A Family Quarrel!

Inside the Server Tree...

Spencer Damon's memories were flashing within King Drasil's mind.

Strange. King Drasil wondered. Everything should have been erased. Why are these memories returning now?

"That Marcus." He chuckled, before a bell drone alerted him.

"Intruders?" He inquired as his five crystal slabs lit up. "So, Craniamon has turned on me. He will pay dearly for his disloyal actions, as will all who dare to challenge my final decision of destroying the Human World!"

At his declaration, his crystal wedges flew off to deal with the Data Squad.

Upon arrival at the Server Tree...

"The Server Tree." Thomas noted.

"It's even bigger when you get up close like this." Agumon remarked.

"Everything is bigger when you get up close." Gotsumon pointed out. "But the size of this tree isn't what makes it special. This is where King Drasil resides, the ruler of all Digimon. Usually I'll be too scared to come this close."

"My dad lives in the top." Marcus replied. "Or so they say."

"So...are we going to climb this thing?" Yoshi asked.

"Of course we are!" Marcus retorted. "Let's go Agumon!"

"Yeah!" The orange dinosaur agreed and the pair started climbing the tree.

"He never changes." Thomas sighed.

"Wait up Marcus." He told the teen.

"Gaomon." He turned to his partner when the two climbing the tree were distracted.

"Sir, yes sir." Gaomon nodded.

"Double Backhand!" His attack cut through the vines Marcus and Agumon were hanging on to, causing the pair to fall back to the ground.

"That's what we waited up for?" Marcus complained.

"Boss look. It's shining inside." Agumon picked up one of the cut vines, revealing a cable within.

"Hey, those are video cables." Yoshi noted.

"Really?" Thomas added, taking the cable from Agumon. "It's all starting to make sense. I'm pretty sure this tree is the mainframe for the Digital World."

"But of course." Agumon replied. "Only, what's a mainframe?"

"Don't show your ignorance. It's what you put a photo in when you hang it on the wall." Marcus replied.

"Yeah, er, no." Yoshi sighed, slapping Marcus's forehead with the back of her hand.

"A mainframe is the large central computer that runs an entire network of systems." Lalamon supplied.

"In other words." Thomas reasoned. "I think this tree is a giant computer that runs the Digital World. We should be careful about entering. We'll probably be viewed as a virus."

"Hey." Keenan alerted the others as he pushed aside some vines around the tree, revealing a passageway. "We can get in through here."

"Hold on a second." Charlie instructed. "We've got company."

"What those?" Keenan gaped when three of King Drasil's crystals appeared.

"Look out!" Falcomon dived to push his partner away from the red laser beam one of the crystals shot out.

"Sir!" Gaomon told his partner after the beam hit one of the roots, turning the ground to quicksand.

"What?" Thomas gasped. "Quicksand?"

"What are those things?" Marcus asked, the group looking at the floating crystals. "Did King Drasil send them?"

"Perhaps." Thomas replied. "They could be some sort of security for the mainframe."

"Pepper Breath!" Agumon fired his fireball at one of the crystals, only to have the crystal return the attack to him.

"Agumon!" Marcus called out.

"Seed Blast!" Lalamon fired nuts from her mouth.

"Diamond Storm!" Renamon throws sharpened leaves at the crystal.

"Fireball!" Guilmon spews out a powerful flame.

"Ninja Blades!" Falcomon tossed throwing stars at another crystal.

However, the two crystals returned their attacks to them.

"Lalamon!" Yoshi gasped.

"Renamon!"

"Guilmon!"

"Falcomon!" Keenan exclaimed, hurrying beside his partner.

"Lalamon, hang in there." Yoshi soothed her partner.

"You two alright?" Ash and Charlie asked their partners.

"We're splitting up for now." The eldest Damon sibling stated. "Me, Yoshi, Keenan and Marcus will head inside the tree."

"Leave the crystals out here to us." Ash nodded.

"Okay. Good luck, guys." Yoshi replied, picking up Lalamon.

"Hurry!" Keenan urged, carrying Falcomon. "Quick, this way!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Marcus retorted as both he and Agumon brought up the rear.

"Hey Thomas." He turned to the blond as Agumon blew on his burnt tail. "You need help?"

