Anti stood in a large field overlooking some mountains, a warm breeze blowing across his face. It had been a year since he had last seen his creator, Akane Shinjo. Try as he might, he couldn't get that last encounter between himself and Akane out of his mind. Saving Akane from the belly of the beast so to speak, the last words she spoke to him, once again reiterating the fact he was a 'failed creation', Alexis impaling him and throwing him aside like a piece of trash. Being left for dead, and lying in a pool of his own blood. It pained Anti to his very core that he saved Akane only to have her fall back into Alexis Kerib's dark clutches moments later. He felt as though he had failed Akane. As much as he sort of hated to admit it, and despite all the abuse he endured at her ungrateful hands, he loved Akane like a sister.
"A penny for your thoughts, Anti-san?" A balding man of about 60 adorned in a hakama asked.
"Master, it's you," Anti said.
"I sense you are troubled, my son," he said.
Yeah, troubled. That was an understatement.
"That obvious, huh?" Anti replied.
"You've been standing in that exact same spot for hours," he said.
"I guess I just have a lot on my mind," Anti replied.
"Would Akane Shinjo happen to be one of them?"
"You can read me like a book, eh sensei?" Anti said.
"I would like to think that. Yes, Anti-san, I believe I can," this man that spoke was named Katsura Yamagi, a martial arts master. Master Yamagi was yet another replicant born from Akane's kaiju. He was a notable figure in the world of Tsutsujidai, who went largely unnoticed by Akane. It was evident from his appearance that Akane must have watched and been inspired by a certain movie before creating him. Katsura slowly approached Anti and placed a hand upon his shoulder.
"Come," he began "We have food and drink, Michiko made all of your favorites,"
Slowly, the two began the long trek back to Katsura's home; there was quite a distance between the two as they walked, the martial-arts master going at a leisurely pace, while Anti was still lost deep in thought, staring down at the asphalt as he walked.
"Why did it have to be you?" Anti heard Akane in his head yet again. Anti slowed to a stop. "You know you're just a failed creation,"
"You're not a kaiju anymore," she began. "Kaiju can't read people's feelings. You see, the thing is, kaiju don't go out of their way for people, they ruin people's lives just by existing. That's a kaiju, and I don't like kaiju who resemble people,"
"Never leave yourself open to attack!" Katsura yelled as he suddenly lunged at Anti, who managed to dodge each and every one of Katsura's rapid punches. The martial artist went in for one last punch, Anti grabbing his sensei's fist with two hands and shoving it back. Katsura circled back and attempted to deliver a roundhouse kick to his student, Anti holding it back. Katsura then leaped away and lunged at Anti once again. Katsura came at Anti with a haito, otherwise known as a ridge hand. Anti dodged the move which caused Katsura to strike the ground instead, which kicked up the asphalt. Both opponents lunged at each other this time, both delivering side-kicks, the moves connecting, the force of which sent a massive aftershock through the calm air. The two combatants then seemingly disappeared, as they were moving so fast the human eye couldn't register it, almost as if the two had 'warped' away. The only thing that could be made out from there was the force of the blows, with no sign of student or master. Anti and Katsura then reappeared, hands clasped together in a titanic struggle.
"Your reflexes have improved greatly since last we sparred, Anti-san," Katsura began "When I first met you, your reflexes were unrefined, your fighting-style unfocused and brutal, but brute strength alone doesn't win battles,"
"With a master like you Katsura, who needs enemies?" Anti said through gritted teeth.
"Indeed!" Katsura agreed. The combatants leaped away from one another via backward somersaults, the two then lunged at one another and delivered sucker punches to each other. Anti was sent tumbling backwards to the ground. Katsura slowly approached his pupil as Anti dusted himself off.
"That's enough sparring for today, Anti," Katsura said as he offered Anti a hand up, which he gladly took.
Meanwhile, back in the limbo dimension where Alexis, the Two Kahns, and Malcolm were trapped, Malcolm was putting the finishing touches on the device that was the key to their freedom. It was a large satellite dish with purple pulsating light flowing through it.
"That should just about do it," Malcolm said as he removed his protective goggles.
"How exactly does this device of yours work, meat-thing?" Kilokahn asked.
"It's very simple, Kilokahn," Malcolm began. "Using the powers of Alexis Kerib, yourself, and your brother Kahn Digifer, the resulting power output should be enough to rip a hole in space and time that will stay open just long enough for us to make our escape," Malcolm explained.
Kilokahn looked over at his twin; "I'm ready anytime you are, brother," the twins then looked over at Alexis.
"As am I," Alexis said.
