The Elder Koco stopped glowing after giving Sonic one final power up. "You've reached a level even I cannot exceed. I have done all I can. The rest is up to you now. I do hope you can save that boy Takumi. I have already asked so much of you both…would you permit me to ask one thing more? We Koco…we don't remember much. Most are driven by a faint dream or a fleeting emotion. Some are driven by deep regrets. I'm sure you've met a few like that. Even I have forgotten who I once was. All I know is my desire to keep the Koco safe…and a regret for having once failed them. I'm sorry to ask you to do even more of my duty but… But can you still bring Koco to me as you find them?"

Sonic grinned. "Of course, Gramps. You can always count on me."

"You truly are a hero, Sonic. Thank you, for my sake, and all the Koco."

"For now though, I should get going. I got some friends and three worlds total to save."

"Farewell, Sonic. Take care of yourself, and my dear Koco."

Sonic continued to follow the light to a Chaos Emerald Vault. He held up his keys and unlocked it. The turquoise Chaos Emerald went to his hand. "Two more to go." He looked at the map. "Now where's the next Gate?"

Matayoshi was walking thought a blue grid with a matching background. "This is some form of Cyber Space for sure. That Sage girl said Ryuji and his team as well as Kyo-kyo and her assistant and his friends needed our help, so I agreed to join her even if it did all sound fishy… Date wanted in because that Nokia girl's her cousin… but she still didn't give us many details on what we're supposed to do…" He looked around. "This place… it feels familiar to me. Have I been here before? Sage brough back my "rewritten" memories, but I just can't put my finger on it…"

Sonic stomped on a switch that brought down a pully. He grabbed it and it took him upward. A dash panel shot him up a wall and to a spring that launched him into a Red Star Ring then the exit.

Matayoshi walked to what appeared to be a dead end. "This place is quite the maze. Well, time to turn back." He turned around to leave.

"Ah! There you are!"

The detective stopped in his tracks when he heard a voice echo and looked around. He then felt a presence behind him and turned around to see what appeared to be a cop. "What are you doing here? Did that Sage girl call you too? Where's your unit?"

The cop tilted his hat and chuckled. "Oh my. I was under the impression your memories of the other reality were restored Shinjuku Matagi."

Matayoshi thought for a second. "Wait… I recognize that voice… You're Cyber Face. What are you doing here?"

The man laughed. "So, you DO remember me! How delightful! I caught wind of that A.I.'s little trips between worlds. I knew it was only a matter of time before she summoned you."

"Look pal, I don't know what your deal is, but I really don't have time for your games."

"Oh? Goodness me Matayoshi, have you forgotten that I'm a criminal? Is it not your job to bring me to justice?"

The detective folded his arms. "That is part of it yes, but it also involves helping people. Right now, there are good people in need of my help. So, I'm prioritizing that above all else." He turned around and started walking away.

"Good people you say? You mean like a certain assistant of your dear partner's daughter?"

Matayoshi stopped in place. He turned around. Next to Cyber Face was what looked like Takumi Aiba, but he was glowing. "Takumi! What did you do to him?!"

"Oh, as much as I would love to take credit for this, it wasn't me. It seems young Aiba had a bit of an accident while he was in this world and his mental data was shattered. This is a fragment of that data. Hmm… what would happen if I were to delete this data? Would Takumi never wake up? Or maybe I can "tinker" with it a little so that when he does, I can mold him to my liking…"

Matayoshi glared at him. "You…!" It was then when a portal appeared, and Sonic came running out of it. "Huh?"

Sonic looked around. "Now where am I?" He then noticed the fake cop with Takumi's Mental Data. "Takumi!"

"Who are you and how did you get here?" Cyber Face asked. "I have business with Matayoshi."

Sonic looked behind him to see the detective. "Oh, hey. So, you're the old famous detective himself."

"Heh. My reputation truly perceives me if I'm known in other worlds."

Cyber Face scowled. "You are intruding on my little game rodent. Kindly leave."

"Name's Sonic the Hedgehog. And hand over Takumi's mental data and I'll consider it."

The image of Takumi went into the man's hand as he smirked at him. "Come and get it."

"You're asking for it!" Sonic ran at the man.

"Wait!" Matayoshi shouted.

Cyber Face snapped his fingers as Sonic got close and two Digimon appeared in front of him. A blue Dragon with large wings a lance on its back and two gold orbs in its hands named Wingdramon and a green dragon on all fours with two large arms coming from his back and a mace on his tail named Groundramon. "Whoa!" Sonic jumped back as Groundramon swung his tail at him. "Okay… that's interesting."

