The Wild Boy of the Digital World

Sampson nodded, "I can't believe it's been ten years. Back then, another group of DATS agents left on an expedition to the Digital World. They were investigating a number of people who had mysteriously disappeared from our world. But what they found was much more than they bargained for. Digimon burned the agents' camp in the Digital World and that was just the start of the trouble. The agents soon knew they were in a fight for their lives. In that battle, one man distinguished himself from the others. He bravely sacrificed himself to allow the other agents to escape. His name was Spencer Damon, Marcus' father."

"He never made it home and we still don't know exactly what happened to him. I simply wanted to tell you this so you know what you're getting into." Sampson added.

'Mom!' Marcus thought as he ran back home in the rain. Why didn't you tell me?

"Marcus." Sarah told her son as she poured tea out. "So, you found out all about your father's mission to the Digital World huh? I don't know what else I can tell you, except that I miss him."

"So, you knew about this..." Marcus remarked. "All along?"

"Trapped in another world without anyway of getting home." Agumon added.

Sarah smiled and turned to look at the family photo.

"You can see why I was worried about you, Marcus." She added. "I just don't want end up losing you, like I lost him and that's why I hope you're not entertaining any notions of going to the Digital World."

"If that's what it takes, I'll do it!" Marcus told her seriously. "Dad's still struck over there somewhere and I wanna get him back. Don't you?"

"Marcus…" Sarah muttered.

"Listen, don't worry about me, mom." Marcus told her. "I'll beat whatever gets in my way."

"But Boss…" Agumon protested.

"I'm even going to bring down Merukimon!" Marcus promised. "Just watch! And then I'm going to bring Dad home, you'll see."

"You certainly are your father's son, aren't you?" Sarah smiled.

"Is that bad?" Marcus blinked.

"Just promise me, just promise me you'll come back." Sarah told him. "Okay? Don't you get lost somewhere in the Digital World because I don't know if I can take losing you too. So please just promise me."

"I promise Mom." Marcus replied. "Stop worrying. Dad will be home soon."

"Let's hope." Sarah added.

Back in headquarters…

Yoshi and Thomas were researching on Spencer Damon.

"Just as I suspected." Yoshi remarked as the screen blinked on the 'Top Secret' sign. "Every single bit of data we have on Spencer Damon has been classified as top secret."

"Well, it was the black eye for the department and also a difficult experience that I'm sure many people would like to simply forget." Thomas added.

"How can we help if we don't know the details?" Lalamon asked.

"He was such a great man." Gaomon pointed out. "Why didn't they try harder to help him?"

"It seems strange." Thomas agreed. "Let's dig deeper."

"I could always pry information out of someone's mind with my telepathy."

Back in the Damon household…

Marcus stepped into Kristy's room, stroking his sister's hair before he exited.

Ash and Charlie were gearing themselves up mentally for what they would experience tomorrow.

In Thomas' mansion…

The half Austrian thought back on what Sampson had revealed after he replaced his tea cup.

"I'm afraid all we know about the Digital World is still far less than what we don't know." Sampson admitted. "We can't rush in blindly and another tragedy like what happened with Spencer Damon could happen again. We're in the business of saving people and that includes ourselves too. No one's going to be left behind this time. Understand?"

In Yoshi's apartment…

"Yes. Hello." The eldest of the four spoke into her cell phone while in her Phoenix uniform.

"Yoshi?" Yoshi's mother responded.

"Hi Mom." Yoshi greeted her mother.

"Is something wrong?" Yoshi's mother asked.

"No, everything is just fine here, Mom." Yoshi assured her mother as Sampson's warning entered her mind. "I guess."

"When you go to the Digital World tomorrow, be careful." Sampson warned.

The next morning…

"What is that?" Yoshi asked, looking at the bento boxes stacked on a chair.

"My mom made lunch for everybody." Marcus replied.

"Oh thanks!" Lalamon chirped.

"You know, this isn't a picnic. Marcus." Thomas dead panned.

