Fei was sitting on a chair in front of a desk in an otherwise empty room. Mameo sat at the other side of it with File and Gallantmon watching them. "So, Fei, how did you end up in the Next Order?" Mameo asked.

The girl sighed. "...After our reality was altered, and Zaxon and Digimon were no longer a thing, life was about as average for me as you could get. Things at home, school, it was as dull as ever. Then one day I got a strange message on my Digivice."

"What kind of message?" File asked.

Fei typed into her Digivice then showed it to Mameo who read it out loud. "I know of who you once were. The life that you once had. Would you like to reclaim your destiny? Come to Shibuya at 9:00 PM tonight alone."

Fei put her Digivice away. "Yeah, the whole thing sounded fishy. But the curiosity was killin' me. And it's not like I had anything better to do. So, I went to Shibuya at the designated time..."

Fei was in her usual clothes. Her white and light blue jacket, black cloves and pants, a yellow cloth tied around her waist, and black and white sneakers. She walked down the currently empty streets at night. She kept her eyes peeled for anything suspicious. "Ugh, this is stupid, why did I even come here?"

"Hello." She looked towards an alleyway and saw a young man with black hair. "So glad you could make it Fei.""And who the hell are you?""Name's Hosaka.""Alright Hosaka, what do you want from me and why'd you have to call me out here at this hour? Better be good, cause my folks are undoubtably gonna tan my hide for this.""You see, a mutual acquaintance of ours is in a bit of a jam. And he told me you'd be the perfect gal to solve his troubles.""Who?" Hosaka walked into an alleyway signaling Fei to follow her. The girl groaned as she walked into it with him. Once they were in the dark space, she looked at him. "Okay, where is this guy?""Before I say, have you heard of the Digital Monster app?""I might have. What of it?""It really is popular isn't it? But don't you think it's strange how it just poofed into existence one day? Nobody knows the publisher or even the release date. It just appeared and everyone is cool with it."Fei raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? So?""But recently I learned the truth." Hosaka said as he started to walk a circle around Fei. "This app holds connections to another dimension. One of limitless possibilities. And opportunities. A place that can make all your dreams come true.""What the hell are you talking about? You need to go see a psychiatrist or something?"Once Hosaka was right behind Fei he smirked at her. "Take a look at your Digivice. Some of that potential was just sent to you."Fei opened her Digivice. She opened the app and saw her Digimon. Her CannonBeemon, her Birdramon and her Kyubimon. But scrolling down she found two new Digimon she never seen before in her inventory. They were titled Lilithmon and Leviamon. "Huh? The hell did these two come froMph!" Without warning Hosaka wrapped an arm around Fei and used his other hand to press a cloth over her mouth and noise. An odd scent filled her nostrils that made her dizzy. Hosaka was trying to drug her, but there was no way in hell Fei was going down without a fight.

She stomped on his foot making him yelp then slammed the back of her head into his face before ripping free from his grip. She jabbed him, thrusted her palm into his face then gave him a roundhouse kick sending him spinning into the wall."Ow..." Hosaka rubbed his face before Fei pulled one arm behind his back and pressed him against the wall. "Owowowowowow! Time out! Time out!"

"I don't know who the hell ya think ya are or what ya thought you could pull on me there, but ya picked the wrong gal to mess with scumbag." She reeled back a fist ready to meet Hosaka's skull, but something caught her arm and threw her away from him. She stumbled a bit before looking at someone with a black jacket. He had a hood pulled over his head, a face mask and a pair of shades on. "You want some too punk?" Fei cracked her knuckles. "Fine then! Come on!" She ran up and threw a punch, but the man deflected it then kneed her in the gut. She gasped as the wind was knocked out of her as she stumbled back. "Okay... that's interesting..."

The man ran at her to throw a punch, but she dodged it before elbowing him in the head. As he backed up the man blocked a hand chop then took a jab before he kicked Fei in the shin. As she hunched forward, he grabbed her by the back of her coat and swung her making her stumble into a wall and collapse. Her attacker stomped at her, but she rolled away and got up. As he ran at her she caught a punch and kicked him in the torso, making him back up. She ran at him and roared spinning for momentum as she threw a kick, but he caught her leg by the ankle before it could hit his head.

