Sonic, Takumi, Gargomon, Knuckles and Arata stood in front of an oasis. A giant prism floated in the sky above it. Dangling from underneath was a giant chain that went into the water. "Do you guys see that?" Arata asked looking into the pond. "It looks like there's some kind of plug. If we can pull it out, we can drain the water."

"Problem is I'm still half-ghost and this guy is useless underwater." Knuckles replied gesturing to Sonic.

Sonic folded his arms and squinted at him. "Wow, thanks for the concern." He turned to Takumi. "You got any ideas Watson?"

"Hmm…" Takumi looked up at the prism in the air. "Maybe if hit that device holding the chain with enough force, we can get it to pull out the plug."

"I don't think my current weapons are up for the job." Gargomon shrugged.

Takumi looked around. He spotted an object pointing towards the prism. "That looks like a cannon of some kind. Maybe the Ancients built it? Perhaps it packs the punch we need."

"Worth a shot." Knuckles replied. "Just don't slip and fall. I can't hull you up."

Takumi walked over to the cannon and sat in the seat. He started testing the controls and got it moving. "Good, it still works." He aimed it at the prism. "I ALWAYS wanted to do something like this! FIRE!" He pressed the trigger. But nothing happened. He pressed it again and again but all he got was a bunch of clicking noises. "Oh, come on, what's wrong with this thing?"

Arata looked at it. "Maybe it's out of ammo."

"Well, that's no good." Knuckles sighed. "We don't even know where to find any on this island."

"They had to have some stored somewhere close to their weapons, so they'd be ready for an attack." Takumi said.

"Closer than you think Takumi." Sonic spotted what looked like a giant bullet nearby and Cylooped around it. It flipped into the air and into his hands. He ran over and tossed it to Gargomon.

Gargomon but the massive shell into a slot that rose up to the cannon and inserted itself in. Gargomon stepped back and saluted to Takumi. "Locked and loaded captain!"

"You only got one shot." Arata said. "Don't screw it up."

"Thanks for the confidence Arata." Takumi murmured before checking his aim. He targeted a red square on the target. "FIRE!" He pressed the trigger, and the cannon shot the square. It glowed blue and the chain twisted before it slowly started to reel in. Takumi got out of the cannon and approached the pond with the others as the water drained into the hole in the center.

"That was awesome!" Gargomon cheered.

"Nice shooting ace." Arata grinned.

"Wait… was draining the oasis the best idea…?" Sonic asked.

"Well hey, you've revealed the way forward. That's what's important." Knuckles replied.

"Speak for yourself." Takumi groaned. "You can't feel this heat."

Arata grinned. "The Cyber Sleuth can't take the heat? When this is all over, we're dragging you to a beach."

"I'm fine with a beach just not some desert swarming with robots trying to kill me thanks!"

Sonic patted him on the back. "Until then, race you to the next Emerald!"

Sonic ran ahead with Takumi and Gargomon following him. Arata and Knuckles watched him leave. "He wasn't kidding." Knuckles and Arata jolted and turned around to see the masked man fanning himself off. "This place is like the Sahara!"

"You!" Knuckles glared.

"Hey, maybe if you weren't wearing heavy clothing and a mask." Arata said. "Dark clothing at that. What is it you want anyway?"

"Relax, I just want to talk." The man stepped forward. "Tell, me something Arata. Now that reality has changed back home did that alter the fact that Jude ever existed?"

The teenage hacker shrugged. "I dunno. Never really thought about that actually."

"I'm asking because I wonder if it's not possible for you to bridge the gap with Ryuji Mishima."

"And why would you care?"

"Because what happened wasn't your fault! You had no choice but to disband the team!"

Arata scoffed. "That's your opinion. And I'm guessing you got it from seeing me and Takumi when we went back to Under Zero through his Mental Data?"

"I did. You two destroyed the Knightmon that tore your team apart and avenged Jude. Don't you think it's time you and Ryuji moved on from that? Say Jude never did exist in our reality and Ryuji and Chitose don't remember you. This is a chance to start over! And if they do remember you and Jude maybe just try to tell them your side of the story!"

Arata growled and glared at him. "Enough! This doesn't even concern you!"

The masked man looked at Arata in surprise as he sighed. He went quiet for a moment. "…Maybe you're right. It doesn't." He turned around. "But you and Ryuji…you're both good people. You deserve better than this." He then walked away.

After watching him leave, Knuckles stared at Arata as he clenched his fists. "You, okay?"

Arata sighed. "Yeah. Don't worry about me. Come on. We should see if we can find anything for Takumi and Sonic."

"If you say so…" Knuckles followed him quietly. "I think I get where he's coming from. Sometimes you just can't go back… No matter how badly you want to."

Sonic landed on a large circular platform. Takumi and Gargomon landed next to him. Sonic looked up at a pillar. "Another Gate."

"Yeah, but that's not all." Takumi said facing the person staring at them.

Sonic looked at the ghostly girl. "Okay! Your flying nightmare is a step up from the giant. Very mobile. But it's going to end the same way."

The girl ignored him and directed her gaze at Takumi. "How are you able to utilize the Chaos Emeralds?"

"I don't know." Takumi asked. "I just thought about how I can't afford to lose, next thing I knew they gathered around me and Rosmeon allowing her to go Burst Mode."

"Well, the Emeralds are said to be capable of turning thoughts into power." Sonic said. "I guess they reacted to your strong will."

"I must reassess the battle parameters." the girl said. "I cannot afford to have you win again."

"Well, y'know, you could call it off and let us save our friends in peace?" Sonic suggested. The girl disappeared. "No? Fine, we'll do it your way." He and Takumi approached the gate and put a Gear into it. They proceeded into Cyber Space.

Takumi and Gargomon stood in a cyberspace of white footholds in a green background. "Isn't this Kamishiro's servers?" Takumi asked.

"Yeah. I guess this was during our little raid with Arata."

"I just hope we don't have to go back to that "secret room"." Takumi groaned. "Just thinking about all the bright colors makes my eyes hurt. Seriously who builds a room like that in EDEN, in the center of Kamishiro Enterprises servers no less?!"

"Worst part was when you found the-

Takumi held his hand up. "Can we NOT talk about that, please?"

A Andromon and a MetalMamemon stood in the way. "Oh, right, their special security."

"You've fought against and worked alongside Andromon long enough to know its ins and outs." Takumi said. "But watch out for that MetalMamemon. It's a Data type."

"I got it." Gargomon stepped forward. The Andromon charged at him and started swinging at Gargomon with its metal arms. Gargomon blocked them with his weaponized arms. Andromon kicked Gargomon over. The rabbit Digimon rolled away when the enemy jumped at him and sprung back to his feet. He caught both arms and they grappled a bit. "You're strong. You are a Andromon after all." Gargomon grinned. "But I know your weak spot." Gargomon kicked Andromon in the shin that wasn't armored making it stumble to the ground. Gargomon jumped back. "Gargo Pellets!" He aimed for the gaps in Andromon's armor and fired a storm of green blasts. Eventually the Andromon went down.

"Metal Smirk Bomb!" Gargomon yelped and ducked under a red fireball. When he stood back up Metal Mamemon jumped up and slashed him with his claws making him stumble back towards the edge.

"Gargomon, be careful!" Takumi said.

When MetalMamemon jumped at Gargomon with its claws out again, he caught it and lifted it up. "Out ya go!" He tossed him off the server and he fell into the green void below. "Problem solved."

"I guess that's one way to do it. Good job." After Takumi picked up the Digi-Orb, two Waspmon aproached them. "Here comes the next wave!"

"Oh goody!" Gargomon pounded his fists together.

Sonic ran around a massive series of loops that extended forward and flew up a ramp grabbing a Red Star Ring before a robot came down in front of him. He bopped it with his Homing attack then ran to the goal.

As Takumi and Gargomon started walking towards the center of the server. "Hey Gargomon?"

"Yeah?"

"It was right around here, right?"

"What was?"

"You know, when Arata and I were about to enter the secret room and…"

"Oh yeah…" Gargomon and Takumi stopped. They immediately turned around. "Gargo Pellets!" He opened fire on an Eater just as it jumped at them and knocked it back to the ground. He then continued to fire as her ran at it. "Bunny Pummel!" He uppercutted it and continued to fire. It soared into the air then shattered as it hit the ground leaving a Digi-Orb behind. "Stupid Eaters."

Takumi sighed and though back to what happened to the people watching the EDEN Demo Event. He then picked up the Digi-Core and sighed. "I really, really hope this doesn't take us to that secret room."

"If not, we'll probably see it again in the flashback."

"Ugh…"

The scene showed Takumi, Arata, Kyoko and Yuuko executing their plan to sneak into Kamishiro Enterprises via the EDEN Demo event. In the end all they found was a diary mentioning the Paradise Lost Plan. After that they saw Zaxon declare their mission to seize Under Zero. Not long after that Nokia told Takumi and Arata her plans to go to Under Zero herself and asked for their help. When they refused, she told them she'd go on her own.

Arata declared that he wanted to stop her. Takumi agreed to come along. They saw the two meet in EDEN where Arata gave Takumi some data. "What's this?"

"This is a secret passage my comrades and I dug out way back when. I… We took down Valhalla once before."

"What?!"

"We can reminisce later. We'd better hurry and get to the Valhalla Server!"

They saw Takumi and Arata make their way through the mysterious server, passing Nokia and reaching the center where they found Yuugo and Fei. Arata tried to warn Yuugo about the danger of what he was doing. But the leader of Zaxon was not about to back down. Neither were Fei or the Zaxon Hackers. Arata then revealed his hand…

"Haha. You think I came here with just the two of us? You're so naive!"

