Inez held still. She could hear the breathing behind her; slow, steady, constant. Interspersed with it were other sounds – other really familiar sounds. The gently squashing sound of a crest rising and falling. The hard taps of talons on stone.

And then, something dragging. Inez opened her eyes, and saw her shadow shifting against the wall. Some of the light of the cavern was clearly coming from the Digimon behind her. An eerie green, tinged with yellow. It lit up her arms, revealing the tiny spots of gooseflesh over her skin.

“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. It’s only me.”

Inez stayed stock still. But her hands tightened around her elbows, her nails scraping against her own skin. She tried to move them, but she couldn’t loosen her grip. None of her muscles would work.

Another dragging sound, and she felt the breath pulsing against the back of her neck. The shadows shifted, and the voice took on a sad note.

“What did you do to your hair? I liked how it was before.”

A low laugh. Inez felt it crawling up her spine. Even more so when she felt the delicate palm caressing her head.

“So bouncy and curled.”

“Get off!”

Inez jerked forwards, her entire body spasming at the touch. The hand tensed as it fell away, but it yanked at her head just slightly, and she felt tiny barbs fall down around her shoulders, bouncing off the floor like pins. She raised her arms, holding them over her head, waiting for it to start.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to hurt you.”

Inez held herself tightly, but the hands never came. The Digimon just waited patiently behind her. Eventually she could bear it no longer, and uncurled just a tiny bit as she looked forwards into the gloom.

“How...how d...d-did you f-f-find me?”

Her voice was cracked. Every word seemed to scrape against her throat. But the Digimon behind her remained as gentle as ever.

“I promised, didn’t I? I told you I’d find you again. We belong together.” He laughed, readjusting himself with another dragging sound. “I searched, and I searched. I asked everybody I could find. And then I asked a charming little water strider around here, who told me about the human warriors in this town. I had a feeling, you know? And I looked, and I looked, and I finally found you.”

He tapped a talon against the red rock, the light dancing back and forth on the wall ahead. Inez watched the lights dancing in front of her, revealing glimpses of a large silhouette. Much, much larger than she remembered.

“You’re really c...clever.”

“Thank you so much, my little In...”

He paused. There came a swallowing sound.

“Inez. Thank you.”

Inez blinked, each word cutting into her like a scalpel. She couldn’t think of anything else to say, so the Digimon behind her spoke again.

“You don’t have to keep looking the other way. Don’t you want to see me?”

The girl swallowed. She took a breath. Then a step. Then another one. Inch by inch, shuffling around on the spot. And finally looking up at the Digimon who she had once called partner. He giggled, and stretched up to his full height, holding his arms out.

“Hello again.”

He was long. Very long, with a broad fish’s body taking up his lower half. It had soft scales, pale green patches along its flank, and a long, spiny crest that rose and fell over the length of its tail and back. The tail swished back and forth, the long, barbed talons clattering against one another. At his midriff the fish came to a head, with hooked teeth pressing into his stomach, and blank blue eyes staring blindly out from just below his waist.

His upper body was completely different. Much more humanoid, with green skin and a yellow belly. At first glance his skin seemed completely smooth, but as the lights danced over it, one could see that it too was made up of hundreds of tiny scales, locked over one another like a shark’s skin. He had a few spines folded up on his shoulders and his arms.

He bent down, reaching out with a long, skinny arm. Inez took a step back, but the Digimon didn’t force it. He just let it flow lazily past, as he leant down further. His head was almost human, save for the shallow, nostril-less snout where his nose should have been, and the long, pink fibrous hair that waved in the air above him, as if it were permanently underwater. Or like an organism of the deep, reaching out to snag passing prey.

Inez blinked, looking up into the creature’s handsome face as he smiled warmly, his expression almost ethereal.

“Anglermon...you evolved...”

The Digimon grinned, revealing the row of dozens of needle-like teeth, interlocking flawlessly.

“I’m Xiphactimon now.” He reached out below him, picking up the digivice at her feet. “What do you think?”

“I-It’s something else.” The girl took a step back, but Xiphactimon just adjusted himself a little, creeping forwards even closer. “I d...didn’t think you could evolve w...without...”

“Without you?”

Xiphactimon stuck his lower lip out, his arms falling low. He had a pained, yet almost dreamlike expression on his flawless face.

“I thought it was impossible as well. I thought...I was afraid I’d lost you forever. Especially after I was pulled back.”

The girl swallowed. “The war you talked about...was it still going on?”

“I didn’t see.”

He rolled the tiny device in his hands, looking down at it sadly. “The world twisted around me. I was...trapped. Trapped in a dark place; too dark to see or feel a thing. All I could do was think. Remember. All I could do was think about you, and I held tightly to this, and it kept me going. It made me strong. But not strong enough to get out.”

He looked up. “But then the world broke apart again, and I could see through. There were gaps. Even when the new world was sewn over the top of the old one, the spaces remained. Too small at first. But something was big moving down there, and they were broken apart even more and...well...I had a chance. I pushed my way through. Back to my home.”

Inez shook her head, her hands shuddering. “This...this isn’t your home.”

The merman smiled, crouching forwards as he held the digivice tightly.

“But you’re my family, Inez. My home is with you. It always will be.”

He smiled, happiness shining through his expression. “Come with me, Inez. Come back to my broken world, and we can start again. We can be partners like we were. Proper partners, this time. We still can, right? I kept it for you.”

He reached out, grasping the digivice in his fingers. He leant forwards slowly, holding it out to Inez. She looked into the screen, and the inky blackness within.

“Inez...I still love you. I love you so much. Please...please come back to me?”

Lyra held a hand to her mouth, unable to hide the horror on her face.

“Holy shit...I had no idea...”

Syngnamon fidgeted on the table, as Alasdair and the ambassadors spoke behind him, pulling out various sheets of paper. To try and relieve the stress of waiting, Syngnamon had passed on what Inez’s parents had told him, taking care to keep it as sensitive as he could. But it was still enough.

Tsurumon hissed, digging his feet into the hardwood floor. “”How could somebody who calls themselves a partner do something like that? It’s disgusting.”

Jack sniffed beside him. “Why didn’t she tell us?”

“It was her choice.” Syngnamon pressed his hands together. “It’s not right that I’m the one to tell you. I can’t even be certain that he’s the one that took her. But if her life’s in danger...I need as much help as I can get. Let it stand among everything else I’ve done wrong.”

Alasdair rolled back, holding a large tri-square as Eirenemon held a roll of paper behind him. “It’s a rough position to be in. I’m sorry it had to come so suddenly.”

Mark narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess; her past is another thing that you already knew everything about.”

Alasdair paused, rolling his tongue around in his mouth. Lonnie twisted her hair, giving her fellow tamer a hard stare.

“Now’s not the time, Mark.”

“I know. We need to find her. That’s the main focus.”

Eirenemon clutched the roll of paper in her hands, looking more uncomfortable by the second. “Why do you people have to go through so much pain? It’s not fair.”

She looked up at Fenghuangmon, who merely let out a breath. The dove nodded, and they rolled out the paper on the table, revealing a map of the coastline. Syngnamon looked forlorn. “I’ve already searched as far as I could around the beach and the river.”

