'I'm so sorry we couldn't get on the Misfit Paradise ship!" Monica bowed to Aojo as the three sat in Diantha's office. How had they been late?! She was so sure that they had been on time! 

The other pirate sighed. "No, it's fine. Truth be told, I expected that."

"You did?" The two blinked. 

"We've got a match with the Nightmare Soldiers. I think they're trying to use the battle to determine a new leader after Murasame died," he answered, and there was venom in his tone as he said it. He must have really hated Murasame...

"Considering your crew is pretty much weaker than Lumagrowl, I see why they would do that," Dia answered drily.

"Can you all quit treating us Misfits like that?" He snapped. "We're trying our best!"

"Luck will kill you at sea. You should know that, so why do you insist on treating this-"

"We're not! Stop looking down on us! You're just the same as Murasame!" He yelled back at her, and— 

The Melancholy Sin Code shone in his right eye, he snarled at her as something seemed to overtake his body. "You don't know ****! Don't you ****ing dare claim we don't know anything! We worked hard to get where we are!"

"Hey, stop!" Monica tried to cut in. "Calm down, the Codes are overtaking you!"

But Dia's breathing sped up slightly. This was like... This was just like...

"Shut up! Stay silent and do as you're told!" 

She bit her lip, and Leo growled as he stepped in front of her, glaring at Aojo. "Stay AWAY from my partner. That's a warning."

"Oh I don't think I will! I am not obligated to follow your words!" he hissed.

Dokugumon was trying to calm Aojo down too, if the nudging was any indication, but the poor spider looked to be in pain, as if the Code was affecting them too... "A-Aojo..." 

That seemed to make him freeze, the... the abnormal features fading away. "I... I'm sorry. I'm usually much better at controlling myself."

"... Monica, you take the reins. Let me know what you find out," Dia coldly said as she turned around and walked out of the office with Leonidas, leaving them there. Her fists shook, remembering...

Monica turned back to him, frowning. "You have the Codes..." That was not a question. "You know that you should have been thrown overboard ages ago. The crystals-"

"Yeah, I know. Dan didn't do that, though. It's... hard to do that when you've been through **** together..." he admitted. 

"Been through what together?..." She froze. That was implying...

His orbs met Monica's, and there was deep exhaustion, fresh pain in his eyes as he admitted, "Dan... he's Frisk. And he was dating Murasame Ando while aboard the Burning Ocean ship."

"WHAT?! So the Frisk this murderer is looking for..."

"Yeah." He bit his lip, mentally apologizing to Dan for what he was about to say. "I... I don't know much about the case, to be honest. But... but I know what happened that caused all this. It has to be... it has to be that death."

"That death? I heard someone died during the scuffle you were involved in, but who was it...?"

He sighed, closing his eyes. "It was... it was Samus, real name Zaxary Emeryx... he was beaten up by Murasame, and Dan... he was made to push him overboard for having the Codes even though Murasame was the one who infected him in the first place..."

The Fragmented Codes... Just what truly happened in the Burning Ocean Digiverse that brought these things to life? What is the Hubrancholy pandemic, really, and does Dan Kouzo hold the key to the real story of the Anomalice? Things may not be as clear cut as they seem, and pasts are revealed as the serial killer is unveiled, shattering all hearts and leaving the world vulnerable to becoming a Forbidden Verse...

He had bitten off more than he could chew. This was like Giratina whose status was clipped for trying to go too far.

RH-Kieran could not believe how in tune this Digimon(?) was with his partner. (Maybe he envied it. How could he ever make a connection like that again?...) Cada was struggling HARD with this battle. 

If he had to guess, this was a Water Ghost type, which was not that bad for him, actually. The only issue lay in the Ghost typing... Cada could be hurt normally by it. Surprisingly, the mon did still get hit with attacks, but he supposed it had to do with him being a different species? He didn't know how this worked, but he had to focus.

"Titanic Ram!" Dan commanded as the boat Digimon rammed into Cada full force, sending the poor Dipplin back. Ugh!! And they had tried to slow him down too!

"S-Syrup Bomb!" He countered. He had to calm down! I-If he lost here... All of them...

No, he refused to let that happen! Over his dead body! Everyone deserved better, and he was not about to mess it up because of his stupid mistake of agreeing! He HAD to prove that they had not placed their faith wrongly!!

"This is really pathetic. How can you be her brother when you're so weak?"

He wasn't weak! He could... he could prove himself! He was strong! He was worthy! 

R-Right? 

"Cada, Dragon Pulse!" he roared. "Then Double Hit!" 

The Dipplin unleashed a HUGE blast at Duanwuchuanmon, making him stumble back before he smacked at the Digimon twice.

Dan grinned. "Huh, not bad! Gotta say that was impressive!"

"T-Thank y-" he shook his head rapidly. No, not the time for compliments! "E-Energy Ball!" 

"Not so fast! Zongzi Combo!" the captain commanded as the three dumplings jumped in the air, wait they could DETACH themselves!? He barely had any time before they all struck Cada down, causing him to flop onto the ground.

His breathing quickened. No no no!!!!! "GET THE **** BACK UP, CADA! WE CAN'T LOSE THIS BATTLE!" 

That definitely startled them all as they watched him glare heatedly at his own teammate, hatred and frustration conveyed in his yellow irises. 

The Dipplin shrunk immensely at his withering gaze. Oh no, he was so angry..

"We can NOT afford to lose this fight! So it's either you get this right or it's the box for you!" he hissed, making the Pokémon squeak in fear. No! He couldn't be sent to the Box! Not like Merkins!

"W-What the **** is the kid saying!?" Mosse couldn't believe it. Of all the dirty-handed tactics, this was by far the worst one she had seen aside from fake kindness! 

"He's threatening his own teammate! Why would he do that!?" Relica sounded just as pissed.

"Hey, stop that! The poor Dipplin is terrified as is! You don't have to keep adding to its stress like th-" Areum's hand was swatted away as those eyes, why did they look so serpentine, so wrong? 

RH-Kieran growled out, "It's the only way to win this battle! If I don't do this, we could be tossed overboard!"

"That does NOT mean you can go and treat someone like ****!" she snapped. 

