Archive of Our Own

Darkness gradually overtook the sky as the sun lowered beyond the horizon. Across the darkening sky Airdramon flew by.

"Ah, nothing's better than a meal after a whole day of delivering letters." The winged serpent looked at its empty sling bag and laughed. "Honestly, today is simply me dumping a bunch of letters at Beetle Land. I wish Honeybeemon luck in the letter-sorting endeavors."

The moon soon showed its face. Airdramon continued its journey over the trees and hills, smiling at the job well done and the thoughts of the delicious sirloin steak that awaited at Digitamamon's restaurant.

Its journey halted atop a mountain, where a pillar of light came down from the darkness beyond the atmosphere. A silhouette of a flying saucer descended along the radiance.

"Shellmon will love this!"

Airdramon swerved away from the pillar. The illumination faded, leaving the mountains to darken along with the sky.

As nightfall approached, all the lights across File City lit up. Illumination of various colors and intensity came from the buildings, the roads, and the various objects within the town, creating a spherical radiance in the middle of the vast woods.

"I love this upgrade!" Shellmon adjusted the floodlights above its bulletin board. With the lights projected straight at the pinned posters and announcements, the gigantic blue-and-pink snail-hermit crab hybrid Digimon laughed. "Thanks to the new lights, reading my stuff at night isn't a big deal anymore!"

"See? Dazzling lights are Tasuku-kun's specialty!" Homare bragged. "Admittedly, it is kind of ironic for someone whose element is Darkness, but I suppose brighter lights result in darker shadows."

"That's a way to put it. Anyway-"

"I feel it! Inspiration has struck!" Homare twirled and moved his arms dramatically, his shadow dancing on the bulletin board. "Silent night, brilliant light, my heart, fluttering with all its might at the sight…"

Shellmon chuckled. "I was just about to tell you to write about these lights. Anyway, your poem can be an opening before the real news."

"Of course! That aside, I would like to include Tasuku-kun in the news. This upgrade is his masterpiece after all." He rummaged through his pocket for his pocket watch, only to find nothing. "Oh? It seems like I did not have Christine with me when I was transported to this world."

"Christine?"

"My pocket watch. I wish I could show her to you. It is thanks to Tasuku-kun's gentle, yet dexterous hands that she remains in good shape despite her age."

"Tasuku is really good at this stuff."

Homare nodded eagerly. "Indeed, indeed! Moreover, he always maintains Christine for me without asking anything in return, so I wish to give him a little gift."

"I see. I'll leave this job to you then."

"Then I am off-"

"What are you guys talking about?"

Homare's eyes widened at the familiar voice. As the scampering of four legs drew close, he turned. Tasuku emerged from the clusters of trees, riding on Lighdramon.

"How long have you been listening to me!"

"Not for long." Tasuku hopped off Lighdramon and smiled a bit, giving the dog-like Digimon a thumbs-up. "Thanks for the ride."

"You're welcome!" Lighdramon ran off and disappeared into the dark woods.

"You've done a great job, Tasuku!" Shellmon showed off its bulletin board and playfully gestured with its hands, creating shadowy shapes under the bright light.

"Well, I was just doing my job? Jijimon asked me to upgrade the town's generator."

"In that case, shall we begin the interview?" Homare asked with a playful smile.

"Huh?"

"Having an interview over dinner is a wonderful way to ease the interviewee."

"That's true, but…" A loud growl from Homare's stomach interrupted Tasuku, who shrugged. "Figures."

The flustered Homare exclaimed, "You heard nothing!"

Tasuku smiled. "Honestly, it's nothing to be ashamed of. You just need more fuel for your fire."

The warmth from Tasuku's smile calmed Homare down and made him smile as well. "You know your puns well, huh? I suppose it cannot be helped. Anyway, leave the bill to me."

"We're a team. Let's shoulder it together."

"I cannot do that. My stomach will burn our funds to ashes before you know it." Homare flashed out a notepad and a pen. "I have been working hard at the bulletin board and earned enough to sustain myself, so at the very least, please let me pay my portion on my own."

"Geez…" Tasuku scowled and took a moment to finally say, "Fine. Now, ask whatever you want." If Homare refused any direct help, then Tasuku would give him indirect help.

"Very well. First, I would like to ask…" Homare started scribbling on the notepad. "What made you decide to upgrade those lights?"

"Elecmon thought the town's lights could be better and imported new parts from Factorial Town. I didn't plan to get involved, but Jijimon asked me to help because I knew a lot about machines."

"Jijimon is a wise old Digimon."

"Honestly, I was just another manpower in the upgrade process. Elecmon and Lighdramon could perfectly handle those Chrome Digizoid parts by themselves."

"Oho, the famous Chrome Digizoid! Did the town's generator not use that alloy in the past?"

"Nope, that thing is hard to get."

"Then what made Elecmon think of obtaining the alloy?"

"Chrome Digizoid lasts very long unlike ordinary alloy. We don't need to replace the parts so often anymore. Also, Chrome Digizoid is-"

"Excuse me, good sir!"

The childlike voice drew Tasuku's and Homare's attention. Bakumon had arrived with two trays of food, its body tilting to one side. Homare immediately grabbed the tray loaded with carrot dishes and placed it on the table, lifting the weight off the humanoid tapir-like Digimon.

Bakumon blinked. "Um, thanks?"

Tasuku couldn't help but smile. "Someone's hunger is going through the roof."

"I suppose you could call this killing two birds with one stone. Now, then, please excuse me." Homare picked up the spoon and began shoveling the massive bowl of carrot salad into his mouth.

As Bakumon placed the tray containing a huge plate of chilled ramen and a bottle of water in front of Tasuku, Tasuku added, "What AncientGreymon's power does to one's stomach…"

"Well, enjoy your meal!" Bakumon left the table with a chuckle.

Picking up his chopsticks, Tasuku noticed Homare had almost finished his huge portion of sirloin steak. Nonetheless, he dug into his own meal as fast as he could; he knew he'd never be able to match Homare's eating speed, but the sooner they could resume the interview, the better.

However, Tasuku was only halfway through his chilled ramen when Homare had cleaned up his tray. "Guy-san and Digitamamon are supreme chefs!" After wiping his mouth with the napkin, Homare stood up and rushed to the counter.

Tasuku put down his chopsticks. "Wait-" A loud, dramatic shout stopped him in his tracks.

"You cannot be serious! I ate a full course meal that could very well feed two mouths!" Homare shouted at Digitamamon.

Digitamamon chuckled. "Guy insisted that he'd pay for everyone's meal tonight. Since he asked very nicely and has been working at my restaurant for a long time, I can't reject his request."

"Guy-san, why?"

"Because I can help," the apron-wearing Guy answered while stirring the chopped vegetables on the frying pan.

"Please, you need to realize that I have a monstrous appetite as AncientGreymon's descendant! You cannot keep treating me to a meal by yourself!"

"It is worth the trouble."

From beside Homare, Tasuku chimed in, "Guy-san, I appreciate the kindness, but Arisugawa is right. Please let us chip in next time."

