Hello again everyone, hope you haven't all forgotten about me on my break XD

I had to do a lot of planning for this season, as we're essentially in the final Arc of the story, it's going to be all gas and no brakes for a minute so strap in and enjoy the ride!

. . .

Thomas, Kai, and Madison

. . .

After some planning and preparation, everything was finally in order. And with Madison's power it was as simple as stepping through the door of light, once Thomas prepped them a connection that is. And with his laptop current synced up to the server, it was finally time to fulfill his promise to Annika.

"Alright, we're all set here." The young genius stated, looking back to his friends. "Ready to open the doorway?"

Madison nodded, handing off her Digivice that seemed to share her own power in some regard. As once it was hooked into the device, the doorway appeared before them. Creating that rift in the air itself right in Thomas' backyard. On the other side was the interior of the Volcano Lab, the portal created through that device they'd left Sam with.

"It's so weird thinking we're going back." Madison chuckled lightly as she approached the doorway, Thomas returning her digivice.

"And on our own terms this time." Kai added, hands in his pockets as he joined them. "It's a shame Cody isn't coming with us."

To which Madison nodded, "Yeah, but he did draw the short straw..."

Thomas looked back to his home, where his parents stood watching nervously. "Don't worry we'll be back in a little bit!" He assured, "No world ending threats waiting for us this time, and you can still text me!"

"O-Okay," His mother waved, "Be safe everyone!"

"Bye Mom!" Kokuwamon waved back at them.

Causing Thomas to facepalm, "I already told you she isn't- Oh whatever, lets go!"

They stepped through together, first Madison and Kai along with their digimon, and then Thomas as they helped carry him through. The effects of entering the digital world hitting quickly as he regained his ability to stand on his own. The young genius holding his laptop tightly as he looked back at the doorway. "Aaand lets just close this to avoid any trouble." The gateway was sealed behind them, with the knowledge Madison could use her crest to create another at will.

"Looks like you were right," Kai noted as he looked around the dark chamber. "Nobody's home."

"I hope Sam is okay," Madison frowned, "I figured she'd be here..."

"Aww I wanted to see Darcmon!" Tsukaimon whined, fluttering up and plopping down on Madison's head.

"Me too!" Kotemon added, "I wanted to spar with her again!"

"We can look for her after we drop off Annika, and the others." Thomas assured, "If you'd be so kind as to open us up a doorway to the Eastern Continent that is."

"Oh! Right," Madison nodded with a smile, activating her Crest and causing another portal to open, this one leading to the warm fields and sunny shores of the East. Not far from a certain little Swordsmon's village. "Here you go!"

"Thanks." Thomas nodded, making his way through alongside Kokuwamon.

Kai stepped halfway through before he noticed Madison wasn't coming along, "What's up?" He asked, looking back at her.

"I actually wanted to check in on the West," She explained, "Maybe find some of the friends I made there, see how things are going since Mephistomon was defeated." She shrugged. "I'll head to you guys once we're finished over there."

Kai blinked, "Oh, okay sure, see you later." Waving her off with a smile before stepping all the way through.

Madison allowed it to close as he disappeared, before opening another gateway, this one leading to a less sunny place. "You ready?"

Tsukaimon nodded her head, "Yeah! Lets go!"

. . .

Sam and Darcmon

. . .

It had taken them hours to reach their destination, soaring westward in an orb of light crafted by Wisemon. And where Sam was sure they'd find nothing but empty ocean in the western side of their Sphere, they came upon a large structure hovering over the waves. A great stone building with archways leading up to the top where a suspiciously vacant circular doorway awaited them.

"This is the Egress," Wisemon stated, touching down before he began walking forward. "Once upon a time each Sphere was connected by them, and Digimon could travel between them freely." He lowered his head ever so slightly, as they reached the stairs. "Now only a select few are privy to the knowledge of activating them."

"And this Gennai of yours is waiting for us on the other side?" Darcmon questioned, still quite suspicious of all of this.

"Indeed," Wisemon nodded, pep returning to his step as they began making the climb. "We'd do well not to keep him waiting."

Sam narrowed her eyes, following along but still not liking this. Her eyes went down to her Digivice, wishing she had a way to contact the others.

"I sense your worry," Wisemon said without looking back. "But understand that Master Gennai means no harm, he wishes only to grant you his wisdom." He assured.

To which Myotismon rolled his eyes. "And oh what a gift it is..." His vampiric fangs dripping with sarcasm. But as they began ascending the steps together, the vampiric digimon stopped, "Hmm?" Looking back across the sea, "Interesting..."

