Impmon led the group of Digimon back to the castle's study, pulling a book from the shelf. The cover featured a familiar 3x3 grid symbol—identical to the one on the pedestal before the stone gate.
The book's title was The Key to the Digital Gate, authored by Datamon.
Impmon explained, "Besides having Datamon replicate the Crests of Light, Lord Myotismon also had him analyze the gate's data."
Datamon again. A real jack-of-all-trades.
Yet this genius was now either a madman intent on world destruction or a broken shell of his former self…
While Moss skimmed through the book's contents, it was Lucy—Angewomon—who actually absorbed and processed the information.
After an hour of rapid reading, Lucy spoke through their mental link, "If I were to build it myself, it'd take over two years. Myotismon likely required a similar timeframe."
Two years—plenty of time for them to explore over a dozen worlds.
Moss mused aloud, "Anyone else understand this?"
The Digimon exchanged blank stares.
"Ha~"
A chuckle rang out.
Everyone turned to see that it came from Brainmon.
With his hands behind his back, Brainmon said, "I can't hide my skills any longer—I can understand it."
"Ohh!" The Digimon were impressed.
Moss grinned. "Knew you were a tech-side genius. Think you can actually build the gate?"
With his alien, tentacled appearance, Brainmon was by far the most sci-fi-looking among them.
He pointed at the book. "The technology and schematics are all here. As long as I have the materials, I can build it within two months."
Moss tapped her chin. "Two months, huh… Looks like I'll need to visit the human world first."
"Why?" the others asked.
Moss explained, "Time flows differently between the Digital World and the human world. One minute in the human world equals a whole day here. If I stay there for just an hour, that's two months here."
"A minute equals a day? That's a massive time distortion!" Brainmon exclaimed.
In his version of the Digital World (Digimon Savers), time flowed equally between the worlds.
Moss nodded. "The distortion's huge, but it works in our favor—like a spiritual time chamber."
She turned to her team. "I'll head to the human world. Don't keep me waiting. And you guys…" She looked at Goburimon, Mushroomon, Bukamon, Aruraumon, and Kunemon.
"Train hard. Try to stabilize your evolution forms."
These Digimon could only evolve temporarily with help from Moss's Digicore. Permanent evolution required consistent training.
"Yes, boss!" they answered in unison.
Turning to Gatomon and Wizardmon, she asked, "What are your plans?"
Wizardmon deferred to Gatomon, who replied, "We'll stay here for now."
With that settled, Moss led the group to the underground gate. She slotted nine cards into the pedestal's 3x3 grid, lighting it up.
Clack.
The stone gate slowly opened, revealing a radiant white light beyond.
"I'll see you all in two months," Moss said, waving before stepping through the gate.
She emerged atop a concrete building, using the Snake Talisman's power to remain invisible, and found herself at a station marked "Hikarigaoka."
This seemingly ordinary Tokyo neighborhood was actually where Digimon Adventure began—the site of the events in Digimon: The Birth of Koromon. All eight of the original Digidestined had lived here as children.
"Two months in the Digital World equals an hour here… Still got time. Might as well explore."
Remaining hidden, Moss flew eastward about 10 km until she reached Odaiba.
On her way, she spotted several Digimon phantoms—shadows of their Digital selves appearing in the real world due to the temporal distortion.
On a giant screen, a news report covered strange climate changes.
The anchor said, "The causes of this extreme weather remain unknown. Experts advise preparing for unexpected conditions—even snow in hot regions."
The screen cut to a snow-covered area. In the corner stood the faint image of a Yukidarumon, unseen by humans.
Lucy commented, "The energy released by these Digimon is distorting Earth's weather."
Moss added, "The Digital World's distortion is manifesting their shadows here."
Even weak Digimon like Yukidarumon or Flaremon could drastically alter the climate just by existing in one place for a few days—turning cities into snowy wastelands or infernos.
"Hm?"
Moss turned her gaze to a park where a boy in blue, wearing goggles—Taichi Yagami—was playing with a pink puffball: Koromon.
"So we're at that point in the timeline," Moss realized.
In the original story, Taichi returned to the real world after defeating Etemon, only to be pulled back in by a Digital Gate.
From a rooftop, she followed him discreetly to the Yagami household.
Roughly 30 minutes later, Taichi ran out of the house, followed by his sister Kari. Koromon fought an Ogremon phantom. A Digital Gate opened in the sky.
Koromon barely held Ogremon off with bubbles, then evolved into Agumon, whose small fireball knocked Ogremon into the gate.
Agumon was pulled in too, followed by Taichi, whose Digivice was reacting to the gate's pull.
Moss stood on their balcony, deactivating her invisibility as she admired this iconic moment.
In her hand, she held Kari's Digivice.
Kari had just returned home, sick and dazed. Upon entering, she found Moss waiting.
Her expression was calm—either due to her illness or something else.
Kari softly asked, "Are you a Digimon too, sister?"
"…Yes."
"Are you afraid?"
Kari shook her head.
Moss smiled. "Good girl. Here's your reward for being brave."
She raised a glowing hand, bathing Kari in a rainbow light.
Kari's sickness vanished. She felt lighter, healed.
"I want to give you the power of the Digicore," Moss said, intending to pass on the soul of the Digital World—just like passing on fire.
Kari, being spiritually sensitive, was the perfect candidate.
But suddenly—a massive shadow eclipsed the sunlight.
Outside the window was a giant beast in a metal helmet with glowing red eyes.
Millenniumon.
"Interloper… disappear."
A deep voice echoed as the world around them twisted into darkness, bursting with rainbow colors.
"W-where are we?" Kari asked.
Now fully alert, her shock from earlier finally showed.
Moss muttered, "Didn't expect you to get pulled in too."
Just as she tried to speak again, a chant-like murmur filled the air, gradually becoming a clear voice.
"To the chosen child and her partner Digimon—we've waited a long time."
A massive polyhedral structure appeared, covered in tendrils. At its peak stood a humanoid figure in a dark cloak, blackened skin, and tubes connecting him to the shape below.
Apocalymon had arrived.
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Each 25 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)
10 Advance Chapters: patreon.com/milezen