What would you think of an armadillo? A pretty nonviolent animal right? Not many come to mind as one's favorite amimal. Could that be one's down fall though? Digimon Ghost Game! Armadillo!

Another day with still no clues on the "Dark Mist", the others were both exchausted and frustrated. It was hard to believe that they were getting no where. Mei was even was stumped at how she could find no information.

Pretty shocking since this was the same girl who learned their birth dates from simply asking their favorite colors. Despite how that shouldn't be revelent, she somehow made it a tactic in getting information.

There detective friend seemed to be having difficulties in finding out the mystery as well. Like the entire case was shut and buried, burned to ashes, and then sprinkled around by the winds to who knows where. Hiro could have swore that they cursed angrily at how an orginization could do such evil. There were sounds of destroyed furniture as Hiro was on the line.

Maybe they could use a quick breather as a group. When was the last time they truly hung out as a group? Like the friends they were. No case, just a regular hang out.
Mei finally found a home for the Carbunmon. There was a family with a girl who wanted kittens but couldn't keep pets. The perfect solution to that is to have virtual petts that were secretly hologram ghosts aka digimon. Mei teared up a bit from doing so. Those little ones had melted her heart to mush and in a flash they were gone.

The world was sooo cruel to poor Mei heart. Why did the adorable cute kittens have to goooo?!

Shiramon seem to become more distance too. She even stopped interacting with the others. Like she was avoiding them like the plague. Ever since last night, Shiramon and Mei seem to have lost what made them a good team.

Thus Ruli planned a trip to the zoo to try and ease tense. Gammamon could see the animals of the world and it would be a relaxing trip for everyone.

Hopefully it could also help Shiramon and Mei make up.

"Zoo!" Gammamon cheered from being in Hiro backpack.

The others couldn't help but smile at the child enthusiasm. It was quite infectious.
Mei and Gammamon seem to have fun together. Gammamon was excited to seeing all the animals of the world. He mimic all the noises of the zoo, he seemed especially the ones that roared. He would roar back to see who was loudier. So far it was a tied between the tiger and the lion.

Mei looked excited to see all the baby animals there. Her favorite seem to be the new born Eurasian wolf pups in the wolf area. The others had wished they got a camera to have proof of her pearl white smile. Finally they were getting through to her cold ice exterior that she kept around her heart like a cocoon.

Shiramon must have made the first crack in that cocoon when  she exposed Mei to the babies. How the once digimon hunter who would hunt down any digimon that hurt humans, was now slowly making attempts to show how much she cares and express that emotion to others.

Slow but steady progress.

However when they came to the desert animal exhibit, it was closed. Mei and Gammamon looked  crushed like someone shattered their hearts.

Aww poor kids.
"Sorry, for some unknown reason, our armadillo has been acting strange" The attendant responsible for the area apologuzed to them. "So thus part of the zoo is closed till further notice. Our other desert animals are currently resting in our indoor area till we can settle this issue. Our deepest apologies" The young lady bow as an apology to them.

"Why close the entire  exhibit just for one armadillo?" Kiyoshiro asked.

"It's been attacking our staff members and it  looks like a strange mist like aura is around it" The others eyes widen at hearing this.

Another "Dark Mist" case?! Just when Mei had finally showed emotion again? Great. Mei puts up her walls whenever the they were on a case. Though her gaze has sodten from being a part of team.

She still scares them though.

"Looks like the breath is over. Well it seems like a good chance to learn more about this mist" Hiro sighed, comforting Gammamon who was teary eyed from learning that the day at the zoo was over.

It would also mean that they would have to break and enter the zoo later tonight. Good thing that Hiro was a lockpicker.

Mei smiled at Shiramon. Though Shiramon did not return the smile.

"Shira?" Mei asked. It was very odd that Shiramon didn't smile. "You okay?"

A nod was her only respond.

Mei could tell something within her had changed in their relationship. Could it be her fault?

The others seem to notice too. Looking at them with worried expressions. Hopefully it was just temporary.

A young mexican boy watched them from atop of a tree. He smiled at the team. He seemed happy to see humans with digimon. Koi was floating beside him, the mist spiraling around his legs.

"So I can really meet them? They seem very upseting. Their digimon are scary too" The boy look at Koi with his eyes unsure about the digimon before his eyes.

"Yes you can,Jose. We aren't apart of N.E.S.T anymore. They seem scary but they are nice. Today I want you to share your story with them. It may be the only way to save your partner. I know that you can't control what the mist is doing to him anymore  We need to stop them before they could harm people. Even in their disguise, they are getting worse. Maybe they are attacking with just sand for now but how long till it gets worse?" Koi could remember the tests being done to their partners.

