Crusadermon landed in front of a giant blue structure. She slowly approached the door. When it opened, she walked inside. Countless Digimon were on the ground around her. She merely glanced at them while walking by. "All out cold? Pathetic. We should have enlisted more capable guards." She then heard the door slam shut behind her. "Well, well... Looks like communications are down too. So, this is a trap then?" Crusadermon cackled. "Alright then. I'll play along with this little game." She walked ahead deeper into the tower.

"Thunder Vernier!" BlitzGreymon fired twin beams towards TigerVespamon.

"Amathyst Mandala!" Sakuyamon summoned a barrier of light blocking it. When it died down, she stood ready to attack.

"Skip Frame!" Kiryu snapped his fingers and BlitzGreymon was instantly behind her.

"Ripping Net!" He caught Sakuyamon in and electrical net and she dropped to the floor paralyzed.

"Mach Stinger V!"

"Elect Guard!" BlitzGreymon blocked TigerVespamon's attack. "Nanomachine Break!" He punched her right in the face then grabbed her leg and slammed her on top of Sakuyamon.

"Starlight Explosion!" Kiryu turned towards CresGarurumon who was dodging falling stars sent by Phoenixmon. He held his hand towards the bird Digimon.

"Oh no ya don't!" Fei ran up and swung a roundhouse kick towards Kiryu's head.

The hacker blocked it with his arm. "Freeze Frame." He snapped his fingers and Phoenixmon froze in place.

"Beast Cyclone!" He charged right into her as Kiryu punched Fei in the belly making her back up. She blocked his next three kicks with legwork of her own then got one in on his torso.

Fei went for a hand chop towards the neck. Kiryu caught it, grabbed her arm and pulled her in to judo throw her to the ground. She rolled away from an axe kick and got back on her feet. "Heh. Still training I see."

"Naturally. I've been waiting a long time for this. Now I will have revenge for your manipulation of Subaru. And once you breath your last breath...Yuuko is next!"

"I ain't lettin' that happen prick." Fei said as they circled each other in martial arts stances. "Yuuko has dreams for this world and EDEN. And after everything we went through in this reality and the last, I'm with her every step of the way!"

Kiryu laughed. "Still the loyal fool to her? Even though she has her eyes on somebody else?"

"Nice try but you ain't turnin' me against her or her friends again! Yuuko is her own girl with her own heart. And if she decides she wants to be with "him" ...I'll accept that."

"Hmph. You really are a dedicated puppet."

"Looks who's talkin'. The loyal soldier himself. Always takin' orders, doin' what he's told. That's what made ya useful to Zaxon before you went on that rebellious streak. It's what makes ya useful to the Next Order to. Crusadermon in particular. You're the one who has become her little puppet!"

"Enough!" Kiryu ran up at Fei with a sliding kick but she flipped over him. He ran at her again and threw a punch that Fei blocked before he swept at her legs knocking her down. His hand grabbed her neck, and she chocked holding his arm. "Your days of manipulating people through lies end here! For Subaru and all of those Hackers you discarded like yesterday's trash, I will end you!"

Fei gagged losing air as her legs failed wildly behind Kiryu before she concentrated and put both feet on the floor then kicked both into the back of Kiryu's head knocking him off her. They both got up not reacting to the nearby battle as Sakuyamon flew away from BlitzGreymon's shots who was tackled by TigerVespamon. CresGarurumon and Phoenixmon chased after them. Fei and Kiryu each threw a running punch and their fists collided. Fei pushed Kiryu's hand aside and threw a few jabs before he blocked a blow and headbutted her. As she stumbled back wincing in pain Kiryu dropkick her and she fell over rolling across the floor. With her down he turned to his Digimon. "Start by picking off those you have advantages over. "Skip Frame!"

TigerVespamon froze as she was about to slash BlitzGreymon. The red Digimon threw her into CresGarurumon who slammed her into the ground then BlitzGreymon turned to the charging Sakuyamon. "Thunder Vernier!" Sakuyamon screamed as she was blasted and electrocuted against a wall before collapsing. Phoenixmon breathed fire at CresGarurumon who with a swing of his spear created a wall of ice to block it before jumping over it and stomping Phoenixmon to the ground. TigerVespamon groaned as she got back up onto to see BlitzGreymon aiming all weapons at her. She dodged bullets and energy blasts of gold before CresGarurumon rammed her from behind knocking her onto the floor. BlitzGreymon fired everything at once until she was knocked out.

Fei ran at Kiryu from behind to throw a punch, but he caught it and yanked her arm behind her then shoved her forward before kicking her in the back. When she stumbled then turned around Kiryu ran up with a punch that knocked her flat on her back. "Well. Hand-to-hand combat, hacking, Digimon Taming, it seems I have surpassed you in every way now."

Fei grunted as she sat up. "Damn you..."

