The Dark Masters and Myotismon sat at a draped table in what had been Puppetmon's backyard. Potential Dark Masters, of whom only one was in line, tried to impress the judges with details of past evil plans. Being the only one even considered, Daemon was sure to the newest Dark Master.

"My love", Myotismon asked Piedmon, "why haven't I been considered? I've digivolved to Mega twice."

"I wish you could join, but Apocalymon said that our relationship creeped him out too much to deal with at every Dark Masters' meeting. We can get married and you can still live with us though," Piedmon ended on happy note. They proceeded to open-mouth kiss each other. Metalseadramon and Machinedramon were used to what they called "Pieyotismon", but Daemon was slightly disturbed.

"What evil plans have carried out before?" asked Metalseadramon.

"I tried to harvest the Dark Spore so that it would make me all-powerful" Daemon answered.

"What abilities do you have?" Piedmon asked.

"I can withstand almost all attacks, and can open a gate between the Real and Digital Worlds on my own."

Piedmon looked to Metalseadramon and Machinedramon in turn. They both nodded.

"Congratulations Daemon, you are now- What the!"

Blackwargreymon landed next to Daemon and shouted, "I am your new Dark Master!"

The Dark Masters looked at each other, not knowing what to do. "What do we do?" Piedmon asked.

"Let's let them fight each other, and the winner will be the new Dark Master!" Myotismon said.

"Git-rrr-done!" Metalseadramon agreed. Machinedramon, as always, was silent.

Blackwargreymon and Daemon stood facing each other. Piedmon clapped his hands, and the battle began. Daemon began with an "Evil Inferno" attack, but Blackwargeymon flew out of the way and delivered his "Terra-Destroyer" attack, knocking Daemon to the ground. Blackwargreymon then drilled his claws into Daemon with his "Black Tornado".

"That really hurts", said Meatalseadramon, remembering what Wargreymon had done to him.

Daemon grabbed his chest and stumbled backward a bit. The Mega was used to fighting Ultimates and the occasional newly digivolved Mega, but Blackwargreymon had been a Mega since Arukenimon created him, and knew how to use his power effectively. Daemon smiled. He had a worthy opponent. Blackwargerymon was to powerful to take on head on but if Daemon used his ability to teleport…

Daemon opened a portal beneath him and disappeared. Blackwargreymon spun around quickly only for Daemon to appear right behind his new position. Unable to see the elder Mega in time, Blackwargreymon felt the heat of "Evil Inferno" sear his back. Blackwargreymon bit into his lower lip as Daemon's attack burned into him, all the while he gathered energy between his hands. Blackwargreymon spun around and unleashed his "Terra-Destroyer" on Daemon. Caught off guard, Daemon stumbled over. A series of successive "Black Tornado" attacks into Daemon's back left the demon Digimon unable to pull himself back up. One more "Terra-Destroyer" and Daemon broke into tiny pieces of digital information. Blackwargreymon attempted to roar in triumph but fell down from sheer exhaustion.

"I-I won," Blackwargreymon said on his hands and knees.

"Daemon will be back and he'll be angry," Myotismon said.

"I know that, but think of how much terror the name Blackwargreymon inspires," Piedmon replied. "He was all I could hear about when I first got reconfigured."

"But he tried to ruin my plans for revenge," Myotismon whined.

"Because he was looking for a purpose and something to do with his life. We just have to make joining us seem more meaningful than opposing us," Metalseadramon said.

"How do you know so much about him, Metalseadramon?" Piedmon asked.

"I'm a member of the Blackwargreymon fan club," Metalseadramon nodded proudly.

Myotismon rolled his eyes and Piedmon slapped his forehead repeatedly. Piedmon looked at Blackwargreymon who was pulling himself back up from the ground. His name was better known than Daemon's but he had fought against Myo-chan. Metalseadramon cut into Piedmon's thoughts.

"It's simple, we offer him the position and give him the chance to find his meaning with us and just kick him out later if he becomes trouble."