"One more thing," Malcolm said as he took a notebook out of his bag "In order for this to work, we'll require a more how do I put this? Efficient method of harnessing the energies contained in you three, which is why I whipped up a mega-virus monster," Malcolm brought out a drawing that was a three-headed hydra creature with canine features.
"Quite a nasty fellow, isn't he? I call this dogged abomination Cerberus," Malcolm began "Each of its three heads powered by the dark energies of one of you three," Malcolm laid the drawing down on the ground.
"Now then, let us begin," Malcolm said as he slowly backed away from the drawing. "Once my nightmarish creature has been brought to life, it will channel the energies of you three directly into my satellite dish, and with any luck, we'll be out of here in no time," Malcolm explained.
"Alexis Kerib, Kahn Digifer, and Kilokahn do your stuff,"
"With pleasure, Frink-thing," Kilokahn spoke.
"Instance abreaction!" Alexis shouted.
"Cerberus, mega-virus of transdimensional space, we give you life!" Kilokahn and Kahn said in unison. The creature was brought to life in a brilliant reddish and purple light. The three heads let out an ear-piercing roar as the four looked on. "
"Magnificent," Alexis said.
"Yes, I must say the Malcolm meat-thing has truly outdone himself this time," Kilokahn praised.
"Hmph," Kahn Digifer began "I can't say I'm all that impressed," he said.
"Enough of this chitchat, we have work to do!" Malcolm said. "Cerberus! Be a good dog and harness all of your power into the satellite dish for daddy!"
"Yes master, we live only to serve the dark will and desires of our creators!" the three heads spoke in unison. They opened their mouths, red pulsating energy began to form from their breath.
"Red Hellscape Blast!" the creature yelled out as the red energy was unleashed in individual directions from each of its mouths. The small, precise laser blasts merged into one massive ball of energy, the satellite dish immediately setting to work absorbing the energy unleashed.
"Yes, yes! It's working! Do it Cerberus, unleash the fires of hell upon this dimension!" Malcolm laughed maniacally as Cerberus' fiery breath lit up the digital landscape. Suddenly the ground began to shake violently, the surface which resembled a circuit board started to crack apart.
"This doesn't bode well", Alexis began "It seems young Malcolm is enjoying this a little too much. At this rate, this dimension will implode and take us with it,"
"Enough of these foolish theatrics, meat-thing! At this rate, that unholy abomination you created will destroy all of reality!" Kilokahn shouted.
"Zip it, you electro-idiot! I know what I'm doing, and so does Cerberus," Malcolm shot back.
The cracks just weren't limited to the ground, cracks begin to form in the very foundations of the various circuits strewn about, the lights emitted by said circuits began to flicker, and then die as they imploded one by one in one magnificent explosion after another.
"Malcolm! Tell that creature to cease and desist in its untenable destruction at once before it gets us all vaporized!"
"No, Kilokahn. I will not," Malcolm said defiantly.
"What?! How dare you show such insolence for me!" Kilokahn replied.
"If you want to escape this wretched prison, you will allow my satellite dish to finish collecting all the raw energy it needs to break through the dimensional barrier," Malcolm said.
"And if we cease to exist in the meantime, what then, meat-thing?" Kilokahn shouted in frustration. Malcolm smirked.
"What's the matter Kilokahn? The full force of your capabilities channeled through Cerberus' signature attack too overwhelming for the said ruler of the digital world? Let this serve as a lesson for all those times you disparaged and belittled me during our partnership. Take heed, Kilokahn. Without me, you are nothing, not the other way around,"
"This Malcolm creature is a far cry from Akane. This young man is a power-mad zealot," Alexis said to himself.
"Satellite now operating at 95 percent efficiency," the computerized, wrist-mounted device Malcolm was wearing spoke. "Please standby to disengage energy transfer,"
"Thank you, computer," Malcolm replied. "You see, Kilokahn? Cerberus and myself know exactly what we're doing, nothing at all to worry... About?!" the cracks became more pronounced, as the digital prison started to come apart at the seams. Massive tremors shook the pocket dimension to its very core. The circuit board-like surface Malcolm was standing on began to detach and break itself apart from the rest of the prison, Malcolm desperately attempting to balance himself.
Then, a section of the circuit board disintegrated, revealing a dark, bottomless void underneath, Malcolm began to panic.
"Well, well, where are your delusions of grandeur now, meat-thing?" Kilokahn taunted.
"This isn't good," Kahn spoke.
"Yes," Alexis began "Anyone unfortunate enough to fall through the cracks of the dimensional barriers between the Digital World and Reality, will surely die,"
"A little help would really be appreciated here, guys!" Malcolm yelled.
