shimmering bubbles, floating upward. Sunlight caught each one, sending rainbow light dancing across the walls and spilling out the window.

Joy. Warmth. Safety.
Something that felt like home.

Haruka stirred in her sleep, fingers brushing the whistle hanging from her neck.

The warmth of the memory lingered… but the faces were already starting to fade.

She blinked up at the morning sky. The sun had just begun to rise, casting golden light through the trees. Her thoughts lingered on the dream — the feeling of someone’s hand in hers, the laughter, the light.

Was that... a memory?

Who were the girl and the boy? Why was there a Digi-Egg in a place that was definitely not the Digital World? Why did it all feel so real?

If that was real… then why didn’t she remember their names? Why did it feel like love — and loss — all at once?

So many questions surfaced from such a brief glimpse…

But she didn’t have time to dwell on them. Dream or not, she had more important things to focus on.

She had a task.

Gennai had asked her to oversee the children. That mattered more than some fading dream. She couldn’t let him down after everything he had done for her over the years.

Haruka and Impmon quietly shared some fruit for breakfast before making their way back toward Andromon’s factory.

The dream still lingered behind her eyes — soft, distant, and hauntingly familiar.

They found Andromon in one of the control rooms, busy adjusting a machine panel.

“Good morning, Andromon,” Haruka greeted politely.

“Ah, you are the girl with the Wizardmon from yesterday,” Andromon replied, his voice mechanical but gentle.

“How are you feeling today?” Impmon asked casually, arms crossed.

“Thanks to you children and Digimon, I am functioning much better,” Andromon said with a nod. “I’m currently restoring the factory systems.”

They chatted for a while. Andromon explained that he had originally planned to remove a black gear lodged in one of the machines — but something went wrong. Instead, he had been infected by it. He had no idea what the gear was or where it came from.

After gathering what information they could, Haruka asked, “Is there another exit to the factory? Do you know where the others went?”

“I showed them the sewer. They left through it yesterday.”

“Would it be alright if we used it as well?” Haruka asked.

“Of course,” Andromon replied, and led them to the entrance.

Haruka bowed politely. “Thank you so much, Andromon.”

The sewer was dim and damp. Haruka and Impmon walked side by side, their footsteps echoing. The smell was awful, but neither of them complained. They were used to rougher things.

They trudged along for a while until they encountered a few Numemon.

Impmon stepped in front of Haruka, lighting a small flame on his fingertip as a subtle threat.

“Hey. Have you guys seen a group of children and Digimon come through here?” he asked firmly.

The Numemon looked at the flame… and then at Impmon’s deadpan expression. — and decided to tell the truth rather than prank them with poop.

Following the Numemon's directions, Haruka and Impmon exited the sewer. The sudden sunlight made them raise their arms to shield their eyes.

They spent the rest of the day walking through open terrain — but still found no trace of the group.

The following day, they arrived at Toy Town, where a plush Monzaemon greeted them warmly.

The plush bear reminded her of something... a bedtime story? A lullaby? It was gone before she could catch it.

“You’re travelers?” he asked. “More children?”

“Have you seen them?” Haruka asked quickly.

He explained that a group of children had recently helped him regain control after he had been affected by a black gear.

Haruka and Impmon exchanged a glance, both frowning.

Another black gear…

It’s safe to assume now — these gears can control or influence Digimon, driving them to violence. But where are they coming from? And who’s behind all of this?

Is this why Gennai sent me? Did he already know something was wrong?

She touched the whistle around her neck again.

And somewhere in the back of her mind, the memory of that small, glowing egg still pulsed — like it was waiting to be remembered.

Chapter Text

Haruka and Impmon had spent several days searching for the group. They trekked through dense forests, crossed icy snowfields, and even passed a steaming hot spring — but there was still no sign of the children.

Eventually, they decided to ascend Infinity Mountain, the towering center of File Island.

“If someone’s behind these black gears,” Haruka reasoned, “they’d want the best vantage point — somewhere high. Somewhere central.”

Impmon nodded. “Makes sense. If I were plotting something shady, I’d be up there too.”

The air grew thinner and colder as they climbed, the sky darkening into twilight. One night, while resting on the branch of a gnarled tree — their usual makeshift bed — they were startled awake by distant screaming.

Haruka’s eyes snapped open. “Did you hear that?”

Impmon was already on his feet. “That sounded like... kids!”

They leapt down from the tree and dashed toward the noise.

Up ahead, they reached a jagged cliffside path where the land had buckled and cracked open. And there — high above — they saw a surreal, nightmarish scene:

Beds were flying through the air.

Children clung to them, screaming in panic. A massive, decaying mansion teetered on the edge of a cliff. And atop it stood a tall, horned figure cloaked in shadow — Devimon.

Haruka froze, heart pounding.

Across from Devimon stood a boy in only his underpants — Taichi, with Agumon beside him.

Devimon spread his arms wide, as if preparing to embrace the entire island. But instead, the ground began to quake violently. Cracks tore through the mountain. The land split apart.

Dozens — maybe hundreds — of black gears erupted from beneath the surface like swarming insects, turning the mountain into a nest of corruption. Segments of File Island were torn away, floating into the sky.

So much darkness… and yet she remembered sunlight bouncing off a soap bubble.

From behind a crumbling wall, Leomon appeared — eyes glowing, empty and lifeless. Controlled.

Agumon tried to protect Taichi, but when he opened his mouth, only a weak spark sputtered out.

Leomon charged.

He struck Agumon aside with a powerful Beast King Fist, then raised a clawed hand toward Taichi’s neck.

Haruka moved without thinking.

She sprinted forward, ducking under Leomon’s descending arm. In one swift motion, she drew her wakizashi and deflected his strike — steel clashing against fur and bone with a sharp clang.

Leomon recoiled, briefly stunned.

Taichi stared at her in shock. “H–Hikari?!”

The name hit her like a tremor. Her blade didn’t falter — but something in her chest did. Haruka didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on Leomon, jaw clenched.

Devimon raised an eyebrow, then chuckled coldly. “So... another human child appears. Do you think this will change anything? Agumon no longer has the strength to evolve. And what can a mere girl do?”

Impmon landed beside Haruka, flames licking at his fingertips.

“We’ll see about that,” he said, voice steady.

“Tch. Another insect,” Devimon sneered. “Finish them, Leomon!”

Leomon unsheathed his sword, eyes still glazed. He stepped forward—

Then a bed fell nearby with a heavy crash. Something clattered to the ground — a Digivice.

It rolled to a stop at Leomon’s feet and began to glow.

The light intensified. Leomon flinched and raised his arm to shield his eyes. From his back, a swirling black mist burst forth, twisting and shrieking as it dissolved into the air.

As the light faded, Leomon’s eyes cleared.

“The evil… has vanished,” he said hoarsely.

Taichi retrieved the Digivice, stunned. “W-What just happened?”

Haruka and Impmon stayed on guard, weapons raised.

“You... you are the Chosen Children,” Leomon said, studying them.

Both Taichi and Haruka looked equally confused.

Out of the corner of her eye, Haruka saw Devimon raise his hand. The floating beds began to plummet.

Leomon noticed — and launched another Beast King Fist into the sky, intercepting Devimon’s spell. The beds swerved and floated upward, drifting safely away.

But the threat wasn’t over.

Ogremon lunged from the shadows, tackling Leomon with brute force. As they clashed, Leomon slammed his sword into the ground — a shockwave cracked the platform beneath them.

Taichi and Agumon slipped.

They tumbled off the edge of the floating island, their silhouettes shrinking as the ground pulled away beneath them.

“You are the only hope for this world!” Leomon roared after them. “Survive!”

Haruka and Impmon watched as the boy and his Digimon disappeared into the drifting sky.

Haruka stood still, eyes on the fading horizon.

Impmon clenched his fists. “Dammit… Now all of them are scattered.”

Haruka’s grip on her wakizashi tightened, her voice low but calm. “They’ll find each other again.”

Impmon glanced up. “You think so?”

She turned, her gaze now cold and determined. “We have the same enemy. Whether we walk together or apart — we’re still fighting the same battle.”

“So… we’re helping them?” he asked.

Haruka shook her head. “Only if we’re needed. I have a feeling that this is just the beginning.”

Before Impmon could respond, a deep rumble echoed beneath the mountain. A new fissure split the earth — the ledge they stood on began to crumble.

“Move!” Haruka shouted.

They leapt just in time, landing hard on another floating piece of land. Behind them, the cliff shattered and fell into darkness.

And then — just before the edge vanished from view — they saw Devimon strike Leomon from behind.

Leomon screamed.

And then, silence.

Chapter Text

Haruka and Impmon gazed back at Infinity Mountain as it slowly disappeared into the haze. Its jagged peak grew smaller with each passing moment, but the memory of Leomon’s final scream still echoed in their ears — haunting, raw, unforgettable.

“You okay?” Impmon asked softly.

Haruka shook her head. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill.

Impmon didn’t say anything more. He simply moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back. His touch was light, but steady — grounding.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said quietly. “I’m here. I’ll always be by your side.”

Haruka’s voice trembled, her breath catching as she struggled to hold back her sobs.

“I know it wasn’t the same Leomon... but the scream still sounded just like his.”

“I know,” Impmon murmured. “But this time... you weren’t helpless. You were able to help.”

It hadn’t been that long ago — just after she first arrived in the Digital World.

She had been running for her life, chased through unfamiliar terrain by wild Digimon. Panic blurred her vision and clouded her thoughts — until a Leomon emerged from the trees and struck down the attackers with calm, precise strength.

After the danger passed, Gennai found her and took her in.

Weeks later, once the chaos of Piedmon’s assault had faded and she had begun to adjust to her new surroundings, Haruka asked Gennai about the Leomon who had saved her. She wanted to thank him — she needed to.

To her relief, Gennai knew who he was. So, with Yaamon by her side, she traveled to a quiet forest not far from Gennai’s home beneath the lake.

They found Leomon resting by a stream, sharpening his blade with quiet focus.

Haruka bowed deeply and thanked him. Her voice was soft but firm, polite — yet carrying a silent urgency.

Then she asked him something more.

She asked him to train her.

She told him about what had happened during Piedmon’s attack. How powerless she had felt. How much it hurt to watch others suffer while she stood frozen, unable to protect anyone.

Even at just four years old, she had understood what it meant to be helpless — and she hated it.

Leomon refused at first.

“You’re too young,” he said. “Too small. The Digital World is no place for a child to learn to fight.”

But Haruka didn’t give up.

She came back. Again and again. Always asking. Always determined.

Eventually, Leomon relented — not out of pity, but because of her unwavering will.

“All right,” he said one morning. “Show me you won’t give up halfway.”

He assigned her a long-distance run through uneven terrain beneath the harsh midday sun. He expected it to break her.

But Haruka ran.

She ran through aching limbs and burning lungs. She ran until her vision blurred. Yaamon hopped beside her the entire way, whispering encouragement, refusing to let her fall behind.

By the time she reached the end, she collapsed into the grass, trembling, drenched in sweat.

And that was the day Yaamon evolved into Impmon.

Leomon didn’t say much. But he gave a quiet nod of approval.

That was the beginning.

From then on, Haruka and Impmon trained with Leomon two or three times a week.

The first year was all about fundamentals — building stamina, sharpening reflexes, finding balance. Impmon joined in by launching small fireballs at her to improve her awareness, while also refining his own aim and control.

Once her body grew stronger, Leomon began teaching her how to fight.

Because of her small size compared to most Digimon, he focused on evasive movement, redirection, and timing. Not brute strength — but precision, speed, survival.

They started with branches, then thick wooden staves.

Eventually, Leomon handed her a real wakizashi.

“Deflect my attacks,” he said. “Then look for your moment — to strike, or to flee.”

At six, Haruka struggled at first. The sword felt heavy and unfamiliar in her hands. Her swings were slow. Her footing was clumsy.

But little by little, she improved.

She and Impmon began sparring together against Leomon. Over time, they learned each other's rhythms. Signals passed silently between them. They became a team — fast, fluid, united.

Leomon watched them grow with quiet pride.

Then, one morning, he told them it was time.

“I’ve taught you all I can,” he said. “I need to continue my journey.”

Haruka's heart clenched.

She didn’t want him to go. He was more than a teacher — he had become part of her family.

She cried. But she didn’t beg him to stay. She understood dreams, and the call to keep moving forward.

She and Impmon watched as Leomon walked away into the forest, until his silhouette disappeared between the trees.

They turned to go.

But then it came — a scream.

Familiar. Broken. Final.

They ran toward it, feet pounding the dirt.

By the time they reached the clearing, it was already too late.

Leomon’s body was breaking apart, dissolving into a scatter of luminous data.

“Leomon!” Haruka cried.

“What happened?!” Impmon yelled.

Leomon turned to them, his smile weak but peaceful.

“It’s the law of the world… the strong defeat the weak,” he said with a strained chuckle. “Looks like I still had more to learn.”

He looked at them both, his gaze soft.

“It’s been lovely… spending time with you two.”

And then he was gone.

A gust of wind stirred the air. From the spot where he vanished, something drifted downward — a strip of crimson cloth, scorched at the edges but still intact.

Haruka stepped toward it, hand trembling.

Before she could reach it, Impmon gently scooped it up.

“I’ll carry it,” he said, tying it carefully around his neck like a scarf. The red stood out against his purple fur, catching the breeze.

“I want to remember the one who made us strong.”

Haruka looked at him, then nodded.

“Then let it remind us what we’re fighting for.”

A sudden jolt rocked the floating island beneath their feet, snapping them back to the present. They had collided with another landmass.

Haruka stumbled, then steadied herself. Her eyes drifted to the wakizashi at her side.

There was still so much left to do.

With the strength and knowledge he gave us... we’ll keep going.

She turned to Impmon, brushing the last of her tears away.

“We can do this. With our strength, and our bond… nothing can stop us, as long as we believe in ourselves.”

She held up her fist.

“He gave us the strength. Now we carry it forward — together.”

Impmon grinned and bumped it with his own.

“That’s the spirit.”

Chapter Text

Haruka and Impmon strolled through a quiet forest, the soft rustle of leaves and distant Digimon cries echoing faintly around them. They picked fruit from low-hanging branches along the way — sweet, simple, and just enough to settle their empty stomachs.

As they ventured deeper, the forest began to shift. Vines hung from the trees, each bearing toys — plushies, rattles, colorful building blocks — swaying gently in the breeze. The ground grew soft and bouncy, like a giant trampoline. Foam tiles and oversized plastic bricks dotted the path, as though they’d stepped into a surreal playroom.

Then they heard it — faint crying. One voice. Then another. Then many.

They bounced toward the noise, careful not to trip over the padded terrain. As they neared a clearing, the crying abruptly stopped. Curious, they stepped forward — and froze.

Dozens of baby Digimon — Botamon, Poyomon, YukimiBotamon, and more — sat in a semi-circle, cheering with high-pitched excitement. In the center, Patamon and a lively Elecmon were locked in a tug-of-war, gripping a white rope in their mouths. Takeru stood between them, arms raised like a referee at a sports match, his face comically serious.

“On your marks! Get ready… and start!”

Patamon pulled with all his might, cheeks puffed out in determination. Elecmon braced his paws into the spongy ground, tiny sparks crackling through his fur as he tugged back.

Haruka and Impmon watched from behind a nearby tree.

“…What is even happening?” Haruka whispered, blinking.

“I think… they’re playing?” Impmon replied, just as baffled.

With one final tug, Patamon sent Elecmon tumbling into a tower of soft blocks. It collapsed with a puff, scattering white feathers into the air.

All three burst into laughter — loud, genuine, and free. Elecmon slung an arm around Patamon’s shoulder as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

“They look happy,” Haruka murmured, puzzled but smiling faintly.

They stood quietly, letting the joy of the moment wash over them. For just a moment, the weight of memory lifted — replaced by something simpler: peace.

But it didn’t last.

Haruka’s eyes narrowed. A figure stood on the cliff above the clearing.

Leomon.

He drew his sword and leapt down, aiming straight for Takeru.

“Air Shot!” Patamon launched a quick blast, buying just enough time for Takeru to dash into the trees.

Haruka and Impmon ducked into the brush before Leomon could spot them.

Then — a shout.

“I’ve got one of your little friends right here!” Ogremon bellowed from deeper in the woods, holding up a trembling Poyomon. “Come out now, or this one gets it!”

Haruka turned to Impmon and held out her Digivice. “Can you handle Ogremon and rescue the Poyomon on your own?”

Impmon nodded. “No probs.”

Light flared as he evolved into Wizardmon, the crimson scarf tied beneath the sun-emblem of his staff fluttering in the breeze.

“Then I’ll handle Leomon,” Haruka said, and they split off without hesitation.

Just as Haruka reached Takeru’s hiding place, Leomon struck. His blade sliced clean through a tree, toppling it in one powerful sweep. With fluid motion, he raised his sword again — this time to finish it.

Haruka leapt between them, wakizashi drawn, poised to deflect the blow.

But before their blades could meet—

“Fox Fire!”

A streak of blue flame erupted from the trees. Garurumon burst into the clearing, Yamato riding on his back.

“Takeru!” Yamato shouted, leaping down and rushing to his brother’s side.

“Big Brother!” Takeru’s voice cracked with relief.

Garurumon collided with Leomon, dragging him through the trees and slamming into a boulder.

Across the field, Ogremon had no time to react. Taichi appeared behind him, snatching the Poyomon from his grip. Greymon stood at his back.

“Mega Flame!”

Ogremon dodged the fireball — but not the follow-up.

“Thunder Cloud!” Wizardmon’s bolt struck hard, sending Ogremon crashing to the ground.

Then — from above — a blur of black.

Seven black gears screamed through the sky, slamming into Leomon’s back.

He roared as his body surged with power. His mane turned grey, his eyes were white, and his muscles swelled with corrupted strength.

“Beast King Fist!”

The blast flung Garurumon against a cliff, rocks tumbling over his body. Yamato ran to him.

Haruka took a step back, her breath catching as Leomon’s corrupted form turned toward them. He was bigger. Stronger. Not himself.

Another Beast King Fist slammed Greymon into a pile of soft blocks.

Leomon advanced on Takeru.

Patamon launched blast after blast — “Air Shot!” — but they barely left a mark.

“Run!” Yamato shouted, cradling Garurumon’s head.

Haruka and Wizardmon stepped forward, weapons drawn.

“Not so fast.”

“Thunder Cloud!”

The bolt paralyzed Leomon for a moment — just long enough for Haruka to leap in and knock his arm away with her wakizashi.

Then — “Prickly Bang Bang!”

Togemon slammed into Leomon, sending him skidding backward. Overhead, Kabuterimon descended, carrying Koushirou and Mimi.

“Use your Digivices!” Koushirou called out, raising his own. “They can eliminate the darkness!”

Taichi stepped forward, his glowing Digivice raised. He looked to Takeru, now shielded by Yamato — with Haruka and Wizardmon between them and Leomon.

Taichi lifted his Digivice high. A radiant beam shot from it.

The black gears embedded in Leomon’s back began to dislodge.

Yamato and Haruka raised their Digivices too, combining their light.

One by one, the gears tore free, evaporating into the air like soot in the wind.

The light returning from Leomon’s eyes.

His sword dropped from his hand. He fell to his knees, breath ragged. The darkness was gone — but the toll it had taken remained.

Silence fell over the clearing.

Haruka looked to the now-reverted Impmon, who brushed the red scarf on his neck.

