Chapter Text
**CHAPTER ONE: ENTER FLAMEDRAMON**
Welcome, readers, to the fateful events that shaped the world of 2001. My name is Takeru Takashi. For those of you who know my story, you might be surprised that I am not starting my story from the beginning all those years ago. I was young then, and my memory of those events isn’t perfect—whose is, though? Instead, I wish to write about the third time the Digital World called my name.
This was a couple of years after us eight digidestined were called by Azulongmon to give up our crests. He said something about needing our powers to balance the Digital world.. or something like that.
A new semester was starting at school. Everyone had become busy stuck in their own little bubbles. The eight of us had fractured like a rock hurdled through a glass window.
Tai and Matt were both in high school. Matt was busy with school and his band. While Tai was busy being an outstanding soccer player. Sora, in the same grade, had gotten quite good at tennis.
The three of them were still very close to each other.
Izzy, as expected, was excelling in his own class with his brilliant mind. Without Izzy, none of this would have been possible. He makes miracles happen casually.
Mimi and her parents had relocated far away to New York City. Though she visited rarely, Mimi always kept up to date with events through email and calls.
Then there’s Joe. Joe was working diligently to get good grades. He isn’t a genius like Izzy, but he is diligent and dependable. Joe puts the needs of others before his own.
However, for Kari and I, we had no idea what was in store for us.
This is a tale of hope and light, of courage and friendship. You may find that some of the events do not line up perfectly. Well, that is life, isn't it? I do not have a perfect recollection, but I am recounting the events to the best of my ability.
In the years of our absence the Digital World had become a hunting ground. Somewhere on an arid stretch of terrain, a scattered group of Digimon fled in terror from a dangerous predator.
Gatomon, white fur standing on end, led a group of digimon who were in deadly danger.
They ran huddled in a small formation. Brave digimon on the outside shielded the weaker rookies from attack.
“Run for your lives! It's the evil Digimon Emperor!” a Gazimon screamed. His short legs were far too small, he was too slow.
The Digimon Emperor that I have come to know is entirely different from this version. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.
They scattered in terror as several small dark rings shot through the air, catching the terrified Digimon and clamping around their necks.
Even from a distance, the Emperor had the power to turn loved ones on each other. To him, the Digital World was just a really cool game he played in his free time.
One ring zipped dangerously close to Gatomon, who dodged it with practiced ease. Hitting that fine feline with an attack is almost impossible with her super cat-reflexes.
Gatomon was not afraid. Such is the strength of her character and skills. She had faced down Myotismon, her master, to save her friends. Gatomon had witnessed the death of friends and foes alike. Oftentimes, she was the one dealing the killing blow. But not today.
“That was close!” she muttered. Her gloved paws were hard to track as she dashed quickly through the brush. Her golden tail ring had deflected the dark one. Upon impact the holy artifact fell uselessly into the tall grass as she continued her flight.
Before she could regain her bearings, a massive Unimon, a creature controlled by one of the dark rings, swooped down and lunged at her.
Now for those not well versed in the lore of this world, I’ll try to give you some context, rather than just saying, “it was a unimon.” After all, what is a unimon?
Unimon is a massive horse-like Digimon, It possesses the horn of a Unicorn (a legendary holy beast) and the wings of a pegasus.The gigantic wings on its back allow it to fly and travel across the Network faster than an ethernet connection. I had seen one before, during my original adventures here.
But enough about Digimon, for now. Let’s go see what my friends and I were up to back then.
---
You see, it was my first day in a new grade.
The early rays of morning sun barely cut through the window of my new apartment. In the kitchen, my mother was hustling while I stared glumly at my breakfast bowl.
She was always either working, or getting ready for work. My mother never slowed down or quit no matter what. That’s the kind of woman who raised me.
“Finish your breakfast! You’re going to be late for your first day of school, TK!” she urged, clipboard in hand.
My mother was still reeling from the aftermath of the divorce. She used work, I think, to distract herself from the pain.
“New school, new apartment, same old lumpy oatmeal,” I sighed, pushing the bowl away, leaving it half full. “I’m done, mom! I’m leaving!”
My mom, a journalist, barely glanced up from her work. “Sorry I can’t drive you to school, TK, but I have to write this article before the deadline. It's all about the historical significance of toilet paper. Hmm… I wonder who comes up with this stuff.”