“If he’s going to be taking her anywhere, it’s going to be one of the gates.”

Lonnie leant forwards, scanning the map. “Why’s that?”

“If what you said is true, he first arrived in Spain. Therefore he won’t be familiar with the human world around these parts. So he won’t want to have strayed too far from the point he entered. He may even try to take her back through to the digital world.”

Eirenemon clutched Fenghuangmon’s hands, and gestured, aware of the looks of horror appearing on the tamers’ faces. The phoenix cleared her throat.

“It’s only a possibility.”

Mark folded his arms. “But the gates open and close, don’t they? How can you be so certain of where they are?”

Simurghmon stepped forwards, looking over the shoulders of the other two. “You have the ability to predict weather patterns and earthquakes and the like, don’t you?”

“To a degree.” Mark peered down. “Does it work the same way?”

Fenghuangmon pointed to a marked dot on the map. “This is the permanent gate. It reaches out and forms weaknesses in the surrounding atmosphere; these are the things that open up into the residual gates. It’s why we had an idea of where to find most of the Digimon we unfortunately allowed through.”

“Most, but not this one, it seems.”

“Yes, well, the gates don’t all open in convenient places.” The phoenix narrowed her eyes, and shook an arm. “We aren’t too adept at swimming.”

Jack leapt forwards, his eyes wide. “Hang on; are you suggesting this guy took Inez out to sea? If that’s the case...” He pulled back. “If that’s the case...she’d have drowned by now...”

“He won’t let that happen.”

Everybody turned to Syngnamon, who held his snout. “If...if he is the one, then he won’t let her die. He needs her alive so he can be strong.”

“Exactly.” Alasdair leant back. “So we’re looking for somewhere away from us but not too far away, next to a gate, and above the water’s surface.”

“Not necessarily above.” Fenghuangmon leant forwards again, her talon running along the paper until it came to a small dotted archipelago, where a group of islands had been withered away by the winds and rain. A couple of stickers were dotted around, marking the presence of gates.

“There are a few sea caves around here; some of them have pockets within. And the boundary between land and sea has a tendency to form weaknesses in the digital plane; on our world as well.” She glared up. “I’d put my bet that he’s taken her there.”

The tamers and their partners watched, none of them wanting to say anything. Except for Lyra, who gently gnawed on her thumbnail. “For someone who doesn’t swim, you seem pretty clued up about that place.”

Fenghuangmon whistled. “I have a feel for Digimon. The decisions they make, and the places they go. Whether for good or evil.”

Eirenemon gave a reassuring smile. “She’s good. I promise.”

Syngnamon clenched his fist, feeling the weight of Inez’s D-SEND in his palm.

“If there’s any chance she’s there, I have to try.” He narrowed his eyes. “I won’t let him hurt her again.”

He looked up at the others, who nodded in return. Lonnie balled her fists. “Go. Find her. We’ll catch you up.”

Syngnamon gave them a small smile. Then he leapt from the table, and rushed from the room, his lithe form skipping down the stairs. The others followed, with Mark and Chromon bringing up the rear. He turned, and stared at Alasdair and the ambassadors.

“Thank you for this. Really. I...I didn’t mean to doubt any of you.”

Fenghuangmon rolled the map up. “It’s my duty to help you. I will do so in any way I can.”

Simurghmon held Eirenemon’s shoulder. “Go. Bring her back.”

The young man smiled in acknowledgement, his gaze flicking over to Alasdair for a few seconds. Then he rushed back, leaving the man and the three Digimon alone in the office. Alasdair let out a breath, and leant back.

“They do have a point. You do seem to know the digital gates around here very well indeed.”

Fenghuangmon planted the paper away. “You never know when another one may appear. It makes sense to be prepared.” She looked over her shoulder. “You’d agree with that, wouldn’t you?”

Alasdair’s fingers twitched. “I’d understand it. And I’d agree with its importance.” He relaxed, and clasped his hands in front of him. “Thank you for sharing this with us. With them.”

The three ambassadors remained quiet, clearing away with a few nervous looks amongst themselves. Alasdair swivelled on his chair, making his way towards the lift, when Simurghmon looked up towards him.

“You haven’t told any them yet, have you? About why they’re here.”

Alasdair paused, not looking back. But he could almost feel Simurghmon’s pitiable gaze locking onto the back of his head.

“It’s not the right time.”

“It’s never the right time. But the longer you leave it, the more it’s going to hurt them when they find out.” Simurghmon pulled her sleeves in. “We need them to know as well, if we’re going to keep both our worlds safe.”

The man flinched, one hand going to his shoulder. He rubbed it gently, his head bowed out of eyeshot.

“Don’t worry. I’m thinking about it.”

He turned his head, his eyes just out of sight.

“They just need to be ready.”

Inez couldn’t move, only staring in a stunned fashion at the device in front of her. Xiphactimon nudged it forwards, but she didn’t reach out for it. She just stared down at his hand.

Seconds passed. Xiphactimon shuffled forwards, clutching the device in his palm.

“Come on. You remember how to use it, don’t you?”

Inez shut her eyes tightly, already feeling the tears in the corners. She thought of running, of lashing out, of trying to find somewhere to hide. Scenario after scenario, running through her head; just some form of escape from the same nightmare she’d had for five years. But the chill around her, and the sound of rough skin against stone before her told her that there was no escape this time.

She took a breath, and opened her eyes, seeing Xiphactimon’s handsome face blinking in concern.

“You have to talk to me, Inez. I need to know. What else can I do for you?”

The girl reached over with one arm, grabbing her wrist. “I...I can’t do this with you. I’m sorry.”

Xiphactimon’s face fell, and he held the device closer to his chest. “But...but I came to find you...” He smiled warmly. “You know what kept me going in the dark place? I remembered the times we had. We cared about each other, we laughed, we played; everything was so much nicer then. You remember, don’t you?”

Inez tensed. “Of course I remember, but-“

“See? That’s all I’m looking for; another chance to do those things again. With you. I don’t want to end it like this, Inez. Please; you have to remember the good times-“

“Of course I do!” snapped Inez, and before she realised what she was doing she’d taken a step forwards, glowering up at the merman. “But I also remember the other times. I remember every time I look in the mirror, and every time I speak to my father. I remember the things you did to me, and that’s why I don’t want this! I don’t want you!”

She reached up, stretching the collar of her shirt out and pointing at her scars. “You did this to me! You!”

Xiphactimon seemed taken aback, his sides flashing with white lights. “I...I never meant to do any of that. I never wanted to hurt you, Inez-“

“You did more than hurt me. You ruined me.” The girl pointed behind her. “I loved the sea, and my old home, and you took that away from me. Because I was t-terrified you’d be out there...waiting...”

“But I’ve changed! I thought about what I did and I promised I’d never do it again! Inez, please...I only want to make you happy.”

Inez turned around, feeling a sickened feeling in her throat. She walked away, but Xiphactimon moved quickly, planting himself in front of her. The enormity of what she’d done hit her, and she held her hands up in front of her face.

But there was no blow. No voice in her ear, or fingers at her neck. Xiphactimon just bent down, keeping his head low as his hair waved behind him.

