The next day Takumi's school announced that Ami was in the hospital, but held back on the details and claimed she was expected to recover. But that didn't make going to school any easier for Takumi. He stayed quiet all day. Most of his classmates would just look at his saddened expression uneasily. It was unnatural to see Takumi in school without Ami. It was even more unusual to see him with such a saddened expression.
The bell rang and Takumi was walking quietly in the halls. His mind was a mess. He couldn't stop thinking about how he let this happen to Ami. Now she was suffering all alone. "Takumi?" He looked up from the floor to see two boys. One with white/purplish hair and another with black hair. "Hey…" the white-haired boy said.
"Yu…Keisuke…"
"We heard about Ami. Is she alright?"
"Yeah…she's just resting right now."
"…I see." Keisuke replied. "That's good."
"What about you?" Yu asked. "Are you holding up okay?"
Takumi smiled. "Of course, I am."
Yu sighed. "Takumi come on, we both know that smile is fake. Be honest, you're worried about her, aren't you? And what exactly is it that happened to her anyway?" Takumi frowned and walked past them. "Takumi!" Yu reached out a hand, but Keisuke put an arm out in front of him. When Yu looked at him, he shook his head. "Maybe I shouldn't have pushed it." Yu sighed.
"Takumi's…going through a lot right now." Keisuke said. "Let's just give him some space."
The next day, in the cafeteria… Takumi and Ami would normally be seen eating together. Today Takumi sat at a table alone. Eating quietly.
Inside his Digivice Rapidmon Armor, Dorugoramon and BlackWarGreymon were communicating via DigiLine with Takumi's friends.
Yuuko: Any change in Takumi? Is he alright?
Dorugoramon: Not much since yesterday.
Arata: He's still not answering any of our calls. And whenever we go to his apartment, he acts like he's not at home.
Rapidmon Armor: He hasn't spoken a lot in class either…
Nokia: Poor Takumi…he must be devastated after what happened.
Arata: Will Ami be okay?
Yuuko: We're keeping an eye on her. She's in healthy shape physically.
Yuugo: It's just like what happened to me. Her Mental Data is trapped in the Digital World.
Arata: Damn that Next Order! I swear they're gonna pay for this!
BlackWarGreymon: Omegamon, how is progress with the plan going along?
Omegamon: I gave Yuugo and Yuuko the data they need.
Yuugo: Tonight, we're going to try to explain to father what's going on.
Yuuko: I just hope he believes us, or this might not work. But let's keep this a secret from Takumi for a bit longer.
Nokia: Why? Ami's his sister and she's stuck in there! Doesn't he have the right to know?
Yuuko: You heard Rapidmon and the others, he's emotionally unstable. Who knows what will happen if he finds out?
Dorugoramon: She's right. But we'll need him when it's time to go to the Digital World.
Samudramon: Can he pull himself together by then?
BlackWarGreymon: Honestly, I don't know. I've never seen him like this.
Rapidmon Armor: This is Takumi we're talking about. He'll come through like always. We just need to believe in him.
Yuuko: Please take care of Takumi.
Rapidmon Armor: We will. Keep us posted about the gate.
Yuugo: Understood. No matter what happens, we'll save Ami.
Arata: Damn straight. I don't care what it takes.
The Digimon closed the chat and sighed. "Takumi…" Rapidmon muttered. "I can't say I'm pleased with hiding this from him, but we should give him time and some space."
Takumi took another bite of rice quietly. "Takumi?"
The boy snapped from his thoughts and looked behind him. "Ryota? Sakura?"
The two sat down next to him. "Hey man." Ryota said. "You hanging in there?" Takumi didn't answer.
"I'm so, so sorry." Sakura said. "I wish there was something I could do."
Ryota put a hand on his back. "Hey man, cheer up. This is Ami we're talking about here, she'll bounce back. You two always do, you're the Aiba twins! Nothing ever keeps you two down for long!"
Sakura smiled. "He's right you know. You two are always telling people to push past their problems and to never give up. That painful times can be overcome. And don't worry, if you need anything Ryota and I are both here for you."
Takumi took a deep breath and gave them a small smile. "…Thanks guys."
Ryota grinned. "Come on bud, we've been friends for a long time! If you're depressed, we're not just gonna ignore you!"
Takumi's Digivice started beeping. Normally he'd ignore it as he did for the last couple of days, but Sakura spoke up. "Aren't you going to answer?"
Takumi put his chopsticks down and put on his goggles. "Hello?"
"Takumi, it's me!"
The boy gasped. "Mom?"
As soon as class ended, Takumi made his way straight to the hospital. He entered the special ward and hurried as fast as he could to the room where his sister was comatose in a bed. Inside he could see a woman with brown hair and glasses sitting in a chair and holding her hand. He opened the door. "Mom…"
The woman looked up. "Takumi…"
"Why did you come back? I thought you were working abroad again."
"The hospital contacted me. I came here as fast as I could."