“It’s okay. I’ll walk. Seeya later.” I was out the door and halfway down the stairs before she even realized I was gone.
I headed for the elevator, where I was met by two kids I had never seen before. There was young girl with bright purple hair and glasses, and a serious-looking younger boy.
“How’s it goin?” I asked, forcing a friendly smile. I never knew how to not be awkward.
“Fine, thank you,” the girl replied politely. She adjusted the rim of her glasses. Her keen brown eyes looked me up and down like she was reading a book.
I held out my hand for a shake like I had seen my father do for countless deals. “That’s great. My name’s TK, and my mom and I just moved into the building. I’m in seventh grade, class A. Nice to meet you.” Gee I really did just blurt things out back then.
The girl immediately took control of the conversation with a bubbly burst of energy. “I thought I recognized you! You’re one of those kids who fought on the internet! My name’s Yolei. Would you like to walk to school with us? It takes approximately 12.3 minutes, and that’s if there’s no wind. It’ll be fun! Oh, and this is Cody.”
The younger boy bowed slightly, very formal. “Welcome to the building, TK. And hurry, we don’t want to be late on our first day!” Cody was no nonsense straight from the start. I really appreciate that about him.
“Let’s do it!” I agreed, a genuine smile finally replacing my morning gloom.
She watched me fight on the internet huh? I wonder how many kids saw us that day.
A few minutes later on the walk to school, Yolei and Cody were deep in conversation about technical matters.
“Hey, Yolei, can you come over after school and fix my computer again?” Cody asked. “I don’t understand why my floppy disk keeps buzzing!”
“Only if your mom makes those brownies I love!” Yolei shot back, a playful grin on her face. “She should open a bakery. We could sell her brownies at the store!”
“I’ll email her and tell her to make a batch right away! They are delicious right?” He grinned widely at her.
“It’s a deal. Perfecto!” Yolei declared. They walked a little ahead, leaving me a moment to myself.
“Huh?” I murmured, my eyes catching sight of a soccer game on a nearby field. It was the yard outside the school, a wide, open space where a bunch of kids from school were running drills. My gaze fixed on one boy in particular, who wore a pair of goggles over his forehead. "Could I have run into Tai already?”
Nah, how could it be Tai? He was in high school now. So what’s the deal with this guy wearing goggles? Who does he think he is?
A kid kicked the ball toward the boy in the goggles, but I, instinctively reacting, caught it first.
“Damn, maybe I should become an athlete” I thought to myself.
I drop kicked the ball back to the practicing team.
“Here ya go, Davis!” the kid shouted.
Apparently the Tai wanna be was named Davis. He looked to be about the same age as me with wild unkempt hair. He indeed had a paof of goggles hanging around his neck now as he jogged up to me. “Thanks, great catch! Huh?”
“You look familiar. Must be the goggles,” I said, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over me. The last time I met a kid in goggles I ended up being thrown through the sky after finding my digivice.
“Wha?” Davis looked confused. The longer I have known Davis the more I am convinced he just pretended to be clueless simply for comedic effect.
“Hey Davis, you’re holding up the game!” the other kid yelled impatiently.
Davis snapped back to the game, kicking the ball. I watched him go, then shook my head. There’s no way I got him mixed up with Tai, I would have said if I were rude. Tai is way better than that kid at soccer.
Sometimes Kari and I reminisce about that first day together. She always found it amazing how Davis just so “happened” to always be in her class.
That day in the classroom, Davis was thrilled to see a familiar face—Kari Kamiya, a girl he had a crush on since the first grade.
Davis and Kari grew up in the same apartment building. Well, we all did, for a bit, but that’s not the story I am telling right now. Maybe someday.
So the two of them were friends. Davis was often on the same soccer fields as Tai. Kari, the ever dutiful sister, knew all of Tai’s teammates by name.
Looking back on that day I often wonder how Davis and I became such great friends. That kid is stubborn. He’ll beat you over the head with friendship until you give in.
“What luck! You’re in my class again, Kari!” he exclaimed, leaning toward her. His desk was two rows in front of hers. He adjusted the collar of his shirt and cleared his throat.