"But then we'll be right back where we started." Piedmon said.

"We can just re-invite Daemon."

"But he might not want to come back," Myotismon said.

"But we can have the excuse that Daemon lost. We'll just look like innocent evil overlords weighing our options."

"You look like a whiny fanboy," Myotismon complained. The vampire and sea serpent locked their eyes and Piedmon could almost see the electricity surging between them. He was about to give his own opinion, that they should interrogate Blackwargreymon, when Machinedramon spoke up. The metal dragon Digimon rarely spoke, but when he did it was usually profound.

"I think Metalseadramon's idea is the best. Blackwargreymon did beat Daemon, and I think I can help him in his quest for meaning, earning us his loyalty. I have written several articles for The Digital Inquirer about keeping your head above the trivial rat race of life and finding some small measure of fulfillment."

"It's going to be a challenge to satisfy him," Myotismon said.

"I will be the judge of that," Blackwargreymon said angrily. "Just grant me membership and I will worry about Machinedramon's philosophy." The Dark Masters and Miyotismon turned to look at the digital warrior who had regained steady footing after his battle with Daemon.

"Well," Piedmon said counting on his fingers, "that's two for and one undecided. Congratulations, Blackwargreymon. Welcome to the Dark Masters!"

Machinedramon led Blackwargreymon upstairs to Puppetmon's old room. It was treacherous work for Machinedramon to keep from stumbling as each of his legs from knee to foot were about the same size as Blackwargreymon. After reaching the top of the stairs the two proceeded down the hall. They approached the third door to their left, Puppetmon's old room.

"This is your room. It's empty except for the bed we just put in, but that's probably just fine with you for the moment."

"Yes, I am used to sleeping outdoors."

The ring of a cell phone interrupted their conversation.

"Excuse me," Machinedramon said. Blackwargreymon nodded and entered his room. Machinedramon touched his thigh compartment which opened and revealed his cell phone. Machinedramon picked up the phone.

"Moshi moshi."

"Have you found a replacement for Puppetmon yet?"

"Hai, Apocaly-sama. Blackwargreymon."

"So, the infamous Blackwargreymon has joined you?" Apocalymon sounded pleased.

"Hai, Apocaly-sama", Machinedramon replied.

"Unbelievable! You three idiots finally did something right! Don't loose him. Do whatever is necessary to keep him loyal." Praise from Apocalymon was rare, so Machinedramon readily accepted it.

"Wakarimasu. Domo Apocaly-sama."

"Sayonara Mugendura-kun."

"Sayonara, Apocaly-sama."

Meatseadramon floated up the stairs en route to Machinedramon's room. He noticed his intended conversation partner was just returning his phone to his thigh compartment.

"So, was that the boss?" the sea snake asked.

"Yes and he is pleased."

"Perfect! We've got a cool new member, and Puppetmon is history! Mwahahaha!" Metalseadramon threw his head back and laughed maniacally. As he laughed thunderclaps tore threw the air. Metalseadramon stopped for a moment letting the thunder resonate.

"You know that was really creepy," Metalseadramon said.

Somewhere in the Digital World, an annoying puppet was wandering through a forest on a rainy evening far from home. The puppet's foot got bogged down in the mud. The sky urinated on him, or the Tortomon standing on the ledge above—he couldn't tell which. He struggled to pull his foot out of the mud, but it was deep and required much effort. The reddish muck extended to his knee. He wanted to hurry and leave that part of the forest for the trees' branches looked like claws. The air was chilled and the wind blew hard against him. The dreary scene matched the puppet's mental state. He had been cast out from his rightful place by those he thought were his friends. What had happened to the good old days when he could barge into Metalseadramon's territory uninvited and "Puppet Pummel" the sea snake's guests, or openly inform Piedmon of his bad taste in wine, or—well he had never spent that much one on one time with Machinedramon—but, still what had happened to the good old days when the others would stand by him no matter how annoying he was? The rain continued to pour.