Fei grunted as she awkwardly balanced on one foot trying to pull her other one free. "Let go of me ya- The man pulled her forward by the leg making her tumble into him. She wrestled in his grip a bit as she was forcefully bent forward before she was grabbed in two places and yelped as she was lifted overhead and then tossed into a wall before rolling onto the ground stopping on her front. She groaned as she tried to get up only for the man to drop his elbow onto her back making her grunt. Both her arms were pulled behind her and pressed together against her back. "Get the hell off me!" She tried to swing her leg into the man on top of her from behind, but he caught it again. She swung her other leg, but he moved his head out of the way and locked her legs together in one arm while keeping her hands together with his other hand.

Hosaka walked up with the rag in one hand and a bottle in the other. "Alright you barbarians done? I'd rather not let anyone see us." He poured the bottle's contents into the rag. "Gonna need a stronger dose of chloroform to get this feisty chick to sleep."

Fei grunted as her hands and feet were held together behind her back while she was pressed against the pavement. Try as she might, she couldn't break free. "Let me go or I swear I'm gonnaMPH!" For the second time Hosaka put the rag over her mouth and noise. The chloroform started making her mind hazy as she desperately tried to twist out of the grip of her attackers. Her movements started to slacken as the drug made her mind foggy.

"That's right princess off to dreamland with you." Hosaka's cocky grin was the last thing Fei saw before losing consciousness.

"So you were attacked by Hosaka and a hooded man in disguise." Magnamon said putting a hand over his chin.

"I thought I could fight my way out." Fei said. "But he was tough. I still can't believe I let myself get beat. The only thing even more humiliating was being kidnapped like some damsel in distress."

"My gut's telling me that guy was Brother Sorrow." Mameo said.

"Had to be. When I came to the first thing I saw was him and that bastard Hosaka."

Fei's mind felt like it was in pieces trying to reassemble itself as her consciousness slowly drifted back to her. She groaned as she slowly lifted her head and opened her eyes. "Mmmmh... uh..."

"Oh. You finally awake princess?"

Fei gasped as she looked up. In front of her was Hosaka and a man in a red coat with a black mask that had a red scratch over the eye resembling a scar. She tried to move but found her limbs forcefully stretched apart. Looking around her she was in a strange device. It had a circular base that emitted blue light that generated tethers that sparkled like electricity pulling her hands and feet away from each other and holding her waistline. "What the…?!" She grunted as she tried to break free, but her body was held firm. "The hell is this?!"

"Welcome to the Digital World." the masked man said. "You will be living here from this point forward."

"The hell is going on?!" Fei spat looking at him. "You're the guy that took that cheap shot so this creep could drug me! When I get out of this both of you are dead!"

"I very much doubt that. That device can hold Ultimate Level Digimon, it can hold a feisty human idiot."

"Hey, don't be rude to the girl Brother Sorrow." Hosaka grinned to the masked man. "After all, we're here to welcome her into the Next Order."

Fei raised an eyebrow. "The Next Order? What's that, some lame cult?"

"It is the new leadership that guides the Digital World." Brother Sorrow replied.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Fei asked. Hosaka laughed as he and Brother Sorrow each snapped their fingers. Belphamon Sleep Mode, Lucemon Chaos Mode, Babramon. Creepymon, BlitzGreymon, and CresGarurumon emerged behind them. "W-what are those?!"

"These are Digimon." Brother Sorrow replied.

"Digimon…?"

"Short for Digital Monster."

"You mean like the app?"

"This world, the Digital World, is where we Digimon hail from." BlitzGreymon said.

"For reasons unknown data from us Digimon was leaked into your world." Lucemon said. "Through that app of yours."

Fei scoffed. "Are you trying to tell me Digimon came from another world through an app?"

