Hunter X Zero X Two

by Axel771

Because of a nostalgic feeling in his heart, Nanika decided to sent her brother back to a place he left behind five months ago. However, everything is more different than Killua expected. Guiding a new generation of Digidestined, Killua will face the Digimon Emperor and the evil forces lurking in the shadows.

42. Down Memory Lane I

Disclaimer: Nothing mine.

Reviews.

Zero Fullbuster: Sorry for the delay. Here's the new chapter.

Felipe1402XZA: I hope this chapter meets your expectations.

Victor John Foxfire: I didn't think of that honestly. I have to get more onto the mindset of mind games. I don't know about grouchy though, I wanted to give Zhuqiamon my own take and not just make him a copypaste of Tamer's version (Which is blurry to me since I haven't watched that season in a while)

The image of Killua and Terriermon is too cute though.

Guest hector: Sorry to say I don't think I will do that. I am so sorry.

---

"Big bro… Big brother! C'mon, big bro, wake up!"

His eyes opened slowly, the sunlight entering through the window of his room; a simple room with a TV and a console on one corner, and a computer on the other, a skateboard leaning by the door, ready to be used at any moment.

He looked up to see the smiling figure of a young girl with jet black hair, a collar full of beads, and a blue dress, looking down at him eagerly. He couldn't help but smile at the sight. "Morning, Alluka."

"Good morning, big brother!" Alluka Zoldyck smiled brightly, and as her brother sat up she jumped in to wrap her arms around his neck in a hug.

"Hehe, okay, okay," He said, patting her back as he pushed her away with kindness. "You are in a good mood, huh?"

"Of course I am! And I'm not the only one," She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. "Right, Nanika?"

A black aura surrounded her and her features changed; now looking like a mask of some sort. Nanika, Alluka's other self, smiled at the boy with the same eagerness as her counterpart, "Yup!"

He laughed and patted her on the head. "Good morning to you too, Nanika," He said as the girl preened at his affection.

Nanika and Alluka, his little sisters, two sides of the same coin, he loved them both a lot and the two looked up at him. The aura appeared again and Alluka was back in control. "Everyone else is already up, and I'm sure Gon will be here soon to take you to school, so don't be late for breakfast!"

"I won't, I won't!" He waved them off as she ran out of the room.

He stretched his arms and went to the bathroom on his room to wash his teeth and get a shower. He opened the sink and stared at his reflection as he brushed his teeth, white hair and blue eyes staring back at him with a half-lidded look that betrayed his lingering drowsiness on his body, he spat the toothpaste on the sink and entered the shower.

Another day on his middle school, almost a year since he started his first year along with his best friend, even making friendship with a classmate and underclassmen, although sophomores like them don't get to use uniforms there, while Alluka—and therefore Nanika—are coursing their fourth grade in primary school.

He got out of his room wearing his favorite turtleneck shirt and a pair of blue shorts, and was greeted by a familiar sight.

His father Silva Zoldyck was sitting on the table reading a newspaper, cladded on a suit, waiting to get his breakfast to start a hard day at work.

His mother Kikyo Zoldyck was humming softly as she made breakfast, she was wearing an apron over a simple top and jeans, she had glasses on her face to help her see.

His grandfather and great-grandfather were both on the couch, watching some comedy show. While his grandfather Zeno laughed out-loud and boisterously, his great-grandfather just gave light chuckles due to his advanced age.

One of his older brothers, Milluki, devoured a toast with rapidness while typing something on his computer—probably a work for his college. And his younger brother Kalluto had his nose up on his book.

His eldest brother, Illumi wasn't there, he had moved out a few months ago as he started studying law.

Kikyo turned around and gave him a smile. "Morning, Kil!"

The rest of the family turned around and gave him similar greetings, most of them being warm and welcoming, while Milluki just gave a grunt of acknowledgement.

All in all, it seemed a pretty peaceful morning for the Zoldyck family, and Killua gave them all a smile and a greeting in return, "Morning everyone!"

---

The previous night of training has been unique to the Digidestined, in the sense that for the first time Killua wasn't there to coach them or to supervise their training. They were all flying back to the volcano to meet up with him again and look for clues on the location of the last temple, or of where Arukenimon and BlackMetalGarurumon could be at the moment.

If they find the last temple then they could have both of them on watch for any suspicious movement from their two opponents, or for the wildcard that was BlackWargreymon.

Kari checked her terminal with a small frown. She had texted Killua on the morning to ask how he was doing, but hasn't received an answer since then, and considering what had happened the last time he was alone on the Digital World it was definitely grounds for getting worried.

She shook her head and looked ahead, trying to hide her worries and just brush it off as him being asleep or training, or looking for something to eat… she hoped.

As they landed and their partners shrank back to their Rookie forms, Davis stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Oi, Sparky, we're already here!" He yelled at the temple.

They waited for some response, or for their leader to come out and join them, but nothing happened at all.

"Didn't he hear us?" Yolei muttered and looked around. "Or did he climb down the mountain?"

"I think he would've told us if he did…" T.K said, looking at the edges of the volcano.

Kari's frown returned and she took out her terminal and showed her to the others. "He hasn't answered any of my messages since this morning either," she told them.

Ken frowned. "This is getting strange," he said. "Maybe we should check inside the temple and look for him there."

Everyone nodded and walked to the entrance of the temple. As they got in they looked around it, for the first time admiring the interior of the sacred place they were supposed to protect. The first thing they noticed was how empty it was, completely devoid of anything that could catch their eye, and there didn't even seem to be any other doors, or rooms for that matter.

"I don't know about you guys, but I expected a bit more from this place…" Davis said, looking at the emptiness of the place.

"And I don't know about you Davith, but I feel INCREDIBLE!" V-Mon said, flexing his arms in a show of muscle. "Seriously, I feel like I could take down both BlackMetalGarurumon and BlackWargreymon right now!"

"Ditto!" Wormmon, Patamon and Armadillomon said, looking at the walls of the temple with wonder.

"It's like what we felt in the first temple, but even better…" Gatomon said.

"But back to the point, guys…" Cody said, looking around with worry. "Killua isn't here."

"Where could he have gone then?" Davis asked, scratching his head.

"Killua isn't the type to just leave this place unguarded without good reason, he would have told us something through the terminal," T.K said.

"Calm your minds, Digidestined. The Anomaly is safe."

That voice immediately put everyone on edge and gasps filled the room when the floor started to glow an intense orange color, almost as if was burning hot. They got their Digivices out and let their auras flows in the case of an incoming fight.

The entire glow from the floor gathered on a single place in front of them and from it a figure rose, towering above them. It was made of the same glow and resembled a giant bird—a phoenix, in the eyes of the Digidestined even bigger than Birdramon and Aquilamon together, or even Hippogryphmon and Phoenixmon.

"W-who are you?!" Davis asked, feeling an overwhelming heat as he observed the figure.

The figure's eyes narrowed and it extended its wings. "I am one of the Harmonious Ones, guardian of the south, Zhuqiamon!"

The group couldn't help but stare at the figure in wonder. "One of the Harmonious…" Kari muttered. "Then, Homeostasis did free you?"

Zhuqiamon lowered his wings and shook his head. "It is still a work in progress. I can project myself outside my prison in the darkness, yet my body and most of my power remains trapped there."

Davis chuckled and folded his arms behind his head. "No biggie then, we'll just protect this temple and the last while you get your bodies back and everything will be then smooth sailing!"

T.K however frowned at the big sovereign. "What did you meant with 'the Anomaly is safe'? Where is he?"

The giant phoenix closed his eyes. "As I said, he is safe, and will remain that way until my body and my brother's is freed from their prison."

"What?!" Was the general question of the Digidestined at the news, with Kari adding yet another important question, "But why?!"

Zhuqiamon opened his eyes and frowned. "This Anomaly, while has certainly done great deeds in favor of the Digital World, formerly possessed a heart tainted by the darkness. And recently, I have felt the presence of the previous Anomaly—Hisoka. And while I am saddened by his actions against you, it also opens a possibility… what would happen if this new Anomaly turns against you?"

"That's ridiculous!" Davis said. "Sparky is many things, but a traitor ain't one!"

"That's right!" Kari followed up. "His Crest is the Crest of Loyalty! He would never do something like that!"

"I'm sure you know that the Crest are just a trait in your hearts, the one who represents you the most and connects you with each other," The phoenix said. "However, that trait can be lost…" He said, his eyes looking down at Ken.

The boy lowered his gaze and scowled, feeling the weight of his actions as The Emperor with that reminder. Wormmon crawled and cuddled with his leg in comfort, while Yolei scowled at the deity. "If you're all-knowing then you should know that it wasn't Ken's fault, he was manipulated!"

"While his actions were certainly driven by someone else, they can't be denied and it proves my point; what if the Anomaly falls to the influence of someone else with malicious intentions, or develops ones on his own? Are you telling me you'd be able to stop him?" The phoenix asked raising an eyebrow.

That brought a moment of silence, mostly on the younger group, all of them considering the possibility of Killua turning on them. None of them could honestly say they could stop him, even with their partners in the Ultra Level.

Kari was the one who spoke up. "That won't happen, I'm sure Killua wouldn't allow himself to be used that way or to grow to try and cause us harm!"

"Kari's right," T.K said. "Killua told us of his past as an assassin, and that he didn't like that life. If he already disliked doing things like that, why would he change back?"

