The woman smiled. "It has been some time Takumi Aiba."

Sonic's gaze shifted between the approaching woman and Takumi. "You know this lady?"

"Her name is Mirei Mikagura." Takumi explained. "She's…a friend of mine."

Mirei stood in front of them then looked at Palmon. "I see you found one of your allied Digimon. A pity it had to revert to an early evolution stage to come here, but I suppose it couldn't be helped."

"We haven't seen you since we restored the human and Digital Worlds Mirei." Palmon said. "What are you doing here?"

"The same thing I did back then. Guiding you in your journey."

Takumi shrugged. "Journey? I don't even know what's going on here!"

"What else is new?" Mirei adjusted her glasses. "I had best explain. You are currently in a world far different from the Digital World and your own."

Sonic looked at Takumi. "So, you're from another world, huh? That explains a lot."

"You don't sound the slightest bit surprised with this." Palmon noted.

"Eh. You guys aren't the first ones to cross over to this dimension from another." Sonic said thinking of a princess from another world where the Sol Emeralds reside.

"I see…" Takumi said. "To be honest Sonic, even though you told me you were a hedgehog, I was kinda hopping you were a Digimon and that this was the Digital World."

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

Mirei chuckled. "I'd say that's high praise."

Takumi sighed. "Anyway… the whole reason why I'm here is because Kamishiro Enterprises made a machine that was supposedly going to recreate the Digital Shift-

"But instead, it created a portal that sent you and your friends to this world." Mirei said. "All according to plan."

"Plan? What are you-

"One day Kamishiro Enterprises received data from an anonymous source that he used to make a special engine."

Takumi's eyes widened. "It was you. You're the one who sent Yuuko's father that data!"

"Correct." Mirei replied walking to the side. "After he made his Digital Engine I subtilty altered the program to create a wormhole to this world. To bring you here."

Sonic squinted at her. "That's one way to get a guy to come over. You know there's these things called invitations people normally send in advance."

Palmon sighed. "Mirei was never one to do things the easy way."

"I require your assistance." Mirei said. "No, more than that. All our worlds are about to face a crisis."

"Is that what these Titans are about?" Sonic asked.

Takumi looked at him. "Titans?"

"Yeah, when I woke up here right before you showed up, some voice in the sky said something about Titans I need to destroy. Was that you Mirei?"

"No. That was an entity of this world."

"Well, who is it?"

"Destiny does not require you to know that right now."

"Destiny?"

"Mirei can see everything." Takumi said. "Even the future."

Palmon scowled. "Though I swear she likes to troll with us sometimes by keeping things to herself to give us the runaround."

"Troll with you?" Mirei smiled. "Perhaps that is simply what fate decided."

"See, this is what I'm talking about!"

"For now, I will tell you three what you do need to know." Mirei opened her laptop. "Oh, but before I go into the details of this mater, I suppose we should explain to your blue companion what Digimon are."

"Oh, right." Takumi turned to Sonic. "Digimon or Digital Monsters are sentient digital beings that came from a place called the Digital World."

"This world once interacted with Takumi's." Mirei explained. "After a battle to save both, the reality of the two was altered so they never had. As such only a small handful of humans and Digimon remember each other."

"Uh, huh." Sonic folded his arms. "So, what's that got to do with our neck of the worlds?"

"Take a look at this." Mirei showed them an image on her laptop. It was a tall dark being had white hair and black facial hair. It wore white with a golden chest plate, and had an eerie, skeletal arm and leg. It had white cloths, a cape, and three red horns.

"Okay, freaky." Sonic said as he, Takumi and Palmon looked at the image. "That also a Digimon?"

"Not just any Digimon. One once hailed as the Sage of Death, Bagramon. Many, many years ago in the Digital World he tried to overthrow its ruler, King Drasil."

"King Drasil?" Takumi asked. "The Eaters are one thing, but can one Digimon actually do that on his own?"

"Surprising, isn't it? But believe it or not he had almost succeeded. That is until the Royal Knights-ones from a generation far before the ones you know-intervened. The very first generation of them in fact."

"This was that long ago?" Takumi said. "So, if they defeated Bagramon, how's he still causing trouble after all this time?"

