Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. And so much is happening near the end of Digimon Adventure it's kind of hard to fathom the set up.


Chapter Forty-Three: At Adventures End, The Crest of Light's Potential

One by one they fell. Upon receiving the Dark Master's data in his domain Rei Kurenada ascertained the developing situation.

It began with Metal Seadramon. The Sea Serpent aggressively pursued the Digidestined, his minions spanning the territory of the ocean. However, thanks to Whamon the chase became even more difficult. When at last Metal Seadramon had caught up to them a final confrontation played itself out. His Ultimate Stream attack decimated Whamon delivering the killing blow. However, during the battle with Wargreymon his ultimate stream attack was cleaved in two as a brave tornado/metal claw attack spun it's way through slicing Metal Seadramon in half like he was being prepared to be added to a sushi dish…

...Almost as if King Ygdrassill had predicted it.

She leaned against his arm by his throne as he paused parsing through the data. "Awwe," she playfully moaned. "If only he died here. Then I could have had pickled plum serpent sushi," she said feigning disappointment.

"It's quite amazing you can still filter all this data," Rei said. "It passes through the Digital World to you, and then I receive it. But, I am starting to have my doubts about some of the data I am receiving," he said not turning around and grabbing a tuft of her hair squeezing it.

"Owwwie! What's the big idea?!" she snapped.

"The data I'm receiving looks off Ygdrassill. I don't ever remember the Crest of Hope Digidestined Takeru appearing so radiant. Nor do I remember the Crest of Light having a mystical aura to her. But yet here, the received data is like a glare on my eyes when I'm trying to sleep."

"So? I didn't do anything wrong."

"What?" he said dangerously.

"Rei, you would be seeing really weird things if I was interfering with you," she scolded him. "Like a bunch of Digimon getting turned into sweets and me eating them, or me adoring the young boy like a stuffed animal or preparing a tea party for him and Hikari," she said.

"That's just changing the perception of the events entirely!" Rei snapped turning around facing her disgusted by her.

"Rei," she fumed, "It's not me that's causing that stupid blight in your eyes. It's your own perception! It's your own influence that's causing this!"

Rei immediately dropped her to the ground a bit taken aback by her words.

"Oww," she groaned rubbing her backside.

"That's...interesting," he said considering the data received. "You're telling me because I have been so preoccupied with those two it's causing me to interpret the information I am receiving differently."

"Exactly," she groaned standing back up a bit wobbly. "You've got to calm yourself down or it's going to be harder to read the data accurately."

"A fair point," he said nodding his head. "As a reward for this insight you may go convert a Nightmare Soldier to a dessert of your choosing."

"Pudding!" she grinned gleefully, stars of delight and excitement in her eyes as she turned around running away with her arms out as if she was flying.

Rei closed his eyes trying to calm himself, but the noise in the background distracted him. A brief hello, a reply of hello, what can I do for you King Ygdrassi-augh!' and the slurping sound of pudding approaching Rei prevented him from relaxing.

"So then, Rei," King Ygdrassill hummed, Rei noticing her cheerful demeanor swaying with the pudding she was savoring, "What do you think of the Digidestined now? Are they more of a threat?"

"Not really," he said glancing at her as if glancing at a daughter he would never have. "But I will admit, they are entertaining to keep an eye on."


At a later time, Rei Kurenada received the data from Puppetmon. He analyzed the data, the puppet digimon's penchant of playing games a motif for his efforts to kill them. A thrill ride puzzle ended up separating a lot of them, and, it would have been quiet had it just remained that way and he kept them together. But Takeru and his brother were intercepted by Puppetmon and though his brother was tied up, Takeru was kidnapped. He knew a certain someone would not let that slide.

"Nooooo!" King Ygdrassill shouted in a hurry running over to him waving her hand frantically.

"Ah, you're as loud as ever I see," Cthulusmon groaned approaching them, a bit restless.

"How have you been faring Cthulusmon?" Rei asked ignoring the light beating on his back from King Ygdrassill protesting Takeru's treatment.

"Well my Lord," he said catching his words addressing him, "I've been trying to take a nap and to get back to my due diligence after. That didn't last very long though," he groaned yawning. "I have been growing more anxious the more time passes."

"Your just worried I am going to eat all your soldiers you trained?" Ygdrassill grinned.

"They are more than just your snacks!" he fumed trying to be calm. "I put my data, sweat, and tears into them, but then you go and eat them all!"