"Those are good points, see," Gatomon said. "And without Killua's help, how could we fight with opponents like BlackWargreymon and BlackMetalGarurumon, he's the only one at the moment that can match them."

"I concede those are good arguments," He said. "However, the Anomaly has been manipulated previously in the past without even realizing it, who's to say it won't happen again? And I'm sure once me and my brother in arms are finally freed we can help you on your task while the Anomaly remains safely out of the way."

"In the past…" Kari muttered at that reveal. Killua had been manipulated before? By whom?

"Hmmm? I can tell by your expressions that you didn't know of the manipulation of the Anomaly…" He mused.

"Look none of that matter, man!" Davis said, glaring at the bird. "Is there no way for you to let go of Sparky? For real?"

"Please, we're sure Killua won't ever do something like what you're saying!" Cody said, disliking the unfairness of this matter.

The bird closed his eyes and hummed. It seemed these kids were more attached to this Anomaly than his partner and friends had been to the previous ones in the past. If only they could understand…

Very well then.

"The Anomaly is currently on a dream world of my creation," He explained. "Since the moment you all stepped foot here I was able to get a read of your hearts, your intentions… and your story, the same goes for the boy. Due to his desire to help the Digital World is why I reward him with a pleasant dream while the situation is resolved, but I have also gained access to his story and that's where my worries about him come from… if you can see parts of his story from where my worries are born and continue to hold your posture on him, without a single shred of doubt in your hearts, then I'll free him and allow you to continue on your mission with him."

His eyes narrowed them as he gave them a serious look. "However, if afterwards you possess the smallest shred of doubt, or a single thought of the same worries I possess, then the Anomaly will remain here until me and my brother are freed and the gate to his world is finished. Do we have a deal?"

As they heard the deal, the Digidestined all felt conflict rising in them; to see their leader's memories, without his permission? T.K got flashbacks from five years ago, their encounter with a Tapirmon that served under Myotismon and showed them flashes of it, to make them distrust him and leave him behind, to cause distrust in them. At the time they did developed doubts on their leader's actions, but they overcame it quickly to focus on their task.

He looked at the others, hoping that they would all do the same. He took a deep breath and spoke. "Guys, come here," He said, gesturing to a corner of the temple.

Zhuqiamon waited patiently as they all huddled to speak in private. Yolei leaned in, with furrowed brows. "Guys, I think we have to accept!" She said with a serious frown.

"I mean, it's not like we have much of a choice," Davis said dryly. "We have to get sparky back, somehow. And birdie over there is too stubborn on his choice!"

Zhuqiamon pretended he didn't hear that.

"We would be breaching his privacy though…" Cody said, "And without his permission."

"Better that than to leave him asleep forever, partner," Armadillomon said.

"He is right," Ken said, "However we should prepare ourselves for what we'll see."

"Why, Ken?" Wormmon asked with a head tilt.

"We don't know what we'll see with exactitude," Kari said, looking down. "We might see him doing things as an assassin."

They all frowned at that, whatever things Killua has done as an assassin won't be pretty to see. If what he did to Mummymon was any indication of what he's done before then it won't be something easy for their stomach.

Then she looked up. "But, we'll have to be brave for that, if we want to convince Zhuqiamon to give him back."

T.K nodded. "Then are we all in agreement? Ready to get in?"

They all nodded, resolved on getting their leader back.

They turned back to see Zhuqiamon, who was already aware of their decision by the look on his face. He gave them a resolute look and nodded. "Very well, let's see who's resolve is correct!"

He extended his wings and the whole temple was covered by an orange light until it was totally empty.

---

Killua finished tying his shoes and hoisting his backpack on his back, a toast on his mouth as he got ready to head out.

"Remember, Kil, get here before night, okay? I know you and Gon have clubs to attend to, but I don't like you being out there so late," Kikyo said for the ninth time that day… and it was still morning.

"I know, mum, I know," Killua said with a sigh. "You told that to me, Alluka, and even Nanika already."

"Just making sure, I don't want anything happening to any of you," She said in such a sweet tone, that Killua felt his teeth rotting.

Seriously, he gets that she loves them, but sheesh; does she have to be so overbearing?

Before any could say anything else, there was a dock on the door and Killua straightened to attend it.

When he opened, he was greeted by brown eyes and spiky hair. "Good morning, Killua!" Gon greeted enthusiastically.

Killua smiled and greeted his best friend, "Hey, Gon." He turned and called for his siblings. "Hey, Gon's here let's go!"

Alluka skipped on her step as she eagerly joined her brother and their friend, "Hey Gon!" She tilted her head and smiled brightly. "Nanika says 'Morning!'"

"Have a safe trip, all of you! And remember-!"

"At home before night!" They all responded to Kikyo's call, while Gon chuckled heartedly.

As they made their way to the school, Killua's sister walked ahead and hummed a happy tune, excited for what the day had in store for them. Sad that Kalluto decided not to join them since he preferred to be homeschooled.

Meanwhile, Killua and Gon walked behind her, Killua with his hands folded behind his head while Gon looked at him inquisitively. "So…"

"So what?" Killua asked, raising an eyebrow to his best friend.

"About what you told me recently," He grinned cheekily and leaned in to whisper it, "That you like, Kari."

Killua blushed, his eye twitched and a vein popped on his forehead. "That's not your business!" He growled lowly.

"Then why did you tell me then?" Gon asked, genuinely confused.

"A lapse of judgment," Killua scoffed. "I forgot how nosy you can get!"

"That's mean…" Gon pouted.

Killua looked aside and mumbled, "And what about it anyway? It's just a silly crush, it'll go away. We're in different courses, and she's still in elementary."

"But in a year she won't be!" Gon pointed out.

"And Davis also likes her," Killua said, lifting a finger to count.

"Well…" At that Gon did falter. It wasn't a 'you snooze you lose' thing, Kari wasn't a prize or the last slice of pizza after all. But still…

"AND… Huh…" Killua trailed off, suddenly looking confused.

"What is it?" Gon asked, looking at him worriedly.

Killua scratched the back of his head. "Weird, could've sworn I had a more important reason…" He mumbled.

"Uh-huh…" Gon mumbled, not looking too convinced. "I still think it would be a great idea to tell her!" He said.

"Well I think it is not," He said firmly. "It'll fade away; it's just the hormones talking!"

Gon sighed, clearly disappointed at his friend's lack of determination on the matter. "Fine, okay."

"What are you two talking about?" Alluka asked, turning back to look at the boys.

"Just about—" Gon was about to talk until Killua put him on a chokehold.

"Don't tell them, idiot!" He hissed, and then he looked at his siblings with a nervous expression, "Nothing important, sis!"

Alluka just tilted her head, frowning in confusion at his attitude.

Before they knew it, they were in front of the school.

---

When the light died down, they were rightfully confused. They knew they were going to get transported somewhere else due to the words of the bird, but that didn't take away the fact that it was a disorienting experience, and even when their heads cleared didn't knew where they were.

"So… It worked?" Yolei asked as she looked around, along with everyone else.

They were on a really wide room, with enough space to allow a large number of people to gather, white walls and a board settled on a corner of the room.

"Yes, I think it did, look!" Hawkmon said as he pointed at a wall.

They gasped together as they saw their leader leaning on said wall with his arms crossed, two other people—A blonde around Tai's age and an adult wearing a blue suit—looking at him strangely.

"Oh hey, sparky!" Davis said, grinning and approaching the boy. "We found him sooner than expected!" He said.

T.K however frowned and tried to warn him about something, "Davis wai—"

"Alright, sparky, let's get out of—" he tried to put a hand on his shoulder only for it to pass through Killua like smoke. "WHAT THE HELL?!"

"Davis, calm down!" T.K said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Remember this is a memory, something that already happened."

He looked at the image of his leader with a frown. "That isn't the real Killua, just a memory of him."

"R-right…" Davis said, calming down after the freak out.

They took the time to look around the room, there was a great assemble of colorful people. From a bald person dressed like a ninja, to a young red-head with a turban, to an old man who was out cold on the floor, to…

They shuddered at the other two people in the room, one of them they were familiar with: Hisoka was there, eyes closed and looking genuinely bored out of his mind, the only reason they weren't freaking out was because of T.K's words. This was a memory, he couldn't hurt them.

And the other… the other was a man who had different needles on his head, which was sight enough to make them feel a shiver go down his spine.

"Who… What is all this?" Cody asked, rubbing his arms. Just the sight of Hisoka was enough to give him chills, but that man with needles seemed to just duplicate the feeling.

Kari pondered on it a bit, before her eyes lit up and she let her fist fall on her palm, "The Hunter Exams!"

"Hunter Exams?" Ken asked, tilting his head.

"On Killua's world there's an association called Hunters, he is a member," T.K summarized quickly. "They obtain a license that certifies them as one through an exam. Killua said he did them twice though…"

"Twice?" Armadillomon asked. "So… He failed once?"

"He did mention that…" Kari mumbled. "But never said why though…"

Gatomon looked at the scene with a shrug, "Well, we're about to find out," she said, pointing to the boy.

A man in a black suit stood in the middle of the room and cleared his throat. "Ehem, due to his current state the match between aspirant Leorio and aspirant Bodoro will be postponed, we'll moved on to the next match: aspirant Killua versus aspirant Gitarakur. Both contestants move to the center of the room!"

