Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.

One quick note. I believe in the Anime when Etemon and Metal Greymon caused the dimensional instability it set off a chain of reactions not directly mentioned that were connected to the events of both Digimon, possibly Zero Two, but most definitely Tri. It makes sense of some things. I'm not telling you that's what's going to happen here in the story, but if you believe that is possible maybe you could make that connection.


Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Wicked Dimensional Castle and it's Ghostly Prisoner

When Rei Kurenada had returned to Earth once more the world was in a state of flux. Technologies were on the rise, little by little, increasing in efficiency day by day, but for all that the wonder was put to a stop as silhouettes of Digimon danced in the Northern Lights in the sky, their frequencies going in and out causing damages and the data to warp.

In fact, when Rei marveled at it, he happened to come across a Woodmon. Out of nowhere another digimon, a Gausmon tried to attack it, the fangs of the digimon clashing with the thick branches of the digimon. Rei happened to to have found a seat at a local cafe at the time of the appearance glad for the entertainment. He ordered a pastry and just a cup of coffee.

However, it certainly seemed odd for all their attempted chaos no humans seemed the wiser. He wondered if by chance this is why no adults had seen the battle at Heighton View Terrace before as well. Perhaps children and certain adults could only see them; those having anything to do with Digimon. Regardless, it was an entertaining little sideshow, neither of them winning, but just randomly disappearing and reappearing, even going so far as to appear right in front of his table.

"I wonder," he said, chunks of splintered wood flying by him as he calmly took a sip, "If that Taichi child met back up with Hikari? Perhaps he will bring her with him when they come back? I can't foresee him staying much longer with the Digital World still full of my dangerous opponents," he considered. "And I doubt the other Digidestined would be able to handle a threat like Myotismon without there leader."

One of the chairs launched passed him, people screaming in confusion wondering why their table had just nearly toppled over, shaking like an earthquake. Rei ignored them, glancing at his phone. Apparently he had missed quite a few phone calls, but his phone never rang. He tried to dial the recognized number of his servant Hikashi back but he only met with static. The new situation was strange indeed.

He tried checking over near some computers to catch up with both the Watchers of the Periphery and Apotheoseia, but no matter where he went the lines were blocked. He couldn't believe, as powerful as he was, Rei Kurenada was stranded.

He decided to cool his head, killing a bit of time. Though he could not take the quick route, Rei did find a bus line to take him to his destination. He could have taken other routes, but with all the appetizers onboard a bus he wanted to pick his meal. He pretended to be a kind gentleman swiping a lady's handkerchief, before following up with it picking it up for her, Rei picking up on the lingering hostilities of a volatile divorce in progress; the last thing the lady seeing as she muffled out a scream, Rei's face and the face mangler.


With Rei nourished he continued walking through downtown Hikarigaoka, eventually reaching Heighton View Terrance once more. Strangely, this area seemed quiet, sombersome as if everyone had fled. He could see the wreckage of a vehicle, as well as smashed windows of business stores and fallen light poles as he navigated his way through broken glass and cracked concrete.

Eventually as he kept walking by he came to the source of the carnage, an Ogremon causing widespread damage. The Digimon glared at him, clenching it's fist as it made it's way towards him, prepared to thrash him. Rei paid him no heed, held out his hand to stop the club, and grinned enjoying toying with him.

"Just what do you think you are doing? Perhaps the electronic interference has your programming fried," he snickered. He glanced up ahead, a bit surprised to see a youth running up a hill with a pink sized ball with long ears, red eyes, and sharp fangs.

"What perfect timing," Rei said, grabbing the bone club and letting it go. "That's your target," he said side-stepping his way behind a trashed car hidden from view as the Ogremon went after Taichi.

Despite Koromon's efforts nothing could harm him until the Ogremon completely vanished, possibly disappearing into the sky.

"I suppose you've gotten stronger, haven't you?" Rei considered, glancing over, turning to see Taichi hold up his digivice, and start to float up to the heavens.