"You can scold me later! The battle is still raging on and no one wants to die right now, right?! RIGHT?!" His tone raised. He had a point, but...

Areum stood her ground. "I don't think this is right, Kieran! You need to calm down! If you get too emotional, the battle's already been los-"

Someone suddenly grabbed him, spun him around and-

Everyone's eyes widened as Dan punched the other male HARD in the face, sending him to the ground. His breathing was laboured, eyes dark. 

[The Codes, they grew but never showed.]

"You've got some nerve...!" he hissed. "You've got some nerve hurting someone just because they don't align with what you want from them!"

"D-Dan?" Drago paused. Something about that anger, it... it scared him.

Mia immediately rushed to usher the two kids inside while Griffin prepared himself. Something was starting to feel really dark about this entire thing. 

He roughly grabbed RH-Kieran's jacket, forcing him to look into his eyes, and there was- 

He felt fear as Dan hissed in a low tone, "If you ever, ever force someone like that ever again, I will throw you overboard myself, you filthy scallywag. You're a selfish coward who feeds off others like a parasite to feel good about yourself. Just like the Codes, you don't give a **** about others, do you? A loser like you really-"

Something suddenly knocked him back a bit, causing Dan to stumble, letting RH-Kieran go as Cada landed in front of him, looking very cross as he snarled at the captain. 

"C-Cada, w-what... what are you doing?" the trainer whispered, unable to comprehend what was going on here...  It was almost as if... as if his Pokémon was PROTECTING him? But why? Even after he yelled and threatened to send him to the Box...

Oh.

Oh, Arceus.

Oh Arceus, what had he done? What kind of monster was he... What was the voice corrupting him into?

No, perhaps the real question was...

What was he allowing himself to turn into?

Monica's eyes widened. "Zaxary... Emeryx? But that's...."

"Hey, Asa, what're you up for?" 

"Oh, Monica! You're up late!" Her senior chuckled as the blonde joined her at the balcony. "I'm surprised. Then again, tomorrow is your first day out at sea since we first met, huh?"

"Yeah. Marth is doing fine with Kokuwamon so I can relax more, but..."

"You still worry. I get it," she answered with a smile, looking out to the sea that stretched out endlessly into the distance, "touching" the sky filled with a beautiful array of stars. "I have cousins too. I get it."

"H-Huh?" Monica paused. She hadn't known that. 

"I have two cousins, y'know. There's Charle Davon, who's a pirate under the Diamond Clandestine. Then there's, there WAS another. Zaxary Emeryx, he was..." she sighed, rubbing her arms a bit. "Never mind. I'll tell you about him some other time."

She had a feeling she could accurately guess what had happened to him based on her response, but truth be told, she didn't want to badger her, so she opted to ask, "What ARE they like? I notice Charle around when I visit Dia from time to time, but I don't talk to he-"

"Them,"  Asa corrected, touching her face as if to scratch it, but stopped herself. "Charle was, well, they were born intersex but their parents had them operated on to 'correct' that issue."

"W-What?!" Her eyes widened. That was...! "Without their consent?!"

"Basically. They grew up as a guy but once they realized what they had done, decided to identify as gender questioning. They still are right now. Your cousin is really understanding, so thanks for that."

"You know what we've been through, so we should be thanking you. How you even found us that day, when Marth was about to die..." She shook her head softly, trying to get that image out of her head. Of Marth on the ground, breathing heavily while a Kokuwamon tried to resuscitate him, Dia panicking, tears streaming down her cheeks as she screamed and begged for him to hang on as Leonidas tried to support her, Monica herself frozen in place. The virus, it had been... "You saved us, Asa. We owe you that."

"Nah, it's just natural to help others. And plus, Digimon had just shown up too, so I was around to help with that," she said. "I'm happy that we managed to get Marth to the hospital though. That would have been catastrophic."

"Yeah... I'm glad too."

A comfortable silence then reigned as the two just... Enjoyed each other's presence. They WERE partners now. Best to be that way.

[A fist clenches.]

"But he's Asa's cousin..." She whispered.

Aojo froze. Asa? As in...? "Asa.... Jaycobe? That's the same Asa you're referring to right?"

"Yeah... She got interested in the case cause her cousin disappeared before it. She... She didn't know that he was a part of the crew..."

His eyes widened. "I... I see."

"You okay? You look pretty pale right now," She asked, concerned about how wide his eyes were.

"I-I'm fine!" He snapped, even as his throat caught up. Of course...! It all made sense now! "I-I just need a phone call to Dan... I-I think I..."

"Then I'll call-" She started.

"No! It has to be me! I can't... This is too dangerous!" He looked frantic, almost feral as he grabbed her arm, grip impressively tight. "This is bad. This is really, really bad...! First this serial murder case then Apophimon's return... It matches up eerily well! And those newcomers... Some of them weren't even Digimon but they had the Marks...!"

"Wait, what do you mean they weren't even Digimon?!" Monica gave a start. She knew there were other worlds, yes, but this was...!

"One of them had moves I didn't recognise and was stored in a ball-like structure!" He bit his lip. "I don't know what is going on, Monica, but it's not gonna be good. No, it's going to be horrible, and it... It might end with death again..."

Monica's heart stopped.

It might end with death...?

Again? ...

He was implying something. "Aojo, what... what really happened aboard the ship that day?"

"I... I can't tell you. I'm sorry but right now, things are... I HAVE to get back to Dan!"

"Then... Then I'll help," she said, getting up. "Harpymon should be able to get us there faster than the ship."

There... there WAS another alternative, but she didn't want him to know that she also... 

She chose to meet his eyes. "You need to come clean once we get there, though. Do we have a deal, Aojo Milligan Reed?"

His fists tightened. He didn't really trust her, truth be told, but at this rate...! "Fine. Let's get going."

The two rushed out of the office, heading straight for the deck as they passed by a brown-haired intersex with red eyes... 

His footsteps slowed. That was- 

No, focus. He couldn't falter now. So much depended on him. 

Sistermon Blanc, better known as Hongtue, looked over at her partner as the pirate paused. "Charle? What's wrong?" 

They frowned. "I... I don't know, Hongtue, but something about that person feels... familiar..." 

What was it, though?...

