High in the sky of the Digital world was a giant island. On it was a golden, ancient palace. Kiryu stood on a cliff at the edge of the island looking at the clouds below. His hood was up, and his hands were in his pockets. He quietly took out the handmade Digivice in his possession. The gift he received from the little boy he was fighting this war for. "…Subaru…"

Kiryu walked down a busy street. It was just after school, so he still had his uniform on and his bag on his back. But he was not heading home. He claimed to his father that he was studying in the library. Such was what he always did. While he did not see wisdom in questioning his good fortune, he wondered how long he would keep falling for that.

But Kiryu's destination was far from the school he went to. He walked up to a bakery. A bell rang as he opened the door. Stepping inside he could smell the fresh bread and pastries. The inside had a few small tables. A counter in front had a display showing breads, cookies, muffins and other baked goods. At the cashier was a girl his age with long dark blue hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing an apron and a baker's hat, handing a paper back to a lady. "Thank you, come again!" Kiryu let the customer leave before he approached her. She gleamed as he walked up. "Oh! Hey Kiryu, back from class?"

"Hello, Saotome. It seems, business at Satisfaction Bakery is busy as always."

The girl smiled. "You know it! With this maiden and her family, we'll always be baking the best quality goods you can get! We make sure everyone who comes in here is satisfied with what they get!"

"Speaking of your family, is your brother around?"

"Yuki's in the back, working out you're…you-know-what. You can go right in. I'll bring you two something to eat."

"Thanks, but that won't be necessary." Kiryu said heading towards a set of double doors. He opened them and stepped into the kitchen. Other pastry chefs were inside rolling dough, putting things in ovens, decorating cakes. None paid Kiryu any mind. He was a familiar face to them. Even though none of them knew what he was doing at the bakery, they were told that he had business with the owner's son. So, he walked straight to a door labeled, "Staff Only" and opened it.

Inside was a young man roughly his age on a laptop. He had a red jacket over his black shirt, red shoes, grey pants, brown eyes and blackish blue hair like Saotome's but it was shorter, thicker and slightly sticking outward in the back. "Yuki."

The boy whirled around in his chair. "Hey, Kiryu!" The teen smiled and got up. He walked over and held up a hand. "Good to see you as always."

Kiryu smiled at his childhood friend, and they shook hands. "Likewise, my friend."

"Put your bag down and pull up a seat." Yuki walked over to his laptop and brought it over to a table as Kiryu put his school bag by the door and joined him. Yuki opened the laptop and started typing. "You got a good amount earned on that last job you did. I…discreetly offered the school website the money for better education and a lowered price for Subaru's homeschool program. I also snuck some to the doctor in charge of the research for his psychology. I figured some extra funds might help him figure out a way to help the kid with his…mental state."

"Just make sure they keep quiet about this."

"If you say so man. Still…don't you think it's best if your old man knows about this?"

Kiryu folded his arms. "We've been through this. He doesn't need to know. He has his plate full working and looking after Subaru. We don't need him worrying about his other son doing odd jobs as a hacker to help Subaru's education and therapy. The point of this is to ease his burdens, not add to them."

Yuki sighed. "If you say so bro. I just hope he doesn't find out, or it won't be pretty. Anyway, the reason I called you here is because someone used the private online board we've been using for job requests."

"So, you got another job for me then."

"Yeah, but this one's…special."

"Special how?"

Right after Kiryu asked his question the door opened and Saotome came in with a tray holding three miniature cakes, three cups and a pot of tea. "Hey guys! I brought you some snacks and tea!"

"Thanks sis, appreciate it." Yuki grinned.

Kiryu watched Saotome put the tray down and take a seat. "I told you it wasn't necessary…"

"Oh, don't be like that Kiryu!" the cheerful girl said handing out the cups and pastries. "We've been friends for years. Besides, even if you're not here for the pastries Satisfaction Bakery can't just let someone come in here and not be offered one of our tasty treats!"

"What she said!" Yuki grinned as his sister poured tea for everyone. "And don't worry about us treating you like this, it's the least we can do for that time you took down that hacker trying to blackmail our dad and ruin the family business!"

Kiryu simply smiled. "Well…thanks."

"And anyway, even the Enforcer, the world's greatest most noble hacker can't work on an empty stomach!" Saotome said sitting down at the table. "And my big bro here says he has what could be the biggest job yet!"

"Biggest how?"

"Well…" Yuki's smile faded. "Here, take a look for yourself." He turned his laptop around so Kiryu could see. "This message was posted on the board." Yuki pressed the play button and took his tea.

On the opened window an avatar with no limbs, but a white body, with a black screen and a green digital smiley face. "Hi, hi! Nice to meet you Enforcer! My name is Mr. Navit!"

"Somebody's energetic." Saotome said with a weird face as she sipped her tea. She, Kiryu and Yuki ate while they watched the video.

"And congratulations! You have been nominated to take part of my Paradise Lost Event! An exclusive contest for only the best among the most elite of hackers! The grand prize will be 2000000 yen!"

Saotome's eyes widened as she choked on her bite of cake. She pounded her chest then took a long drink of tea before gasping. "Say what?! What kind of random hacker has that kind of money to blow on some contest?! And for what?!"

"I guess it depends on what the job is." Kiryu replied, hiding his own surprise.

"It gets better." Yuki said. "Listen."

Mr. Navit continued. "My contest will show you another side of reality beyond your imagination! I'll see you and all our other contestants Sunday 10 AM sharp at the Valhalla Server! Within this message is a code key that will include the IRL and access to the place! To Under Zero!"

