A Lofty Proposition
The children returned to the Digital World to fight and defeat their next adversaries. This would prove to be their biggest trials yet.
Gennai communicated to Zed and to J of the Digidestined progress in defeating the Dark Masters.
"The Digidestined have a lot of collective skill and courage. In these series of battles they've encountered conflict amongst each other, but have managed to pull through each one. The God of this world revealed their purpose as Digidestined and now they seem ready for anything. They could be valuable MIB agents."
Zed thought to himself, "why didn't I think of that". He then messaged J, "J, if the Digidestined successfully defeat Apocalymon, I want you to contact them when they return to Earth and recruit them for our agency." "But Zed, they're children, and I don't want babysit on the job", J objected. "I've enrolled you in a child psychology course, which will start after our business is finished in Odaiba", insisted Zed.
J continued to watch the sky for progress in the battle for Earth and the Digital World. He looked up the stats on Apocalymon to see what to watch out for in the sky.
The Japanese media was all over this bizzare event. News reporters, cameramen, and photographers extensively covered the story and every network in the country and around the world interrupted its regular programming to broadcast the incident live.
The battle had several up and down moments. Just as victory seemed imminent for Apocalymon, the Digidestined made a comeback and contained him before he destroyed both worlds, securing a sure victory. The families of the Digidestined and Odaiba citizens watching cheered as did the Digimon. Gennai and Zed were relieved that balance was finally restored to the Digital World. Time was back to normal. Gennai explained to Zed, that this was the time to secure the portals to prevent free access between worlds. He then explained to the children that they must return to Earth or remain in the Digital World forever.
After the Digidestined returned to their home world, everything was as if nothing ever happened. The children, despite missing their comrades, seemed to be the only ones besides their family that remembered all that had happened. The MIB's containment crew neuralized everyone in Odaiba. The new cover story that explained the battle in the sky, was that a massive meteor shower took place. The explanation for Myotismon and the other Digimon was that inmates from an asylum had escaped but had been returned. Matt's father worked at a news station and Matt was bewildered that despite the fact that reporters had extensively covered the Myotismon incident and subsequent events, footage appeared to have been wiped or nonexistent. The MIB confiscated film and footage from all news media and hid it away in their files.
The next task was to make an offer of recruitment to the children. J decided to round the children all up at their school on a Sunday afternoon in the guise of a Digimon reunion party. Everyone thought that this might be a chance for them to reunite with their Digimon in person. They were surprised when they arrived to see J standing in the auditorium. Before he could introduce himself, Tai blurted out, "You look familiar, haven't I seen you before?" J freaked out internally, he thought that his cover might have somehow been blown. "Yeah he kind of does", Matt agreed. "You look just like the guy from that American TV show! The Fresh Prince!", Tai exclaimed. J was flattered, "I do?" "I never would have thought I had those good looks and charm", J said amused. "But anyways onto business, I would like to introduce you to my colleague Zed and Gennai." The children were surprised to see Gennai in the real world, especially Hikari. "Greetings Children, how have you been doing since returning to Earth?", Gennai asked. The children all answered affirmatively. "That's great", he said. Izzy asked, "Gennai, who are these two gentlemen are with you?" "I'm very glad you asked that", answered Gennai, "These gentleman police and monitor alien activity on the planet earth." The children looked at each other mildly perplexed, but not too perplexed considering the strange events they had just experienced. Zed took it from there, "But we do much more than that, we also monitor paranormal activity, activity relating to parallel universes and dimensions, etc." We have been watching you since the Parrotmon incident four years ago, we realized that the God of the Digital World chose you because you're the best of the best."
Zed then cued the children to follow him. The children knew their school auditorium very well. They were puzzled that these eccentric gentlemen were leading through the door to the kitchen cafeteria. But instead, it lead to an entirely different room, the MIB headquarters in New York. They were awed by the scale of the place, the advanced technology that lay in front of their eyes, and the strange otherworldly creatures that walked amongst them. Walking past them was an eccentric flamboyant figure in Chicago Bulls apparel. Zed shook his head in annoyance, "What did he do this time?" An MIB agent explained that he was suspended from the Bulls for picking a fight. "So much for wanting to declare World Peace, these creatures from the planet Metta are such a headache to deal with", Zed groaned. Across the room, they saw what appeared to be one of Myotismon's henchmen in handcuffs presumably about to be sent back to the Digital World. "What's he doing here", asked Joe. "Probably getting sent back to the Digital World or get obliteriated", Izzy speculated.
Zed and Gennai took the children into a conference room. Zed met J on the outside where both monitored the interaction. Since Gennai had corresponed extensively with the Digidestined, Zed thought it appropriate to have him personaly recruit them. "You have done very well in the Digital World children; You have defeated eight powerful adversaries using your inner strength." "Why did you bring us here", asked Sora. "Did you have a hand in creating the Digital World", asked Izzy. Gennai chuckled, "No, we didn't create the Digital World". "What do you want from us?", asked Matt. Gennai moved on with the proposition, "We would like all of you to join our agency as Men In Black agents". The eight children gasped. Gennai looked at Tai, "We are looking to start a new unit of ambassodors to the Digital World and we would like you to head it". Tai was flattered at the invitation, but skeptical. "But we're still children, we can't possibly take this on; is there anything we would have to sacrifice?" "Yes there is", Gennai responded, "You will have to sever every human contact, no one will ever know you exist anywhere, ever". "So I'll never see mom or dad again", asked Takeru. "Not even my kitten", asked Mimi.
As J and Zed were watching, J asked, "And what will we do if they decline our invitation?". "They will still be vital to the future of the Digital World", J insisted. "Oh don't worry, they'll still be involved; we'll just neuralize them of this occasion; Gennai will handle the situation", Zed responded
Tai spoke for his comrades, "Allow us to discuss this amongst ourselves". Tai had everyone huddle together and discuss the MIB's proposition. They came to a unanimous decision. "We appreciate your invitation, but we'll have to decline", explained Tai. "We're still children and we want to experience a normal life" Gennai responded, "So be it". Zed walked in and escorted the children back into the auditorium. "Good bye Gennai, it was good to see you again", said Izzy. "Take care children", Gennai said.
As Zed took the children back into the auditorium, he directed them to look into the neuralizer. He had the setting fixed so to ensure that the children would have no memory of the headquarters. He gave them the memory of having a school party and that the school principal gave them an award for excellence.
When Zed returned, he informed J that the children have returned to civilian life, but are still the Digidestined. "So does that mean I don't have to take that child psychology course", asked J hopefully. "That is correct", Zed responded, "Instead I'm going to assign you as ambassador to the planet Metta; you'll also be keeping an eye on Ron Artest and see to it that he stays out of trouble". Neeble and the other worms walked by J laughing with cigars in their mouth, "Good luck with that J." "THIS IS BULLSHIT!", exclaimed J.