Digimon Fusion Ascendancy
Act X: AlphaNova X
Chapter LXXXI: Settling Differences
Digiverse/Planet Vampa
After being sent to their home world, Kenji and DORUmon resumed their lives. However, they haven't forgotten about their grand battle against Omega X and Metalla X. Kenji, though, felt guilt over what happened with his father. He was left to believe his power was what killed his father. Never mind the fact that unbeknownst to him Burizalor was the one who murdered Brakus.
Not long after being sent back to Vampa, Kenji and DORUmon reunited with Cheelaimon and Lemomon, who came back with food and supplies. Having withdrawn from the Burizalor Forces, Cheelaimon and Lemomon decided to live with Kenji and DORUmon, even if it meant tolerating insect food.
"You're kidding, are you? Is this what you've been surviving on?" Cheelaimon asked, poking her finger into slimy goo dripping out of a broken giant appendage. She tasted it, making her contort with disgust. "Ick, it's bitter, but I guess it's better than starving to death." She glanced over to Lemomon. "Have you tried it yet?"
After tasting some, Lemomon gagged. "Ugh, nope! Count me out!"
"You won't be saying that for long. We only brought enough food to last us 50 days or so," she reminded them of their supply shortage.
Suddenly, Kenji and DORUmon sensed a presence near them outside a cavern mouth. They turned and heard footsteps approach them. Standing their ground, Kenji and DORUmon took defensive stances.
"Somebody's here, Kenji," DORUmon warned him.
"Yeah, you two get behind us," Kenji asked Cheelaimon and Lemomon.
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Friendship with Broly)
"Hey, can we come in?!" A voice called out to them. When Kenji and the others saw who it was, Tai, Agumon, Max, and Gojiramon walked over to them.
"Hey, who are you guys?" Agumon asked Cheelaimon and Lemomon.
"They look like Buriza Force guys. Give me the go to take 'em out, Max!" Gojiramon said before Max called him off.
"No need. They're not enemies," Max said.
"Hey, it's you humans that we saw on that world we left!" Cheelaimon recalled.
"You're the guys from the Burize Force who used our Digicores," Tai smirked.
"What are you doing on Vampa?" Lemomon scowled.
"Hey, Kenji. Are these guys your friends now?" Tai approached the tall Ascendant, who was taken aback by his friendly personality.
"Hey, man! I'm talking to you! I asked you a question!" The ex-Buriza Force elder spat out.
"Hey, now. No need to lose it, old dude," the Bearer of Courage replied.
"Yeah, we're not here to fight anyone! Honest to Huanglongmon!" Agumon nodded.
"Or, Azulongmon," Gojiramon muttered.
"You better start talking then," Cheelaimon demanded, cautiously eyeing the newcomers.
"We heard your living conditions on this planet are pretty bad, so we came here with a solution to accommodate you," Max offered.
"We brought you some good stuff here," Tai added, taking out a backpack.
"Who said we need your help?! Go away! I'm not going to let you trick Kenji!" Cheelaimon retorted defensively, eliciting nervous chuckling from Tai and Agumon.
"Ok, look. Let's not arouse any suspicions. We do come here in peace," Max said as he opened the backpack. He took out a small box and opened it, revealing some capsules. "I had some friends whip up these capsules. We use these on survival trips, so we thought you could use some."
"Yep, you can thank our friends Izzy, Ken, Yolei, and Sam Jr. for modifying these," Tai said as he tossed a capsule, which exploded into a giant cloud of smoke. Out of this veil of smoke, a small dome-shaped house appeared, which astounded Kenji, DORUmon, and the aliens.
"In here you'll have food, water, and other necessities," Max explained.
"Go on and have a look yourselves," Tai added.
When the aliens walked inside, they saw a newly furnished housing with a dining room, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and two bedrooms.
"And these are Digi-Vitamins. You'll need these to keep your strength up," Tai said, taking out a small box of multi-colored vitamins.
"Only take one if you feel like 'Yikes I'm going to die!'" Agumon said.
"They're no good with illnesses, but they can instantly heal battle injuries and replenish your strength," the Bearer of Courage pointed out.
