Another cry rippled through the clear skies as the beast rose higher, its body curling like a slow cyclone. The tendrils undulated along its body, dropping shards of crystal with each movement, but they seemed not to have any effect to the creature’s flight. In fact it seemed to be almost dislocated from the world around it, its body juddering painfully every time it tried to turn. The thin streams of data led back to the gateway below, like a vast veil, holding onto it even as it pulled further away.

Down in the sea below, the tamers and their partners could only stare as the cataclysm pulled further and further away. Disbelief and terror held them tightly, to the point where some of them didn’t dare let go of the others, for fear they would be pulled away by the remaining savage waves.

“What…have we done...”

It was Inez who’d managed to get the words out, although it had taken a phenomenal amount of focus for her to do so. She herself was burrowed within Kampoimon’s arms, the seahorse desperately trying to stay upright. Owen was floating behind her, holding one arm around Simeamon and one around Kampoimon’s tail. He held a hand over his mouth.

“That thing is Alasdair’s partner?”

“Wyvermon...”

Owen looked up, seeing Lonnie gripped around her partner’s neck, shivering uncontrollably. “You knew about this?”

Lonnie started, looking all around as her teeth chattered. “I...I kn...I knew that he’d been to the digital world, and he told me about Wyvermon. But this...I didn’t know...I couldn’t have known anything about this, I swear it...”

“It doesn’t matter now.”

The waves swelled, and with a flash of gold Ouranomon pulled himself from the surf, his wings spreading and spraying drops of water all around.

“He’s still up there and he still needs our help!”

“Wait!” yelled Mark, dragging himself up Eryomon’s back as he reached out towards the sky warrior. “You saw that; he’s...he’s gone. There’s nothing we can do now-“

“There’s always something we can do!” snapped Ouranomon, his wings flickering as he crouched down. “I’m gonna prove it!”

“Jack, wait!”

Mark’s cry was in vain as Ouranomon shot skywards, eyes blazing and wings pumping against the air. Despite the beast’s great height the sky warrior caught up in seconds, spiralling around the skeletal torso and planting himself in front of its great head. Up close, the face was more twisted than ever, with a comparitively tiny draconic skull in the centre of its forehead, and further bony protrusions drooping from its brows, that might once have been legs or wings. Ouranomon didn’t pay them any heed; he thrust a talon out, air pressure balling in his talons.

“Give him back! And go back to where you came from! I’m not kidding around!”

The beast raised its head, starlight trickling from the crystalline maw as it let off a deceptively quiet rumble. Ouranomon felt the soundwave nonetheless, and he tensed, pulling his shoulders up as the winds cascaded around him.

“I’m not going through this again!”

He shot up, spiralling around the beast’s body as he scanned the crystalline structure beneath him. He passed a crevasse, leaking data from where it was bound to the gate, and he twisted in mid-air as the winds gathered in his palms.

“Stratus BOLT!”

The sound was like a thunderclap; a spear of wind spiralling downwards and piercing the crystal. For a second it burrowed in, splitting the rock apart and causing the beast the screech, the pain setting its body alight.

For a brief moment, Ouranomon felt a twinge of encouragement. The beast wasn’t unstoppable. He could hurt it. And if he could hurt it, he could stop it for good-

The wind rushed past him, and he suddenly found himself flying for his life as the beast’s massive bulk coiled round, the bony frill snapping up and down like an aerial guillotine. Ouranomon ducked downwards, and pulled back, trying to relocate the opening that had been crunched together again in front of his eyes.

So focused was he that he didn’t see the bone claw lurching towards him.

“AAARGH!”

It struck him in the back like a freight train in mid-air, so hard that it removed all sense of location. Ouranomon tumbled downwards, with only gravity saving him from being crushed between the undulating rock.

“Jack!”

Skathimon rushed forwards, watching as the golden figure split apart as he descended, reverting to her brother and Perimon. She planted her hands together, gesturing wildly.

“Silent Winter!”

The black wave shot outwards, and time froze, her brothers fall slowing to a mere float. She skidded beneath him, holding him in her arms, but the wave dissipated and she too found herself disappearing beneath the waves, her fox body scrabbling for grip. Perimon just about managed to right himself behind her, as she pulled her brother upwards on her frozen platform.

“That was stupid! Don’t do that again!”

“Watch out!”

Jack pointed upwards, and the tamers watched, helpless, as the beast spun around above them, twisting as it did so. The body seemed almost to be glowing, starlight emanating out from the cracks in its skin. It started at the end, and shimmered forwards like an aurora, building and building in intensity as it reached the beast’s head. It shuddered, a moan erupting from its static jaw as it pointed itself towards the shoreline.

Then, inexplicably, it tilted upwards, and the glow ebbed away as gradually as it had come. The cataclysm flew back on itself once again, the bony tendrils rippling up and down along its length as it slowly travelled further out to sea.

Mark held his hand out, and realised that it was shuddering, barely able to keep a grip on his unconscious partner. “What the hell was that about...?”

“The end of the digital world. And now...now it’s the end of ours.”

Inez held her hand to her scarf, gripping at it until he knuckles turned white. “This...has to be what he chose us for. He chose us to fight that. To stop that.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Lyra looked up from the icy platform she was laid on, with a tiny paper crane held in her arms. “How on earth do we stand a chance against that? He’s left us!”

“No!” Lonnie shook her head, biting down on her lip hard enough to draw blood. “No, he...he isn’t gone! He can’t be gone yet, not while I still...while we still need him!”

“Lonnie, please-“

“We just need to get him back! He’s still in there!”

“Lonnie!”

The girl stopped, looking towards Skathimon as she walked backwards, holding Jack in her arms. “Look around you. We’re all in tatters right now.”

The girl peered around, at the scattered clusters of tamers and Digimon that lay around her. Half of them weren’t even Champion levels anymore, and even those who hadn’t devolved were looking haggard. Kampoimon was barely hovering upright, huge gouges ripped from his body. Highwaymon was only staying afloat with three limbs, as his left leg hung awkwardly in the water. Even her own partner was trembling beneath her, her body covered in dark crimson patches, and shimmering with pain and stress and guilt, with only her dedication on keeping her partner afloat stopping her from giving up. She looked over her shoulder, her gaze almost apologetic as Skathimon continued.

“We couldn’t stop it. And right now there’s nothing we can do. Please, Lonnie, you’ve led us this far, you have to know when to bail.”

“But...but he...”

Lonnie leant forwards, burying her face in her partner’s mane as Eryomon stared back in guilt.

Skathimon waited a few seconds, before another melancholic cry from up above piqued her attention again. The Mega level firmed her shoulders, and sheathed her sword, before standing up tall on her frozen platform.