"Sounds like Thomas doesn't want his share then. So, I'd better eat it." Agumon remarked.

"Sure, okay." Marcus replied. "Gaomon's share too."

"Um sir." Gaomon voiced out. "I'd really like my share."

"Let's hope lunch is our biggest problem on this trip." Lalamon commented.

"Yeah." Yoshi agreed.

"Well, this is it." Kudamon commented as Sampson walked in. "Are you all ready?"

The DATS group nodded.

"We have some super cool gadgets for you guys to take with you on your mission." Miki informed the teens. "This smaller one will capture Digimon's data and this one emits a shock which should help you keep Merukimon away if you run into him."

"Don't play with those." Megumi chided, taking the detector sticks from Agumon. "They're damson markers, beacons you use so that we can locate you in the Digital World and beam you back. Thanks to these babies, you'll be able to get home safe and sound."

"Thanks guys." Marcus beamed. "This is great!"

"Yeah, but I hate to put my trust in gadgets." Yoshi remarked hesitantly.

"There's nothing for you to worry about, Yoshi." Yusei said reassuringly. "I tested the safety features several times and they're foolproof."

"We've given you the best of the best." Kudamon told them.

"Yes." Sampson agreed. "Now it's time to go."

"Roger!" the teens chorused.

"Digital Harmonizer aligning." Miki announced as the four stood in the platform.

"Bionic conditions are coming online, now." Megumi added.

"The coordinates are entered and locked." Miki added. "Digital Code recognized."

"The Digi-gate is open." Megumi remarked. "Initiating sequence. Transport in three, two, one."

"Initiate transport." Sampson instructed.

"Initiating now!" Miki and Megumi chorused and the four disappeared into the Digital World seconds later.

"Well, I guess that's that. Do you think they're going to be alright?" Kudamon told his partner.

"I wish I had an answer, Kudamon. But I'm afraid all we can do now is hope for the best." Sampson replied.

In the Digital World…

"They're here." Merukimon remarked in his fortress.

"Transport complete." Thomas commented once the four were safely transported.

"So much of this looks like our world." Yoshi remarked.

"Except for the rocks floating in the sky." Lalamon added.

"Incredible." Yoshi breathed in awe.

"Please." Marcus snorted.

"What? You don't find this place weird at all?" Yoshi asked.

"Did you forget we deal with weird everyday?" Marcus reminded her. "A little more isn't going to bug me."

"You bugging." Yoshi retorted.

"Our supplies have arrived guys." Thomas informed the arguing pair.

"You think they could transport them a little closer to us." Marcus complained.

"So, I guess you don't want that lunch." Yoshi remarked. "Cos the last one there doesn't get any."

"Boss!" Agumon whined in his Data Link.

"Agumon?" Marcus blinked.

"The lunch that your mom made is with those supplies!" Agumon informed his partner.

"Now I see what Thomas is up to!" Marcus retorted, as he took off after the group. "Nice try guys! You'll never beat me there! Hey! Wait up!"

Up on the trees, Keenan followed the group as he leapt from branch to branch.

"Agumon! What did you get out of the Digivice?" Marcus asked his partner who had emerged from the Data Link.

"Don't talk! Sarah's fried eggs are too important." Agumon replied as he dashed towards the supplies pack.

"Guess now we know where he gets his motivation from." Ami joked.

Just then, Keenan's boomerang came into the scene, destroying the pack.

"Those eggs never hurt anyone." Agumon whined as the supplies pack turned into data.

"Quickly Gaomon! Realize!" Thomas instructed, his Digimon emerging from his Data Link.

"Lalamon, realize now!" Yoshi followed his example, releasing her Digimon.

"Guilmon! Veemon! Renamon!" Charlie, Greg and Ash exclaimed.

Back in headquarters…

"We lost their signal!" Megumi reported.

"I can't contact them at all!" Miki added.

"What?" Sampson inquired.

"Not again." Kudamon added.

Back in the Digital World, the four teens were assaulted by Keenan's boomerang.

