Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

On a note, I can't tell any of you how long I have dreamed of reaching this decisive point. A long time ago I imagined Homeostasis and Yggdrasil as sisters and wanted to see a confrontation between just the two of them since Tri. The only problem I had was actually having an explanation for their human-like forms when Tri left us without those details. But now that this painstakingly has been explained, we can finally see them that way!

I also want to add that Yggdrasil's personality is bratty, but she always gets what she wants because she's bored (almost.) Her most incredible feature is her eye color and I was not quite sure how that would be. So in my research I rewatched Tri hoping maybe Hikari's eye color changed again like when Homeostasis possessed her, but that did not happen...

...However, I did notice violet and reddish forces of power swirl around each other and eventually converge when King Yggdrasil had possessed her body ever so briefly. I know there are many who disagree with me that King Yggdrasil possessed her, but let me ask you why Dark Gennai called Hikari a Goddess of Chaos? Was he just making fun of her? Or...

Anyways that's too much rambling from me. And yes, I can't make up my mind how to spell Yggdrasil. It's been a major pain in my side-especially when auto correct wants to do it every. single. time.

To recap: King Yggdrasil's eyes are magenta colored, and her hair looks just like Hikari's in zero two. Really makes you wonder just how connected Hikari is to Homeostasis and Yggdrasil.


Chapter Thirty-Three: Borderline

It could not have been a coincidence. Hikuro Mochizuki had in fact created the side branch of the Watchers of the Periphery within three months of Rei Kurenada suggesting it. The interviews for that branch position had been assigned to senior agents of the Watchers of the Periphery. However, there were a few spots available for some new recruits, but those recruits would not be accepted unless rigorously scrutinized. In fact, out of one hundred interviews given to prestigious college university students and gifted and talented individuals only five spots remained in the Watchers of the Periphery Position Special Bureau of Investigation Branch.

When Hikuro told him the news and gave him the files of twenty of the hundred individuals that may seem suitable for a position Rei could not be bothered with it. He told him to go through the files one more time and reduce the numbers to fifteen. Then to ten. And at last to seven.

Upon that, Hikuro sent him physical files of seven prospective students and adults who would be perfect for the positions. As he glanced through the files his eyes widened as he saw the last name Himekawa, first name Maki and dropped all of the other files. As they fell he saw another file next to hers called Daigo, the exact name of a boy who would have been eight years old over twenty years ago.

The others he glanced through, he did not care for, but randomly picked three other names. But these two, he had a special particular interest in it.

He decided he would have a face to face meeting with Hikuro. At last with the link that had escaped him all those years ago he would find a way to use it in his favor against the Digital Creator and Homeostasis.


Hikuro had been considering the prospects up until the moment Rei surprised him by transferring himself through his computer.

"Rei Kurenada," Hikuro groaned. "You could have just sent me a message. What can I do for you? Have you decided?"

"I have," Rei said. "Take these five files," he said spreading them apart in front of Hikuro, "And prepare a welcoming ceremony. During the ceremony tell them 'The Director' or whatever title seems best would like to speak with them. The ceremony will commence in forty eight hours in the upper room," he said." Make sure Maki and Daigo are present."

Hikuro bowed his head. "I will," he said.

"Oh, and one other thing," he smirked, "There has been a rumor going around Apotheoseia about a powerful digimon up in the Izaiya province."

"Izaiya?"

"Yes," Rei said. "Something about a god of the land beginning to stir. I am not quite sure what it means, but you actually come from Izaiya, do you not?"

"Yes, I do," he replied anxiously.

"Then I would take care to make sure your family is safe," he grinned. "Especially since I do not want our agreement to break."

He nodded his head. "I understand."

"See they are well trained and align with the visions of the Watchers of the Periphery. If the word of Digimon gets out to the public now it will create a massive hysteria. We need the world to be ready to accept Digimon when they finally show up physically in the real world."

Hikuro said nothing, Rei noticing him start to sweat profusely. "I will protect this world," he said.


While Hikuro and both organizations had been stirring regarding the rumor Rei Kurenada spread in Izaiya, he closely kept in contact with Cthulusmon. There was never an incident reported...because apparently Cthulusmon had eaten all of those who reported of any incidents. Neither had anything come through regarding Homeostasis making a move. The Dark Ocean Domain had also expanded quite nicely and they were making positive inroads. He felt much lighter with her taking care of things over there and could afford to take it a little bit easier.


