By the end of the night Michael felt that they had resolved much of what they'd set out to accomplish that day. When they attempted casting magic FlaWizarmon was quite visibly disappointed when Michael was unable to cast the most simple spell FlaWizarmon knew, match flame. Michael lacked a way to conjure the spell and he lacked the conviction to force his energy into spells that FlaWizarmon created in order to active them. Despite feeling like they had no sense of time FlaWizarmon carefully tracked the time and would conjure a clock when prompted. When they finally went to bed Michael and Cairomon sat at their small table and discussed their thoughts and plans. Michael debated whether he should broach the subject of partnering with Cairomon but couldn't think of a way to delicately bring it up. He knew that in order to take them on the path they were heading he would have to partner with him and he knew they had to discuss it before it could happen. In the end he decided to just come out and say it because it needed to be said.

"Ultimately I'm going to have to find a Digimon to partner with and I'd like for that to be you Cairomon." Michael sat back and studied Cairomon's face as the black dragon Digimon thought it over. Cairomon's reptilian composure didn't allow a great deal of depth to his facial expressions though Michael could tell he was slightly amused as he had a small curl of a grin was visible on the sides of his snout. "The downside to being my Partner Digimon is that you would revoke your birthrights for your mind to return to the Isle of Darkness should you die. Instead your mind would be sent to the Dark Ocean."

"I told you I'd be by your side until the end and if that's what we need to do then I am down." Cairomon smiled broadly, his sharp teeth flashing. "What do we need to do?"

Michael walked over to his nightstand and picked up the Digivice. It was his first time really appreciating the work that Tony had done designing it. It was sleek, grey highly durable plastic with rubber grips on the sides. The interface was an advanced 3D holographic projection that would actually allow really advanced commands and features. The small device was designed to be an all-in-one personal computer in addition to carrying out the primary function of assisting in Digivolution. If there were other humans in the world Michael would be able to use his Digivice to communicate with other people he'd synced his Digivice with at a previous time. Other features included email features, Digidex which made a directory of all Digimon encountered,  Digivolution Store Data allowing Digimon to re-achieve their Digivolution stages they've already reached, and Digimon Bonding which allowed the human to bind their Digivice with a Digimon. This was the feature he needed now and so he activated it.

"You just need to come over here and stand in the circle that's about to appear." As Michael spoke the hologram interface warped into a spiraling band of data that glowed brightly. Cairomon stepped into it and the Digivice synced to him. Data of Cairomon started appearing in the Digivice interface, now no matter where Cairomon was Michael would be able to see his vitals, see readouts of data from him, and ultimately track his position should they become separated. The glowing faded and the ring fully faded back into the interface. "That does it. You're synched as my partner now."

"Good, then we really are in it until the end." Feeling satisfied both Michael and Cairomon went to sleep though the morning came sooner than expected when Michael awoke to the deep booming voice of Zeparmon shaking the massive cavern just outside their alcove. Cairomon jumped to his feet as did Michael and the pair ran out into the main cavern. The dim lighting dimmer than normal from the clear drain of Zeparmon's presence. Michael felt apprehension as he did not see FlaWizarmon or Coronamon and the presence of the Djinn did nothing to ease that feeling. FlaWizarmon teleported in to the area and Coronamon came zipping from a small alcove it used as a bed.

"What progress have you made FlaWizarmon?" Zeparmon's voice resonated with such strength that it made Michael jump and move back as the deep bass feeling passed through him. The air was thick and growing thicker. Michael could definitely sense frustration in Zeparmon, the feeling was resonating in the air around them.

"Quite well," FlaWizarmon shifted uncomfortably on his feet before continuing, "We made progress with bringing Michael up to speed on geography, world events, and speculation over potential fragment locations." Zeparmon's nostrils flared as though he were frustrated and the air noticeably shifted warmer.

"Can you not be depended on for a task this simple FlaWizarmon?" The Djinn sneered in a degrading manner at the flaming wizard. Michael was surprised at this back and forth as he thought the two were working together based on what FlaWizarmon had told him about his past. "The task at hand is to determine if we can use the human as a weapon against the Divine. If you can't use him then let us move on!" The booming voice started to grow fainter as the Djinn began to fade. "Get rid of him if we can't use him FlaWizarmon. Do not forget the price you're paying for my help. Do not let it go to waste." With that the Djinn faded from the room though his presence still heavily clung to the air.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"FlaWizarmon-" Michael began but the wizard waved him off.

"I'm sorry Michael. To Zeparmon you're merely a tool to be used as a means to the end." Michael felt strange as though he'd already been very used although up to this point he'd only gained knowledge and hadn't lost anything save time. Cairomon would just shrug it off and move on and that's what Michael felt he should do as well.

"It's fine. In the end it doesn't change anything about what we need to do and I feel we stand a better chance working together than not," Michael paused, wanting to ask what price FlaWizarmon was paying for the help of the Djinn and opted not to, "and so if it's not too early lets start making plans for taking Talthos City." FlaWizarmon looked surprised and snapped his fingers conjuring his clock. It was early but not too early to begin their day so as Coronamon prepared a quick breakfast.

"Talthos City is a large place to start in my opinion. Why not pick a quiet little fishing village or something similar? I know of a lovely little stone mill on a river only three or four days away." FlaWizarmon suggested but Cairomon and Michael united in voice declining. "Well then I think it best to go directly for the head of the source and if you want to take Talthos you're going to need to avoid confronting the army. You may be able to take the leader of the Guardmon controlling the city and that is probably your best option." Michael contemplated the wizards advice and saw the wisdom in his words. This was going to be Cairomon and his first battle together, at best they'd be able to take on one or two enemies but certainly not the entire standing army around the city. Michael wasn't even sure if Cairomon would be able to Digivolve yet and if he couldn't this battle was going to be short lived. Cairomon voiced his own concern during this lull in conversation,

"We'll need a plan to escape in the event that we fail." His eyes shifted from FlaWizarmon back to Michael, "I don't know if I'll be able to defeat enemies as powerful as AxeBattlemon or MetalBattlemon and we need to know we can get away if we need to." FlaWizarmon went over to his alcove and returned several minutes later carrying a scroll.

"Coronamon shall go with you, he'll be able to activate this scroll should something happen. Even if the three of you get separated so long as you're not dead it should teleport the three of you to a coordinate just outside the city limits which should allow you enough time to evade pursuit." FlaWizarmon handed the scroll to Coronamon who cast a spell on the scroll itself, Michael assumed to keep it from burning. Cairomon growled in an annoyed tone,

"Why not teleport us back here where we're actually safe?" The dragon asked.

"It would cost Coronamon more energy than he's capable of using to move you all that far. It would kill him and all of you easily. Teleporting needs to be in short burst distances and you have to specify who and where in the spell itself in order to execute it." FlaWizarmon explained.

"Yeah and I 'on't wanna 'ie." Coronamon chimed in with his cheerful disposition.

"Well that settles that then," Michael concluded, "If we're going to do this then we may as well go now." FlaWizarmon nodded and started casting a teleportation spell on to the ground.

"I can teleport you to just outside of the city by tapping into the energy stored in the crystals here in this cave." FlaWizarmon explained as he began to start the spell. "Step in to the circle all of you." As they stepped in Michael felt the rush and falling sensation he'd experienced before. All at once he was on the ground and facing the city walls of Talthos City. The city was on fire and the body of a Guardmon fell to the ground right next to him. Stepping from the front gate AxeBattlemon emerged, bloodied axe in hand. A cruel grin crossed his face as he saw the trio.

"Oh ho!" AxeBattlemon exclaimed, "I was itching to find you again. Now the fun can begin."