Killua pushed himself off the wall and did as told, the man with needles doing the same, doing clacking sounds as he did so and perturbing the Digidestined even further.

"Begin!" The man in black suit said, acting as a referee.

Killua started walking towards the man calmly, looking even bored of the fight about to start.

But then, the man spoke on a distorted voice. "It's been a while, Kil."

"Kil?" The Digidestined mumbled, new to the strange nickname, while Killua stopped his advance to the man.

Then, to their disgust, the man started to pull out the needles from his face. And that disgust turned to sheer horror when the man's face started to shift, they could hear the bone structure of his face changing under his skin. And even the color of skin changed from that sickly purple to a pale complexion.

Yolei clamped her hands on her mouth as her face turned green. Hawkmon flapped to her side and patted her back, "Yolei are you okay?"

Ken was also at her side, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You can turn away, there's no need to see—" Before he could finish, she buried her face in the crook of his neck to hide from the view.

He was taken aback by the action, before his attention was drawn back to the scene before him and the other.

The man's face finished morphing, revealing a young man with pale face, black hair, and dark eyes.

Killua's eyes were filled with horror, not because of the transformation, but due to who this person was. "Big… Brother…" He said hoarsely.

---

"Your brother?"

Killua nodded as he took a bite from his lunch box. "Yeah, said he's coming on Saturday to spend the whole Sunday together, in family and the sort…" He explained as he swallowed.

Gon, Killua and Alluka, had gathered in the rooftop along with the rest of their friends to have lunch before going back to classes. The white haired boy had just told the others about his older brother coming back from college to spend time with him and the rest of his family.

"He's the one studying… law or something?" Davis asked, with the mouth full.

"Swallow before you talk, that's disgusting!" Yolei scolded, giving him an elbow on the ribs and almost causing him to choke.

"Yeah, he wants to be an attorney, I think," Killua answered. "I can picture it, he lies more than he breaths," He said with a smirk.

"He can't be that bad, can he?" Cody asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but he can be a bit blunt, though…" Alluka said with a deadpan tone, with Nanika in her head nodding and giving a small 'Yup' of agreement.

"So, kinda like Killua, right?" T.K asked.

"Oi…"

"Nope, he's older so he's even worse!" Alluka chirped.

"OI!" The protests of the white haired boy went completely ignored as the two of them laughed at his reaction.

Gon however frowned. "That guy can be a bit creepy thought…" He said in a small mumbled.

"That's my brother you're talking about," Killua said, before giving a small grin. "And you're completely right… both of them are creeps." He said, also throwing Milluki under the bus.

"Killua, don't be so mean about them," Kari lightly scolded.

"I think you'll know what I'm talking about when you meet them," Killua said. "Although you guys will have to go home, since Milluki never goes out of his room."

"With how many people live in your house, it will be completely packed if you take visitors there," Cody said, knowing just how many people lived at Killua's home.

"I think my room is big enough for that," Killua said as he put his bento away. "Anyways, are we going today?"

Everyone exchanged looks, before nodding eagerly, none more so than his younger sister.

"It will be the first time we take them to the Digital World, right?" Kari asked, as she looked at the youngest Zoldycks.

"I can't wait! I heard all the stories bro told me about it!" Nanika said, holding her hands up in the air in enthusiasm.

"Auntie Mito said I could stay after school, as long as I go home before it gets dark!" Gon said with an excited smile.

Killua chuckled at the enthusiasm showed by him and his sister. The Digital World was a place where the other half of his friends were, his partner and the partners of the others… except for Gon and obviously his siblings.

… Come to think of it, when did they discover the Digital World? And why was this the first time he was taking Alluka and Nanika there if it was such an important place for all of them. Heck, he couldn't remember if Gon had a partner or not.

… Did he had a part-

"Killua?"

"Hm?" He blinked and looked down at his friends, all looking at him worriedly.

"Are you okay?" Kari asked, giving him a concerned look.

"Oh? Yeah, just zoned out for a second," He said, scratching his chin. "Looking forward for later and all that," He looked at his siblings and smiled, "Right?"

"Right!" Both Alluka and Nanika said—The latter from the former's head, nodding eagerly at their brother.

Killua shook his head. Seriously, where did he have it today? It was the second time he seemed to forget about something important or get himself mixed over something so simple.

Today was going to be a good day; there was no reason to worry. As long as he looks after them, nothing bad would happen in the Digital World after all.

---

"That's Killua's brother?!" Davis asked, as his jaw dropped.

The other Digidestined, were just as surprised, except for T.K who just nodded grimly. He remembered this man from the last time he saw Killua's memories five years ago, and honestly he was giving him the same chills he felt when they faced Hisoka.

"I can't say I see any family resemblance…" Cody said, looking at the two it was like seeing day and night. Illumi's dark hair contrasting with Killua's white.

As Killua continued to tremble at the presence of his brother, Illumi gave him a simple greeting. "Hey."

Killua didn't answered, still petrified by the appearance of his elder brother, something that wasn't missed by the Digidestined.

"Killua…" Kari muttered, looking at his image. "He looks… more scared than I've ever seen him," Not even his encounters with Blademon, or the presence of Hisoka had caused such a reaction to him. She looked at Illumi and frowned. 'What kind of relation do they have for him to be so scared?'

"I heard you cut Mother and Milluki," Illumi stated blankly, his expression never changing.

"I think so…" Killua said, as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Mother was crying…" Illumi said, tilting his head.

"Any mother would do that if their son attacked them!" Both Davis and the man on the suit from Killua's memories—Leorio—said at the same time.

"Tears of joy, she was so proud by your maturity," Illumi elaborated, making Davis and Leorio fall down in disbelief while the others just processed that info.

Killua cut his mom and someone named Milluki, and her mother cried out of pride…

What kind of family was Killua's? They knew they were all assassins, but… was it that bad?

Illumi explained how Killua's mother was worried since he ran away from home and asked him to keep an eye on the boy. "What a coincidence to meet here, I didn't knew you wanted to be a Hunter. I'm just looking to get mine to do my next job."

"I really don't have an interest in being a Hunter," Killua said. "I just felt like taking the test."

Yolei blinked. "Is that true?" She wondered out loud, surprised that Killua didn't wanted to be a Hunter at first.

"It is, he told me," Kari confirmed, back during their first training sessions while still facing Ken, Killua told her of why he decided to take the Hunter exams.

"I see… Then I have an advice for you," Suddenly the air became heavy for the Digidestined, all of it coming from the aura Illumi was giving. "You are not made to be a Hunter; you were only born to be… an assassin."

No one could move or say anything as the aura continued to contaminate the air.

"You are a puppet of darkness, and nothing more," Illumi said. "You do not want or wish for anything, as someone who lives in the shadows, you can only feel pleasure when people die… That's how father and I raised you, what do you expect to achieve by becoming a Hunter?"

As he said his words, the Digidestined could only feel anger at the man's words. Davis clenched his fists and was able to miraculously find his voice, "What the heck is his problem, what does he care if Killua is still an assassin or not?!"

Gatomon narrowed her eyes. "This guy…" She hissed. The kind of aura he gives reminds her too much of Myotismon for her liking.

"That's just wrong…" Kari said, clenching her fists. "What kind of brother is he?!" She couldn't even picture Tai saying stuff like that to her, not in a million years.

"It is true that I don't wish to be a Hunter," Killua said, still trembling. "But there is something I do want…"

"There's not," Illumi debunked quickly, further angering the Digidestined.

"There is!" Killua protested strongly.

"Hmmm… Then what is it that you wish?" Illumi asked on a curious tone.

Killua didn't responded, looking genuinely nervous about saying his desire out loud.

"What's wrong?" Illumi asked. "There's nothing you really want, is it?"

"If you could just let him speak then maybe he might say it!" Yolei screeched, getting tired of his dismissive attitude.

"You're wrong!" Killua yelled, teeth gritted and sweat on his brow. He was quiet for a moment until…

"I just… Want to be Gon's friend."

Those words took back the Digidestined. It was something so simple, so mundane that they were surprised their leader wanted it so badly.

"I'm tired of killing people… I want to be friends with Gon… and have a normal life."

"A normal life…" Kari muttered as she stared wide eyed at the scene, before her eyes softened. Something so simple and that he was just… denied by his family…

She looked back and saw the others looking at him solemnly. True, their lives weren't exactly normal since meeting their partners, but they still had a sense of normalcy on their lives. School, hobbies, their families, Killua didn't have that.

It was sad…

"That's impossible," Illumi's blunt words snapped them back to reality, while making Killua flinch; "You'll never be able to make friends."

Those words make him look up to his brother.

"Your only worries when meeting someone should be whether you should kill them or not. That's how you were trained," Illumi explained. "You just don't know how to qualify Gon because he's too amazing for your eyes. In reality, you don't want to be his friend."

"Could he just stop telling him what he wants?!" T.K asked, already getting tired of the man's attitude.

"Guys…" Cody said, looking worriedly at Killua or more specifically at his eyes.

There was doubt. There was doubt about himself, doubt and consideration about his brother's words.

"Y-You're wrong," He said, not even sounding like he believes it himself.

"He's…" Ken said, looking worried, "…he actually believes it?"