"Oh…"
Yukino sighed and looked at Ami. "Oh, Kyoko called me earlier. She said you weren't picking up."
"Sorry…"
"She, said to take some time off. She said you can go back to work when you feel up to it."
"Right."
Yukino gently brushed Ami's hair. "Oh, Ami, you poor girl. Why did this happen…" She quietly started to cry. "I can't lose you too…"
Takumi clenched his fists. This wasn't the first time the three of them had gathered in a hospital room. "…I'm sorry father…" A lone tear slipped down his cheek.
Inside the Digivice Takumi's Digimon could only watch. "Takumi…" Dorugoramon muttered.
Rapidmon Armor heard a ping and opened the DigiLine.
Yuugo: Father is getting to work on the plan right now.
Omegamon: My thanks.
Arata: I'm amazed you managed to convince him. I mean living digital beings? A Digital World? How'd you get him to believe you?
Yuuko: Omegamon also provided us means of proving the Digital World's existence. We also took him to Kawloon to talk to Samudramon.
Samudramon: Satoru Kamishiro is a very kind and respectful man. It was a pleasure conversing with him.
Diaboromon: How long until the gate is ready?
Yuugo: He thinks it will be about a week.
Yuuko: How is Takumi doing?
BlackWarGreymon: He's at the hospital with his mother right now. But his depression only seems to be growing.
Arata: That's not good.
Yuuko: I wonder…maybe we shouldn't tell him about this and go to the Digital World by ourselves.
Rapidmon Armor: What are you saying?!
Yuuko: If he finds out we can go to the Digital World in the state of mind he's in right now, he'll act recklessly.
Nokia: Are you implying that he'll only hold us back?
Yuuko: That is a possibility. But I'm also concerned that he'll get himself hurt. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if we let him become another victim. It's for the best.
Rapidmon Armor: Unacceptable!
Yuuko: It seems cruel, I agree, but it may be best for everyone that he stays behind. Emotion is clouding his judgment.
Rapidmon Armor: You mean like how it did for you? How would you feel if we left YOU behind when we went to rescue Yuugo? Or to defeat Crusadermon?
Dorugoramon looked at Rapidmon Armor in shock. "Okay, I believe that was as humans call it: "below the belt"."
Samudramon: How dare you! You know how much Yuuko suffered without her brother! Imagine the helplessness she went through for eight years!
Rapidmon Armor: Then why must we make Takumi suffer the same helplessness she did?!
Omegamon: Rapidmon, Samudramon, compose yourselves!
Nokia: Everybody calm the hell down!
Nobody replied for a bit. Rapidmon Armor sighed before sending another text.
Rapidmon Armor: Forgive me. That was going too far.
Yuuko: No. You're right. If I was left behind while you all saved my brother, I'd feel ashamed and even betrayed. I don't want to do that to Takumi.
Arata: Then it's agreed. We're all in this together no matter how the cards fall.
Nokia: What he said! We all agreed we're going back to save the Digital World together!
Samudramon: So how do we explain this to Takumi? It would be best if we can get his confidence back first, but that might not be happening.
Yuugo: There's still time. Let's have faith in him.
Yuuko: As someone who's been in his position before, I think he needs a little push.
Dorugoramon: But his classmates can't help him, he won't speak to any of us, his mother isn't helping him feel better, who else is there?
Rapidmon folded his arms. "Hmm…"
BlackWarGreymon looked at him. "Rapidmon?"
Rapidmon Armor: There may be one person who can get him to snap out of it.
Omegamon: Who?
Rapidmon Armor: The three of us will slip off into Kawloon for a bit. Takumi won't answer us, so I doubt he'll notice us missing for a while. Yuuko, I have a favor to ask you.
Yuuko: What is it?
Kyoko was working at her office. Right now, she was on a call with her senior. "Any luck on your side?"
"Afraid not." An elderly man replied. "Not a single lead. This is proving to be the most difficult missing person case I've had in years."
"I see. I'm afraid I haven't come up with many leads on my end either."
"Well, all we can do is keep looking. I'll let you know if I find anything."
"Appreciated Matayoshi."
"Glad to be of service. By the way, how's your Watson holding up?"
Kyoko sighed. "So…you heard what happened to Ami."
"I did. Such a bizarre case…EDEN is usually so safe, for someone logged in to never regain consciousness…Just like what you woke up from recently."
Kyoko looked at the coffee table. She wouldn't admit it, but not having her assistants here felt lonely. "Yeah…"
"Have you tried talking to Takumi?"
"Right now, he's with his mother. I'm sure his friends have been talking with him as well. I don't want to smother the kid."
Matayoshi cleared his throat. "Right now, I think the boy needs that attention…Just as you did once upon a time." Kyoko glanced at a photo on her desk. One taken a long time ago. It was her as a child with her father. "At least check up on him every now and then. Clear?"
"Clear." After Matayoshi hung up Kyoko sighed. Then her Digivice went off and she picked it up. "Yes? Speaking. Oh? And to what do I owe the pleasure…Yuuko Kamishiro?"
Somewhere in a space known as the Digital World was a happy city floating in the sky. Small Digimon were running around and playing. Some bigger ones were running shops, performing research, farming food, or just doing their own thing.
Standing in the middle of this city were two teenagers. Both dressed similarly. One had a grey coat over his red shirt and bluish hair. The other was a girl about his age with a hooded white, black and blue culottes with black hair in a ponytail. "So, bro!" the girl chimed with her hands behind her back. "What's the plan for the day?"
The boy put a hand on his chin. "I'm not sure. Things have been rather quiet lately, haven't they? Maybe we should- The skies above them darkened. "Huh?"
Everyone in the city looked up. From a nearby house a teen with brown hair followed by a girl with purple hair rushed out. "What's going on?" the girl asked. "Is there a storm coming?"
Suddenly a white hole opened up in the sky. "Um, guys?" the boy muttered. "I got a bad feeling about this…"
Kyoko stepped into Kawloon Level 1. She made her way to the very end where a certain someone was waiting for her. She turned around when she heard her footsteps. "Oh, Detective Kyoko. Thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice."
"Should I assume this is about the case you gave me through Takumi? I'm afraid I don't have much progress to report."
"No, this is something else. Think of it as a request."
"Is this about what happened here the other day? Kamishiro Enterprise seems to be covering up some claims made of "monsters attacking EDEN".
"…I'm surprised you found that out."
Kyoko put a hand at her chin. "The incident apparently happened around the same time one of my assistants became the first victim of this "EDEN Syndrome". Seems rather odd to be a coincidence."
"You really are a detective." Yuuko slowly walked to the side. "We were here in Kawloon during that incident. Yuugo…Arata…Nokia…Takumi…Ami…and I."
"Oh? So did you see any of these "monsters" that attacked this area?"
"…Tell me…Have you heard of the Digital Monster app game?"
"Sure. It's pretty popular. Sadly, I don't have the time for such things, but my Watsons are really into it."
"…What if I told you…there is more to these Digital Monsters then this world knows?"
Kyoko kept her eyes trailed on Yuuko's back. "…Go on."
"What if I were to tell you, Ami's EDEN Syndrome is connected to them? What if I were to tell you, there was an incident that involved all of Tokyo that all but six people forgot?"
"Interesting. Care to elaborate on this incident?"
Yuuko took a deep breath. It was now or never. "Before I say…" She finally turned around to look at Kyoko. "Do you know why Takumi and Ami agreed to work for you?"
"They said they were interested." Kyoko replied. "I have to admit they both proved adapt for this kind of work, so I never pressed them for details. …Although…" Yuuko stared at Kyoko as she trailed off. "It's odd. When I first met those two, I couldn't shake the feeling that I've meet them somewhere before."
"You have."
Kyoko gave her a confused look. "…Pardon?"
"Kyoko…Takumi, Ami, Yuugo, Arata, Nokia and I have been keeping a deep secret to ourselves. The reason why we've been doing so is because we knew nobody would believe us if we told anyone. But right now, we need your help, and you won't be able to help us unless you know the truth. That's why I'm going to tell you everything. Some of it may sound illogical…maybe even insane. But I swear to you it is all the honest truth. So, I need you to believe me. …No, not just me. I need you to also believe Takumi and Ami, who have witnessed this truth with us. Can you do that?"
Kyoko couldn't help but notice the level of seriousness coming from Yuuko, judging from her tone, to her expression, to her posture. "I promise to hear you out. But as a detective, I cannot just believe anything someone tells me without evidence."
"I thought you might say that." Yuuko said. "Very well. I will show you my evidence before I tell you everything." She looked up. "You can come out now."
Kyoko looked around. "You brought someone?"
"Greetings, Detective." Kyoko looked up to the sound of a voice. Her eyes for the first time in a while widened in shock at what she saw. Rapidmon Armor, BlackWarGreymon, and Dorugoramon slowly descended to the ground in front of her. "Feels like a lifetime, doesn't it?" the armored Digimon asked.
Kyoko took a step back. "What…IS this…?"
BlackWarGreymon chuckled. "This is the first time I've seen such a surprised look on your face. It's honestly pretty satisfying."
"These are Takumi's Digimon." Yuuko said. "Now then, Kyoko Kuremi…" She looked at her with serious eyes. "Let me tell you a story that intertwined your fate with that of Takumi and Ami."
On the weekend, with no class to attend to, Takumi sat on his bed, scrolling through pictures of him and his family through an old album. There was a picture of him, and Ami being held in their mother and father's arms. Another showed them celebrating their sixth birthday. Eventually Takumi's father was no longer in the pictures. The last one he looked at showed him, Ami, Arata, Nokia, Yuuko and Yuuko, after he and his sister woke up from their coma thanks to their Digimon. There was a knock on the door. "Yes?"