"No." Thomas replied. "Don't worry about us."

Marcus returned a small smirk as he entered the Server Tree.

"Well then, let's get started. Shall we?" Greg asked the others.

"D.N.A. Charge Overdrive!" They called forth their D.N.A. Charges.

"Veemon double warp digivolve to...Imperialdramon! Imperialdramon Mode Change to...Fighter Mode!" Veemon declared as he digivolved and then changed modes.

"Gaomon double warp digivolve to...MirageGaogamon!" Gaomon declared as he digivolved.

"Renamon double warp digivolve to...Phoenixmon!" Renamon declared as she changed into a gigantic phoenix.

Inside the Server Tree...

"King Drasil is up through here." Gotsumon remarked, leading the group through the passageway.

"Kind of cramped quarters huh?" Marcus snorted as he bent over.

"It just the right height for me." Keenan replied.

"Not for much longer." Charlie told him. Yoshi was bringing up the rear.

"You go first." Gotsumon offered, peering out from the hole in the ground before hiding back in.

"Them again!" Agumon fumed when the remaining two crystals appeared before them.

"That's it!" Marcus retorted as the two climbed out. "Enough hiding! It's fighting time, Agumon!"

"What's up?" Yoshi inquired as she peered from the hole with Lalamon on her head, as Marcus landed a punch on one of the crystals.

"Ready Agumon?" Marcus told his partner, the D.N.A. Charge on his fist flaring.

"Yeah!" Agumon replied.

"D.N.A. Charge..." Marcus summoned his D.N.A. Charge.

"Hold it!" Charlie stopped him.

"Why did you stop me for, big brother?" Marcus demanded.

"Take a look at the ceiling. If Agumon digivolves here, we'll be stuck." He pointed out.

"Oh right." Marcus remarked.

"We better get out of here fast!" Yoshi advised as the group ran to avoid getting blasted by the laser beams.

"Now what?" Marcus inquired as they hid behind a column.

"There's an opening just above our heads. It likely leads to the top of the Server Tree." Charlie stated.

"Don't tell me." Marcus deadpanned. "This path here was right in front of us the entire time."

"Yeah, maybe we should have looked around first." Agumon noted. "Oh well, next time."

"Keep going. The three of us will join you after we eliminate these crystals." Charlie ordered after Keenan and Falcomon dodged another laser beam.

"How can I let you handle a job like that?" Marcus inquired. "You're...a little kid."

"It makes sense for me to stay. You're the only one who can stop your father." Keenan reasoned.

"I guess." Marcus replied.

"A new robe, warm fuzzy slippers and bubble bath that smells pretty." Yoshi listed, earning her a confused look from Marcus.

"I'm just making a list of all the things you're going to owe me once this thing is finally over." Yoshi replied. "Just keep one thing in mind though Marcus, even if we find your father and somehow manage to defeat him, we still have to figure out how to keep the Human and Digital Worlds from colliding."

"Okay." Marcus replied.

"Come on." Charlie led Yoshi and Keenan out of the hole.

"What great friends." Gotsumon gushed. "Such beautiful emotions to each other inspire me to become a better Digimon." But not before Marcus and Agumon used his head as a foothold to climb up to the top.

"I'm scared!" Agumon whined.

"Just don't look down and keep climbing." Marcus told him.

"D.N.A. Charge Overdrive!" The remaining three called forth their D.N.A. Charges.

"Guilmon double warp digivolve to...WarGreymon!"

"Lalamon double warp digivolve to...Rosemon!"

"Falcomon double warp digivolve to...Ravemon!"

"Rrrah!" WarGreymon growled.

"Let's sharpen our skills." Ravemon remarked.

"We'll see how they handle a couple of Mega Levels." Rosemon added.

"Let's do this for Marcus." Yoshi commented.

"For all the times he saved us." Keenan added.

'Don't you guys give up on me.' Marcus mentally warned as he scaled the tree.

Back in the Human World...

"Professor Crier, any progress yet?" Sampson inquired. "We're running out of time and I need you to find a way to repair the Digital barrier."

"I promise you, I'm working as fast as I can, Commander Sampson." Kevin replied, typing furiously. "If I can find what was used in the 'Space Oscillation Device' that caused the barrier to break, I may be able to repair it. Trust me, I know the clock is ticking. I want to save my family as much as you want to save the planet."