Rei carried such positive news with him at the ceremony nearly two days later. He stayed in the shadows in a dark room at a desk waiting as the ceremony wrapped up. He waited passively both hands folded together on his desk in the shadows. Eventually the doors to the upper room opened and in stepped the five selected candidates.

The room remained well lit, except Rei Kurenada himself. "Welcome," Rei said positively identifying the five present. "Congratulations on being selected for your respected positions. Enjoy the festivities to it's fullest and your internship will take care of the rest of your college classes and summarily pay for them as you grow with the organization."

They seemed so joyful in such a response. Even Daigo a bit, but for some reason Maki Himekawa seemed uncaring and didn't flinch.

"While you're here I wanted to ask each of you a question. You may have told Hikuro the interviewer and president a different answer that you will give now and that is fine if you do. There are no demerits or repercussions for any responses. But in turn I also can ask you anything and you will answer truthfully. Is that understood?"

They all called out 'Yes sir!' all at once, Rei pleased by the response.

"This question is for all of you," he said. "Why did you apply for your respected positions in the first place?"

A couple mentioned they were in it for the education and another said it was to be the bridge of extra terrestrial life. Their answers honestly seemed weak.

However, Daigo stood up sternly and strongly telling him "I want to protect the world."

It was a cliche response, but one suited to a protagonist of a story, but Rei went with it.

"How admirable," he chuckled. "And what about you Maki Himekawa?" he asked. "Why do you want to be here?"

Her voice seemed a bit too mature, but Rei knew that probably had been because of her trauma. "I just want to protect those that are important to me," she said vaguely. "I don't need any other reason."

"Maki," Daigo, responded his brown nearly red eyes filled with concern, much like how Rei had seen during their last battle.

"Fair enough," Rei accepted. 'However since all of you wish to protect this world I will ask you all one more question," he said sitting up. "Again, you must answer me truthfully," he leered. "Have any of you ever met a Digimon?"

Three of the five candidates said plainly they have not, Rei focusing in on Daigo and Maki.

"The three of you can be excused," he said. "I wish to speak at length more with the other two."

Daigo and Maki focused in on him, both a bit defensive.

"There's no need to be so wary of me," Rei said. "I only am asking this question because if you have a met Digimon it might hold a key in helping us protect this world," he lied.

Daigo winced looking at Maki who appeared to be downcast and indifferent.

"Please," Daigo said, "I'll tell you about my experience with Digimon, but leave Maki out of this. She's still-"

"-That's enough Daigo," Maki interjected, her eyes locked in on Rei. She certainly had that side of her mother that could be so focused.

"Yes, I have met a digimon. I used to be friends with a digimon called Tapiermon. We were unfortunately separated the last time I saw her and she was killed. I'm trying to see her again one day," she admitted. "That's why I joined. And nothing will get in my way of seeing her again."

"So that's your ambition?" Rei said, recognizing her resolve. "I find such forthcoming resoluteness reassuring. With such determination you have the potential for a management position after your internship."

She glanced away, but closed her eyes. "I am grateful."

"As for me," Daigo said. "I also had a partner named Bearmon. But he changed into a Digimon and left me," he said. "I want to protect both worlds and if I can see Bearmon again that would be nice to, but I doubt I ever will see him."

"With proper training the two of you will attain your goals." Rei said. "But, for now fulfill your roles in the organization and I'm sure one day you will get the opportunity you desire."

With that they bowed there head about to leave when Maki stopped.

"Director," she said, "If you ever come across anyone with golden rainbow-ish eyes would you tell me? She was the one who caused his defeat. I would like to have another conversation with her."

"Conversation?" he said curiously with a smile. "And just who pray tell are you talking about?"

She turned towards him with bitterness and anger in her eyes. "Homeostasis."


Long after their conversation had ended, Rei could not get the angry look of Himekawa out of his mind. Truly she had not gotten over her Digimon being sacrificed. She even had been aware of her presence and had developed a rigid hatred for her. And if she could develop such feelings he wondered if by chance anyone else in Homeostasis's command could as well.

He was considering what to do when a knock on his door tapped, Rei coming over. Sure enough it had been Himekawa herself.

"Director," she said. "Can we sit down...and talk?"

"Talk?" he wondered. He could never find out the reason. But still, he couldn't deny the negativity she had been suppressing looked remarkably...appetizing.