This time, we won’t let another Leomon fall, they thought together — silently, eye to eye.

Chapter Text

The battle had ended. Leomon sat beneath a large tree, the children gathered in a semi-circle before him. Haruka and Impmon stood slightly behind the tree trunk, half-hidden. They had already been spotted — there was no point in hiding now — but Haruka still felt uneasy surrounded by so many humans.

They listened quietly as Leomon spoke, his voice low and steady.

“Long ago, a prophecy spread across the Digital World. It said our world would one day be consumed by darkness — and that Chosen Children from another world would arrive to save it. Now, File Island is indeed overrun by evil… and that’s when you all appeared.”

“So that’s why you call us the Chosen Children,” Taichi said thoughtfully.

“But you don’t have any actual proof, do you?” Yamato asked, arms crossed.

Leomon nodded solemnly. “The Chosen Children are said to possess the power to help Digimon evolve — just as you’ve done.”

Koushirou adjusted his glasses. “If that’s true… then once we defeat the darkness, we may no longer be needed here.”

“What do you mean?” Mimi asked, confused.

“It means we might be able to go back home,” Koushirou explained.

“Really?!” Mimi gasped, hope lighting up her face.

“But to do that…” Yamato said, narrowing his eyes toward the peak of Infinity Mountain.

“You must defeat Devimon,” Leomon said gravely. “He is the source of the corruption plaguing this island.”

“Then let’s do it!” Taichi stood, fists clenched. “We won’t survive here unless we fight!”

“You’re right,” Koushirou agreed. “And we have the power of our Digivices.”

“I’ll do my best too,” Mimi added. “I’m scared… but I want to go home!”

Their Digimon partners nodded, cheering them on with determination.

“We have no other choice,” Yamato said quietly.

“I will fight with you,” Leomon offered.

Leomon rowed a small boat toward Infinity Mountain. The group sat crowded inside, silent but resolved. When they reached the shore, they began their ascent in silence.

The sky above darkened. Countless black gears spiraled through the clouds, converging on the mountaintop.

And then, they saw him.

A colossal Devimon, wings spread wide, towered above the cliff. With one mighty flap, he descended toward them. The wind from his wings slammed the group into the mountainside.

Devimon raised his hand. A dark beam of energy shot forth, pinning them down with crushing force.

Then—

“Harpoon Vulcan!”

Missiles exploded against Devimon’s chest. Ikkakumon charged forward, Jyou on his back.

“Meteor Wing!”

Flames burst across Devimon’s shoulders. Birdramon soared in, Sora running up to join the others.

The dark pressure faded.

“Now!” Taichi shouted.

Each Digimon began to glow—

Agumon Digivolve to… Greymon!
“Go, Greymon!”
Gabumon Digivolve to… Garurumon!
“I’m counting on you, Garurumon!”
Tentomon Digivolve to… Kabuterimon!
“Please, Kabuterimon!”
Palmon Digivolve to… Togemon!
“You can do it, Togemon!”
Impmon Digivolve to… Wizardmon!
“I believe in you — in our bond!”

One by one, the Digimon evolved, bolstered by their partners' encouragement.

“Mega Flame!” Greymon launched a blazing fireball.

“Fox Fire!” Garurumon leapt up, jaws clamping down on Devimon’s arm — but Devimon flung him violently, crashing him into Greymon. Both tumbled back.

“You think those weak attacks can stop me?” Devimon sneered.

“Mega Blaster!”
“Prickly Bang Bang!”

Kabuterimon and Togemon struck — but Devimon batted them aside like rag dolls.

Leomon lunged for Devimon’s back — but Ogremon’s twisted half-body burst from Devimon’s waist, slamming Leomon mid-air with a bone club.

“Supreme King Fist!”

Leomon was hurled into the trees.

Devimon grabbed Birdramon, spinning and slamming her into Greymon and Garurumon. They tumbled down the slope.

Then — he seized Ikkakumon and hurled him into Kabuterimon.

His gaze turned to Takeru.

“No!” Yamato shouted.

Devimon reached forward.

The Digimon, despite their injuries, lunged again, clinging to him in desperation.

“You… worthless maggots!” Devimon roared, unleashing a shockwave. The Digimon were blasted away.

Takeru and Patamon were flung toward the edge of the cliff—

Haruka dove without hesitation.

She reached them mid-air, shielding Takeru with her body as they slammed into the rocks. Blood streamed down her face.

“Haruka!!” Wizardmon’s voice cracked.

“DEVIMON!!” he roared, raising his staff. The crimson scarf flared with energy, responding to his fury.

“Thunder Cloud!”

Lightning crashed from the heavens, striking Devimon. He staggered — but did not fall.

His hand extended again toward Takeru.

“Air Shot! Air Shot!!” Patamon fired desperately, tears flowing down Takeru’s cheeks.

Haruka struggled to rise, arms outstretched to shield him again.

“Takeru!!” Yamato cried.

“Haruka!!” Wizardmon echoed.

Patamon soared forward — and Devimon caught him in his grasp.

“No!!” Takeru screamed.

Then — light.

A glow burst within Devimon’s palm.

His face twisted in shock.

“Patamon Digivolve to… ANGEMON!”

A brilliant figure emerged — pure white wings unfurled, staff in hand.

“Patamon evolved…” Takeru whispered, awe-struck.

Angemon raised his staff with both hands.

“Come to me… oh holy powers!”

Beams of light shot from each Digivice, drawn into Angemon. One by one, the Digimon reverted to Rookie form — all except Wizardmon, who remained standing, cloak rustling in the wind.

He didn’t flinch.

Wizardmon had more than enough energy left — he had trained longer than the others. But more than that, he refused to retreat. Not while Haruka was still bleeding.

“No! If you do this, you won’t escape unharmed!” Devimon shouted, shielding himself.

“But there’s no other way,” Angemon replied. “Even if this destroys my body.”

He drew his staff inward, channeling all the gathered energy into his fist. A brilliant orange light pulsed in his hand.

“Heaven’s Knuckle!”

With a roar, Angemon drove his glowing fist toward Devimon’s chest.

A burst of holy light erupted. Ogremon’s body flew from the impact, hurled into the forest like a broken puppet.

Devimon shrieked as his body unraveled into data.

But even as he faded, his voice echoed darkly:

“Fools… The darkness isn’t confined to File Island. Across the sea… greater evils await…”

His laughter dissolved into the wind.

Angemon, too, began to fade. Particles of light floated from him, rising like fireflies.

“Angemon…” Takeru sobbed.

“I’m sure we’ll meet again,” Angemon said with a soft smile. “As long… as you wish for it.”

And then — he was gone.

Takeru collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Haruka, battered and bleeding, watched in silence. Her fists trembled, grief and pain etched in her face.

From the sky, feathers drifted downward, glowing with soft golden light.

They gathered before Takeru, merging — transforming.

They became a white Digi-Egg, marked with yellow stripes.

The others gathered close, surrounding it in silence.

Takeru gently held the egg in his arms.

“I’ll take good care of you.”

Above them, the skies began to clear. The black gears vanished. The corrupted lands slowly started to shift — the scattered islands inching back toward their original places.

Balance had returned.

For now.

Chapter Text

The group stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on Takeru cradling the glowing Digi-Egg.
The battle was over. Devimon was gone.
But the victory had come at a heavy price.

Haruka shifted unsteadily, trying to rise. The weight of emotion in the air was suffocating — and she didn’t want to be the center of it.

“Haruka!”

Wizardmon rushed to her side, catching her just before she could stumble. Blood still trailed from a cut on her temple, streaking down her cheek and vanishing into the dark green folds of her cape.

The others turned at the sound.

The girl.
The one they’d seen at the Factory of Andromon.
The one who had helped in the Village of Beginnings.
The one who had fought beside them — and nearly given her life for Takeru.

Jyou was the first to move. He dropped to one knee beside her, already digging into his bag for the familiar red-and-white first-aid kit.

“You’re bleeding,” he said gently, pressing a gauze pad to her head. “Let me help.”

Haruka didn’t resist — but she didn’t speak either. Her eyes stayed downcast, never meeting theirs, as if unsure whether she truly belonged among them.

“…Haruka.”

Taichi breathed her name, barely audible.

His gaze scanned her face, every line, every freckle, every shadow. Something about her tugged at his memory — faint and distant, like the echo of a dream.

Then he saw it.
A glint of silver beneath her cape.

The whistle.
Small. Familiar.

He froze.

Pushing past the others, Taichi reached out and gripped her shoulder with trembling hands.

“Ha…Haruka? My little sister…?”

Haruka winced but didn’t pull away. Her expression shifted — confusion, disbelief… fear.

“Wh-what are you talking about?” she whispered. “I… I don’t…”

“You’re my sister,” Taichi said, his voice cracking. “You disappeared — years ago. We searched everywhere. We—”

The others stood frozen as the realization slowly took hold.

Yamato stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Taichi’s arm, pulling him back.

“What are you doing?” Taichi snapped.

“You’re scaring her,” Yamato said evenly.

Sora stepped beside them, gently placing a calming hand on Taichi’s shoulder.

“I know this is a lot,” she said, “but look at her. She’s overwhelmed. You need to slow down.”

Haruka stood motionless, Wizardmon steady beside her. She looked down, fingers fidgeting with the silver whistle — the only thing grounding her.

Silence settled over them, broken only by the soft wind and the faint sounds of a recovering Digital World.

Taichi knelt in front of her, voice softer now.

“You’re Yagami Haruka. I’m your brother — Yagami Taichi. And you have a twin sister. Her name is Yagami Hikari.”

“…Hi-Hikari?” Haruka echoed faintly.

“Yes. I gave both of you whistles for your third birthday,” he said, nodding toward the one around her neck. “You never took it off…”

“I… I don’t remember,” Haruka murmured. “I was crying… and then I was here. Just me…”

“Then I met Gennai… and Keemon,” she added softly.

Wizardmon wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You’ve never been alone, Haruka. And you never will be.”

The others watched in silence as the emotional scene unfolded.

Takeru stepped forward, still holding the egg close to his chest.

“Thank you for protecting me,” he said sincerely. “In the Village of Beginnings… and today.”

Haruka turned her face away, avoiding eye contact.

“I-I was just following Gennai’s instructions,” she mumbled.

The moment broke as the Digimon began to gather around her and Wizardmon, murmuring among themselves.

“Who’s Gennai?” Gomamon asked.

“Why are you still in your Champion form?” Tentomon added.

“I didn’t need to revert,” Wizardmon said calmly. “I’ve been fighting since before you even hatched. More importantly… I chose to stay. Haruka needed me.”

“Are you really Taichi’s sister?” Agumon asked Haruka.

“Why weren’t you on File Island with us?” Piyomon asked Wizardmon.

Before anyone could answer, the ground beneath them trembled. A circular stone platform slowly rose from the earth, etched with glowing patterns.

A column of light shot upward from its center, and within the light, a holographic figure appeared.

Haruka gasped, her eyes widening. “Gennai!”

She ran toward the light.

“Ah. I see you are doing well, little Haruka,” Gennai said warmly.

“I-I tried to contact you so many times,” she said.

“Devimon’s interference blocked all communication to File Island.”

Gennai looked around, surveying the group.

“So… you are the Chosen Children. Quite impressive, defeating Devimon.”

He turned to Haruka. “I asked you to only intervene when necessary.”

Haruka nodded.

“What do you mean?” Taichi asked, clearly frustrated that Gennai had taken so much of Haruka’s attention.

“I sent Haruka to assist only when you were in real danger. There are forces worse than Devimon — and you need experience to face them.”

“It’s amazing to finally see another human,” Sora said.

“Gennai isn’t human,” Haruka corrected. “He’s data in the shape of a human.”

“Were you the one who called us here?” Mimi asked.

“No. I wasn’t.”

“Then who did?” she pressed.

“…I don’t know.”

The group exchanged stunned glances.

“Do you at least know how we can return to our world?” Takeru asked, still holding the Digi-Egg.

“I… don’t know that either.”

“What the heck, Gramps! We can’t depend on you at all,” Taichi snapped.

“But I’m depending on you,” Gennai replied calmly. “Come to the Server Continent and defeat the enemy there. As the Chosen Children, you have the power to do it.”

“But we don’t know how to get there,” Koushiro said.

“I’ll send a map to your laptop,” Gennai replied. “Or ask Haruka — she knows the way.”

“There’s no way we can defeat something stronger than Devimon,” Yamato muttered.

“That’s not true. You can — if your Digimon evolve even further.”

“Like Baalmon?” Haruka asked.

“Yes. That level.”

“We can evolve more?” Agumon asked eagerly.

“You’ll need these to do it.”
Gennai’s hologram shifted, revealing two glowing items: a Crest and a Tag.

“Insert a Crest into the Tag,” he explained. “That unlocks your Digimon’s higher evolution.”

Haruka quietly pulled her Tag from beneath her cape, the Crest inside glowing faintly.

“Where can we find them?” Gabumon asked.

“The Crests are scattered across the Server Continent. As for the Tags… Devimon collected them and sealed them away somewhe—”

Suddenly, the image of Gennai flickered.

“Ah—no… Devimon’s data… interference—”

His hologram distorted, then vanished.

Silence followed.

As the group stood processing the new information, Haruka stepped away. She walked to the edge of the cliff, Wizardmon beside her.

“You okay?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder in quiet comfort.

Haruka nodded slightly. “There’s more important things than figuring out who I was.” She looked toward the Server Continent. “All I need to know is I’m Haruka, and you’re my partner. We can face anything — together.”

She turned to Wizardmon with a steady gaze. “Time to go home. Let’s find Gennai.”

Behind them, Taichi stepped forward instinctively — but Sora held him back.

“Give her some space,” she said gently. “She needs time… to know you again.”

Chapter Text

The group gathered around a crackling campfire, the night air cool and calm. They had spent hours debating whether to stay on File Island or make their way to the Server Continent. The decision wasn’t easy.

Fresh fruit and grilled river fish were passed around. The scent of woodsmoke and citrus lingered in the breeze.

“Haruka, come and eat,” Taichi called gently, trying to connect with his long-lost sister.

She glanced toward the group but shook her head. “I’m fine. Impmon and I can find our own food,” she replied quietly, already turning away.

“You sure you don’t wanna join them?” Impmon asked, walking beside her.

Haruka hesitated, then gave a small nod. “Let’s try calling Whamon. Maybe he can take us back to the Server Continent… to Gennai.”

They made their way to the shore, leaving the flickering campfire behind. At the water’s edge, Haruka raised her whistle and blew a patterned sequence of notes — short and long bursts that echoed faintly over the waves.

They waited.

Nothing.

No ripple in the surf. No shadow beneath the moonlit water. No response.

“…That’s strange,” Impmon muttered. “You sure that’s the right pattern?”

Haruka nodded slowly. “Whamon told me… if I ever needed him, I could call with this whistle. He never strayed far from File Island.”

“Maybe when Devimon shattered the islands, it forced him farther out,” Impmon offered.

Haruka frowned. “Maybe… I just hope he’s okay.”

“He’s tough,” Impmon said gently. “Whamon can take care of himself.”

But the worry in her eyes didn’t fade.

The Next Morning

The group rose early, ready to take action. They began building a raft from nearby trees, with their Digimon using their attacks to help.

“Baby Flame!”
“Petit Fire!”

Just when it seemed the raft would take days, a familiar figure emerged from the forest.

“Leomon!” Sora gasped.

He wasn’t alone. Elecmon, Monzaemon, Meramon, and other allies from their journey followed close behind.

“With all of us working together,” Leomon said, “this won’t take long.”

And it didn’t. Thick ropes, vines, and planks shaped with precision came together quickly. The result was sturdy and strong — a testament to their unity.

When the raft was complete, Leomon stepped forward.

“With your strength and teamwork, I believe you’ll cross the ocean safely.” Then his gaze shifted to Haruka and Impmon. His voice softened. “The scarf around your neck… Never mind. Thank you — for stopping me, that time.”

Impmon blinked, his hand instinctively rising to the scarf around his neck — tattered, but treasured.

It wasn’t the same Leomon.

But it didn’t matter.

Once, in another place, another Leomon had trained him and Haruka — helped them evolve, grow. He had first Digivolved into Impmon on the first day of that training.. By the end, Leomon had helped him Digivolve — from a reckless rookie to the calm, powerful Wizardmon he was now.

Perhaps their mentor had walked away because they had become equals.

Now, to be thanked by another Leomon — it meant something.

Impmon looked at Haruka. His voice was quiet but steady.
“That’s what he taught us… to use our own strength to achieve what we believe in.”

Leomon nodded, then stepped back.

The raft was ready.

So was the journey.

Just as they were about to board, something shifted in Takeru’s arms. The Digi-Egg cracked — and from within emerged a soft, white jelly-like creature.

“Poyomon!” Takeru cried, beaming.

Cheers rose around them. The Digimon who had helped them waved goodbye as the raft pushed off. Poyomon bounced in Takeru’s lap as File Island grew smaller behind them — its memories etched forever in their hearts.

Out at Sea

Haruka and Impmon sat near a wooden crate. At first, everyone was in good spirits. Taichi scanned the horizon with his telescope — but saw only endless blue.

The excitement faded quickly.

Mimi slumped beside the crate, one hand over her mouth, her face pale. Koushiro wasn’t far behind, looking equally seasick. Takeru, still cheerful, played with Poyomon on the other side.

Impmon, watching quietly, spoke in a calm tone.
“It’ll take more than half a month to reach the Server Continent with this tiny raft. You’d better get used to being surrounded by water.”

Mimi and Koushiro looked at him in horror.

Jyou, predictably anxious, was already double-checking their dwindling food supply.

Sora turned to Haruka. “You two came from the Server Continent, right?”

Haruka nodded. Impmon mirrored the gesture.

“How long did it take you to reach File Island?” she asked.

Haruka raised five fingers. “Five days.”

“Five?!” Yamato blinked. “How?”

“We had help,” Impmon said. “But… we can’t find him now.”

Haruka’s expression dimmed again at the mention of Whamon.

Suddenly, the raft shook as a massive wave rolled beneath them. The water churned violently.

Then something rose — immense and brown, like a moving island.

“Whamon!” Haruka gasped.

But his eyes were glazed. He didn’t recognize her.

With a guttural rumble, Whamon opened his enormous mouth and swallowed the raft in one sweeping gulp.

They tumbled down his throat. The raft slid along slick muscle into his stomach, where acid hissed and bubbled at the edges. The raft creaked under the strain, its planks beginning to splinter.

“There!” Sora shouted, pointing.

A black gear was embedded high up in Whamon’s stomach wall, pulsing with dark energy.

Haruka bent her knees and cupped her hands. Impmon understood.

He sprinted toward her, leapt — and with her boost, soared upward.

He ignited a flame on his fingertip and flung it at the gear.

Boom!

The black gear exploded in a burst of smoke and sparks.

Suddenly, water rushed upward as Whamon forced them out through the blowhole atop his head. The raft shattered into floating pieces — but everyone surfaced, coughing and soaked, still intact.

“I’m so sorry for my outrageous behavior,” Whamon said, his voice deep with remorse.

“Are you alright, Whamon?” Haruka swam to him.

“Ah, little Haruka,” he said warmly. “My head feels clear now. Thank you.”

“Can you take us to the Server Continent?” Impmon asked.

“No problem. I was waiting for you… before Devimon’s dark gear found me.”

The group climbed onto Whamon’s broad back.