"Have I made it clear now?" Cyber Face asked. "You're not welcome here. Leave."

"I'm not going anywhere without Takumi's data." Sonic declared.

"Your funeral."

Groundramon roared and rushed at Sonic. The hedgehog moved out of the way as it stomped its front feet at him then ran to the side and attacked the head with Homing Attack and started a combo. "Megaton Hammer Crush!" He spun his Tail at Sonic, but he dodged.

"You're fast for a little rat. Alright then." Cyber Face whistled and Wingdramon flew in.

"Sonic Blaze Breath!" It spat blue fire at Sonic who rolled out of the way then jumped up and used Sonic Boom to send shockwaves at it as it flew by. The dragon turned around and flew at him again. "Exploding Sonic Breath!" It charged at him with its lance glowing.

"Yup. Sonic, that's my name, don't wear it out." Sonic grinned. He jumped onto the dragon's back as it passed by and grabbed onto its horn. It swerved and spun in the air trying to shake him off, but Sonic pulled on the horn and Wingradmon started turning towards Groundramon. As they aproached Sonic jumped off and the Digimon crashed into each other. He brushed his hands off and smirked at Cyber Face. "Nice try, but I just toppled a Royal Knight with Fei earlier and beat all the fallen Royal Knights with Takumi. No Digimon's going to stop me at this point."

Cyber Face smirked as a blue screen appeared in front of him. "Could any of these "Royal Knight" modify their data and abilities like this?"

Both dragons roared as they got up. Wingdramon charged at Sonic again at much greater speed. He barley ducked in time. "Giga Crack!" Groundramon stomped the ground and a fissure opened up.

Sonic threw himself out of the way landing awkwardly. "Okay… that's definitely new."

Matayoshi watched Wingdramon turn. "Look out! Behind you!"

Sonic looked behind him as the dragon aproached but couldn't react in time before he was knocked towards Groundramon who rammed him into the air with his head. "Wing Blast!" Wingdramon charged down at Sonic with incredible speed.

Sonic rolled across the ground trying to regain his bearings. Wingdramon swooped for him, and he jumped out of the way. "Scrap Claw!" Groundramon caught him between his giant back arms. Sonic grunted as he used his hands and feet to try to keep them from crushing him.

"No!" Matayoshi shouted.

"I'll admit, I wasn't expecting a lifeform from this world to be so powerful. But nothing here can stop me." Cyber Face said. He heard a gunshot as a bullet bounced off Groundramon's skin. The Digimon didn't even notice. Cyber Face turned to Matayoshi who had his gun out. "Oh, come now Matayoshi, did that EVER work on a Digimon?"

Matayoshi looked at him. "I thought you studied up on me. If people are in danger, then I help them. That's the true nature of my job. More than solving any mysteries. I don't fully understand what's going on here. But that doesn't matter if I'm needed. I'm Gorou Matayoshi, Violent Crimes #1, Cyber Crimes Investigation Unit, Metropolitan Police Department. Commonly known as "Shinjuku Matagi." Don't you be forgetting it."

"I know I sure haven't!" A voice brought everyone's attention to the sky. A gryphon with a silver mask, blond hair and a green tail with a second mouth came down and crashed into Groundramon's arms making him drop Sonic. The newcomer landed in front of Matayoshi.

"Now what?" Cyber Face groaned.

"Another Digimon?" Sonic asked standing up. "Please tell me this one's friendly."

Matayoshi looked at him. "Wait… you're the one Keisuke found in our server. The one who helped us protect our data. Gryphonmon, was it?"

"I am pleased you remember me detective."

"Oh?" Cyber face rested a finger at his chin. "I was unaware you also tamed a Digimon."

"Not the word I'd use." Matayoshi said. "I'll spare you the details, but long story short this one came to work with me in protecting our servers before that mess in Tokyo."

"I see." The man looked at the Digimon. "How fortunate you are."

"Indeed. In my desire to do good I caused so much trouble. Even then, Matayoshi looked beyond that and saw potential in me and took me in. Thanks to him I understood how to properly wield my desire to defend, to do good, to dol out justice. And that's why if he wants to do the same." Gryphonmon got into a fighting stance. "I will not let you bar his path!"

"Okay, cool." Sonic got back up. "If you're here to help the last thing I'm gonna say is no."

"Sir, I'm yours to command!"

Matayoshi smiled. "Alright then. Listen up you two! Our mission is to defeat Cyber Face and take back Takumi's Mental Data! Sonic, right? Let me and Gryphonmon handle his flying Digimon! That's the one that's been giving you trouble with his maneuverability and flight! You can still outmaneuver the green one even with its strength boost, so focus on him!"

