Yuuko was sitting on her bed going through her Digivice. She would stop on occasion to think about her past. The past of Zaxon. She couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought. "Maybe it was a ploy against me... but there were good things that came from those days too..." She then heard a knock at the door. "Come in."

The door opened at Takumi walked inside. "Yuuko?"

"Hello Takumi."

"Samudramon isn't with you?"

"I asked him to keep an eye on Zero. He may have been hiding it, but I can tell this issue with Kiryu has him shaken. And your Digimon?"

"I asked them to help Darcmon and the Three Musketeers with adapting to the city."

"I see... so you wanted to talk to me alone."

Takumi scratched the back of his head. "Is it that obvious?"

Yuuko smiled. "There isn't much Darcmon needs to adjust to. And BellStarmon's group is rather adaptable." Yuuko's smile dropped after a moment of awkward silence. "This is about Kiryu, right?"

"Yeah... Yuuko, I know you feel responsible for what happened but… you did what you felt was the right thing at the time. And besides, I kind of pushed you towards challenging Under Zero."

"What makes you think that?"

"After our raid of the Avalon Server you asked me if Ami and we wanted to return to our real bodies. After we said yes you said it helped you make up your mind on something. Shortly after that was when you made that announcement. You wanted to help us too… that was what made you come to that decision, wasn't it?"

Yuuko smiled. "You truly are an incredible detective…"

"I try."

"But Takumi… I am responsible for my own decisions. I decided to bring Kiryu and his brother into Zaxon. I decided to challenge Under Zero knowing it was putting them all in danger. …And I made another bad choice after that…"

"Yuuko…" Takumi walked over to her. "Remember what you said to me back at Zaxon's base? You said that I'm not alone. That I shouldn't force so much responsibility onto myself. You shouldn't either. I want to help you with your burden." Yuuko didn't reply. "Yuuko… tell me what happened between you and Kiryu."

"I already told you and the others at the meeting."

"That was the short version of the story." Takumi replied. "I'm sure there's more to it."

Yuuko sighed. "…You're right." She moved over on her bed then signaled Takumi to sit next to her, so, he did. "Takumi… I'll tell you everything. How it started. And how it came to this…"

Keisuke and the others entered the final room at the top of the tower with Kiryu. "Well, this is it. Final floor." TyrantKabuterimon said.

They walked towards the desk in the room. "Yup… this is where it happened." Keisuke said. "Where Matadormon destroyed Babramon, Belphamon and Hosaka before… Lucemon turned him into GranDracmon."

"So that's what happened to Hosaka." Kiryu said.

"I can't help but feel a little bad for him." Sayo said. "Even though that jerk tried to use me and Koh as blackmail against our own world."

"That's what brought you two are here?" Kiryu asked. "Tch. That fool proved to be a pain in the ass to the very end." He quietly thought to himself. 'I don't recall ever hearing about this world. Was he acting on his own again? If so, does this have anything to do with why he was gathering Digital Waves? If Hosaka's gone, then I suppose his plans are now gone with the wind now but… I better report this just in case.'

"I didn't see anything suspicious on the way here." Takuto said.

"Maybe there's a hidden passageway, or something in his room." Keisuke suggested. "Hackers do need to keep their secrets."

"Very true." Kiryu nodded. "I'll check his computer. The rest of you start looking around."

"I already checked the computer." Hudiemon said. "Or do you not trust that I might have missed something?"

"You are a skilled hacker, Erika Mishima. One of the most talented in our world. But nobody is beyond making mistakes on occasion… not even me." Agunimon and Lobomon stared at Kiryu as he walked over to the computer and sat in the chair at the desk. The others started searching the room in silence. Only Agunimon and Lobomon didn't do anything other than standing still in silence. They just stared at Kiryu who was sitting there at the computer. Seemingly too occupied with it to notice. Until he spoke up. "You two have something to say to me?"

"Yes actually." Lobomon replied. "A lot of things in fact... I don't even know where to start..."

"Kiryu... do you really believe what happened is Yuuko's fault?" Agunimon asked.

"Am I wrong? If she didn't attack Under Zero that incident wouldn't have happened."

"Subaru... he was our human partner...We remember that much."

"That is true." Kiryu said not looking away from the computer screen. "But you were much more than that to him."

"What else were we?"

"You two were his best friends."

Keisuke turned around to look at Kiryu. "Really? Even though hackers thought Digimon were just programs?"

"Subaru and Kiryu had suspicions." BlitzGreymon replied. "They didn't think humanity could create a program that emulated life or had the potential of Digimon. Otherwise, wouldn't humans use us for greater things then hacking each other?"

"Good point."

"Kiryu and Subaru were the only ones who believed our story of the Digital World." CresGarurumon said. "Subaru especially."

"Yes." Kiryu smiled. "Every time Agunimon and Lobomon spoke to him about it, his face would lite up in excitement."

Agunimon stared in space. "Yes... it's coming back to me!"

"Subaru was so supportive to us." Lobomon stated. "Whenever we seemed homesick, he would tell us that we would always have a home with him..."

"Wow." Himari smiled. "Subaru's a good kid."