With sea wind at their backs and the sun breaking through the clouds, they resumed their journey — this time, faster, steadier, and together.

Chapter Text

“Now all that’s left is to find the Crests and Tags that Devimon sealed away,” Taichi said excitedly, his voice echoing over the sea breeze.

“I’m not quite sure what you mean by Tags and Crests,” Whamon rumbled, “but I do remember Devimon hiding something beneath the waters long ago.”

The group gathered inside Whamon’s vast body as he dove deep below the ocean’s surface, guiding them toward a hidden underwater cave nestled on the ocean floor. When they arrived, Whamon opened his mouth and gently released them onto a rocky landing.

The cave’s interior shimmered with algae-covered stone and pale coral. At the far end stood something completely unexpected: an abandoned convenience store—quiet, slightly crooked, yet eerily intact.

But before they could approach, the ground trembled.

A low rumble echoed through the cavern just before Drimogemon burst through the rocky floor with a screeching drill. A black gear throbbed on his back.

“No one is allowed in here by order of Lord Devimon!” Drimogemon snarled, the drill on his head spinning furiously.

“That drill’s not scary at all,” Gomamon said with a grin, leaping forward as light engulfed him.

“Gomamon, Digivolve to… Ikkakumon!”

With a mighty roar, Ikkakumon charged, his massive horn colliding with Drimogemon’s drill in a shower of sparks and stone.

“Let’s move!” Taichi shouted. The kids dashed into the store while the Digimon kept Drimogemon busy.

Inside, the store was a chaotic mess. Shelves had toppled from the tremors, and snacks and cans lay scattered across the floor. The group split up, navigating the clutter as they searched frantically between fallen aisles.

Another loud crash outside made the walls shake again.

“Tentomon, Digivolve to… Kabuterimon!”

Kabuterimon soared into the fray, joining Ikkakumon. Together, they launched a coordinated attack, destroying the black gear embedded in Drimogemon’s back with a powerful blast.

The whine of the drill fell silent. Slowly, peace returned to the cave.

Back inside the store, the group continued searching. It was Poyomon who finally chirped and floated toward a narrow gap between two fallen shelves.

Takeru squeezed through and pulled out a wooden box. Yamato opened it carefully.

Inside were seven Tags—identical to the ones Gennai had shown them in the hologram.

“Wait… seven?” Taichi blinked. “But there are eight of us now.”

Everyone turned to look at Haruka.

She shifted uncomfortably under the sudden attention and took a step back.

“D-Don’t worry about me,” Haruka mumbled. She reached under her shirt and pulled out a Tag of her own.

“I-I already have one.”

Her Tag was unlike the others—not empty.

The glass plate shimmered with iridescent lavender. Embedded within it was a symbol:
a complex, eight-pointed star formed by two interlocking, angular triangles—each made of jagged, arrow-like limbs. The triangles twisted together in perfect symmetry, their shape shifting subtly as if alive.

“Is that… a Crest?” Koushiro asked, eyes wide.

Haruka nodded.

“Why do you already have it?” Mimi asked, stunned.

“I got it when I was given Impmon’s egg… back then,” she said softly, her voice nearly lost in the cavern’s echo.

Agumon turned to Impmon.
“So, that means you can Digivolve to the next level?”

Impmon gave a solemn nod. “Yeah. We’ve… been through a lot to earn that power.”

“Then why didn’t you use it to fight Devimon?” Gomamon asked innocently.

The questions piled up. Haruka shrank further back, her eyes darting between them, overwhelmed.

Sora stepped in, raising a calming hand.

“Hey, hey—easy, everyone. Let’s not push too hard. Isn’t this good news? The Crests are real. And we’ve got a strong ally with us.”

The group exchanged glances—some curious, some uncertain—but slowly nodded in agreement.

Haruka exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

They returned to Whamon and climbed back aboard. Haruka and Impmon followed quietly at the rear.

“You okay?” Impmon asked gently.

Haruka wrapped her arms around herself, her voice barely a whisper. “I… I miss Gennai.”

“We’ll contact him once we reach the Server Continent,” Impmon said, placing a hand on her back. “I’ve got you.”

As Whamon surfaced and continued across the waves, the sun dipped lower toward the horizon. The sea glistened beneath them, and the wind gently brushed across the group’s faces.

Each child now wore a Tag around their neck, the cords fluttering in the breeze.

“He said the Crests are scattered across the Server Continent, right?” Yamato asked, watching the golden sky.

“We’ll definitely find them!” Taichi said with conviction, raising a fist.

At the back of Whamon, Haruka sat apart from the group, quiet again.

Then Takeru approached, holding Poyomon in his arms.

“How old are you?” he asked with innocent curiosity.

“E-eight,” Haruka replied, hesitantly.

“I’m eight too,” he said brightly. “It’s nice not being the only young one.”

He looked at her thoughtfully.
“Taichi said he lost you… How long have you been here?”

Haruka’s fingers curled slightly. Then she spoke.

“…About four years. I guess.”

She started to open up—maybe because of his cheerful nature, maybe because they were close in age, or maybe it was the way Poyomon nestled into Takeru’s hands, humming happily.

As Whamon continued across the sea, Haruka began answering more of Takeru’s curious questions. Her voice grew steadier, little by little.

Impmon watched silently, pride flickering in his eyes.

She needs people. She’s not a Digimon. She can’t just live between me and Gennai forever.

And… if I’m right, if all of this darkness and chaos ends…

She might leave this world.
Back to the one she’s long forgotten.

And when that time comes…

I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay by her side.

Chapter Text

They arrived on the Server Continent five days later, just as Whamon had promised.

Before taking his leave, Whamon offered one final piece of advice:

“There’s a village not far from here—Koromon Village. After about half a day’s walk, you’ll reach a forest. The village is hidden within it. You’ll find friendly faces there.”

The group thanked him as they stepped onto solid ground, stretching and adjusting to land again after days at sea.

While the others were chatting and reorienting themselves, Haruka and Impmon quietly slipped behind a nearby rock. Haruka pulled out a small communication device—one Gennai had given her before she left File Island. With a soft chime, the screen lit up and Gennai’s familiar face appeared.

“Ah, little Haruka,” Gennai greeted warmly. “I take it you’ve arrived safely on the Server Continent?”

Haruka nodded, some of her tension easing at the sight of him.
“Yeah. We just got here.”

There was a short pause. Then, she asked quietly, “Do I really have to stay with them? I… I miss you.”

Gennai’s smile softened, but his voice remained firm.

“I miss you too, little one. But I need you with them—for now. It will be safer once they learn to wield the power of their Crests. And I trust you to keep an eye on things until then.”

Haruka looked down, disappointment flickering across her face.
“…Okay. If you say so.”

“I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon,” he added kindly. “I’m counting on you.”

The screen went dark.
Haruka stared at it for a moment before tucking the device away.

Impmon gave her a sideways glance. “Guess that means we’re not going home just yet.”

She sighed. “Nope.”

Trying to lighten the mood, Impmon nudged her gently.
“Hey, think of this as our little adventure. You’ve spent most of your life near Gennai’s house. Now you get to see the world—new places, new Digimon. Who knows, it might not be so bad.”

Haruka managed a faint smile.
“…I guess.”

They returned to the group, who were still by the shore—unaware of the quiet conversation that had just taken place.

The group walked across open terrain beneath a clear sky, the warm sun beating down on the dusty ground. The landscape stretched around them—bare soil and low shrubs, with not a single tree in sight.

Hours later, as the sun began to dip, a dense forest came into view. It rose like a green wall on the horizon.

Agumon sniffed the air suddenly.

“What is it?” Taichi asked.

“I smell Koromon nearby.”

Taichi pulled out his pocket telescope and scanned the treeline.
“There’s definitely a forest up ahead.”

“Think the village is inside?” Yamato asked.

“Only one way to find out.” Taichi took off running. “Come on!”

“Wait up!” the others called, chasing after him.

They entered the woods, the canopy casting shifting shadows across the moss-covered ground. Soon, they stumbled upon a small village nestled among the trees—a collection of dome-shaped tents arranged in a loose circle.

“A bath!” Mimi gasped, racing down the slope with delight. Palmon hurried after her.

But as the rest of the group arrived, something felt... off.

There were no Koromon.
Instead, the village was filled with Pagumon—gray, scowling puffballs with red eyes. Suspiciously cheerful, they bounced and giggled as they greeted the newcomers.

And Mimi was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is she?” Sora asked, glancing around.

After a quick search, they found her bathing inside one of the larger tents.

Just as Sora warned the boys to wait—having spotted Mimi’s clothes in a basket—Taichi and Koushiro barged in.

Seconds later, a shampoo bottle and a water basin came flying back out.

“I tried to warn you,” Sora muttered with a sigh.

That evening, the Pagumon hosted a party. They sang strange songs, offered food, and bounced around with seemingly boundless energy.

During the meal, Poyomon began to glow.

Everyone gasped as he evolved into Tokomon.

“You evolved!” Takeru cried, lifting him up.

“Next time, you’ll become Patamon!”

Tokomon grinned. “Let’s do our best, Takeru!”

Laughter and excitement spread through the group. Even the earlier oddities of the village seemed to melt away in the festive glow.

But not for Haruka and Impmon.

They stood at the edge of the celebration, watching.

“This should be a Koromon village,” Haruka murmured. “Whamon wouldn’t be wrong. Something happened here.”

“Yeah,” Impmon muttered. He narrowed his eyes at the Pagumon now watching Tokomon from across the firelight.

There was something in their gaze. Not curiosity. Not admiration.

It was the same look Impmon used to wear back when he was still pulling pranks on Gennai and Leomon.
But darker.
More calculating.
More dangerous.

Impmon clenched his fists.
“I know that look way too well.”

That night, when the others had fallen asleep in one of the large tents, Haruka and Impmon slipped out into the moonlit village.

“Let’s look around,” Haruka whispered.

They moved quietly, avoiding the patrolling Pagumon. Near the forest’s edge, they found a waterfall. Behind it, a narrow cave.

Inside—three cages.

Each was stuffed with frightened, trembling Koromon.

Haruka gasped and ran to them.

Impmon quickly began melting the locks with his fire.

“What happened?” Haruka asked.

“One or two days ago, the Pagumon came out of nowhere,” one Koromon explained. “They took over the village and locked us in here!”

Haruka frowned, thinking hard.

Impmon glanced at her. “So... we helping them take it back?”

“Not yet. First, we hide them. We can’t let the Pagumon use them as hostages. And the others still think they’re harmless. Convincing them won’t be easy.”

“I know a place,” one of the Koromon piped up.
“There’s a hidden chamber deeper in the cave. It’s from an old legend—meant for times of danger.”

They followed the Koromon deeper inside, through winding paths and tight stone corridors. Eventually, they reached a small chamber, surrounded by solid rock. One wall had an odd symbol engraved on it—a sun.

Haruka scanned the area.

Impmon nodded. “Doesn’t look like there’s another entrance. Looks safe.”

“For now,” she said. “Let’s rest. Tomorrow... we form a plan.”

But the morning came with chaos.

A commotion echoed through the cave.

Haruka stirred instantly. “Stay here,” she told the Koromon, grabbing her wakizashi and rushing toward the noise with Impmon.

They burst through the waterfall—and saw Agumon under attack.

Two Gazimon stood over him, laughing cruelly. A cage nearby held a bound and frightened Tokomon.

Agumon kept firing Baby Flame at the waterfall, steam rising where fire met water.

“Where are you aiming, moron?” one Gazimon mocked. “What’s that supposed to do?”

A fireball struck them from the side.

“Impmon!” Agumon gasped, blinking through the smoke.

Impmon nodded and stood beside him.

Haruka rushed to the cage, slashing the lock with her wakizashi.

“Ha! One more to offer to Etemon-sama,” one Gazimon sneered.

As Impmon and Agumon fought the Gazimon, Taichi and the others arrived. They’d noticed the steam and realized something was wrong. A Botamon had also appeared in the village, raising their suspicions about the Pagumon.

Agumon evolved into Greymon, blasting the Gazimon with Mega Flame and sending them flying through into the stream.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from outside the cave.

“Hello? Chosen Children, can you hear me?”

They rushed to the opening and saw a hologram—Etemon, a monkey-like Digimon with a purple guitar strapped across his shoulder, grinning behind a mic.

“Dark Network!”

Black lines snaked through the ground and into the air, shimmering with red electric sparks. Crimson lightning rained down on the village, destroying the tents.

Gabumon evolved into Garurumon, but the moment was short-lived. Etemon strummed his guitar.

“Love Serenade!”

A wave of distortion hit the group. Greymon and Garurumon were forced back into their rookie forms.

“If we could evolve higher…” Tentomon muttered.

“So this is why Gennai told us to find the Tags and Crests,” Sora realized.

“Haruka!” Impmon turned to her, eyes asking for permission to fight.

Haruka shook her head.

“It’s no use. He’s just a hologram. The real Etemon’s attacking from somewhere else.”

The red lightning struck again. Rocks tumbled from above, sealing off the cave’s entrance.

“This way!” Haruka called, leading them back to the hidden chamber.

They stood before the sun-marked wall. Suddenly, the tag on Taichi’s neck began to glow—bright orange light pouring from it. The symbol on the wall responded, glowing in sync. The stone shifted, collapsing into a trapezoidal plate that floated and slid neatly into Taichi’s tag.

“It’s a Crest!” he said, stunned.

“All right!” Yamato cheered.

“Look!” Sora pointed. The wall where the symbol had been now opened to reveal a path—leading to a grassy landscape with forests and mountains beyond.

“We’re in the mountains,” one Koromon explained. “Far from the village.”

“Then we’re safe,” Jyou said, exhaling with relief.

As they stepped out into the light of the hidden valley, the scorched ruins of Koromon Village behind them, a quiet determination settled over the group.
They hadn’t just escaped—they’d found their first Crest, and with it, a spark of hope.
The real journey was only just beginning.

Chapter Text

After leaving the Koromon Village, the group wandered into the desert—an endless sea of golden sand beneath a merciless sun. With no clear direction, they pressed forward, trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and Etemon.

The mood was heavy. Everyone was exhausted, still shaken by the previous attack. They’d stood no chance against Etemon’s overwhelming power. The memory of his red lightning and the ruins of the village lingered like a bruise across their minds.

But not everyone was discouraged.

Taichi, his newly acquired Crest hanging proudly from his Tag, marched ahead with renewed energy.

“Come on, what’s with all the long faces?” he said, turning back to the others. “We’ve got two Crests now—mine and Haruka’s. That means we’ve got a real shot!”

He held up his Tag for everyone to see, the faint orange glow of the Crest catching the sunlight.

Yamato crossed his arms. “Sure. But do we even know if they work? Can your Digimon evolve just because you have a Crest?”

“They will,” Taichi said confidently—though Agumon averted his eyes, clearly uncertain.

“You’ve got to be more assertive!” Taichi snapped at his partner. “You’re the only one besides Impmon who’s evolved past Champion. You need to stand tall for us!”

Haruka frowned at his harsh tone. So did Agumon.

Just then, the group came upon a small oasis—an unexpected patch of shade and water in the endless emptiness. Taichi immediately began stuffing Agumon with food, determined to trigger evolution through sheer force of will and calories, following Koushiro’s theory that Digimon needed energy to evolve.

As the others rested, Takeru approached Haruka, his voice hesitant.

“Haruka… is it true? Can Digimon really evolve to the next level with a Crest?”

Haruka paused, then nodded. “Yes. Impmon has evolved before.”

The group stilled. All eyes turned to her. Haruka shifted under their gaze, but Impmon stepped forward with a shrug, arms crossed, voice casual.

“Yeah. It was about a year ago…”

Flashback – The Forest at Dusk

Back then, Haruka and Impmon had been patrolling the forest near Gennai’s home. After losing Leomon, they’d made it their mission to protect the Digimon nearby—determined not to lose anyone else.

One evening, after helping a Tapirmon reunite with its herd, they wandered too deep into unfamiliar woods. The forest grew darker, quieter. By the time they realized they were lost, the sun had already dipped behind the trees.

“We shouldn’t stay here,” Haruka whispered. “Leomon always said not to sleep in the forest after dark.”

But they had no choice. They climbed into a tree and settled on a high branch, back to back, staying alert.

Then the air shifted.

It grew unnaturally cold. A heavy silence settled over the forest—thick and suffocating.

A figure emerged from the trees—red cloak drifting like mist, a chain-sickle dragging through the leaves.

Phantomon.

His hollow laughter echoed through the woods. “A human… Are you one of the Chosen Children?”

Haruka drew her wakizashi. Impmon immediately stepped in front of her.

The sickle lashed out—blindingly fast. They barely dodged, rolling across the ground.

“Impmon, Digivolve to—Wizardmon!”

A burst of light enveloped him. His form shifted and grew, robes flaring, crimson scarf fluttering as he raised his staff with calm precision.

“Thunder Cloud!”

A bolt of lightning crashed from the sky, striking Phantomon squarely.

He didn’t flinch.

“You’ll have to do better than that,” the ghost hissed.

He lunged. The sickle arced down—too fast.

“Haruka!” Wizardmon cried, pushing her out of the way.

The blade slashed across his back. Blood darkened his robes.

“W–Wizardmon!” Haruka rushed to him as he staggered.

“R-Run… Haruka,” he gasped. “Get away…”

“I’m not leaving you!” she shouted, raising her wakizashi. Her voice trembled, but she didn’t move. “You promised you’d stay by my side. So I’ll stay by yours.”

She stepped forward, knees shaking—but her stance never wavered.

“I believe in you,” she said. “In us. No matter what—we face it together.”

Her words rang true—quiet but resolute.

A soft lavender light shimmered from beneath her cloak—her Crest glowing brightly. Her Digivice vibrated in her hand, shifting hues to match the light.

Wizardmon turned to her.

And something inside him responded.

Wizardmon, Chou Shinka… Baalmon!

Light and shadow twisted around him, reshaping his form. When it cleared, Baalmon stood tall—cloak rippling, sword drawn, glowing runes etched across his arm.

Phantomon recoiled. “You… You’re not supposed to be able to—!”

Baalmon vanished—then reappeared behind him in a blink, slicing clean through the chain-sickle.

“You hurt what matters to me,” he said coldly. “That was your mistake.”

He moved like lightning through smoke—precise, unstoppable.

Phantomon, stunned and weakened, let out a shriek and vanished into the shadows.

Haruka stared, wide-eyed, at the warrior her partner had become.

“You evolved…”

“Yeah,” Baalmon said. His tone was still cool, but something warmer flickered beneath it. “We can do anything. Together.”

Back to the Present

“…And that was the first time,” Impmon said with a shrug.

Takeru’s eyes sparkled. “That was so cool!”

“You two must’ve been through a lot,” Sora said softly.

Haruka didn’t speak. Her gaze was distant—lost in the memory.

Yamato stood beside her for a moment. Then, quietly, he reached out and patted her on the head.

“Good job,” he said simply.

Haruka blinked, surprised—but smiled. Small, and genuine.

Behind them, Taichi hadn’t heard a word. He was too busy hyping up Agumon, convinced that more food and louder shouting would get the job done.

Haruka glanced over. Agumon looked miserable, his belly overstuffed, eyes pleading. She frowned, wanting to intervene—but paused when she caught the look in Taichi’s eyes.

There was no space for doubt.

She looked away, uneasy.

Then, something pulsed faintly under Jyou’s shirt.