“I’m sorry, okay? Really sorry. I...it was wrong of me. I should never have hurt you. I never meant to hurt you. I love you.” He looked up, his eyes glistening. “Please...Inez...let me make up for it. I can be better. I can be the person you wanted me to be.”

Inez held her hands up in a frozen position, but Xiphactimon made no moves, just prostrating himself in front of her. Slowly she lowered her arms, her expression one of disgust.

“I never thought I’d hear you say that.”

Xiphactimon’s hands clawed against the rock, as he looked up. “I’ve changed, Inez. You have to believe me. I can be better-“

“I don’t want you to be ‘better’.”

Inez’s voice echoed around, silencing the merman. Inez crouched down, her eyes gazing into his.

“Do...do you think this is going to change anything? Just because you’ve apologised that I...that I can let it all go? No amount of words and promises you give me is going to change what you did. And whether you meant it or not, that’s the thing which I’m always going to carry. That’s the thing which I’m going to remember about you. For the rest of my life.”

She straightened up, watching as Xiphactimon coiled up in front of her, his body looking remarkably small. The girl’s face hardened.

“If you...if you really do care now...if you want to make me happy, then take me out of this place. Take me back to the others, and never show yourself to me again.”

She stepped back, feeling a little dizzy from the outburst. But she remained standing, and turned away, looking along the edges of the walls again. Behind her, Xiphactimon ran a finger over the floor, biting his lip.

“Hmm.”

Inez turned to see him straighten up, still holding the old digivice in his palm. His movements were slow, and deliberate, and showed absolutely no signs of taking her anywhere. The young woman’s eyes darted around the cave again, but of course there was no way out. Only an ocean between her and safety.

Xiphactimon spoke, and his voice had changed. Low, smooth, and almost lazy. “The others, huh? New friends?”

Inez pulled her body in, and walked backwards again, keeping some distance between her and the merman. But she nodded. “A lot’s changed since back then.”

“And a new partner.”

“...yes.”

“He must be very strong. With someone like you by his side, I mean.”

Inez turned around, glancing over her shoulder and keeping one eye on him. “He’s very loyal. And brave. And-“

“That’s not what I said though.”

There was a scraping sound. Inez could feel her flesh coming up in chills, and she turned around full, staring at Xiphactimon as he slowly slithered forwards. He passed into the light of the portal, and she caught sight of his face. Completely passive. Utterly calm. Inez raised a hand.

“Get away from me.”

The merman stopped, with only his tail slowly swaying back and forth. Inez glared hatefully at him, but he didn’t rush, merely raising a finger.

“That was a very powerful thing you said. How long have you been waiting to say that to me?”

“I haven’t been waiting to say anything to you. I never wanted to see you again.”

“Oh Inez...I don’t believe you.”

He smiled, rolling his sharp fingers in front of him. “I know you well. I listened to you, and I watched you, way back then. I know who you are, and how you think. And I know that you are a very powerful tamer to have.” He stuck his bottom lip out. “I was just thinking, your partner must be very powerful. You must be one of the strongest out of your little group.”

“I didn’t ask you-“

“Am I right?”

Xiphactimon’s fingers flicked, the claws scraping against each other with a sharp sound, making Inez flinch. She watched him, but he didn’t move. Although neither could she.

“I asked you; am I right? Or...or is there something wrong?”

“...it’s not his fault-“

“Oh dear.” Xiphactimon placed a hand to his cheek, and slithered round a little, the scales making hypnotic patterns on his flank. “Not his fault...it’s yours then? No. You’re stronger than that. So it must be him then.”

“You don’t know anything about him.”

“Do I need to?” Xiphactimon smiled. “Have you ever struggled to fight with him? Have you ever struggled to make that connection?”

Inez gritted her teeth. But the more her old partner’s words hit her, the more she flashed back to recent battles. The wear on her. The wear on Syngnamon. The constant failure and tiring.

“We never had that problem, did we...”

Something snapped inside Inez, and she pointed upwards. “You forced me!”

“But you never faltered at all.” Xiphactimon changed direction, placing a finger against his lips. “And yet with this freedom, these friends, this new partner...nothing’s coming together, is it? Something’s holding you back.”

The girl narrowed her eyes. But when she spoke, her voice was weaker than ever. “It was you. It was always...you...”

“Do you really believe that?”

Xiphactimon shuffled forwards, holding out the device in his palm again. Inez could see her face reflected in its screen; showing how scared she really was.

“I can feel you through this. I always could. You gave me strength willingly; more than I could have ever dreamed of. The power I get is from your will. Your truest feelings.” He smiled. “If you can’t stand up for your new partner...well...then that means you can’t open your true self to him, can you?”

“Stop it...”

“No matter what you say it doesn’t change it.” Xiphactimon grinned, holding his head close.

“You really do still miss me, don’t you...”

Inez felt her legs lock, no longer able to walk away as the merman’s words hit her. She raised her arms, holding them against her head, trying to find the words to deny it. But Xiphactimon merely chuckled, beginning to circle her.

“If you really wanted to forget this then you wouldn’t have gotten involved again. No new friends, no new partner. Just a life far away from all of our kind. But you chose to come back. Because you missed it. Because somewhere, deep down there, you still love what we did together.”

“...please...stop...”

“Tell me I’m wrong then.”

“I...I...I never...”

Xiphactimon reached out, and gently ran his palm over her shoulder, running it down her bare arm. The girl was frozen to the spot, her muscles too locked up to move. She could feel her teeth chattering in her skull, feeling the same cold touch of all those years ago.

“There’s still a part of you who loves me.”

The girl’s head tilted forwards, just slightly. Her throat felt closed up, her breath rough against her windpipe.

“You know I could have just dragged you back through into the digital world already, don’t you? There’s nobody else here. Nobody to stop me. But I didn’t. Because I want you to understand, Inez, and walk through of your own will.”

Xiphactimon’s palm moved up again, the rough skin pulling gently against hers.

“Oh, my little Ini...you don’t need them. Your friends, family, this second; you’re better than all of them. If you want this life, there’s only one person you need, and you know it.”

“...p...please...”

“You can never replace your first love. Not truly.”

Xiphactimon’s voice was a whisper now, and he extended his thumb, running it over her cheek.

“Wouldn’t it just be so much easier to come back with me? I’ll look after you. I’ll treat you like the angel you are; we can be like gods together. And I will never lay a finger on you again. All I ask is that you stay by my side.”

Inez could hear the words one by one, echoing through her head. Her arms slowly unfolded, falling limply by her sides. Xiphactimon smiled.

“Be with me forever, my little Ini...”

“YOU!”

The merman looked up, his face twisting for an instant as he peered towards the entrance to the cave. Then his face softened again, and he cooed to himself.

“Well now, would you look at that?”

Syngnamon pulled himself from the sea onto the rock, his eyes wide as he stared at the scene before him. He held the D-SEND tightly in his hand, which was shaking, curling up against his chest. Xiphactimon unfolded his body slightly, twisting Inez round and turning her head towards the seahorse.

“Isn’t he loyal?”

Syngnamon watched the girl’s eyes flick down towards him. Her lips moved, only barely. Not enough to get any words out. But the look she gave him was enough.