"He is." Kiryu replied. "That's why I cannot forgive those who made him suffer. Yuuko...Fei...Nokia...Takumi...Ami...and myself."

Everyone looked at him in surprise. "What?" Takuto gasped.

"What Arata said at the keep was true. I wasn't there when he needed me the most. I failed to uphold my vow. When I left Zaxon, I doomed Subaru. I know that… that's why what he said made me so angry."

"Kiryu..." Agunimon stared at the teen sadly.

"However, that wouldn't have happened if Yuuko listened to someone other than her own ego for once. Nokia escalating the issue down there sure as hell didn't help. And if Takumi and Ami never created the Eaters..." Kiryu closed his eyes. "That is why I swore to repent for my failure by destroying all those responsible."

"How is Subaru now?" Lobomon asked.

"A traumatized, broken shell of his former self. He barely speaks anymore. He won't even go to school. Had to get him to study via online courses. His grades are fine. But not nearly as high as they were in the last reality. But worst of all... he would wake up nearly every night in a cold sweat. Nightmares of that day plague him. I imagine he's still suffering during all this."

"During all this?" MetalSeadramon asked. "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Around the time when I ran into your partner here with him." Kiryu replied before turning to Keisuke. "That reminds me... I've been wanting to thank you."

Keisuke stared at him. "For what?"

"You defended Subaru when he was being harassed by those punks that day. I'm grateful."

"Oh, right… What was he doing out there on his own anyway?"

"One of the few things that still breathes life into him is building and tinkering with machines. I was getting him some computer parts he wanted, but I didn't want to bring him into a store full of people. I thought it would be okay to leave him outside for a few minutes, but..."

"So wait, if your brother is in that bad a state, shouldn't you be by his side?" Hudiemon asked.

"My father is still with him. And I asked a couple of trusted friends of mine to keep an eye on him. But when I was alerted that Yuuko and her friends entered the Digital World, I swore that I would not return until Subaru's peace had been assured. Still... I would be lying if I said I didn't worry about him... even before the incident he's been depressed ever since our mother died..."

"I have two younger sisters."

Kiryu stared at Himari. "And?"

"We lost our parents. So, I have to look after both of them. I love them dearly and worry about them all the time. Even now. But there are things here that I need to do. And people counting on me. So, I know how hard it is to struggle between the responsibilities of an older siblings and someone fighting this war."

Kiryu returned his gaze back to the monitor. "I see." He took out his Digivice and downloaded the computer's contents.

Hudiemon looked at it. "Is that your Digivice? No offense but... isn't it a bit outdated?"

"Maybe. But I have no intention of replacing it. Subaru gave it to me on my fourteenth birthday."

"He bought you a Digivice?" Keisuke asked.

"No. He built it himself."

"Built it...? But if you were fourteen at the time then he was..."

"Ten years old." Agunimon said. "Subaru told us he wanted to make Kiryu a special gift that year for everything he did for him."

"Ten years old and he was building Digivices?!" Koh asked. "That's incredible!"

"Subaru was very talented with machines." Kiryu said standing up.

Hudiemon was pressing he hand against a wall. She felt something odd. "What is it Hudiemon?" PileVolcamon asked.

"Hold on." Hudiemon backed up and her eyes glowed. A rectangular chunk of the wall glowed and started to dissolve pixels at a time until a doorway was revealed. "Bingo."

"A hidden doorway, I knew it!" Keisuke said.

Kiryu walked over. "Shall we see where it leads?" The group proceeded inside.

"I hope we find Loweemon and the others soon." Agunimon said.

"You sound particularly worried about them." BlitzGreymon said.

"One of them is my brother and the rest of them are our comrades in arms." Lobomon replied.

"I see." Kiryu said. "You two still fight hard for the ones you cherish. You both are too good to be under that woman's command."

"Jeez... do you really hate Yuuko that much?" Nova asked. "What happened was terrible, but I doubt she wanted Subaru to suffer."

"From what she told me, she really didn't care. Irony is a cruel thing. We thought of her as a savior at first. But then she ruined Subaru's life."

"Kiryu... tell us what happened." Keisuke said. "What led to you two joining Zaxon? What happened that made you like this?"

"Ask Yuuko to tell you. I'm not here to reminisce."

"She told us her side of the story. But maybe there's more you can tell us."

"I wish to hear this too Kiryu." Agunimon said. "Some of my memories are still blank."

"Same here." Lobomon added. "I want to know more about our lives in the last reality. More about our partner. And more about you."

Kiryu sighed. "...I suppose you two have the right to know. Besides, I wouldn't put it past Yuuko to hide a few details. Very well. I'll tell you from the beginning." The group reached a large staircase and started to climb down it. "My mother passed away while Subaru was very young. Upon her death I swore an oath. To support Subaru with all my life. At first, I was the only one he'd open up to. He didn't have any friends at school. It made me worry how he would grow up. His only interests were machines and programing. That's how he started getting interested in EDEN. Then one day he caught wind of a secret area of EDEN. A mysterious space hidden beneath it."

Keisuke put it together and his eyes lite up. "Kawloon."

"Subaru wanted to check it out. Naturally after hearing how dangerous it was there was no way in hell I was letting him go alone. And so..."

