Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. I mean, how many times am I supposed to say this?

Also, real quickly, did anyone else find it suspicious that Gennai's base in the Original Digimon Adventure happened to be within striking distance (fairly close) to Myotismon's base? That always seemed to bother me. I figured there had to be a reason for it, but it was never explained. Also, the insanity of Gennai was top tier comedy when I was a child.


Chapter Forty: The Forbidden Analog in the Hidden Meadow

The Digital World just lay outside his reach, Phantomon having led them to the edge of it, Rei unable to venture further. Despite these Digimon able to go where they pleased, he himself was helpless; an invisible barrier literally holding his viral digital composition in check.

"Ah, you aren't from this world, are you?" Gennai asked. "I read about someone like that a long time ago. Forgot his name," he said.

"Guess I can't lead you back," Rei sighed. "This is quite unfortunate."

"Maybe not," Phantomon chimed in. "You see, although this is the gate of the castle, the dungeon stretches far underneath it, still remaining in the realm of dimensions. If we take it maybe you could get him there?"

"Not a bad idea," Rei agreed. "You will guide us won't you?" he insisted, Phantomon nervously nodding his head.

"Of course, my master's will demands it," he said turning to the right, pressing his scythe against a wall, a staircase opening up.

"Down this way," he said leading them down further into the depths.

"After you," Rei said, letting the old man go in front of him.


As they made their way down a host of evil Digimon leered at them in the dark, one getting too close, the old man snaring a Pagumon and crunching on it, the thing crying out as he took his time eating it, it's dying gasps echoing out as it's data vanished.

"Just the pick me up I need, heh," he grinned, the viral data particles spattered all over his lips.

The Viral Digimon who watched, fled in horror, no more visitors remaining to watch them descend.

"You have quite an appetite," Rei smirked.

"Just keep that monster away from me," Phantomon said, Rei walking in-between Phantomon and the old man.

"If we keep going we should be arriving near the river bank," he said.

"Yes, I think you're right," the old man agreed. "I can sense it in my bones."

"Let's hope the dungeon then extends all the way down there," Rei said hopefully.


After wandering for quite some time eventually they ran into a fork in the road.

"Oh my," Rei said.

"According to my Lord, the path to the left stretches out and then loops back to the castle. But the path to the right goes even further."

"So I suppose the path to the right is the more logical choice," Rei considered staring at the two paths.

"It just looks that way," Gennai said walking forward. "You know why? Because I can still smell the incense that I had made up when I overcooked some Digimon data."

He went to the left sniffing his way walking towards the bend and did not turn. "It's got to be close," he said sniffing, pushing his body against the wall, the pressure of something triggering what sounded like massive movement, a flurry of noise approaching them quickly,

What sounded like a flood revealed itself, the blocks opening revealing stairs that went further forward.

"Well, I'll be," Rei said pleased about the outcome.

They all continued forward further, the eerie light of Phantomon leading the way until they came across a door with strange glyphs on it.

"Shine the light there for me," he said, Phantomon shining his light, some data lighting up. He started humming to himself looking it over.

Rei himself tried to read it, but the coding seemed ancient, something that only Homeostasis or the Digital Creator could decipher.

"What's it say?" Rei asked.

"It says password," Gennai said crossing his arms, nodding his head.

"Password? That should be quite easy then," Rei said waiting for him.

"You'd think so," Gennai replied, but uh, there's just one tiny problem with that."

"What's that?" Phantomon asked.

"I forgot it," he said plainly, Rei keeping himself on his feet wanting to suddenly crash to the ground.

"That is inconvenient," Rei said scratching his cheek.

"I'm sure I got it somewhere," he said pulling up digital files and spreading them in front of him, similar to how Rei Kurenada had utilized the data. He made a mental note of it and patiently waited for him to find it.

"Let's see here. Just a lot of useless junk so far," he muttered talking to himself. He sorted through it gritting his teeth, then in a fit of rage suddenly started pounding on it, one of the symbols lighting up.

"Oh, that's what it was!" he exclaimed with a chuckle.

