Sonic looked at the Red Chaos Emerald in his hand. "Okay… that's two. Slowly but surely getting there." The Miles Electric started vibrating. "Hello?"

"Sonic, it's me."

"Hey Arata, how's the search?"

"I just found one of those portals. Got any Gears on you right now?"

"Yeah. Send me the location and I'll meet up with you."

"Thanks."

Sonic hurried over to where Arata and Diaboromon were. He ran over to the Gate and put a Gear in it. Light started pouring through it. "Alright, we're in business."

"Let's hope we find something." Arata sighed. "Diaboromon and I haven't been having a whole lot of luck so far…"

Sonic smiled. "Don't sweat it man. Nokia and I already found parts of Takumi's data in Cyber Space." He looked at the portal they activated. "I'm sure you'll find more in there." He reached towards it then remembered something. "Oh, by the way…"

"What's up?"

Sonic hesitated. "…On second thought never mind."

Arata raised an eyebrow. "Come on man, don't just leave me hanging like that!"

"Sorry but, if Nokia's trip through Cyber Space is anything to go by, you'll probably have a tough fight on your hands. I'll tell you after we're done so it won't distract you." Sonic put his hand on the portal and left.

"Ugh! Like this ISN'T Going to distract me now." Arata groaned.

"Yeah, what the heck was that?" Diaboromon asked. "Well, whatever. Let's get on with it."

"Right." Arata pressed his hand on the gear on the gate and teleported away with his Digimon.

Arata landed on a blue floor. He looked around him. The surrounding area was purple. And a giant black hand was nearby. "This is…"

"Oh great." Diaboromon grumbled. "This place again."

"Yeah." Arata trudged to the center of the room. He could see visions of what happened in his mind. Remembering what happened to Yuggo, joining Suedou, nearly sacrificing his humanity… Arata sighed. "This is where it happened. My biggest screw up."

"Oh, I don't know about that..."

A voice echoed around them alerting them. "Huh who's there?!" Diaboromon asked.

"I'd say it was the first thing you did right." Footsteps were heard as someone aproached from the front.

Arata was in shock. The one approaching him looked just like him save for three differences. One, his hood was up, two his eyes were red, three he had an extended, mutated black and white right arm. "No... way..."

The other Arata snickered. "What's with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"What the heck is going on here?!" Diaboromon yelled.

"This Cyber Space is full of possibilities." The Eater Arata replied. "The Ancients stashed an incredible wealth in knowledge in here. And those secrets lead to great power." He looked at Arata and held up his arm. "Power that I control. Power you threw away."

Arata glared at his doppelganger. "I don't need it."

"Why not? When you had it, you could erase any problem that stood before you. Digimon, Eaters, even people. So why did you cast me aside?"

"He doesn't need the Eaters." Diaboromon replied. "He's got me."

Eater Arata chuckled. "Yeah. Sure. And what compels you to stick with this guy? He ran on Yuugo. He ran on his pals at Jude. Who's to say he won't run on you?" He then looked at Arata. "As for your biggest mistake… that would be what happened eight years ago. You had the ultimate power to correct that error, but then you tossed it aside."

"Tch…" Arata cringed.

"He's grown beyond that." Diaboromon said. "Arata ain't perfect, you're proof of that. But that doesn't mean he can't learn from his mistakes. That's how we obtained this new power."

"Then I ask you this: why are you two here?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you come back to Cyber Space after you escaped?"

"To find Takumi's scattered mental data." Arata replied. "Obviously."

"Yeah. And why was said mental data scattered in the first place?"

"Because Crusadermon tricked him into absorbing Bagramon's data!"

"Right. And that destroyed his dental data." the copy grinned. "And you would know because you saw it happen. You WATCHED it happen. Just like how you watched Yuugo get devoured by an Eater. And just like back then, you did nothing!"

Arata's fists shook. "There was… there was nothing I could do…!"

"Of course not! After all, you're weak! You always were weak! That's why Takumi is in this situation! Because you failed him just as you did Yuugo and Jude!"

Diaboromon snarled. "Shut your mouth!" His arm extended flinging his claws towards the fake Arata.

The copy jumped over the hand and flipped over Arata and his Digimon before landing behind them. The Eater Arata laughed. "Alright then. Allow me to demonstrate just how inferior this "new" power of yours is in the face of what you foolishly let go!"