A young boy with a red shirt and black shorts with neatly combed brown hair walked into the dark blue area. "So, this is Kawloon…"

Kiryu walked up behind him. "The place seems mostly empty… but there's no telling what danger could be lurking. Stay close Subaru."

"I know, I know."

A sudden scream pierced through the silence like a sharp blade. "What the hell was that?"

"It came from over there!" Subaru replied before running ahead.

"Subaru, I just said to- ugh!" Kiryu ran after him.

Up ahead a small Digimon with orange hair and skin wearing red pants was backed against a corner with a white Digimon his size with black gloves and white pants. In front of them a Greymon and a Garurumon were growling at two hackers. One had brown hair, a blue shirt and a red and black cap. The other had blondish hair, a white shirt and a blue vest overtop. "You monsters...!" the Greymon growled. "What did we ever do to you?!"

The one with the cap laughed. "Ha! You calling us monsters?! That's rich! More importantly I haven't seen Digimon like those squirts behind you before! I bet we can sell them at our DigiMarket for a high price!"

As the two hackers aproached the Digimon backed up. The hackers activated something that paralyzed the Greymon and Garurumon keeping them in place. "Leave them alone!" Subaru shouted running up to them.

"Gah!" The small red Digimon yelped. "More of them?!"

The two hackers looked at him. "Huh? What's a kid doing here in Kawloon?" the blond one asked.

The other turned away. "Who cares? Run along shorty, we're busy here." He was about to take further action against the Digimon, but Subaru ran in front of him. "The hell are you up to kid? Are these yours? If so, you should have kept a shorter leash on your programs."

"Why do you keep calling us programs?!" the white one shouted. "Digimon are living beings!"

"Yeah, yeah, that's what all you programs say. Now come along nicely and we won't roughen you up." The two hackers walked closer to the Digimon, but Subaru stood in their path with his arms out. "Move it brat, we need to wrap this up and get back to the DigiMarket. Customers could show up any minute."

"You're hurting these creatures! Stop it!"

The capped hacker sighed. "We're not hurting anyone. Digimon are just tools and- Oh forget it, I'm just wasting my breath." He grabbed Subaru by the shoulder and shoved him to the floor.

The blond hacker turned to his friend in shock. "Shirrako, what the hell?! He's just a kid!"

"Yeah? Well kids need to learn to listen to their elders." The capped hacker redirected his attention to the Digimon. "As for you four..."

Shirrako felt a rough grip on his shoulder and was turned around before Kiryu punched him in the face. He yelped stumbling back before Kiryu hand chopped him in the shoulder, jabbed him in the gut then knocked him down with a roundhouse kick. Kiryu ran up to the other hacker and punched him in the ribs then kicked him in the shin making him stumble to his knees before Kiryu pulled him up by his shirt and slammed his palm into his face. Shirrako got back up and ran up and threw a punch at Kiryu from behind, but he caught his fist and squeezed. The hacker helped as he tried to pull his hand out. Kiryu slowly turned around to glare at the man making him shriek. "Touch my brother again... and I'll rip out the limb you use." He punched Shirrako in the gut, then threw him into the other hacker knocking him down.

"Kiryu!" Subaru gasped.

Kiryu walked over to his younger brother. "I told you to stay close to me!"

"S-sorry..."

Kiryu sighed and offered him a hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Subaru took it and Kiryu helped him up.

"Um... excuse me...?" The red Digimon and white Digimon walked up to them.

Kiryu looked at them. "...What the hell is this?"

"You two... you're not going to hunt us too, are you?" the white one asked.

"Hunt you?" Kiryu raised an eyebrow.

"I'll take that as a no. Phew. Finally, humans that won't attack us."

"Um... hello..." the red one muttered. Subaru stared at them with his mouth agape. "Um... is something wrong?"

"So..."

Both of the Digimon started to panic. "Umm..."

"So cool!" Subaru ran up and looked at them. "I've never seen anything like this!"

Kiryu stared at him. "Well, well. It's been a while since I saw you this excited about something."

"They resemble animals but can communicate with words clearly..." Subaru said.

"Is this normal in Kawloon?" Kiryu asked. "Dinosaurs and talking wolf creatures?"

"What's a wolf creature?" the red one asked. "I'm Flamemon!"

"And I'm Strabimon!" the white one said.

"Flamemon and Strabimon?" Subaru asked. He heard a groan and looked at the Greymom and Garurumon on the floor. He ran over to them. "Are you okay?"

"Those two jumped in trying to protect us from those guys." Flamemon replied.

Subaru pulled out his Digivice. "Digimon Capture? Some kind of program..."

Kiryu walked up and opened his Digivice. "Let's see what we can do about it." They started typing and in a moment the blue sparkling around the two Digimon ceased.

"There!" Subaru said. "You're free!"

The two Digimon stood up. "...Why?" the Greymon asked.

Kiryu put his hands in his pockets. "There was no reason to leave you two like that. More importantly why were those assholes chasing you?"

"This must be the first time you encountered Digimon like us..." the Garurumon said standing up. "Well...thank you."

"You little...!" Shirrako slowly stood up.

Kiryu turned around. "Want to go another round? I'm warmed up now if you want to take me up on my limb ripping offer."