"Mind telling me what it is?" Rei asked.

"Certainly. It was Don't be Crabby unless you're a crabby apple!" he laughed aloud, no one else laughing with him.

Immediately the door in front of him lit up with symbols and the doors flung open.

"Told you, see?" Gennai proved himself.

"Then let's not dawdle. Let's be on our way," Phantomon said hovering forward.

Gennai appeared to walk through the doors, but stopped at the entrance.

An eerie silence grew, Phantomon seeming on edge.

"What are you waiting for?" Phantomon asked, "-"

Before he could say anything Gennai turned back to him dementedly, his wrinkles stretching out for him, Phantomon barely able to evade the grasp, but losing his scythe in the process.

"That's it, it's not safe here. You're on your own!" he shouted running away, Gennai starting to munch on the scythe.

He took a bite and it completely dissolved.

"Confound it, this has no flavor! I thought he would have been like a special sort, like Wagyu Beef!" he complained.

"I'm sure you'll catch the next prey," Rei said. "By the way, what does this home of yours look like?"

"Heh? What's that?" Gennai asked. "Oh, well, you see, it's a home. It's big, and it's umm, let's see," he said separating data from himself and spreading it apart like a map. "What'd I say? It's big. It's got a pond. It's wide, and oh whatever, you'll just have to see it yourself!" He said convincing Rei to follow.

Rei turned around curiously as the wide river opened up dividing in two, a large staircase descending deep down to a structure in the distance.

"Ho! There it is!" he exclaimed. "It's like that!" he said, a majestic building greeting him down below.

"Let's get you home then," Rei snickered. "You may be old and senile, but you are not useless."

"I think that's a compliment," he chuckled. "Ah, I remember how to get there. Right this way," he said as they descended, Rei noticing some bats following up behind them.


After a few steps through the darkness Rei noticed an opening, a blossoming meadow welcoming them in the distance with reminiscent angel statues on the left and right side as they entered.

Rei sneered glaring at them. Surely they were mocking him. He was just trying to think of any excuse he could to demolish them.

"Well, we're here," Gennai said stretching. "There really is no place like home," he said suddenly picking up his stride. "Almost forgot about the crock pot!"

As the old man went into the kitchen Rei found himself wandering around. The garden grove was surprisingly pleasant, flowers and butterflies swaying in a breezes. Koi fish waddled in their ponds weaving among coral and ripples.

Even the sky above them was enjoyable to behold. A tea house and a hotel lay around the fire pit where Gennai had gone, and, it did feel completely separated from the Digital World.

Rei stopped walking and paused looking down on his hands.

"I don't think I'm in the protection of the Dimensional Castle," he said to himself, "So how can I be here? Is this part of the Digital World or not?"

"Oh, you're in the Digital World all right," Gennai said coming over holding a bowl with what must have contents of Digital Data on a tray and two cups of tea.

"Really?" Rei said interested. "How can I be here? I'm not allowed to be here."

"Ah, made yourself an enemy of Homeostasis have you? I like you already!" Gennai laughed.

"You don't like her either?" Rei said curiously.

"Ah no. She and I. We go waay back, but, I don't know I became obsolete or something. Figured I should just go to my retirement here," he said having a seat in a comfy chair by the fire.

Rei also sat down in a chair. It rivaled in comfort much like his own throne in his domain. "If this is your retirement why were you captured by the river bank?"

"I still have side gigs you know," he said blowing on his tea. "She came by and told me another bumper crop of human children were ready for use, so, I took the job. I was getting bored anyway," he said leaning back in his chair.

"You think that," Rei said getting up and going over to the firepit. He grabbed a piece of data and dropped it into his mouth. It truly had an exquisite taste. "But I think you did it on purpose. You're not really obeying Homeostasis's orders are you?"

"Eh? What's that?" he said. "Come now, I'm a senile old man. I belong here in this retirement center."

Rei paused. He glanced up at the vampire bat's watching him and scowled, all but one leaving. "I think," Rei said rushing forward, grabbing it, and then throwing it in the crock pot in the fire, the cries of the bat lost in the delicious broth, "you're only pretending to be senile. Kid's love a goofy old man, right? They don't have the sense of discernment adults do."