"This is the end Fei. I will now do what I should have after I kicked your ass in that ally. BlitzGreymon! CresGarurumon!" Kiryu's Digimon appeared at his side. One aimed his firearms at Fei and the other pointed his spear at her. "For all of the crimes you committed for the demonic brat you foolishly love, are you prepared to face judgment?!"

"Don't you dare insult Yuuko you freak! She's better than you'll ever be!"

"Hmph. Delusional lies would be fitting for your last words!"

Fei growled and then Her Digivice went off. She took it out. "Nokia?"

"Sorry to keep you waiting Fei! Zero's ready! He says to lead him to the power room!"

"Got it." Fei hung up and stood back up. "Looks like my work here is done."

"Said as if you'll be leaving here alive." Kiryu scoffed.

"I'm the least of your concern now fella. You wanna get revenge on your former leader? Head to the power cell. He's waiting for you up there."

"What?"

"Kiryu...go see him. And you will learn the truth. All of it." Fei withdrew her Digimon into her Digivice and held up her hand. A bright light emanated it blinding Kiryu and his Digimon.

"Gah!" Kiryu growled shielding his eyes. "Don't let her escape!" BlitzGreymon fired wildly in front of him, but Fei created a firewall in front of her that blocked the attack before she ran off through another doorway. Kiryu opened a keypad on his Digivice and disabled the firewall. "Get back here you coward!"

"Kiryu, between her and those kids the enemy was clearly stalling us for something." CresGarurumon said.

"Indeed. And it looks like that something is ready now. Well, no matter. We will push forward and eliminate them."

"Even though this is likely a trap?" BlitzGreymon asked.

"We have no choice. Even if we wanted to call for backup the communication line is still jammed. Yuuko is up ahead according to Fei. I won't miss this chance like I did all the others."

"As you wish. We shall avenge Subaru and fulfil our mission in one fell swoop."

"Agreed. Still..."

CresGarurumon looked at Kiryu. "What's wrong?"

Kiryu looked down. "She called Yuuko "he"..."

Crusadermon opened a door and stepped into a dark blue room. In the centre of it was a giant blue, glowing cylinder. She glanced around the room quietly while she looked around. "Hmm. Not in the power center either? Where could that rat have scurried off to?"

"Flying Kick!" Hudiemon's foot slammed into the back of Crusadermon's head making her stumble before she turned around. She drew her sword and charged at her.

"Hot Squeeze!" MetalSeadramon's splitting tail coiled around the knight and tossed her upward where Justimon hammered her to the floor. She stared up at him before blocking Shakkoumon's Disaster Blaster with her shield.

"Bee Cyclone!" Crusadermon was swarmed by bugs masking her vision obscured.

"Volcanic Driver!" She saw PileVolcamon coming from above and moved out of the way.

"It's been a while." Crusadermon looked up to see Hudiemon and Keisuke assembled with Hudie's Digimon.

Crusadermon stared at the girl. "You were with Takumi after he defeated Takuto. Come to think if it, something was off about your data form. Just who are you?"

"Someone who's about to remind you of your place like she did on that rooftop that day."

Crusadermon gave her a surprised look. "It can't be... that little brat from back then? How-

"After Erika Mishima was absorbed by an Eater her Mental Data was merged with her Digimon. Before you asked me if I knew where the real me is. Now I know. The real me is right here. The miracle created by Hudie. And proof that humans and Digimon can work together. I am Hudiemon!"

Crusadermon scoffed. "So, a human merged with a Digimon? I don't think I've ever been so repulsed in my life."

"Says the Royal Knight who merged with the lowest of humankind." Keisuke scoffed.

"That was by necessity, not choice!"

"It makes no difference to us." MetalSeadramon replied. "Either way you have a lot to answer for."

"Think we've forgotten what you've done?" Justimon asked. "Ryuji suffered a great deal of guilt for all the things you made him do."

"CHITOSTE ALSO SUFFERED FROM YOUR CRIMES." Shakkoumon said. "IT IS TIME FOR YOUR REPENENCE."

"Not to mention you're high up in command in the Next Order." TyrantKabuterimon added. "Killing you will do them a major blow."

"Hmph. Well, you're not wrong." Crusadermon said. "My power and strategy have guided the Next Order well. Losing me would be a disaster for them. But do you really think you have what it takes to stop me? You may have obtained the X-Antibody, but that alone will not best me."

Keisuke scoffed. "Why in the world would I use the X-Antibody on vermin like you? We can easily kick your annoying ass without it!"

"Hmph! It seems you have forgotten our last battle and your place boy! Do you need to be put back in it?!"

"My team and I have gotten stronger since then unlike you who wasted away while having others do your dirty work."

"You know, for someone who boasts about her power, you sure do love hanging back while others do your job for you like the coward you are!" Hudiemon scoffed.