The last two words echoed in Kiryu's head. "Ugh…"

Yuki and Saotome heard Kiryu's teacup fall onto the table and spill all over it. Yuki hit the pause button and they looked at their friend whose eyes were shut and had a hand over his forehead. "Kiryu?" Yuki shot him a worried look.

Saotome stood up. "What's wrong?" She put a hand on Kiryu's arm. "Are you okay?!"

"Yeah, just… a mild headache." Kiryu looked at the tea he spilled. "Oh…sorry."

"It's fine." Saotome took out a rag and whipped the tea up. "Maybe get some rest when you get home, yeah?"

Yuki resumed the video. "So, I'll see you on Sunday for the big event!" Mt. Navit cheered. "Buh byyyyyyye!" The video ended.

"Yeah. I don't like this Kiryu." Yuki said. "It's one thing some rando hacker is starting a contest offering an absurd amount of cash. But Under Zero? The Valhalla Server? I don't like where this is going."

Kiryu finished the last of his cake. "Maybe so…but the reward offered could help Subaru substantially. It could handle his online course fees permanently. Get him the mental health care he needs. This…this could finally save him. Give him a happy life."

"Assuming it isn't some kind of scam." Saotome replied. "What if it's some kind of trick?! You could get hurt! Even I heard how scary Under Zero is! Nobody ever succeeded in accessing it!"

Kiryu turned to Yuki. "Is this passcode they included with their message legit?"

Yuki turned his laptop back around to type. "I ran a scan on it and tested it. No hidden surprises and it does include the Valhalla Server URL. Passcode seems to work too."

"Do we have any idea who this Mr. Navit is? The name and avatar suggest this is Kamishiro related. That would explain how they got access and their funds."

"Maybe. It could be a rouse to make you think that. I haven't been able to pull up anything about this guy or his "Paradise Lost Event"."

"Not even the other competitors?"

"No. Whoever this guy…or girl is, they got some pretty tight security and is hiding themselves well."

"I see." Kiryu stood up. "Then I'll have to find out Sunday. Thanks for the info guys."

"Keep in touch with us once you go in there." Yuki said. "I'm not sure how much help I can be on this one, but I'll back you up however I can."

"Much appreciated." Kiryu walked towards the door and picked up his bag.

"Kiryu!" Saotome reached towards him, and he turned around. "Please…be careful. Subaru needs you more than any amount of money. And…well…" the girl blushed slightly with a sad face. "I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I will Saotome. I promise." He then walked out the door.

Yuki looked at his sighing sister. "…Kiryu's a smart guy, but some things just seem to fly right over his head." He flashed a grin. "I think he'll only notice once you tell him."

Saotome's face burned red as she fumed. "Oh, be quiet!"

Kiryu logged into EDEN that Sunday and appeared in the Vahalla Server. He wore a garb he usually donned to conceal his identity while "on the job". A black coat with a hood over his head, with white pants and black shoes. He wore black gloves and had a black mask. He carefully walked down the glowing path surrounded in what looked like a night, stary sky. "So, this is the Valhalla Server." He pulled up his Digivice. "This is Enforcer. I've infiltrated Valhalla Server."

"Ten four big guy." Yuki said from the other end. "I can keep track of you for now. But that place is as old as EDEN itself. I can only hope our signal doesn't break partway. Any sign on Mr. Navit?"

"No. No sign of any other competitors either. The place is empty. I'm moving in deeper."

"Alright. Keep me posted. And pull back if it looks like things are about to get out of hand, ya hear?"

"I know." Kiryu hung up and walked deeper in.

Kiryu walked in silence the whole time expecting some kind of trap or security program to show up. But nothing happened. "Something's not right. I've heard horror stories about the security of this place, and nothing has tried to stop me so far." He soon accessed the final room. He was a round giant platform up ahead. In the center was a giant black diamond. But more notably, he was not alone. There were three men with black hair. Two of them wore business suits, one wearing a white mask with black eyes and a smile, the other with an oxygen mask. There were also two masked girls. One dressed as a maid, and one had rabbit ears on the mask.

All eyes were on Kiryu as he walked up to them. As he stood in front of them, the masked maid spoke up. "Are you Mr. Navit?"

"No." Kiryu replied. "So, I guess he isn't among this crowd."

"That he is not." the white-masked man replied.

"So, you were also contacted for this "Paradise Lost Event" then." the rabbit masked girl said.

"That's right." Kiryu replied. "So, you are all competitors? If you are all "the best among the most elite of hackers" then I guess that explains why the security here was deactivated. I suppose I should thank you."

"About that…" the man with the gas mask looked at the young man staring at the center of the room. "According to him, there was no security to begin with."

"Yup. I got here long before you slowpokes but there was nothing stopping me from coming here." The only one in the room not wearing a mask faced Kiryu. "So, you're here for the contest, huh?"

"You're a hacker who willingly shows his face?" Kiryu asked.

"That's right." the man with a gas mask said. "Wearing this mask is to hide my identity. It's not based off of a movie I like."

Hosaka shrugged. "Yeah? So what? I'm not afraid of the world knowing who I am. In fact, someday the whole world will know the name Akira Hosaka! The greatest hacker in the world!"

The girl with the rabbit mask sighed. "As you can see, he's quite full of himself."

"More importantly our mysterious organizer still hasn't shown up." the man with the white mask sighed.