"You're right, I'm sorry." Sampson remarked. "We're all a little on edge. If only Doctor Damon would come to reason and change his mind."

"Yes?" He asked into his communicator.

"Commander. There's a Digimon signal over at the harbor. It's a Royal Knight." Miki reported.

True enough, Craniamon had appeared in the sky. This didn't go unnoticed by another Royal Knight.

"Craniamon." EmperorGreymon commented. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh dear, I was hoping the attacks would be over by now." Sarah said, the group of in-training Digimon shivering in fear.

"Let's run mom." Kristy looked at her mother.

"We're not running." Biyomon told her.

"What's wrong?" Kristy asked the pink bird. "What are you thinking of doing?"

"You can't!" She gasped, realizing what Biyomon was up to.

"Biyomon!" She cried when the bird took off.

"Hold it!" Biyomon halted Craniamon. "This is the Human World, Craniamon! Get out before I throw you out!"

"Are you another one of those Digimon who supports the humans?" Craniamon inquired.

"You got it! I'm here to protect my human friends! And I'll use force if I have to!" Biyomon retorted.

"I really don't have time for this." Craniamon scoffed, knocking the pink bird out of the sky with his arm.

"Biyomon!" Kristy ran towards the falling rookie Digimon.

"Oh no..." She moaned, kneeling beside Biyomon who had fallen into the playground. "It's Kristy. Can you hear me?"

"I'm okay." Biyomon assured her as he struggled to get up. "I can...I can still fight."

"No! Don't go back!" Kristy wailed. "It's too dangerous!"

"I'll be fine." Biyomon told her. "Yes! I promised I'll protect you, Kristy."

"It's not fair." Kristy wept.

"Besides." Biyomon added. "If I give up now, I'll let Marcus down. I can't do that!"

"Oh Biyomon!" Kristy sobbed, hugging the bird. "I understand. You're looking out for me and my whole family. I'll fight too!"

"Kristy..." Biyomon muttered, the girl's D.N.A Charge burning around them.

"No!" Sarah cried, running into the scene. "Kristy! Come back here!"

As Kristy's D.N.A Charge lifted both child and Digimon into the air, the two nodded at each other and shut their eyes.

"Kristy!" Sarah shouted as a bright orange light engulfed the two.

"That light..." Craniamon remarked.

"A D.N.A Charge." EmperorGreymon noted. He then made his way to Mount Fuji. He had a idea why Craniamon was in the real world.

After the light died down, Biyomon had digivolved into Garudamon with Kristy sitting on his shoulder.

"Kristy?" Sarah blinked.

"Is this the display of the power that human gave you?" Craniamon asked the Ultimate level Digimon.

"Yes, it is." Garudamon replied.

"And now, we're going to use it on you!" Kristy added.

In the Digital World, inside the Server Tree...

"Hey dad!" Marcus called out when he and Agumon arrived at the top. "It's me. You up there? I know you are. It's Marcus Damon, your son! I've come to have a father-son talk with you."

"This is the dwelling of a King." King Drasil appeared before them. "Your lowly feet descerate the sacred ground you walk upon."

"Look dad!" Marcus retorted. "I'm here so you can explain to me exactly why you want to destroy the Human World."

"My duty as King is to protect the Digital World. Erasing the Human World is the only way to do that." King Drasil replied, floating out of the platform.

"But...what about Mom, Charlie and Kristy?" Marcus argued. "Don't you care about what happens to your family?"

"Have you forgotten? You humans brought this on yourself." King Drasil snapped. "When you attacked us, and it was you who destroyed the Digital barrier!"

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Marcus shot back. "You're a human too! You're not a Digimon!"

"Of course I am." King Drasil smirked. "I am their King."

"You've changed." Marcus growled, gripping onto the pendant his father gave him. "You used to be my dad, now I don't know what you are!"

"Okay dad." He mumbled. "Then I guess I'll...just have to...knock some sense into ya!"

"Boss!" Agumon gasped when his partner dashed towards King Drasil.

"I want my dad back!" Marcus hollered, jumping to punch King Drasil.