"I got a better idea." The hacker cackled as he took out his Digivice. "You wanna play rough punk?! Well let's see how you like this!" A Devimon and a Ogremon appeared in front of him.

"What the hell?!" Kiryu stepped back looking up at them.

"More of them?!" Subaru gasped.

Shirrako pointed at Kiryu. "Teach this punk a lesson!"

The Digimon roared running at Kiryu. "Shit!" Kiryu jumped back as Ogermon's club came down.

"Kiryu!" Subaru yelled.

Kiryu turned to his brother. "Get out of here Subaru!" He sidestepped as Ogermon slammed his club into the ground again. He ran up the Digimon's extended arm and jumped landing a kick in Ogermon's face. When he landed, Devimon slammed his large hand into Kiryu knocking him over.

"Kiryu!" Subaru shouted.

The man pulled himself up as the Virus Digimon stampeded towards him again. Then the Greymon rammed into Ogermon from the side knocking him into Devimon. "Huh?" Gaururmon leapt in front of Kiryu growling at the enemy Digimon. "What are you doing?"

"You saved us even though you had no reason to..." the Garurumon said.

"That is a debt we must repay." the Greymon replied.

"Oh for... and now this is happening!" Shirrako growled. "Fine! You wanna fight?! I'll show you how it's done! Crush them!"

Devimon charged at Garurumon who leapt out of the way. Greymon blocked Ogermon's club with his skull. "Pumble Whack!" He punched Greymon in the gut. He slid back on his feet. Devimon clawed at Garurumon who dodged then leapt back.

Kiryu noticed Devimon pulled his hand back and it glowed. "Don't jump back! Dodge to the side!"

"Death Hand!" Devimon extended his arm as his hand flew at Garurumon who leapt to the left.

Kiryu looked at Greymon who rammed his horns at Ogermon who blocked with his club. Devimon kept swinging his arms at Garurumon. " Aim for the legs!" Greymon's eyes widened at the command and he spun in place swinging his tail into the Ogermon's legs tripping it as Garurumon bit into Devimon's shin. Kiryu watched them both topple. "There! Hit them as hard as you can!"

"Nova Blast!"

"Fox Fire!" The two Digimon shot red and blue flames into the two Digimon blowing them away.

"Crap!" Shirrako yelled.

"Yeah!" Subaru jumped cheering. "Get him bro!"

"He didn't seem like he knew about Digimon…" Strabimon gapped. "But he's taking command of them with ease!"

Greymon and Garurumon turned to Kiryu. "Nice plan."

Kiryu smiled back. "Nice moves." He looked at the weakened targets in front of them. "They seem too weak to move. Let's finish them off with long range attacks."

"Right! Nova-

"Fox-

"Burning Fist!" Fire balls hit Greymon just as he was about to attack.

"Sticker Blade!" Purple blades slashed Garurumon.

"What?!" Kiryu gasped.

A Meramon and a Sangloupmon stood by. "Well, it's about time Sosuke!" the capped hacker yelled as he used a HP Spray B to heal his Digimon. "Were you napping or something?!"

The blond hacker was getting back on his feet. "Hey, you weren't the one who got landed on, I don't wanna hear your bitching Shirrako." He turned to Kiryu. "As for you, that kid is your brother right?"

"What about it?"

"Look, I'm sorry for what my blockheaded acquaintance here did to him, that was him being a jackass."

"Hey!" Shirrako glared at his accomplice.

"But you both need to understand that Digimon are just tools. That's why we sell them to the DigiMarket so hackers can access them. So just let us have those two rare, smaller ones and walk away, and I promise it'll be like this never happened. You can keep those two you fought with. It seems like you're using them well anyway. Heck, if you want more Digimon we'll even show you some at the market. As an apology for what this guy did, I'll offer you two a special deal. Sound good?"

Kiryu glanced over his shoulder. Flamemon and Strabimon looked panicked, but Subaru was holding them close. He then turned back to Sosuke. "I'm afraid that isn't an option."

Sosuke sighed. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. Picking on rookies leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

"Whatever man, we're hackers!" Shirrako spat. "Who cares about "honor" or whatnot at this point. Besides, are you going to let those rare ones get away? The DigiMarket hasn't been doing too well lately, we need to get some good merchandise!"

"You're right. Sorry pal, nothing personal."

"Ha! You don't stand a chance against both of us!"

Kiryu grimaced as the enemy Digimon prepared to attack. 'Tch… four on two won't get us far…' he thought to himself. 'Maybe I can create an opening for Subaru to take those two and run…' The four Digimon charged at him. Greymon and Garurumon stood ready to attack. Then two golden beams fired between both sides making them stop before they could be vaporized. "What?!"

"What NOW?!" Shirakko shouted.

"That's quite enough." Everyone looked over to see a boy in white with a Machinedramon and a girl with brown hair tied into buns next to them.

"Tch! Reinforcements?" Kiryu growled.

Subaru looked at the new Digimon as it approached with the mysterious hackers. "So strong…"

Kiryu continued his descent down the stairs with the others as he continued his story. "That was when…"

"Fei and I stepped in."

Takumi kept his gaze on Yuuko as she spoke. "You helped him. Just like how you helped me and Ami back then."