"Of course," he said opening the door daring to let her see his face. She came in and sat down on a couch cushion next to his desk.

"Would you care for champagne?" he asked.

"I prefer coffee," she said. "Black coffee," she added bitterly.

"Sure thing," he smiled getting up. He walked over to a coffee pot and started to grind some fresh grounds for her. After he had prepared them and had the steaming liquid pour out into a cup he gave it to her.

"Now then," Rei said. "What seems to be troubling you?"

"I had been possessed by that Witch a long time ago," she said. "Every now and then though she is gone I have these strange visions or dreams about her."

"Dreams?" He inquired.

"In them I see through her eyes though I am not exactly sure what I am looking at," she said. "Sometimes I hear her speak. Other times it's as if she is telling me something."

"Very interesting," Rei said. "That must be very stressful for you."

"Only super dark black coffee banishes her from my mind," she said sinisterly.

Ah, how Rei would have loved to have her for dinner, but she was too exquisite a delicacy for his lips to even touch.

"And? Did she tell you anything?" he asked.

"Not to me directly, but she did say that preparations have been made for Izaiya."

"Izaiya?" Rei questioned.

"It's curious because that's where me and Daigo have been stationed," she glanced at him. "I wonder if they are somehow connected? And if I am being there upon the Organization's orders from you Director, that suggests to me that their might be a connection between you and Homeostasis. Am I wrong?"

Rei stared at her determined eyes marveling how much she appeared like her mother. "I've only ever heard about her," he lied. "But I will say that our interests are mutually exclusive Himekawa."

"Is that so?" she said curiously. "How about we trade?" she said getting up and walking over to him. She fidgeted with her buttons and started undoing her blouse.

Rei stared at her curiously. "What are you doing?"

"If you have a mutually exclusive interest then I am prepared to do anything to obtain that information," she said taking off her business blouse.

"You would go so far?" Rei questioned. "Even sell your body?"

"We all have a price," she admitted. "No price is too heavy for me if it will help me get my revenge. This is personal away from career business. But it still is a mutually exclusive trade," she said zipping down her pants and pulling them off.

Rei stared a bit baffled, the first time he had done so in a long time. The horrible irony that he had slept with and devoured her mother and that this girl was prepared as well for such a fate only whetted his appetite even further. The thought did cross his mind, but he could not let himself let such a mistake happen with her.

"Why are you still dressed?" she asked. "If you need me to I can take off your clothes for you," she said starting to undo her bra.

"Do you want to tell me about what you know about Homeostasis now or after?" she said devoid of any moral apprehensions.

Rei could not help but feel pity for her, even though he had been responsible for quite a bit of it. But he only felt that way because he reminded her of himself being abused by the Kurenadas.

On the one hand she had provided him valuable intel about a potential move Homeostasis would make. Her mental instability as well could not be denied. It was something no one could truly fake.

"What's the matter?" she asked crawling on top of his table. She put both arms on his shoulders, staring at him devoid of emotion. "Do you want me to go on top?"

Rei controlled himself from wanting to relish her, staring into her dead eyes after long being a vessel for Homeostasis, but-

"-Maki!" a voice cried out flinging open the door- a disheveled Daigo bursting through.

"Daigo?" Maki said indifferently. "Why are you here? I'm embarrassed for you to see me this way."

"Maki, just what the hell are you doing?!" he questioned.

"Conducting a business transaction of course. I'm going to get him to tell everything he knows about Homeostasis."

"Don't go out selling your body for information!" he shouted. Himekawa sighed staring at him. "Daigo, he is our only lead," she said. "No one else has ever responded to her name before. He is on our side. Maybe I can find her weakness. Maybe we can force her to-"

"-She's not coming back!" Daigo shouted tearfully holding both of her shoulders. "Tapiermon is gone Maki! She's never coming back!"

Maki stared at him, her eyes starting to water, but held it in.

"I'm sorry about this director Kurenada," Daigo said bowing his head. "Maki is still heartbroken after what happened to Tapiermon."

"I understand," Rei said glad for his arrival. "Homeostasis certainly has done quite a bit of damage to her psyche hasn't she?"

"I wanted to get her some closure and couldn't bear to let her be on her own," Daigo confessed. "She has no one. And even her best friend was killed. Even her mom had gone missing and she had been taken in by a foster family., but they moved on without her after the incident. I'm the only thing she has," he said bitterly.