As the other hackers talked among themselves Kiryu turned away and whispered into his Digivice. "It's me. I'm at the center of Under Zero. The other competitors are here but no sign of Mr. Navit. …Hello? Yuki, do you read me?"

When Kiryu growled the man with a gas mask looked at him. "What's wrong? Is the filthy air getting to you too?"

"It seems we're cut off from the outside."

"That's not good…" the white masked man said. "This could very well have been a trap."

"By who?" the maid asked. "A hacker? Or is this some kind of Kamishiro scheme to eliminate hackers who could harm EDEN?"

"That would explain why they called in "the best"." Kiryu said.

"Eh, if you guys are scared, you're free to go home." Hosaka grinned. "I mean there was no way I'd lose to any of you anyway, so you'd be saving yourselves some trouble."

The masked maid growled. "Okay, this little punk is really getting on my-

"HELLOOOOOOOOO HACKEEEEEEEERS!"

Everyone looked around as a cheery voice echoed. "W-who was that?!" the rabbit masked girl asked.

"That voice…" Hosaka murmured.

"Mr. Navit." Kiryu glared.

"Good, good! Everyone's finally assembled!" the cheery voice echoed.

"Where are you?" the gas masked man asked still searching. "Show yourself!"

"No need to get agitated Mr. Steam Dealer. Sadly, I am unable to enter your world right now. So, this will have to do!"

"Your world"?" the maid asked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"All will be told in due time Masked Maid. But for now, let us begin with our Paradise Lost Event!"

"Before we get started with this I just want to confirm." the man in the white mask said. "You can and will give the victor of this contest the reward money you promised?"

"But of course, Mephisto! 2000000 will go to whoever can accomplish the mission I have for you!"

"Oh, really?" the girl with the rabbit mask asked. "And how does some random hacker have that kind of cash to blow on this little game?"

"Curious, are you Mrs. Rabit Circle? Well, I miiiiiiiight have obtained these funds from hacking very small amounts of money from a few thousand people across the country. Oh! But none of it was from any of you guys, so don't worry!"

"To obtain these funds from a large number of people…" Hosaka murmured. "This guy is no run of the mill hacker, that's for sure."

"Now, before I explain the contest let me give each of you a welcoming gift!"

There was a flash of blue around them. "What the hell?!" Mephisto yelled.

"We're being hacked!" Rabbit Circle shouted.

Kiryu took out his Digivice and read the display. It said "Digital Monster Installed". "What's this?"

"That Enforcer, is what you will all need for this contest." Mr. Navit explained. "Your standard hacking abilities won't be enough. This will give you the edge you need."

"The Digital Monster app?" Hosaka asked. "I heard a few things about that…a mysterious game app that came out of nowhere…"

"I already have the app…" Masked Maid said. "But what happened to my Digital Monsters?! They've been replaced with…a new one?"

"A much better one!" Mr. Navit said. "Go on everyone! Open up the gifts I have given you!"

Kiryu opened the app. He checked the Digimon menu, and it showed a pixelated demon with wings. Suddenly the image glowed. His whole screen flashed white. "Gah!"

One by one all of their Digivices glowed. "W-what's going on?!" Rabbit Circle shivered.

When the light died down Kiryu looked up. But words could not describe his shock in what he was seeing. "What…the hell…?"

In front of him was a demon with wings, horns, red claws and blue eyes. An orange symbol glowed around it. "Finally…"

In front of a shocked Hosaka was a blond being with four angel wings and four devil wings on his back. "The human world…it's been a while." A red symbol glowed around him.

A pale woman in purple with black hair laughed staring at Masked Maid with a green symbol around her. "So, you are the one I was chosen to be with? Not bad, not bad at all."

In front of Mephisto was a being with yellow skin, a long beard and a staff in his hand. A purple symbol glowed around him. "How I have waited for this…"

In front of Steam Dealer was a large red crocodile with a splitting tail and a light blue symbol glowing around it. "So, this is the human cyberspace EDEN? It's okay I guess…"

Rabbit Circle was staring a large cutsie looking creature with its eyes closed and a clock tied to its body by chains. A dark blue symbol glowed around it. "W-what are these things?!" she shuddered.

"Say hello to your Digimon partners!" Mr. Navit replied.

"Digimon?" Hokasa asked.

"You humans refer to us as "Digital Monsters"." the bearded one said.

"You guys are…Digital Monsters?" Steam Dealer asked.

"We are not just any Digimon." the crocodile said. "We are the most noble of Digimon that reside in the Dark Area."

"Indeed." The half angel half demon bowed. "My name is Lucemon."

"And I am Leviamon."

"My name is Lilithmon." the woman laughed. "A pleasure to meet such lovely little ones."

"I am Barbamon." the old man said stroking his beard.

"And I...am Creepymon." the demon said.

"Okay...what about you?" Rabbit Circle asked the Digimon in front of her. "...Hello?"

The Digimon scored. "Oh, don't mind Belphamon darling." Lilithmon said. "He's a late sleeper."

"Uh huh. So, Mr. Navit, the hologram show is a nice touch and all." Hosaka said. "But uh, you're not fooling anyone with this little joke of yours."

"Oh, this is no joke." Mr. Navit said. "For you see Digital Monsters is more than just an app. They are the lifeforms of another world."

"...I'm sorry, what?" Steam Dealer asked.

"It is as our host says." Lucemon replied. "Our home, the Dark Area resigns in the Digital World. A world parallel to your human world."