His eye widened, noticing a little girl run up to him realizing just who she was. Her hand grabbed onto and then let go of his, Taichi vanishing into a light in the sky with his Digimon.

As it did, the light closed, Rei's phone suddenly blasting end on end with phone calls.

He glanced at Hikari who had just stared up at the sky longingly for her brother and then at his phone. He started to pocket it, but it kept ringing over and over, Rei begrudgingly answering it.

"What do you want? This better be good," he said not at all amused.

"Sir, it's me," Hikashi's voice rang out. "You won't believe this, but, apparently a Digimon has come through the Digital World. There was this huge electronic storm or something like that," he said. "Phones were out. Email was down. I couldn't do anything my Lord."

"It was like that for me as well," Rei said. "Where are you right now? We need to have a chat."

"Of course," he said, "I-:"

-Rei suddenly realized he had been too involved into the conversation and snapped his head back to where Hikari had been before, but she was completely gone. He had a chance to observe her, just to see her own progress, but at least he could see she did not go with him.

"-Is everything all right over there?" Hikashi asked, Rei returning to the call.

"Everything is fine," he said glaring at where Hikari had once stood. He knew that one day she also would meet up with the other Digidestined and take her place as the eighth member. And, just as the child with the Angemon Digimon appeared, so too would the child with the Angewomon Digimon, thus returning to complete their cryptic prophecy.

Rei did not want to stop the prophecy from being fulfilled as it was the key to unsealing his power, but, he did need to ensure she did join their ranks soon. Myotismon by far was leagues stronger than both Devimon and Etemon combined. Even if ultimate Digimon attacked, aside from Angemon they would hardly be able to damage him. He would have to find some way to get Myotismon to take his place as the necessary sacrifice with the return of the angel woman.

"Sir! Hello!" Hikashi's voice rang out, Rei having been distracted by his own genius. "Did you hear what I said?"

"I heard the parts I wanted to hear," Rei responded. "I can imagine I'll be meeting you soon Hikashi," Rei said. "We'll talk more then. Shall we meet at say, that same cafe as before?"

"Sounds good," Hikashi answered. "This whole situation has really made my stomach growl."


An open channel later, Rei Kurenada was in the back of the office of the cafe he had gone to Hikashi with, no one the wiser as he appeared from behind corner. Someone tried talking to him, but he insisted he was just trying to look for the restroom and got forwarded useless directions.

He went back out front and immediately recognized Hikashi sitting down.

"You're getting quite good at being where I wanted you to be on my terms," Rei complimented him. "I can imagine these updates were quite pressing to tell weren't they?"

"Incredibly important," Hikashi insisted.

"Very well, Let's hear it then," he said, a waitress approaching him. He ordered a spiced black tea and sent her away.

Hikashi swallowed, his right hand fidgeting tapping the table.

"The Digimon Tanukimon is now bound to me," he said, "But…"

"-But?" Rei questioned, his word sharp and precise as if the next thing Hikashi said might end him.

"...But because of this Tanukimon has become unstable. He is actively going around killing cats and eating their livers. I order him to stay within the confines near the temple, but he always leaves afterwards. I" m puzzled about what to do," he sighed.

"Oh, is that all?" Rei said a bit relieved. "Taming a Digimon is a lot like taming a dog. But you see all Digimon have pride," he said. "This is especially true of the stronger ones. If you have a prize worthy of their pride they will respect you. The viral ones will gripe and still try to bite though," he chuckled.

"I...see," Hikashi swallowed. He stood up and took off his black leathery jacket. Then he rolled up his long sleeve showing him his arm. "You see this mark?" he asked, showing him what appeared to be a bite wound.

"What of it?" Rei asked.

"It's quite painful," he said. "When will my body start to heal itself like yours does?"

