Back at Kiryu's house, he was gathered at a table with his father, Satome, and Yuki. "Alright Kiryu." Yuki said. "You gave me and Satome your word you'd tell us where you've been going. Time to owe up."
"Very well." Kiryu said. "I suppose I should start by explaining what happened when I went to Under Zero that day."
"You mean that Paradise Lost Event that Mr. Navit held?" Satome asked.
"Yes. What happened when I got there is that Mr. Navit contacted us again. And told us their true nature. We were wrong. They were not connected to Kamishiro. They were not even of our reality."
Kiryu's father raised an eyebrow. "Our…reality? Are you saying they claimed to be from another world or something?"
"Not just claiming. That is exactly what Mr. Navit was. They proved that by sending their kind to us through the Digital Monster app."
"Digital Monster?" Yuki asked. "You mean that digital pet raising thing? I never played but I hear it's really hot these days. But how exactly is it connected to "another world"?"
"Because the Digital Monster in the game are residents of that world. Their real name is Digimon. They hail from the Digital World." Kiryu pressed buttons on his Digivice and it projected an image of his Digimon. "This is Omegamon Alter-S."
"Greetings." the Enforcer bowed.
"My word…" Kiryu's father said as he, Yuki, and Satome stared in bewilderment.
"Okay, this is really cool…" Yuki. "But you sure this ain't no A.I. or V.R. thing?"
"I assure you I am as real as you humans." Alter-S replied.
"His response and emotions are far too natural to be a program." Kiryu's father said. "Incredible…"
"No one knows how the Digital Monster app was created." Kiryu said. "But the Digital Monsters in it are actually fragments of Digimon from the Digital World. Mr. Navit was also a Digimon who was trying to gather hackers."
"For what?" Satome asked.
"There are things you humans can do that we Digimon cannot." Omegamon Alter-S replied. "Our world has been thrown into a civil war. Mr. Navit wanted to hire humans for these talents to help fight the war."
"And you agreed." Kiryu's father said looking at his son. "In exchange for money to help you brother?"
Kiryu stood up from his seat and looked through a window. "There is…something else. Subaru's nightmares were part of a scheme made by a Digimon. Who was sending those nightmares into his mind."
"What?!"
"How awful…" Satome murmured.
"But Alter-S and I butchered that bitch." Kiryu said coldly. "She got what she deserved."
Everyone looked at him quietly. "…So that's why Subaru's nightmares suddenly stopped." Kiryu's father replied.
"That's right. We also defeated Leopardmon who created the Next Order and started the war. However…we now have a new, much graver problem on our hands."
"What's that?" Yuki asked.
"Boltboutamon, a Digimon that worked for the Next Order has done something horrid." Omegamon Alter-S replied. "He merged himself with a powerful tree Leopardmon created using the remains of his former king fuelled with Digital Waves."
"Digital Waves?" Satome asked.
"Digital Waves have the ability to affect the reality of our world." Kiryu explained. "They can even allow beings like Digimon to walk it. Boltboutamon used these Digital Waves to pull EDEN into the Digital World."
"Is that why EDEN suddenly closed down?" Yuki asked. "Come to think of it, people online were saying things about a giant land appearing in the distance."
"That was the Digital World." Omegamon Alter-S replied. "EDEN and my home have become one. And Boltboutamon is not finished. He plans to use his new powers to merge our world with yours."
"If that happens both humans and Digimon will be thrown into chaos." Kiryu turned back around. "That is why I am going back to the Digital World."
"What?!" Satome shot up. "No Kiryu, you can't!"
"I must. If Boltboutamon's plan goes through everyone will be in immediate danger. I have to do this. I am one of very few people prepared to do anything about it. And time is running short."
"Oh Kiryu…" Kiryu's father sighed.
"Know that I will defend Kiryu with my life." Omegamon Alter-S said. "I owe him mine and then some. But I need his support to fight at full power."
"And there are others like me." Kiryu said. "I will join them in EDEN, and we will confront this threat together."
"Kiryu…are you certain about this?" Kiryu's father asked.
The teen closed his eyes. "For the last few weeks, I have strayed from the right path…but now I feel the fog is finally lifted. That I know I am doing the right thing. Don't worry. I'll be alright."
"Damn right you will." Yuki stood up with a serious expression. "Because I'm going in with you this time."
"What?"
"If you're both going, then so am I!" Satome said. "No ifs ands or buts!"
"No!" Kiryu objected. "It's too dangerous!"
"You've been facing that kind of danger for too long on your own." Yuki said. "Besides, from what you're saying we're all screwed with this bolt-whatever gets his way. If I'm going down, I'll go down on my feet knowing I tried!"
"Neither of you even have a Digimon! You won't-
"Perhaps we can do something about that." A new voice came from Kiryu's Digivice. Next to Omegamon Alter-S a projection of another Digimon appeared.
"Who is that?" Satome asked.
Kiryu's eyes widened. "BeelStarmon?"
Another projection appeared showing another Digimon. "Ho boy. Guess we're involved in these personal maters now."
"Beelzemon too?! What are you two doing in my Digivice?!"
"Forgive me Kiryu." Omegamon Alter-S said. "They insisted I kept quiet about their presence."
"Weren't tagging along for the hell of it." Beelzemon said. "But those annoying fools insisted."
"Who?" Kiryu asked. He then realized. "You mean Agunimon and Lobomon?"