"Aren't you all so eager to die? Very well. If you represent hope of us coexisting, I will extinguish that foolish empty hope and destroy the Resistance's resolve!" Crusadermon held a rose in her hand. "You think you have me trapped? It is you who is trapped here with me! I am the lord of the Knightmons, made from a deviant Virus Type among the Royal Knights! My name is-

Hudiemon shot a green orb that destroyed the rose Crusadermon held and smirked. "Sorry but at this point all I hear whenever you talk is: "hit me, Hudiemon!" "Someone please end my worthless life!" "Wow does this stupid pink armor makes me look like some kid's cheep action figure!"

Crusadermon shouted as her ribbon-snapped sword tied Hudiemon up before she swung her into a wall. "Fist of Athena!" Crusadermon threw a punch with her shield but it was blocked by Justimon who she then uppercutted into the ceiling. As PileVolcamon rammed her Hudiemon pulled herself out of the hole in the wall she made and flew after them.

"Well, part one of the plan: piss Crusadermon the hell off is working nicely." TyrantKabuterimon whispered to Keisuke.

"Yeah." Keisuke nodded as his Digimon joined the fight. '...Let's hope Zero and the others pull through...'

Kiryu opened a door higher up in the Left Eye's Tower and stepped into a dark red room with a bright red glowing cylinder in the center. But who he saw inside was not who he expected. "...Is this some kind of twisted joke?"

Zero stood in the center of the room with Machinedramon. "It's been a while Kiryu Tenjo."

"Been a while?" BlitzGreymon asked. "Our last encounter was just a few days ago."

"Are you using that appearance to mock me Yuuko?" Kiryu glared. "You've got some nerve."

"You speak of the wrong person." Zero replied. "You and I have not seen each other since the last reality."

"What madness are you spewing now?"

"Oh dear, must I spell it out for you? Yuuko Kamishiro is not here. I am Yuugo of Zaxon. But these days I go by the name Zero."

Kiryu's confusion grew along with his aggravation. "What do you mean?"

"Yuuko herself did not know until after the Under Zero incident. But the avatar she disguised herself with while working in Zaxon had an A.I. in it that allowed even a shy girl with horrendous social skills like her inspire and lead a group as successful as Zaxon. That A.I. ...is me."

"What?! Then you're..."

"The true face of the leader of Zaxon. The one who saved you and Subaru that day. The one who taught you both all you know of hacking and wielding Digimon. The one who organized and led the attack on Under Zero after you abandoned us."

Kiryu's glare sharpened. "All this time...everything...was you?"

"That's right. Everything I did was for my programming. To create and lead the ultimate hacker team."

Kiryu clenched his fists. "Then that means...it was you who sent Sabaru to his doom! You're the one who fled Under Zero to save himself leaving everyone to the Eaters!"

Zero put a hand on his chin. "I wonder...was it me who abandoned the kid? I would argue that was you."

"What?"

"You were the one who chose to leave Zaxon and Subaru along with it. He was your brother Kiryu. Your responsibility. Mine is simply to increase the success of Zaxon. Nothing more."

"Nothing more"?" Kiryu glared. "Is the welfare and safety of your team not also your responsibility?! They were your people! Your allies!"

"Wrong again Kiryu. They were the pawns that secured my victories. Nothing more. Why do you think I held the policy of "do not reject those who go and do not chase those who leave"? If a hacker wants to join us, that gives me another pawn. If a pawn no longer desires to fight for me and leaves like you did, then there's no point in keeping it."

"That is all we were to you...?" Kiryu started to tremble with rage. "Even after everything we did for you... after how much we trusted you...?"

"I'm sorry, were you expecting me to develop an emotional attachment to you?" Zero asked. "Please. I am an A.I. I am not held back by petty attachments. I simply fulfill the duty of my programing by any means necessary. Furthermore, much like you and Subaru all those hackers wouldn't have obtained their Digimon or their skills without me. As the one who gave you everything, I hold dominion over each of your fates."

"It seems there was one more guilty for that tragedy I must bring vengeance upon." Kiryu said with a glare that could pierce a soul. "The guiltiest of them all...Zero...I promise you your last moments will be full of pain and regret!"

"I could say the same to you Kiryu-No, Brother Sorrow. You have been an obstacle for me and for Zaxon for some time now. It is time we eliminated you." Zero opened a monitor. "Nokia, Omegamon, do it."

"Roger that!" The red cylinder glowed a bright red and unleashed a beam of light upward. The tower itself was engulfed in a bright red light that shot up into the sky and tore open a hole in space.

Back in the human world Saturo Kamishiro was working at his desk. He checked in on the condition of his son and daughter and their friends frequently ever since they departed. "Yuuko... Yuugo..." The man sighed. "Please don't do anything dangerous." There was a beeping noise, and he pressed a button. "Hello?"

"Sir! Something strange is going on in EDEN!"

"Define strange."