"Believe it or not it is not the first time Digimon interacted with humans." Hosaka said. "Or the biggest."

"What do you mean?"

"Explaining it would be a waste of time." Brother Sorrow scoffed. He walked over to a control panel next to Fei's trap. "So instead…we will restore your memories of the previous reality."

"What are you- Without warning a metal device dropped down onto her head over her eyes. "Hey!" She growled and tried to move her head, but it was locked in place. Brother Sorrow typed and the device started making sounds. Fei's head started to pound. "What is this…!? Ugh… my head…GAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Fei shuddered at the memory. "And then I started remembering things from before. Digimon. Meeting Yuugo. Joining Zaxon. Everything up to the point where I helped Hudie get into EDEN to help Ryuji's little sister."

"Your whole life in the last reality." Mameo said.

"Why did they restore your memories?" File asked.

"It was to turn your hatred onto Takumi, correct?" Mameo asked.

Fei sighed. "Yeah… after my memories were back, Brother Sorrow explained how and why reality was changed. Then he told me about how Yuuko moved on with her life without me… and the people she became close to…"

Fei hung her head low and clenched her fists as she remained in the contraption, no longer having the bowl over her head. "Upsetting, isn't it?" Hosaka asked. "Your history with your precious Yuuko torn from you. And now some Cyber dork is getting close to her. Replacing you."

Fei's heart sank but she held herself together. "…Dosen't matter. As long as Yuuko's happy. That's… all I ever wanted."

"All you wanted you say?" Brother Sorrow asked. "I think we both know that's a lie. You wanted much more from her. You wanted to have her for yourself."

Fei gritted her teeth. "The hell do you know?! You don't know me!"

"Oh, but I do Fei. You and Yuuko. Why do you think we chose to bring you to the Digital World?"

Lucemon chuckled. "And Brother Sorrow chose well. You're lust for Yuuko, and envy towards Takumi Aiba will make you the perfect partner for them."

Fei's Digivice flashed in her pocket. In front of her two more Digimon appeared. The ones she saw in her app before. Lilithmon and Leviamon. "Those two… who are they?"

"They will be your partners from now on." Hosaka said. "We'll leave you to get acquainted." He and Brother Sorrow left with their Digimon.

Lilithmon scanned Fei head to toe with a smirk. "So, you're the one? Not bad, not bad at all."

"What are you staring at you creep?" Fei glared.

"My, my, what temper." Lilithmon cackled as she approached. Her hand gently creased Fei's exposed midriff.

"Get your hands off me!"

Lilithmon giggled as her hand traced up and down Fei's body enjoying her reaction. "You have fire in you girl. I like that."

"I can sense the envy within you." Leviamon said. "You will be a worthy catalyst for us. And we will give you the power to take what it is you desire…"

"That's right Fei. Yuuko should be yours and yours alone. But that rat, the Cyber Sleuth has deprived you of your rightful place. Let us take it back together."

"Why should I listen to whatever you say?" Fei asked.

"We have a mutual enemy." Leviamon replied. "The Cyber Sleuths have caused us shame and humiliation. But to exact our revenge, we need more power."

"Humans like you have an effect on Digimon you see." Lilithmon said. "Your emotions give us power. Us Deadly Digimon in particular have a taste for… specific emotions. And you a thriving with them. We obtain the power we need to destroy the Cyber Sleuths, and they'll be away from the one you love most forever. A win-win for us, don't you think?"

"Join us Fei. We will make all our dreams come true."

"Get lost." Fei scowled. "I ain't bending the knee for scum like you."

Lilithmon laughed. "My aren't you a strong girl. I want you even more now." She walked over to the panel and pressed a button. The device holding Fei started buzzing before it started zapping her. Fei's scream was music to the Digimon's ear. "How long until your spirit breaks, I wonder."

Mameo sighed. "Yeah, I get the feeling Lilithmon and Leviamon weren't the greatest welcoming service."

Fei glanced to the side blushing. "You don't know the half of it. Leviamon was not the issue though. The whole experience can be summed up as that degenerate witch Lilithmon creepin' me the hell out. The vulgar comments, her toying… and the less I think about the damn DigiLatex she put on me the better."

"DigiLatex?" File asked. "What could she possibly do with that?"

"Trust me squirt, you really don't wanna know. Anyway, after a few days of being that sick pervert's toy she finally lost her patience…"

Fei groaned on the floor. Her body trapped in a skintight yet sturdy layer of DigiLatex. Lilithmon was turning up a dial higher and higher making it squeeze her harder and harder. "Gaaaah… Stop…it…!" From the collar around her neck down the slightly see-through material tightened. With no armholes or legholes, her legs were sealed together and her arms were glued to her sides.

Leviamon turned to a sighing Lilithmon. "You sound board."

Lilithmon stepped on Fei's head as she tried to get up. "This was fun at first but it's starting to lose its luster. Tell me girl, are you feeling any more cooperative?"

Fei hissed. "Drop…dead…!"

Lilithmon lifted her foot from Fei's head and stomped onto her back making her grunt. "Hmph. Do you need another round over my knee?" Lilithmon finally got off her. "This is getting dull! Maybe we should just off this brat and have the boys find somebody else."

"Hold. That may not be necessary." The two Deadly Digimon turned to Brother Sorrow as he approached. Hosaka was right behind him.

"Oh, speak of the devil." Lilithmon then noticed something in Hosaka's hand. A white mask with black marks. "Hmm? What's that?"

"Lucemon said he found it in the Dark Area." Hosaka explained. "I just caught him looking at it the other day. Said he felt an odd presence within it, so I ran a scan on it. So, I did a little scan on it… and we believe it holds something interesting."

"Interesting how?" Leviamon asked.

"There is a Digimon inside." Brother Sorrow explained. "When Hosaka analyzed it, he reached out to us. He said before the reboot he used this mask to manipulate a human to his liking. Made him a skilled hacker and turned him against his best friend." Brother Sorrow looked down at the exhausted Fei. "So, we made an agreement."

"Oh?" Lilithmon smirked looking at Fei. "Intriguing."

Fei looked up as Hosaka kneeled to her. He smirked as he placed the mask over her face. "What is this…? What are you- Her eyes glowed red.

"Shhh… it is alright little one."

"Huh?!" Fei gasped at the voice in her head. "Who… who are you?"

"I am someone who grants people what their hearts desire. You have something you wish for… I can feel it… yes…" Yuuko flashed into Fei's mind. "It is her you wish to be with isn't it?" Then an image of Takumi saving Yuuko form the Eater flew into her mind. "But someone stands in your way."

"It's… it's fine… he saved her… kept her safe…"

"But is that really enough? You could have so much more. Besides, what difference does it make if he knew Yuuko eight years ago? You still have known her far longer and you're the third wheel? That's not fair at all! Besides, you can make Yuuko happier than he ever could. Much happier."

"Wha- NO!" Fei shouted. "I won't hurt her!"

"You won't hurt her… you'll help her… is that not what you swore to do?"

"But that… I… Agh… my head…!"

Lilithmon smirked as she and the others watched Fei write on the floor in pain. "Oh? I think our little friend is starting to get through to her."

Leviamon smirked. "Maybe he needs a little help." His eyes glowed blue and Lilithmon's glowed green. The Crowns on Envy and Lust appeared in Fei's eyes.

Fei stared at the desk in front of her. "The rest is a bit of a blur… but my feelings for Yuuko grew stronger… and my envy for Takumi became more powerful… Matadormon kept saying things in my head… I tried to tune him out but… I started believing what he said was true… then before I knew it…"

The collar that produced the DigiLatex that previously restrained Fei laid discarded on the floor along with her clothes. She finished putting on red pants with white shoes and a red and black hoodie. She lifted the hood over her head with the mask still on. "So glad you finally have come around." Hosaka smiled.

"I knew you'd see things our way eventually." Leviamon grinned. "Now I will have the same power as the Cyber Sleuth's Digimon!"