"This is not the first time our two worlds interacted you see." Lilithmon explained. "Eight years ago, six human children entered our world by tearing a hole through the wall that divides them from here in EDEN."

"The damage to that wall spread creating cracks where Digimon fell into EDEN." Creepymon explained. "Many humans saw Digimon as tools for hacking and used them for many deeds. Some just. Some vile."

"However, after a battle in the Digital World, our two worlds were split apart and rebooted to a point where they never interacted." Barbamon said. "But for reasons unknown, this Digital Monster app was created in your world."

"In this app are traces of data of us Digimon." Leviamon said. "Mr. Navit sent our data fragments to your digivices through the app so we could follow them here. And now...here we are."

The whole room fell dead silent as the explanation concluded. Then Hosaka, Steam Dealer, Masked Maid, Mephisto, and Rabbit Circle broke into hysterical laughter. "Oh, that's a good one!" Hosaka laughed.

"Oh, yeah, they actually sound serious about that!" Steam Dealer chortled. "What movie did you get that idea from?"

"Digital World..." Masked Maid snickered. "Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

"Yeah, kudos on the programing of your holographic pets here Mr. Navit!" Rabbit Circle called tapping Belphamon with her hand. "I was SO close to falling for that!"

"Yeah right!" Mephisto laughed. "Did you really think anyone here is dumb enough to believe that?!"

"You lot are annoying." Leviamon glared.

"Now, now, Leviamon, it does make sense our story is hard to accept." Mr. Navit's voice spoke. "But it is the truth."

"Okay, sure." Mephisto said. "And so Digimon came from another world eight years ago. If you were used by hackers all over how come we've never heard of you?"

"I'll tell you why!" Masked Maid nudged him with her elbow. "Because "reality" was "rebooted"!" She turned to the other hackers. "Right? RIGHT?!" Steam Dealer nearly choked laughing, Hosaka was holding onto his stomach and Rabbit Circle fell onto her back with her legs flailing.

"It seems our words are falling onto deaf ears." Barbamon sighed. "Are you sure this is going to work?"

"No need to worry Barbamon." Mr. Navit said. "They will believe once we show them the Digital World."

Hosaka caught his breath and brushed a tear out of his eye. "Oh man, you really are deep into this huh? Tell ya what Mr. Navit, how about we call your contest off and use that 2000000 yen to find you a good psychologist?"

"There's not enough money or mental help in the world for this nutcase if he actually buys what he's selling." Steam Dealer replied.

"Didn't I tell you in my invite?" Mr. Navit said. "This contest will show all of you another side of reality beyond your imagination."

"Let's say we did decide to believe you." Everyone looked at Kiryu who was silent until then. "What do these Digimon and their Digital World have to do with your contest?"

Everyone looked at him. "Say what?" Rabbit Circle asked.

Hosaka groaned. "Oh, give me a break, don't tell me you believe this crap."

"I am merely speaking hypothetically." Kiryu replied. "Mr. Navit assembled contestants, introduced us to Digimon and told us his story. But none of this explains what this Paradise Lost Event is even about."

"Oooooh, you're sharp Enforcer!" Mr. Navit said. "You might be the one to win it! You see, the Digital World is facing a sort of crisis and, we need the help of humans to save it."

"Okay, but why us?" Masked Maid shrugged.

Lilithmon patted her on the head and the girl pulled away from her. "Didn't we tell you?" the Digimon smiled. "Digimon were used by Hackers to accomplish their goals. They understood how to draw out our full power."

"And what do you need that power for?" Kiryu asked.

"To dispose of a very powerful and dangerous foe." Creepymon replied. "To do that, we need the power humans provide...and a cursed program."

"Oh, boy." Hosaka rolled his eyes. "Is this cursed program throwing the amulet into the volcano to please the gods? Maybe to slay the dragon queen?"

"I grow tired of this." Leviamon said. "Let's just take them to the Digital World already."

"Righto!" Mr. Navit chimed. "No time like the present as they say! Craniamon is on his way!"

"Crane-who now?" Rabbit Corcle asked.Just then there was a loud rip and a slit of white opened up. "Yow!" Masked Maid shrieked.

"W-what the hell is that?!" Steam Dealer yelped.The slit expanded into a hole. Kiryu stared at it as he saw a shadow in it. "Something is coming."A giant blue foot stepped out of the hole and the rest of the blue armored body came out. A giant holding a spear and a shield with a skull.

"Wow. Big sucker." Hosaka muttered.

"Is that...also a Digital Monster?" Kiryu asked.

"I am Craniamon." the giant spoke. "One of the Royal Knights. The greatest defenders of the Digital World." He looked around. "These are the humans that were chosen to aid us? I am not impressed."

"Wow, somebody's pompous." Hosaka sighed.

Mephisto rolled his eyes. "Like you're one to talk."

"Now, now everyone, play nice." Mr. Navit said. "Craniamon here will take you to the Digital World and escort you to the destination of the Paradise Lost Event! He can fill you in on the details along the way. And with that I wish all of you good luck! Do your best and stick with your newly assigned Digimon!"

"Wait, what do you mean assigned?!" Steam Dealer asked. "Mr. Navit!" There was no response.

"There is no need to panic." Lucemon said. "All will be explained in time. Craniamon, are we ready to depart?"

The knightly Digimon growled. "Working with the Deadly Digimon is bad enough. But now we're enlisting the aid of humans? I know we're desperate, but this still bothers me..."

"I'm sorry to hear that Royal Knight. How unfortunate that your feelings in the matter are irrelevant. Leopardmon gave us our orders, didn't he?"

