The three Titans and Fallen Royal Knights have been defeated, but the adventure isn't over yet. We now return to the Kronos Island.

On the first island Sonic and Takumi were on, the ground started to shake. Six massive towers rose out of the ground high into the air. Then the triangular tips detached from them as they hovered above them spreading three points each and started spinning while glowing with pink light long with the towers. On each tower an object glowed red. Down below, Amy, Nokia, Arata, Knuckles Rosemon Burst Mode and Rapidmon Armor were looking up at it. "Amazing…" Knuckles breathed.

"Those things are huge!" Nokia said. "I bet you could see the entire island from up there!"

"Were did these things come from?" Rapidmon Armor asked. "Mirei sent us here saying she needed us to gather up…"

"Does this mean Takumi and Sonic got rid of the last Titan?" Rosemon Burst Mode suggested.

"Arata! Nokia!" Everyone looked behind them to see Yuuko run towards them with Tails.

"Took your time." Arata said. "I guess that's all of us."

"Tails!" Amy aproached. "Are you okay?"

"Sort of."

"So, you must be Yuuko then." Knuckles said.

"Yes. Are you one of Sonic's friends?"

"Names Knuckles. This is Amy."

"Nice to meet you." Amy smiled.

"Likewise." Yuuko looked up at the tower. "What is this?"

"No idea." Nokia replied as they all looked at them. "They just popped out of the ground. Scared the daylights out of me."

"Ah, good. You're all here." Everyone turned around as Mirei walked up to them.

"Mirei…what is this?" Rapidmon Armor asked.

"Part of the island's security. Once it's shut down those imprisoned within Cyber Space will be free."

"Does that mean we can finally get back to normal?!" Nokia asked with glee.

"Indeed. But we can let Sonic and Takumi handle that once they arrive. In the meantime, Arata Sananda, Yuuko Kamishiro. I require your assistance."

"With what?" Yuuko asked.

"I need to get into Doctor Eggman's network for his database."

"You mean the Eggnett?" Tails asked. "That's a tough egg to crack even for me."

"Yes, well, hackers from Takumi's world have tools, programs and methods neither you nor the doctor have ever even heard of. And these two happen to be two of the best in the field their world has to offer."

"Why do you need access to Eggman's database anyway?" Knuckles asked.

"I require some specific data to complete my program for Takumi." Mirei replied.

"What program?" Amy asked.

Tails turned to the group. "Defeating the fallen Royal Knights has caused Bagramon's data to mess with Takumi's mental data! We need to get it out of him as soon as possible or it could destroy his consciousness!"

Everyone gasped. "What?!" Arata yelled.

"That's why I need to finish my program quickly." Mirei replied.

Rapidmon Armor scowled at her. "I'm sorry, but at what point were you going to tell us this?!"

"There was no need to. I already confirmed the program's completion in the future."

"I hope for your sake it works!" Nokia glared. "If something happens to Takumi because you couldn't spill the beans sooner because "destiny didn't allow you to speak up" I'm gonna kick your butt HARD! I don't care who you think you are!"

"Rest assured Nokia, if this case Mirei sent us on gets Takumi killed there we be no butt left for you to kick when I'm done with her!" Rosemon Burst Mode glared.

Mirei sighed. "Yes, yes, I know you are very much worried for your friend, but you should be more grateful I'm going this far to help him. If you want him to be safe, I suggest we get started." She pulled up her laptop and started typing. Arata and Yuuko's Digivices beeped and when they opened them, they displayed the Eggman symbol on their screens.

"So, this is the Eggnett?" Yuuko asked.

Arata started working. "Man, this firewall is thick. Still, Under Zero makes this thing look like a joke. Give us a few minutes and Yuuko and I should get you in."

"Good." Mirei nodded.

Rapidmon Armor looked up. "Wait… I'm sensing something… It's Craniamon's Data signature!"

"Hmm?" Mirei looked up to see a golden light flying towards the island and a blue light next to it. "It seems Sonic and Takumi have arrived."

"Really?" Amy asked as they looked up at the sky.

"Rapidmon and I will go ahead and meet them!" Rosemon Burst Mode said. Rapidmon Armor nodded and the two flew off in gold and pink light.

"Heh. They kept us waiting." Knuckles grinned as he folded his arms. "But it looks like we're almost ready to wrap this whole thing up."

Then the golden light that was Super Sonic started to slow down and lose altitude. It faded as green, red, yellow, blue, white, turquoise, and purple lights flew off in different directions. "What just happened?!" Tails asked. Everyone gasped as they watched. The fast light that was Rapidmon already far off in the distance flew in after Sonic as he fell towards the ground. Rosemon and Craniamon flew after him.