Takumi looked behind him as a bunch of hackers stood in and stood behind them. "What? Arata, who are these people?"

"Sorry to keep you in the dark about this. These guys are my old buddies. The former members of Jude. I've brought together my old teammates who broke into Under Zero once before for one last rumble. Looks like we've got a fight on our hands."

…And then Nokia broke in screaming her objectives as brazen as always. The fighting between Zaxon, the Rebels and the Judes broke out. Takumi and Arata faced Yuugo and his Machinedramon with their four Ultimate Level Digimon. "I guess it's us against Yuugo then." Takumi said.

"If we win, you'll settle down and listen to me." Arata said. "Deal?"

The boy in white nodded. "Very well. I don't plan on losing, though."

"Heh. You always have to get the last word."

"Says you!"

Takumi looked at his Digimon then Machineramon. "Yuugo… on that day you taught me how to fight alongside Digimon, you told me you wanted to see what kind of hacker I want to be…"

"I always figured you'd be a special case among us. But I have to admit, you've grown into someone…something far beyond anything I imagined."

"Yuugo…it's thanks to you I met my Digimon and I have what I have today. It's time for me to show you how I've grown and what we've become together!" Takumi's Digimon stood ready.

A small smile formed on Yuugo's face. "Very well. Show me how strong you've become Cyber Sleuth."

It ended just as the battle started and Takumi, Gargomon and Sonic reappeared. Sonic collected the keys. "Wow…that happened." Sonic said.

"That battle sounds like it was legendary." Knuckles said looking at Arata.

"Not the word I'd use." Arata muttered.

Sonic looked at Takumi. "Hey, wasn't that the place where Nokia's Digimon fused?"

"That's right. It happened right around the time when we defeated Yuugo." Takumi glanced to the side. "That's when…"

Knuckles looked at Takumi and Arata as they went quiet. "What happened?"

"…It'd complicated. I'd rather not talk about it."

"Same." Arata said.

"Yikes. Sounds awful." Sonic said. "Well, hey, whatever happened, I'm glad you two made it out."

Knuckles looked at Arata. "It must have been hard to go back to the place that ruined your team. Still, those guys went with you knowing what lied ahead. They must respect you as their leader a great deal."

"I was never meant to be the leader." Arata replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Whoa…" Gargomon looked at himself. "Hey Takumi, I'm getting that feeling again!"

Takumi put on his googles. "Alright! Let's go!"

He Digi-Cores spun around Gargomon. "Gargomon Digivolve to…" A green wireframe spread though his body then faded as he started to glow and fired missile as he dissolved in light that turned into a green sphere with a red triangle. It grew legs with white fur and green and grey boots before extending slightly and a body with an armored torso came out. Shoulder pads appeared and out of them came arms with green cannons with red points for hands along with a revolver barrel on the back. Then giant metal ears with red tips popped out along with a head wearing a horned helmet. Blue eyes opened before the Ultimate Digimon spun around. "Rapidmon!"

"Now you're an Ultimate Level Digimon." Takumi smiled.

"And feeling good about it!" Rapidmon said. "Not only am I packing a stronger arsenal, but it's nice to be able to fly again." He kneeled in front of Takumi. "Come on! I'll give you a good view of the island!"

Takumi jumped onto Rapidmon's back and his Digimon flew into the air with him. The others watched Rapidmon swerve and dash across the sky. "Heh. Seeing that makes me want to go for another ride on the Tornado with Tails." Sonic said.

"That guy's pretty fast too." Knuckles smirked at Sonic. "Looks like you got competition."

"Maybe."

Takumi laughed as he soared through the sky on Rapidmon. "Ha, ha. The wind feels so great up here."

"I know right?" Rapidmon said. "This world's sky feels so free…just like good ol' Tokyo."

"Heh. I remember back when Digimon came to our world you took me on an aerial tour of the city. That was fun." Takumi looked down at the island. "Seeing things from up here…it changes one's perspective."

"I'll say." Rapidmon then saw a red light. "Hey, look over there! I bet that's another Emerald!"

"I bet you're right. Let's tell the others." They descended back to the others.

"You sure seem chipper about having your own private jet." Arata said.

Takumi smiled. "I guess I am."

Sonic grinned. "So, you're fine with getting rides from Rapidmon, but not Rosemon."

Rapidmon snickered. "Did she try carrying Takumi like a princess again?"

"She didn't "try" she succeeded."

"Moving on!" Takumi yelled as Rapidmon and Sonic laughed. He pointed at the light. "Our next Emerald is ready, so let's go grab it!"

"Sounds good." Sonic said. "See you two later!" He ran on ahead and Rapidmon flew after him with Takumi still ridding him.