Diaboromon stepped forward. "Just try. Web Wrecker!" He fired multiple golden lights from his chest. Eater Arata evaded them by moving so fast it almost looked like he was teleporting. He slowly got closer and closer. When Diaboromon saw him jump at him he crossed his arms and blocked a punch. When the Eater backed up, Diaboromon's arms extended. "Cable Crusher!" He grabbed Eater Arata and threw him behind him. The enemy spun into the air then landed on his feet. Diaboromon's hands started to glow. "Virus Download!" He shot his arms again with his claws charged with energy.

"Inspect Handler!" The five fingers of the Eater's mutated hand extended and grappled around Diaboromon's claws. They struggled for a bit then Eater Arata lifted Diaboromon and flipped him overhead then slammed him onto the ground. He pulled his hand back and turned to Arata. "How's that? Still unconvinced? This was the power you needed back then. This power was meant to be yours."

Arata scoffed. "Not worth it if it makes me arrogant enough to turn my back on an undefeated opponent." Diaboromon's arms flew past the Eater's left and right and his claws stabbed into the ground in front of him. Eater Arata turned around and Diaboromon slingshot over and drop kicked him. He flew past Arata and rolled across the floor.

Diaboromon ran up to Arata. "Come on man, let's pound you into next week!"

"Uh... right. Just watch that right arm of his! He doesn't have any other tricks aside from that!"

"Got it!" Diaboromon ran at the Eater as he got back to his feet. His arm extended and he swung at Diaboromon who jumped over the attack, landed behind him and kicked him in the back. "Web Wrecker!"

The Eater landed on his feet and held his hand up. It glowed white and absorbed the incoming attack. His hand then shot white projectiles that blew Diaboromon back. "Fight back!" Arata instructed. "We just need to stop his arm!"

Diaboromon started guarding the blows with one arm then stretched out the other at Eater Arata grabbing his Eater arm and pulling it up. "Web Wrecker!" He shot the copy with multiple pellets and then punched him across the room. "What do ya think of our power now?!"

The copy stood back up. "Not bad. But if that's all you got, then you can forget about saving Takumi, or anyone for that matter."

"Big words from the guy who's losing." Arata scoffed. "Diaboromon, finish him off."

"You got it!" Diaboromon pounced at the Eater.

But the Eater grinned as his hand glowed. He threw a light forward and it became an orange screen. Just when Diaboromon was about to make contact, a huge arm came out of it and grabbed him by the head. Then a leg came out. The rest of the body of a huge one-eyes monster lifting up the struggling Diaboromon. Arata gapped at the screen disappeared. "That's…!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" Eater Arata stepped out from behind Eater Adam. "Didn't I tell you Cyber Space is full of possibilities? And through them, I have gained true power!"

Eater Adam let go of Diaboromon only to punt him like a soccer ball right before he could touch the ground. The Digimon rolled across the floor. Eater Adam then looked at Arata. "This is true might. This is the only way to save all."

Arata gritted his teeth. "I can't tell which version of me is more disgusting."

"Without power, you are nothing." Eater Arata said as he walked forward.

"Without power, you are no one." Eater Adam said walking alongside him.

"Without power, you control nothing."

"Without power, you can save nothing."

"And so…" Eater Arata stopped, and Eater Adam stopped next to him. He gazed at Arata with red eyes as he and Eater Adam spoke together. "SUBMIT TO OUR POWER."

Diaboromon growled as he got up. "Submit to this! Virus Download!" He shot his hands at Eater Adam who caught them. Diaboromon then charged into him and drop kicked him, knocking the taller Eater back. Eater Arata then charged at him. Diaboromon evaded the punch but before he could retaliate, he was kneed into the side by Eater Adam. He rolled back and got up. "Web Wrecker!" He fired at them both. Eater Adam shielded the attack with his arms and Eater Arata jumped over it.

"Look out above you!" Arata yelled. Diaboromon blocked the punch, but then Eater Arata spun around him and kicked him in the back knocking him towards Eater Adam whose fist started to glow. The giant Eater uppercutted Diaboromon into the air.

Eater Arata smirked as he leapt high after him. "Inspect Handler!" His fingers coiled around Diaboromon and he slammed the Digimon into the ground.

He then flipped backwards onto his hands and pushed himself away as Eater Adam crossed his arms. Arata recognized what was happening. "Get out of there!"

"Tyrant Cluster!" Massive spikes rose up from the floor. Diaboromon screamed in pain as he was lifted up from the floor by them.

"DIABOROMON!"