Ygdrassill scoffed turning her head. "It's not my fault the stronger ones make the tastier looking desserts."

"But even so, you should fast every now and then so they can prove themselves to Lord Kurenada," he countered.

She stared back at him, their eyes locked intimidating each other.

Rei half expected some entertainment from them, but she suddenly stopped, her eyes lit up.

"Oh! It's over!" she explained.

"What's over?" Rei said clapping his hands breaking the two of them up.

"Puppetmon is gone! Takeru's brother escaped, he led them to his hideout and destroyed his toys! They then fought a giant house, but he lost his hammer to Garudamon. Then while they were fighting it, Puppetmon crossed paths with Metal Garurumon. He got blasted with ice!"

"That's some real freezer burn," Cthulusmon chuckled.

"They're moving a bit faster now," Rei said. "They-"

"-Hold on!" King Ygdrassill shouted. "My sister! She-I heard her voice!"

"What?" Rei said glaring down at her. "What of her?"

"I don't know. Puppetmon went sailing away. And not just that! I don't know why the data is coming in this way, but Etemon came back to!"

"He came back?!" Cthulusmon shouted. "That buffoon's too stubborn to die!"

"Tell me about it," Rei mused. He walked this way and that pondering about it. "So, what happened Ygdrassill?"

"I don't believe it," she said. "Puppetmon and Etemon, err, he's now Metal Etemon got in a fight. This data though came after Puppetmon's defeat though. That doesn't happen," she said glancing away a bit hesitant to address Rei.

"I have an idea why that is," Rei said. "In fact I'm practically certain of it."

"Do tell us," Cthulusmon said.

"No," Rei snickered. "In fact, I want you to figure this out before the Dark Masters are all defeated. I have faith in your abilities to reason Cthulusmon. You will show me how far you've grown, won't you?" he added, a tinge of malice in his eyes.

"Without question," he said bowing to him.

"Good," he said turning to Ygdrassill. "Is there anything else worth mentioning? I don't want any surprises," he said staring her down.

"J-just one eensy weensy tiny-"

"-Out with it," Rei commanded.

Ygdrassill shivered slightly and fell to the ground on her knees. She winced. "Puppetmon used his minion Cherrymon to convince Yamato that Taichi's the enemy. Both of their mega Digimon went at it though nothing came of it-probably due to Homeostasis's doing."

"Probably," Rei agreed. "It will be most curious to see how they continue their adventure against the other Dark Masters," he said. "She might have made my mission a bit easier making them stronger...don't you think?


The detonation device that destroyed WaruMonzaemon seemed inconsequential., his data flowing into the domain. Rei savored it, considering all that happened, but the slave Numemon and their fascination with 'Hikari'sama became quite a curious thing.

Rei did not piece it together until Machinedramon's data flowed into his domain. The pathetic Numemon attacked Machinedramon, but they were all blasted instantly shattering into a million data fragments. Their behavior seemed odd, but not even the angels could put a dent in Machinedramon. He had the whole area blasted and the Digidestined on the ropes.

With all he had invested in this, this really did seem like the end of them. But then, the surge of power from her poured through Agumon who in a freak of nature moment blitzed into Wargreymon supercharging slicing through Machinedramon. Truly Rei was taken aback having never seen such an ability manifest before.

He replayed the data engraving the moment enamored by the drastic change of events. "Magnificent," he said finding himself slowly clapping. "And not even with her Digimon," he said rewinding the data and studying her. "How is it possible she could do such a thing?"

"It must be the power of Homeostasis," Cthulusmon said indifferently crossing his arms and looking away. "But she does not hold a candle to you my Lord."

Re tapped his fingers watching the data, Ygdrassill hovering over his throne watching it.

"What do you think, Ygdrassill?"

"Hmmm," she hummed to herself watching her. "I kind of hate her," she said.

"Hate her?"

"She's got too much of Homeostasis. And she kind of copied me," she said. "When she gets older she's going to look like me. She'll look like Homeostasis's sister, and have her power even more than I will!" she snapped her hands wrapping around the throne accidentally cleaving the top of the throne in two.

A slight breeze wisped over Rei's head as he realized what happened. "She is the enemy Ygdrassill," he said. "She is practically the opposite of you, but closer to Homeostasis because of her power."

"What? How dare you say that!" she raged, throwing a fit stomping the ground and punching it practically losing control.

