In the Right Eye's Tower Shakkoumon was knocked into a wall. Justimon transformed his arm. "Critical Arm." A red blade extended from it as he flew towards Crusadermon. The Royal knight blocked his blade with her own repeatedly. She got a stab in on him. She then smacked him away with her shield.

PileVolcamon grabbed her by the leg and swung her into Hudiemon who dive kicked her to the floor. Crusadermon moved aside just as MetalSeadramon brought his tail down at her. She then faced all of them. "Spiral Masquerade!" She slashed them all repeatedly. TryantKabuterimon endured the strikes and started to advance towards her. "Fist of Athena!" She threw a punch that barely slid him back. "Bah! Blasted bug is durable!"

"Or maybe you're just weak."

Keisuke heard a beep and put on his Digivice. He then ran over to where the glowing blue cylinder was and pressed a few buttons. He then turned to Crusadermon. "Tell me one thing Crusadermon!"

The battle stopped and she looked at him. "What do you want?"

"Why rely on humans?"

"What are you talking about?"

"After all you did to us, and how much you looked down on and despised us, you would still have humans work for the Next Order?"

Crusadermon scoffed. "Trust me, that was not my first choice. But in order to eliminate Alphamon we needed programs that were forbidden to us Digimon. Additionally, recruiting the Deadly Digimon was a dangerous move. So, we needed humans partnered with them to keep tabs on those little devils. And for the Deadly Digimon to accept them, we needed humans who were compatible with their powers. How fortunate that yours is a sinful race. There was no shortage of candidates to keep them in line."

"Yeah, well, we all saw how that turned out." PileVolcamon scoffed.

"Indeed. I'll admit, I overestimated the sway you humans hold over Digimon. Just as I underestimated Lucemon-or rather Matadormon's cunning."

"Okay, so I get you used Fei for Lilithmon and Leviamon because of her feelings for Yuuko and her jealousy towards Takumi." Hudiemon said. "Hosaka, is a greedy hacker who's full of himself and doesn't bother dirtying his own hands unless he has to, so how he's compatible with Belphamon, Babramon and Lucemon is self explanatory. But what about Kiryu? What made you choose him?"

Crusadermon laughed. "Is it not obvious? He's a skilled hacker and Digimon Tamer who holds a deep grudge against Yuuko Kamishiro! One that might even be deeper then my own!"

"For what happened in Under Zero that day, right?" Keisuke asked.

"Indeed. I have kept close tabs on Yuuko and her foolish team. I was aware of how she and Kiryu had their falling out. And that shortly after, Kiryu's brother Subaru was consumed by the Eaters that attacked them. How could he not hate her for that? So, I knew that if his memories were restored and he learned who "Yuugo" was…he would be not only a perfect candidate for Creepymon, the Deadly Digimon of Wrath, but a powerful weapon against Yuuko and her friends."

"Well, you were right about him hating Yuuko." Hudiemon said. "That guy made it clear again and again that he wants her head on a stick. Which can only mean…he doesn't know does he?"

"Dosen't know what?" Crusadermon asked in an innocent tone.

Hudiemon looked her dead in the eye. "That it was you who flooded Under Zero with Eaters that day in the first place!"

Crusadermon tilted her head down. "Heh, heh, heh, heh…Ha, ha, ha, ha! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Crusadermon's laughter echoed through the room. "Amazing, isn't it? How someone can be so smart and still be such a fool! Kiryu never even questioned how that happened! All he cared was that Yuuko led his dear little brother there!"

"So does he know about your…human life?" Keisuke asked.

"You mean when I was forced to rely on the body of Rei Kishibi? I have informed him of how I was forced to live out as a human. To avoid doubts I also told him how the woman's desires made me do things I did not want to…such as murdering Satoru Kamishiro."

"Playing the sympathy card then?" Hudiemon scowled.

"Oh, please, I heard from Takumi and Yuuko!" Keisuke glared. "You did not feel guilt for doing that! You admitted you enjoyed every bit of it! Besides the incident in Under Zero was your own doing! Part of your plan to wipe out humanity!"

Crusadermon laughed. "Indeed. But there's no reason for Kiryu to know that. Even now I enjoy watching you humans suffer. And more importantly, Kiryu's desperation to help poor Subaru made it easy to mold him into an agent of vengeance. All I had to do was imply that destroying Yuuko would somehow heal his brother's heart. And then he would do whatever I asked of him."

"About that…" Hudiemon said. "Kiryu described that his little brother was being tormented by nightmares of what happened to him in the previous reality. But that shouldn't be possible. Everyone's memories were reformatted. The only exceptions are the chosen ones and Keisuke who was between worlds during the transformation. So, Subaru's memories shouldn't be constantly haunting him…unless you somehow partly restored them like you did Kiryu's."