“Your Crest must be nearby!” Koushiro exclaimed.

Taichi perked up and quickly pulled out his telescope, scanning the horizon.

“There’s something over there. Looks like buildings—and they’re huge.”

Jyou’s eyes lit up. He took off running toward the distant structures.

“That’s where my Crest must be!”

But after only a few steps, he stumbled and fell, tripped by something hidden beneath the sand.

“What was that? What’s a cable doing here?” Gomamon asked, poking at the dark wire snaking beneath the surface.

The group didn’t linger on the strange wire. They continued forward until they reached an eerie sight—a massive coliseum rising from the sand, its stone stands weathered by time. At its center lay a football field, complete with goal posts and a towering widescreen above the arena.

Chapter Text

“Well, let’s split up and look for the Crest,” Taichi said.

Agumon groaned, sitting down and wrapping his arms around his bulging belly. He flopped onto the cool stone floor, clearly too stuffed to move.

Taichi frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Get up!”

“Let him rest,” Jyou said gently. “It’s my Crest we’re looking for, anyway. I’ll go with Gomamon. The rest of you can take a break.”

Taichi hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll come with you.”

As the trio departed, a football rolled from nowhere and bounced to a stop near Sora’s feet.

“A football?” she said in surprise. “Anyone want to play?”

“That sounds fun!” Takeru grinned, hugging Tokomon.

“Let’s make it humans versus Digimon!” Yamato suggested with a rare smile.

“What’s football?” Tentomon asked—a question Haruka silently echoed.

“It’s a game where you kick the ball into the goal using your feet, head, or chest—but not your hands,” Sora explained, bouncing the ball on her knee before flipping it up and head-butting it toward Gabumon.

Haruka looked at Impmon, uncertain.

“Guess we’re on opposite teams now,” he said with a grin, then dashed off after the ball.

Haruka lingered on the sidelines.

“Come join us, Haruka!” Sora called.

She stepped forward cautiously, unsure of the rules but wanting to fit in.

Gabumon kicked the ball toward Piyomon and Palmon. It smacked Piyomon in the face and landed in Palmon’s arms.

“You’re not supposed to use your hands!” Takeru laughed.

“Take this!” Palmon shouted, throwing the ball with too much force.

It flew across the arena and toward Taichi—who was still scanning a corner of the coliseum.

Startled, he spun around and kicked the ball hard, sending it soaring into the stands.

“What are you doing?” he shouted. “This isn’t the time to be playing games! We’re still in danger!”

Haruka flinched at his outburst.

“We leave as soon as Jyou finds his Crest,” Taichi added sharply.

The laughter faded. Silence fell—until the coliseum’s giant screen flickered to life.

A pair of animated hands clapped on the screen, and Etemon’s mocking voice echoed across the arena.

“I am the greatest!”

Startled, the group dashed toward one of the goals. As they crossed the threshold, it slammed shut behind them—trapping everyone inside… except Agumon, who was too full to keep up.

From the shadows, a monstrous Greymon emerged—its eyes wild, a black control ring gleaming around its neck.

Agumon sprang up and rushed forward, Digivolving into Greymon.

But he was sluggish—his movements slow and clumsy. The opposing Greymon struck with its tail, then slammed into him with its horns, sending him crashing into the electrified goalpost.

Taichi rushed up to the barrier, but a surge of sparks crackled across its surface. He stopped short, clenching his fists at his sides, trembling with frustration.

“Greymon, evolve! You can do it! Evolve!”

“It’s no use,” Koushiro said. “Your Crest isn’t reacting.”

“Evolution is impossible,” Yamato added grimly.

But Taichi ignored them, eyes blazing. “No! I believe in him! Greymon—believe in yourself!”

Greymon roared in pain as the enemy gripped his tail and began spinning him around.

“We have to find a way out!” Sora urged.

They began flipping up floor tiles, revealing a network of black cables. Beneath one stone was a large rock etched with a symbol: a cross interspersed with four triangles.

Jyou’s Tag began to glow.

“My Crest!” he gasped.

He touched the stone with his Tag, and both lit up. The Crest settled neatly into the Tag—and the ground trembled.

A hidden tunnel opened. The group scrambled out to the arena floor.

Haruka emerged last, just in time to see Taichi scrambling up the stands, with Sora chasing him.

“Your Crest isn’t reacting at all!” she cried. “You’ll just get hurt!”

“He will evolve!” Taichi shouted. “I’ll make him evolve!”

“Is he insane?!” Impmon growled.

Haruka froze. Then Koushiro spoke up.

“There’s another condition for evolution—the partner must be in danger.”

Taichi picked up stones and hurled them at the enemy Greymon, screaming, “I believe in you, Greymon! Evolve!”

“Impmon, we need to help—now!” Haruka shouted.

“Piyomon, go after him!” Sora ordered.

“Gabumon, you too!”

All three Digimon Digivolved and charged toward Taichi.

Just then, Taichi’s Digivice and Crest finally reacted.

But something was wrong.

A dark surge of energy spiraled around Greymon. His form twisted unnaturally—elongating, hardening into bone. Missiles mounted on his spine.

SkullGreymon.

Everyone stared in horror.

“It looks like something went wrong,” Koushiro whispered. “He evolved into a completely uncontrolled form…”

SkullGreymon let out a monstrous roar. He backhanded the enemy Greymon into the wide screen, then launched a missile that obliterated it.

Then he turned—toward Taichi.

“Stop him!” Yamato shouted.

Garurumon and Birdramon lunged, but SkullGreymon thrashed wildly, tearing through their defenses.

Tentomon Digivolved into Kabuterimon, but even he couldn’t get close.

“Wizardmon!” Haruka called.

He appeared in a flash and immediately Digivolved.

“Wizardmon, Chou Shinka… Baalmon!”

Baalmon stood tall, sword gleaming.

“Get the kids out of here,” he said, eyes locked on SkullGreymon. “I’ll hold him off.”

He stepped forward, cloak billowing, sword humming with energy. SkullGreymon’s gaze shifted—feral, empty, but aware of a threat.

“Go!” Baalmon barked. “Get the others out!”

Kabuterimon and Garurumon moved to corral the kids. Birdramon swooped low, shielding them with her wings.

SkullGreymon lunged. Baalmon dodged smoothly, sliding beneath a massive claw. His blade slashed across SkullGreymon’s chest—but the beast barely flinched.

With a deafening roar, SkullGreymon swung his tail like a wrecking ball, knocking Baalmon backward into the rubble.

“Baalmon!” Haruka cried, clutching her Tag.

“I’m fine,” Baalmon growled, steadying himself.

Then—he vanished. In a blink, he reappeared behind SkullGreymon and slashed at his back.

SkullGreymon shrieked and stumbled. Another missile launched skyward.

It exploded with a thunderous crack, raining sparks over the arena.

Baalmon raised his hand to strike again—but SkullGreymon began to twitch.

Black smoke seeped from his body.

His massive form dissolved.

SkullGreymon shrank—rounding, softening, becoming Koromon once more.

Baalmon watched the thread break. He reverted back to Impmon and was greeted by a worried-looking Haruka. Impmon gave her a reassuring smile, and she smiled back.

Taichi rushed to Koromon’s side. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah… but…” Koromon looked around, voice trembling. “I think I did something terrible…”

“I couldn’t stop myself…”

“Don’t worry,” Piyomon said gently. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Right,” Gabumon added. “We understand.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to your expectations…” Koromon whispered.

“No, it’s not your fault,” Yamato said.

“It’s mine,” Taichi said heavily. “I kept pushing... I wasn’t listening.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Yamato replied, but Taichi shook his head.

“It’s okay. It’s true, right Sora?” he said softly. “Just because I had the Crest... I thought I had to be the one to win. I rushed ahead without thinking.”

He lifted Koromon gently into his hands.

“I’m sorry, everyone.”

Silence fell. Then Sora stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“You don’t have to carry it alone.”

Chapter Text

After the SkullGreymon incident, the group quietly left the coliseum, wary that Etemon might return in person.

They continued across the empty desert until, just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, they spotted another oasis shimmering in the distance. Relieved, they hurried toward it. The cool water and fruit-bearing trees offered a welcome reprieve after the day's tension.

After refreshing themselves and sharing fruit, the group gathered in a loose circle near the water’s edge. The air was quiet, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Taichi and Koromon sat a little apart from the others, still weighed down by the earlier chaos.

Jyou sat cross-legged, staring at the glowing symbol nestled in his Tag.
“So that’s the power of a Crest...” he said quietly. “That battle was on a completely different level from anything we’ve faced.”

Sora nodded. “Yeah. Our Champion forms couldn’t even scratch SkullGreymon. If we’re going to survive what’s coming... we’ll need to grow stronger too.”

Gomamon looked around, his usual cheer gone. “If I evolve to the next level... will I lose control and hurt you guys too?”

Jyou’s brows furrowed. “If that’s even a possibility, then what’s the point of having a Crest at all?”

A heavy pause settled between them.

Mimi glanced over at Haruka, who sat apart with her knees drawn up and arms wrapped tightly around them. Her chin rested on her folded arms. She looked half-asleep—her expression softer, distant, unguarded in a way they weren’t used to.

“But Haruka’s Baalmon didn’t lose control,” Mimi said quietly. “He was calm. Focused. Even though he looks... kinda intimidating, he protected us. That has to mean something, right?”

Yamato turned toward Haruka. “Do you know why his evolution was different?”

Haruka blinked slowly, clearly surprised to be addressed. She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand and gave a small shake of her head.

“I got my Digivice, Tag, and Crest at the same time I received Impmon’s egg,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. “Back then he was Keemon... then Yaamon... then Impmon. I used to think it was just how they grew. Like normal.”

She shifted drowsily, resting her cheek on her knee, eyelids heavy.
“But when Wizardmon changed back into Impmon, I realized... it’s not that simple. Evolution isn’t just about time or training. It’s... something else.”

The others absorbed her words in thoughtful silence.

“You never asked Gennai?” Koushiro asked gently.

Haruka’s voice dropped, barely above a whisper. “I was four when I got them. No one explains complicated stuff to a four-year-old. And we were under attack, always hiding. I was still learning how to live in this world. There wasn't time to ask.”

She paused, closing her eyes briefly. “When he evolved into Baalmon, my first thought was, ‘Oh... right. I forgot I even had this stuff on me.’ I’ve had them for so long... I don’t really notice them anymore. I just thought, maybe this will help Impmon get stronger.”

Another pause.

“I don’t really think about what the Crest means. I just trust him. I guess I just... have faith. That we’ll figure things out together, no matter what.”

She yawned again and let her head rest fully against Impmon’s side.

“You’re tired. Get some sleep,” Impmon murmured, his tone unusually gentle.

Haruka gave a small nod and curled closer to him. “’Night, Impmon…”

With uncharacteristic tenderness, Impmon brushed a few strands of hair from her face and whispered, “Sweet dreams.”

The others watched the scene in silence.

“She’s... different tonight,” Sora said softly.

“She’s just sleepy,” Impmon replied with a shrug, though a fondness crept into his voice. “When she’s like this, she just says whatever’s on her mind.”

“So... that’s the real her?” Mimi asked, tilting her head.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Yamato answered. “It’s just... a side of her she usually doesn’t show.”

“Yeah,” Impmon added, voice low and thoughtful. “Everyone has different sides. You can’t say SkullGreymon wasn’t still Agumon. It’s just... sometimes things twist out of shape.”

He glanced back at Haruka, then looked around at the others.

“She’s been through a lot. From being alone in a strange world at just four... to being asked to leave the only place she knew because the one who raised her asked her a favor. And then one day, someone shows up saying they’re her family.”

He paused, his tone steady but quiet.

“That’s a lot for anyone. She acts older than she is, but she’s still just eight. Younger than most of you. You forget that, because she doesn’t whine or cry. But inside... it’s been a lot. Too much, too fast.”

His gaze softened as it returned to her sleeping form.

“Sometimes I wonder what she’d be like if she hadn’t grown up here. Maybe she’d still smile and laugh like a kid. Maybe she wouldn’t feel like she has to carry everything on her own.”

“She didn’t push Impmon to evolve—she just trusted him,” Yamato murmured. “Maybe that’s why it worked.”

The others didn’t speak. No one quite knew what to say. But something had shifted.

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy with fear, or even confusion.
It was something else—something closer to empathy. And perhaps, for the first time... understanding.

Chapter Text

The next morning, the group resumed their journey under the blazing sun. Sweat glistened on their faces as they trudged through the dry, unforgiving desert. The heat was unbearable, and even the occasional breeze offered no relief.

A few were lucky enough to have hats for shade. Others, like Gabumon—wrapped in his thick pelt—weren’t so fortunate.

“Hang in there, buddy,” Yamato said, gently patting Gabumon’s back.

“I feel like I’m being slow-cooked…” Gabumon muttered, panting.

Just ahead, a towering cactus came into view, casting what looked like generous shade across the sand. Eyes lighting up with hope, the group picked up their pace and rushed toward it.

But as they neared, the cactus shimmered and dissolved—the shade evaporating like smoke.

“A mirage…” Koushiro murmured, disheartened.

Their collective groans were interrupted by a calm, familiar voice.

“Chosen Children.”

Everyone froze. They looked around quickly, searching for the source.

A circular platform—eerily similar to the one they encountered on File Island—rose slowly from the sand. A column of light shot into the sky from its center, and within it, the holographic figure of Gennai materialized.

“Gramps!” Taichi snapped. “I did what you said—Tag, Crest, big battle—but Agumon didn’t evolve. He turned back into Koromon!”

“And I don’t even want my Crest!” Mimi added, crossing her arms with a dramatic huff.

“Calm down, Chosen Children,” Gennai said serenely. “Whether you want them or not, the Crests will become yours. Each one resonates naturally with its bearer—like Haruka’s already does.”

He turned to Taichi. “Even with both Tag and Crest, your Digimon won’t evolve properly unless they’re raised with the right care.”

“‘Right care’? What does that even mean?” Taichi asked, exasperated.

“Without the right care, evolution may stall—or worse, take a darker path.” Gennai continued.

“How are we supposed to know how to do that?” Taichi pressed.

“Chosen Children…” Gennai’s hologram began to flicker. “When thinking about giving appropriate care—”

The image distorted and vanished before he could finish.

Taichi threw up his hands. “Everything he says is confusing!”

Piyomon waddled over to Gabumon. “He said something about right guidance…”

“Are we being raised the right way?” Gabumon asked innocently, tilting his head.

“I’m… not confident I can do it,” Koushiro admitted.

“I also don’t have a shred of confidence,” Jyou added quietly.

The group sat down in the sand, disheartened. Gennai’s words had planted a seed of doubt—not just about their Digimon’s evolution, but about their own roles as partners and guides.

Just then, a strange rumbling came from the distance.

“Huh?” Takeru stood and shaded his eyes.

Sailing smoothly across the desert sand was a massive luxury cruise ship—gleaming white and entirely out of place.

“Is that… a ship?” Jyou blinked.

“Why is a cruise ship sailing through the desert?!” he cried.

“Maybe it’s another mirage?” Takeru guessed.

“No, that one’s real,” Yamato said, standing quickly. “Everyone, move!”

The group scrambled aside as the ship pulled to a stop beside them. A ramp extended from its side, and from behind the rail, a Numemon in a blue-and-white sailor uniform leaned over and waved.

“Numemon…?” Koushiro muttered in disbelief.

Mimi stepped forward, eyes sparkling. “Oh, Numemon! We’re so tired! Could we please rest on your luxury ship for a while?”

At her words, Numemon’s eyes turned into hearts. With a dreamy sigh, he quickly lowered the stairway.

Inside, the ship looked like a five-star hotel—polished wood floors, chandeliers, plush carpets. It was a surreal oasis.

“I need a shower. Like, desperately,” Sora said, opening a door.

“Me too!” Mimi chimed in, hurrying after her.

Sora paused, looking back at Haruka, who lingered in the hallway.

She reached out gently. “Come on, Haruka-chan. Let’s freshen up together.”

“I-I’m fine,” Haruka said quickly, hesitating.

Mimi smiled and nudged her forward. “It’s okay. Us girls need to look after ourselves.” She brushed lightly at Haruka’s wind-tangled hair. “You’ve got sand in your hair. A lot.”

Haruka looked back toward the lounge.

“But… Impmon…”

“I’ll find us food,” Impmon said, waving her off. “Go relax for once, will ya?”

Haruka nodded slowly and let herself be led away.

As the girls enjoyed the warm, steamy shower, distant shouting reached their ears. Then came the sound of heavy, hurried footsteps.

Startled, they quickly wrapped themselves in towels and slipped out a small window.

A large, chicken-like Digimon—Kokatorimon—appeared, clenching Taichi’s and Jyou’s Crests in his claws.

“Those are Taichi and Jyou’s Crests!” Mimi gasped.

“I’ve captured the other Chosen Children and left them to bake in the sun! Bawk!” Kokatorimon cackled. “Keep ‘em out there long enough, and I’ll have crispy, crunchy Chosen Children!”

“What about the Digimon?!” Piyomon cried.

“Turned ‘em to stone with my power—bawk! They’ll make good soup stock!”

“Don’t you dare hurt Impmon!” Haruka snapped, instinctively reaching for her wakizashi—only to realize it wasn’t there.

Her eyes narrowed. She scanned the deck—then dropped to one knee, scooping up a handful of coarse desert sand that had blown aboard.

As Kokatorimon raised his claw again, she flung the sand directly into his eyes.

“Gah! My eyes! Bawk—!” he screeched, staggering backward, flailing wildly.

“Now!” Haruka shouted, voice firm.

Piyomon and Palmon launched their attacks in unison.

“You’re unforgivable,” Piyomon growled. “Magical Fire!”

A green spiral of flame shot at Kokatorimon, who leapt away.

“Poison Ivy!” Palmon cried, but Kokatorimon batted the vines aside effortlessly.

“Petrifier!” A beam shot from his eyes—just missing them as they ducked and ran barefoot across the deck, until they were cornered at the ship’s bow.

“Don’t worry, Haruka. We’ve got your back,” Sora said, stepping protectively in front of her. “You’re not alone.” She raised her Digivice. “Piyomon, time to evolve!”

Piyomon Digivolved to… Birdramon!

“Meteor Wing!” Flaming projectiles rained down. Kokatorimon barely dodged.

“Palmon! Now’s our chance!” Mimi shouted, raising her Digivice.

Palmon Digivolved to… Togemon!

“Prickly Bang Bang!”

Needles struck Kokatorimon directly. As he staggered, Togemon surged forward and delivered a powerful uppercut, launching him straight into the ship’s smokestack with a clang.

With Kokatorimon defeated, the Digimon returned to normal. The captured children were freed.

The Numemon crew, startled and spooked, fled in a panic.

“That probably means we shouldn’t stay on this ship,” Koushiro said.

“Let’s get out of here—fast!” Sora added.

The group disembarked and returned to the scorching desert. But the calm didn’t last long.

Suddenly, the cruise ship came barreling after them again.

“It’s chasing us?!” Jyou yelped.

They ran until they reached a massive cactus.

“Is this another mirage?” Mimi gasped.

“No—it has a shadow!” Taichi confirmed.

They dove behind it just as the ship crashed into the cactus. The plant bent from the impact… then snapped back like a spring, launching the ship into the sky.

The black cable tethered to the ship tore free, and the vessel exploded in mid-air.

They stared, breathless. A pink flower began blooming atop the cactus.