Jose partner had changed due to all of tge pain and stress. His best buddy Armadillomon was slowly turning into a rampaging beast. How those scientists kept pressuring both Jose and Armadillomon to force an evolution. To see if it would be possible to force a digimon to evolve.

It had succeed but not how thry expected. The forced evolution made Ankylomon so angry that he nearly attacked Jose.

After the escape, Koi had used his abilities to supress the champion anger and make hum as docile as he could. Though those methods could only hold off the rage for so long. A reason why Koi had confidence that Team Lirurun could handle it. Plus he was leading them into helping his friends. All for the sake of revealing the truth.

Jose agreed with his leader and allows his "Dark Mist" to take him somewhere.

All they have to do now is wait.

The team returned to the zoo later that night. Hiro managed to easily pick the lock.

The first step in becoming a burglar if he doesn't improve his math grades.

The team when straight to desert area. Sounds of thumping and ramping against the walls could be heard.

"Something is coming!" Angoramon got infront of Ruli. He was ready to shield her for whatever danger

Mei expected Shiramon to be ready to fight as well. However she stood calmly before the upcoming danger that was approaching them. Quite out of character for her. An assassin never let their guard down.

So why is Shiramon putting up no fight? Could it be that she sense no threat from this enemy?

No.

Mei knows that Shiramon never lowers her guard. This was different. A matter that she would have to bring up later.

Soon the wall got smashed, revealing Ankylomon who was covered in a deep "Dark Mist" with black numeral digits. A snarling monster before them.

"Ankylomon?!Why is he like this?!" Angoramon gasps. He didn't recall Ankylomon behaving like this in the digital world from his research.

"Is he even a digimon anymore? He's just a monster!" Kiyo shook. Jellymon having yo shock him to prevent him from fainting.

"Yeah, my amigo isn't the same anymore" Jose appeared from a cocoon of "Dark Mist". He looked at the heroes. "Hola"

"You're one of children from the N.E.S.T, right?" Hiro asked the boy before them.

"Yes. I came to tell you my story since time is running out. So I think I should tell you then I can ask my favor" Jose patted Ankylomon head. Though the giant size digimon snarled at the boy.

Jose was a young tan color boy who looked to be twelve years old. His eyes were an olive green color. He appeared to be the the adventurous type too. A bandaged on his cheek  justified that fact. Must have been the type of boy who seeks all sort of adventures without fear. He wore a bright red short shelved shirt and black pants. A simple look that seem to fit the boy.  On his ear was a strange keychain like device.

"We like to hear your story. We like to know what happened to you two. To help us bring your story to life" Mei looked Jose in his eyes. A gentle look to assure him that they would geniunely help these children.

To bring these children's story to light.

"My name is Jose Lopez. I was known as subject one for N.E.S.T. I think my powers were msde to force evolutions that were never meant to be. I can still remember hearing my own screams as they injected me with that mist. I can remember overhearing a few scientists saying they modified it better than he could ever have" Jose patted Ankylomon who snarled more. He still resisted the urge to attack.
"Modify what?" Ruli asked

"Lo siento. I don't know what they gave us. Though it hurts our bodies. Even more with the tests that supposedly amplified our powers.  There were days that the mist were just too much for my body to take. I feel my body start to grow weaker. Like my body gets poisoned to as that mist is used. Made me more feel as if a presence was controlling me. Till the day of that awful test. The day were those men in white coats forced me to make my partner digivolve permanently into a champion. That was the last test I took part of before the mist fully took me. Everything else is a blur. Like I just woke up. We all woke up fourteen days ago" Jose completed his tale.

Woke up fourteen days ago? What was so special about the fourteen days that have past? Were they revelent so far? It was a start point at the very least.

What could the scientists have modify that could create the mist?

"Now what favor do you want?" Mei asked

"My only wish is for me and my amigo to be freed from this curse. Defeat or dead is our only freedom from this accursed power" Jose was basically asking them to attack him, so he could be released from the suffering.

None of them wanted to do it. All but one.

Gammamon eyes went black. Soon the meter on Hiro VR bracelet filled up backwards.

"Gammamon digivolve to..... Gulusgammamon"

There to everyone shock, Gulus had appeared. Not to protect Hiro or out of anger. His facial expression was one of sorrow. He floated down to Jose level.

"I'll free you two" He got ready to unleash Desdemona.

Jose hugged Ankylomon who for what seemed like the first time, Ankylomon relaxed in Jose comfort.

"Thank you" The two were ready

"Desdemona!" The two were completely obliated by the attack

"Gulus..." Hiro was shocked by the Black Jet Champion before them.

"Not now" That was all Gulus said before he disappeared. Hiro having to catch Gammamon in his arms.

Time is running out? What could that mean? Fine out soon.