Crusadermon laughed again. "Such a clever little thing you are. I had a feeling restoring Kiryu's memories might not be enough. I needed him to be desperate. So, I used the program we created to restore human memories of the other reality and implemented it just slightly into Subaru's mind while he was logged into EDEN. It was tricky to get it to resurface only his worst memory of the previous reality repeatedly…but it was worth the results! It broke that brat! Tormented his mind and soul! And Kiryu, who was helpless to do anything about it was desperate to save him to the point where he'd take part of a shady hacker contest and join a war in another world for the false hope that he could save him! And now he'll do anything to kill the girl that led Subaru to Under Zero and then left him for dead!"

"Bullshit!" PileVolcamon shouted. "Yuuko didn't run away in Under Zero! You forced her to log out so you could use her for your Paradise Lost Plan you bitch!"

"Details, details. Another thing Kiryu doesn't need to know."

Keisuke glared at Crusadermon. "It's bad enough you started the incident in Under Zero taking Kiryu's kid brother from him, but then you proceed to lie and manipulate him while torturing the kid further?! I saw how badly what you did affected Subaru! And now you use Kiryu's love for him to make him your pawn! Do you have any shame!?"

"Of course not! You humans are monsters that deserve to suffer! My time in your world proves it!" She turned to Hudiemon. "It also told me how easy it is to bend you to my will with your foolish family love! Thanks to my experience with your brother, I know how to manipulate someone who will do anything for family! Kiryu has proven an even more valuable puppet then Ryuji!"

"I will never forgive you!" Hudiemon growled.

"Man you sure are lucky Kiryu doesn't know about this!" TyrantKabuterimon said. "Or he'd turn that anger you've been manipulating him with on you!"

Crusadermon cackled. "That's the best part! In his eyes I am the hero that granted him a chance to save his brother while the rest of you are accomplices of the girl that made him suffer! He'll never believe any of you over me!"

"So it seems." Hudiemon replied. "I'd wager that the only way he'll ever believe it...is if the truth came from your own mouth."

"Correct. And I would have to be a fool to do that."

"You never were one to speak the truth." MetalSeadramon said.

"Kiryu will continue to fight for the Next Order. All the while believing that he's fighting for his brother when in reality he is supporting in his suffering! And he will erase all our enemies, all of you for his worthless little brother who will never be freed. What a fool."

"You really are scum." Justimon said.

"Well as much fun as it has been reflecting on the beauty of my perfect plan..." Crusadermon gripped her sword. "I think it is time I ended this. I have a rebellion to crush with my puppet."

Yuuko did not slow down no matter how tired she was. She couldn't. The others followed behind her. As they ran Kouta noticed all the unconscious Digimon around them. "Man, those guys really jacked the place up."

"I honestly didn't think they had it in them." Mameo said. "Guess Nokia was really serious about taking things seriously."

Yuuko made a sharp turn and went inside another room before coming to a halt. The others poured in with her. "…Oh, God…" Ami murmured.

Fei was kneeling next to Zero who was still heavily beaten. Purple wounds were all over him. Machinedramon was nearby badly damaged. Nokia, Sayo, and Koh stood behind Kiryu and his Digimon. Kiryu was in front of the console leaning his arm against it. "What…what the hell…?" Takumi was at a loss for words.

Nokia looked at them. "Oh, hey guys. You're late."

"Zero!" Yuuko ran over to the damaged A.I. He was still writhing in pain. "Fei, is he alright?!"

"Kiryu put some kind of virus in him. I tried everything but nothing seems to even slow down the degradation."

"No…"

Yuugo turned to Kiryu. "What did you do!?" He stormed towards him, but Nokia ran in front of Yuugo blocking him with her arm.

All eyes were on the hacker who was trembling with rage. He angerly banged the console before turning around showing the furious look on his face. "BlitzGreymon, CresGarurumon, we're leaving!"

"What about them?" CresGarurumon asked gesturing to the Resistance.

"After what we just learned they are irrelevant! We depart immediately!"

"Where are you going?" Agunimon asked.

Kiryu glanced at him. "To fulfill my promise. BlitzGreymon!"

"As you wish." BlitzGreymon bowed before pointing the turrets on his back at a wall. "Thunder Vernier!" He blew open a massive hole in the wall and ascended from the floor. CresGarurumon picked Kiryu up and put him on his shoulder before grabbing BlitzGreymon's arm.

"Hold on!" Yuuko shouted. "What happened here?! Wait, Kiryu!" She reached her hand towards Kiryu before he flew off with his Digimon through the hole.

"Nokia, Fei, what's going on?" Shiki asked.

"And where's Kiryu going?" Lobomon added.

Nokia looked down and took a deep breath. "Well…"

"Hell Crusher!" Crusadermon struck all of her enemies at once. PileVolcamon and Justimon immediately rushed at her. "Scarlet Tempest!" he blew them away with a storm of petals.

"HOLY LIGHT!" Shakkoumon attacked but Crusadermon slashed the projectile with her sword then rammed him with her shield.

"Thunder Fall!" TyrantKabuterimon struck her with lightning.