Yuuko nodded. "I suppose so. In any case…"

Yuugo and Fei stood between the two sides of the battle with their Digimon. Yuugo looked at the two hackers. Both of them were stunned. He then looked at Kiryu. He still had a fire in his eyes like he was ready to fight him should he prove a threat. Then he noticed Subaru shivering with Flamemon and Strabimon. "Hey, what's your deal?!" Yuugo turned to Shirakko as he shouted. "Who do you think you are butting in out of nowhere!"

Fei looked at him. "What's this? A little puppy yapping?"

"Watch your mouth you idiot!" Sosuke growled.

"Yeah, what he said!" Shirakko yelled. "We're in the middle of educating this punk! So why don't you take your pompous asses and-OW!"

Sosuke whacked Shirakko in the back of the head. "I was talking to YOU dumbass! Do you have any idea who that is?!"

"Huh?"

"My, my." Fei smirked. "One would think by now all the hackers would be able to recognize you, Yuugo."

Shirakko gapped at the white-haired boy. "Y-Y-Y-Yuugo?! Wait as in Zaxon's leader Yuugo?!"

"That is correct." Yuugo replied putting a hand on his hip.

"Sorry Yuugo." Sosuke said. "This guy's sort of new."

"S-sorry sir!" Shirakko bowed. "I didn't mean anything!"

Kiryu stared at the boy. 'His name alone is enough to intimidate them… who in the world is this guy…?'

"We were just having a bit of an affair you see-

"No need to explain yourselves." Yuugo cut Sosuke off. "We were watching from the beginning."

"O-oh… I see…"

"These two didn't even know what Digimon were, and you used them to attack the two of them? One of them being a child. How disgraceful. Hackers shouldn't pick on the defenseless like this."

"Yes, yes, I completely agree."

Yuugo walked up to Sosuke. "I'll be blunt Sosuke. I'm not very fond of the DigiMarket myself. The only reason why I haven't made a move against you is because your group never did anything to actively attack or harm people. But after seeing this, I'm starting to reconsider…"

Sosuke's face palled. "I-it was just a misunderstanding on our part! It won't happen again, I swear!"

"What do you say Yuuko?" Fei asked. "Should we teach these newbs a lesson?"

Yuugo stared at the two Sosuke and Shirakko who were shaking in their boots. "I think they got the message. I trust this "affair" of yours is over?"

"Yes, it is!" Sosuke said. "We'll be more careful in future, I promise!"

"Y-yeah! We learned our lesson!" Shirakko yelped.

"Good. Just remember. Zaxon doesn't forgive those who use EDEN for evil." Yuugo glared. "Now on your way." The two hackers withdrew their Digimon and ran off. Yuugo looked at Kiryu who still didn't lower his guard. "Seems like you two are fine."

"Why did you help us?" Kiryu asked.

Fei folded her arms. "Is that how you thank someone who saved your hide?"

"It's fine Fei." Yuugo replied. "I acted on a whim. Not to be thanked."

"How long were you watching us?" Kiryu asked.

"Long enough to get a grasp on the situation."

"Gotta say, I liked the part where you smacked their asses around with your bare hands." Fei smirked. "You take martial arts?"

"I might."

"I didn't think you'd try to fight a Digimon with your bare hands." Yuugo said. "Quite reckless for a hatchling."

"Hatchling"? I don't know what you're talking about. I only acted in defense of my younger brother."

Yuugo looked at Subaru as he nervously approached. "I see…"

"Um… thank you for saving us." the boy said.

Fei laughed. "Well, at least one of you has some manners."

Yuugo lowered himself to his height. "I'm glad you're not hurt. Still… don't you think risking yourself over Digimon against hackers was reckless?"

"I just felt I had to do something..."

"I suppose this is hard for someone your age to accept… but Digimon are programs. Risking yourself over them is senseless."

"Just what are Digimon anyway?" Kiryu asked. "Were they always here in Kawloon?"

"Not exactly. Digimon, short for Digital Monster, they just just appeared down here one day."

"Digital…monster?" Subaru asked.

"In any case, it seems those four have taken to you…" Yuugo said looking at the Digimon with them. "How unusual for a program to like a person…"

"Not as unusual as a kid like this commin' to Kawloon." Fei pointed out.

"True. Whoever gave you two access to Kawloon should have known better then to send a child off here."

"Nobody "gave us access"." Kiryu replied. "We discovered the URL to Kawloon on our own."

Yuugo looked at him in surprise. "What?"

Subaru nodded. "I kinda hacked into the history of a hacker we saw in EDEN and used the most common URL he had."

"You got this access on your own… hacked into another EDEN avatar… without the help of Digimon…?" Yuugo asked. "That's incredible for one so young…"

"Digimon are used for hacking as well?" Kiryu asked. He took out his Digivice. "I came across the name a few times, but little detail was available."

"Down here all hackers settle things using Digimon." Fei said. "Strange Digivice you got there by the way."

"You think so?" Subaru asked. "I built it for him the best I could."

"You… built it?" Yuugo asked.

"That's right."

"Heh. Well, aren't you tech savvy for a kid." Fei smirked.