"That's right." BeelStarmon nodded. "They wanted us to make sure you actually checked in on that little brother of yours instead of running from that responsibility again."
"Hmm…I suppose I have been running away, haven't I?"
"Yeah, sorry, this whole thing is boggling my mind more and more as we go." Yuki said. "Who the hell are you two?"
"Oh, pardon us." BeelStarmon grinned. "The name's BeelStarmon, of the Four musketeers. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. The edgelord over here is my brother. Beelzemon."
"Hmph."
"Now Kiryu." BeelStarmon looked at the human she addressed. "As touched as I'm sure your friends are that you are worried, don't you think you should try to lean on others once in a while? Because if I recall you trying to help your brother on your own is when things spiraled out of control for you. Yes, you have Omegamon Alter-S as well as the Cyber Sleuths and their crew, but given what we're up against we need all the help we can get."
"This is a dangerous situation." Kiryu said. "And they do not have the experience the rest of us do."
"Then maybe it's time for them to get some experience. You once knew nothing about Digimon before you took a risk and started fighting alongside them. You didn't let anything stop you back then."
"And Yuki here ain't wrong." Beelzemon added. "If we screw up, they'll all dead anyway, so it'd be just as dangerous for them if they don't fight. Besides, they need to make their own decisions. Like you learned to." Kiryu didn't reply.
"As for the issue of them lacking Digimon…" BeelStarmon and Beelzemon vanished. Yuki and Satome heard their Digivices go off and took them out. A projection of Beelzemon came from Yuki's Digivice. BeelStarmon from Satome's. "Problem solved." BeelStarmon smirked.
"You two will…fight alongside us?" Satome asked.
BeelStarmon winked at her new Tamer. "I got a thing for people with passion and willpower like you. I think we'll make for a dynamic duo."
Yuki grinned at Beelzemon. "So, I guess that means we're partners now."
"Hmph." Beelzemon turned away grinning. "Never thought I'd partner up with a human. Don't disappoint me."
Satome smiled at Kiryu along with her brother. "Well, there you have it. These two have made up their minds just as we have."
"We're coming with you." Yuki grinned. "Like it or not."
"Satome…Yuki…" Kiryu was still conflicted.
"Let them go Kiryu." Kiryu's father said. "You know they and their new "Digimon" are right. Besides…their hearts have decided. And they must follow through with them. Your grandfather would have done the same. No matter who told him not to."
"What?" Kiryu turned to his father. "But grandfather said that soldier's top priority is his orders. If he cannot follow those orders, he will lose what he swore to protect. That's what made him the successful soldier he was."
Kiryu's father sighed. "…I see now…he never told you."
"Told me what?"
"When I was a child, he told me the same thing. That a soldier's top priority is his orders. Like you, I assumed he meant the orders from his superiors."
"He…didn't? But where else could his orders come from?"
Kiryu's father walked over to his son. "When I was your age, he then told me what he really meant. The orders that mattered the most to him did not come from his superiors. The orders that he always obeyed no matter what…" He put a finger over his son's chest. "Are from the heart."
"…The heart?"
"Yes. Whenever his heart told him to do something, he obeyed. Even if it meant going against his orders. He told me that if he chose his orders over his heart, he would have lost more then he could bare with. That he'd spend the rest of his life in regret. I suppose he was going to wait until you were older before telling you this just as he did with me. But…he didn't live long enough to see that day."
Beelzemon smiled. "Hell of a man he must have been."
"He was. That is why he lived his life without regrets."
Kiryu thought to himself. 'Orders of the heart…Come to think of it, when I chose to do what I thought was right, my Digimon and I gained a new power and fought against Leopardmon without any doubt weighing us down…'
"That is deep. But I wonder if those words have more to them then their face value."
"How about that. That idiot was right for once."
Satome looked at Kiryu. "Huh?"
"Nothing. Anyway…if you two really are that set on this then I am in no position to stop you. Just…don't be reckless. I couldn't bare losing either of you."
Satome blushed a little. "Kiryu…"
Yuki grinned. "You don't need to worry about us dude. We'll be just fine. The three of us can take on whatever bolthead throws at us."
Kiryu smiled. "Alright." He checked the time. "We still have time before we must leave for EDEN. In the meantime, I will tell you what you need to know about wielding the power of your Digimon."
"Hey, let's go to Satisfaction Bakery!" Satome smiled. "After all, I did promise you to make the best pastry yet when you returned."
"It always has been home base for the Enforcer's work." Yuki grinned.
Kiryu chuckled lightly. "Alright."
"Kiryu…please take care." Kiryu's father said. "Come home to me and your brother no matter what."
"I will. I won't leave you and Subaru alone in this cruel world. I'm done letting the past and the opinions of others tie me down. I'll follow my heart into battle. Follow what I believe in and come home. That's a promise father." Kiryu then hurried towards the door with Satome and Yuki.
Kiryu's father folded his arms smiling. "You have grown into an incredible man Kiryu. Was it encountering these Digimon who made you so? Or was it something else? Either way…I'm sure your mother and grandfather are watching you happy and proud like me, from the afterlife."
Takumi, Takuto, Ami, Shiki, Nokia, Himari, Arata, Kouta, Yuuko, Mameo, Yuugo, Shoma, Keisuke, Koh, Fei, and Sato all entered Kawloon together. Their Digimon appeared by their side. The whole area was surrounded by Digimon. Many of them were civilians who looked scared. The others were Resistance members who were happy to see them. "You made it!" Jesmon flew over to them.