Cthulusmon insistently glanced at Rei, Rei holding up his hand holding him back. "It may make you angry," he said, "But it's the truth isn't it? Viral data and The Digital Creator data are polar opposites. You're more like a distant step child," he grinned. "She's more of a sister than you are Ygdrassill."

At that moment Ygdrassill glared at him her body starting to grow tentacles lashing out and pounding the ground.

"My Lord!" Cthulusmon whined.

"Oh that won't do," Rei said snapping his fingers a dark purple cubed cage surrounding her.

Ygdrassill wailed and cried pounding on it, but it would not break.

"What is this?!" She shouted. "I'm trapped!"

"I had a feeling this might happen again," Rei said pressing his hand on the cage as Ygdrassill pounded on it. "Fortunately for us I manufactured this Ygdrassill proof cage in my spare time."

She kept banging on it, the vibrations causing everything to shake, even Rei's hair flowing to the side like a light breeze.

"Let me out!" she shouted. "I'll kill her! I'll kill that girl! No one will be close to her but me!"

The pounding continued; Rei ever so calm, but Cthulusmon seemed a bit frazzled.

"You know," Rei said, glancing inside of her cage as a flurry of tentacles tried to strike him from the interior cage, but slid down in it, "I know you think utterly destroying and devouring your enemies is the best way to feel better about yourself," he said trying to get through to her, "But though your body will not mature anymore your mind needs to mature Ygdrassill if you truly seek to oust this Hikari girl from Homeostasis's side."

At those words the tentacles stopped, Ygdrassill pressing her hands and face against the cage. "What do you mean? That's all there is right? The purpose is to eat and destroy?"

"I think you mean seek and destroy, "Cthulusmon coughed in his fist.

Rei shot him a warning glance, Cthulusmon diminishing himself in the background.

"Anyone can break a thing apart," he said using his forefinger and thumb and flicking the barrier shattering it. "However, if you truly want to 'break' someone...if you want to make them suffer…" he said unable to hide his malignant grin, "...then reduce them until they are a mere shell of themselves," he said as if whispering venom into her ear. "Make them feel they are worth nothing. Corrupt them. Turn them against themselves. And when they realize just what a hypocritical rotting carcass of flesh they are and in utmost misery, then slowly kill them."

Ygdrassill glanced at him, and then her eyes closed as if tasting the data that was sent. "Hikari," she said as if glaring at her. "In other words I need her to understand the anger I have for her. She needs to feel every drop of my wrath."

"Exactly," Rei said. "Who knows? While you torment her you might just start to enjoy the process," he chuckled.

"R-right," she said a bit nervously as if internalizing everything. "Mwa ha ha," she said as if trying to psyche herself out, but Rei knew she had no idea what kind of twisted path he had laid for her.

"If you do start to like it though," Cthulusmon added making himself known again, "Just no more temper tantrums, ok King Ygdrassill?"

She pondered to herself his words and then glared back at him with a wicked grin. "If you think I'm bad now...you haven't seen nothing yet!"


Lady Devimon's amusing defeat by Angewomon was just the signal Rei needed to know the fight with Piedmon would be on it's way. He bent forwarded, anxiously waiting for the results, Rei did not know how long he had been waiting, but despite everything those results never came.

He passed the time wanting to know what Ygdrassill and Cthulusmon were thinking, as well as the opinions of other minions of his, but he cut a few of them down displeased by their wishy- washy answers. Cthulusmon tried to keep Rei calm with more beverages, but Rei had had enough of this nonsense.

He was about ready to go and vent when a message from Gennai alerted him.

"Reception's bad," a message said, "But everyone bought the legend of the fire wall with an ancient evil behind it," he said. "They have Piedmon on the ropes. You need to get Apocalymon ready.'"

Rei messaged him back.

"It's not a problem," he said texting it. "Once Piedmon's data arrives it will activate Apocalymon's data which Ygdrassill will guide over there due to the chaos. We're just waiting for the switch to activate.

Rei nodded his head satisfied at the answer. He went back to his throne to sit down, but Gennai called him.

"You idiot!" he shouted into Rei's ear. "Don't you know whats' happening as we speak?"

"You're dangerously close to being deleted," Rei cautioned. "Tell me or you will be terminated."

Gennai's voice sighed. "That boy, Takeru Takaishi, you know the kid whose Digimon beat Devimon? The one that has the crest of hope?"

"One of the two," Rei said to himself. "I am aware of that brat. What of him?"