"They could not completely destroy Bagramon. So, the moment his body was split into three pieces, three of the knights absorbed those pieces into their bodies. Fearing that Bagramon's dark power would corrupt them, they had King Drasil banish them to a far away dimension where they sealed themselves away."

"I take it this is that dimension?" Takumi asked.

"Correct. And you are standing on one of the islands they chose to lock themselves away in."

"The Starfall Islands, huh?" Sonic asked. "So let me guess, an egghead bent on world domination wants to unseal them, harness their power, and you want Takumi to stop them, am I right?"

Mirei shook her head. "I'm afraid it's far too late for that. All three of them have awakened."

"What?" Takumi asked. "How?"

"As you may have figured out, these islands posses many mysteries. Such as a vast Cyber Space and an existence between the Digital and the Physical. Sound familiar detective?"

"Like a Digital Shift."

"Exactly. That is why the old knights were able to travel here and seal themselves on these islands. This system was built by a race that died out a long time ago and has been inactive ever since. That is until someone tried to access the system and accidently awakened the sealed knights as a result. After tens of thousands of years, Bagramon's power has overtaken their minds driving them to madness. For now, they cannot exist outside of these islands, but if they find a way to expand their reach or return to the Digital World, they could be a level of threat even greater than the Eaters. Maybe they'll find a way to your world next. That is why I summoned you Takumi Aiba. You're the most powerful Digimon Tamer your world has to offer. You may be the only one who can slay these three."

"You want me to destroy them?" Takumi asked.

"It will be no easy task, but you should be up for it."

Takumi looked down. "These were once Royal Knights like Alphamon and Omnimon, right? Is there really no way to save them?"

Mirei closed her laptop. "Sadly, any traces of the noble protectors they once were, are long since gone. The only thing you can do for them now is free them of their millennia old nightmare."

Takumi sighed. "…Right now, my biggest concern is finding my friends who you dragged into this. But if these things really are a threat to everyone, I can't ignore it."

"Wisely deduced. Especially considering a friend you owe very much to has her life on the line here as well."

"What do you mean?"

"While investigating the remains of the Eaters Alphamon disappeared."

"Alphamon…?!" Takumi's eyes shook with concern.

"Yeah, she was looking into what will become of the remains of the Eaters and just vanished one day." Palmon said. "You know what happened to her Mirei?"

"It would seem she tried to use them to access this dimension thinking there might be a connection. Then she got herself trapped between the Digital World and this one."

"What?!" Takumi gasped. "Can't we help her?!"

"I would if I could. But the dark energy emitting from those awakened fallen knights are making it hard for me to get a feel of what lies in the space around this reality. If you can destroy them however, I should be able to get her out. Can I trust this to you, Cyber Sleuth?"

"Alright. I'll do." Takumi nodded. "I owe Alphamon my life. It's time to pay her back."

"Very good." Mirei turned to Sonic. "And what of you? Will you aid him?"

Sonic folded his arms. "Saving my friends is on the top of my to do list too. But if I run into these things along the way, I'll take em down."

Mirei smiled. "Excellent. Now then, before you set off…" Mirei held her hand forward. Blue light emanated from it and soon Sonic started glowing. "Consider this my thanks in advance."

"Okay, what'd you do?" Sonic asked.

"I granted you a special ability. As you run, try to visualize a glowing track in your mind."

"Okay." Sonic started running around the arena. Shortly after he glowed, and a blue trail followed his footsteps.

"What is that?" Takumi asked.

"Now, draw a circle with the light you weave." Mirei instructed.

Sonic ran in a circle and the trail flashed purple and made a burst of light. Rings flew out of nowhere. "Sweet! Free rings!"

"That is an energy length that can unleash a special wave that can reveal hidden objects, activate certain devices, and damage enemies. Let's call it the Cyloop."

Takumi smiled to Mirei. "As usual, you come up with the best surprises."

Mirei giggled. "It's what I specialize in, no? There's one more thing it can do. Try stepping on the glowing trail as Sonic forms it."

Sonic started running leaving the track of light. Takumi and Palmon ran over. When Takumi set his foot on it, he started flying right above it. "Whoa!" He and Palmon flew close behind Sonic. When the hedgehog stopped, Takumi and Palmon came to a halt behind him and landed softly on their feet. "Amazing!"