Kari was unimpressed. “I wouldn’t call that luck.” She had heard all of Davis’ lines a million times before. “It’s not like I’ve ever had a class without you.”
“Hey, the weirdest thing just happened,” Davis confided. “Some kid said I reminded him of someone. Probably thinks I’m a famous movie star. I’m telling you, these goggles make me look famous. L-like you’re brother.”
Tai stumbled on his own feet in the hallway. He had a funny feeling someone was talking about him. “Probably Davis.” Tai though.
Suddenly, the lights flickered as he entered the classroom.
“Great, either I’m going crazy or something really does feel off.”
Suddenly a packet of energy sent from far away deep in the Digital World shot straight through a monitor in the Computer room. It connected instantly with the Digivice in his pocket. Tai saw the urgent call on his Digivice. “Huh?” he mumbled.
He had received a message from a long lost friend.
Meanwhile in our class room, Kari was totally oblivious as to what I had just happened with our brother.
The Teacher, Mr. Hamasaki, clapped his hands to get the room’s attention. “I’m Mr. Hamasaki, I’ll be your teacher, and I’d like you to all welcome a new student.”
Davis, bored until now, looked up. “That’s him! He’s..that kid!”
I stood at the front of the class, looking out at my new classmates. “Nice to meet you. I’m TK!”
“You can take a seat next to the girl with the... camera around her neck,” Mr. Hamasaki instructed. He had apparently never heard of the Digidestined before.
I walked over and settled into the empty desk next to Kari. “Together again! Just like old times” I grinned. Of course I had seen Kari a few times since 1999, but it certainly wasn't every day like this would be.
Kari smiled back, the tension draining from her shoulders as she relaxed. “Except this time there’s no monsters.” Her tone was friendly and warm.
Davis was furious. “That kid’s trying to make a move on my girl!” his hands clenched into fists as steam blue out of his ears. Well , it wasn't literally , but you get the point.
I leaned closer to Kari. “Our teacher looks like... Ogremon! He’s only missing the club!”
Kari giggled. She was happier than she had been in a long time. The eighth child had a good feeling about this year.
PART 2
“Quick! Don’t let Snimon catch us!” Tentomon shouted, his voice strained. His wings beat furiously under his hardened red carapace.
Three familiar Digimon were in serious trouble. Biyomon, Tentomon, and Patamon were scrambling away from a giant praying mantis Digimon.
Patamon, my friend and partner for life, was in danger while I joked in class. His soft little body wasn't meant for battle. Though he is frowning as he looks over my shoulder while I write this.
Okay, fine? Patamom’s sleek nimble frame was effortlessly keeping stride with Snimon. He may have even been a little bit faster.
This praying mantis Digimon can cut through anything with his Twin Sickles attack! The champion level , far out powered the three rookies , even combined. Our digimon partners needed us in order to evolve.
Snimon unleashed his attack. The double sickles dropped From his front appendages. Flying at high speeds they took off towards the trio
“Oh, no! Biyomon, Tentomon!” Patamon cried out as his friends were struck.
Meanwhile, Tai had finally located **Agumon**.
“Agumon!” Tai cried.
“Tai? You’re here!” Agumon shouted back in relief.
“You’ve got to Digivolve!” Tai urged, pulling out his old Digivice.
“That’s why I need your help. I can’t Digivolve,” Agumon admitted, his tone desperate.
“What, did you forget how? It’s just like riding a bicycle. Now start peddling and Digivolve!” Tai pressed.
From a shadowy vantage point, the **Digimon Emperor**’s cold voice echoed. “It’s no use. Not while I have the dark Digivice. There’s no way he can Digivolve.”
**Gatomon** suddenly raced past them. “Move your tails!”
“We’re gonna need some more help. I better call the others!” Tai knew what he had to do.
-----
In the school’s computer lab, Yolei was looking at an email.
“‘Come to the digital world. The Digimon need our help’?” Yolei mused, tilting her head. “Hmm, must be a link to an online game. Let’s see who sent it. Tai Kamiya. Hey, there’s a girl in seventh grade with the same last name. This must be hers!”
Kari and I walked into the lab, interrupting her focus.
“So TK, how does your mom like the new apartment?” Kari asked.
“She hasn’t seen it! She’s been on the computer the whole time,” I replied.
Davis stomped in. “Hey, buddy!”
“His name isn’t buddy. It’s TK,” Kari corrected him flatly.
“Alright TJ or JB or whatever it is. How do you know Kari?” Davis demanded, trying to put himself between the two.
I just smirked, seeing right through him. “How do I know her? Oh, I get it! You’re jealous of me!”
“I’m not jealous of anybody!” Davis protested loudly.
“Hey!” Yolei interrupted, finally getting their attention.
“Huh? Oh, hi Yolei!” I turned.
“You’re Kari Kamiya, aren’t you?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“Are you related to Tai? He sent this email!” Yolei thrust the screen toward Kari.
Kari’s eyes widened. “My brother needs us!”
-----
They all began to run down the hall, only to crash into Izzy, who was heading the opposite way with his laptop.
“Yolei! I’m glad I ran into you. I need to use the computer room right away!” Izzy rushed, utterly focused.
“You mean the legendary former computer club president is looking for me? I’m honoured!” Yolei swooned, barely able to keep up.
“What’s up, Izzy?” I asked.
“Tai sent us an urgent email!” Kari added.
“I know! I got one too. I was just about to send an answer when the battery ran out on my computer. I knew I should have recharged it after I played Trigonometry trivia on the Internet last night. But boy, talk about fun!”
-----
Back in the computer room, Yolei was full of excited questions.
“What’s the Digital World? Is it a new theme park? I bet they have some great rides!”
“Hmm... I heard it from Tai once. He said there were a lot of Digimon there. Whatever they are,” Davis contributed, trying to sound knowledgeable.
“You know Tai?” I asked, surprised.
“They play on the same soccer team,” Kari clarified.
“I’ve got an idea! Let’s all go to the Digital World!” Yolei declared, throwing her hands up.
Cody, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke up. “Yolei, weren’t you coming over? You said you’d fix my computer!”
“Oh, sorry. I forgot.”
-----
Deep inside a dark cave in the Digital World, Tai and Agumon stood before a strange, oversized, spiked egg.
“Tai, look at this!” Agumon directed.
“Weird... it’s got the Crest of Courage! Is it an egg?” Tai crouched down, examining the object.
“I don’t know... I’ve never seen an egg with a spike through it!”
Gatomon, now safely with them, crossed her arms. “Must have been hard on the chicken that layed that thing!”
“Let’s have a closer look.” Tai grabbed the spiked Digiegg and tried to lift it. As he strained, small, rapid bursts of light flew out of the egg and vanished.
“Woah! They look like fireflies! Or really fast ones!”
-----
Later, back in the school hallway, Cody was still trying to pin Yolei down.
“You did promise,” he reminded her.
“I know,” she replied sheepishly.
In the computer room, Izzy was preparing the computer for transport. “We’re going back to the Digital World! Prodigious!”
“I’m going with you!” Davis asserted, stepping forward.
“That’s impossible! Not just anybody can go. You need a Digivice!” I argued.
“Listen, TC! If you can go, I can go!” Davis retorted, mistakenly calling me "TC."
Suddenly, three flashes of light exploded from the computer screen. One landed squarely on Davis, and the other two flew out toward Yolei and Cody. I saw the sudden, blinding flash of blue-white light from the monitor and instinctively stepped back.
“Huh? Wha...” they all gasped.
Davis stared down at the object in his hand. “Woah! What’s this?”
“A Digivice!” I exclaimed, recognizing the shape but not the model.
“It’s a different model than the ones we have,” Kari noted.
Izzy zipped up his laptop case. “We better go now, while the gate to the Digital World is still open.”
“How long will it be open for?” I asked, my tone serious.
Davis, completely distracted by the new device, was oblivious to the danger. “Can I get Donkey Madness on this thing?”
“It’s not a game!” Izzy scolded. “If the Digital World sends you a Digivice, then there must be a reason and you should take it seriously.”
Kari didn’t wait for a consensus. “I’m not waiting any longer. I’m going to help my brother.” She raced toward the computer and was instantly sucked into the screen.
“I’m with you!” I yelled, following her. The sensation of jumping through the screen was a mix of being pulled apart and reassembled, a familiar, terrifying rush.
Izzy turned to Davis, a challenge in his eyes. “Your turn! Unless you’re scared.”
“I’m there!” Davis declared, jumping through the screen.