"Tasuku-kun, did you not agree to let me pay for my meal by myself?" Homare asked.

"Oh, right, I did… But I think you should let us pay sometimes."

"Tasuku-kun!"

"May I suggest a rotation?" Guy added. "Tonight I am the one paying. Tomorrow, either Arisugawa or Takato will pay for the meal."

Tasuku smiled at the suggestion. "Sounds good. Let's make a schedule."

Homare nodded. "You are welcome to exclude my portion from the bill when it is not my turn to pay."

Tasuku's smile immediately turned into a scowl. "That's not fair!"

As the argument continued, Digitamamon could only watch in amusement.

The sky had gone completely dark by the time Tasuku and Homare left the restaurant, a stark contrast to the radiant business district of File City. Tasuku and Homare strolled along the streets, heading towards the woods across Shellmon's bulletin board. The string lights wrapped around the trees illuminated a path.

"What is your next plan, Tasuku-kun?" Homare asked.

"Taking you to Elecmon's generator shed. I wanna show you how we made the new generator parts from Chrome Digizoid."

"Oho, that will certainly help the interview!"

"It's hard to describe the crafting process in words, so I'll just demonstrate it."

Though before Tasuku and Homare could enter the path, Airdramon descended and stopped beside Shellmon.

"Shellmon! I have great news!"

"What is it?"

"There's a pillar of light and a flying saucer at Mount Panorama!"

"Pillar of light? Flying saucer?" Tasuku ran towards the bulletin board.

Homare followed Tasuku. "Tasuku-kun?"

"Oh, it's you guys," Shellmon said. "This sighting will be a good addition to the bulletin board." It looked at Homare. "But you've got your hands full with an interview…"

Homare smiled. "I am used to chasing multiple deadlines at once."

"If you say so, then please investigate and write something about this sighting. I'll add more to your wage."

"Understood!"

"I'll help too," Tasuku said.

"Tasuku-kun?"

"Well, I know a lot about this world after all. Such as that flying saucer…" Tasuku stroked his chin. "Isn't that Vademon?"

"Or it could be EBEmon…" Shellmon said. "But there could be a twist. Who knows. That's why I need someone to see with their own eyes."

Homare nodded. "Seeing is believing indeed."

"I suggest postponing the interview and focus on this sighting. There's no guarantee the Digimon will stay in one spot."

"I wanna fly you there, but…" Airdramon looked at its battered wings. "My wings need a good rest after a whole day of flying."

"In that case, leave it to me!"

Homare reached out a hand, as if showing a D-Scanner to everyone. A moment later, he crossed his arms and swiped the hand against the non-existent device in his other hand.

"Spirit Evolution!"

A raging twister of flames engulfed his body. Then it faded, revealing a man in crimson armor with a tri-horned mask. His long, spiky blonde hair swayed in the breeze. "Agnimon!"

"Arisugawa-"

The evolved Homare lunged. "Slide Evolution!"

Homare transformed into a fiery radiance, which grew with each passing second. A pair of flaming wings burst out of his back, and a tail sprouted out of his backside. As his head became that of a dragon's, his fingers and toes transformed into claws, and a gun appeared on each of his forearms.

The radiance faded, revealing a colossal armored dragon. "Vritramon!"

Tasuku sighed at the evolved Homare. "I thought of giving you a ride as KaiserLeomon, but I guess it's too late."

"Traveling by air is always the fastest, Tasuku-kun. Besides, a bird's-eye view is always handy, is it not?"

Airdramon nodded. "That's how I get juicy news for Shellmon!"

"Did you hear that, Tasuku-kun?" Homare got down on all fours. "Now, climb onto my back and let my wings carry you to Mount Panorama!"

"Um, Homare, you dropped something…" Shellmon muttered.

"What is it- Oh!" Homare's eyes widened upon seeing a notepad and a pen in Shellmon's hands.

"I'm surprised at how they weren't burned to a crisp by your flames."

"He has burned a lot of them. It's because he simply evolves or fights without thinking about anything else," Tasuku grumbled. "It's a good thing the shop sells fireproof notepads and pens." He took the stationery from Shellmon and put it in his pockets. "I'll take care of these."

"Fireproof or not, you should be careful of dropping important stuff whenever you evolve, Homare," Shellmon advised. "Otherwise, go ask Jijimon to make your stuff the same entity as you, so they all just fuse with you whenever you evolve."

"It can get troublesome if you get injured though," Airdramon added. "There's no way of protecting it from damage."

"I will keep that in mind," Homare replied.

Tasuku climbed onto Homare's back. Homare jumped into the air and spread his flaming wings, gliding through the night sky like a fiery comet.

"You've got yourself an intrepid reporter, Shellmon," Airdramon said.

"And very skilled with words too. He's perfect for this job…except that story about his flames and stationery."

"It's just the Greymon-family thing." Airdramon propelled himself into the air with a strong flap of his wings. "Wanna go to the restaurant together?"

"Let's!"

Mount Panorama stood in the distance, a towering mountain with far less greenery compared to the forest beneath. The sight fueled Homare's spirit, prompting him to glide faster towards it. Tasuku held onto him tightly.

Somehow, the chill from the altitude and the wind did not bother Tasuku. Usually one would attribute it to his warmer body, but this time, Tasuku knew his body temperature alone could not handle the cold.

It was the flaming wings. Sitting right between them warded off the chill.

Drawing closer to the mountain, Homare said, "There is a large pit down there."

"A pit? I don't remember seeing one when I explored Mount Panorama back then."

"Then it could be what we are looking for!" Homare began his rapid descent, at which Tasuku scowled and shouted.

"Watch your wings! Don't set the mountain on fire!"

"I am descending straight into the pit though…"

"Even so, you can't just dive in recklessly! We don't know whether Vademon is a friend or a foe! In Digimon World, it's a friendly Digimon. In Digimon Adventure, it's evil and crafty."

"Well, that is if the cause of the pit turns out to be Vademon! What if it is EBEmon instead?"

"EBEmon is Vademon's evolved form. It could be worse."

Homare slowed down as he approached the pit, stopping at the center of the gaping hole. Multiple Woodmon and Alraumon stood around it.

"What are you guys doing here?" one of the Woodmon asked.

"We're investigating the pit," Tasuku answered. "It's related to the pillar of light and the flying saucer, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah. The pillar of light immediately created a pit this big and deep. Then the flying saucer went all the way down into it."

"Mamemon and many Alraumon went to investigate the pit but haven't returned," an Alraumon added. "They're taking so long…"

"Could it be a bottomless pit?" Homare asked.

"I'm afraid Mamemon's and Alraumon's lack of flight is the source of the problem. The rough landing might have hurt them."

A Woodmon nodded at Tasuku. "You have a point. Although we're stronger than Alraumon and can shoot vines, we're too heavy for Alraumon's vines. A freefall is gonna destroy treants like us."

An Alraumon stretched out its vine-like fingers and wrapped them around a Woodmon's arm. "We're light so we can go down fairly safely with these, but wings still work better."

Homare chuckled. "I am indeed fully equipped for this task."