"How's everyone holding up?" Ami asked.
"Well between here, Cache City and Cloud Sanctuary we were able to evacuate all the Digimon." Sistermon Ceil said.
"But a lot of them are scared…" Sistermon Blanc added. "Some aren't sure if there will be a home to return to when this is over."
"Understandable." Omegamon said. "Our world has not seen a catastrophe like this since the Eaters."
"But we CAN fix this." Takumi said. "We have to. That's why we're here. And on that note, where are Kyoko, Alphamon, Mirei and Hudiemon? They said to meet them here."
"Hudiemon is communicating with Justimon about what to do with those who can't fight." Jesmon said. "As for Mirei…we'll she's here but…she's not looking so good."
"What do you mean?" Himari asked. "Did something happen?"
"You got me." Sistermon Ceil shrugged. "She looked pale as death when she came in here, but nobody will tell us what happened."
"That's not good…" Yuuko muttered.
"I guess she tired herself out working." Takumi said looking at Ami. "Maybe we should treat her to a cup of coffee when this is over."
"That's a great idea!" Ami gleamed.
"You two make your own coffee?" Shiki asked.
"Yeah! After this we can make some for you if you want."
"Sure, why not?" Takuto smiled. "Sounds like you make pretty unique blends."
Arata, Nokia, Yuuko, Yuugo grimaced. "He has no idea." Nokia muttered.
"Yeah, you have fun with that." Arata groaned. "Wait, is Kiryu not here yet?"
"I haven't seen him." Jesmon replied. "I don't think he arrived yet."
"He'll come." Yuuko replied. "Kiryu Tenjo is the kind of person who sees his promises through. In the meantime-
"Hey, guys!" Lilamon flew over. "You came!"
"Of course!" Nokia grinned. "We gotta see this through to the end!"
Lilamon looked at Keisuke. "Hey, Keisuke, did you tell anyone in your world you were coming here?"
"Huh? Of course not. Nobody would ever believe me if I told them what was going on. I mean between the Digimon, the Digital World, the Parallel Worlds…wait, why are you asking?"
"Because a bunch of humans just came in a moment ago looking for you. We tried to shoo them away, but they insist they knew you'd be here and that they weren't leaving until they found you."
"What?! Impossible! Nobody could have known I was coming here!"
"Father was positive nobody was in EDEN before we started moving the Digimon here." Yuuko pointed out. "So, someone must have found out somehow."
"Where are these humans?" Zero asked.
"Up on the next floor." Lilamon said pointing up. "The others are still trying to talk them into leaving but…"
"Let's go have a look." Mameo said. The others nodded and hurried towards the elevator.
"Whoever or whatever it is you three seek, you will not find it here." Dinohumon said. "Now leave."
A young boy dressed in white shook his head. "My friend said he would be here! And I'm not going until I know what's going on!"
"Frankly, I don't know what makes you think you can push us around." a man in a tank top glared. "EDEN is free for everyone to use, and you creatures are hording it to yourself?"
"The owner has given us Digimon permission to use EDEN for safe refuge." Darcmon explained. "Our world is facing a crisis right now and we have nowhere else to go."
"Your "world"?" a blond man asked. "What does that even mean?"
"We do not need to explain anything to you." Grizzlymon snarled. "Now leave before we must resort to force."
"Try me." the man in the tank top glared.
"H-hey, let's not get hasty here!" the blond panicked.
"Grizzlymon, calm down!" Darcmon ordered. "The last thing we need is to start a conflict with humans!"
"Hey guys!" Takumi shouted as he and his team pushed through the crowd.
"Takumi! Everyone!" Darcmon called to them. "We have a bit of a situation here."
"We heard." Ami said. "Where are the humans who…came…in…here…" She came to an awkward stop when she spotted the trio amongst the Digimon. "Wait, Yu?"
"Keisuke, there you are!" the boy said.
Keisuke's mouth hung agape. "Yu?! Ryuji! Chitoste! What are you guys doing here?!"
"That should be my line." Ryuji replied.
"You know these people Keisuke?" Takuto asked.
"Yeah…they're part of the group I work with back home. Hudie."
"I see…" Kouta said. "So, they're the ones who…"
"Why are you three here?" Yuuko asked. "Father made it clear that no one is to log into EDEN at this time."
"Well, you guys are here aren't you?" Yu retorted.
"How did you guys know I'd be here?!" Keisuke asked.
"Yu saw you and your little gang here walk into the detective agency at Nanako." Chitoste replied.
"And I…sorta listened in on your conversation." Yu muttered.
Takumi looked at Keisuke. "That sounds familiar."
"So, wait…does that mean you three know what's going on?" Ami asked.
Yu sighed. "Well, I know some kind of tree is responsible for what's happening in EDEN right now. Something about it merging it with another world? And apparently, it's about to do something that will affect the real world too. And you guys are going to try to stop it and save someone trapped inside."
Ryuji looked at Keisuke. "This is all related to that "special event' you were invited to, isn't it?" Keisuke sighed. "Look, I don't blame you for not telling us. From what I gather the situation is so bizarre that I wouldn't have believed the truth if you told it to me anyway. But if this situation is a hazard to EDEN, then you could have at least asked for our help. We're part of a team after all."
Keisuke sighed. "It's not like I wanted to hide things but…I didn't want to drag you into guys into danger."
