"Fish Power!"
Fortunately for Tai and his friends, who were plummeting down the cliff, Gomamon used his special move to control a school of fish. This saved them from a watery fate, and they safely reached the shore in another part of the jungle, surviving the crisis.
"We're saved."
They all collapsed onto the ground, breathing a massive sigh of relief.
"Agumon, it's time you told us everything," Tai said. "Or, I'd like to say that, but let's fill our stomachs first."
It wasn't just the Digimon; Tai and the others, having exerted themselves so much, were starving.
And so, they brought out the food they had carried with them and shared it with Agumon and the rest.
After a hearty meal, Agumon told Tai and the others everything they knew.
"This Digital World has been taken over by a Digimon called HellKnightmon? He has a Hell Legion under his command with countless powerful Digimon? This place is just a small island, an outpost for the Hell Legion, and there's a continent many times larger across the sea that serves as their headquarters?"
The more Joe listened, the more his head throbbed. How could a group of children possibly defeat a legion that occupied an entire continent?
"This won't work. We should find a way home and tell the adults about this. Let them decide what to do."
"But, Joe-senpai, didn't they say we have to defeat the evil Digimon before we can return to the human world?"
"Oh right... then what should we do?" Joe scratched his head, feeling utterly hopeless.
"It's fine. We are the DigiDestined. If we use the Digivices to make Agumon and the others Digivolve, we can definitely defeat those enemies." Tai, now a total fan of Greymon, was full of confidence.
"Yeah," Matt nodded in agreement. "Right now, defeating the enemy is the only path left to us. But since only Agumon can Digivolve so far, the key is figuring out how to make Gabumon and the others Digivolve too."
Everyone nodded, their eyes fixed on Tai.
Sora asked, "Tai, do you know how you made Agumon Digivolve back then?"
Tai shook his head; he didn't have a clue. He looked at Izzy nearby: "Izzy, what do you think?"
Izzy's laptop wasn't working, so he was also at a loss.
"Forget it, let's just go find the enemy first," Tai gave up on overthinking. "Agumon, where do the enemies live around here?"
"At the very center of this island, on the peak of a mountain called 'Infinity Mountain.' That is the Hell Legion's base. The strongest Digimon there is Devimon," Agumon explained in detail.
"Alright then! To Infinity Mountain! Let's take down Devimon first!"
...
Infinity Mountain. Even though the mountain had suffered significant collapses during the previous great war, it still stood head and shoulders above the rest, the highest point on File Island.
Now, a palace had been rebuilt upon the summit. The master was still Devimon, but it was no longer the same one as before.
"Lord HellKnightmon, the DigiDestined have descended. Gatomon and the others are proceeding according to the original plan. They will surely fulfill your instructions perfectly." Inside the palace, Devimon stood before a display screen, hands clasped, acting subservient with a fawning smile on his face.
On the screen, Aomori frowned at the sight of him. "You're a Devimon now. Why are you still acting like you did when you were a DemiDevimon? You're a significant minor boss; you need to carry yourself with some dignity."
"Yes!" Devimon quickly straightened his posture and puffed out his chest.
"Work hard. When this 'theater production' wraps up, if I'm satisfied with your performance, you might just get the chance to Digivolve into your Ultimate form."
"Digivolve to Ultimate?" The voice and face of his old boss, Myotismon, flashed through Devimon's mind, making him shiver. He hurriedly bowed his head in worship: "Lord HellKnightmon, rest assured! Even if I have to risk this old life of mine, I will perform beautifully for you!"
"I hope so."
The video call cut off. Devimon straightened his back, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "This year's Best Actor Award... must be mine!"
...
In the dense forest, the two Kuwagamon that had attacked Tai and his friends were now crouching on the ground as obediently as Huskies.
In front of them stood a petite, two-legged cat—Gatomon.
"Kuwagamon, you performed well. Take your 'boxed lunches' and go." Having not appeared for a while, Gatomon's personality had matured. She was no longer playful; she had the air of someone who had grown up.
The two Kuwagamon were ecstatic. After receiving their rewards, they spread their wings and flew back to their nests for a feast.
"According to Master, those DigiDestined must endure eighty-one tribulations to reach perfection, achieve their Mega forms, and defeat the enemies from beyond."
Gatomon turned and spoke to a blue dinosaur about four or five meters tall: "BlueGreymon, next I'll have to trouble you. Take Shellmon and Monochromon with you to meet them. And while you're at it, play the role of a whetstone well."
BlueGreymon, who had Digivolved from BlackAgumon, raised his massive head and let out a long roar toward the sky. "Agumon is mine. You handle the rest."
"Take it easy. Don't beat them to death," Gatomon shook her head. She didn't know why, but even when he was still a BlackAgumon, he had viewed Agumon differently, constantly finding excuses to pick a fight.
The result, of course, was Agumon ending up with a head full of bumps.
After Digivolving into BlueGreymon, he had disdained bullying an Agumon who was still at the Rookie level. But now, hearing that Agumon could also Digivolve, he could no longer suppress his desire.
"No need for you to worry. I know what I'm doing." BlueGreymon swung his tail and walked away with heavy, ground-shaking steps.
"Hmph, still as boring as ever." Although BlueGreymon was arrogant, Gatomon had to admit his strength; there was no doubt he would complete the task.
After arranging the next moves, Gatomon gazed toward the Server Continent and made a vow: "Master, I will surely become your capable right hand. This year's Best Actor Award... must be mine!"
...
On the other side, the seven DigiDestined, unaware that their fates had already been orchestrated, were following the river toward Infinity Mountain with high spirits.
When night fell, they found a clearing and started a fire. With the help of Gomamon and the others, they caught some small fish and settled their dinner.
After the long day, everyone was physically and mentally exhausted. Before long, they had all fallen into a deep sleep.
Agumon and the others, who were responsible for the night watch, sneakily found a hidden spot to hold a meeting.
"That cursed Gatomon. Why didn't she follow the script? She's always adding extra drama." Agumon was very indignant. If he hadn't stepped up, the "play" would have been a disaster.
"Hey, listen... do we have to keep deceiving Sora and the others? I feel terrible about it," Biyomon said dejectedly.
"It's not really deceiving. We haven't told any lies."
"We're all risking our lives to protect them."
"Exactly. This is the only way to save the Digital World."
"Alright." With her companions' explanations, Biyomon gave in.
"In short, we must perform well and rely on Tai and the others' power to Digivolve as soon as possible. For the sake of world peace, the Best Actor Award... must be ours!" Agumon declared emphatically.