Syngnamon’s hair lifted in rage as he threw himself from the water, the D-SEND screaming in his palm. His calm demeanour melted away in an instant, revealing nothing but pure, seething fury.

“GET AWAY FROM HER RIGHT NOW!”

Inez jolted in Xiphactimon’s grasp as the energy was pulled from her, spiralling forwards into Syngnamon’s body as he swelled with rage. His scales melted away, revealing the wireframe, and the chainmail wove itself into being as he reared up tall, roaring and shaking the walls of the cavern with an eerie echo. When he came down again, he was Kampoimon, water vapour pouring from his nostrils as he swung his tail forwards, the spear held vice-tight in his grip.

“Let go of my partner or I will show you no mercy!”

Xiphactimon didn’t show any reaction to the frightening display before him. He just simply unfurled himself, gently running a finger over his lips.

“I don’t believe we’ve met properly. You must be the second.”

Kampoimon bared his teeth, twisting his tail further around his lance. “I know all about you. About the things you’ve done to her. Leave now.”

“Ha!”

Xiphactimon let out a harsh laugh, and reared up, his sides shimmering. “You don’t know the first thing about me, boy. About us. I know this girl better than you could ever dream.” His expression turned downwards. “I didn’t give you permission to take her from me.”

Kampoimon narrowed his eyes. “I never asked for it.”

He stepped forwards, fire in his eyes and deliberation in his stride. Xiphactimon bent down, glancing back at Inez as she stood stock still.

“He thinks he’s come to save you. But he’s nothing. I can show you how much better I am.” He reached out, placing the digivice down beside her. “All you need is me. Nobody else.”

He curled his hand up, the fingers brushing over the girl’s hair. He heard a rumble behind him, and turned to see Kampoimon galloping forwards at full speed.

“Take your hands off her!”

“You pathetic WRETCH!”

Xiphactimon twisted as the lance came for him, easily deflecting it. He ducked down, baring all his teeth as his body undulated, and he brought his fist up into the seahorse’s chest with a sickening crunch. Kampoimon coughed, but Xiphactimon wasn’t done yet; he twisted with an agility far outweighing his size, and his spiny tail slammed into Kampoimon’s side, sending him rolling away on the ground, far away from his lance. He pushed himself up, snorting as he faced down Xiphactimon.

The great merman rolled his neck and straightened up, rearing to his full height.

“You’re nothing but a parasite. A pale copy.”

Kampoimon let out a breath, the vapour forming clouds in the end. “I know that now. But anything’s better than you.”

“Is that a promise?” Anglermon held his arms out, the scales lengthening on his forearms and knuckles and sticking out in great barbs. “Then try and take me down right here. I’ll accept your challenge, you worm. You think you’re worthy of her? Prove it.”

“I don’t need to prove anything to somebody like YOU!”

Kampoimon rose up, the jewels on his hooves glowing brightly as water exploded from the ground around him.

“Crushing Tide!”

It was a brutal assault. Xiphactimon raised his arms, the crests on his lower half undulating as the torrent hit him. But it still blasted him backwards, his claws digging into the rock to stop him from moving. Kampoimon saw his chance, rushing sideways and grabbing his lance in his mouth. As he galloped, the end glowed, and he twisted his neck in an attempt to strike Xiphactimon through the wall of water.

“Too slow!”

Xiphactimon twisted, riding the wave and flashing the patterns on his flank in a dazzling display. Kampoimon blinked, but he twisted, his waves following him as his hooves dug into the rock yet again.

“Equus Harpoon!”

The seahorse twisted, the waters following the motion of his lance in a vast spiralling drill straight towards the dazzling lights.

But the blade merely passed straight through them, and he staggered, stumbling from his own momentum. His head whipped around, just in time to see Xiphactimon rearing up, his hands clasped above him.

“Jagged Inversion!”

The merman rolled downwards, his arms rippling with spikes as he slammed them against the ground. The tremors blew outwards, cracks snaking towards Kampoimon, and before he could react the ground around him had liquefied, rolling in waves as spines of rock folded outwards. They tore into him, and he whinnied in pain, struggling against the rolling maw that threatened to drag him down into the rock itself. He twisted, freeing one hoof as he glared at Xiphactimon.

“You coward!”

“Oh, so you want me to fight you hand to hand?”

Xiphactimon grinned, his mouth splitting open into a wall of spikes. He charged forwards, his tail slamming against the tremulous ground, and threw a bone-shaking punch into the seahorse’s head. Kampoimon went sideways, only just keeping his body above the ground’s surface, and he swung up, retaliating against his opponent’s brutal blow. But Xiphactimon had the upper ground, and every blow was laden with rock hard spines, taking gouges of flesh with every impact as he whaled on the seahorse.

“Go on then! Take her back! Show me the power that she’s given you!”

Kampoimon lunged forwards, his head lowered in an attempt to stab Xiphactimon with the horn on his forehead. But the merman pulled back and grasped it in both hands, hoisting Kampoimon’s head back and slamming it into the stones below.

White light burst in Kampoimon’s vision, and as he raised his head again, he could taste iron. Xiphactimon looked down at him, his skin morphing.

“That’s what I thought. You don’t have a chance with her. You’re lying to yourself. You always have been, you pitiful excuse for a Digimon.”

Kampoimon spat, splattering the rock with flecks of blood as he glared up. “At least...I know my own strength...and I don’t steal it...from the ones I love.”

His muscles rippled, and he sprang forwards, both hooves pressing against the rolling rock. The barbs dug in, tearing great strips of flesh from his flanks, but he ignored the pain and galloped forwards, ploughing his horn into Xiphactimon’s midriff. He only got a few metres before the fish backhanded him, sending him careering sideways. But he circled around, water playing at his feet as he focused on the merman once again.

“It is my duty as a knight! I will call upon my own power, and I will force submission on anybody who would exploit the innocent!

He reared up, his eyes glowing brightly as the waters swirled around him. Xiphactimon could see the building torrent, and reared back himself. He held out a palm, the scales opening up around his arm into a wide cannon shape.

“Then you’re even more naive than I thought.”

Inez’s eyes widened as she felt the ground rumbling, and in a sudden burst of self-preservation she rushed back, planting herself behind the rocky column.

“Crushing Tide!”

“Vacuum Vortex!”

The waters cascaded forwards from Kampoimon’s hooves, gushing outwards and bearing down on Xiphactimon. But the merman’s own arm convulsed, releasing a rolling deluge of dark water, studded with jagged spines. It convulsed, spreading out even further, and the two torrents collided. For a moment they jostled back and forth, waves slashing against swells, the two oceans mingling and wrestling.

Then the dark waters spread out, rolling inwards and engulfing Kampoimon’s attack. And as it did so, it grew, corrupting those same waters and rearing up, up high, until it was slashing at the walls of the cave. Xiphactimon threw his arm down, and with a terrifying roar, the dark waters followed, spinning around and around in a maelstrom of teeth and terror. Kampoimon held his spear out, but it was fruitless against the deluge at it slammed into him. He was picked up, tossed back and forth in the swell, smashed through rocky columns and torn apart by the jagged waves. The waters spun, and inverted in on themselves, pummelling the seahorse into the ground. Then they fell away, sloshing against the walls of the cavern. Inez could feel them lapping at her feet, still laden with jagged spines.