"Is that so…" Tasuku muttered.

"Why are you so grim all of a sudden?"

"Your evolutions lack utility beyond offense and flight."

"While I have to admit I do not have something like your Dunkel Sarg, overwhelming offense and mobility are all I need."

"That's too risky. You need something like Dunkel Sarg to bail you outta sticky situations."

"Um, guys, since there are two of you, you can patch up each other's weaknesses, right?" an Alraumon chimed in with a sheepish smile.

"Speaking of, it's getting worrisome that neither Mamemon nor its crew has returned… Since you two are going in, can you check the situation and tell us about their condition?" a Woodmon added.

Homare nodded. "Leave it to us." And with that, he descended into the depths of the pit. The illumination from his flaming wings kept darkness from overwhelming his vision.

A moment later, a faint glow came from down below, revealing the bottom of the pit. Homare accelerated.

"Judging from the shadow, it looks like an open door… Hold up!" Tasuku exclaimed. "I don't think the Vademon will be the friendly one."

"What makes you think so?"

"Honestly, I can't be so sure yet, but if it's really a shop behind that door…"

"Huh?"

"Just be careful."

Homare landed on his feet, slightly hunched to keep Tasuku from falling off his back. Slowly, he pushed the door open and walked into…

A shop.

Suddenly, Homare's evolved form turned into a radiance and shrank. Tasuku immediately jumped off him as he reverted into a human.

Huffing on his knees, Homare muttered, "Something…is draining my power." Just as Tasuku offered a hand, Homare managed to rise to his feet. "I am fine. It was simply a shock from the sudden reverting process."

"I have a bad feeling." Tasuku pulled the pen and the notepad out of his pockets and handed them to Homare. "Let's make this quick."

"Yes."

They walked around the shop, checking the items displayed on the shelves. Weapons and accessories of various shapes and sizes lay there, which Homare noted down in the notepad. Then Tasuku and Homare ran into a shelf containing colorful globs of gel.

"These… Could these be…" Tasuku looked around and spotted a wooden door with a glass pane in the distance. "Arisugawa, hurry up!"

Homare poked one of the blobs. "It is not as bouncy-"

A thud and a click cut him off. A sinister laughter followed.

"Let's run!" Tasuku advised.

Homare nodded. After keeping the notepad and pen, he followed Tasuku all the way back to the exit door.

A Digimon blocked the way out, its cat-like eyes narrowing as it cackled.

"Exposed brain lobes on the head… A ray gun… Tentacles as feet…" Homare wondered out loud. "That is certainly an alien."

"Vademon!" Tasuku shouted.

Vademon chuckled. "Welcome to my shop, humans! I am Vademon, the interdimensional trader! I believe you've seen my iconic items, correct?"

"Iconic items?" Homare asked.

"It's those blobs, isn't it?" Tasuku yelled.

"You're a smart one, human. Digital Hearts have always fetched the best price in the market. They contain the essence of a Digimon and can be implanted into artificial Digimon…"

"I do not understand a single thing…" Homare lamented.

"Then let me show you the heart extraction process!"

Vademon lunged with a glowing hand. Tasuku and Homare sidestepped just in time to dodge it. As Vademon recuperated, they ran towards the door.

Tasuku turned the doorknob, which only resulted in clicks. "We're locked in here!"

"And can't evolve courtesy of my Hold Beam in this shop! You're all cornered!" Vademon let out a sinister laugh.

"That explains why I reverted all of a sudden," Homare commented, his brow furrowed, his fists clenched.

"Don't worry, I can guarantee you a painless extraction…"

"You are not taking my heart that easily!" Homare roared and lunged at Vademon, his body ablaze. "My heart is not a commodity!"

Vademon blew a kiss, summoning a barrage of asteroids at Homare. Homare danced through the celestial onslaught and twirled, his leg slamming into Vademon's face. The alien Digimon crashed into a shelf, and metallic objects rained down upon it.

As Homare sprinted towards the heap, Vademon emerged from it with an explosion and blasted the metallic objects in all directions. Homare whirled and transformed into a flaming twister, deflecting the items as the fiery form rose into the air.

Vademon smirked and blew another kiss, launching a massive asteroid at Homare. It collided with the fiery form, snuffing out the flames and crushing Homare against the ceiling. Then the asteroid fell, and the bruised and battered Homare plummeted into the ground.

"You're too emotional for your own good, but that's a good thing for me!" Vademon crept in with a glowing hand.

Slowly, Homare managed to rise to all fours. However, pain wracked his body and halted his attempt to rise further. Radiant golden particles sprayed out of his mouth as he coughed.

Vademon now stood before Homare, its glowing hand raised. "I wonder what kind of heart I'll get from you."

"Arisugawa!"

Tasuku made it just in time and grabbed Homare's legs. With one strong pull, he dragged Homare out of danger.

"Tasuku-kun…" Homare croaked.

Tasuku hauled Homare over his shoulder and scampered towards the exit door. "We'll escape together. Let's find something we can use as a lockpick."

Vademon laughed. "Even if I give you a lockpick, it's impossible to climb all your way up to the surface! Well, unless you can fly…"

"Fly…" Homare muttered, then tears welled in his eyes. "I see. I was carried away by my emotion, which led to such serious injuries…" He smiled at Tasuku. "But you can still escape on your own, Tasuku-kun."

"What are you talking about? I-"

"You have Dunkel Sarg."

Tasuku's eyes widened. "No!"

"Please, Tasuku-kun. If you can live to tell Guy-san about this…"

Tasuku started to tear up. "Don't be silly!"

Vademon crept closer to them, its ray gun pointed at both Tasuku and Homare. "Humans sure possess such sentimental hearts… That makes me even more eager to obtain them." The tip of the ray gun glowed.

"Tasuku-kun, now!"

"No!"

With a loud laughter, Vademon fired. Homare summoned jets of flames from his feet and sprang away from Tasuku. The laser beam hit Homare in his forehead, charring the skin.

"It seems like you're quite resistant to heat-based stuff."

"Because I wield AncientGreymon's power… But perhaps…" Somehow, Homare managed to rise to his feet, albeit rather hunched. "It is because… I cannot let you hurt him."

"Arisugawa, stop!"

Homare glanced over his shoulder. "Tasuku-kun, you must flee… There is hope if you live…to tell this tale…"

"Escaping my shop isn't an easy task." Vademon lunged with a glowing hand.

Homare stood still, as if having resigned to his fate. Vademon's hand went straight into his chest.

"Promise me…you will save me and…help me finish my work…"

"Arisugawa…" Tasuku clenched his fists, his limbs transforming into wisps of black mist. "Very well! Just you wait, Vademon! I'll come back to defeat you!"

Vademon hastily pulled a fiery blob out of Homare's chest and tossed away its ray gun. The bare hand glowed, and the alien Digimon lunged. Its fingers tore through the black mist and hit the door, and the alien Digimon reeled back in pain.

Homare, now lying on the ground, chuckled as the black mist seeped through the keyhole. Vademon inserted its skeletal finger into the doorknob to unlock the door, but by the time it was open, the alien Digimon found no trace of Tasuku.

