A chance encounter with A-Humora Crisiant leads to DP-Leviathan learning the truth about his new comrade; a sad story regarding the Ruby Pure Heart seen as a protector when really it was the very thing that endangered the valley, forcing the world they lived in to burn simply for trying to survive. A connection is then born as the two come to understand their own self-worth, only to find out that the world they're in is in danger of suffering the same fate as DysMonarchmon's home world when Pureeby reaches out for help. Meanwhile, this world's Cyber finds footage of the Kwami and discovers that in his hand, lies the legendary sword of the valley, Puro Gladius...

~~ An hour ago ~~

"Of all the things to possibly inherit from the team, I just had to get the unfriendly portal," Wuliang grumbled as he struggled to crawl out from under Belos. Seriously, this was ridiculous!

"What OTHER things could you inherit from your world, even?" Guilmon X raised an eyebrow while getting up.

"Let's see, Trouble Magnet, crazy plots involving the multiverse, stumbling across knowledge during a case- That's not the point!" He threw his hands into the air. "We're here to stop DysMonarchmon, not talk about my world!"

"It is still fascinating to us who have never seen worlds outside our multiverse," Belos reminded him, eyes wide in excitement and curiosity.

The only thing that did was make Wuliang bite his lip. Of course, they were only interested cause he was from a different world. To them, he was a stranger to this multiverse... What kind of world he came from, they wanted to know.

(To some, him being a dream demon didn't sit well with them. The Gemini arc really reminded him of that fact. Maybe that was why he actually went hopping and annoying Centuriomon. He missed Papa, yes, and they had a promise but he also knew that no one would approve. Regardless of the rule, he would have ended up being hated anyway...)

He shook his head, getting up. "Let's just go... I don't want to talk about this when we're already so far behind."

Glasssweeper gave him a frown. "Helios..."

"Drop it, Pleco. P... please..." he whispered that final part, but the desperation was hard to miss. He had been with the kid for ten years now. He knew him well enough.

Even if he didn't want to drop it, the Buddy Monster nodded. "Alright. But we're having a talk about it when we get back."

Belos looked over at the other two, blinking as he tilted his head. He.. Had he said something wrong?

Félix shrugged, a bit unsure himself, while Sandayuu rubbed his neck. He wasn't too sure either, but it did seem to be a sore spot for Wuliang. Jinpei had mentioned that Centuriomon especially seemed to hate the Buddyfighter for some reason. He would have to ask about it once this was over...

The Youkai Hero decided to speak up. "The portals don't usually end up tossing us out like that, though. It's normally pretty stable right?"

"They are, normally. Something about this entire situation... It worries me," Wuliang said. "The entire feeling, it's just..."

Just like Keketmon...

Shivers went down his spine. He could remember it clearly; that Chinese New Year, when the worlds were being erased... How it felt like it was erasing his very core, every single bit of it. How his Papa had tried to comfort him, but even that...

(There's a reason why he avoids the Ghost Game world. He can never look Solisamon in the eye once it's revealed her Mega, one of them, is Keketmon, the one whose erasing caused so many problems for the OD...

He knows she's not Keketmon. He knows he can't blame her, but the pain, he still..)

He shook his head. Not the time. He could think about it after they put a stop to DysMonarchmon. "Either way, we have to find DysMonarchmon. Who knows how long it's been since they came here."

As she looked around, Acheel looked a bit surprised by the location, though. "This is... this is close to Pure Heart Valley."

Something was making her senses tingle in a bad way. Some sort of awakening was at hand.

Why would DysMo choose this world? They were always the emotional type. She thought to herself. They wouldn't pick a world that didn't have an emotional significance to them... right?

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

"What in the-" The air had grown tense. Their hairs stood on end.

Sandayuu shivered, hugging himself as Belos' eyes narrowed. "Why is the sky... pink?"

"P-Pink? Monsieur Belos, you shouldn't be joking at a time like-"

A finger point, and Félix's words died in his mouth. "Que diable...?"

The hues of twilight in the afternoon clouds could be seen above, shooting out lightning bolts at the valley, all while the heart innocently stood there, as if nothing was wrong.

Wuliang cursed. "We have to stop this before finding DysMonarchmon!"

"But our main goal here is to find DysMonarchmon and stop them! Surely the valley will benefit from it if we put a stop to them first!" Belos protested.