"So, you could just go off on your own and put yourself in danger?!" Yu asked. "You think we'd be happy with being on the sidelines while you risk your life for the fate of the world! Keisuke, you should trust us more!"
"It's not a matter of not trusting you guys! This fight started with us! You don't have to be thrown under the bus because we let this all happen!"
"Keisuke, use your head." Chitoste sighed. "If the fate of the world is hanging on this then we're gonna die anyway if you fail right? So wouldn't we be safer if we fought alongside you to boost the chances of victory even if just a little?"
"I…well…"
"Nothing you say will change our minds Keisuke." Ryuji said. "Like I said, we're a team. If one of us is getting involved so's everyone else."
"But you guys don't even have Digimon to fight with!"
"Oh, do we?" Yu asked holding up his Digivice showing his Digital monster app with his Otamamon. "You're not the only fan of this app."
"Yu…"
"You got that right." Chitoste grinned holding up his Digivice showing a Ankylomon along with Ryuji showing his Cyberdramon.
"You guys too?"
"I started playing recently out of curiosity." Ryuji smiled. "This app's surprisingly addictive. These creatures are called "Digimon". That's short for Digital Monster, right? So, we should be able to create Digimon with this app, right?"
"Not…quite how this works." Takumi replied. "You see the truth is the Digimon in your apps are really-
"Hey guys!" A voice aproached from the crowd. "Why are you all standing there, we need to…" Hudiemon broke through the crowd with Justimon, Shakkoumon, and a MarineAngemon. "…hurry."
"Hudiemon…" Keisuke murmured. "So…this is awkward…"
"What are you three doing here?!" Justimon asked.
"They kinda followed us." Kouta replied.
"Are these more Digimon?" Chitoste asked.
"Hey, Ryuji, the one with the scarf kinda looks like yours." Yu said.
Ryuji looked at his Digivice. "You think so?" Suddenly his screen glowed. "Huh?"
Yu and Chitoste's Digivices glowed as well. "Whoa! What's happening?!" Yu gasped.
"Could it be…?" Keisuke gapped.
Light washed over Justimon, Shakkoumon, and MarineAngemon. "What is this…?" MarineAngemon asked. "I feel so strong and warm!"
Yu, Chitoste and Ryuji looked at the Digimon as Hudiemon snuck to Keisuke's side. "Keisuke…do they remember…?"
"No. They just heard us talk about coming here and what was happening now, they still don't know about the other reality."
"I see…"
Yu then noticed his Digivice showed MarineAngemon instead of Otamamon. "Huh? My Digimon!"
Ryuji and Chitoste checked their apps. They now showed the Digimon in front of them as well. "What just happened?!" Chitoste asked.
"The Digital Monsters in your apps…" The three boys looked at Ami as she spoke. "They were fragments of Digimon data. Justimon, Shakkoumon and MarineAngemon's data."
"They merged with them…" Keisuke said.
"So, wait…" Yu looked at MarineAngemon. "Does this mean."
Justimon started at Ryuji. "…Was it fate that brought us here today?"
"Fate?" Ryuji asked.
Shakkoumon aproached Chitoste. "YOU HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF MY DATA FREGMENT. I CAN FEEL THE CARE YOU PUT IN RAISING IT."
Chitoste chuckled. "Never thought it would come to life like this…this is all just crazy…"
Yu looked at MarineAngemon. "Are you…my Digimon?"
MarineAngewmon flew around Yu. "Yup! Thank you for raising me with love and passion!"
"Hey guys!" Nokia grinned. "You know what this means!"
"These guys are now Digimon Tamers." Shoma said.
"Oh?" Chitoste grinned. "Does this make us officially part of the heroes now?"
"That's right!" Yu gleamed. "We have Digimon so we can fight with you now Keisuke!"
"Yu…Chitoste…Ryuji…" Keisuke murmured.
"You can't change our minds Keisuke." Ryuji said. "And you have no excuse to stop us now. We're going with you."
"But…"
"Just let them go Keisuke." Takuto smiled. "Even if they don't have experience their Digimon can make up for it. Besides we need all the help we can get."
Keisuke smiled at Hudie. "Thank you, guys."
"Anytime." Yu smiled. "We've been friends for a long time."
"It does feel reassuring to have more help." Hudiemon said.
Ryuji looked at her. "Are you also a Digimon? There's something…different about you…"
"Oh, well…"
"Come on Ryuji, Digimon or not that's not how you introduce yourself to a cute lady!" Chitoste grinned.
"So instead, you immediately hit on her?" Yu squinted.
"Looks like our group got even more lively." Mameo smiled.
"Lucky us." Sayo rolled her eyes. "Well, now that that's settled, let's hurry to Mirei and Kyoko."
"Shouldn't we wait for Kiryu?" Yuugo asked.
Hudiemon turned to the group. "Oh? I thought somebody was missing."
"He went off saying he had to take care of something." Takumi replied.
"Don't worry." Agunimon said walking up with the other Legendary Warriors. "Kiryu said he'd show, and he will. He won't run from this."
MagnaKidmon and Gundramon aproached. "Hey, guys!" Gundramon called. "Have any of you seen BeelStarmon or Beelzemon?"
"Huh? No, why?" Arata asked.
"They disappeared around the time y'all left for your world." MagnaKidmon replied. "And nobody's seen em. I'm sure they can keep themselves safe but where would they go at a time like this?"