"I wouldn't say my body heals itself like that," Rei said. "It's just that like a muscle, or like a diet your body is not accustomed to maintaining itself. It's like you're just starting out and it will learn to heal. The only problem is you haven't commanded the viral data to obey you. You've been letting it happen to you. Until you can command it properly you are only going to experience more pain," he said taking a sip of tea.

"How can I command it?" he asked. "It won't respond to me, no matter when I say my name or-"

"-Whose name did you say?" Rei asked, the intonation in his voice rising. He didn't say it outright to Hikashi, but he was quite displeased.

"Whose the one who gave you your power? Do you, a servant, dare to command the viral powers or do you defer them to the one who mastered that power?" he asked, setting his cup down gently, but the cup splintered into pieces, even the liquid evaporating.

At that instant Hikashi bowed his head, sweat beading down it.

"Perhaps I thought too highly of you Hikashi," Rei mused. "Maybe like the other Kurenada's you too desired to covet that which is not yours. Shall I strip it from you, and give it to another?" he asked dangerously.

"Far be it my Lord!" Hikashi shouted slamming the table with his hand. "I swear to you!" he shuddered. "I will prove it to you! I will tame Tanukimon and remove this blemish!" he panted, his fist shaking.

Rei leaned back crossing his arms. "An outward sign of repentance is good..." he said, Rei reaching both arms across the table slithering his words in his ears, "...But if your actions don't prove your words it proves you deserve your place among the utter scum that is humanity," he smirked. "You wouldn't want me to think that about you, would you? I trust you'll get the job done."

Hikashi said nothing, bowing his head, his whole frame on edge by Rei's presence alone. Rei nodded his head glad to get his point across.

"Very good," Rei said. "Oh, by the way waitress!" he called out, one running over to him. "I happened to hear about a wonderful banana rum sliced cake? Would you mind fetching one for me? Another cup of tea would be nice to?" he smiled. "I seemed to have misplaced mine."

While she went around obeying his orders, Hikashi seemed exhausted, his head resting on the side of the table.

"You really need to get more energy," Rei said. "Come, order a slice of cake. It will really do your spirit well. I can barely taste food anyway," he said. "So if you want, you can have mine."

The waitress approached him and delivered both.

"You're such a delight," he lied, indifferently ignoring her.

Hikashi stared at him strangely, Rei pushing his cake in front of him.

"A gift from me," he said.

"But Lord I couldn't!" Hikashi protested.

"I-"

"-That wasn't a request," Rei said darkly, Hikashi grabbing a fork and immediately stuffing his face with it.

"See now? Isn't it delicious?"

"I just want to get drunk on it," Hikashi chuckled madly tears coming down his face. He woofed it down, Rei pleased at his reaction.

"Maybe my Lord," he coughed, having a bite still in his mouth, "I can redeem myself by telling you some other information."

"Other information? You have more to tell do you?"

"Yeah," he sighed drinking some water. "One time when I went to see Tanukimon I saw the eyes of a creature I have never seen before. I couldn't sense it like you could, but undoubtedly I could tell it was a Digimon. And it came from that same spot as that creature did I think."

Rei folded his arms over the table and leaned forward. "Interesting," he grinned. "What did it look like?"

"I saw a glimpse of orange, and fur. Those green eyes though were the most outstanding feature," he said. "I was wondering if maybe you knew something about it."

"Not a thing," Rei said. "But it proves that with such phenomena in the Digital World it can affect the real world as well and maybe even reactivate the gates," he said to himself. "Which itself poses quite the question."

"Question?"

"Yes. With all the gates or places a Digimon can emerge from is there a decisive factor that can determine where they will emerge?"

"Isn't it just random?"

"I thought so too," Rei admitted, "But now I am not so sure. And, if there was a gate, if you wanted to go anywhere near your destination could you go?"

"What makes you think Digimon can pick and choose Lord?"

Rei sat back, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. He thought about Homeostasis, the selection of the Digidestined and all the interference in the world.