"Shun Kazami of the Diamond Clandestine crew. Or rather... Perhaps I should call you Yoshimitsu?"

"I've heard you're the type to go crazy during your killings, but considering how subdued you are right now... I'm assuming something's changed." He was definitely unlike the ones before him. Runo had stayed defiant to the end, too, but all that did for her was cause her Arkadimon more suffering. They had enjoyed watching them suffer to the very end. 

His Kotemon partner was held up by Loogarmon, their kendo mask already half-cracked, but they were hanging on, curiously enough. Shun himself seemed calm right now. 

Well, all that was about to change. 

"The only thing that's changed is simply that I know who Frisk is now," they answered with a sinister smile. 

And there it was, the eyes widening. The skin colour growing as white as snow. He looked genuinely shaken as he stammered, "H-How?" 

"Well, of course you would be shocked. You ARE his childhood friend, are you not?" They sang, the sadistic tone finally showing as they skipped over, aiming Kotemon's kendo stick at his neck with barely veiled glee. "Dan Kouzo of the Misfit Clan, I would have never guessed it was him. He seemed so unlike the Frisk I had heard stories about, but I suppose that proves that the nicest people are also the most sadistic ones~"

They then leaned in, cackling as they ripped their mask off, showing their face to the horrified pirate. Well, not that he would be alive to tell the tale anyway~ "Goodbyeeeeee~ Know that you could not protect your best friend to the end, Shun Kazami~!"

And Shun was frozen, unable to speak as the attacks were commanded, and the kendo sword came right at his neck-

"A-Another death!? What do you mean by that?!" Monica sputtered as she hung onto Harpymon with all her might. "It's the evening right now! What kind of murderer would kill someone and get away with it in all but broad daylight!?"

"It's Yoshimitsu, or Shun Kazami apparently..." Asa reported, sounding troubled. "Wasn't he part of the Diamond Clandestine crew?"

"H-He was..." Aojo looked shaken up, Dokugumon trying to reassure him by patting his cheek slightly. "Oh Kami, what is going on now?"

"How did he die?" Monica asked, dreading the answer already if what she had seen beforehand was any indication.

"A kendo stick through the throat, and his partner... Kotemon's head was stuck onto the hilt..." 

"****... Oh ****, he was Frisk's childhood friend, wasn't he?..." Monica whispered. "He's going to be so shocked by the news..." 

But when she looked over, she was stunned to see Aojo look even paler. It was hard not to see how he seemed like he could fall apart any minute now... "Aojo? Are you...?"

"Shun's dead... Talem's dead... Murasame's dead... Runo, Julie, Marucho, Alice, Joe, Jake, Gunz, Mira, Ace, Baron, Keith, Fabia, Rafe, Ren, Paige... Even... even HE'S gone... It's down to three now... No... no... NO NO NO NO!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, tears streaming down his eyes.

"This death will always haunt you! You who let an innocent die! You who did nothing as someone else saved you at the cost of theirs! They had so much to do in their life! You! You were but a burden! It doesn't measure up!"

"Mark my words, your days WILL be numbered! Your selfishness will come back to haunt you in the worst way possible! You can never outrun the Codes, after all..."

He was... Murasame was right, he had... he had...

His body shook, but he forced himself to grab his phone out of his belt. "I-I have to make a phone call. C-Can we land...?"

"Aojo? Are you...?"

"Just, just land where we can. Even a boat is fine..." he said while breathing in. "I just have to call..."

"I... Okay then..." Something about that haunted look... it kinda spoke to her in a way. 

(Days on end of watching her cousins suffer, forcefed that... that energy... Their family didn't even look remorseful when they were consumed, consumed by the Codes they had sought to contain, and their beliefs still ran in her muscle memory. Diantha held back out of reflex, but Monica, she didn't have anything special about her, so they...)

"There's a boat nearby. I don't know what it is, but it seems to be for the Virus Busters group," Harpymon reported. 

That was... Of all the ships...

"Virus Busters... That's perfect," Aojo said, surprising Monica. "The person I need to talk to is the captain of that ship."

"W-What?!" She froze. "You're saying that..."

He nodded. "The final surviving member of Burning Ocean aside from myself and Dan, codenamed Isabelle, Helena Valmas. She's currently the captain of the Virus Busters."

Was keeping this secret truly worth all the losses that had already happened? What of the souls lost? What of those who had been killed protecting Dan?

What of those who had died because of what he had done that day?

"I..." Dan sighed. "I won't force you to not fight for him, but you need to reconsider your allegiances. He's not as messed up as Murasame just yet, but people like him don't tend to change much."

"Kid, what are you saying?!" Trox gaped. This didn't sound like him at all!

But Cada stared back at the giant in front of him, eyes narrowed in determination. He knew. Of course he knew that his trainer was messed up. It was hard not to see that when they first met, him as an Applin, and his trainer as a new student of Blueberry Academy, a day away from leaving his hometown to study in Unova, how those eyes had sorrow to them. Even as he commanded Merkins and Aragog with vigor, there was nothing that showed he enjoyed the battle.

Cada remembered the harsh fields of Kitakami; how ever since he was born, he had to fend for himself against the Ekans and Arbok of the orchards. Those were unforgiving times, and yet... The times he spent with Suguri Hannya in Blueberry Academy. Even with loss after loss making him lose more faith in himself, he had still treated them well, he never...

He only started this after returning to Kitakami... Making him hold the Syrupy Apple and telling him he HAD to evolve. If not, he would lose... He would lose everything. He had sounded so desperate, so broken.

Kieran, if only you trusted others to tell them what's in your heart... If only you let yourself feel... Like when you didn't judge me even though I was considered weak by everyone around you... Why have you changed so much?

He didn't think this issue would fade away, yes, but he wanted to believe that the Kieran he had met, the one in Blueberry Academy... That he was still in there in his kind soul.

So he would stand by his trainer. Even if it hurt, he would make his stand and help him understand that he mattered.

This led him to snarl at Dan more, defying his words as he stood his ground.

RH-Kieran couldn't describe the feeling he had right now. Why.... Why was Cada defending him? It was either he was incredibly reckless and stupid or... Or he genuinely believed in his convictions and stuck with them no matter what.

