Following Piedmon's instructions, BlackGatomon brought the boy back to the Digital World…
…Due to the existence of the Firewall, the Reality Barrier between the Digital World and Real World had been strengthened significantly. Returning was difficult but still possible; however, once they crossed over, going back again would be far from easy.
Zero controlled the teleportation gate at Myotismon's castle—a portal crafted by some unknown ancient technology, genuinely capable of bridging the two worlds.
Likewise, the Dark Masters undoubtedly possessed similar means. Although they could no longer launch a large-scale invasion of the Real World through Spiral Mountain, sending back one or two individuals at a time remained possible.
Of course, massive data beings like the Dark Masters themselves couldn't pass through now; at best, they could only send weaker Digimon to retrieve others.
LadyDevimon's injuries had forced her to revert to BlackGatomon, conveniently meeting this condition. Thus, using the boy's home computer as a relay, she initiated the log-in jump.
After experiencing a dizzying sense of weightlessness, BlackGatomon and the boy opened their eyes again—only to find themselves in a mist-covered location.
"This is…the incredible world you mentioned?"
The boy glanced around in confusion. Even BlackGatomon seemed puzzled; she appeared entirely unfamiliar with their current location.
But the Digital World was vast, and its landscape wasn't fixed like the ordinary physical world. It constantly absorbed data, endlessly growing and expanding.
So, the occasional appearance of unknown regions wasn't unusual. Yet, as both stood bewildered, they suddenly heard the distinct sound of waves surging nearby.
"The ocean? Could this place be…"
BlackGatomon instantly realized something. Simultaneously, the Holy Plan in the boy's hand began emitting light, and the surrounding mist slowly dispersed.
Immediately, they saw clearly—a vast, pitch-black sea stretching endlessly before them, its depths like an unfathomable abyss.
"The sea? A… black sea?"
The boy stared curiously at the dark ocean. The water was deep and inky, confirming BlackGatomon's suspicion at once.
"The Dark Ocean… We actually ended up here directly?"
The moment she finished speaking, she sensed an approaching presence. After identifying it, she quickly bowed in respect.
"Great master, as you commanded, I've brought this boy."
Seeing BlackGatomon's actions, the boy instinctively followed her gaze upward. Descending slowly from the sky was a bizarrely dressed clown, observing him with keen interest.
"Hmm, well done. This time… you didn't disappoint me."
Piedmon's praise brought BlackGatomon some relief. Thankfully, the task hadn't been difficult, nor had she encountered any obstacles. She'd successfully brought this human boy into the Digital World.
In reality, it shouldn't have been so simple, as ordinary humans found crossing the Reality Barrier challenging, especially now that Zero had further reinforced it with the Firewall program.
But this particular boy seemed naturally connected to the Digital World. Coupled with the Tag's guidance, crossing had been effortless.
The Tag was an instrument prepared by the Host Computer for the chosen saviors to combat the Dark Masters. Yet now, Piedmon had turned it to his advantage.
Clearly, the Host Computer hadn't accounted for this, inadvertently giving Piedmon an opening.
Since you humans can twist Spiral Mountain's program against us to create your Firewall, naturally we can also use your Tag for our purposes!
"Who are you?"
The boy stared at the clown before him, fear clear in his expression. He sensed an extremely dangerous aura radiating from Piedmon.
"No need to be so wary—I'm not your enemy. I'm your ally, Ichijouji-kun…"
"You…know my name?"
"Of course. I understand everything about you. Thus, I can grant your wish—to experience an entirely different, reborn life…"
With those words, Piedmon reached out toward Ken.
"…Come now. Step forward and place the Tag into the Dark Ocean. You know what you must do."
His voice held a mysterious power. The boy's pupils instantly lost focus, his entire body swaying as he walked toward Piedmon.
Step by step, his legs sank into the Dark Ocean. Slowly, he lowered himself, placing the Tag into the dark waters…
Immediately, with his palm at the center, the Dark Ocean reacted, forming a whirlpool that swiftly engulfed the Tag.
As the black waters eroded it, the once-radiant device gradually lost its holy light… and slowly transformed into an entirely new shape.
When the transformation was complete, the originally pristine white device had doubled in size, becoming a strange black device.
"Hahaha, success!"