Xiphactimon rolled his head back, his expression one of disdain. He slithered forwards, rolling both shoulders. Inez turned sideways, and held her breath, her glasses misted up as she looked in horror.

“No...please...stay down...”

Kampoimon was still standing. His body was lacerated from head to foot, bleeding freely into the inky waters. One eye was half closed, several fins were torn, and his chainmail had been ripped apart, showing deep wounds beneath. But he remained upright, even though his legs were shaking and threatening to give way at any point.

As Xiphactimon approached, he rushed forwards, spear in his tail. It was a direct hit, slamming into Xiphactimon’s chest, but it merely glanced off the hardened scales. The merman caught it, wresting it away from Kampoimon’s grasp, all the while never taking his eyes off his opponent.

“Pathetic.”

He swung it back, the spear slashing across Kampoimon’s forelegs. He cried out in pain, buckling, but Xiphactimon wasn’t finished yet. With a clean movement he snapped the lance in two and lunged forwards, using both sides of the broken shaft as bludgeons, striking Kampoimon again and again as he yelled in contempt.

“You think you were worthy of my queen? How dare you. How dare you stand at her side. Look at this; a pitiable pile of sinew and dreams, and you call yourself a knight? As if you could ever protect her.”

He dropped the two half-lances before him, and brought a fist up into Kampoimon’s chin. The seahorse let out a whinny, and he coughed, broken teeth falling from his bloodied jaws. Xiphactimon shook his hand out, grimacing with rolling teeth.

“How could she ever love someone like you?”

“Love...?”

Kampoimon’s eyes flashed, and he lunged forwards, his horn lowered. “You don’t know the first thing about love!”

Xiphactimon pulled back, and grabbed the horn with one palm, wrenching his fist sideways. A horrific snap sounded around the cavern, and Kampoimon screamed, the hole in his forehead bleeding. The merman flicked the horn around, and drew it backwards, slashing the seahorse’s face. Kampoimon coughed, and finally his legs gave out, his body crashing into the waters below. He lay there, breathing heavily as his head shook, looking up at Xiphactimon with one half-working eye.

“You...you think obedience is love...you think power is love...you...you think love only exists to give you everything you want.”

He raised his head up, planting a hoof on the ground, but Xiphactimon’s tail whipped round and crashed into his body, sending him sliding backwards. Kampoimon choked again, coughing up his own blood. But through it, he smiled, tears falling from his eye.

“I...I know I was never worthy of her. I could never...never have fixed what you did to her. But I...all I want...is for her to be happy. Whether she needs me for that...or...needs me to be gone. Either way...I will be satisfied. And...I will always risk my life to give her that.” He whinnied weakly, blood trickling from his nostrils as he glared up at Xiphactimon. “ That’s...why you’ll never...understand it.”

“You’d give your life?”

Xiphactimon clicked his tongue. Then he leant down, holding the severed horn outwards, and pointing it towards Kampoimon’s eye. He leaned in close as he whispered, “Then be thankful that’s all you have left to give...”

“Xiphactimon, STOP!”

The merman looked over his shoulder, seeing Inez standing on top of the red rock. In her hand she held her old digivice, sleek and blue, and glistening in her hand.

“I’ll come with you. I’ll be your p...partner again.” The girl held her hand tight, her knuckles turning white. “Just don’t kill him.”

“Mrmm...”

Xiphactimon stuck his lower lip out, staring at the girl as she shivered atop the rock. Then he smiled, and gently patted Kampoimon on the cheek.

“Well now...it looks like she’s made her choice...”

Kampoimon could only watch as the merman reared up, turning smoothly and effortlessly in the shallow waters. He bent down, reaching out and gently grasping Inez’s hand.

“Do you see now? Nobody else is good enough. Nobody else deserves you. Nobody else has earned you. I am your one and only purpose in this world.”

Inez could feel tears streaking down her face, but she sniffed, holding the device tightly.

“I...I’ll give you everything you n...need. I promise. All I ask is that you n...never hurt anybody here anymore. Not my friends. Not my family. Not Syngnamon.” She gritted her teeth, feeling her voice shaking in her throat. “P...please...I beg you...”

“Oh, my dearest, precious little Ini...”

The fish man held her shoulders, gently twisting her around in front of him, and together they faced the digital gate, humming gently in the corner of the cavern.

“We can leave this world. You and I. We can travel through the land ravaged by cataclysm, and we’ll stand atop it, together, as gods.”

He leant forwards, resting his chin on the top of her head. “I am everything you need. All I need is for you to understand that.” He glanced down, smiling. “So is that right? Will you come with me?”

The girl looked down, feeling the gentle weight on her shoulders; just like she’d felt years ago. She held her hand up, looking at the sleek, blue device in her palm, brushing her thumb over the buttons. Xiphactimon cooed.

“Will you?”

“Don’t...listen to him...”

Inez held her breath, hearing Kampoimon’s voice. The seahorse tried to push himself up, before slipping again. But he cried out hoarsely, his call echoing around the cavern.

“You know...you deserve better than him...don’t let him...tell you otherwise...” The seahorse grimaced, wincing against the pain. “The thing you deserve...more than anything else...is to be happy...don’t ever forget that...” His eyes flickered, feeling the gentle hum of the data over his body as he slowly bled out.

“Please...don’t forget that...”

Xiphactimon grimaced, rolling his eyes. “What a waste. You don’t need to worry about him anymore, my little Ini.”

Inez didn’t reply, just standing in his grasp. The merman frowned, twisting around. “Don’t you?”

“It’s...not working...”

“Heh?”

The girl gently held up her palm, holding the device out for him to see. The screen was completely black.

“There’s nothing happening. I...I can’t get it to m-move...”

Xiphactimon bit his lip, and swivelled round, poking at the small device with one talon. “That can’t be right. I’ve kept it safe. I kept it for you. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

“Maybe, but...but...” Inez held a tentative hand up to her chest, pressing inwards, feeling her heart as she glanced up at Xiphactimon. “There’s nothing there. No link at all. I...I don’t feel a thing...”

“Well...try harder then!”

Xiphactimon ground his teeth together with little clicking sounds, when he heard a hoarse laughter coming from behind him.

“I don’t think...she’s the problem here...”

Xiphactimon snarled, and pushed himself up, slithering back towards Kampoimon.

“I’ve had enough from you!”

He drew his hand back, slamming it across the seahorse’s face and sending him clattering down again. The merman reared over him, his shoulders heaving. “Silence! You have no say here anymore.”

“...no...you don’t...”

Xiphactimon twisted, frowning as he looked over his shoulder. “Ini? What was that?”

Inez was standing upright, the device held limply in her hand as she gripped at her shirt.

“I...I...I thought you still had me. You nearly g...got me again. Your words. Your hands.” She looked up, holding out the digivice. “But...you don’t have any power over me anymore...”

Xiphactimon’s face twisted back, looking between Inez’s hand and face. “What are you talking about-“

“All these years, I...I was terrified of you. And you knew that. You used that. The things you said...to convince me that I somehow missed you...that I owed you...” She raised her hand, biting down on her knuckle. “That somehow I deserved you. And that you owned me.”

