Takuto and his friends were quietly sitting around the campfire as their Digimon and Luche were sound asleep around them. "So, I've been thinking…" Himari said trying to come up with a topic. "Do we have any idea where we're going? Or where we are even?"

"Not really." Kouta replied. "We're kind of wondering blindly here. We don't even know how large this Digital World is, we could be looking for a needle in a massive haystack."

"If only we could find someone to ask for help." Shoma muttered.

"That's something else that's been bothering me." Mameo said. "We've been here for hours. You'd think we'd have run into at least one Digimon by now. I wounder…Is something happening to this world?"

Takuto put a hand at his chin. "Hmm…"

"I hope not." Himari sighed. "Otherwise, this rescue mission is going to be a whole lot harder. Then again that jerk that attacked Flotia did come from this world, so it wouldn't be a complete surprise…"

Shoma gasped and stood up. "Shoma? What's wrong?" Mameo asked.

"I heard something."

"Huh?" Takuto heard a rustling from the nearby trees. "What?" He stood up.

Mameo cringed as he thought he saw something move in the overgrowth. "Kouta, put the fire out!"

"R-right!" Kouta picked up a bucket of water and threw it at their campfire.

Takuto hurried to the Digimon. "Guys, wake up!"

Storm groaned. "Morning already?"

Yukimura yawned. "Wait…it's still dark out."

Luche rubbed sleep out of her eyes. "What's going on?"

"Himari?" Rikka asked.

Kouta gulped. "I think we're surrounded."

Noir held up his cannon arm. "Show yourselves!"

A knife came flying out of the trees towards Himari. "Look out!" Takuto tackled her out of the way just in time.

A Sealsdramon came out of the trees. Then another. And another. A swarm of them surrounded the Tamers. "Saw that camming, did you?"

"Sealsdramon." Nova said. "And so many of them…"

"So, you're the humans that destroyed Shade Cavern."

"Shade Cavern?" Takuto asked. "What are you talking about?"

"No sense in playing dumb. We heard from Dorbicmon's squad. We know that you joined the Resistance."

"Resistance?" Shoma asked. "Is this Digital World at war?"

"All who oppose the new way of the Digital World will perish! Men, on my mark!" The Sealsdramon all aimed their weapons at the humans.

"So many numbers…" Storm said. "I'm sure we can take them, but can we prevent Takuto and the others from getting hurt?"

"Guys, if we're not careful, we'll set fire to the whole forest." Mameo whispered. "I think it would be best to run for it."

"Run? How? Where?" Kouta asked. "We're completely surrounded!"

"Listen, on my signal everyone run as fast as you can and don't look back. Head into the trees. If we move quickly, we can lose them. Ready?"

Takuto took Luche's hand. "Luche, stay close."

"Okay…"

"Ready!" The Sealsdramon shouted. "Aim!" Mameo threw something that exploded in light. "FiAAAH! My eyes!"

"Now! Run for it!"

All the Sealsdramon groaned as they were dazed by the flash. When it died down, they looked up to see their targets gone. "What?! Curses! They got away!"

"Scatter! Find those humans!" the leader ordered. His men took off in multiple directions before he spoke to a gadget on his wrist. "This the Sealsdramon Squad! We had the humans cornered in the forest, but they got away! Requesting backup!"

"I will be joining you immediately. Keep looking."

"Understood, Commander BanchoStingmon. Sealsdramon out."

Ami opened her eyes and sat up. She yawned as she stretched out the best she could in her bindings. "Oh goodie. Another day of doing absolutely nothing." She looked over to Shiki. "Oh, good morning."

"Uh, yeah. Morning."

Ami noticed a table between their beds with two pieces of digimeat on a plate. "Oh. They brought us more food." She took one of them and started eating. Shiki watched her do so. "I was a bit uneasy about the thought of eating Digimon food when I first tried it a few years ago, but it tastes fine to me." She noticed between bites Shiki was just staring at her. "Huh? Aren't you going to eat too?"

"No, it's okay. You can have it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…I don't eat anyway."

Ami blinked at her. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Yeah, see…humans don't eat in the Digital World. Or sleep. We don't feel fatigue or hunger. Ami…you are human, right?"

"Of course, I am! I mean, sure I'm not actually in my body, but my EDEN avatar can sleep and simulates hunger."