"You got it detective!" Sonic replied. "Time for round two!" Sonic ran towards Groundramon. When it tried to stomp him, he maneuvered around and drew a Cyloop around him, stunning him before using a Stomp.

"Wing Blast!" Wingdramon launched a shockwave at Gryphonmon as he aproached. The Mega Level Digimon spun in the air dodging it then charged though the target knocking it out of the sky before it straightened itself out.

"He has no means of guarding from attacks from behind!" Matayoshi said. "Aim for the back!"

"Right!" Gryphonmon spun around behind Wingramon and charged at it scratching it in the back with its claws.

Sonic dodged Groundramon's fangs then started a Phantom Rush. He then flew back and struck with a Loop Kick. "Scrap Claw!" Groundramon tried to crush him in his hands, but he boosted thought he air to get behind it before using a Cross Slash.

"Exploding Sonic Breath!" Wingdramon bashed Gryphonmon out of the air then came down to slam on top of him.

"Come on, we're not done yet!" Matayoshi said. "You were strong enough to give Keisuke a hard time! This is nothing!"

Gryphonmon roared and pushed Wingdramon off him. He then rushed into him. "Mobius Bite!" His head and tail both bit into the dragon making it howl.

"Giga Crack!" Groundramon made another fissure but Sonic sidestepped and kept going towards him. "Megaton Hammer Crush!" He spun to hit him with his tail as he got close, but Sonic jumped over it and used a Homing Attack, then a Spin Slash.

Gryphonmon spun forward and rammed into Wingdramon crashing it into the ground. "Good! He's on the ropes!" Matayoshi said. "Finish him quick!"

"Got it!"

Wingdramon stoop up as his mouth glowed. "Sonic Blaze Breath!" He shot fire towards Gryphonmon.

"Solo Roar!" Gryphonmon in response shot a massive shockwave that pushed the fire back. Sonic bounced off of Groundramon and used Sonic Boom, followed up with Cross Slash and immediately used a Homing Shot. The series of projectiles made Groundramon collapse before he became shards of blue. Gryphonmon pushed through all of Wingdramon's attack and tore the other dragon apart.

"Game over Cyber Face!" Sonic grinned.

"I… I am at a loss…" the hacker said. He tilted his hat down. "Hmhmhmhmh…Hahahahaha!"

"What's so funny?" Gryphonmon asked.

"How truly magnificent! I thought an old school detective could not handle Digimon so well this easily! Once again Matayoshi, you have risen beyond my expectations!"

"You know, you think highly of me, but I think you're missing the bigger picture." Matayoshi said.

"And what might that be?"

"I'll admit, I am a darn good detective if I do say so myself. But your fixation on me is causing you to under look the likes of Kyoko, Takumi, Keisuke, and Date. Yeah, they still have a lot to learn. But they're growing fast."

"They are still nowhere near your level Matayoshi."

"Exactly. I've come this far through experience. That is the only thing I have over them. But they're already more capable than I was at their age. If and "old school" detective like me can still do all this, imagine what they can do once they reach their peak."

"Do you really think they are capable of surpassing you?"

"I know they will. It is the destiny of the next generation to surpass the older generation."

"You bet they will." Sonic said. "Takumi's adventure made him into a far better Digimon Tamer and detective. If you continue to cause trouble the old man here will be the least of your worries."

Cyber Face chuckled. "I see… Very intriguing! If young Takumi has that kind of potential, then we cannot leave him as he currently is, now, can we?" He held his hand forward and the image of Takumi reappeared. "Go ahead then. Take the data fragment. Consider it a reward for your efforts."

Matayoshi folded his arms. "Nothing twisted was done with his data I hope?"

Cyber Face laughed. "Oh, don't worry, that bit about modifying his data was a bluff. Even I can't tamper with such a small fragment of a digitalized consciousness so easily. Besides, if Takumi is going to provide even more fun than you someday, maybe it's best to leave him be… for now."

"Uh huh." Sonic squinted. "If it's all the same to you, I think I'll have Mirei check it next time I see her just in case."

"Suit yourself."

"Just what is it you're really trying to accomplish with these games of yours?" Matayoshi asked.

"Ha, ha, ha… maybe you'll find out someday Shinjuku Matagi… or maybe it will be one of your successors." And then Cyber Face disappeared without a trace.

"He's gone!" Gryphonmon looked around. "I can't find any trace of him!"

"It can't be helped." Matayoshi replied. "The important thing is that we got Takumi back… well part of him anyway."

"Right." Sonic walked up and put his hand on the fragment. It glowed white and the visions kicked off.