"His Digimon Patamon digivolved to the ultimate level...Magna Angemon came into being."

"So? Piedmon is an adept Mega Level," he replied. "I doubt he would give him trouble."

"He defeated him once, and Piedmon is on a vengeance tour coming back with everything he's got."

"What?" Rei said curiously.

"Of all things he decided to turn the Digidestined into key chains. He didn't kill them. But when Magna Angemon fought back he not only saved Takeru and Hikari from Piedmon, the only two Digidestined who had somehow not gotten turned into those key chains, but he also transformed the key chains back into their respective Digidestined and Digimon."

"Of course," Rei said hanging his head shaking it. "He's saving the day again isn't he? If it wasn't for both of them then the Digidestined would have been defeated awhile ago. It's just aligning so much more than even I expected," he said to himself aloud.

"Eh? What's that?" Gennai coughed. "You do realize I hear you talking to yourself, right?"

"Yes, I am aware," Rei said. "The final battle is going to be very interesting with Apocalymon. Once I have Piedmon's data coming back here I-"

"-Well, that's just the thing," he said daring to interrupt him. "You're not going to get it."

At those words Rei stared ahead wide-eyed clenching his teeth. "And why is that GENNAI?" he demanded to know.

"Magna Angemon has this attack," Gennai said. "He's using it right now as we speak. It's called the 'Gate of Destiny'.

"Who cares," Rei said indifferently. "It doesn't matter what attack defeats him as long as I get-"

"-Rei," Gennai interrupted again. "The Gate of Destiny does not delete a digimon, so you can't get the data."

"Then what happens to them?" he asked, the gears in his mind turning thinking of possible explanations. He stopped as one crossed his mind. "Don't tell me they-"

"-That's right," Gennai confirmed. "Like the name says the gate transports them somewhere. And it looks like Metal Garurumon and Wargreymon just blasted him inside it," he said.

"Where did it take him?"

"Where else do you think? Probably the heavenly realm where he will be tortured under the eyes of Homeostasis and the Digital Creator."

Rei winced. "...That was not according to plan," he swallowed steeling his nerves.

"I thought it was best you hearing it from me rather than getting surprised," he chuckled turning into a cough.

"What are we going to do then?" Ygdrassill asked.

"You're plan will be ruined at this rate," Cthulusmon added a bit frazzled.

"What can I do?" Rei said to himself so everyone can hear him.

"I don't know," Gennai replied, "But it looks like with Piedmon's absence the world is receding into the darkness of space. The Digital World will be fading away like a mirage."

Rei imagined the scenario, all of the kids and their Digimon fearfully wondering about what was going on.

"A mirage…" he said to himself.

"Uh-oh," Gennai said on the other line. "Looks like I got to give the kids one more pep talk. Best of luck to you!" Gennai said hanging up.

Rei clicked his tongue hanging up the phone. "Useless!" he scoffed.

"Is their anything we can do?" Cthulusmon asked. "Maybe we can activate the sequence."

"That won't do," Rei said. "With the sequence gone we can't possibly get it over there, but-"

He stopped speaking and glanced down at King Ygdrassill.

"A question for you," he said placing both hands on her shoulders firmly. "Can you feel the presence of that child Hikari Yagami?"

King Ygdrassill turned her head to the side curiously. "Only when I am absolutely furious," she said. "Otherwise it gets fuzzy."

Just then Rei turned to the side, the barrier between the Digital World and his Domain greatly weakened.

"Then we will just send him there ourselves," he said. "Squeeze my arm to your content in your rage, but transmit that data to me, and I will force it there, lowering the barrier completely for but a moment," he said. "With the barriers thin Homeostasis will not be able to suspect it's me."

"But what about Piedmon?" Cthulusmon asked.

"He won't tell," Rei smirked. "Because if he does he knows what I will do to him. It doesn't matter how much he is tortured. He obey the commands I gave him," Rei said, glaring towards the weakened barrier. He hurried over with her to Apocalymon's location.

"We'll revert you inside for extra precaution," Rei said manipulating his data retreating inside what looked a giant spiky ball, making sure large claws were also pushed in.

"Looks like it's almost down," Ygdrassill groaned.

"Then you better be accurate," Rei threatened. "If this fails you will never see Homeostasis ever again and she will take your place as her sister!" he shouted. "Do you want that? Is that your wish Ygdrassill?!"