"Marcus!" Thomas called out as Marcus took off after their assailant. "Where are you going?"

"If Agumon is going to go after this guy, then so am I!" Marcus shouted back.

"We're the ultimate team!" Agumon agreed.

"Stop!" Thomas warned. "Come back!"

"Hey! Don't forget us!" Yoshi added as the rest of the group followed the boys.

"Hold on, is that a kid?" Marcus inquired.

"What's a human child doing here?" Yoshi asked.

"We better find out." Thomas suggested.

Just then, Keenan turned and kicked a bunch of spiked nuts on the teens.

"Hey!" Yoshi called out as Keenan leapt out of sight. "Get back here-!"

"Whoa!" She exclaimed when a vine grabbed her by the foot. Yoshi proceeded to kick her legs frantically while off the ground.

"Yoshi!" Marcus gasped.

"Keenan." Falcomon greeted his partner as the boy took refuge in the bushes.

"Falcomon." Keenan looked at his partner.

"I've been looking for you everywhere." Falcomon told him. "Why are you hiding here, Keenan?"

"Hu-mons." Keenan replied. "There! Me hate them. Me hate all hu-mons!"

"Keenan! Wait!" Falcomon called out as the boy swung towards the DATS group in an overhanging vine, tackling Marcus as Yoshi turned her body and freed herself with her telekinesis.

"Nice try." Marcus told the younger boy as he blocked his punches. "But not good enough, little boy! Don't you have a toy or something?"

"Keenan watch out!" Falcomon shouted a warning, causing the two to jump apart as a series of shooting stars embedded on the ground.

"Come back here!' Marcus demanded as Keenan jumped out of sight and onto a branch.

"It's that Digimon." He gasped when he saw Falcomon beside Keenan.

"Yeah, think this thing's Falcomon or something." Agumon replied.

"That's him. That's the guy. He's on the same team as Merukimon." Marcus added.

"You Hu-mons! You all evil! You enemies of all Digimon!" Keenan shouted.

"What are you talking about?" Marcus inquired.

"Quiet!" Keenan hollered. "You Hu-mons always destroy peace in Digital World! Me hate you all!"

"Give me a break kid." Marcus retorted. "If anyone's disturbing the peace, it's Merukimon."

"You lie!" Keenan accused. "Merukimon protect us! Now you go! Go! Leave Digital World!"

The younger child then tossed his boomerang at the group, causing the humans to dodge. Keenan then grabbed his weapon from mid-air, diving down to attack the DATS group.

Agumon quickly fired a 'Baby Flame' to get Keenan off his partner. Keenan then ducked Lalamon and Gaomon, retreating as Falcomon took over. The bird digimon then tossed a couple of bullets at the DATS team.

"This is a complete disaster!" Yoshi remarked as the group covered their mouths to prevent themselves from inhaling the smoke.

Keenan then blinked as a fog came over the forest, Falcomon hovering over the woods, Keenan taking hold on the bird's legs.

"Get out of here!" Cherrymon ordered. "Go on! Get out of here trespassers!"

"Oh great. Even more trouble." Marcus retorted.

"Get out I said!" Cherrymon demanded. "You're all intruders and I don't want you here! Get out of my forest right now!"

"Or what?" Agumon challenged.

Cherrymon released his vines in retaliation, grabbing Marcus and Agumon as Keenan and Falcomon landed on a cliff.

"Do something!" Marcus called as he struggled against the vines.

"Lalamon!" Yoshi told her partner.

"Go, Gaomon!" Thomas followed Yoshi's example.

"You meddling humans are trespassing in my forest and I want you out of here now!" Cherrymon ordered. "And if you don't leave immediately, you'll find my bite is much worse than my bark."

"We'll go if you tell us where Merukimon is." Marcus replied.

"So, it's the guardian of the forest you seek." Cherrymon remarked. "I'm afraid it won't be easy to find him."

"Why?" Thomas asked.

