The scene opens back up to the reflective pool, where Xiaomei is seen.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I'm Xiaomei, remember? You can call me the narrator of this story. Four Shining Stars are needed to restore power to the Edens Zero. The one called Witch is in charge of the ship's defenses. Shiki, his friends, and the Hero Alliance discovered Sister, a gifted healer who has a bit of a foul mouth. And the third Shining Star, Hermit, was just discovered, but will our heroes be able to recruit her as easily as she was found?"
Xiaomei walked along the surface of the pool as she narrated, before she stopped.
"Oh. I should've apologized to you who reads this now in advance. The story from here on out… is sad to say a little bit mean. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Hermit Mio, the Mind of Edens, was sitting on one of the 12 Heavenly Knights of the Dancing Sakura statues right out in the middle of space. Her long Light blue hair was tied into two pigtails, and she wore a white bodysuit with dark-blue armor pads, violet sleeves and legs, and a mechanical headband.
"Whoa. What're the chances, huh?" Zephyr asked.
"You know, she kinda looks like Hatsune Miku." Mari said.
"Wait, something is wrong." 2B said as Hermit's eyes looked clouded. It didn't take long before they brought her inside.
"Hold on… I've seen this before." Sachiko said. "It looks like while her body is here, her mind isn't."
"Are you serious?" David asked.
"Yes, remember? It's just like when I had EDEN Syndrome." Sachiko said.
"Yeah, when the Eaters got you, you were separated from your body and had that Half cyber data body." Flamberge said.
"Hmm…if that's the case…we could try Digitalis." Jet said.
"Digitalis?" Sachiko asked. "Isn't that the planet that is supposed to be the server for that MMORPG that has been popular around here?"
"Yeah. It's a virtual planet. However…with the shifting and the constant additions of new universes…it's pretty far…well…to get to it physically anyway." Jet said.
"Right…the Digifarm's second function." Franky said.
"Yes. We can use that to get in there." Alphamon said.
"There's also a room aboard the Edens Zero we discovered called the Dive Mode Room." Ace said.
"True but there isn't enough for everyone here." Dhar said.
"But still, it's quite a feature to get into virtual worlds and other digital spaces." Sachiko said. "I have actually been looking forward to giving it another go after the whole Underworld incident."
They each prepared their own ways of entering.
"Now…like I said…Digitalis is listed as a planet in the Sakura Cosmos…but it's currently located…in one of the two new ones. The Digital Universe." Jet said.
"Did you just say…Digital Universe?" Leopardmon asked.
"There were two new universes born this year. The Memory and Digital Universes. I heard about them from some explorer pals of mine." Jet said.
"So, what do you think, Leopardmon? You and the other Royal Knights would feel right at home in that new universe, wouldn't you say?" David asked.
"Indeed. I believe it would." Leopardmon said.
"This should be interesting. Diving into a Planet that is in the Sakura Cosmos but at the same time part of an entirely new Universe." Hope said. "Let's see how this goes. Fire up the portal."
"We'll see you guys there." Ace said to Shiki and his group.
"Okay. Digitalis locked on." Jeremie said as he activated the Digifarm's second function and the gate soon opened. "You'll land in the game Digitalis manages. That's where Hermit should be."
"Alright, here we go! Link Start!" ZS said before he laughed. "Hahaha, had to work that in somehow." he said as the group walked through the gate.
The group soon landed on Digitalis, just outside of a town.
"It may take us a bit for the Edens crew. Since they're logging in through that dive thing, they'll have to actually create avatars." Jet said.
"Yep. That's how it usually goes when making online profiles, sadly." Sachiko said. "You can't just dive in, you have to create an account and avatar manually. Still, looking at the sights… This seems like a very nice place."
"It's beautiful." Nuna said.
"Ah…you're visitors to Digitalis." a voice said as a heroic-looking person approached. "Welcome, new and unidentified players. I hope you enjoy your gaming experience."
"We sure will. I'm Sachiko Yukimura, and these are my comrades. And your name?" Sachiko asked.
"I am aRPeGe. I am a program in charge of this Roleplaying Game." he said.
"A self-aware program? That's not something you see everyday." Magnamon said.
"Well… The game kind of shut down a few years ago, so…" Sachiko started.
"Just like Ainz's situation with those of Nazarick." Mayumi said.
"Ainz…ah…the guild Ainz Ooal Gown. A popular guild that only allowed inhuman species to join. They ruled a tomb all the way until the game's shutdown." aRPeGe said, looking it up.
"Yeah. Hard to believe things were the same after that." Sachiko said. "So this planet…"
"Yes. The NPCs of this world are self-aware. Even the monsters too. This place is more alive than being a game. One of the more interesting worlds I manage." aRPeGe said.
"So the NPCs and monsters became self-aware after the game's shutdown. Well, I'd say it would make things very interesting." Alphamon said. "Being digital beings ourselves, the perspective is actually quite humbling for the lot of us."
"Indeed." Tsuki said.
"In a way it kinda feels nostalgic." 9S said.
"Yes… Just as David said, it really does feel like home…" Leopardmon said.
Hope smiled. "aRPeGe, if you don't mind, wed like to ask you about where someone is. We're looking for an android that goes by the name Hermit. Is she nearby?"
"Hmm…if I tell you, how can I be sure you won't use her player info to steal anything she has in real life?" aRPeGe said.
"Please. This guy is no hacker. Look at him, he's a numbskull with tech." Vector said.
"Oh, thanks Vector." Hope said sarcastically before Stoj bonked Vector on the head.
"Don't worry. We're not gonna do anything to her." Sachiko said.
"Hmm…very well." aRPeGe said, looking through player listings. "Hmm…several new players logged in today. From somewhere called the Edens Zero? I take it more of your comrades?"