"Did they not tell you?" Lobomon asked. "Sorry, Agunimon and I asked them to follow Kiryu."
"Why?" Himari asked.
"Someone should keep an eye on him." Agunimon said. "And while they're at it, make sure he pays Subaru a visit. Make sure he's alright."
"I see." Yuuko nodded. "Maybe we should call him just in case- Her sentence was interrupted by the sound of music. "Hold that thought."
Yu looked around. "Is that a flute?"
"Yup." Fei smirked. "Took his sweet time."
Digimon started clearing the way as the music drew closer. "Kiryu!" Keisuke smiled as the Tamer was approaching. "Wait…who…?"
Kiryu and Omegamon Alter-S aproached as the Tamer played his flute. But they were not alone. A young man with dark blue hair that spiked a bit in the back wearing a red coat under a black shirt, red sneakers grey jeans aproached with Beelzemon. With them was a young woman with long dark blue hair, cerulean eyes, a blue skirt with a white sleeveless top under her blue coat and blue heeled shoes aproached with BeelStarmon. Kiryu walked up to the team as he stopped playing and put his flute away. "Sorry for the wait."
"Uh...no problem." Kouta said. "But...who are those two with Beelzemon and BeelStarmon?"
"These two? They're our reinforcements. And I see I'm not the only one to bring some here."
"Well...it's more like they followed us here..." Keisuke replied.
"Sheesh. You make it sound like we're intruding." Chitoste said. "That's gratitude for you."
"Hey, invited or not given what Kiryu told us of this bizarre situation you guys got guts for coming here." Yuki grinned. "I like that. Because we could use some of that right about now."
"It's going to take much more then that Yuki." Satome said. "So, it's a good thing we have more people than we thought we would."
"This is Yuki. And old friend of mine. And his sister Satome." Kiryu said. "They've helped me a lot in my past activities."
"Nice to meet you two." Shiki smiled. "And to see that Beelzemon and BeelStarmon got themselves some partners."
BeelStarmon grinned. "What can I say? This girl's got spirit. I like that."
"BeelStarmon is one thing, but I'm amazed you agreed to teaming up with a human, Beelzemon." Gundramon said.
"Well...I figured what the hell. I'll give it a shot. You only live once...maybe twice in my case."
"So, I guess we should do a brief interdiction?" Mameo suggested.
"Sounds good to me." Takumi smiled. "I'm Takumi Aiba. And these are my Digimon, Rapidmon Armor, BlackWarGreymon, and Dorugoramon."
"I'm his twin sister Ami Aiba. My team is Rosemon Burst Mode, Ophanimon, and Kuzuhamon."
"My name's Nokia Shiramine! You can also call me Akkino! And this here is my good friend and partner Omegamon!"
"I'm Arata Sanada. Nice to meet you all and everything. This guy is my pal Diaboromon."
"I am Yuuko Kamishiro. Honored to make everyone's acquaintance. This is my partner Samudramon."
"I am Yuuko's brother Yuugo. It's a pleasure. My Digimon is Craniamon."
"I'm Keisuke Amasawa. This is my team TyrantKabuterimon, MetalSeadramon, and PileVolcamon."
"I'm Ryuji Mishima. I lead the group Keisuke works with, Hudie. I guess this Justimon here is my new partner."
"Name's Chitoste Imai! Nice to meet you cool cats! And I guess my new buddy Shakkoumon here is my new partner!"
"I'm Yu Nogi. I've been friends with Keisuke for years. And my partner is MarineAngemon."
"I'm Takuto. It's kinda complicated but me and my crew came from another world. My partners are Nova and Storm here."
"And I'm this guy's sister, Shiki. Meet my Digimon, Skyla and Terra."
"I'm Himari. And this is my trusted partner, Rikka."
"I'm Kouta. And my partner is Yukimura."
"You guys can call me Mameo. Kind of a name that just stuck. These are my Digimon, File and Zero."
"I'm Shoma. This is Noir."
"My name is Sayo. I also came from another world with my partner Dianamon."
"I'm Koh. Sayo's rival. This is my pal Apollomon."
"I am Kiryu Tenjo. And this is Omegamon Alter-S."
"The name's Yuki Fujiki though I guess Kiryu already told you that. And this is my new teammate Beelzemon."
"And as Kiryu also already told you, I'm Yuki's sister Satome Fujiki. And this is BeelStarmon. I hope we can all get along!"
Arata clapped his hands. "Good! That's settled. Now that we got introductions out of the way, let's go find Kyoko and Mirei so we can go over our plan. We're kinda on the clock here."
"Agreed." Kiryu replied. "The Malevolent Tree is growing closer to consuming our worlds as we speak. We must finalize our preparations posthaste."
"Right." Hudiemon nodded. "Follow me." She led the humans through the crowd of Digimon to the next elevator.
"Do you think Luche is hanging on okay?" Himari asked as they entered Kawloon Level 3 and went to the next elevator. "She must be scared..."
"Whose Luche?" Yu asked.
"One of our friends." Shiki frowned. "She stayed behind to hold the tree back."
"I'm sure she'll be fine." Shoma said. "Don't forget she's stronger than she looks."
"True." Takuto smiled slightly.
They soon reached the fifth floor. "I still can't believe all this is happening." Chitoste muttered. "Digimon? Worlds merging? It's like sci-fi come to life. It feels so unreal."
"Every bit of this is real." Arata replied. "I assure you."