"What are you all scheming here?" Cheelaimon scoffed, not buying into their generosity.
"It's nothing like that! We just want you to live healthy lives!" Tai replied.
"Why?!" The aliens spat.
"I was so sure our powers were at their peak after my friends and I fought this omniversal psychopath. I was brought back down to earth after losing this power I bargained to use. But, then this guy here showed up and helped bring things to perspective. He's stronger than me and he's an Ascendant just like me and my friends," Tai said, glancing over toward Kenji, who was hesitant to look at him. "Hey listen. I know we started on the wrong foot, but I can tell you're not a bad guy."
"He could be stronger than Lord Beerusmon," Agumon wondered.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far," Gojiramon said. "Right, Max?"
"Maybe, but who knows? With time, he could," Max speculated.
"Who is this Beerusmon?" DORUmon queried.
"He's a God of Destruction, one of the strongest Digi-Deities in the Digiverse," answered Agumon.
"What?! You're friends with someone like that?!" DORUmon exclaimed in disbelief.
"Who the heck are you people?" Lemomon was confounded.
"It'd be a shame to let someone like Kenji die on this planet," Tai said. "I mean, who would I train against?" As he said this, he noticed he elicited a composed smile from Kenji.
"We thought why not bring Kenji and you guys to our world? Well, because Burizalor knows where we live and he can come to our world anytime. However, he hasn't ventured as far into this side of the Digiverse yet. We're monitoring his movements. Those are the perks of my being a part-time Watcher these days," Max forewarned Kenji and his group.
"So, you guys have all you need. Take care of yourselves," Tai said as he and his friends walked out of the cavern.
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - I'm Kakarot)
"Hey, where's your ship?" Lemomon noticed a lack of space transportation. "How did you get all the way to this planet?"
"We tracked Kenji's Ki here and I teleported us here using Instant Movement," Tai answered.
"I don't understand a single thing you've told us this whole time," Cheelaimon remarked.
"Is it ok if we come back here again?" Agumon asked her.
"Just so you know, we still view you as enemies, right?" Cheelaimon reminded them of their rocky relationship. "We're out of the Buriza Forces, but we're not going to befriend any of you anytime soon. Got that?"
Tai nodded. "That's fine. That doesn't matter to us either way."
She asked in bewilderment. "It doesn't?"
"Just one condition, you let me come and fight Kenji every now and then. There's plenty I want to teach him if he's interested," Tai said, noticing Kenji smiling with every word he was saying.
"Are you just dense?" Cheelaimon asked.
"C'mon, be nice," Agumon said.
"But, I guess we should be grateful. Thanks," Cheelaimon said, giving them a wink and an okie-dokie sign.
"Fair enough. We'll be leaving now," Max nodded.
"Bye for now. We'll be back again," Tai said as he and Agumon waved to the group, especially Kenji and DORUmon.
"You realize we might not even be here when you return," Lemomon said.
"No problem. As long as you're not too far away, I'll track you," Tai said.
"And some of us have good eyes. I'll be keeping tabs back on Other World," Max stated, reminding them about his Watcher status.
"Hey, wait. What do we call you all?" Cheelaimon asked them.
"I'm Max Kamiya and this is my partner Gojiramon."
Gojiramon waved. "Nice to meet you all Glad we're on good terms!"
Agumon added. "And I'm Agumon! The guy over here is my partner, Taichi Kamiya!"
"Or, just call me Tai for short, ok?" Tai smiled as he and his group teleported away with Instant Movement, leaving Kenji and his friends to ruminate over what they talked about.
"Tai, huh? I'll remember that," Kenji smirked.
(End theme)
D3 Headquarters/Other World
After leaving Vampa, the group returned to meet with the D3s and Simms.
"I take it everything went well, brother?" BW asked Max, who nodded.
"Yeah, we'll be monitoring Planet Vampa for the foreseeable future. We can't let Burizalor get anywhere near Kenji," Max firmly stated.
"Don't worry, we won't let that happen," Sam added.
"We have to get stronger ourselves. Burizalor's adapting to new forms. Having seen and fought him briefly, I know I can't fall behind," Keke said.
"Yeah, since that jerk learned he can just train, he's gonna be a major pain in the ass," Tike stated.
"We'll train hard if not harder!" Kara boasted.
"Um, I don't think we'll ever catch up to this level, guys," David said as Kara pulled him into a hug.
"Let's have faith in ourselves, ok, my sweet David?" Kara said, causing David to blush and nod feverishly.
"We have plenty of time to train and catch up," Max said as he turned over to BW. "You'll have time to train with me, right? Unless you need to spend free time with Rena?"
"No, it's fine. She understands," BW replied.
"And I'll be here whenever you need a training partner, Max," Keke said, tapping his shoulder and giving him an ardent look.
Max took her hands and kissed her. "Anytime I'm available, babe."
"All right, guys. We're about to head out," Tai waved to the D3s. "Let me know anything about Kenji."
"Will do, Tai," Simms replied.
"Let's go home, Agumon," the Bearer of Courage said.
"I'm ready to sleep!"
"Me, too, Agumon."
Dimension: Zenomnimon's Palace
After growing bored playing with planetary-like orbs on a board, the Omni King and his future counterpart stared in boredom. Playing the same game became a monotonous pastime. They wanted something more. They wanted real pieces to play with. They wanted an audience to watch their pieces at play.
"I'm bored. How about you, future me?"
"Yep, this is boring now."
GranWhismon the Grand Priest overheard their exchange and addressed their dilemma.
"Perhaps you'd like to announce that survival game you both were proposing?" He asked his superiors.
Zenomnimon nodded in response. "Hmm, yes! I wanna see Taichi and his friends fight the other strong warriors!"
Future Zenomnimon chimed in, equally excited. "Me, too! I wanna see the other universe fighters fight them, too!"
"Well, it has been some time since Zeed X was defeated. The multiverse has had time to recover. I'll pass the message to the Gods of Destruction and their Angel attendants."
The child-like divine beings cheered. "Yay! Let them know right away!"
GranWhismon bowed. "As you wish, my lords. It will be done."
?-?
"Will I ever get out of this containment? It's been millions of digital cycles since I've cast my eyes outside these walls. Lest I forget what an outside world looks like," a deep and gruff tone coming from an older being muttered, having lost count of the days he remembered since being confined in his current imprisonment.
"Perhaps you shall see the light soon."
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Moro (Planet Eater) - HalusaTwin)
Opening his reddish eyes, the older being grunted. "Who speaks?" Clearing his blurred vision, he discerned an intangible entity shrouded with a dark crimson aura and yellow eyes.
"I am RedNovaDemon. Surely you have heard about me?"
"I have, but what do you want with me?"
"I can give you your freedom if you agree to ally with me."
The old being scoffed. "What's in it for me?"
"I can grant you your youth once again."
"How?"
RedNovaDemon chortled malevolently. "With the Crimson Digicores and having your wish granted by CrimsonStardramon. I know where the Digicores are."
Having heard RedNovaDemon's offer, the ancient being's features curved into an insidious grin. "Yes, you've piqued my interest, RedNovaDemon."
"Then, consider this the beginning of our unholy alliance. I shall break you out of your confinement, Moromon."
'Moromon' chortled maliciously. "Moromon? I haven't gone by that name in ages… you may simply call me Moro." With that, a red glow passed over from RedNovaDemon and enveloped the prisoner, who basked in its sinister and warm malevolent light.
With RedNovaDemon's power coursing through him, Moromon unleashed dual rays of destructive power that destroyed his confines, causing the security alarm to alert the guards. When the guards arrived, they quickly and relentlessly fired a Moromon.
"He's escaped! The prisoner has escaped!" A guard alerted his colleagues.
"Not just any prisoner! He has escaped! The one prisoner that should never see the light of day again!"
RedNovaDemon's voice chortled inside Moromon's mind. "I'll leave your escape in your capable hands. You should be able to sense my presence and locate me. Find me on Planet Nazca. Good luck, Lord Moro."