When it fully opened, a stone plate with a teardrop emblem emerged. Mimi’s Tag began to glow as the stone plate gently floated down and inserted itself into her Crest, emitting a soft green light.

Mimi stared at it.

“…I didn’t want this,” she said quietly, holding her newly completed Crest. “What if I can’t raise Palmon the right way?”

The others looked at her—uncertain, silent.

And in that moment, under the desert sun, the weight of their roles grew a little heavier.

Chapter Text

The desert heat bore down on the group as they trudged forward. Taichi and Agumon led the way, while the others lagged behind, caught in quiet conversation.

"I have a Crest now, but…" Mimi stared at it, her brow furrowed.

"We don't even know how to use them," Jyou added.

"Yeah. What does it even mean to 'raise our Digimon the right way'?" Sora asked.

"But not all of us have Crests yet," Yamato pointed out.

"Then let's not overthink it until everyone has one," Koushiro said logically.

They had stopped walking, the heat momentarily forgotten as uncertainty settled over them.

Up ahead, Taichi turned around and called, "Hey! What are you guys doing?"

"Hurry up, or you'll get left behind!" Agumon added.

"We're having a very important strategy meeting about Digimon!" Takeru replied cheerfully, waving. Tokomon grinned from atop his hat.

Before Taichi could respond, the ground beneath him and Agumon trembled.

"What—!?"

A moment later, the sand exploded upward, sucking them down. A huge Digimon burst from beneath the surface—Kuwagamon. With a piercing screech, it hurled Taichi and Agumon aside and loomed above them, pincers clacking.

"Baby Flame!" Agumon launched a fireball, but it barely singed Kuwagamon's tough shell.

"H-He's way stronger than the one on File Island!" Agumon gasped, trembling.

"Agumon! Evolve!" Gabumon shouted from the distance.

But Agumon stood frozen, wide-eyed, as Kuwagamon's pincers descended.

"What are you doing?! You'll be crushed!" Gomamon yelled.

At the last second, Taichi lunged forward, tackling Agumon aside. The pincers slammed shut just inches from their heads.

At the back of the group, Haruka watched in silence, eyes narrowing.

"They're afraid to evolve," she whispered to Impmon.

"Yeah," Impmon muttered. "Ever since that SkullGreymon mess…"

Kuwagamon shrieked and lunged again.

"Impmon!" Haruka barked.

Impmon shot forward, fire dancing from his fingertips. He launched a flurry of fireballs to slow the insect's charge.

Then—

BOOM!

A glowing, winged bomb spiraled in from above and struck Kuwagamon, exploding on impact. Smoke and dust filled the air as the monster collapsed with a heavy thud.

Taichi blinked from the sand. "Wh-What just happened?"

A tiny, pink, winged creature floated down gently, holding a miniature spear and chirping softly.

"Pi pi pi…"

"Piximon!" Haruka exclaimed, her expression lighting up.

"You're Piximon!" Piyomon gasped. "That was your attack, wasn't it?"

"Impressed by the power of my magic, are you, pi?!" Piximon said proudly. "You're supposed to be the Chosen Children, pi, but you were so weak I couldn't stand watching anymore!"

He zipped around them, waving his spear dramatically.

"If you keep this up, even your Tags and Crests will be worthless—like casting pearls before swine, pi!"

He turned sharply to the Digimon.

"And you lot! You're slacking off, pi!"

The group winced under his critique.

"You're lacking effort, pi! Which is why, starting today, you're coming with me for special training, pi!"

Everyone stared in disbelief.

"Huh?"

Piximon pointed at Taichi and Agumon. "And you two win the grand prize, pi! You'll get the intensive training menu, pi!"

Without another word, he floated off.

"Uh… are we sure we should follow him?" Jyou asked warily.

"He's kind of bossy," Gomamon muttered.

"It's fine," Haruka said quietly. "He trained me and Impmon before… after our first mentor died."

The others turned toward her, surprised by the sudden shift in her tone. Haruka didn't elaborate. She simply looked ahead toward Piximon.

"What's taking you so long?!" Piximon called back. "Hurry up, pi!"

They had been walking through the scorching desert for what felt like hours, the heat shimmering in waves around them. Suddenly, Piximon stopped.

"Right here, pi," he said, tapping his spear against the air.

A pulse of light rippled outward—and then, as if the air itself peeled away, a shimmering barrier dissolved, revealing something impossible: a lush forest hidden in the heart of the desert.

Tall trees swayed gently in a cool breeze. At the far end of the forest stood a steep mountain, a long stone staircase spiraling up its side to a small temple-like house perched high above.

They entered the forest and reached the foot of the mountain. Haruka and Impmon had already begun the climb without hesitation. The others stared upward, groaning.

"Do we have to climb all that?"

"How many steps is that?"

"Wait… does this mean our training's already started?!"

Faint complaints trailed behind them as the group slowly began to ascend.

Piximon's voice echoed from above. "What are you all waiting for? Haruka did this without a single complaint when she was six, pi! No flying allowed, pi!"

By the time they reached the top, the sun was dipping low, casting an orange glow over Piximon's house.

Piximon waved his spear, and a pile of buckets and cloths appeared.

"If you want to eat, you'll have to earn it, pi! Start scrubbing! Every floor, every railing—everything, pi!"

Groans echoed around the house, but no one dared argue.

Then Piximon turned to Taichi and Agumon. "You two, follow me. You're on the special menu, pi!"

As he floated off, he paused to glance at Haruka and Impmon.

"I'll come back for you two after I finish with them, pi. No point repeating training you've already done, pi!"

Takeru and Tokomon eagerly grabbed cloths, turning the chore into a game of racing.

Yamato glanced at his cheerful little brother, smiling softly. As he continued scrubbing a rail, he looked over at Haruka, who stood quietly near the stairs, waiting for Piximon.

"Why did you even train with him when you were only six?" he asked.

Haruka blinked, caught off guard by the question. She glanced at Impmon, then replied quietly.

"Mm… After Leomon, our first mentor, died in front of us, we were… kind of lost. We didn't know if we could really protect the ones we cared about. Then one day, while wandering the forest where we used to train with him… Piximon just appeared."

Her voice drifted off, weighed down by memory.

Yamato paused in his scrubbing, staring at his reflection in the polished rail.

"That must've been hard," he said softly. "But… I get it. After Takeru and I got separated during the divorce, I always felt like I had to protect him—even when I didn't know how."

Later, when Piximon returned, he led Haruka and Impmon quietly down the mountain, through the forest.

"You've walked longer in this world than the others," he said, floating ahead. "But not even you understand yourselves."

Haruka frowned. "What do you mean?"

"In order to possess further strength, one must first understand themselves. Only then can you truly see both your strengths and your weaknesses, pi."

They reached a misty pond nestled between the trees, its still surface cloaked in swirling fog.

"I hope you can find your true self here," Piximon said. Then, without another word, he flew away—leaving the two of them alone in the quiet mist.

Haruka looked toward where Piximon had disappeared, then turned to Impmon, uncertain.

"…What are we even supposed to do?" she murmured.

Impmon shrugged, frowning. "Beats me… but it's probably not scrubbing floors."

Chapter Text

Haruka wandered through the misty forest in silence, her footsteps muffled by damp earth and fallen leaves. The air was thick and still, as if holding its breath. She moved without direction, drawn by a strange pull in her chest, until she reached the edge of a quiet pond.

Mist curled over the surface like soft smoke, obscuring even her own reflection. She sat on a flat rock by the shore, eyes fixed on the rippling water—uncertain of what she was meant to find… or what Piximon’s words had truly meant.

Then, a gentle ripple disturbed the stillness.

Haruka leaned forward, watching.

The mist parted just enough to reveal a reflection—but not of her current self.

A younger Haruka stared back. Smaller, softer. Her eyes wide and bright, filled with joy.

Haruka blinked. The image shimmered, but didn’t vanish.

She leaned in closer, breath held.

The reflection shifted.
It became a living memory, unfolding like a dream.

A young Haruka stood in a sunlit park, holding another little girl’s hand. The girl looked strikingly similar—same age, similar features. Haruka wore light purple; the other girl wore pink.

They stood near a playground—swings, a slide, a jungle gym—bathed in golden afternoon light.

“Hikari!” young Haruka called cheerfully. “Slide… together!”

Older Haruka, watching from outside the memory, blinked in disbelief.

“Hikari… that name again…”

The girls laughed, waddling toward the slide hand-in-hand, joy radiating from their faces. Then a warm voice called from nearby:

“Hikari, Haruka—time to go home!”

They turned toward a young woman standing beside a bench, her long brown hair swaying gently in the breeze. She had been watching them the entire time.

The girls rushed to her, giggling on unsteady feet.

“Now, let’s go find your brother,” the woman said, dabbing sweat from their brows with a handkerchief.

She took their hands and led them across the park, where a small boy was kicking a soccer ball against a tree.

“Taichi! Let’s go home,” she called.

The boy turned—young Taichi, unmistakable even without his signature goggles, which now hung loosely around his neck.

He grinned and ran toward them.

Haruka’s breath caught.

“So… he really is my brother…”

Haruka pulled back slightly, heart fluttering in her chest.

This wasn’t just a memory—it was proof. Hikari. Taichi. That woman… her mother.

“Why had I forgotten this?”
The mist felt heavier now—not around her, but inside her. A weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying for so long.

The memory dissolved like ink in water.

Another scene surfaced—clearer, sharper. The dream she’d had after leaving Andromon’s factory—now replayed in vivid detail.

This time, she saw everything.

Haruka and Hikari, a little older now, knelt beside a small bed. Something wriggled beneath the covers.

A small, black, blob-like creature peeked out—Botamon.

The girls coaxed it out with chocolate, cradling it gently as if it were a fragile treasure.

From the doorway, Taichi’s voice echoed, confused.

“What is this thing, anyway? A dog? A cat? It came out of an egg, so… maybe a bird?” he muttered. “What’s Mom gonna say when she sees this?”

He wandered off as the phone rang in the living room.

Hikari hugged Botamon from the front. Haruka from behind. Both girls rested their heads against its warm body, giggling softly.

Then Taichi’s voice rang out again, startled.

“Hikari!? Haruka!? Th-that thing… it changed shape!”

They looked down.

Botamon was gone. In its place sat a round pink creature with bright red eyes.

“Koromon…” Haruka whispered, wide-eyed, watching from outside the memory.

The sight of Koromon filled her with warmth… and sorrow.

He had been there from the very beginning. A friend. A secret. A miracle they had shared together.

“Why did I let myself forget?”
“Was I scared? Trying to protect myself from something I couldn’t explain?”
She pressed a hand to her chest.

The memory shifted again. Early evening now. Warm orange light streamed through the window.

Haruka and Hikari sat by the sill, Koromon nestled between them.

Then a familiar voice called from the front door.

“I brought some cake! Who wants a slice?”

It was the same voice from the woman in the park.

“That voice… is she really… my mother?” Haruka asked softly.

Inside the memory, the girls laughed and introduced themselves to Koromon. He nuzzled their cheeks affectionately.

“It’s a sign of friendship!” he declared happily.

Haruka smiled faintly through her tears.

She pulled herself from the vision, heart pounding.

The misty forest reappeared around her. She looked down at the pond, breath shaky.

“Are these memories real? Did I really forget this…?”

Impmon stepped closer, gently wrapping his arms around her side. He didn’t try to explain—he simply stayed.

“Remember what Piximon said,” he murmured. “You needed to know yourself. Your strength, your weakness… your past.”

He gave her shoulder a light squeeze.

“I’ll be right here. Always.”

Haruka turned back to the pond.

The scene had shifted to night.

In a dim bedroom, Hikari and Haruka stood beside a bunk bed, blowing their whistles.

Taichi slept above, unaware.

Beneath the covers, Koromon trembled—face pale, body shaking.

Then—he began to grow.

The bed exploded as he transformed into a yellow dinosaur, nearly reaching the ceiling.

Someone rattled the doorknob—a man, likely their father—but Taichi held it shut.

Hikari flung open the balcony doors. Agumon paced nervously.

Haruka followed her.

“Hikari! Stop that! Haruka! Come back!” Taichi shouted.

The girls climbed onto Agumon’s back. He leapt off the balcony into the parking lot below.

They wandered the empty city streets atop him.

A truck’s honk startled Agumon—he panicked and fired a fireball.

“Are you not talking to me anymore?” Hikari asked, voice trembling.

“Don’t do it, Koromon!” little Haruka pleaded, tears in her eyes.

Agumon suddenly shot multiple fireballs skyward and bolted forward.

A massive green bird flew overhead—Parrotmon. Its passing shockwaves knocked the girls off Agumon’s back.

They tried to stop him.

“Koromon, no!” they cried.

Then Taichi appeared, breathless.

“Let’s get away!” he yelled, grabbing their hands—but they pushed him off.

They turned back toward Agumon, desperate to bring back the gentle creature they loved.

Parrotmon launched a blast of lightning—obliterating a footbridge above them.

Stones rained down—

Agumon evolved.

Greymon rose before them, shielding them from the collapse.

The girls stared in disbelief, uncertain of what their friend had become.

“Koromon…?” they whispered.

Greymon charged Parrotmon, crashing into him mid-air.

But Parrotmon struck back hard—lightning slamming Greymon to the ground.

He lay still, unmoving.

“Koromon… Koromon…” Haruka and Hikari cried, rushing toward him.

“Wake up!” Taichi shouted.

Parrotmon loomed closer.

Hikari tried to blow her whistle—but sobs overtook her. She coughed.

Taichi turned to help her—missing Haruka walking toward Greymon.

She climbed onto his back, raised her whistle, and blew with all her strength, echoing Taichi’s call into Hikari’s whistle.

The older Haruka, watching, did the same—unaware of her own tears as the whistle escaped her lips.

Nearby, two lights shimmered in the misty forest.

Yamato and Koushiro, having snuck out of Piximon’s hut to search for their Crests, stopped in their tracks.

Their Tags glowed.

They looked at each other, then ran toward the sound.

As they entered the clearing, they spotted a figure near the pond.

Haruka. And Impmon.

Koushiro squinted. “What are they doing out here at night?”

“The whistle… it sounded sad,” Yamato murmured.

“Should we say something? They look lost,” Koushiro asked.

Yamato stopped him. “Let’s focus on our task first.” He looked at his glowing Tag. “It might be part of Piximon’s training.”

Koushiro asked, “Why do you want your Crest, Yamato?”

“…I want to improve myself. Not just let my Digimon evolve—I want to grow too. Become someone different from before.”

He paused, then added quietly, “Someone better.”

As Yamato and Koushiro quietly moved on through the mist, Haruka sat still by the pond, her breath slowly steadying.

The memories had left her shaken—but also whole.

She placed a hand on her chest, feeling the faint thrum of something long buried… now returned.

“I remember now,” she whispered.

Impmon looked up at her, his expression soft.

Haruka glanced once more into the water. The mist had cleared. Her reflection stared back—this time, her true self.

No longer lost.
No longer alone.

She stood, and together with Impmon, disappeared into the fog.

Chapter Text

Haruka’s Memory

"I remember everything now," Haruka whispered.

She sat beneath the tall trees, Impmon at her side. Dawn painted silver streaks across the thinning mist. One hand clutched her chest, as though trying to calm her racing heart.

"I climbed onto Greymon’s back... I blew the whistle as hard as I could. He woke up. He fired at Parrotmon..."

Her voice shook.

"Then… something pulled us upward. A portal—it opened in the sky."

She looked up, eyes wide and far away.

"I don’t know why… or how. But we were lifted. Me, Greymon, and Parrotmon. I got caught in the pull. Then—everything went white."

She swallowed.

"When I woke up, I was in a forest. Alone. In my light-purple bear pajamas. I was cold. Scared."

Impmon leaned gently against her, silent.

"I screamed for someone. Anyone. But only Digimon came. And they weren’t friendly." Her fingers curled at the memory. "I ran until I couldn’t anymore. Then..."

She closed her eyes.

"Leomon appeared. He fought them off. He didn’t say anything—just looked at me. Like he knew I didn’t belong."

Her voice softened.

"Then… Gennai found me. I didn’t understand who he was. I don’t think he tried to explain. He just said I was safe. That I could stay. That it was a miracle I’d ended up here at all."

She turned to Impmon. Tears welled in her eyes.

"I didn’t ask questions. I was too little, too scared. I just... stayed. Waited. And eventually, I forgot."

Yamato and Koushiro

Meanwhile, not far away, morning sunlight cut through the trees as Yamato and Koushiro navigated the forest. Their Tags glowed faintly, drawing them toward something unseen.

They paused at the edge of Piximon’s barrier. Beyond it lay an endless desert of pale-gold sand—and at its heart, a strange, glowing well.

Koushiro hesitated. “Do you think we can leave and come back without Piximon?”

“I don’t know,” Yamato said, narrowing his eyes.

Koushiro reached his hand through the shimmer and pulled it back. “We’re not locked in. The barrier lets us pass.”

He smiled. “Let’s go.”

They stepped beyond the barrier and descended into the glowing well.

“The light’s getting stronger!” Yamato called as they climbed deeper.

“There!” He pointed. Two symbols glowed on the wall.

“Hold your Tag up!” Yamato urged.

As they raised their Tags, light flared. Two symbols spun around them: a blue yin-yang enclosed in an eye, and a dark purple pair of mismatched spectacles. They shimmered and spiraled before embedding themselves into their Tags—Yamato’s glowing blue, Koushiro’s purple.

“This is my Crest,” Yamato said, breathless.

Koushiro beamed, holding his Crest tightly. “We found them.”

But the moment was short-lived.

As they climbed back up, a shadow moved above. A Tyranomon, black cables jutting from its back, let out a deafening roar.

“The black cables…” Koushiro gasped.

With no Digimon by their side, they had only one option.

“Run!” Yamato shouted.

Tyranomon launched a fireball—shattering the barrier like glass. The illusion dissolved, revealing the forest behind it.

Piximon’s Alarm

Back at the domain, the others stirred.

"Yamato and Koushiro are gone," Sora said, rising quickly.

Piximon hovered closer. "They’ve gone to find their Crests, pi."

Mimi blinked. "Without us?"

"They must have left during the night," Sora added, worried.

"They’ll be okay, right?" Takeru asked, clutching Patamon.

The group began their morning training—until Piximon stiffened.

"The barrier’s been shattered, pi!"

He shot toward the exit. "Yamato and Koushiro are in danger!"

Gabumon and Tentomon were first to sprint after him. The others followed close behind.

Inside the Cave

Elsewhere, in the heart of the cave, Taichi and Agumon drifted through the fog on their boat—lost in forgotten echoes.

They stirred as the boat passed beneath a bridge.

"Where are we?" Taichi asked.

Climbing up, they saw a young boy tumble from a bicycle. He cried—but then tried again.

Taichi stared.

"That’s... me."

The young boy sat on the ground, defeated.

"I can’t do it... I can’t ride a bike."

Older Taichi knelt beside him.

"Don’t give up. You can’t quit after one or two failures."

"Believe in yourself. Believe it’ll work this time."

He helped the boy back up, held the seat, then let go as the child pedaled away.

Watching, Taichi smiled.

"I forgot I used to be like that. I lost my nerve because I thought you might evolve into something strange again."

Agumon nodded. “I was scared too. That’s why I couldn’t become Greymon.”

He looked up at Taichi.

“But it’s like riding a bike. If we believe in each other—I know I can evolve again.”

They returned to the boat.

“Let’s go!” Taichi said.

“Together,” Agumon echoed.

Cries echoed in the distance.

“Hurry!” Taichi shouted. “Everyone’s in trouble!”

Agumon began to glow—

"Agumon, Digivolve to… GREYMON!"

He evolved—this time, successfully.

Greymon charged forward just as Tyranomon loomed over the others. With a powerful Mega Flame, he destroyed the strange flower-like speakers broadcasting Etemon’s Love Serenade, cutting off the draining signal.

The Victory

Taichi emerged from the trees. Sora’s face lit up.

“Taichi!”

He gave her a nod and a grin.

Greymon lifted Tyranomon into the air. The black cables snapped one by one—until he hurled the corrupted Digimon into the ground.

The battle was over. The group erupted in cheers.

Greymon had returned.

Haruka’s Return

But as the cheers died down, Taichi glanced around.

"Wait—where’s Haruka?"

Sora looked up. "She went for another training session with Piximon after you left."

"We passed her and Impmon near the pond when we went to find our Crests," Yamato added.

He led the way through the forest.

Soon, they reached the clearing.

Haruka lay asleep by the water’s edge, resting against Impmon’s shoulder. Tear streaks still marked her cheeks. Despite the battle, she hadn’t stirred.

Taichi approached slowly.

Yamato stood silently behind him, his expression softening.

Haruka stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, cloudy with sleep.
She blinked, disoriented, scanning the faces around her—Yamato, Sora, Koushiro… and then—him.
Her gaze found Taichi’s.

And without thinking, she whispered,
“Onii-chan…”

The word hung in the air like a fragile note.
Taichi’s eyes widened, then softened.

But as the fog of sleep lifted, the word echoed back in her mind—too loud, too real. Her lips parted as if to say something else, but no words came.
She turned away, wiping her eyes without a sound. Slowly, she stood.

Her gaze brushed Taichi’s—then dropped.

Impmon met Taichi’s eyes. Not hostile. Not warm. Watchful. Protective.
“She remembers,” he said. “Just… don’t expect her to know what to do with it yet.”

Taichi blinked, surprised.
Impmon’s voice dropped a note.
“She’s been alone a long time. Give her space. But don’t walk too far behind.”

Then he turned, quietly falling into step behind Haruka—loyal, silent, as always.

Taichi remained where he stood, the word she’d spoken still lingering like a whisper.
Onii-chan.

But she didn’t say it again.
Not yet.

The wind stirred the leaves. Haruka didn’t speak again.
But something had changed—quietly, deeply, irreversibly.

Chapter Text

They had collected six Crests now—including Haruka’s—leaving only two still missing: Takeru’s and Sora’s.

The sun beat down as the group trekked across the vast desert, wind curling ribbons of sand behind them.

Haruka trailed at the back, Impmon quietly by her side. Ever since her memories had returned, she hadn’t known how to face Taichi. Learning he was her brother had shifted something inside her—something she couldn’t yet name. Sometimes, she caught herself watching his back. But if he turned around, she looked away quickly.

Up ahead, the group came to a sudden halt. Half-buried in the sand stood a strange metal box, black cables snaking out of it and vanishing beneath the surface like roots.

“It’s connected to Etemon’s network,” Koushiro said, kneeling to examine it. “He’s likely using this to track our movements.”

Jyou took a step back, anxious. “W-We should get away from this thing! If it’s part of his system, Etemon might already know we’re here!”

“I agree,” Mimi said, nervously biting her lip. “Let’s move before he sends something horrible.”

“Running won’t help,” Yamato said calmly. “Etemon’s going to find us sooner or later.”

“Which is why we need to understand how his network works,” Koushiro added. “If I can connect it to my laptop…”

He plugged in one of the cables. Almost instantly, a notification popped up.

“An email?” Koushiro blinked. “But from who?”

“Could it be from Etemon?” Jyou asked.

“Only one way to find out,” Taichi said, leaning in. “Open it.”

Koushiro hesitated—then clicked.

The message was brief:
“Help me. In return, I’ll give you the location of the remaining Crests.”

“It could be a trap,” Jyou muttered.

“Or someone like Gennai,” Mimi offered. “Maybe another ally.”

“In any case,” Taichi said firmly, “we can’t ignore someone asking for help.”

Reluctantly, the group agreed to follow the directions in the email.

As they walked, a soft glow began to radiate from Takeru’s Tag.

“Takeru!” Tokomon cried.

They followed the light to a tall stone wall, half-buried in the sand. Etched into it was a large symbol resembling a shooting star. As Takeru approached, his Tag reacted—the Crest embedded itself into it, glowing bright yellow.

With a low rumble, part of the wall shifted. A narrow passage opened, revealing a corridor lined with Digimon script—carved across the walls and ceiling.

“These characters…” Koushiro ran his fingers along the symbols. “They’re similar to what we saw at Andromon’s factory and Kentarumon’s ruins. But this one—it’s different.”

He brushed away some sand. As he touched the unique symbol, the corridor lit up with a soft, warm glow.

“Just as I thought,” he said. “This world responds to written programs.”

“Huh?” Mimi tilted her head.

“In other words,” Koushiro said, “by rewriting the programming on these walls, I can control what happens here—like turning the lights on.”

A holographic map appeared in mid-air after Koushiro adjusted the symbols on the wall.

“Whoa…” Jyou breathed. “It’s like we’re inside a computer.”

Koushiro nodded. “This entire world runs on data. Everything here—terrain, objects, even creatures—is made of information.”

The group fell silent.

“Wait... if that’s true…” Sora said slowly, “does that mean we’re data too? Are we even... real?”

“Are we ghosts?” Mimi whispered.

“Like video game characters?” Takeru added.

Koushiro didn’t answer immediately. He typed rapidly on his laptop. The floating map expanded into a globe—then another sphere appeared beside it.

Earth.

The two globes overlapped.

Koushiro’s eyes widened. “We’re inside a digital network that mirrors our world. The two exist side by side. This place… it’s the Earth’s shadow. A digital shadow.”

Silence followed as they processed the enormity of it.

From the back, Haruka listened, eyes distant. To her, the glowing script and shifting data felt natural. This world had always been her normal. Watching the others question it made her feel... separate again.

Isn’t this just how the world works? Isn’t that what I was taught? Why does it sound so strange to them...?

Before anyone could get lost in thought, Taichi broke the silence.

“Anyway,” he said, standing straighter, “someone needs our help. Where to next, Koushiro?”

“If I run the program attached to the email…” Koushiro pressed a key. The wall ahead vanished, revealing the desert beyond. “The sender should be just through there.”

“He was that close?” Sora asked, surprised.

“No,” Koushiro replied. “The program warped the space around us. That exit didn’t exist a second ago.”

Cautiously, they stepped outside. In the distance stood a strange structure—an upside-down pyramid. Etemon had just entered it.

“We’ll wait until morning,” Taichi said, narrowing his eyes. “We need a plan.”

The Next Morning

The group split into two teams.

Taichi, Jyou, Koushiro, and Sora would enter the pyramid to rescue the person who sent the email—and hopefully locate Sora’s Crest. The rest remained behind, inside the sphinx.

Haruka had argued to join the rescue team. “If it’s a trap,” she said, “Impmon and I can Digivolve to Baalmon and buy time.”

But the others declined.

“Our first priority is rescuing the sender and locating the Crest,” Jyou said. “We can’t afford unnecessary battles.”

“You’ve already done so much,” Sora added gently. “I don’t want anyone else hurt because of my Crest.”

“We’re just data anyway,” Taichi said with a shrug. “No need to worry.”

Koushiro looked thoughtful. “We need balanced strength between both teams. Haruka, it’s better if you and Impmon stay with Takeru’s group.”

Reluctantly, Haruka agreed.

Yamato remained at the sphinx entrance to stand guard. Takeru sat inside by the wall, Mimi resting across from him. Haruka glanced toward the desert one last time, ensuring the others had made it safely inside. Then she walked over and sat beside Takeru, who was playing with Tokomon.

She spoke softly. “He’s your big brother, right?” Her eyes flicked toward Yamato.

Takeru nodded. “Yup!”

“What’s it like… having a big brother?”

“Hmmm…” Takeru thought for a moment. “I like my big brother! We used to play a lot when we were little. But then our parents divorced… so we don’t get to be together much.”

He looked at her. “Why do you ask? Do you have a big brother, too?”

“Yeah, just…” Haruka murmured, barely audible. Then she hesitated before adding, a little louder, “Just curious. He seems really protective of you.”

“Yeah,” Takeru smiled. “Sometimes too protective. Like, if I run too fast, he tells me to slow down so I won’t fall. But… I know he loves me. And I love him, too. I just want to explore the world myself sometimes, y’know?”

Haruka listened, absorbing what it meant to have a sibling—especially one who cared. She looked down at her hands, quiet.

A few feet away, Impmon stood beside Yamato, arms crossed, eyes on the horizon. He’d been listening quietly, sensing the emotions in Haruka that she didn’t yet know how to voice.

Yamato noticed Impmon’s glance toward her.

He didn’t say anything—just followed his gaze for a moment. The soft voices, the silences—they spoke volumes.

He exhaled through his nose, steady as ever, and returned his attention to the open desert.

Impmon looked up at him briefly, as if to say something. But Yamato gave the faintest nod.

He didn’t know exactly what Haruka was going through.

But he recognized the silence.

The way you hold something tight so no one can see it.

That, he understood.

Chapter Text

Back at the sphinx, tension hung heavy in the air. The group waited, breaths shallow, as the minutes dragged on.

Then, without warning, a pillar of fire erupted near the upside-down pyramid.

“Yamato, look!” Gabumon cried, pointing at the smoke curling into the sky.

“They’re fighting.” Yamato narrowed his eyes. Mimi gasped, clutching Palmon’s arm.

“Let’s go!” Haruka was already on her feet.

In flashes of light and swirling energy, the Digimon Digivolved. Mimi climbed into Togemon’s massive gloved hand, while Yamato and Haruka mounted Garurumon. Wizardmon soared beside them, staff crackling with arcane power.

They raced across the scorching sands, the desert wind biting their faces. Leaping into the sunken hole, they found Agumon, Tentomon, and Gomamon—bruised and barely conscious.

Towering above them stood Etemon, wild-eyed and charging up another attack.

But Sora and Piyomon were nowhere in sight.

“Prickly Bang Bang!”

“Fox Fire!”

“Thunder Cloud!”

Blasts slammed into Etemon. Garurumon’s fire flared up, shielding the wounded. In the chaos, Haruka and Yamato dashed in, dragging the injured Digimon to safety.

Outside the battlefield, Mimi kept watch, eyes scanning for danger.

Back at the Sphinx

In the dim, cool shadows of their temporary shelter, Taichi sat hunched, fists clenched in his lap.

Everyone knew now.

Sora and Piyomon had been taken—captured by the sender of the mysterious email: Nanomon.

According to Koushiro, Nanomon had once been attacked by Etemon and imprisoned beneath the pyramid. Forced to maintain Etemon’s network, he had slowly rebuilt himself. And as he did, fragmented memories returned—along with a dark purpose. Using Etemon’s own systems, he reached out—not just to escape, but to enact revenge.

And Sora had become his pawn.

Taichi shook his head, tears streaking his cheeks. “Damn it… I froze. I was scared I’d mess up—and die.”

He looked up, eyes red. “I thought… we were just data. That if something went wrong, I could just start over. Like a game.”

Silence. Even the Digimon said nothing.

Haruka stood nearby, frowning. She watched him—watched the guilt twist across his face. Slowly, awkwardly, she stepped forward and knelt beside him.

“Everyone’s scared of dying,” she said quietly. “But that’s not what matters right now.”

Taichi looked at her, startled.

“I don’t know if we’re data or not,” Haruka went on. “But when I fought Devimon, I bled. It hurt. You saw it.”

She met his gaze.

“Maybe we are data. Maybe we’re not. But pain, fear… friendship—that's real.”

Taichi looked down again, his shoulders trembling.

Haruka gently placed a hand on his arm. “Sora’s still out there. We can save her. So stop thinking about what we are—and focus on what we need to do.”

“Yeah. Stop blaming yourself,” Jyou added. “We couldn’t help her either.”

“Like Haruka said, there has to be something we can do,” Yamato agreed.

Just then, Koushiro burst in. “I’ve figured it out!”

They followed him back to the passage where a holographic map hovered mid-air.

“Nanomon never actually escaped,” Koushiro explained, typing rapidly. A section of the map flickered red. “There’s a hidden chamber below the pyramid—deeper than anything recorded. That’s where Sora is.”

Taichi stepped forward, eyes fixed on the glowing point. “Sora’s in there.”

“I know it’s dangerous,” he said, voice steady. “But I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“We know, Taichi. We feel the same,” Yamato said softly.

“Sora is one of our closest friends,” Mimi added.

“Let’s save her together,” Takeru said.

“So stop thinking it’s all your responsibility,” Haruka added, firmness in her tone.

“We’ll need a plan,” Jyou said.

Taichi looked around at all of them, eyes wide with something like awe. “You guys...”

The Next Morning

Tentomon flew high above the pyramid, scouting its defenses. Returning moments later, he shared what he had seen.

“There’s no way to sneak in,” Koushiro said, updating the map.

“That’s why we act as decoys,” Yamato declared.

“While we draw the enemies away, Taichi and Agumon will go inside,” Jyou added.

“Guide me through the path, okay?” Taichi asked.

“I will,” Koushiro nodded—but paused. “There’s a problem.”

“What is it?”

“This hidden passage is electrified—just like the place where Nanomon was imprisoned.”

Taichi’s face tightened. Memories of his earlier hesitation haunted him.

He inhaled deeply, and when he opened his eyes again, they burned with resolve. “I’ll save Sora this time.”

“Rescuing her is the priority,” Jyou said.

“Don’t do anything reckless,” Koushiro warned. “If Etemon shows up—retreat.”

“We know,” Yamato said. “You got that, Takeru?”

“Yeah!”

“Let’s all come back safely,” Mimi added, offering a quiet smile.

The Diversion

Jyou and Gomamon hid behind a sand dune; Yamato and Gabumon took cover behind a rock. The others remained camouflaged under one of Mimi’s beige picnic mats.

A sudden roar, then—“Harpoon Vulcan!” Ikkakumon unleashed a barrage of horn missiles, drawing Tyranomon, Monochromon, and Gazimon away from the pyramid.

““Fox Fire!” Garurumon howled, flames curling through the air. The blast struck the sand in front of Monochromon, forcing the enemy to swerve. “This way!” Yamato urged as more Gazimon gave chase.

Etemon leapt atop his trailer and roared after them.

“Please... be safe,” Taichi whispered to Koushiro.

“Be careful!” Mimi called after them as they sprinted toward the pyramid.

Under the Mat

Haruka, Takeru, and Mimi remained hidden beneath the mat. Distant booms echoed across the sands.

“I’m worried about the others,” Mimi murmured. Palmon Digivolved into Togemon and lifted her up.

“I’m leaving Takeru and Tokomon with you,” she told Haruka. “Stay safe.”

 Takeru and Haruka exchanged worried glances.

Haruka clenched her fists, helplessness weighing on her. She wanted to fight, but couldn’t leave Takeru and Tokomon behind.

Impmon rested his hand gently on her clenched fist—silent support.

“Haruka, I’m worried,” Takeru whispered.

“Me too…”

“Let’s go help.”

“But… it’s dangerous for Tokomon.”

“If we stay under the mat, they might not see us.”

“…Alright.”

Carefully, they crawled forward, mat shielding them from view. Gabumon, Palmon, and Gomamon had de-digivolved, their energy spent after holding off Etemon. Now in their Rookie forms, they lay bruised and cornered, barely able to move as Etemon prepared to strike again.

Suddenly, a voice crackled over a comm link inside the pyramid:

“Etemon‑sama! We have trouble! The rest of the Chosen Children have invaded!”

“What?! Why would they... That means Nanomon is still inside?!” Etemon responded, distracted.

In that moment, the trio quickly signaled upward and ducked fully under the mat together.

“You’re a big help, Takeru,” Yamato said, ruffling his little brother’s hair.

“Tokomon, Haruka, and Impmon helped too,” Takeru replied with a bright grin.

“Thanks, Haruka—and Impmon, thanks,” Jyou added with a nod.

“But Taichi and the others…” Yamato looked toward the pyramid, worry etching his expression.

“I’m sure they’re rescuing Sora right now.” Mimi whispered, eyes fixed on the distant structure.

They hurried back toward the pyramid. Then—

BOOM!

 A wall exploded. Greymon, Kabuterimon, and Birdramon burst out with Taichi, Koushiro—and a waving, smiling Sora.

Cheers rose. For a moment.

As they prepared to escape on their Digimon, a powerful force began sucking everything inward. Nearby Tyranomon, Monochromon, and Gazimon were pulled toward the crumbling pyramid.

“What’s happening?!” Jyou cried out.

 “It’s convenient that this allows us to escape from them!” Koushiro said.

A green-black beam pierced the sky. The pyramid collapsed. Etemon appeared, half-fused into writhing cables.

“You think you defeated me?” he cackled. “I won’t be taken down by the likes of this!”

They retaliated: “Meteor Wing! Mega Blaster!”—but the energy vanished against the cable-mass shield.

“That tickled,” Etemon sneered. “Now, my turn—Dark Spirits!”

A green blast ripped through the battlefield. Birdramon and Kabuterimon barely dodged. A mountain warped—and vanished. Etemon rained destruction around, one blast grazing the Sphinx.

 “The Sphinx!” Mimi gasped.

“We have nowhere left to run!” Koushiro cried.

“If he keeps this up, the entire world will become a mess!” Sora shouted.

“But there’s no way we can win against him!” Jyou said , his voice trembling.

“Impmon and I will buy you guys some time.” Haruka declared.

“No—we still have one shot,” Taichi said. “Greymon, let’s go!”

“Right, Taichi!”

“What’s he doing?!” Haruka shouted.

“I won’t run away!” Taichi held up his glowing Crest. “Not ever again!”

Impmon’s eyes widened. “His Crest…”

Etemon launched a new energy sphere. Greymon staggered but Taichi shouted encouragement,

“Don’t ever give up, Greymon!”

Taichi’s Crest and Digivice pulsed orange, flooding Greymon with a surge of energy—pure, bright, and unrelenting.

 “Taichi, your courage…I can feel its power surging though my body!”

Greymon, Chou Shinka… MetalGreymon!

A massive light engulfed him as he evolved into his Ultimate form.

“This is…!” Jyou gasped.

“The power of the Crest!” Yamato said, stunned.

Taichi’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. “This is Greymon’s true evolution!”

“Even evolution won’t save you!” Etemon sneered—but MetalGreymon shattered his attacks with steel claws.

He charged, pushing the cable-tangle with his horn, Etemon atop it, desperate and snarling.

MetalGreymon’s aura expanded pure white. Tokomon whispered breathlessly: “The light... it’s the power of holiness.”

“Giga Destroyer!”—twin missile-like torpedoes launched from MetalGreymon’s chest, striking the twisted cables that anchored Etemon.

Space began to swirl. Etemon seemed to vanish inside the vortex... but the gravitational pull was fierce. Taichi, closest to the event, was yanked inward.

MetalGreymon grabbed him with his claw—but the force yanked them both into the void.

“Taichi!!” the group cried, rushing forward—but nothing remained. Silence swallowed the space.