“For now, it’s not attacking us, so we have time to regroup. Those who can swim, please carry those who can’t. We need to stay together now.”

She turned, staring through the fog with her piercing yellow eyes, her brother clutching tightly onto her.

“Let’s get back to shore, all together. We owe him that, at least.”

The clouds parted across the horizon, and the scream echoed out across the town, catching the ear of everybody, ally and enemy alike. For a brief moment they could only stare outwards, the clouds shifting in their field of vision.

Then, as they began to part, and the silhouette of the great beast turned into a clear image, they realised what had just come through. Far away enough that it was melding with the blue sky, and yet its movements cut through the cloud cover, revealing more all the time. And the screaming began to start.

At the edge of the pier, staring out across the retracting waves, and the creature climbing upwards through the faint mists. Velocimon held his gauntlets to his chest, his feathers quivering.

“That’s impossible...”

Nobody really had any retort, simply staring out at the great dragon, its size clear even from this distance. Eventually Kevin swallowed, looking between the tamers beside him. “Yeah...um...not to hijack the moment here but please tell me you know how to handle something like that.”

Again, no response. The young man rolled his fingers in front of him. “Is...that a no? Permission to freak out if that’s a no.”

Aaron popped his cheeks out. “If it helps.”

“HyababnngyeaiiIII don’t wanna die.”

Further silence. Aaron coughed gently into his fist.

“...did that help?”

“In a word, no.”

“...that’s a shame.”

“Guys...”

The two looked forwards at Eloise, who was staring back, a deeply harrowed look in her eyes. “What about the others? They went out to...well...to stop anything like this from happening...”

A sharp whistle pierced the air, as Colchimon turned his head. He rolled off Kai’s shoulders, pointing down with his bladed tail. “We have company.”

They looked down, watching as a haggard group of warriors pulled themselves ashore. Well, three of them did, with Skathimon, Eryomon and Kampoimon dragging themselves along the sand, carrying a myriad of broken teenagers and Digimon behind them.

The group rushed down, helping the others ashore, whereupon most of them collapsed down onto the sand, physically and emotionally drained. Jack hopped out from Skathimon’s arms, and she staggered herself, leaning on her sword like a cane. Kai helped Jack forwards, before looking upwards, his eyes widening.

“I didn’t realise we had that option available to us.”

Skathimon looked up, and her form shimmered, before dissipating into Grace and Vulpimon; drenched, distraught, and utterly defeated. The girl raised a hand to her head, clawing at her sodden hair.

“Please don’t ask...”

Kai held up a palm, not probing any further. Jack looked up in the young man’s grasp, and winced as he saw his own wounds. “Jesus...what happened to you?”

“We had our own issues.” Kai looked up, his eyes meeting with Owen’s. “We...we lost your dad. I’m sorry.”

Simeamon held her breath, and held tightly to Owen’s arm. But her partner was too exhausted to react any more than merely staring out into the middle distance. Kevin wandered forwards, holding out a hand. When Owen didn’t take it, he reached forwards, pressing his fingers through his boyfriend’s and squeezing them tightly. Owen pulled him in, resting against Kevin’s shoulder.

Another roar sounded, echoing across the surf. Eloise reached up, clasping a hand beneath Ladomon’s chin as the dragon looked up weakly.

“I...don’t know what to suggest. I’d offer you to come back with us, but we also lost our house. We don’t have anywhere to go back to.”

It was a grim realisation, sinking in between everyone present. Silence hung between them, doing nothing to drown out the cries of terror, the sounds of destruction, or the long, melancholy cries sounding out to sea.

Then, inexplicably, the sound of a fist planting in a palm.

“Yes we do.”

All eyes turned to Inez as she pulled out her phone. She reached up, scratching her cheek with one finger as she went slightly red.

“I guess...well, we don’t have anywhere else to go, so...do you all want to come back to my place?”

It was a random request. Ridiculous, too. But no-one had anything left within them to comment.

Clara had found today rather trying, to be frank. First had been the rumbling storms, and then the constant earthquakes, followed by the great figure of the beast rising up over the sea. And now, to compound everything, she had eleven tamers and their Digimon in varying levels of disrepair standing on her doorstep, staring into the large house.

Inez hovered at the front, holding Syngnamon in her arms as she gave a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry it’s such short notice. But they need somewhere to stay, just for a moment.”

Clara blinked, her gaze jumping between the figures in front of her, one by one, then she straightened up, adjusted her glasses, and called over her shoulder.

“Leandro? We need the first aid box!”

“What?”

“And sandwiches.”

“...how many?”

“All of them.”

There was a confused silence, followed by Leandro poking his head into the hallway. He too seemed momentarily overwhelmed, before disappearing back into the kitchen.

“I’ll get another baguette...”

Inez rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, trying to think up a suitable apology, when Clara reached forwards and hurriedly ushered her in. “Come on, come on, don’t block the doorway.”

“Is...this really okay?”

“Okay?” The woman turned her daughter to face her, her cheeks puffing out slightly. “Your friends need help. In fact everyone needs help and if you need our help to do that then I don’t want to hear any further questions.”

Inez beamed, but her mother tapped her shoulder. “Go on, fetch all the plasters and dressings from the bathroom.”

Her daughter headed upstairs, and her mother turned back, facing the others as they shuffled inside, single file. “If you need patching up head to the conservatory. If any of you need anything else please say so. We’ll do what we can to help.”

The others looked slightly bewildered by the complete openness, until Chromon stepped forwards with a distinct limp.

“Can we borrow a phone?”

The woman raised a finger, before looking down at the dinosaur, biting her lip. “Can...you use one? I mean no offense but...”

“I can help out in that regard.” Mark interjected, holding a palm over his shoulder as he let out a long breath. He glanced down at his partner, nodding. “Salma and the scientists?”

Chromon looked distinctly dejected. “They h-h-had contingencies.”

“Of course they did.”

The dinosaur flinched, but Mark straightened up, gesturing towards the living room. “May we?”

“Of course.” Clara turned to everyone else. “If you need to contact anyone please do. Let them know you’re safe. You’re with friends here.”

“Thank you for this,” said Eloise, walking towards the woman as she held her right arm in an elevated position. “Seriously, I...I don’t know how to thank you.”

Clara tapped her front fingers together, trying and failing to look natural as the several otherworldly creatures spread out throughout her house.

“I’m...assuming that things aren’t going very well right now...”

Eloise’s expression turned very glum, and she felt Ladomon’s coils tightening around her shoulders. But Clara raised both her hands. “It’s alright, it’s...fine. Seriously. We’ve dealt with things not going very well, and what you children really need right now is someone on your side.” She swallowed, and smiled weakly. “We can’t offer much. But if we can offer relief, we will.”

