Etemon had proven to be a surprisingly solid training partner. This fierce clash brought Zero considerable rewards.
Imprinting these practical combat experiences into his DigiCore meant he'd already achieved half of his objective.
Before reaching Ultimate level, Digimon theoretically just needed to keep absorbing data to evolve. However, after becoming Ultimate, evolution became far more deliberate: it required purposeful categorization of data, focusing carefully on the path you intended to follow.
If you neglected this, you might remain trapped at Ultimate forever.
Of course, realistically, such considerations should start as early as Champion stage. Zero had managed to exploit the sudden buff from the Crest of Evolution, conveniently unlocking three separate evolution lines. Admittedly, he'd taken quite a shortcut.
Shortcut or not, Zero's foundations were solid enough; there was no worry about growing too fast and toppling later.
Now that he'd secured the desired data, there was no reason to waste more time. Without hesitation, Zero initiated Slide Digivolution.
His greatest trump card—the ability to freely evolve and devolve, changing between evolutionary lines—was something current Digimon couldn't even begin to fathom.
Especially this Slide Digivolution—jumping directly from one evolution path to another—could only be described as a biological miracle.
Not that Digimon ever took biology seriously, but Zero's Slide Digivolution was particularly unreasonable.
As light flashed, Etemon's expression changed once more. He looked up just in time to see a shining metal arm swinging straight toward him!
This time, Zero had chosen MetalGreymon's evolutionary line… also fulfilling a bit of original-series nostalgia. Since it was MetalGreymon who took Etemon's head in the original story, Zero might as well recreate that moment clearly.
"Wha—?!"
The power of Slide Digivolution clearly exceeded Etemon's expectations. The incoming Mega Claw carried a terrifying momentum!
Compared to MetalGreymon's immense body, Etemon was no bigger than a toy. Facing that massive claw, Etemon hurriedly reached out, gripping one of the claw's metallic fingers with both hands.
Incredibly, relying solely on brute strength, Etemon managed to halt the attack.
"Tsk—if you had this kind of power all along, why didn't you use it earlier? Were you just messing with me the entire time?"
Etemon was certain: Zero hadn't discovered this Slide Digivolution ability during the fight. In other words, he had possessed this strength before the battle even began—yet hadn't used it immediately.
Instead, he had relied on the less familiar MasterTyrannomon form. Etemon had believed their fight was evenly matched, only to realize Zero had been holding back an ace.
Which meant he had been underestimated the entire time!
That sense of humiliation ignited Etemon's fury. He couldn't accept that he'd been played with from the start.
Enraged, his attacks grew even fiercer. Clutching Zero's Metal Claw, he strained desperately, attempting to throw Zero aside.
But the disparity in power was clearly beyond expectation. This effort didn't budge Zero in the slightest, instead only revealing the full extent of Etemon's limits.
"Get off!"
Zero's Metal Claw flexed, easily launching Etemon into the air. Mid-flight, Etemon flailed desperately, trying to regain balance—but Zero gave him no chance to react…
The chest-mounted Giga Blaster cannons were already primed. Armor plating flipped open, and two shark-shaped biological missiles burst forth, trailing fiery streams as they streaked directly toward Etemon.
These bio-missiles came equipped with absurdly advanced homing tech—straight from the Metal Empire's arsenal. Other details aside, their destructive power was unquestionably reliable!
The missiles were seconds from hitting Etemon. One solid explosion here, and Zero felt absolute confidence he'd conclude this battle decisively.
Yet at that exact moment, the glittering stars above dimmed one by one. Against the darkened sky emerged a sinister, blood-red full moon!
"..."
Seeing this scene, Zero felt an ominous shudder run through him.
No way. Could that guy really be showing up now?!
Suddenly, a dense swarm of fist-sized bats descended from beneath the blood moon, forcefully intercepting the missiles aimed at Etemon. The resulting explosions erupted violently in mid-air…
The swarm of bats instantly perished, successfully completing their task. Meanwhile, Etemon—barely escaping death—was blasted straight downward by the explosive shockwave, planting headfirst into the ground, his upper body entirely embedded in the dirt.
"..."
Zero lost all interest in watching Etemon comically struggle to pull himself free like some kind of vegetable root. The Drimogemon huddled together in fear—clearly, whoever had just intervened was far more terrifying than Etemon.