Haruka stood frozen, eyes locked on the empty void where Taichi had been. Her breath caught in her throat.

Then the word tore from her chest:

“Onii‑chan!”

The word rang out, raw and unfiltered. Haruka blinked, stunned by her own voice. She hadn’t meant to say it.

Chapter Text

The desert had never felt so quiet.

Dust still swirled where the pyramid had stood, the vortex long gone—but its scars remained. Shards of stone lay scattered across the sand like fractured memories, and the acrid scent of scorched air clung to their clothes and skin.

No one spoke.

Haruka stood motionless, staring at the spot where Taichi and MetalGreymon had vanished. Her hand trembled at her side, the word still echoing in her ears.

Onii-chan.

She hadn’t meant to say it. It had just slipped out—unfiltered, too loud, too real to take back.

Yamato turned to her, his expression unreadable. Jyou blinked, puzzled. Even Mimi tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowed in quiet confusion.

Takeru tugged gently on the brim of Haruka’s cap.
“Haruka…?”

She blinked, then turned away, rubbing her eyes roughly with the back of her hand.

“I’m fine,” she muttered. “It… just slipped.”

“Did you call Taichi…?” Mimi asked softly, letting the question trail into silence.

Haruka didn’t respond. Instead, she crouched beside Tokomon, brushing sand from his fur with sharp, distracted motions.

The others exchanged glances.

Gabumon stepped closer to Yamato, his voice low. “You heard that too, didn’t you?”

Yamato gave a small nod. “Yeah.”

He didn’t say anything more. But something in his eyes shifted—pieces of a puzzle quietly clicking into place.

As dusk settled over the dunes, they made camp near the ruined sphinx. A small fire crackled between them, casting flickering shadows across tired faces.

Talk of strategy and survival had faded. The fire lit only silence now—the kind full of words too painful or awkward to say.

Takeru slowly stepped away from the others and walked over to Haruka, who sat curled at the edge of the firelight, arms wrapped tightly around her knees.

He sat beside her, quiet for a moment. Then, softly:

“Is that why you asked me about my big brother? Because Taichi is yours?”

Haruka didn’t lift her head, but she nodded.

“I remembered how I got here… when we were training at Piximon’s place,” she whispered. “I remembered everything. That I had a brother. That it was Taichi.”

She hugged her knees closer.

“It just feels… strange. I was alone for so long. And then suddenly, I wasn’t.”

She paused.

“And when he called out to me after the Devimon fight… he remembered me. But I didn’t even recognize his voice. I forgot him.”

Her voice cracked. She bit her lip to stop it from trembling.

The others had stopped talking now. One by one, they turned toward her—quietly listening.

For the first time, Haruka didn’t look like the tough, sarcastic girl who always had a plan. She looked small. Real. Fragile.

And suddenly, it clicked for everyone.

She was just eight.

Just like Takeru.

They remembered what Impmon had said after SkullGreymon—that Haruka had lost her memories. That she and Impmon had kept protecting them, always on guard. How easy it had been to forget her age because of how mature she acted.

Too easy.

Mimi hugged Palmon tighter.

Yamato stared into the fire, his brow furrowed.

Even Jyou, always the calm voice of reason, had nothing to say.

Takeru gently reached for Haruka’s hand.
“But you remember now,” he said. “That’s what matters.”

Sora stepped forward, crouched down, and placed a gentle hand on Haruka’s shoulder.
“It’s okay not to know how to feel,” she said softly. “It’s a lot. And I’m sure Taichi understands that, too. He’ll give you time—however much you need.”

Haruka looked up, her throat tight.
“Y-you’re right… we needed to have faith. Everything will be okay… eventually.”

Days passed—at first with urgency, then with numb routine. The sun rose and fell without answers. Time, like sand, kept slipping.

They searched every day—combing the dunes, the canyons, even the shadowed caves. But the desert gave no answers. No signs.

One evening, as the sun dipped behind the horizon and painted the sky gold, Sora stood up.

“Let’s keep looking for Taichi and Agumon. We’ll find them—I know it.”

Yamato shook his head.
“It’s been over a month and a half. There’s nothing. No footprints, no signals… nothing.”

Koushiro’s brow creased.
“Maybe Gennai knows something. He might have answers.”

Haruka’s gaze flicked toward him.
They don’t know where to find him…

But I do.
I grew up in his house. I know every inch of it.

Still, she said nothing.

I don’t even know if he’d want me back. He asked me to oversee the others…

Jyou sighed. “Even if he does know, how do we even begin to find him?”

Haruka stared into the fire, thoughts swirling.

I want to see him—not just through the communicator, but in person.
There are too many questions I can’t ignore anymore.

“...I just want to go home,” Mimi said softly. She pulled her knees close, voice barely above a whisper. “I’m tired of being stuck.”

One by one, the others drifted off—some still searching, others needing time to reflect.

Eventually, only three remained: Yamato, Takeru, and Haruka.

There were no signs of a new enemy. No threat like Devimon or Etemon.

And Yamato, as always, would protect his little brother.

Haruka rose and turned to the horizon.

The sun was long gone, the sky tinted a soft violet that bled into deeper shades of night. A breeze stirred the edges of her coat as she stood there, staring off at something distant—something only she knew how to find.

She had made her decision.

Without a word, she gathered her bag and slipped away from the small campfire, barely making a sound. Only Yamato seemed to notice. He didn’t stop her—just watched her go, a flicker of understanding in his expression.

Takeru shifted beside him. “Where is she going?”

Yamato didn’t answer right away. He looked to the stars above, quiet for a moment.
“…No need to worry. She can protect herself.”

Haruka walked under the starlight, each step quieter than the last. The dunes rolled around her like silent waves, familiar yet foreign. Her heart pounded—not from fear of the journey, but of what waited at the end of it.

Will he be angry?

She could still hear Gennai’s voice from before: “I’m counting on you. You have more experience; with you, they will be safer.”

She walked on, the soft sound of her boots muffled by the sand, her thoughts louder than anything around her.

Was I wrong to come back here? Did I fail him? Fail the others?

Eventually, the path turned rocky. Then she reached the edge of the lake—the same lake she remembered from her earliest memories in the Digital World. Quiet. Hidden. Still.

She stepped into the shallows without hesitation, the cold water soaking into her boots. She followed the stone path beneath the surface, glowing faintly like it always had. The pressure of the lake above never touched her. The enchantment Gennai had placed still held.

And then… the house appeared. A traditional Japanese home, nestled beneath the water. Just like she remembered it.

She hesitated at the door. Her hand hovered above it, trembling.

What if he tells me I shouldn’t have come? What if I’m not welcome anymore?

Impmon shifted behind her. He’d followed without saying anything, as he always did. His ears were low, his arms crossed—but not in defiance. In worry.

“You gonna knock or what?” he muttered, trying to sound casual. But even his voice was unsteady. “We’ve come this far.”

Haruka nodded, barely breathing, and knocked—softly.

A moment passed.

Then the door creaked open.

And there he was—Gennai. The same gentle smile on his face, the same twinkle of ageless kindness in his eyes.

“Little Haruka,” he said warmly, as though not a day had passed. “Welcome home.”

She didn’t even try to stop the tears. With a strangled sob, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him.

“G-Gennai… I missed you…”

He held her without hesitation, one hand gently resting on the back of her head like a father soothing a child.

“You’ve grown,” he said softly. “You’ve been brave.”

Behind them, Impmon lingered near the threshold, watching the reunion quietly.

Haruka cried harder, the guilt and fear unraveling all at once.
“I left them… I know I should’ve stayed with them—like you asked—but…”

Gennai didn’t flinch. He only nodded, gently pulling her inside.
“It’s okay,” he said. “You can rest too.”

Impmon stood in the doorway a while longer, watching the way the warm light inside spilled over the threshold. For the first time in weeks, Haruka didn’t look like she was fighting to keep herself together.

She looked like a kid again.
Safe.

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.

“…Took her long enough,” he muttered, voice thick.

But deep down, he was glad they came home.

Chapter Text

Haruka stayed at Gennai’s for several days.

It felt almost like she’d never left. The air was calm, the light soft, the silence gentle. There were no battles to worry about, no swirling sandstorms or broken stone, no voices raised in fear or frustration. Just the quiet hum of the lake above, the scent of herbal tea, and the comfort of routine.

For a while, it was enough.

She helped Gennai tend the garden. Sat on the porch with Impmon in companionable silence. Watched the glowing fish drift lazily beyond the protective barrier. The house was just as she remembered—unchanged and safe. A place untouched by time.

Haruka hadn’t realized how exhausted she was until the quiet gave her permission to rest.

One morning, she sat beside Gennai, sipping warm tea. A soft breeze stirred the paper doors, and sunlight filtered through the translucent walls in delicate, rippling patterns.

“I remembered how I got here,” she said quietly, breaking a long silence.

Gennai looked up from his tea and smiled gently. “That’s good news, isn’t it?”

She hesitated, then gave a small nod. “I guess so. But it feels… strange. Like I’m suddenly becoming someone I don’t really recognize.”

Gennai took a thoughtful sip. “That’s understandable. Memories aren’t just things we hold onto—they shape us. And sometimes, remembering who you were can feel like losing who you’ve become.”

Haruka glanced down at her cup. “The more I remember, the more questions I have.”

Gennai chuckled softly. “That never really changes.”

She met his eyes. “Is that why you raised me? Because I’m one of the Chosen Children?”

His smile didn’t fade, but it deepened with a note of quiet nostalgia. “Yes… and no.”

Haruka frowned. “What do you mean?”

“At first, yes,” he said. “You were very young. Too young. You arrived long before the others—before anything was ready. I didn’t know why you were here. Or how. Only that you were alone.”

He paused, his expression distant, like retrieving old fragments of forgotten code.

“My purpose is to guide the Chosen Children when they arrive. That’s what I was created for. But you weren’t supposed to be here yet. And I couldn’t leave you out there—not when we were still preparing for your arrival.”

Haruka stayed quiet, absorbing every word.

“I don’t know who chose you,” Gennai admitted. “Or why. Not truly. There are pieces of that story I was never meant to access. So many of the questions you carry—I can’t answer.”

A stillness followed, as if the house itself had gone quiet in respect.

“But,” he added softly, “raising you became more than duty. You were a child—bright, stubborn, curious, and kind. Taking care of you changed me. You made me feel… more than just a program.”

Haruka felt her throat tighten. Her voice wavered. “Even if it started as duty… I knew you cared. You didn’t just look after me because it was your job. I can feel how much you care—for me and Impmon.”

Gennai didn’t reply, but the look in his eyes said everything.

Haruka turned toward the far wall, where the shimmering lake above cast watery shadows across the wooden floor.

“When I first came back… I wanted to stay forever. Hide behind you like I used to. But now… I want to go back. Not because I feel brave, or because I’m ready—but because I want to help. Like you helped me.”

She looked back at him, her voice steadier now. “If guiding the Chosen is your job… then let me help you. Me and Impmon—we’ll do it together.”

From the corner of the room, Impmon scoffed lightly and crossed his arms. “I’ll be by your side. Always.”

But his voice didn’t carry its usual bite. It was gentler—proud, even.

Gennai chuckled. “You’re stronger than you realize, Haruka. You and Impmon… your hearts are in the right place. With that alone, you can do more than you think.”

Haruka smiled faintly, her fingers tightening around her cup.

“I feel better now. Talking to you. Being here… it reminded me of who I am. Or maybe just reminded me that I’m not alone.”

Gennai leaned forward and gently patted her head, just as he used to.

“You’ll never be alone,” he said. “And when you’re ready, the world will still be waiting. I can help you locate Koushiro’s laptop.”

This time, Haruka nodded without hesitation.

Later…

Following Gennai’s directions, Haruka and Impmon made their way across a rocky mountainside. The path was steep and uneven, but they pressed on without hesitation.

Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A pillar of white light burst from the hillside ahead, shattering the silence.

They broke into a run.

As they crested a slope, they spotted Yamato and Takeru standing nearby—Tsunomon and Patamon beside them, all eyes fixed on the source of the disturbance.

Haruka’s gaze flicked down to the scene below. Tokomon had digivolved. But Gabumon had… reverted?

What happened while I was gone?

Her thoughts were interrupted as a massive red beetle—MegaKabuterimon—soared out of the light. Moments later, Koushiro and the newly reverted Motimon landed hard nearby.

Yamato and Takeru rushed over, calling his name in relief.

Then, shimmering in the sky above, Gennai’s hologram appeared.

“Chosen Children,” he began, his voice calm and clear.

“Gennai!” Koushiro called, clutching Motimon.

“The distortions in this world still haven’t been corrected. Use the Digimon Analyzer I’ve uploaded to your computer as a guide. It may help you understand more going forward.”

He paused, then added, “Also—little Haruka should be arriving soon…”

And just like that, the hologram faded from the sky.

Koushiro immediately opened his laptop, eyes scanning the new system.

Takeru turned toward the path, searching.

Then, he spotted her.

“Ah! Haruka!” he called, waving eagerly. “Over here!”

Haruka smiled, her boots crunching softly against the stones as she walked up the hill, Impmon by her side.

This time, I won’t run away. I have faith in Impmon. In myself. In the others around us.

I have faith we’ll find Taichi—and the others, too.

Taichi can just be Taichi for now—a teammate I can trust.

Until I’m ready.

Right now, we need to focus on fixing the distortions in this world.

Chapter Text

After Haruka reunited with Yamato’s group, she learned from Takeru that Taichi had returned. They had split up to find the others, and in the process, Gabumon had reverted all the way back to Tsunomon. He had evolved into WereGarurumon—his Ultimate form—but had exhausted too much energy.

It raised an unexpected question.

“Baalmon reverted back to Impmon,” Koushiro noted. “So why did our Digimon devolve further?”

“Probably because I’ve had more experience,” Impmon replied, arms folded. “Haruka and I have been fighting to survive for a long time. I’ve digivolved plenty just to keep us safe.”

They continued walking downhill, toward a shimmering lake, and spotted three familiar figures stepping off a giant swan paddle boat.

“Taichi…” Haruka murmured in quiet relief.

There he was—with Mimi and Jyou. With this, seven of the Chosen Children had reunited. Only one remained.

“Where’s Sora?” Taichi asked, scanning the shoreline.

“We haven’t seen her,” Yamato answered.

“Where could she have gone?” Taichi frowned.

It turned out Sora hadn’t been far. Mimi swore she’d seen her in a dream while resting at Gekomon’s palace. Sora had even warned Agumon not to eat the poisoned mushrooms.

“But… if that’s true, why hasn’t she come to us?” Takeru asked.

“There’s no point guessing,” Yamato said, holding up his Digivice. Two red lights blinked on the screen—one for Sora, one for the group. “We’re not her. We’ll just have to find her.”

“This feels like hide-and-seek,” Taichi muttered.

“She’s close,” Koushiro said. “This way.”

They moved quickly, calling Sora’s name and watching the Digivices. But the sun had already begun to set. Jyou voiced concern—it would be dangerous to keep searching in the dark. Mimi was clearly tired.

“She should be nearby,” Yamato insisted, eyes still locked on his screen.

Then Patamon’s ears perked up.

A loud buzzing filled the air. A giant insect Digimon—Flymon—burst from the treetops, firing poisonous stingers down at them.

“Run!” Taichi shouted.

They bolted between the trees as Flymon chased them. Koromon and Tsunomon digivolved mid-sprint into Agumon and Gabumon, launching flame bursts to provide cover. Haruka unsheathed her wakizashi and deflected the stingers aimed at her and Impmon.

Suddenly, a burst of heat cut through the air.

“Meteor Wing!”

Flaming projectiles rained down from the sky. One struck Flymon directly, engulfing it in flames. It screeched and crashed to the forest floor.

They all looked up.

“Birdramon…” Haruka murmured.

The fiery bird flew overhead—and vanished beyond the trees.

“Sora has to be close!” Taichi shouted and dashed after her. Yamato, Takeru, and Haruka followed without hesitation.

“Sora!” Taichi called, running across a shallow river.

They chased Birdramon into the deeper part of the forest. Eventually, they find her—Taichi and Haruka flanking her from the front, Yamato and Takeru from behind.

“Sora!” Taichi gasped, out of breath. “Why are you running away?”

 “Do you hate us now?” Takeru asked gently.

Sora shook her head. “No… That’s not it.”

“Sora, why don’t you tell them?” Biyomon said softly.

Sora hesitated, then began. “That night, when Biyomon and I went looking for Taichi, we overheard DemiDevimon. He was talking to someone… about our Crests.”

“Our Crests?” Taichi echoed.

“Each of our Crests represents a different meaning,” Sora explained. “Yours is the Crest of Courage, Taichi.”

“Courage…” he whispered.

“Yamato, yours is Friendship.” She turned. “Takeru, yours is Hope. And Haruka’s is the Crest of Faith.”

Haruka blinked. “Faith?”

“Isn’t that what you’ve always had?” Impmon said quietly from her side.

“Koushiro has Knowledge, Jyou is Sincerity, Mimi’s is Purity... and mine…” She hesitated. “Mine is Love.”

“That fits you perfectly, Sora,” Taichi said.

“No, it doesn’t!” she snapped, startling them. “It doesn’t fit me at all!”

“But… you always think of others…” Taichi tried.

“You don’t know what I’m really like! So stop pretending you do!” she cried.

A heavy silence followed. She realized her tone and muttered, “I’m sorry…”

“What’s going on?” Taichi asked, voice soft.

“My Crest… won’t glow,” Sora said. “Because I don’t have love.”

She told them how her mother had stopped her from playing football after an injury—how she never supported Sora’s passions. Her family, tied to a long-standing flower-arranging tradition, prioritized images over emotions.

“I was raised without love. So how could I ever make the Crest of Love glow?”

Her voice broke. She turned away, tears falling freely.

“H-Hey, Yamato…” Taichi whispered. “What do I do?”

“If she wants to cry, let her cry,” Yamato said quietly.

Takeru stepped forward and smiled gently. “Thank you, Sora.”

She looked at him, confused.

“You’re the one who told us not to eat the mushrooms, right?”

Biyomon nodded. “We knew DemiDevimon was up to something. So we helped from a distance.”

“You didn’t have to hide from us,” Taichi said softly.

“Sora wanted to be alone… but she couldn’t abandon you,” Biyomon added. “Please understand her.”

Haruka stepped forward and took Sora’s hand.

“You once told me Taichi would understand me—and give me time,” Haruka said. “I’ll give you time too. As long as you need. We’ll figure this out together.”

“I really like you, Sora,” Takeru added. “Please don’t leave us again.”

The others arrived and gathered around, their presence quiet but warm. Sora finally nodded.

They made camp for the night, huddled around a fire. Peace settled over them… until a sudden scream tore through the stillness.

Sora.

DemiDevimon had attacked her in her sleep—only for Biyomon to shield her with her body.

Clouds began to swirl, casting shadows across the land as the moon turned a deep, ominous red.

A chilling screech echoed from above. They looked up to see a strange flying cart drawn by winged black Digimon.

It dropped a large, ornate coffin into the clearing.

The coffin creaked open mid-air.

From within, a tall, vampiric figure wrapped in a black cape descended slowly to the ground, his presence chilling the air.

He landed silently in front of them, his blue eyes gleaming coldly beneath the cowl..

“Chosen Children,” he said in a low, commanding voice.

“That’s him!” Sora gasped, cradling the injured Biyomon. “That’s the one DemiDevimon was talking to!”