"I'm putting it on the monitor."

A display in front of Sataru appeared showing a red ray of light Shinning down in EDEN from above. All current users were staring at it in awe. "What is that?!"

"I don't know sir. But the wavelength is similar to what happened a while back in Kawloon."

"What? Is this connected to the Digital World Yuuko and Yuugo went off to...? Have all EDEN users log out immediately! Keep everyone away from that light!"

"Yes sir!"

Kiryu looked at it. "What is this?"

"The abilities this tower holds are a sight to behold." Machinedramon said. "It can access any form of connection. It took a while to set this up, but with Zero's special access privileges and Omegamon's ability to access other worlds, we have linked the tower to EDEN."

"What?"

"That's right Brother Sorrow. This entire tower is now a part of EDEN itself. And I am the ruler of EDEN I was created to be." Zero folded his arms. "Here I am king. Now bow."

Kiryu laughed. "Ha, ha, ha, ha. What a farce. What kind of fool would acknowledge you as their ruler? But you are just as I remember Zero. The self-serving cur who uses people. How fortunate that you, Nokia, and Fei are all here...begging to be destroyed. I will enjoy burying you all under this tower. Be grateful you get a grave as big as your ego. Then all that's left is Yuuko, Takumi and Ami!" Kiryu grinned wickedly. "Vengeance is within my reach!"

"How sad." Zero said. "You've become deluded beyond hope. You abandoned your loyalty and honor to Zaxon. To me. You could have served a higher purpose."

"It is you who is delusional!" BlitzGreymon glared.

"Kiryu's purpose is to protect Subaru!" CresGarurumon snarled. "A child who is far higher than scum like you could ever hope to be!"

Kiryu stepped forward. "Zero...the shadow of my greatest mistake... Your arrogance stole away what I swore to protect. I will erase you for the sake of Subaru, my brother!" Kiryu shouted clenching his fist as his voice cracked with madness. "He is not your pawn. He is my brother. You are nothing more then garbage data! An error to be deleted!" BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon got into a fighting stance at his side.

"Save the high and mighty talk for when you win." Zero said as he and Machinedramon stood ready to fight. "If you can." He calmly smiled to himself. 'There's no turning back now. The rest is up to you, my friends. I'll buy you all the time I can.'

A chilling silence hung onto the room as Kiryu, Zero and their Digimon stood ready for battle. "GO!"

On their shout BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon rushed at Machinedramon who caught both of them then pushed them back. CresGarurumon charged at him again with his spear. He blocked it and then pushed him back. He blocked energy shots from BltizGreymon with his arms. The hatch on his chest opened. "Giga Destroyer!"

"Elect Guard!" BlitzGreymon blocked two exploding missiles before the turrets on his back took aim. "Thunder Vernier!"

Machinedramon jumped back. The twin beams traced after him as CresGarurumon ran at him. "Speed Break Field!" He slowed both Digimon down. He dodged CresGarurumon's spear then rushed towards BlitzGreymon. He jumped at the dragon with his drill hand whirling. "Dragon Fire!"

Kiryu snapped his fingers. "Freeze Frame!" Expecting Machinedramon to pause BlitzGreymon immediately thought to attack rather than dodge but instead Machinedramon keep going and slammed him to the ground. "What?!" When Machinedramon landed he turned around as CresGarurumon ran at him. "Skip Frame!" Kiryu snapped his fingers expecting CresGarurumon to outmaneuver Machiendramon, but Machinedramon blocked the spear with his claws. "Why isn't this working?!"

"I was informed that your tricks work by altering a Digimon's flow of time in the Digital World." Zero smirked. "But this room, this space, is linked with EDEN. In other words, it runs off the human world's time flow. Not the Digital World. Sorry, but your cheat codes won't help you here."

"Hmph. I don't need forbidden programs to eliminate a broken doll like you. BlitzGreymon!"

"Speed Charge Field!" BlitzGreymon restored his and CresGarurumon's speed before they rushed at Machinedramon again.

Machinedramon caught the charging BlitzGreymon, but his back was vulnerable for stabbing from CresGarurumon. He cried out in pain before he whirled around and threw BlitzGreymon into him. "Mach Rush!" He slammed into both of them. "Thunder Fall!"

BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon pushed away from each other before they zigzagged around dodging bolts of lightning. "Ice Archery!" CresGarurumon threw a frozen dagger into Machinedramon making his attacks stop. Zero activated a DEF Boost just as CresGarurumon rushed at Machinedramon and stabbed his spear into him. Despite the pain Machinedramon grabbed the spear and swung CresGarurumon around before tossing him.

BlitzGreymon's fist glowed as he charged. "Nanomachine…!"

"Break!" Machinedramon's drill fist collided with his generating a burst of electricity. But no matter how close it got to Zero or Kiryu neither budged from where they stood. Zero with his eyes filled with determination, and Kiryu's with hate as they gazed upon each other. Their two Digimon bounced off each other.