Then again, Cada liked consistency, so that made sense. He had seen him rearrange his entire wardrobe and desk by simply dragging stuff to the same places over and over again during his study sessions, which helped him focus. He was a pretty consistent mon... And yet...

He felt tears in his eyes. Why? "Cada, why are you defending me? Even though I all but... Even though I all but abandoned my starter? I left Merkins in the Box... Even though I treated you all like tools?"

Another ball opened up out of nowhere, surprising him as Aragog the Yanmega roared at him, looking really annoyed. That was a genuine insult, wasn't it? So what if they seemed blinded by the past, hanging onto vain hope? They all knew that the vengeful side was a part of him. Always had. It was hard not to notice when he spent hours screaming out his frustrations at his sister and the other students in his room, venting and ranting about how they had called him a second Carmine. He got back at them by working hard. He had worked himself to the bone planning out strategies, endless nights of no sleep to build up his team, to have them play off each other's strengths and weaknesses while ensuring they had fun.

He was no genius like Carmine. No, far from it. He was as "average" as one could get. And yet he pulled through with determination.

That was what made them proud of their trainer. That was why they kept on following him, because who else would help him?

Plus, didn't it make sense to help the person who had been kind to them?

The insect Pokémon buzzed at him, earnestly staring in hopes that he could understand his sincerity, that he could piece the facts together; that he was a good person despite years of oppression and loneliness. Despite all the dark thoughts returning to Kitakami had brought to him, he was still loved, he was still heard and accepted and he didn't have to fear himself anymore.

He just had to see it and genuinely believe, even for a moment, he was a good person.

Kieran, he... He couldn't understand what they were saying, but he understood the gist of it, just looking into their eyes, filled with an earnest plea and determination. 

If they could believe in him, if... if Ogerpon could see something in him he couldn't... didn't that mean something? Didn't that mean that maybe he could... maybe he could mean something to himself? 

He... he felt scared, thinking about it. Could he truly ever embrace himself? He had tried so, so hard to do that, but all it did was leave him lonely, empty. A pit in his heart that may never heal...

Could he... really try again? Could he truly... trust in these friends again? Could he trust others again?

He... he wanted to believe in that, yes. He wanted connections, craved for them. 

And maybe, the first step to doing that was through his Pokémon team. 

(A small mark forms in his pupil, shaping his irises differently now. Not that anyone could notice them taking on the shape of a plus sign.

The seed has been planted. Not of the Codes, no... something else...)

He slowly, slowly reached out and hugged Cada, smiling tearily while his other hand pet Aragog gently. "Thank you guys. Really."

He then looked over to Dan as he got up and bowed at him. "I... I am so sorry for acting out of line towards my Pokèmon. I wasn't thinking about their mental well-being, I was only looking out for myself. That's why... I would like to forfeit the match."

Dan's eyes widened at the sincerity in his eyes. He... was he truly like Murasame?

"Dannnnn, my love, why don't you help me kill that crew already? We'll wreck them to the ground!! Let them meet Davy Jones!"

His fists shook slightly. No, this kid was ANYTHING like Murasame. Why had he... why had he thought otherwise? 

He knew why. 

He gave a shaky laugh. "I-It's fine. But you already won, Kieran."

"H-Huh?" The black-haired blinked, taken aback by what he had said. What did he mean?

"Ah, around here, we humans aren't allowed to physically harm another. Well, traps are allowed during battles, but regardless, the point still stands. We hurt the opponent, it's automatically forfeit," Mia explained while stepping forward as Drago devolved back into Penmon. 

"S-So..."

"Yeah, you're good. For now." She then turned around, and her eyes softened at the agony in Dan's face. He seemed... scared. Behind all that bravado, was this their captain? "Dan? Is there something wrong?"

He couldn't, he had to tell them...

"I... I have to tell you guys... Things have gotten bad enough as is, if I don't—"

BOOM!

Their heads swiveled over to the sound, where another ship, bearing the Nightmare Soldiers' mark, was burning to the ground, but—

Kage's eyes widened. What in the...!

Down in the medical bay, Ogerpon's ears perked up as she went over to the window, freezing when she saw it...

"What happened-" RH-Ashley's words died in her throat. This was...!

Crystals. Gems similar to the Tera crystals shining in a spectrum of colors consuming the ship as people screamed, their bodies falling apart. 

Behind that ship, though... 

"It's time..." he whispered. Apophimon knew his time was running out. Soon, he would be forced to satiate the hunger... why else would he be brought back to this accursed world? Why else would he have to be bound to a serial killer, one whose soul forced him to work with her? 

The Codes would destroy him. Those voices would haunt him and drag him deeper into the once-holy Digicore he had before he lost it all that day, when that disgusting hypocrite... when she ripped her hands into his chest and pulled it out gleefully, even as the world burned around him.

He closed his eyes, his resistance fading fast as the murderer stood beside him, smiling evilly. 

Please, Keepers... please... kill me before it's too late...

"The Nightmare Soldiers, they... they're gone...!" Juno gasped. 

"No.... No...!" Dan stumbled back, gripping his head. "NO NO NO! NOT AGAIN!"

"Dan-" Mia's hand was swatted away, and when he looked up, fear, pure fear was in his eyes before he screamed, oh he SCREAMED in pain. His arm was finally immobilised, pain coursing through his body as he fell to his knees. 

The very same arm that pushed him overboard, that day. 

His past sins had finally caught up, it seemed. 

"What the...!?" The Luxmon gasped as Ventri stared at the dark aura oozing out. "The Codes! Dan, you...!"

Drago rushed over, trying to help him up, although he couldn't help but feel something was off, dread pooling in his stomach. He remembered that the Codes could affect Digimon through their partner, so... 

So why wasn't he feeling the pain as Dan was...?

Kage paled at this. No... no, it couldn't be...! "Dan... you... never bonded with Drago? You FAKED your bond? But that's impossible...!"

If that was the case, did that mean that every fight they had had, it had been... Drago's own strength allowing him to digivolve...?

But how?! 

"I... I diverted the bond. Been tearing at it the moment it was made..." he admitted quietly, panting. "I knew that... inevitably things would turn out like this... I couldn't let Drago fall as I had."