"Tch. Fine." Craniamon turned toward the gate. "Let's go humans."

"G-go where...?" Rabbit Circle shivered.

"Were you not listening? We must depart for the Digital World. This gate will take us there."

"Y-you can't be serious..." Steam Dealer quivered. "That doesn't look safe..."

"Hmph. Those who lack the courage can leave." Craniamon said. "We have no need for cowards."

Before anything else could be said Kiryu walked through the crowd. "E-Enforcer, what are you doing?" Mephisto asked.

"The objective is through that gate, isn't it? Then we need to go through."

"Have you lost your marbles?!" Hosaka asked. "Who knows what's on the other side of that thing?!"

"I have things I need to accomplish that are worth taking the risk. That is all."

Creepymon smirked. "At least one of you has some backbone."

Hosaka sighed. "Oh yeah. You're a few screws lose. What if this is just a set up?"

"Since when does a hacker fear danger?" Kiryu asked looking at the others. "You fools are brave enough to go against the law but are now lacking the guts to take risks? Pathetic."

"Don't you dare look down on me! Heh. Fine. I'll play along with this little game." Hosaka stepped forward.

"I-I'll go too." Masked Maid said. "I can do this..."

"I will not be afraid!" Rabbit Circle said walked towards the gate. "The moon will guide me!"

"This is insane..." Mephisto groaned. "But...the money..." His feet started moving.

"Very well..." Steam Dealer nervously aproached. "You won't know what's in the hole unless you jump into it..."

All six hackers stood in front of the hole with the six Deadly Digimon with them. Craniamon stared at them. "Very well. Let us depart." He walked into the gate.

"Let's go." Kiryu followed him in with Creepymon. One by one the other hackers and the Digimon assigned to them joined. Once they were all through the gate closed.

Kiryu stared in awe at the lush forest around them. "This..."

"What the hell is happening?!" Mephisto asked. "Why are we in a forest?!"

Hosaka looked at his Digivice. "I can't access the server... What IS this?!"

"Were you not listening?" Lilithmon asked. "We are no longer in EDEN. This is the Digital World."

"We are in...another world?" Masked Maid asked. "This isn't just some fever dream, is it...?"

"They're taking this better than I thought." Barbamon whispered to Lucemon.

"W-wait a moment, where is the exit?!" Steam Dealer asked.

"No time for idle chatter." Craniamon said. "If we linger "she" will notice your presence."

"She?" Hosaka asked.

"Let's go." Craniamon started walking. "We will discuss on our way to Shade Cavern."

"You heard him." Kiryu said following.

"Are we certain this is a good idea?" Rabbit Circle asked.

"Too late to back out now." Hosaka sighed following. "This better be worth it." The others followed.

Once Craniamon sensed everyone's presence behind him he spoke. "As we were saying this world was once connected to yours before rebooting. Before the reboot, EDEN avatar data created monsters know as Eaters that ravished our land."

"Eaters?" Mephisto asked.

"Digitalized monstrosities that pray on data." Leviamon said. "Not just us Digimon, but human Mental Data."

"Once you are in their grasp, your data is trapped inside them." Lilithmon said.

"As such we Royal Knights went to your world to investigate." Craniamon explained. "However, our ranks had split into two fractions. The ones who wanted to save our world and the ones who wanted to side with you humans and bond with them. After a grueling conflict it was discovered that the source of the Eaters spreading was none other then the ruler of this world. King Drasil."

"Your own king?" Kiryu asked.

"He had been merged with the central unit of the Eaters and supported them in their erosion of our world. Once he was defeated both your human world and our Digital World were altered to a point where they never crossed and the Eaters were never created, resetting them into a harmless state. However...a fraction of us knights agreed that this tragedy was due to King Drasil's corruption. It was not a decision we came to easily... but we agreed that the king is no longer fit to rule."

"So that's what this is about?" Masked Maid asked. "A mutiny? You're going to betray your own king?"

Craniamon turned around to glare. "It was he who betrayed us! He set us Royal Knights up against each other! Allowed our world to be ravished by foreign monsters! Even now I hear the screams of the victims pleading for their king to save them only to fall on deaf ears!" Everyone was shocked into silence. "That tragedy cannot happen again. Never again. I am oathbound to protect this world. So as much as the thought disgusts me...I will protect our home even if I must point my spear at my own king to do it. Even if I must cooperate with Deadly Digimon and humans to do so."

"Deadly" Digimon?" Rabbit Circle asked as they continued walking.

"He means us." Creepymon replied. "Us Seven Deadly Digimon are the opposite force of the Royal Knights. We don't exactly get along."

"Honestly I was skeptical when they offered to coop with us." Lilithmon said. "But we despise the king for banishing us to the Dark Area. So, we gladly accepted the invite to the revolt."

"Wait, "Seven" Deadly Digimon?" Steam Dealer asked. "I count six of you."

"Sadly one of us didn't agree. He fled the Dark Area to escape our wrath." Lucemon explained.

Barbamon sighed. "Beelzemon was never much of a team player, was he?"

Hearing the name made Kiryu's mind feel numb. "Hey, what's wrong?" Hosaka asked.

Kiryu took a deep breath. "...Nothing. In any case, you mentioned Digimon draw powers from humans. I take it that's what you need the power for? To match your king?"

"I imagine that power will come into play when it is time to deal with him." Craniamon said. "But first we have an obstacle to eliminate before we can challenge the king."

"What obstacle?" Hosaka asked.