CresGarurumon rushed at Machinedramon stabbing his spear into his chest. Machinedramon tried to push it out, but BlitzGreymon grabbed onto CresGarurumon from behind and accelerated the two until the spear had Machinedramon pinned against a wall. "We will remove every last trace of you from this world!" BlitzGreymon growled as Zero activated an ATK Boost.

CresGarurumon pushed the spear deeper into Machindramon and leaned his head closer to the machine's. "Kiryu and Subaru, will have justice for-GAH!" Machiendramon slammed his head into CresGarurumon's knocking him and BlitzGreymon off him.

When BlitzGarurumon saw another Dragon Fire coming for them he pushed the dazed CresGarurumon aside. "Elect Guard!" He summoned a barrier but the drill grinded against it before it shattered. Machinedramon then slammed him aside. CresGarurumon got up and swung his spear but Machinedramon caught it in his mouth then pulled him closer before kicking him across the room.

"CresGarurumon is at a Type disadvantage." Zero said using an HP Capsule. "Take it down and you can focus on BlitzGreymon."

"Roger." Machinedramon fired his claw on a wire at CresGarurumon who blocked it with his spear before pulling his weapon out of his hand. Machinedramon's twin turrets aimed at him. "Infinity Cannon!"

"CresGarurumon!" Kiryu activated something and his Digimon blocked the golden energy blasts then shredded through them with his claws roaring.

Zero looked at CresGarurumon through a monitor. "Clever. You inflicted your own Digimon with Bug. Switching its advantages and disadvantages."

"Now you're the one at a disadvantage! And outnumbered two to one! Go! Tear out his circuits!"

CresGarurumon ran up and clawed at Machinedramon repeatedly. Machinedramon bit his giant jaws down on CresGarurumon who winched in pain. BlitzGreymon landed on Machinedramon's back, stabbing CresGarurumon's spear into him and gave him multiple electrified punches until Machinedramon let CresGarurumon go who punched him in the face. The two lifted Machinedramon up and tossed him a good distance. BlitzGreymon handed CresGarurumon his spear back. Machinedramon stood up and glowed. "Attack Charge Field!" His hand glowed white. "Infinity Hand!" BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon leapt back as a projectile landed between them and exploded, knocking them over. "Thunder Fall!" While they were down, he struck them both with lightning.

Kiryu growled using a HP Spray. "BlitzGreymon, return fire!"

"Plasma Stake!" BlitzGreymon fired at Machinedramon repeatedly.

"CresGarurumon, immobilize it!"

"Fury: Ice Moon Fang!" CresGarurumon stabbed the floor with his spear and a trail of ice ran across the floor before more than half of Machinedramoon was trapped in rising ice spikes.

"Machinedramon!" Zero gasped. He opened another monitor.

"Finish him!" Kiryu ordered. GresGarurumon leapt with his lance ready to thrust. BlitzGreymon flew at Machinedramon with his hands glowing. Zero activated something and Kiryu's Digimon slammed against a security wall defending Machinedramon. "Huh?"

"Logon." Zero activated another program. "Do it!"

Machinedramon aimed his turrets at them both as the security wall vanished. "Infinity Cannon!" He shot both of them at point blank generating a massive explosion shattering his ice prison and blowing himself and his targets away.

The explosion shockwave hit Zero and Kiryu as they shielded themselves with their arms before they were blown away and slammed into opposite walls. Their Digimon landed in front of them. A majority of the room was torn apart with the ceiling ripped open and pipes and wires sticking out of the heavily damaged floor. Kiryu stood up and used another HP Spray and growled. "Crafty bastard. Still as annoying as ever…"

Zero grunted as he got up and activated another program called Auto Repair. The overheated Machinedramon got up as he was healed and cooled down. "We just need to keep this up…" Zero replied. "Go all out Machinedramon. Don't worry, I'll repair all your damage."

Kiryu glared at Zero as he healed his Digimon. "…So that's how it's going to be."

"What's our plan sir?" BlitzGreymon said.

"Go all out on that Machinedramon. Be relentless. Give it no quarter. Don't stop attacking until it can no longer stand. I'll eliminate all obstacles…"

"Roger." BlitzGreymon said. "…Be careful."

Kiryu started springing towards Machinedramon. "What the hell is he doing?" Zero asked. "Machinedramon, stop him!"

Machinedramon swung his hand at Kiryu as he got close but he dodge rolled. He backed away from a kick but then BlitzGreymon slammed into Machinedramon holding him by the arm. Kiryu proceeded past them as CresGarurumon stabbed Machinedramon with his spear again. Machinedramon threw them off and they landed in front of him. He aimed his cannons. "Zero, now!"