Shiki raised an eyebrow. "Avatar? EDEN? What in the world are you talking about?"

It was Ami's turn to cock an eyebrow. "Seriously? How long have you been out of the human world? You know, EDEN! The virtual reality created by Kamishiro Enterprises years ago!"

"Kamishiro? Virtual Reality? There's nothing of the sort in the real world I remember."

Ami's confusion grew by the minute. "What? How's that- Her eyes widened. "Wait a minute…the real world you remember...could it be…?"

"What?"

Ami sat on the bed with her legs hanging over the edge. "I wounder…Have you ever heard of parallel worlds?"

"Parallel worlds?" Shiki asked. She thought for a moment. "Wait…come to think of it Mirei said Rina came from something like that."

"You know Mirei Mikagura and Rina Shinomiya?!"

"Yeah. Mirei helped us a lot in our adventure. And Rina found herself in our Digital World saying she got lost trying to get home."

"She did? Huh. I wounder if she hit a snag trying to get back from our reality…" Ami looked at Shiki. "In any case I bet you and I come from different parallel worlds. That would explain why mine sounds so…weird to you."

"I guess." Shiki sat with one leg outstretched across the bed and another bent with her knee tucked towards herself as she stared at Ami. "Wild. So, what's this EDEN thing like?"

Ami looked up. "Well, you see…"

Neither of them noticed they were being monitored. In another room a Vademon watched with intent. "Oh, ho! It sounds like humans are very different in different human worlds!"

A shadowy silhouette in the corner laughed. "See? I told you! I bet their Digimon are very different too!"

"Well first I want to learn more about these humans! I should start collecting data on them!"

Keisuke walked through the Rebel's Heart base. The others were still asleep, but some Digimon were at work. He did his best not to disturb anyone as he made his way towards the exit.

"Leaving already?"

He gasped and turned around. Takumi was leaning against a wall with his arms folded. "Takumi…"

"It's okay, you don't need to explain yourself. You want to find Erika as soon as you can, right? That's why you came to this world with us."

Keisuke walked over. "I'm sorry to leave you guys so suddenly, but if Hudie needs me, I owe it to them to help."

"I understand. Don't worry about us. We can handle things. Honestly, I'm more worried about you going off on your own. You sure you don't want us to come along?"

Keisuke shook his head. "Thanks, but I'll be alright. Tell Arata and the others not to worry. Once I meet up with Erika, we'll start taking a crack at the Next Order our own way. Knowing her, she has a plan."

Takumi nodded. "Got it. We'll do what we can from here. You just focus on what you need to do. Also…if you can…"

Keisuke tilted his head. "What is it?"

Takumi was hesitant. "I know you have your own concerns, and this really is something I should handle, but…"

"Ami, right? I'll ask Hudiemon if she can do anything."

"Thanks man…"

"What are friends for? Anyway, I better go."

Takumi grinned. "Don't go dying on us."

"Right back at you." Keisuke smiled back. Takumi held his fist out. Keisuke looked at him in surprise before they fist bumped. "I'll see you around, Cyber Sleuth."

Takumi waved as he left. "Good luck Keisuke."

Mameo and Shoma looked around from were they finally stopped running. "Okay…I think we lost them." Mameo sighed. "Man, it's a good thing we don't feel fatigue."

Shoma looked at their Digimon. "Noir, File, are you two okay?"

The Mamemon panted. "Yeah. Just peachy."

"I'm fine as well." The Omegamon Alter B nodded.

"Good." Shoma then realized something. "Wait…Mr. Mameo, where are Takuto and the others?!"

Mameo looked around. "Ah, damn it! I hope they got away…"

"Now what do we do?"

Mameo thought for a moment. "Those guys made it clear that humans aren't welcome in this Digital World. Something fishy is going on here."

"You think some kind of power struggle is happening here?" Noir suggested.

Shoma nodded. "Seems like it. They mentioned a Resistance…maybe they'll be more willing to help us out."

"I guess that's the only option available for us right now." Mameo replied. "Maybe they can help us find the others, or some clue on Shiki's kidnapper."

"Well, all we can do is search."

"Right." Mameo folded his arms. "From what those guys were saying…it sounds like there are other humans here besides us. Could they have anything to do with the one that attacked Flotia?"

