"So bright." That was Tai's only impression. A little dizzy, he raised a hand to shield his eyes.
Suddenly Tai's eyes flew open and he sprang to his feet. Everything around him was pure white. The heavy snow that had been falling before they went to the Digital World had stopped. Wait—the Digital World… Tai rapped his knuckles against his head, trying to clear the vertigo. Where were the Digimon? He looked around: only Matt and the other six kids were lying on the ground.
Was it all a dream? Tai worried for a second. Had his previous memories been a dream? But the power thrumming through him, the things from the Digital World stuffed in the backpack on his shoulders, and the Digivice at his waist all told him this was real. It wasn't a dream.
Only—where had Agumon and the others gone? Tai scanned the surroundings. Aside from snow, there was still nothing but snow. He exhaled. Back in the human world, a lot of his gear was useless. For example, his Digi-Goggles' data transmission and scanning functions were weakened, and the Data Oscillator was basically no good anymore. After all, the Oscillator worked on data; in the material world it could hardly do anything. Most of his attacks were data-based too, and now they'd be nearly ineffective. He'd have to rely on the physical weapons he'd made.
He roused Matt and the others. They rubbed their eyes and sat up, staring blankly at the scene around them.
"Is this… Japan?" Matt asked, unsure.
"This shrine is the campsite. We finally made it back!" Joe said happily, looking at the shrine. Mimi burst into tears of joy; the pampered girl had suffered a lot in the Digital World.
Everyone was thrilled—back in the human world at last, to everyone's delight.
"This is where we fell into the Digital World," Sora murmured, almost to herself. Then she whipped her head around. "Where are the Digimon?"
"It wasn't a dream. It was all real," Izzy said, glancing at the Digivice.
"No matter which card we insert, the result's the same," Sora said, sounding downcast. After all, they'd been with their partners for so long; now they were nowhere to be seen.
"Sora." A childlike voice piped up. Sora looked toward the sound, eyes shining.
Seven Digimon stood in a line, looking at the kids.
"Where did you run off to?"
"We went to look for food," they said—and produced a heap of "food." Sure enough, their Digital World habits had stuck: find food first. Only, in the human world there was no need to worry about food—especially with Tai carrying a large amount of the Digital World's universal currency—US dollars.
"Alright, let's find the eighth companion," Izzy reminded them of their primary mission.
"Myotismon might have started attacking already," Matt said, worried.
"I don't think he's found the eighth child yet," Sora said, still uneasy.
Izzy opened his laptop. "By my calculations, the time gap between Myotismon appearing at Highton View Terrace and us arriving here should be less than a minute. Time flows differently between the two worlds."
"How is that possible?" Everyone was floored; they'd spent a whole day in the Digital World.
"The problem is: how do we even get to Highton View Terrace? It's a long way from here," Matt said, bringing up a very real issue.
"But… is today still the day we left for summer camp? Haven't we been in another world for months?" Joe asked, anxious.
"Exactly. Even knowing the time flows are different, it's hard to wrap your head around it. We don't know the exact ratio," Mimi agreed.
"It's still the day we left for camp," Tai cut in. "One minute in the human world equals one day in the Digital World. So even though we've been there for months, in the human world it's only been an hour or two."
Even with the time sorted out, getting to Highton View Terrace was still a headache. They were in the suburbs; cars were scarce.
"Let's check the campsite," Tai suggested. Everyone followed him at a run.
"Wait, everyone," Sora suddenly called.
They stopped.
"What's wrong, Sora?"
"This isn't the Digital World. What do we do if someone sees the Digimon?" She raised the pressing problem they needed to solve.
"Just say they're plush toys," Tai said—he didn't have a better idea. Their backpacks definitely couldn't fit the Digimon.
"Tai Kamiya." And speak of the devil—their chaperone teacher had arrived.
"It's Mr. Fujiyama."
"Silly kids, why'd you dash off to a place like this without packing up?"