"You seem quick to adapt." Ryuji said. "By the way...have we met? You seem familiar..."
Everyone stared at Arata who looked away. "Sorry, can't say we have."
"Right. My mistake."
Soon the group came to the end of Kawloon. Mirei was with Kyoko, Alphamon, and Mastemon. Kyoko who was facing them spotted them first. "Well look who finally showed up."
Mirei turned around to look at them. "Good. Everyone's here..."
Himari's eyes widened. "Mirei? What happened to you? Your face looks pale."
"Yeah, you look like you stared death in the eye." Mameo muttered.
Mirei cringed putting a hand over her stomach. "I'm pretty sure I just did." She glared at her Digimon. "I am going to remember this by the way."
Mastemon snickered. "You and me both. I'll remember this fondly. Oh, don't give me that look missy, you have no one to blame but yourself."
Keisuke whispered to Hudiemon. "Did something happen, Erika?"
The human/Digimon hybrid cringed as she tried in vain to repress the horrid memory of the abomination Kyoko and Alphamon created that had Mirei on the floor foaming a strange color at the mouth. "Trust me, you do NOT want to know…Mastemon insisted it was Mirei's karma catching up to her, but…what the hell did she do to deserve…THAT?! Mass genocide?!"
"It seems you picked up some additional helpers for us." Kyoko said.
Takumi nodded then looked at the group. "To those of you just joining us, this is Kyoko Kuremi. A great detective Ami and I work for. And over there is Mirei, an expert on Digimon and alternative worlds."
"A pleasure everyone." Kyoko said. "I recently became what these kids call a Digimon Tamer and partnered up with Alphamon here. And you are?"
Sayo sighed pointing to the newcomers one by one. "Ryuji, Chitoste, Yu, Yuki, Satome. Now can we please get started, we're running out of time!"
"Someone's angsty." Yuki groaned.
"I can't say I blame her." Mirei said. "The fate of every world out there could very well be ridding on this."
"And so is Luche." Takuto said. "So, we better get started soon."
Alphamon sighed. "Unfortunately, there's one more problem we have to deal with before we can begin."
"What's that?" Yuugo asked.
The 13th Royal Knight pointed to a corner where Gallantmon and the remaining knights were standing in front of a series of monitors. "While many have agreed to cooperate, not all the former Next Order Digimon are down with working together. A majority of them insist this is because of humans and that working with you will only make things worse."
"What?" Shiki raised an eyebrow. "You can't be serious!"
"Why can't you all see reason?!" Magnamon yelled. "If we don't do something it won't just be the human world! All of us Digimon will perish!"
"And you think those humans can save us?!" A LadyDevimon asked. "Give me a break! They're just a weak group of cowards!"
"That's why we need to work together!" Gankoomon insisted. "Yes, humans are weak on their own, but you all saw what they can do when they work together with us Digimon! They could even match Leopardmon!"
"If Leopardmon were still around we wouldn't be in this fix!" a BlackGrowlmon objected.
"I would argue that Leopardmon is the reason why we're all in a pickle right now." Koh said as he approached with the group.
"Oh, great, they're here." a MetalMamemon groaned.
"This is your fault!" A Bakemon yelled. "All of it!"
"How?!" Arata asked. "Leopardmon was the one who hired Boltboutamon! He was the one who started the war! And he's the one who made that damn tree that's threatening us all right now, just to spite us humans!"
"The King did what he saw fit to protect our world!" a SlashAngemon replied. "So that you fools wouldn't recreate anything like the Eaters!"
"Will you give that a rest already?!" Rapidmon Armor yelled. "They did not want that to happen! It was an accident when they were kids!"
"Oh, boo hoo!" A Octomon scoffed. "That accident scared us Digimon for life! One of my buddies who was eaten still hasn't gotten over the trauma!"
"Yeah! Just because it was undone, doesn't mean it can be forgiven!" a Vajramon snarled. "Their actions brought a terror that we can never forget no matter how hard we try!"
Takumi and the others didn't know what to say to that. "See?! They acknowledge it!" a Vikemon added. "The existence of humans brought all Digimon pain and suffering."
Takuto and Shiki looked at Takumi and Ami sadly as their eyes saddened with guilt. Ryuji whispered to Keisuke. "The hell are "Eaters"?"
Keisuke sighed. "It's a long story...and...not a very happy one."
"Perhaps."
Everyone looked at Gallantmon in surprise. "Gallantmon?!" UlforceVeedramon gasped. "What are you saying?!"
"They could be right. When the humans first entered our world, the Eaters came into existence. That is indeed one way to look at it."
"Are you for real?!" Himari glared.
"See?!" a MadLeomon smirked. "He gets it!"
"However!" Gallantmon raised his voice. "There is another way to look at it."
"Huh?" a Gwappamon tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"Like I said, the Eaters appeared as a result of the humans entering our world. So, if our world did not exist, then the Eaters would never be. Additionally, Digimon are not the only ones who suffered because of them. They devoured many humans. Dividing friends and family. I have seen how some humans still suffer from what happened. So, thinking about it that way...would it not also be accurate to say that Digimon created the Eaters and caused the humans to suffer greatly?"
Everyone went quiet to that. Until a Roachmon spoke up. "Um, HELLO! It's not like we or our world asked them to come here!"
"They did not intend to come to our world either. It all started by an unprecedented event that connected EDEN and the Digital World. They didn't ask for this anymore then we did."
"Gallantmon..." Nokia murmured.