"What?! That means... Dan, you..." Mia ripped his hoodie off, and— 

A scar. A long gash on his shoulder caked with dried blood. Digital bits still crackled, but soon ebbed away as small rubies were embedded. 

Areum's eyes widened. Mosse covered her mouth in shock. RH-Kieran gasped, tears pricking at his eyes as his Pokémon paled. 

"Oh... oh Dragod..." Mosse whispered. 

"What happened?!" Relica didn't know what was going on, and it frustrated her a lot. Just why did she have to be born blind!? Why couldn't she be born normal so she could uphold her father's legacy? Why, of all things, did she have to lose her VISION?!

"You... you've been infected with Hubrancholy..." Cicadora whispered. "How... how long..."

"I..." he closed his eyes. He couldn't hide it anymore, could he? He had to tell them. "Ever since... I joined the Burning Ocean crew..."

"WHAT?!" Juno shot up. 

Griffin froze. "Dan, you... you were a member of the Burning Ocean crew?"

"I was, Griffin..." he confirmed, his other hand moving to his face to pull out his contact lens and letting them drop onto the ground as those irises, filled with pain, suffering, and guilt, looked back at them. "I was... their second in command, to be precise..."

Everyone gasped. 

"So this was the secret Aojo was talking about..." RH-Kieran whispered. They all had varying expressions in response, but he could pick out hurt. They were hurt that he hadn't told them before, and he... he got it. Really, he did. He had felt the same way when he found out the truth about Ogerpon. 

"Don't tell Kieran, please. I fear what would happen if he were to find out."

"Aw man, I really can't tell him now... I just hope he doesn't figure this out..."

Ashley, why are you not saying anything-

"I... okay then..."

His eyes widen. 

It crashes down. He remembers Carmine interjecting so hard, the shock in her eyes. 

And yet... he had wanted to believe, that Ashley would...

His fists tighten. Suddenly, the world seems to spin around him. 

In the end, even she had to give in... why? She knew how much he loved the ogre, no, Ogerpon... 

Because she was never a friend.

His eyes widen. Wait. Whose voice was that...?

In front of him—

He shook his head. Not the time... "W-We need to get out of here! I have a bad feeling about this!"

"I agree! Something is behind that ship!" Relica yelled, hearing the slithering sounds she remembered from Apophimon. "It's Apophimon!"

"****! We need to get out of here then!" Juno grabbed her hoverboard and got on before flying up to the command center to start the engine. "Someone get Captain to sickbay!"

"Right-" Dan suddenly pushed Kage back, shaking his head frantically. "Dan?..."

"No, you can't," he said. "I was already prepared to face Apophimon again. But I won't let you get hurt cause of what happened that day..."

("NO!"

What had he done...?)

"I... I'm the reason this is happening. I have to own up for it." He looked away. "It should have been me that day, when... when HE died..."

"When... who died, Dan?" Mia whispered. 

"Zaxary Emeryx," a voice suddenly spoke, making them turn to see Harpus as Aojo and Monica landed. Monica continued, "Also known as Samus, right?" 

"You're... Diantha's cousin, aren't you? The Marine officer?" Drago asked in confusion. "Why are you with Aojo?"

"Aojo and Dan are involved with the Burning Ocean crew. Aojo was part of them too," Monica answered. "And recently there have been murders of former members of this crew."

But Dan was looking at Aojo, stunned. He had... he had... 

"You told her?" He asked in surprise. 

"I... Dan, I am so sorry... but Talem... a-and Shun... they're gone..." he whispered quietly. 

And there it was. He felt his heart shatter right there. 

He fell to his knees, sobbing. Shun? Shun hadn't, he hadn't done anything....! Why had he...?

"I expect that there's an explanation to this," Diantha said as she landed on the ship too with another person, a Butenmon setting the girl down alongside Leonidas. Charle was also there, surprisingly, carrying their partner with a frown. "Monica, you told me to bring Charle here too, and while I am angry at the news of Shun's death, I do not understand how Charle's involved in all this."

"Charle's cousin was Zaxary Emeryx. I remember Asa telling me about the two of them one night," the Marine answered, noticing the new faces and bowing. "I am Monica November, a Marine Officer protecting the peace of the Straits of Malacca."

RH-Kieran just bowed awkwardly while RH-Ashley opened the door to join the rest, confused about why there were so many people.

"H-Helena's here too?" Dan weakly whispered. 

"I sought her out the moment I got the news of Shun's death," Aojo admitted. "We're the only ones left of that crew... so..."

"I'm... Helena Valmas... Captain of the Virus Busters. I heard from Aojo that you guys were dragged here by Apophimon, correct?" The purple-haired turned to Areum, eyes filled with concern. 

Areum nodded, surprising the others as she said, "He had been attacking one of the main universes, and I happened to be nearby. Relica—" the Rito turned over to her. "— had been teleported there somehow alongside Ashley, Kieran and Ogerpon, and Mosse had been going after Relica, so we ended up fighting together alongside someone else, but then he grabbed us and dragged us into the portal."

"I... see... that means that he must have felt the pulse coming from this world... with the dwindling numbers of the Burning Ocean crew, it was only a matter of time before... before he came back to fulfill his promise..." Dan looked down.

"Dan, how were you the second-in-command to MURASAME?" Mia asked. "I... I can't see you as someone as bad as him..."

(He found her, when she didn't know how to show her parents her true self, running away whenever she could to let off some steam. He encouraged her to be herself, and she joined the crew...)

"I was... I was just as guilty of what led to this as Murasame was..." he looked down. 

"Same here..." Aojo mumbled. "Someone had to die for us to snap out of our funk..."

"You mentioned that... but WHO died...? Is it this Zaxary Emeryx Monica-san mentioned?" RH-Kieran asked. 

"It's... a long story... we should get away from here before that, though. Dan, don't you ****ing dare stay back. Please... I don't want anyone else to die..." Aojo pleaded softly. 

Dan bit his lip. This was a bad idea. This was a horrible idea... He had seen the Clear Soul nearby, so if they got on there, it would be the target of the mon's wrath. He didn't want to prolong his friends' suffering, 

Yet looking at Aojo, he couldn't help but feel... he had to do something. No matter how crazy it was, he HAD to... he owed the crew an explanation anyway.

He exhaled, slowly getting up with Griffin and Juno's help while gripping his arm. "Fine... let's go..."

"We'll get that fixed up too. Gosh, you let the virus get worse..." Helena cursed while rushing and carrying him herself. "Let's go!"

"R-Right... " everyone shared a glance. Not like they had any other choice...

TC and Isaac were the first to transfer, and soon the rest were slowly being transferred. Relica chose to fly a bit up to note for when Apophimon arrived, attuning herself to the environment for precautions. 

Ogerpon looked terrified seeing Dan's shoulder though. No, no no! That usually meant... that usually meant that the person was beyond help! That he was going to die!

(Her wounds are nonexistent because she didn't fight much. Why didn't she fight? Why hadn't she helped them?)

"Ogerpon, we need to move," Areum's stern voice made her head swivel over to her in surprise. "Let's go."

She gulped, but nodded, toddling along with her as they transferred to the other ship.

"Full speed ahead crew!" Helena yelled, and Ajit, Ichita and Lia saluted at her before the ship began backtracking. 

"He's coming!" Relica called out, hearing the water ripples as a huge snake made its way to the ship while she readied her arrows. This was not going to be easy. 

"No choice then! We should all go to Mega!" Monica slid into a fighting stance. "Harpus!" 

"Gotcha!" Harpus glowed. 

Harpus Me- Ultimate Evolve to!

Karatenmon! 

"W-What the?" Her eyes widened. Normally she could go to Valdurmon right away! 

"Ventri!" Mia yelled. 

"On it!"

Ventri Mega Evolve to! 

Dominimon!

"Trox!" 

"You got it!

Trox Mega Evolve to!

MetalGarurumon!

"Bruiser, let's take em down!" Juno cheered. 

"Alright!"

Bruiser Mega Evolve to!

Gaioumon Itto Mode!

"Hammerhead!" TC yelled. 

He simply nodded as the light overtook him.

Hammerhead Mega Evolve to!

MetalSeadramon!

"Octogan, l-let's do our best..." Isaac whispered as the Mark glowed on his shoulder. 

Octogan inhaled. "I... hear you. Let's do our best, Isaac."

Octogan Mega Evolve to!

Regalecusmon!

When he didn't rampage at all, instead looking at Isaac with a resolute nod, Kage smiled at the progress his disciple had made. He really was proud of him. 

"Kage, let's join in!" Cicadora yelled.

"For sure!" He smiled. 

Cicadora Mega Evolve to!

Gundramon!

Dia nodded at Charle. "Let's fight for Shun."

"Understood. Hongtue!" 

She simply nodded. 

Hongtue Mega Evolve to!

Cherubimon Virtue!

Helena grinned, her heterochromatic eyes shining as black and white, similar to the yin and yang, shone. "Triclod!"

"Gotcha!" She grinned back. 

Triclod Mega Evolve to! 

Chronomon Holy Mode!

Leo was already in Goddramon form, so he stood alongside the rest while Drago looked at Dan. "I..."

"You... never needed me to evolve, pal. You... already had the power! I was just... speeding the process along," Dan said with a sad smile, even when he winced at the Mark glowing even brighter. "Y-You can... do it..."

"D-Dan-san, don't speak!" RH-Kieran panicked. Ogerpon was shaking and Mosse was trying to help her calm down.

RH-Ashley's fists tightened. She... She knew that she could do something, but... why wasn't she doing anything? 

Do you seriously think that your father would have approved? If he knew you had been learning about healing behind his back!

"I-I had to... I-I can help now-" she tried to protest. 

Excuses! The worlds never showed mercy! They never will! Knowing healing is pathetic and only sets you up for failure! Do not fall into that pit! Let him die! He was already ready to die anyway!

Her eyes widened. Let him... let him die?

"Please... stop us."

The professors... they had... they had died, and yet their AIs had... 

If only they had had help, maybe, just maybe... 

If she could... if she could help someone... wouldn't that be worth it? Even if the person... didn't want to be saved?

Her eyes moved to look at the people and the Digimon fighting off Apophimon. Shouts of attacks, commands that served to drive him off. 

She... she couldn't just sit there and do nothing! She had to help!

Without thinking, she rushed over to Dan, setting her backpack down as she rummaged, finding her homemade medical kit and opening it. She put on some gloves and a face mask and took in deep breath. Alright, she could do this. 

"This is going to hurt," she warned him gently before she twisted the bottle cap of the alcohol bottle. Once it was open, she wet a cotton towel and began dabbing it gently on the wound. He definitely flinched, but the dried blood did get off and it didn't seem to get too bad. 

"The Mark... is it aggravating this wound?" She whispered. 

"It can do that..." Dan confirmed.

"And you just let it happen?! No matter how much you think you deserve it, that's no way to treat yourself!" She snapped at him, making him go quiet. She had a point, but...

"It's... not that clear-cut, the situation," he admitted, trying to pull away, yet two pairs of hands held him in place. "What?..."

"You shouldn't move when you're being treated," Areum said with a frown. "These Codes have killed MILLIONS in one of the main worlds. It is not to be treated lightly."

"I know. I've seen the results firsthand..." He bit his lip.

(Crystals growing out of him, he reaches out, "Frisk-"

The crystals cut off any final words just before the body hits the water, sinking deep into it...)

He had... let him die. He was responsible...

"You still have your story to tell, and you still have loved ones. Don't... don't take their feelings so lightly." Areum's words surprised him. "To them, you're a reliable captain and a great friend... If you die because of this, they'll beat themselves up... I know you can't fight for yourself, but try fighting for THEIR sake. They risk their necks for you even though you don't want them to because they care for you. You can learn to care for yourself, but until then... fight for your loved ones."

She... she was right. Dan had been on the other end himself, when HE died...

He didn't want them to feel that way. Especially not Isaac and TC...

"I... Fine." He sighed, and Areum smiled as she nodded at RH-Kieran to let him go, which he did so almost hesitantly. As if he felt worried, alert for his resistance. 

What was going on here? Was it really just RH-Ashley he had an issue with or was there something deeper?

