Sorry this one is a little late, I got Digimon Survive on Friday and that has basically consumed all my free time lmao

Shuriken16: To answer your concern about DNA digivolution, it is NOT gone for good, and neither is Raijinmon, but I want to be careful about how I use it. And as it stands, I'm aiming more for everyone else getting their Mega Levels before I do any more fusions. As for our Loose ends in the Digital World, don't you worry... Sam hasn't just been sitting on her hands the entire time we've been away ;)

. . .

Kai, Sakura, Madison

. . .

"There were once many servants living here, many were like extended family to us." Sakura explained as they ascended the steps leading to the large home. "But over the last year, almost all have departed our service... At first I thought they simply found better jobs or were moved to other homes my father owns." Before she shook her head, "Now I realize, it is likely my father could simply not afford to pay them."

Madison frowned sadly, "I know it seems bad, but maybe it isn't as terrible as it might seem." Trying to remain optimistic, her eyes looking up to the massive oriental home, "Either way, it is a beautiful home."

"One which my father has plans to tear down," She scoffed, "The land is being sold off, they're already running network lines beneath the property for more Cyber Core infrastructure, soon they'll even demolish the shrine behind it." Her eyes narrowing sharply, "What a disgrace our family has become."

Kai remained silent for a moment, as they passed through the doors into the empty home. Noting the lack of shoes by the door, "There is still a chance, no one is beyond redemption." He assured, "Where is Saki?"

"I sent her a message," Sakura assured, checking her phone. "I figured she would be here by now... Oh, said she had some business to attend to, and she'd be back shortly." She explained, "I guess we'll have to wait."

Kai nodded, "Very well, we should lay low so none one at the main estate spots us and gets suspicious."

To which Sakura rolled her eyes, "Not that there is really anyone left there to watch..."

Maddie raised her hand slowly, "C-Can I make a request?"

Causing both of them to quirk an eyebrow. "Yes?" Sakura replied confused.

Madison nervously laughed, "I-If it isn't too much trouble, do you think you could show me the shrine?" She questioned.

Taking her by surprise, "The shrine? Why?"

"I just... Well, you said it was going to be demolished soon," She explained, lowering her head. "That means it's probably my only chance to ever see it, right? And it isn't like we have anything else to do while we wait."

Sakura looked to Kai, as if searching for an answer. But he simply shrugged, "Go ahead, Kotemon and I will keep watch for Saki."

The little digimon raising his Kendo stick excitedly, "Yep just leave it to us!"

"Alright then," Sakura nodded, looking to Madison and Tsu. "Follow me, I guess." Starting to lead the way out the back of the servants house, up the cobblestone path that would take them to the shrine.

Madison's eyes were never on the path, passing over every inch of the land around her as she took in the beautiful architecture. "This place is amazing," She said to no one in particular, "I can't believe it might be destroyed over money..."

Tsukaimon adding, "Humans are so weird sometimes..."

Sakura shot a look back at them, causing Madison to tense up. "R-Right, sorry..." She nervously rubbed the back of her neck, "I-I do really appreciate the tour though." She added with an apologetic smile.

Sakura narrowed her eyes for a moment, continuing forward until they reached the doors of the shrine. "She's so... Meek." She thought, pushing open the doors. "Not at all like the girl Kai described to me."

Inside, the walls were lined with beautiful tapestries depicting a divine being. One that appeared human, in fine robes and seen in various pictures battling unknown warriors, in one particular image he was wrestling a giant catfish. While unlit candles surrounded an idol at the far side, a statue of the god himself.

"Amazing," Madison breathed out, "Who is your families patron?"

"Takemikazuchi." She answered, walking along the wall. "The God of Thunder, and often revered as the lord of blades as well." She explained, "A noble deity, who protects the weak... And was also a competitor in the first sumo match ever recorded in history." Sakura added the last part with a small smile.

Madison stepped up closer to the statue, "Wow, that's pretty impressive."

"In this day and age most don't pay homage to the old deities," Sakura continued, making her way over to Maddie. "But I think it is important, thinking about these great tales and deities, it reminds me that I'm only human." Before frowning slightly, staring up at the statue.

"Maddie," Tsukaimon spoke up suddenly, her wings fluttering a bit atop her partners head. "Something's... Not right."

"What do you mean?" Madison questioned, pulling Tsu from her head.

"This place," She stated, eyes darting around. "The air is different than outside," She explained, "It's almost like... Like the Digital World!"