Yukino opened the door. "Takumi? Oh, you're looking at the album."
"Yeah, just…going through it. What's up?"
"I'm going to run some errands…I might visit Ami on the way back. I'll be back in the afternoon."
"Okay." Yukino left his son alone with his thoughts. Then his Digivice rang. After Sakura convinced him to pick up his mother's call, he decided it would be best to answer in case it was something important. He put his goggles on. "Hello?"
"Hello Takumi."
The boy was slightly surprised. "Kyoko?"
"Sorry to bother you when I told you to take some time off, but can you come over to the agency as soon as you can? I need to talk to you about something important."
"Uh, sure. I'll head over now, just give me a few minutes."
"Thank you. I'll be waiting."
Takumi hung up and closed the album before walking out of his room to put it away.
Takumi heard the bell ring as he stepped inside the office. Kyoko was already at the couch with a pot of coffee. "Ah, there you are. Please, have a seat."
Takumi sat down on the other couch. "Did you call me in for a case?"
"Not exactly." Kyoko replied. "Oh, before I forget…" She took something out from under the table and put it next to the coffee cups.
Takumi looked at it. "Is that…mayonnaise?"
"Yes. I remember seeing you and Ami having it with your coffee that day."
"Oh yeah…" Takumi picked up the bottle. "When we…first met you."
"No." Kyoko took a quick sip of her coffee. "It was not the first. I just didn't know it at the time."
Takumi paused and looked at her. "…Huh?"
Kyoko put the cup down. "The other day…Yuuko Kamishiro contacted me."
"Yuuko?"
"Yes. She asked me to come to Kawloon. She said she had a request for me…it was there when she introduced me to some friends of yours."
"Who? Arata and Nokia?"
"No." Kyoko looked at him right in the eye. "Your Digimon who helped you save this world."
Takumi felt a shock run through his body as it froze on him. After a brief silence he put on his goggles. It showed his Digimon through the lenses. "Guys…"
"While you were with your mother in the hospital visiting Ami, the three of us had a talk with the others." Rapidmon Armor said.
"Takumi, this isn't you." BlackWarGreymon said. "When all of you remembered the truth about the incident eight years ago, was it not you who said we needed to make the choice to not let regret and sadness bind us down? To live for the future? Why are you not saying that now?"
Doraguramon spoke up next. "Seeing you like this is…It's just all wrong. We need you to get ahold of yourself. Your sister needs you to get ahold of yourself. But ever since what happened everyone trying to help you either gets ignored or pushed away. So, we took it upon ourselves to contact the one person who might get through to you."
"But first that person had to fully understand the situation." Rapidmon Armor said. "So, we…we told Kyoko everything. How she became the vessel for Alphamon. How she took you and Ami in after you both lost your bodies…and everything that happened from that point forward. Including the situation in the Digital World now and what happened to Ami."
Takumi didn't know what to say. "Takumi." He lifted his goggles to look at Kyoko again. "I'll level with you. Hearing all of this was…overwhelming. And hard to believe. I probably wouldn't have believed any of it had Yuuko not brought your Digimon. Honestly…part of me still doesn't comprehend it all."
"Kyoko…"
"But let me tell you what I do understand. What happened back there wasn't your fault. There was no way you could have been prepared for what happened. That being said I know you can't help but feel responsible for it. Just as you and Ami blame yourselves for bringing Eaters into the Digital World. That's just who you are. But what exactly have you accomplished by wallowing over tragedies?"
"…!"
"You can continue to blame yourself all you want, but it won't solve anything. And I can understand how nobody's condolence has made much effort on you. They can sympathize. Maybe in some cases empathize. But the only one who can truly understand your suffering is…you." Kyoko glanced away. "That's what compels you to ignore others. It's easy to dwell on loss and stay in your dark corner and ignore the world around you. Trust me, I know. The only way to get out of there is to look ahead. All others can really do is reach out a hand. But it's up to you whether or not you take it and step back into the light, or stay trapped in that dark corner forever. All I can tell you is that only one choice is going to help your sister. And yourself."
Takumi looked at his hand.
"Hey, big bro?"
In EDEN during a demo, a child Takumi looked at his sister. "Ami, I'm not your big bro, we're twins, remember?"
"But you were born first. So that makes you my big bro! So, if something happens during this EDEN thing, you'll come help me, right?"
Takumi held her little hand in his. "Of course, I will. I made daddy a promise, remember?"
Takumi closed his eyes and clenched his hand. Kyoko folded her arms. "So, tell me Watson. When the time comes to act…when you do find a lead to help Ami and uncover the truth, what will you do? Will you stay behind in the dark? Or…"
Takumi stood up and took a deep breath. "I'll find Ami. I'll kick the Next Order's ass. I'll save the Digital World and learn the truth that's waiting for us."
Kyoko smiled. "Looks like you're ready to come out of the corner."