Instantly her eyes lit up, her rage flaring. "No!" she shouted, her voice garbled as she began to transform, Rei honing in on her hatred targeting Hikari Yagami, who undoubtedly would be floating in darkness.

"And here's the send off!" he shouted, using all of his ability and power to blast the data of Apocalymon through the narrow window from his domain to whatever was left of the Digital World.

He panted heavily, his domain paying the penalty with Ygdrassill attacking whatever she pleased, the barrier cracking heavily from the impact of his send off.

"Cthulusmon," Rei panted heavily. "I leave it to you. Tame her and whatever you do, do not let my domain be lost," he scowled.

Cthulusmon walked forward, one hand over his face. "You have my word," he said his shadow approaching Ygdrassill and also transforming into a monstrous tentacled being, both of them going at it.

"My Lord! My Lord!" one of his minions a gazimon cried. "We're all going to die at this rate!"

"Then die," Rei said indifferently, a message to him coming directly.

The message was garbled and static-like but he could still make it out.

"The earth can see the final battle!" he said to himself aloud a bit elated.

"That's great news," The Gazimon said clapping.

Rei nodded snapping his fingers as a host of Devidramon appeared by his side bowing, one of them making a quick meal of the Gazimon.

"Fly me to the other side to the portal at the very end of my domain," he said as he stood on top of one, the Devidramon flying across while others defended him vigorously from King Ygdrassill's tentacles, but many of them perishing.

He managed to maneuver away, the last of them bringing Rei over, but it's leg being pulled by Ygdrassill away as Rei jumped off of it rolling over. It's cries were limited as he could hear Ygdrassill feasting on it.

He placed his hand on the portal, glancing away as Cthulusmon's tentacles held Ygdrassill in place so as not to destroy the domain, but unfortunately any being present would be a casualty due to Ygdrassill's relentless hunger. He looked around at his dimension taking in the sites one last time as it feels it would never be the same once he left.

He then closed his eyes and let it go. Rei concentrated his hand on the portal focusing back on on Hikarigaoka where the world would be watching the final battle.

Now would be the chosen children's final test to see if they could be molded. To see if they could be worthy. To see if they could bring the prophecy of the angels to fruition. And, more than anything he hoped they could, despite wanting to see their downfall, emerge victorious so he could see them ultimately at the end begging for their lives as the Dark Ocean consumed them all.


The Starlit skies had split apart exposing the dark vacuum of what appeared to be space, but Rei knew otherwise. Without a doubt, standing on top of a building in Hikarigaoka overshadowing what he recognized as a group of humans watching the battle but probably the children's parents, in the sky the emptiness of the Digital World hovered like a specter. Smaller shadows came to light which Rei could clearly see as the Digidestined.

Momentarily after, just in time Apocalymon made his appearance. He emerged threateningly from his confines, his death claws snapping and itching to crush something in their grasp.

While watching, he caught from the corner of his eye a red cape, his eyes locking onto a small dragon-like entity standing away from him staring at him.

"Well, this is a surprise," he said. "I'm surprised Homeostasis would let me see you Hackmon in the flesh or even allow you to leave the Digital World."

The being stared at him, his eyes focused. "I'm told Rei Kurenada that you were responsible for what happened in the Heavenly Realm."

"Was that really my fault?" he questioned playfully winking. "I'm not the one who transformed into that death god Fanglongmon or Huanglongmon or whatever you call it. The fault lies with the Digimon Sovereign."

"Because of that," he said, "the balance in the Digital World in the four regions has grown chaotic. Homeostasis had to use that time to pick the next chosen children to save this world. I believed for the longest time that the Dark Masters had sealed them away."

"But?" Rei said. "Did you have an epiphany you misguided soulless wretch?"

He nodded. "The Dark Masters are strong no doubt, but fought one on one the Digimon Sovereign would easily have taken them out. It was a convenient lie, one those children easily believed. They don't realize the truth and neither do you?"

Rei's face twitched dumbfounded. "I don't think it's wise to give your enemy any intel," he said.

"It doesn't matter," Hackmon replied staring up. "You can see the answer quite clearly in the background."

"I can?" Rei questioned staring up. A smile spread over his face as he started laughing heartily. "I was wondering why the emptiness of the Digital World looked so Dark!" he laughed. "Homeostasis and the Digital Creator, they are truly pathetic!" he said wiping away a tear.

"So, you see the truth then, Rei Kurenada?"

