Chapter 25: Departure! Next Stop, The Factory City
As the bright moon gradually gave way to the morning sun, the DigiDestined, led by Taichi, woke from their first night in this strange world at the Village of Beginnings. Compared to the harsh fate they might have suffered, their living conditions were vastly improved, entirely due to Mizuki's presence. They had enjoyed warm, delicious meals the night before and slept soundly inside sturdy little houses that shielded them from the biting wind and damp night air. Amidst the steady, peaceful rhythm of their breathing, the night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, the children gathered. Some were anxious, others brimming with fighting spirit, all ready to ask Leomon to train them. Instead, they were met with a shocking piece of news.
"What?! Mizuki, you are leaving?"
"Why? Didn't we agree to get stronger together?"
Taichi stared in disbelief at the white-haired boy standing calmly beside the imposing figure of LadyDevimon. Although the children got along wonderfully with the Digimon in the Village of Beginnings, they knew exactly who had secured this safe haven for them. Mizuki was their anchor. They trusted him far more than the native inhabitants of this digital realm. Hearing of his sudden departure sent a ripple of deep unease through the group.
Before Mizuki could formulate a reply to Taichi's frantic questions, Elecmon stepped forward, his tail swishing with authority.
"Mizuki has his own path to walk," the small red Digimon stated firmly. "Besides, your progress rates are entirely different. The training regimens that work for you rookies hold absolutely no meaning for him anymore."
Leomon, standing tall with his arms crossed over his muscular chest, nodded in agreement. His deep voice rumbled across the clearing. "Elecmon speaks the truth. There is nothing more I can teach Mizuki and LadyDevimon."
With the Village of Beginnings no longer shielded by the power of The Constant, Leomon had accepted Elecmon's formal request to remain as the village's permanent guardian. During their time here, the beast warrior had served as a strict sword instructor for Mizuki and his partner. However, the duo had absorbed his techniques with frightening speed. Just as Leomon admitted, his well of knowledge had run dry for them.
"But... if Big Brother Mizuki leaves, what are we supposed to do?" Takeru murmured. The youngest boy gripped the hem of his shirt, his wide eyes fixed on the handsome youth who had felt like a protective older sibling.
Despite the quiet volume of the boy's voice, Elecmon's sharp ears twitched. The electric Digimon shot Takeru a stern, disapproving look. "Mizuki is not your babysitter, kid. He has already done more than enough to ensure your survival."
A heavy silence fell over the children. Taichi's jaw tightened. He looked down at his own hands, then back up at Mizuki. As always, the goggle-wearing boy was the first to process the harsh reality of their situation. The panic in his eyes shifted into a deep, lingering guilt.
"...Elecmon is right. We have been relying on you way too much." Taichi stepped forward, his voice thick with regret. "I am sorry, Mizuki. We have been nothing but a burden."
"It really is not that serious." Mizuki offered a warm, gentle smile, completely unbothered by the sudden heavy atmosphere. He reached out, lightly clapping a hand on Taichi's shoulder. "Aren't we friends? Friends do not keep score like that."
He withdrew his hand, his gaze sweeping over the group of children. "In my homeland, there is an old saying. All good things must come to an end. This parting is just setting the stage for a much better reunion down the line."
Mizuki's eyes curved into a mischievous crescent. "By the time we cross paths again, I expect to see exactly how much you have all grown. Do not disappoint me."
The gentle encouragement washed away the lingering gloom. Taichi's posture straightened, the familiar fire of determination reigniting in his eyes. He slammed a fist into his open palm.
"Oh! Then it is a promise!" Taichi declared, his voice ringing loud and clear across the village. "Next time we meet, Agumon and I will show you just how powerful we have become!"
"Haha. I will be looking forward to it."
Under the boundless expanse of the clear blue sky, the two youths exchanged confident smiles. They reached out, their hands clasping firmly together in a silent vow of friendship.
With their promise sealed, Mizuki turned away. LadyDevimon stepped forward, wrapping her slender, dark-clad arms securely around his waist. With a powerful beat of her tattered black wings, she launched them into the air, soaring toward the distant horizon while the DigiDestined watched from below.
High above the digital landscape, the rushing wind provided a comfortable, cooling breeze against Mizuki's cheeks, playfully tossing his snow-white hair. The ground below blurred into a patchwork of vibrant greens and earthy browns.
Noticing the prolonged silence from the dark angel holding him, Mizuki tilted his head back slightly, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
"What is wrong, LadyDevimon? Feeling homesick already?"
The sudden question snapped her out of her deep thoughts. A faint, uncharacteristic blush dusted her pale cheeks, contrasting sharply with the dark leather of her mask.
"No way!" she protested quickly, her grip tightening just a fraction around him. "My home is right by Mizu's side. Wherever Mizu goes, that is where I belong."
Seeing the absolute, unyielding seriousness in her crimson eyes, Mizuki let out a soft, helpless chuckle. "Ah, well... if you say things like that, Elecmon is going to be heartbroken."
"I do not care about that annoying little guy."
LadyDevimon scoffed, turning her head away slightly. Remembering the grueling days of being relentlessly tormented by Elecmon's strict training methods clearly struck a nerve. She still harbored a few petty grudges against the red Digimon. Deep down, she understood that his harshness was meant to push her limits and ensure her survival, but logic did not change her feelings. Disliking it was still disliking it.
Mizuki merely sighed inwardly, amused by his partner's stubborn emotional processing, and decided to let the topic drop.
"Mizu, by the way, where exactly are we heading next?" LadyDevimon's voice broke the rushing sound of the wind.
"Our next stop, huh..."
Mizuki gazed out at the endless horizon, his eyes narrowing slightly as he calculated their trajectory.
"Next stop, let's head to the Factory City on File Island."
"There is a powerful Ultimate level Digimon residing there. He will make an excellent sparring partner for us."
In Mizuki's memories of the original timeline, File Island essentially served as the beginner's tutorial zone of the Digital World. While the vast majority of the Digimon roaming these lands were Champion level or lower, there were still one or two terrifying anomalies that had reached the Ultimate level.
His target for this expedition was Andromon, the mechanical guardian deep within the factory area.
His partner, formerly Meicoomon, had now evolved to the Ultimate level. Because of the sheer power suppression caused by this massive gap in digivolution stages, Leomon could no longer provide LadyDevimon with any meaningful practical combat experience. Her lack of real, life-or-death battle intuition had already caused her to suffer unnecessary setbacks during their clash with Devimon.
To ensure both LadyDevimon and himself gained the brutal combat experience they desperately needed, they required a true challenge. Andromon was perfect. He was a formidable opponent, an Ultimate level cyborg whose raw combat strength allowed him to cross blows with Mega level monstrosities.
As Mizuki explained their destination and the reasoning behind it, his mind flashed back to the lore he knew so well—Andromon's legendary, desperate stands against the Dark Masters, Machinedramon and Piedmon. Even though those battles ultimately ended in defeat, the mere fact that an Ultimate level Digimon could survive a direct confrontation against Mega level terrors was proof enough of Andromon's immense value.
"Is that so..."
Listening to Mizuki's explanation, LadyDevimon felt a sudden surge of dark anticipation for this mechanical warrior she had never met. Her crimson eyes sharpened. As long as fighting this machine could make her stronger, as long as it gave her the power to perfectly protect her Mizu, then any hardship or pain would be entirely worth it.
With that singular conviction burning in her core, the massive black wings behind her flared. She poured her energy into her flight, carrying Mizuki through the clouds at a breakneck speed, streaking straight toward the metallic heart of the Factory City.
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