Eater Arata smirked at the suffering Digimon then turned to Arata. "Yet ANOTHER friend… you were too weak to save."

Diaboromon weakly looked at his partner. "Ara…ta…"

"Diaboromon…!" Arata dropped to his knees. "No…"

"First Yuugo, then Jude, then Takumi, now your dear partner." Eater Adam said. "Do you still think you're any stronger than you were back then? If so, why is history repeating itself?"

"I… I…"

"In this world and all others, the only thing you can count on is power." Eater Arata said approaching the real Arata.

"It wasn't… supposed to be like this…" Arata murmured.

"Do you see now, Arata?" The Eater duo asked in sync. "Your weakness, is what brought everyone pain and suffering."

Arata was overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness. One that was all too familiar to him. "Have I… really not changed…?"

"As long as you cling to that weakness, you won't be able to protect anyone." Eater Arata said. "Not your friends. Not your world. Not even yourself."

"If only…" Arata's voice started to crack as he thought back on what happened to Yuugo, Jude and Takumi. "If only I had more power!" He punched the ground gritting his teeth.

Eater Arata stood in front of him. "It's okay, Arata. You will no longer have to suffer." Arata looked up at him. "I will erase your regret. I will make you whole again…" He slowly reached his mutated hand towards Arata's face. "With my power." Arata slowly closed his eyes.

"BACK OFF!" Someone came charging in and rammed their fist right into the side of Eater Arata's face blowing him away.

Eater Arata winced as he got onto his knees. "Who dares?!"

Eater Adam looked at the attacker. "You're..."

Arata opened his eyes and looked at the one defending him. "Knuckles?!"

"Get up Arata!" the Echidna ordered. "This isn't over yet!"

Eater Arata stood up. "The last survivor of a fallen race. What do you think you can accomplish here on your own?"

Knuckles looked down then closed his eyes. "I may be the last of my kind... but I'm not alone. I have people counting on me. And people I can protect."

"You? Protect? Please. The failed guardian of the Master Emerald and descendant of those who fell to Chaos? What would you know about power?"

Knuckles smiled. "Actually, I understand what power is better than anyone else in this room. And I have my ancestors to thank for that. Power is important, sure. But on its own power can corrupt you. Twist you into something horrible. Make yourself and those around you suffer."

"Isn't that the point?! Power is for destroying your enemies! Eliminating all obstacles!" Eater Arata looked at his hand. "And as long as I can do that, who cares if I suffer or not!"

Arata looked down. "That's right... power I didn't have back then... power that bends time and space... if I have that kind of power, I can make it all right again..." Arata's thoughts were cut off when Knuckles punched him in the face knocking him over. "Gah! W-what was that for?!"

Knuckles leered at him. "You really are an idiot."

"What?"

"Gain as much power as you want. It won't change your past. And it won't make you feel better about it either. My ancestors wanted power more than anything. They thought they were doing it to protect their people, but they really just wanted it to rise above what they were! They lost sight of what they were trying to protect, just like you did when you turned yourself into... whatever these things are!"

Arata looked at him. "I..."

"Focus only on power and you'll lose yourself. Power is enriched by the heart. Arata, think about it. Takumi didn't resort to merging with Eaters and still beat you when you did. You ever stopped to wonder why? Because he stayed true to himself. He never lost sight of what he was fighting for or who he was."

Arata thought about it. "That's right... he never gave up. No matter how hard the ordeal he pressed on. That's why he didn't give up on me. That's why he was willing to risk his life time and time again..."

"That's right." Knuckles nodded. "Because he knew that giving up on those, he believed in would mean giving up on himself. He obtained great power but would never throw away his principles for it because those were what he needed power for. Arata, there was a reason why you wanted power, right? Don't lose sight of that!"

Arata thought back on his friends. Yuugo, Yuuko, Nokia, Takumi, Ryuji, Chitose, Keisuke. He closed his eyes briefly and stood up. "You're right... When I became an Eater, I lost sight of why I wanted power. It was so I could get my friend back, not lose them all. I can't let that happen. Power isn't about destroying what's in your way. It's for fulfilling a mission!"

Knuckles grinned. "Now you're talking."

"What a joke." Eater Arata scoffed. "That fluffy logic is what made you abandon the ultimate power?"

"That was a cursed power! Once I became you, I started obsessing over power thinking it would fill this void in me! But it just made me feel more incomplete! That strength is empty! If I'm going to make things right and save my friend, I need to stay true to who I am!"

