Time flew, and seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these seven days, under everyone's careful care, Botamon evolved into Koromon. Aomori had Akihiko Kayaba feed it some data, successfully evolving Koromon into an Agumon, one that looked like a small dinosaur.
However, this Agumon was black.
"A BlackAgumon, huh." Looking at its cold, distant expression, Aomori sighed and picked up Salamon. "Entering its rebellious phase early? I still prefer a clingy little cutie."
But thinking about the cool and powerful BlackWarGreymon it would eventually become, his mood improved.
Salamon, however, was in a bad mood. It had thought it would have a new playmate, but the newcomer acted like it wanted nothing to do with anyone.
"Master, Master, BlackAgumon is ignoring me. Go talk to him for me."
"Master, Master, BlackAgumon is mean to me. Go talk to him for me."
"Master, Master, BlackAgumon hit me, and I can't beat him. Go talk to him for me."
Salamon pestered Aomori constantly. Having no other choice, Aomori increased Salamon's training load so it wouldn't have enough energy to harass BlackAgumon.
BlackAgumon was actually very obedient to Aomori's orders. It conscientiously followed Ditto's training, its combat prowess growing day by day.
The other Digimon had also completed their battle preparations over these few days. First, they dug a tunnel in Ore Town leading to the outside for a smooth evacuation. Then, they buried a large amount of explosives, generously donated by SuperStarmon, around Ore Town and the Digizoid mines.
Aomori left Ditto and Akihiko Kayaba in charge of Ore Town, taking Absol, Pidgeot, Darkrai, Volcamon, and Armormon with him. BlackAgumon and Salamon were also left in Ore Town to experience the atmosphere of battle.
After entrusting everything to Kayaba, Aomori and his team secretly traveled to the rendezvous point with SuperStarmon.
There, SuperStarmon, the two Andromon, Deputymon, and a large group of fierce Champion-level Digimon had been waiting for a long time.
"HellKnightmon." Seeing the Volcamon and Armormon accompanying Aomori, SuperStarmon was slightly surprised. Where did these reinforcements come from?
"SuperStarmon." Aomori was also somewhat surprised by SuperStarmon's manpower.
After greeting each other, SuperStarmon pointed at over twenty Monochromon pulling freight wagons. "We will disguise ourselves as cargo. The Monochromon will pull us to the vicinity of Myotismon's castle. If there are no issues, we can depart. We should arrive by tomorrow morning."
"Good. No issues here. We can leave anytime," Aomori replied.
So, Aomori and SuperStarmon sat in one wagon, while Absol and the other Digimon squeezed into the other vehicles. With billows of thick smoke, the large contingent began its march toward Myotismon's lair.
...
Simultaneously, the Metal Empire army, led by Gigadramon, Megadramon, and WaruMonzaemon, had traveled over mountains and rivers to assemble in the woods outside Ore Town.
"Megadramon, what's the situation inside?" Gigadramon came from the middle of the ranks to the front, asking Megadramon, who served as the vanguard.
"Aside from those few unknown Digimon, HellKnightmon and the Gotsumon are all there. Nothing unusual."
"As long as HellKnightmon is there, it's fine. The other Digimon are of no concern. Have you scouted the surroundings?"
"Yes. No suspicious Digimon were found."
"Good." Seeing that the rear troops had formed their ranks, Gigadramon immediately issued the order: "Execute Plan A."
A combined force of Tankmon and Mekanorimon marched out of the woods in neat formation, advancing toward Ore Town just a short distance away.
Ore Town seemed to have discovered them as well. Warning bells began to clang, and the Digimon inside began to flee in panic. Even that HellKnightmon was seen running away.
"It's too late to run now." Seeing that the troops were within range, Gigadramon gave a cold, ruthless command: "Concentrate fire! Level the town!"
"Grenade Destroyer!"
"Hyper Cannon!"
"Twin Beam!"
Hundreds of Guardromon, Tankmon, and Mekanorimon released their signature moves simultaneously. Shells and lasers instantly blanketed Ore Town. The stone castle, being the most prominent landmark, was the focus of their fire and collapsed immediately.
The houses were blown up one after another; the entirety of Ore Town became a sea of fire.
The thunderous roar lasted for ten full minutes. When the attacks finally ceased, Ore Town had been razed to the ground.
Gigadramon and Megadramon flew over the ruins, confirming that there were no surviving life signals.
"The targets have been neutralized. The operation is a perfect success. Next, we take control of the Digizoid vein."
With the mission accomplished, even the emotionally distant Gigadramon and Megadramon couldn't help but feel a spark of joy.
But at that moment, a black beam of light shot from another patch of woods toward the Metal Empire troops. Many Digimon hit by the black beam lost their lives instantly, turning into digital fragments that dissolved in the wind.
Gigadramon recognized the Digimon that fired the black beam and shouted coldly, "SkullSatamon! What are you doing? Do you intend to start an all-out war with the Metal Empire?"
SkullSatamon, looking like a skeleton and carrying a scythe staff, stepped out slowly. Behind it were three other Digimon radiating the same level of power.
"LadyDevimon, Phantomon, Okuwamon... the four of you were deployed together? We scouted the area just now, when did you arrive?" Megadramon and Gigadramon flew back to their ranks, facing off against SkullSatamon and the others.
"Hehehe, we have no desire to start a war with the Metal Empire," the fallen angel LadyDevimon giggled.
"Then why did you attack us?" Gigadramon demanded.
SkullSatamon: "Enemy... kill..."
"Well, it's like this," LadyDevimon translated. "We believe there are enemies hidden within your army. So, be good and hand them over."
"Nonsense! How could your enemies be here? It seems you and Myotismon are determined to oppose us. Let's see how you explain this to Lord Machinedramon when he returns!"
"You're doing this on purpose!" WaruMonzaemon said huffily.
"Don't be so excited. We are acting out of the goodness of our hearts. I'm sure Lord Machinedramon will understand."
The Nightmare Soldiers and the Metal Empire had always been locked in internal struggles. Sensing their killing intent, Gigadramon knew a fight was unavoidable. "Don't think being called the 'Four Lesser Dark Kings' can scare us. You have no idea of the power of the Metal Empire's firepower."
"Hahaha, everyone knows your firepower is strong. But tell me, how much energy do you have left to use right now?"
Within the Metal Empire's ranks, most of the Digimon looked exhausted. LadyDevimon and the others had revealed themselves precisely because they had witnessed this scene.
"You can try us," Gigadramon said, his eyes calm.
"This..." LadyDevimon hesitated slightly.
"Stop talking and just do it. We don't want them to recover their stamina. Let's go, finish this quickly!" Phantomon, wielding its scythe, charged straight ahead.
Immediately after, SkullSatamon and Okuwamon also launched their attacks. LadyDevimon shrugged and charged in with them.
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