"Your existence in this cyberized world is unique." Mirei explained. "Perhaps because of your…accident that led to you having a half-cyber existence? Whatever the case, all abilities and powers you had in that state can be accessed again."

Takumi held his hand forward and a menu appeared in front of him. "Hey, you're right. It's like being in EDEN. I guess it really is just like the Digital Shift."

"Precisely. I modified the Cyloop so it can be used as a trail for you to accelerate on. Not unlike a slipstream."

"Cool!" Sonic grinned to Takumi. "Now you can keep up with me no mater how fast I go! This'll save us a lot of time!"

Takumi smiled at Mirei. "Thanks. I can always count on you."

"That being said, this is all I can do for you two for now. You must fulfill your missions by yourselves from here. Also, I doubt I need to tell you this Takumi, but you may be up against fallen Royal Knights, but Royal Knights regardless. You won't defeat them with a Rookie Level Digimon."

Takumi looked at Palmon. "No big deal. With your DigiLab, we can bring her back up to full strength, right?"

"The DigiLab is inaccessible from here."

"What!?" Palmon asked. "Then how am I supposed to Digivolve and beat these guys!?"

"Others have found ways to Digivolve without the DigiLab." Mirei said. "Such as your friends. Perhaps you'll find some clue by consulting them? Not to mention your other Digimon are on these islands as well."

Sonic groaned. "You know, for someone who can supposably see the future, you sure are leaving a lot to luck."

"I told you. This is the flow of destiny, and that cannot be broken."

Sonic sighed. "Talk about stingy. Give me Silver over this lady any day of the week." "Well, whatever. I guess we'll work something out from here."

"Right." Takumi nodded. "Now I have another reason to find Nokia, Arata and Yuuko. Terriemron and Hagurumon too. Who knows, maybe we'll find your friends or these "Titans" along the way."

"Or maybe even a Chaos Emerald or two. We got a lot to search for, so let's get started."

Mirei held her hand towards a large, circular door and it opened. "Follow the path ahead. Solve any puzzles you can to fill up the map on your Digivice. It will make finding what you seek and keeping yourselves from getting lost, much easier."

"Sounds like a plan. Ready to go Takumi?"

"You bet. Thanks again Mirei."

Mirei smiled and adjusted her glasses. "Happy hunting, Cyber Sleuth." She watched Sonic run ahead and Takumi and Palmon fly behind him on the glowing trail.

After turning around a corner, Sonic and Takumi kept going until they were blocked off by another gate. "Oh boy. Any idea how to get past this? Should we go back to get Mirei to open this one too?"

Takumi noticed a set of statues. "Hold that thought." He walked over to them and noticed one of them was facing a different direction from the other two. He grabbed it and gave it a turn until it was facing the same way. Sonic turned around as the door opened. "There we go!"

"Nice!" Sonic said. "You got a knack for problem solving, don't you? Come to think of it, Mirei called you a detective."

Palmon raised her hand. "More specifically, he's a Cyber Sleuth! A digital detective!"

"Neat. Well then, what say we go "detect" some missing friends and Emeralds."

"I'm down with that." Takumi said. They carried on ahead. Beyond a couple of grind rails, they came across a sign with a question mark. "Another one…"

Palmon looked ahead. "Hey, look. What are those?" They stared at three torches. "What do you think this is for?"

Takumi remembered what Mirei said. "Hey, Sonic, try using your Cyloop around them."

"On it." Sonic ran around them one after the other. Each loop blew the torches out.

A wave emitted from the sign and Takumi's goggles went off. He put them on and saw another part of the map appear. "Hmm?"

Sonic noticed something blue on the ground and picked it up before turning to Takumi. "Did that fill up the map a little?"

"It did. But I can see something on it. Some kind of…gem?"

"Gem? I think I got a good guess on what that could be. Where is it?"

"Um…It looks like it's on a separate land from we are. If we make a turn through this gate the path should get us closer. Maybe we can find a bridge or something."

"Let's go then." They proceeded through the gate and along the side of a slope. Three more enemies appeared. "Mirei, said this Cyloop works on enemies, right? Let's give it a whirl!" Sonic ran a loop around all three of them and they were blasted into the air.