"That's right Arata!" Knuckles said. "As I said, power is enriched by the heart! Use that power to fight for what you believe in!"

Arata's Digivice started glowing. He took it out and looked at it. Then he turned to Diaboromon. "Diaboromon! Can you hear me? Human thoughts and emotions effect Digimon. I saw that with my own eyes. So, my will to protect those I care about... my drive to correct the wrongs of my past... my desire to save my friend... Take it all! And let's finish this together!"

Diaboromon's eyes opened. He burst with energy and the Tyrant Cluster stabbing him shattered and Eater Adam was blown away. "Diaboromon…Digivolve to…" In a bright flash a new Digimon landed on the ground. One with a black and purple body, six legs, a long tail and green eyes. "Armageddemon!"

Eater Adam slid back on his feet then looked up at the Digimon. "This…"

Eater Arata looked in shock. "What IS that?!"

"That's the power Arata had inside him." Knuckles smiled at Arata. "See now? Your heart is your greatest power. You didn't need Suedou or Eaters to evolve. The power you needed was within you the entire time."

Arata smiled. "Yeah. And with this power, I'm going to set things right!"

Armageddemon leapt up and landed next to Arata. "You got that right! And I'm with ya all the way!"

"Thanks. Counting on you pal!" Arata climbed up onto his Digimon's back.

"You can count me in too." Knuckles pounded his fists together. "Let's show your wanna-bes what true power looks like!"

"Heh. Right. Because we gotta!"

"Pointless." Eater Arata spat. "I'll put you and your delusions to rest here." He aproached Knuckles and Eater Adam aproached Armageddemon and Arata.

Knuckles roared as he ran at Eater Arata who reeled back his Eater Hand. It collided with Knuckles' fist once they were close enough. Armageddemon rushed at Eater Adam who held him back with his hands. He pushed the Digimon back and fired red blasts from his eye. Armageddemon dodged them one by one, and they exploded behind him. Knuckles hit Eater Arata with two punches then a Tornado Claw, spinning into the air knocking his opponent back. As he came down the fake Arata kneed him a good distance. Then he drew his arm back. "Inspect Handler!" Knuckles dodged the extended fingers then grabbed them and started pulling. Eater Arata grunted as he tried to pull back, but soon Knuckles pulled him in and started spinning him around by his arm then slammed him onto the ground.

Eater Adam rushed at Armageddemon and threw two punches and a kick, all of which the Digimon evaded. As Arata lifted his right arm, the front two right arms on Armageddemon's body coiled together making a singer thicker limb. As Arata swung his arm shouting, Armageddemon smacked Eater Adam from the side knocking him over. The monster sprung back to his feet and charged black energy in his hands. "Interrupt Handler!" He rammed his palm into Armageddemon's face pushing him back a good distance.

Knuckles threw Eater Arata a good distance. His Eater Hand scratched the floor as he slid on it. When the Echidna ran at him, Eater Arata flung himself forward kicking him in the chest then spun and kicked with the other foot knocking him away. He held his Eater hand forward and shot white energy burst at Knuckles. Knuckles skidded back on his feet as the projectiles flew at him. "Knuckle Slam!" He slammed his fists onto the ground and a fiery aura swept them away then blew back Eater Arata.

Eater Adam punched Armageddemon whose body was knocked back while his feet remained planted in the ground and his legs stretched back with him. Arata held his head back then swung it forward and Armageddemon's legs stretched back like a rubber band and he headbutted the Eater with enough force to knock him back. Eater Adam got back up and shot lightning from his hands at Armageddemon. Knuckles rushed at Eater Arata and narrowly dodged the Eater arm trying to grab him, then blew him back with the explosive Deep Impact attack. He then noticed Armageddemon being electrocuted as Eater Adam stepped closer to him. "Arata!"

"Knuckles… take cover!" The teen grunted and snapped his fingers. Armageddemon shot something black into the sky. Knuckles looked at it then jumped and burrowed underground just when Eater Arata was about to get him with Inspect Handler. "Full-Scale Attack!" Arata shouted with Armageddemon. The object in the sky exploded and black lasers came down like rain. Both Eaters took damage and ceased moving. Eater Arata noticed the ground in front of his feet crack but didn't react in time for Knuckles to rise out and hit him with a Major Eruption then as they both went into the air, Knuckles hammered Eater Arata to the ground with Meteor Punch then rammed into him with Drill Claw. Armageddemon's front arms stretched and coiled around Eater Adam's. Arata turned around and swung his arms down and Armageddemon threw Eater Adam overhead. The Eater got up and shot red explosives from his eye again. Armageddemon dodged the first few then leapt onto the wall sticking to it like a spider while running to evade explosive shots. "There's our opening!" Arata said. Armageddemon shot a green laser from his mouth. Eater Adam dodged, but then Armageddemon's legs stuck to the ground on his left and right before he was slingshot into the Eater bashing him a good distance. He then fired the green laser right into Eater Adam.