The woman’s uncertain tone was promptly interrupted by her husband poking his head through out of the kitchenette, a distinct smell of melting cheese and chorizo wafting through the oversized house.

“First sandwiches are ready!”

“Yowch!”

“Hold still.”

“You’re stabbing me, Owen! Why would you deliberately cause me more pain? Haven’t I suffered enough?”

Owen leant back, blinking several times to try and clear the bleariness from his eyes. “’Kay, I don’t really wanna go this route, but have you been balancing on an island out at in the middle of the ocean being near-suffocated by a grief-stricken dove lady?”

Kevin’s response was delayed, significantly enough for Owen to lean forwards again and plant the aloe pad against his forehead again. The young man flailed, hissing between his teeth. “Nope, but I have been beating off leprechauns in a burning house for you so I’m not exactly in a position of privilege here, arsehole.”

“Hold still a second, dude.”

“Fuck you.”

Simeamon watched in mild amusement, twirling a half baguette in her fingers. Her partner finished cleaning up his boyfriend’s wounds, before placing a large plaster over Kevin’s forehead, leaning back. He had gone oddly quiet, which Kevin had picked up on.

“Look...I’m...I’m really sorry about your dad. It was in the middle of-“ The young man shook his head. “No. There’s no excuse; we should have held onto him.”

“Hold onto my dad how exactly?” Owen let an incredulous breath out. “He’s an idiot and doesn’t listen to anyone. And he won’t go down easy.”

“But we promised you...”

Kevin looked desperately forlorn, but Owen leant forwards, holding his forehead against his boyfriend’s.

“Hey, look at me. You did all you could. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

He leant in, giving Kevin a quick kiss on the end of the nose. He stayed in close, close enough and long enough for Kevin to reach back, grab him by the back of the head and lock lips with him. The two held one another tightly, eyes closed and breathing erratic as their hands clawed at each other’s shoulders. Then they pulled back, holding their heads close together as they stared into one another’s eyes.

“Oh for god’s sake...”

The comment was biting enough for Owen to peer over his shoulder, and Simeamon clicked with her mouth, swallowing the last chunk of her sandwich.

“I have no problem with you two breaking out the stress nookie, but do you really think it’s appropriate on someone else’s couch?”

“Simeamon, don’t make me throw my shoes at you again.”

The monkey grinned, and blew a raspberry as she hopped to her feet. “Enough with the maudlin; you know we’re gonna find him again. I still haven’t finished ripping the shit outta him.”

Kevin grinned, and turned back towards Owen. “Yeah, and when you do find him, I’m going with you.”

“Now that really isn’t a good idea.”

“Dude, I’m not letting you go vigilante unless you have proper adult supervision.”

“You’re both ganging up on me again...”

Owen smiled, rubbing his palm against his temple as he leant back. “Though I do appreciate it.”

Simeamon raised an eyebrow. “You seem better for it.”

“I’m serious.” Owen winked at his partner. “Honestly? I feel better about all this now than I have for years.”

Kevin beamed, nuzzling into his jumper. Simeamon’s expression just turned into a grimace. “Optimism? From my Owen? Now I am properly concerned.”

Crowded rooms had never been Lyra’s strong suit, even when she was working local music clubs for the occasional extra money. That combined with the deep-seated unease she was feeling had led her to wander, marvelling at the massive house around her and wondering what level of soul one had to sell in order to get something as big and extravagant as this.

She shuffled along the landing, and found herself passing by an open door, leaning against the frame. Kuchimon sat on her shoulder, having been one of the worst beaten from the horrific ordeal. He gave a little muffled flutter, and she smiled in return, but said nothing.

Something caught her eye from across the landing, poking out from a half-open door. She wandered forwards, gently nudging it open, her eyes widening as she did so.

“Oooh...you don’t see many of those around.”

She shuffled inwards, crouching down in front of the guitar and running her hand over the burnt engravings. Kuchimon leant forwards. “Is it really appropriate for you to be touching other people’s property?”

“I know but look at this.” Lyra whistled, running a knuckle over the side. “It must be handcrafted.”

“Er...Lyra?”

The young woman turned round, and saw Inez standing in the doorway, holding a toothbrush still in her mouth. Lyra blinked, before looking around the room, taking in the multitude of posters, pictures and the large tank in one corner of the room.

“Oh...crap. Sorry, I did it again, I didn’t mean to-“

Inez shook her head, tried to speak, and promptly got foam all over her chin. She raised a finger, before disappearing for a couple of seconds, the sounds of a sink churning away from the next door down. In moments she was back, with Syngnamon padding along behind her, his muzzle plastered to high heaven.

“Forgive me. I just haven’t cleaned up for too long and my mouth was getting all doughy.”

Lyra puffed her cheeks out. “I know how that feels.”

“Oh...oh yeah, I mean...I didn’t mean...”

“Don’t worry about it. I was the one poking around. I don’t judge.”

There was a slight plop beside her as Syngnamon slid into his tank, hovering beneath the water’s surface and generally feeling sorry for himself. Lyra granted him a small glance, before looking around the room as Inez packed away some clothes, worn out from the constant running around.

“Marina...Ekko Lokation...Concrete Playground…you really have eclectic taste, don’t you.”

“It got me through some rough patches. Still does.” Inez rubbed the side of her nose, blushing just slightly. “Not that I’ve had a chance to listen of late. Too busy saving the world and everything.”

She smiled warmly, but Lyra merely gave her a tired look in response. She leant back against a wall, swinging her violin case around and fingering the worn leather on the lid. Inez straightened up, running a hand through her hair.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know, it’s...I just...” Lyra grunted. “The more I see of all of you, the more impressive you all are. You’ve made something of yourself, Owen’s come back as a big damn hero, Grace and Jack and the others all have their past where they did great things...it’s kind of infuriating.”

Inez bit her lip, listening intently as Lyra continued. “I don’t belong here. With you. With any of you. You’re all better than I could ever hope to be. Better tamers, and better people. I’ve tried to help; I kind of felt I had to after all the shit I put you all through. But I’m...”

Her words dried up, and she planted a finger against her lips, as if trying to pluck the right response out. Kuchimon fluffed himself forlornly on her shoulder, but before he could say anything Lyra had looked up again.

“I’m nothing compared to you. Any of you. I’m just another outsider, and I...I don’t know how to help.”

Fwap

The girl looked up as Inez stood in front of her, holding something flat and plastic against her head. The Spanish girl scowled. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re one of us. And you are important.”

She slid the plastic wallet down and into Lyra’s hands, where she turned it over, looking over the neat writing over the front in curled Sharpie.

“Hibiscus...Raindrop...Summer Storm...” Lyra looked up, waving the CD. “These...are these my videos...”

