An Ally Returns and A Sign of Hope

Ace warped and found himself in a park as he decided to walk into the forest to think.

"Honestly….I'm not even sure what to do. Jexi, David, and Hope along with their groups probably have a lot on their plate with that breakout in the Universal Prison and probably some of their greatest foes escaping. I shouldn't bother them right now." He said to himself as he entered a clearing and formed a Reality Marble around himself as he once again found himself in his inner world as he decided to sleep.

Two Days later...

Ace woke up as he dispelled his Reality Marble and decided to explore the forest while contemplating on the events from the first day he and the others have first arrived. As he explored he began to sense a mysterious yet familiar presence following me.

"Who's there?" Ace asked as he put his hand near Excalibur.

"Ace? Is that you?" A female voice asked as Shanoa walked out of the bushes.

"Shanoa? What are you doing here?" Ace asked.

"I came to look for you. After my business was done, I went across the multiverse to try and locate you." Shanoa said. "You're probably wondering what that business of mine was. Well, I just had to check things back on my world to make sure Dracula hasn't revived due to all the dark magic from the battle with Galdera."

Before Ace could reply, he heard a noise.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" A voice said.

This time, Ace drew Excalibur as Shanoa's tattoos glowed.

"Whoa whoa, chill! It's just me!" The voice said as stepping out of the shadows was Hope.

"Hope?" Ace asked.

"When you were gone for two days in Hibiya Park, I was worried, so I decided to look for you." Hope said. "The first time, Sunset and I gave up. Why'd you go off like that, man?"

"I had a lot to think about. I'm sorry I worried you." Ace said.

"I think I can understand why. You feel like this because everything is revolving around us, you don't know what to do." Hope said.

"Yeah… You guys have made a lot of enemies over the years and probably had a lot on your plate due to the prison break, so I didn't want to bother you." Ace said.

"That wasn't it at all. We just had to clear somethings up." Hope said. "Granted, Rain bow wants us together for a meeting at David's house, but that's for the end of the week here. The most important thing is…. That this is for all of us, David's showing us where he came from. It isn't the same without you if you're not there to enjoy it."

"*sigh* I just don't know what to do…" Ace muttered.

"If you don't know what to do, then just push forward anyway." Hope said. "So what if you don't know the answers to what you have to do? There is no solution to a problem without action. Forget asking what you have to do. Just do it."

"Heh. That's so like you Hope. You're always bringing people's spirits up no matter what." Ace said before sensing an incoming attack. "Watch out!" He yelled tackling Hope down as a wave of dark magic flew over them.

"Whoa!" Hope said as he was safe, but didn't see any signs of the attacker. "Thank's Ace. Looks like that was a Hit and Run."

"Yes, that person's presence is gone." Shanoa said.

"It was probably someone who doesn't like attacking out in the open. Whoever it was, I'm sure he'll be back. One day." Hope said.

Ace then saw something on the ground as he kneeled down and picked them up. "What are these?" He asked as he looked at two oddly shaped cubes as each of them gave off an orange and purple glow as they had the sun and moon symbols on each of them.

"I think…. Those are signs. Of them." Hope said. "They want you to keep going."

"Yeah, whatever they are, my digivice is reacting to them for some reason. I'll have Mari analyze these later." Ace said. "I'll be coming back with you, I probably have the others worried sick." He said before he and Hope turned to Shanoa.

"As promised I shall join your group. Shall we?" Shanoa asked.

"It'll be great to have you." Hope said. "Glad you're feeling better, Ace."

"It's thanks to you actually." Ace said as they headed back to the Agency.

End of Side Story: An Ally Returns and A Sign of Hope