"Indeed." Lilithmon cackled. "I look forward to seeing the attention this will get me."

Fei lifted her head. "Takumi doesn't deserve Yuuko. I, K will eliminate him and take back the one dearest to me! Nothing will get in my way!"

"Ever since then, I've been working for the Next Order." Fei said. "No… I guess it's more like I've been using the Next Order to lash out at Takumi. And they've been using me."

"I see." Mameo said. "And the reason why you attacked Flotia and kidnapped Shiki while wearing Takumi's face was because you wanted to turn us against him."

Fei sighed. "I hate to say it, but Takumi is stronger than me. A lot stronger. Mightier beings tried to take him down and failed. But if I could find someone who could do it… That's when BoltBoutamon told me about Takuto and Shiki. How they were the strongest humans he knew. So, he gave me access to your world so I could attack it. I kidnapped Shiki while framing Takumi for the crime. Right before that, I had kidnapped Takumi's sister with the hope that I could make him think I was Takuto… but of course the Cyber Sleuth saw right through it and beat Takuto anyway. There's no stoppin' that kid."

"And you did so by editing your EDEN Avatar?" Mameo asked. Fei nodded. "So, you're logged into EDEN right now."

"I don't think so. Unlike Yuuko and the others I don't get hungry or need to sleep in this world."

"Just like us… the Digital Dive?! They brought your real body in this world?"

"That's what Boltboutamon said Hosaka and Brother Sorrow did to me. But since I'm still data just being here, I could still wear my modded EDEN avatar."

Mameo closed his eyes. "Magnamon, I feel like I've taken over this whole interrogation. Anything you want to ask Fei?"

"Yes." Magnamon approached. "It should have been impossible to remove Zhuqiaomon's Digicore from Darcmon. How'd you do it?"

"I don't know." Fei shook her head. "I never bothered paying attention to what the rest of the Next Order did."

"Then I take it you don't know what Leopardmon intends to do with the remains of the Sovereign Digimon?"

"Not really…" Fei replied. "He did mention something called "Project Nexus". No idea what it means though."

"Project Nexus…" Mameo murmured.

"Alright, one more question for now." Magnamon said. "Does the Next Order know where the last Sovereign was laid to rest?"

"Last I heard, no." Fei replied.

"Then we still have a chance to beat them to it." Mameo said standing up. "Alright, that's enough for the time being."

"Think about anything else you might have learned from the Next Order." Magnamon said before they left the room and locked Fei in.

The girl leaned her arms onto the desk and buried her face in them.

Takumi and Ami stood in a black empty room with their Digimon. Both of them had their googles on. Takuto put a hand on his hips. "EXE is all about using your Bond Power. The ability to connect with your Digimon. It's also about you're drive to surpass your limits and fight on."

"Takumi, Ami, the reason why you can use it is not just because of the X-Antibody. It's because the bond you share with your Digimon is special, like ours. Watch and learn." Shiki looked at her Digimon with Takuto. "You four ready?" The Digimon nodded. She and her brother held up their Digivices as they glowed. "Skyla! Gaia!"

"Nova! Storm!" Takuto shouted.

"Extra Xross Evolution!"

The Digimon became pixels that flowed into two infinity signs. They became golden eggs and emerged as a Omegamon and a BloomLordmon. "That's all there is to it." Takuto smiled as he and his sister looked back at Takumi and Ami.

"Draw out your feelings for them and feel their power." Shiki instructed. "Focus on what you want to do with that power."

"Okay…" Ami closed her eyes. Moments of being with her Digimon from when she met them as Palmon, Salamon, and Hawkmon flashed before her eyes. Slowly light formed from her Digivice. "I want to protect this world and my friends. Defeat the Next Order and restore peace to this world." The glow intensified.

"Oh!" Rosemon Burst Mode gasped. "I feel it!"

"Me too!" Ami reached her hand forward and a spark appeared from her glove. "Rosemon Burst Mode! Ophanimon! Kuzuhamon! Extra Xross Evolution!"