From a distance the masked man and the girl watched. "An aerial view of Tokyo, huh?" the man chuckled. "Wish I thought of that with my Digimon. Sounds fun."

The girl put a hand on her chin. "Then that was…for fun? I do not see the point of searching from such a high altitude. Their targets are small. The higher up they are, the harder they are to detect what it is they seek."

The man looked at her. "Well, you can fly, right? Try looking at the island from up high. It might change the way you look at it."

"Change it how?"

"…I dunno. They say looking at things another way can change your perspective."

The girl thought for a moment. "Looking at it another way…"

Sonic approached the vault and held out his hand. The seal around the red Chaos Emerald vanished and it came to his hand. "Alright, that's Emerald number two." He said putting it away."

Takumi's goggles started ringing and he put them on. "I'm getting a call? Hello?"

A fuzzy image of Arata appeared in the lenses. "Yo."

"Arata! You managed to get DigiLine working here?"

"Yup. The range is weak and as I'm sure you can tell it's got lagging issues, but we can at least reach out to each other. Anyway, knuckles and I found something interesting. I'll send where we are to your map."

"Got it." Takumi ended the call.

"What was that about?" Sonic asked.

"Arata and Knuckles have something they want to show us." Takumi checked the map. "Looks like they're on the west side of the Island."

"Alright. Let's see what they found."

Takumi noticed a flying robot approaching. "Sonic, behind you!"

"Huh?" Sonic turned around just as the flying robot trapped him in a wave of light lifting him up. "Whoa!" The red Chaos Emerald flew out of him and into it before he was dropped.

"It took the Emerald!"

"What?!" Sonic got up and looked behind him as the robot started flying away leaving a trail of light. "Get back here!" He ran after it and was about to try jumping up and grinding on the trail it left when…

"Rapid Fire!" Rapidmon fired a missile that zoomed in and destroyed the robot. The Chaos Emerald fell into the sand.

"Nice shot." Sonic picked it up.

"Thanks." Rapidmon said. "Now let's head back to the guys. And try holding onto that Emerald tighter!" Takumi climbed onto his back again and they flew off.

"Yeah, I got it." Sonic dashed after them.

Arata and Knuckles were looking up at a large piece of Ancient equipment with purple light when Rapidmon, Takumi and Sonic arrived. "There you are." Arata said.

"Sorry, had to grab the Emerald." Sonic said. "And then regrab it."

"So, what did you want to show…" Takumi climbed down from Rapidmon and looked at the structure. "Wow."

"Arata thinks it's some kind of…Satellite Dish?" Knuckles said.

"I never said "Satellite Dish" I said it was a device for communications." Arata said.

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Good grief, you sound like Nokia." Arata rolled his eyes. "Anyway, it's how I got the DigiLine Working. Haven't exactly figured the whole thing out, that could take a week. But still…This is insanely complex for an invention of a long-lost race."

"Yeah, Takumi and I have seen all sorts of crazy high-tech ancient tech across both islands." Sonic said.

"How can something this old be this advanced?" Knuckles asked. "It's sturdy too. I punched it and it didn't move at all."

Arata squinted at his friends. "He really did. Despite me telling him repeatedly "don't touch it until I'm done working"."

"Your "work" was taking forever."

"Knux… don't punch the ruins." Sonic said as Takumi sighed. "Once I find Tails, maybe he and Arata can use them to figure out what happened here."

"Who's Tails?" Arata asked.

"A good buddy of mine who always has the answer to everything. He's a smart dude. He likes machines and using really complicated words."

Takumi grinned at Arata. "Sounds like you two would get along. If we do find him and Yuuko I have no doubt you three will find something about these ruins. Much faster than we'll find anything by going around punching everything."

"Hey, I already discovered that it's sturdier than anything we've encountered." Knuckles protested. "I don't think this material is from this world."

"Well, I haven't been in this world long enough to know what's not considered to be from it." Arata said. "Certainly, don't see material like this back home though, that's for sure. The ruins, this equipment…where did the Ancients get this from?"

"Speaking of the ruins…" Sonic said. "I know they're completely different islands, but some of these ruins are making me think of the ones back on Angel Island."

"Why?" Knuckles asked. "Because they're made of stone?" There are multiple architectural styles across the island. It's different types of stone too. Plus these ruins pre-date anything back on Angel Island by a wide margin. Although… the spiritual spaces and military structures do share some similarities."

"Okay, so the Ancients and Echidnas weren't related. But the one group must have inspired the other."

"Do all the Echidnas live on Angel Island Knuckles?" Takumi asked. "And if so is that where they always were?"

Sonic and Knuckles fell silent before the Echidna sighed. "Well…You're not technically wrong. I'm the last one."

"Oh…" Takumi froze. "Sorry, I…I didn't mean to-

"It's fine. You didn't know."

Arata went quiet before thinking of a change in subject. "…What kind of place is Angel Island?"

