The group is walking in the desert still, though the weather has cooled enough to be pleasant. Mimi looks at her Crest, saying she still doesn’t know how to use it. The group stops to discuss this, except for Taichi and Agumon, who have walked ahead. They call for the others to hurry up, and Takeru says that they’re holding an important conference meeting about the Digimon, so he needs to wait. Taichi and Agumon smile at his enthusiasm, but suddenly the sand shifts under their feet. They yell, and a large Kuwagamon rises out of the sand, throwing Taichi and Agumon away. Agumon uses Baby Flame, but sees that it does nothing, and this Kuwagamon is much stronger than the last one. The other Digimon shout for Agumon to evolve, but both he and Taichi are worrying that something will go wrong, images of Skull Greymon flashing through their heads. Kuwagamon uses his Scissor Arms attack, and Taichi runs and tackles Agumon out of the way. As Kuwgamon prepares to strike again, a small object flies up and disintegrates him. Everyone is shocked, and then Piccolomon walks up, marching across the sand. Mimi picks him up, delighted by his cute appearance. Piccolomon recognizes them as the Chosen Children, and says that they’re so weak he could hardly watch them. He continues to berate them, saying the Digimon are slacking and fearful. He then says that he will train them, and tells them to follow as he sets off. The children have a brief discussion, eventually deciding to go with him and train.
After a long walk, Piccolomon says that they’re almost there. No one is impressed, because he’s been saying that the whole time. They stop in the middle of nowhere, and Piccolomon says they're here. He waves his spear, and a rip opens in the air, revealing a jungle. He goes through, and everyone else follows. Behind them, they see Etemon’s trailer going across the desert. Piccolomon reassures them that he can’t get in.
At the border of the jungle, Piccolomon says that his house is at the top of the large mountain. They all sigh, groaning about climbing the huge staircase. Tentomon says it will be easy, but Piccolomon tells him that he will not be allowed to fly, causing him to slump like everyone else. After the sun is much lower in the sky, the group finally reaches the house, which resembles a Tulou. Piccolomon says that before they eat, they need to scrub the floors. Everyone looks at the four huge layers, and sighs heavily. Piccolomon takes Taichi and Agumon away for a special training exercise. Everyone else starts scrubbing, with varying amounts of groans. Mimi says that she’s never scrubbed floors, and Palmon suggests that Piccolomon is just using them as maids. Takeru challenges Tokomon to a race as they wipe the floor, causing Yamato to smile.
Piccolomon sends Taichi and Agumon inside an incredibly dark cave, and they suddenly start to sink into the floor. Piccolomon says that their training is to come back, and flies away. After the sun has gone down, the group at Piccolomon’s house is sleeping, except for Yamato and Koshiro. They go out to the balcony, and start to talk about how Taichi and Agumon aren’t back yet. They are interrupted by their Tags starting to flash. They assume the Tags are reacting to their Crests, and go off to find them. Koshiro asks if they should bring their Digimon, but Yamato says that they’re safe inside the barrier, so they should let them sleep.
Taichi and Agumon wake up in a small boat floating on a foggy sea. Taichi stands up and yells for Piccolomon, but he rocks the boat too much and falls out. Agumon tries to help him by pulling him up with an oar, but sees a light floating in the air. Taichi pulls too hard, dragging Agumon out of the boat too. They start to bicker about whose fault it was, holding onto the sides of the boat as it floats away.
As the sun comes up, Piccolomon wakes up Gabumon, Tentomon, Sora, Jo, Mimi, Takeru, and their partner Digimon. They ask where Koshiro and Yamato are, and Piccolomon informs them that the two went to look for their Crests. Tentomon is miffed at being left behind. Sora leans over to Mimi, commenting on how mysterious it is, with everyone disappearing one after the other. Mimi says that maybe Jo will be next, causing him to swallow and yelp at them not to say weird things like that.
Yamato and Koshiro are walking through Piccolomon’s jungle, following their crests. Yamato asks Koshiro why he wants a Crest, and Koshiro says he’s curious to see what Kabuterimon will evolve into next. Yamato says he wants one to improve himself, and to mature some good qualities. They reach the end of the barrier, and look at it in dismay. Just beyond it, they see a well glowing and are sure their Crests are inside of it. Koshiro experimentally pokes his hand through the barrier, and says that they can cross. The two walk through, heading for the well quickly. They climb down the rope, and hold their Tags out to the wall. Their glowing crests dance through the air before sliding into the Tags. Yamato and Koshiro are delighted to receive their Crests. Unfortunately, at the top of the well, one of Etemon’s cables has spotted them. Etemon receives the signal, and sends Tyranomon to attack them. Yamato and Koshiro run towards the barrier, but Tyranomon’s Fire Breath attack shatters a section of it, opening up a hole. Etemons sees this, and arrives to fight as well. He uses his attack Love Serenade, draining the Digimon’s power. Over the sound of his warbling, Koshiro says that no one will be able to evolve.
Taichi and Agumon are still in the floating boat, and they give up trying to paddle back. They float past shadowy bridges and buildings, until they arrive at a solid bridge. They walk over to a little boy that Taichi recognizes as a younger version of himself. He falls off his bike, then tearfully says he can’t do it. The current Taichi walks over, encouraging the little boy not to give up so soon, and telling him to believe in himself. As he’s talking, he thinks of Skull Greymon and realizes that they need to try again. Taichi and Agumon help the little boy start to ride, and after a moment, they let go, and he rides away into the mist, laughing. Taichi tells Agumon that he was afraid of the evolution going wrong again, and Agumon says he felt the same way. They get back in the boat, and start paddling again, this time making easy progress against the current. They hear their friends crying out in fear, and realize they need help.
Piccolomon is holding a shield against Tyranomon’s fire, but he is weakening, and thinks that even though Taichi and Agumon need this lesson, he will just have to deal with Tyranomon himself. As he thinks this, Agumon evolves into Greymon and arrives. He knocks over Tyranomon and uses Mega Flame. Taichi walks up to everyone else, and they are happy to see him. Greymon breaks the black cables connecting Tyranomon to the dark network and finishes him off. Everyone celebrates, and they leave Piccolomon later that day. He watches them go, saying to himself that they are going to be the ones to save the world.
|