"Suppose written into their programming their was a way of thinking and believing. And if those desires were strong enough to accomplish their goal, this suggest to me they would emerge where it would be the closest location to achieve that goal. In other words, a self-fulfilling prophecy."

Hikashi set his plate aside resting both elbows on the table a little more comfortable now. "I don't know if I buy into fate," he said, "But maybe you're onto something."

Rei sat up getting up from the table. "That settles it then," he said taking out some manufactured bills from his pocket down on the table while standing. "You have your work you need to do," he said. "And don't forget once you've tamed him to go after Mochizuki's daughter," he said. "And, in the meanwhile, I will test this new theory of mine," he said, anticipating a successful result.

"Got it my Lord," he said. "When should I contact you back?"

"Oh, just as soon as you've seen Tanukimon's fangs peel off her flesh and Hikuro is reduced to bitter tears," he snarled.


It didn't take long to get back now that the disturbance had ended. With a couple computer jumps here and there Rei made it back to the District to the office location. The company was still in good standing, Rei making his way over to the building, about ready to enter in.

He paused, noticing articles about the events that had happened aligned on the walls, Rei concerned about them. If something ever happened to this place it would prove difficult for Rei to make it back to his domain. But, not to worry. He left the room, found a USB device laying around and held it with both hands.

"Surely you'll remember the data," he said clenching it lightly in his hands. "And the path…"


A few turns and accelerations later Rei arrived back to the Dark Ocean, his servants delighted to see him.

"My Lord!" Cthulusmon exclaimed. "Welcome back," he said bowing.

"We've missed you," Ygdrassill added. "This guy here wouldn't stop complaining the whole time you were gone. 'Oh, where is my Lord?' she mocked him. 'Oh, what is keeping my Lord?'

"Ygdrassill!" Cthulusmon snapped. "What have I told you about mimicking others?"

"So, it is true then," Rei smiled, Ygdrassill copying his smile.

"I suppose it is," he replied covering his face with a spread claw giving up. "What brings you back so soon Lord?" he asked.

"Just dropped on by to say hi," he lied turning around. "But now, I have to go away again."

"So soon?" Cthulusmon questioned.

"But you just got here!" Ygdrassill said as if pretending to care.

"Oh I'll be back soon," Rei said, "But I am still in the middle of my journey," he said turning away to back to the edge of his domain fixated on his goal.


He arrived a little while later. Rei placed his hand at the gate his fingertips anticipating his ultimate goal beyond his reach. Rei closed his eyes, thinking about everything he had done to get to this moment. He needed to get to the emergence point where the large gate Myotismon would have acquired would take him. If he could just get to that point then he could be in Myotismon's castle; in a safe space that not even Homeostasis could reach.

He concentrated with all of his might, even uncomfortably so. It was not like Rei to let go and lose control over anything because of his power, but he had learned to be like water sometimes. He went with the flow, letting things bounce off of him. No one had any real purpose anyway. Whether for good or evil, human or Digimon they were all scurrying insects anyway. And he would smash them as soon as they were no longer useful.

He sighed out as if about ready to lean forward and be carried away by a river. He mouthed with his lips 'Myotismon's castle' repeatedly and spread his arms out giving himself to the flow of the currents desiring to be led on the correct path.

"Reveal the path to me," he declared letting himself be carried away by the streams of data to where he only knew.


Rei resisted the urge to follow the tantalizing negative emotions welling through the electronic mediums desirous to go to the exact specific but having no idea where he was going. Whispering negative emotional appetizers echoed towards him, but he remained steadfast remaining as a boat with no paddles, a ship with no captain, and any other metaphor he could think of until at last he could feel his body start to materialize.


He closed his eyes and opened them, having found himself back on earth. He felt the cold metal surface of what felt like a roof beneath him. The sun blared down hot, Rei squinting to see his environment. A mother could be seen in the distance of a house taking care of laundry. A couple of birds chirped in their nest as a cat tried to climb the tree wanting a snack.