Eater Arata spun swiping his arm at Knuckles knocking him away. "Inspect Handler!" He caught Knuckles with his fingers.

"Take this!" Knuckles held his fist forward and a Thunder Arrow rained down on Eater Arata making him let go. Knuckles then charged in and used a Megaton Hook.

Eater Arata rolled across the floor then landed on his hands and knees. "Impossible…! How is he overpowering me…?!"

"Still haven't figured it out?" Knuckles asked. "I'm fighting for a reason. A purpose. You're only fighting to satiate your hunger for power! That empty strength will never beat me!"

Eater Arata growled and got up. "I will… never… lose again!" He clenched his Eater fist as it started to glow white. Purple orbs started rotating around Knuckles, then he pulsed with red and purple aura. He and Eater Arata gazed into each other's eyes before they darted at each other. Just as Eater Arata threw his punch, Knuckles rammed one fists into his Eater Arm disintegrating it. His other fist tore right through the Fake Arata's body with the Maximum Heat Knuckles attack. Eater Arata screamed as his body erupted with red light and exploded.

"Tyrant Cluster!" Eater Adam sent a wave of spikes at Armageddemon who jumped back and laned on the wall behind him.

Arata held his hand forward and his Digimon's maw opened and glowed red. "Destiny Destroyer!" they yelled in sync and Armageddemon shot a giant fireball at Eater Adam.

Eater Adam gathered energy in one of his hands again. "Interrupt Handler!" He rammed his palm into the fireball holding it back. Arata gritted his teeth while the Eater grunted.

Knuckles dug his hands into the ground and lifted a chunk of it out before throwing it at Eater Adam knocking his arm aside allowing the Destiny Destroyer to resume. The Eater desperately tried to hold it back with his other hand. Arata smirked and put a hand over his extended arm. "You're finished. HA!" Armageddemon shot a few more smaller Destiny Destroyers. They combined into the bigger one and made a glorious fiery explosion that enveloped and incinerated Eater Adam. Armageddemon jumped down and landed next to Knuckles. "Phew. That's the end of that." Arata said climbing down.

Knuckles grinned at him. "You know what? I was right. If you had this guy and I went Super Knuckles, we'd definitely would have trashed that Titan way faster than Sonic and Takumi!"

"Heh, heh. Maybe." Arata looked at his new partner. "Armageddemon… so this is your new power."

"This is OUR new." Armageddemon replied. "You and Knuckles ignited this fire in me. And with it, we'll burn open a path to the future!"

Arata smiled then turned back to Knuckles. "Thanks for… you know."

"Eh, it's cool." Knuckles replied. "As the last survivor of the Echidnas, I think it's on me to make sure nobody repeats my kind's mistakes." He then blinked and noticed something. "Hey… isn't that…?!"

Arata turned around. There was somebody glowing white behind them. "Takumi!" He ran over to his friend. "Takumi, is that you?! Are you alright?!" The boy didn't answer. "Hey, say something you!" The moment Arata put a hand on his shoulder there was a bright flash, and the digital being vanished. Then Arata, Knuckles and Diaboromon all stood there as Takumi's memories when through their minds. Arata stood there for a moment then sighed. "Takumi…"

Knuckles shook his head. "Those memories… they must mean the world to him. I feel like I just read through someone's diary without their permission."

Arata looked at his Digivice. "That was one of his data fragments…"

"We have to get the rest of him back." Armageddemon said. "Not just for Takumi, but for his Digimon too."

"And for all of us." Arata held his Digivice tightly. "We need him now more than ever. And not just to save the world. Or even to bring humans and Digimon together. But because he's a part of us. And until he's back things will never be the way they're supposed to be." A light caught their attention. "Think that leads out of here?"

Knuckles put his arm in the hole, but it phased out the other end. "If it does, I'm not finding out it seems."