"On it!" Zero had his hand over a screen. "Log- Something caught his hand as he was about to press it. He gasped as he realized Kiryu was in front of him grabbing his hand then jabbed him in the face. Zero cried out as he stumbled back.

Machinedramon looked behind him. "Zero!"

BlitzGreymon got back up. "Nanomachine Break!" He punched Machinedramon in the gut.

Zero cried out as he took a hook punch to the ribs. Kiryu then slammed two fingers at his throat making him gasp and choke. "W-what are you doing…?!" Zero gasped stepping back with a hand on his neck. "I would expect you to fight more honourably than this!"

"Grow up." Kiryu spat. "There are no rules on the battlefield. Besides, after hiding behind all those humans and Digimon you sent into battle, I think it's time you got a taste of the pain you had us suffer!" He then ran up and gave Zero a flying back kick to the head. Zero stumbled backwards hunched over. Kiryu took that advantage to get him in a headlock and punch him in the face repeatedly before grabbing his head and using a jumping knee strike. Then a palm strike. Then a dropkick that sent Zero tumbling into a wall he collapsed against.

Machinedramon threw BlitzGreymon aside then aimed his claw hand. As it fired, BlitzGreymon moved out of the way and the claw stuck into the ground. Just as Machinedramon was about to pull it back CresGarurumon ran up and sliced the cable connected to it. Machinedramon opened the hatch on his chest. "Giga- Just when it was about to fire missiles, CresGarurumon grabbed the cable connected to the claw and threw it. The claw stabbed into the launchers on Machinedramon's chest disabling them. BlitzGreymon flew into Machinedramon with a diving kick pushing him back. He then took aim at BlitzGreymon. "Infinity Cannon!"

"Thunder Vernier!" BlitzGreymon shot his turrets in response. They both clashed with powerful electric energy. Until CresGarurumon jumped up and threw his spear that sliced clean through one of Machinedramon's turrets destroying them. The ThunderVernier overpowered the half of the Infinity Cannon and destroyed the other turret. Machinedramon howled in pain. Meanwhile Kiryu had Zero pinned to the wall with a hand grabbing his white hair while he shouted punching Zero in the face repeatedly with no sign of stopping. Zero was overwhelmed with pain. His head was pounding. He couldn't see straight. He eventually managed to catch Kiryu's fist, but then Kiryu lifted Zero off the floor and roared throwing him. Zero grunted as he landed on his back and groaned in pain.

"Dragon Fire!" Machinedramon roared swinging his drill hand wildly at the two Digimon attacking them. They dodged every swing and thrust and once he saw an opening CresGarurumon stabbing his spear into Machinedramon's shoulder.

BlitzGreymon fired into the stab wound repeatedly until Machinedramon's drill arm came off. He roared as he resorted to chomping at them. They moved out of the way. "Ripping Net!" BlitzGreymon stunned it with a burst of electricity.

CresGarurumon pointed his spear at Machinedramon's feet. "Grand Rock!" A giant stalagmite rose under Machinedramon shooting him into the air. As Kiryu ran towards the downed Zero he pulled out a broken pipe from the ground. As he leapt into the air, BlitzGreymon flew into the air and CresGarurumon jumped up in front of them as they rocketed over the airborne Machinedramon. "YOU'RE FINISHED!" Kiryu shouted with his Digimon. BlitzGreymon dragged CresGarurumon into Machinedramon with stabbed his spear into him and the two thrusted him into the floor destroying a good amount of it.

Zero's eyes widened and he gasped in pain as the pipe in Kiryu's hands stabbed into his abdomen. Plue pixels floated out of a glowing blue wound. The A.I. screamed in pain.

"Ze...ro..." Machinedramon weakly reached towards his partner but BlitzGreymon slammed on top of his head while CresGarurumon drove his spear in deeper.

Kiryu twisted the pipe in Zero making him shout in pain again. "Interesting. Even a soulless doll like you feels pain." He leaned closer to Zero's head. "But without a heart you could never feel the pain that seers mine. The pain you inflicted upon me, on Subaru, on many others just for your "programing"!" Kiryu roughly yanked the pipe out. "Do you know what that pain feels like?" Kiryu gripped the pipe and rammed it into Zero's chest stabbing him again. Harder. Zero let out another scream. Kiryu kept him pinned down by the pipe and crouched next to him grabbing his head in one hand and holding a fist with the other. "You don't get to go just yet. Not until you have suffered as much as we have!" He started punching Zero in the head repeatedly.

In another room Nokia was looking through a monitor. "Arata, is it done yet?! I don't know how long Zero can hold that guy off on his own!"

"Look, I didn't design this thing alright?! Wait, I think I...got it! We're online at this end! Give Keisuke the signal once you're ready."

"Okay." Nokia hung up. "I'm going back there to help Zero!"

"Not without me you're not." Fei replied.

"We're going too!" Koh declared. Sayo nodded.