"Accel Arm!" Justimon's arm transformed and slammed at the ground making a shockwave. Crusadermon jumped over it.

Hudiemon tried to get her from the left while she was open. "Infinity Drea-

"Lasser Lattice!" Crusadermon whirled around and shot a net from her palm that encased Hudiemon. She screamed as she fell to the floor with her arms forced to her sides, her wings pressed down, and her legs sealed together.

"Erika!" Keisuke ran over to his friend that was trapped in a tight net and now rolling back and forth on the floor angerly.

"Wolkenapalm!" PileVolcamon ran up and punched Crusadermon who slid back on her feet despite blocking it with her shield.

"River of Power!" MetalSeadramon fired high pressure water at her knocking her back.

"Tch. It seems you have become stronger indeed little knight." Crusadermon said. "No matter. Kiryu must have been alerted of your schemes."

"What do you mean?" Justimon asked.

Crusadermon turned her head to the side. "I can feel the presence of BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon approaching fast. He must have noticed your little trap and come to rescue me. You may be a match for me, but with the two of us combined we will eradicate you fools! And soon your pathetic friends will be next!"

"Heh, heh, heh…" Crusadermon turned to Keisuke who was still kneeling to the trapped Hudiemon. Both where chuckling. "Pfft! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" Soon all the Digimon with them joined their laughter.

"What's so amusing?" Crusadermon asked.

Hudiemon sat up in her net and took a moment. "*giggle*. You were right Crusadermon. He's on his way for you. But not in the way you're thinking. And if what you said earlier is true then this officially makes you a fool!"

"What are you babbling about?"

Keisuke grinned. "Oh, that conversation we were having just now about how you've been deceiving Kiryu all this time? He overheard every word of it."

Crusadermon froze like a statue staring at him. "…What?"

Keisuke pointed to the council nearby. "Before you started running your mouth, we linked the terminal there with the one in the Left Eye's Tower! Over there Nokia and Fei lured Kiryu there and set up a communication line! It was live the moment I goaded you into telling the truth! And now Kiryu knows what you did!"

Crusadermon trembled. "Y-you're lying! Both towers run on a private hub only the Next Order can access! You shouldn't have been able to establish communications between them!"

"It's true, we couldn't use your network." Hudiemon grinned. "But we could get the towers to run off a different one. …Like EDEN."

"EDEN?! Impossible! We're in the Digital World!"

"You haven't noticed?" TyrantKabuterimon asked smugly. "Omegamon used his power to open small gateways at the towers. A friend of ours who knows EDEN well then used special access privileges so Nokia and Arata could link its network to these towers making them part of EDEN itself!"

"But EDEN's network should not be able to access this world so easily! You'd need some special means of altering its data mass!"

Keisuke grinned. "Let's just say we have a trump card."

In another room Arata wiped his forehead. "Man…can't believe this worked. I honestly wasn't sure what would happen if we used your unique data to try to "teach" EDEN's web to adapt to that of another world…but you really saved the day…Luche."

The small girl behind him cheered. "Yeah!"

"Guh…!" Crusadermon started to panic and sweat. "You wretched…!"

"And now Kiryu sees you for the monster you really are." Hudiemon smirked. "The one who's truly responsible for what happened. And he knows that you deceived him this whole time."

"I can only imagine how much of a grudge he holds against you now." Justimon said. "I'll bet it's "one that might even be deeper then my own"."

"Anybody else feeling nostalgic?" PileVolcamon grinned leaning against the consol. "I'm suddenly reminded of the time we tricked pinky's arrogant ass back in EDEN in the last reality!"

"Curse you!" Crusadermon swung and extended her sword. PileVolcamon moved aside as it destroyed the consol next to him. The blue light of the cylinder started to die down.

"Oh, just a liiiiittle too late for that Crusadermon." Hudiemon laughed. "If he's on his way here like you said then that means he's already heard what he needed to know."

"Yup!" Keisuke grinned. "And any second now he's gonna come charging into this room shouting-

There was a massive explosion at the wall nearby. Everyone was startled and blinded by the dust. Crusadermon gasped as she heard a familiar roar. She jumped back as CresGarurumon leapt out of the hole swinging his spear at her. She heard something above her and moved again as BlitzGreymon stomped down smashing the floor she barely got away from. She looked at the two Digimon then at the hacker glaring at her from BlitzGreymon's shoulder. "K-Kiryu!"

The hacker pointed at her with the most vicious look he could muster. "I WILL MOUNT YOUR HEAD ON A PIKE IN THE DEPTHS OF UNDER ZERO!"

Hudiemon and her friends stared at the enraged man. "…He's taking it better then I thought."

Keisuke shuddered. "I was going to say "Die Crusadermon die" but sure, that works too."

"K-Kiryu, wait!" Crusadermon backed away holding her hands up as the two Digimon slowly approached. "I-i-i-it's all just their trick to turn you against me! I-I was under the influence of that foul woman's emotions!"

"Emotions that you took joy in!" CresGarurumon snarled.

"No, listen! I…I never meant for-

"SILENCE!" Kiryu shouted. BlitzGreymon rammed Crusadermon into a wall pinning her to it with his elbow. With Kiryu on his Digimon's shoulder he could glare at her at eye level. "You sent the Eaters to Under Zero. Sacrificed my brother to them. And then you wormed your way inside my head! Misdirected my hatred! Melded me into your puppet by tormenting him even further!"

"Y-you misunderstand! You're brother-

"I said be silent!" Kiryu shouted as BlitzGreymon threw Crusadermon across the room. "I am done abiding to the snake that's been hissing in my ear…For all the suffering you caused…to Subaru and to many other humans…" Kiryu dropped to the ground as his Digimon got into fighting stances. "Are you prepared to face judgment Crusadermon?!"

"Kiryu!" Keisuke stood up. "I'll give you a-

"Stay out of this!" Kiryu demanded. "She. Is. Mine!"

Crusadermon growled as she got up. "A human…speaks of brining judgment upon me?" She faced BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon. "I did not expect it to come to this. Perhaps his majesty was right about me being too lax with you Kiryu. Very well. If the dog will not obey his orders, then I have no choice but to put him down!"

"Enough talk." BlitzGreymon snarled. "It's time to die you devil!"

Crusadermon laughed. "If you think you can defeat me, a Royal Knight, then go ahead and try. But do try to last longer than Subaru did against the Eaters." Kiryu let out an enraged scream that echoed through the room. BlitzGreymon flew at Crusadermon first, and she dodged his punches. 'How easily you are blinded by rage. Now then, one of your Digimon has a type disadvantage against me. If I take him down and reduce the numbers my victory is assured.' "Fist of Athena!" She punched BlitzGreymon and flew at CresGarurumon. "Take this!" She thrusted her sword at him repeatedly. CresGarurumon blocked most of it with his spear, but she then got a stab in on his chest. "Got you!" CresGarurumon grabbed her arm. "What?!" The wolf headbutted her then spun around and got clean slash on her with his spear. Crusadermon screamed in pain shocked at the damage. "H…how…?!"

"Getting cocky because you're a Virus Type and I'm a Data?" CresGarurumon asked.

"I had already put Bug status onto CresGarurumon." Kiryu explained. "Your advantage has become a disadvantage."

"Tch!" Crusadermon turned around to block the incoming BlitzGreymon but he grabbed her and pressed her head into the wall. His thrusters roared as he started flying upward around the room dragging Crusadermon's head against its walls. The loud screeching of armor grinding against metal made Keisuke cover his ears. He could also make out Crusadermon's screams as she left a scratch on the walls, she was grinded against. Eventually she broke out of BlitzGreymon's grip. "Spiral Masquerade!"

"Freeze Frame!" Kiryu snapped his fingers and Crusadermon froze in place. "Now!"

"Plasma Stake!" BlitzGreymon fired into her at point blank. When Crusadermon's time resumed she screamed in pain before CresGarurumon jumped up and grabbed her leg before slamming her into the floor. He lifted her up by her ankle and stabbed her repeatedly before throwing her across the room.

"Get up." Kiryu snarled. "I'm just getting started."

Crusadermon glared at him. "How dare you…!" She flew at him ready to strike the human down.

"Skip Frame." Kiryu snapped his fingers again and CresGarurumon slammed on top of Crusadermon who was just out of reach of Kiryu. "Forgotten about the programs I was given that hold dominion over this worlds time flow? How appropriate that the tools you gave me to do your dirty work would be the instruments of your own destruction!"

Keisuke was still watching the battle when… "So, yeah are you going to get me out of this sometime soon, my limbs are falling asleep on me here!"

"Ah!" Keisuke looked down at Hudiemon who was rolling around struggling in the Lasser Lattice. "Sorry." He got back to trying to find a way to undo it.

"I got it." TyrantKabuterimon tore then net off with his claws and Hudiemon sat up.

CresGarurumon jumped off of Crusadermon as BlitzGreymon swooped in and grabbed her. He flew up high then started spinning as he descended before piledriving her into the ground. Crusadermon got back up. "Hell Crusher!"

"Elect Guard!" BlitzGreymon shielded himself and CresGarurumon who attacked immediately.

"Grand Rock!" CresGarurumon summoned stalagmite from the ground that crushed Crusadermon into the ceiling. After she landed on the ground she got up and CresGarurumon started swinging his spear wildly at her. She blocked the attacks with her shield and just when she was about to strike back with her sword…

"Thunder Fall!" BlitzGreymon electrocuted her. As she was shocked CresGarurumon shoved her backwards with his spear.

Crusadermon growled as she held up her shield to attack. "Fist of Athe- BlitzGreymon grabbed her shield arm. "You…!"

"Skip Frame."