"You've gotta be kidding me…" Arata growled. "I have to leave another friend behind?"

"You're not leaving me behind." Knuckles replied. "Staying here is my choice. If I couldn't accept that I wouldn't have come here to save Sonic from the corruption in the first place."

"There's no other choice Arata." Armageddemon said.

"Like heck there isn't!" Arata pulled up some screens. "Maybe I can find a way to alter this thing so Knuckles can go through it."

Knuckles sighed. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Unfortunately, time isn't on our side." He grinned as he grabbed Arata's arm. "So, if you won't "leave me behind" then I guess I'm just gonna have to kick you out."

"What?"

"Don't mess this up, geek boy." Knuckles then spun Arata without warning who yelled as he was tossed into the portal. Knuckles turned to the Digimon. "Take care of him."

"I got this. Hang tight shorty." Armageddemon rushed into the portal before it closed.

Knuckles grinned with a hand on his hip. "Arata… I know you'll make this right."

Sonic grabbed a pully that lowered him fast then rose back up. He jumped into a room where three Eggman Robots were waiting. He chained a Homing Attack on all of them and a portal appeared. "No going around it. Once I meet up with Arata, I should give him a heads up about Ryuji and Chitose." He dove into it.

The visions showed the five kids in the Digital World. Nokia was holding Agumon and Gabumon's hands as they ran around her in circles spinning her. Yuuko, Yuugo and Arata were looking at other tiny Digimon with Takumi. "So…were these always part of EDEN?" Arata asked.

"Dad never mentioned planning anything like this." Yuugo replied.

"Does that mean they aren't part of EDEN?" Takumi asked from behind him. Unbeknownst to him someone was staring at him from behind the overgrowth.

"Don't be ridiculous." Arata replied. "We're in cyber space, this is all data. Our real bodies are back home, there's nowhere else for us to go. Maybe this is just some unfinished part Yuugo's dad didn't release yet."

Before Takumi could reply, he heard rustling from the bushes. Curious he walked over towards them. Then something soft hit him in the back of the head and wrapped around his face covering his mouth and eyes. Before he could try to pull it off, purple vines wrapped around him and pulled him away. Nokia meanwhile giggled as she tumbled slightly dizzy. She then looked at her friends and noticed one of them was missing. "Uh, guys? Where'd Takumi go?"

"He's right behind us." Yuuko replied.

"No, he isn't."

"Sure, he is." Yuuko turned around but their friend was no longer there. "Huh?! Takumi?!"

Yuugo and Arata turned around. "Where'd he go?!" Arata asked.

"Takumi?!" Yuugo shouted. "TAKUMI!"

When he heard his friends call out to him, he tried to reply but whatever was over his mouth kept his voice muffled. And whatever pulled him in here had him sitting down with his arms and torso in a wrap. He kicked his shoes against the ground as he tried to squirm out of whatever grip he was in. Then two small metal objects came down on his legs pinning them together from the sides. "Okay, we caught one!" a voice said. "Now are you sure this isn't a Digimon?"

"Hmm… Now that I can see the creature up close, I can be even more certain that this is no Digimon of any sort." Takumi heard "creature" and yelled out a complaint. "Hmm. It seems to be trying to communicate with us. Perhaps that means he can understand us?"

"Well duh, we heard them talking just now. In fact, we can still hear his friends screaming for him."

"Uh, guys?" A new voice behind Takumi's head spoke up. "If we want to know more about this guy, why don't we just, ya know. Ask him."

"Kinda can't make out what he's saying with your ear over his mouth. And if you remove it, he'll scream for his buddies to help."

"You don't know that! Hey, you can hear me, right?" Takumi nodded. "See, he understands us! Now listen, we just wanna talk with you, so I'll let you talk if you promise to keep your voice down. Deal?" Takumi nodded again. "Good!"

"Terriermon, how can we trust he won't-

The veil was lifted from over Takumi's eyes and mouth as whatever was perched on his head jumped off him and landed on his lap. He then then got a good look at his captors. The one on his lap was a white and green rabbit Digimon with a horn and very long ears. The purple vines he was tied up with were part of a green plant Digimon with a pink flower on her head. The gears holding his legs floated near a metal grey Digimon with a gold gear around his body. "See?" the rabbit asked. "He's being cooperative!" He waved at Takumi. "Hello!"

"Um… hi." Takumi replied awkwardly.

"Oh. Okay." the plant replied.

