Chapter 103: You Are the Light, I Am the Darkness (Dedicated to Helmsman Luoshui Yitian)

Time ticked away second by second. After Agumon finished speaking, he remained silent, leaving the choice to the Black Greymon before him.

Whether or not to believe Agumon was indeed a dilemma for Black Greymon. Yet, as Agumon had pointed out, there was only one outcome if he refused to believe: self-destruction. Although the dark power of Apocalymon had been fully thrust upon him, Agumon’s presence had kept his consciousness clear. Otherwise, even as a being born from darkness, his mind would have been shattered long ago under the machinations of that madman.

"Can I trust you?"

After a long silence, Black Greymon finally made up his mind, his gaze fixed gloomily upon Agumon. He did not want to die; he, too, longed to experience everything that Agumon felt. Thus, Black Greymon ultimately chose to compromise.

"Of course you can!"

Agumon’s eyes brightened. He extended his right hand toward Black Greymon, knowing that his counterpart had relented. After a moment of hesitation, Black Greymon extended his own forelimb, clasping Agumon’s hand firmly.

*Whoosh!*

The moment they shook hands, Black Greymon relinquished his suppression of Agumon.

"Now, entrust your body to me."

Agumon did not seize control of the body immediately. Instead, he flashed a sincere smile and watched the Black Greymon before him quietly.

"Roar!"

Black Greymon let out a soft growl, and the power within him gradually began to flow toward Agumon. As the energy drained away, his form shrank, while a brilliant light of evolution erupted from Agumon.

*Hum.*

Zhao Jie, who was currently fleeing, suddenly felt the evolution crest belonging to Agumon vibrate against his forehead.

*Roar!*

A roar echoed from behind, and he saw the Black Greymon running toward them.

*Whoosh!*

The evolution crest flew from Zhao Jie’s forehead and instantly merged with the sprinting Black Greymon. Within the inner world, Agumon, empowered by the crest, surged in size.

Agumon Digivolve—Greymon!

"Roar!"

The Black Greymon had transformed into a jet-black Black Agumon. It looked at the Greymon before it with a complex expression. "I hope you do not forget the promise you just made."

"Rest assured. Keeping my word is the way of my Digimon path," Greymon declared, patting his chest to reassure the Black Agumon.

In the real world, the dark energy on Greymon’s body receded rapidly, revealing his original yellow and blue hide.

"Roar!"

A thunderous roar echoed through the jungle—a cry of freedom and joy.

"Greymon!"

Seeing the familiar colors return to Greymon’s body, Zhao Jie’s eyes grew slightly moist. He knew the Greymon he recognized had returned.

"Roar!"

Hearing Zhao Jie’s voice, Greymon picked up his pace, his massive eyes locking onto Zhou Jie, who was not far behind Zhao Jie.

"Mega Flame!"

*Poof!*

Flames erupted from Greymon’s mouth like a volcanic explosion, transforming into a crimson beam of light that surged toward Zhou Jie.

"Oh no!"

*Boom!*

Zhou Jie’s attempt to dodge was ineffective. The crimson beam struck the ground, triggering a massive explosion. The charred earth sent Zhou Jie flying. He slammed into a large tree and, upon hitting the ground, spat out a mouthful of blood.

"How can this be?!"

Watching Greymon appear beside Zhao Jie, a rare, fleeting sense of bewilderment washed over him. Why? How could this Greymon break free from the dark power of Apocalymon?

...

"Greymon, it’s been a long time!"

Zhao Jie looked up with a radiant smile, gently stroking the Greymon before him.

"Roar."

Greymon’s large eyes softened. He closed them, quietly enjoying the touch. He would never tell the human before him that he had seen all the tears shed that day.

In the inner world, the Black Agumon—now in his smaller form—stared blankly at the scene. Agumon had not lied to him. Even after returning control of the body, he could still experience everything in the outside world through Agumon; his perception had not been blocked.

Black Agumon watched Zhao Jie and Greymon. He finally understood why Zhao Jie had recognized at a glance that he was not Agumon.

"Is this the bond between them? I suppose I could never become like him."

He muttered to himself, his mood brightening. Yet, living like this didn't seem so bad. At the very least, he could share in the experiences—the very things he had envied. Wasn't that right?

Withdrawing his gaze, Black Agumon looked at the evolution crest, which held much of the power he was familiar with.

*Whoosh!*

The moment his palm touched the crest, the Greymon in the outside world suddenly opened his eyes. He could feel Black Agumon’s actions, but out of respect, he did not stop him.

*Rumble...*

It turned out that not stopping him was the right choice. Black Agumon was absorbing the dark power of Apocalymon that flowed through the crest. As that darkness was siphoned away, Greymon felt his own strength rapidly increasing.

"Ugh."

A pained expression crossed Black Agumon’s face. Although he was a Digimon formed from dark digital genes, the previous portion of Apocalymon’s data had already satiated him. Siphoning the remaining dark power from the crest was like forcing a full person to keep eating; he risked being overwhelmed.

"That's enough."

As the last thread of dark power was drained, Black Agumon plopped onto the ground, patting his bloated belly. "From this day forward, you shall be the light, and I shall be—the darkness."

Black Agumon’s voice echoed throughout the inner world. Greymon paused, his consciousness returning to the inner space to look at the Black Agumon sitting on the ground.

"Thank you."

Hearing Greymon’s voice, Black Agumon smiled happily. From the moment of his birth, he had instinctively fought for control, and later, under Zhou Jie’s influence, he had grown rapidly. His heart had been full of confusion. But now, he knew he would never be lost again. He would follow Agumon and witness the world he had once envied.

"I should be the one thanking you!"