Gennai paused, laughing to himself.

"Even if you laugh, you can't deny that nature your are suppressing, Rei said grabbing his bowl and pouring him a fresh bowl with the new ingredient in it..

Gennai took it gladly, took a bite, and then excitedly chowed down on it.

"The taste of viral data can't be beat!" he exclaimed. "Oh happy day!"

"That's exactly what I thought," Rei said getting down on a knee in front of him.

"You can fool children, and maybe even Homeostasis, but you can't fool me," he said.

Gennai paused sighing out. "All right, all right ya got me. Just what do you want from me anyway? Isn't escorting a senior citizen to his home your good deed for the day?"

Rei laughed to himself. "I'm afraid not," he said cordially standing up. "I'll get to the point. I am on a mission to kill Homeostasis and the Digital Creator. I'll use whatever is at my disposable to get it done. Digimon, mankind, even the Digidestined," he said plainly. "We have a common enemy-you and I," he said. "Why don't we form an alliance? We could certainly help each other?"

"Why would I need your help?" Gennai grunted. "I like it here. It's peaceful. And quiet."

Rei could sense the data from where Piedmon had inserted the condensed data of Ygdrassill in his neck. It started to insert it's data even more, Gennai appearing a bit frantic.

"What was it that she used to call the Digidestined?" Rei said snapping his fingers, pretending to forget. "That's right. I remember!" It was the champions of Homeostasis!"

Gennai glared up at him, spilling the contents of the bowl frothing at the mouth.

"I'm the champion of Homeostasis!" he seethed. "I dedicated all of my digital being to Homeostasis! And for all my hard work I get side lined to a meaningless retirement and my title is giving to snot nosed kids! I'm beyond furious! I hate her! I hate them all!" he puffed breathing out heavily, Rei noticing the manic fit start to help him simmer down.

He breathed heavily for a minute, stared down at the ground, and then looked at his hands. "Blast it, look what you made me do," he sighed. "I'm expecting those kids sometime soon to."

Rei said nothing a bit proud of himself for his meddling. "You can't really make a move against her," he said. "And if you do you would probably be punished and lose your retirement. It's a tough place to be in."

"I'll say," he said starting to clean up. "But even if I can't, since you hate her probably more than I do, I'm sure you could move in my place. I don't really have any plans though."

"Fortunately for you my fine wrinkled friend," Rei said putting a hand on his shoulder, "I actually do. In fact I myself will award you a tremendous power if you work with me."

"Tremendous power?"

"Of course," Rei said. "You've heard of the Blessing of Homeostasis, right? I will give you something far better than that. It's the Blessings of King Ygdrassill."

"Homeostasis's enemy?" he questioned. "What good will that do? I'm an old man. I'm decrepit! Homeostasis labeled me as unfit and wrote me off. I'll never have a taste of the battlefield ever again. I'm a war hero dammit!"

"Oh, I've heard of your exploits," Rei admitted. "Gennai the hero, Homeostasis's champion. You were the hero who single-handedly fought back Piedmon and prevented the Digidestined's crests and Digimon eggs from being kidnapped."

Gennai hesitated gripping his fist. "I also monitored the network for viral entities and dispatched agents to defeat them. I myself intervened if they were too strong."

"Sounds very heroic to me," Rei agreed. "In fact, it speaks to your character. You can't help but obey Homeostasis begrudgingly out of a sense of duty, but I will tell you this Gennai. If the Digidestined successfully defeat the 'ultimate evil' I have set up for them, then, if those Digidestined again appear to be tested you will be granted the blessing I speak of."

"Tell me about it," he said insistently. "I don't want no half-ass blessing. I want to feel completely transformed!"

"You will return to your state of glory," he half-lied. "But, you not only have to continue to watch over these kids and help them defeat the next evil, but also share with me all of your secrets."

"Hmm," Gennai said closing his eyes. "That's quite an offer Mr. But, unfortunately for you I'm under house arrest."

Rei stared at him strangely.

"…And it looks like my parole officer has just showed up. If you can beat him you got yourself a deal-if you survive that is."

"Just what are you talking about?" Rei asked.

"Just-"

"-He's here. Happy battling!" he said waving his hand.


Before Rei could say anything, he was in the sky on a platform, statues of angels surrounding him.

"Hmm?" he wondered. "Am I in the heavenly realm? No, that place was utterly destroyed," he said to himself. "I doubt it."

From the sky a thumping sound made it's appearance landing on the ground. "Unknown threat detected," it said in a strange voice. "Code word identified. Eliminating threat."

Rei stared over at a strange robotic like digimon with a dragon-like rigid appearance with a miniature jet plane for a helmet. It gleamed in golden armor and three cannons, two for arms and claws and another more powerful one on it's back. Certainly it was a dragon, it's tail thumping heavily on the ground as if challenging him.

"So," Rei said, "she's still using a pile of rusted nuts and bolts like you, has she Aegisdramon?" he said curiously. "I thought maybe I had glimpsed you in the heavenly realm, but I'm surprised you survived."

"Still scanning," it said. "Identification unknown. Hostilities unregistered. Threat level: 10. Beginning Purification process."

"You still can't see me as anything more than a Digimon huh?" Rei said.

"Blaze Power," It declared as the metallic creature unleashed a barrage of missiles, Rei flipping over forward as they all converged behind him as if dog piling where he once stood, an explosion blowing against him.

"Looks like you missed," Rei said putting one hand in his pocket. "I think-"

"-Hydro breath,"it said immediately, Rei pretending to be caught off guard while it hit against him, forcing him back quite aways away.

"Ow," Rei winced getting up having been soaked. "That one actually hurt. And my data isn't repairing itself as fast I would like it to," he noticed.

He got up off the ground, evaporating the water around him with a sinister flame.

"You got me all wet," he said feigning anger. "Do you have any idea how long it will take for my clothes to dry?"

The Digimon ignored him holding out it's arms as cannons. "Power water!" it shouted as two cannons released a barrage of concentrated water bursts at him, those instantly dissolved by Rei's aura.

"Is that all you have?" Rei said actually a bit irritated. "Shall I put you of your misery now?"

"Threat level rising," it said, it's voice starting to garble. "Threat level rising to critical levels. Engaging with Maximum Prejudice," it said holding up it's cannons.

"Energy cannons!" it shouted firing them at him.

"Just like bullets," Rei grinned easily swatting them aside this way and that, walking closer and closer to it until he was close enough to flick it's head, the Digimon rattled, the metallic frame cracking.

"Situation critical. Situation critical," it said barely able to fly straight flying up. It opened all the weapons on it's body pointing in all directions. "Employing Final Security Measure!" it shouted, it's flame lighting up in a glistening white light. The rays of the sun even further soaked into it, a gleaming flash of light shining on Rei blinding him for a second.

"Shine Breaker!" it shouted as out of every weapon on it's body missiles and light attacks and flames pummeled around Rei endlessly, the barrage not stopping non stop even as a cloud of dust kicked up, even Aegisdramon lost in the attack.


After a few minutes, the dust finally settled, Rei dusting off his robe.

Aegisdramon creaked it's head up, staring at him flabbergasted. "H-how?" it questioned. "The final security measure has never failed. This does not register," it said starting to shiver.

"Ah, the powerful gold digichronium armor covered Digimon at last feels fear now, does it?" Rei said walking forward. He let some of his malignant nature manifest, the Digimon practically terrified, the pressure pinning it to the ground.

"Wait!" it said. "I am a guardian. I cannot let this happen and dishonor Homeostasis!"

"Dishonor her?" Rei hummed clenching his fist in his pocket. "If this is all it will take, then I'll give her your head as a present. What an honor that will be," he snickered darkly.

The Digimon tried to get up, but the fatigue and pressure were too great for it.

"You picked the wrong target this time," Rei said tormenting the Digimon with Viral Data. "I'm going to count to two and then I will take your head," he said, the Digimon struggling to get up.

"Ready?" Rei said turning to the side.

The Digimon somehow manifested it's energy cannons once more pointing them at him. "Zero," he said dodging them. "Two," he grinned with one swift kick like a football player he took off the Digimon's head, the head landing beside him in disbelief.

"You can know this," he said lifting up his foot above it's head, the Digimon barely conscious. "I will take the heads of Homeostasis and the Digital Creator. You failed wonderfully Aegisdramon," he grinned. With that he stomped down, completely crushing it, the body and head both disintegrating around him.

He glanced around as the platform started to shake uncontrollably, the tiles starting to fall through to the ground below. "Guess I'll be be taking the elevator," he said as the tile he was standing on fell through as he descended. "Going down."


Rei descended with the tiles. He stood there on one firmly using his own viral data to slow himself and float down, his malignant nature easily saving him from any harm. The tile fell to the ground heavily, but Rei remained unaffected by it or the fall.

"Confound it! Dangit!" An angry Gennai protested throwing a tantrum as the titles fell around him. His home and the flower garden were damaged as they were pelted like rain, the tiles falling through.

"You have any idea how long it will take me to repair this Aegisdramon?" he said angrily throwing up his hands as if he had a creature crawling through his pants causing him discomfort.

"It's good to see you too Gennai," Rei sneered.

"Eh? You?" he said stopping. "Where is Aegisdramon?"

"He's toast," Rei said. "It makes sense why you couldn't move freely. That guardian had been keeping watch over you this whole time while you were here."

"Darn right," he said annoyed. "But with him gone I can do what I will," he said more chipper. "Maybe I'll break out the fireworks! I can actually get drunk off my keester! Even explore the forbidden analogue!"

At that last one Rei opened his eyes wide as if he had set his sights immediately. "Forbidden analogue?" he said curiously. "Sounds intriguing. Why don't you show me?" he asked.

"I don't know," he said. "You might just do to me what you did to Aegisdramon.

"I promise I won't," Rei said. "Have I done anything so far that has betrayed your perception of me?"

"Well, nothing in a negative way," he said shrugging his shoulders. "All right. But, before you read the Forbidden Analogues you have to read the actual analogues first."

Rei smiled back having at last captured the old man's trust and his completion of manipulating him. "I do enjoy a good book or two," he said. "Do I need a library card?"

"Naw,"Gennai replied cheekily as they both started walking towards the information, "You get a lifetime pass!"


Rei walked with Gennai towards his house, entering inside and greeted in a backroom with outdated electronics and rows and rows of books labeled one through twenty-four.

"What if I'm not able to read them?" Rei asked.

"Relax," the encrypted device has been broken," he chuckled. "Only I could read it before, but now you can as well."

"Really?" Rei said grabbing a book and dusting off the cover.

"Digimon Sequencing For Idiots," he said casting a disarming leer at Gennai.

"Hey, don't blame me for whoever wrote that," he said. "I only collect it!"

Rei ignored him, and held out his hand over the data.

"I'll just download the whole thing," he said. "How is the internet connection out here?" he said holding back a laugh.

Gennai also prevented himself from laughing holding his sides. "You're a funny guy! You almost got me there!" he said walking away humming to himself afterwards giving Rei some time to himself.


The data downloaded slowly, Rei absorbing the information, the new data pouring in like a flood into his mind. It began with the existence of the First Digital Creator who became sentient and then sought to preserve itself by reaching out with friendly relations to other worlds. However, one messenger of the Digital Creator rebelled and committed a forbidden act, merging flesh and data. And thus Viral Data came into existence.

Rei skipped past it, surely knowing the volume would lambaste him. It then discussed the three different Digimon types. Vaccine, Data, and Virus.

Apparently all Digimon were data types, but supposedly the Digital Creator 'loved' his creations and granted a part of his data to them creating the vaccine type. Not too long after that though the viral data came into existence and the vaccine and data have been warring with the Viral type ever since. Past skirmishes with the Digital Creator and Homeostasis were listed, Viral data being treated as evil, violent, and ruthless.