"If you stay with him, one day you will want to kill him," Illumi said. "You'll feel the impulse of whether if you can kill him or not; because you have the soul of a killer."

"That's bullcrap!" Davis said, gritting his teeth and pointing an accusing finger at him. "Everything he's saying is just a fat-load of bullcrap!" He then glared at the image of his leader, "C'mon, sparky! Don't fall for the words of this asshole!"

Davis wasn't the only one to think this, the man in blue suit—Leorio they heard his name was—got closer to the arena, while being warned by one of the dressed up man's that he couldn't interfere on the fight. The man brushed him off saying he already knows that, before looking towards Killua.

"Killua, I don't care if that guy's your brother!" He said. "He's just a worthless piece of trash; beat him up like you've always done!" The veins on his neck and forehead got remarked as he yelled. "That you want to be Gon's friend? Are you an idiot?!" He pointed at him and exclaimed. "You are already friends!"

"I don't know who this guy is, but I agree wholeheartedly with him!" V-Mon said, pointing a finger to the man and grinning.

"You got that right, buddy!" Davis said, also grinning at the image of the man, while the rest of the Digidestined looked relieved that someone else stood up for their leader.

As the man assured Killua that Gon must feel the same way, Illumi looked at him for confirmation. "Is that so?"

"Of course it is, dumbass!" Leorio yelled.

"Hmm… That won't do," Illumi hummed. "He sees Kil as a friend too… Alright then, I'll kill Gon!"

Everyone, both spectators and memories gasped at the bold declaration from the man.

Illumi took needles from his suit as the same heavy atmosphere surrounded him again. "An assassin needs no friends," he said. "They'll only get in your way."

He turned around asking where the boy was, Killua staying frozen in place as he walked away. One of the suited up men tried to stop him, but Illumi just responded by throwing needles to his face.

The body horror came back, as the man's face started to twist and crushed itself, with the man gasping and choking in pain.

"Where is he?" Illumi asked again, an edge on his voice noticeable even if it kept the same monotone tone.

The man revealed that Gon was on one of the waiting rooms, before collapsing to his knees in pain. Illumi thanked him and continued on his way.

None of the Digidestined moved. Both because they knew it was useless since this was a memory, and because of the sheer terror they felt for the man. It was like facing Hisoka all over again, just somehow… worse due to the effect he had on their leader and the coldness in which he just harmed the man.

Leorio, the blonde boy, and a bald man in the memory stood in front of the door, blocking Illumi's path. Far from being intimidated, Illumi was troubled since killing them meant he would be disqualified and would lose his shot at getting his license for another year and that Killua would pass automatically. Then he realized the same would happen if he killed Gon right now.

"W-What is wrong with this lunatic?!" Yolei mumbled, hugging herself to suppress the shivers she felt.

"Oh, I know!" Illumi said, snapping their attention back to him. "I'll kill Gon after passing the exam!"

"H-He wouldn't!" Patamon said, pressing himself against T.K's hat as he tried to stop himself from shaking.

"He will…" Gatomon hissed, with eyes narrowed.

He confirmed with an old man standing by the board that if he passes he was free to kill anyone without getting his license revoked. So he turned to Killua

"Did you hear that, Kil? You'll have to beat me if you want to save Gon," Illumi said as he walked towards Killua. "Will you fight me for the sake of your friend? No you won't. Because you're more worried over if you can beat me or not," Killua gasped at his words, the dread of the onlookers rising as their stomachs dropped. Illumi extended his hand towards Killua. "You already have your answer. 'I'm not strong enough to beat my brother.' 'Never fight an opponent you are not sure you can beat.' I taught you that."

Kari froze at his words, before frowning and looking down in thought. 'That… that doesn't make sense!'

Killua was about to take a step back before Illumi spoke again. "Don't move!" He said. "If you move an inch then I'll assume the fight has started, and if our bodies touch then the fight will start as well. There's only one way to stop me, and you know what it is But don't forget, that if you don't beat, your precious Gon will die."

The Digidestined could faintly hear the man in a suit yelling encouragement to Killua, but like their leader they were petrified as Illumi's hands slowly reached out to touch Killua, reaching out to start the fight.

Killua looked down, completely dejected and defeated. "I yield. I lost."

And like that, the oppressing atmosphere was gone and only shock was left. Yes, Killua has lost fights before, but never without a fight, here he just… just threw the towel. It was surprising, and jarring.

"Just…" Kari muttered, looking at Illumi. "Who the heck is he?!"

Illumi clapped his hands and smiled, glad that the match was over. He patted Killua's shoulder and said that he lied about killing Gon and that everything he did was a test. And that now he had an answer.

He leaned down and narrowed his eyes. "You don't have the right to make friends. Nor do you need them," He told him. "You only have to listen to father and me and continue to do your job as you've always done. When the time comes, I will let you take the Hunter Exams. You don't need a license yet."

That did it. Most of the group was surprised by the action taken, but they couldn't say it was unwarranted.

After hearing the words of Illumi, she couldn't just watch anymore. She jumped, wanting to do something, and aimed a punch to the head of the image of the older brother. It passed through him, and instead it hit the floor.

Kari seemed to snap out of it and realize what she did. She had just… acted. She was just tired of hearing him talking down to Killua like that, and she just wanted to do… something.

She grimaced and cradled her fist after the action, before giving Illumi a nasty glare, one her friends didn't expected from the usually calm girl.

Suddenly there was a flash and the scene changed. The scenario was the same, but now both Leorio and the old man that was previously knocked out—Bodoro—were facing each other for their match… But Killua was still there, looking completely out of it.

"Killua…" Kari mumbled, wanting to reach out to him but knowing it was useless.

"Begin!" One of the dressed up men said, signaling the two to fight.

And then, it happened suddenly and without a warning.

Kari and the others gasped as Killua thrusts his hand to the back of Bodoro, piercing his chest from behind.

They could only stare as Killua retreats his claw from the man, his face and clothes splashed with blood and a hollow look on his eyes.

The realization dawned on them.

Illumi's words had gotten to him…

Before any of them could do or say anything, the images in front of them fade away, leaving them alone in the dark with their thoughts.

---

"Big brother, what's the hold up?!" Alluka asked impatiently as they all crammed up in the computer room.

"The hold-up is that we have to make sure there are no teachers around to see us go," Killua said as he leaned on the door and looked to one side of the corridor, with Gon doing the same with the other. "Clear on my side, how about yours Gon?"

"Coast is clear!" He said, giving a thumb up.

"Good," Killua grabbed the door and closed it behind his back. "We're all good, Ken's waiting us there?" He asked Davis.

He nodded in confirmation. "Yup, he's waiting for us along with the others."

"Then let's go already, please!" Alluka said, bouncing in place

"Right, right just let me—" his hand went to his pocket to fetch for his Digivice, but he froze when he didn't felt anything.

No way. Has he forgotten it at home? At a time like this? During his sisters first trip to the Digital World?

No that couldn't be it, he's pretty sure he had it with him this time, he last saw it this… morning… right?

When was the last time he saw his Digivice. Damn it, what's up with him today?! First he can't think of arguments, then he spaces out during lunch, and now he can't even remember where he left his Digivice?!

"Killua!" He was snapped out of his inner frustration when Gon shoved something to his face. "Here, you put it in your backpack."

Staring back at him was a pure white device, not dissimilar to that of the rest of his friends. Killua made a humming noise and he took it on his hands. "Oh, right…" He said.

"Brother, you sure you okay?" Alluka asked as she got closer to him. "It's the second time you space out like that."

Right she didn't knew about his little argument with Gon. Aaaand now all of his friends were staring at him with the same concerned looks, wonderful.

He shook his head and resisted the urge to slap himself. "Sorry, sorry," He said. "Classes were such a bore that my mind is half asleep."

Alluka continued to give him and scrutinizing look, heck everyone was doing it. He gave them both a head pat and walked to the center of the room. "I'm telling you, I'm fine. We can go now!" He assured.

He could sort his issues later. This was a big moment for his sisters and he won't let them wait anymore.

"Okay then," Gon said, still giving him a bit of a strange look. He then gave a smile to continue forward with their plan. "Then, Yolei, could you do the honors?!" He asked eagerly.

Killua's face fell. "Does she have to?"

"Of course I do!" Yolei said, puffing out her chest and pointing her Digivice to the screen. "Digiport Open, let's go Digidestined!"

With a flash of light the room was empty again.

---

They all stood on an apparently empty void, black was the only thing they could see around them.

"Okay, what's happening now?" Yolei asked, feeling already tired from this rollercoaster of emotions.

"I don't know," Davis said, sitting down. "But I think it can give us a small break…"

No one disagreed with him; they all needed it after watching the scenes that took place right in front of their eyes.

Killua's older brother, his words towards their leader, his manipulations on the white haired boy, and Killua being somehow influenced by them.

"Is this what Zhuqiamon meant?" Cody asked. "About his worries…?"

"I don't get it," Armadillomon said, scratching his head. "Why did Killua attacked that old guy? I mean, he didn't do anything."

Gatomon scowled. "Because of what that so-called brother of his told him; he played with his mind and made Killua snap at the worst time," She said in a low hiss, Illumi's actions reminding her of Myotismon.

"It was really scary…" Patamon said. "That guy wasn't normal at all."