Inez blushed a little more, but she gestured to her CD rack, where several more patchwork CD cases lay. “I put them together myself, just to listen to. They always sounded better on the speakers. And I...well...you never had any albums so I wanted to put them all together.”

Lyra’s arm fell sideways. “I never had the chance. It was always second to want Rhyncomon wanted.”

“But it was important to you. And I could feel that. I’m sure lots of people could.” Inez clasped her hands together. “And because of that, it meant a lot to me. Even before I knew you.” Inez turned even redder. “Honestly, I never would have imagined I’d have one of the musicians I admire most standing in my bedroom with me.”

Lyra grinned. “Life’s been crazy, hasn’t it?”

“Oh hell yes.”

The two laughed together, before Lyra pushed herself away from the wall, swinging the violin around her shoulders and opening it on the bed. “So go on then. How’s your playing?”

Inez’s eyes widened, and she waved her palms in front of her. “Oh, no, no, I really...there’s no way I could match up to you! I only dabble.”

“Come on, girl, I want to hear it.”

“I’m...really not that good...”

There came a splashing sound, and Syngnamon leant upwards, resting his arms on the rim of his tank. “Don’t believe any of that. She’s excellent. A true melodic angel.”

“Syngnamon...”

Now Inez had gone a bright crimson, but Lyra stood up, twirling her violin in her hands. “You said you can tell when someone’s playing by feeling, right? That’s as good a technique as any.” She nodded. “Go on. No music, no backing...just a jam together.”

Inez still seemed unsure, but Lyra looked over her shoulder. “Besides...I’d say everyone could use a little bit of comfort right now, don’t you think?”

She stood patiently, as the other girl flustered for a little more. Then she sat down, face as red as ever, and gently lifted the guitar onto her lap.

“I’m sorry in advance for every wrong note.”

“Inez, all I ever play are wrong notes.”

She raised her bow, nodded, and drew it slowly across the strings as Inez matched her pitch. Kuchimon hopped down onto the floor, sitting beside Syngnamon’s tank as they both listened earnestly to the call and response between the two instruments. Tones turned to chords. Discord turned to harmony. And soon enough, Inez’s fingers rolled uncertainly over her fret, and Lyra’s fingers slid over the strings, and with the door open behind them, they began to play.

The notes drifted through the house, adding a new layer to the conversations and reflections going on. It was a serene addition; temporary respite in the torrent of uncertainty. Some of them remained in silence, listening to the rugged tones. Others carried on as if nothing had happened, with only a renewed dedication in their step. No matter what though, it was welcomed. A link to humanity, and a necessary addition to a rough day.

Jack leant back, pressing his hair against the wall of the hallway. He stared upwards, the lights burning into his vision as he listened to the songs, almost in a trance.

His body hurt. Distractingly so. He was used to the knee at this point; that was par for the course. But the constant fighting and falling and failure had just filled him with a fatigue that bored into his very bones. Every movement felt like an effort, moreso than he’d ever felt before.

“Ow...”

He looked down, his eyes meeting with Perimon’s on the wall opposite him. That was different as well; normally at this point the bird would be stomping up and down, or puffed up in one corner and throwing rude comments in every direction. However, as he looked into the falcon’s eyes, there was no animosity. No resistance.

Jack sighed, burying his head in his lap as he rubbed his heel against the carpet.

“Five years...”

Perimon tilted his head, his head feathers twitching at Jack’s voice. “What was that?”

“Five years I’ve been doing this now. It must be. More than that.” He leant his head against his wrists. “Why am I still getting my arse kicked so hard?”

Perimon puffed his cheeks out. “Poor life choices?”

“Dude!”

“I’m sorry.” The bird rolled his talons, clicking them together as he held himself awkwardly. “I don’t think I can offer much in the way of wise counsel at the minute. I’m kind of beat up myself.”

Jack grumbled into his forearms. “Yeah, I know. Believe me. I just...” His eyelids drooped, making his vision fade in brightness. “We should have been able to save him. Or stop Eirenemon or do...y’know...something. I thought that was the point of having this power; that we could actually have a say in how these things turned out.”

Perimon clicked his beak. “Did it feel good? You know, when we evolved together again?”

“Of course it did. Better than I remember.” Jack rolled his head sideways. “I guess I really am older though. Maybe I didn’t realise just how weak I was when I was a little kid.”

“Jack...”

“Maybe that’s what growing up is. It’s not getting big, or strong, or saving the world or the people you care about. Maybe it’s just figuring out how little you actually matter.”

He waited, feeling a tenseness in his throat from where the words had fallen out, almost unprompted. But when he was met with silence, he peered up, seeing Perimon looking away.

“...aren’t you supposed to tell me I’m being stupid or putting myself down or something?”

“...”

“...Perimon?”

The bird let out a breath. “What...what do you want me to say, dude? I...I agree with you.”

“......fuuuuuck.”

The bird smirked. “Language. Don’t make me tell your sister.”

“I’m old now; I can say what I like.”

The two laughed; two ringing voices against the tuneful backdrop. But it was a mirthless exchange, neither of them with enough energy to continue. So they curled back up, and listened in silence, prisoners in their own minds.

“Hey guys.”

Nicholas’s voice snapped them back into reality, as he hovered on the top step of the stairs, peering forwards. Yethmon hovered behind him, looking more dishevelled than ever, and wearing an expression of utter spite. However Nicholas was looking remarkably chipper, almost as if his own negativity was being siphoned away by his partner.

“Are you doing okay up here?”

Jack sat back, one corner of his mouth curling up. “What do you mean by ‘okay’?”

The young man blinked, before pressing his glasses up. “You really are Grace’s brother, aren’t you...”

“What?”

“Nothing important.” Nicholas peered around. “You haven’t seen her, have you?”

“She’ll be around somewhere.”

“Somewhere not being here. I get it.”

Nicholas turned around, and took a couple of steps, before pausing. He turned back, folding his arms and resting on the banister.

“That was a hell of a trick you pulled back there, you know.”

“Oh yeah. The whole becoming a Digimon thing.” Jack smirked. “I was better at it once.”

“Grace as well?”

“We all were. Back in the digital world; we fought alongside our partners. Me, Grace, Eloise and Kai, Aaron...we were fighting as well. And when we joined with our partners we got even stronger.”

Nicholas whistled. “That sounds completely awesome.” He tilted his head. “It was you guys who took down that giant blue inchworm, wasn’t it.”

“Yeah. It was.” Jack raised a finger to his temple. “Don’t ask; that was rough enough.”

“But you singlehandedly saved us then. It has to count for something.”

Nicholas hummed to himself, and turned around, looking almost expectantly down at Yethmon. The hound didn’t react for a couple of seconds, before flinching, glaring up at Nicholas.