Takumi smiled. "Kyoko…thank you. Even as Alphamon, you were our crutch during the darkest times. If Ami and I never met, you…I don't know where we'd be."
Kyoko laughed. "From what I was told, it's you kids who have been a great deal of support for me. It sounds like you got to remember a most fascinating case we solved together. I'll admit, I'm rather envious of you."
Takumi chuckled. He heard his Digivice ping and put it back on. "Thanks guys. I needed this."
Rapidmon Armor nodded. "That's what friends are for, yes?"
"Does this mean our partner who we can count on is back?" BlackWarGreymon asked.
"Yeah. Sorry about that."
"You don't need to apologize." Dorugoramon replied. "Just keep that head held up high. Without you, the three of us don't amount to much."
"Now that that's out of the way…" Kyoko said. "Let us discuss what the next move is. When I spoke with those Digimon and Yuuko, they told me about their plan. Please put your Digimon through so we can discuss this together."
Takumi pressed a button on his goggles, and it projected a screen he and Kyoko could both see showing his Digimon. "Kyoko, I cannot thank you enough for this." Rapidmon Armor said.
"Taking care of him is just another one of my responsibilities as his boss and mentor. Think nothing of it. Now then, let's discuss what your friends have been working on."
Rapidmon Armor nodded. "Takumi, if you recall, before the attack we were discussing how to get to the Digital World."
"That's right. You said you had a plan."
"We do." BlackWarGreymon replied. "Before we left, a friend of ours put trackers on our data. He's monitoring our movements even now. Once we send a signal, he was going to help guide us as we use Kuzuhamon's power to open the hole in the walls between our worlds again, and we'll follow that power to get back to the Digital World safely."
"But Kuzuhamon chased after Ami with her other Digimon and is now on the other side. So how do we-
"Oh, there's a way." Dorugoramon grinned. "Craniamon isn't the only Royal Knight with the power to open space between dimensions. Omegamon has that ability too."
"Really?!"
"But unlike Craniamon, his ability to do so is far more limited and less stable. He can't keep it opened for very long. That's why we need our friend's power to guide us, so we don't get lost and to keep it open long enough for us to make the trip. We don't want to get stuck in between worlds because the door slammed shut on us like it did UlforceVeedramon."
"Kuzuhamon's power would have been more ideal for this." Rapidmon Armor said. "Her magic is far more stable then Omegamon punching holes in the wall. But it's our only remaining option. It should suffice, but we need one more thing for this to work."
"What's that?" Takumi asked.
"Human Mental Data is far more fragile than us Digimon. The gate Suedou made when we rescued Yuugo was specifically designed to support humans as well as Digimon, but…sadly his secrets disappeared with him."
"But all's not lost." BlackWarGreymon said. "We just need your EDEN Avatars to be enhanced so they can survive the trip. When we were pondering how to do so, Samudramon remembered something useful in this world. Beneath Roppongi, there is a special facility owned by Kamishiro."
Takumi's eyes widened. "The Roppongi Underground Center!"
Kyoko smiled. "I'm given to understand you went there before during this "previous reality". There's a special EDEN terminal down there. One that Yuuko Kamishiro was literally strapped down to for Crusadermon's plans to open a gate before."
"You mean…"
"That's right." Rapidmon said. "The very same one Yuuko used to become Zaxon's Yuugo."
"Of course, that avatar didn't just alter Yuuko's appearance but her personality too! That terminal has to be special!"
"And according to Samudramon, it's all thanks to that special terminal." BlackWarGreymon replied. "After what happened in Kawloon we gave the Kamishiro siblings the data we developed to modify the machine for enhancing your avatars. They convinced their father to get to work on it."
"You guys already started? Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"For two reasons." Dorugoramon replied. "The main one being, whenever we tried to talk to you, you wouldn't answer our calls."
Takumi looked down. "And secondly…" Kyoko added. "If you had found out about this with the state of mind you were in who knows how you would react or what you would do. The Digital World is at war right now. If you were to save it or Ami, your friends needed you to be at your best."
"That's why it was so important to us that you regained your confidence and composure." Rapidmon Armor said. "Now that you've got all that back, you're ready to make the trip to the Digital World."
Takumi nodded. "Right. I have to do this."
"Yuuko and Yuugo are already down there. They said Arata and Nokia are going to come by to see it. I'll take you there too, but first…" Kyoko poured a cup of Coffee. "I can't have you starting a case without a cup of coffee."
Takumi smiled and picked up the bottle of mayonnaise. "Thanks boss."
Just outside the agency, a teenager with a blue coat was listening at the door. "The Roppongi Underground Center…" He then ran off.
Takumi did want to finish his coffee quickly so he could leave for Roppongi ASAP, but he knew how important coffee time was at the agency and savored it like he always did. As soon as he was done, he and Kyoko go in her car and headed out. They reached the city and made their way to the Roppongi Underground Center. Takumi was surprised that there wasn't any security or even any staff at the entrance to the underground center. "This area looks like it's been abandoned. And it looks different from the rout I took to get to the center before." Takumi said. "Are we sure we're in the right place?"