The vision started completely black. Then it slowly showed the dimensional tunnel Takumi was in when he was with his friends. In front of him was Alphamon. "It looks like you've finally woken up. I've been talking to you since I found you, but… I never got even the faintest response out of you. You woke up just when I was about to give up. Can you hear me?"

Takumi did not seem to be able to speak. Or even move. Like he was without a body. But he tried nodding.

"I guess I should explain the situation. Your half-cyber body collapsed after attempting that crazy Connection Jump. The data that comprised you just… dispersed. In other words, you're a husk of your former self. How do you feel?"

Takumi tried looking at himself. But as Alphamon said there was nothing to look at.

"Yeah, don't worry about trying to tell me. Fate just won't give up on you. And neither will I." Alphamon looked up closing her eyes. "Taking on the will of King Drasil after so long, becoming human, sleuthing, fighting my comrades…" She looked back at Takumi. "And I had this one assistant who kept doing all sorts of crazy things. That was a handful, let me tell you. But thanks to you, it was all a lot of fun. Thank you. I've been wanting to tell you that. Waiting for you to wake up."

Takumi looked away.

"Hehe. What is it? Don't be bashful?"

Takumi wanted to know what was going to happen to him. He tried to ask even though he couldn't speak.

Somehow even without words Alphamon knew what was on his mind. "What's that? What's going to become of you now? As I said before, your data is dispersed. Not even I can gather it back together now. You could wander around here in your semipermanent state…"

Takumi looked down and his vision went dark as if ready to accept his fate.

"Or… Oh, that's right! You could come to the Digital World. How about it?"

Takumi looked at Alphamon again.

"I'm about to get really busy. The Eaters were reformatted by King Drasil, reverted back to a harmless state of being. But we still don't know much about their true nature. I surmise that their main unit is in a higher dimension that only King Drasil can detect. I do plan on confirming that… somehow. How about it? That's a job you're used to, right? Feeling like coming with me and being my assistant once again?"

Takumi was at a lost. He was concerned and curious about this main unit of the Eaters. But if he went to the Digital World with Alphamon, that meant he might never see his mother or his friends again. But it didn't seem like going back was an option for him now. And surly this was better than being stuck here forever.

His thoughts were broken when Alphamon laughed. "Just kidding! No need to get so serious."

Takumi looked back at the knight.

"I wanted to see you stressed out for a second. I've been affected by you humans quite a bit. That's why I understand why you do what you do. You want to help your friends. I've come to feel that way too. And it's not just me. Look and see."

Takumi looked behind him. Rosemon Burst Mode, Rapidmon Armor, and Craniamon were right there for him. "Hey bro." Rapidmon Armor said gently.

"You were always there for us." Rosemon Burst Mode smiled. "It's our turn to be here for you."

Craniamon shook his head. "Was messing with Takumi to see him "stressed out" really necessary? Honestly Alphamon, a Royal Knight of your position should show more maturity."

"You see?" Alphamon asked. "In the same way I've been affected… Your Digimon friends have also been affected, by you, and not just a few of them, either." Behind her the remaining Royal Knights and various Digimon Takumi helped during his cases as a Cyber Sleuth appeared. Even Omnimon, Diaboromon, and Gaiomon showed up. "Since you were basically a digital life form as it was, you might be able to guess how large your impact was. The proof lies within these Digimon. Little bits of your data, here and there. Friendship, love, bonds, moments of recollection. To put it bluntly, they are your memories. I'm thinking we can collect them, reconstruct your mental data, and reinstall that into your body. It's unprecedented and a little drastic, but for what we want to do, we don't need to adhere to rationality." Takumi's Digimon each held out a hand and a yellow cluster of data was held. The other Digimon around them held up data as well.

Takumi thought he couldn't feel. But this warmth overwhelmed him.

Alphamon kneeled in front of him and held up another portion. "I've also got a little of your data to provide. Heh. Don't get mad if that data is a little weird. If there's one thing I'll regret, it's that you won't be able to enjoy my coffee anymore." She looked at Takumi with a sad, yet happy and tender look in her eyes. "It's time for us to say goodbye Takumi. My assistant, my companion… my friend." She stood up and held up the data. "Okay! Here goes the reinstallation…"

Takumi's Digimon held their data fragments towards him. The other Digimon held theirs up. The data started glowing. "Takumi… I promise you we will meet again." Rosemon Burst Mode said.

"This is only goodbye for now. Not forever." Rapidmon Armor said.

"Until we meet again." Craniamon said. "Our dear older brother."

"You will now be the master of your own future!" Alphamon declared.