"The crimes humans and Digimon committed against each other extend beyond the Eaters. Humans used Digimon as tolls. And Digimon invaded their world and caused them harm as well. Neither side is more innocent than the other. Both have caused each other harm. But humans and Digimon are capable of being more. These humans and their Digimon partners are proof that we are capable of being much, much more."
The Next Order Digimon went quiet for a bit. "...No matter what humans do for us, their past mistakes will never fade away..." a Thunderballmon said.
"Maybe so. But at least these humans continue to fight to make things right. This war had nothing to do with them. It was started by us Digimon. Out of an act of spiteful hatred from Leopardmon. And yet they chose to come to our world to save it. Have none of you considered why? These humans acknowledge their mistakes. They wish to atone for them. The Next Order was built on a desire for Digimon to repeat their past mistakes. My fellow Digimon...let us learn from our mistakes and correct them. That tree was created by us, and will destroy everything we hold dear. Is hatred towards humankind really so important that you would watch as it leads to our world crumbling away? This cycle of hatred and destruction has past stayed its welcome! Hatred breeds more hatred! The only way this will end is if we meet halfway and corporate! Leopardmon could not do that, and he met his end at the hands of those who could. And now his mistake is threatening to drag us all down with him. Is that how our history must end? With hatred? Does our existence mean that little?!" All the Next Order Digimon intently watched as Gallantmon continued. "It is up to us to correct our own mistakes! Let us do what Leopardmon and the Next Order could not! And rise above the storm of hate! We will not be the destroyers of worlds but the saviors! Together with the humans and with each other, we can bring the property Leopardmon falsely promised and take back our world!"
One of the Next Order Digimon cheered. Then a few more. More and more started joining in on their own. Soon all of the Digimon were with Gallantmon's proposal. "He actually did it..." Mameo said. "He changed the Next Order's views! All of them!"
"Hell of a speech." Yuki said. "Is that guy the Digimon leader or something?"
Mirei smiled. "It seems it's not just the humans who have grown."
"Indeed..." Alphamon said. "The other Knights and Digimon grew into something beyond my imagination. All while I was absent it seems. ...Perhaps it's finally time."
Kyoko looked at her partner. "Time for what?"
Alphamon giggled. "A discussion for after the battle. For now, we need to get started."
The monitors closed and Gallantmon aproached the team. "There you have it my human allies. We Digimon will follow you into battle. We are counting on you to guide us to victory."
"Gallantmon, that was amazing!" Kouta smiled.
"No kidding. Convincing all our former enemies into meeting halfway..." Arata folded his arms. "I'm impressed beyond words."
"My thanks..." Gallantmon looked at the two boys. "But in all honesty, I owe it to the two of you. You were the ones who taught me the courage to forgive. To meet halfway. To move beyond hatred and correct mistakes. Thanks to you I can truly see a clear path forward. Before I defended humans out of a self-righteous sense of virtue. Now...I save them knowing full well they deserve to live. That we Digimon benefit from living alongside them. So now my spear and shield serve a truly worthy cause! To forge a future where we move beyond hatred and advance forward together!" A giant red X glowed against his chest.
"Huh?!" Kouta gasped. "Gallantmon, what's wrong?!"
"I feel...such power rising within me...this is...!" A white flash blinded everyone. A new version of Gallantmon emerged. One with a long blond ponytail, an Aegis shield with a giant X pattern and a Gram lance that glowed like light.
"Gallantmon?!" Omegamon gasped.
"That power is...the X-Antibody!" TigerVespamon exclaimed.
"Incredible..." Nokia gasped.
"Why so surprised?" Mirei asked as she aproached. "The X-Antibody has been activated in response to determination in the past. And in response to bonding with humans."
"What? But Gallantmon doesn't have a human partner." Keisuke pointed out.
"Maybe not. But he has formed a bond with humans. With all of you."
"So you gave him Leopardmon's X-Antibody because you knew he could activate it." Sayo said.
"It was a hunch on my part. One that clearly paid off."
Gallantmon X held up his spear. "This power belongs to you humans and all Digimon just as much as it does me. Know I will use it to fight for you all!"
"Thank you Gallantmon." Ami smiled. "We're counting on you."
"Pardon me everyone..." Darcmon said as she cut through the crowd. "Um...Takumi, Ami?"
"Hey Darcmon, what's up?" Takumi asked.
"Another human arrived insisting she saw you...and she's even more persistent than the last ones..." Darcmon stepped aside showing the woman walking up to them.
"Hey..." Nokia murmured. "Isn't that..."
"MOM?!" Takumi and Ami gasped.
The journalist smiled. "Hello son. Daughter."
"I was reluctant to let her through..." Darcmon smiled slightly. "But after she told me she wanted to see her kids I didn't have the heart to say no..."
"Mom, why are you here?" Ami asked.
"Well after you ran out of the hospital, I did some thinking and it occurred to me that I haven't done a whole lot of journalism lately...and it just so happens that the scoop of a lifetime is unfolding right before my eyes! I'd be a disgrace to reporters everywhere if I just passed this chance up!"
"Mom, this isn't just some new broadcast, we're going into a battlefield! You could get hurt!" Takumi exclaimed.
Yukino scoffed with a smirk. "Uh huh. Sure son. But it's safe for you and Ami to charge into that battlefield?"
Arata grinned. "She's got you there."
"Well...we have Digimon to fight with!" Ami replied.
