The Aftermath [Plot/Exposition]

At this point, that event that had transpired in the Dark Area had hit the news all across the Digital World, and it left the land in quite a panic. Just what was the D-Reaper - a harmless, natural vaccine against corruption, or a harbinger of the end of the Digital World? Confusion and misinformation was strewn about - just how did this outbreak happen? Why was it that, even now, the Dark Area was still showing signs of D-Reaper activity? Was the land at its end?

Well, Digimon wouldn't speculate for long. Behind yellow tape and a long research period, the cause of the D-Reaper outbreak had finally shown itself: inside the core was a piece of an ancient statue, hidden away in the Dark Area ages ago, representing the phoenix Zhuqiaomon. It wasn't just a statue, no, but rather the Sovereign's past gift to the land to keep the virus in check. The existence of these figures wasn't well known, except by a few ancient sages of the Digital World. On questions on if there were signs of tampering?

There weren't any. It was deduced that the stress caused by the Dark Area's inherent corruption. Naturally, this would be the first statue to expire... but could it be repaired? Could it be replaced?

That was of little concern. Almost immediately, a goal was set in sight: to locate and refurbish the remaining guardians, hidden throughout the various areas of the Digital World.

The next incident takes place in the north, on the expedition to locate the lion, Baihumon. Just because one occurrence was by happenstance, didn't mean that some overlooked a dark opportunity...