Installation Complete

When Takumi opened his eyes again, everything was a blur. He could faintly make out the machine monitoring his heartbeat in the room. He laid there on the hospital bed with a CPAP mask over his face. His body felt extremely stiff. He grunted as he slowly got himself in an upright position and with effort got the machine off his face. He noticed his goggles on a table nearby. The lenses of the Digivice faintly flashed before the light died down. He gently picked them up smiling to himself. "Alphamon… Terriermon… Palmon… Hagurumon… everyone… thank you."

He didn't even notice that people were walking into the Special Ward. "All that searching, and we found nothing…" Arata groaned.

"There's gotta be away to bring him back…" Nokia said. "There's just gotta!"

"Takumi… he will come back, right?" Yuuko asked. "After everything he's done for us…for the world…he deserves better than this!"

Yuugo was being supported by his sister and Arata as they walked. "I'm sure he will. Let's believe in him."

Nokia stopped towards Takumi's room. But she was not prepared for what she saw. Takumi was awake. Sitting on his bed looking at his Digivice. At first, she was stunned into silence. "…Oh my gosh."

"What is it?" Arata asked as he and Yuuko brought Yuugo to her. They all looked through the window into the room. "…No way…"

Yuuko's eyes shook. "Is… is this real…?"

Yuugo was the first to smile. "I knew it."

"AAAAAHHHH!"

Takumi was startled by a squeal followed by the door to his room flying open. He looked up from his goggles to see Nokia with a shocked look on her face. Yuuko and Arata dragged Yuugo inside with them. Takumi smiled. This was just what he wanted to see once he woke up. "Hey guys."

All of them were starting to tear up. "TAKUMI!" They rushed to his bedside.

Nokia dropped to her knees and threw her arms around him. "Is this a dream?" She cried. "Please tell me you're really back!"

Takumi was surprised by her sudden action but weakly put a hand on her back. "I'm here."

Arata came in and started squeezing him as well. "Took you long enough. You crazy fool."

Yuuko and her brother joined the group hug. "Takumi..." Yuuko gently whispered. "Welcome home."

"How are you feeling?" Yuugo asked.

"Stiff." Takumi replied.

"Heh. I can relate."

"Also, I can't seem to move. Or breath. Probably the crushing pressure trying to hug me to death."

Nokia smiled through tears and squeezed him tighter. "Well tough love! We waited for a week for you to come back and we're making the most of it so shut up and take your welcome back hug like a man!"

Takumi chuckled as he started to tear up as well. "That's the first time I heard of taking a hug like a man..."

After a minute or two they let him go and gently set him back on the bed after Arata set it slightly reclined so Takumi could still look at his friends. They were all wiping tears from their faces sniffling. "So... a week huh?"

"Yeah." Nokia replied. "Oh... it was so hard just watching you like that... I was wondering if you'd ever wake up."

"I'm just glad you came back." Arata smiled. "And we'd wait another eight years if that's what it took. Probably better it didn't though."

"Are you in any pain or anything?" Yuuko asked.

"Not really." Takumi smiled. "Feels a bit weird being in my real body again after all this time, but other than that I'm fine. Kinda hungry though."

Yuuko gasped. "That's right! That body hasn't eaten anything since you were attacked by that Eater! I should get you something to eat, I'll be right back!" She got up and ran out of the room.

"I'd better call the doctor." Arata said. "Let him know you're awake."

"Oh! And I need to go call Sakura!" Nokia got up. "She and Ryota were worried sick about you!"

Yuugo pulled up a stool and took a seat. "You two go ahead. I'll wait here with Takumi."

"Good idea! Someone needs to keep an eye on him.""Don't let him do anything else crazy behind our backs." Arata joked.

Yuugo laughed. "I only promise to try."

"You stay put Takumi; we'll be right back!" Nokia smiled. "Then we can catch up!"

Takumi smiled as Nokia and Arata departed. "They're all lively as ever."

"They are now that you're back." Yuugo smiled. "They were happy to see me again but with you trapped in a coma the feeling felt hallow..."

"I'm sorry..." Yuugo held Takumi's hand.

"Don't apologize. Just promise you'll stay here with us. Without you none of us can truly be ourselves."

Takumi looked at the googles still in his hand. "I'm back where I belong. And I promise I'll make the most out of this life of mine. With all of you."

The scene showed Arata returning with the doctor first. After a quick examination he told Takumi he should spend another week or two in the hospital before they release him. Nokia came back to tell him Sakura and Ryoto were happy to hear he's okay. Yuuko came back with some food. Yuugo, Nokia and Arata, got a good laugh at how awkward it was for Takumi when she insisted on spoon feeding him. "No point in resisting, she's been doing the same thing to me ever since I woke up" Yuugo told him. So, Takumi let Yuuko feed him all while blushing and avoiding everyone's gaze. Takumi's friends then got him up to speed with the changes in reality. Nokia told him she would come by every day to explain this while he was unconscious but was happy she could finally tell him face to face. Then Takumi explained what happened to him and how he came back.