"I underestimated you humans." Vademon closed the door and smirked at Homare. "At least I've gotten one heart."

Homare managed to smile once more before lights faded from his eyes. Vademon hummed, wrapping a few tentacles around Homare's arm and dragging him all the way to the door with a glass pane at the back of the shop. An area akin to an outer space lay behind the door.

"There's no escape once you're in here!" After unlocking the door with its skeletal finger, Vademon did one last rummage across Homare's body and found a notepad and a pen. "Poetry… And interview? Might fetch a good price."

Vademon opened the door and shoved Homare into the dimension, leaving his limp body to float with the lethargic Digimon whose hearts it had stolen.

Wisps of black mist hung in the air amid the darkness of the pit. Slowly, they fused into a humanoid shape and gained its true form: Tasuku Takato. He softly landed on the bottom of the pit and stood still, trying to sort the turmoil within him.

"Arisugawa…" he muttered, recalling Homare's sacrifice. Sorrow and curiosity made Tasuku approach the closed door, but his common sense made him retreat. Even if he had fooled Vademon, what if the alien Digimon decided to open the door for another check?

Tasuku retreated further away from the door. When his back hit the slippery wall, his eyes widened. None of his evolved forms had wings, while he could not maintain Dunkel Sarg long enough to reach the surface.

He shook his head and hissed, mentally scolding himself for relapsing into the weakness that plagued his past self: the unwillingness to try. Blikmon had once scolded him for this, because so long as he wallowed in this weakness, he would only cause more problems instead of solving the existing ones.

Homare had only learned to confront his fears and comfortably evolve into Vritramon thanks to Tasuku growing out of that weakness.

It would never hurt to try.

"Fine! Even if the noise draws Vademon, at least I'm in my evolved form! I'll teach it a lesson if it dares come out!" Tasuku reached out a hand, as if holding a D-Scanner and showing it to everybody. Then he closed his eyes and made a wide, sweeping arm movement. Upon swiping his hand against the non-existent device, he shouted, "Spirit Evolution!"

Two lions made of writhing black energy burst out of the ground and swirled around Tasuku, engulfing him in a cyclone of dark energy. Then everything dispersed and faded, revealing a man clad in black armor. Its helmet, pauldrons, chestplate, and kneepads came in the shape of a lion's head.

"Lowemon!" He jumped at the wall, as if about to cling to it. "Slide Evolution!"

Tasuku transformed into writhing dark energy. Gigantic claws grew out of his hands and feet as quadrupedalism overtook his growing form. The leonine helmet and chestplate fused with his head, and the entity transformed into a lion's head with a mane. A sleek tail sprouted out of his backside.

The dark energy soon revealed its form as a massive armored lion. "KaiserLeomon!" Tasuku shouted. "I'll climb out of this!"

Once his armored paws hit the wall, he ran all the way up and left behind a trail. Whether or not Vademon followed him, right now he cared more about getting out of here. Soon enough, he found himself on the surface and surrounded by several Woodmon and Alraumon.

"Who the hell are you?" An Alraumon stretched out and swung its vine-like fingers, which harmlessly bounced off Tasuku's armored face.

"Hold up!" a Woodmon shouted. "This must be the Beast Spirit Form of Darkness!"

"Wait…" The Alraumon's eyes widened. "Sorry! I forgot that the humans here can evolve into Digimon!" It bowed. "I'm really sorry."

The Woodmon immediately asked, "How's the situation down there?"

Tasuku looked away with a pair of sorrowful eyes.

"...bad news?"

"Vademon collects Digital Hearts from both Digimon and humans, leaving them in a lethargic state. I…" Tasuku paused. "You remember Vritramon?"

All of the Woodmon and Alraumon nodded.

"He sacrificed himself and lost his heart to Vademon."

A collective gasp tore through the night air.

"I'm not quite sure myself, but… Your friends are likely alive, but locked up in a pocket dimension in Vademon's shop. After all, if the owner of the Digital Heart dies, the heart will fade along with them."

"So there's still hope," one of the Woodmon said.

"Yeah. I'll come back when I'm better prepared."

Tasuku left the scene with a stronger sense of purpose. Now that he had said that, he had better not disappoint the hopeful inhabitants of Mount Panorama.

Guy took off his apron and dropped it off into the laundry basket at the back of the kitchen. Back at the counter area, Digitamamon waited with a pouch and a box atop the desk. "It's your wage!" it said cheerfully.

"A box?"

"There are three cups of pudding in it. They're a bonus for your hard work."

"Why three instead of one?"

"I know your type of person, Guy, because I'm a good boss. You're happier when you can share snacks with your friends, right?"

"I see. You are correct." Guy smiled as he picked up the pouch and the box. "Thank you."

"See you tomorrow!"

Guy walked out of the counter and the restaurant, heading towards the direction of Jijimon's house. As his thoughts drifted off to a cozy night with Tasuku, Homare, and puddings, a rapid scampering of four legs drew his attention.

Tasuku, in his KaiserLeomon form, ran to Guy while calling out to him in a dire tone. It did not take long for Guy to realize that Homare had gone missing, and his eyes widened.

"Takato, what happened?"

Tasuku stopped and reverted to his human form. "Arisugawa…" He huffed. "We were investigating a mysterious pit at Mount Panorama, but…" His voice rose. "He sacrificed himself so that I could escape! Now he's… He's…"

Guy was at a loss for words.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

The robotic voice drew Tasuku's and Guy's attention. The tin robot Digimon Blikmon hovered there, the gears behind the glass pane on its chest grinding against each other. As one of the three residents of Jijimon's house, Blikmon possessed incredible, yet mysterious power; for some reason, it always seemed to know what was happening, or what was in one's mind.

"Tasuku, you should calm down before you can have a proper talk with Guy regarding what transpired earlier." Blikmon gestured at Tasuku and Guy to follow it. "Let us talk at Jijimon's house."

"I see. Vademon extracted Arisugawa's heart and sealed him in its pocket dimension." Guy nodded. "I will accompany you in your journey. Let us plan our move."

"We need to find a way to overcome that Hold Beam in the shop," Tasuku said.

"Hold Beam comes from Vademon's ray gun, but it's not supposed to have an area effect like what you described," Jijimon commented.

Blikmon shrugged. "Vademon owns a shop. It may have something to generate and amplify it. Perhaps you would think of destroying its source, but if you cannot see the beam, you cannot pinpoint the source."

"If we can lure Vademon out of the shop…" Tasuku sighed. "I doubt it's stupid enough for that."

"If that is the case, then we need to overpower Vademon in our human form. Unfortunately, a Perfect level Digimon is out of our league…" Guy lamented. Then his eyes brightened slightly. "We still have those pills from Beetle Land, correct?"

Tasuku nodded. "I don't think numbing your pain sensation is enough for that. Besides, the healing pills won't do much because they take time to work."

"If we have a way to empower ourselves without evolution…"

Silence befell the room. Then Tasuku spoke up, "Chrome Digizoid."

