Digimon Universe part 11

"The Despair within Hope,"

A new setting, taking place in a familiar area, sits a small house that appeared to be station underwater. The house is surrounded by what appeared to be flying fish floating by without a care, or obeying the laws of physics. The house is more like a shack with only one entrance being the sliding doors on the side. To only a few, this was the place where the ancient of extremely knowledgeable Gennai resides and calls home. There is a brief flash of light for a few moments until a person appears to step forward toward the house from seemingly nowhere. The person takes a few steps toward the house with indifference to all that he sees with a Patamon positioned on his shoulder. He approached the door to knock.

"Come in," responds the voice on the inside. The person opens up the door, slipping off his shoes, before stepping inside to see the young looking Gennai. "Ah, Hope, Patamon, right on time as I'd thought you'd be,"

"I do enjoy these visits so much," Hope responded in a flat tone as he sat across the table from Gennai. Patamon left his shoulder to rest in his lap. "Sooner I get here, the sooner I can leave,"

"You shouldn't think so negative. Besides, what's so bad about coming to talk to me every now and again?"

"I don't interest you. This is only the second time you've requested to have a meeting with me one on one. You dropped a lot of responsibility on my shoulders then sent me off, so forgive me if I don't particularly like meeting with you,"

"I suppose I haven't given you the proper attention you deserve…I would like to now,"

"You're kidding?"

"No, I want to hear your thoughts Hope, I want to hear what's on your mind,"

Patamon looked at the sage then up to Hope to be met with a questionable gaze as well. Patamon looked back to Gennai. "What is this?"

"A meeting,"

"Sounds like therapy," Hope stated with a sharp gaze toward Gennai. "What do you know?"

"That's not why I called you here,"

"Then stop wasting our time and get to the point," Hope's abrasive nature starting to show.

"Hope, I need to understand something. Something that is really important, it concerns Chronomon,"

"Why else would you call us here?" Patamon questioned.

"…I just need to hear what you guys have learned. From speaking with him, and how you're holding up,"

"…Ah…I see now. You know that Chronomon has been speaking to me through some form of telepathy. I suppose telling Light started this domino effect to happen. Yes, Gennai I can hear Chronomon talk to me, tell me things about what he has learned about the universe, and among other things,"

"What kind of things?"

"Things,"

Gennai let out a frustrated sigh, "Hope, you can't expect me to help if you won't talk to me,"

"I never asked for your help. I'd appreciate it if you just sent me on my way now so I can focus on how to combat this creature,"

"You're not understanding what it is you're actually fighting here Hope. You're fighting something that is a cosmic level threat. Something like that has never been seen before, so you should understand how serious this is,"

"What is a cosmic level threat?"

"It's a threat that is so great that no one can face on any world, only those who exist in the realm between realms, the X Digidestined,"

"X Digidestined?" Hope said suddenly interested. Gennai seemed to grow tight lipped all of a sudden. "Oh, is that supposed to be a secret?"

"Yes, I'm not supposed to even know about them. Telling you would put us at greater risk, so it's better this way,"

"Then there is literally no point in continuing this visit," Hope said standing up with Patamon in his arms. "Thanks for the waste of time," Hope said turning to exit.

"Will you stop being a brat for a few seconds!?" Gennai exclaimed slamming his hands down on the table. Hope halted to turn his attention back on Gennai. "Why is it that the others, behave as they should. Mind you they are not exactly like the originals but that is to be expected. But you, you are a constant headache to deal with every time I try to garner your attention. Why are you so spiteful?"

"I don't know, maybe it is because I'm clone of the original child of Hope who he himself was a brat, or maybe you really didn't know him as well as you thought you did,"

"I studied their personalities through and through, especially Light and Hope. I knew what I was making, I knew what the world needed,"

"And there's the phrase, what the world needed. You can duplicate a lot of things, but you can't duplicate experiences. These memories in my head aren't mine, the family he left behind isn't mine, and the name you tried to force onto me was not mine. I had thought I was something special when I was little, but I know I'm just a replacement. You have so much trouble with me then clone me again, and you might get it right this time!"

"Hope…" Patamon said gently to his partner. Hope glanced at his partner but said nothing as he glared at Gennai.

"I see…has Chronomon been an influence to why you feel this way?" Gennai asked with a stoic expression. That expression pissed off Hope even more.