"Just where am I?" he asked aloud walking to the edge of the building. He scanned the landscape realizing the shape of a familiar apartment complex. "Looks like I'm in Hikarigaoka. Which means I'm near Heighton View Terrace," he said a bit stunned. "But why would it lead me here? I was supposed to have gone to Myotismon's castle," he said turning around grimacing.

He wondered if by chance he had made a mistake, but realized even if he wanted to go to Myotismon's castle it was still in the Digital World, and, since his data had been unable to enter perhaps this was the next best thing? He considered that possibility pacing around on the roof. He pondered about it, feeling his pocket feeling an odd shape. Sure enough the USB device remained with him. It must have tracked the path. It must have-

"Hey, you!" an angry looking security guard said approaching him. "What do you think your doing up here? You can only enter the art exhibit below!"

"So, I'm on the floor of a museum?" he questioned.

"No, it's the Taj Mahal!" the guard grunted exaggerated. "Now get your ass downstairs before I call the authorities!"

Rei held up his hands harmlessly with anything but that intent. "Come now," he said walking towards him. "I'm just a passerby," he said stretching his hand forward clenching his face. "You really shouldn't have come here with that attitude," Rei said, the man cursing and trying to shout, but being mangled converting into data bits.

His clothes dropped, including his cell phone which clattered out of his pocket to the ground. Rei stared at it strangely, realizing a powerful truth. "Of course," he said walking forward with it to the center of the building where he had emerged. "Cell phones are very close to becoming just miniature computers, but the processing speed seems to be much faster," he said glancing through it. He ignored all the contents and information, scanning it and setting it down on the ground.

"Now that I am back here, if this is the closest spot to Myotismon's castle as far as being close to a gate, then..." he said creating an opening, walking forward into a portal created by the phone…he let himself carry no desire for his path, repeating in his mind 'the digital gate inside Myotismon's castle' over and over, traveling an opposite path where he went his data vanishing into the device.


It was dark. It was cold. And it was covered in webs, the silhouette of a large spider appearing within the darkness.

"Who dares to disturb the castle of Lord Myotismon?" it rasped. Rei glanced around getting his bearings back.

"Myotismon?" Rei said, his curiosity being overwhelmed by a sinister grin. He chuckled to himself madly, both hands out elated he must have arrived!

"Is your death really so funny?" the spider questioned. "Then I will give it to you swiftly. "Minions of the Dark Lord," it growled, "Destroy this intruder!"

With that, red eyes lit up along the walls, rows of gargoyle-like dragon's converting from stone data into viral data.

"Well now," Rei said entertained. "It's been a little while since I've seen the Devidramon."

"You know them do you?" it snickered. "Then you do know what happens to those they target as their prey."

"I certainly do," Rei smiled holding out his hands. "Come here," he grinned, as all of the Devidramon swarmed him.

The spidery digimon watched on, it's prideful demeanor observed the attack approvingly, dangling by a single thread. But, that demeanor changed as she stretched the spidery thread all the way down crawling over.

Rei scratched one head of the Devidramon, another one affectionately rubbing it's head against his chest, Rei also petting it. "Now, now," Rei said. "There's plenty of room for all of you," he said. He manifested some of his dark viral energy, transforming them into balls of meat.

"Go fetch!" he said confidently throwing them, each of the Devidramon running away, fighting each other for the scraps of raw meat.

"What did you do?" the spider asked, shaking in fear as Rei overwhelmed it by his very malignant data.

"You must not have been here very long," Rei said walking past it. "If you want to see the next five seconds lead me to your master."

He held out his hand, bending each finger as the seconds past. The Spider finally responded at the last second.

"This way!" it squealed, as it navigated Rei out of the darkness.


The atmosphere appeared dank, dark Digimon glancing at him here and there as if wondering whether to eat him or let him pass through. But, all he had to do was slightly flex his viral data, and they all fled like cockroaches. Once they had reached the end of a long hall, a pair of Bakumon took over.