She sighed, and looked up to seen Relica shooting arrow after arrow with precision. She really was a great warrior. If only she could see that in herself...

Mosse was looking at Ogerpon with a frown though. She seemed horrified by the scene in front of her, as if she had... seen it before. But how could she have seen it...? Unless... unless someone close to her had died... and that someone was an Anomalice...

(The crystals shoot out of his chest, blood splattering all over.

He was... gone, and the Mark glowed brightly, almost as if taunting her for her incompetence. 

All she could do was cry, and sob, and hurt...)

She shivered, hugging Alge tight. She didn't want to lose anyone again... please, no! No more losses!

May Foster paused as she noticed the Spiritual Fruits Box glow. What in the...?

From it, an angelic Kwami emerged, looking like a tree top angel as it opened its eyes. 

Agathhos, the Kwami of Goodness, looked up at the Guardian. "Greetings. I shall be taking my leave now. I sense a soul calling out to me."

Next thing the blonde knew, they were gone, leaving the hero lost and confused. Just who was that?...

She would not realize that one of the Miraculous was now missing, its shape slowly changing as the Kwami went through a portal to accommodate for its new owner's convenience. 

Kwang Leehwa and Oujamon were their last user, so they were intrigued by this new user. How would they be as a wielder? They were eager to find out....

"RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! I WILL HAVE MY FILL!" Apophimon roared, which made Areum scowl as she grabbed her wrist, only to remember Shiift wasn't here. Right. She could only hope she was getting backup right now...

She bit her lip. But this world... did she really want to endanger her by asking her to come here? Apophimon had wanted to, it felt like he wanted to eat the Kwami. What the heck was that all about?!

She had to stand her ground and help out! But... how...?

Her eyes then caught a fishing spear nearby, and a plan struck her. A somewhat crazy one, but possibly what they needed to get him to back off!

Rushing over there, she grabbed the spear and weighed it in her hand. She could use this. It wasn't too heavy and it fit snugly with her. She had enough practice thanks to being Tyrannical Protector, after all! 

She then ran to the other side of the dock, closing her left eye to focus her aim better despite running. She knew she had to get her stance right, so best to figure out the angle ASAP!

"D-Drago, you should... you should go..." Dan quietly urged his partner. 

"Not until you're better!" He snapped, tearing up at his nonchalance. "Dan, I won't leave you until you're better!"

"You'll have to. The Mark... it'll kill everyone with it. The moment these crystals don't find you to be the best Vessel, they throw you out. It makes sense, doesn't it?" He chuckled sadly. "That these crystals, coming from a main world deleted for unknown reasons... they would kill all who did not measure up to their criteria. It just took them longer to shut down all the cells in my body."

"Dan, stop sounding like you're dying! You won't! P-Please! Don't die on me! W-Why are you humans so fragile...?" He sobbed while hugging his partner, fake or not... he had still met Dan first when he looked around after the worlds fused, only to see three humans. Something about Dan had... had caught his attention... he knew that he was special, that they were meant for each other somehow, so he refused to give up now! He was going to support Dan!

"Drago..." he couldn't help the tears himself as he hugged back.

He could not make promises he couldn't keep, after all.

Areum was finally in the right position, and Mosse noticed as she smiled, her own shadow magic kicking in. "Let's get this show on the road. AREUM, LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU'RE THROWING IT!"

"Alright then!" She agreed, already pulling her arm back while meticulously readjusting its position to hit the target. She honestly just hoped it worked and helped them repel Apophimon. 

A little bit more to the left.... 

THERE! 

"HERE IT COMES!" She yelled while throwing the spear, sending it to the air as it soared up and up and up...

Before slowly coming down again, but as Apophimon readied himself for the attack, he felt shadow arms from the water rise up and restrain him before the spear glowed with energy just as the spear struck his eye. 

He roared in pain, stumbling back with the spear still in his eye, and Helene immediately commanded, "FULL SPEED AHEAD, CREW!"

And with that, the ship finally got some distance away from him, and soon he was all but gone. 

For now. 

"Aojo, you promised to tell the truth about Zaxary Emeryx's death," Monica said while looking at him.

Charle inhaled sharply. They had... suspected, but to have it confirmed so blatantly...

"W-Wait, Z-Zaxary's... z-Zaxary's death?" A voice suddenly stammered out. 

All heads swiveled over as they saw Asa clinging onto the railing, looking exhausted while MorningSharp panted. 

"A-ASA?!" Monica immediately got up, and Diantha rushed over to help the sopping wet detective onboard. "What are you doing here?!"

"Asa?!..." Charle whispered. "How... what?"

"I... I had been trying to get here to warn you... about the latest death... Shun Kazami's dead body was found... it was found floating in the sea..." she admitted, shivering slightly. "And I noted that the ship found nearby... just so happened to be the Misfit Paradise ship..."

"That harbour we were docked at...? That was where Shun's dead body was found...?" Dan looked very sick. "I... I can't believe he was there..."

Helena inhaled sharply. "Regardless... it's just us three, and truth be told, I don't... I can't keep this secret anymore. It's killing me inside."

"I... same here..." Aojo bit his lip. "It... it's my fault things got this bad, Dan..."

"No. It's no one's fault but mine. I succumbed to the Codes, I... I killed Milligan..." Dan's fists tightened. 

Everyone froze. 

"Wait. Hang on. Aojo, you said that the person killed had been... had been Zaxary Emeryx..." Monica asked. 

But RH-Kieran had put the dots together. His face was pale as he whispered, "D-Dan-San... the person who died that day... it was..."

Dan finally looked them all in the eye, and there was sorrow in them. 

Aojo(?) himself nodded, finally brushing his hair aside to show...

Charle froze. Those eyes...

Monica had seen the pictures of Aojo Milligan Reed, and one defining feature had always been the blue strip in his irises. 

This person... did not have that blue strip.

"I'm not Milligan. I... I took his place because... no one would remember him if I didn't... My real name... is Zaxary Emeryx..." he said. "And... the real Milligan was killed by the Codes, all because... all because he wanted to be free from the crew..."

"... What do you mean, you want to quit the crew?" There was a dangerous undertone in Bowser's voice as he looked at Joker, as if challenging him. 

