Takeshi shook his head. The youth had asked him a question he'd just as soon have avoided. "It's....well it's complicated.  My daughter and her digimon were a part of a small mixed team of trainers and native digimon in the DDF.  They were the first group to encounter the virus, and subsequently the first to succumb to it. We thought they'd overcome the virus, and that it had been removed safely. Unfortunately, it had infected their digimon. Over time their digimon became twisted versions of themselves, dark digivolving into viral digimon who once more spread the virus.  The trainers also became...twisted.  Outwardly they were fine, but it was like dealing with the dark spores all over again.  It happened over time, slowly corrupting the team without the rest of the DDF knowing about it. When we did find out, it was too late to stop them, and they disappeared somewhere into the digital world... When we discovered the virus was still active, we tried to close off access to the digital world, but the virus was one step ahead of us. It completely severed the connection between the two worlds. Most of our teams were cut off from command, and we were unable to open any digi-ports. The past four days were spent desperately trying to regain access to the digital world, and despite the virus' efforts, we managed to open a few ports, one of which we just jumped through." Takeshi took a moment to breathe before he continued, " I was against letting newcomers join in this battle, but we're outnumbered and the virus was causing us to lose ground. I agreed to let people such as yourself get involved, but very reluctantly. Then comes Alex, who brazenly decides he's going to go straight into danger without a second thought, who just happens to have the same partner digimon as my daughter! His partner might already be infected for all we know, and he might not be able to save her! What happens to him then!? What if he doesn't have a partner to protect him? That's why I'm upset with him! Can't say as I really blame him though. Any digimon trainer worth their salt would do the same thing. "<br/>Alex who'd been listening in on the heated exchange looked over his shoulder and replied, "Apology accepted. The camp's up ahead."<br/><br/>The camp itself wasn't much to look at. Although Alex had left it four days ago, it looked like it had been abandoned for a month. In the mouth of a cave, a tent was erected, though it was in bad condition. The food had been stored in the cave itself, but had spoiled completely in the time since the camp was last inhabited. As for his partner, Lalamon was nowhere to be found. What little supplies were left at the campsite were strewn about the clearing as if someone had ransacked the place.  In the sky, thunder began to roll and the first few raindrops began to fall. Alex was visibly upset about the scene, but he was doing his best to keep it under wraps. Despite it's condition, the campsite was still easily defensible with good visibility of the surrounding area while retaining a defensive advantage from most directions except above and straight ahead.<br/><br/>While the group was taking stock of the campsite, the two sisters were now facing each other, a wicked grin starting to form on Tsubaki's lips.  "Why, my dear sister, we are cleansing the digital world of digimon and humans alike!"  Dark energy began to swirl around her, originating in the flowers at their feet. "Come, will you still join us in our quest? The digital world must be saved from their continued malice.  That world is very sick, dear Mitsu. I am one who spreads the cure!" Dark vines began to creep toward Mitsu amongst the flowers.<br/><br/>