"Chrome Digizoid?" Guy asked.

"It's a powerful alloy that can be found as part of a Digimon's weapon and armor. KaiserLeomon's armor is made of it. I remember Elecmon having some leftovers after the generator upgrade project, so if we can get ourselves some Chrome Digizoid equipment…"

"Then you stand a chance against Vademon even as a human! Brilliant!" Jijimon struck the ground with the bottom of its staff. "Add those Beetle Land pills and it's settled! Tasuku, I bet you're proficient at tempering the alloy."

"That…" Tasuku looked down with a sad smile. "Yeah, Arisugawa was interviewing me about it. I wanted to show him the process, but things happened." He raised his head and clenched his fists. "That's it. Guy-san, let's rest up for tonight so that we can craft Chrome Digizoid equipment and save Arisugawa tomorrow."

"I can see that you are excited, but a portion of the emotion is locked away in your heart." Blikmon nodded. "How typical of you, Tasuku. However, someday you simply need to pour your heart out with speech and even tears."

Tasuku raised an eyebrow. "I don't get what you mean by that."

"You will soon find out."

"And that's why we come to your shed this early," Tasuku told Elecmon. "Please let us use the remaining Chrome Digizoid."

Elecmon scrutinized both Tasuku and Guy, as if judging them. Then the red nine-tailed Digimon smiled. "Your eyes are full of bravery and determination. You guys really wanna save your friend, huh?" It nodded. "Very well. You may have the remaining Chrome Digizoid." It turned and galloped across the wire-littered floor. "Follow me."

Tasuku and Guy followed Elecmon to a metal door with what looked like a camera beside it. Elecmon stared into the lens, and the door slid open. Inside, numerous metallic objects piled up into a massive heap of junk.

"Chrome Digizoid… Chrome Digizoid…" Elecmon galloped towards a small mound of cube-shaped metal beside the colossal heap. "Here it is."

"So these are the famous Chrome Digizoid," Guy commented.

"These are the alloy in its unmodified form. I'm afraid that they won't be enough for something big."

"We'll use them sparingly." Tasuku sat down and pulled a few cubes towards him. "Guy-san, let me show you how to craft something out of these." As soon as he laid a hand on the alloy, the circuit board-like lines on the surface glowed. "They sense my intent."

"Intent?" Guy asked.

"Chrome Digizoid is a living alloy thanks to the organic data infused into it when it was processed from its raw form, the Chrondigizoit Metal. To modify the alloy into something you want, you need to transfer your thoughts and feelings into it. Watch this."

Tasuku closed his eyes, and the cubes before him transformed into ethereal green energy. An image of Lowemon's Shield of Atonement appeared in his mind, and soon Tasuku saw himself blocking Vademon's laser with the shield.

The green energy merged and unleashed a massive flash of light. Then the glow faded, leaving behind a metal shield with the head of a lion. Tasuku opened his eyes and smiled at the sight.

"This is how you do it." He picked up the shield and showed it to Guy. "It may not have the special properties of the actual Shield of Atonement, but the durability is top-notch."

"If it takes that amount for this shield…" Fingers on his chin, Guy looked at the mound of unused Chrome Digizoid cubes. "We barely have enough for a partial armor."

"In that case, you should be the one gearing up."

"Me?"

Tasuku nodded. "Although we've fought many Digimon in this adventure, you and Mikage still have the most combat experience among the six of us."

"I don't mind wearing the armor, but what about you? You need protection."

"I have a plan."

"Plan?"

"You distract Vademon while I go save Arisugawa. If there are three of us, we can defeat Vademon."

Guy remained silent for a moment. Then he smiled. "Your strategic mind never ceases to impress me, Takato."

"You're exaggerating. Tsumugi is better at it."

"You still have an advantage with your immense knowledge of Digimon."

"Well, I can't deny that I guess." Tasuku stood up and approached the heap of Chrome Digizoid cubes. "Wanna try crafting the armor by yourself?"

"Yes." Guy followed Tasuku. Then he sat down and stared at the Chrome Digizoid cubes, a series of calculations initiated in his mind. Slowly, he reached out his hands to split the mound into one big pile and two equally smaller piles.

Tasuku gave Guy's action a curious and confident look. Soon, Guy placed his hands on the bigger mound and closed his eyes.

Within Guy's mind the image of Blitzmon's torso armor materialized. Guy imagined himself in the armor, surrounded by a gang of ModokiBetamon. The lizard Digimon jumped and whirled, transforming into buzz saws that ripped through the air but bounced off the armor.

A moment later, the cubes transformed into ethereal green energy and merged. The fusion unleashed a blinding flash of light.

"Wow, you have some serious crafting skills!" Elecmon exclaimed.

Guy opened his eyes. Before him lay a bulky torso armor with patterns so intricate and detailed that it looked like a perfect Chrome Digizoid imitation of Blitzmon's armor.

Tasuku smiled. "I knew it."

Guy pushed the armor aside and brought the smaller mound of cubes closer to him. "I will craft Blitzmon's gauntlets next."

Guy's crafting skills led to the creation of a perfect Chrome Digizoid imitation of Blitzmon's gauntlets, just like the armor. Putting on all the Chrome Digizoid equipment gave Guy the appearance of a lesser Blitzmon, with a set of silver instead of cobalt-colored gear.

Tasuku nodded in approval and gave Guy the Chrome Digizoid shield. "Take this too."

Guy mounted the shield on his forearm and clenched his fists. Then he put a foot in front and launched a fist, his movements visibly slowed. "Chrome Digizoid is quite heavy."

"Because the metal we have here is the most basic form of Chrome Digizoid. It is possible to refine it to a lighter variant, but only Factorial Town has the necessary tools," Elecmon explained.

"In that case, remain on the defensive when you fight Vademon. Just buy me time to save Arisugawa from the pocket dimension." Tasuku smiled. "And now…" He reached out a hand, as if holding a D-Scanner gadget and showing it to everybody.

Guy nodded. "I see. Then let us begin our journey."

The journey would've started right away if either Tasuku or Guy had wings. While Guy could evolve into Blitzmon and buzz his way to Vademon's shop with Tasuku in his arms, unequipping the Chrome Digizoid gear would be a hassle.

Instead, Tasuku decided to do the best he could as KaiserLeomon: carrying Guy on his back through the woods and towards Shellmon's bulletin board. They hoped they could persuade Airdramon into bringing them to Vademon's shop.

It seemed like they were in luck.

In the distance, a distressed Shellmon stood in front of its bulletin board. It wrapped its fingers around Airdramon's tail. "Please wait for a bit more, Airdramon! I'm sure Tasuku and Guy will need your help!"

Struggling against Shellmon's grip, Airdramon patted the loaded sling bag around its torso with one of its leathery wings. "Shellmon, I have many letters to deliver today! I must start early, else I won't make it before the sun sets!"

"Homare is in danger! If there's anyone who can save him, it'll be those two guys, but they'll need your wings to move faster!" Shellmon pulled Airdramon back, who forcefully flew ahead and started a tug-of-war.