"Hmmm…" Yuugo stared at the brothers. "Tell me something. Why did you come to Kawloon?"

Kiryu turned to Subaru. "My brother was interested in investigating EDEN's secrets. And I wasn't about to let him go somewhere dangerous alone."

Yuugo looked at Subaru. "Interested?"

"Um… yeah." Subaru nodded. "EDEN is so exciting. It's nothing like the reality we live with. It feels so… free." Yuugo thought for a moment.

"With such talent in hacking and interest in EDEN and Digimon, Subaru had so much potential." Yuuko said. "He could be a powerful ally… or a dangerous enemy… at the time part of me wondered if it was safe to leave him be… but…"

"You didn't want to hurt him." Takumi replied. "Especially not in front of his brother."

"I couldn't bare someone else suffering the way Yuugo and I have." Yuuko replied "Which was another reason why I didn't want to leave him be. He was young and naive. His reckless nature and young age might one day get him in serious trouble. Especially if he was going to start protecting Digimon. He may have had a strong and dependable big brother, but Kiryu couldn't protect him from everything. So, I decided…"

"You offered him what you offered me and Ami that day. We also knew little about EDEN and Digimon and were willing to protect them… and we were also siblings."

Yuuko nodded. "Honestly… when I encountered you two back then it felt like a repeat of what I saw with the Tenjos…"

"May I ask you two your names?" Yuugo asked.

"And why may I ask?" Kiryu replied.

"My name is Subaru."

Kiryu turned to his brother. "Subaru! We don't even know this person or his intentions!"

"Does it matter? He just saved us!"

"I am only asking to I have something to reefer to you two." Yuugo said. "Perhaps it is foolish to ask you to trust a hacker you know nothing of… but I promise I mean you no harm."

"Somehow looking at Yuugo gave me a sense of ease." Kiryu said. "He had a calming and trusting air around him…"

"…Kiryu. Kiryu Tenjo."

"Well then, Kiryu… Subaru… those Digimon with you… would you like to keep them?"

"Huh?" Subaru blinked.

"Um, Yuugo, you sure that's a good idea?" Fei whispered. "I don't know about the little fellas, but those larger ones might be a bit advanced for beginners like these two. Besides, what if they cause trouble with them?"

"From what I just saw, I don't think there's any reason to worry." Yuugo replied.

"You're letting us keep them?" Kiryu asked.

"If that is what you want. Otherwise, we'd be willing to take them with us."

Subaru looked at Flamemon and Strabimon. "…I want to stay with Flamemon and Strabimon."

Kiryu looked at the Gryemon and Garurumon. "…Yeah. These guys… there's more I want to know about them."

Yuugo smiled. "I see. In that case…" He pulled up a monitor and started typing.

Subaru and Kiryu heard a bing and checked their Digivices. "This is…"

"The Digimon Capture Program. With this you two can officially wield the power those Digimon hold. I hope you use them wisely. And to improve yourselves as hackers."

"Thank you." Subaru said.

"One more question." Yuugo said. "Do you two want to know more about how to use Digimon? Or about the secrets held here in EDEN?"

"Of course!"

"Then maybe you'd consider joining us. Our team Zaxon is venturing deeper into Kawloon every day. Our doors are always open."

"Zaxon… I heard that name repeatedly while looking up Kawloon." Kiryu said.

"We are a group of hackers who strive to make EDEN a place where the mind can be set free. Unlike most hackers we don't target the innocent. Only other gangs that pose a threat to others. You don't need to give us your answer now. I also sent you the URL to our hideout. Think it over and come by any time. For now, our business here has concluded. Come on Fei." Yuugo turned around to leave.

"You got it."

"Um… who are you?" Subaru asked.

Yuugo stopped. "Ah, yes, how silly to forget." He smiled to them. "My name is Yuugo. Leader of Zaxon. I hope we meet again." He and Fei took their leave.

After some silence Kiryu spoke up. "Well… I suppose we should leave for now before anymore hackers show up." He looked at the Digimon. "You guys should come with us."

"Yeah… I think we'll take you up on that." Greymon nodded.

"It beats being hunted by more of those punks." Garurumon added,

"Yeah!" Subaru held one of Flamemon's hands and one of Strabimon's in his own. "Come on you two! We'll keep you safe from any more bad guys!"

"Really?" Flamemon asked.

"Thank you!" Strabimon smiled.

"We logged out with our new friends in our Digivices." Kiryu explained. "From there we began our inquiry."

Kiryu locked the door to his room. Subaru was sitting on his bed holding his Digivice. "So, what are you guys?" Subaru asked. "What are Digimon? And where do you come from?"

"Those hackers called you "programs". So did Yuugo." Kiryu said. "But I highly doubt that's the case."

"You're pretty sharp Kiryu." Gaurumon said from Kiryu's Digivice. "What makes you so sure?"

"Even modern A.I.s are nowhere near as lifelike as you. Also, the fact that you suddenly appeared in EDEN."

"Yeah." Subaru said swinging his legs. "Besides, if you really were created by us humans, we'd be using you for far greater things than petty hacking. So where did you come from?"

"Another world." Greymon replied.

"Another… what?" Kiryu asked.