"Something wrong?" Darcmon questioned suspiciously, stopping a few steps up.

"No, but it seems I'll be staying here for the time being." He answered simply, turning and walking away from them.

Wisemon blinked, "Oh? Well if you insist, I'll give Gennai your regards."

"Do whatever you want." Myotismon replied simply, before bursting into a storm of bats and flying off back over the ocean.

Sam wanted to question where he was going, not at all trusting someone that was once a member of Mepistomon's Court, but the gateway awaited them. And as Wisemon reached the top and ran his hands across that book of his, it roared to life in a similar fashion to the doorways Madison could open.

"Brace yourselves," Wisemon urged as they joined him at the top. "Traveling between Spheres can be a rather... Intense experience."

Darcmon and Sam looked to one another, watching as Wisemon stepped through without worry. "I guess we're doing this."

Sam nodded, "I guess so." Holding out a hand that her sister gladly accepted, before they disappeared into the gateway.

. . .

Kai and Thomas

. . .

After stepping through the gateway, Thomas wasted no time. Opening up his laptop and accessing the files, "Alright, no point keeping you two cooped up in there any longer."

In a flash of light, the forms of Annika and Kuramon burst from the screen as he turned it away. The girl stumbling a bit as her feet touched the solid ground, and Kuramon landed on her shoulder. She blinked in surprise, looking around the widespread fields, the distant mountains and nearby sea. "Whoa..." Was all she could manage.

"Welcome to the Digital World!" Kokuwamon exclaimed excitedly, throwing his arms up.

Even Kuramon's tiny eye was glistening with wonder as he took in the sights. "Digital... World?"

"This is your new home," Thomas assured, "Where no humans can hurt either of you again."

"Well actually," Kai interjected. "Your home will probably be in the Village, not this empty field."

Annika blinked as she looked between him and his partner. "Who are they?"

"Oh, right," Thomas laughed nervously, "This is Kai, and his partner Kotemon."

"Yo!" Kotemon greeted while raising his flopping sleeves.

"Friends?" Kuramon asked, blinking as he looked between them.

To which Kai shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

"New friend!" Kuramon beamed, bouncing around on Annika's head.

She chuckled lightly in response to his excitement, before looking around again. "And where is that other boy, and the little green Digimon? The one who was helping you before?"

"Oh Cody?" Thomas quirked an eyebrow, "Him and Shamanmon are a little busy, things are... Kinda wild in the human world right now, after everything that's happened so he's taking care of some stuff for us while we do this."

"Right..." She turned and looked back across the fields, seeing the edge of the forest and smoke rising in the distance. "You said something about a village?"

"Right this way!" Kotemon eagerly moved on ahead, "It's the village I grew up in! I'm sure they'd love to have you!"

"Hey don't run ahead!" Kai called after him, sighing before he went on to follow. "We'll go ahead and let them know you're coming." Before following after his partner. "And maybe talk about the others as well..."

Thomas nodded, motioning for Annika to follow. "I know this is a lot to take in, so we can go slower." He assured.

She smiled and followed along beside him. "Yeah it's just... This place is beautiful." She said, eyes still scanning the horizon. "Hard to believe it's real..."

"Yeah, most of us had similar reactions when we first came here." Thomas chuckled, "Though, the place I ended up wasn't as nice as this."

"Oh?" Annika shot him a sideways look. "Where did you end up?"

"Near Kokuwamon's home," He explained, "A big factory, in the middle of a wasteland." Before he shrugged, "Not nearly as colorful as this."

Earning a small giggle from Annika, "Yeah I think I'll take the country village, I've had enough of dark structures to last a lifetime." Before Kuramon jumped off her head, tumbling around in the grass, rolling through some flowers. "And he seems to like it too."

"Careful," Kokuwamon followed after the tiny digimon. "Don't wander too far you might get lost!"

Annika watched the metal beetle chase Kuramon around through the grass as they went, thinking about how exactly they ended up here. "You know, it's crazy to think that just a few days ago, Kokuwamon and Kuramon were fighting as those giant monsters... And now they're just..."

Thomas laughed at that, "Yeah, you get used to that part, I'm not sure it's the same for all Digimon but ours tend to go from cute and cuddly to wrecking machines pretty fast." Before another thought struck him, "Well, unless you're Tsukaimon, I guess... She only had one scary form."

"Oh?" Annika tilted her head, "What about the others?"