"What?!" Madison blinked in surprise, "Tsu that's not possible, we're standing right here in the human world."

"No, no I'm sure of it!" She shook her head and jumped from Madison's arms, looking around the room rapidly.

"What is she doing?" Sakura questioned, starting to worry as well.

"It's here, right here!" She exclaimed, pointing to the ground right in front of the statue. "This is the source!"

"Excuse me," The entire lot of them tensed up upon hearing a voice from the entrance. Turning to see the tall form of Gendo's personal guard, Karasu, standing there. "Lady Tanaka, mind telling me who exactly this is and why she is inside the shrine?"

Madison quickly grabbed Tsu, trying to hide the fact she was just flying and talking. While Sakura attempted to cover, "J-Just a friend, visiting with Kai from the states." She explained. "I met her during my last trip and thought it'd be fun to bring her along, so I was showing her around."

His sharp eyes darted between them suspiciously, before landing on Tsukaimon. "Is that so... Well she can come with us then to the main house." He said, "Your father wishes to speak with you, now."

Sakura shifted nervously, "Right now? I'm sorry but I can't go just yet, I promised Saki we'd wait for her here-"

"Then it's a good thing she'll be joining us at the main house as well." He interrupted, stepping aside to allow them by. "Now come along, I'd hate to keep your father waiting."

Sakura shared a nervous look with Madison, before both girls started to follow along with him. Allowing him to lead them through the house, and out onto the path that would take them to the main building. As they did so, Madison looked around worriedly. "Where is Kai?"

"He's waiting for us," The haughty thug explained, "I sent him along before coming to get you."

"And Kai just went along without saying anything or warning us?" Madison thought, narrowing her eyes. "Yeah right... Something's wrong here." And one look to Sakura told her that she was thinking the same thing. There was something off about this man, the way he spoke to them and the way his eyes watched their movements. It reminded her of... Well, it reminded her of Dark Court...

And Tsukaimon must have been feeling something similar, as her paws gripped Madison's arm tightly.

. . .

Saki

A few moments earlier

. . .

"You shouldn't have let it get this far out of hand." Karasu grunted, as he walked along the path towards the old servants house. "This girl is more trouble than she's worth."

To which the servant argued, "She has every right to be concerned, her father's change was reason enough for alarm."

"Then you should have kept her away from her father," He scoffed, shaking his head. "Convince her there is nothing really going on and it was all a misunderstanding, use your power if you must."

"I will not stoop to manipulating them." Saki narrowed her eyes, "You might be okay with twisting their lives but I'm-"

"You're what?" Karasu stopped, turning and glaring down at her. Causing her freeze up in an instant, "You're above this? What a joke, if you really felt that way you'd have revealed the truth after Dragomon's invasion." He paused for a moment, giving her a chance to respond, but the servant girl could only look away in self-loathing. "That's what I thought, you can try to ride that high horse all you want, but you're still drudging in the mud with the rest of us." He smirked wickedly, continuing on the path. "We cursed few..."

Saki remained there for a moment, eyes drifting to the ground. "Perhaps it would have been better if we'd perished with the rest of our Sphere."

Earning a faint, dark chuckle from him. "Now you're starting to sound more like your sister." Before he reached the door, sliding it open and blinking in surprise as he saw a young man standing there. And beside him was- "Well now," A small, armored digimon. "This does complicate things."

Kai narrowed his eyes, as Saki appeared beside this strange man. "Excuse me? Who are you?"

"Kai get back!" Kotemon exclaimed, jumping forward with his weapon drawn. "These two... They aren't human!"

"What!?" Kai's eyes widened, instantly going on guard as well. "What do you mean?"

"Put them to sleep," Karasu ordered, "Now.."

Her arm moved with blinding speed, and out of her sleeve two thin pieces of paper with symbols drawn on them were released. Flying faster than either could hope to dodge, they stuck to both Kai and Kotemon's chests, causing them to collapse in an instant. "It's done."

He chuckled in amusement, stepping over them. "Good good, no need to ruin the surprise so early... I'll retrieve the others, you take these two to the main house."

Saki narrowed her eyes as she watched him. "If you lay a finger on her-"

"Relax," He held up his hands defensively, before smirking playfully. "I'm not that kind of mon..."

. . .

Kai

. . .

He felt groggy when he opened his eyes, attempting to move only to realize he was seated in a chair. Though he was unbound, he looked around as his senses returned and realized he was inside some kind of office. A desk sat in front him, and on the other side was-

"Good to see you're awake, Kai." Sakura's father greeted with a polite smile. "You had me a bit worried when Saki brought you in."