"Spiral Masquerade!" Crusadermon slashed at Justimon knocking him away. "Fist of Athena!" She punched MetalSeadramon next.

"Come on Arata..." Keisuke muttered. Suddenly the blue cylinder in the center of the room bust with blue light that enveloped the whole tower. "Finally!"

Crusadermon who was standing on Shakkoumon looked around. "What is this?"

Hudiemon flew up. "Infinity Dream!" Blue light from her eyes paused the enemy.

"Diamond Fist!" PileVolcamon punched Crusadermon in the face.

"Ha! How about focusing on the target in front of you, you dumb bitch!" Hudiemon smirked.

Crusadermon stood up. "How dare you curs make a fool out of me!" She charged at them.

Keisuke focused. "Just a little more..."

Himari, Kouta, and the Legendary Warriors were the last to walk into the lab. Kouta put a bunch of objects onto the table. "Is this everything?"

"Thank you all so very much." Bokomon said. "We will get to work right away."

"If we're done here Agunimon and I decided we're going to look for Kiryu on our own." Lobomon exclaimed. "Before Zero and the others can get to him."

"Good idea." Yuuko replied. "I can go with you. Zero may have his reasons but what he's proposing is wrong. We should at least try to convince Kiryu before deciding to bring the hammer down."

Silphymon ran into the lab. "There you guys are!"

"Silphymon? What's wrong?" Mameo asked.

"My unit was out on patrol when they spotted this." He walked over and held up a screen showing a bright red light flowing up to the sky.

"What the hell is that?" BlackWarGreymon asked.

"I don't know. But they found another one just now." The screen split showing a blue light rising up.

UlforceVeedramon recognized the locations. "Is that...the Right Eye's Tower?"

"And the Left Eye's Tower." Gankoomon exclaimed. "Is the Next Order plotting something?"

"It seems the plan is already in motion."

Everyone looked at Mirei. "Plan?" Shoma asked. "What plan?"

Mirei sighed. "I'm sorry...Zero didn't want any of you to know. Especially not Yuuko. He didn't want you to get involved."

The raven-haired girl gave her a worried look. "Mirei, what's going on?"

"Zero wasn't being entirely honest. For one thing he and the others weren't conducting a search for Kiryu. He already knows how to lure him over."

"What?!"

"Furthermore..."

Zero's vision was becoming hazy. Pain was all he felt. He long lost count of how many times he was punched. And Kiryu showed no sign of letting up shouting a pumbled Zero mercilessly. Kiryu eventually stopped and slammed the back of Zero's head into the floor. "Hmph. Still conscious? I suppose an A.I. cannot be knocked out. Perfect." Zero held up his hand and a violet rose with a black steam appeared. "I was going to us this on Yuuko. But I think you deserve it even more."

Machinedramon grunted. "No...please..."

BlitzGreymon stomped on him again. "Be silent maggot!"

"This was given to me by Crusadermon." Kiryu said looking at the rose. "It has a special virus inside that erase any program. Any form of data. Mental or man made." He leered down at Zero. "Let's see what it does to trash like you."

Zero gasped as the rose was stabbed into his chest. The petals glowed bright purple before it melded into his body. His entire vision darkened as his eyes turned purple. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

"ZERO!" Machinedramon screamed.

Kiryu watched Zero scream and writhe with pain. The blue pixilated holes turned black. "Hmm. The effects are even more patient than I thought." He stomped on where the rose was implemented. "All this time you thought yourself the greatest being in EDEN, looking down on everyone. Now look at you. Bested by one of your own after you fled in disgrace from what was supposed to be your great moment of triumph. You are no king. You're just a lowly parasite!"

Zero groaned. "Indeed...I did leave everyone behind that day."

Kiryu stopped what he was doing and looked at him. "Hmm?"

"I thought we...that I could do what Jude couldn't...that I could lead EDEN into becoming better for everyone... but I was wrong."

Kiryu chuckled. "So, you admit it."

"But you know something Kiryu...I was compelled to fulfill my programming. To support Yuuko's goals. That is what my creator wanted me to do..."

Kiryu stomped on him again resulting in another scream. "Trying to deflect this on your own creator now?! Hmph. Fine then. Who is it? Who created you to aid that brat?!"

Zero winced in pain before he answered. "What will you do if I said it was...Rei Kishibi?"

Kiryu flinched. "What...? The same Rei Kishibi who replaced Saturo Kamishiro in the last reality? ...The same one who Crusadermon merged with...?"

"So you know about that?" Zero asked. "But did you know that Crusadermon also hates humans? She caused countless innocents to suffer."

"LIES!" Kiryu yelled stomping on Zero again. "Crusadermon was manipulated by the emotions within that wretched woman! She is ashamed of her actions while under her control! She is nothing like you and Yuuko who thinks only of yourselves while being ignorant to the suffering you create!"