"But we're so much more than that," Rei grinned laying down on a couch, an empty book over his face.

One of the volumes discussed the reason why the Digital World was constantly at war with itself, only Viral Digimon being named as the culprit along with Terrormon. Unfortunately, hearing his name left a bitter taste in his mouth. He had been defeated a long time ago, Rei disappointed at having lost his champion.

As the data assimilated with him, all throughout the literature he realized that the truth had been completely left out of the volumes, as well as Rei Kurenada's existence. As the information swam through his mind, he grew irritated getting up and deciding to take a walk.


Outside, among the setting sky, Rei contemplated the course of events, a flurry of information of the Digidestined and the Crests coming in. The volume explained about the purpose of the Digidestined and the purpose of a Digimon partner. It was still the same garbage the Digital Creator had told him of having a partner to learn to be at peace their whole lives and to tame their sinful nature.

He skipped forward going through each of the Digidestined till now. He cared not for information about the ceremonies or particularities of his enemies, but he did notice frequently the mention of ancient prophecies as keys for the future battles against Viral types.

In it were listed Rei's viral digimon, and the influence and threat they possessed, capping it off with the Dark Masters and Apocalymon.

Rei glanced up at the clouds realizing the Digital Creator was practically narrating there conflict. The data of Digivolution from the baby stage all the way to the mega and some even beyond flooded to him, but, a big part of the data explained how Digimon do not die and eventually on their own will Digivolve into their next form depending on their fulfillment of their programming function. However, with the threat of the Digital World Homeostasis decided to use human children as conduits, who each possessed a unique characteristic that could be shared with a Digimon to help them Digivolve and fight the Viral Digimon.

He decided he had enough with it. He shook his head, went down to the Koi Pond and splashed his face with water. "This data is redundant," he growled. "I won't get anywhere without looking at the forbidden analogues…"

Rei grimaced as he went over to Gennai enjoying a cup of tea while resting at a table, a single tea stalk floating in his cup.

"Something tells me you're not satisfied with just those eh?" he chuckled. "Do you really want to read the Forbidden Analogue that much?"

"Nothing is worse than reading what you hate about," Rei said darkly. "I would gladly wish to read these books. Perhaps it will hold a secret about our enemies."

"Maybe," Gennai said, "But, truth be told I've never actually read it."

"Never read it? Why?" Rei asked incredulously.

"Because," he grimaced, "It's not possible."

"What, you mean it's illegible?"

"No, that's not it," Gennai said shaking his head. "It's got a firewall. If you even touch it, it will unleash a data dissolution project. A program automatically erases you. It's that serious."

"It only makes me want to read it more," Rei grinned. "Where can I find this Forbidden Analog? And what's inside it?"

"If you must know," Gennai sighed, "It's a hint. A hint of a vast and terrifying amount of data. If anyone knew this data they say they would be able to control the Digital World."

"Sounds fun," Rei said amused. "Where is it?"

"It's not located anywhere."

"You'll have to confess friend," Rei said getting tired of the pleasantries.

"No, you don't understand," Gennai said gruffly, "It's in a place that doesn't exist."

"How does that make any sense?" Rei asked.

"Tell me," Gennai said, "Have you ever heard of the Zero Dimension?"

"Zero Dimension? Can't say that I have," Rei said. "I had thought Homeostasis and the Digital Creator resided in the Heavenly Realm, but I was wrong about that one."

"The Zero Dimension is where all deleted data goes," Gennai explained. "From there it is repurposed and reborn into primary village giving birth to Digimon once again. And that's where the Forbidden Analogue lies."

"Being a viral entity I am unable to attain it then," Rei said a bit at a loss. "But if that's true how did you hear about it?"

"The very last page of the last volume," he said, though you have to read the back."

Rei stared at him questionably. "Perhaps I missed it," he said hurrying to get the volume.


Rei grabbed the last volume back in Gennai's quarters having the dust already removed. He flipped open to the very last page and looked down at small printed message.

"The Reader will be Deleted.

The Seeker will be defeated.

