Chapter 25: Departure! Next Stop, the Factory City
As the bright moon climbed high into the night sky, the DigiDestined, led by Tai, spent their first night in this new world at the Village of Beginnings. Their circumstances, however, were a world away from the harsh survival they might have otherwise faced. Thanks to Mizuki, their introduction to the Digital World was one of relative comfort.
They had eaten delicious, hot meals that filled their stomachs and warmed their spirits. They slept not on the cold ground, but in sturdy little houses that shielded them from the wind and the strange, nocturnal sounds of the island. Exhaustion finally claimed them, and the village settled into a quiet rhythm of peaceful breathing as the night slowly gave way to dawn.
The next morning, the children awoke with a mix of anxiety and renewed determination. They sought out Leomon, eager to begin their training, only to be met with a piece of news that stopped them in their tracks.
"What?! Mizuki, you're leaving?" Tai's voice was sharp with disbelief. "Why? I thought we agreed we were all going to get stronger together!"
He stared at Mizuki, who stood calmly beside LadyDevimon, her imposing figure a silent shadow at his back. While the children had quickly grown fond of the Digimon in the Village of Beginnings, it was Mizuki who had truly made this safe haven possible. He was the anchor they had unknowingly latched onto.
Their trust in him ran deeper than their trust in any of the other Digimon. The thought of him leaving sent a ripple of unease through the group.
Before Mizuki could reply, Elecmon spoke up, his gruff voice cutting through the morning air. "Mizuki has his own path to walk. Besides, your progress and his are on completely different scales now. The training that will help you grow is no longer meaningful for him."
Leomon, his noble posture unwavering, affirmed Elecmon's words with a solemn nod. "He is right. There is nothing more I can teach Mizuki and LadyDevimon."
Since the Village of Beginnings was no longer under the protection of the world's passive systems, Leomon had accepted Elecmon's request to become its guardian. He had also served as Mizuki and LadyDevimon's sword instructor, but their growth had been meteoric. They had absorbed every technique he had to offer, mastering his skills with astonishing speed. As he said, his role as their teacher was complete.
"But... if Big Brother Mizuki leaves, what are we going to do?" T.K. murmured, his small voice barely a whisper as he looked up at the kind-faced older boy.
Even his quiet words reached Elecmon's ears. The guardian Digimon's expression softened, but his tone remained firm. "Mizuki isn't your babysitter, you know. He's already done more than enough for you all."
"...Elecmon's right. We've been relying on you too much." Tai was the first to process the words, his initial shock giving way to understanding. He looked at Mizuki, his gratitude now tinged with a faint trace of guilt. "Sorry, Mizuki. We've been a burden."
"It's not that serious," Mizuki said, his voice gentle as he saw the guilt in Tai's eyes. "We're friends, aren't we? Friends don't keep score."
He smiled, a warm and reassuring expression that eased the tension in the air. "In my country, there's an old saying: 'Even the grandest feast must come to an end.' This parting isn't a goodbye forever. Think of it as a chance for us all to grow, so we can have an even better reunion in the future."
He met Tai's gaze, his own eyes sparkling with a challenge. "When we meet again, I want to see just how much stronger you've all become."
Mizuki's encouragement was like a spark, and the fighting spirit in Tai's eyes flared to life.
"Yeah! Then it's a promise!" Tai grinned, his confidence returning in a rush. "Next time you see us, I'll definitely show you how powerful Agumon and I are!"
"Haha, I'll be looking forward to it."
Under the boundless, clear sky, the two youths clasped hands, their shared smile a proof of the bond they had forged. It was a promise sealed not with words, but with mutual respect and friendship.
With their farewells made, Mizuki settled into LadyDevimon's arms. With a powerful beat of her dark wings, she launched them into the air, ascending towards the distant horizon under the watchful eyes of their friends below.
------
The wind was a cool, clean rush against Mizuki's face, whipping through his snow-white hair as they soared above the island. The world below was a mix of green forests and winding rivers. After a long stretch of comfortable silence, he noticed his partner seemed lost in thought.
"Something on your mind, LadyDevimon?" he teased gently. "Getting homesick already?"
His voice pulled her from her reverie. A faint blush dusted her pale cheeks, a stark contrast to her usually composed demeanor.
"Of course not!" she insisted, her voice firm. "My home is wherever you are, Mizu. That's all that matters."
Seeing her earnest expression, Mizuki couldn't help but let out a helpless-sounding chuckle. "Ah, well... if Elecmon heard you say that, I think he'd be pretty heartbroken."
"I don't care about that old grouch," she huffed, a hint of a pout in her voice. She still held a small grudge from the grueling training regimen he'd put her through. She knew his strictness was for her own good, that it had made her stronger, but that didn't mean she had to like it.
Mizuki simply sighed, amused by his partner's lingering resentment, and decided to change the subject.
"By the way, Mizu," LadyDevimon's voice came from behind him again, her tone shifting back to business. "Where are we headed next?"
"Our next stop..." Mizuki's gaze fixed on the distant horizon, his eyes narrowing slightly in focus. "We're going to the Factory City on File Island."
He felt a flicker of excitement. "There's a powerful Ultimate Level Digimon there. He should make for an excellent sparring partner."
In Mizuki's memory, File Island was essentially the starting zone of the Digital World. Most of the Digimon here were Champion Level or below, but there were always exceptions—one or two powerful beings who stood far above the rest.
His target was one such exception: Andromon, the cyborg guardian of the factory.
LadyDevimon, the Digimon who was once a Meicoomon, was now an Ultimate. Under the weight of the level difference, sparring with Leomon was no longer a true challenge. Her lack of real-world combat experience against opponents of a similar or higher level had been painfully exposed during their fight with Devimon. She had been strong, but unrefined.
To forge her power and his own into something truly formidable, they needed more practical experience. They needed a real fight. Andromon, an Ultimate with the raw power to clash with Mega Level Digimon, was the perfect candidate.
As Mizuki explained their destination, his mind drifted to Andromon's legendary battles against Machinedramon and Piedmon. Though he had been defeated in those encounters, the very fact that an Ultimate could stand against members of the Dark Masters was a proof of his incredible strength and resilience. That was the kind of value Mizuki was looking for.
"Is that so..." LadyDevimon murmured, processing his words. A flicker of anticipation ignited within her. The idea of facing an opponent so powerful wasn't daunting; it was exhilarating.
If this Andromon could help her become stronger, if he could help her better protect Mizu, then any hardship would be worth it.
That single thought solidified her resolve. The black wings behind her flared wide, catching the wind with a sudden, powerful beat. They surged forward, accelerating across the sky, leaving the Village of Beginnings far behind as they raced toward their next challenge in the factory district.
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