-----
Davis landed in the Digital World with a whoosh. “Woah... my first time being downloaded. Pretty cool. So this is the Digital World? Woah! This place comes with a new wardrobe!” His clothes had instantly changed to a bright, new outfit.
The Digimon Emperor observed the new arrivals on his screen, a cold smirk crossing his face. “Ha! There are visitors in my garden and they weren’t on the guest list.”
Kari’s new Digivice began to beep, pointing a direction. “Huh... it’s over this way!”
“This place doesn’t seem so scary,” Davis scoffed as we walked. “The way Tai described it, there were monsters everywhere! Huh? What’s a vending machine doing out here? I am a little thirsty...”
He walked toward a machine only for a trio of green, slug-like **Numemon** to fly out and begin dancing around him.
Kari and I burst out laughing.
“Haha... very funny. So, were those Digimon? Are there more of them?” Davis asked, trying to regain his dignity.
“Yeah, tons of them. But, there are a lot cuter ones than that,” Kari assured him.
“And a lot scarier ones, too!” I added.
“Do... they all come out of vending machines?”
-----
A short distance away, Tai, Agumon, and Gatomon sensed their arrival.
“They’re close by,” Tai noted.
“TK!” Patamon flew straight to his partner, embracing him. Seeing Patamon fly into my arms was the moment I knew, for sure, I was home.
“Patamon! Am I glad to see you!” I hugged the small Digimon tightly.
“Huh?” Davis looked confused at the emotional reunion.
“Kari!” Gatomon cried, running up to her partner.
“You guys made it!” Tai smiled in relief.
Davis, ever the opportunistic egoist, beamed. “Tai! I told the others you’d be alright.”
“Davis? What are you doing here?” Tai looked genuinely perplexed.
Kari was more concerned with Gatomon. “Gatomon! Huh? Your tail ring! Tell me what happened!”
Gatomon explained how she had been attacked by a Unimon and lost her ring. “One day, a bossy human appeared and started making Digimon his slaves. He says ‘I am the Digimon Emperor!’ I heard we’re all going to have to punch a time clock, too.”
“You mean there are more humans besides us? There goes the neighbourhood...” I muttered.
“Yeah, and he’s got this strange new dark Digivice that makes us unable to Digivolve!” Gatomon finished.
I turned to Davis. “Show her yours!”
“Huh? This one?” Davis held up his new Digivice.
Gatomon’s eyes narrowed. “That’s it! You work for the Digimon Emperor!”
“I don’t work for anybody! I just got it when it came out of the computer!” Davis protested.
Tai watched the new device, a theory clicking in his mind. *So that’s what came out of the Digiegg when I touched it. Three new Digivices! But why did Davis get one? What’s his purpose in the Digital World? And more importantly, who got the other two?*
-----
In the computer lab, Yolei was still pressing Izzy for answers.
“Where did everyone disappear to, Izzy?”
“I told you Yolei, they went home!” Izzy insisted, sweating under the pressure.
“I’m not letting you off the hook that easily! I know you’re hiding something from me, Izzy. Now what is the Digital World and what exactly are Digimon?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“Oh, yeah? Then what’s this?” Yolei held up her brand-new Digivice.
“Where’d you get that?” Izzy demanded, his composure finally breaking.
“Cody’s got one too!”
Cody, meanwhile, was on a muffled phone call with his mother. “No, Yolei’s not coming over. We have to stay after school for computer club, but since you made the brownies, I’ll come over and pick them up, first.”
-----
In the cave, Gatomon was explaining the dire situation. “The dark Digivice is draining our power and making us weak as newborn kittens.”
“That’s why you couldn’t Digivolve!” Tai realized, looking at Agumon.
“Yeah! If I could Digivolve, he wouldn’t stand a chance!” Agumon agreed.
“The Digimon Emperor uses these powerful dark rings to take control of the Digimon!” Gatomon continued.
“Yeah, that’s right! If the rings catch you, you’re a slave for life!” Patamon added fearfully.
Gatomon shuddered. “These collars do everything but get rid of fleas!”
Kari was fuming. “Digimon Emperor! I’ll slap a dark ring on him!”