"Sonic!?" Amy shouted.

Mirei closed her laptop. "Apologies, but I have something I need to take care of. You two keep working, I'll be back once I'm done." She walked away before vanishing in a blue light.

"Is Sonic going to be okay?!" Nokia asked.

"I'll go make sure!" Tails started running but stopped just before he could pass Yuuko. "Oh, Yuuko… I know right now you're set on getting the program to rescue Takumi ready. But you should tell Nokia and Arata who we found on the last Island."

Yuuko looked down sadly. "…I know."

Everyone looked at her as Tails ran off. "What's this about?" Arata asked.

"I'll tell you once we've gotten past this firewall. Right now, we need to get through this as soon as possible for Takumi's sake!"

"Right." Arata got back to work. "I'm not losing that idiot a second time!"

"Sonic! SONIC!"

Sonic groaned as he started to stir. He looked up to see Rapidmon Armor. Rosemon Burst Mode and Craniamon were behind him. "Oh…hey guys…what's up?"

"Oh, good, he's alive." Rosemon said. "How are you felling?"

Sonic struggled to get up but fell to a knee. "Like a million rings. What happened?"

"While we were approaching the island you suddenly reverted back." Craniamon said. "Luckily, Rapidmon here caught you before you could hit the ground."

"Oh… cool. Thanks dude… Where's Takumi?"

Rosemon Burst Mode sighed. "Takumi…isn't holding up too well."

Sonic looked behind him and saw Takumi sitting against a rock clutching his head. Black aura flowed around him. "Ngh…!" He started seeing things…

A Digimon looking like the image of Bagramon Mirei showed him only with a normal arm, leg and eye was kneeling before one of the King Drasil units Takumi and his friends fought before. "My King." The unit's eyes glowed. "Yes, of course. The Digimon you selected have been moved to this New Digital World. But why such a select few? The population of the old world is still close to full. Will removing a measly 2% be enough to make a difference?" He stood up. "Dosen't matter? What do you mean?" A monitor appeared behind him. He gasped at what he saw. All the Digimon in the display disintegrating one by one. He watched in horror as they screamed before vanishing. "What…what IS this madness?!" The unit spoke to him, and he turned around. "X Program?" The Digimon scowled. "Don't tell me…THIS is Project Ark?!" The unit spoke again. "Our old world may have been overpopulated but that hardly justifies deleting 98% of its inhabitants!" As the unit spoke the Digimon clenched his fist. "…You…this is what the "justice" of King Drasil means now?!" His hand glowed red. "You're no king! You are a demon! And I shall make you pay for what you've done!" He ran up and jumped at the unit screaming.

"Takumi, snap out of it!" Rapidmon Armor yelled.

Takumi gasped as he looked up. "S-sorry. Just…dizzy."

Rosemon Burst Mode put her hand on him. "Just hold on. You're going to be okay. The others are helping Mirei with her program, we'll get you through this."

Tails ran over towards them. "Tails!" Craniamon said.

The fox walked over to Sonic and tried to help him up, but his hand phased through his arm. "The final lock has been revealed." The in the sky voice spoke. "Silence the six towers. Tear down the walls between dimensions."

"Oh good." Sonic panted. "I thought you were going to say there was a surprise Titan."

Tails looked at him. "Sonic?"

Sonic got to his feet. "Hang tight partner. We're almost through this."

"I'll go with you." Takumi said.

"Takumi, you're in no condition to-

Takumi cut Rapidmon Armor off. "Well, I can't do a whole lot about that until Mirei finishes her program. So, I might as well make myself useful."

Tails looked at them sadly. "Be careful."

"Careful"?" Sonic shrugged.

"Where's the fun in that, right?" Takumi grinned.

Sonic faintly chuckled. "Now you're getting it."

"Okay…" Takumi grunted as he stood up. "We'll divide and conquer. Craniamon, you go with Sonic and take three. Rapidmon, Rosemon and I will take the other three."

"You want one of your Digimon backing me?" Sonic asked.

"You're not in much better shape than me right now. Besides, while we're moving, I want to tell these two about Keisuke."

"Keisuke?" Rapidmon Armor asked. "The human we saw with Arata in his memories?"

"You mentioned you go to the same school as him." Rosemon Burst Mode added. "But what does he have to do with any of this?"

"I'll explain as we go. Come on. Let's get moving."

"Right." Sonic started walking forward. Craniamon followed.

Takumi nearly fell over as he proceeded, but Rapidmon caught him. Rosemon picked him up, resting him in her hands. "I'm carrying you, I don't care if it hurts your dignity."

Takumi weakly chuckled. "Do I look like I'm in any condition to fuss about my dignity?"

"Let's take it slow." Rapidmon Armor said walking ahead.

"Agreed." Rosemon Burst Mode nodded. "Just hang on Takumi…"

Tails watched them leave. "Sonic… Takumi…"

Rapidmon Armor and Rosemon Burst Mode flew to the top of the tower. "Keisuke…" Rapidmon murmured.

"Poor guy." Rosemon sighed. "I wish there was something we could do."

"There is…" Takumi climbed down. "Once this is over… We'll find a way… to bring humans and Digimon together… then he can be with Erika again." Takumi walked towards the console before his head started to pound again. "Ah!"

"Takumi!" His Digimon looked at him in concern.

The Digimon known as Bagramon weakly groaned as he was on the ground missing a leg, an arm, and an eye. "Curse you… Royal Knights…!"

Imperialdramon Paladin Mode stood in front of a Omnimon, a Gallantmon, a Magnamon, a UlforceVeedramon a Dynasmon, a Crusadermon, a Leopardmon, a Gankoomon, a Craniamon, a Kentaurosmon, and a Examon. "What foolishness." the Leopardmon scoffed. "To think someone would have the nerve to attack King Drasil."

"Why Bagramon?" the Magnamon asked. "After all these years of servitude to our king? You would betray him?"

"Betray"?!" Bagramon glared at them. "It is this fiend who betrayed nearly all Digimon and terminated them! Aside from the ones he favored he killed countless innocents!"

"The X Program did indeed kill trillions." Dynasmon replied. "But it was necessary. The overpopulated Digital World was not going to-

Bagramon banged his fist on the ground. "SILANCE! I am not traitor! All of you are! You shunned your duties to protect the Digital World to support this monster's genocide!"

"Enough." Imperialdramon stepped towards Bagramon. "You have attempted to strike down the king of the Digital World. A foul sin indeed. You will be punished accordingly until you repent."

"I will NEVER submit you him-to any of you-EVER AGAIN!"

"Then your punishment will last for eternity."

Then Takumi saw Bagramon groaning in pain while trapped in a crystal. Electricity crackled around him, torturing him. "Curse you… curse you all…!"

"You must be Bagramon."

The Digimon looked in front of him. Outside his prison was a Digimon in golden armor, with twin katanas, a blue cape and red eyes. "Who…are you…? Another of the Royal Knights puppets come to mock me…?"

"No. I am Grademon." The Digimon drew back her blades and slashed the crystal. Bagramon dropped to the ground. "I know why it is you turned against King Drasil Bagramon. I know your anger and desire for vengeance. I too want that false god to answer for his crimes on the old Digital World."

"You… you must be one of his chosen. He spared you and you seek revenge?"

"Oh, I was spared from the X Program. But not by our so-called "king". Not all Digimon in the old Digital World were destroyed. A small fraction of us were spared due to the unique characteristics of our Digicores." Grademon sheathed her blades. "The Royal Knights were sent to eliminate us carriers of the X-Antibody. Even now King Drasil takes innocent lives. And for that I WILL banish him from existence." She offered her hand. "Come with me Bagramon. Together we will avenge all of our lost friends."

Bagramon looked at her in surprise. He grinned wickedly as he took her hand. "Very well. Together, we shall bring absolute justice to this world!"

Takumi groaned as the headache died down. "Another…what does this mean? Is this… because of Bagramon's data…?"

"Takumi, maybe you should lie down for a bit." Rosemon Burst Mode said.

"No, I'll be okay." Takumi walked over and put his hand on the device. The red light became blue. Purple energy rose towards the spinning object above him as it slowly came to a stop and ceased glowing.

Inside something that looked like one of the alters they encountered was a Purple Chaos Emerald being observed by two Ancients. "The Chaos Engines are harnessing the emerald's powers perfectly."

"Finally, some good news. Hopefully their power will be enough to let us escape."

Takumi stepped back. "Another vision."

Rapidmon Armor looked up. "Those were the Ancients? And that thing holding the Chaos Emerald…it looked like the devices we encountered…"

"But what did they mean by "escape" though?" Rosemon Burst Mode asked.

"I don't know…" Takumi stared at the sky. "Well, let's get moving." He turned around. "We got five more towers to-AGH!" He clutched his head.

"Takumi!"

Grademon roared and jumped up, slashing part of a giant tree. Its wood collapsed to the ground. "To think this tree is the main body of King Drasil. And that it would be completely unguarded."

Bagramon dragged himself towards the shattered parts of wood. "Halt!" Grademon heard a voice and ran in front of Bagramon as twelve lights came down in front of them. One by one the Royal Knights appeared. "Stay away from King Drasil!" the Craniamon ordered.

"Oh, well look who finally showed up."

UlforceVeedramon looked at Bagramon then Grademon. "You! You freed Bagramon from his imprisonment!"

"Think of it as an act of empathy." Grademon replied. "I am a sympathiser to this one who has also been unruly punished by that tree over there."

"What do you mean?" Dynasmon asked.

Grademon glared at them. "You meant to tell me you forgot? About the victims of the X Program?!"

"How do you know that name?" the Gankoomon asked. "That information is classified."

"I did my research. I needed to know the truth behind the deaths of my many comrades… and my master."

The knights stared at her. "You are one of the foreign molecules." Imperialdramon Paladin Mode said.

"That's right. I carry the X-Antibody like those you continue to hunt for." Grademon looked at Bagramon. "And now, we will have true justice for what you and your king have done."

The Omnimon stepped forward. "You don't know what you're doing you fool! That monster cannot be trusted!"

"Monster? I think you and you king are the only monsters here. The ones who sentenced countless lives to death for no reason! I will purge this false god from existence and avenge all of those victims!" Grademon held her blades in a cross. "If any of you attempt to stand in our way, I will cut you down!"

"Such arrogance." Leopardmon drew his blade. He thrusted at Grademon who blocked it. The other knights all charged at her at once just as Bagramon got his hands on the fragments of King Drasil. Purple light flashed around them, and everyone flinched.

"What?!" Crusadermon gasped. "What is this?!"

"No…!" Kentarusmon shuddered.

Sinister laughter filled the room a Bagramon stood up. Now with a new leg arm and eye to replace those he lost. "Excellent. So, this is the power of King Drasil. "Ha, ha, ha, ha! This is it! I've finally obtained the ultimate power!"

"What an unholy sight." Gallantmon said. "You are an abomination with no right to hold such power!"

"Wrong! I am the only one fit to wield this power! And with it, I will replace King Drasil and rewrite the justice of this world!"

"Victory Swords!" UlforceVeedramon flew at Bagramon and slashed at him. But the Sage of Death held up his new arm and a barrier blocked the attack before sending the knight flying. "Gah!"

"Wyvern's Breath!" Dynasmon shot a dragon-shaped fire at Bagramon. But his red eye flashed and his attack dissolved. "I-impossible!"

Bagramon smirked and held up his arm. "Savage Cyclone!" Grademon jumped behind him as a purple storm hit the Royal Knights. Imperialdramon and Examon slid backwards on their feet shielding themselves with their weapons while the other knights were blown away. Bagramon laughed maniacally. "Yes! This power is perfect! I have become the strongest being in the Digital World! I am its new god!"

Imperialdramon held his blade forward and it glowed white before he flew towards Bagramon. "Omni Sword!"

Examon reeled back his lance as it glowed red. "Avalon's Gate!" He rocketed towards Bagramon.

Bagramon held back his arm. "Astral Snatcher!" He threw a punch at the attacks engulfing everything in white. Grademon and Examon were blown away. Bagramon and Imperialdramon slid back on their feet. "Agh…"

Grademon sat up and saw Bagramon wincing in pain. "Bagramon!"

"It seems… my control over this power needs work before I can deal with you. Grademon, we must withdraw for now…"

"What?! We have the knights and King Drasil right where we want them!"

"Their time will come." Bagramon backed towards Grademon and put his normal hand on her shoulder. "And soon, all of this land's guilty will be punished for their evil." He teleported away with Grademon laughing.

As the other knights got up Imperialdramon looked at where his foes vanished. "This is only the beginning. I can feel it. A horrible crisis is about to come to our new Digital World."

Takumi panted as the vision faded. He pushed himself back up. "Gotta… keep moving."

"Takumi…" Rapidmon Armor looked at him.

Keisuke hung his head low as he clenched his fists. After fleeing here, he just stood alone. Until Sage appeared. "There you are! We need to hurry! With the Titans gone it's only a matter of time before-

"It was a lie."

Sage stared at him. "What?"

Keisuke turned to her with a furious look in his eyes. "It was ALL a lie. Eggman's promises. His "paradise". Sonic's actions against him. All of it."

Sage looked at him in surprise then glanced away. "…It was not entirely a lie."

"What do you mean not "entirely"?!"

"While his methods may not be what we initially said, he does wish to make this world a better place. Everyone will no longer be at odds if they are all under his guidance."

"More like under his HEEL!" Keisuke yelled. "And what good is his "better world" if it means burning this one down and trampling over the lives of others to build it?!"

"B-but he-

"I see now." Keisuke looked away. "You two were just using me from the beginning. Sonic was right. There's no way that jerk was going to keep his end of our deal and find a way to the Digital World for me. Even if he did, it most likely would have been so he could conquer it! My hope of seeing them again…her again…" He gritted his teeth as his voice cracked and tears tell from his eyes. "It was all fake from the start!"

"Keisuke, please! If we don't do something before it gets out this entire world will-

"What difference does it make?" Keisuke turned away. "It's all over now." He slowly walked away.

Sage looked at him sadly as he left. "Keisuke…"

Sonic ran up a spiraling path and used his Homing Attack on a series of balloons. His next target was a spring leading to rings that would boost him, but he stopped moving and went into free fall. "Sonic!" Craniamon flew under him. Sonic landed on his shield and jumped to the spring and was boosted by rings until he reached the top of the first tower. Craniamon landed behind him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just lost my balance a bit." Sonic hobbled towards the object on the edge of the tower. "Man, I could probably call Yacker all the way on planet wisp with this thing." He put his hand on it.

A large shadow loomed over a planet as a horde of ships flew away from it. Just as they fled a red laser carved through it, leaving a trail of molten lava as it was sliced in half before it exploded. Inside the ships were the Ancient race. Some were relieved. Some were frightened. Some were devastated. Their home planet was no more.

Sonic and Craniamon flinched. "You saw that too, right?" Sonic asked.

"I did. What was that?" the knight asked. "Was that…the home world of the Ancients? So, they were aliens…but what did that to their planet?" Sonic didn't have an answer as the rain started coming down. He walked towards the edge of the tower. His body emitting red and black that started to spread. "Sonic!"

The hedgehog stumbled a bit. "I'm okay." He grinned and forced himself to keep moving.

"Your cyber-corruption is accelerating." He and Craniamon glanced at Sage. "How can you smile when you can barley stand?"

Sonic faced forward and took a deep breath and smiled once more. "Come on big guy. If these visions are a sign of a tower going done, Takumi cleared one earlier, so, we still got four more of these things to shut down. The end is in sight."

"…Understood." Craniamon replied. "I can carry you to the next-

"Nah, it's good. I need to keep moving." Sage watched in amazement as Sonic kept walking despite his labored breathing. She shook her head before turning around and disappearing.

Nokia, Knuckles, and Amy watched Arata and Yuuko continued working. Tails walked over to them. "How's it going?"

"Almost done." Arata replied.

The fox looked at Yuuko. "Did you tell them yet?"

"I don't want it distracting Arata while we're working on this. I'll tell them once we get into the Eggnett, this is important."

"Fair enough."

The screen became blue. "There! We're in!" Arata said.

Mirei then appeared in a separate screen. "Well done. I've confirmed you cracked the firewall. I'm in the Eggnett."

"Great." Knuckles said. "So, you got what you need to help Takumi?"

"Yes. I can complete the program on my own now. The rest of you do as you please." The screens then closed.

"I hope this works…" Yuuko muttered. "I can't shake this bad feeling."

"I'm sure it'll be fine!" Amy replied. "Mirei can see the future, right? I doubt she'd be doing this if she didn't think it would work."

Knuckles folded his arms. "That woman's attitude and stinginess with her info gets on my nerves though. I don't know how Takumi tolerated her through his adventure."

Arata turned to Yuuko. "NOW will you tell us what it is Tails brought up?"

"You mentioned you saw someone on the island you were trapped on." Nokia said.

Yuuko sighed. Tails looked at her before speaking to the gang. "It's about that girl and the masked man who were attacking Sonic and Takumi."

"Those two?" Amy asked. "That girl accused them of endangering the world. When we first saw them, they attacked Sonic and Togamon with a Titan while they read Takumi's memories."

"Yeah, Takumi also mentioned that mask guy is from our world." Nokia added.

"That's not all." Arata turned to her. "He claimed that he knew about Digimon and Eaters after we changed the world. And not because he read Takumi's mind, he said he knew before he came here."

"For reals?! Who is this guy?"

"The girl is a A.I. created by Doctor Eggman." Tails explained.

"That kid's an A.I.?" Arata asked.

"Right. She was the one who brought that masked man here. Her name is Sage." Tails said before turning to Yuuko. "And that's not all…"

Yuuko looked down before facing everyone with a saddened expression. "Guys… that masked man… he's Keisuke Amasawa."

Arata, Nokia, Amy and Knuckles all gasped. "What?!" Amy had her hands over her mouth.

"That was Keisuke?!" Arata asked stepping towards Yuuko.

The girl glanced away. "Yeah."

"Wasn't he the guy that helped you fight Ryuji?" Knuckles asked looking at Arata.

"He helped Nokia too…" Amy murmured.

Nokia was in shock. "But…why? Why would Keisuke do this?!"

Yuuko took a deep breath. "Keisuke showed us his side of the story. You see…"

Takumi grunted as he aproached the console on the third tower. "Ah…"

Bagramon laughed as light swirled into his mutated hand. Below the cliff he stood on the edge off, multiple Digimon had light taken from their bodies before their bodies collapsed and shattered. Grademon was on the ground behind him. "N-no! What are you doing?!"

"Perfect…Digimon souls give me power. Make it easier to control what I gained from King Drasil!"

"There were all innocents! They did nothing to deserve this!"

"Innocents"?! These worms were King Drasil's precious chosen ones! He took everything from the last Digital World! So, we shall take everything from him! He is no longer the one to choose who lives or dies. That is now I, Bagramon! The Sage of Death! I am the new justice of this world!"

"You…!" Grademon slowly got up. "I did not think you would take it this far…If you won't stop this madness…" She drew her katanas. "Then I will stop you!" She charged at him. "Cross Blade!"

"Foolishness!" Bagramon's red eye glowed and Grademon was flung back. He slowly aproached the downed Digimon. "A pity Grademon. I thought you would understand. But it seems only I am fit to carry out this world's new justice." He raised his hand ready to strike. "Hmm?"

"Bagramon!" Imperialdramon roared as he flew at the fallen angel with his sword. Bagramon blocked it with his arm.

"Tch. Found me, have you?"

Imperialdramon held his blade forward. "You shall pay for all the lives you've taken!"

"You speak of bringing judgment to me? The nerve! You act as if you Royal Knights and your king haven't taken more lives than I have!"

Imperialdramon looked at Grademon. "…It's true. My king's X Program has caused pain and suffering. And we knights have been hounding those who survived it and fled to this world. But we never acted out of spite towards them! All our actions both good and bad were for the Digital World!"

"Hmph. What arrogance." Bagramon held his hand towards Imperialdramon Paladin Mode and it glowed purple. The knight held his sword ready to block. Bagramon then smirked and changed trajectory. Grademon gasped as she saw him aim for her. He shot a purple fireball. Imperialdramon dove in front of her and blocked it with his sword. Bagramon vanished laughing.

"Why…why did you save me?" Grademon asked. "You could have stopped him…!"

Imperialdramon looked forward. "…Because it is my sworn duty as a Royal Knight to protect the Digimon of the Digital World."

"Have you forgotten that I released Bagramon? Or that I carry the X-Antibody you were tasked with destroying?"

"King Drasil has rescinded the order to terminate the survivors of the X Program."

Grademon looked at him in surprise. "What? Why?"

"I do not know. Maybe he sees potential in the growth of Digimon through the X-Antibody. Or perhaps he regrets Project Arc. I cannot say. As for what you did…letting you die wasn't going to change that. More importantly, do you know where Bagramon might have gone?"

Grademon sat up. "Bagramon said…if it looked like he was being pursued by you, he would hide in the Dark Area."

"What?"

"He knows you Royal Knights are forbidden from setting foot in the domain of the seven Deadly Digimon."

"How clever."

"Indeed." Grademon rested her arms on her knees. "And he will continue to gain power until he is ready to destroy King Drasil. It's over now… nothing can be done to stop him…" She clenched her fists. "…I didn't want this…All I wanted was revenge on King Drasil for what he did to me... My master… My friends... My home… I didn't want more innocent Digimon to be killed like this… I should have left him in his prison…"

Imperialdramon Paladin mode stared at her. "…So that's it then? You will just give up?"

"What?"

"You won't even try to fight this? You'll simply wallow there waiting for the end? I didn't think someone who would raise a sword against King Drasil would be such a coward."

Grademon glared at him. "You…!"

"Or do you not regret your mistake of unleashing this evil upon the Digital World?"

"Of course, I do! But there's nothing I can do to stop Bagramon! Even before he obtained King Drasil's powers, Bagramon was leagues beyond me! I cannot do anything to hinder him, much less stop him!"

"Perhaps as you are now." Imperialdramon replied. "However…if we, the Royal Knights train you…we learn the true power of this X-Antibody you hold…we might be able to defeat Bagramon together."

Grademon looked at him. "Feh. You have an odd sense of humor. Why would the Royal Knights accept me after what I did?"

"Because you harbor regret for it and great potential that can be of service to us. But I cannot force you to do that." Imperialdramon stepped towards Grademon and extended his hand to her. "You must make the choice. You can either sit there and dwell on your mistakes while you wait for the end…or you can work with us to correct and atone for them." Grademon looked up at him in surprise. Her hand slowly moved without her realizing. When she noticed she held it back for a moment. But then after a second or two it grabbed his.