"There's a lot of things he said, that for the life of me I tried to deny but it just makes sense. You cloned us after the originals failed to return after Apoclymon banished them to that digital graveyard. You were able to scrape up a few bits of the data from that graveyard and recreate us with their Digimon. The data for each of us was incomplete in some way through which made us imperfect copies of our originals. I think I'm cursed into a situation I have no choice but to feel hopeful. How can I be hopeful when I know I was created as only to replace someone?"

"We needed each and every one of you. I'm sorry the process wasn't perfect but I was short on time. I did what I thought was right. I didn't think I wouldn't be able to capture all of the data, because clearly something very important was left behind in that void,"

"Don't try to sympathize with me! You have no idea what I feel, especially when I see that you see me as a defected clone!" Hope yelled with a vicious glare "This need I have, a need we all have, is to be better. Better than the originals who fell in battle. We all try to strive to be that, and this cursed crest makes me fight for it even harder!"

"That's enough!" Gennai spoke up now visibly disturbed. "I won't allow you to kick dirt on such an honest virtue, a light that shines through the deepest darkness-,"

"Or the darkness that thrives in the brightest light," Hope cut in which made Gennai become agape at this response then glowers at Hope. "Yes, I said it, Hope has as much potential for good as it does evil. Takeru from that Noir Universe is proof of how a TK can go bad,"

"Is that what you're planning?" Gennai asked bitterly. Hope paused as he stared back at Gennai. "Is Chronomon trying to convince you to turn on everything you know, everything you've fought for, throw it all away, for the sake of evil?"

"This is much bigger than good or evil. This fight was never mine anyway, the original me had a choice, I didn't,"

"What about your friends?"

"…They either realize it, or they don't. I'm not trying to step on their existence, try and make them feel any less then what they are, because that's how I feel. Gennai, Chronomon is testing me in some way. Driving me toward something, wanting me to do something, but I can't figure it out,"

"He's testing us with each fight we encounter, with each enemy we defeat, and each time we feel something in us change," Patamon spoke up now. "Some kind of strength we never had before…we don't know what it is but it's making things seem a lot clearer for us,"

"I'm worried…" Gennai spoke slowly then sighs. He stares into Hope's eyes then continues. "Chronomon is a cosmic level threat, if it seems that you four are connected to it, or even aiding it. You may be recognized as cosmic level threats as well, to a lesser extent of course, but still a threat. The moment that happens, you will deal with things you may not even hope to survive, no pun intended,"

"The X-Digidestined you mentioned?" Patamon asked. Gennai nods.

"Who are they?" Hope asks.

"…" Gennai was holding his tongue as he stared down at the table. Hope retook his seat across from Gennai signaling he was ready to wait and listen. Also signaling he would not leave without an answer. "I don't know exactly…I just know they exist. Modeled after the original digidestined…but with so many worlds…who knows exactly which original they may be,"

"Probably the Original Eight, since Hakeru is a part of the X Digidestined,"

"Hakeru?" Gennai questioned before realization set in. "You mean the TK that reached out to you was not one of the four?!"

"Yes, that's right," Hope said a little put off.

"This…this doesn't make sense…his presence would symbolize a mutual understanding…there is fowl play somewhere in all this. Be careful with the X Digidestined, they are like nothing you will ever experience,"

"And they seem powerful,"

"Immensely…all of them together could reshape entire realities in one fowl swoop. Chronomon is right to savor his strength,"

"What should we do?"

"I suggest you gather your fellow Hope warriors, sit down and discuss what you know. You all are in danger now more than ever, Chronomon at this moment is a minor concern, you will have other problems on your hands. You all must talk, do you understand?"

"Alright Gennai, I understand," Hope said standing to his feet. He quickly hurries out of the small house to rush off back to the real world. Gennai sighs with relief after a flash of golden light passes. "Now, we wait and see for ourselves with how their conversation goes,"

"You understand, if I don't like what I hear…I will give the order, and they will be eradicated," came a voice behind him who revealed themselves to be a Gennai older than the one sitting down, but still younger than the original Gennai. This is shown by his slightly greying hair on the side and slight wrinkles in his face.