“No.”

“Come on, you know it would be fun. And if the others can do it then we could as well.”

“Nicholas, your doughy human bodies are revolting enough as it is. And I’ve already gone crazy enough from your power.”

“Ah, but you’d have me to hold your hand this time.”

Yethmon narrowed his eyes. “I know you. That’s not a reassurance.”

“You never know unless you try.“

Jack closed his fists, listening to the back and forth beside him as he felt emotion welling back into his mind, until it suddenly built to breaking point and he stood upwards, slamming a palm against the wall.

“Is this a game to you?”

The two partners turned to face him, with eyes widened from the boy’s sudden anger. Jack gritted his teeth. “Didn’t...didn’t you see what happened back there? We failed! There were more of us than before and we still failed. That beast got out, and Alasdair’s gone, probably dead.”

Nicholas’s fingers curled around the wooden rail. “I know that, of course. But you and Grace were able to evolve again; that counts for something, right?”

“Not if we can’t do anything!”

“But if we were all able to do that-“

“Yeah, if. Maybe. Or maybe not. That...that thing is massive. This is the most power either of us have and we couldn’t even scratch it. I...you’re supposed to be smarter than me and you don’t seem to get how seriously screwed this is.”

Jack raised his arms, before lowering them again, letting out an exasperated sigh. “I...don’t...get you. I want to think you’re cool. But everyone...everyone’s fighting for something, except you. You just seem to be along for the ride, which is awesome, but people are gonna die now and you just seem to be treating it the same as always.”

“Jack, dude, come on. Leave it.”

Perimon hopped in front of his partner, causing Jack to glare down at him. “Oh, now you have something to say.”

“Take it out on me, dude. Not other people. Not your friends.”

Jack huffed, sticking his hands in his pockets and turning around.

“Power is power.”

Perimon paused, looking over his shoulder up at Nicholas. “Excuse me?”

Nicholas shrugged, his expression almost blank. “Just saying. Power doesn’t change cause bad things happen around you. It changes ‘cause you want to find it. To explore it.” His nostrils flared as he stuck a hand in his pocket. “Memories are fine and all, but all you can do is fight for the present. No matter who you lose in the process.”

“...what the...”

Perimon’s eyes widened, and he took a step back as his mane flared. But before he could utter a reply, Jack had rushed off out the room, marching around the hallway and into the nearest spare room without a backwards glance. Perimon looked back and forth for a few moments, before glaring up at Nicholas.

“I’ve just realised…you are a colossal arsehole, you know that?”

He turned, flapping after his partner, as Nicholas let out a sigh. Yethmon fumbled with his cloak beside him.

“That was smart. Dickhead.”

“It’s how I am. I’m honest.”

“You are honestly a dickhead.”

Nicholas pushed his glasses up. “I’ve suffered worse. And so has he. He can recover from this. We all will.”

He held out his palm, closing his fingers in front of him.

“Still...something to fight for, huh?”

Grace swallowed as she peered around the doorframe, silently dreading what she was about to see. She paused, holding a hand against the rail. She felt a tingle beside her; residue from the evolution earlier, as Vulpimon walked up to her heel.

“She might need a bit of time, Grace.”

“I know that. But we...we don’t have time. And I don’t want her to be hurt.”

The fox pawed the ground anxiously. “I...I know how it feels, is all. I know what it’s like to lose the one you look up to...” She blinked, her golden eyes glistening. “She may be in shock.”

Grace sighed, flattening her palm against the wall.

“She’s my friend, Vulpimon. I have to make sure she’s okay.”

The girl stepped forwards, peering around the study. For a moment she didn’t see anyone. Then she turned, and her eyes fell down upon Lonnie.

The redhead was pressed up against the wall, legs spread out before her. Her pigtails were draped over her shoulders, roughed up and still slightly damp from the soaking. In her lap she held Axolomon, and was stroking the tiny salamander’s face feelers, completely absentmindedly.

Grace gently walked forwards, and sat herself down beside the girl, making sure to keep enough distance. She drew her knees up, wrapping her own arms around them.

“Are you alright?”

Lonnie didn’t answer. But her fingers hovered over Axolomon’s head, gently touching down against the smooth skin. Grace waited for a few minutes, running her hands around her own partner’s neck ruff.

“I’m not the best at this. I’m usually the one who needs the support. But...you know I care about you, right? You don’t have to suffer this alone; don’t ever think that.”

Her eyes went down to Axolomon’s who shuffled away, the guilt evident inside them. Grace was about to speak again when Lonnie unexpectedly replied.

“I’ve been relying too much on him.”

Grace looked up, and saw Lonnie staring directly at her. The manic energy had gone from her eyes, but they were steady and focused. She spoke again, her voice unwavering.

“Uncle Ali. I promised him I’d be better than this. I could stop this.”

“Lonnie...” Grace’s hands tightened around her kneecaps. “This wasn’t your fault.”

There came a hiss from the other girl’s lap, and Axolomon’s feelers drooped. “No. She wasn’t the one who fired at the gate. She wasn’t the one who broke it.”

“Hush you.”

Lonnie pouted, pulling the salamander further up towards her chest. “I won’t have you blaming yourself for my failures.”

“We all failed, Lonnie.” Grace held her shoulder. “Eirenemon was the one who opened it. And she only did it because Fenghuangmon was killed, and that only happened because she tried to kill Vex...it’s all just one big chain of people making mistakes and bad decisions. It could have been anyone. Or anything.” The girl took in a breath. “You’ve been doing as much as any of us to save this world, and all the people and Digimon in it. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“But I still haven’t done enough yet.” Lonnie’s nostrils flared. “Ali’s done so much to help me, and I owe him. I need to take charge myself before this gets any crazier.”

“Lonnie...”

“I have the power. I’m strong enough. That’s what he said. This...this is what he was preparing me for, and I couldn’t stop that beast form coming through, but I can...I can make it right. I owe him that much. Yeah. I need to become someone he can be proud of.”

Lonnie leant back, her pigtails resting on her shoulders. “He needs me right now. He needs me to be stronger.”

Grace bit her lip, feeling a horrific twisting sensation around her heart.

“Lonnie, you’re...you’re talking about him as if...as if he’s still alive-“

“Of course he’s still alive.”

Lonnie turned towards Grace, an earnest smile on her face. “He wouldn’t die from something like that.”

“...but you saw what happened-“

“I saw him get swallowed. But that dragon’s still here. We can still save him.”

She reached out, placing a hand on Grace’s shoulder as the girl looked desperately into her eyes. Lonnie grinned. “It’s all gonna be fine. We’re still here. We can fix this. We can fix everything.”