"Let me go!"

"Please wait!"

Tasuku accelerated and sprang out of the woods, his form blocking out the sun above. "Airdramon, we're here!" He landed before Shellmon and Airdramon.

Shellmon's grip on Airdramon loosened as the two Digimon turned to the source of the voice. The snail-hermit crab hybrid Digimon smiled broadly. "See?"

Airdramon reeled back with an annoyed face. "You guys already have KaiserLeomon to carry you!"

"It's too dangerous to go without wings. Vademon's shop is at the bottom of a very deep pit," Tasuku said.

"Please help us, Airdramon," Guy pleaded. "We are aware of your workload, so if there is anything you need in return, tell us. Right now, we need your wings to save our comrade."

Tasuku and Guy stared at Airdramon with a determined, yet wistful look. Soon, Airdramon's facial expression softened, courtesy of the profound sadness in Tasuku's eyes that no one dared bring up.

"Fine, I'll do it."

Both Tasuku and Guy smiled and thanked the serpentine dragon. Once Guy hopped off Tasuku's back, Tasuku reverted into his human form.

"I hope you don't need me to get back up. Dunno how long you'll take to save Homare."

"Arisugawa can handle that as Vritramon," Tasuku replied.

"Alright, now get on my back." Airdramon lowered its tail, allowing Tasuku and Guy to tread on it like an ascending slope. Once they reached the neck, the serpentine dragon Digimon flapped its wings hard and launched itself into the sky with an air blast.

Tasuku and Guy clung to the feathery extensions on the back of Airdramon's skull, hanging by like carp streamers as the serpentine dragon Digimon bolted across the horizon. As warm as Tasuku's body had always been, this time the air made him shiver a bit. The chill affected Guy as well, as if the extra armor offered little to no additional protection.

Tasuku gritted his teeth as his grip on the extension tightened. Memories of his previous journey to Mount Panorama with Homare resurfaced in his mind. Vritramon's flaming wings had warded off the chill and made it a comfortable ride.

Guy looked at Tasuku, curious, but didn't question his fierce facial expression at all. Everyone in the Winter Troupe had never been one to pry.

With the colossal mountain in sight, Airdramon began its descent. "Hold tight!" Spotting a massive pit below, Airdramon dived at a velocity that caused Tasuku's and Guy's hearts to hammer against their chests. The gaping hole rose to meet their faces at breakneck speed.

And then there was mainly darkness. The deeper they went, the stronger the darkness grew. However, it didn't last long as a faint glow soon came to their sight, growing in size and intensity as they descended further.

"That's your destination, isn't it?" Airdramon asked.

"Yeah," Tasuku replied. "So Vademon left the door open again…"

"Prepare for landing, guys!"

With a sharp swerve, Airdramon dropped off Tasuku and Guy and flew back up.

Tasuku made a shush gesture and whispered, "Once we're inside, Vademon will lock this door behind us. Stay alert."

"This means you should go first, Takato. By covering your back, when Vademon locks the door, I will be at the frontline."

Tasuku gave a thumbs-up and stepped into the shop. Guy followed him.

They walked into the aisle, looking left and right for Vademon. Obviously the alien Digimon wouldn't come from those directions, but part of it was an act to bait Vademon, and another part of it was to find the location of Homare's Digital Heart and the pocket dimension.

A thud and a click echoed from behind them, and they turned. Vademon stood in front of the closed door, smirking as it brandished its ray gun.

"I see you've brought a friend."

Guy glared at Vademon and clenched his Chrome Digizoid fists, the arm shield in front. "I am your opponent."

"You have too much armor for my taste." Vademon jumped and clung to the ceiling with its tentacles. Gun glowing, it crept towards Tasuku.

"Guy-san, throw me the pills later."

"Pardon?"

With Vademon drawing closer, Tasuku transformed into writhing wisps of black mist and paid no attention to the pouch of pills that fell off him. The mist clumped together and engulfed Vademon's head. Muffled screams echoed across the shop as the alien Digimon thrashed.

Guy picked up the pouch and tossed it past the commotion. As soon as the ethereal clump left Vademon, he grabbed Vademon's arm and stood still. Tiny arches of electricity crackled across his body and streamed towards the alien Digimon, forcing a painful shriek out of its throat.

In the distance, the black wisps merged into the form of a human and reverted into Tasuku. With the pouch caught, Tasuku gave a thumbs-up and ran off.

Guy pulled and slammed Vademon down, carving cracks on the floor. The flow of electricity remained steady, but Vademon pushed through the shock and raised its ray gun. Guy raised his shield just in time to block the laser beam, his electricity fading from the interrupted focus.

"I wasn't planning to fight you first, but you two left me with no choice," Vademon muttered.

A tentacle swept Guy off his feet. Freed from Guy's grasp, Vademon readied its gun once more. Guy noticed the aim - targeted at his legs - and rolled out of harm's way in the nick of time.

"I see!" Vademon smirked and launched its tentacles from all sides. They wrapped around Guy's calves and constricted, causing him to wince.

Before Guy could regain his composure, Vademon took aim and fired. The laser beam burned through his knee and brought a scream out of him. Laughing, Vademon pointed its gun at the other knee.

Heart pounding from the agonized screams, Tasuku scrambled through the aisle. His legs quivered, and he had to remind himself of the danger of letting fear slow him down.

He finally found the shelf with an array of colorful blobs; interestingly, the fiery one had a notepad and a pen resting beside it. Without further thinking, he swiped the items off the display and checked the surroundings. A wooden door with a glass pane stood in the distance.

Tasuku ran towards the door while chanting "I can do it" in his heart like a mantra. Arriving there, he realized that using Dunkel Sarg to slip through the keyhole would lead to him dropping all the important items.

What if he blasted the door with Endlich Meteor instead? Despite being an anomaly among Lowemon's arsenal due to it firing a burst of non-elemental energy, it gave the Digimon more versatility and cemented its place as the most powerful Human Spirit Evolution form in the lore.

Tasuku placed the items on the nearby shelf and cupped his hands, as if forming a lion's open maw with them. Aiming at the door, he focused on the growing warmth on his hands. A golden sphere of pure energy materialized before his palms, growing in size with each passing second.

Meanwhile, Guy lay still with his face contorting in agony. Golden particles and threads of smoke escaped from the gaping wounds on his knees, and everything below had gone numb. Vademon towered over him with its tentacles still around his calves and its glowing ray gun aimed at his chest.

A laser beam flew out of the muzzle, struck Guy's torso armor, and dispersed into nothingness.

"This is no ordinary armor, huh?"

Guy managed to smile through the pain.

"Don't get cocky, human. You're inside the shop of an interdimensional trader. I have the tools to get rid of it." Vademon released Guy and turned to leave.

Guy reached for his pants pocket and pulled a pouch out of it. Just as he undid the drawstring and dug up a red pill, a boom interrupted him. Vademon stopped in its tracks as well.

Then realization dawned upon Guy. Smiling more broadly, he asked, "Will you focus on extracting my heart, or will you investigate that explosion?"

"Explosion?"