"Our home is the Digital World, where Digimon live." Flamemon replied.

"And how did you come from this "other world" to EDEN?"

"Honestly… we don't know. Roughly around eight years ago Digimon would just… disappear from our world." Greymon said. "We ourselves just… fell into this world of yours by mistake."

"Hence you suddenly appearing in EDEN." Kiryu said. "So, you're saying you Digimon leaked out of your world into Kawloon? But how…? What could cause such a thing?"

"You're guess is as good as ours." Gaurumon replied.

"So, what kind of place is this Digital World?" Kiryu asked.

"It used to be a beautiful place." Flamemon said. "It was where we Digimon belonged. We could go anywhere anytime."

"Used to be?" Kiryu asked.

"Nowadays, our world has been pledged with monsters we call "Eaters"." Gryemon said.

"Monsters?" Subaru asked.

"Yeah… we don't know what they are or what they want." Strabimon said. "But they're destroying our world, devouring everything and everyone in it. The world we come from… is now hell…"

"That's awful…"

Kiryu put a hand at his chin. "So even if you did know how to go home, which I assume you don't, it still wouldn't be safe for you."

"No. It wouldn't." Greymon said. "Although as you saw today, we're not exactly safe here either."

"It's okay!" Subaru smiled. "We'll protect you! Right Kiryu?"

"Of course." Kiryu smiled.

"Thank you both…" Greymon said. "You two are honestly the first humans to believe us…"

"You're so kind…" Strabimon smiled. "I honestly had no idea what to do once we came to this world… but I want to stick by your side!"

"Yeah! We'll pay you guys back!" Flamemon smiled. "By supporting you however we can!"

Kiryu smiled. "Glad to have you four abord then. Question is… what now?"

"Well… maybe we can learn more about this Digital World through EDEN." Subaru said.

"Perhaps… but we need allies if we're going to adventure further. Allies with experience… and I think I know someone who we can trust. If nothing else, all six of us are in his debt."

"I agree." Gryemon nodded.

Subaru smiled. "Yeah! I want to help him! Just like how he helped us! And if he really is trying to protect EDEN from bad guys… I want to support him!"

"Then we're all in agreement?" Strabimon asked. Everyone nodded.

Kiryu closed his eyes. "And so… the next day…"

Kiryu and Subaru were teleported into Zaxon's hideout. They were people with hoodies that said Zaxon on them. "Who are those two?" one of them asked. "Never seen their faces before."

"Did Yuugo invite them in?"

"What should we do?"

Kiryu and Subaru looked around as they walked deeper into the base. They approached one of the hackers. "Uh… can I… help you with something?" he nervously asked.

"We would like to speak with Yuugo." Kiryu replied.

"Ha! Buddy, you think you can just walk into a hacker teams base and stride up to speak with the big boss?" one of them asked. "You trying to start something?"

"Stand down." a voice said. Yuugo walked towards the group. Fei as always was with him.

"Y-Yuugo!" one of them gasped.

The man Kiryu was talking to stepped aside as Yuugo walked up. He smiled at the brothers. "I take it this means you're accepting my invitation? To join Zaxon?"

"More then that." Kiryu said.

"Oh?"

"You saved both me and my little brother. Even though you expected nothing in return. If you didn't show up, Subaru would have suffered as a result of my powerlessness. And that means the world to me."

"And you said you want to protect EDEN from more bad people like that!" Subaru said. "I want to help make EDEN an even better place!"

"And so…" Kiryu kneeled before Yuugo. As did Subaru. "We swear to you that this debt will be repaid."

Yuugo was surprised by the sudden gesture. "Well, well." Fei smirked at him. "Your strong passion did it again Yuugo."

Yuugo looked at them. 'Such drive…' he thought to himself. 'They both want to see EDEN become a place where everyone is free… just like me and father.' Yuugo smiled before he spoke. "Kiryu, Subaru, thank you. I'm sure you two will help us bring a brighter future to EDEN."

"That is when Kiryu and Subaru started working for Zaxon." Yuuko said.

"I see…" Takumi replied.

"At first, I planned on treating them like everyone else there. But they both grew beyond my expectations… but what was even more peculiar was how close they were to their Digimon… and what that led to…"

Now each wearing a blue Zaxon hoodie, Kiryu and Subaru were back at the hideout with their Digimon. "That takes care of that." Yuugo said. "They won't be causing any more trouble in EDEN."

Fei smirked to them. "Not bad. You boys did pretty good out there."

"Thank you, Fei." Kiryu replied.

Subaru smiled to his Digimon. "You two did a great job too!"

"Thanks to you!" Flamemon replied.

"Yeah. I can always fight with no concerns in my mind so long as you're with us Subaru." Strabimon replied. "I… I never thought I could make friends with a human…"

Subaru laughed. "I've never had friends like you before!"

Fei raised an eyebrow. "Making friends with programs? That's… almost kind of sad. You two do know Digimon are just programs, right?"

"Does it matter?" Kiryu asked. "Subaru hasn't smiled this much in his entire life. And I have Digimon to thank for that. Whether they're programs or living beings, my gratitude to them will never change."

"Our gratitude to you is also endless Kiryu." Greymon said. "It was you who showed us a better side of humanity."