One by one everyone else got up back at Rebel's Heart HQ. Nokia being the last. She yawned as she walked to the mess hall. Everyone else was there. "Oh, hey guys."

"You overslept." Takumi said. "And you yell at me and Ami for keeping you waiting."

"Okay, okay, sorry." She then looked at the group. "Hey, is it just me, or is someone missing?"

"Apparently Keisuke left early this morning." Yuuko replied.

Nokia huffed. "Seriously? He could have at least said goodbye."

"I think he was in a hurry to find Hudiemon." Yuugo said.

Nokia's sour expression became a knowing grin. "Ooooh~ I get it! He's in a hurry to meet up with his sweetheart Erika!"

Arata rolled his eyes. "Judging from what I saw when I met her, "sweetheart" isn't an accurate way to describe Erika. In any case, Keisuke's tougher than he looks. I doubt we need to worry about him."

Takumi smiled. "He'll be just fine."

"Sorry for the wait everyone!" Leomon and WarGrowlmon were carrying in a large platter towering with digimeat. "Food's ready!"

"Now way!" Takumi gapped. "That one piece of Flourish Digimeat made all that overnight?!"

"All this and then some!" Leomon laughed. "Can't thank you kids enough for bringing it!"

"No wounder it was under such heavy guard." Yuugo replied.

Yuuko was already eating. "Wow. This is pretty good."

"I didn't know humans could eat digimeat." Leomon replied.

"Well, EDEN avatars were made to feel hunger." Yuugo replied. "Father wanted it to feel as realistic as possible."

"Hey, makes no difference here!" BetelGammamon laughed. "Thanks to you guys we have plenty to go around!"

"Once Magnamon arrives we can discuss our next course of action." Darcmon said. "For now, make sure you all have plenty of strength."

"Thanks." Takumi nodded. He took a piece of digimeat and took a bite out of it. He remembered eating it before as a kid his first time in the Digital World. It tasted just as he remembered.

A blue Digimon clad in golden armor landed in front of the rocky incline connected to the base. A Antylomon was next to him and a Tokomon was on his shoulder. He walked through the holographic wall with them in tow and made his way inside.

The guards spotted him. "Ah! It's you!" Dinohumon said.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I have urgent news for Omegamon."

"He's inside with the allies he gathered from the human world." Grizzlymon said. "Go right in."

"Thank you." He stepped inside the base.

When he was spotted Flamedramon called out to the others. "Guys, Magnamon is here!"

Everyone came out. "Welcome back my friend." Omegamon said.

"Omegamon." He then looked at the humans. "Heh. When you told me you were going to the human world for help, I knew exactly who you were going to bring. It's good to see you again my comrades."

"Hey Magnamon." Takumi waved. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"How's it going big guy!" Nokia grinned.

Antylomon stepped up. "Hello detective. Thanks again for earlier."

"Huh?" Takumi blinked. "Have we meet before?"

"You know me. I'm the Lopmon Makiko asked you to help."

"Lopmon?! You Digivolved!"

"That's right!" Tokomon bounced. "And I'm here too!"

Magnamon took another look at the humans in the group. "Wait…someone is missing…that other red-haired girl from before."

"Oh, you mean Ami?" Yuuko asked. "Well…"

"I'm afraid the Next Order sent a human to attack EDEN. And upon leaving he kidnapped her." Omegamon explained.

"Human?" Magnamon asked. "Is it the one Gankoomon and Jesmon ran into?"

"No. A new one. He calls himself K."

"There's another human in our enemies' ranks…?"

"And that's not the only problem." Rapidmon Armor said. "This one is partnered up with Leviamon and Lilithmon."

"What?! The Deadly Digimon?!"

"I'm afraid so. Magnamon, have you seen any signs of the other Deadly Digimon?" Omegamon asked.

"No, nothing like that."

"Hey Magnamon…" Tokomon said. "Do you think this other human has anything to do with what we found out?"

"Could be…"

"What's this about?" Yuugo asked.

"The reason why we returned early was to inform you of something urgent." Magnamon explained.

"Let's discuss this at the war table." Darcmon replied.

Keisuke sighed. "We've been walking for hours; are we at least close yet?"

"Not much further." TyrantKabuterimon said. They passed through some more trees and soon found a light. "There."