Grace opened her mouth. Then closed it again. She shuffled awkwardly, and reached upwards, holding her palm over Lonnie’s and gripping it slightly.

“I’m supposed to be comforting you, you know. Not the other way around.”

Lonnie blinked, her eyes shining more than ever.

“I’m fine. Really.”

Grace stared back, trying to find any flaw in the girl’s gaze. For a moment she thought she could feel a slight tremble in the hand on her shoulder. Something giving, deep within. But if she did, it was only for a second. Not even that.

There was a rap at the door, and Lonnie pulled her hand back, clutching Axolomon as she looked up. “Hello?”

Aaron stood before them, his arms folded. “We have visitors. Salma and the other two. They say they have information.”

Lonnie smiled, and leapt up to her feet, holding Axolomon beneath her arm like a rugby ball. “Come on then, let’s see where we go from here.”

She walked off, as Grace stared after her, slowly getting to her own feet. Vulpimon stood at her side, her ears twitching nervously.

“She’s handling it better than I ever thought possible.”

“Or worse...”

Grace held her hand to her chest, watching as Lonnie disappeared into the hallway, her pigtails flickering behind her.

“Please Lonnie, we need you now more than ever. Don’t break yourself.”

It was a bigger area than Eloise and Kai’s front room had been, but with the sheer number of Digimon and humans gathered round, it was no less cramped. Still, they pressed in as much as they were able, as Salma turned a tablet around on her lap.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this. We should have been better prepared.”

The group watched as the camera footage blinked on the screen, showing the faraway silhouette of the great dragon as it coiled in the sky. Its movements were almost deceptively slow, but the distance played tricks on them. As it swooped upwards, the water swelled beneath it. The area below the dragon was a mass of static; the digital world still clinging on and being dragged through the atmosphere, like ribbons on a shoe.

Even through the screen, the watching Digimon bristled, feeling the dragon’s influence even at this distance. Simeamon placed a palm to her mouth. “What the hell have we let out...?”

“Wyvermon...”

The others turned to Lonnie, who bunched her fists on her knees. “Alasdair went to the digital world when he was a kid. So did my grandma; he told me the stories. Wyvermon was his partner. That’s what he called that thing when it arrived.” She shook her head. “But...I never knew that something like this had happened...”

“He didn’t tell many people. But he knew this was a possibility. That’s why we’re here.” Salma leant back. “Only a few of us knew of its existence and its current state. And as you can see, he’s changed over the years. Become something else entirely. This is HelMidgarmon.”

Dominic held out a paper file, which made its way slowly around the room. It was very sparse, but the data that was there was troubling. Immense destructive power. Super-Ultimate level. A cataclysm by any other name.

Vulpimon looked up, her eyes wide with anguish. “But how...how did this happen to him?”

“We don’t know exactly.” Perez clasped her hands in front of her. “What we do know is that it’s spent the last several dozen years in the deep vaults of the Dark Area, at least by our estimates. Probably longer for him due to the time discrepancy; anything up to four hundred years.”

Salma nodded. “Whatever happened to him caused him to grow in size and power. And by the looks of it has also eroded whatever cognition he may have had.”

“How did he end up in the Dark Area in the first place?” said Tsurumon, folding his wings. “It is a place for the irredeemable of our world. I don’t fully understand Alasdair, but he doesn’t seem to be one to partner with a tyrant.”

“People can change, Tsurumon,” replied Chromon, staring sadly at the carpet. “Sometimes u-unavoidably. Even the n-n-noblest can be corrupted.”

He looked aside, and found himself looking into Dendromon’s eyes. The salamander held her shoulder, and Chromon glanced away, his face turning pale.

Dendromon frowned, but Perez cleared her throat again. “Whatever the reason was, he should have been safe. The Dark Area has many layers, but the deepest are where the world killers and old gods are sealed. They shouldn’t even be aware they’re in there; all they do is sleep endlessly.”

Yethmon raised an eyebrow. “How do you know all this, exactly? Do you run day tours?”

“We have a contact. She’s helped us out in the past.” Dominic folded his arms. “Trust me, you do not want to know how many times both our world and the Digital World has nearly been destroyed by demons from the dark dimension-“

“Thank you, Louis. One catastrophe at a time.”

“...sorry.”

Salma glared at him, before turning back to the group. “He was asleep. But then the Fire Kingdom’s war happened, and the surface world was ripped apart.”

There was a gasp from the back of the room, as the old tamers looked amongst themselves. “No...no, you have to be kidding...”

Grace gritted her teeth. “You mean this...was our fault?”

“No.”

Perez raised her hands, calming the group. “It shouldn’t have happened. The Dark Area should be safe from anything that happens to the surface, even if it’s ripped to pieces. The Digital World protects itself by its very structure. Nothing should have gotten through to the deep vaults.”

Kai clicked. “But something did, right?”

The three scientists looked down. Salma held her chin. “HelMidgarmon stirred from a deep sleep. It became restless. Probably began to dream. And because the deep vaults are so intrinsically buried within the fabric of the Digital World, then any movement he made caused the very structure to shift.”

Dendromon bit her lip. “He really had that much of an effect while he was sleeping?”

Perimon rolled his eyes next to her. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed but he’s a pretty big dude.”

“I get that, Captain Obvious, but if he could twist a world around like plasticine while he’s asleep, then...how much is he going to do now he’s woken up?”

The silence rippled round the room, the sheer gravity of the situation hitting everyone again. It truly was a horrible day that came at them in waves. Salma rolled her fingers along the edge of the tablet.

“You see now why Alasdair was desperate to recruit you all? And desperate for you all to get stronger?” She tapped the screen. “You’re what he promised the ambassadors. A way to kill HelMidgarmon.”

There was no response. Dominic tapped his forefingers together, sticking his lips out.

“Well...any questions, I guess.”

“Yeah, I got one. And make it an open floor.” Simeamon stood up, pointing one finger at the centre of the screen. “How in the ever-loving Szechuan crispy-fried FUCK are we supposed to kill that?”

It was a logical question, but unfortunately lacking any kind of useful answer or input. Thankfully the non-productivity was masked somewhat as Mark raised his hand.

“I have a question which might be somewhat inane.” He pointed. “How exactly are you getting that footage?”

“Drone. There are a few of them flying around.”

“But you’re all here. Who’s flying them?”

Perez looked over at the other two. “We’re not the only ones with resources. Though we occasionally have to look overseas.”

“And use your own contacts as well. I figured as much.” Mark held a palm against his forehead. “Look...it’s clear we’re not going to get very far here on our own so if my brother’s listening in or working behind the scenes the very least he could do is talk directly with us.”

Dominic looked slightly put out, but Perez nudged Salma. “He has a point. He’s in the air right now but you might as well call him in.”