"No way…" Nokia muttered.

"If it weren't for our Digimon friends… I don't think I'd ever make it back." Takumi said solemnly.

"Guess that's another thing we owe them for…" Yuuko said.

"Still… it wouldn't have happened if you didn't do that crazy last Connect Jump, we told you not to." Nokia glared.

"Nokia's right." Arata said. "I mean I get it's in your nature to help people, but come on. For SUEDOU? REALLY?"

"If we lost you forever, we'd never forgive ourselves." Yuuko added.

"I just didn't want to leave anyone behind." Takumi said. "I know the worst; most painful feeling is being alone. Before I met you guys eight years ago, I felt I had nobody. That I was insignificant. I felt like my life didn't matter to anyone. Nobody deserves to feel that pain."

Nokia, Arata and Yuuko's faces softened. "Takumi…" Nokia whispered.

"Alright you guys, you already chewed him out once for it." Yuugo said. "How about we go easy on him and change the subject?"

Arata sighed. "Yeah. Okay."

"So… nobody has seen Kyoko?" Takumi asked.

"No. But the agency is still there." Yuuko replied. "There are other pieces of evidence that she's still here too."

Takumi looked down. "…Even if she's not Alphamon or the Kyoko Kuremi we knew… I still owe her so much. And she made me something… someone worthwhile. Showed me a path to believe in…" He clenched his sheets. "That's why I want to find her... I have to!"

"I knew you'd say that." Nokia smiled. She then sternly glared at him again. "But no looking for Kyoko until the doctor says you can leave!"

"I know…"

"I'm serious! If I catch you trying to sneak out of the hospital before you're all better, I'll make you regret it! I know the Cyber Sleuth's ultimate weakness!"

"What weakness?" Takumi asked.

Nokia grinned at him. "Spiders."

"What are you- Before Takumi could even ask, Nokia threw the bedsheets off Takumi and skittered her fingers across his side. "Ack!" He yelped and covered his sides as he turned away. "You can't do that while I'm hospitalized!"

"Those aren't doctor's orders, I can do is as much as I want!" Nokia declared. "So, unless you want to be turned into Akino's tickle toy, I suggest you listen to us and stay in bed!"

"Alright, alright." Takumi sighed. He didn't even notice Yuuko went to the other side of the bed until her fingers brushed his ribs. "HEY!" He curled up and glared at her with his face going red again. "You too?!"

Yuuko giggled. "Sorry, I just wanted to try that."

"It's fun, isn't it?" Nokia grinned.

"I concur."

Takumi groaned as Yuugo and Arata laughed. Yuuko put the covers back over him after she and Nokia helped him into a more comfortable position on the bed. The friends continued talking about their adventure and happier times until Takumi let out a yawn. "Sleepy?" Yuugo asked.

"Kind of…" Takumi replied.

Arata checked the time. "Oh, wow. It is getting late. We'll let you rest."

Yuuko looked at him sadly. "Takumi…"

"Yeah?"

"If you fall asleep… you'll wake up, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since Yuugo woke up I can't shake this worry every time he goes to sleep. I'm afraid he might not wake up just like before. If that were to happen to either of you…"

Arata, Nokia and Yuugo's faces saddened as well. That's when Takumi saw just how much he must have worried them. So he in turn gave them the most reassuring smile he could. "Don't worry guys. I won't leave you. I promise. I… want to be with all of you. The people that mean the world to me."

"Aw, Takumi!" Nokia smiled. "Okay. We'll hold you to that."

"And we'll come by to check on you too." Arata said.

"We should get you back to your room too." Yuuko said to her brother. She and Arata helped him out of his seat. "Good night, Takumi."

"See you guys soon." Takumi waved. His friends nodded and took their leave.

Nokia followed her friends out of the room. She looked back at Takumi one last time. "Welcome home… Cyber Sleuth."

Takumi smiled and leaned back on the bed. He looked at his goggles on the table before closing his eyes. "I'll see you guys again someday too. I'll never stop believing that…"

As the days rolled by, he saw his friends at least once a day each. They all helped him in their own ways. Arata gave him things to read. Yuuko helped him catch up on school work so he wouldn't have to once he got out. Nokia was teaching him how to play the mysterious Digimon app. Yuugo joined him for they physical examinations. And both Kamishiro siblings even paid his hospital bill while arranging him to have the best treatment he could get.