"Right this waaaay," one said as they navigated upside down, right-side up, and everything in-between until they came across a massive door.

Guarding it though, a white cat with fiercesome devilish eyes and sharp claws waited for him.

"Lord Myotismon will not see any visitors," she snarled. "Did that idiot DemiDevimon send you? He will scold anyone who disturbs him."

Rei glared down at the cat quite curiously. "Oh, he'll want to see me," Rei said emitting his viral data, the Digimon not even responding to him. He could not put his finger on it, but all of these other Digimon were of the viral variety, but this one? It did not seem like it's data had not been converted through King Ygdrassill's program, yet-"

"-You mustn't judge a book by it's cover Tailmon," a spectral being said emerging from the shadows.

"Wizardmon? Have you been spying on me again?" Tailmon threatened holding out her claws.

"Nothing of the sort!" he exclaimed. "I just believe that for a guest to appear here in our Lord's Castle is tantamount to suicide! He would either have to be incredibly foolish or incredibly powerful to even try it. I suggest it's the latter."

"I suppose you're right," she said dropping her guard. Wizardmon walked up to her and placed his arm on her shoulder. For an instant, nearly a very thin barrier appeared, covering the both of them, a strange mimicry of viral data appearing to emanate from them, but, Rei would not be fooled.

"If you're here to see Lord Myotismon then feel free to do so," Wizardmon smiled walking by him leading Tailmon.

Tailmon protested, but Wizardmon led her with him holding onto her claw, Tailmon shooting mean looks at Rei and Wizardmon. He stopped just past him for an instant.

"Don't blame us for what happens if his bats eat you," he cautioned.

"Oh not to worry," Rei said walking forward. "Like Myotismon I'm very thorough with the company I keep," he said turning his head away, "Especially if they plan to turn against me."

Wizardmon instantly pulled Tailmon in front of him confusing the cat.

"Is that so?" he said. "I do hope that never happens to our Lord," he replied defensively with a smile.

"As do I," Re replied not turning around. He started to push open the doors with both hands, but it was taking too long. With one mighty step forward he kicked the doors in rattling the interior inside, including a coffin. It was musky and dark, lit with a fireplace and a caricature image overhead of the vampire himself, as well as a couple odd trinkets, books, and dust.

A coffin resting on a velvety red cushion lifted itself up, the covering removing itself as a vampiric entity opened it's eyes with an indifferent stare.

"Who dares to disturb my rest?" he questioned glancing over in Rei's direction.

"Just an uninvited guest," Rei said casually.

"How did you appear here?" he asked. "You can't ever enter the Digital World because of the curse."

Rei breathed out a bit annoyed by him and his prideful demeanor. "I don't like your tone," he said snapping his fingers, Myotismon's coffin bursting into a million splinters, Myotismon hovering midair, a bit taken aback, but not at all surprised.

"I suppose I have come across as rude," he said. "Kings have their own different set of orthodox customs with each other," he said floating back down to the ground.

"May I interest you in some wine?" he asked walking to a dusty shelf grabbing a bottle and pouring himself a glass half full.

"I have no need of of it," Rei said. He settled himself down on a wooden chair with a Garurumon fur pelt draped over it and used as cushioning. "Have you been rather bored Myotismon?" Rei asked noticing how dirty and unkempt the place looked.

"If I was a normal monarch I would tell you yes," Myotismon said. "But as an undead King I find it rather to my liking. The scent is as from a scented candle. The luxury like an abandoned mansion," he said taking the bottle of wine and pouring himself a cup. "As all are digital dust, back to digital dust we shall go," he responded. "But being a viral being I don't ever intend to become as such. I will reign in dust. I will reign over dust, and I will never succumb to it."

Rei leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "A fine philosophy," he said. "Do tell me though, have you made contact with the Digidestined children as of yet?"

