The interior of Myotismon's castle was like a labyrinth, but with his Mind's Eye, Aomori easily found the correct path and arrived at a secret chamber on the deepest level.
Directly facing the entrance of the chamber was a massive metal gate. In the center stood a stone circular pedestal with a recessed surface divided into a nine-square grid, looking as though it were designed to hold nine cards.
"This must be the gate leading to the Human World. But has Myotismon finished collecting those nine cards?"
Although there was no immediate need to go to the Human World, it was always better to keep the key in his own hands and reserve an escape route.
Aomori didn't know where they were kept, but some Digimon surely did. He shifted his gaze toward the upper right, landing on a certain Digimon hiding behind a statue. "DemiDevimon, do you know where Myotismon's treasury is?"
Hearing this, the hiding DemiDevimon shuddered violently. It flew down with a flattering smile, landing at Aomori's feet and saying subserviently, "Great HellKnightmon, I know, I know! I'll take you there right away."
It had been watching from the sidelines when Myotismon was defeated. Knowing Aomori's terrifying power, it didn't dare risk any resistance.
'Lord Myotismon, though my loyalty to you is unwavering, I have no choice. The enemy is just too strong. I can only submit for now and play along. I hope your departed soul doesn't blame me.'
"Very well." Aomori gave it a casual glance and said, "Only useful Digimon stay by my side. If you can't prove your worth, you can go join your Lord Myotismon."
DemiDevimon felt a chill down its spine and blurted out frantically, "I'm very useful! I know many of Myotismon's secrets! I can give advice, I can do so many things for you... I'm only a Rookie, I have great potential! Please don't send me to see Myotismon!"
"Good. Lead the way then, to the treasury."
"Yes, sir!"
DemiDevimon flew ahead to lead the way, occasionally offering sweet smiles and reminding Aomori to watch his step. A few minutes later, they arrived before the treasury.
However, the door was locked.
"Um, Lord Myotismon kept the key on him," DemiDevimon explained.
Myotismon and everything he carried had been turned to ash.
"It doesn't matter." Aomori drew Ryuko. After coating it with Chrome Digizoid, the blade was exceptionally handy; with a gentle swing, he sliced the lock in two.
As he pushed the door open, the contents of the room met Aomori's eyes. His pupils suddenly contracted as he stared at a specific item.
"This is..."
Amidst a pile of glittering treasures lay an object shaped like a toy watch with a silver casing.
"This is an original Digivice."
After having Darkrai go and bring SuperStarmon and the others over, Aomori walked over and picked it up.
A Digivice, short for Digital Device, is the special equipment possessed by the DigiDestined. With it, Digimon that were originally Fresh or Rookie levels could Digivolve into Champion levels. However, to reach Ultimate or even Mega levels, a corresponding Crest was required.
Normally, a Digivice would stay with a specially raised Digimon until the right time came to go to the Real World and bring the DigiDestined back to the Digital World.
This Digivice obtained by Myotismon was clearly the one paired with Salamon.
No wonder Aomori hadn't seen a Digivice on Salamon when they met; she must have lost it during her solo travels, and it was later picked up by Myotismon.
He tucked the Digivice away safely, planning to examine it further once he reunited with Salamon.
"Great HellKnightmon!" DemiDevimon called out to him. "Over here, over here! This is the Chrome Digizoid we collected earlier. It's all here."
Aomori looked in the direction DemiDevimon was pointing and saw a large lump of silver metal.
"Myotismon didn't use it at all." He walked over and weighed the Chrome Digizoid in his hand.
"Yes, that big... big villain Myotismon didn't know how to use this metal. He wanted to wait until he had enough and then take it to Volcano Island to have the Volcamon there help with the forging," DemiDevimon corrected itself quickly.
"Volcano Island? Are the Volcamon there good at smithing?"
"Yes! Aside from those in Iron City who use machines to make weapons, the Volcamon's forging techniques are the best." DemiDevimon told him everything it knew.
"I see." Aomori made a mental note of this and turned to look at the other items.
DemiDevimon remained by his side, eagerly providing explanations. Unfortunately, aside from six cards featuring Digimon, there was nothing else that caught his interest.
At that moment, led by Darkrai, SuperStarmon and Deputymon arrived at the treasury. Seeing that large hunk of Chrome Digizoid, their eyes lit up instantly. Unable to control themselves, they lunged at it and hugged the metal to their chests.
"It's true! This is Chrome Digizoid! With this much metal, my rocket can finally be repaired!"
Overjoyed, SuperStarmon ran over and hugged Aomori, saying repeatedly, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome." Aomori patted its shoulder.
Afterward came the cleanup work.
According to their previous agreement, SuperStarmon only took the Chrome Digizoid. All other spoils, including the entire castle and the prisoners, belonged to Aomori.
Some Digimon who refused to submit were turned into Points and experience by Aomori. Those who remained included Pumpkinmon, Mammothmon, Devidramon, and some Bakemon.
DemiDevimon added plenty of flair to its description of how Aomori defeated Myotismon. Coupled with a few displays of his own skills, Aomori immediately intimidated the remaining Digimon.
The vast majority, led by Pumpkinmon, instantly pledged their eternal obedience to him.
Aomori put the well-performing Armormon in charge of this group. As for the Volcamon who had basically coasted through the whole ordeal, he sent it back to Ore Town to lead its Gotsumon brothers.
Ordering Armormon to keep a good watch on the castle, and suggesting it do some landscaping to beautify the environment, Aomori joined the anxious SuperStarmon in Monochromon's vehicle to return to Business Town.
Having learned from DemiDevimon that four of Myotismon's powerful lieutenants had gone to Ore Town, he sent Darkrai and Pidgeot back ahead of them.
DemiDevimon, meanwhile, was kept by his side.
The next morning, when Aomori and SuperStarmon hurried back to Business Town, a large crowd of Digimon who had heard the news was waiting to welcome them.
Pidgeot and Salamon were among them.
Seeing Aomori, Salamon's eyes lit up. She sprinted into his arms, crying out happily, "Master, Master! I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too," Aomori said, stroking her small head.
After greeting SuperStarmon, Aomori picked up Salamon and mounted Pidgeot, heading back to Ore Town first.
"Great HellKnightmon, wait for me!" DemiDevimon chased after them desperately, but there was no way it could keep up. It was left to travel slowly toward Ore Town with Volcamon.
In an instant, Pidgeot returned to Ore Town.
The town's appearance had changed drastically; Aomori could imagine the baptism of fire it had undergone.
Akihiko Kayaba, Ditto, Darkrai, BlackAgumon, and the Gotsumon all gathered to welcome Aomori back.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back!"
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