Palmon impaled one of them with her thorns. "Thorn Throw!" She tossed it into another, and they fell into the ocean while Sonic finished the last one off.

"Heh. My hat's off to that lady. This new trick does everything." The proceeded around a corner and up a hill. Then they saw a alter like the one from before. "Hey, look. Another one of those pillars."

As they approach a voice echoed. "Return to the digital dimension again."

"Gah!" Takumi looked around. "What was that?"

"That's the voice that told me to look for the Emeralds and the Titans. I guess it wants me to go back to that weird place?" They walked up to the alter. "Sooooo, how's this work?"

"Use that gear to bridge the gap between dimensions."

"Gear?" Takumi asked. He looked at a gear-shaped hole in the alter then remembered what the Ninja dropped. "Wait…" He held up his hand and it came out before fitting into the hole and vanishing. They started at the alter but nothing happened.

"Was that supposed to do something?" Palmon asked.

"It is not enough to make the connection." the voice said. "One gear will not suffice. Hunt down another target and take its gear."

"Well, the smaller guys don't seem to leave gears behind." Takumi said. "So, I guess we're looking for a bigger one?"

"Okay, cool." Sonic said. "So where do we find these things." A hissing sound directed them to the sky where a red vortex opened up. A Tower descended from it to the ground nearby. "That's convenient." The tower started spinning and shot projectiles towards them. Sonic pulled Takumi to the ground before he could get hit. "Better stay down Takumi. I'll knock this thing over." He ran at the Tower while sidestepping shots. When he was close enough, he used his Homing Attack then punched and kicked the Tower knocking a piece of it off. He then knocked off another. The Tower ascended and flew away while firing more shots. Sonic evaded and prepared to attack again, but the spinning ring on the tower knocked him away. When he landed on the ground, it jumped up and prepared to slam its point on him, but Palmon's vines grabbed Sonic and pulled him away. "Thanks."

"Sonic, tear down the body until you can reach it's head!" Takumi said. "Palmon, try to stop it from moving!"

"Okay!" Palmon rolled under another projectile. "Poison Ivy!" She tangles her ivy around the Tower. As it pulled back, she tried to fight but was sliding on her feet, but she did slow it down significantly.

"Good enough." Sonic ran Cyloops around the target tearing it down piece by piece. Now that it was short enough, he started striking the head repeatedly until the Tower blew up leaving a Portal Gear behind. "Nice." He picked it up.

"Use the gear as you have done before."

Sonic ran up to the Portal and held up the gear. It went into the hole and vanished. This time red lights flowed around the gate. "I think that did it." Takumi said.

"Return to Cyber Space. As many times as it takes."

"So, gears power this alters and make portals somewhere? But what are we supposed to do once we get inside?"

"Won't find out standing here." Sonic placed his palm on the red circle in the gear pattern. The ring on top glowed with red light that flowed down the alter into the gear. Sonic's body flashed red and disappeared.

"Sonic!" Takumi looked up at the alter. "Well…here goes. Come on Palmon."

"Okay." Palmon stood next to Takumi as he put his hand on the gear and the red lines flowed to it. He then vanished in a red light alongside Palmon.

Sonic started running down a Stoney path. "Really getting some Sky Sanctuary vibes here, but...older." He dashed ahead through the stage.

Takumi and Palmon steppes into a blue digital space. "Is this Kawloon Level 1?" Palmon asked. "We're in EDEN!"

"I don't know about that." Takumi said. "Something feels off." He opened a menu. "We can't log out from here."

"I guess we'll just see where this goes." Palmon said trotting ahead.

"Yeah." Takumi followed her. They went past Junk Park and into the next area when two Koromon appeared and spat bubbles at them. "Yikes! There are other Digimon here too?!"

"I guess we have to fight them!" Palmon said. She swatted some bubbles away. "Poison Ivy!" She shot her ivy at them both taking them down.

"Nice." Takumi said. When the Digimon vanished in red pixels. Then a blue orb appeared on the floor. "Huh?" He picked it up. "What's this?" As he examined it, it vanished into his glove.

"Takumi, something was weird with those Digimon." Palmon said.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think they're real Digimon, but were copies made off of Digimon Data."