The lead scientist obliged, tapping the screen a few times. She rested it up on the chair beside her, where it blinked for a few seconds, trying to set up a call.

After a few moments, the picture burst into life, revealing a fuzzy picture of Kent, standing in the middle of a metal chamber.

“Apologies. We’re having some issues getting any closer.”

“Well, it’s not like we can’t see it.” Jack stuck his lower lip out, and raised a palm. “Hope you’re doing alright, by the way. We miss you.”

There came a scoffing noise from Mark. “No we bloody don’t...”

If Kent had heard his brother’s comment, he didn’t show it, instead running his fingers through his hair. “I’m on my way back there; I’m just trying to get as much set up here as I can while HelMidgarmon’s staying relatively in the same place.”

Nicholas frowned, and looked at the main screen, where the dragon was spiralling upwards again.

“That’s...a good point. For a destroyer of worlds it really does seem to be taking its sweet time in actually doing any world destruction.”

This prompted a bunch of hisses and splutters from either side of him, particularly Grace as she jammed a finger against his lips.

“Sffffzfxchfff...don’t say that out loud! You’ll give it ideas!”

“You’re right though. He’s just...hovering there. Back and forth.” Lonnie squinted forwards, blinking at the screen. “Maybe...maybe he doesn’t want to destroy anything after all? Ali was trying to talk him down. Maybe...he got through?”

“It’s a nice thought. But given all the damage done to the Digital World so far, it’s not one we can rely on.”The man gave an apologetic shake of his head. “Sorry.”

The picture shuffled, the drone vibrating in mid-air as HelMidgarmon gave a distant roar, almost in confirmation. Kent looked over his shoulder, calling to someone else on the vessel for a few moments, before turning back. “For the moment, we have a chance. But we don’t really have the luxury of time.”

Kai pulled his cheeks in. “In that case I guess we’d better come up with an attack plan as soon as we can.”

“Also not the priority. Although I am thinking desperately and I would encourage you all to do the same ‘cause we’rereally not gonna have a fun time when it comes to it.”

“We’re losing them, Kent. They’re getting pulled downwards.”

“I’m on it.”

Something shuffled to the side of the man on the screen, and the camera view veered sideways temporarily, showing Trilomon poking around with a series of fibres. The screen turned static for a moment, before Kent pulled his face into view again, leaning in a little.

“There are other issues we need to sort first. Have a look at this.”

The screen flickered, and lagged slightly, before a few other images flicked up on the screen; other aerial views, pointing away from HelMidgarmon, and over the city instead. The views were no less distressing. Great gaping maws over the high street. Digital vortexes pulling together, forming larger portals around suburbs. Houses and parks disappearing, and in their place, pieces of the Digital World falling outwards, littering the ground. And in between them, people and Digimon alike, clamouring for safety as the world fell apart around them.

There was a flicker again, and Kent’s face came back onto the screen. “It would be great to try and deal with the root problem, but HelMidgarmon’s physical presence is causing more damage than his intention is at the minute. His digital mass is too big and it’s acting as a gravitational body between the two worlds. As long as he’s here, it’s just going to get more chaotic.”

“Well finally. That’s an easy decision then, isn’t it?”

The group turned towards Lonnie, whose demeanour had changed yet again. From stubborn and immovable, to driven and enthusiastic once again.

“We save the town first, right? Get everybody evacuated.”

Kent nodded. “I’ve arranged for a few ferries and people carriers to be sent over, for those who can’t go inland on their own. But even so, there’s going to be a lot of people in trouble.”

Salma nodded. “While we have this chance, that’s your best plan for now. Split up, and clear the city. We’ll try and think of a way to take out HelMidgarmon.”

Jack raised a hand. “What happens if we don’t have a clear plan apart from ‘hit him really hard’?”

“Then at least you should have a clear battlefield to hit as hard as you need to.”

It wasn’t the most reassuring of speeches, but it was at least a direction. Kent waved his farewells, and disappeared as Salma closed the tablet. “If you’re in a position to fight, we need you more than ever.” She sighed, her eyes showing a brief glimmer of regret. “I’m sorry. None of you deserve this. But you’re all we have right now.”

The tamers leant back, looking amongst themselves. The fatigue was evident; barely any of them had the energy even to move.

And yet there was no argument. Old or new, experienced or naive; not one of them backed down. Be it from a need to prove themselves, or a need to help others; be it obligation, or kindness, or atonement, or spite; every one of them silently acknowledged. They had to stay. And they had to fight.

Grace stood up, brushing her ponytail back behind her shoulder. “Well, I suppose we need to get ready.”

She was joined by Lonnie, who planted her hands together, a new determined expression on her face. She turned, facing the scientists. “Where are the worst affected places?”

“It’s all over, I’m afraid.” Perez winced. “Kind of in a branching pattern, but it all reaches back towards HelMidgarmon anyway.”

Lonnie placed a thumb against her cheek, before nodding. “Okay. We’ll group into four to cover the whole town. It leaves a few of us to try and stop him if it comes to it.”

Nicholas clicked his mouth. “’Try’ being the operative word...”

“Enough with the pessimism already!” Lonnie turned round, a solid expression on her face. “We save people, then we save the town, then the world. It’s an easy plan and we just need to take it one step at a time. And frankly we’re not gonna get anywhere by just sitting around here so let’s go already!”

The group split apart, heading back to the various rooms to gather what they needed. All except for Inez, who paused, slightly bewildered by the rush of activity going around her house. She pulled her lips in, looking down at Syngnamon by her feet, almost for reassurance.

“This is going to be a journey, isn’t it...”

“Inez?”

The girl looked over her shoulder, at where Salma was beckoning her back. She headed up to them, where Dominic was already fiddling through several blank folders.

Salma stood up, brushing her shoulders off as she looked down at the girl.

“Syngnamon’s the only one who can swim, right?”

Inez turned to her partner. Syngnamon flapped his crest. “Dendromon can a little. We’ve never really compared though.”

Salma winced. “That’s not an option. We need Lonnie and Dendromon ready. Alasdair’s request. I’m sorry.”

“Okay...” Inez placed her hands behind her back. “What about us then?”

She waited, watching as even Salma grew incredibly uncomfortable.

“As Kent said, we might have the first bits of an idea of how to stop HelMidgarmon for good. But it requires some preparation.”

“Okay...what?”

Salma looked behind her, locking eyes with Perez. For a moment they seemed to argue amongst themselves through their eyes alone, trying to justify a reason not to continue. But eventually Perez pulled Salma back, and crouched down, looking her niece directly in the eye.

“...Inez...we have a job for you. But it’s not going to be easy, or safe, or in any way suitable for any of you alone. And with what you’ve gone through...least of all you.”