"You took our bait. I was only here to draw your attention."

"Bait…" Vademon's eyes widened. It sprang into the air and clung to the ceiling with its tentacles, frantically scanning the surroundings.

With the fiery blob in hand and the notepad and the pen in his pocket, Tasuku rushed into the pocket dimension.

"You!" Vademon crept across the ceiling. "Stay away from my pocket dimension!"

Guy chuckled and swallowed the red pill. With the pain on his legs subsiding, he rose to his feet and surveyed the shelves for a perfect hiding spot. Vademon would never see his ambush coming.

Tasuku found himself floating aimlessly amid the sea of stars and lethargic Alraumon. Unable to find a stable footing, he placed his feet on an Alraumon.

"I'm sorry."

He pushed himself off the Alraumon, propelling himself deeper into the pocket dimension. Using more Alraumon as stepping stones, he managed to send himself far away from the shop.

However, he had no clue where to find Homare. Throughout his journey he had only found Alraumon and some other Digimon that didn't seem to belong to Mount Panorama, and the thoughts sent him into despair. Vademon would soon find him and all would be lost.

Tasuku looked at Homare's Digital Heart with teary eyes. Inadvertently, he blurted out, "I'm sorry, Arisugawa. I've tried to save you, but…I'm failing. I don't even know where to go now." Remembering Homare's excited face and voracious appetite during the dinner interview, Tasuku finally let the tears flow. "I'm sorry that your work will remain unfinished. There are so many things I wanna show you."

The droplets floated aimlessly, some striking the Digital Heart and causing sizzling sounds. Suddenly, the flames roared and sent soothing warmth across Tasuku's body.

"Wha-"

Tasuku found himself pulled by the burning heart. It took him across the stars, past countless lethargic Digimon. Amid the guided gliding, Tasuku spotted a humanoid figure in the distance. Hope filled his heart and brought a smile unto his face.

"I'm not sure what's happening, but-"

He finally found Homare, who floated before him with half-open eyes.

"Arisugawa-" Extreme heat stung his hands, and the Digital Heart left his grasp. "Ow!"

The burning heart entered Homare's chest seamlessly, and lights returned to his eyes. Now completely alert, Homare muttered with a smile, "Tasuku-kun."

"Arisugawa!" Unfortunately, just as Tasuku thought he had a lot to tell Homare, coherent sentences failed to form in his mind.

Homare chuckled. "You need not speak. Your feelings reached my heart."

"We haven't talked properly…?"

"I believe we just had a heart-to-heart conversation."

"I told you we haven't talked properly?"

"We have not, but somehow I felt your emotion in my heart."

Something clicked, and Blikmon's speech replayed in Tasuku's mind.

"However, someday you simply need to pour your heart out with speech and even tears."

"Oh, I get it now."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing." Tasuku pulled a pouch out of his pants pocket and took out a red pill. "I've brought this."

"Tasuku-kun, you certainly know my favorite color." Homare attempted to move his arm, only to gasp and wince from the internal injuries.

"Sheesh, just be patient and let me-"

Homare's eyes widened, and he flicked his feet. Flame jets shot out of his soles and pushed him past Tasuku.

Tasuku turned to find Homare taking a laser beam to his chest, though it only burned a small hole on his shirt and left a patch of rash on his skin. Vademon floated in front of Homare, its gun pointed at him.

"Dammit!" Vademon pulled back its free arm and lunged at Homare, who refused to budge and instead stared at it.

As the alien Digimon drew closer with a glowing hand in front, Tasuku called, "Arisugawa, open your mouth!"

Homare raised an eyebrow but followed Tasuku's instruction nonetheless. In one swift movement, Tasuku shoved the red pill into Homare's mouth.

Homare swallowed, grinning as he no longer felt pain. His feet burned up just as Vademon closed in.

With its arm being shorter than Homare's leg, the alien Digimon ended up taking a blazing foot to the face.

More flaming kicks came. Vademon shrieked as the fiery barrage burned away its skin and exposed its wireframe. Had the bones within Homare's legs been intact, the structure would've caved in from the barrage.

Behind Homare, Tasuku cupped his hands to invoke the imagery of a lion's open maw. A golden sphere of energy materialized before his palms.

"Outta my way!" Tasuku shouted.

Homare stopped and glanced over his shoulder. The jets of fire from his feet launched him up, clearing the path for the stream of golden energy from Tasuku's hands. It collided with the mangled Vademon and blasted it across the pocket dimension.

"Leave this to me!" Homare exclaimed, the flame jets from his soles propelling him across the pocket dimension.

Vademon managed to recuperate and blow a kiss. A cluster of asteroids materialized and shot at Homare, who danced through them with fiery grace. The maneuver rattled his already cracked bones; despite knowing what this would lead to, he focused all the firepower he could muster into a leg and kicked.

Homare's flaming foot slammed into Vademon's head, and the bone within his leg broke in half and shot out of the flesh. He smiled regardless, knowing that he had given his all.

Vademon rocketed all the way back to the shop and slid on its back along an aisle, its body a mess of molten skin and exposed wireframe. Glitching in and out of existence, it growled and struggled to rise. Then a massive figure blocked off the lights above it.

Hands crackling with electricity and clasped together, Guy dropped down from the air. His electrified double ax handle smashed into Vademon's face and shattered the ground beneath. The alien Digimon let out one last scream as its body disintegrated into nothingness.

Guy sprinted towards the shelves with medical supplies. Pain gradually returned to his wounded knees, which he had bandaged up before settling in a spot for the ambush. However, he pressed on; the battle might be over, but Tasuku and Homare might need his help.

Unfortunately, a few feet away from the area with medical supplies, the pain stopped him. Standing slightly stooped, Guy had no choice but to down another red pill. With the pain gone, he continued his journey.

Then he heard familiar voices nearby. The neighboring aisle had golden particles rising to the ceiling and fading.

"It is oddly quiet here."

"Guy-san must've finished Vademon off. Anyway, we need to get your leg bandaged up. The fractured bone is disintegrating."

"I never thought the damage would extend this quickly…"

"Probably because the bone was already cracked to begin with."

Guy swiped a few splints and rolls of bandages off the shelf and rushed to the source of the voices and particles. Homare sat on the floor with his injured leg extended. Beside him Tasuku stood.

"Guy-san!" both Tasuku and Homare exclaimed.

Guy replied with a smile, "It is over." He sat in front of Homare and put down the medical supplies. "Let me handle this."

As Guy worked on bandaging Homare's leg, Homare looked at Tasuku. "In the meantime, please return everyone's hearts, Tasuku-kun. They deserve a better place than those shelves."

Tasuku's eyes widened at the realization. "How? Yours was returned through some crazy stuff I didn't understand. Also, I don't know which heart is whose."

"Your feelings will do the job."

Tasuku imagined himself speaking wholeheartedly to the other hearts and scowled. "Excuse me?"

Homare laughed. "A little honesty goes a long way."

"Stop speaking in riddles."

"You have no sense of romanticism. Anyway, you simply need to speak earnestly. Even a simple 'I want to save you' will work so long as you put your heart to it."