"Then this whole Kawloon might not be real either. Did somebody make this? Mirei said this was made by some ancient race. But why would it have a replica of Kawloon back when Digimon were around?"

"Maybe we'll find a clue here."

Takumi nodded. "Good point. Let's go."

Sonic slid down a grind rail then jumped and boosted over a spiky pillar while grabbing a Red Star Ring and hit a spring launching him up. He then jumped into a red portal.

Takumi and Palmon fought through more Digimon and found a couple more keys. They soon reached the end of the area. "This place..." Takumi thought back on what happened when he encountered an Eater for the first time.

Palmon looked at him worryingly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just...reflecting."

"Hey, don't worry. The Eaters are gone, they won't get you now. And I'll keep you safe."

Takumi smiled. "Thanks, Palmon." They walked up the stairs and over towards the old warp pad. "Still doesn't work."

"So what now? The elevator to level 2 wasn't working..."

"Maybe we can log out at the entrance." Takumi turned around. "Come on let's-

Before he could finish that sentence, a glowing pattern appeared above them. Palmon looked at it in shock. "That light... It can't be!"

"No..." Takumi shuddered as a white and black monster with a glowing eye came out. "An Eater?!" It slowly slithered towards them. "We're cut off... It really is just like before..."

Palmon stepped in front of Takumi and glared at it. "Not this time. You won't lay a single tentacle on Takumi!"

"Palmon!"

"Poison Ivy!" She thrusted her thorns into the Eater and it froze in place. Then it disappeared. Palmon and Takumi stared where it once was. "...Wow. That was easy."

Takumi blinked. "Huh…I guess it's just as strong as the same Eater we fought back then. Even if you're back in Rookie form, you are far stronger than you were at the time…" Another orb and a portal appeared nearby. Takumi picked the orb up. "What are these for?"

"Let's take em back to Sonic and look around the island." Palmon said. "That portal there might take us back."

Takumi nodded as they stepped into the light.

Nokia, and Takumi watched the Eater knocked Terriermon, Palmon, Hagurumon, Agumon and Gabumon around while Arata was working on their exit. "Okay! The lock is taken are of. You can log out now!" Arata shouted.

"You guys go, I'm right behind you!" Takumi said.

"Come on, Nokia! Hurry!"

Nokia looked worryingly at Agumon and Gabumon. "But what about them?!"

"Don't you get it? You're holding them back! They can't do anything until you get away!"

"Huh?!"

"Nokia, get out of here!" Takumi yelled.

Nokia ran to the circle pad and flew away. Arata watched her leave. "Takumi! Nokia's logged out! I'll go next! You hurry after us, okay!"

"I got it!" Takumi said as Arata logged out. He watched Agumon and Gabumon flee to make sure they got away then noticed his three Digimon on the ground. "Guys, this way!"

"Takumi…run…" Palmon whimpered.

"Just leave us…" Terriemron groaned.

Takumi picked all three of them up. "Don't say that, let's go!" He ran for the exit with the Eater chasing after him. Just as he got close, it's tentacle grabbed his ankle, tripping him. Terriermon, Palmon, and Hagurumon fell near the pad.

"Takumi!" Terriermon grabbed Takumi's hand and tried to pull but the teen was being drawn in. "Hold on!" Palmon and Hagurumon came to help pull.

"Guys, don't! It'll pull you in too!"

Palmon looked at the pad behind her and reached out with her extended ivy as the monster pulled Takumi harder.

The scene change changed to see him in the middle of the street completely blue and pixelized. A white car drove up to him and a woman with blond hair opened the door. "You have an interesting appearance…I'm curious."

It showed them driving away. "It looks like you're in an extreme digital state, as if you were a cyberspace avatar, yet somehow here in the real world. If that's true, then this is a very interesting phenomenon. Hmmmm."

"Who are you?"

"Who am I? Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. I should have done that earlier, but you were in such a curiosity it completely slipped my mind. Sorry. I'm Kyoko Kuremi. I'm just a humble detective."

Then it showed them in an agency with Kyoko behind a desk and Takumi sitting on a couch. "A digital body with real-world characteristics. Let's call it a half-cyber body." Hee, hee!"