"Curiouser and curiouser." the metal Digimon stated. "Whatever this creature is, he certainly has piqued my interest."

"Who are you calling "creature"?!" Takumi pouted. "I MPH!"

The rabbit covered his mouth with his ears. "Indoor voice, remember?!" Takumi grumbled at him. "So, we don't think you're a Digimon like us. What are you?" He let go of his mouth.

"I'm a human, obviously."

"Wait, THIS is a human?" the plant asked. "I thought humans were just myths!"

"Fascinating." The gear said. "They say humans come from another world. To think we are seeing one with our own eyes."

"Huh." The rabbit sat on Takumi's lap. "So, human, why are you here?"

"Takumi."

"Huh?"

"My name is Takumi."

"Oh, so humans have names too." The plant said.

"And you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you three have names?"

"Oh, right!" The rabbit stood up. "I'm Terriermon!"

"My name is Palmon." the plant said.

"I am Hagurumon." Hagurumon replied.

Takumi giggled. "Nokia's right, you guys do have funny names!"

"Hey, I think Takumi is a weirder name!" Palmon replied.

"Easy Palmon." Hagurumon said. "If humans do indeed come from another world, it would make sense for things to seem weird to our little visitor here."

The young Takumi blinked. "Huh? What do you mean another world?"

"This world, the Digital World, our home." Terriermon said. "Home of us Digimon."

"Digi…mon?"

"A very interesting discovery this is." Hagurumon said.

"So now that we've captured a human what now?" Palmon asked. "Do we take him to the grownups or something?"

"Um, actually, I'd like to be let go please." Takumi said before looking over his shoulder. "My friends are looking for me."

"But we have so many questions!" Terriermon said.

"Then come with me! I can introduce you to my friends!"

"These "friends"… do you know them well?" Hagurumon asked.

"Well…not really. I just met them today. But they're my first friends ever. And I'm happy to have them. And I was hoping… maybe we can be friends too."

"Friends with a human?" Palmon asked. "Is that even allowed?"

"Why not?" Takumi asked. "Give us a chance. I'm sure we can get along. Nokia's playing with two of you right now!"

Terriermon looked out of the trees. "He's right!"

Takumi looked at the Digimon. "Now that I know what having a friend is like… I want to make more. I think it would be awesome. And I'm sure it will make you happy as well." The Digimon looked at Takumi then at each other.

"Takumi, this isn't funny!" Arata shouted.

Nokia turned around at the sounds of rustling in the overgrowth. "Takumi! There you are!"

Everyone saw him come out holding Hagurumon in his hands with Terriermon on his head and Palmon hiding behind him. "Hi guys."

"Jeez, don't wander off on us like that!" Arata yelled.

"Where were you?!" Yuugo asked.

"Making more friends." Takumi smiled.

They all played together. It was the most fun they ever had until…

"Do you really have to go?" Terriermon asked.

"Just for now." Yuugo replied. "We'll come back sometime."

"Promise?" Palmon asked.

"Yeah!" Takumi smiled. "I'll come see you again! Because we're friends!"

"We look forward to it." Hagurumon nodded.

"Agumon, Gabumon, we'll meet again!" Nokia waved.

"…Do we really have to go?" Takumi asked. As the Digimon left.

"Takumi, your parents are going to worry if you stay here." Yuuko said.

"My parents…" Takumi frowned. "I… I don't know if they'll miss me."

"What? Why would you think that?" Yuugo asked.

"My mom is always away… and my dad…" Takumi looked away uncomfortably.

"Takumi… don't be an idiot." Arata said.

Everyone looked at him. "Arata!" Yuuko scolded.

"What? Just because his parents are away doesn't mean they don't care about him. And even then, it's not like we'll never see each other again."

Yuugo smiled. "Arata's right. We're friends. And we'll always be."

"Always…?" Takumi murmured.

"Yeah! And not just us!" Nokia said. "Agumon, Gabumon, Terriemron, Palmon, Hagurumon too!"

"Dad wants to make EDEN a place where nobody will feel alone." Yuugo said.

"Either way, you're our friend Takumi!" Yuuko smiled. "You're not alone anymore!"

"That's right! So, enough with the frowning!" Nokia then teasingly wiggles her fingers at him. "Or else the tickle spiders are coming back to get you!"

"H-hey!" Takumi giggled as Nokia started tickling his ribs. "Cut that out!"

"There's that smile!" Nokia laughed.

"Come on you two let's go already." Arata replied. He Yuugo, Yuuko and Nokia started leaving.

