Chapter Sixty-Four: The Plan to Return Home

"What! The Chosen Children have returned? We must quickly report this to King Simianmon!"

Bang!

As soon as the Kapamon on the ship saw Qin Fei, its face twisted in panic and it was about to duck back inside. But with a gunshot, the Kapamon's expression froze, and it slowly dissolved into data that surged toward Loretta Beast.

Loretta Beast, putting on an air of nonchalance, blew on the barrel of her flintlock. She had been waiting for this very moment.

"But how are we supposed to get up there?" Blackdorou Beast looked up at the high deck of the passenger ship, a hint of confusion on his face.

Ever since Blackdory Beast evolved into Blackdorou Beast, this little fellow had shown a learning ability on par with Loretta Beast's, although he still clung to Loretta as before.

"Qin Fei, I'll evolve and carry you up first. Then we can lower the gangplank for the others," Loretta suggested.

Qin Fei nodded; clearly, there was no better way at the moment.

Once they had all returned inside the ship, they discovered the place was already in utter chaos. Whether it was the work of Snotmon when he left, or the Kapamon who had just been ransacking, it was hard to tell.

But one thing was certain: not a single Digimon remained.

Qin Fei went to the kitchen. Fortunately, there were still some ingredients left. After preparing a simple meal, everyone, both humans and Digimon, finally gathered on the deck.

On a lounge chair sat a radio and something resembling a mobile phone. Evidently, the Kapamon that Loretta Beast had dealt with earlier had just been here, taking a break.

The deck hadn’t changed much, except now all the Digimon who could pilot the ship were gone, leaving only Qin Fei and Candlemon staring at each other before the helm.

"Revolvermon was here not long ago," Candlemon murmured, his hand caressing the wheel, slipping once more into sadness.

"If you really want to evolve, you should have been prepared for it long ago," Qin Fei said, coming to Candlemon’s side, unable to stop himself from speaking.

"I know. My old way of thinking was too naive. For us Digimon, evolution is inseparable from battle." Candlemon’s gaze grew resolute. Suddenly, he turned to Qin Fei, speaking with great seriousness. "I want to evolve. No matter the cost, I want to avenge Revolvermon and the others!"

Without the spiritual power of human children, Digimon in the Digital World could only evolve by actively absorbing massive amounts of data. The process was anything but easy—in fact, it was downright cruel.

Yet, looking into Candlemon’s eyes, gleaming like red pearls, Qin Fei saw a flicker of true resolve.

"Come on, this ship’s become far too dangerous now."

When Loretta Beast severed the thick black cable at the stern of the luxury liner, Qin Fei knew he had to be ready to face Simianmon. After all, the disappearance of a signal was bound to arouse the king’s suspicion.

Having eaten their fill, Qin Fei set out once more upon the desert.

At the same time, in the distant sands, a Triceramon-drawn carriage emblazoned with the words "Gate of Laughter" came speeding their way.

"Lolo, are you ready?" A hint of mischief flashed in Qin Fei’s eyes—he was well prepared for the spectacle to come.

...

"It's you again!!"

"Loretta Beast, evolve!"

Simianmon and Qin Fei shouted almost in unison. The moment Simianmon laid eyes on Qin Fei and Loretta Beast, his face twisted in ferocity. Memories of his previous defeat burned like fire in his proud, arrogant heart.

"Heart Beam!"

"Holy Shot!"

A dark red beam and a white bullet collided, kicking up a great gust of wind. Evenly matched—no, actually, this time Simianmon seemed to have the upper hand. Anger Tiger Valkyrie Beast was visibly struggling.

"Ha! As I thought, I am the strongest! Last time was merely a fluke," Simianmon crowed, his arrogance surging as he saw his opponent faltering.

"Exactly as planned," Qin Fei thought, his grave expression hiding a sly cunning. He needed Simianmon’s self-confidence to swell to bursting.

"Dark Necro Ball!"

"Wind Wing Slash!"

Boom!

With a deafening explosion, Anger Tiger Valkyrie Beast was blasted away by Simianmon, as if truly unable to stand against him.

"Hahahaha! I really am the strongest!" Simianmon laughed, leaping high to pursue his battered rival, eager to settle this long-standing score once and for all.

"Lolo!" Qin Fei’s shout reminded Anger Tiger Valkyrie Beast that the act was complete. She spread her wings, conjuring a fierce hurricane.

"Wind Wing Slash!"

With a sharp cry, a whirlwind rose up like a sandstorm, whipping toward Simianmon’s face.

"Damn it! Fight fair! Using tricks like this is nothing to brag about!" Simianmon raged as sand filled the air, obscuring his enemies from view.

With a sweep of his massive hand, dark energy balls shot forth.

"Dark Necro Ball!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The savage blasts tore a hole through the swirling sand, but by then, Qin Fei and Anger Tiger Valkyrie Beast had vanished without a trace.

"Damn those Chosen Children! Next time I see you, I’ll reduce you to ashes!"

With a furious roar, Simianmon clambered back onto his railcar and departed, off to pursue the children who had so stoked his wrath.

Meanwhile, on the far side of the luxury liner, four disparate figures lay prone, covertly watching Simianmon’s retreat.

"That... that was terrifying. That Simianmon..." Candlemon finally lowered his hands from his mouth, relief etched on his face.

But Loretta Beast and Qin Fei seemed utterly unfazed, striding boldly from their hiding place to watch the direction Simianmon had gone, lost in thought.

Blackdorou Beast happily munched on provisions scavenged from the ship, showing not a shred of anxiety.

"Qin Fei, are you sure about this?" Loretta Beast asked, somewhat puzzled by Qin Fei’s earlier instructions to hold back in battle.

Simianmon was strong, but so was she. If it came down to a real fight, Loretta Beast was confident she wouldn’t lose—not like the feigned defeat and hasty retreat just now.

"Winning or losing doesn’t matter. What matters is restoring Simianmon’s overwhelming confidence."

"Hmm?"

Qin Fei’s explanation only left Loretta Beast more perplexed.

Seeing her confusion, Qin Fei explained further, "Ever since you bested him, Simianmon’s become too cautious. That won’t do. I need him arrogant and reckless. Only then will he dare attack the Chosen Children head-on, forcing Tai’s MetalGreymon into a direct battle with him... and only then can we return to the real world."

After all his planning, Qin Fei’s sole purpose now was to harness the spatial distortion caused by Simianmon and MetalGreymon’s clash to return to reality. He’d had enough of the Digital World; saving it was a task best left to the original children.

He just wanted to go home, to live quietly, with a caring—if strict—aunt, peaceful nights untroubled by danger, and delicious meals he didn’t have to cook himself...

He’d had his fill of adventure in the world of Digimon. It was time to go back.

"I don’t quite understand," Loretta Beast admitted. She struggled to see how Qin Fei’s strategy fit together, but it didn’t stop her from trusting her Tamer completely.