"Take care of her," Rei said for a moment thinking of Asaki. "If you care for her Daigo never let her out of your sight," he warned.

"I will director. Please, forgive Maki and forget what about you saw here tonight."

"Sure," Rei smiled. "It will be our little secret."

With that Maki put on her clothes, devoid of saying anything initially.

"Daigo," she said. "We shouldn't take anymore of the Director's time. If you hear anything about Homeostasis, please tell me," she said walking out, Daigo following after.

"You shouldn't have interrupted me," Maki said. "I could have found valuable information."

"It's not worth it Maki," he scolded. "Why does vengeance turn you on so much?"

"I can't help it," she said. "But for stopping me I will have my revenge against you."

"You're room or mine this time?" he asked, Rei hearing their voices vanishing away.

He covered his brow with his hand grateful for the interjection. If Homeostasis per Himekawa had been truthful then Homeostasis must have been targeting Izaiya because of the mission he had sent out Hisashi on. He grinned thinking about it, imagining him in front of Homeostasis literally crushing her eyes in an imaginary skull.

And if truly she was targeting Izaiya, Rei knew that could only mean one thing and one thing only:

She had found the next chosen child.

He stared into his computer screen sinisterly staring at his reflection in it. "And while you are focused on Izaiya my dear Homeostasis," he grinned, "That's when my forces will come...and sabotage your plans."


Rei plunged through the network back into the Dark Ocean with little fanfare easily resting on his majestic throne.

"That's much better," he said feeling the arm rests, stretching out his arms grabbing the ends of them.

"Welcome back Lord Kurenada," Cthulusmon gestured with an arm bow. "Ygdrassil," he glared at her to the side as she ignored them sucking on a lollipop, "It's rude to behave like that in front of our Lord."

"Rei doesn't care what I do as long as I do my job," she countered with a smirk. "Cthulusmon, he can't do this without me. That makes me even more indispensable than you, don't you think?"

He grunted out gripping his fist and calming himself sucking in air with a hiss. "Pardon her manners," he said ignoring her.

"It's quite all right Cthulusmon," Rei said tapping his finger on his throne. "That's just part of her charm."

"That's right, I'm charming," she smirked crossing her arms. "But if you're here right now, what does that mean? Am I finally going to meet my sister?!" she exclaimed with excited eyes.

Rei grabbed the bridge of his nose wanting to vomit because of the pointless optimism. Even as a Digital Being he could not help but succumb to such vain ambitions!

"Sorry, that's not what's happening," he said, "But you have grown strong Ygdrassil," he said getting up and brushing the side of her face. "I sense such incredible power emanating from you. Have you been cheating your diet?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said with a huff. "I'm a growing girl after all."

"Is that what you think?" Rei said, Ygdrassil whipping her head around.

"Am I wrong?" she asked.

"You beckoned me my dear Ygdrassil to change you into a more stable form, and, to that end I changed your appearance to that of a human. But, don't let that mess with your head. You are every bit a monster as I am," he grinned devilishly. "And devils such as us can't help but be true to our nature. It's why you destroy those weaker than you without a second thought."

"So I won't grow any bigger?" she said a bit down.

"I don't see what's the problem," Rei said. "This is your most stable form. If I aged you anymore I hesitate to even dream of what eldritch powers will be released in my dimension. I'd have to do some serious tentacle weed whacking," he chuckled.

"I see," she said a bit downcast, the sucker falling out of her mouth.

"No need to despair," he said rubbing her head. "If it makes you feel any better Homeostasis is even more monstrous than you are. You're sisters after all."

'That's true," she agreed.

"Getting back to the matter at hand though my Lord," Cthulusmon interjected., "If you've returned has their been a change in plans?"

Rei put his hand on his shoulder and Yggdrasil's head staring sinisterly out at the barrier developed from Yggdrasil's meddling. He could tell with how thin the barrier had become the slightest manipulation on his part would create the opening portal.

"Gather the elite forces and the Dark Masters," he grinned. "Now is the time I have been waiting for all these years. Now is the time..." he glared staring into the future, "...we attack."


All the Dark Masters lined up as generals leading each an army of different viral monsters.

"All of you listen up," Rei declared holding out his hands on an elevated throne, "Today is the day I give you purpose." he declared. "Just ahead of us through that barrier I will be opening a portal for you to enter. Within lies the domain of Homeostasis."