Zero faintly chuckled. "You're so quick to believe her every word. Just as you used to mine. How sad that you do not know how you are being used. You really are a pet who traded one master for another...How will you react once you learn the truth, I wonder..."

Zero yelled out in pain as Kiryu roughly ripped the pipe out of him. "I was going to just let you lie there in pain as the virus slowly tortures you to the pathetic death you deserve. But I've heard you talk long enough you blithering, heartless A.I."

"Yeah. I am an A.I. and I do lack a heart." Zero admitted. "But I still have things I believe in. And now I know that what I did up until now while working with the Resistance is right. That's...enough for me. I hope you too find something you truly believe in...once you escape this hold your hatred has on you."

Kiryu held the pipe in both hands pointing it right at Zero's head. "Die, you insignificant worm."

Zero closed his eyes. 'Yuuko…Yuugo…Fei…Takumi…Ami…everyone…goodbye.'

"Stop it Kiryu!"

Kiryu paused just as he was about to bring down the killing blow. Turning around Nokia was at the doorway with Fei, Sayo and Koh. "You…!"

BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon got off of Machinedramon and prepared for battle. "Do not interfere!" BlitzGreymon shouted.

"Zero!" Fei shouted as the group approached. "What did you do to him?!"

Kiryu smirked at the dying A.I. "I simply delivered what this scumbag had coming to him. He is the one who is most responsible for what became of Subaru. And now that has finally come back to haunt him."

"Kiryu…" Nokia sighed. She walked over to a console in front of the glowing cylinder in the room. "You got it wrong. Zero isn't the one who's most responsible for what happened."

"No use trying to defend him with your lies now. The virus I put into him cannot be undone. His fate is sealed."

Fei growled at Kiryu. But she managed to recompose herself giving him a serious expression. "Kiryu…remember what I said earlier? I promised you would learn the truth here. And now's the time to owe up to my word."

"I know that this A.I. garbage compelled Yuuko to lead the mission in Under Zero. That's all I need to know. That he is the one truly at fault!"

"Is he?" TigerVespamon asked. "I don't recall him devouring your brother. That was the work of the Eaters."

"The Eaters that the Cyber Sleuths created that no longer exist. What's your point?"

"Kiryu." Omegamon spoke next. "Long ago we Royal Knights sealed Arcadiamon's DigiEgg inside the Under Zero core, trusting one of our most powerful Knightmon with guarding it. What happened to Arata and his friends in Jude was that they were attacked by this Knightmon and chased away. The Eaters have nothing to do with it."

"Now don't you think it's strange?" Sayo asked. "When Zero and the others went to Under Zero the Royal Knights' guardian never showed up. Instead, Eaters flooded the place. Even though not even one appeared when Arata and his friends were there the first time. Also, according to him, the security for Under Zero went down a lot faster."

"Naturally." Kiryu replied. "As this fool on the floor pointed out Jude didn't have Digimon back then."

"No." Koh replied. "Arata insists there's more to it than that. Almost as if somebody wanted them to get through."

"What are you getting at?"

Nokia pressed something on the console. "Here Kiryu. This will tell you what truly happened that day. Just listen to this and you will finally understand who really planned that disaster."

Kiryu glanced at the consol then glared at Nokia. "How do I know this isn't another trick? Do you really think I'm going to believe any more egotistic lies? I see no reason to trust any of you."

"Kiryu…" Nokia looked at Fei who stared back at her before nodding. Nokia nodded back before looking at Kiryu with a determined look. "Please just give this a try. If this doesn't give you the answers, then Fei and I will surrender our lives to you, and we won't let anyone interfere. I promise."

Omegamon gasped. "What?! Nokia!"

"Aren't the two of us also people who need to repent for our involvement in that day?" Fei asked.

Kiryu paused for a moment then tossed the pipe aside. "Indeed." He walked up to the device. "But you better hope this does what you promise. I may have used up the virus on Zero, but I can still make your deaths *very* painful!"

Nokia nodded. She pulled up her Digivice and sent a message. As Kiryu faced the machine Omegamon whispered to her. "Nokia, this is reckless! What if the others-

"They'll pull through Omegamon." Nokia replied. "I believe in them."

One by one Yuuko, Yuugo, Takumi, Ami, Mameo, Shoma, Takuto, Shiki, Kouta, and Himari teleported in front of the glowing Left Eye's Tower with their Digimon, Agunimon and Lobomon. "Is it safe to go in?" Kouta asked.

"I believe it should be." HiAndromon replied.

Takumi noticed Yuuko running towards the tower. "Yuuko!" He and the others ran after her.

Yuuko didn't slow down. 'Zero…please don't die…!'

I'm sure we can agree Kiryu and Zero meeting and duking it out was overdue. But is this truly the end for the leader of Zaxon? What will happen with Hudie and their battle with Crusadermon? And what was Zero's goal? Find out next week.