"Because although he is somewhere nearby, his fortress is well hidden." Cherrymon replied. Aside, Keenan and Falcomon gasped.

"Even if it was he who directed you here, it is best that you leave my forest now!" Cherrymon ordered.

"If who directed us here?" Yoshi echoed.

"I believe he means Merukimon who might be more than just a Digimon and might actually control all of the Digital World." Thomas supplied.

"Be quiet!" Keenan hollered from his hiding place. "You hu-mons heard Cherrymon! Now leave before we make you go!"

"Look kid, give it a rest alright?" Marcus retorted.

"Quickly Keenan. Use your power!" Falcomon told him.

At that Keenan revealed his Data Link.

"You see that?" Yoshi asked.

"A Digivice." Thomas added.

"How did he get one of those?" Marcus asked.

"Falcomon digivolve to Peckmon!" Falcomon declared as he evolved.

"Attack Peckmon!" Keenan ordered.

"Spiral Claw!" Peckmon unleashed his attack on the DATS team's Digimon. The six rookie Digimon were knocked off their feet.

"How can we defeat such speed?" Gaomon asked.

"D.N.A Charge!" Thomas called out.

"D.N.A Charge!" Yoshi followed suit.

"D.N.A Charge!" Ash, Greg and Charlie were the last to call out.

"Gaomon digivolve to Aquilamon."

"Lalamon digivolve to Sunflowmon."

"Renamon digivolve to Kyubimon."

"Guilmon digivolve to Growlmon."

"Veemon digivolve to Veedramon."

"This you last chance! Leave Digital World, hu-mons!" Keenan ordered as he landed on Peckmon, throwing his boomerang at the teens. Marcus simply punched the weapon into smithereens.

"Listen you grammatically challenged little brat." Marcus retorted. "You're about to learn what happens when you challenge the best ultimate team and that's one world but two!"

"D.N.A Charge!" Marcus called out.

Agumon digivolve to Greymon."

"Horn Impulse." Greymon wasted no time in attacking.

"What a joke!" Peckmon mocked, flying up to avoid Greymon's attack.

"Kunai Wing!" the bird Digimon unleashed his attack.

"Stop it right now!" Cherrymon ordered. "You'll destroy my forest!'

"Those humans." Gotsumon remarked. "Come on Yanmamon. Let's teach those meddlers they just can't come into this world and start causing trouble. They're going to wish they never came here in the first place."

"Grand Horn!" Aquilamon flew at Peckmon. Peckmon dodged the attack, sending the eagle Digimon crashing into a cliff.

"Sunshine Beam!" Sunflowmon unleashed her attack as Peckmon came at her. Peckmon dodged the attack easily, appearing behind the plant Digimon, kicking her onto the ground.

"Exhaust Flame!"

"Dragon Wheel!"

"V-Breath Arrow!" Growlmon, Kyubimon and Veedramon then fired their attacks.

"Stop it at once!" Cherrymon ordered.

"Pit Pelter!" The tree Digimon fired his attack at the fighting Digimon.

"Just what part of the word 'Stop' don't you reckless maniacs understand?" the tree Digimon rebuked.

"Look guys." Marcus remarked as a bunch of Nyokimon gathered under Cherrymon's feet.

"Nyokimon. These guys are even below rookie level." Thomas reported.

"Of course!" Marcus added. "Cherrymon didn't want them to be hurt."

By then, Peckmon had returned to the sky but was hit by Cherrymon's attack. When the smoke cleared and the bird Digimon dived down to renew his attack, Keenan blinked as a rock flew past him, crashing in front of Cherrymon.

"Ah! Take that!" Gotsumon grinned, using his powers to unleash the rain of rocks into the battlefield. "If you humans don't leave, you're going to be crushed!"

The Nyokimon squealed and hid back under Cherrymon's roots.

"Those rocks are too big for me to stop." Cherrymon gaped in horror.

"Blast Laser!" Aquilamon fired ring-shaped beams with a roar identical to thunder.