"Ngh!" Takumi squeezed his eyes shut and walked over and put his hand on the device and the tower slowly shut down. "There…halfway…"

The Ancient's ships traversed the endless regions of space. But then they started to glow with blue light as they aproached a planet with a sun rising behind it. Inside one of the ships the turquoise Chaos Emerald glowed brighter, making the Ancient's looking at it shield their eyes. "What are the Chaos Emeralds reacting to?!"

"Some kind of power source is drawing them in! We've lost control of navigation!"

Down below on the planet on a grassy island was a giant green emerald.

"Wow…" Takumi murmured.

"That giant emerald…" Rosemon Burst Mode breathed. "What was that? It looked like the Chaos Emeralds but…bigger…"

"Takumi, do you think that was the Master Emerald Knuckles spoke of?" Rapidmon Armor asked.

"I was thinking the same thing." Takumi replied. "I thought that the Master Emerald created the Chaos Emeralds, or maybe it was created to control them. But I guess if they came from different planets the fact it can do so is just a coincidence… Well…let's keep moving."

Everyone was solemnly silent as Yuuko finished explaining what she saw in Keisuke's memories. "That's so sad…" Amy murmured.

Arata was sitting on a rock with his head in his hands. "I don't believe this…"

Nokia was shedding tears. "Keisuke…So…because we separated our worlds again, he and Erika…"

Knuckles folded his arms and sighed. "Is that why he's doing this? To get back at you guys and Takumi?"

Yuuko looked away. "…Keisuke doesn't blame us for anything. But he met Sage one day in EDEN who brought him to Doctor Eggman who is now trapped in Cyber Space."

"And they cut a deal." Tails explained. "If Keisuke helped Eggman get out he promised to help him get to the Digital World."

"Pfft. Like Eggman would ever keep a promise." Knuckles scoffed.

"That jerk!" Amy glared. "How could Eggman take advantage of Keisuke's love for Erika like that?!"

"After Takumi and Sonic defeated the last of the fallen Royal Knights and the Titans, I showed him evidence Tails provided me of Eggman's villainy in this world." Yuuko said. "Keisuke was shocked and then…he ran off. Now we don't know where he is or what he'll do now."

"Keisuke…" Arata shut his eyes. "No…"

"I hope he'll be okay…" Amy said.

"Once this is over let's find him and talk to him." Yuuko said. "I think he needs help now more than ever."

Arata sighed. "You're right. We can't leave him like this."

Nokia wiped her tears. "If…if he also misses Digimon, maybe he can help us bring them together again. Then Erika can come back!"

"Then it's agreed. After we're restored and we've assured Takumi's wellbeing we're going to go find Keisuke."

"We'll help too." Tails said. "We can't just ignore someone suffering like this." Amy and Knuckles nodded.

"Thank you everyone." Yuuko replied.

Mirei then aproached. "Apologies for the wait. The program is finished."

"So, we can save Takumi now?!" Amy asked.

Mirei opened her laptop. "Once we confirmed which tower will be the last to shut down, I will transport us all there to meet him."

Sonic hobbled to the device on the fourth tower and shut it down.

Inside some ruins an elderly Ancient was pacing while giving a lecture to a bunch of younger Ancients. "And though our home world was lost, our history was not, thanks to Cyber Space." A Koco inside his body glowed and behind him a Gate activated. He looked up at it as the children watched in amazement before looking back at them. "All our hopes, our dreams, and memories can be uploaded to Cyber Space and accessed at any time."

Another Ancient ran up to him. "Elder. You are needed."

"Why?" the elder asked as he was followed the Ancient out of the children's hearing range. "What's happened?"

The Ancient turned around. "It followed us. This world is in danger." The elder looked at him in shock.

"So…" Sonic grunted. "The Koco…were created by the Ancients…"

"And whatever destroyed their home came for them on this planet." Craniamon said. "It's like Tails said. What we saw on the other island was their first strike position. They were preparing for an enemy from beyond the stars…"

"Well…they clearly stopped it, or this world wouldn't be around." Sonic turned around and watched another tower go off in the distances.

Takumi practically collapsed onto the next device. His migraine was getting worse. "Oh…"

On a cliff, a machine was emitting light towards Giganto in the same place where Super Sonic and Rosemon Burst Mode fought it. Inside the device was the green Chaos Emerald. The elder walked up to the Ancient overseeing it. When he noticed the Elder he spoke. "These Chaos Emerald-empowered Titans will be the keys to victory this time."

"If not… it's been decided that a small group will take the Emeralds to the larger one that drew us here."