"Saki, that's right she-" Remembering everything all at once. "Where is my friend? What did you do with him?"

"Ah you mean the spirit," He chuckled lightly. "Rest assured your familiar is safe, though he's been left to rest in another room as to not disturb us."

"Spirit?" Kai blinked, "Is that what he thinks they are?" Before the door slid open, and in stepped that man along with Madison and Sakura. "You!" Jumping up from his seat.

"Oh good you're up," Karasu flashed a toothy grin. "Was quite the slip you took, glad to see you're alright."

"Father what's going on here?" Sakura demanded, stepping forward. "What is this about!?"

"Everyone relax," The guard held up his hands. "Just have a seat, and listen to what the old man has to say."

"No I think I'll stand," Kai replied sharply, looking to Madison. "They're Digimon Maddie, both him and Saki."

Her eyes widened, "What?!"

While Tsukaimon exclaimed, "I knew it!"

"Another familiar," Gendo stroked his trimmed beard. "Sakura I didn't realize you had so many well attuned friends."

"We'll get to the digimon later," Sakura slashed a hand through the air. "I want to know what you're planning! Why are you trying to force the wedding up? And why have you been selling our assets off while working with Cypher Enterprises!?"

"I know about the mediator as well," Kai added in, turning attention back to the old man. "The moment we're married, your brother would have control over my family's assets, this is a violation of our pact!"

The older man's smile slowly started to fade, "Hmm... Perhaps I gave you too little credit..." Slowly bringing his hands together. "But you don't understand the importance of what's happening here."

"Then explain it," Kai replied sharply, "Tell me anything that doesn't make me think you've betrayed my family."

He held Kai's gaze for a moment, before taking a deep breath and sighing heavily. "What I am trying to achieve, is far beyond monetary gain... It's true, I invested in Cypher Enterprises and aided in their ongoing research, but what they're studying will benefit all of humanity." He assured.

Madison crossed her arms, "Yeah that's what most interdimensional salesmen say, I'm sure." Glaring at Karasu.

"Most only see the Cyber Core as a power source, but in truth it is the next stage of humanity's evolution!" He continued, ignoring her remarks. "It's a gateway to a world beyond our own, where the divine themselves reside! Imagine if we could walk as they did, wield their power, exist as more than a body bound to this mortal coil!"

He was talking about the Digital World, that was for sure. But where did this wild idea of Gods come from? "What the hell are you talking about? Immortality?"

"A human soul can exist without a body," He elaborated, "Cypher Enterprises has already proven it! I've seen the research! A mind continuing on in the ethereal with a dead body in the waking world!" Rising from his seat, "Imagine it, being able to live forever, free of aging and the need for food, no more sickness or hunger, if we simply open the gateway to their world we can share this power with all of humanity!"

"A gateway?" Sakura scoffed, "What kind of gateway? Where did you even learn about all this!? Did Cypher Enterprises feed you this nonsense!?"

"No I was enlightened by agents of the divine themselves," He assured, motioning to the man standing behind them. "Truly a blessing on this house, servants sent to watch over us."

As they turned to look at Karasu in the doorway, his visage began to change. His body warped, clothes turning to armor, tightly bound dark purple with black plates on his wrists and chest. A red mask giving him an avian visage, his left arm was lined with a silver wing and ended in blood red talons, while another wing black as night formed out of his right side. His right hand rested upon the pommel of a sword at his belt. Taking the appearance of some kind of corvid ninja.

"So this is who you really are?" Kai questioned, fists clenched tightly.

"Ravemon, right hand of our noble God King." He introduced with an overly dramatic bow. "I'm no agent of Cypher Enterprises, they merely helped us get a foot in the door." A smug smirk resting on his lips.

"This is insane!" Madison exclaimed, shaking her head. "They're lying to you, these Digimon are just using you!"

"Enough!" He barked back at her, "I will not allow some foreign girl insult me in my own home," His tone changing in an instant as he glared back at her. "If you've chosen to squander your gifts then you'll be forced to watch as I usher the rest of humanity to divinity!" His eyes darting to Ravemon, "Take them away."

Kai interrupting quickly, "Madison make Tsu digivolve!"

"Are you crazy!?" She replied sharply, "Devidramon is huge! She'd rip the entire building apart!"