"Eh-" Thomas' cheeks flushed, "N-Nevermind that, lets catch up to Kai and Kotemon!"

"Hey wait!" Annika called out as he started rushing ahead, forced to pick up the pace just to keep up with him. The wind in her hair, the sun on her skin, she hadn't realized how miserable she'd been in that sterile cyber space. This world felt so alive, and it felt so good just to run.

Upon noticing that they were running off, Kuramon tried to follow them. Kokuwamon picked him up and ran along after them, "Come on guys why are we running!?"

Following the trail through the woods, they ran on and on until a break in the trees appeared up ahead. Annika could see Kai and Kotemon, they were standing before the foot of a massive shiny statue from the looks of it. With the walls behind it, she was sure this had to be the village, but why would they leave a giant statue right in front of their gate?

"Oh here she comes now," Kotemon turned away from the statue, pointing towards Thomas and Annika. "And they're running, for some reason?"

Kai rolled his eyes, "You ran the entire way here too didn't you?"

Annika was confused as to who they were talking to, until she stepped out from under the trees. Her eyes shot up to the enormous statue that was now moving. A massive armored knight, turning his stoic gaze upon her and Thomas. "H-Hello there..." She waved nervously, shrinking under his gaze.

"Knightmon, this is Annika." Kotemon introduced.

He remained silent for a moment, before kneeling down to one knee. A motion that made the ground shake a bit and had Annika jumping back, as Kuramon jumped back up onto her shoulder. "I hear you've been through a lot, and require a place to stay." His voice deep and slightly filtered through his helmet.

She tensed up lightly, swallowing nervously. "Th-That's right... Kuramon and I have nowhere to go, i-if it isn't too much trouble-" But her words hitched as he held up a hand.

"Say no more, you need not justify your presence or beg." He assured, rising back up slowly. "You are welcome here, and so long as I stand guard you will both be safe here." He vowed, planting one armored fist over his chest.

Annika was a bit surprised by his response, his intimidating presence melting away immediately as she felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Mr. Knightmon." Bowing her head.

While Kuramon simply stared up at him, blinking once. "B... Biiiiig friend?"

To which Kokuwamon shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

"I will inform the Gotsumon to begin building you a home," Knightmon assured, "Would you prefer closer to the beach or the forest?"

Annika blinked in surprise, "I get to choose?!" Her cheeks flushed red, hardly able to believe they were being so nice to her. "I-I guess the forest is fine..."

Knightmon nodded, "I'll deliver the message right away," Before he noted Kotemon staring off into the village, "Is something wrong?"

The armored digimon looked back at his old master, "I was just kinda surprised, I figured Morphomon would have come out to see us."

"Oh-" Knightmon hesitated for a moment, "Right, about that..."

Kai could feel the sudden shift in his tone. "Did something happen?" He didn't know Morphomon very well, but she was Kotemon's friend, so if something happened to her...

"It might be nothing," Knightmon held up one hand, "But she disappeared a few days ago."

Thomas quirked an eyebrow, "How can that be nothing? Someone just disappearing?"

And surprisingly enough it was Kotemon who answered. "Sometimes Digimon would leave the village to train, trying to Digivolve... Or to go find their own place in the Digital World." He explained, "I guess that's possible..."

Kai frowned as he considered it, "Maybe, we can do a search of the area before we head back." He assured, looking to his partner. "I'm sure Morphomon is alright."

He nodded in response, "Yeah... Yeah she's got a good head on her shoulders, we'll see her again."

Knightmon nodded as well, "Most digimon find their own way back eventually, I've seen many leave and return to this place since arriving here." He assured, "Morphomon won't be gone long, I'm sure." Before he looked back at Kai, "Now then, are Ms. Annika and Kuramon the only friends you brought?" He questioned, "I thought you mentioned more Digimon as well..."

"O-Oh right," Kotemon tensed up a bit. "Uh... Yeah we might need more housing."

Kai looked to Thomas, "Think it's about time we sent the signal?"

Thomas nodded, getting his laptop ready. "Right, can't delay forever... CSGO wants them out of Japan as soon as possible." Tapping away at the keys.

Knightmon blinked, "Oh? I thought you needed Madison to create a gateway."

"Her power creates more of an instant access connection," Thomas replied, plugging his Digivice into the laptop after a green light appeared on the screen. "But we can make something a little slower by using the same Method as Dragomon, forcing a burst of power through Cyber Space!"

His digivice roared to life, and fired a beam that Thomas pointed at the tree line. It began to form a swirling vortex out of thin air, opening up into a gateway! And while the light show continued, figures began to become visibly through the many colors.