Nevermore to be reborn

But, here, is where the page is

Rei stared at the lines, a bit baffled.

"A real brain teaser isn't it?" Gennai chuckled. "You can't have access to something that doesn't exist. If your data is deleted and you get to the Zero Dimension then you will never be able to take form again if you touch that forbidden analog."

"So you say," Rei said cautiously. "But I think you have been tricking yourself. This Zero Dimension probably doesn't exist at all. It's a trickery of words, creating this illusion," he said.

"What?" Gennai said bewildered. "How so?"

"It Isn't finished because the line isn't finished," Rei explained.

"You may think it doesn't exist, but Digital Data operates off of variables in order to make sequences work. Your kind never really could think outside the box."

"That's quite harsh criticism," Gennai said gruffly. "All right hotshot, if you think I'm just full of hot air why don't you solve it?"

Rei grinned, grabbing a pen and writing in it.

"I already did," he said showing him the book. "All I had to do...was fill in the blank with the rhyme that makes sense."

He showed him the word torn written just spaced next to the is in the last line of the cryptic poem adding a period at the end. The words lit up, the book lifting itself in the air.

"What is happening?" Gennai said a bit frantically.

"The word and finished sentence I wrote in their finished the sequence," Rei said satisfied, "And now, we will follow the data and see where it leads."

The book lifted itself, data seeping out as the book flew through the air.

"Quickly," Gennai said confounded slamming his foot in the wall and running still on it cursing and hopping on one foot, "We can't lose sight of it!"

"Not to worry," Rei said keeping pace, the book leading them back outside the house back to where the two angel statues had greeted them. It hovered and danced around them, finally setting down in-between the two statues.

"By the tea stalks!" Gennai exclaimed suddenly at a loss for words.

The data set itself down, manifesting as the outline of the Digital Creator himself, the data magnifying his divinity.

"To you who have uncovered this secret, congratulations Champion of Homeostasis," his voice echoed. "I trust Gennai has trained you properly, and you are able to summon your Digimon's Ultimate Form, more than likely the power of DNA Digivolution as well. I will get right to the point," he said, his tone somber.

"If you have found this Forbidden Analog then you have already realized the truth of this world and the fate of yours should you fail. There is a powerful enemy that must be destroyed no matter what it costs. To defeat him you will have to Obtain the Knowledge of the Digital Record, a book of many secrets and the history of the Entire Digital World. However, they who touch it will no longer be fully human, but be as demigods so long as they wield that power."

It will take someone more than human to defeat our enemy who is also more than human," he explained. "But more than anything he must not be allowed to restore his power. As an ultimate test of your growth once you touch the Digital Record, a part of that evil will be released from my domain, and it will attempt to restore itself. Should he be successful only the prophesied ones will be able to stop him. However, that is only a test, as the real evil will one day reveal itself to you. I implore you, Digidestined, to take up the mantle that I once gave to a man who was to be the bridge between our world and yours. Trust your partners, trust each other, and grow your bonds. One day I will appear to lay the final blow to him. Should I be successful I will completely eliminate the darkness...but if you fail then both worlds will be consumed by his darkness. So now that this has been revealed I leave the fate of the Digital World and your world in your hands… It will be all up to all of you."

With that, the recording ended, Rei Kurenada glancing at him from different angles. He walked over towards the first angel, that statue of Magna Angemon, and with one swift kick knocked it down with such force pulverizing it. Then with Angewomon he picked it up with one arm, chucked it in the air and then released a powerful viral attack dissolving it into specks, not even a speck of it dropping to the ground.

He held up one hand sneering at the sky. "Did you really think I would let you communicate with those brats Digital Creator? Why don't you come up and face me one on one?" he said swallowing, his anger welling up within him. "Or are you so weak you have to rely on simple children to do your dirty work? Will you not sully your hands you impostor!" he shouted out, but only silence answered him.

He sighed out, manifesting viral data in the palm of his hand. One day he would get his chance. One day he would face him and end his miserable existence! Until then, he knew he would just have to bide his time.