Right after Kiryu snapped his fingers there was a loud shing. CresGarurumon was behind Crusadermon. BlitzGreymon was still holding onto Crusadermon's arm…now removed from her body. Keisuke and the rest of Hudie were almost in as much mortified shock as Crusadermon who looked at where her right arm used to be. She gripped her right shoulder screaming. BlitzGreymon grabbed her disembodied arm and started swinging it at Crusadermon repeatedly slamming her own shield into her face. The fifth swing knocked her onto her back. "That must hurt like hell." the red Digimon stated.

"But it is not enough." Kiryu growled. "Multiply that pain by a thousand and it still does not come close to how much we suffered because of you! I plan on making your final moments as torturous as possible! YOU WILL DIE SCREAMING IN PAIN!"

CresGarurumon grabbed Crusadermon by the head and threw her into a wall. She drew her sword and swung at him, but he easily dodged each attack. "Spiral… Masquerade!"

"Freeze Frame!" Kiryu paused her again. "Disarm her completely. I want her to know what true helplessness feels like."

BlitzGreymon aimed at Crusadermon's back. "Thunder Vernier!" He shot two powerful electric beams into her back destroying the ribbon swords on it. As she moved again Crusadermon screamed reaching towards the blackened burnt mark on her back with her remaining hand.

"Holy hell…" MetalSeadramon murmured. "I swear if it was literally anyone other then Crusadermon I'd actually feel sorry for them."

"Fury: Ice Moon Fang!" CresGarurumon slammed his spear into the floor and a trail of ice rose towards Crusadermon who tried to move aside.

"Freeze Frame!" Kiryu snapped his fingers again pausing Crusadermon for a split second resulting in her left arm being frozen.

"Nanomachine Break!" BlitzGreymon shattered the ice with an electrified punch that also shattered her left arm. Crusadermon dropped to her knees screaming.

Kiryu cackled wickedly. "No arms. No weapons or shields. You are completely defenceless. How does it feel? You have no means of defending yourself. And two beings that far overpower you come towards you like starving beasts eager to claim their prey. All the while you can do nothing to stop them. That fear…that pain…that's what Subaru felt before he met his end. And I will use that fear to break you just as you did to him!"

CresGarurumon threw his spear into Crusadermon's gut piercing through her and then stabbing her into a wall. As Kiryu activated a ATK Boost, BlitzGreymon aimed his turrets. "Plasma Stake!" Golden bullets pierced through Crusadermon's body. Her screams echoed out through the room.

Keisuke and Hudiemon seethed at the sight. "Kiryu…" The man looked at the enraged hacker.

Once Blitzgreymon was done Crusadermon went limp. CresGarurumon pulled his spear out of her, and she dropped to the floor. Her body started to glow blue. "No…not like this…how could I…"

"It's over Crusadermon." Justimon said. "In the end, you reap what you sow."

"Oh, no. This isn't over yet." Everyone looked at Kiryu who had a sadistic grin as he opened up his menu and activated a Revive Capsule.

A green light engulfed Crusadermon. She gasped as she stopped glowing blue and fading. The stab wound from CresGarurumon and the blast holes from BlitzGreymon were healed. Though her back was still scorched, and her arms were still gone. She slowly stood up. "Why…?"

"It's not enough. Only when your debt is fully repaid…only when you truly understand the suffering of every one of your victims will I allow you the mercy of death." The cold glare Kiryu gave her made Crusadermon tremble. She looked at the hole in the wall Kiryu and his Digimon entered through and flew towards it. "Skip Frame."

Crusadermon froze and BlitzGreymon zoomed up and punched her to the ground. Crusadermon crawled away on her back as the Digimon slowly aproached. "N-no! Please…!"

"That's right!" Kiryu shouted. "Cower in fear! Beg for your worthless life! Let that suffering consume you!" CresGarurumon slammed his spear back into Crusadermon's chest and dragged her across the floor and into a wall before flinging her to the ceiling where BlitzGreymon threw her to the floor then slammed on top of her and started punching her in the face repeatedly. As he did that CresGarurumon dashed by and slashed her legs off leaving her with just her torso and head. At this point, Keisuke, Hudiemon and MetalSeadramon couldn't watch anymore and looked away. The others just watched in mortified shock.

BlitzGreymon picked what was left of Crusadermon up and went to the far end of the room. "Care to play a game?"

"Why not?" CresGarurumon stood in the opposite side of the room. "She treated everyone's lives like parts of a game. Let's use hers as one." BlitzGreymon threw Crusadermon at CresGarurumon who slammed his spear into Crusadermon sending her back into BlitzGreymon who knocked her back towards CresGarurumon.

Kiryu watched his Digimon play pong with Crusadermon. The knight screamed as she was sent back and forth across the room with painful hits slowly picking up speed. Kiryu constantly healing her with HP Capsules so she wouldn't kick the bucket. The others watched. "Kiryu…" Keisuke murmured. "This isn't right…!"

"It is past time someone put an end to Brother Sorrow."

Everyone gave Zero a surprised expression. "What?" Nokia asked. "What do you mean?"