Syngnamon tensed, nestling up to Inez’s shin. She just looked straight ahead, her face blank. “But let me guess; it’s something that only we can do.”

Perez looked down, the guilt weighing her in place. The girl sighed before her, and reached, up, adjusting her glasses slightly.

“Just...just tell me what you need.”

As soon as Aaron stepped outside, he felt the sea winds hitting him, and shuddered. Not that they were cold, but the composition had changed significantly. Everywhere he looked there was a slight haze, with specks of data hanging in the air. He’d never noticed it before back in the other world, but here, with the two worlds trying to coexist? The difference in atmosphere was all too clear.

And, strangely enough, there was some sense of relief that came with it. A release in pressure around his heart; already a localised melding of two worlds due to his near-death experience. Like Digimon themselves, the real world was a toll on him now. With the Digital World surrounding him again, he felt more whole. He felt like he could breathe.

The fog itself had cleared up significantly, dispersed by the intense energy. Not that it made things any more settled. To one side, the town shimmered with localised bursts of light; peppered portals across the streets, and the occasional plume of smoke, signalling the destruction of somewhere else. And on the other side, out to sea, it was clearer than ever. A cry rippled across the waves, as HelMidgarmon spun in the air, still getting no closer. Aaron couldn’t be sure what was happening. Was it observing? Or holding back. It hadn’t gotten any closer...but neither had it retreated. It just hung there.

Gently, Aaron raised a hand, running it into the collar of his shirt. He felt his palm against his chest, and the slight, worrying tingle that ran through his body as he did so. A quiet clutch around his neck, and then nothing.

“You okay?”

Aaron looked back as Velocimon wandered forwards, his eyes focused forwards as if he were assessing fifteen things at once. He stood beside Aaron, and rolled his fingers as he looked out towards HelMidgarmon. Aaron smiled.

“You ever get the sense of déjà vu?”

Velocimon rolled his eyes. “Never when anything good happens.”

“Life never changes. I thought I was past this, and yet here I am again. Standing on the edge of the ocean, staring down death.”

Velocimon was quiet for a few seconds, folding his arms. Aaron watched as his tail moved back and forth, the cluster of feathers moving in the breeze. Eventually the dinosaur looked up, and his eyes were hardened.

“You know, Aaron, you don’t have to fight with the rest of them. Nobody’s going to blame you if you get yourself to safety. We know you’re at risk.”

“As if I haven’t been thinking that myself...”

Aaron groaned, and pushed himself forwards. He reached into the pocket of his trousers, and pulled out his D-Nexus, which felt tiny in his hands.

“No matter what happened, I still have the power to save people. If I don’t use it...then what’s the point?”

“I was afraid of that.”

Velocimon gave a world-weary smile. “Still...you wouldn’t be my partner if you weren’t constantly putting everyone else before yourself when it mattered.”

“You know you enjoy it. Where would you be without me?”

“Dead in a hole in the wastegrounds.” Velocimon cracked his knuckles, turning around. “But I’m not, and so here we are again.”

“We sure are.” Aaron gripped his device tightly. “And we’re not losing another world. I won’t let it happen.”

“Aaron?”

The young man turned as Kai walked over. It wasn’t a heroic sight; the man was still limping considerably, and his clothes had been ruined in the fight with Sciamon, tattered and torn all around. But still, he smiled, his blue eyes as bright as Aaron had ever seen them. He remembered seeing them for the first time, what felt like an age ago now.

Colchimon hovered down, and perched on Kai’s outstretched hand, like a falcon on his trainer. “We’re ready to go. If you’re coming.”

“Of course.”

Aaron reached out with a clenched fist towards his partner, and without hesitation or even a sideways glance, Velocimon did the same, the two bumping their fists together as they headed out.

They convened on the driveway; all tamers, all scientists, all Digimon. Salma placed her phone down.

“The first of the transporters are on their way.”

“Good.” Lonnie turned around. “We’re not here to fight, so avoid getting into trouble if at all possible. Tell anybody who can to head inland. Anyone who can’t, we’ll help them along.”

Salma nodded. “We’ll head to the gate facility. We need to sort some things with Inez.”

The girl held her shoulder beside them, as Salma looked over her shoulder towards the girl’s parents. “You two should get to safety as well.”

Leandro shook his head. “Not until you’re finished. You need somewhere safe-“

“Dad.” Inez turned around, looking pointedly at her father. “Nowhere’s safe now. Especially not here. Please...take yourself and mama inland while you still have the chance.”

“Inez...”

She pulled away, and walked up to them, holding them in her arms for as long as she dared. When she pulled back, she could see the tears in her father’s eyes, the great man on the verge of breaking down. She smiled. “I’ll find you again when this is all over, I promise.”

The girl pulled back, not wanting to let them see her own face. She stood next to Perez, curling her hand through her aunt’s.

Eloise looked at Kai, and stepped forwards. “We’ll stay south. We’ll direct people, but if something happens and HelMidgarmon starts coming towards us, we have the best chance of holding him back right now.”

Ladomon looked uncertainly at her brother, but he shook his head, his resolve tightening. Lonnie stepped forwards, pointing at the other tamers in turn. “In that case, Grace and Nicholas you take east side; Owen, Mark and Jack take west.” She looked over at Aaron and Lyra. “The rest of us will evacuate the north. Is that alright for everyone?”

The group nodded all around. Lonnie looked out at the great dragon again, before pulling her head around.

“Stay in contact. If one of the others needs help, swap round if you need to. And stay safe. We won’t have this chance for long, and we’re gonna need as many of us ready as possible to take down HelMidgarmon.”

Her voice wavered just a little, causing Dendromon to squeeze her hand. But it was only for a second. Lonnie’s teeth ran over her bottom lip, as if she was trying to think of something to say. But nothing came. She looked up.

“Do everything you can. And I’ll see you all later.”

The girl pulled her jacket around her shoulders, her hair blowing out behind her.

“Let’s go save the world.”

The departure was quiet, and unceremonious. Unheard by the clamouring city, or by HelMidgarmon as he cried out alone.

His cries struck the waves, and carved through them, and they propagated out, growing in size and reaching the beach, where they carved great valleys from the pebbles and threw them away from the sand.

A single set of footprints led across the beach. Uneven, erratic. Occasionally dragging along, and all peppered with dark spots, where long-drained blood seeped down.

The figure looked over her shoulder, her feathers glistening with salt and blood. She listened to the melancholic cry, before turning back. One arm was coiled against her chest, clutching tightly to a small device. An old device, still blinking as it called out for its owner, and its ward.

Eirenemon clutched Alasdair’s digivice closer to her chest, and with ragged breaths, carried on up the beach.