"We're not perfect. I'll be the first to admit that. There will always be humans who yearn to make people suffer or take for themselves."

"Sadly you're not wrong." Yuugo sighed.

"Maybe so." Garurumon said. "But we have found humans like you. Those with ideals for supporting others. Ideals and humans… worth fighting for."

"And so… as you have sworn yourself to Zaxon's side… Kiryu… Subaru…" Geymon looked at them with trust and kindness in his eyes. "The four of us swear to support you two."

"Right." Flamemon said. "We'll stick by you to the very end!"

"Thanks guys!" Subaru smiled. "I'm glad I met you two."

Flamemon and Strabimon started glowing. "Huh…?"

"What's that?" Kiryu asked. He then noticed his Digimon were glowing as well. "What's happening?"

"Is this some kind of virus?!" Subaru asked. He took out his Digivice. "Hold on, I'll-

Yuugo gently held Subaru's hand back. When the boy looked at him, he noticed he was smiling. "No need to worry."

"It looks like all your hard work's paying off." Fei smirked.

There was a bright flash and in Flaemmon and Strabimon's place stood Agunimon and Lobomon. And Greymon and Garurumon became MetalGreymon and WereGarurumon. But they looked different. MetalGreymon's right arm was now a giant metal cannon named Alterous. WereGarurumon had blue light-like nails emitting from his claws and a booster pack on his back emitting the same blue light blades. "G-Greymon! Gaururmon!" Kiryu gasped.

"Flamemon?! Strabimon?! What happened to you guys?!" Subaru asked.

"Congratulations." Yuugo smiled. "You're Digimon achieved Digivolution. And have now reach new powerful heights."

"Digi…volution…?" Kiryu asked.

"Kiryu…I, MetalGreymon Alterous Mode…"

"And I, WereGarurumon Sagittarius Mode…"

The two Digimon kneeled to him. "Vow to remain by your side."

Kiryu held his shocked expression for a bit longer before he smiled at them. "Thank you. I promise we will honor the faith you put in us. Right Subaru? …Subaru?"

"WOW!" Subaru was running circles around all four of them taking in their new forms. "This is incredible! Digimon can evolve?! What kind of things can you do now? Will you continue to evolve further?! There's so much more I can learn about you!" Kiryu sighed shaking his head as Yuugo and Fei laughed.

Kiryu smiled as he reflected on the memory. "Nobody else in Zaxon believed Digimon were sentient beings. They thought Subaru and I were fools. But that never mattered to us. Our Digimon were the most trustworthy friends we ever had."

"So we were that close to Subaru." Lobomon said.

"More than you can imagine. Ever since he met you, he started opening up. He became more cheerful. He even started making friends at school. Heh… I know this is going to sound petty but… I honestly started to envy you two."

"Really?" Agunimon asked. "Why?"

"He opened up to you two in a way he never would with me. He spoke to you about things he never did with me before. And whenever you talked to him, he would light up in a way I had never seen before." Kiryu smiled faintly. "You two could do for him what I never could. I was jealous… but that jealousy was nothing compared to my joy and gratitude. You made Subaru into a happier person. Gave him the happiness and freedom I wanted him to have."

"Kiryu…" Lobomon stared at the hacker solemnly.

"In any case, Subaru and I wanted to repay Yuugo. We and our Digimon improved because of our time in Zaxon. Then I had an idea that I felt would benefit Zaxon best…"

"Are you sure about this?" Yuugo asked.

"It's for the best." Kiryu replied. "If you want to eliminate all corruption in EDEN descension will be a powerful weapon."

"Think about it Yuugo." Subaru said. "The way you work Zaxon, targeting gangs that scam people, there are so many hackers after your head already. If we act as outsiders of Zaxon, independent agents, we can keep your name out of what we do to other hackers, and you won't need to worry about retaliation."

"And if we're considered independent hackers, we can work in the shadows. Do things a team cannot. Gather intel. Launch slash and grab operations. Spy on others. And if their eyes are on you, and not us, we can hit them when their guard is down. So, Subaru and I will pretend to quit Zaxon. Only you and those here you trust the most will know that we still work for you."

Yuugo thought about it. "Our enemies are getting cleverer… I suppose changing tactics wouldn't be a bad idea but… this could be extremely dangerous for you two."

"We're hackers." Kiryu replied. "Danger is a necessity. And I can protect Subaru from the worst if things go south."

Subaru looked at his brother. "Kiryu…"

"He's right Yuugo."

Yuugo turned around. "Fei!"

"The other hackers are gettin' smarter, and there are so many out there we don't even know about. Besides, give these two some credit, they haven't been with us very long and they already scored Zaxon a large number of victories."

"I will still provide you strategies as usual." Kiryu said. "But with this tactic we will have more to work with."

Yuugo pounded a bit longer. "Very well. But I have two conditions. One, all these actions you perform in the "shadows" must first be approved by me. Second, I want you two to report to me personally on a regular basis. We can establish a separate location from our base to meet in EDEN and talk about your discoveries and accomplishments."

It's gonna take another chapter or two to finish Kiryu and Zaxon's backstory. Sorry if that's not what your interested in, but please bear with me for a couple of weeks.