"It's a giant island floating in the sky." Sonic replied. "It's also huge and has a wild variety of places on it. Mushroom Hill, Ice Cap, Sky Sanctuary, Lava Reef, Sandopolis…"

"Huh. And here I thought it'd be like our Angel Island in San Francisco. Clearly, I was mistaken."

"But the most important part is it being home to the shrine of the Master Emerald." Knuckles said. "Which I'm tasked with guarding."

Sonic smirked at him. "Which has also been yoinked from you on more than one occasion."

"Oh, stuff it, let's see you do better!"

"Why does this fall onto you and you alone Knuckles?" Takumi asked.

Knuckles folded his arms. "You know… I ask myself that time to time… perhaps… It's all about that day."

"That day?" Arata asked. "What are you talking about?"

Knuckles sighed and looked up. "You know how I'm the last of my kind? There's a reason for that. Thousands of years ago…my ancestors tried to steal power that wasn't theirs."

"What kind of power?" Rapidmon asked.

"The Master Emerald, I assume?" Takumi asked.

"Not just it." Sonic said. "But all seven Chaos Emeralds. Takal, one of the Echidnas from way back when tried to convince her old man and his tribe to stop, but it went through one ear and out the other. They stormed the shrine, pushing through her and a bunch of peaceful Chao. That angered the guardian at the time. Chaos."

"Who in turn wiped them out." Knuckles said.

"That's awful…" Takumi murmured.

"Maybe so. But I have to admit, after Takal showed us what the Echidnas did, I can see why Chaos felt the need to bring judgment upon them. So as the last survivor of the race that brought that about…maybe it's karma that I'm tasked with guarding the Master Emerald alone."

"Karma"?" Arata asked skeptically. "That's stupid!"

Knuckles looked at him in surprise. "Huh?"

"Just because your ancestors did something idiotic thousands of years ago doesn't mean you have to be the sole fall boy for it centuries later for the rest of your life!"

"Arata's right." Takumi nodded. "Shouldn't you have a choice?"

"Well then I chose to protect the Master Emerald." Knuckles replied.

"And you have no problem with that?" Arata asked.

"Someone has to do it to make sure the same mistake isn't repeated. It holds unlimited power after all."

"I guess it's no surprise someone would want it." Takumi said. "You mentioned it's even stronger than the Chaos Emeralds."

"Yeah. Eggman tried to use it to power his insane inventions for world domination."

"Eggman?" Arata asked.

"Some mad scientist according to Sonic." Takumi replied.

"More like THE mad scientist." Sonic said. "Who tricked knuckle-head here, again on more than one occasion."

"Will you just shut up?!" Knuckles growled.

"Well…maybe it would be best to hide it somewhere where Eggman can't find it if he keeps stealing it?" Rapidmon suggested.

"It's not that simple. If the Master Emerald gets separated from its alter, Angel Island will fall from the sky."

"Oh…"

"Which is all the more reason why I should get back to guarding it, so as interesting as this chat has been, maybe we should move on now?"

"Okay, okay." Takumi said. "We're a bit low on Gears after that last trip to Cyber Space. We should look around for more giant robots."

Arata spotted something up ahead. A giant round red Guardian with four legs named Tank. "Like that one over there?"

"That'll do." Sonic grinned as he ran at it.

"Hey, wait up!" Takumi and Rapidmon followed.

Sonic grinned as he approached the Tank raring to have at it, but just as he got close, it retracted its legs and spewed flashed as it spun rapidly off the sand creating a whirlwind of sand. Takumi and Sonic were sent flying into the air with it. "Takumi!" Rapidmon flew for his partner and caught him before grabbing Sonic. "I gotchya guys!"

"Appreciated pal." Takumi said. They looked at the Tank as it's exhaust threw more fire and spun towards them. Rapidmon flew to the side narrowly evading it.

"Get me closer so I can knock it out of the sky!" Sonic said.

"Alright, just watch those flame jets." Takumi warned.

Rapidmon flew towards the robot. Sonic jumped off him and timed his Homing Attacks to he hit the blind spots in the flame throwers. It did work until it started shooting projectiles knocking him back. Rapidmon flew in and caught him. "That thing's well equip for a giant bug. Got a plan B Sonic?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. Fire me from that arm cannon of yours at it!"

Takumi did a take. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Relax, it's far from the first time I've been shot out of a cannon. It's more like the twentieth at this point."

"I'm sorry, WHAT?!"

"I'll warn you now pal." Rapidmon said dodging projectiles. "These here ain't ordinary cannons."

"So? I ain't no ordinary hedgehog."

"Yeah, clearly. Well, if you're sure about this!" Rapidmon grabbed Sonic as he curled into a ball. Rapidmon took aim as green energy gathered around Sonic and he fired him. In a blue and green flash, he pierced through the Tank and the sandstorm subsided as it fell from the sky. Sonic landed first then the Tank crashed into the ground on its back.