"You heard me. Brother Sorrow has caused all of us enough trouble. It's high time something was done regarding him. With the hacking programs and his strategic excellence, he is currently the Next Order's most powerful weapon. If we are to win this war, Brother Sorrow must be destroyed."

"Zero…" Keisuke gasped. "You not planning to murder Kiryu, are you?!"

"Yeah, I'm just gonna stop you right there and say hell no fella." Arata glared. "Kill him just because he's in the way, and you're officially no better then Crusadermon, you know that, right?"

"And besides, we can't!" Koh said. "He's the only one left who can help us save Alphamon! If he dies-

Zero held up his hands and everyone stopped talking. "Perhaps I should clarify something. It is not Kiryu Tenjo I want to destroy. It's Brother Sorrow who needs to go."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Sayo asked. "They're the same person, aren't they?"

"Not quite. Brother Sorrow is a completely different person from the man I knew. Kiryu was a brilliant person. Supportive, a tactical genius, follows orders, and always consider what outcome is best for not just himself but for his allies. Brother Sorrow…his heart is clouded with hate and revenge. And no matter who gets hurt in the process he won't stop until he has it. Kiryu cherished his allies. Brother Sorrow only sees enemies."

"Oh! Like Yuuko the blackhearted!" Nokia said.

"Yes, actually. It was what I learned from her actions regarding Crusadermon that taught me that vengeance brings out the worst in humans. That it's a disease that spreads from one to another turning you into the same type of person as who you despise the most. That's not who Kiryu really is. And I want to save him from the blackhearted monster his hatred turned him into."

"Zero…" Keisuke looked at him.

"Yuuko thinks Kiryu is her responsibility for what happened to his brother. But she wasn't fully in control of her actions when she was with me. I'm the one who must take responsibility for the crime. And that's why I called you guys here. I'm sure we can all agree Yuuko has shouldered enough burdens. We should at least relieve her of this one."

"Of course!" Nokia said. "I mean as the person who arrogantly led the Rebels down there, I'm part of the problem…"

"Kiryu's my responsibility as well." Fei said. "He was my teammate. And I messed things up for him by whispering crazy ideas to his kid brother behind his back."

Zero nodded. "Thank you. I know she wouldn't forgive me if I involved her brother or Takumi. And both Cyber Sleuths have been shouldering a lot as well. I don't want them involved. That's why I'm trusting all of you to help me right this wrong. I know some of you have nothing to do with this. And none of you owe me anything…but please, lend me your support."

"Of course, we'll help." Koh said. "Kiryu doesn't deserve to suffer like this. I'm all for helping the guy out."

"And besides, it's true we need to do something." Sayo added. "Like you said he's dangerous to the Resistance."

"Then it's agreed." Zero said. "We'll save Kiryu from Brother Sorrow."

"Okay, but how are you going to get him to let go of his desire for revenge?" Arata asked.

"I've been thinking…given Kiryu's anger towards Yuuko and his willingness to follow Crusadermon, he must not know the hand she played in the Under Zero incident."

"From what he told us when we were with him that doesn't appear to be the case." Hudiemon replied.

Sayo raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what's Crusadermon go to do with what happened?"

"Turns out Yuuko/Zero was set up." Arata said. "Along with all of us. Those Eaters that attacked us were sent there by Rei Kishibi. The woman Crusadermon possessed."

"Wait…the Eaters were the ones who ate up your friends!" Luche said. "Including Subaru! Then that means…!"

"What happened to Subaru was Crusadermon's fault!" Koh gasped. "Not Yuuko or Zero's!"

Apollomon turned to Keisuke and Hudiemon. "Why didn't you tell him this when we were with him earlier?! This could be what we need to turn him against the Next Order!"

"We tried." Hudiemon replied. "He didn't want to hear it."

Omegamon sighed. "Even if you did tell him, it's unlikely he would have just taken your word for it."

"Yeah, it's not like we have any proof." Diaboromon added.

"In Kiryu's eyes, we are all allies of his brother's tormentor." TyrantKabuterimon said. "And Crusadermon is his sympathetic ally who's given him a chance to help the kid. Ugh! Just thinking about it makes me wanna hurl!"

Dianamon sighed. "It's true. He won't likely believe us over Crusadermon. Not unless she tells him herself."

"Pfft! Like she'll ever do that." Nokia said. "That crazy lady is too-

"Shut up!" Everyone looked at Hudiemon in surprise. She stood there deep in thought. "Unless she tells him herself…"

"Uh…" PileVolcamon murmured uncomfortably. "Hudiemon…?"

"Shh! I know that look." Keisuke smiled. "Erika's got a plan brewing."

"…Keisuke and I encountered Crusadermon before." Hudiemon said. "She is full of herself…to put it lightly. She's the type to brag about the things she does to others."

"Those kinds of people are the worst." Nokia scowled.

"So, what if we tricked Crusadermon into bragging about what she did in Under Zero and somehow enabled Kiryu to overhear it?"