Keisuke walked towards a cliffside overlooking a lush green field. And ahead in the distance was a city with towering buildings. "Wow…"

"There it is." PileVolcamon said. "Cache City. Hudie's Dream is hidden underneath it. We'll need to sneak our way through to get to the entrance."

"We'll have to do a little more walking." MetalSeadramon said. "Flying there runs the risk of being spotted."

"Okay." Keisuke found a way down the cliff to his left and started moving. "This is it. A little more until I finally see her again. Erika…I'm coming."

Soon everyone was gathered around the electronic table. "So, what did you guys find?" Samudramon asked.

"The other day, I sensed a splitting rift between this world and another." Magnamon explained. He turned to the war table as it showed an image on wavelengths. "Such rifts exhibit specific energy waves that I can pick up."

"That would have been us." Yuuko replied.

"I thought so. But here's where it gets strange." Magnamon pulled up another wavelength up. "Sometime after, I picked up the appearance of another rift."

Everyone looked at it in surprise. "Another Digital Gate?" Bokomon asked.

"I'm not sure. Something felt different about this one. I can't quite put my finger on it."

"If more humans are here…could there be others like us and Keisuke?" Nokia suggested. "People who remember what happened before?"

"Not a clue." Takumi said. "At this point anything is possible. Although we have no idea if these guys are allies or enemies like K."

"The only way we'll know is by meeting up with them." HiAndromon said. "Magnamon, where was this rift?"

"In the middle of Data Plains. But by the time I got there, there was no trace of any humans. They must have left somewhere."

"Sounds like they were in a hurry." Yuuko said. "I wounder who they are…" She then noticed Arata on his Digivice. "Arata, what are you doing? Are you even listening?"

"Shh. Hold on. I'm trying something here."

"What are you doing?" Calumon asked.

"I heard you guys don't have a stable network for communications, so I figured I'd see if there was a way, I can jack one of theirs to use."

"We can certainly use a more efficient means of communication then messages." Omegamon said. "We can open some secure communication lines, but the range is weak making it rather ineffective. Does it look like you can get us through?"

"I'm not sure. The encryption is pretty solid. But I might be able to eavesdrop on an unstable communication…" Arata's eyes lit up. "Speak of the devil. Someone's trying to make a call. I say we listen in."

"Patch us through." Darcmon said.

Arata pressed a button, and everyone listened quietly. "…I repeat, this is Sealsdramon Squad! Two of the humans were spotted fleeing into Drive Canyon! Requesting backup at once!"

"Don't let them get away! We can corner them in the canyon! I'm on route now!"

"Roger! Sealsdramon Squad out!" The communication cut off.

"Sounds like we found your missing humans Magnamon." Darcmon said.

"The Next Order is after them, so they clearly aren't siding with them." Dorugoramon said. "In which case, they might be willing to help us."

"Well, we better go after them now!" Takumi said. "They're trapped in that canyon, and we need to find them before the Next Order arrives with the big guns!"

Magnamon folded his arms. "It's rather far from here to the Canyon. We'll never make it on foot. Our only chance is to fly straight there."

"Sadly, not all of our Digimon can fly." Yuugo said. "I hate to say it, but I don't think Arata, Yuuko and I can keep up with you guys."

"It can't be helped." Omegamon said. "Only those who can take flight will join on this mission."

"I guess that means it's just Takumi and me." Nokia said.

"Wait, I'll go too." Magnamon said. "I owe both of you for helping Lopmon and Tokomon. It's high time I repay my debt!"

"I'll join you as well." Darcmon added. "We'll take a platoon of flyers with us as backup."

"I'll go too then." Lilamon said.

"This mission isn't without it's risks you know." Antylomon said. "If you guys get pinned down there there's no way out. Also, if you get spotted during transport, they might be able to trace you back to our hideout."

"True as that may be, we can't ignore a potential friend!" Nokia said.

"And if they turn out to be an enemy?" Arata asked.

"Well…then at least we'll know!"

"I agree." Takumi said. "If I'm going to regret something, I'd rather it be that I tried to help someone and got dupped rather than me ignoring them and let an innocent person suffer."

"This is a risky operation." Magnamon admitted. "But having more humans backing us could prove worth the risk."

Darcmon nodded. "All those in favor?"

"I!" Everyone said.

"All opposed?" The room fell silent. "Then it is agreed. All those who can fly come with us. We depart immediately."