"I understand, but they will fight you…"

"And they will lose,"

Hope decided that he would grab some food after he had made contact with his others. All of them were planning on wrapping up some loose ends on their world and come see him. It had just turned noon, which meant it was the perfect hour for brunch. He decided that he would take a visit into the city to find one of his favorite cafés, Star Café. He only just found a seat when a brief flash of light shined from behind him making him turn. He almost broke into a slight chuckle seeing the three similar styled and conditioned boys. They all looked rather beaten up, bandaged up, arm in a sling, and in Tak's case a very large black cylinder like object surrounding his arm.

"What?" TK questioned immediately somewhat offended.

"Nothing, why don't you all join me, my treat," Hope said extending his hand to the three empty chairs. All three holders of Hope sat down. It was an odd sight never the less. Seeing each one in a specific age, Tak being the youngest and Hope being the eldest, it was odd even for them as they stared at each other. The three Patamon were also greatly put off too. Not sure what they should do or what to say. TK's Patamon somehow found his way resting on Tak's head since the boy was not used to a physical Patamon. Takeru's Patamon decided to stay in neutral territory too, so he sat in Tak's lap, and Hope's Patamon joined the party by perching on Tak's shoulder. The boy smiles brightly at the three Patamon swarming him.

"Thanks for inviting us Hope," Tak said quickly breaking the somewhat awkward silence. TK and Takeru smiled at Tak before turning to stare each other down with a fierce glare. "No fighting you two,"

"Yeah, wouldn't want a repeat of last time right Takeru?" TK said a cocky smile.

Takeru snorted. "I see someone gained a lot of snark over the years and selective memory. Nobody won that fight, we were interrupted remember? Besides, I could still destroy you,"

"You may be physically stronger then all of us in mega form, but you aren't THE strongest ya know,"

"I'm glad you understand. But you will need more power at your disposal if you want to beat me. I brought out the beast in you…you never saw what would happen if I did the same," TK's body seemed to grow stiff at the very thought before turning a pointed look back at Takeru. "Don't get me wrong, I was trying pretty damn hard to beat you. I just didn't reach the pinnacle of my strength yet,"

"Why are you kid still anyway?"

"Look who's talking,"

"Well, ya know what I mean. You should be my age, but it looks like you only grew a little bit,"

"It's a really complicated story,"

"Which you will have to share at a later time," Hope said cutting into their chatter. "I didn't call you here just to have brunch so we could catch up,"

"Wait, but I thought-," Hope's Patamon began but was cut off by a pointed look from his partner.

"Well…we haven't all been together until now…" Tak said softly.

"He means, we're just trying to get a feel for each other since this is pretty weird for everyone involved," Takeru's Patamon stated.

"Why are you three crowding him anyway?" TK questioned the Patamon swarming Tak.

"Because," TK's Patamon responded.

"Because why?" Takeru added.

All three Patamon shared glances between each other before addressing the elder Holders of Hope. "We liked you guys better when you were his age," they all said at once. This made the three of them all fall out their chairs.

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" TK demanded picking himself up.

"I don't know, it's really hard to explain," TK's Patamon said while looking up.

"It's because it's something that's really familiar. The light in this TK's eyes are so much brighter and brilliant then in you guys, no offense," Hope's Patamon explained being the elder.

"I get it, it's the childlike innocence that attracts you," Hope stated after composing himself. "Well, hold on to that as long as you can then Tak,"

"I guess…I don't think that's all true anyway…" Tak said sadly looking down. "I have doubts too…like why do I have the Crest of Hope?" This caught the attention of the others quickly. "I mean…what makes me special…why does it feel like a punishment instead of a gift. Do you guys get what I mean?"

"Absolutely," they all answered at the same time. This made them all look at each other carefully.

"Yes, this brings us to the main point I asked you guys to be here," Hope restated. "We need to rationalize, what Chronomon has been doing, and what he has been saying to us. If we don't find some way to shake him off, we might be in serious danger,"

"Anybody get any word from Hakeru?" Takeru asked. Everyone collectively shook their head. "He drops us in the middle of the fight, but vanishes soon after. What is he up to?"

"You gotta remember, he tried to take on Chronomon head on, and he lost. He got hurt really bad," Tak pointed out.

"He had the strength to gather us together, he brought us together, but this plan isn't working. Something is wrong here," Takeru said with crossed arms. At this the other's looked towards him. "We're being attacked in more ways than one. We're fighting on a physical, mental, and emotional level with this guy. The others can't help us either,"

"They want to," TK pointed out.