"The Legendary 13th Royal Knight. Alphamon. She is King Drasil's most loyal servant. The king on his own will be a dangerous opponent. With Alphamon by his side we have no hope of victory."

"So in other words the Paradise Lost Event is a bounty hunt." Kiryu said. "With the 2000000 yen being the price for Alphamon's head."

Barbamon laughed. "Even with us Deadly Digimon strengthened by you humans it is likely impossible to slay Alphamon."

"Is she really that powerful?" Rabbit Circle asked.

"Indeed." Craniamon replied. "So rather than destroying her, we are going to seal her away so she cannot interfere. That is another reason why we need you humans. To use a program forbidden from us Digimon."

"Well, that explains why you wanted the best hackers." Hosaka said. "So, what kind of program are we talking here?"

"A special program King Drasil created. It isolates an area cutting it off from the rest of the Digital World. We plan to lure Alphamon into the Dark Area, then use this seal to trap her inside."

"That seems, kinda mean..." Masked Maid muttered.

Hosaka laughed. "Oh please, we're hackers! Isn't what we do to others "kinda mean"?"

"Not everyone uses hacking to trouble innocents Hosaka." Kiryu said.

"I assure you there is no need for sympathy towards this coward." Craniamon said. "She was supposed to keep us Royal Knights from breaking ranks. Instead, she abandoned us to disguise herself as a human and hide from her duties all while molding humans into weapons against us!"

"Elaborate." Kiryu said.

"I do not know all the details myself, but from what one of my fellow knights told me, Alphamon came to your world by merging with the body of a detective who lost her mental data to the Eaters. Since then, she lived in your world under that woman's identity. Using it she would hire two assistants who she would mentor. When the rest of us knights entered your world, the assistants were ready to take us down. I myself was slain by them and their tamed Digimon in the previous reality."

"Seriously?" Rabbit Circle asked."Not only that but they defeated us Deadly Digimon as well." Lucemon growled. "It makes me sick just thinking about it..."

"Tell me one thing." Kiryu said. "These assistants took the field on Alphamon's behalf, but did she do any of the fighting herself?"

"According to Crusadermon not until the very end." Craniamon said. "I encountered Alphamon once while she was looking for the Royal Knights. But during my battle with the Cyber Sleuths she was absent. She did not show during the fight with Examon, the strongest knight on our side either." Craniamon heard chuckling and looked at Kiryu. "Is something amusing to you boy?"

"Indeed. Alphamon was the strongest of all of you and was responsible for preventing a division among you Royal Knights. So, after she failed to do so she ran away and manipulated outsiders to clean up her mess for her? What a disgrace. Someone who forces her responsibility on others like that is not fit to lead. You're right. This coward is not to be pitied."

Craniamon looked back ahead. "Glad you agree. In any case, once we reach the gate in Shade Cavern, we will fill you in on the rest of our plan."

"In the meantime..." Lucemon spoke. "Mr. Navit included information on how to fight with us Digimon in your Digital Monster app. I suggest you humans go over it now before we confront Alphamon." The humans took out their Digivices

Craniamon led the group into a cave. "This is Shade Cavern. Our destination is at the bottom."

"Can we slow down a little?" Masked Maid asked looking at the ground. "These heels weren't exactly made to walk across such unstable footing..."

Lilithmon laughed and stroked the girl's hair. "Poor thing. I suppose it's not easy looking so beautiful. I would be more than happy to carry you~!"

Masked Maid yelped and pulled away from her. "Do you have any idea how creepy you sound?!"

"Yes." Lucemon, Barbamon, Leviamon and Creepymon squinted. "Yes, she does."

"Cease your prattle." Craniamon ordered. "This cave hosts many draconic Digimon. Many of which are territorial."

"Lovely." Hosaka sighed. "So, you're saying we could be attacked at any moment?"

Heavy footsteps shook the ground. "What is that?!" Rabbit Circle asked.

"The moment in which we shall be attacked." Barbamon said.

Something rose up into their view. A giant red draconic monster. "Eeeek!" Masked Maid shrieked.

"Is that a Digimon too?!" Steam Dealer gasped.

"Who dares trespass in my domain?!" the dragon asked before staring at the smaller members of the party. "You...you are humans..."

"The way he said that tells me that's not a good thing." Hosaka gulped.

"Humans dare to enter our world?! Step into my cavern?!"

"Halt Dorbickmon!" Craniamon said. "I am the one who summoned them. We-

"Then you shall share their death sentence!" Dorbickmon roared.

"Tch. No reasoning with him." Craniamon held up his shield. "Stay behind me. I'll-

"Wait." Kiryu stepped forward. "Allow me."

"What?"Everyone looked at him. "Enforcer, what are you doing?!" Mephisto asked.

"I will face this one. Creepymon, with me!"

"So be it." The Deadly Digimon of Wrath approached. "He has some nerve trying to bar me from my home. He will know my wrath!"

"I require no assistance!" Craniamon objected.

"Understandable." Kiryu replied. "However, if we are going to do battle with Alphamon, do you not think it is best that we try to adjust to battling with Digimon now before the mission?"

"This is not an opponent to use for training boy!"

"Leave them be." Lucemon stepped in front of the knight. "Creepymon is more than a match for the likes of Dorbickmon. Besides, the boy is right, it is better that they get a taste of our ways before the fight with Alphamon."

Craniamon took a moment of silence before standing down. "We need him and Creepymom for our plans. If it looks like they are about to lose, I will intervene."