Two of her Digimon became pixels flowing into Rosemon who underwent the same transformation as before. "Rosemon X!"

"There you go!" Shiki applauded.

"Alright, now your turn." Takuto turned to Takumi.

Takumi grumbled trying to focus as he squeezed his eyes shut. "Is something wrong?" Omni asked.

"I'm not feeling anything." Dorugoramon said.

"Me neither." BlackWarGreymon added.

"Takumi…" Rapidmon Armor looked at him. "Your mind is elsewhere. I can sense it. Is something bothering you?"

Takumi sighed. "Sorry… I guess ever since what happened earlier my mind has been reflecting. We failed to secure the Digicore, K turned out to be Fei, Matadormon turned on the Order… it's a lot to take in."

"Hmm…" Ami looked at her brother with her finger on her chin. She then looked at the others. "Hey guys, can I talk to my brother alone for a minute?"

"Of course." Takuto replied before he led his sister and all the Digimon out of the room.

Once the door closed and it was just the Aibas Ami looked at Takumi. "Takumi?"

"Yeah."

"You know I…have feelings for Arata, yeah?"

Takumi grinned at her. "At this point, who doesn't?"

Ami returned his smug grin. "I don't think it's any more obvious than your feelings for Yuuko." Takumi turned his head away blushing. "Takumi, these feelings we have for people… they aren't something we control. It just is. Take Kyoko for example. We love our mom. But we also love Kyoko in the way a child loves their mother. It's not like we're trying to replace mom with Kyoko, it's just how we feel about her."

"I know. Kyoko can be strict sometimes. But she's done a lot for us. Taught us so much… just like mom."

Ami nodded. "We don't get to choose our feelings Takumi. Just because you have feelings for Yuuko and she feels close to you doesn't mean it's your fault Fei became K."

"I dunno about that. It certainly isn't Fei's fault. Sure as hell isn't Yuuko's."

"Exactly! Yuuko can't control how she feels about you! And Fei can't control how she feels about Yuuko! But Brother Sorrow, Matadormon, Lilithmon and Leviamon chose to use those feelings to manipulate her! That's on them!"

"Ami…" Takumi sighed. "Do you really think Yuuko feels anything for me? What if she would be happier with Fei?"

"Pfft!" Ami rolled her eyes. "Takumi, have you not seen how Yuuko's mood changes whenever you're involved? She's so much more open with her emotions now!"

"Ami, she's like that around everyone now."

"Not as much as she is with you." Ami smiled. "Think about it, when she wanted us to look for Fei when she went missing, she didn't contact Kyoko. She didn't ask me either. She went straight to you."

Takumi blushed a bit deeper. "Ami…"

Ami giggled and pinched his cheek. "See? Look at that blush! More proof you have feelings, and you can't control them!"

Takumi lightly batted Ami's hand away. "Ami… that's not the only thing bothering me."

"What's wrong? Worried about what Matadormon's up to? Or how the Next Order ended up getting the DigiCore?"

"That too but… Ami I…" Takumi let out a shaky sigh before looking sadly at Ami in the eye. "I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"Because of the promise I made dad I dedicated myself to protecting you. I was obsessed with honoring his last wish… no, not just that. After losing him I didn't want to lose anyone else I loved." Takumi put a hand on Ami's shoulder. "But I never stopped to consider how that was making you feel. I've been thinking… if it were the other way around, if you were the one protecting me all the time even if dad asked you to, I'd feel ashamed. Helpless even."

"Oh, Takumi…" Ami looked at her brother sadly.

Takumi looked back into Ami's eyes. "Even so… I won't stop looking after you. Not just for father but for me. …I'm sorry. I know it's making you uncomfortable but… I can't help it."

Ami smiled. "I know Takumi. I know. Again, you can't control it. I know you don't think I can't handle myself. You just don't want me to get hurt."

"Exactly! No matter how strong or dependable you become I'll always want to look out for you. Even if you don't want me to."