"Normally it takes a lot longer to travel this way," Thomas stated, "But I thought ahead and had them uploaded into the net before we came."

Knightmon's eye twitched as he watched the dozens of warrior looking digimon appear. "And... If I had refused to house them?"

To which Thomas laughed nervously, "Boy that would have made me look like an ass, but you didn't so lets not think about that!"

Annika gasped as the many Karatenmon and Vajramon appeared through the gateway, this being her first time seeing them. Along with the twin dragon Hisaryumon that emerged last, the entire army standing now before the gates of this once quaint little village. Before they each bowed their heads once they realized Kotemon was standing there.

"Guys come on I said you don't have to do that!" He exclaimed, flailing his sleeves around. Before laughing nervously as he looked up at Knightmon. "Sorry they're uh... Just recently freed from a tyrannical master, and even before that they had a pretty rough time..." Shifting as he looked to the ground. "I promised them that I'd beat their master, and take them to a new world where they could live in peace."

One of the Karatenmon spoke up, "Even after we invaded the human world, he still offered to help us..."

Vajramon adding, "We have never known a more honorable master!"

Kotemon quickly barking back, "I'M NOT YOUR MASTER!"

That was certainly a lot to unpack, but Knightmon understood the gist of it. And couldn't help but chuckle lightly as he looked down at his former student, "You showed them incredible mercy, and restraint," Looking out over the army standing before him. "So long as you pass this kindness along to those within this Sphere, and follow the rules of our village, you are more than welcome to remain here in peace."

Annika tilted her head as she watched things progress between the two parties, standing beside Thomas with her hands behind her back. "You know I was really worried about imposing on Mr. Knightmon, but at least I didn't drop an entire army on his doorstep..."

Thomas chuckled in response, "Yeah, we were really short on options... And Kotemon did make them a promise."

"We will do whatever you ask! Lord Knightmon!" Came a chorus of responses from the many warrior digimon.

Knightmon held up his hands, "I do no require obedience, and I am certainly no Lord!"

Kotemon sighed shaking his head, "It's no use, trust me I've tried..."

Kai watched the Digimon sort this one out, feeling a bit relieved to not be the center of this mess. Though as he looked off over the nearby bay, he thought to himself. "I hope Madison is having a less hectic time than we-" His thought was interrupted however, as the sound of something hissing through the air echoed all around them.

The noise caused everyone to stop what they were doing, picking up on the sound. "What is that?" Annika muttered.

"It sounds like..." Knightmon narrowed his eyes as he gazed upward, "Something heavy falling."

They all followed his gaze to the clouds, and just in time too see something small falling fast. It cut through the clouds, racing towards the earth before striking somewhere over the distant hills. The impact however, send shockwaves through the entire area, many of the digimon stumbling for footing as cries of fear rang out within the settlement.

"Wh-What was that!?" Kokuwamon exclaimed, as things started to settle down.

"It looked small," Kai stated, "But I couldn't make out the shape."

"If it was that small but hit hard enough to shake the entire area," Knightmon pointed out, placing a hand on sword that rested on his belt. "It could be dangerous."

Kotemon nodded, "Right, stay here and look after the village!" He said, the look on Kai's face giving him all the assurance he needed that they were in agreement. "We'll go check it out!" Already running off towards the crash site.

"We're right behind you!" Thomas added, looking to Annika, "Stay here, it might be nothing but... I've got a bad feeling about this." Before waving for Kokuwamon to follow, the duo racing off to follow Kai and Kotemon.

Towards whatever had just arrived here...

. . .

Madison

. . .

"You know I thought you guys were really scary before," Said the young woman, as she scratched under the chin of a large Raremon. It's leg kicked slowly behind it, before the enormous beast rolled over on its side with its tongue hanging out. "But you're just kinda stinky..."

She stood within the village that had cropped up around the ruins of Mephistmon's old palace. The former servants had managed to etch out a life for themselves and even built a stable community. Something that made both Madison and Tsukaimon happy for them. The duo having been making the rounds checking in on anyone they came across, not searching for any particular problems but just making sure everyone was doing alright.

"Everyone is so much happier here now," Tsu commented as they continued walking along. "I know it was terrible... But looking back, I'm kind of glad I was brought back here."

Madison quirked an eyebrow at that, "You are?"

"Yeah!" Tsukaimon nodded, fluttering around her. "It gave me the chance to help everyone."