Piedmon's voice was ecstatic. Using the Dark Ocean's power, he'd corrupted the Tag, transforming it into a darkened Digivice—further unlocking its latent potential to create a completely new form…
…A Dark D-3 Digivice!
Staring at the Dark D-3 in his hand, the boy's expression began to twist. Simultaneously, the surrounding ocean surged violently around his body.
Suddenly, the water rose fiercely. Before the boy could react, the ocean gripped him, as if countless hands had emerged from below, dragging him relentlessly downward.
He struggled desperately but was no match for this force, quickly pulled under the dark waves.
He wanted to scream, yet no sound emerged as the black waters swallowed him whole.
BlackGatomon watched intently, perfectly familiar with this routine. The Dark Army regularly used the Dark Ocean to "baptize" new recruits.
Digimon who underwent this baptism usually saw their power spike dramatically. Of course, the majority became permanently fixed onto a Virus-type evolutionary path, producing the reliable Champion-level fighters that sustained the Dark Army's ranks.
With the Dark Ocean, creating an army was simple—though those with weak wills often had their minds partially eroded by its power.
Thus, most Digimon forcibly evolved by the Dark Ocean were… not particularly intelligent.
This was precisely why BlackGatomon had been valued even back when she was still DemiDevimon. The Dark Army never lacked muscle; they lacked intelligent operatives who could get things done.
The boy swallowed by the Dark Ocean soon ceased struggling entirely, causing BlackGatomon to furrow her brow.
Did he drown already? After all, the Dark Ocean's baptism might've been too intense for a fragile human. Even Digimon sometimes couldn't withstand it, disintegrating instantly.
However, at that very moment, the sea suddenly erupted with a splash. A hand reached out first, followed quickly by an entire body.
"…Haa."
Emerging from the waves was no longer the timid, introverted boy from before…
…Instead, he appeared completely transformed—now wearing a long, flowing cloak, dark sunglasses obscuring his eyes, and styled hair conveying an arrogant confidence.
"Congratulations. Now… you've completely bid farewell to your past self, welcoming your rebirth!"
The boy glanced down at his palm, a laugh creeping into his voice—entirely different from the timid child before. Now his tone was arrogant, brimming with confidence and pride.
"Indeed. I'm no longer that worthless loser. This feeling is amazing! The Digital World… really is a wonderful place!"
BlackGatomon stared in surprise at the utterly transformed boy, sensing an aura and strength nearly matching a Digimon emanating from him.
"BlackGatomon…"
Piedmon spoke suddenly, and BlackGatomon quickly lowered her head in response. "Yes, great master, what are your commands?"
"From today onward, this boy is your new master. All you need to do is follow his orders."
"?!"
BlackGatomon froze momentarily, seemingly unable to grasp Piedmon's meaning. But Piedmon repeated himself clearly:
"Starting today, he is your new master. By the way—what's your name now?"
The boy, still immersed in his rebirth, paused briefly when questioned—but quickly regained his composure.
"My name… Ken Ichijouji? No, no, no. From today onward, my name is Digimon Kaiser! So you're my first subordinate? Heh… that'll do nicely."
"…"
The boy—Digimon Kaiser—lifted his newly acquired Dark D-3 Digivice.
"Then let's test out my power. As my subordinate, being this weak just won't do…"
"Weak? Are you joking?"
BlackGatomon was instantly amused. While she indeed wasn't strong compared to powerful Digimon, handling a mere human should still be effortless for her.
Yet before she even finished speaking, Digimon Kaiser aimed the Digivice directly at her…
…At that instant, black light burst forth from the Digivice. BlackGatomon froze. As the light enveloped her, she felt as if her whole body was immersed in a comforting warmth.
Her body began rapidly transforming. When the glow faded, she'd evolved once again into LadyDevimon.
"This—this is…"
Her strength had returned exactly as before—no, even stronger than before!
LadyDevimon stared at her own hands in disbelief, while Digimon Kaiser nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. Now you're worthy of being my subordinate. So, am I free to act as I please?"
He turned to Piedmon, who answered without hesitation, laughing lightly.
"Of course. You're free to do whatever you desire in this world. Welcome to our ranks, my fellow comrade… the Fifth Commander of the Dark Army!"
---
T/N: NOOOO THAT FUCKING BRAT IT SHOULDVE BEEN MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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