"Sunshine Beam!" Sunflowmon released her attack as well, the two attacks splitting two of the rocks into half.

"You're helping?" Cherrymon asked.

"That's right and you haven't even seen what we can do." Marcus replied. "Now, let's show him, Greymon!"

"Nova Blast!"

"Fox Tail Inferno!"

"Exhaust Flame!"

"V-Breath Arrow Max!"

Greymon and Kyubimon's attack sliced through a rock while Growlmon and Veedramon's attack destroyed another one.

"Mach Impulse!" Aquilamon unleashed blades of pressurized wind from the wings on his back to slash into the big rock.

Aquilamon's Mach Impulse and Sunflowmon's 'Sunshine Beam' converged together to break up a larger rock but their attacks could not put a dent on the rock.

"We're not gonna destroy that big one!" Greymon exclaimed.

"Forgetting something Greymon?" Charlie asked as energy surrounded his body.

"We still have a really good trick up our sleeve."

"D.N.A Full Charge!" The two siblings exclaimed.

"Greymon digivolve to MetalGreymon!"

"Growlmon digivolve to WarGrowlmon!"

"Go MetalGreymon!" Marcus called out. "Break that rock!"

"Giga Destroyer!" The hatch on MetalGreymon's chest opened up and two organic missiles were fired at the rock.

"Atomic Blaster!" WarGrowlmon fired a beam of energy from the cannons on his chest.

"Both of those Digimon are so powerful!" Peckmon remarked.

"Me no care. Just want them gone!" Keenan retorted.

"Wait." Peckmon stopped him as the Nyokimon chirped, running out of Cherrymon's roots. "Look! They're cheering for the humans! Let's just get out of here."

"Don't worry, you guys are all safe now." Marcus remarked.

"That's cos we're the ultimate team." Agumon beamed.

"I can't believe it. A group of human beings have actually helping out a Digimon in need? That's simply something unheard of." Cherrymon commented.

"Well, not anymore." Marcus told him. "There's a new humans in town and we'll help anyone who needs it, human or Digimon. I mean us, by the way. I guess we're in the forest, not in town. But we're just here to help, okay?"

"Thanks, I'm glad you are." Cherrymon replied.

"You're welcome." Thomas told him. "And now you can help us by telling us just who that boy was."

"Who cares? I don't want to know who this loser's name is. I want to know where he lives." Marcus whined.

"Marcus." Yoshi rebuked. "Don't go thinking with your fists again. I know that our main mission is dealing with Merukimon, but learning about that boy could help us learn about human interaction with the Digital World and about your father."

"Since you young humans helped me, the very least I can do is help you by telling you what I know about Merukimon." Cherrymon offered. "I'm afraid that I don't know very much but I have heard that Merukimon lives somewhere near the Digi-gate."

"Great, now just knew where that was." Marcus complained.

"Look young man." Cherrymon pointed to the horizon. "Far in the distance."

"I'm looking." Marcus replied. "But I'm not seeing."

"Train your eyes on the large peak, the one that towers above everything else."

"That mountain there?" Marcus asked.

"Yes." Cherrymon replied. "Somewhere inside that mountain is the Infinite Ice Ridge where you'd find Merukimon."

"Maybe when we find him, we'll find the way home too." Thomas added.

"Sir, we still have the damson markers." Gaomon reminded him.

"Relax." Marcus voiced. "Just lighten up you guys. Take a page from my book and have faith that we'll get home without a hitch because there's nothing you can't do if you just believe in yourself."

"You got that right, Boss." Agumon agreed.

"Well, the sooner we get started, the sooner we get home." Marcus added.

"Let's go. We got to warn Merukimon." Gotsumon told Yanmamon and the two flew off.

In Merukimon's fortress…

"Merukimon sir!" Gotsumon reported. "I have news! Merukimon sir, it's the humans! They… they're coming right here, sir!"

"Good." Merukimon replied.

"What?" Gotsumon gasped. "Does that mean you have a plan?"

Merukimon simply chuckled.