The Ancient looked at the Elder. "Hopefully it won't come to that."

Takumi panted. "So…that's why…the Ancients created the Titans…" He groaned as he turned around and dropped to his knees.

Grademon stood inside the King Drasil tree with the Royal Knights. Her cape was torn, and her armor was cracked everywhere. "This… is King Drasil's true form…?" A blue crystal stood in an alter in front of her. It flashed and she gasped backing up. "What…what is this?!"

"King Drasil is speaking to you." Omnimon said. "That is proof that he acknowledges you."

"It seems your training has finally bore fruit." Crusadermon said.

Grademon sighed. "You call it "training" I still think it was more like torture sessions."

"What gull." Leopardmon folded his arms. "Did you think we would make it easy for you? Frankly you should be thankful Imperialdramon gave you this opportunity."

Grademon looked back at the core. "It's funny really… I swore that I would kill King Drasil and avenge those I cherished. Now here he is. This is the moment I waited for… yet now that it's here, I…"

"Grademon. What you do here is your call." Imperialdramon Paladin Mode said. "Choose the future. That is always a possibility."

Grademon sighed. She closed her eyes and gathered her thoughts before looking at the orb. "King Drasil… part of me… will never forgive you for what you've done regardless of how much time passes or your justification. Yet… I want to stop Bagramon. You drove him mad with the X Program and I released him from your sentence. We are both guilty for his sins. That is why… that is why we must work together. To correct our mistakes. It's far too late to bring back those lost because of us, but we can at least stop him from claiming more innocent lives! I couldn't save my master or my friends…but I can save the Digimon in this new Digital World! So please…give me the strength to do it!"

The core glowed and white light glowed around Grademon. "Oh!" Kentarosmon gasped.

"This is…!" Gankoomon gapped.

"King Drasil's will!" UlforceVeedramon breathed.

Grademon ascended from the floor as she glowed brighter. A holy flash of many different colors engulfed the room blinding all the knights save for Imperialdramon. The light slowly died down and in Grademon's place was a Digimon in gold and black armor with golden wings and a white and blue cape. The Digimon looked at herself in shock. "I… this is…"

"Can it really be…?" Examon asked. "Has she truly ascended to knighthood?"

Imperialdramon stepped towards the Digimon. "King Drasil has spoken. Now, as the newest of us, the Royal Knights, what is your pledge?"

The Digimon turned around and knelled. "I vow to protect this world. To prevent other Digitmon from making the same blind mistakes I have. Should one rise to bring harm to the innocent, I will pass judgment to the guilty and only the guilty. I will stop Bagramon from bringing a second genocide!"

"Very good." Imperialdramon brought the Omni Sword down next to the Digimon's shoulder. "You shall be what keeps the Royal Knights from falling to chaos." He moved his sword over the other shoulder. "You shall represent a new chapter in this new Digital World." He held the blade over her head. "From this day onward…you shall be known as the 13th Royal Knight…Alphamon!"

Takumi gasped as he opened his eyes. "No way…!"

"Takumi, I'm begging you!" Rosemon said. "You need to rest!"

"Rest isn't going to stop what this data's doing, and it sure as heck isn't going to save our friends! Come on…we'll meet Sonic… and Craniamon…at the last tower..."

"One…more…" Sonic started walking forward. He stumbled as his body blackened.

"Sonic!" Craniamon gasped.

Sage watched him. "I believe I have come to understand you. And Keisuke and Takumi as well. All of us will do anything to protect us who are precious to us."

Sonic got up and kept moving. "Let's hurry Craniamon…almost there…"

"…Very well."

Sage watched him leave. "But your fate… It is what I calculated."

Elsewhere Keisuke stood alone in the rain. As it continued to fall. "…I couldn't stop them…" He clenched his fists. "First Erika…and now Takumi and Sonic…!" He dropped to his knees and punched the puddle he was in. "WHY?! What was I thinking!? I'm no hero! I never was! All I did was work with an obvious bad guy to make things harder! I couldn't even save one innocent life!" He looked up and screamed at the rainclouds. "NOT EVEN ONE!" Then he caught sight of a golden and pink light flying away from the fifth tower. "Takumi…" He put on his visor and zoomed in. Takumi clutched his head in his hands as he flew on Rapidmon screaming in pain. His Digimon stopped for him, but he ordered them to keep going. They flew slowly towards the final tower. "It's really happening…just like Sage said…it's too late to save him now…" He choked back a sob. Unknowingly he said the same words Sage did as she sadly watched Sonic at the same moment.

"Farewell, hero."

Rhea Island is not going to be six to eight chapters, but the towers are a two parter. Next week the last tower shuts down and we get some answers.