Takumi put on his goggles when he heard them ring. "Don't forget Takumi, back then the Digital Shift was distorting space on that path making it shorter." Dorugoramon explained. "If we tried going that way, it'd be a long walk. Hence why Kyoko drove us to a closer entrance to the lab."
"Oh, right."
They came to an elevator and Kyoko pressed the button. After a short wait it came up and they stepped inside. Takumi was slightly fidgeting as it went down. Kyoko chuckled at him. "Nervous? Or is this the caffeine getting to you?"
Takumi noticed he was slightly shaking and took a deep breath. "Very funny." As Kyoko laughed the elevator door opened. A hall was ahead, and they started walking.
"It should be just ahead." Kyoko said as they started walking.
Takumi looked around the tunnel they were in. "Yeah. This looks more familiar."
Kyoko heard the elevator door close, then she stopped when she heard it go back up. When Takumi noticed she was falling behind he turned around. "What's wrong?"
Kyoko stared at the elevator for a bit longer. "…Nothing. Sorry about that. Let's get going. Everyone is waiting."
In a wide room underground, Yuuko, Yuugo, Arata and Nokia were watching as a man with black hair instructed a bunch of workers. "Thank you so much for doing all of this father." Yuugo said.
The man smiled. "If someone is suffering as a result of my dream to unite the world with EDEN, I cannot turn a blind eye. Especially not if the person in question is a friend of my daughter and son." He glanced away and sighed. "…Is there really nothing I can say to either of you to change your minds?"
Yuuko shook her head. "I'm sorry father, but I won't back down. I can't. I need to do this."
"We're the ones who put the Digital World through hell." Yuugo said. "So, we owe it to them to help out. Besides, we're the only ones who remember Digimon, we're the only ones qualified for this task."
Satoru sighed. "Fate can be cruel. An accident eight years ago is still haunting you…even though you were just children."
"That's no excuses." Yuuko replied. "Besides, Takumi and Ami decided to take responsibility of their actions. We owe it to them to do the same."
"…Takumi and Ami sound like they're pretty dependable."
"They are." Arata said. "But they can be a little too soft for their own good."
"Yeah, they also did some pretty stupid things." Nokia added. "I mean, I guess their hearts were in the right place, but…"
Satoru smiled. "They're those kinds of people huh? Well, don't be too hard on the kids for it. I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree."
"Huh?" Yuugo looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Arata heard footsteps coming from the tunnel. "Someone's coming."
"Did Kyoko do it?" Nokia asked.
Soon Takumi and Kyoko came into view. The stepped into the large room. Takumi spotted his friends and smiled. "Hey guys!"
"Takumi!" Yuuko hurried over with Yuugo, Arata and Nokia close behind. "Are you alright now?"
Arata smiled. "Judging by that peppy look, I'm assuming Kyoko got you out of your funk."
"Yeah." He scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn't have let you guys see me like that. I worried everyone again, didn't I?"
"I'll say, you could have at least answered our calls you jerk!" Nokia pouted.
"Sorry…I guess I've kinda been a pain for you guys the last couple of days, huh? I'll make up for it, I swear."
Yuugo smiled. "Hey, you're here now, that's all we need."
Yuuko looked down. "You don't need to apologize or make up for anything Takumi. You were depressed, devastated over having someone precious torn from you and left in EDEN Syndrome, I know how that feels. Nobody should criticize you for being upset, least of all me."
"Maybe." Takumi replied. "But that's no excuse for shutting myself off from those who put their faith in me. I let my depression blind me from the importance of moving forward." He smiled at everyone. "I'm not going to let that happen again. I'll save Ami by acting. Not dwelling in the dark."
Yuuko smiled at Kyoko. "I'm glad we turned to you for help. Thank you, Kyoko."
"He's my responsibility." The detective replied. "Just part of my job."
"Thanks for everything guys." Takumi replied.
"I had to do something." Yuuko replied. "I didn't want you getting depressed over your sister the way I was when Yuugo was in that position. We all care about you Takumi. You're there for us when we need you so of course we'll do the same for you."
"Aww, come on Yuuko, you're probably the happiest out of all of us here!" Nokia grinned before giving Takumi a sly look. "She's always been the first to ask how you were doing Takumi, you had her worried the most~!"
Yuuko's face grew red. "I-it wasn't that! We need Takumi to pull this off and we couldn't count on him if he was acting like a depressed wreck!" She heard snickering. "F-Father! Yuugo! It's not what you think!"
"Oh, sure, sure." Satoru grinned. He then approached. "Takumi Aiba, Kyoko Kuremi, welcome. Thank you for coming."
"It's nice to meet you sir." Takumi said. "Kyoko got me up to speed with the plan. Thanks for helping us."