"Packing up what?" Tai blinked.
"It's snowing. Summer camp is canceled. Everyone else is already packing to go home."
Tai understood. He hadn't brought much, knowing camp wouldn't run in this weather; there wasn't much to pack anyway.
"Are those your toys?" Mr. Fujiyama pointed at Agumon and the others.
"Yes." Tai jumped in first. "We bought them on the way and kept them packed. We just took them out." As he spoke, he gestured frantically for everyone to cover their partners' mouths so they wouldn't talk.
"Alright, hurry and pack. Then meet at the parking lot."
"Okay," the kids chimed, eager for him to leave.
"How do we get to Highton View Terrace?" Once the teacher was gone, they circled back to the problem.
Tai smiled. "We can ride the camp bus. It happens to pass Highton View Terrace. We just get off there." No one had a better plan, so they agreed.
Highton View Terrace.
In a dark basement, Myotismon stood before a mirror showing DemiDevimon.
"DemiDevimon, use the replica Crest and find the eighth child. Now."
"Yes, Lord Myotismon."
Myotismon turned, face twisted with anger. "Even if you had the Crest, it would mean nothing. As soon as I find the eighth child, you're all finished—DigiDestined brats."
"Listen up—absolutely do not speak in front of other humans," Tai instructed the Digimon.
"I know, I know," Gomamon said breezily.
"We just have to act like we're plushies, right?" Palmon said, striking a pose.
Tai sighed. They were quick to agree. Hopefully they'd actually do it.
At the parking lot, many classmates were already lined up to board. The Digimon took one look and instantly forgot what they'd promised.
"So many kids!" Agumon gasped.
"I didn't know humans had this many children," Biyomon marveled.
Tai pressed a hand to his forehead in despair. Spotting one of her classmates, Mimi shoved Palmon aside and charged over. "Xiaomi, I missed you so much!" Palmon, left behind, looked ready to cry. Mimi, do I really have that little presence?
Watching Mimi's over-the-moon excitement, everyone else could only picture three black stress lines dropping down their foreheads.
They went to plead with Mr. Fujiyama about getting off mid-route, but of course he wouldn't let a bunch of kids disembark early; he refused outright. Matt and T.K. then launched an Oscar-worthy performance. When Joe said he could look after them, the presence of a sixth-grader finally made the teacher relent.
When boarding, Mimi completely forgot about Palmon, leaving Palmon heartbroken. Izzy and Sora had to hoist Palmon onto the bus.
From the luggage rack, Palmon watched Mimi chat happily with her classmates, as if Palmon didn't exist at all. After a small hiccup where Mr. Fujiyama asked to see the Digivice device, they finally arrived at Highton View Terrace.
In an underground parking garage, Myotismon listened to DemiDevimon's report.
"Lord Myotismon, we searched many places, but there's still no sign of the eighth child."
"Expand the search. Find that child—no matter what. DigiDestined, just wait. I'll wipe you out," Myotismon snarled, anger surging as he recalled how wretchedly he'd been forced to come here.
"Yes!" DemiDevimon hurried to fly out, not wanting to trigger Myotismon's foul mood. Outside, he deployed even more Digimon. He no longer cared about exposure; he only wanted to complete Myotismon's order and avoid the lord's wrath. At his command, more and more Digimon took to the streets, including some large ones. Highton View Terrace was about to plunge into chaos.
The central palace of the Digital World.
Four Mega-level Digimon gathered—the Dark Masters.
"Looks like Myotismon has begun," Piedmon said, peering at Highton View Terrace through a telescope. "We should begin as well."
He turned to Machinedramon. "What's wrong, Machinedramon? Everything okay on your end? Are you still the one calling the shots?"
In a flat, synthetic voice, Machinedramon said, "We will execute the plan. There is no need to worry."
Piedmon chuckled. "Good. It won't be long now. It'll all be over soon." The last line sounded like he was talking to himself, but there was a faint sadness in his tone.
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