"But can they really help us?"

"I…would like to think they can,"

"They don't understand what it is that is happening. They don't know anything more besides the fights we take part in. We're all sporting injuries from fight after fight our enemies are getting stronger also,"

"Yeah, I noticed that," TK agrees. "Almost got taken out by two Angemon, Chronomon said they were perfected, whatever that means,"

"I had battled a Perfected MagnaAngemon," Tak said. He then shows the black object around his arm. "This is a molecular nitro cast, it specializes in severe injuries that damages the very cells of the body. My arm suffered a lot of damage…I thought I was gonna die,"

"The kid's gloves are coming off, in more ways than one guys," Hope said. As he said that a server approached them with four orders, each one of them being served tea, scones, and a slice of pound cake. The three guests were surprised then turned to Hope. "I hope you don't mind but I figured I'd order for you guys,"

"We like the same things huh," TK said with a slight hint of disappointment. "Guess we aren't as different as we think,"

"We are different," Hope quickly corrected. "But let's stop talking about that, and let's focus on something else,"

"Like what?" Tak said observing the fork that came with his cake as he was turning it over in his hand studying the object like it was some kind of ancient relic. Tak wiggles the object in his hand making TK snicker at him. "What, I don't know what this thing is,"

"It's a fork, have those become obsolete in the future,"

"Oh, so this is what you archaic types eat with," Tak said surprised. "We usually eat digital constructs created by bending light and will to create a utensil of a person's choice. What one eats with is up to their imagination,"

"That sounds cool!" TK exclaims.

"A very personalize way of eating,"

"So, how do I change this into a foon?" Tak questioned as he held the fork at arm's length.

"Sorry, but that's not how it works Tak," TK's Patamon pointed out. He hopped onto the table to take the fork. "See, TK taught me, you use it like this," Using two hands he slices a piece of cake then slides the fork under it to bring it up to his mouth and take a bite. "Oh, I see…"

"Hey, don't hog the cake!" Takeru's Patamon exclaimed.

"Guys, you can have some of ours, let him enjoy that fact that his Patamon doesn't eat," TK said.

"Both a blessing and a curse," came Tak's Holo-Patamon from his Digivice. TK and Takeru's Patamon returned to their owner to get in on the cake. However, Hope's Patamon stayed on Tak's shoulder. Tak obliged the Patamon by feeding him some of his cake.

"You can't have some of his and mine if that's what you're thinking," Hope said halfway through with his.

"That's fine, Tak likes to share," his Patamon responded turning his nose up.

"And this food taste so interesting…different…wonder what the difference is," Tak said with a finger on his chin.

"Well let's not keep pointing out how much the future boy here, doesn't get the 21st century. I've been meaning to tell you guys what the problem is,"

"Well what is it?" Takeru asked.

"We're in danger, not from Chronomon as much, but from the X-Digidestined,"

"The X-Digidestined…aren't they…the ones that Hakeru works with?" TK questioned.

"Yes, the very same,"

"I thought we would be recognized as allies, not enemies, after all Hakeru came to help us out and stuff," Tak said.

"That's what I thought too, but apparently we're being labeled as cosmic level threats,"

"Are you serious!" all three Hope wielders exclaimed.

"Afraid so,"

"What is a cosmic level threat?" TK asked scratching his head. Takeru and Hope simply shrug only assuming that it's really bad.

"A cosmic level threat is sort of like an extinction level threat, except on a much bigger scale. To be put on that level, means that we are labeled as one of the most dangerous things in our respective worlds," Tak explained.

"How do you know that?"

"Don't get me wrong, I may be a lot younger, but with science and technology so advanced that meant I'd have to learn a lot more. Compared to education here, my education is equal to what you all would call…13th grade?"

"That's a college freshman…" Takeru said instantly feeling stupider.

"Back on topic guys," Hope said sternly. "We have been labeled, we may even be attacked by these guys sooner or later. These guys…these guys will probably be the most powerful beings we will ever meet. Unless we can find some way to convince them, they may wipe us out,"

"Just like that?" TK questioned.

"Just like that,"

"Well, we either go down fighting, or go down without fighting. Doesn't sound like we have any options," Takeru said.

"Then maybe I can help," came a voice. The four of them all turned finding the voice familiar as they looked to see yet another TK lookalike, on age with Tak, wearing a white hoodie and black shorts.