Although Taichi and Hikari had no idea what exactly had occurred, the night breeze carried with it a faint stench of blood, immediately raising goosebumps on both siblings' skin.
As the wind faded beneath the eerie glow of the crimson moon, a pitch-black carriage gradually appeared from the darkness…
…The carriage door opened silently, releasing another swarm of bats. They clustered protectively around a lavish coffin emblazoned with an inverted cross, suspending it slowly in mid-air, then gradually lifting the lid.
The theatrical display was clearly intentional. Whoever lay within clearly understood the art of dramatic entrances. Zero had no doubt his guess had been correct.
As the coffin fully opened, a figure emerged.
"A human?"
Taichi stared in shock, because standing before them was clearly a blond-haired adult male…
…Clad in an exaggerated formal tuxedo, a wide black cape lined with crimson, and wearing an ornate, bat-shaped crimson mask—like something straight out of a Halloween party.
Aside from the unnaturally pale, sickly skin, nothing seemed different from a human at first glance.
Since arriving in the Digital World, they'd encountered countless bizarre Digimon shapes—but something this closely resembling a human was a first.
And yet… this was definitely a Digimon!
"...Be careful, Taichi. That's the demon of Server Continent I mentioned earlier."
The most prominent villain of Digimon Adventure's early-middle stages, the mastermind who'd dominated the Server Continent's storyline, a key figure in the Dark Army…
…Myotismon!
Finally managing to extract himself from the earth, Etemon raised his head angrily and immediately spoke, irritation heavy in his voice.
"Hey! This is my territory—what're you doing here?"
Suspended gracefully in midair, Myotismon chuckled softly, politely offering a refined half-bow.
"Nothing much. It just seemed you were having some trouble, so I thought I'd lend you a hand."
"Mind your own business!" Etemon showed no gratitude. Or rather, he didn't believe for a moment that Myotismon would act out of genuine kindness. He suspected Myotismon had originally planned to wait for him and Zero to exhaust each other, then swoop in and take advantage.
Only after realizing Etemon was being completely overwhelmed had Myotismon intervened—to rescue Etemon, hoping they could join forces against Zero.
If it had truly been just a chance encounter, how could Myotismon's timing have been so perfectly precise?
Myotismon, seemingly realizing Etemon had seen through his scheme, showed no embarrassment. Instead, he continued speaking calmly, with a faintly amused smile.
"No need to be so cold. Aren't we both members of the Dark Army? We should try to get along."
Though the words sounded polite enough, no matter how Zero listened, he could sense hidden layers of sarcasm and contempt.
Whether in raw power or organizational strength, Myotismon significantly outclassed Etemon. Unlike Etemon's whimsical cruelty, Myotismon was a calculating, cunning schemer.
He carefully plotted each step of his invasion plans, systematically carrying them out with a vast network of capable underlings in the Dark Army. Combining this strategic mindset with his formidable personal strength, he was undoubtedly one of the most troublesome enemies to deal with.
In the original story, Myotismon never confronted the Chosen Children directly at this early stage, instead quietly dispatching DemiDevimon behind the scenes to divide and sabotage them.
Thus, Zero had initially expected not to encounter Myotismon directly so soon. Who'd have guessed his very first attempt to eliminate Etemon would trigger this disastrous encounter?
You didn't treat the original Chosen Children like this—what, did you figure I'd be easy pickings because I'm alone?
Zero inwardly complained, but he knew clearly that while beating Etemon was manageable, Myotismon posed a greater challenge. Theoretically, Zero might hold a slight advantage, but even if he won, it'd be a costly victory.
Not to mention, Etemon was still around to cause trouble. In a chaotic battle, even a minor threat like Etemon could become a major annoyance.
Still, Zero doubted Myotismon would let him walk away easily. Since he'd already arrived, it seemed inevitable they'd have to fight.
Yet unexpectedly, Myotismon extended his hand toward Zero.
"No need to be wary. I don't necessarily intend to fight you. We're both Digimon, after all—why can't we simply cooperate?"
At those words, Zero found himself genuinely stunned.
Holy crap—was Myotismon seriously trying to recruit him?
Seeing Zero didn't immediately refuse, Myotismon gracefully continued speaking, calm and courteous:
"I am seeking strong allies, and I've witnessed your strength clearly. The Greymon of File Island… you're the one who defeated Devimon there, aren't you? Zero, was it…? The Digimon who allies himself with humans..."
"..."