"He made Killua do something as awful as that," T.K said. "We knew he was an assassin, but he said right there that he didn't want to be one anymore… yet…" His face twisted, remembering the sudden attack on the old martial artist. "Cody's right, this must be what Zhuqiamon meant, that guy wormed his head and Killua did something against his will."

"So… Is this it then?" Davis asked, crossing his arms. "That freak with needles says some things to sparky, he goes nuts for a moment and then… well we don't know what came next, but Zhuqiamon made it seem like a big deal. And it's not like that freak can come to our world… I think…" He added considering Hisoka was there.

"You have a point," Ken said. "If this is what Zhuqiamon wanted us to see then why aren't we back at the temple? There must be more then…"

That didn't bode well for anyone. What else could have happened to make the guardian of the temple being so distrustful of Killua, or rather so paranoid that something might turn him against them?

"It was cruel…"

Their attention was brought back to Kari, who stood aside with her hands balled to fists at her side. "What he said was just so cruel…" She said with an angry expression. "He doesn't have the right to tell Killua what he should do with his life!"

That was something they couldn't deny. Despite their worries over what they would be shown next, they could all agree that that person Illumi—Killua's older brother—could be nothing short of the different enemies they've faced until now.

The shivers that his presence, even in the form of a memory, sent to their spine could also be a statement of that.

The darkness around them started to shift once again, this time they found themselves on a barely lit room, its only source of light being some candles on the floor.

It didn't take long to spot their leader; he was sitting on the floor along with a boy cladded in green who was cradling his hand which was red and swollen. In front of them was a man with a high ponytail and a sword resting on his hip inside a scabbard.

"Okay, what's happening now?" Davis asked, looking at the two new people. "Who are these guys?"

"I don't know who the man is," T.K answered, frowning at the man sitting on the floor before turning to the two boys. "But that kid's name is Gon."

"The one that freak was looking?" Yolei asked, referring to Illumi. "Killua's friend?"

Both T.K and Kari nodded, the two of them knowing by Killua's words just how much that boy meant for him.

As Gon hissed in pain due to the injury on his hand, Killua was in deep thought, and the group found themselves surprised by another finding of this situation.

"I was a fool," Killua's voice resonated across the room. "Had I moved back then, Hisoka wouldn't have doubted to kill me. That killing intent… made me freeze."

"… What?" V-Mon tilted his head at the sound of Killua's voice. "What is happening now?"

Ken looked from the image of Killua and around the room. "If I have to guess… Killua's thoughts on this moment," He deduced.

"His thoughts?" Cody mumbled, frowning even further. "As if this wasn't invasive enough…"

"What does Hisoka have to do with this, though?" Kari questioned.

"That freak just seems to be anywhere when there's trouble," Davis grumbled.

Before they could speak further, Killua's voice carried on. "Had Gon suffered an injury back then, would I have moved?"

"That's impossible."

The new voice caused everyone to freeze and look around.

"Was that—?!" Yolei asked, putting her hands up, ready for anything.

"Illumi…" Kari scowled, but as she looked around she didn't saw traces of the man. "Where is he?!"

T.K stopped looking around and looked at Killua with a frown. "Could it be…"

"What is it, T.K?" Patamon asked.

"It might be coming… From Killua's mind, just like his thoughts…" He said, the implications worrying him.

Illumi's voice rang across the room—Across Killua's head—repeating the words he told him during their match. "Your only worries when meeting someone should be whether you should kill them or not."

"You're wrong!" Killua's voice strongly denied.

"'Never fight an opponent you are not sure you can beat.' I taught you that."

"You're wrong!" Killua declared as he sat up, his Nen flowing out from him.

The sudden outburst and the reason behind it made all the Digidestined look closely at their friend, with Gon on the memory doing the same.

The man at the door chuckled and called the action scary. "It seems you really want to kill me," He said, getting into a position, ready to draw his sword.

To the group's surprise, aura started to come out of the man's body. "He's a Nen user!" Cody gasped.

"Let me warn you, if you get within my range I will cut you up," The man explained.

Despite his warning, Killua walked forward, ignoring Gon's call for him. Sweat dripped down his face and onto the floor with every step he took.

"He's going to be fine, right?" Davis said nervously. "I mean… we are here to rescue him after all!"

"R-Right and he has Godspeed," Yolei said. "With that he can dodge that guy!"

"No…" T.K said with uneasiness. "I… I don't think he knows how to use Godspeed yet… When we met him five years ago, he said he had just developed it."

"T-Then… How is he going to avoid it?" Cody asked nervously.

No one had an answer, just looking at the image of their leader and waiting to see how this will develop.

Killua stopped just a few feet away from the man. He stared at him with shaky eyes, his whole face drenched in nervous sweat. The boy took heavy breaths to calm himself, while the man seemed to be waiting his next movement.

Yet instead of any confrontation, Killua turned back and walked to the place where Gon was sitting, and gave a punch to the wall leaving a crack on it.

He sat down, panting and cleaning the sweat from his face, while his friends felt a weight leaving their chests.

"I don't have a chance against him," They heard his thoughts. "I need to find another way to escape…"

The scene faded away leaving them again in the dark, gathering their thoughts on what they just saw. What they just witnessed left them with various questions on their minds, must of it about what sort of situation Killua had found himself at the time.

But more importantly, they wanted to know about his behavior. And the fact that Illumi's words continued to echo on his head.

Davis was the first one to gather his thoughts and straight up tackled the elephant in the room. "Okay, what the eff was that about?!"

"What did Zhuqiamon wanted to show us with that?" Cody wondered.

No one had a sure answer to that. The last memory showed them how Illumi manipulated Killua to make him kill a man, showing what Zhuqiamon meant and what worried him. But this one? On this one they didn't understood what could he want to prove with it.

Gatomon crossed her arms and put a claw to her chin. "Killua seemed really outmatched against that man… It was normal to feel overwhelmed, but…"

"What is it?" V-Mon asked.

"… Why did he heard that guy's voice at the time?" Gatomon asked, raising an eyebrow.

That made them all stop and think about it. Why did Illumi's words came to him, instead of something else, like a plan on how to escape or face the man.

Why think of his brother's hurtful words.

Ken frowned. "Had his words really left an impact on him?"

That was like a bucket of cold water. Did Illumi's words really left an impact on their leader as to hear it on a situation like that? Or to make him so desperate to prove him wrong and try to fight a man like that head on.

It… It was worrying.

"But, that's not the case anymore, right?" Kari said with a small smile. "He never panicked like that with us against anything we've faced."

"That's right, Killua did fight against Digimon like BlackWargreymon and Blademon alone," Yolei said, hands on her hips. "He clearly got over whatever stupidity that guy told him."

The mood was uplifted by that. Illumi's words were just that, and could be easily overcome with experience and time. And present evidence proved the change their leader wasn't manipulated by the mere words of his brother.

Yet one of them frowned. T.K remembered something of their first adventure, before Kari joined them, a time where Killua talked about himself as if he was a coward, and the occasion when he ran away from them before they were attacked by a Digimon named Hookmon.

But that was different now. Something changed in the five years between that time and now, or rather on the five months Killua lived after their adventure.

What could have been?

The scene faded away and darkness enveloped them, but this time they felt ready for what they might see.

---

"Ready… GO!"

Killua and Gon scarfed down as much food as they could, seeing who could eat faster in a short amount of time. Gon had won last time, but now it was going to be different.

From the sidelines, the Digidestined watched them with a mix of awe and disgust.

"How are they not choking?" Davis questioned, pushing away the piece of cake he had, suddenly not feeling hungry anymore.

"And how big can their jaws open?" Yolei added as she saw Gon easily fit two slices of pizza at the same time and swallowing them in one go before stuffing his mouth again.

They were in Primary Village on a picnic to commemorate the first time Alluka and Nanika went to the Digital World. Speaking of whom, the little girl was busy playing with the babies of the village, shifting between herself and Nanika to make funny faces at them and elicit laughs from the newborns.

Killua let himself get distracted to look over where his sisters are playing and if it wasn't for the food on his mouth he would have smiled at the sight, and as he looked forward to Gon scarfing food down and their friends observing them, he just felt that this… This was right.

So why did he felt like he was missing some—

"SURPRISE ATTACK!" A tiny voice yelled from behind him and he felt something falling on his back.

The food on he was chewing on was immediately expelled from his mouth, spraying over Gon who blinked in shock at this and at the scene before him, while everyone else laughed heartedly.

Killua gritted his teeth and his eyes became slit like a cat's. "The nerve of…"

"HA HAHA HA!" The same tiny voice laughed boisterously. "You have to work on your senses, partner!"

The weight was removed from his back and he got up to glare at the responsible. A pair of blue eyes stared at him from behind a hood, and under it was the body of a bipedal feline, and a small sword attached to his hip.

"And you need to learn to pick your fights, Blademon!" Killua growled at his partner as he pounced on him, the two of them starting to wrestle against the other.

To think he had almost forgot about him, with all the weird headaches he's been having all day, but this was his partner, Blademon.

He put him on a chokehold and gave him a noogie. "You almost killed me, you little runt!" He grunted as the Digimon tried to escape his partners hold.

"Then, you just… suck!" Blademon said as he gripped his partner's arm.

Jeez, the nerve of this guy. Was he always going to try to kill him? At least it wasn't worst like the other times he tried to kill… him

Other times? Blademon might be a prankster, but never to the point of endangering his life. Why would he think that? His partner would never harm him.

So… W-Why, why was he having all this blanks out of the sudden, these thoughts that didn't belong, all these—!

Splat!

His thoughts and rumbling were interrupted by a cake to the face and the sound of a snickering Gon.

That little shit!

"What the heck?!" He roared to his friend as he freed Blademon and wiped the cream from his face.

Gon stuck out his tongue and signaled to the food that was on his face. "Payback," He said cheekily.

"That was Blademon's fault!" Killua snapped, hands twitching with murderous desire, fuelled by the howling laughter of his partner who was rolling on the floor.

"I know!" Gon said, grabbing a can of soda and moving with an amazing speed over to the laughing Digimon, pop it open and proceed to douse it on him, cause him to cease his laughter and splutter.

"Puagh, ack, what the heck!?" Blademon growled as he shook like a dog.

"Byeee!" Gon said as he ran away from the two.

"GET HIM!" Killua said as he chased his best friend, followed by his partner.

The comedic scene served as entertainment for the Digidestined, who watched as Gon ducked behind plush after plush in a desperate attempt from getting away from the duo. Who armed themselves with slices of pizza to attack the spiked haired boy.

Gon was quickly cornered against two rocks and a soft place, as Killua and Blademon loomed over him with pizza on both of their hands and behind him was a plush building. He gulped nervously and threw his hands up in surrender. "MERCY!"

"NO!" The partners said as they marred his face with mozzarella and peperoni. Courtesy of Miss Mito and Kikyo's cooking.

"Blegh…" Gon pouted and stuck his tongue out at them. "You both suck…"

"Hey Alluka, come see this!" He called for his sister, but received no answer. "Alluka… Nanika?"

He turned around where his sister had been playing with the babies, only for her to be missing from the spot.

"Alluka?!" Killua called as he looked around, "Where'd she go?!"

"Maybe she wander off somewhere," Blademon said with a shrug.

"That girl I swear…" Killua grumbled as he ran a hand through his hair.

"It's okay, we're gonna help you find her," Kari said as she and the others joined. "She couldn't have wandered too far off."

Killua nodded. "Thanks guys."

"I say we go out in pairs!" Davis said, raising a hand and then smiling goofily. "How's that sound Ka-"

"Good idea, Davis!" Said Gon as he grabbed his arm and pulling him away. "Let's go."

"Eh, no, wait!" Davis said as he was pulled by Gon.

"That was actually a good idea by Davis," Yolei mused.

"Shall we?" Ken asked her as he gestured to the opposite direction where Gon and Davis were going.

She nodded and the two walked away, Cody and T.K following their example and walking on a new direction to look for Alluka.

"Well then, that just leaves us," Kari said with a smile. "Let's go."

"Right," Killua nodded, not before looking back at where Gon was walking away with Davis and seeing his best friend turn around with a bright grin and a thumb up.

Killua sweatdropped and his eye twitched, 'Since when is he this cunning?' He thought before turning around to follow Kari.

---

When the light faded, they felt ready for whatever they might see, and hoped they were almost done.

Yet T.K, Kari and their partners paled when they saw the scenery. A deserted paramount almost devoid of color with a strange observatory in the distance; it was a scene they found themselves in five years ago, during their climax of the battle against one of their most dangerous foes.

"This place gives me the creeps…" Davis said, rubbing his arms and looking around. He looked at the veterans and frowned at their expressions. "Everything okay, guys?"

"We… We know this place…" T.K said. "This is Spiral Mountain."

"Spiral Mountain?" Yolei questioned, raising an eyebrow. The name sounded familiar, yet she couldn't remember where did she heard it.

"It's the place where you beat the Dark Masters?" Cody asked in confirmation.

T.K and Kari nodded, wondering why they were watching this scene. Now what could Zhuqiamon showed them to convince them of his point of view, in a point of their lives when they already met him.

Before they could question them any further, they heard a yell. They turned in the direction where it came from, and observed a brutal scene that made their blood freeze.

Killua bounced against the floor before crashing against a rock. He staggered as he got back to his feet, his teeth clenched so hard that they were about to crack, as he glared at the one responsible.

They turned to see who did this, and a shiver ran down their spines. Both Kari and T.K were all too familiar with the figure walking towards Killua, but for the new kids it was an intimidating sight to see.

Piedmon, the leader of the Dark Masters chuckled darkly as he walked towards Killua, before dashing forward and slamming his foot on his solar plexus.

"KILLUA!" The concern on their voices was palpable, as they saw the image of their leader was sent flying through the rock.

Piedmon's walked calmly to Killua where he landed and stomped the boy's back as he tried to get up. "I could end your suffering right now, Anomaly. You only have to tell me where those children are."

What he said made click with the veterans, realizing when this happened. "This…" Kari felt sick.

"Kari?" Gatomon questioned. During this fight she was turned into a keychain, the last thing she remembered was Piedmon cornering her and Phoenixmon before waking up in front of a bruised Killua.

"Piedmon turned everyone into keychain except for Kari, Killua and me," T.K explained. "Killua hid us and faced Piedmon… We didn't know this is how it happened."

Killua glared at him, making Piedmon angrier and continuing with the brutal beat down, declaring how fun it was for him to attack him. Killua continued to get back up no matter how much Piedmon attacked him, even when the clown brutally pummeled him.

"Why isn't he fighting back?" Cody asked, distressed of seeing his leader getting brutalized like this.

His answer came in the front of a voice that sounded when Piedmon took a breath from attacking and Killua was trying to regain his breath, doubled over on himself.

'Run away, hurry.'

They immediately recognized the voice, one that has been a source of torment during this whole thing.

"Illumi…" Kari practically growled, scowling as she remembered the face of Killua's brother.

Killua seemed to be physically pained by his brother's voice as he tried to deny them, gripping his head in pain.

Piedmon resumed his attack, constantly sending Killua to the floor.

"What's the point of seeing this?" Ken asked, gritting his teeth. "What does Zhuqiamon want us to see?!"

"Ain't that the question of the century?" Davis growled, wanting to interfere somehow.

As Killua got up once again, they heard his thoughts. 'T.K, Kari… I will protect you.' He gritted his teeth and spoke. "Because we're friends…" Tears fell from his eyes. "Because you're my precious friends… All of you are."

His words touched deeply the two of them, but it was cut short when Piedmon spoke. "Have you gone mad with grief or just mad because you know this is a lost battle?"

'Run away.' Again that voice came to taunt them.

"Why isn't he shutting up?!" Yolei growled, as Killua's thoughts told the voice to shut up.

The intensity of the voice grew, and Killua gripped his head tightly, as if fighting it and trying to drown it, while Piedmon unsheathed one of his swords.

"Killua move!" Kari said, knowing perfectly this was a memory, but still fearing for his safety.

'I don't want to lose… any of them.'

"You won't! But you have to get out of there!" Gatomon said, feeling anxiety at what could happen.

The sword was launched and some acted by instinct. Cody swung his shinai to try and block it, while Armadillomon curled and tried to use his shard shell to deflect it, only for it to pass by them like mist. "NO!"

"C'mon man, move!" Davis yelled as he saw the sword almost reaching an unmoving Killua.

'RUN AWAY!'

'They're all…´ Killua's eyes opened as he gripped something on his head, "MY PRECIOUS FRIENDS!"

And with a yell, he ripped it off.

The sword struck the ground and everyone held their breaths, wondering how Killua survived that. When the cloud of dust was cleared, Killua was no longer there. They spotted him a few meters away from the area of impact with something on his hands.

They moved closer to check on him and saw his forehead bleeding while he admired the thing on his hand.

"Is that… A needle?" Hawkmon asked as he observed the thing.

"… Neddle…" Kari mumbled as she looked at the thing.

Then Killua started laughing while admiring the needle. "He got me… Illumi you bastard, you have a weird way of worrying for me. He put a needle with Nen…" He turned to Piedmon with a smile and pointed to his forehead. "… Right here; so I would follow his instructions if I was in a pinch."

The scene faded, yet instead of being sent back to the darkness, it was a bright light that enveloped them, forcing them all to cover their eyes.

---

When it died down, they found themselves at the temple. The fiery form of Zuqhiamon looking down at them, and judging by the sunlight coming from the door they haven't being gone for that long.

"I think that has been enough," Zhuqiamon said, calling their attention.

"E-Enough?" Davis asked, still reeling from all the things they've seen.

"Precisely,' Zhuqiamon nodded. "The memories I've shown you are the ones that sparked my worries. The Anomaly was controlled in the past, so his actions would be influenced by somebody else. Now that you've seen them, do you honestly believe that said risk isn't real? Answer me now."

"Hey, time out! You didn't give us enough time to think about it!" Yolei said, completely baffled by the quick judgment from the guardian.

"We just got back!" Hawkmon added, not liking the attitude of the guardian.

"If there's no doubt in your hearts then it should be an easy decision," The bird replied swiftly.

"I-It's not that simple!" Cody said, feeling pressured by the phoenix's demand.

"Yeah, we gotta think 'bout this stuff!" Armadillomon said, glaring up at the bird.

"Isn't it?" The bird asked, looking down at them as he extended his wings. "It's a matter of yes and no. Do you understand my fears; my decision on keeping the Anomaly on the sidelines while the ones threatening my world are still at large?" His gaze went to Ken, "knowing that someone might twist him against you."

Ken scowled at the bird, upset that he brought his past up again to use it against their friend. "I broke out of the control of whoever is pulling the strings, Killua would do it too!"

"Then why do I feel the doubt in you?" He asked, making them all flinch. "Remember that I know everything here in my domain, you might say one thing, but I can feel something else. So answer truthfully now. Do you agree with my fears or do you trust that something like that won't happen?"

They were momentarily silent. Trying to find a way out of the demands from the guardian, because in the end the doubts clouded their minds, it was one thing to believe Killua had been manipulated by words, something that could be forgotten with time and experience, but Nen ability was far more dangerous—that without mentioning Digimon who could possess mind-controlling abilities like what Arukenimon did at that giant house way back before their hunt for the temples.

There was just one answer to that.

"It's true," Everyone whirled around to see Kari looking up at the bird. "You are right on being worried about that possibility that someone might cause him to act against us. Like his brother made him run from conflicts…"

The Digidestined all looked uncomfortable and tense. None of them wanted to admit it, but now that it came up, the truth was that it was a possibility.

"Then you understand why—"

"But it might not happen," Kari said. "Like Ken said, we know how to break of the control of whoever the mastermind is. It might happen, just like it might not."

"But if it happens, you won't stand a chance," The bird responded with a scowl. "That is what I fear. No matter how much good the Anomaly did, if he goes astray then he can do just as much harm."

"That applies for all of us," T.K spoke up. "With our Digivices, our partners and our Nen we could put the Digital World at risk."

"And in that case the only one who could stop us is Killua," Yolei said cheekily. "As long as you guys stay locked."

"So if by tomorrow we are suddenly evil and you keep Sparky here…" Davis pointed at him with a deadpan. "You'd really look like a clown."

"What you are doing is unfair," Cody spoke. "We are a team and we are all working together to protect both worlds, you can't take us apart just because of your worries."

"Moreover, Killua isn't just the Anomaly anymore," Ken said. "He was a partner that he's looking forward to meet again, a Crest, and a Digivice we will recover once we find the mastermind."

"That's why, no matter his past, no matter what his brother, or what the mastermind might do with his ability," Kari frowned at the bird. "Killua is not and will never be a threat like Hisoka!"

The guardian continued to frown down at the Digidestined as they stood together. They shared his doubt after seeing the memories of the Anomaly, yet even as they acknowledge it they decided to continue despite of it.

If the boy turns against them like Hisoka has done then almost nothing could stop him except for him and his brother. Yet the possibility of the Digidestined doing the same didn't crossed his mind, one Emperor caused enough problems but a whole team of them with Nen capabilities, then only the Anomaly could stop them.

Before he could give them a respond, a blue blast broke through the ceiling, impacting against the floor and creating an explosion.

"WHAT THE HECK!" V-Mon yelped as he covered himself from the smoke.

Everyone looked up and glared at the responsible. And it didn't surprise them to see BlackMetalGarurumon with smoke coming out of his mouth and the cackling witch resting on its back. "Oh, you're here…" She sneered at seeing the Digidestined through the door. "And here I thought you'd move on to the next temple, leaving this one defenseless."

"You'd wish that be the case, huh!?" Davis growled as his Nen flared around him and he gave a jump to fire a ball at her. "Eat this!"

BlackMetalGarurumon flew out of the way and circled outside the temple, before opening his mouth and firing another blast that broke one of its walls.

"So… Those… Are the ones… Responsible for this…" Zhuqiamon rasped, his form flickering.

"Zhuqiamon?!" The Digidestined gasped as they saw the ethereal form of the Digimon flickering like a dying flame.

"They took me by surprise… I didn't felt them… So focused on showing you the past… and keeping the Anomaly under the dream…" The bird said between pants.

"Then get him out of that dream and help us out!" Kari said, Nen flowing and Digivice in hand.

"I can't interact outside of my temple… Much less in this state…" Zhuqiamon said, struggling to get his words out.

"Fat load of good you are then!" Davis snapped. "Then bring us Sparky back so we can defend this temple, or what's left of it anyways!" He turned to the others with his Digivice ready. "Let's get that witch and her dog!"

The group nodded and walked out of the temple leaving the weakened guarding alone with his thoughts.

The bird closed his eyes, a struggle going through his mind. He had thought to be on the right here; that without the Anomaly the Digital World won't the risk of another threat. Yet now his temple was in danger, his power was weakening, and the Digidestined were about to face a creature he could feel was about the power of their partners.

He had made a mistake. Now he would correct it.

---

"Alluka! Nanika!"

"Where are you!?"

With Blademon and Gatomon jumping from tree to tree to find any clue of the girls, Killua sighed and put his hands on his pockets while Kari had a worried frown on her face. The sun was starting to set, they had to go back to the Digital World soon, and if the girls didn't appeared then the boy could get in trouble with his family.

"Dear lord, out of all things, what possessed her to run off right now?" Killua grumbled in annoyance.

"They couldn't have gone far," Kari reassured him, but Killua still conserved his frown on his face.

Blademon leaped down from the tree and landed on Killua's shoulders. He rested his chin on the boy's hair. "She's right, and with my nose we'll find her in no time."

"You said that half an hour ago…" Killua said with a deadpan expression.

Blademon started sweating nervously while chuckling and scratching his chin. "W-w-w-well, winter's coming so my nose could get a bit clogged."

Gatomon leaped down as well and looked up at Blademon. "Maybe if we split up we can cover even more ground, worst comes to worst I will evolve."

"Why am I the only one that can't evolve into something with wings?" Blademon slumped on Killua's head.

"Get over it," Killua told him as he got him off his shoulders. "And look for those two, I'm counting on you."

"Aye aye!" Blademon said giving a salute and hoping onto some trees to continue on the search.

As the two left, Killua felt a migraine on his head. This whole situation with his sisters and the Digital World was getting to him, it was supposed to be something fun, something they would all enjoy, but now she was out of his sight, alone, and he didn't have the slightest idea on how to reach her. He knows that she didn't do it with bad intentions, but still, they should have at least asked for his permission before transporting… What?

'Again?! Transporting me to where?! How the heck could something like that happen! What is going on with me!?' He thought, feeling the migraine turning into a pounding headache.

Two tender hands grabbed his and he turned to see Kari giving him a worried look, "Are you okay?"

Killua sighed, the headache still there, but subsiding slightly. "Yeah… Just worried for them."

"Here," Kari said, leading him by the hand so they would rest on a tree. "Let's take a break."

Killua sighed as he sat down. These migraines, these weird thoughts, now Alluka and Nanika, all of it felt him feeling tired.

"… There's something bothering you, right?" Kari asked, "And not only Nanika and Alluka leaving."

Killua sighed. "All day I had my mind… Somewhere else; random thoughts that don't make sense suddenly popped out of nowhere, it's why I've been spacing out, weird huh?"

"Why didn't you say anything?" Kari asked with worry.

Killua shrugged. "It was Alluka and Nanika's first time at the Digital World, I didn't want to cause a scene."

Kari frowned and gave him a concerned look, before sighing. "I suppose I get it. But if it was that much of a problem you know you could have told us at any time, right?"

He looked down for a few moments before nodding and smirking, "Yeah, sure."

Beeps came from their pockets and they dug out their D-Terminals to see a message from Davis. Their eyes lit up and smiled at the message.

Found her, going back to the village.

—Davis M.

The two left out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness," Kari said.

"Yeah, gonna have to thank those two," Killua said, knowing that Gon was with him.

"Should we get going?" Kari asked, ready to get up.

Killua looked at her and then at the sky. It was tainted orange; they just had around half an hour before having to go back and now that he knows that Alluka was safe… Where was the hurry?

"Can we stay here for a while?" Killua asked. "These migraines and those weird thoughts seriously left me drained… I wanna rest a bit."

Kari blinked before sitting down next to him. "Alright then, I think we can for a bit."

"Cool," Killua said, leaving a relaxed sigh.

The two just laid down on the three a soft breeze accompanying the calm they were feeling now that the day was coming to an end. The last part of it was a bit stressing with Alluka running off, but now… Now this just felt right.

As he enjoyed the breeze, Killua felt a weight on his shoulder. He turned to see Kari resting on it with her face tainted with a faint red. "I… sorry, this just felt more comfortable."

Killua turned his head to the side, "its fine," He muttered, hiding his own blush.

Alluka and Nanika were safe, Gon and the others were looking after her and waiting for their return, his partner and Gatomon would come back at any moment to just go back home and enjoy dinner with his family.

It was all good. It was all perfect.

And it was all fake.

The thought came suddenly and without anesthesia. The realization just came, and just like the first time he plugged out his brother's needle, it was as if a mist had been lifted from his mind. The contradictory thoughts went away and he sat up from his sitting spot.

The forest, Kari, and everything around him vanished in a show of orange light and a being that resembled a giant bird appeared in front of him.

"Whatever reason you had to do all of this, fucking save it," Killua growled, glaring at the bird. "Get me out of here."

The bird just extended the wings and everything was covered on an orange glow.

---

"AWROOOO!" With a howl, BlackMetalGarurumon unleashed a barrage of missiles from slots on his body, making sure to not hurt the woman on his back. All of them aimed at the temple.

"X-Laser!"

"Hand of Fate!"

"Explosive Rings!"

"Missiles Storm!"

"Queen's Curse!"

"Spike Buster!"

The Digimon all did their best effort, using their attacks to block the missiles and prevent them from reaching the temple. But some of the projectiles passed by them and struck the structure, fracturing it further and causing debris to fall into the lava.

Arukenimon cackled. "First we managed to give BlackWargreymon the slip, and now that the Anomaly isn't around we have the chance to both destroy the temple and the Digidestined!"

From below Davis glared at her as he prepared another shot. "Then why won't you come down here and do it yourself?!"

Arukenimon glared back with a scoff. "After the stunt the Anomaly pulled on me yesterday I won't take my chances," She said.

"Then we'll make you," Davis said, focusing Nen on his feet, "Ken, T.K ready?"

"Ready!" A determined Ken said as he ripped a page and a pair TEC-9 appeared, while T.K gathered Nen on his feet.

The three boys leaped into action. T.K threw his arms forward and his strings wrapped against the paws of the wolf, Ken fired his weapons, making sure to harm the wolf, while Davis fired the ball from his feet.

Their attacks impacted, and Davis turned to the Digimon protecting the temple. "Now you guys!"

All of the Digimon contributed with their respective attacks, causing an explosion to rise.

The boys landed and everyone looked at the cloud of smoke, daring to hope that their attacks worked to damage the hound and the witch. Yet a pair of yellow eyes glowed from behind the curtain and the cackle of the woman could be heard from the top of BlackMetalGarurumon's back.

"Oh that was just cute," She said, dusting off the dust of her clothes. "But the time for games is over." She petted the head of her ride, "BlackMetalGarurumon, now."

BlackMetalGarurumon gathered energy on his mouth and all the slots on his body opened once again and unleashed his hellish barrage of armaments. The Digimon all tried their best to block them and avoid from reaching the center of the volcano, but the number of missiles and the strength of the blue blast, it passed them and struck the walls of the structure, causing it to finally collapse on itself, the remaining debris falling into the temple.

The Digidestined all froze when they saw the temple collapse. Their enemy had once again gotten one step ahead of them on their plans, but their leader and friend was still inside of the temple, meaning that he was meeting the same fate as the rest of the structure itself.

Despair settled momentarily on their hearts at the thought that Killua had sank and burned just like the rest of the temple, and with the passing of the seconds and with the raising of the black smoke that appeared with the destructions of the temples, as well as the cracked statue of Zhuqiamon breaking completely, that awful feeling just got worse and worse.

Until a soft orange and blue glow came from within the black clouds and shot forward towards the two responsible for the attack, more specifically aimed at Arukenimon, whose eyes widened behind her lenses.

The figure landed a few feet behind her, the orange glow dissipating to reveal the form of an unharmed Killua covered in the aura of Godspeed, nails sharpened and on a lunging position. His eyes shadowed by the bangs of his hair.

The relief was palpable on the Digidestined, as they stared at their leader safe and sound from the collapse of the building. "Killua…" Kari breathed out.

Killua looked at the group and gave them a slight smirk of reassurance.

Then Arukenimon screeched.

She covered her face and howled in terrible pain. Shards of glass falling from her face and blood leaking through the gap of her fingers, she uncovered her face to glare at the one responsible, revealing the slash marks that covered her once pristine face as well as her ruined lenses.

Killua straightened, the aura of Godspeed leaving his body and leaving him to glare up at the woman with two empty pools of blue.

That glare made the woman flinch. To worsen things she could feel BlackMetalGarurumon growling and growing anxious as he looked at the boy. She couldn't deal with this right now, now that the Anomaly was here a fight against all of them would call the unnecessary attention of BlackWargreymon.

"We're leaving…" She gritted out. To her surprise, BlackMetalGarurumon growled and seemed to be ready to charge.

She slapped the back of his head. "We are leaving! Smokescreen now!"

Still growling, BlackMetalGarurumon complied. He opened his mouth and the slots of his body to release his attacks.

Killua leaped back to avoid the blue blast of energy from the wolf's mouth, while the rest of the team opted to go by evasive maneuvers to dodge the missiles. Theses struck the floor and exploded, creating a smoke curtain that gave the two villains to fly away from the mountain and away from the scene.

Once again their job done and a temple destroyed.

When the smoke cleared, the Digidestined's attention was called by a bubbling sound. They looked at the pool of magma to see it rising from its depth.

"Shit!" Killua cursed as he saw this, "Time to get out of here!"

Not needing to be told twice, the Digidestined got to the backs of their partners, with Killua jumping onto Nefertimon's back to get away from the active volcano. The lava overflowed the border of the pool and started to run down the mountain, it wasn't exactly an eruption that would affect the surrounding area, but it was still dangerous to be around it now.

There were no towns in the area or at least not close enough for the lava to reach them. But it was worrying how much the destruction of the temple had affected the balance on that volcano.

Killua frowned as they flew away from the scene. 'Damn that bird. If it wasn't for him then maybe we could have avoided this…' He thought bitterly.

"Killua?" Kari asked, turning to see him.

He gave a sigh and looked down, disappointed by the turn of events that lead to the destruction of the temple, "It's nothing."

Kari looked at him and gave a sigh before grabbing his hand much to his surprise. She looked at him with a smile. "I'm just glad you're okay… after what Zhuqiamon did."

Killua blinked before smiling back. "Yeah… I suppose I'm glad to be back…" He frowned as he looked back at the temple. "That stupid bird… Why the hell did he put me to sleep back there…"

Kari looked at him in surprise, realizing he didn't know the reason behind Zhuqiamon's actions. "We actually now why," She told him, making him look at her in surprise. "I'll tell you when we land with the others."

He nodded and the two continued to fly away from the volcano.

---

When they landed on an area safe from the volcano, the group gathered around their leader to tell him about their experience on the temple, all of them having looks of discomfort at relieving the bad experience Illumi made Killua go through because of that needle.

Killua stayed silent as they relayed the information of him, a bad taste forming on his mouth, the situation reminding him of what happened on Myotismon's castle during the first adventure.

And of course, the truth about what his brother did, as well as the reasoning of the guardian didn't helped to wash away the taste.

"We... are sorry for having to intrude into your memories," Cody said as he gave a bow.

"Don't apologize, Cody," Killua said with a sigh as he ran a hand through his head. "It was either that or leaving me trap with the roasted chicken."

"It still wasn't fair," T.K said, feeling especially bad for having done this twice. Even when though he was a kid the first time around.

"It wasn't… Though I won't say his suspicious weren't unfounded," Killua said taking everyone by surprise. "What? It's true; the guy behind all of this is a Manipulator, in both senses of the word, with an ability that is similar to my brother's. The only advantage we have is that we know how to break out of it, Ken did… And so did Blademon, I think," He said with a sigh.

"… Killua," Kari said. "Why didn't you… tell us about it."

Killua raised an eyebrow, "About the needle and my brother?" He received a nod and he shrugged. "I guess because… it didn't mattered anymore, if it was brought up I would have said it but… when I ripped it off, was the best feeling ever. And with it out of me I became simply better. As for my brother… The less I have to think about it the better, he is a lost cause, without me around, I wouldn't be surprised if my family made him the heir of the business."

Kari nodded, understanding the reasoning of her friend and deciding to leave it alone.

"Look guys, it's late. We all had a long day, and now we have to be ready as we'll ever be now that there's only one temple standing," He told them. "Tonight training again, so we can defend that temple like never. If what you told me about birdy is true, then it might not be long before the last one of the Harmonious Ones wakes up… with luck it won't leave me trapped in some weird ass dream. But I digress. Tonight, hellish training, be prepared."

"OSU!"

Flashes of light shone on the desert as the Digidestined left, leaving only Killua, Kari and Gatomon.

Kari lifted her Digivice to follow suit, only to look back and see Killua in deep thought. "Killua," She called, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Are you sure everything is in order."

"Yeah," He said a bit sheepish. "Just thinking about what the bird did."

"He mentioned that he put you on a dream world of his creation," Gatomon said. "Is that what you mean?"

"Um, yeah…" He said. "Though now it is getting kind of fuzzy, like all dreams do I suppose."

"So you don't remember what it was about?" Kari asked with a head tilt.

Killua looked up in thought before shaking his head. "Nah… It might not have been that important," he said with a shrug. "Let's get going."

The two nodded and turned back to the portal, not noticing how Killua got into deep thought again.

He did remember his dream, that perfect, ideal life that was too good to be truth.

Still, it was a nice scenario. Him free of all worries from either his family or problems in the Digital World, with everyone he cared about at his side.

He shook his head. After all, that's all it would remain as, a dream.

It was time to continue forward with the obstacles that reality had in store for them.

---

Not gonna lie… I hate this chapter.

I made it with the idea of showing the Digidestined more moments of Killua's life, not only those of him being under Illumi's control. But just by doing one scene from the Hunter Exams I could tell that if I didn't filtered what I wrote then this chapter would have been twice as long.

The good part is that I tackled a plot I wanted to add, the dream plot. Doing something similar to what MaloMyotismon did in the finale of the original Digimon 02, but with Killua. Though I think I could have done it better.

This chapter was too long to make, I could have done it better, but I'm sick of it, and want to continue the story forward.

But you might have noticed that this is called Down Memory Lane I

Well, we saw the past of one Anomaly…

But what about the other?