"Nice!" Takumi said. The Tank's legs were flailing in the air. "Rapidmon, finish it off!"

Rapidmon spread his arms. Green light traveled between his hands then his feet. "Tri-Beam!" A green laser shaped like a triangle came down in the Tank and it was blown to pieces.

"Sweet!" Sonic picked up the next Gear. "Now we just need to find us a gate!"

"I think I saw one when we were airborne." Rapidmon flew into the sky. "There! That way!"

"Alrighty then." Sonic ran ahead and Rapidmon came down for Takumi to climb in him and they flew off.

Sonic materialized the Gear in his hands and put it into the gate. Once it activated, he went into Cyber Space. Takumi and Rapidmon went in after him.

Takumi and Rapidmon stood in a city with a dark sky. "Looks like we're in Akihabara's Digital Shift." Rapidmon said.

Takumi looked at the sky. "Not just a Digital Shift. This is where Crusadermon initiated her Paradise Lost Plan."

"Crusadermon..." Rapidmon murmured. "Now that I think of it, isn't this where we encountered her with Yuuko?"

"Yeah..." Takumi looked solemnly at the tunnel ahead. "This is where we..."

Rapidmon Armor put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry brother. No matter who we face or what vision we see, I'm here for you."

Takumi took a deep breath. "Thanks, Rapidmon. Alright. Let's go."

Sonic was holding onto a rising vine in Sky Sanctuary in the sunset bringing him up to where the portal was. He jumped and made his exit.

"Wolf Claw!" Rapidmon dodged a WereGarurumon's claws and took aim to attack back. "Hearts Attack!" He had to evade before he could fire as a Monzeamon attack next. "Metal Fireball!" And then he was hit by a SkullMeramon.

"Rapidmon, are you alright?!" Takumi asked.

"Not really. How'd we even get into this mess!?" Rapidmon looked at not only a WereGarurumon, a Monzeamon and a SkullMeramon but a GrapLeomon, a Wisemon, a Okuwamon, a Grademon, a RizeGreymon and a CannonBeemon.

"Don't ask me!" Takumi looked behind the Digimon and saw three hackers with glasses. "These guys weren't here during either of our previous trips to this Digital Shift!"

"Rapid Fire!" Rapidmon shot at the Monzeamon. The Okuwamon came at him with Double Scissor Claw, but he flew over the attack then hammered it to the ground. GrapLeomon jumped up and punched him. "I wouldn't have such a hard time taking these guys if it weren't for the numbers!"

Takumi growled. "Yeah. Hard to fight and dodge at the same time…" He then got an idea. "Wait. Rapidmon, try using their attacks against them!"

"Against them how?" Rapidmon then got the idea. "Wait, of course!" SkullMeramon came at him, and he flew away from him towards CannonBeemon.

"Nitro Stinger!" CannonBeemon shot a jet of blue flame. Rapidmon flew up and the SkullMeramon that was chasing him was destroyed.

Rapidmon landed in front of Okuwamon. WereGarurumo jumped behind him. "Double Scissor Claw!" Okuwamon charged at him

"Wolf Claw!" Rapidmon jumped as the Digimon came at each other. Their claws tore into each other, and they were destroyed. The rest of the Digimon started firing at Rapidmon.

"Rapidmon, this way!" Takumi said running done the street.

"Coming!" Rapidmon flew after him and the enemy Digimon gave chase. Once they turned the corner, they saw Rapidmon go into an alleyway and ran into it.

"Now!"

"Tri Beam!" Once all the Digimon were in the alleyway, Rapidmon opened fire with a massive laser. All of them were wiped out. "Phew. That's finally done."

Takumi watched the hackers disappear. "Who were those guys? Never sow them in the Digital Shift before…"

"But what does this mean?" Rapidmon asked.

Takumi saw a Digi-Orb and picked it up as he thought for a moment. "These ruins reacted to Arata's memories once. Maybe this is something he encountered while he was on the run."

"Maybe? Were those hackers after him because he was a wanted man?"

Takumi sighed. "Arata's had it rough... Well, let's keep moving." Takumi and Rapidmon continued through the streets. They looked at a dark path ahead. "There it is. The place we fought Crusadermon in is just ahead... But now I'm not sure what it is we're about to find."

"Whatever it is, I'll pulverized it before it can hurt you."

"We'll fight it together. Come on, let's go." They walked into the dark room. As they approached, they scanned their surroundings. They stepped into the center of the empty room. "Nobody's here?"

"That's weird." Rapidmon murmured. "So, where's our exit?"

"Maybe its back the other way?" Takumi turned around.

Rapidmon turned around when he detected something in his radar. "Takumi!" He swopped into his tamer as a monster came at him from behind. It whooshed into the air then descended to the ground.