"Not as of yet," he said, "But, my minions have given me word both Devimon and Etemon were defeated. Surely the children will be coming here next. Though, I doubt they will be strong enough even with their crest power," he said stirring the champagne glass in his hand and drinking deeply.

"You mustn't rest too long when it comes to them," Rei cautioned. "And, from what I can see from your pocket you have been preparing for them working on quite a mystery."

He glanced back at Rei indifferently. With a grin, he bent his hand into his pocket pulling out a tag and crest. "I expected as much from you," he said amused. "This is a tag and crest I have never seen before. My minions brought it over to me making their rounds. From what I have seen, even though the Digidestined have their tags and crests, with the one that I have I suspect that their must be another."

Rei reached his hand forward. "Le me see it," he said, Myotismon dropping it in there.

"Pretty good...for a copy," he said crushing it in his grasp. "I'm starting to doubt your sincerity to my Lordship," he said harmlessly manifesting his viral persona.

Myotismon stared at him approvingly. "That was not at all my intent," he said taking out the real one from his royal attire pocket. "I only meant to show you the extent of my abilities. This is the true tag and crest," he said handing it to him, Rei holding it in his hand, but immediately dropping it after. It had singed his hand quite severely, Rei glancing at it mesmerized.

"It is of interest how I am scalded and you are not," Rei said curiously holding out his hand so Myotismon could see him heal it.

"That has not happened to me yet," Myotismon questioned. "You must have made contact with the child, have you not?"

"'Fraid not," Rei lied. "Though back on earth I did walk through quite a bit of children. Maybe one of them accidentally brushed by me while walking?"

"I don't think you would tell me one way or another," he replied snootily. "But whether I approve or not it has no bearing to whatever your Lordship decides. Speaking of that matter," he said mysteriously, "Just why have you come?"

Rei glanced at him doubting his allegiance but feigning ignorance. "I go where I please," he responded, "But if you are dying to know I came to bring you a cautionary warning."

"Cautionary warning?" he wondered.

"Yes," Rei replied. "That crest that you have with you is your death knell. The other children are practically fodder for you, but this one is your greatest weakness. It will destroy you if you allow it to live."

"What?" Myotismon said outraged. "No mortal child shall ever threaten me," he said annoyed. "I'll kill the brat myself first and suck the blood out of their lifeless body! Then my bats will chew their corpse into pieces!" he said slamming his fist on the table.

"I like your spirit," Rei nodded his head. "And, it is no coincidence that the gate in your basement will lead you back to the earth to eliminate that threat. Though I doubt you will be able to."

"You really think a mere child will end my life? Mine?" Myotismon groaned. "I'm not like those other two weaklings. Devimon was too clever for his own good. And Etemon was a fool! I have no weakness!"

"Well, they do say pride does come before a fall," Rei said getting up having rested long enough. "By the way, have you made contact with the Dark Masters?"

"I have," he said. "Me and Piedmon had a drink together. He told me that the Dark Masters and Gennai had returned. They tried tracking him down, but he successfully hid the tags and crests of the children only for the children to find them. But he must have missed this one."

"I see," Rei said tapping his finger on the table. "Where are they now?"

"In hiding," he said. "They too believe I will be deleted. Piedmon even joked that once he sees my castle go down he will start to take over the Digital World. Though once that child's cold dead corpse is in my hands, it's blood running down my mouth I will have that last laugh," he said grasping his glass, the contents shattering.

Rei crossed his arms. "Even if this castle is destroyed, it is linked to my domain. Though not immediately, like a seed growing and sprouting it will slowly reform itself."

"Good to know," Myotismon replied. "I'll make sure to 'torture' my prisoner with this information. Apparently he is anxious to see my castle be torn down and my reign in the Digital World ending."

Rei put his hand on a bookshelf, a bit thrown off. "Prisoner?"

"You'll know when you see him," he replied. "Allow me to show him to you."

Rei grasped his hand on the bookshelf lifting himself up. He turned towards Myotismon seriously. "Please do."