Then it showed Takumi reaching towards a TV in the room. A blue vortex opened up and sucked him into it. Various other scenes came. One showed him meeting Mirei. One showed his body returning to normal. One showed him back in the office meeting an elderly detective. One showed him in a hospital looking at another him in a coma. Then one showed him speaking with Kyoko back in the office where he made a choice that changed his life.

"From this point forward, you are my assistant Cyber Sleuth!"

Light traveled from the top of the gate again and flowed down to the gear. Sonic emerged first. Shortly after Takumi and Palmon followed. "Oh, hey guys." Sonic said. The red light on the gate became blue. Then four keys came down. "Huh?" Sonic held up his hand to catch them, but they vanished into his palm. Then they heard a sound and looked to the side. Two pillars emitted light that formed a bridge. What's more, a blue light shot up from a hill in the distance.

Takumi put a hand above his eyes. "What's that?" He put on his goggles to look at the map. "Hey, that's where the gem on the map is."

"Good thing we got ourselves a bridge now. Onward and upward as they say." Sonic dashed ahead leaving a trail for Takumi to fly on. "By the way, what was that vision I saw of you? Was that also part of your memories?"

"So you saw that one too?" Takumi said.

"Yeah. That monster looked like it got you, then you wind up meeting some detective? Crazy man."

"That was Kyoko Kuremi. After I was attacked by that Eater, my Mental Data- Basically my digitizes consciousness, was separated from my body. That's when I met Kyoko and she took me in as her assistant so I could find the truth of what happened and return to normal."

"Huh. Sounds like an adventure." Sonic then stopped in front of an altar. "Bingo."

Takumi and Palmon landed behind him and looked at it. It contained a sphere of light around a blue gem that was emitting the light. "Wow. What's that?" Palmon asked.

"That's a Chaos Emerald." Sonic replied. "How did it get in this thing though?"

Takumi stared at it. "Um...Sonic?"

"Yeah?"

Takumi looked at Sonic and pointed at the jewel. "That's a blue diamond."

"What? No, that's a Chaos Emerald."

"But emeralds are more...rectangular. Diamonds have that triangular shape."

"Well good for your diamonds, that's still an emerald."

"Guys." Palmon said. "Shouldn't we consider how to get it out of that thing?"

"Good point. No sense in leaving it here."

"But you said they all were sent here, right?" Takumi asked. "What if it's in this thing for a reason?"

"Well, the voice did say to find these things, so the way I see it, I kinda gotta take it."

"Okay, but how?" Takumi examined the device. "I don't see how this thing opens."

Sonic aproached and reached towards the orb of light containing the Emerald, when the keys he obtained appeared out of his hand. "Huh?" They disintegrated and the light died down and the orb dissipated. The Chaos Emerald teleported in front of Sonic and dropped into his hand. "Cool."

Takumi pondered. "So, this large enemies provide gears, gears unlock those gates, inside the gates you can find keys, open these vaults holding Chaos Emeralds?"

Sonic put the emerald away. "Looks like it. One down, six to go."

"So, what exactly do these things do?" Takumi asked. "Aside from looking pretty and nothing like actual emeralds."

"Each one holds incredible power. Enough to even mess with time and space."

"For real?"

"Yeah. And that's nothing compared to what happens if you get ahold of all seven of them. You can become unstoppable with them."

"Unstoppable, huh? Sounds like we should grab as many as we can find."

Sonic looked up. "Definitely. Especially before a bald, crazy doctor I know can get his mitts on them." Sonic stepped forward. "So, where to next?"

Takumi put on his goggles. "Not sure. The map doesn't show any more of this island. We'll have to look around ourselves and-

"Um, guys?" Palmon stared at the horizon. Takumi and Sonic walked over. They overlooked the horizon at the massive stretch of land that laid before them. The island had much to offer.

"Wow..." Takumi took it all in. "...Guess we got our work cut out for us."

"Oh yeah." Sonic stretched out. "Where to first?"

Takumi spotted a towering enemy ahead. An Asura. "Yikes. Definitely want to keep our distance from that thing."

"Or maybe not." Sonic said. "It could have one of those gears we need for the gates that we need for the keys that we need for the Chaos Emeralds."

"That thing is huge man. We can come back to it once we have a plan."