A wicked smile creased his lips as he lowered his eyes to the ground. "Quite clearly. With the Digimon Sovereign out of commission the barriers to the Digital World are seeping in data from the Dark Ocean just to have stability and maintain a physical form. I must admit, it was quite clever of Homeostasis to do that without my knowledge."

"Two barriers were set up on that fateful day," Hackmon said. "The first barrier was to seal your power so that you would never be able to leave the Digital World, but that did not happen. You still found a way through, but at least it was not to the Digital World."

"And the second?" Rei said curiously.

"The second barrier was set up before the first. A pseudo space had been created between the Digital World and the Dark Domain that had formerly been part of the Dark Domain. Any valuable data that drifted in your domain, or found useful we snatched back up for the sake of the Digital World."

"Ah," Rei said. "That's why your telling me. With the Digital World temporarily 'gone' I would have found out sooner rather than later. Your entire pseudo space, MY territory is now propping up this little play of yours."

"Correct," he said. "But once this battle is over that pseudo territory, that gap will no longer be yours. It will be the Digital World's once again."

Rei clicked his tongue shaking his head. "What makes you sure they will win?" he asked, the battle playing out quickly as each of the Digidestined in their fervor helplessly watched as their efforts passed by, their Digimon injured by the attacks of his passed on generals, part of Apocalymon's data.

"They must," he said. "Homeostasis has decreed it."

"In the face of that monstrosity? I don't know," Rei said playfully lifting up his arms and rolling his eyes, glancing back at the battle.

"Look at them. They are scared stiff," he said. The Death Claw attacks of Apocalymon reduced their Digimon to their in training levels. He even snatched up all the tags and crests disintegrating them.

Both of them looked on, Hackmon not even flinching.

"Are you sure does not want to that back?" Rei asked. "He's making her look really bad."

Hackmon remained indifferent.

"Their in training and can't even go ultimate anymore," he teased. "Are you sure she doesn't want to make an emergency proclamation of being mistaken?"

His silence continued.

"Well?"

Everyone watched on, Rei Kurenada enjoying Apocalymon take command and used the darkness of the children's fears to make them all slowly disintegrate, a bit anxious that meant all of his planning for their futures was also going down the drain.

He sighed out, holding out his hand, clenching it afterwards, pretending he was claiming victory and not giving into anger.

"You see? It was even worse for them than the other group," he chuckled to himself. "Really, sending helpless babies into the Digital World to fight monsters with monsters is just asinine. And now you yourself see the result," he said holding out his hand toward the sky. "Homeostasis played you all for fools."

He kept his eye on Hackmon's face, his tone all the more serious. He had not given into despair or frustration.

"Must you maintain that annoying stoic resolve?" he asked walking closer to him. "With the children's defeat, that data must go somewhere now that the Digital World has been destroyed. Is it going to seep over into this world? That would be wonderful, would it not?"

Hackmon remained solemn like a statue even has Rei grabbed his cloak. He pulled him close one hand on his throat.

"I could have really used a victory snack as a result," he said licking his lips, "but you don't carry a trace of negativity. It's revolting," he said dropping him, Hackmon getting back up afterwards.

He walked away stretching his arms. Rei would need to do some serious planning if this world was going to be flooded by that viral data. Soon electrical devices would stop working. Then physically the data would flow into this world causing intense flooding and carnage with the viral entities. And then-"

"-Aren't you curious," Hackmon said clearing his throat, "why nothing is happening?"

"What?" Rei snapped turning his eyes towards him dangerously.

"Your viral data should be overflowing and going out of control, so then why is it maintaining this form and Apocalymon doing nothing?"

Rei cupped his chin in his hand. "I can't possibly see the reason," he said. "I guess we'll just have to wait to find…"

"…" Rei started to say something, but couldn't finish his thought. He opened his eyes wide in disbelief as the Digidestined children appeared in front of Apocalymon once more more determined than ever.

"That's...impossible," he said falling to his knees, staring at the ground, a feverish grin spread over his face, but his body hiding his expression.

"For Homeostasis," Hackmon said, "Nothing is outside of her power. To ensure what happened before would never happen again, she herself ensured a safeguard to prevent their destruction."

Rei composed himself standing back up. "A safeguard?" he asked.

"One valuable set of data that would make this all possible. One that could not have been possible for awhile now."

"For awhile? What?" Rei contemplated.

He glanced back at the children, realizing the first to appear was the newest addition.