"I told you already. I'm not your father." King Drasil replied, encasing himself within a red energy sphere.

"What?" Marcus gaped, the energy backlash tossing him off.

"Boss!" Agumon called out as his partner was shot against a wall. "You okay?"

"Oh man." Marcus moaned. "I can't even get close enough to talk. For once, my fists can't speak for me."

"Least you're not hurt." Agumon pointed out.

"Big deal!" Marcus snapped as he got up. "Who cares? Not my dad!"

Outside the Server Tree...

"Double Crescent Mirage!" MirageGaogamon released crescent shaped blades at one of the crystals which then threw the attack back at him.

"This is getting nowhere." Greg muttered in annoyance. "Those crystals can send our attacks right back at us."

"Agreed. Abandon Attack Mode." Thomas instructed. "The only way to beat them is with brute force."

"Sir, yes sir." MirageGaogamon replied.

"Right." Imperialdramon FM and Phoenixmon nodded.

Dodging the laser beams thrown in their direction, all three destroyed the crystal with their claws.

"Excellent. Now keep it up." Thomas encouraged.

Inside the Server Tree...

As Ravemon was slicing through one of the crystals with his sword, Rosemon was cutting her way through with her vine whip.

"Rosemon, watch out!" Ravemon warned, blocking one of the remaining crystal's attacks with his blade, the impact throwing him out of the Server Tree.

"Ravemon!" Keenan called out.

"Thorn Whipping!" Rosemon's whip caught the falling humanoid bird before he fell to the ground below.

"Behind you!" Yoshi warned. "Rosemon!"

WarGreymon sliced the two crystals to pieces before they could fire.

"Thanks." She told the Dragon Digimon.

"Don't worry. We get them all." Keenan replied.

"That's right. They're not so tough." Yoshi agreed. "We've taken on far worse than this before."

The three Mega Level Digimon nodded in agreement.

Back in the Human World...

"Shadow Wing!" Garudamon unleashed a vacuum-blade at super-speed, which headed towards Craniamon.

"Sorry, but I'm going to have to take my leave with you now." Craniamon replied, blocking the attack with one hand.

"You what?" Garudamon exclaimed.

Not answering him, Craniamon took off towards Mount Fuji.

"Wait!" Garudamon followed the Royal Knight.

"Craniamon." Alphamon blocked his subordinate's path.

"Relax. I know why Craniamon's here." EmperorGreymon told the leader of the Royal Knights.

"Alphamon, let him pass." Lilith instructed.

"But, My Lady..." Alphamon protested.

"It's alright." Lilith reassured him.

Alphamon remained silent, but he allowed Craniamon passage.

"Thank you, Lilith-Sama." Craniamon replied before he landed in front of the frozen BanchoLeomon.

"BanchoLeomon." He greeted the golden lion. "Your will to save the two worlds was so great that you sacrificed your own life-force energy for your cause. What an inspiration you are, my friend."

"Stop!" Garudamon hollered. "Stay away from BanchoLeomon!"

"It's all right Garudamon." Lilith assured the Ultimate level Digimon. "Craniamon means no harm."

Turning back to BanchoLeomon, Craniamon added, "My friend's life-force energy is slipping away. I can't just stand by and watch it happen."

Both Garudamon and Kristy gasped at his proclaimation.

Back in the Digital World, inside the Server Tree...

Marcus was trying vainly to punch through the red force-field King Drasil had placed around himself.

"Boss!" Agumon ran to his partner who had been thrown off for the umpteenth time. "No more."

"Stay out of this, Agumon." Marcus growled. "This fight is between me and my dad and it has to be settled! Even if my arms fall off from punching that protective bubble of his, I'm not stopping until our fists finally meet once and for all!"

"But Boss, please." Agumon begged.

"Don't!" He warned as Marcus dashed towards King Drasil once more.

"When will you realize that it's pointless?" King Drasil remarked to the sprinting Marcus, his power throwing the teen off once again.

"It's impossible!" Gotsumon told the teen. "You cannot defeat King Drasil. He's all-powerful."

"Yeah, but..." Marcus replied as he got back up. "So was my dad. My father cast a shadow that was all-encompassing. When I was a kid, I couldn't get out from under it. I was always trying to prove I could live up to being one of his sons. But now, I want to get as close to that shadow as possible."