Everyone thought about it. "…Yeah!" Keisuke smiled. "Like you said she's full of herself and loves to brag! She'll easily fall for that!"

"And then he'll turn on Crusadermon." Arata smirked. "That bitch is another conniving member of the Next Order we need to get rid off. Two for the price of one!"

"Okay, so how do we get word of it to Kiryu?" Dianamon asked. "Lure him into the room quietly while Crusadermon talks?"

"It might not be that simple." Justimon replied. "She might sense the presence of his Digimon."

"What if we opened a wireless communication before goading her and someone on the other end got Kiryu within hearing range?" TigerVespamon asked.

"It's unlikely he'll even pick up if we tried to call him." Fei replied.

"Hold on…" Zero thought for a moment then turned around to his computer. "I think you just gave me an idea of your own…"

"Are you sure about this?" Koh asked.

"If I anger Kiryu he'll fight recklessly and predictably." Zero replied. "That can help me buy some time for the other team to set up. Besides I'm the perfect bait for him. Zaxon's Yuugo is the one he hates the most. Even more then Yuuko Kamishiro."

"Kiryu is really strong." Sayo replied. "And he can manipulate the flow of time for Digimon in this world."

"But it might not work in EDEN."

"Okay…I guess that makes sense." Arata said. "Alright, we'll let you lead Kiryu to the power center in the Left Eye's Tower. So, who's going to bait Crusadermon?"

Hudiemon raised her hand. "Leave that to me. I'll send Crusadermon a challenge reminding her of the time I beat the snot out of her in the last reality. If I mock, her pride she won't be able to resist."

"Alright then…" Zero looked at the group. "This is it. We can't afford to fail this mission. For Kiryu, for Alphamon, for Yuuko, Takumi, and Ami… it's time to expose Crusadermon's crimes and erase Brother Sorrow."

"Ze…ro…Zero…!"

The A.I. weakly groaned and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a raven-haired girl. "Yuu…ko…?"

The girl clenched his shirt. "Zero, hold on!"

"Damn it…" Fei growled. "I should have been with you!"

"Fei…did we succeed?"

"Huh?"

"Does Kiryu know…?"

Fei held Zero's arm. "Yeah. We did it. All of us together. We brought Crusadermon's crimes to light. Kiryu just went off to punish her for em."

Zero smiled. "…Good…my work here is done…"

"Don't say that!" Takumi shouted. "We'll find a way to save you, just hold on!"

"Zero!" Yuugo kneeled to the A.I. "Don't give up!"

"Yuugo…? Why are all of you here…?"

In a flash Mirei appeared in holographic form. "I told them about your plan."

"Mirei…! You promised me-

"Don't you think everyone deserves to know? It's childish to think disappearing on them without a word would make them feel better about you being gone."

"Mirei, help him!" Ami shouted.

The woman sighed adjusting her glasses. "…I'm sorry…but that virus is degrading him too fast. And I don't have an antibody for it..."

"No…"

"Zero…why did you do this?!" Yuuko asked. "You should have told me! Kiryu is my responsibility, not just yours! Why?! Why did you feel you had to push this onto yourself!? Did you think I couldn't do it… did you think I was too weak…?"

"Because…watching out for his family…is a brother's duty…"

Everyone looked at Zero. "What…?"

"A brother…is supposed…to protect his family…it doesn't matter to me if you despise me Yuuko…you were the closest thing to family I ever had. That's why…I won't let you shoulder the weight of our mistakes…" Zero coughed. "I had…to protect you…" He closed his eyes wincing in pain. He felt something wet land on his cheek and opened his eyes. "Eh?"

Tears started streaming down Yuuko's face. "Zero…don't go…"

"Yuuko…"

"I can't loss a brother…not again…"

Zero smiled. "You would…shed tears for me? An A.I. who made you suffer?"

Yuugo held onto Zero's hand. "Zero…you did so much for Yuuko when I wasn't there for here. You were the brother I couldn't be…please don't die…she still needs you…" Tears came down his cheeks as well. "We all do…"

Zero smiled at all the concerned faces for him. Fei was covering her eyes. Nokia didn't bother hiding her tears. Takumi and Ami looked ready to cry as well. Everyone else had expressions of sadness and regret. "To think and A.I. like me would have this many friends in the end…Takumi…Ami…both of you have become incredible tamers…from our first meeting. I am honored to be the one who set you on that path…Nokia…your leadership and ideals could do what I never could. Hold onto that dream of yours and don't lose your way like I did. Agunimon…Lobomon…I put you two, Subaru and Kiryu through hell…and you still believed in me…thank you. Fei…you were always by my side…and I'll never be able to thank you enough…Yuugo…my other self…I was happy to finally get to know you. Please look after Yuuko. Yuuko…I'm sorry for all of the…horrible things I said to you. You are not weak. You are not a coward. You are the strongest person I ever knew. And you'll continue to become stronger alongside your friends…"

"Zero…" Yuuko sobbed. "My brother!"