"Takumi, Nokia, be careful out there." Yuuko said. "Oh, before you go, you have Home Gates among the items you picked up from the lab, right?"

"Yeah." Takumi said. "But I hear they don't work."

"I'm afraid we haven't been able to set up a warp point for them to reach yet." Starmon sighed.

"Then Arata, Yuugo and I will see what we can do." Yuuko replied. "If the Next Order is planning an all-out attack over there, you might need a quick exit."

"Thanks." Takumi nodded.

"Try not to get into too much trouble." Arata grinned.

"No promises." Takumi joked.

"Okaaaaay!" Nokia cheered. "Rebels, move out!" She rushed ahead towards the exit.

"N-Nokia, wait!" Takumi hurried after her.

"I don't envy Takumi." Diaboromon sighed. "He's going on a rescue mission while having to babysit Nokia at the same time."

"True." Yuuko said. "I think it's more Nokia we need to worry about getting into trouble then him."

Arata scoffed as other Digimon assigned to the mission took off. "Yeah, no kidding."

Takuto, Himari, Kouta, and Luche along with their Digimon were walking through a grassy plain. "Ugh…" Kouta groaned.

"What's wrong Kouta?" Luche asked. "Are you tired?"

"No, I don't get tired. I'm just worried. We came here to find Shiki, and in less then a full day we get attacked then separated from Mr. Mameo and Shoma."

"I hope they're okay." Rikka asked.

"Well, Shoma is strong." Takuto said. "And Mameo is a grownup. I'm sure they can take care of themselves. For now, we just need a safe place to hide until the smoke clears."

"But where?" Nova asked. "We know nothing of this world."

"Those guys mentioned a Resistance." Yukimura suggested. "Maybe they'll welcome us if they think we're against…whatever is going on here."

"Not a bad idea, Yukimura." Kouta smiled. "The enemy of the enemy is a friend after all."

"Maybe they can help us find Shiki." Takuto added.

"Okay, so we know what to look for, but we still don't know where-

"Hey!" Luche interrupted Himari. "What's that?"

Everyone looked ahead to a series of buildings in the distance. "What's that?" Storm asked. "A city?"

"Well, where there's a city, there's civilization." Himari said. "Let's take a look."

Magnamon soared through the sky leading the others, consisting of Rapidmon Armor who Takumi rode on, followed by Omegamon with Nokia, BlackWarGreymon, Dorugoramon, Darcmon, and a few other Digimon such as Lilamon, Halsemon, Raptordramon, MachGaogamon, and Maildramon among many more. "I hope we make it in time…" Nokia murmured.

"I wounder though…" Takumi said. "We needed Omegamon's power to get to this world. How do you think these guys got here?"

"When we save them, we'll ask them." Darcmon said.

Magnamon looked down. "There it is!" They descended towards a rocky landscape. "Drive Canyon!"

As they drew closer Takumi saw a bunch of Digimon gathered at the entrance. "And it looks like the Next Order is already here!"

A bunch of Sealsdramon were gathered at the entrance when one of them spotted them approaching. "Finally, our backup's here!"

They all looked up. "Wait, something's not right. Who are they?!"

"Plasma Shot!" Magnamon fired golden orbs that slammed at the Sealsdramon. They all scattered.

"Is that Magnamon and Omegamon?! It's the Resistance!"

The fighting immediately broke out as they landed. "Winning Knuckle!"

"Tempest Wing!"

"Iron Press!"

"Lila Shower!"

"Transcendent Sword!"

"Rapid Fire!"

"Black Tornado!"

"Brave Metal!"

"Dancing Sword!" One by one the enemy Digimon fell until they were all delt with.

"That was easy." The Halsemon said.

"Don't let your guard down, just yet." Takumi said.

"He's right." Omegamon looked ahead. "I sense more Digimon inside. More members of the Next Order most likely. And near the very end of the cavern…I sense two more. One of them has extraordinary power…"

"I feel it to." Magnamon said. "How odd…something about this energy wave reminds me of you, Omegamon."

"Like Omegamon? Do you think it's Leopardmon?" Nokia asked. "Or one of the other knights?"

"No. We'd notice if it was." Omegamon said.

"Whoever or whatever it is, we better find those humans before they do." Rapidmon Armor said. "Assuming they haven't already."

