I stood up straight, looking around.
Everything was... fairly normal, actually. Just rock, in every direction; which was effectively untouched from my fight with Cyberdramon, save for a single spot.
Unsurprising, as both Cyberdramon and I had been in melee basically the entire time.
My eyes trailed to a circular area of rock, which was singed and blackened- the spot where I had unleashed the firestorm on Cyberdramon, for all it had accomplished.
Save for the Desolation Claw and the aforementioned firestorm, anyway.
A light crunching sound caught my attention, and I turned to find Growlmon running in this direction, with Takato, Henry, Rika, Renamon and Terriermon on his head.
I also noted that Cyberdramon's data was sticking around, not fading away like it did in the Human Dimension. Probably because this place didn't have any intimate connection with the Digital World.
I let my wings wrap around me, merging back together to form my cloak. At the same time, I began to shift the Darkness around, rock transforming into varnished wood, carpet appearing on top of it. The sofas reappeared, alongside an oversized mattress for Growlmon, since he wasn't going to be turning back into Guilmon anytime soon.
"You weren't supposed to be able to get in here, you know?" I said to them. "And yet, here you are."
Growlmon slowed down, coming to a halt just in front of the mattress. His head lowered to the ground, allowing the five riding on him to get back off. Takato patted him on the nose, and Growlmon slumped over, his eyes closing.
Renamon stared at Cyberdramon's data.
"You can have it if you want it." I said. "I'm certainly not going to be using it, and since this place doesn't have a connection to the Digital World, it's just going to stick around."
The Data suddenly started floating in their direction, some of it heading towards Renamon, while a significantly larger portion flowed towards Growlmon.
I turned to face the three children, all of whom were facing me. "I assume you have questions."
"Yeah. What the heck was that?" Rika started "Why did you have wings? Why are you still wearing that cloak? Who are you?!"
"In order; you'll have to be a bit more specific, because I felt like it, because I feel like it, Drich."
"What are you?" Renamon cut in, pre-empting her Tamer. "You are no Digimon, but you are certainly no Human."
"That is true." I nodded. "As to what I am... I don't feel like telling."
"How... how do you pronounce that?" Takato asked. "Dee-rich?"
"Eldritch. Just lacking the 'el' and 't'."
"Suddenly, your name seems a bit more ominous." Henry commented, slightly pale.
"Oh, relax. If I wanted to kill you, nobody would have ever found the bodies."
"... A lot more ominous." Terriermon stated. "You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?"
"I won't lie and say that I'm not." I shrugged.
Growlmon chose that moment to fall forwards, landing on the mattress, just about purring as he enjoyed the very comfortable cushion.
Takato laughd -which was only slightly nervous- and walked over to him, standing near his partner.
I glanced at Rika, who was still staring at me, her eyes narrowed.
"Why aren't you telling us what you are?" She asked.
"I'm not telling you for a few reasons. First; you won't understand the explanation in anything other than simplified terms. Second; It's quite honestly better that what I am remains unknown for as long as possible, preferably forever." That, however, was just a pipe dream. Eventually, someone would discover what I am, though whether or not that was because they discovered the Heartless was a better question. "And third; I honestly don't feel like it."
"Ah... What do you want?" Takato asked.
"That is a very good question, Takato. One that has quite a few answers." I looked up, spying the warping black, white and grey edges. "But not that many, actually." I looked back at them. "But, to tell the truth..."
It was a very good question.
What did I want?
To find the Keyhole to this World and seal it, yes, but that wasn't at the top of my list of priorities. Nowhere near the top, since the Heartless weren't going to be coming for several centuries at a minimum, and, even then, a sealed Keyhole wasn't going to stop them from devouring the inhabitants of this World.
So what did I want?
I held still as I glanced at them. I saw Takato lean again Growlmon, the giant Digimon pushing back against him with pushing him over, his Heart content. I saw Henry swat at Terriermon, the latter covering the former with his gigantic ears. I saw Renamon come to stand behind Rika, and Rika lean back slightly, unconsciously, Renamon noticing, but not saying anything.
Ah.
"Well, let's just say that I'm interested in seeing how things go."
They stared at me. "What do you mean?" Rika asked.
"Nevermind that." I said, waving my hand. The air to my sides began to warp, swirling into a pair of open holes as I connected this dimension to the Human Dimension, four points in space briefly interconnecting. "Rika, Henry, you two should be getting home soon, it is getting quite late." I gestured to the right portal. "This one will lead to an alleyway near your home, Rika. Don't worry, there's nobody around to see you exit this place." I gestured to the left. "This one will lead to an alley near your home, Henry. The same applies."
"What about Takato?" Henry asked.
"Takato and I have some arrangements to make for Growlmon. He's not going to be degenerating any time soon, and he's too big to fit inside the shed in the park anymore. I'll be sending him on his way when Growlmon's got a place to sleep for the night."
"Right. Catch you later Takato." Henry said, before walking in with Terriermon on his shoulders. Takato waved at him before he did. I let the spacial warp collapse after he went through, severing that connection.
Rika didn't say anything, just huffing and walking in. Takato waved at her, too, though Rika didn't notice or simply didn't care. I let that one collapse, once again severing this dimension from the Human Dimension.
"Right, Takato." I turned towards the boy. "We have a lot of choices on where to keep your partner. Got any preferences?"