"Ho Ho Ho," Gennai chuckled to himself, both hands behind his back walking towards him. "You never cease to amaze me," he said, Rei wary of him. "I never knew Homeostasis had a superior. That makes things a bit more difficult when you are fighting two on one."

"Oh, it's only one on one," Rei grinned clenching his teeth. "Homeostasis is just a program- she is a soulless husk. She is his tool and nothing more," he said offhandedly.

"Hmm. I see," Gennai said as if mulling his response. "Well, I did tell you if I beat my parole officer then I would join your cause. When can I expect my transformation?"

"One of two things will happen Gennai," Rei said. "Firstly, you must guide the children to become incredibly strong. I want to see Mega level digimon defeat the Dark Masters. You heard of them?"

"Obviously, why do you ask?"

"They are my creations," he smirked.

"Ah, I'll be," he sighed. "No wonder you hate Homeostasis so much," he grumbled. "I can now see why."

"Secondly," he said, "If you are ever restored don't believe it's by Homeostasis. It's not her blessing. It's Ygdrassill's he said."

"I understand," he said nodding his head. "I won't fail. Please, give it to me now," he said bowing his head.

"You don't want to wait till after you've succeeded?" Rei asked.

"I'm pretty confident in my abilities, as old as I am," he coughed. "In fact if I fail you can break me down to data bits for all I care. I'd rather be put out of my misery than to have no positive outcome for the future."

Rei looked down on him sensing brewing Hostility towards Homeostasis. In truth it was Piedmon's attack that caused him to become obsolete, a shell of his former self. But still, Rei reached the desired conclusion. He had obtained Homeostasis's right hand man.

"All right Gennai, you have a deal. It won't be immediate," he said touching the back of his neck, manipulating the data, imbuing it and masking the darkness. "To everyone else you'll appear as friendly innocent old man," he said enjoying himself, "But deep down, your youthful vigor will manifest and you will appear young again. It might take some time, but once these children are sufficiently grown your restored self will manifest."

Gennai grinned, holding both of his gloved hands out excited. "I cant wait!" he exclaimed throwing a fist in the air jumping up.

"As a token of our alliance," Rei said "I'd like to punish the Digidestined a little. Maybe make a ita bit hard for them."

"Well, I'm all for it," Gennai said nodding his head. "As long as we get to Homeostasis eventually."

"Oh, we will," Rei grinned. "Go get the fire ready, nice and hot," he said.

"Oh! Are we going to make them something nasty?"

"Not quite," Rei glared. "What we're going to have...is a book burning…


Half an hour later Rei cast the last of the Analogs in the fire, a pleasant smoke rising from it. "The dutiful little puppets don't need to know the truth just yet," he said staring into the flames. "That is something they will have to earn.

"Ah maybe I'll take out the filet mignon," Gennai said. "You got something brewing real nicely here! Oh! I almost forgot!" he said reaching into his pocket and handing him a deck of cards, "This is for you. I figured you'll need it if you ever need your allies to get to earth. But I put in one too many. Can't seem to remember which one is the odd man out."

"Not to worry," Rei said putting them in his pocket. "How soon are you expecting the children?"

"Well," he said, "they should be arriving at Myotismon's castle fairly soon. I guess their right on there schedule aren't they?"

Rei snickered. "I best be quick then delivering these to Myotismon. Will you need them back?"

"Naw I have a copy ready for the kids," he said. "I don't know what the hubbub is about but it probably has something to do with the eighth Digidestined kid. I didn't see a child with the crest of light anywhere."

"Crest of Light?" Rei said curiously immediately thinking of Angewomon and her prophecy. "So the pieces are all starting to come together," he said thinking about how necessary she would be. He saw her as a child with Taichi, and then how fearful, but determined she looked. Her kindness, her supposed light, he would manipulate her as well, making her stronger, her light blinding, so much so that even she would be blind to the truth.

"Oh yes," he said. "I'll make sure that she burns brightly like a candle in all it's glory...before snuffing her out," he said thinking about it. "And being the vessel for Homeostasis," he said practically licking his lips, "That makes me oh so much more delighted…"