A week later he was finally released. His friends joined him as he stepped outside the hospital. Yuugo was allowed to go outside now with supervision but he needed a crutch. "Finally. The whole gang back together again." Arata smiled.

"It feels like a dream." Yuuko said. "To finally be together again."

"I can't remember the last time I was this happy." Yuugo closed his eyes. "It's worth everything we went through."

Nokia gleamed to Takumi. He was shielding his eyes from the sunlight. "So, what will you do now?"

Takumi smiled. "What I need to do. Kyoko is out there. And I will find her."

Matayoshi smiled as the vision died down. "Well, I'll be…"

"Who was that Matayoshi?" Gryphonmon asked.

"The assistant of an old friend's daughter."

Sonic smiled. "Alphamon… Palmon… Terriermon… Hagurumon… they all went as far as traveling between dimensions just to help Takumi get home."

"Not just them. It seems the boy helped even more people than I thought. I guess they all wanted to pay him back."

"Or maybe they all knew the world still needed him. Like it does right now."

A portal appeared and Sage came out of it. "I have found you."

"Oh, hey Sage, what's up?"

"Well, look who it is." Matayoshi folded his arms.

"You're that girl from before!" Gryphonmon said. "The one who led me here!"

"Let us return. Sonic and I will explain the situation in depth."

"That would be appreciated young lady." Matayoshi replied.

"Well… that's quite the bombshell." Matayoshi muttered. "Even for me. Still, it explains everything a little too well for me to brush it off as nonsense."

Sonic nodded and looked up at the merging worlds above the island they stood on. "The damage looks like it's spreading. We gotta hurry up."

"You sure you can fix this if you can get those gems that were used to open those holes in the sky?"

Sonic took out the turquoise Chaos Emerald he recently retrieved. "Yup. I'm no stranger to the power of the Chaos Emeralds. I just need to find the last two."

Matayoshi eyed the gem. "That looks more like a diamond then an emerald if you ask me."

"Or anyone from your world apparently." Sonic squinted. He then looked at the Emerald in his hand. "I'm so used to using the Chaos Emeralds it's kinda hard to accept they're from space."

"Space? You mean like the Ancients that used to live here?"

"Yes. They were central to the Ancient's power and native to their world." Sage said.

"Central to their power?" Gryphonmon asked.

"They are the only things that can awaken all the functions on the island, and were taken away with the last survivors to another land."

"So, without the Emeralds powering the islands, everything on them started to shut down, huh?" Matayoshi asked.

"That is why I drew them here. I hoped to use the Ancient's technology against their old foe."

"Well, you made the right call kid. Sounds like we'll need their power if we're gonna fix this mess."

"So, you're in?" Sonic asked putting the Emerald away.

Matayoshi smiled. "You have to ask? Between Kyoko, Takumi, Keisuke, Ryuji, Chitose, Erika, Date and many others there are too many people fighting the good fight here for me to stand aside and do nothing."

"Then I will join the fight as well." Gryphonmon nodded. "I cannot let someone jeopardize the safety of our worlds! Not even a Royal Knight!"

Sonic folded his arms. "Still… that Cyber Face guy gives me all sorts of bad vibes. Just who or what is he?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Matayoshi replied.

"Calculating." Sage said with a blank stare. "I have concluded that the most likely outcomes are the following: 1: He is a skilled hacker from your world. 2: He is a Digimon with a fascination with your world. 3: He is an advanced A.I. like me who's functions are currently unknown."

"Could be any of those. Or maybe something else altogether." Matayoshi folded his arms. "I went over this with Keisuke and Date. It's likely I'll retire before finding the answer to that riddle. But they, Kyo-kyo, Takumi and their friends might be able to figure it out someday."

"They are the ones who will surpass you someday after all." Sonic grinned.

Matayoshi laughed. "Don't underestimate the power of their youth my friend! But let's put Cyber Face in the back of our minds for now. We have other things that require our attention. Like restoring Kyo-Kyo's star pupil and saving our worlds."

"Agreed. Cyber Face is no immediate threat compared to the bigger fish we have to fry right now. Which reminds me, I got a lot of purple coins to burn through. Maybe Big has something useful."

"You've made sturdy progress." They noticed Mirei approach.

"Oh, good timing." Sonic held up the Miles Electric. "Some lunatic named Cyber Face found a piece of Takumi's mental data. Mind running a check on it to make sure he didn't mess with it?"

"I doubt anyone is capable of editing a small piece of human consciousness… Then again…" She took the Miles Electric and looked at it. "I have been wrong before."