The Digimon Emperor’s voice boomed over us from his hidden perch. “Oh, you think so, do you? Well, this is just a game to me, and I’m afraid that if you can’t play by my rules, then I’m just going to have to disqualify you. Hmm. Who will destroy you? Eeny, meeny, miney, mon! Attack, Monochromon!”
A gigantic, armored dinosaur Digimon appeared, stamping its feet. “Roar!!”
-----
Inside the cave, Tai and I were still struggling with the Digiegg.
“Looks like a deflated beachball!” I complained. “No wonder, it has a spike through it!”
“Yeah, plus it’s heavier than my mom’s meatloaf,” Tai grunted.
“It won’t budge!” I strained.
Kari hobbled over. “Move over. This is a woman’s job!”
“Too bad we don’t have a woman here to help,” I joked, receiving a glare from Kari.
Davis pushed past us. “Guys! I pump iron all the time! Let me do it!”
To everyone’s shock, Davis easily lifted the immense Digiegg.
“See? What’d I tell you? Light as a feather!” Davis bragged.
“There’s a problem!” Tai shouted as the Digiegg began to glow.
A brilliant light flashed, and a small, blue creature with horns emerged from the egg. “Yahoo! Free at last! Free at last! You moved the Digiegg! My name’s Veemon. But you can just call me Veemon.”
“Uh, hi, I’m Davis,” Davis stammered, taken aback.
“I’ve heard of Veemon!” Agumon exclaimed. “Supposedly he’s a fun-loving, adventure-seeking little Digimon that brings you good luck. But I thought he was just a legend!”
“Nope! I’m real and I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet you, Davis!” Veemon chirped, jumping into Davis’s arms.
“Uh, I think you’ve got the wrong guy.”
“Nope, you’re the one all right, because you were the only one who was able to move the Digiegg of Courage!”
The ground began to shake violently.
“What’s that, an earthquake?” Davis wondered.
“No, look up there!” I pointed.
Monochromon burst through the cave ceiling, attacking us.
“A monster!” Davis screamed.
“No, that’s a Digimon!” Kari shouted.
“Monochromon!” I confirmed, pulling out my old Digivice.
*DIGIMON ANALYZER*
I narrated the data: “Monochromon! His shell is harder than diamonds! His attack, Volcanic Strike, sends out millions of fireballs!”
Agumon launched his attack. “Pepper Breath!”
Patamon followed. “Boom Bubble!”
Monochromon was unharmed. “Volcanic Strike!”
“Come on, let’s go!” I led the charge, and everyone ran out of the cave just as it crumbled.
-----
Outside, Monochromon was a terrifying, massive threat.
“Davis!” Tai yelled.
“Davis, hurry up and open the Digiegg!” Veemon urged, trying to shake Davis back to reality.
“Davis, get down here!” Tai ordered.
Monochromon unleashed **VOLCANIC STRIKE**, and the explosion knocked Davis and Veemon off a cliff.
“Ahh!” they both screamed as they tumbled.
“Woah!” Kari gasped, watching them fall.
Veemon immediately checked on his partner. “Davis, are you okay? Tell me what hurts!”
“Everything but my earlobes,” Davis groaned.
“You control the Digiegg of Courage! You’ve got to use your courage to open it up!”
“Davis! Get up, it’s not safe!” Tai was shouting from above.
“Okay,” Davis said, trying to sit up.
“I can Digivolve if you open up the Digiegg, but you have to have courage to do it!”
“Tai!” Agumon was growing desperate.
“We’ve got to get out of here!” I panicked, seeing Monochromon turn its attention back to us.
“Kari?” Gatomon looked at her worriedly.
“I can’t move my ankle!” Kari cried, having twisted it.
“We’re sitting ducks here!” Tai realized.
Monochromon roared and charged directly at the immobilized Kari.
“Veemon!” Davis yelled.
“Have courage!” Tai’s voice cut through the fear.
Davis looked at the massive Digimon charging Kari, and a surge of protective fury flooded him. “Kari’s in trouble! You want courage? I’ll show you! **DIGI-ARMOUR ENERGIZE**!”
A brilliant blue light erupted around the Digiegg. I watched, mesmerized, as the light intensified, swirling and wrapping around Veemon like a furious cyclone of digital energy. The light became a dazzling blue and gold shell before violently cracking open, revealing the new form.