“That’s Lord Myotismon to you!” DemiDevimon snapped. “You rude girl!”

“Your journey ends here,” Myotismon growled. “Night Raid!”

Bats erupted from his cape, swarming toward them.

“Baby Flame!”

“Petit Fire!”

“Air Shot!”

The Rookie Digimon fought back, but the bats kept coming.

Palmon evolved into Togemon. “Prickly Bang Bang!” Her needles cleared a path.

Gomamon took the chance to evolve into Ikkakumon. “Harpoon Vulcan!”

But the attack barely fazed Myotismon.

He laughed cruelly. “Bloody Stream!” His red whip lashed through the air, striking Togemon and Ikkakumon, then sweeping toward the Rookies.

Haruka stepped in, blade flashing. A stinger of red light cut her cheek, but she held her ground.

Impmon usual smirk faded when he saw blood drip down Haruka’s cheek.

“You okay…?” he asked, quieter than usual.

She nodded. “Still standing.”

“Then let’s make sure he’s not.”

He growled, power stirring—ready to evolve—when a sudden cry caught his attention.

“Why can’t you understand?!” Biyomon screamed, writhing in Sora’s arms.

She forced herself free—and evolved.

Birdramon!

She soared into the sky and launched Meteor Wing, but Myotismon blocked it with his cape, then whipped her down mid-flight.

“Birdramon!” Sora cried out.

Her Crest began to glow.

Birdramon, Chou Shinka… Garudamon!

A radiant light exploded outward. Myotismon shielded his face.

“Sora… your love… I felt so much of it!” Garudamon said, lifting her gently.

 “The Crest of Love just had to activated at the most crucial moment!?!” Myotismon snarled.

“Shadow Wing!”

A radiant phoenix of fire collided with Myotismon’s Night Raid. Light exploded between them.

“Let’s go while we can!” Garudamon shouted.

She lifted them all and soared away.

They landed safely by a quiet lakeside.

“You see?” Taichi said. “There was nothing to worry about. Your Crest did glow.”

“I understand now,” Sora whispered. “My mother’s love… I finally get it.”

“I felt it too!” Pyocomon chirped in her now-reverted form. “I felt your love!”

Laughter rippled among them. Yamato pulled out his harmonica and began to play.

Haruka leaned back against Impmon, listening to the soft melody.

Then the sky darkened again, and a voice echoed through the clouds.

“Chosen Children… With only the power of eight, you cannot thwart the might of our evil.”

The laughter faded. They looked up, startled—as the sky darkened once more.

Chapter Text

Morning came quickly. As the group gathered food and water from nearby trees and the river, Myotismon’s warning from the night before still lingered in their minds.

By the river, Taichi, Jyou, and Mimi filled up water while the others searched for fruit.

In the nearby woods, Haruka and Impmon picked berries.

“What did he mean by ‘the power of eight’?” Haruka asked, frowning as she dropped a handful of berries onto her cape laid on the ground.

Impmon shrugged. “Don’t think too hard about it. He’s the enemy. Whatever he said could’ve just been to mess with your head.”

Haruka nodded, but her mind was still turning when Koushiro’s voice rang out from nearby.

“Everyone! Gennai’s here!”

They rushed to the clearing and found the others gathered around a flickering hologram.

“I’ve got both good news and bad news,” Gennai said. “Which do you want first?”

“I’d usually say save the good news for last, but…” Jyou began.

“We’ll probably be disappointed either way, so just tell us the good news first,” Yamato finished.

“The good news is—I’ve located a new comrade.”

“A new comrade?” Sora repeated. “You mean… another Chosen Child?”

“That’s right,” Gennai confirmed. “There are supposed to be nine Chosen Children.”

Everyone gasped.

“So that’s what he meant,” Haruka whispered to herself. Only Impmon caught it.

“There’s another Digimon out there, then?” Piyomon asked.

“Yes, but more importantly, the Digital World’s distortions won’t fully stabilize unless all nine of you are together. The same goes for the distortions in your own world.”

They all exchanged glances, the weight of that truth settling in.

“I wonder what this new kid’s like,” Takeru said with a hopeful smile.

“I can’t wait to meet our new friend!” Mimi added.

“So where are they?” Taichi asked. “What’s the name?”

“I don’t know the name…” Gennai admitted, “but I do know where they are—back in Japan.”

Their excitement turned to dismay.

“That means… we can’t meet them?” Jyou said.

Gennai raised a hand. “Don’t lose hope. But here’s the bad news: Myotismon has learned this too. He’s preparing an army to invade the human world—and eliminate the ninth child.”

“What?!” Taichi’s eyes widened. “He’s going to Japan?!”

Gennai led them to a hidden vantage point near a massive stone castle. Agumon and Palmon had disguised themselves and infiltrated the enemy ranks to help open a path for the others.

“The gate to Japan is somewhere inside that castle,” Gennai said.

“That’s why Myotismon left DemiDevimon to deal with us. —he’s been preparing the gate.” Koushiro said.

Haruka stared at the looming fortress. “Why does this place feel… familiar?”

Impmon’s ears twitched. “Yeah… Same here.”

Before they could dwell on it, Palmon’s vines descended from the castle walls.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!” she called.

They hurried forward.

“I won’t be able to contact you once you're inside,” Gennai warned. “You’re on your own now.”

“You can count on us!” Taichi said, grabbing the vine and climbing up with Mimi.

“Stop Myotismon’s plan—and protect the ninth child!” Gennai called after them as one by one, they vanished over the wall.

Inside the warped halls of the castle, the group split into teams to search for the Gate—Yamato with Takeru, Sora with Jyou, Koushiro with Mimi, and Taichi with Haruka.

As they walked, Haruka’s frown deepened. The castle’s layout was like a maze—sometimes they walked upside-down without falling, and other times they passed through doors only to loop back to where they started.

“This place is disorienting,” she muttered. “But… also familiar.”

“Taichi?” Koushiro’s voice called from below.

“Wait—below?” Taichi peered down off the edge of the stone bridge they were on.

“We’re above you,” Tentomon said, sounding puzzled.

Eventually, the groups reunited.

“This castle is very strange,” Koushiro said. “The airspace in here must be distorted and warped.”

“Someone’s coming!” Gomamon whispered urgently.

They all turned to see a line of dark, shadowy figures marching across a nearby bridge—upside down.

“They’re heading somewhere,” Yamato said.

“Let’s follow them,” Sora suggested.

They trailed the enemy forces down a long stone staircase until they reached a large chamber. Before them stood a towering, metallic gate glowing faintly. Dozens of Digimon marched through it.

Myotismon stood near his ominous flying cart, calmly preparing to depart.

“Hold it right there!” Taichi yelled.

“You’re too late,” Myotismon said, stepping onto his platform. “Behold—a historic moment.”

“We won’t let you get away!” Yamato growled.

“I don’t have time to waste on you,” Myotismon replied. “DemiDevimon. Silence them.”

The bat-like Digimon snickered and summoned reinforcements—Nanimon, Sukamon, Numemon, and Vegiemon.

Agumon Digivolved to Greymon!
Palmon Digivolved to Togemon!
Gabumon Digivolved to Garurumon!
Tentomon Digivolved to Kabuterimon!
Gomamon Digivolved to Ikkakumon!
Impmon Digivolved to Wizardmon!

The sheer size and strength of their Digimon caused the weaker enemies to panic. Even Nanimon waved a white flag in surrender.

The group charged toward the Gate—but suddenly, a small white cat Digimon landed in front of them.

“I can’t stop watching this anymore,” she said calmly.

Jyou blinked. “She’s tiny. We can handle her.”

But Tailmon moved with blinding speed, delivering a powerful kick that knocked both Greymon and Ikkakumon off balance.

Her tail lifted, and the golden ring began to glow—activating the stone Devidramon statues on the walls.

Two monstrous Devidramon took flight.

“Mega Flame!”

“Fox Fire!”

“Mega Blaster!”

“Harpoon Vulcan!”

“Prickly Bang Bang!”

“Thunder Cloud!”

The Digimon unleashed their attacks, but the Devidramon dodged effortlessly, keeping them away from the Gate.

Just as they made a break for it and dashed toward the Gate, one of the Devidramon descended, wings outstretched to block their path.

“Taichi!!” Greymon roared, eyes blazing.

His body glowed with an intense light.

“Greymon, Chou Shinka—MetalGreymon!”

With a mighty roar, the newly evolved MetalGreymon took flight, launching himself between Taichi and the Devidramon.

“Giga Destroyer!”

Missiles surged from his chest, slamming into both Devidramon. The resulting explosion lit up the chamber, and the monstrous sentries crumbled under the blast.

As the smoke cleared, MetalGreymon panted heavily, his body flickering.

Then—with a soft flash—he reverted to Koromon, exhausted.

Taichi rushed to catch him. “Thanks, buddy,” he whispered, cradling his partner. “Let’s go!”

 They dashed toward the Gate—only for Tailmon to raise her tail again.

Two more Devidramon statues came to life.

Despite their Digimon’s best efforts, the Gate slammed shut just as Taichi reached it.

He crashed into the cold metal and fell back, groaning.

“Damn it!” he shouted, punching the gate. “We were so close… If Myotismon reaches the ninth child…”

They were forced to retreat. The remaining Digimon forces gave chase, forcing the group to flee from the castle.

They returned to the clearing where Gennai’s hologram flickered back to life.

“If Myotismon makes it to the human world—” Yamato said, carrying a winded Takeru at his back.

“—he’ll throw all of Japan into chaos!” Sora added.

“Is there any way to reopen the Gate?” Taichi asked.

Gennai nodded. “Yes—but it won’t be easy. I’ll need to show you how, and you’ll need a special tool.”

“Then let’s not waste time!” Taichi urged.

Gennai smiled faintly. “Very well. Come to my home. I’ll explain everything.”

“Your house?” Koromon asked.

Gennai turned toward Haruka. “You remember the way, don’t you, little Haruka?”

She nodded quietly. “I do.”

The hologram faded.

As the wind stirred through the clearing, the group turned to face the distant horizon. The Gate was closed—but not forever. Somewhere in the real world, an innocent child waited—unaware of the danger drawing near.

They had only one chance left to stop Myotismon. And failure was not an option.

Chapter Text

Haruka and Impmon led the group through the thick forest, their pace steady and sure. The scent of damp earth lingered in the air, and patches of sunlight filtered through the canopy, dancing over the ground. Eventually, the trees began to thin, revealing a wide, glimmering lake.

Mimi stopped dead in her tracks. “Wait a second—his house is underwater?!”

Haruka nodded without missing a step.

Koushiro adjusted his laptop strap and gave a small, wry smile. “So that’s why I couldn’t find him in the mountains during those two months of searching.”

“Someone was after Gennai a few years ago, so we had to hide,” Impmon explained matter-of-factly.

Jyou peered over the water’s surface, unsure. “And… exactly how do we get there?”

Haruka raised her communicator — a small device Gennai had given her long ago — and pressed a button. A deep rumble echoed beneath the surface. The lake began to churn, and then, to everyone’s astonishment, the water parted like a curtain, revealing a staircase spiraling downward.

Without hesitation, Haruka and Impmon started down the steps. The others followed, marveling at the walls of water rising on either side. Shafts of light filtered through, illuminating darting fish and drifting plants.

“Careful,” Haruka warned over her shoulder. “The stairs might be slippery.”

At the base, an elegant traditional Japanese-style home sat serenely, its wooden beams and tiled roof untouched by time. Haruka slid open the front door, turning back to the group with a warm smile. “Welcome.”

Inside, they found Gennai standing on a small stone bridge over a koi pond, sprinkling fish food into the rippling water.

Haruka rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m home,” she whispered.

Gennai patted her back gently before looking to the rest of the group. “I see you’ve made it here safely, children.”

Impmon crossed his arms behind his head and smirked. “Well, with me and Haruka leading, what did you expect?”

Questions began to pour in.

Taichi was the first. “Why didn’t you come meet us directly after all this time?”

Gennai smiled faintly. “I like staying at home.”

Jyou frowned. “Just… who are you anyway?”

“Human? Or a Digimon?” Takeru asked curiously.

“Neither,” Haruka answered quietly.

Mimi leaned forward. “Then what does being a Chosen Child actually mean?”

“It means you are children chosen to save both this world and your own,” Gennai replied evenly.

Yamato narrowed his eyes. “But who chose us?”

Sora crossed her arms. “Was it you, Gennai?”

He shook his head. “Enough questions for now. What you need to focus on is saving the ninth child.”

The group followed Gennai deeper into the house. Haruka and Impmon moved to the kitchen to prepare tea while the others settled in the living room. When the pair returned, balancing trays in their hands, Gennai had already dimmed the lights and activated a small projector. A glowing map appeared on the wall, marked with a flashing red circle.

“That’s the Nerima district,” Taichi said immediately.

Gennai nodded. “This is where Myotismon is currently located.”

As Taichi and Yamato stared at the map, their expressions shifted. They exchanged a glance.

“What’s wrong?” Yamato asked.

“No… nothing,” Taichi replied. “I just thought—he’s in Hikarigaoka.”

“Hikarigaoka?” the others repeated in confusion. Haruka set the tea down, tilting her head at the unfamiliar name.

“Tell us how to open the Gate,” Taichi urged.

“Let’s not be hasty.” Gennai’s tone was patient, but his eyes held a spark of mischief. “Little Haruka, could you fetch something for me? The sixth drawer up, third across, by the bookshelf.”

Impmon fetched a small stepping stool while Haruka climbed up to open the drawer. She withdrew a small stack of cards and handed them to Gennai.

“You’ll need these to open the Gate,” he explained, spreading the cards out before them. “Do you remember the nine holes in the stone slate in front of the Gate?”

“Yes! I saw them in the castle,” Koushiro confirmed.

“These cards go into those holes,” Gennai said.

Koushiro counted quickly. “There are ten cards here. You gave us an extra one.”

“One of them is a card I’m unsure about that got mixed in,” Gennai admitted.

“Well… I don’t know.”

“Oh well, we’ll just put them in randomly—” Taichi began.

“Absolutely not!” Gennai sprang forward, startling him. “If you do, you could be sent to a completely different — and very unpleasant — world. Unlike Myotismon, who used an incantation, you must solve this with your own abilities.”

He stacked the cards and handed them to Taichi. “Relax for tonight. The enemy won’t come here.”

That night, most of the group slept peacefully in futons. Only Koushiro remained awake, talking quietly with Gennai about the Digital World. Haruka and Impmon sat out on the engawa, watching the still water of the garden pond.

When Gennai finally stepped outside, carrying Koushiro’s laptop, he found Haruka hugging her knees. “Something troubling you, little one?”

“…I know we have to save the ninth child. And I know that’s where I was born… but it feels distant. I know here is my home, but…”

Gennai sat beside her. “You once told me Taichi is your brother, and you didn’t know how to face him. That means your family hasn’t forgotten you. You still have someone who waits for you.”

Haruka glanced sideways at him. “…If I do find my family… will you and Impmon still be my family?”

“You’ve always been special to me,” Gennai said, ruffling her hair.

“I’ll always be here for you, like I always have,” Impmon added, resting a hand on hers.

Haruka smiled softly, treasuring the small, odd family she had found over the past four years.

The next morning, Gennai returned Koushiro’s upgraded laptop. “It may be tough, but have faith in yourselves. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I wish you luck.”

They headed back toward Myotismon’s castle. Inside, Devidramon were patrolling the halls. Tentomon volunteered to distract it, digivolving all the way to MegaKabuterimon. His Horn Buster sent the beast crashing into the wall, dispelling the airspace distortions. Reverting back to Motimon, he tumbled into Koushiro’s arms, exhausted.

With the distortions gone, they reached the Gate and gathered around the slate, debating the card order.

“Good guys, bad guys, dirty guys,” Taichi mused.

“What about small, normal, and big?” Jyou suggested.

“Weak, average, strong,” Yamato added.

“Where they live—land or sea?” Sora tried.

“How about the colour of the cards? Red, blue and green,” Haruka offered.

Koushiro studied the carvings — the lion, the archer, the monkey, and the stars.

“It’s useless. Even if we guess something that sounds right, there’s no guarantee.” Jyou said.

Suddenly, the castle began to crumble.

“This might be my fault,” Motimon admitted sheepishly. “I broke the ceiling earlier.”

Rubble blocked their escape. The Gate was their only option.

Jyou suddenly stepped forward. “Taichi… I’ll let you handle this.”

Taichi blinked. “What? Why me?”

“It’s not that I don’t want the responsibility. I believe in you.”

“Me too!” Yamato said firmly. “When you disappeared, we all fell apart. You brought us back together. That’s what a leader does.”

Takeru’s voice was small but sure. “Even if we end up in a different world, we’ll still be together. That’s why I’m not scared.”

One by one, the others voiced their trust. Taichi looked down at the cards — heavy not with weight, but with the faith they had placed in him.

“…Okay,” he breathed. “Koushiro, help me.”

With his laptop, Koushiro cross-referenced Digimon data: the lion, archer, and monkey represented Leomon, Centarumon, and Etemon — Vaccine, Data, and Virus attributes. The stars marked their levels: Rookie, Champion, Ultimate. Each hole matched both an attribute and a level. The cards weren’t random — they formed a pattern. One by one, they slotted the cards into place… until only Gomamon and Agumon’s cards remained for the same slot.

Before they could decide, a monstrous Dokugumon descended from the ceiling, webbing spraying in all directions.

“Anyone who damages Lord Myotismon’s castle will pay with their lives!” Tiny spiders crawled down on threads, swarming.

What happened next was a blur of digivolutions and attacks:

Gomamon Digivolved to Ikkakumon!

Palmon Digivolved to Togemon!

Gabumon Digivolved to Garurumon!

Impmon Digivolved to Wizardmon!

 “Fox Fire!”
“Prickly Bang Bang!”
“Harpoon Vulcan!”
“Thunder Cloud!”

But Dokugumon’s silk was too fast, too strong, binding their Digimon and suspending them in the air.

“Stinger Pollen!” A cloud of poison gas numbed their bodies.

“Garurumon!” Yamato shouted.
“Wizardmon!” Haruka cried.

Their partners responded.

“Garurumon — Chou Shinka — WereGarurumon!”
“Wizardmon — Chou Shinka — Baalmon!”

In a blur of claws and crimson steel, the two cut through the webbing.

While they held Dokugumon back, Taichi made his decision — Gomamon’s card slid into the final slot. The Gate rumbled open, and they started running toward it.

“We’ve got to go too.” Yamato turned to WereGarurumon.

“Baalmon!” Haruka called.

“Kaiser Nail!”
“Kamiuchi!”

The combined attack struck true. Dokugumon collapsed as WereGarurumon and Baalmon reverted back to Tsunomon and Impmon.

Yamato scooped up Tsunomon, leapt through the Gate with Haruka and Impmon right behind him.

On the other side, they fell between two glowing green waterfalls before landing in a cold, snowy clearing.

“We’re on the campgrounds!” Jyou said in disbelief.

“This is where we left for the Digital World…” Sora murmured.

“Impmon?” Haruka’s voice cracked as she scanned the area.

Haruka’s chest tightened as she looked frantically through the snow.

“What’s with the waterworks?” drawled a familiar voice. Impmon stood a few feet away, holding a bundle of berries like it was no big deal.

Haruka ran forward, wrapping her arms around him. “I thought I lost you.”

Impmon smirked, but his eyes softened. “Nah. Takes more than that to get rid of me.”