"And you're wrong again." Sonic said folding his arms. "Seems like Alphamon did just that."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Sounds like she tampered with a bit of Takumi's data before restoring it to him. That's why he inherited her bizarre coffee sense… that you gave her."

"I'm sorry, say that again?" Matayoshi asked.

"According to Eggman who looked through Takumi's memories Mirei was the one who convinced Alphamon to put weird stuff in coffee while she was Kyoko."

Matayoshi glared at Mirei. "So, what I'm hearing is, it's your fault we all live in fear of the Beverage of Mass Destruction. I'm sure I can find a reason to put someone away for that if I tried…"

"A harmless experiment, nothing more." Mirei smirked.

"Harmless, huh? Wanna say that to Arata, Yuuko and Nokia?" Sonic asked. "When Eggman spilled the beans on that, I thought they were going to scatter YOU across Cyber Space in pieces."

Mirei's smile faded as she remembered the dark, threatening expressions the teens gave her. "…Well, sometimes experiments come hand in hand with unexpected hazards." She handed the Miles Electric back to Sonic. "Nothing in Takumi's data has been tampered with. He'll be fine."

"Good."

Mirei pulled up her laptop. "I transferred the data fragments you collected and am starting to put them back together. Bring me the rest and I can reinstall it into his body."

Sage looked at the laptop. "We are in possession of 55.55555555555556% of Takumi's mental data. I calculate there are four fragments remaining."

"Well, Nokia, Arata, and Yuuko each found one." Sonic said. "So just one more to go. I'm sure they'll find it. I better get back to my Emerald hunt." He turned to Matayoshi. "What do you plan on doing now?"

Matayoshi thought for a moment. "You seem to have this well in hand. I'm gonna go look for Ryuji and the others and see if they need help. They're probably still recovering from the shock of their restored memories like me."

"Got it. I'll round up the last two Emeralds. Nokia, Arata and Yuuko should almost have the rest of Takumi's Mental Data by now."

Matayoshi smiled. "You kids do what you need to do." As Sonic left, he turned to Gryphonmon. "So, my friend, ready to do some righteous protecting?"

"Sir, yes sir!" The Digimon stood straight, and they left together.

Sage smiled. "People getting along with Digimon… Keisuke… it's happening."

Keisuke walked with Hudiemon and his Digimon through a clearing in the trees. "Oh." Keisuke looked up. "Eggman."

The scientist sat in his Eggmobile and turned to him. "Oh. It's you. Any luck?"

"Crusadermon's still hiding somewhere." Hudeimon replied. "She's a stealthy little rat."

"Indeed." Eggman said. "Undoubtable she's still cooking up a scheme."

"What about you?" TyrantKabuterimon asked. "How many Emeralds did you find."

"Right now, I'm just looking for one in particular."

"Why just one?" MetalSeadramon asked.

"Sage sent the Chaos Emeralds to what I call Emerald Vaults on this island."

"So?" PileVolcamon asked.

"I ran a scan when I got here. There are only six Vaults on this island."

"And seven Emeralds in total." Hudiemon pointed out. "So, you think one of them isn't in a vault?"

"Correct." Eggaman looked at his screen. "Scan shows all seven Emeralds are on this island somewhere… Sonic can gather the ones in Vaults on his own, he's done it before three times now. But the location of that last one is a mystery."

"So, while he gathers the others, you're going to look for the hard one." Keisuke said.

"Bingo. This island is big, but I should eventually-

Everyone heard a laugh. "You lot seem busy."

They all gasped and turned towards the source standing in front of them. "You!"

Keisuke scowled. "Crusadermon!"

"There you are." Hudiemon glared.

The knight laughed. "I don't suppose you're looking for someone?" She got no response. She then held up her hand. "Or perhaps… something?"

Everyone's eyes widened when they saw the purple Chaos Emerald in her hand. "Oh great." Eggman mumbled.

I know Matayoshi gets partnered with a Hououmon in Hacker's Memory, but I always wondered why he didn't get the Gryphonmon he hired in that one case. So I decided to partner him with it in this story.

In other news, the Royal schemer finally emerges with her evil plan. While Keisuke, Hudiemon and Eggman deal with her we only have one more Cyber Space level to go through. Next time it's finally time for Yuugo to make an entrance.

One more thing. Next week I will be going away for a bit. I'll still be writing but I'm not sure if I'll have Wi-Fi access where I'm going, in which case I will upload next part when I get back. Just wanted to put the safety net out in case people don't see a new chapter Sunday and think I'm abandoning the story. I promise you all that's NOT going to happen. Whether it's next week or a bit later there WILL be a next part. Thank you.