Let's go back to the moment before the Metal Empire launched its general offensive.
As soon as they entered the vicinity of Ore Town, Akihiko Kayaba, who had set up a perimeter, detected their movements. Following the plan, Kayaba had Ditto transform into HellKnightmon and stand in a conspicuous location, while simultaneously notifying the town's Digimon to prepare for evacuation.
When the Metal Empire began its march, making no effort to hide its presence, all the Digimon in Ore Town acted as if they were fleeing in panic. They escaped through pre-dug tunnels to the other side of Ore Town, hiding in a secluded cave. Ditto merged perfectly with the cave wall by transforming into a rock, sealing the entrance.
When the "artillery leveling" began, the Digimon only heard world-shaking thunder and felt the ground heave and roll; they suffered no actual harm.
Hiding in the cave, Salamon felt terrified by the deafening roar of the cannons. Looking at BlackAgumon beside it, Salamon tried to stay composed, saying, "BlackAgumon, if you're scared, you can sit a little closer to me."
BlackAgumon rolled its eyes and turned its head away, ignoring the offer.
Salamon pouted. "BlackAgumon is a big meanie. Master is much better. Master, Master, where are you? Salamon misses you."
Outside the cave, Akihiko Kayaba used "programming" to create a telescope to observe every move of the Metal Empire. Seeing Myotismon's subordinates appear, he couldn't help but admire Aomori's planning. However, since he had not yet seen a third party besides these two factions, he continued to watch from the shadows, waiting for the right opportunity.
...
Outside Ore Town, Gigadramon watched SkullSatamon and the others charge forward, a cold smile appearing on his face. "Now!"
The phalanx broke apart, revealing fifty Guardromon that had already prepared their shells. They looked spirited and alert. Where was the sign of exhaustion?
"Drat, it's a trap!" LadyDevimon tried to retreat, but the Guardromon had already opened fire.
SkullSatamon and Phantomon seemed shocked but moved quickly, swerving to take cover behind Okuwamon.
Simultaneously, Gigadramon, Megadramon, and WaruMonzaemon launched their attacks together. Looking at SkullSatamon and the others now blanketed by fire, they laughed triumphantly. "I was prepared for you all along! I deliberately kept a reserve force hidden within the ranks; it must have been hard for you to notice."
Since the war had begun, there was no room for mercy. Gigadramon ordered the Tankmon to empty their entire magazines before stopping.
The bombardment lasted for several minutes until the reserve Tankmon had exhausted their power. Gigadramon estimated it was enough and ordered the other rested Tankmon and Mekanorimon to surround the impact zone, waiting for the smoke to clear.
However, before the smoke dissipated, several black rays, countless blood-red bats, and several crimson crescent-shaped energy blades erupted from within, killing the surrounding Guardromon, Tankmon, and Mekanorimon.
The three Ultimate-level Digimon—Gigadramon, Megadramon, and WaruMonzaemon—managed to dodge because they had been closely monitoring the smoke.
"As expected, they aren't that easy to kill."
As the smoke cleared completely, a battered LadyDevimon, SkullSatamon, and Phantomon were revealed. Okuwamon was nowhere to be seen.
"You detestable wretches! You actually made me hurt this much... none of you are getting away!" LadyDevimon had only intended to take advantage of the situation, but nearly dying had filled it with unprecedented fear and rage.
"That's our line!" With so many Digimon on his side, Gigadramon was not afraid of the injured trio.
With nothing left to say, both sides resumed their brutal battle.
Watching the group of Digimon locked in a fight to the death, clashing from the sky down to the ground, Akihiko Kayaba, far off by the cave, grinned and pressed the button representing destruction.
In an instant, the earth buckled like a volcanic eruption. Flames shot into the heavens, and mushroom clouds of fire ascended one after another.
The detonation of the massive cache of explosives turned the land outside Ore Town into the gates of hell. Countless Digimon were blown to bits before they even realized what was happening.
Among the six Ultimate-level Digimon present, WaruMonzaemon was the first to be reduced to powder, followed immediately by Phantomon, who was consumed by the sea of fire. Gigadramon, sensitive to explosions, flew high into the air immediately, dodging the first wave, but he was still heavily injured by the subsequent shockwaves.
Megadramon was a step slower, escaping the destruction zone by a hair's breadth before being rescued by Gigadramon. These two Digimon didn't dare stay a second longer and fled in haste.
LadyDevimon and SkullSatamon used shields formed from pure dark energy to withstand the impact, but it drained their power. By the time the explosives were spent, both were severely wounded and unable to move.
When Akihiko Kayaba arrived before them, riding on the "Pidgeot" transformed from Ditto, LadyDevimon flashed a fawning smile. "I surrender! Don't kill me! I'm very useful... very capable!"
However, she was met with Kayaba's finishing blow.
"My apologies. If the boss were here, he might have spared you. Unfortunately, he isn't, so I can't leave you alive."
After successfully harvesting LadyDevimon and SkullSatamon, Kayaba slowly gathered the digital fragments dissipating in the air. He didn't possess Aomori's versatile telekinesis, so he could only collect a small portion.
"Go. Catch up to those two dragons. The boss is quite interested in Iron City."
"Pidgeot" nodded and carried Kayaba in pursuit of the fleeing Gigadramon and Megadramon.