Zero smiled sadly. "I wish…I could see what kind of future all of you will make for EDEN…but it looks like I can't…but…I can find peace in knowing…that you will make it into something wonderful…"

"Zero!" Yuuko and Yuugo embraced the fading A.I. Ami buried her face in Takumi's chest who held her tight. Himari put a comforting hand on Fei's shoulder who couldn't watch anymore.

The sound of metal scratching the ground got their attention. Machinedramon was using his head to drag himself across the ground towards them. "Ze…ro…"

Zero turned his head. "Machine…dramon…"

"Forgive me…I couldn't…protect you…"

Zero shook his head. "It is I who should ask for forgiveness… I dragged you into my problems…until the very end."

"Zero…I will always…be by your side…always…"

Mirei looked at the two. "Wait a minute…" She opened her laptop.

"Mirei?" Mameo looked at her. 'What are you doing?"

She looked at her screen. "Machinedramon…will you do anything for Zero?"

"What a foolish question… Zero is my reason for existing."

"Zero, do you trust Machinedramon?"

"Another foolish question…"

Mirei looked up. "…There might be one way to save you."

Everyone turned to her. "Really?!" Fei asked. "What can we do?!"

"Right now, this virus is degrading Zero's body. It's beyond repair. But I do not believe it's affecting his consciousness. If I can transfer his consciousness to Machinedramon and merge them…similar to what Erika Mishima did with Wormmon…"

"You're saying... we might be able to save him by merging him with his Digimon?" Takuto asked.

"It is possible. But not even I can say for certain what will happen to them if we do this."

"Mirei, please!" Yuuko stood up. "We can't lose Zero! I beg of you!"

"Not so fast. This is not your decision to make, or mine." Mirei looked at Zero and Machionedramon. "Like I said there's no telling what will happen. You two might disappear or become something else entirely. Knowing that will you proceed?"

Zero closed his eyes thinking for a moment. "…At this point I'm a goner either way. If I can be helpful to everyone one last time…then I'm willing to take the risk. Machinedramon… you can probably still be healed without doing this though. It's your life on the line… Your choice to make."

"Life without you is meaningless. If you die…I will use my Catastrophe Day to self-destruct."

"Heh…then I guess there's really only one choice." Zero laughed. "Very well…I put my life…in your hands. Mirei…please do it."

"Very well." Mirei started working on her laptop. "Your survival will depend on your trust and bond with each other. Let us begin."

Zero and Machinedramon started glowing. Everyone started to back away. Each of them became a sphere of light that flew upward spiraling around each other before melding into one orb that exploded in light. After being blinded the group looked in front of them to see a Digimon similar to Machinedramon but its body was red. It had a horn, matching clawed hands a full tail and proper eyes. "Wow…" Shoma breathed.

"A Chaosdramon!" HiAndromon exclaimed.

The new Digimon looked at his body as Yuuko nervously aproached. "…Zero…?"

"I am." The Chaosdramon replied with he voices of the A.I. and the Digimon. "And I am not. Both Zero and Machinedramon coexist within me."

"Is this the Biomerge theory Bokomon mentioned?" Takumi asked.

The Digimon took its fist step and nearly collapsed. "Zero!" Yuuko and Yuugo ran up to him.

"I'm alright. Forgive me…it seems I am not used to this body."

"Then it's best you don't move around too much." Mirei said. "Let's get you back to Cache City."

"Wait." Zero the Chaosdramon looked at Yuuko. "Yuuko…go after him. Go after Kiryu."

"Huh?"

"Though he may have diverted his rage towards Crusadermon, he is still consumed by hatred as you once were. He has suffered enough. Someone has to save him from that private hell."

Yuuko wiped the tears from her eyes and put on a determined face. "You're right. Enough is enough. I can't let this cycle of hatred go on any longer and hurt more people."

"Thank you."

"Yuuko, I'm going too!" Takumi said. "I also played a part in what Kiryu is going through! I have to do something!"

"If that's your reason for going, then I'm going as well!" Ami replied.

"So am I." Fei added.

"Lobomon and I will go too." Agunimon said.

The Warrior or Light nodded. "I can't stand seeing what Kiryu has become. We have to do this for his sake and Subaru's!"

"Alright." Mameo said. "You guys hurry to the Right Eye's Tower and finish what Zero started. We'll see how we can put this tower to use for the Resistance then head back."

"Yuuko, be careful." Yuugo said.

Yuuko nodded as she led Fei, Takumi, and Ami, towards the hole Kiryu made upon his exit along with their Digimon, Agunimon and Lobomon. "No more sorrow. No mare hatred. It's time to sever these chains."

I bet a lot of you were anticipating this. This was a chapter I was very much looking forward to. I was even planning on having Kiryu specificaly shout "I WILL MOUNT YOUR HEAD ON A PIKE IN THE DEPTHS OF UNDER ZERO!" when he found out the truth for months. Tune in next time to see more of Kiryu giving Crusadermon what was coming to her with interest.