Ravemon drew the blade from his belt, "She'd be gone before she'd have the chance anyways," He sneered, "Now come along quietly, and you'll live."

Kai grit his teeth, hating the idea of giving up so easily but as it stood they had no choice. He looked back at Gendo, eyes narrowed. "You're making a big mistake..."

Sakura adding, "You've betrayed both our families now."

But Gendo seemed unfazed, "You'll understand in time, my daughter... Once you've seen the face of a God, you will understand..."

. . .

Kotemon

. . .

The small armored digimon groaned as he shifted, opening his eyes and looking around. Realizing quickly that his arms were bound to his sides, rope wrapped tightly around his form. He sat up, looking around the dark empty room to try and gain some sense of where he was. But he noticed first and foremost that he was alone, "Hello!? Is anyone there!?" He called out, "Where am I!? Where did you take Kai!?"

Out of a shadowed corner, stepped what was unmistakably a Digimon. Humanoid in size and shape, but she was garbed in a black bodysuit and purple armored boots, gauntlets and chest piece with large round pauldrons. A purple fox mask rested over the upper half of her face, a yin and yang symbol printed on each shoulder. White hair flowed down her back, and in her hand was a clinking staff made of silver.

"Be silent," She ordered, "Or I'll put you back to sleep." Flashing another paper talisman between her fingers.

His eyes widened, "Y-You! You're that woman..." Slowly putting it all together in his head, "You're Saki aren't you?"

Her eyes narrowed beneath the mask, "My name is Kuzuhamon." She corrected, tapping the end of her staff against wooden floor.

"Why are you doing this?" He demanded, giving up on struggling against the ropes. "What are you planning to do to this family!?"

She held up one hand, "Calm yourself, little one," She said simply. "We didn't come to this world to harm humans, we're here to help them."

Causing Kotemon to blink, "What?"

"My companions, all of us formerly resided in the Watanabe Sphere of the Digital World," Kuzuhamon explained, her staff glowing as an orb of light formed. Illuminating the empty storage room, and taking the shape of a floating world within the sphere. "But a monster from the depths of the Digital World awakened beneath our home," The land itself began to splinter and shatter apart as fire ripped through the land. "Our Sphere was completely destroyed, and we were among the few who escaped..."

Kotemon thought over his words carefully, "I'm sorry, that's terrible... But it doesn't give you the right to manipulate these humans into doing what you want!"

"You do not understand," She shook her head, "The monster is still out there somewhere, how long until it consumes another world? Or worse, finds its way to this one?" She questioned, "My master wishes to save humanity, a guardian deity to watch over them a host of mighty warriors!"

"Then why hasn't he shown himself?" Kotemon questioned, suspicious of this "masters" intentions.

"He remains trapped in the network, along with most of our surviving forces." Kuzuhamon revealed, "But with the help of Sakura's father, we have all we need to properly release them into this world."

"So he can play king over a bunch of innocent people?" Kotemon scoffed, "Under the guise of a savior?"

"Watch your tongue," She barked back sharply, "Many good digimon were forced to sacrifice themselves just so we could have this chance!"

"But not your king, right?" Kotemon questioned, unfazed by her growing aggression. "I'm not sure I'd trust a ruler who allows his followers to die so he can run away."

Her staff was at his neck in an instant, "Mind. Your. Tongue," She warned, hands trembling around her weapon. "Those who stayed behind did so willingly..." She added, "Like my sister, she died so I could find a better world for us, you will not mock her memory with your ignorance."

Kotemon chose what might be his last words carefully. "She sounds like a good digimon." Putting sincerity into his words, trying to show some kind of empathy to this clearly troubled digimon.

And his attempt at kindness had some kind of effect, as the pressure against his neck faded as she pulled her weapon back. "She was... The best of us."

"What was her name?" Kotemon questioned, quickly adding. "If you don't mind me asking..."

"Sakuyamon," Kuzuhamon answered as she released a shaky breath, closing her eyes. "My sister's name was Sakuyamon..."

And then, Kotemon took the only shot he thought he might have. "Do you think Sakuyamon would be happy with what you're doing?"

Her grip tightened on the staff, her teeth grit with anger. She turned it sideways and slammed it across his helm, knocking Kotemon over before she turned around and stormed out of the room. Closing the door behind her, leaving Kotemon laying there as his head throbbed with pain.

"Yeah... Probably deserved that... Ugh..." Sighing heavily, as he looked up at the ceiling, "I want to sympathize with them... But I won't just stand by and let them take over this world!"