Guy raised an eyebrow. "How did you know this much, Arisugawa?"

"Because Tasuku-kun spoke to me. My Digital Heart was like a semi-conscious me, so when Tasuku-kun poured his heart out, I was snapped to my senses."

Tasuku blushed at the realization. "I didn't have a choice."

"Now, do that to the other hearts. I know you can do it, Tasuku-kun." Homare looked at his broken leg; Guy was still halfway through bandaging it. "I shall join you once Guy has finished bandaging it… If I am still conscious that is."

"Conscious…" Tasuku's eyes widened at the realization. Currently, Homare was only conscious thanks to the red pill; should the effect expire, the pain from his injuries would certainly knock him out. He could take another pill once pain started to creep into him, but what if he missed the time window?

An unconscious Homare would lead to no transportation to the surface. Although the shop might have one or the materials for Tasuku to craft one, Tasuku refused to risk it.

Tasuku hurried to the shelves containing the Digital Hearts, swiped a gray-colored blob, and rushed to the entrance of the pocket dimension. Holding the heart tightly, he closed his eyes and shouted, "I'm here to save you!"

Extreme heat stung Tasuku's hands. His eyes snapped open as the heart glided into the pocket dimension and across the many lethargic Digimon within.

A moment later, an energetic Alraumon came to sight. With its vine-like fingers wrapped around the lethargic Digimon, it swung all the way back to the shop.

Landing before Tasuku, it cheerfully asked, "Hey, it's you, isn't it?"

Tasuku nodded. "You heard me."

"So that's how you return these hearts. C'mon, let's do it together. We'll get it done in no time!"

"Let's go!"

The sun gradually approached its zenith as the remaining Alraumon and Woodmon on the surface stood around the pit. The rising heat and light intensity reminded the Alraumon that the time for their daily photosynthesis drew near. However, they continued their wait with hearts full of hope.

Soon, a blazing radiance appeared deep within the pit. The waiting Digimon exclaimed in joy.

"That must be Vritramon!" an Alraumon shouted.

A boxing glove shot out of the pit and exploded in the air. "Mamemon!" the waiting Digimon called out.

Homare in his Vritramon form rocketed into the sky, carrying many Alraumon across its armored shoulders. On the dragon's hands stood Mamemon, a small spherical Digimon. Beside it were Tasuku and Guy.

"I'm back!" Mamemon hopped off Homare and playfully crashed into a Woodmon, tackling it to the ground.

The other Alraumon and Woodmon rushed to Mamemon.

"We're glad you're safe!"

"We're so worried about you!"

"Time for a party!"

Mamemon rose to its feet and pointed at the soaring Vritramon with its boxing glove. "Gotta thank those humans."

Homare descended to the cheering Digimon, at which the Alraumon on his shoulders began to jump off. As he drew closer to the ground, he winced and temporarily lost his balance.

"What's wrong?" a Woodmon asked.

Tasuku jumped off and landed in front of the Woodmon. "The pill's effect is expiring." He turned to Homare. "Arisugawa, return to File City with Guy-san and get help from Kentarumon ASAP. I'll handle things here."

Homare nodded. With one powerful flap of his blazing wings, he launched himself back into the air and streaked across the horizon. It didn't take long for him to disappear completely.

"With that speed, I'm sure he'll reach Kentarumon's clinic in time," Mamemon commented. "Anyway, thanks a lot for saving us, human!" It offered a hand.

Tasuku took the hand and shook it. "Think nothing of it."

"Normally we don't let outsiders forage around Mount Panorama, but if it's you guys, we'll make an exception. You're always welcome here."

"Our region is known for Big Berries," an Alraumon added. "One berry is like a full course meal. It's also just as nutritious."

Tasuku nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"It's a shame we can't do anything to the remaining Digimon in the pocket dimension because their hearts are missing, but let's talk about the good stuff in the shop," Mamemon continued. "Feel free to take what's in there, human." It smirked. "Finders, keepers!"

At first Tasuku cringed at the idea, having always lived by the idea of returning items to their true owners. However, a change of heart occurred as soon as he remembered that he and Guy had used up all the remaining Chrome Digizoid in File City.

"Human?" Mamemon asked.

"I'll grab some Chrome Digizoid from the shop." Tasuku looked into the pit. Its seemingly bottomless nature made him shudder, especially with him realizing that his evolved forms lacked the ability to fly.

"If you're struggling to get in there, Alraumon can help you with their vines."

The idea comforted Tasuku somewhat, but despite all, he knew the courage to go down would eventually stem from his desire to keep his promise with Homare.

In the beginning, there was nothing but blue-and-white blur in his vision.

As the blur stabilized, a surge of pain ripped through the bedridden Homare. Each breath he took felt like shards of glass slicing through his ribs, and every slight movement sent waves of agony coursing through his body.

"You're up," Tasuku spoke from beside him.

"Tasuku-kun… I believe I have braced myself for the aftereffects of the pills, but…" Homare groaned, struggling to shift his bandage-and-cast-covered body. "They are worse than I thought."

"What did you expect from forcing yourself to fight after being crushed by an asteroid… You almost crashed into the fountain too."

"Crashed?"

"Guy-san told me the pills' effect wore off earlier than expected, so by the time you reached the town square, you were already losing your consciousness and reverting to your human form."

"I see. Speaking of, where is Guy-san?"

"Already back to work. He has recovered enough to do that."

"Recovered enough…?" A series of calculations began in Homare's mind. "Tasuku-kun, how long have I been out cold?"

"About a day."

Realization dawned on Homare. "My deadlines-" A sharp pain from his chest cut him off.

"You needn't worry about that. Shellmon saw your near-crash and knew you were in a bad shape, so it has extended your deadlines." Tasuku showed Homare his notepad, which had Tasuku's scribbles across the page.

"What did you write?"

"I knew you'd be out for some time, so I decided to note down all the happenings at Mount Panorama. It'll be a disaster if we forget what happened."

"Tasuku-kun…" Slowly but surely, Homare reached out a hand to grab the notepad and brought it closer to his face. Smiling at the scribbles, he muttered, "Thank you."

Tasuku returned the smile. "It was our promise, wasn't it? When you've recovered enough to start writing again…" He opened the bedside drawer and picked up one of the Chrome Digizoid cubes within. "I'll show you the process of crafting generator parts from this."

Homare stared at the Chrome Digizoid cube, at a loss for words. A moment later, he told Tasuku, "Could you come closer?"

"Yes…?" Tasuku looked at Homare funny but did as told nonetheless.

Homare tried to wrap an arm around Tasuku, catching Tasuku off-guard, but pain and stiffness thwarted his attempt. Regardless, he whispered to Tasuku, "Thank you for being my comrade."

At that, numerous images flashed across Tasuku's mind. He remembered Homare carrying him across the sky as Vritramon, fighting against Vademon despite his injuries and snapping the bone within his leg as a result, and his last flight to carry everyone out of the pit…

"You've been a great comrade too, Arisugawa," Tasuku finally replied.