Takumi looked back in the direction his new friends left in. "Terriermon… Palmon… Hagurumon… I hope I'll see you again someday…" He then quietly followed his friends towards the gate.

Then the visions showed how the first Eater came out of the gate Takumi made.

"It'd be great if the present could last forever! If only the past could've lasted forever too! Forever and ever… We should never, ever, leave here!"

Sonic was first out of Cyber Space and caught the keys he earned. "Takumi…" Then Arata was flung out and landed on the grass in front of him and then Armageddemon leapt out landing nearby. "Wow. And I thought Nokia's Digimon went through a change."

Arata grunted as he stood up. "Knuckles…you stubborn jerk…"

"Knuckles? Did something happen?" Sonic asked walking up to him.

"Arata and I ran into a little trouble in there." Armageddemon explained. "Knuckles bailed us out, but he couldn't come back with us."

"I see… then we better hurry and put and end to this so we can get him back."

"Yeah." Arata said. "I'm going to save him. Him and Takumi."

Sonic sighed. "Poor guy. Now I see why he thinks the Eaters are his fault…the voice we heard before that Eater showed up… Takumi's voice…"

"Takumi thinks his thoughts brought that thing." Arata said. "I'd just wish he'd let it go. It's over and done with. It's all in the past."

"Some pasts aren't easy to overcome dude." Armageddemon replied. "You know that better than most."

"Yeah…"

"Oh, speaking of that…" Sonic said. "About what I was going to tell you earlier…"

"What is it?" Arata asked.

Sage then appeared. "You have returned."

"Oh, hey Sage."

Arata looked at the gate. "So, from what we saw in those visions, these ruins could upload thoughts directly into Cyber Space."

"Yeah, but not their bodies. It looks like Tails and Yuuko were right." Sonic added.

"Correct." Sage replied. "They desired to archive all their achievements, creations and knowledge."

"If they couldn't pass it between their own people, they could pass it on to those who inherited this world from them."

"This way they could pass on not only technical knowledge, but their cognizance and their intentions as well."

Arata looked at the gate. "So, it's like a giant back-up harddrive for everything they were. That's pretty amazing. I mean EDEN has its own form of direct brain downloads, but… this goes way beyond mental data. Despite being way older."

"I can role with it now that I know it's alien tech, but it's still a bit weird to me." Sonic replied. "Like why are the villages missing when everything else is so detailed."

"The Ancients had a difficult time adapting to this world." Sage replied.

"Mmm. Understandable." Arata replied. "Imagine landing on a new planet so different from your own. I bet there were a lot of factors to take in. Adjusting to the new flora and fauna, learning how to use the planets natural resources, technological incompatibilities…"

"Their settlements were under constant revision." Sage explained. "The map was designed for a universal knowledge of the island and their facilities."

"I guess that makes sense." Sonic replied. "And it's probably a good idea to limit the info to make sure whoever can access it can be trusted first."

"Right." Arata nodded. "So anyway, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh, right." Sonic looked at him. "Sage went and got us some backup. From your world. Arata… Ryuji and Chitose are here."

Arata's face went pale as a shocked look formed. "What?! For real?!"

"Yeah, I ran into them in Cyber Space. What's more is Sage somehow gave them their memories back. They and their Digimon are on this island looking around for Crusadermon."

"I used simulations I created from Keisuke's memories to remind them of the previous reality." Sage replied.

Arata turned to her. "Why would you do that?!"

"Because this way, they don't need to adapt to fighting alongside their Digimon again. Additionally, we need their help."

"Arata, Takumi said you should try talking things out with Ryuji." Sonic said. "And it looks like you finally have a chance. If anything, it's probably inevitable. We'll all need to work together if we're going to pull this off. Besides, from what we saw in your memories, it looked like he was finally starting to listen to you. He even told me earlier he's been wanting to talk for a while."

Arata sighed. "…It's not like I haven't thought about it after our talk but… this isn't how I imagined it…"

Sonic noticed a golden light nearby. "Another Emerald. I better move. Think about what you're going to say to Ryuji while you keep looking for Takumi's data." Sonic ran off.

Armageddemon quietly watched his partner. Arata just stood there. "Ryuji…"

Since what wiped out the Echidnas was their hunger for power, I thought Knuckles would be ideal to remind Arata the dangers of power lust. Anyway, next chapter we're taking another look at Hudie, so stay tuned folks!