Chapter Six: Evolution

"It's that same Kuwagamon from before!"

As soon as they recognized the familiar silhouette, Tai and Motimon shouted a warning to everyone, instantly putting themselves on guard. They had already experienced firsthand the terrifying power of those pincers.

Kuwagamon, too, seemed startled by the sudden appearance of the group not far away. It veered off from its original attack path, merely skimming over their heads.

But when it saw that the group consisted of children and baby-stage Digimon—one pair even being the ones that had escaped from its clutches earlier—the orange-red beast soaring high above slowly turned its massive pincers once more.

With ferocious intent, it swooped down toward the children.

"Pull yourself together, now's not the time to rest!"

Qin Fei grabbed Mimi, who had collapsed onto the ground again, and fled with the others. At the very least, now that their numbers had grown, Qin Fei felt certain Kuwagamon wouldn't focus solely on him.

"Black Flash!"

Yet, it was Blacktoothmon—full of fighting spirit—who suddenly leapt out. With a blast of black energy, it struck Kuwagamon's head once more, making the monstrous insect's diving form falter.

Unfortunately, this time Kuwagamon managed to steady itself, refusing to be knocked off course into the forest as before.

Even so, the beast's brief hesitation gave the group a precious moment to breathe. Everyone and their Digimon companions dashed into the dense woods.

But soon, the ominous sound of beating wings approached again, this time tinged with fury. Trees along the way became outlets for Kuwagamon's rage.

Only Qin Fei could truly sense the tangible killing intent locked onto him and Blacktoothmon. Clearly, the two effective attacks had earned the beast's bitter enmity.

"What on earth is going on?!"

Joe, his face drawn with terror, shouted as he ran, voice trembling with fear.

"How can there be such a terrifying monster? Where are we, anyway?"

"Damn it! If it comes to it, I'll fight it head-on!"

Suddenly, Tai stopped in his tracks, ready to throw himself into battle with Kuwagamon, as if spurred on by reckless resolve.

Qin Fei's eyes flickered. Leaving aside whether Tai's plan was too rash, the fact that he would willingly stand up despite knowing he had no chance—this truly befit the bearer of the Crest of Courage.

"Tai, you can't!" Sora immediately tried to dissuade him. She knew that, with their meager strength, none of them could possibly win.

"We don’t have any weapons! There’s no way we can beat it!"

"All we can do is keep running."

Hearing Sora, Yamato, and Izzy's voices of reason, Tai came to his senses. Frustrated, he abandoned his desperate idea and continued fleeing.

Luckily, the trees here were tall and lush, and their thick canopies gave the clumsy Kuwagamon trouble. The children soon realized this and kept weaving deeper into the forest.

But they hadn't gone far when the woods abruptly ended, opening onto a steep, jagged cliff that blocked their way.

"This path's a dead end." Tai glanced over the edge, then turned to the others. "Let’s look for another way."

"Another way…?" They looked around, but the only route back was the one they'd come from.

No one wanted to turn back with Kuwagamon behind them.

Suddenly, the trees behind them began to tremble violently.

Everyone’s heart skipped a beat. They rushed to the edge of the cliff, desperate to put as much distance as possible between themselves and their pursuer.

Crack! Crash!

"Ah!"

Branches and leaves scattered as Kuwagamon's massive orange-red form lunged at them, slicing through the air.

Fortunately, the children had been ready and threw themselves to the ground, barely dodging the assault.

But there were no trees on the cliff's edge to shield them. Instantly, all the children were exposed in Kuwagamon's line of sight. Qin Fei cursed inwardly.

High above, Kuwagamon wheeled around again, even more fiercely attacking the group.

"Damn, it's after me!"

Qin Fei's eyes narrowed. He could feel Kuwagamon's hatred directed solely at him and Blacktoothmon, remembering the two blows it had suffered.

Meanwhile, in the anime, Tai and Agumon had been its targets. Now, Kuwagamon ignored them completely.

"I don’t have Tai’s protagonist’s luck!"

Qin Fei focused all his attention on the threat from above, cold sweat breaking out uncontrollably.

"Black Flash!"

Without warning, Blacktoothmon, eyes wild like a beast, leapt forward, meeting Kuwagamon's attack head-on. Perhaps Qin Fei’s danger had sparked its fighting spirit.

Bang! Thud!

Blacktoothmon’s attack struck Kuwagamon, but the beast retaliated, sending Blacktoothmon flying.

"Blacktoothmon!"

Qin Fei’s heart lurched as he rushed over, panic etched across his face, seeing Blacktoothmon lying motionless on the ground.

"Blacktoothmon, are you alright? Hang in there!"

He clutched the dust-streaked, scruffy form to his chest, his lips trembling as he spoke.

"Qin Fei... Blacktoothmon... is strong. Blacktoothmon can protect you now... can protect you."

Seeing the clarity in Blacktoothmon’s eyes, Qin Fei nodded repeatedly, as if a knife had been driven into his heart.

He had been protected—protected by a Digimon he’d only known for less than a day.

Even if he was its tamer, even if he’d poured a day and a night of effort into creating it, even if he’d seen it as a source of comfort for his wandering soul after crossing worlds, even if—

"Rest well, Blacktoothmon. You did great! Really great… truly incredible… I’m so happy…"

His muddled words revealed the turmoil in Qin Fei’s heart.

"Then why are you sad, Qin Fei? Did Blacktoothmon make you unhappy?"

"No, I... No, I'm not sad. I’m not a child anymore; how could I be sad?"

He pressed the back of his hand to his hot eyes, forcing a smile as he hugged Blacktoothmon even tighter.

It seemed his adult soul was being overtaken by the emotions of this ten-year-old body.

"Qin Fei, watch out!"

Suddenly, Tai’s anxious shout came from behind.

Kuwagamon, previously knocked down by Blacktoothmon’s attack, had risen again. Ignoring all the other children, it fixed a murderous gaze on Qin Fei and the Digimon in his arms, its massive pincers swinging in anger.

"Ha! We'll help you!"

At that critical moment, the other seven children’s Digimon leapt up in turn, spraying Kuwagamon with their bubble attacks.

But the barrage of pink bubbles only made Kuwagamon retreat a single step.

Still, it was enough to divert Kuwagamon’s attention. With a sweep of its huge pincers, the seven baby Digimon were all sent flying.

Not satisfied, Kuwagamon charged at the remaining seven children without pause.

"Tai!"

"Yamato!"

"Sora!"

In that desperate moment, Motimon and the other Digimon, battered and bruised, leapt up once again, bravely throwing themselves at Kuwagamon as it threatened the children.

The children saw clearly those tiny forms, risking everything to protect them, charging at Kuwagamon without a second thought.

"Why... Why would you do this for us?"

Something inside each child was deeply moved.

And all at once, the Digivices of the chosen children began to shine with a mysterious light.

All except Qin Fei...