Joker glared back at him, defiant. "I want to quit this crew. No one is happy here. I'm not happy here, and neither is Frisk. Plus, I've found something I really want to do, and I will not let you ruin that for me. I've seen how you've treated Frisk."

"And?"

"And it is NOT RIGHT! You threaten him with breaking up if he doesn't destroy another pirate crew! You whisper words that turn him against the world! I won't let you ruin his mental health anymore! Yoshimitsu agrees with me!" Joker hissed. 

Yoshimitsu went quiet as he noted the fury in Bowser's face. "Joker, I... I think you should back off."

"And let him get hurt?! What the heck are you saying?! You're willing to let someone get hurt to save your own skin?! Your own childhood friend is being threatened and yet you would do nothing to help him?! To the—"

He was suddenly punched, and Isabelle paled as Bowser began kicking him over and over again. Blood spilled on the deck. Link's hand reached out, but remained frozen. 

So many people there, and yet...

Frisk could only watch, fear coursing through his veins. No no no! Milligan, stop fighting! He wasn't worth it! As long as the others, as long as MILLIGAN survived, he could take it! This crew was his family and he couldn't lose them!

"You pathetic ************* orphan! I took you in when Frisk found you and this is the thanks I get?! You really are a waste of space!" Bowser hissed. 

"No one here... No one ever swore loyalty to you, you *******! We all were loyal to your second in command because he was more of a human than you, you egoistical *******!" Joker, no, MILLIGAN, yelled back, even as he coughed out more blood. He still forced himself to his feet, wiping the blood off his face. "I'm not ashamed to admit that! Frisk... no, DAN taught me to see the world in a more positive manner! I am not blind and I can see that you are a toxic *** to him!"

"Why you...!" He rushed at him, but Milligan stepped back and swung at him, dealing an uppercut HARD and making him stumble. 

Dan's eyes widened. Milligan... what was he... what was he doing...?! He was... 

He was fighting back...?

Was that... even possible...?

"YOU USELESS LITTLE ****!" He kicked Milligan to the ground and raised his foot, but paused as he realized something. "Why would I waste my breath on you when there is a better way to kill you off?"

"H-Huh?"

He only gave a sinister smile as he turned around. "Dan, sweetie, could you please grab him and drag him to the railings? I want to tell everyone a little story."

Frisk froze, his body... it began to move on its own. 

"D-Dan...?" Shun whispered under his breath. Had their 'captain' brainwashed his childhood friend that much...? Or...

The second in command took out a knife and stabbed it straight into Milligan's shoulder, causing him to scream in pain before cold red eyes froze him in place as he grabbed him by his hair and dragged him to the railings, where Bowser awaited. 

"Ohhh, poor, poor, orphan, do you remember when we initiated you in? That you had to drink something called TianShang?" Bowser asked with a wicked smile. 

Milligan simply glared at him, deigning not to satisfy his ego at all, but Frisk jabbed the knife deeper, causing him to hiss in pain while looking at him in shock. "D-Dan..."

"Have you heard of the Jenkins family? One of the most well-known ninja families in the underground," Bowser chuckled, squatting to meet his eyes. "They happened to get in contact with me, you see. They've been sponsoring this entire crew for one purpose alone."

"A... purpose?"

His eyes lit up in sadistic glee. 

"To infect the oceans with a burning flame. The Hubrancholy virus."

"The... the what?..." everyone froze. 

"And wouldn't you know it? TianShang had the virus in it! That's why you all have the Mark! The Mark shows your loyalty to me!" He laughed. "And clearly, one of you has been naughty, naughty, so! Time to die! Throw him out, sweetie!"

"W-What?!"

Frisk's hand shook. No. No, he didn't want to...! And yet... if he disobeyed...

Another hand grabbed Milligan's as Samus hissed, "You have to go, Mill! Please!"

The two had been friends ever since they met on the ship, there was NO WAY he was losing his friend like that!

But then Bowser swatted him aside. "Sweetie! DO IT! NOW!" 

He... he didn't think, his hands moved on their own—

He only realized a second after, as Milligan was soaring in the sky for a while, hands reached out as his Mark glowed, and...

Crystals. Golden crystals suddenly sprouted out of his chest, and blood flew out of his mouth, he choked.

His own Mark glowed, but he reached out. "NO! MILLIGAN!"

And then, right in front of him—

A loud serpentine hiss, a huge snake with a sun tail rattling. 

"Another soul lost, I see... the oceans... will burn once more..." the snake whispered, eyes looking at him, as if he could read into his soul. "Say goodbye..."

Bowser was smiling evilly as he explained, "The drink has sun energy from this monster right here, who's swallowed eight suns before. The Jenkins gave six of them to some randos, but they had extra from the six, so they created this virus to feed him more souls. That way, his data wouldn't be corrupted by his base data."

"Base... data?" 

"Ahhh, I said too much. Either way, goodbye, Joker. You were always the weakling of the lot." He laughed, and oh, did Fr- no, Dan's blood boil. 

But then his attention was brought back to the ocean by a bloodcurdling scream. Milligan was... he was fading away, a blue substance surrounding him

His eyes met Dan's and the waning sun's rays reflected those beautiful blue strips in his eyes one last time. 

"Dan... please... this isn't you..." 

And then...

He closed his eyes, the crystals disappeared, and his body fell into the ocean with a silent splash, as if... as if his death was THAT insignificant, when really, it was... the opposite.

Everyone was frozen, suddenly, things just...

"NO!"

Runo shook. "No no no! MILLIGAN!"

All that was left, was the blood seeping through the waters, and then the feeding frenzy as the sharks destroyed all hope of him surviving...

Dan covered his mouth. 

No... no, he had... 

Zaxary fell to his knees and screamed, "NO!! NO!! MILLIGAN!!"

"Hey, Mill, you think we can be free of this crew?"

"Huh? That's a weird question, Zac."

"You know how Bowser treats Dan."

"You're.., right. We SHOULD do something about it."

I'm sorry, Milligan, I want to visit my cousins again... so... if this is how I do it...

It was...

It was all his fault...

Zaxary could only sob as he fell to his knees, remembering that horrible time. That day, when his selfish, selfish tendencies...

Killed his best friend...