"Of course. If it comes to that do whatever you want."

Dorbickmon stared at Kiryu and Creepymon. "You fools wish to challenge me alone? Prepare to regret underestimating the king of Shade Cavern!"

"It is you who will regret incurring my wrath!" Creepymon snarled.

"Prepare to be humbled." Kiryu stood ready for battle as Creepymon roared.

"Wolkenapalm!" Dorbickmon ran at Creepymon and threw a punch. Creepymon blocked it and slashed Dorbickmon with his claws then kicked him. "Meteor Fall!" Creepymom shielded himself from Dorbickmon's next attack.

The others watched. "So is Enforcer supposed to do anything?" Steam Dealer asked.

"You got me." Hosaka shrugged. "I thought we were supposed to make these guys stronger just by being with them."

Kiryu watched Dorbickmon and Creepymom throw wild punches at each other. Dorbickmon headbutted the Deadly Digimon pushing him back. "Is that your best?!"

Creepymom growled. "You cocky little-

"Creepymon, calm down." Kiryu ordered. "He's a berserker. An all-out brawl is playing tight into his hands. Instead of recklessly charging in, look for openings in his attacks."

"Dragon's Fury Blade!" Dorbickmon summoned a fiery sword and ran at Creepymon.

"Dodge, don't block!" Kiryu shouted. Creepymon started evading and ducking under sword swings. Dorbickmon made a vertical swing with both hands that slammed his blade into the ground. Kiryu found the opening as Creepymon sidestepped it. "Now!"

"Hell Crusher!" Creepymom used Dark magic to blow Dorbickmon away.

"Good! Disarm him and take the offensive!"

Creepymom flew at Dorbickmon and slapped the sword out of his hands then clawed him repeatedly. "Oh, ho!" Lilithmon laughed. "Not bad..."

"Creepymom is indeed exerting more power than usual." Lucemon said. "Interesting."

"Damn, look at em go!" Hosaka smirked.

Kiryu eyed Dorbickmon as Creepymon continued to punch his lights out. He noticed his opponent's mouth started to glow. "Jump!"

"Dragon Infernal Fire!"

Creepymon leapt back as Dorbickmon breathed fire forward. The other humans yelped diving out of the way. "Finish him!" Kiryu ordered.

"Thunder Fall!" Dorbickmon screamed as he was struck by lightning. He dropped to his hands and knees and Creepymon slammed into his back stomping him into the ground. "Ha! Know your place scum."

Kiryu exhaled as the battle concluded. "Nice one Enforcer!" Masked Maid grinned as the other hackers walked over. "You showed him what's what!"

"A most impressive display of newfound skill." Mephisto added.

Hosaka looked at Creepymom. "These Digimon are incredible...this crazy trip might be worth it after all..."

Craniamon stared at Kiryu from a distance as the other masked hackers continued their praise. 'He adapted to commanding Digimon instantly. What's more his ability to formulate strategies in the heat of battle is uncanny. Perhaps this is why Crusadermon has such a keen interest in this human in particular.'

Creepymon flew back to Kiryu. "Hmmm. Your presence gave me strength as we predicted. And you doing the thinking for me during the fight makes things easier. I can see this working out."

"Seriously though that was some crazy beginner's luck!" Steam Dealer said.

"I suppose..." Kiryu stared at his hand. 'Yet...something about commanding and battling...it felt familiar in some way...but how?'

"Damn you..."

Everyone looked at Dorbickmon as he pushed himself off the ground. "That guy is not done yet?!" Rabbit Circle asked.

"You will burn for this humiliation!"

"Creepymon!" Kiryu ordered. His Digimon prepared to strike.

"Enough of this!" Craniamon barged in between the combatant Digimon. "We do not have time for this scuffle!"

"Craniamon is right." Lucemon said. "We must hurry before someone else notices you humans are here."

Dorbickmon gasped. "C...C...Craniamon?! Craniamon of the Royal Knights?!"

"Indeed." The knight replied.

The dragon got on his hands and knees. "I... A thousand apologies sir! I had no idea-

"That will do. We need to bring these humans to the Dark Area for the sake of the Digital World. May we pass?"

"Yes, of course! I will inform my servants to let you pass to the gate at once!" Dorbickmon turned around and ran deep into the tunnel.

"Wow. You Royal Knights sure are the top dogs in this world." Hosaka said.

"Hmph. They are nothing compared to us Deadly Digimon." Leviamon scoffed.

"Still acting high and mighty?" Craniamon asked. "Didn't the Cyber Sleuths also defeat you in our previous reality?"

"They hunted us one by one so they could gang up on us!"

"They did the same against the knights."

"Does it matter?" Kiryu folded his arms. "No matter the crafty tactics or cowardly tricks the battlefield has no rulebook. A defeat is a defeat and making excesses is less beneficial than learning from it."

Craniamon looked at him. "...Wise words for a human."

"They are the words of my grandfather, a noble soldier. And always have and always will guide me."

"Hmm... We wasted enough time here. Let us forge ahead."

Kiryu followed Craniamon. "You heard him. Let's go."

Hosaka rolled his eyes with an exaggerated salute. "Sir yes sir."

Soon Craniamon, the six humans and their Deadly Digimon stood in front of a giant dark purple circle etched into a stone wall. On it were drawings of the Crowns of the Deadly Digimon. "Here it is." Lilithmon said. "This gate will transport us to the Digital World. We can open the portal at any time."