"From what I'm told by my kids and Samudramon, I owe you and your sister such. Besides, I can't let anyone suffer because of EDEN. I'll do whatever I can to help. Now then, if I may direct your attention to the new terminal…"
They all approached the end of the room, and the sounds of chatter and construction grew louder. On the wall were a bunch of monitors and a familiar machine Takumi knew too well. Seeing it did bring back bad memories of a horrifying situation Yuuko was put in. He saw a bunch of people working on it. Two were holding blueprints, some were carrying parts in and out, a few had computers linked to the machine. "So, this is the special terminal?" Kyoko asked.
"Correct." Satoru replied. "This was actually the original EDEN Terminal."
"The first one, huh?" Arata asked. "Why keep it around all the way down here though?"
Satoru sighed. "I've been told by many that it would be best to dispose of it, but…I couldn't bring myself to do so. It holds many memories of a deceased friend of mine."
"Oh…"
"In any case, as it is the first EDEN Terminal, it has the strongest connection to the server. It will be easier to modify it so it can update your avatars." Satoru folded his arms. "Digimon…the Digital World…a changed reality where I was killed…I honestly am still trying to wrap my head around it all."
"I'm just glad you're willing to believe us, sir." Takumi replied.
"Well, it helps that the story came from Yuuko and Yuugo. Those two are the most honest people I know. They wouldn't make something up. Yuuko also introduced me to her Digimon. Samudramon's behavior is far too emotional to be some form of A.I or program."
"What's your take on Digimon Mr. Kamishiro?" Nokia asked.
"Well, it's hard to say as I only ever met one. But from what I learned from Samudramon, they are indeed fascinating beings. If the Digital World was not in discord right now, I would have loved to go on an expedition of it."
"I hear the two of you hit it off rather well."
Satoru smiled. "He seemed like an honorable and kind Digimon. Yuuko told me how he went to great lengths to protect her when I couldn't."
"He's basically her Yojimbo." Arata grinned.
"Ha, ha, ha! Well, I suppose he is dressed for the part, isn't he? In any case…" Satoru looked at Takumi, Nokia, Arata, Yuuko, and Yuugo. "The five of you plus Ami. All of you were the only ones to remember what happened regarding Digimon and Eaters, yes?"
"Yeah. Nobody else." Takumi replied. "It's kind of sad to be honest…I felt there were plenty of people and Digimon that were getting along."
"Hiding this must have been stressful." Kyoko said.
"It was." Takumi admitted. "But we at least had each other to talk about it with."
"Well, once we finish with programming, we just need to include the terminal with four extra seats so all of you can log into it." Satoru said. "It should take no longer than a week. Then you can all go to the Digital World. You can find Ami and do whatever it is you believe you must."
"Thanks." Takumi clenched his fist. "I'll find Ami and stop K and Leopardmon. I won't let them cause any more suffering!"
"You never change." Yuugo said. "Even back then in the demo you and Ami always worried about others more than you do yourselves."
"You were like that when you and Ami met your first Digimon. You rushed into danger to protect them." Yuuko said.
"I can't just ignore other people in need." Takumi said. "I'd rather let myself get hurt then suffer the regret of letting bad things happen to good people while I did nothing."
Satoru stared at Takumi's determined face. He then smiled slightly. "You're just like your father."
The five teens looked at him in surprise. "What?" Yuuko gasped.
Takumi stared at him in shock. "…My father? You knew him?"
Satoru nodded. "Indeed, I did. Takiyo Aiba was a good man with a strong sense of justice. And one of the key players in bringing EDEN to existence."
"What? Wait a minute, my dad didn't work for Kamishiro, he was a researcher studying cognitive science!"
"Cogni…what now?" Nokia asked.
Arata rolled his eyes. "I'd explain it to you, but I think you'll just fall asleep again."
"Well, if you're the one explaining it, I bet I would!"
"Now, now." Yuugo tried to get his friends to calm down.
"Cognition is the action of processing knowledge through thought, experiences, and senses. It's very vital for the human brain when experiencing different things." Satoru explained. "Seeing as the purpose of EDEN was to set the mind free and have one experience what you could not in this "real world" we live in, we required a better understanding on cognition. So, I went to one of the best facilities in the field in this country and asked for their cooperation. Their response was sending me one of their best researchers to join our EDEN project."
"And that was Takumi and Ami's father?" Yuugo asked.
Satoru nodded. "Takiyo was more than eager to help. He told me that his reason for cognition research was because he wanted to understand how to make people happy and help them overcome their most difficult experiences. Just as I wanted to make EDEN so people can be happy and never feel alone. He helped us with envisioning what an experience in EDEN should be like. Different from reality, but not alien. Unique, but familiar. Exciting, but not frightening."
"I…I had no idea." Takumi murmured.