"She will not be present, but she is planning a new weapon against us to annihilate us all. I want all of you to give yourself to my noble cause and eradicate all opposition. We will find out what she is planning and snare her in her own trap!" he grinned. "If we are successful then this Dark Ocean will overwhelm the Digital World!" he declared, much to the applause of his captives-err, subjects.

Ygdrassil approached him sucking again on another sucker. "So the plan is for me to be the distraction while the Dark Masters attack her head quarters? How do you know where they even are?"

"It's quite simple actually," Rei Kurenada said, "But I don't have time to go over the details. Piedmon!" he snapped, the clown making an appearance vanishing in a bed sheet appearing beside him bouncing on a ball. "You called?" he chuckled.

"I'm giving you a special mission," he said grabbing Ygdrassil by the back of her neck.

She seemed a bit rigid as he touched her, groaning as Rei absorbed from her a concentrated orb of dark viral data brimming in his hand.

"Here," he said dropping it in Piedmon's outstretched hands.

"A fascinating device," he said expecting it. "What would you like me to do with it, hmm?"

"Turn one of her own against her," he said. "Plant the seed as you have seen me take it out of Yggdrasil's neck and insert it into the back of a trusted servant. Make them taste the darkness and eventually succumb to our side," he said.

"Will do," he said with a slight bow.

"I'm serious," Rei leered, his eyes glowing, Piedmon starting to panic a little. "This is the most important part of the whole mission."

"But I thought-"

"-Don't think anymore than you need to," Rei said dangerously. "It's bad for your health."

"I understand," he replied swallowing.

"You may annihilate any who cross your path," he said walking by him. "in fact I expect you to."

He then walked ahead of everyone standing in front of the glowing portal glowing a strange sunlight with a sickly green color to it as if it had been infected.

"One last thing," Rei said holding out his hands as from all over strange viral digital data molded in in his hand. He snapped his other finger next to it and they all shot and engraved a strange mark on all of the viral Digimon.

"With this I can see what's happening in the battle from any one of your perspectives," Rei said, "As long as your alive that is. Should the battle go ill I will relay it into the code of the Dark Masters and they shall inform you of what to do next."

"We got it," Ygdrassil said approaching them. "I will take care of the Digimon Sovereign. And you will get me an audience with Homeostasis," she said.

"Very soon," Rei said. "As long as you fulfill your part."

"Naturally," she said crunching on a sucker, her eyes starting to glow a menacing magenta with a similar aura starting to surround her.

She then leaped up into the air landing on MetalSeadramon's back.

"Let's go horsey!" she mocked pointing out towards the battle.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Metal Seadramon roared.

"I am the Lord of the Oceans!"

"No, you're my faithful steed," she countered.

"I am not a seahorse!"

"You'll be serpent pickled plum rice if you don't stop complaining," she said menacingly.

"Metal Seadramon!" Piedmon shouted with both hands out. "Don't argue with her! You will only live longer!"

He glanced Piedmon's way and then in the eyes of magenta death causing him to shiver.

"We're going to battle," she said. "So let's hear it my steed."

"Hear what?!" he snapped.

"The sound horses make."

"I won't do it!" he blasted.

"Then I will carve you up right here!" she countered, changing her arm into a horrifying appendage.

"M-Metal Seadramon!" Piedmon yelled panicking. "Don't provoke her! Just do it! This one time!"

He clenched his teeth noticing all of the other Dark Viral Digimon were waiting for him.

"N...eigh…" He whispered.

"And you declare yourself a general?!" Ygdrassil said in disgust. "Let's just have serpent pickled plum rice right now!" She yelled at him, Metal Seadramon lashing out forward.

"Neigh!" he cried out as loud as he could as all forces proceeded running to the portal, Rei opening his hand in front of it and the army bursting through.

"So close," he breathed out taking in the sweet negative viral energy in. "To have this opportunity, this Borderline chance to cause you real suffering Digital Creator and Homeostasis...I will bring you the foreboding anxiety of an impending death," he said staring into the distance. "You won't know when it will come, but it will come for you. And with it, myself, holding out the cleaver that will hack you into pieces," he said bitterly. "Oh, I will see it," he said entertaining the notion. "I will see you fall into despair as I break you apart...PIECE. BY. PIECE."