“Inez-“

“I believed...maybe, just a tiny bit, that you might have changed...but I can see you’re just the same as you always were. If you ever cared about me, you’d never have found me again. Because this? This was broken long ago, when you took the relationship we had and choked it.”

“But...but I loved you-“

“I loved you too, once.” Inez lowered her arm, raising her head as her eyes bored into Xiphactimon. “But that’s dead now. And you’re the one who killed it, Anglermon.”

“Shut up!”

Xiphactimon’s facade broke, and he reached down, yanking the semi-conscious Kampoimon up and planting a hand around his neck. “You made a request; you’d better follow through with your promise or he will die here. Enough of your lies. Pledge yourself to that device and love me!”

Inez pressed her teeth together. But she didn’t move forwards, instead bending down and planting the digivice on the ground.

“I don’t need to listen to you anymore.”

Xiphactimon tightened his grip, but then his eyes widened as he saw the girl raise her boot, bringing it down towards the flawless blue shell.

“NO!”

He tossed the seahorse aside and lunged forwards, but he was too late, and Inez’s foot slammed down on the device, shattering it into hundreds of pieces. She leapt sideways, stumbling on the ground as Xiphactimon crouched over the rock, sifting through the crystal shards as they crunched in his hands like glass.

There had never been anything left inside. It had only been just an empty shell. And now, not even that.

“No...no, no NO!”

The merman whirled around, watching Inez run away through the shallow water, looking left and right. Xiphactimon’s eyes dilated. His crest flared, and his flanks flashed with almost neon light, dancing over the water around him.

“You ungrateful, conniving little BITCH!”

Inez looked over her shoulder as he launched forwards, his tail powering against the jagged pool and sending great waves left and right. The girl kept running, feeling the barbs in the water slashing against her ankles, but she couldn’t stop. She had precious few seconds, running her arm over her glasses to try and give her any visibility, any chance of finding-

Her heart skipped a beat, and she skidded to her right, seeing the light beneath the water’s surface. Even now she could see the shadow stretching out in front of her, the spines of Xiphactimon’s arms exploding outwards into jagged stars as he reached for her.

“INEEEEEZ!”

The girl reached out, her hands closing around her D-SEND. As energy pulsed through her fingertips, she whirled round, bringing the device forwards as Xiphactimon bore down upon her.

“Leave...me...ALONE!”

Inez’s hand collided with Xiphactimon’s chest, and the D-SEND exploded. The merman shrieked in pain and rage as the energy smothered him, blasting him backwards and sending him spinning into one of the rock pillars. He looked up, helpless to do anything, as the girl twisted around, her eyes shining. They met Kampoimon’s, who pressed down against the ground, his broken body rising up once again.

“...I’m ready...”

“Kampoimon, Soul Reverberate!”

Inez flung her arm out sideways, releasing a cloud of energy bubbles in front of her. They spun forwards in a current of light, swirling around Kampoimon as he shook. They clustered around his wounds, seeping inwards into his bones, and spreading out in patches of white light. And as they spread out, the rest of his skin began to rupture, revealing a glowing mainframe beneath. He bent double, and let out a breath; a cloud of iridescent particles spiralling around him as his whole form began to shimmer as if in an underwater haze.

“Evolution...Activate...”

The blue lights bubbled outwards, engulfing the seahorse’s form, twisting it, shaping it, moulding it into something smoother. It coiled, and all the while the bubbles grew larger, merging together until they formed a single sphere around the beast. Something wriggled inside, causing the outer surface to ripple, more and more. Then it split, the lights falling away into the blood-soaked water below, as the new Digimon stood crouched in the shallows.

He was a giant, easily larger than Kampoimon had been even in his crouched state. His body was almost humanoid, with aqua blue skin, muscled arms and clawed feet. He wore little more than a loincloth around his waist, revealing the rest of his skin to be covered in swirling blue tattoos like an old Celtic warrior, and studded with flawless blue jewels. His head was the only equine thing about him, with long glistening blue hair travelling down his back, four tattered ears, and a metal headpiece from which protruded a now repaired curved horn. Fangs protruded from his long snout, and when he opened his eyes they glowed with a haunting sea green, embedded in black sclera.

He reached out before him, his hands closing over the two shards of his broken spear. More lights swung around his hands as he stood up, forming long spirals around the broken relic. They straightened out, and solidified, turning into twin harpoons of a bright, blood red, both ends wickedly sharp. His muscles rippled as he poised himself, resting the weapons on his shoulders.

“Uiscemon.”

He rolled his neck, tapping the end of one spear against the ground as he glanced over at the portal. Xiphactimon seethed as the horse man looked back at him in an encouraging gesture, speaking with a hushed Scottish bass.

“There. You’ve been given your answer. And you have your exit. Leave now.”

It was a restrained tone; calm but with a hidden fury, almost daring Xiphactimon to refuse.

And Xiphactimon was more than ready to bite.

“I won’t have my future STOLEN by someone as pathetic as YOU!” yelled the merman, and his entire body began to undulate back and forth, crashing through the pillar as he pulled himself to his full height. His sides flashed a dangerous red and his fins rose up in spikes. He glared forwards, his mouth splitting open into shards of jagged teeth, but he paused, his gaze flicking to one side and falling on Inez as she sat back, breathless from the evolution.

“This is all your FAULT! Vacuum Vortex!”

Without even hesitating he twisted and thrust his arm out, the water exploding from his palm. Inez held an arm up in a weak defense against the oncoming wave, but all of a sudden there was a flash of blue and red, and Uiscemon was stood in front of her. He reared back, and brought his spear forwards, cutting through the torrent and splitting it down the middle. It rushed either side, crashing against the walls and gouging great chunks from the rock, but Uiscemon and Inez were barely struck, holding out against the barrage.

The horse man looked down, his eyes glowing with a new power.

“Stay as close as you can. I won’t let him get to you.”

“You BASTARD!”

A shadow split the torrent, and Xiphactimon rushed forwards, throwing a bone-breaking punch towards Uiscemon. But he pushed forwards, the spear knocking the blow wide. Uiscemon gritted his teeth, and spun the harpoon in his other hand, lunging upwards and jabbing it hard into Xiphactimon’s midriff, splitting the scales.

The merman reared backwards, yelling in pain, but Uiscemon wasn’t finished; his powerful legs dug against the rock and he lunged forwards, dragging the other spear upwards and jamming the shaft into Xiphactimon’s neck. The fish man struggled, twisting sideways and snapping at Uiscemon as he rolled around, grabbing the other end and pulling the shaft up into Xiphactimon’s chin.

He tossed back and forth, trying to dislodge the choking shaft. When that didn’t work, he changed tactics and slithered forwards, preparing to headbutt the nearest wall. Uiscemon glanced up, and leapt away just before Xiphactimon struck, the merman’s body leaving a savage indent in the rock. But he wasn’t done, as he twisted around, the spines on his tail catching Uiscemon and sending him skidding backwards.

“Haven’t you learned how to DIE YET?”