"Is he talking to us?" Kahn asked.
"I believe so," Alexis replied.
Suddenly, a familiar portal opened from above but was unstable. The surrounding skyscraper-like circuits began to crack apart and disintegrate, others being lifted up by the sheer energy from the portal. Circuit after circuit was ripped from the surface and swallowed up by the portal. Larger and larger it grew, gradually morphing into a deadly vortex.
"Hmm" Alexis began "It would appear that Malcolm's plan worked after all - but I don't think I like the looks of it," Alexis said.
"Danger! A possibility of overload exists! A possibility of overload exits!" Malcolm's wrist-mounted device spoke.
"Energy transfer must be disengaged, or pocket dimension will implode in five minutes," The voice warned.
"GAH! That's just perfect!" Malcolm said. "Cerberus' energy output has overloaded the circuits, and placed us all in grave danger,"
"Correction", Kilokahn yelled out "Your own hubris has placed us all in grave danger, meat-thing!" Kilokahn said.
"As much as I hate to break up this pointless, yet amusing conversation between you two, time is running out. We must make our move now, or never," Alexis said as he took charge.
"Yes, as much as it would fill my cold heart with joy to see Malcolm suffer his just reward, I cannot allow him to perish just yet," Kilokahn said.
"Cerberus, my creation! You must stop, your power is overloading my satellite! Cerberus!" Malcolm yelled out, but it was no use. "Ah, you stupid beast!"
"Danger! Satellite overloading! Disengage energy transfer now or destruction of pocket dimension is imminent!" the voice warned.
"I heard you the first time, you stupid device!" Malcolm shot back.
"We must leave this place, now!" Kilokahn yelled out. "Alexis, save Malcolm - Kahn, stop that abominable creature by any means necessary!" The three sprang into action. Alexis warped away and appeared directly behind Malcolm.
"Alexis?!" Malcolm yelled "What the hell are you doing?"
"Saving your life, for one," Alexis replied.
"And how do you... AH!" Malcolm screamed as Alexis absorbed him into his being. Alexis immediately warped out of sight as the pillar Malcolm was standing on collapsed and then disintegrated.
"Stop this wanton destruction at once, you vile creature!" Kahn yelled as he lunged himself at Cerberus; Cerberus using its razor-sharp claws to swipe Kahn away, sending him hurtling into the circuits above, where he smashed through one of the skyscrapers.
Alexis suddenly reappeared in mid-air, directed his gaze at Cerberus, and yelled: "Instance abreaction!" immediately Cerberus became a petrified, stone statue. By this point the vortex had become so powerful, it began to lift the Cerberus statue.
"Kahns, we must follow that creature's carcass to our well-deserved freedom! Once it crosses through the vortex, this dimension will be destroyed for all eternity!" The two Kahns heeded Alexis' words. Alexis turned around and gazed at his prison one last time
"There's nothing of value for us here anymore," And with that, Alexis warped to the very edge of the vortex, followed closely behind by the two Kahns. After they were successfully through, the vortex began to close, before disappearing forever in a massive explosion that took out the entire pocket dimension with it.
The trio instantaneously found themselves in another part of the Digital World, with the same familiar architecture as the prison they just escaped.
"Where - is this place?" Alexis was the first to speak.
"It appears to be an operating system of some sort, and a primitive one at that," Kahn said.
"Oh," Alexis began "I almost forgot about our little friend," Malcolm tumbled out from under Alexis's cape. Malcolm stumbled to the ground, gasping for air and seemingly in shock from being temporarily absorbed by Alexis.
"Never do that again, Alexis Kerib!" Malcolm demanded.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Were the accommodations not quite to your liking?" Alexis replied sarcastically.
"This is no time for jokes, Alexis, you could have killed me!" Malcolm yelled.
"If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead, Malcolm Freak," Alexis shot back.
"Oh, that's definitely comforting to hear," Malcolm said as he popped his neck in place and dusted himself off.
"That was by far the worst experience of my life. I was surrounded by an empty void and a door that wouldn't open," Malcolm recalled.
"What the hell are you anyway, Alexis Kerib?" Malcolm asked.
"You'd be surprised," Alexis smirked, having managed to reestablish the psychic link between himself and Akane that was severed earlier. Alexis appeared through one of the shards of glass of her mirror. "This is far from over, Akane Shinjo, as from this day forward you'll see me everywhere, even in your nightmares, I'll be haunting every dark corner of your mind and soul until you're mine again,"
"So, keep running, my dear. Keep running until there is nowhere left to run, nowhere left to turn, and no one left to turn to, but me."