"Hakeru!" they exclaimed.

"I picked up that all four of you were in the same world, I thought something big might be happening," Hakeru observed them with a raised eyebrow. "Just brunch?"

"We've been labeled cosmic level threats by your allies, can you explain that to us!" Hope demanded. Hakeru slowly walks over to stand at the table between Tak and Hope. Hakeru snatches a scone off the table then bites into it. "You could act like I said something!"

"Calm down…" he swallows the food in his mouth. "I…honestly didn't expect that at all. Chronomon has been acting weird though. He's no longer reaching out into other worlds anymore…probably because he's caused such destruction already. The fact that you four are the only force left that represents hope that is still standing. For such a powerful being like Chronomon, that's rather odd that you four have been fighting him off. I suppose they've been watching you guys and consider you accessories to Chronomon,"

"How?" Tak asked.

"You're advancing in strength much farther and faster than any recorded Hope wielder in history. That right there is a cause for concern. I don't think you guys have gone full cosmic threat yet, but in the very foreseeable future it is a possibility. They want to nip it this in the bud before it becomes a problem,"

"Can't you talk to them?!" TK exclaimed.

"My word doesn't mean much. I may as well be an incoherent zombie. Because Chronomon formed in my sector, I don't have a lot of responsibility, and to allow this to happen. I'm pretty much under heavy scrutiny myself. I made my position even worse by connecting you guys too…I'm lucky if I'm not redesigned,"

"Redesigned, what's that?" TK asked.

"Something excruciatingly painful," Hakeru takes another scone to take a bite.

"Then maybe some help would be great, or how about giving us a new plan of fighting Chronomon!" Hope exclaims.

"What?" Hakeru sent Hope a questioning look.

"What do you mean 'what'?"

"The plan was never made in a way to combat Chronomon, its way too beyond you guys. You would be crushed within mere moments. The plan was to keep you all alive, draw its attention from other worlds, and give the X-Digidestined a fighting chance," Hakeru finishes his scone passively.

"WHAT!?" all four of them yelled.

"We haven't been doing anything to stop this, all this has been one pointless fight after another?" Takeru growled with venom in his eyes.

"Simmer down, it wasn't pointless. You all have gotten stronger, you protected your respective worlds, and without each other some of you would be dead right now," The four of them all seemed to settle down at that point. "We'll deal with him, just keep doing what you're doing,"

"That's not enough!" Takeru barked. Attention shifts to him with his hands shaking. "Someone created Chronomon…" At this they all stared at him with wide eyed gazes.

"Yeah, you and I did, remember?" TK said.

"No…all that did was cause a reaction, a reaction that was expected to happen by the creator. This person created Chronomon, this person is using us, all of us,"

"How can you be sure of that?" Hakeru questioned leaning on the table.

"I talked to Chronomon…" Takeru's grip on the table tightened. "He admitted to being created by someone, he admitted to making me how I am, he admitted for causing that disaster that happened between my world and TK's, and he's the reason I have so much hate in my heart!" Takeru eased his grip at his Patamon's touch. He relaxes a bit but keeps his dark expression. "He called me an experiment…my entire hell has been an experiment to this sicko,"

"That…is an interesting fact…" Tak said. He caught a glare from Takeru so the boy quickly raised a hand. "Hold on, let me explain! See, the person who created Chronomon, now that we know he was created, we have a new enemy to find. Chronomon is only a tool for a means, Chronomon is far from being the certain focus here. The creator is someone powerful obviously, but someone we can handle. Takeru has to have met the creator, since he is the one who has set this entire experiment into motion,"

"What are you saying?" Hakeru questioned.

Tak stared at Hakeru. "I'm saying…the experiment didn't end with Takeru. The creator made Takeru make certain choices making him who he is. It's not ironic that the four of us are so compatible. How powerful we are together, similar we are in certain aspects, and how we understand each other. The experiment is still going on…and the creator has been watching to take good notes,"

"Who is the creator then?" Hope asked astonished by the thorough observation.

"I don't know…but there is only two places he can be…"

"Well don't leave us in suspense," Hakeru egged him on by nudging him.

"He is either with Chronomon as we speak…or…" Tak swallowed a lump in his throat before speaking. "He's one of us," Tak stared at TK, Hope, and Takeru. "Someone here is lying…and they aren't who they say they are,"