She smiled softly at her response, "Well I'm happy you're feeling better about it." Before her eyes caught a familiar pair of big fluffy ears up ahead, just over a fence. "Oh!" She ran over quickly, "Gazimon!" Leaning over to see-

"Huh?" It was a Gazimon alright, but this wasn't the one she remembered. "Oh, you're that human lady who sent Mephistmon packing, sup?"

Madison blinked, "O-Oh sorry to bother you, I mistook you for another Gazimon."

To which he shrugged, "Yeah well, we do look a lot alike."

"Eheheh, right," She laughed nervously as Tsukaimon flew up behind her. "Maybe you could help me find him?"

The Gazimon tilted it's head, "Uh... Maybe, got anything specific you could use to describe this Gazimon?"

"Hmm..." She thought about it for a moment, "I'm not really sure, oh!" Madison gasped as she remembered the moment her eyes landed on the Gazimon's tail. "He had two tails! Not just one, I've never seen another Gazimon like that!"

"Oooh you mean that weirdo," Gazimon scoffed before crossing his arms. "Yeah, I don't know, from what I heard he disappeared a little while ago."

"Disappeared?" Tsukaimon chimed in, frowning. "What do you mean disappeared?"

"I mean what I said," The Gazimon waved her off, "He was hanging around, kept getting into scuffles with those stupid spiders, then a few days ago he just vanished!" He exclaimed, "Maybe the spiders finally ate him." Before tapping a claw on his chin, "Come to think of it, haven't seen the spiders in awhile either..."

"What spiders?" Madison questioned, "Can you take us to them?" She was getting worried now, that Gazimon had helped her so much before and she couldn't just leave him to these 'spiders'.

"Yeah no thanks," Gazimon scoffed dismissively, turning away as he went to continue on his route. "I'm not interested in becoming spider chow or chasing after a mutant."

Madison frowned as he walked off, sighing lightly. "Well I guess we have a mission before can join up with the others." She said, looking back to her partner with a smile. "Let's find Gazimon!"

She nodded eagerly, fluttering up higher. "Yeah! Let's-"

Before a brilliant golden light broke through the clouds above, casting light on the entire area and causing many digimon to cower and shield their eyes. Madison winced as she looked up towards it, trying to find the source. And as the beam slowly faded, she could see something descending, a humanoid figure in pure white armor with red robes underneath. It had multiple sets of wings behind it, and in its left hand was golden key-shaped sword.

"I-Is that a digimon?" She asked, eyes never leaving it.

Tsukaimon frowned and landed on her shoulder. "Yeah... And he's strong."

"But why is he here?" Madison questioned, narrowing her eyes as the Angelic Digimon suddenly shifted it's descent towards them both, as if it had suddenly sensed their presence. "I guess we're about to find out..."

. . .

? ? ?

. . .

Somewhere far away in the vast expanse of Digital Space, was a brilliant glimmering Sphere.

Unlike those below, it held a Divine light, unmatched by even the realm of the Angels.

But this light was nothing but a beacon to the flame.

Through the void, a burning tongue of fire crashed upon the walls of the sphere. Ripping through its protective barrier with ease, tearing a hole just barely large enough to begin pulling itself through. Spreading wings of flame that cast a blood red light over the world below, as the monstrous wyrm breached the atmosphere.

Far below, amidst the floating islands, those that the Wyrm had come to destroy stirred in their sanctuary. Once calm and peaceful waters disturbed by the mere presence of this vile creature.

A long serpentine digimon began to rise, her body pink in color but this dragon was no less fierce than the broad shouldered golden dragon rising beside her. "It seems he's finally found us."

Armored gauntlets formed on the fists of the golden dragon, as he began to rise into the air and spread his wings. "Indeed, it was only a matter of time." Narrowing his eyes beneath a metal mask, he stared up at the monster that had invaded this Sphere.

As they locked eyes over many miles, the chaos Wyrm released a furious roar. The sheer force caused remaining clouds to part, while the heat coming from those burning wings and the rest of its molten body had the trees of this once beautiful place wilting, the waters beginning to boil.

"His rage has only grown stronger," Goldramon noted, steeling his resolve with grim determination. "You know we cannot defeat him."

"But that does not mean we will not try," Magnadramon answered, "Are you ready?"

"I have long awaited this day," The Golden Dragon answered, cracking his knuckles. "We may not be able to defeat you, but we can still buy time for the others!"

But the flaming wyrm cared not for bold declarations or grim resolve.

His arrival heralded the end of all things.

Megidramon demanded blood.

And blood it would have.