Ami shook her head. "Takumi, it's not that I don't want you to look after me. I'm grateful. I just wish you'd take better care of yourself. But I know I can't change your nature. You can't change it. So, I get I can't stop you from protecting me… but that means you can't stop me from protecting you from now on too!"

"Ami…"

"You scratch my back I'll scratch yours! Family should never be one sided! We look out for each other, that's how it goes!"

Takumi smiled. "You're right. Ami… I'll protect you. Always."

Ami smiled back. "And I'll protect you too! Always." The two siblings hugged. "Feel better now?"

"With all that off my chest… yeah. My mind's clearer now."

"Good! I think we kept the others waiting long enough!" Ami ran out of the room.

Takumi smiled at her as she left. "From now on" you say? You've always been looking out for me like this."

Kouta and Keisuke along with their Digimon walked into a lab where Hudiemon, Arata, Gallantmon, Shoma, Mirei and Luche were gathered. "Ah, there you are." the holographic woman smiled.

"Blanc said you sent for us?" Keisuke asked.

"Yes, about the artificial X-Antibodies our team recovered from your last mission." Gallantmon said. "Mirei and the others made some adjustments to them to make them more stable. We think we can use them to power up our side."

"But we need to entrust them to the Digimon of two reliable Tamers." Shoma said. "Tamers who can use that power wisely. And not lose control of it."

"Makes sense." Kouta said. "Power is a double edge sword. I learned that the hard way."

"Same." Arata replied.

Mirei nodded. "The fascinating part of this group however is that it has Tamers from two realities. Both of you share bonds with Digimon that are different, but powerful. So, we decided to entrust one to someone from each side. Keisuke, Hudiemon, Arata and I agreed one of them should be you."

Keisuke pointed at himself. "Huh? Why me?"

Hudiemon laughed. "Why me" he asks. Wouldn't a better question be "why not"? You're easily the best Tamer I can name. You were the strength of Hudie that kept us together. We wouldn't be who we are now without you."

"I mean it does make sense." Kouta smiled. "You have three Digimon just like Takumi and Ami."

"But I… I'm not a hero like Takumi and the others. Wouldn't Arata or Nokia be a better choice?" Keisuke asked.

"Pfft! Yeah right." Arata replied. "This kind of thing is a little over Nokia's head. Besides you beat me when we spared in EDEN before we left so that proves you're a better Tamer than both of us. Like Kouta said, it makes sense."

"I…"

"Keisuke, I know you can do this." Hudiemon said. "I'd trust you with this power more than anybody else. You claim you're not a hero, but you always set yourself to do the right thing."

"Exactly." Arata smiled. "You have the same gift Takumi and Ami have. The ability to see the best in people. I'd say you're up for it."

"I say we go for it." TyrantKabuterimon said. "With you at the helm I know we can pull this off."

Keisuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them. "…Alright. If you think I can, I'll do it."

"Good." Mirei typed into her laptop. "I split one of the X-Antibodies into three and will send them to each of your Digimon now. I'm also installing the EXE program into your Digivice."

"As for who to give the remaining X-Antibody to on our side…" Shoma said.

"Let me guess." Kouta asked. "We're debating on Takuto or Shiki?"

"We already asked both of them." Luche said. "But they both turned it down."

"Really? Why? They're the strongest Tamers in our world."

"They said they always viewed each other as equals and didn't want one to rise above the other because of something like this." Noir explained. "And they felt confident they are as strong as they need to be without it. So, we asked them who they felt should have this X-Antibody instead."

"And?" Keisuke asked. "Who'd they suggest?"

"They suggested we give it to Kouta." Shoma replied.

Kouta smiled. "Great idea! I'm sure Kouta will make good use of it."

Everyone stared at him awkwardly. "Uh… dude…" Keisuke muttered.

"Give him a moment." Yukimura said.

The boy stood there for a bit longer. "…Wait… Wait a minute… WHAT?!" He did a bug-eyed take. "M-me?!"

Luche laughed. "That look on your face is the best!"

"H-hold on, why me of all people?! I mean Takuto and Shiki aside, I'd say the best choice would be you Shoma! Or Mister Mameo!"