Satoru looked at him. "You remind me so much of Takiyo. Whenever he saw someone in need, he wasted no time in helping them. Even if they were a stranger. And no matter what challenge he faced, he kept his head high and showed an unstoppable force of will. I was proud to have such a wise, kindhearted, and determined man to help me. Sadly, it wasn't long after he joined us before that tragic accident…"
Takumi looked at the glove on his right hand solemnly. "Father…"
"So, this deceased friend who you've been keeping this old terminal around for…" Yuuko said.
"Was Takiyo." Satoru sighed. "I am so sorry Takumi… I truly wish I could have done something to prevent it. To be honest another reason why I agreed to this is so I can help you and your sister. EDEN wouldn't be what it is now without your father. If I can help his children who he loved so much…maybe I can at least repay his kindness in part."
"Mr. Kamishiro…thank you."
Kyoko smiled. "Your father sounds like quite the interesting man. Wish I could have met him."
"Yeah." Takumi smiled. "I wish he could have met you too. My dad taught me and Ami the importance of being happy no matter what. Him passing away was hard for us…but we knew he'd want us to move on live our lives to the fullest."
"I guess that explains why you and Ami are always so quick to smile." Nokia said.
Everyone was silent for a moment. "In any case, preparations will be done before next week." Saturo said. "I would advise the five of you to consider what you want to say to your families. I…doubt they will fully be able to understand the truth of the situation. And if they do believe it, it may be difficult for them to accept you going on this dangerous task…"
"Yeah, I was thinking the same." Arata said. "Honestly it might be best I don't tell them anything…"
"Arata, you can't just not say anything to your family before you go." Yuugo said. "We don't even know how long we'll be gone for."
"Well, it's unlikely they'll believe me if I do tell them the truth, and if they somehow do, I doubt they'll just nod their heads and say yes."
"Hmmm…" Saturo put a hand on his chin. "What if I told them that I invited you all to beta test a new update we have planned for EDEN after winning a raffle? It'll be tricky, but I might be able to convince your schools to accept your absence."
"It might work." Kyoko said. She then glanced behind her. "By the way…you said you were making seats for four more to be able to log into that terminal, yes?"
"That's right. Why do you ask?"
"Is there any chance you could make it six seats in total?"
Everyone looked at her. "Six?" Yuuko asked.
"Wait…are you planning to come with us?" Takumi asked.
Kyoko shook her head. "As much as I would like to, I shouldn't. I don't have a Digimon like you."
Yuugo shrugged. "Neither do I. Yet I'm still going."
"Wait, that's right!" Nokia looked at Yuugo. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Maybe you should stay here." Arata said. "If what happened before repeats itself I…"
"No. I appreciate the thought, but I made up my mind." Yuugo said. "I'm involved in this too. Besides, we agreed we're going together, didn't we?"
"You still have experience that I lack." Kyoko said. "I'm afraid I just might end up slowing you guys down."
Takumi turned to her. "That's not true! Ami and I rely on your insight, all of us do! You'd be a great deal of support!"
Kyoko put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "I appreciate the faith you put in me kid, but let's face it, this is out of my field of expertise. I'm afraid you're going to have to get through this one without me. Don't worry, you and Ami haven't solved all those cases since you started working for me just because you had my help."
"So, why do we need an extra seat?" Yuuko asked.
"Why don't we ask our uninvited guest?"
"Huh?"
Kyoko turned to the tunnel. "I know you're back there. You've been following me and my assistant for the last little while haven't you?"
Hiding in the darkness against a wall, a teen with black hair and a blue coat gasped. Takumi looked at the tunnel. "What? Is someone there?! Were they listening in?!"
Arata stepped forward. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
There was a bit of hesitation before a sigh. "Guess, I'm not as good at this as I thought…" The teenager stepped out of the tunnel and into the light. He had a visor around his neck and his coat had a print of wings on the back. "Uh…hi."
Takumi, Arata, Nokia and Yuuko were taken aback. "Keisuke?! What are you doing here?!" they all asked in sync. The four then looked at each other in even greater surprise. "Wait, you guys know him?!" they asked in sync again.
Yuugo looked at him. "He's the guy from back then…"
"Well, this is an interesting development." Kyoko said. "So, how much did you hear?"
"I heard enough." Keisuke said before looking at the five other teens in the room. "You guys are going to the Digital World, right?"
They all looked at each other. "Uh…" Takumi murmured.
"The Digital World…that's where she is."
Everyone looked at him. "What?" Yuuko murmured.
"What's more is you guys remember everything that happened with Digimon…All this time I thought I was the only one."
There was a pause. "Wait…say that again?" Arata asked.
"Keisuke…Do you remember everything that happened as well?!" Nokia gapped.
The boy nodded. "Digimon, Eaters, the mess in Tokyo, all of it. But nobody else seems to. Ryuji, Chitose, Yu, all of them have forgotten…"
Aaaaaand that's all for now. I think it was no real secret to those who played Hacker's memory that Keisuke was involved. Now that this is uploaded, I'm gonna change the title image for this story. My plan is to update it little by little as things unfold. Next week our friends learn of Keisuke's story.