As an evil cackle escaped his mouth, Moromon emerged from the shadows, briefly unveiling an old goat-like visage with wrinkly blue skin and a thick white beard. His deep red eyes menacingly gazed at the guards firing rounds at him, all of which felt no worse than insect bites to him. With a hand wave, he repelled all of the guards with a weak shockwave. When two other guards fired at him from the left side, he passively drained them of their energy, sucking them dry as their bodies whithered into shriveled husks and lay on the ground. Opening his mouth, Moromon engulfed the data from the dry corpses. He grabbed another guard and effortlessly pinned him into a wall. As the frightened guard wailed, Moromon licked his lips and opened his mouth, sucking out the guard's life energy. Within moments, the guard's body shriveled and dissolved into data, allowing the anthropomorphic goat to devour his life energy.
"Mmm, not bad for an appetizer, but surely there's a bounty of planets filled with life for me to devour. Fine, RedNovaDemon. Let us determine if an unholy alliance will benefit us," Moromon evilly smirked, blasting his way through an interior wall and escaping the prison. As more alarms sounded off, the villainous goat used RedNovaDemon's power to forge a makeshift orb that carried him off into space.
"Alert the Galactic Council! This is a code-red emergency! The infamous planet eater, Moromon, has escaped! I repeat… Moromon has escaped…!"
Having flown far from the satellite prisoner planet, Moromon laughed. "Yes, tremble before me, Digiverse! For I, Moro the planet devourer, am free to consume all!" He then set a direct collision course with RedNovaDemon on Planet Nazca.
(End theme)
Odaiba Prefecture/Kamiya-Takenouichi Residence/December 25, 2023/2:30 PM (JST)
(Cue Wada Kouji - Minna no Christmas)
"One, two, three! Merry Christmas, everyone!" The Digidestined and their friends shouted in unison in front of a decorated Christmas tree. The sound of glasses clanged together and casual conversations filled the room.
"Merry Christmas, little me," X/Max said, leaning over to glance over his infant self in Sora's arms.
"It's the little guy's first Christmas. He won't remember it but let's make it as eventful as we can," Tai added as he gently patted the sleeping child's head.
"Hey, I've got the milk bottle you wanted," Dorothy said, walking in with little Max's baby bottle.
"And I made sure the formula came out exactly right," Avengemon stated.
"I still can't believe I'm seeing myself as a little runt. I don't remember being this small," X chuckled modestly.
"We all don't remember how small we were until we look at our baby pics," Sora said, taking the bottle from Dorothy and feeding the baby some milk.
"By the way, this milk isn't the generic brand you find in your world," X said. "My friends and I were able to make our own special brand made from Bullmon milk. It's more nutritious for a growing child, especially for an Ascendant baby."
"Heh, he's going to grow quickly. I can feel it," Tai said, proudly grinning from ear to ear.
Cradling her infant Dimitri in her arms, Mimi sighed. "And my baby girl is yet to be due. Why is labor so painful, Sora?"
Sora replied with a pained expression. "Because it just is."
"Well, they say labor is only the second worst kind of pain beneath being burned alive," Izzy elaborated.
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING, IZZY!" Mimi screamed.
"I know I'm going to be wearing earmuffs when she starts screaming her head off," Matt sighed. And I can just hear you laughing over our pain, Yamakins.
"May I?" Agumon asked Sora, who gave him little Max to hold. Cradling the baby in his arms, Agumon got a small burp out of the child. "There ya go, little buddy."
Glancing over his shoulder, Tai saw Kari & Gatomon, TK & Patamon, Tike, and Kara walking in next. As she spotted her little nephew, Kari hurried over and greeted him with a loving hug.
"Your aunt Kari is here, little Maxy-poo!" Kari giggled, picking the infant up.
"Maxy-poo?" X shuddered behind his mask.
"Hehe, she can't help it. Sorry, Max," TK apologized.
"Yo, what took ya long to get here, TK and Kari?" Davis asked, giving them both hugs.
"We were wondering if you were going to show up," Ken added.
"Aren't we glad you made it? How are ya?" Yolei said, hugging Kari.
"Good and how was Spain?"
"It was fantastic," Ken answered before Yolei corrected him.
"More like fantastico!" Yolei responded with a bright smile.
"Did she forget you're better with Spanish than she is, Ken?" Wormmon asked to remind him.
"Yes, but she's still learning."
"These two wouldn't stop talking about their Spain trip. Speaking of Europe, I better call Catherine now since I'm meeting her in her country," Sam Jr. said, taking out his phone and walking away to talk in private.
"She's better at it than a lot of us are," Gatomon said.
"With my lawyer job, I've had to start learning other languages since I've gotten a foreign client," Cody informed his friends.
"Sorry, we took so long. We had to stop to get these two fed on the way here. They came by to visit us for Christmas," Kari sighed.
"Hey, we were hungry. Besides, we brought the chicken with us!" Tike said as he and Kara took out a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
"Who wants some fucking chicken, y'all?!" Kara announced.
"Oh, yum! Chicken!" David called out.
Sonja sighed. "Oh joy, I get to watch you kids pig out."
Sitting on Sonja's lap, Calumon sniffed the chicken's aroma. "Mmm, smells delicious!"
Davis chuckled. "David, at least, has some manners. It's those other two who're the real pigs."
"Hey, I eat as much as they can!" Veemon scoffed.
"Come and get some or else we'll eat it all!" Tike and Kara challenged the others to take the KFC chicken from them.
"Give us some!" Most of the Digimon in the room shouted as they chased after Tike and Kara in the kitchen.
"Hey, wait! Get back here, you two!" TK yelled out as he went after ravenous Ascendant kids.
Keke shrugged. "Those two just can't help themselves. Good luck trying, TK."
Just then, BanchoLeomon, Shayla, Jax, Meiko, and Meicoomon walked in to greet Tai and his family.
"Hey, long time, BanchoLeomon," Tai said as he and the lion warrior greeted each other.
"You, too. Merry Christmas."
"Thanks for the invite, Tai. Are y'all doing that white elephant thing again?" Shayla asked.
"We are a little later," Tai answered the ex-space pirate.
"Hey, you even brought along Jax and Meiko?" X noticed the male Artificial and his girlfriend.
"Surprised to see you here, bro. Merry Christmas," Sonja approached him with a hug.
"You, too, sis. Happy Holidays."
"Wait, so who's taking care of the animals on that island?" Tai asked Jax.
"BanchoLeomon sent his Bantyo gang to safeguard the island while we're here," Jax said. "But, trust me. We won't be here too long."
Meiko bowed over to Tai and Sora. "Thank you for inviting us. Please don't be upset if we limit our time here."
Tai genuinely smiled. "Don't worry. We're just glad to have ya."
"Besides, we don't expect everyone to show up," Sora said.
"Oh, then thank you for your hospitality."
"We're not the only guest," Meicoomon said as she pulled Impmon inside the Kamiya home.
"Um, hi. Hope there's room for more?" Impmon asked, twiddling his fingers.
"Don't worry. He'll be on his best behavior," BanchoLeomon reassured Tai. "Lately, he's been coming to me to teach him discipline."
"Impmon? Wow, really? That's great!" Tai said, giving the little imp a thumbs up. "See? I knew you had it in ya!"
"How is learning under BanchoLeomon coming along?" Agumon asked him.
"I… I'm going to be the best discipline I can under him!" Impmon said, bowing to his master.
"He's coming along better than we expected," Shayla stated. "We both used to be Tyrantmon's lackeys and now look at us, we've both turned around for the better."
"That's great to hear. Congrats on your journey, Impmon," X acknowledged the imp's self-improvement efforts.
"Hey, we got more guests coming in," Joe announced as the Signer Guardians walked through the front door, much to the surprise of some of the DigiDestined.
However, Tai welcomed the Signer Guardians with open arms.
"I'm glad you accepted my invite, guys. Make yourselves at home," the Bearer of Courage openly invited the six teens and Tengshe into their household.
"You must be those Signer Guardians that my husband told me about. Please, don't be strangers," Sora also welcomed them.
"It's good to see you all again, Signer Guardians," Kari waved to the group.
"Thanks for having us. We had plenty of time to spend Christmas with our families, so we wanted to give back," Hank said.
"Here. From all of us," Sheila said, putting down a box of Christmas cookies.
"Wow, I can't believe we're meeting the other Chosen," Presto scanned the other Chosen he hadn't even met yet. "I've read the reports of all the incidents involving you all."
