Since his next move was decided, the most pressing matter was clearly to depart immediately for Server Continent…
…Just kidding!
At the moment, Zero still needed to make certain preparations. Server Continent wasn't like File Island. With Myotismon looming openly and the Dark Masters lurking in the shadows, the situation was far more complex and dangerous. A single misstep could lead to death in ways too ridiculous to comprehend.
In short, one essential item was the "Tags," which he could conveniently retrieve from the underwater cavern en route to Server Continent.
And then, there was one more matter…
…With Devimon's defeat, File Island had temporarily regained a measure of peace.
The two major bases from the earlier battle against Devimon's forces—the Unmanned Mechanical Factory and Toy Town—had become sanctuaries for many Baby-level Digimon seeking refuge.
Though the law of the jungle still ruled this island, sparks of civilization and order had undeniably been planted, quietly awaiting their chance to grow.
When Zero returned to the Unmanned Mechanical Factory, the first thing he saw was a group of Rookie-level Digimon teaching a crowd of Baby-levels.
"As long as we all work together, we can overcome enemies far stronger than ourselves! In the face of danger, we must help each other!"
Zero instantly recognized those Rookie Digimon: Gabumon, Tentomon, Biyomon, Palmon, Gomamon, and Patamon—the very same Baby Digimon he'd rescued from the Digital Forest back then.
They'd all evolved into Rookie forms now. Apparently, life at the Factory had treated them well, helping them get through their toughest times safely.
"Yo, everyone~"
Zero was currently in his Agumon form. With his current data strength, maintaining a Rookie form casually wouldn't consume much extra energy. When he'd been with Rina, he'd often been asked to remain as Koromon—mainly because it made him convenient as a pillow—but now that didn't matter.
Upon seeing Zero arrive, the Rookie Digimon joyfully gathered around him.
"Boss Zero, did you come back to see us? Huh? Where are Rina-san and Hajime?"
Zero coughed awkwardly, replying with a hint of melancholy, "They're somewhere very far away right now. But it's alright—I'm heading out to find them immediately. Don't worry, I'll definitely reunite with them safely."
Fortunately, given the time difference between the Digital and Real Worlds, even spending a year here meant only a day or two there. Zero took great comfort in that, confident that this wouldn't delay him too much.
Right now, the Unmanned Mechanical Factory had become a nurturing cradle where Baby-level Digimon could safely grow. Those first Baby Digimon he'd helped had evolved and, in turn, begun teaching and protecting the newcomers.
The beliefs they passed on were precisely those Zero had once taught them:
The weak don't need to fear the strong. By banding together, even tiny sparks can start a prairie fire.
Of course, this wasn't an invitation to recklessly challenge opponents far above one's level. At its core, the message advocated cooperation and courage to resist oppression.
This was the embryonic form of order, a spark of civilization. Zero felt genuine joy at seeing this seed sprout here.
"Well then, keep up your efforts. Once you evolve to Champions—or even Ultimates—you'll be able to protect even more Digimon~"
Even if their strength was currently weak, continued effort could eventually see them all reach Champion-level—a power that couldn't be underestimated on File Island. If they could all achieve Ultimate-level someday, they could overturn the entire island's power structure.
Of course, with evolution paths as difficult as they were now, such distant dreams were unnecessary. Focusing on the present was enough.
At that moment, a figure stepped out from inside the Unmanned Mechanical Factory—it was Andromon, the factory's guardian.
"Welcome back, my friend…"
As always, its voice carried that flat, emotionless electronic tone, though Zero sensed a hidden warmth within it.
"Yeah, I'm back, my friend~ I was delayed for a bit, but I gained some very important data—I think you'll find it extremely interesting."
Zero's words immediately piqued Andromon's interest. Zero himself was well aware that the Unmanned Mechanical Factory was a very reliable place to open new evolution routes—provided, of course, he first unlocked the appropriate enhancement templates.
So…
DIGIVOLVE!
Zero closed his eyes in concentration. A surge of white light burst forth from within him, rapidly transforming him into a fierce-looking dinosaur.
Previously, Zero had always relied on Rina's support to complete his evolutions. But after the last battle—after bathing in that mysterious, fleeting brilliance—he could now stabilize these newly obtained evolutionary forms entirely on his own.
Even without Rina's help, Zero could evolve by himself now…
With Greymon and GeoGreymon routes unlocked—alongside Tyrannomon—Zero theoretically now had three fully developed evolution paths, all of which he'd pushed up to Ultimate-level.
Zero's imposing form as Greymon immediately drew excited cheers from the gathered Rookies and Babies. Seeing their enthusiasm, Zero couldn't help but show off a little.
"Hehe, you think that's impressive? Keep your eyes wide open—something even more amazing is coming!"
GREYMON... SUPER DIGIVOLUTION!!!
In a soaring burst of white light, Zero's body expanded rapidly, mechanized parts swiftly appearing across his form.
"Hm?"
Even Andromon showed mild surprise at this sight.
This dazzling radiance—could it be…?
…The Light of Evolution?!
The power that had been utterly lost from the Digital World, the very force that once guided Digimon evolution—the power worshipped by the Four Holy Beasts as belonging to the God of Evolution itself!
To think, Zero now possessed this supposedly vanished Light of Evolution. Just where had he obtained it?
Zero himself understood clearly—the power now dwelling inside him was indeed the Digital World's lost Light of Evolution. Clearly, even the powerful being that had gifted him this energy hadn't fully controlled it.
Even so, just having this single strand of power was enough for Zero to complete evolution independently.
The form emerging from within that radiant brilliance was precisely the pride of the Metal Empire…
...METALGREYMON!
"With this, it should provide sufficient data to get the Unmanned Mechanical Factory fully operational again, right?"
Indeed, before departing for Server Continent, Zero needed to establish a stable rear base on File Island—one that could provide Ultimate-level data templates, paving his own path towards Mega-level evolution.
Andromon fell silent for a few seconds before finally replying in a low voice:
"…Yes, you've been a great help."
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl