Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
On a note, it's been a few hard months. Death in the family medical issues, and constantly working has set me back, but nothing will stop me in this novelization quest. We're going to be moving ground quickly as we near the end of the novel. This next chapter is a play on words and a tribute to Digimon Tri. As always, thank you for your support, and let me know your thoughts or concerns. We'll reach the end together!
Chapter Forty-Nine: Trilateral Move
"So, that's it," Gennai said. "I get to go to the Realm of Light and perform a ritual of some kind for Homeostasis. What that is, I do not know, but it might just be my ticket to freedom. Maybe I'll no longer have to be her junk yard dog," he growled. "But whatever she is having me do is pretty important. I should feel pretty honored you know?" he laughed to himself, Rei letting Gennai fall into his own delusions.
"If that's how you feel," Rei gestured with his hand towards the portal where Gennai had entered, "Then why did you come back to me in the first place?"
"Because I need insurance," he said. "I don't fully trust you, and I certainly don't trust Homeostasis," he said bitterly. "I want to keep my power, but remove my chains," he said. "Do you get me?"
"I certainly do," Rei said. "In fact, I see something far more than that," he said walking forward and grabbing his wrist squeezing it.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" he frowned.
"You need to be taught a lesson," Rei said squeezing his wrist, Gennai wincing in unimaginable pain.
"Let go!" he barked, shouting in even more pain, but Rei only squeezed more.
"I said let go of me dammit!" he cried starting to froth at the mouth. "Let go of me!"
"Oh, I will," Rei said sternly watching his every reaction. "However, not in the way you think I will," he said letting up a little bit, Gennai yanking his hand back to no avail.
"Come on! Have mercy!" he begged. "You're going to break it!"
"If that happens I'll just repair it and we'll have to do this all over again," Rei said lightheartedly.
"Now then, Gennai," he said, his grip still in place, ignoring his screams, "To get away from those in power you can't pull away," he said, "Because ultimately they will just hold you in place or reel you back in. Just like I am now," he said, Gennai steaming mad.
"However," he said, "If you just go along with it until you have your chance," he continued, Gennai's eyes meeting his as if they were on the same wave length, "then eventually you'll be able to sever the link," he said, Gennai shuddering, but then instead of pulling against him pushed his hand towards him, stumbling forward to the ground, but Rei finally releasing his grip.
Ygdrassill tapped her shoes going over to him staring down grinning. "And thus ends the lesson!" she exclaimed with a menacing smile.
Gennai got up off the ground rubbing his wrist. He sighed out, bullets of sweat quickly fading.
"I guess I won't escape you so easily," he grinned, a bit nervously. "However, make no mistake one day I will escape. I will neither serve the light or the darkness."
"Then allow me to give you that insurance you've been striving for," Rei said. "Go to the Zero Dimension, The Realm of Light- Whatever you want to call it. Then I want you to do three things for me. If you complete these three tasks I will reveal to you the secret of how to be severed from both the light and the darkness and be your own master."
"Yeah?" he said thinking about it. "I can't help but think you have your own hidden agenda about this, but what do I care? If I get my freedom I'll do anything."
"That's what I like to hear," he said patting him on the back. "So, you'll do three things for me servant," he said expectantly, Gennai hesitating as he placed his hands on his knees and sat on them.
"One. You'll locate the Digital Record, but you will not touch it, for if you do you will be vaporized. Secondly," he said licking his lips, "you'll report to me on what you find in that dimension, including this ritual of yours. And thirdly," he added holding up three fingers, "Identify a potential ally in this dimension we can recruit to our cause without getting caught by that witch," he declared.
"Can you do these three things Gennai?"
He smirked devilishly. "Of course," he said. "And if I do these things and get back to you you'll tell me the secret?"
"That depends on you," Rei challenged.
"Then I'm out of here," he said leaving out of the portal that brought him there.
In a flash of grayish light he disappeared inside it and the portal vanished.
"There he goes," Ygdrassiill said indifferently. "That one is really a child, isn't he? For a grown man anyway."
"He's a child at heart Ygdrassill and therefore so easily to manipulate," Rei mused. "Let's just leave him alone."
"Sure," she said. "But, while he's gone what are we going to do?"
"Rest easy," he said. "Even if Gennai does end up betraying me, he won't dare turn to Homeostasis and tell her my plans. She wouldn't understand his intentions and end his existence on the spot."
"So, you're sure he will come back?"
"He will," Rei said. 'But, it may not be for awhile. He'll eventually come to the truth. And by then, the Watchers of the Periphery and The Shadow of Apotheoseia will have moved into position. We're not through with those silly Digidiestined yet," he leered. "In fact, I, personally, am just beginning."
With the defeat of MaloMyotismon more and more Children with Digimon came into being. Like toddlers not knowing not to play with deadly or harmful weapons they were given marshmallows and puffballs that could turn to at most a rubber sword. Rei knew they were unworthy of the power they were given, knowing like distracted youths they were being used for a far sinister purpose in the future. Because, after all, SHE cared not for her pawns. She would use them as she saw fit, regardless of the sacrifices.
He spent the time further inserting elements of the barrier into Cthulusmon, and continued twisting Ygdrassill to think of her 'sister' differently. Gennai would come back one day to him with the information he needed. And, once he did come back everything would be ready for him to make his next move.
It happened suddenly, as all things are wanton to occur. While contemplating on his throne ruminating about the past and his hatred for anything Homeostasis and the Digital Creator touches, Gennai appeared in a portal of light to him.
Cthulusmon happened to be back from his training, merely tilting his glasses on his face a bit mystified by it.
"Kind of pretty isn't it?" Ygdrassill teased, Cthulusmon merely rolling his eyes, his face in disgust.
"Welcome back...servant," Rei said rising from his throne in anticipation. "How long has it been? Two
years? Three years? I'm afraid I've lost all track of time," Rei smiled lightheartedly.
"Been at least four or five," he grinned. "Saw your handiwork with Diaboromon, and again with Armageddamon. Nice work," he said snippantly. "Too bad the brats took them down," he snickered. "But that was all according to plan wasn't it?" he pried.
"All is as it should be," Rei said indifferently. "I see you've come back. I trust you completed the tasks I gave to you?"
Gennai walked over towards him, a bit repulsed by him. "Yeah, I did," he said, "But I'll tell you now I don't need to tell you anything. I'm free from you."
"Free?" Ygdrassill questioned, her eyes studying him and his composition. She then covered her mouth with her hands holding back any and all laughter to no avail.
Rei also clenched his teeth while smiling, also unable to stop his twitching giggles escaping him.
Gennai did not seem so pleased, his brow furrowed. "I thought you would take this better than that," he challenged. "I'm no longer your servant. I'm me. I'm just Gennai now!"
"Do you really believe that?" Rei said overshadowing him as he walked closer to him. "You think Homeostasis would let you just walk freely? As if you've been bathed in a holy baptism and all of your sins have been washed away?"
"That's right," Gennai said. "I'm a new man! After stepping in the Zero Dimension any of your influence has been purged from me. I can go wherever I please!"
"You're an even bigger fool than I thought," he said snapping his fingers. Immediately Gennai sank to his knees as if a mighty force had pressed down upon him.
"What is this?" he questioned. "Aren't I supposed to be immune from your influence!"
"Being free doesn't mean not being able to be hurt," Ygdrassill lightly scolded.
"Indeed," Rei said studying him. "This notion of yours to be 'free' is against your digital code. Any and all digital code follows a set path of laws according to that make up. A desire to be 'free' is not any part of that.'
"What are you getting at?"
"Who do you think gave you the idea of wanting to be free? Who do you think is truly deceiving you into thinking you have to escape your bounds?"
Gennai glanced at him, then back at the ground. "No," he said stunned. "That can't be. I'm a hero! A hero of the Digital World! From my exploits there is no way she would program me like this!"
"It's hard to see the truth isn't it, friend?" Rei said reaching his hand out to him, Gennai reaching out and standing once more at his level.
"I...I had no idea," he grimaced as if ashamed by the revelation. "She's the one that made me like this. It's all her fault," he groaned. "That witch!"
"Whoa, careful now," Rei said trying to calm him. "If you seek your vengeance against her, why not share with me what you know?"
"What's in it for me?" he asked. "You're probably just trying to use me for your own purposes again aren't you?"
"I won't deny the benefit is mutually inclusive for the both of us," he said. "But I can assure you, if you tell me, I might just be able to tell you how to get this freedom you seek."
"Interesting," Gennai grinned holding out his hand. "You have a deal," he said Rei shaking his hand. "You better believe I'm going to hold you to it."
"I'm not concerned in the slightest," Rei mused condescendingly. "Now then, tell me what you know."
"All right," he said looking around him. "Mind if I have chair? I might as well make myself comfy."
Rei glanced at Ygdrassill who shot him back a pleasant grin. "I suppose I can make arrangements," he said glancing down at the floor and two Digital chairs created for the three of them.
"Now then," Gennai said folding his leg. "Where shall I start?"
"Wherever you want," Rei said smugly.
"K," he said nodding his head. "So, the Zero Dimension is like this graveyard of all these digital fragments. She arranges them in these data strands which make the place light up nicely. The place is strangely quite and peaceful; not even footsteps can be heard. Not even shadows can be seen."
"Interesting," Rei said thinking about his description. "Please, continue."
"As far as this Digital Record," he said, "I've never seen anything like it. It's like this really thick book, but it can't be opened."
"What do you mean by that?" Ygdrassill asked.
"The book has these seals on it," he said. "Seals of these patterns I am very familiar with."
"Quite a curious thing indeed," Rei said. "What kind of seals are these?"
"Heh," he smirked. "What else? They are the kid's crests," he said, much to Rei's ever more intense stare, a crocodilish grin spreading across his face.
"This is starting to explain so much," he said, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Right?" Gennai agreed fervently. "And the best part is for last. I don't think I would ever have found anyone there who might join you in your cause, but I suspect there is one strong warrior there who has just about had enough of Homeostasis as the rest of us."
"Which one?"
"Alphamon," he said firmly, Rei covering the side of his face with his hand so they couldn't see him absolutely giddy with joy and madness.
"Rei?" Ygdrassill said concerned, Rei giggling like a school girl.
"It's too perfect," Rei said composing himself taking in a slight breath.
"So, what now?" Gennai said, his voice shaking a bit as if unnerved by Rei. "Are you going to tell me the secret to my freedom or what?"
Rei removed his hand and glanced down at Gennai as if he was about to step on an insect.
"Oh, that," he said coldly. "I'll tell you, but only after you tell me about this mission. You seem to have left out this one critical detail have you not?"
Gennai winced as if he had been caught. "All right, you got me," he said. "Fine, I'll tell you the last part," he said swallowing, clearing his throat.
"Homeostasis has given me a strange mission. There is a statue of sorts there you see. A statue of what looks to me like a very powerful Digimon."
"A statue?" Rei said curiously. "Which Digimon is it?'
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he said. "I was surprised myself."
"Tell us anyway," Ygdrassill insisted. "Who is it?"
"You ready for this?" Gennai said with a sickening grin. "It's Noblemon!"
Rei's eyes widened, nearly falling out of his throne, but catching himself.
"Ah," he said calmly grasping the armchair rests. "That makes so much sense. It's no wonder the viral Digital data never went back to my Domain. It was sealed in hers."
"Right?" Gennai said. "So, as far as my mission went, every day after going through this strange ritual of cleansing my data I went to this chamber where I saw the statue. Every day I would go visit this statue, put this strange bowl in front of it, and then would come back the next day to find it full of this gloppy black mess. Then I would take this gloppy mess and go to this other room with a free-flowing waterfall falling into a small pool with these weird statues of humanoid figures around it. There, I would pour it, and then the data itself fell to pieces as if it was purified. I've had to do this several times, you see," he said, "And I'm still not done."
Ygdrassill tiptoed over to Rei pushing him back in his throne room chair. "What do you make of it Rei?" she asked playfully.
"No need to fret my dear Ygdrassill," Rei said calming her, "It's just for a moment Homeostasis surprised me."
"How so?" Gennai asked.
"It's not in her nature to preserve viral data," Rei replied. "However, because she did not want me to have Terrormon's data back, instead of destroying Noblemon- she has instead sealed him and Terrormon's data which is inside him. If from what I am gathering is correct," he said folding his hands together and staring forward, "What Homeostasis is doing is attempting to purge Noblemon of the viral data. However, since she does not want to damage Noblemon's data this is taking quite some time She might even be thinking one day she will be able to restore him, and use him against me."
"But that won't work Rei," Ygdrassill sighed. "After all, Akama Akajirou was the first. Without him, it would be pointless to-"
-She paused, a smile spreading over her face.
"Looks like you get it," Rei said lightly clapping. "Bravo. Bravo Homeostasis," he said sneering as if staring at her.
"I must have missed something," Gennai said. "What did I miss?"
"I was wondering just how the first Digidestined could have been taken out like that," Rei said to Ygdrassill ignoring him.
Gennai's grating response for attention did not deter his back and forth with her.
"It makes so much sense now!" Ygdrassill smiled. "Because now we know Noblemon has both Terrormon's data and the digitized form of the First's data in him. To think my sister would try to save him by this process. It seems kind of risky. Like what if something happened?"
"Listen to me dammit!" Gennai finally yelled in the back, a bit exaspeated, breathing heavily.
They both turned to him smiling. "Well done Gennai," Rei said. "As promised, I'll tell you what you would like to know about obtaining your 'freedom'.
"Yes!" he said pumping his fist. "Finally!"
"However," he cautioned, "In order to get it, you will have to prepare yourself and cause a bit of a...diversion."
"Making chaos is my kind of game," he grinned with clenched teeth. "I'll take you up on that offer. Just tell me what I got to do."
Rei leaned back, amused by him. "Well, Gennai," he said savoring favorable results, "It's like this…"
Never before had their been as a grand as a battle stadium created as Rei Kurenada had created. With gothic towering precipices; tall towers as if they were hands reaching out for someone to save them, watchful eyes of shifty Viral beings, and a grand throne hanging over head, Rei waited there with a condescending glare.
As Gennai had tactfully made arrangements, he caught Alphamon in his trap. The Digimon, black Digichronium armor, threatening demeanor and that dangerous gleaming ax of his appeared, those eyes of his scouring the landscape of jeering monstrosities, unwavering by the threats surrounding him.
Rei Kurenada knew for a certain this was indeed one of Homeostasis's most trusted servants by this reaction. He unfolded his legs looking down at him and stood up holding out both arms.
"Welcome, honored guest," he said. "I am but a servant of the true Goddess of this world," he said, wanting to tear out his own tongue, but knew if he could turn him to his cause then it would be worth it.
Alphamon said nothing, calmly drawing his ax and resting it over his shoulder, as if waiting for any reason at all to swing it.
"My name is of little importance, as it is my function to the one I serve," he said smiling. "You can call me 'Subservient'.
Alphamon grasped the ax, Rei knowing whether he wanted to or not viral digital data would be shed all around the battleground.
"If you're wondering why you are here, it's because you have been manipulated by the true enemy," he said. "Homeostasis, that Goddess you claim to serve, has deviated from her purpose," he said. "She has become the antithesis to the Digital World and all Digimon that reside there."
Rei waited for him to say something, but the stoic black digichronium armored knight remained firmly staring at him.
"I respect a Mon of few words," he said staring at him directly as if challenging him. "If you want to know why I believe this, or the evidence, go no further than the Digidestined," he said.
He held out his hand to Alphamon clenching it in a fist. "The Digital World was fine on it's own until Homeostasis decided to risk the safety of the Digital World. She extended the olive branch to humanity and sought to use them to protect the Digital World from viruses," he said.
"And what did she do?" he questioned, getting into his own drama of his own making. "Homeostasis brought the Digidestined to this world! She used the enemy in order to protect the Digital World! But look what has happened! Humans brought with them the viruses. Even if their chosen Dgimon were able to reach greater levels, what about the Digimon that were here? Why didn't she just develop a way for them to get stronger naturally? That's what a TRUE goddess would have done!" he exclaimed.
"That is why Alphamon you should join our cause," he suggested. "We need to overthrow the Goddess, and destroy our enemies so they will no longer threaten us," he said. "How about it? Will you let go of your loyalty and fight for the side of truth? Or will you continue to be the servant of a fallen goddess?"
Alphamon glanced down at the ground for a second, glanced back up at Rei, Rei doing his best to appear as a benevolent host. Maybe this was working. Maybe he would reach-
-Before Rei could think anything else, Alphamon grasped his ax and swung it in an arc unleashing blasts of power decimating the viral entities in the stands, screaming out as their bodies were turned into digital dust.
The remaining few survivors, visibly shaken, scurried away hissing, much of the architecture crumbling apart.
Rei let his hand fall, no longer in the mood to convert.
"I see your resolve Alphamon," he acknowledged. "However, if words will not sway you, then the true Goddess will," he said snapping his fingers.
Alphamon grasped his ax ready to swing once-more, Rei Kurenada summoning Ygdrassill as she manifested from behind his chair. She leap-frogged over it, landing down into the stadium holding up both arms.
"How was that?" she grinned staring up at Rei.
"Very nice Ygdrassill," he said nodding his head. "A ten out of ten."
"Yay!" she laughed, the sturdy step forward of Alphamon catching her attention.
No one could intimidate her, but this wretch in front of her at least caught her attention.
She cleared her throat, reciting the words through training that Rei had taught her.
"Oh poor lost soul," she said in a bombastic voice making ridiculous obscene hand gestures as if in a Kabuki play, "You have been guided down a hellish path and have slain many for the wicked one," she said. "However, I will have compassion on you. I will give to you salvation if you serve me."
Alphamon seemed intimidated, slight shivers in his movements seemingly causing his armor to creek.
"You do well to fear me," she said, "But I know as a battle hardened warrior you will only serve the strongest with overwhelming power. Shall I show you?" she challenged smirking.
Alphamon clutching his ax suddenly sprouted golden wings, his aura ablaze in golden fury. With that he flew at her, Ygdrassill grinning savagely as she transformed into her true monstrosity, a violent display Her violent appendages flinging out towards viral digital beings in the stnads making short work of them, dropping them in her gaping maw briefly and them disappearing one by one with a cruch.. She then unleashed her soul sucking tentacles against him tha0,t despite his best efforts, and strength resisting and fighting them off, quickly overwhelmed him, throwing him down to the ground reducing him to a pitiable state, dents on his armor and his helmet cracked.
He tried to get up, but her tentacles pinned him, Ygdrassill staring down with her eyes nearly swallowing his. She then in an instant turned back into her childish figure and smiled back kindly.
"I hope you understand now," she said bending down, holding down both of his arms still. "She is not the most all powerful. I am," she asserted, Alphamon closing his eyes. She let go and he creaked getting up into a kneeling position.
It seemed he had finally understood.
"We're good here Re- err, Subservient!" sh smiled, Rei smirking shaking his head.
"Must you always eat nearly everyone in sight when you transform like that?" he chuckled. "Cthulusmon will certainly be displeased with this outcome."
She giggled laughing heartily. "I'm a kind and benevolent Goddess Rei!" she said a bit overwhelmed by her own power. "Trust me, this outcome was the best one!"
She crossed her arms ready to give orders. "All right listen up," she said. "Acting in my stead will be my most trusted servant Subservient also known as Rei Kurenada. He might 'appear' human, but so do I," she said. "He'll be the one giving you orders, so you better obey or I will come back and devour you. You understand, right?"
Alphamon nodded his head, Ygdrassill delighted.
"Well," she said glancing at Alphamon and Rei pleased with herself. "Bye bye!" she waved dashing off to who knows where.
As she left Rei also jumped down, but floated instead effortlessly. "So? You get it now, don't you?" he questioned. "Homeostasis is the true enemy. That means Jesmon and all the host of the Digital World in higher powers are against us. If they just focused on the Digital World they would never have created any enemies that caused them this problem to begin with. They are on the wrong side. Therefore, they will be destroyed for our cause."
Alphamon clenched his fist staring at the ground. He then closed his eyes calmly, and then put both knees down bowing to Rei.
"In the end," Rei stated, "The strongest will rule all worlds," he said. "Alphamon, you are now a chosen of Ygdrassill. With your obedience we will remove those Digidestined from the influence of the Digital World and expand our kingdom," he said, Alphamon nodding his head.
He rose, staring at him determined.
"As for your first task as a Disciple of Ygdrassill I want you to find the newest generation of Digidestined that had defeated MaloMyotismon. Your mission should you choose to accept it or not is to capture them. Then, once that is done, I want you to go to the Shadow of Apotheoseia and find a man named Ivanosuke. He will tell you where to find the catalyst that can create the advantage in our favor once we can eliminate the human world merging it with this one. Go find it, and capture it."
Alphamon glared at him, his eyes blazing. "I expect great things from you Alphamon. Your colleague Gennai will gift you with his resources as well in our hunt. Together we will destroy the Digidestined. We will throw down Homeostasis form her throne. And we will set the Digital Residents as Lords over the human race!" he said enthusiastically.
Alphamon nodded his head. With a quick bow, he turned around, Rei manifesting a portal in front of him to send him.
As soon as he left, he glanced up at a shadow having overshadowed him. The greatly offending Gennai stood where his throne was, Rei not amused at all, but bearing his presence.
"Looks like it all worked out then," he said turning his nose at him.
"Of course," Rei said. "Did you think there would be any other outcome?"
"Not really," he said on edge. "So, what now?"
"Now," Rei said, "We are going to put all of this in motion. We'll cause chaos in the human world, the Digital World, and then even her domain all at the same time. But first, we need the catalyst to make it all happen."
"What catalyst?" Rei said warily.
"There is a Digimon and human that will be necessary to trigger it. I want you to find a woman named Maki Himekawa of the Watchers of the Periphery. You find her- you will find the girl. If you find the girl then the catalyst will be activated once you cause her enough pain."
"Hmm," Gennai said crossing his arms. "That's all well and good, but I got a feeling you're going to try to draw the other teenage brats into this. And they already recognize me. I got to do something about that."
"Why don't you don the appearance of the Digimon Kaiser?" Rei suggested. "You've always had an eye for his character."
"A fine idea!" he said approvingly crossing his arms.
"Maybe we can also put you among the other Digidestined as well that are captured. That way it will look you are the victim as well. They won't know the difference."
"Oh, I'm all for it," Rei said. "I prefer not to be noticed. Let's make it happen."
Rei held up his hands like a camera, framed Gennai, converted the image into a Digital Capsule and tossed it to him.
"Done," he said, Gennai catching it.
"Much obliged," he said putting it in his coat pocket. "Looks like I'm all set. You have us right where you want us," he said, a twinge of jealousy in his voice. He scoffed, annoyed "You must be pretty proud of yourself."
"Oh, I am," Rei said. "Everyone will perform their part regardless of their intent. Whether Alphamon, Ygdrassill or you Gennai. And if you don't, I will be vexed in my sore displeasure...and the very digital data to your core will fall apart in front of me. Be mindful of this," he warned.
Gennai held up his hands shrugging. "Oooh, scary," he grinned. "Don't you worry. I'm already on it."
With that he opened his own gateway, disappearing into it, Rei Kurenada glancing at him, a blemish of dust kicking up around Rei standing midst the broken stones and battered land around him.
He closed his eyes enveloped by it.