"Now, they're grown adults. It's hard to believe they were just kids when they got involved with Digimon," Diana said.
"It's good to meet you all. Yes, we've indeed been bonded with our Digimon for the longest time," Izzy greeted the Signer Guardians.
"It's been that long, my friend. I remember when you were just a pipsqueak," Tentomon said. "Ah, the memories."
"So, you came, too, girl?" Pikkan was heard from the other side of the room. Tengshe recognized the Alterian's voice. When she pivoted toward his way, she saw him sitting with a brunette woman with elven ears.
"Who is she, Pikkan?" Juri asked her Alterian partner.
"Just a colleague. Remember that half-Yuantimon girl I told you about? That's her."
Tengshe's tense glare faded when she bowed. "So, sorry. My name is Tengshe, miss. I've met your boyfriend before and we weren't friendly initially. And I wanted to see you both a Merry Christmas."
Juri genuinely smiled and elbowed Pikkan's side. "Ooo, you didn't tell me you also went for Yuantimon women, Pikkan."
"Are you kidding? That girl is young enough to be my kid sister or my daughter. My love will always be for you, Juri," Pikkan said, grasping Juri's hand lovingly.
"So, where's the food at?" Eric asked, hungrily glancing over the Christmas cookies.
"These cookies are for everyone, Eric. You get only one," Sheila said.
"Fine, fair enough."
"Hey, there's kids here, too," Bobby noticed Tike, Kara, and David walking in chicken plates.
"There's plenty of chicken left behind if you want some!" David announced. "I made sure my friends here didn't gobble them all up."
"That's my boy, David," Davis said.
Just then, BW approached X and whispered. "Hey, Max. Weren't you and Tai going to go visit Kenji and his friends?"
"A little later when everyone leaves," X responded.
"BW, you want to get some food?" Rena approached with an arm around his shoulder.
"Sure thing, babe, but you know I hardly need to eat."
"Don't worry. We'll make sure Kenji and his crew don't miss out on the holiday spirit," Tai reassured X. "Likewise, we'll stop by Beerusmon's world to give him and Whismon some fried chicken."
Overhearing their conversation, Matt interjected. "Yamakins told me he looks forward to testing Kenji's strength. He wants Kenji at his strongest whenever we fight Burizalor again."
"Yeah, but you and I have to get strong as well. I need to unlock Ascendancy Instinct on my own without divine intervention," the Bearer of Courage recognized his next big challenge.
"Yamakins also said he's looking forward to meeting a new goal but taking a different path from Ascendancy Instinct. Whatever that means," Matt added.
"That means you two have your paths ahead of you. Make it count," X advised them.
Tai and Matt both nodded, recognizing the new challenges that awaited ahead for them.
"Who's ready for some Secret Santa?!" Yolei openly announced to everyone.
"Want to see what weird gifts we'll get?" X asked Tai.
"Heh, sure why not?"
Unknown Sector of the Digiverse/Beerusmon's Domain
After they finished celebrating with family and friends, Tai and Agumon arrived using Instant Movement. Accompanying them were Max & Gojiramon and Sora & Biyomon.
"Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Lord Beerusmon and Whismon!" Tai and the group shouted in unison.
"Here's some fried chicken and pound cake for you all to enjoy," Sora presented the Digi-Deities her gifts for them.
"Mmm, this fried chicken smells scrumptious," Whismon whiffed the KFC aroma.
"Make sure and leave me plenty of that fried chicken, Whismon," Beerusmon grunted.
"My wife made the pound cake. I'm sure you'll like it," Tai said.
"I'll be the judge of that. Bring the pound cake over," Beerusmon demanded.
Max removed some of the plastic and handed a plate of pound cake. As the purple cat ate some, his eyes and face lit up with elation.
"Mmm, this is so delicious. I must have more!"
"Help yourself, Lord Beerusmon. It's my first time making it," Sora confessed.
"Your first time?! Whismon, we need Sora to make us pound cake when my belly craves for some!"
Whismon chortled. "Will do." As he tried some of the pound cake, he smiled with satisfaction. "Yes, I must concur. Mrs. Sora, we need you to make plenty of rus."