Darcmon nodded. "Lilamon, you and the others stay here. Stall anyone who tries to follow us in. I'll take Magnamon, Takumi, Nokia and their partners and go look for these humans. We'll contact you once we find them."

"Alright. Be careful."

"Same to you." Omegamon said to the group. "Don't put yourselves in jeopardy. Flee if you're in danger."

"Alright, let's hurry!" Takumi said. "It sounds like these guys are still waiting for their backup. We gotta find these two before they get here!"

Nokia nodded. "Right! Let's get in there and get this done!"

Keisuke had finally made it into the city. Problem was patrols were everywhere. He and his Digimon his behind a building as a Guardromon passed him. "Did you guys really need to put your hideout here? Look at all these guards! How do you get in and out of you own place?"

"Hey, you said it yourself, discretion is our specialty." PileVolcamon replied.

"There is a reason why our base is so close to this city." TyrantKabuterimon replied. "Hudiemon can tell you when we get there."

"Okay." Keisuke activated the Acceleration Hacker Skill increasing his movement speed. He stepped out and ran across a street taking cover behind another building. He then checked to see that the way was clear and hurried across another.

"Ease up on the Acceleration Keisuke." MetalSeadramon said. "This isn't EDEN. Increasing your movement speed will tire you out far faster."

Keisuke turned the skill off. "*huff* *puff* Now you tell me?"

"Wait, someone's coming!" PileVolcamon said.

Keisuke scrambled with his menu and initiated Stealth Hide. Another Guardromon passed by. "Phew. What was close." He opened his menu.

"No, wait!"

By the time he registered MetalSeadramon's shout, Keisuke turned off the Stealth Hide. "What?" He then started at his Digimon who were looking behind him with panic. He turned himself around and say a Solarmon looking right at them. "…Uh, oh."

The small Digimon started beeping. "INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!"

PileVolcamon ran up and punched it unconscious. But then he saw two Tankmon and a Tankdramon rush towards them. "Over there!"

"Shoot." PileVolcamon ran back into the ally. "Run for it!" The three Digimon turned to the alleyway where they saw Keisuke and his Digimon flee before opening fire. PileVolcmaon grabbed his Tamer as he, TyrantKabuterimon and MetalSeadramon made a sharp left turn. They heard the blast behind them.

A loud boom in the distance caught Takuto and his friend's attention just as they set foot in the city. "What was that?" Luche asked.

From the distance smoke started to rise. "Oh, that ain't good." Kouta muttered.

"Come on!" Takuto rushed ahead. The others joined him as they went towards the smoke.

Shoma and Mameo were back-to-back. "Chaos Cloud!" Noir shot a burst of darkness at a Waspmon.

"Mach Jab!" File punched a Yanmamon. More Digimon had them surrounded.

"Well, this is a pickle." Mameo muttered.

"I'm sorry." Shoma said. "I thought it would be safter to hide in this canyon, but that just let them corner us."

"It's not your fault Shoma. Besides, at least here we can limit the numbers they send at us, we'd be far more swarmed if we stayed in the open."

Noir rammed a Kuwagamon and jumped over a Blossomon's vines before shooting it. File jumped into a Woodmon knocking it over. "Smiley Bomb!" He one shot a Delumon. "Won't do us much good if they never stop coming."

"File has a point…" Noir said. "If only- Wait." Noir looked to the side. "Someone's coming!"

"Oh, great, more of them." Mameo muttered.

"No…I know this Digimon's energy!"

Shoma looked at his Digimon. "You do? Who is it?"

"I think-

Mameo noticed a DinoBeemon charge toward past him. "Shoma! Look out!"

Shoma gasped as he looked up and saw it rush towards him with it's claws out. Just as he braced himself his attacker was hit with a charging kick to the left and flew into a wall. Shoma looked at the Digimon that saved him. Omegamon landed in front of him, and Shoma looked at his back. "Omni?" He heard footsteps behind him and turned around. "Takuto!"

"Hey there!" Nokia waved as she Takumi and the Digimon allied with them rushed in. "You boys okay?"

Shoma looked at the girl in surprise. "What? Who are you?"

Takumi ran next to him and Mameo. "That was a close call. Seems like we arrived in the nick of time."

"Well, this was unexpected." Mameo grinned. "But not unwelcomed."

"Looks like you can use some help. Mind if we join in?"