"I am furthest from the best choice." Shoma said. "I've used pawer selfishly and wrongly. I am undeserving of the X-Antibody."

"Shoma… I'm no more deserving than you are." Kouta frowned. "I also was reckless with power… and I made my partner suffer…"

"All the more reason." Gallantmon replied.

"Huh?"

"Yes, you made that mistake of being consumed for a lust for power. But you also overcame that mistake and learned from it."

"You learned not only how to obtain power, but how to do it correctly." Arata said. "That's why we agreed with Takuto and Shiki when they said you can be trusted with it."

"I…" Kouta was at a loss for words. "I'm not so sure…"

"I too feel a bit uneasy about this." Yukimura said. "What if I lose control and try to hurt Kouta again?"

"You won't." Arata said. "You two will be responsible with it."

"I concur." Gallantmon nodded. "You both have helped me and this boy come to peace with our mistakes and put our differences aside. That is not something that someone who uses power wrongly can do. You two have also proven to be able to see the best in others. And that is why you are worthy."

"Can I… really do this…?" Kouta asked.

Arata put a hand on Kouta's shoulder. "You can. I believe in you and Yukimura."

Kouta took a deep breath then put on a brave face. "I'll... I'll give it a shot then. Yukimura and I will use the X-Antibody not simply to grow stronger, but to help everyone!"

"If you are following through Kouta then so will I!" Yukimura declared. "Let us use this power for the greater good!"

"Yeah!" Luche cheered. "That's the spirit you two!"

Mirei smiled. "I'll install it in Yukimura right away. Since we won't be splitting it like we did for Keisuke and Ami, I've put a limiter on the X-Antibody just in case. This way it won't activate unless you unlock it and will only be active when you need it."

"If you say so." Kouta replied. "And Arata…Gallantmon… thanks."

Arata smirked. "Let's just say we're even."

"Agreed." Gallantmon nodded.

Takumi put on his googles and closed his eyes. His Digimon stood in front of him while Ami, Takuto, Shiki and their merged Digimon watched. "I…I made a promise to my father to look after Ami. And I will. But now I'm starting to think beyond that."

"Eh?" Ami flinched.

"Yuuko…Yuugo…Arata…Nokia…Keisuke… and you as well Rapidmon, Dorugoramon, BlackWarGreymon… all of you are like family to me. And I want to keep all of you safe. So please… give me the strength to do it!" Takumi's Digivice started glowing.

Rapidmon Armor gasped. "I feel it! Takumi's will…!"

"Rapidmon Armor! BlackWarGreymon! Dorugoramon! Extra Xross Evolution!"

Dorugoramon and BlackWarGreymon flowed into Rapidmon Armor and his body transformed. "Rapidmon Armor X!"

"That's the stuff Takumi!" Takuto cheered.

"Just remember how that felt you two." Shiki smiled.

"We will." Ami smiled. "We'll cherish our bonds with our Digimon and use them to protect what we love."

"Yeah." Takumi smiled. "Thank you. Both of you."

"Don't mention it." Takuto said. "Hey, since we're in the training room, how about a sparring match?"

"Yeah! Sounds fun!" Shiki smiled. "Boys vs girls! Ami, you're with me, come on!"

Ami and Shiki hurried over to the east side of the room and Takumi and Takuto ran to the east. "Let's do this Takumi!" Takuto said. "Omni, you know not to hold back!"

"I most certainly do." the Omegamon replied drawing his Grey Sword.

"Rapidmon, you ready?" Takumi asked.

Rapidmon Armor X took aim. "Of course!"

"Here we go Faye!" Shiki declared.

"This'll be fun." the BloomLordmon said as she held her lance forward.

"Let's dance Rosemon!" Ami said.

Rosemon X held one of her thorn whips forward. "We'll make this graceful like always."

The four Tamers each held a hand out. "Go!" Their Digimon hollered charging at each other.

Next week the hunt for the final Sovereign Digimon beguines. Have a happy New Year.