"I'll do what I can," the Bearer of Love modestly replied, shocked by her culinary skills.
"So, are you training with Tai more these days, Sora?" Beerusmon asked her.
"Yeah, I fell behind because I was pregnant with my kid, but I'm getting back on track."
"Then, just for bringing us this delicious cake, you may come and train with your husband on my planet."
"Are you serious? You'll let me come train here with Tai?"
Beerusmon grinned. "But, of course. Whismon told me you helped fend off that bastard Burizalor."
"I couldn't beat him though."
"It won't be for naught if you train with your husband, Sora. You bear us wonderful gifts and this is our thanks in return," Whismon reassured Sora, uplifting her spirit with words alone.
"Sounds like a deal to me, Sora," Max approvingly nodded.
"Well, what do you say? Wanna know how it feels like training on a god's world?" Tai asked his wife, who smiled and took his hand.
"All right, I'll give it a shot. Let's make it count, Tai," she accepted their offer.
Digiverse/Planet Vampa
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - End Credits/Blizzard - Daichi Miura)
After leaving Beerusmon's world, Tai and his friends arrived on the far-off planet where Kenji and his friends still resided. They carried wrapped presents and approached the cave where Kenji and his friends walked out.
"Merry Christmas, everyone!" Tai and his friends shouted in unison.
"What are those packaged goods they got with them?" Lemomon eyed the wrapped gifts.
"And what's Christ-mas?" Cheelaimon asked confoundedly.
When Tai and his friends handed out the gifts, Kenji and the others opened their gifts. Much to their surprise, they saw it wasn't explosives, but tangible gift items. Lemomon received a mechanic toolbox. Cheelaimon received a winter coat and a scarf. DORUmon ended up with a big stuffed teddy bear and some candy. Kenji received training weight sets.
"Now, those weights are forged from a specialized stone from Lord Shinmon's world. It's unbreakable and holds a lot of density. You'll get good use of them when you're looking to train with weights," Max informed Kenji. "With time, it'll help build up your strength and striking power."
"Yep, I'm going to need you to get strong so it'll be time for us to train together," Tai added.
"This looks so nice on me. Thanks," Cheelaimon said, showing her gratitude to Sora and Tai.
"We thought it could get cold here, so we gave you some winter clothes," Sora said.
"There are some really cold nights, but we're usually inside our new home."
"How is it?" Biyomon asked.
"Nice and comfy! We love it!" Cheelaimon said, giving an okie-dokie sign to the pink-feathered bird.
"These tools will come in handy. Thanks a lot! I take back everything I said about ya!" Lemomon said.
"This Christmas thing sounds really nice. This gift-giving thing brings joy to others. I like it, but I think I like getting candy and toys more!" DORUmon said, engulfing a whole cup of M&Ms and Reese's Pieces.
"Hey, careful! You'll choke if you eat too quickly! I learned that the hard way!" Agumon cried out.
"This Christmas thing would be better if my dad were still here," Kenji said, sighing sadly for Brakus.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Tai said.
"My power killed him. I hope I won't hurt anyone like that again."
"You won't since we'll help you control that immeasurable power of yours, Kenji," Max reassured the tall Ascendant.
"Yeah, and then you can help us take down Burizalor when that time comes," Tai said, patting Kenji's hard chest.
"Thank you, Tai and friends."
"Happy Holidays to all and all a good night," Max added as the group continued their Christmas gathering for a short time.
Once the holidays passed by, an eventful tournament would commence and determine the fate of multiple Digivierses.
(End theme)
Next chapter: Countdown to a Tournament
A/N: Ok, I got this done before the year's end. Goodbye 2023.
I hope you all had a safe holiday.
While this chapter wraps up the AlphaNova X arc, it opens up more future stories. The announcement of a multiversal event for the 'Tournament of Power' arc (and this time with the potential of Kenji participating) and Moromon's escape to set up his arc and alliance with RedNovaDemon. There's also still a story to be told with the Signer Guardians and one that ties in with RedNovaDemon. And let's not forget Burizalor is still living dangerously, too.
That's all I need to say. A happy new year and hope it brings good things to balance out the bad in our lives.