"Before we do let us go over our plan." Craniamon tapped his spear on the ground as he turned to the humans. "Once you are in the Dark Area, you will begin installing this program." He snapped his fingers, and everyone looked at their Digivices.

Everyone took a look. "Okay…I think I get this." Hosaka said. "So, what this does is scan a large-scale section of the Digital World…

Kiryu's eyes stayed on the screen in front of him. "Then it can form a massive firewall that cannot be passed through."

"The Digital World will not consider anything beyond the firewall part of it." Mephisto said.

"As such all access to and from this area will be lost." Steam Dealer concluded.

Craniamon nodded. "Correct. The problem is, Alphamon will get suspicious if she notices a mass scan of the Dark Area. Which is why once she is in the Dark Area, the Deadly Digimon will fight her as a diversion to buy you the time to commence the scan. Once it is complete, you will exit the Dark Area and activate the program sealing her within it."

"How do we lure Alphamon into the Dark Area?" Rabbit Circle asked.

"We already have a plan for that." Craniamon said. "Right now, Alphamon is investigating the remains of the Eaters with King Drasil."

"The monsters that ravaged this world?" Kiryu asked. "If they are in a harmless state now, shouldn't they destroy them?"

"Alphamon and King Drasil insist that it is better to analyze them and discover what they become. Many of us knights on both sides of our previous war persisted, but our words fell on deaf ears."

"Idiots. They'll gamble the fate of this world on simple curiosity?"

"So, it would seem. Another reason why we decided both King Drasil and Alphamon are a threat to the Digital World. In any case, my fellow knights and I will use a signal to lure the Eater remains into the Dark Area. Alphamon will undoubtably follow. Once she is inside you will battle her until you finish your scan of the Dark Area. Then find a chance to escape and we will seal the Dark Area away with both Alphamon and the Eater remains with it."

"Two birds with one stone, huh?" Masked Maid asked. "So, wait, will you not be coming with us?"

"I can't. Royal Knights teaming up with the Deadly Digimon will undoubtably arouse suspicion within Alphamon. The success of this plan is dependent on us being able to outwit her. And she is very cunning. Once you come out, my allies and I will be ready to make sure she doesn't follow you."

"You mean Mr. Navit and your fellow knights?" Hosaka asked. "Come to think of it, does this mean Mr. Navit is a Digimon? Or is he another human you hired like the rest of us?"

"You will see soon enough." Craniamon replied. "But for now, we must begin. But remember!" Craniamon said. "Even with six Deadly Digimon partnered with you humans you will not be able to defeat Alphamon. Do not try to destroy her. Just occupy her."

"Understood." Kiryu said. "I am ready." The others nodded.

"Very well. Lucemon, open the gate."

Lucemon put his hand on the wall. The drawings on it glowed and violet light enveloped it before it burned away into a hole. On the other side was a dark sky hanging over a dark blue graph floor. There were red structures of some sort around. One of which looked like a giant hand. "That's the Dark Area?" Masked Maid asked.

Steam Dealer gulped. "It looks like something from a movie I saw…"

"We must not delay." Craniamon said. "Get in. I will head back and send the Eaters in there at once. I pray you are victorious against Alphamon. The fate of the Digital World depends on it."

"I will see every mission through to the end." Kiryu said stepping towards the portal. "Like my grandfather before me. Come. While we wait for Alphamon to appear we will formulate our battle plan." The other hackers and the Deadly Digimon followed.

Craniamon stared at the wall as the portal closed. "To think humans who once doomed our world are the ones who will help us save it. Is it karma? Fate? Or perhaps some twisted joke?"

Inside the Dark Area, Kiryu, Hosaka, Masked Maid, Mephisto, Rabbit Circle and Steam Dealer were gathered with Creepymon, Lucemon, Lilithmon, Barbramon, Belphamon, and Leviamon. "Alright, everyone understands the plan?" Kiryu asked.

"All sounds solid to me." Hosaka replied.

"But can my Digimon even fight?" Rabbit Circle asked looking at Belphamon Sleep Mode. "It's still snoozing."

"Don't worry about him." Barbamon replied. "Even in his snoozing state he possessed great fighting ability."

Lucemon looked around him. "I suppose this will be the last time we gaze upon this place."

"That's right…" Mephisto said. "Once we're done here you six will no longer be able to return home. Are you sure you're alright with that?"

"There is a difference between a home and a prison." Leviamon said. "I'm sick of suffering in this hell while other Digimon get the rest of the Digital World to themselves."

A portal opened nearby. Everyone stared at it waiting to see what happened. An orb of white light slowly floated inside. "Is that…" Mephisto eyed it as the portal closed.

"It must be what's left of the Eaters Craniamon spoke of." Hosaka said.

"It's so pretty…" Masked Maid said.

"Like a shining moon." Rabbit Mask added. "Hard to believe it's so dangerous."

"More proof a book cannot be judged by its cover." Steam Dealer replied as they all watched the orb float away.

"Either way, this means Alphamon is on her way." Kiryu said. "Everyone, activate Stealth Hide and get into position." The group opened menus and disappeared with their Digimon.

"Kiryu." The human ceased his reminiscing when Crusadermon called from behind him. "It is time to depart for our mission."

"Right. Let's go then." Kiryu and his Digimon followed the Royal Knight.

"Zero…are you sure about this?" Arata asked.

"There's no other way." The A.I. replied. "I will face Kiryu myself."

Aaaaaand it's another two parter. I promise I'll try to wrap it up next chapter so we're not wasting too much time on my OC's backstory like last time.