"Yes, they are." Sachiko said.
"Right…hmm…Ah…here we are. Hermit Mio. Location…a hill outside of Crysta." aRPeGe said.
"Thats where were going then." Espio said.
"Id advise against that. A player killer has been on a spree as of late." aRPeGe said. "Well, technically an NPC killer I suppose."
"Thank you. We'll be careful." Sachiko said.
"So…you aren't a player, right? Cause that look makes you…" Lan said.
"No…I'm a program. A true resident of the Digital Universe." he said.
"Wow, that's incredible." Entrapta said. "Living beings inside a Digital World. Oh, the possibilities of Universal Research I could do here!"
"We would like some info on the Digital Universe too. Just as we travel." Jexi said.
"Very well. I will accompany." aRPeGe said as they went off. "To start with, when this universe was created, it incorporated a number of systems from other universes, bringing life into this place and giving the programs life. We all govern different things and are labeled under the seven categories: Social, Navigation, Tools, Games, Entertainment, System, and Life. Along with many different subcategories. I am an RPG program under the game category."
"Intriguing. I never expected such versatility." Crusadermon said.
"However, there are programs who don't follow their intended purpose. Those who seek ill will and cause nothing but trouble for others. We call them Viruses." aRPeGe said.
"Viruses… We've had our fair share of those too…" Leopardmon said, thinking back to the Demon Lords.
"More ways than one." Zero added, remembering how the Zero Virus awakened him to his original nature.
"It's a little different than a regular Virus, Zero. Maybe even more than Sigma. These Viruses are hostile Programs that are evil and rebel and cause nothing but trouble and destruction." Glimmer said.
"Yeah…like I just said." aRPeGe said. "Luckily we have top-notch security programs that work with eliminating such pests."
"I see." Alphamon said.
"Hmm… Is something up with the Royal Knights? They've been pretty nostalgic ever since they got here." Shun'ei said.
"Because the Digital World is where they were born, same with Tsuki and Corona." Ace explained. "That's why they feel nostalgia here."
"Y'know, this could be where the Digimon could now be living. Somewhere in this Universe, I bet there are a few or more roaming around." Gemini guessed.
"Incorrect. Digimon are a race not found here." aRPeGe said. "That race contains virus variants and are therefore not allowed."
"I see… That is rather unfortunate." Alphamon said. "But nonetheless, I'm still glad we came here. It really does feel like home here."
"We appreciate the feedback." aRPeGe said as they continued on before the group soon arrived to the ruined city of Crysta.
"Whoa, looks like a tornado hit this place." Kazuichi said.
"What kinda player could do all this?" Ragna asked.
"Like I mentioned, there is a NPC/Player killer loose. Normally, such actions would get him banned. However, he has been able to escape the ban time after time." aRPeGe said.
"He's a Hacker for sure." Chiaki said. "If he's going around killing NPCs and not getting punished for it, he must be hacking the systems to make sure he gets off scot-free."
"Wait, look!" Steven said, pointing ahead where a woman was stumbling out of an alleyway. "There's someone!"
"That is an NPC. However…" aRPeGe said as the woman turned, repeating the same line over and over until a scythe finished her off.
"I think the NPKer found us." Al said.
"Hahahaha! Aw…such a shame. When you get to it, NPC's are just trash without emotions or anything real players have." the scythe holder said. "Ah…I heard there were new players here. I came to greet you all but went to the wrong town. Had to settle with some veteran players. I did good work with them. Go ahead…look up to the tower."
The group saw the horrifying sight of a couple of players skewered right through the flagpole of the tower.
"Oh my…" Thorani said.
"And here's the best part: my power keeps them from ever logging out!" the PKer laughed. "That way, I'll be able to savor their final moments forever!"
"I'd have figured who would be so monstrous as to do something like this." Sachiko said. "But now I know… You must be him…Jamilov."
"Yes. I am Jamilov, the chosen player. But in the real world…I have the honor of being an acquaintance of the illustrious Drakken Joe!" he said.
"What? You're kidding." Jet said.
"Uh…who?" Jexi asked.
"He's one of the Oracion Seis Galactica. The Dark Alchemist. He's the one who turned Guilst into that cesspool you saw." Jet said.
"So he's the worst of the worst, got it." Bow said.
"Aw, you guys aren't sporting those twisted faces of fear that I so enjoy." Jamilov said. "Oh well, guess I'll just have to carve those wonderful expressions myself!"
"Try it, I dare you!" A2 said.
"A2, stop!" Sachiko said. "This isn't like most virtual worlds, especially going in as we did."
"It's one of those kind, isn't it?" A2 asked.
"Yeah. We die in here, we die for real. Digitalis and the rest of the Digital Universe may be all cyber, but we can still feel pain and everything. Plus, the residents of this world are living beings as much as we are, so they can die too." Hope said.
"So those players up there are…" Thorani said.
"Real players that he killed and hacked their accounts to prevent them from logging out." aRPeGe said.
"Even so, we cannot let this stand. He must be stopped." Elisabeth said.
"But how can we? He seems like the type that would use hacks to mitigate any damage he takes." Sachiko said.
"But you're a hacker too aren't you, can't you just do a data drain on him?" Shantae asked.
"Something tells me it's not that simple though, right?" ZS asked.
"It would only affect the account he would be hacking into. Not him actually." Sachiko said.
"It was worth a shot." Shantae said with a nervous expression.
"Are you all done talking to yourselves over there? I'm getting bored, and my dear Maria is starving!" Jamilov said as his scythe's blade morphed into a large shadowy monster. "You'll have to excuse her lack of table manners, she eats everything."
The monster lunged at the group, jaws wide open.
Elsewhere….
"Ziggy….you told me a lie that day." said a girl as she sat on a hill. "Machines may have a heart…but humans lack anything like that."