#vikemon

In the past, Tentomon, Palmon and Gabumon, for example, stayed by their partners' sides through their doubts. Even in Tri, Agumon stays by Taichi's side while he hesitates to fight, but the difference is that Taichi was honest with Agumon from the start, on top of not having the academic pressure that Joe has (which changes in Last Evolution Kizuna). Here, Gomamon walks away to spare Joe the pressure but Joe fails to react, leaving Gomamon to face a life or death battle alone, until Hikari tells Joe that his partner is fighting and helps him remember that being chosen as partners is all the reason he needs.

Then Joe runs toward his partner, giving him all his support and triggering his Mega evolution into Vikemon for the first time. It's crazy how much Gomamon had to endure to get Joe back, but his patience paid off, Joe proved he's truly reliable.

Inspired by that momentum and Joe validating her, Mimi also achieves Mega evolution, with Lillymon becoming Rosemon. And together with Leomon, they defeat Black Imperialdramon.

Facing their own darkness and getting through it was what unlocked their true power.