"I have a plan. Let's get em!"

"Sonic!" Takumi watched him speed ahead. "Why do I always get stuck working with impulsive people? Come on Palmon!"

"Right!" They hurried down the hill. They watched Sonic run up to the goliath getting its attention. He rolled as its giant hand slammed into the ground. Sonic thrn rocketed up that arm and flew above it. He spotted three points on the top of its body. He slammed one of them with a Homing Attack and then bombarded it with combos before the entire arm came off.

Takumi ran up to Sonic as he landed back on the ground. "How'd you know where it's weak point was?"

"When your biggest nemesis is an evil scientist who loves building robots with obvious flaws, you build up an instinct for this kind of thing." The Asura rotated so a new arm faced them. "Heads up." The scattered as the hand came down. Sonic ran up it and jumped into the air. But just as he used his Homing Attack electric lines flowed around the remaining points. He got zapped and fell to the ground. "Ow."

"What happened?" Takumi asked pulling him up.

"He's smartened up. Using electric barricades to protect the other weak points. If I can angle myself right, I can go over them."

"Over them..." Takumi had a thought just before the Asura dropped its hand down again forcing them to dodge. "Sonic! Take Palmon up there with you this time!"

"Okay!" Sonic picked up the Digimon and ran up the Asura's arm. As he flew over it, Palmon used her vines to wrap around the pillar resulting in a tug when they were directly above it. Sonic stomped down on it and the two attacked until the second arm fell off. They came down on the ground and when the third arm slammed down, they repeated the process. Once the last arm was down the Asura was destroyed leaving behind a gear that Takumi picked up. "The bigger they are the harder they fall."

When Takumi held the gear, it was absorbed into him. "Not bad you two. Hey, I found another of those signs near the top of the hill before you rushed at that thing. Let's see if we can expand our map."

They went back to a question mark sign and found a set of switches. Sonic attacked them and long grind rail appeared along with another blue object. "Cool. Looks like this goes all the way back if we need to return to the starting point for whatever reason."

Takumi looked at the map as it expanded. "Okay, looks like there's another puzzle and a gate nearby…Huh?"

"What's wrong?" Palmon asked.

"I'm seeing a pink marker on the map. Dunno what it's for though."

"Well, let's check it out." Sonic said. "Where is it?"

Takumi pointed in the distance. "Not far from here."

"Alright, let's go." Sonic ran on ahead and Takumi and Palmon followed him flying down his trail. They came to a stop when they saw a red sphere with black pillars sticking out of it. Within there were two distorted images. "What's that?"

Takumi squinted. "Wait…I think someone's inside that thing."

Sonic stepped closer and got a closer look. "Amy! Is that you?"

"Friend of yours?"

"Yeah, she was with me when we were going to these islands. But wait…is someone else in there? That doesn't look like Tails…"

Takumi stepped closer for another look at the girl sitting down in the cage. His eyes went wide. "Nokia?!"

Someone watched them from nearby. Inside the cage Nokia perked her head up. "Did you hear something?"

Amy was looking around. "Hello? Is someone there? Help us!"

Takumi turned to Sonic. "We gotta get them out of there!"

"Hang on!" Sonic looked down and clenched his fist. "Maybe messing with the ruins will fix things."

"Hold on…" Takumi put on his goggles. "Maybe I can hack into this thing."

Sonic looked at him. "You're a hacker?"

"I'm not the best at it, but I know a few things thanks to Kyoko and Arata. Plus, Digimon like Palmon are handy when it comes to getting access to programs." A keypad appeared in front of Takumi and he started typing.

Someone watched from the bushes. They looked at Palmon. "Isn't that…?"

The red spherical cage burst open, and Amy and Nokia dropped to their feet. Red energy flew into Sonic's left arm turning it red. Takumi looked at him. "Sonic?!"

Amy turned to him. "Sonic! Are you alright?"

Sonic looked at her as his arm returned to normal. She and Nokia looked like holograms. "Me? You two are the ones who're only half here."

"Nokia, what happened?" Takumi asked.

"Eh? Takumi? Is that you?"

"I feel fine." Amy said. "But that energy that was holding me prisoner went into you."

"Yeah, why did that happen?" Takumi asked. "You feeling alright Sonic?"