"I'm not going to fight; I'll just be observing."
"That may not be your choice." Beelzemon said. "You think that damn tree will just ignore you if it notices you? The Cyber Sleuths are right, this will be hard enough for us without having to babysit."
Darcmon smiled shaking her head. "Then shall I be Yukino's partner?"
"Darcmon?!" Ami gasped.
"I'm going out their anyway, I can multitask and protect your mother. After all, I have plenty of experience in looking after humans. Like I did you children eight years ago."
"Oh?" Yukino looked at Darcmon. "You met them before?"
"Remember how I told you Takumi, Ami and their friends first encountered the Digital World in the last reality while they were young?" Kyoko asked.
"Darcmon was one of the first Digimon we met." Yuuko replied. "She looked after us for a bit."
Yukino smiled. "Thank you Darcmon."
"Don't worry about it. You kids and their friends are an adorable bunch. I very much enjoyed looking out for them. And now I will do the same for you."
"Then it's settled. I'm going. And I will share the story of the brave you children who fought alongside Digimon with the world."
"But mom..." Ami muttered.
"Let her go Ami. Takumi." Alphamon stepped forward. "She couldn't stop you from doing what you thought was right. How is it fair to prevent her from doing the same?"
Takumi turned to her. "Alphamon..."
"So you're Alphamon?" Yukino asked. "The Digimon that took Kyoko's body and my kids under her wing?"
"That's right. Your son and daughter are wounder assistants...though a bit of a handful at times."
Yukino smiled. "I see. So, they are your assistants as well as Kyoko's. Well then allow me to say what I said to her when Takumi and Ami first told me about their job."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for taking them in." Yukino smiled. "I am sure they will learn a lot from you." Her expression then changed to one that could pierce one's soul. "But if you let something happen to either of them, then Digimon or human I will personally beat your ass and put what's left of it in a coffin."
Most of the gang shuddered. "I think every hair on my body stood up the moment she said that..." Keisuke gulped.
"Rest assured, I will not let anything happen to them." Alphamon replied. "They are my responsibility after all. ...Besides...I care about them."
"Good. So long as that's clear." Yukino replied. "As is the fact that I'm going with all of you."
"Don't worry Takumi. Ami." Darcmon put a hand on Yukino's shoulder. "I will protect Yukino. I promise."
Yukino smiled. "This is your finest moment you two. Your greatest accomplishment. As your mother it's my duty to see it through."
"Mom..." Takumi and Ami smiled.
The others smiled as they watched. "Hell of a mother those two have." Ryuji said.
"You got that right." Takuto nodded.
Mirei heard something and opened her laptop. "This is...!"
The group looked at her. "What's wrong Mirei?" Fei asked.
"...We have a serious problem." She clicked something and showed everyone her screen. In showed multiple dangerous looking Digimon looming around many areas of the Digital World. They were known as DexDorugamon, Dex, DoruGreymon, and Dorugoramon.
"What the hell are those things?!" Dorugoramon asked.
"I don't know, but they look like you and your previous forms during an edgelord phase." Takumi replied.
"They started spawning around the tree." Mirei said. "And now they're running amok through the Digital World!"
Alphamon clenched her fist. "He made them using my counterpart's DNA…"
"You mean the DNA he took from our Alphamon?" Shiki asked. "How do you figure?"
"I was once a Dorumon. It's part of our evolution line."
"It's not just your data." Mirei said. "I also detected traces of Chrono Data inside these Digimon."
"Chrono?!" Sayo shuddered. "This is bad..."
"Mirei..." Shiki paled looking at the scientist. "Does this mean...?"
"It seems we're out of time. The Malevolent Tree is moving again."
"No!" Takuto shouted. "But what about Luche?!"
"I doubt the Malevolent Fist was able to erase her. And it's clear that the tree's power is still being suppressed otherwise he'd have no need for minions. But if we don't act soon Luche will be fully assimilated..."
"Then we need to go now!" Shoma said.
"Agreed." Alphamon nodded. "Gallantmon, rally everyone. It's time to finalize our plan and move out."
Shiki stared as Gallantmon X walked away. 'Just hold on Luche...'
Himari closed her eyes. 'No matter what it takes...'
Kouta looked down. 'Together with everyone...'
Shoma looked at his Digivice. 'We will definitely...'
Takuto clenched his fist. 'Save you!'
Introductions are made and new bonds are established. Next week we make our way to the final battle.
On a side note I'd like to answer a question from a recient review from Mr Navit. (Yes, I know this is a weird way of replying since the review was for chapter 30 and it will probobly be a while before you get to this chapter, but it was the only thing I could think of becuase guest's can't be PM'd) The whole point of Ami and Saki being abducted early in the story was for me to be able to write up a scinareo where Takumi and Takuto fought each other so we could have a progatonist vs protagonist fight. As for Lilithmon "spicing them up", I wanted to give the Deadly Digimon personalities since in Cyber Sleuth they never had any. They just have an into, then you beat their asses. I gave Lilithmon a creepy personality since I felt it was fitting for the Deadly Digimon of Lust, simmilar to how I made Belphamon lazy before he went Rage Mode, and Creepymon cranky, and Babramon greedy, and Lucemon Vegeta.
Lucemon: I wanna! I wanna be a Super Deadly Digimon! I wanna! I wanna! I wanna! I wanna! I wanna! I wanna!
But if anyone found entertainment in it all, I call that a win.