"Thanks." Shoma said. "We'd appreciate that."

"Alright, let's kick some ass Omegamon!" Nokia cheered.

"Of course."

Magnamon and Darcmon flew up towards some of the flying enemies as Darcmon opened a monitor. "Lilamon we found the humans. …Lilamon?!"

"Kuh…Darcmon…another wave pushed through us…Bancho…BanchoStingmon is on his way."

"What?! Lilamon, are you alright?!"

"We were powerless…most of the team survived but they're in no condition to pursue…"

"Well pull back!" Magnamon said. "Save yourselves while you can! We'll take it from here!"

"I'm sorry…Be safe." Lilamon hung up.

Darcmon turned to the humans. "Let's make this quick! We're about to have company!"

"Gotchya." Takumi nodded. "Rapidmon, BlackWarGreymon, Dorugoramon, let's do this!"

His Digimon flew in front of him. "Alright!" Rapidmon Armor replied.

Shoma looked at Takumi and his team. "Whoa…"

"Three partners?" Mameo asked in surprise.

"Rapidmon, strike fast and hard! Keep moving between targets!" Rapidmon Armor shoulder charged a Snimon before charge kicking another then shot a Tuskmon. "BlackWarGreymon and Dorugoramon, finish them off with the openings he provides!" BlackWarGreymon clawed the Snimon and Dorugoramon punched through the Tuskmon.

Mameo and Shoma stared at Takumi as the Digimon fight continued. "Who is this guy?" Shoma asked.

Keisuke ran as fast as he could. He didn't know how many Digimon were chasing him now, but he wasn't about to look back to count. He made his way past another building and onto a street. A Frozomon landed in front of him, blocking him off. "Crap, crap, crap, crap!" Looking behind him at least ten assorted Digimon were catching up. He thought of going left. Until two Shootmon approached from that direction. Keisuke looked at the last option, going right. But just as he turned that way, three Mekanorimon came out. In seconds he was completely surrounded. "…Crap."

TyrantKabuterimon looked franticly for a way out. "We're boxed in. Our only option is to fight our way out."

"Fine then!" PileVolcamon shot a rock from his back and jumped up and caught it. "Volcanic Driver!" He slammed down on a few of the enemies blowing them down. TyrantKabuterimon started swinging at their foes. MetalSeadramon fired a laser at a pack.

"Erika is close!" Keisuke thought as his Digimon tore through the opposition one by one. "I can't fall! Not here!"

One of the Mekanorimon that they thought they defeated got up and took aim at Keisuke. MetalSeadramon looked at it and gasped. "Keisuke, get down!"

"Huh?" Keisuke turned around.

"Twin Beam!" It fired a red laser from his chest.

"Ah!" Keisuke braced himself, but then something rushed in and batted the attack aside and into a Tankmon. "Huh?" He looked up to see a WarGreymon.

"Ice Wolf Claw!" A burst of misses froze the Mekanorimon and a MetalGarurumon landed beside the WarGreymon.

Keisuke recognized the Digimon. "Nokia?!" But the person riding the MeatlGarurumon was not who he was expecting. "Wait, you're not-

"Hey there!" Takuto dismounted. Rikka and Yukimura landed nearby and Himari, Kouta, and Luche landed around Keisuke. "Can we play too?" Takuto grinned.

"Who are you guys?" Keisuke asked taken aback.

Kouta looked at Keisuke. "So there really are other humans here besides us!"

"We'll talk later!" Himari replied. "Come on, let's do this!"

"Uh, right! Thanks!" Keisuke got back into a fighting stance. "Come on team, let's push through!"

"Right!" TyrantKabuterimon said as he, PileVolcamon and MetalSeadramon reassembled.

"Wow! This guy has three partners!" Luche said.

"Okay, let's go!" Takuto said. "Nova! Storm!" His Digimon roared and charged into battle.

So yeah, unlike humans in the Digital World of Next Order, humans in Cyber Sleuth can apparently sleep and eat while logged into EDEN. There's this case in Hackers Memory that points out Chitose sleeps in EDEN sometimes and there's a case Cyber Sleuth where you help a Growlmon make ramen for his Tamer in EDEN and apparently it can still lead to weight gain according to her… somehow. EDEN is weird.

But now the heroes of the two different words meet up. We'll see how well they work together next chapter.