"And I'm still trying to prove it!" He hollered, jumping up to punch King Drasil one more time.

"You're not my son." King Drasil told him coldly, his power throwing Marcus out of the Server Tree.

As he fell, Marcus slipped into unconsciousness. Dad, you were my hero.

"Marcus!" Ravemon shouted at the falling teen.

"No!" Charlie exclaimed.

Mom, Kristy. Marcus continued. I'm sorry, I couldn't reach dad. I wasn't strong enough.

"Marcus!" Yoshi called out as Keenan gaped in shock.

Guys, I failed. Marcus added. I was no match for my father.

"Marcus, no!" Thomas exclaimed.

That's it. Marcus concluded. I'm finally giving up.

"Marcus!" Agumon hollered.

Sorry Agumon. Marcus apologized.

Don't give in. Spencer's voice entered his head.

That voice. Marcus opened his eyes.

Remember what I told you before, that the D.N.A Charge has unlimited powers. Your emotions unlock them. Spencer reminded him.

The power of my emotions... Marcus pondered.

Your emotions will give you unlimited power. Spencer added. Concentrate that power. Direct the strength of your will and intention into your D.N.A. Charge!

At that, Marcus's eyes snapped open, his D.N.A. Charge flaring up around him.

"That light..." MirageGaogamon looked at the falling Marcus.

"D.N.A Charge. Imperialdramon, fire Positron Laser!" Greg ordered.

"You're not serious." Imperialdramon FM remarked in disbelief at this order.

"Do it!" He repeated.

"Follow his example MirageGaogamon." Thomas instructed.

"But sir!" MirageGaogamon protested.

"Fire!" Thomas insisted.

"Yes sir!" MirageGaogamon nodded. "Full Moon Blaster!"

"Positron Laser!"

The beams propelled Marcus back up.

"Marcus!" Ravemon took hold of the teen's hand, tossing Marcus up to the top.

"Forbidden Temptation!" Rosemon's attack allowed Marcus to reach back to the top of the Server Tree.

"Go get him, Marcus!" Thomas shouted from below.

"Finish this once and for all!" Ash yelled.

"Show your dad!" Yoshi added.

"Show him what kind of son you are!" Keenan remarked.

That's right. Marcus agreed as he flew back up. This isn't just between me and my dad anymore. It also has to do with my friends and siblings. They put all their faith in me. I can't just give up. I have to stand my ground and fight for their sake too!

"But how?" King Drasil was stunned when Marcus returned to the Server Tree. With a grunt, the teen landed a punch on King Drasil throwing him back.

"I don't believe what I saw." Gotsumon was awe-struck.

"Boss!" Agumon whooped.

"I heard my dad's voice." Marcus muttered, looking at his fist.

"You did?" Agumon echoed.

"I'm positive." Marcus was insistent. "I know that voice anywhere. It definitely belonged to my father. I think it means that somewhere deep down inside, he still remembers me. He knows I'm his son. But one thing I don't get is how my dad knew about the D.N.A Charge. He never told me about that."

"Unforgivable!" King Drasil growled as he returned to his feet. "There can only be one punishment for someone who dares to harm the body of King Drasil: permanent deletion. You'll pay! You will pay dearly!"

"It didn't work." Marcus gaped. "He still thinks he's King! I thought I could get him to snap back to reality."

"Say goodbye, human!" King Drasil looked murderously at Marcus.

"Wait!" BanchoLeomon jumped in, landing a punch on King Drasil, the shock wave demolishing the exterior of the Server Tree.

"BanchoLeomon!" Marcus gasped at the golden lion. "What are you doing here?"

"Craniamon took my place in the stone foundation holding up the Digital World." BanchoLeomon explained.

"Craniamon did what?" Marcus was stunned.

"You heard right." BanchoLeomon assured him. "Now he's fighting on his own for both worlds. It was a noble gesture, worthy of one who calls himself a Royal Knight."

"Dad!" Marcus hurried to King Drasil who was buried under the rubble.

"Leave him!" BanchoLeomon stopped him. "Do you still not understand? The man over there is your father, and yet he isn't. Your father, Spencer Damon, is in fact me!"