Xiphactimon reared up, and slammed a fist into the ground, knocking Uiscemon back. He barrelled forwards again, throwing punch after punch, but Uiscemon was just able to parry them with his twin weapons. He saw an opportunity, and leapt up Xiphactimon’s arm, spinning and landing a crushing kick on the side of his head. He landed on the arm again, but Xiphactimon was ready, grabbing his foot and throwing him away towards the nearest wall.

“Jagged Inversion!”

Xiphactimon didn’t waste any time; he pulled his arm back and dug it into the rock. The crack shot across the ground and up the wall, which opened up, the rolling teeth preparing to snare Uiscemon on impact.

But the horse man twisted, holding up his spear broadways and jamming the wall open. He landed on it as it shuddered against the rolling rock, and leapt upwards, piercing his other spear into a stalactite and hanging effortlessly from it, looking down at the fish man. He raised his free hand, the claws balling into a fist, as the tattoos shone over his body. They released swathes of light, which congregated around both his hands, and the lights swelled, and suddenly they were like crystal clear orbs of water, the surfaces shimmering with an immense power.

As Xiphactimon rushed forwards, Uiscemon leapt, propelling himself from his spear and up towards the roof of the cavern. With the grace of an athlete he turned, the balls of water rolling around his hands, and his eyes flashed in the darkness.

“Terminal Torrent!”

The horse man thrust his arm out, and with a great rushing roar the orb exploded into a vast column of water, firing towards Xiphactimon like a cannon. It hit him square in the head, knocking his entire upper half back with a crack, and cracking several of the jagged barbs that made up his skin.

He sneered, and swiped out at the column, but it reeled back, rolling back around Uiscemon’s hand before he fired it again, the water swooping round completely under his control. This one caught Xiphactimon’s fist and thrust him sideways, wrenching his arm with a horrific grinding noise.

Again and again Uiscemon lashed out, the columns firing one after the other in a brutal barrage, each one blasting Xiphactimon backwards. Eventually Uiscemon landed, and he brought both hands forwards at once. The columns spiralled together, expanding until they reached the force of a freight train, slamming into Xiphactimon. He flew backwards, crashing through another pillar and slamming into the wall. Uiscemon thrust his arms sideways, but the merman wasn’t finished yet; he’d braced himself for the last impact, and with a great surge of energy he slithered forwards, holding his palm out.

“Vacuum Vortex!”

Water flew at Uiscemon in waves, as Xiphactimon moved faster and faster, flinging his arms back and forth. One surge twisted in mid-air, and caught Uiscemon on the thigh, the barbs ripping a chunk of flesh. He went down, grinding his teeth as his jewels glowed, and Xiphactimon charged forwards with a cackle.

“Got you!”

Xiphactimon flung his arms down, releasing a cascade of the jagged waters again, forcing Uiscemon back as he spun the spears in front of him, cutting through the torrent as best he could. Spying an opening, he dived sideways, rolling against the rock, but he soon found himself running for his life as Xiphactimon bore down on him even more, his sides flashing.

“Go on then! Defeat me! Take your place! I dare you!”

He lurched forwards, flinging a devastating punch towards Uiscemon’s head, only just avoided as the horse man rolled backwards. He righted himself again, the jewels glowing around his body. He held up his palms, and the gems left trails behind them, forming bubbles that glowed with an odd blue light as they hovered in mid-air. He moved faster, throwing them far and wide as he stepped backwards. They linked, coagulating like so many drops of oil, and they spread out with a misty blue haze.

Xiphactimon was too furious to pay attention; he turned, raising his great body up, and charged forwards, right through the cloud of bubbles, just as Uiscemon stepped back and clapped his hands together.

“Azure Abyss!”

There was a flash of blue, and the bubbles expanded, shooting out great clouds of inky energy as they smothered Xiphactimon. The great merman froze, his expression one of utter confusion just for a minute, as he hung suspended in the blue haze.

Then the cloud flashed again, and Xiphactimon’s body contorted as the pressure within the haze rose instantaneously. Thousands of tonnes of pressure from the blackest depths, confined into this one floating cloud.

His body contorted, straining, his scales buckling inwards and his fins collapsing in on themselves. It reached up to his head, and he screamed, the wounds he’d received before being exacerbated and spreading further over his once smooth skin. Barbs popped outwards and snapped. One side of his jaw caved inwards. His neck bent, cracking dangerously as it did so.

Uiscemon descended, his spears in his hands, as Inez stood just behind him. They walked around, watching Xiphactimon as he struggled, trying to break through the haze. His eyes turned towards the girl, and their gazes met. Xiphactimon strained, pulling his face into a hurt grimace.

“Inez...how...how could you let him...do this?”

The girl narrowed her eyes. “I don’t need to listen to you anymore.”

“...my...little Ini...”

“That is NOT my NAME!”

“Enough!”

Uiscemon stepped forwards, twisting round and slamming one foot right into Xiphactimon’s belly. He skidded backwards, coughing and shaking as the cloud dissipated, and he looked up to see Uiscemon walking towards him, a dark look on his face.

“She can see you for what you are now. You are monstrous.”

Xiphactimon raised an arm, but a spear slashed past it, tearing through the tendon and forcing him backwards.

“You are disgusting.”

Another swing. Again and again, forcing Xiphactimon back.

“And whatever happens to you now, you only have yourself to blame.”

He lunged forwards, and the spear struck Xiphactimon in the face, tearing into his eyes and bursting them in a single swipe.

The merman screamed, doubling over in pain as the world went black. He could feel Uiscemon’s presence standing above him, and before he could stop himself the words tumbled from his mouth.

“Please...please don’t kill me I...I don’t want to die!”

Uiscemon stood there for a second, gripping his spears in his hands. Then he dropped them beside him, the red poles clattering on the rock.

“I’m a knight. I don’t want to kill.”

He felt Inez clutching his arm, and looked back, his expression softening a bit. Then he turned back, as Xiphactimon’s shivering form straightened up.

“And besides, you’re not worth my time.”

Xiphactimon tried to speak, but he had no clue where he was, or who was there. All he could feel was the gently, cold water below lapping at his wounded body.

No, there was something more as well. Lapping all the way up his back. Not water. Something...otherworldly.

In horror he looked behind him, and even through his blindness he could sense the full force of the digital gate. The one he’d spent so long trying to find. His one entrance. And now, his only exit.

“No...please...”

Uiscemon braced himself, water coiling around his fist. “Leave, demon, and never come back!”

“AAAAIII!”

Xiphactimon tried to lurch sideways, to escape the tendrils of the digital gate grasping at him, trying to reclaim their lost denizen. But Uiscemon was faster.

“Terminal Torrent!”

He brought his fist forwards with a crack, slamming into the merman’s stomach. Xiphactimon flew backwards, spiralling into the belly of the gate. The size and power of him ruptured the balance of it in an instant, sending the whole thing into a manic pulsing, spitting globules of data outwards. Inez squinted, wanting to look away but unable to, as she saw the flashes of the other world beyond.

A world very different to what she knew, or what Syngnamon had said. A world broken. A world calling for help.

She saw Xiphactimon writhing in the pathway, trying to swim back, desperately clinging for something as he was dragged back.