“Veemon, Armour Digivolve to... **FLAMEDRAMON**! The Fire of Courage!”
“Armour Digivolve?” Tai questioned, staring at the new form. I saw a bipedal creature, covered head to toe in sleek, crimson armor that looked like solidified flame. Its helmet had a jagged crest, and its hands glowed with heat. It looked fast and powerful, a true warrior.
“Woah, what’s that?” Davis asked, staring at his new partner.
Flamedramon, a humanoid Digimon covered in fire-like armor, stood tall. “I am Flamedramon. As Veemon, I used the Digiegg of Courage to Armour Digivolve. My ‘Fire Rocket’ attack will charbroil the enemy like a well-done steak!”
The Digimon Emperor, watching from his monitor, was stunned. “Armour Digivolve? Against the power of my dark Digivice, they shouldn’t be able to Digivolve at all! Hmm... they’re more resourceful than I thought.”
Monochromon charged forward. “Roar! Volcanic Strike!”
“Ahh!” The older kids recoiled from the heat.
“Fire Rocket!” Flamedramon launched his attack.
“Barbeque that Dark Ring, Flamedramon!” Gatomon cheered.
Flamedramon fought valiantly, his fire attack connecting with the dark ring around Monochromon’s neck, shattering it. The newly freed Monochromon immediately de-Digivolved and fled. After the battle, Flamedramon reverted back to Veemon.
Davis looked down at his hand, where a small, computer-like device had appeared. “Woah, what’s this?”
“That’s a good Monochromon!” Kari sighed in relief.
-----
At the Digimon Emperor’s lair, a small green Digimon named **Wormmon** scurried up to him.
“You summoned me, oh evil Emperor?”
“I believe we have found ourselves a worthy foe at last,” the Emperor said, tapping his fingers on his dark Digivice.
“Great! Just one question: What’s a foe?” Wormmon asked innocently.
-----
Back with us, a calmer atmosphere returned.
“Goodbye, Monochromon! Don’t forget to write!” Kari waved.
“I can’t believe the Digimon Emperor could turn such a nice Digimon into such an evil creature,” I said, still a little shaken.
“Nice working with you, Davis. Let’s do it again sometime,” Veemon said cheerfully.
“Great!” Davis agreed.
“Hey, guys, that Armour Digivolving was pretty cool!” Tai complimented.
“Even though the rest of us can’t Digivolve, I’m sure that you new kids will be able to take care of the Digimon Emperor with no problem!” Agumon said confidently.
“Yeah! Leave it to us!” Veemon declared.
Tai looked at Davis, then took off his own famous aviator goggles. “Davis, you were really brave back there in that battle, but I noticed that you broke your goggles. And as we know, the leader of the Digidestined just wouldn’t look right without them. So here, I want you to have mine.”
Davis’s eyes lit up. “Wow!”
“They look real cute!” Kari teased.
Davis put them on, beaming. “Heh... ^-^*”
“Good. The sun’s going down. Now we can relax!” Patamon said, yawning.
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Because the Digimon Emperor never appears at night!” Gatomon explained.
“Excuse me, Tai, but it’s getting kind of late. Don’t you guys need to go home soon?” Agumon reminded them.
“That’s right. But I’m not even sure if we can get home! Careful, never stay too long,” Tai agreed.
We walked toward the glowing portal, the gate home.
-----
In the school’s computer room, Izzy was still stalling.
“Hey, Izzy, Cody’s back. Can we go to the Digital World now?” Yolei pressed.
“The gate might close, it’s not safe,” Izzy replied.
“Hey, what does it mean when the light on that thing goes on?” Yolei pointed.
“What thing?”
“That thing on the computer! I just saw the light go on. Oohh!”
Suddenly, they heard a familiar, slightly muffled voice. “Hey, guys, let me in! It’s Davis!”
The three original kids, along with Veemon, Agumon, Gatomon, and Patamon, were instantly transferred back to the real world in a flash of light and a tangle of limbs.
“You don’t see that everyday,” Agumon observed.
“Woah!” Yolei and Cody stared in shock.
They all landed on top of Izzy, who was guarding his snacks. “Get off! You’re crushing my brownies!”
*While Davis and the others returned to the real world, the Digimon Emperor was planning his next attack. Can the Digidestined stop him? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!*