"Eh, I've been infused with weird zappy stuff before. Besides, I feel like it gave me some kind of boost!"

"Well…as long as you're sure you're okay." Takumi returned his attention to Nokia. "What happened to you Nokia? How'd you end up in that cage?"

"I dunno. After I got sucked into that weird light I was in this red void. That's how I met Amy here. What about you?"

"I fell in too. Not long after that I met Sonic and Palmon here."

Nokia looked next to Takumi. "You found your Digimon again?! So, is this the Digital World then?!"

"No, I found this place after I stumbled into a weird hole with Terriemron and Hagurumon." Palmon replied.

"Oh…I don't suppose Agumon and Gabumon are with you?"

"No, sorry."

As Nokia sighed Amy crouched to Palmon's height. "So, this is what you were talking about Nokia?"

"Yup!" Nokia smiled and held her arm towards Palmon. "This is one of Takumi's Digimon! Isn't it a cutie?"

"Hello." Amy smiled.

"Hi! I'm Palmon!" Palmon raised her hands.

"I got a chance to talk to Nokia while we were trapped." Amy said. "She said some bizarre stuff like "Digimon" and "EDEN" and things like that. I think she's not from around here…"

"That's putting it lightly." Sonic replied. "Sounds like she and Takumi are from another world entirely."

"According to Sonic this is the Starfall Islands." Takumi said. "He said he and his friends came here looking for Chaos Emeralds."

Nokia nodded. "Yeah, Amy gave me the gist of it. Hey, was anyone else other then us brought here?"

"I saw Arata and Yuuko get sucked into that portal before it closed." Takumi explained. "But I think it shut down after I fell in. I bet they're still somewhere around here…This place is both strange and dangerous."

"Well, hey! It's not all bad!" Nokia said. "You got your Digimon to help you! I kinda thought Amy was a Digimon at first, but I guess not. Still, she seems like a nice girl. Cute fashion sense too! That dress and those boots are pretty stylish! And I remember wearing a hairband like that when I was a kid!"

Amy smiled. "Aw, thanks! You got good taste yourself!"

"It is good to have a Digimon by my side again." Takumi smiled. "Just like back then before we changed reality."

"Changed reality?" Sonic asked.

"It's a long story. Say Nokia, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Right now, I'm looking for three Royal Knights from a distant generation that apparently ended up here. But if Sonic and I are going to have a fighting chance against any of them I need to Digivolve Palmon. The thing is, I can't use my previous method. But you were able to Digivolve Agumon and Gabumon on your own. How'd you do it?"

Nokia folded her arms. "How? Well…I dunno."

Everyone groaned. "Can you at least think back on when they first did it, this is important!"

Nokia thought hard. "Oh! I know! Back when Agumon and Gabumon fist Digivolved was after we first fought Fei and got flattened. So, we went to this gym run by a couple of cute Digimon. They told me that I needed to show my love for my Digimon."

"Love, huh?" Amy asked.

"But Takumi, you already love your Digimon, don't you?"

"Well, yeah." Takumi said. "They're like family to me."

"Daww~!" Palmon wrapped her arms around Takumi. "Thanks big bro!"

"Then I'm sure your feelings will come through at some point and Digivolve Palmon!" Nokia said. "Give it time."

"In that case, we need to get moving." Amy said. "If I was trapped, I'm sure Tails was too!"

Sonic nodded. "Good call. Takumi, Palmon and I will scout on ahead and find you two later. Deal?" He didn't wait for a reply before running off and guiding Takumi and Palmon with a light trail.

Nokia was surprised at the sight. "Wow, how's he so fast?! And Takumi can fly?! Does he have some kind of magic powers now?!"

Amy watched them leave. "Deal! Be careful!"

Sonic circled around past the girls and grinned. "Careful"? Where's the fun in that?"

The person from the bushes stared at Takumi and Nokia. "Changed reality…and they know about Digimon…could it be…?"

So, I think this explains my plans for this. While Sonic goes through stages in Cyber Space, Takumi will revisit old places from Cyber Sleuth. After which both he and Sonic will be treated to a flashback. As for Takumi's friends, they'll be in the same boat as Sonic's friends, but there are more surprises to come. Find out more next week!