He snapped his head back towards Hackmon's direction wide eyed.

"Of course!" he exclaimed angrily.

"That is but a small taste of potential that girl has when she is obedient to Homeostasis," Hackmon said. "Because she was with them when they were deleted, she had the power to bring them back. Each of the Digidestined had to have been strong enough to fall in line with that power, but since they were in one accord in harmony they were able to come back unscathed."

Rei stared on amazed, each of the Digidestined fighting oncemore, their Digimon digivolving to their strongest forms-even without their crests."

"And now as you can see, THIS is the result," he said challenging him, partner and Digimon taking Apocalymon down until he was just in that spiked ball form.

"It's not over yet," Rei said. "If he is going down, then he will take all of them with him. Both them, the Digital World and everyone else there."

He crossed his arms. "I will admit that was clever, but this 'total annihilation' attack will wipe everyone out including himself."

"Not if that can be contained," he said.

"Contained?" Rei questioned.

"Don't you remember what happened with Venommyotismon?"

Rei glanced up curiously as each of of the children's digivices created a cube containing the attack, Apocalymon exploding in this isolated space in the vacuum.

"I don't believe it," he said ecstatically, but feigning despair, "They defeated him. And now what will happen?"

"With the threat gone Homeostasis will refashion the Digital World back to it's original form before the Dark Masters came to it. And together, because they were able to defeat all of these threats their crest power is practically overflowing."

"But the crests were destroyed. What does that mean?" he questioned.

"The wonder and dreams of children are no tools. The crests were but a tool to draw out that power. But once they could do that themselves they were unnecessary, for they were always a part of them. And that power, much like the dreams of the Digital Creator will now restore the worlds to how they should be. This is especially true since the Digimon Sovereign will oncemore govern each of the four quadrants."

"Even without their Digicores?" he insisted to know.

"The Digicores make them exceptionally powerful, but in unison and harmony with Homeostasis they can keep peace and the Digital World Barrier maintained once it goes up. Very soon the Digidestined will give up their power and everything will be restored how it should be.

Rei winced, gripping his fist in his coat pocket. "That doesn't leave me a lot of time left then," he noticed.

"It's for the best," Hackmon said nodding his head. "You should go back to the darkness while you have time. You will no longer interfere in the course of the world events."

Rei narrowed his eyes considering everything. Somewhere out there he could still sense a vague shadow of digital data, Myotismon's undying desire festering with activity. Elsewhere in the world the Shadow of Apotheoseia were also about preparing the world for instability. Even with the sealing done, one day that barrier would grow unstable again. And he would commence his attack thereafter.

Rei considered everything that had happened, a sudden inkling crossing his mind. He concentrated his power fashioning from his data a Digi Egg, holding it in the palm of his hand.

"Before I go," Rei said, "In thanks for everything I've learned today, and my promise to return to my domain I offer a congratulatory present," he said setting it down in front of Hackmon.

"What is this? A diversionary tactic? Or perhaps a virus of some kind?" he asked.

"It's a test," Rei said holding up both hands harmlessly.

"A test? I don't follow."

"That child, Hikari, she is six years old, isn't she? She is quite strong for a little girl and the blessing of Homeostasis. I offer in that Viral Digital Egg a test."

"And how does that work?"

"Quite simple," he stated certain of himself. "On her next birthday if she touches this Digital Egg it will release. It's programmed to destroy her and satisfy this longing for reward or some nonsense like that," he said smiling. "I was just simply giving this to Homeostasis as a token of my loathing for her. By that time Hikari should be able to destroy this on her own, shouldn't she? That is, with her and her Digimon."

Hackmon paused for a moment and then hesitated grabbing the digital egg. "I won't ask what kind of Digimon this is, but at the moment the Viral Digital Egg is harmless. I will pass on your message to her. That said, soon the worlds will be sealed. You only have till then to move freely, but afterwards you will be sealed. And the Digidestined will not know of your existence until the appointed time. You will be isolated in confinement until they destroy you once and for all."

"I'll take that into consideration..." Rei said faking a half bow. He started walking away from him, but turned his head in spite, "...But know this. I'll concede for now. But, one day the barrier will be lifted. A new threat will emerge from my Dark Domain, and, when everything is set into motion, I will be free, and my all powers restored. And there is not a thing you or them can do about it." he grinned glancing at the skyline vanishing into clouds again and fleeing down the structure of the building; through the doors, down the staircases, into the darkness below.