As Rapidmon put Takumi down the teenager saw a giant green and purple beast with wings. "What is that?!" He then noticed someone on its shoulder. "Wait...is that the guy from the vision? Ryuji?"

The men stepped down and looked at the two. He had a red aura and a vicious look in his eye. He slowly pointed his finger at Takumi and the Digimon roared before rushing at him. "Oh no you don't!" Rapidmon flew in front of him and the Digimon clashed. Rapidmon was pushed back a bit before his feet held firm on the ground bringing them to a halt. The monster hissed in Rapidmon's face. It then lifted him up and threw him. Rapidmon recovered and spiraled in the air before straightening out as the monster flew towards him. After dodging its claws and watching it fly past him, he redied his cannons. "Rapid Fire!" Twin missiles shot the beast. It stumbled a bit then snarled as it turned towards him and lunged. "Whoa!" Rapidmon narrowly evaded it. "That didn't do as much damaged as I hoped."

"Rapidmon, be careful!" Takumi warned. "That thing is like a feral beast!"

"What do you mean "like" a feral beast?!"

The monster reeled an arm back and it became a spear. "Exile Spear!" Rapidmon dodged multiple thrusts. Rapidmon dodged them and tried to get away then the monster grabbed his foot and threw him to the ground. It then gathered green light into its hand and tossed it towards the downed Digimon.

"Watch out!" Takumi yelled.

"Gah!" Rapidmon dove away before it exploded. "Homing Blast!" He fired small missiles from the launcher on his back that peppered the monster. Rapidmon charged at it, only for his punch to be blocked and his arm to be grabbed. "…Oh no…"

The monster generated a white orb of 0s and 1s in its hands. "Dot Matrix!" It exploded in a blast of light sending Rapidmon to a crater in the ground.

"Gah…" Rapidmon struggled to get back up. "What…is this thing…?!"

"Rapidmon, any more hits like that will be the end of you!" Takumi said. "Focus on attacking it from a safe distance!"

"Hey, it's what I do best!" Rapdimon flew straight up as the monster came down and punched the ground he was previously on. "Rapid Fire!" He shot missiles at the beast and backed away while continuing to fire as he was chased. He continued shooting while keeping away from the raging beast, evading claw swipes and it gradually started to slow down.

"That's it!" Takumi noticed the monster stop and breathing heavily. Then it started gathering light again. "Oh no! Rapidmon, stop him! Quick!"

"Dot Ma-

"Tri-Beam!" Rapidmon fired a laser onto the white orb. It turned green and exploded. "Takumi!" He flew into his partner and carried him away from the explosion. The shockwave knocked him out of flight, and they rolled onto the ground. Rapidmon looked up. "Did…did that do it?"

"I…think so…" Takumi said as they got up and looked where the monster was. "I don't see that monster…or Ryuji anywhere."

"Nothing on my radar." A gate and a Digi-Orb appeared behind them, and they turned around. "Yup. I think we're done here."

"That was a tough battle." Takumi sighed picking up the orb. "I feel like if these orbs weren't giving you a boost there'd be no way we'd beat that thing."

"At least not in Ultimate form. Sure, can't wait to be a Mega again…"

"Well, come on." Takumi walked towards the portal. "Let's go."

The visons started by showing Matayoshi telling Arata he was wanted and promised to do what he could to protect him. Arata refused and took his leave making him a wanted criminal. The next time Takumi would see him would be in the Digital Shift back in Shinjuku. "Hey, it's been a while. Imagine meeting you here. Did someone put you up to this?" Takumi's only answer was a stern expression. "I was joking. By the way, how are you feeling? Your body's not getting worse, is it?"

Takumi gritted his teeth. "Said like I'm the only one who needs to be worried about right now…!"

"Very funny. Who worries about a wanted criminal?"

Arata proceeded to explain how he was looking to help his friends who were being pursued by the Eaters. Takumi agreed to help, and they went deeper into the Digital Shift…only to watch Arata's friends become victims. "No…" Takumi murmured.

"Haha… Too late again as always…" Arata said. "Dang it! If only I had more power!"

The two managed to defeat the Eaters. But while Arata was questioning their purpose, Suedou appeared. He used an Eater to show Arata something. Something that shook him to his core. "Come with me, Arata. Together we can push this incomplete world to a new stage. And in doing so, make your wishes come true."

Arata walked towards him, when Takumi ran up to him. "Arata, wait! I don't think this is such a good idea."

Arata smiled to him. "You're worried about me? I understand. You and I have been buds for a long time."

"What?"

Kyoko appeared. Suedou separated them before departing with Arata. The next time Takumi would see him would be in a Digital Shift in Asakusa. Arata was facing an Eater. "Arata!"

"Takumi? What are you here for? I've got business with this one! Don't interfere!"

And then after the battle Arata aproached it. "Arata? Wait, what are you doing?!" Takumi ran towards him.