Myotismon led the way, Phantomon guiding them holding a lantern with his scythe. "The prisoner hasn't been responding to anything," he said. "We've tried all kinds of torture. Nothing seems to be working on him, and no part of him is deleting. It's rather quite frightening," he said trying to be spooky.

They walked through a large metal door with strange bat-like glyphs and went down a set of long twisting stairs until they reached the bottom. Myotismon moved his hand to the door, a lock dispelling from the other side. Inside, the lantern led them past remains of Digimon that had been tortured and killed. At the very end of it Rei could start to see something.

A chuckle echoed out throughout the prisoner room, Phantomon a bit at a loss for words. "That thing's even scarier than I am!" he said, Myotismon ignoring him.

"Do you have any update on the prisoner? Has he told you anything?" he asked.

"Not a thing," he said, "But I will never go in here by myself. Ever since he showed up we've had reports of Bakumon vanishing in the castle. Once I found out," he said shining his light forward on the cell in front of him, creepy old laughter ringing out, "I found the culprit right awaaay," he said spookily shining his light on the prisoner.

Inside Rei saw a harmless old man with teeth, failing eyes, and creaky movements. He seemed to be chewing on something. "Thanks to you," the man said, saliva dripping from his mouth, "I've had to change my diet," he said spitting out what looked like a rough sheet like a strip of white bacon from his mouth. "Only Viral Data can satisfy me now."

Rei stared down at him incredulously.

"This is your prisoner?" he questioned, the others also at a loss.

The old man seemed so frail. He wore a black robe with a hood and black gloves and boots with red lining. He also sported a matching hair tie for his ghostly white hair.

This old data appears that it will shatter and delete any minute," he said.

"Oh I will all right," the old man laughed. "But keep up with the ghost appetizers! They're better than beef jerky!"

Rei found him amusing, his data strangely familiar.

"Just where did you find him?" Rei asked scanning him over.

"We found him wandering by the riverbank," Phantomon said. "He seemed to be searching for something, but he appears to have gone senile."

"Of course I am!" the man spat out a bit off his rocker. "You take an old man like me from his home and take him to a retirement center! Confound it I forget where I left that thing!"

"What do you mean that thing?" Myotismon asked.

"Not telling," he huffed, Myotismon sending a bat to pester him.

The bat nipped at him with it's fangs, everyone slightly amused…until with a quick snag and a chomp the old man had eaten the pesky minion.

"I may be crazy, but I'm not crazy enough to let a good snack get away," he chuckled. "Do you have more?"

Myotismon seemed shocked, but scowled at him. "You impudent fool!" he shouted. "I'll give you as many as you want!" he declared, opening up both of his hands about ready to unleash a savage attack. "Grizzly Wi-"

Rei grabbed both of his hands and clapped them together stopping the attack.

"You don't need to deal such a heavy hand," Rei warned. "Whether the bats or your pride, you should cool it. I'll handle this," he said turning around.

He smiled pleasantly towards the old man. "I get it friend," he said. "I'll happily escort you out of here. As a thank you I would really like to see your home though."

"That's mighty nice of you," he said nodding his head approvingly.

"Are you sure about this?" Phantomon questioned, Myotismon shaking his head.

"Let him do what he wants. I'm going back to my chambers," he said walking out. "Guide them out won't you Phantomon?"

"As you wish," Phantomon replied, using his scythe to open the door. The door opened and the old man stood up, his body creaking.

"Ah, is my little trip over already?" he said. "These old bones don't know what's good for 'em. I guess I'll go back home if I can find the darn thing."

"Don't worry," Rei said. "It's my civic duty to escort a senior citizen. Let us be off…" he paused strangely having a sense of dejavu about his data. "...What's your name?" he asked.

"Ah," the man chuckled. "I thought you would never ask. My name's Gennai," he said walking with two hands behind his back. "And who may I say are you?"

"Just call me Rei," he replied smiling devilishly. "Let's get you back home…"