Then, for a moment, Inez thought she could see something else. A flash of blue, and what looked like a bony fish on the end of a long chain.

A second one, riding through the gateway, wrapping around and around her old partner.

The chains tightened, and he stopped struggling. And instead of being pulled backwards, he went down, the pathway opening up into something a lot larger. A lot darker.

But even as he disappeared and the gate began to seal, he could still hear his pleading cries, burrowing into her ears one last time.

“I’ll always be waiting...”

She blinked, and raised her hands, blocking out the swirling chaos in front of her. When she looked up again, the gate was gone. Only a few ripples and some floating data to indicate he’d ever been there.

Inez let out a breath, and was about to speak, when she heard an ominous rumbling going on around her. Something cracked above, and she felt water splashing against her as it cascaded from the roof. With the abuse the sea cave had taken and the sudden lack of a stable gate, the entire structure was fracturing. Already more columns were collapsing, entire sections of the roof cracking.

“Er...Uiscemon...?”

The horse man crouched down, his spears sheathed behind him. “Do you trust me?”

The girl nodded. “Always.”

He reached out, gently holding her in his muscular arms as he stood up, running back for the entrance pool. She clutched onto his chest, feeling his heartbeat as she closed her body up.

“Then hold your breath, and close your eyes. This will be over in an instant.”

As the cave roof gave way, Uiscemon held Inez close, leapt forwards, and took the plunge.

Jack bent as far as he could over his partner’s mane, ignoring the wind blowing in his face as he stared at the choppy seas below.

“Come on, come on...where are you...”

Two swells crashed together, and Mistramon banked up sharply, avoiding getting too close. He looked beneath him, whistling at Andriamon as she trod the rough waters.

“You seen or felt anything at all?”

“Aside from cold?”

“Ay,” said Lonnie as she reached out, chopping Andriamon on the head while looking at her D-SEND. “No sarcasm, this is serious time.” She scrolled through the map, trying to find any sign of any life nearby. “Syngnamon, please tell me you found her.”

“Hang on!”

Andriamon’s voice made Lonnie jump, and she scrabbled with her digivice as her partner ploughed forwards, steering out the way of a particularly large swell. There was a horrendous gurgling sound as the seas seemed to be sucked into one spot, the waters darkening. Lonnie held tightly to the salamander’s back as Mistramon and Orizumon hovered above her.

“Is that good news or bad news?”

“There!”

Lyra pointed, holding her violin tightly to her back. Orizumon tilted, making sure to stay even higher away from the spray as Mistramon followed his movement. Andriamon powered through the waves, following them, until she saw the waves open and the vast torso of Uiscemon break the surface. He lay backwards, holding his passenger upwards as she took in several gulping breaths, still clinging onto his chest. Soaked. Exhausted. But alive.

Mistramon gave a little victory whoop, as Lonnie pumped the air. “Yes! Result! You found her! And you...” The girl blinked, her cheeks flushing. “...got hot, apparently.”

Uiscemon chuckled, and Andriamon tilted her head, giving her partner an incredulous look.

“I’m right here.”

“Oh, don’t worry, you’re amazing. I love you.” Lonnie leant forwards, gently kissing the top of her partner’s head, before gesturing forwards. “It’s just...y’know...buff horse daddy.”

Now everybody was staring at Lonnie, buff horse daddy included, but Inez interjected with a loud laugh. She straightened up, pressing her glasses up as she looked around.

“Thank you all. So much. But...let’s go home, alright?”

She rested in, holding her partner tightly as he gently rocked up and down in the waves.

“Please, I...think I may be about to...pass out...”

Inez sat in the late afternoon sun, a mug of chicken soup held in her hands and a foil blanket around her shoulders. The arrival had been a hurried one. All the tamers who were not able to fly or swim were gathered at the jetty when the others returned, along with her parents, Alasdair and the others.

Right now, she could vaguely hear the sounds of kerfuffle from her parents and the other tamers over the other side of the wall, including hearing her mother asking for a full and detailed explanation and apology from Alasdair and Perez.

Due to not being entirely conscious, Inez hadn’t been entirely aware of any of the intricacies of her rescue, and for the time being, she was happy that way. It had been a long enough day as it was. She just sat back, appreciating the oddly balmy February weather in the familiar little plaza by the sea.

“Can I...talk to you?”

Inez blinked awake, and she looked towards the entrance, where she could just see Syngnamon’s tail pointing the other way. She pulled the blanket further around herself. “Of course you can.”

She shuffled up, allowing the seahorse room next to her, but he merely stood in front of her, padding the pavement in front of him. The girl laughed.

“How time goes by. It feels like only days since I first properly met you here.”

“I remember it well,” said the seahorse, looking behind him at the distant waves. “I...just came to say goodbye.”

Inez frowned, tilting her head. “What do you mean?”

“I did what I promised your parents. I got you back safely.” Syngnamon kept his head low, gently scratching one shoulder as his lights glowed dimly. “I...never realised just how much pain I was causing you. I’m eternally grateful, but...it’s better for you if I leave. I failed you. I must accept my penance.”

He turned around, looking over his shoulder as his mane blew in the breeze. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done...for...”

The words faded away, much as he tried to think of something else to say. Not that he got the chance before Inez’s palm hit him in the forehead. He yelped, and looked up at her pouting expression.

“Where do you think you’re going, estúpido?”

Syngnamon whined, sitting back as he rubbed his head. “I...failed you. I let you get captured.”

“And it would be nice if you could avoid that happening again. But...you know. Things happen. Don’t you stand there and tell me what’s good for me.”

“I...I-I...I’m not worthy!”

“Oh dear...”

Inez slid onto her knees, gently stroking the seahorse on the head as he snivelled in front of her, his cool apology turning to outright blubbering. “I’ve been making you fight all this time even though it’s been scaring you and hurting you and you just stood there and took all the pain and I just I can’t I don’t want to do that to you anymore!”

He sniffed, pushing himself up and hanging his head like a guilty puppy. Inez just sighed, shaking her head as she looked at him.

“Yeah, it hurt sometimes. It’s probably gonna hurt again. What he did to me is never going to go away. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to fight with you, or be with you. I like it with you.”

Syngnamon sniffed, tilting his head. “R...really?”

“Of course I do.” The girl beamed, sitting back as she stared out to sea. She felt inside her blanket, and pulled out her D-SEND, the dark blue surface sparkling in the sun.

“When I first got this, I was scared. I didn’t want the same thing to happen again. But I knew I’d been chosen for something, and I didn’t want to let what he did to me stop me. I didn’t want him to change who I was.”

She looked down at the seahorse. “I want to be strong. I want to be kind. I want to give back to the world even if it hurts. I want to be with you and with the others and protect this world. And if I can do that despite everything he did, well...then I think I’ve already won.”

Syngnamon blinked, not sure exactly what to say. The girl grinned, and pulled him close, holding her arms tightly around him as she felt tears of relief start to fall from her eyes.

“I’m still good to keep going if you are.”

The horse snorted involuntarily, flushing a little from the contact. He cleared his throat. “Are...are you really okay with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Inez held him tightly, feeling the warmth of his mane and the gentle beating of his heart.

“You’re the best partner I could ever have asked for.”