I don't own digimon.

Notes: This is unused non-canon chapter of Digital Adventures Online. Because of that, it is being put here rather than the original cut.

Chapter 66

Celebrate

They took it all in.

At first glance, one would think the amount of people to survive the events of DAO3 would actually be quite small. Technically, they would be right. But, they would be forgetting the whole thing involving Tri Abridged and all the minor players.

"So that's why she is even here." Evil TK remarked, his gaze currently focusing in on Usagi. "Thanks for the clarification."

The former complaints girl gazes all about with a glazed expression, this all being a new experience in a string of many. While her memories had been more or less patched together, there was a still a lot for her to experience in the here and now.

"Yeah…" she whispered and took a deep breath. It had been the author's suggestion that she and Valia come to this event. Of course, her sister had thought it was going to be a party and actually put some effort into her appearance.

"Is there anything I can get you, Miss Renja?" a voice inquired, breaking Usagi's train of thought in the process. Her attention refocused and she was face to face with Varia. For this particular occasion, the sextape mage had gone for one of her nicer dresses. The only real difference from her usual outfit was in how sparkly it was.

"Uh… no." she responded and got a confused glance from the sextape mage. "I'm just not used to these sorts of things."

"That's understandable." Varia responded and began to examine Usagi. "It's been quite an interesting journey getting here."

Her gaze shifts away, focusing on the back of the room. A man with spiky red hair was chained to the back, seemingly content with his fate.

"Uh… Who's that?" Usagi inquired and got a chuckle in return.

"That's the timekeeper."

Usagi focused her gaze on that particular part of the room, giving the man a wave. He didn't wave back, choosing the middle finger instead. She turned herself back around and attempted to refocus on the sextape mage, who had moved on to someone else.

"There you are!"

Usagi turned around, only to be jump hugged by Valia.

"Oh." she remarked and took her sister in. Compared to the rabbit ranger's green sundress and sandals, Valia had gone for a black cocktail dress and a matching pair of heels.

"What do you think?" Valia inquired as Usagi took her in.

"You look great!" Usagi answered and gave a thumbs-up.

"Thanks."

Valia then ran off, giving her sister little mind for the moment. So she turned her attention to the still open door, just making out the abode she shared with her creator and his other assistants. At this particular moment, Hera and Death were getting scolded by their creator. While Usagi didn't blame him for making an attempt, she wasn't sure why he went through the effort. It did little to change their behavior, especially the remarks they made when Sachiko came by. If her memory served her correctly, the geomancer was to become their caretaker once the author left. But that was just rumors and gossip at this point.

"So you're Usagi then?"

Usagi turned around and speak of the devil, there was Sachiko. Unlike some of the others, she gone with her usual kimono for the occasion. Strangely, Chaos wasn't with her for once.

"Yeah." she answered and cracked a nervous smile. "Is there anything that you need of me?"

"No. Not at all." Sachiko responded and cracked a smile back. "If there is anything you need of me, I'm happy to help.

Usagi looked towards the ground, muttering something to herself. She then pushed herself away from the geomancer, only to watch her push back over.

"I'm sorry if I freaked you out." Sachiko continued and held her hand out. "Can I do anything to make it better for you?"

But she got no answer, with Usagi choosing instead to just run out of the room and back towards the author's cabin. But before she could do just that, a spiral of air slammed into her.

"Oh my, you're new." a mechanical voice announced and a large biyomon anthro thing dived down. "Care to tell me your name?"

Usagi didn't answer, choosing instead to pull her grappling hook out. She throws the hook towards the bird, grabbing hold of it by the talons.

"Let go of me!" the bird screamed and landed, choosing to dash all about the area. She was possibly hoping to at least knock this strange opponent off and get to the meeting, but Usagi managed to hold on. "What is your problem?!"

The bird began jumping up and down, smashing the former complaints girl into the ground. Each smash brought it closer and closer to that victory, not at all caring that the person in question may have mattered.

"No more…" Usagi whimpered and attempted to let go of her catch. But all that accomplished was her getting pulled up into the air by the bird and smashed down into the ground. Her eyes slid shut and she shut the world out, ready to face this undeserved fate. But when it all seemed lost, the swish of a scythe pierced the air against the sound of eleven bell rings.

"Valia?" Usagi whispered and opened her eyes, finding her opponent no longer pinning her down. Phoenixes flew towards the author's cabin and erupted into reddish orange energy. Finally, the body of the bird laid motionless on the floor. While there may have been some use for her, it went away a long time ago.

"Good riddance." Valia remarked and ran over, wrapping her arms around her. "Are you alright?"

Usagi gave a questionable nod and pulled her grappling hook back, letting her sister carry her back to their cabin and force Hera to tend to her injuries.

She made her way back towards the bird, tears rolling down her face.

"I'm sorry." the grim reaper whispered and wiped the drops away. Her dress gave way to a cloak and she pulled her scythe back out. "But I need to finish this."

"No."

She turned around, finding the author standing behind her.

"This better not be about not getting a hug earlier." Valia remarked and the author reluctantly grabbed hold.

"Now is not the time to go after petty grudges." the author answered. "I realize that you're trying to do your job, but you can't just rush in. You'll get his soul."

He let go of her and took a deep breath. This was the hardest part of the job, especially in his current state. Sure, he now at least had some power within him once more. But it was not the sort of thing you could really rush.

A gunshot rang out and a bell rang twelve times.

"Now can I go?"

The author gave a nod and watched Valia make her way towards the cabin. He on the other hand, made his way back to the cabin and grabbed his messenger bag.

"Look at you." Hera and Death remarked, more than ready to mock their master. If they hadn't gotten their hugs though.

"Oh. you did it. Fuck." Julie announced. "I didn't have anything really planned for this point. This works, I guess."

The world began to spin all about, blurring until their eyelids grew too heavy…