"Stop right there!" Takumi froze. "Watch from where you are." Arata held his hand forward generating light. He strained as the Eater was absorbed into him. There was a flash. Then his eyes became red, and his right arm was mutated, white and black.

"Huh?!"

"This is the sort of thing I'm capable of now. This is the power Suedou gave me."

"How wretched…" A knight Digimon appeared.

"Being human wasn't enough. So, I just went beyond humanity!"

"I see. Then I must defeat you. I will at least try to be gentle!"

Takumi ran in font of Arata. "Gallantmon, don't!"

"Do not interfere! Even if he was your friend emotional involvement will add to the confusion!"

"Ah!" Takumi flinched when he saw the Royal Knight raise his lance but stood firm. "No! I can't let you do this!"

"Your actions will only hasten his fall to darkness! You should know that his death would be a mercy!"

Arata pushed Takumi aside. "Quit yammering and come for me if you're coming! I haven't tried a Royal Knight… I want a taste!"

"Lightning Joust!" Gallntmon held his lance forward and shot light that Arata jumped away from.

"Arata! Gallantmon! Stop it!" Takumi yelled.

"Shield of the Just!" Gallantmon held up his shield and fired a large wave of light at Arata that detonated. Gallantmon watched the smoke clear. "…I took no pleasure in doing it…but it had to be done."

Takumi was shaken. Shocked. But then he heard something and looked behind the knight. "Gallantmon, behind you!"

"What?"

"Inspect Handler!" Arata held his new arm forward and the fingers stretched coiling around the knight's limbs and neck. Gallantmon choked before he was lifted up and tossed onto the ground.

The knight stood back up. "What lunacy is this?! Where is he getting this power from?!"

Takumi looked at Arata in shock. "Arata…what happened to you?!"

The boy laughed. "Haha… Hahahahaha! It's incredible… Incredible! This is my power!"

Arata took his leave with Gallantmon giving chase. Next the scene showed Takumi meeting with his friends discussing their plan to stop Examon, the most destructive on the Royal Knights. The knights they recruited joined them in their effort, including Gallantmon. But it was for naught. Examon brushed them off. And Gallantmon was badly injured. Examon flew off with UlforceVeedramon and Jesmon giving chase. But then…

"Watch out, Gallantmon!" Magnamon yelled.

"You're too late."

Gallantmon gasped. Arata was right behind him. "It can't-

Arata absorbed the knight into his arm to the shock and horror of everyone. "Haha… Hahahaha! This is it! This is the power. This is what I was after. THIS!"

Next, they saw Arata meet Keisuke and a Wormmon in Akihabara. "Arata…" Keisuke trembled. "What happened to you?!"

"Huh? Oh, this? I'll spare you the details, but I thought it was time for a slight enhancement."

"He's just like me, struggling because he can't come to terms with his past."

Teaming up Arata and Keisuke made their way through the Digital Shift encountering the hackers Takumi and Rapidmon fought before under the control of Ryuji's Digimon. They soon found Ryuji with a horrifying Digimon. The fallen leader of Hudie was not too pleased to see Arata. This escalated quickly. "Sanada… Do you know the pain of being helpless?!"

"Quit your whining, you loser!"

And then came the snap. "SANADA!" The Digimon behind Ryuji erupted with red aura and exploded in light becoming what Takumi and Rapidmon just fought.

"The Arcadiamon…Digivolved!" the Wormmon with Keisuke gasped.

"Stay back." Arata said. "This is between me and him."

Keisuke shook his head and stood next to Arata. "No. I made a promise. And I plan to keep it!"

"Hehe… You're a strange one. You remind me of somebody."

When Sonic, Takumi and Rapidmon reappeared, Takumi was staring at the ground and Sonic had a shocked expression plastered on his face as the keys floated into him. The three of them were in shocked silence. Sonic looked at Takumi. "So…Uh…Wow."

Takumi sighed. "Yeah, I know. I guess that labyrinth Rapidmon and I were in were based off of Arata's memories when he was with Keisuke." Takumi paused a bit before looking at Sonic. "When that Eater grabbed Arata, he…regained his sealed memories."

"Sealed memories?"

"Let's just say that he, Nokia, Yuuko and I were all hiding a dark history. One that we were forced to forget because of Suedou."

"Okay…But he's okay now, right?"

"For the most part." Takumi looked up. "I know what happened still haunts him. As much as I wish he'd just let it go I…I'm no stranger to that kind of guilt."

"Takumi…"

"I'm sorry, but let's talk about something else."

"Okay." Sonic looked around. "I'm not seeing any light shows so I'm guessing we still don't have enough keys for an Emerald. Let's go see if Knux and Arata found anything on their end."

"Sounds good. If they saw that too, I'm worried about Arata."

I bet nobody was expecting Takumi to fight callback Arcadiamon. Just thought I'd mix things up a little. Next chapter we get to meet this island's Koco.