"I agree with Belos there. We must focus on stopping DysMonarchmon. This could be their doing," Xrosmon said.

But Guilmon X shook her head. "No, it can't be theirs. DysMo would never... This isn't their doing..."

"And how are you sure of that? How do we know that the Codes haven't fully taken over them yet?" the other Digimon challenged.

"DysMo's different! Don't you DARE act like you know them!" The former Fragment snarled at him.

"Easy, easy, you two! We can't have fights right now!" Tiggan stood in between the two. "We have to focus on stopping this! Questions can be asked later."

Xrosmon and Acheel glared at each other, but Xrosmon nodded. "Fine. Let's split up-"

"Wait, I think I feel something in front of the ruby?" Wuliang called out. His eyes were closed as he tried to pinpoint the aura. "Something... it feels strangely similar to the Kwami's energy, but much more ancient."

"Ancient...? Then that should be Pureeby!" Tiggan's eyes widened. "But the only reason he would show himself, it would be... No, no, not again!"

"Not again?" Sandayuu looked over at them in surprise. "This has happened before?"

"I didn't think..." They bit their lip. "Look, Pureeby wasn't always a Kwami. He was blessed to become one after a battle a long time ago when he defeated a monster called Itzpuxolotl."

"Wait, but if my memory serves me right, Pureeby is the name of the monster who tried to ravage the valley," Wuliang frowned.

"You know how stories get messed up as the years go by. No, Pureeby was the HERO who took the monster down, and his Creator God turned his soul into a Kwami for his heroic deed. He swore that he would only come back should the monster return..." Tiggan looked up at the ruby. "I don't know the specifics, but he once failed to stop the monster, and that monster caused the world to become a Forbidden Verse. He was then called back in to track down a Digimon who had been known to destroy worlds and turn them into Forbidden Verses. One who originated from the world he couldn't save."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"DysMo... they were that world's Itzpuxolotl," Acheel finally said. "And the Kwamis going after us... it's how we're able to track them down; we know their signatures and are able to recognise them as they are. We just didn't want to say because it brought up bad memories of the time before we were sealed. We..."

She shuddered, remembering the... "I don't want to... talk about it. It's a time no one wants to relive. A massacre in its own right."

Everyone shared surprised glances, but Belos placed a hand on her shoulder, making her look up to see a soft smile. "Do not force yourself to tell us. We will wait until you are prepared to do so. It must be a very painful time for all of you."

She... she closed her eyes, nodding. "It... it was. I don't want it to happen to anyone else ever again."

"Then we won't force you," Wuliang said with a sigh. "Let's focus on what we have right now."

"I agree." Sandayuu got out his medal. "We should transform just in case."

"Sounds like a plan," Félix said while getting his Miraculous out.

"Let's not waste time then," Guilmon X agreed.

"Right. Henshin!" Sandayuu slipped the medal into the watch.

Félix cut his finger and allowed the magic to flow while Belos stood firm, preparing his glyphs. While Pupa had returned to the Bat Queen before he left his world, he still missed his palisman...

He sighed, taking the cane and sliding into a battle stance himself. "Ready, Félix?"

"Of course."

"Let's go then!" Guilmon X said.

"Right! Tiggan, bring me home!" The two chorused, transforming into Oflairon and Phoegos as Guilmon X evolved into Acheelmon again.

Wuliang inhaled once he Impact Called Pleco to Cleanser of Environment, Plecosweeper while JackJack went big on his own, rolling out Jettra before getting out his Aerial Leviathan card. Time to go all out! "I Equip! Aerial Levia-"

Something seemed to strike it. He yelped in pain as the card BURNED him, making him drop it. He could only watch it turn grey in shock, unable to believe his own eyes. Just WHAT? This was... how could this be a thing? He had never seen a card go grey like this before!

"Wuliang, what-" Little Kommander Ace's words died in his throat as he saw the card on the ground. "What just..."

"It's... not working anymore?" He repeated quietly. How was that...?

"You're nothing but an anomaly! Get out of my world before I make you!"

"You can try to make me, but I'm the stubborn type~"

His breathing hitched. As much as he enjoyed teasing Centuriomon, he always, always was reminded of his status as a stranger. That no matter what he did... he would always end up being nothing in the eyes of the system here.

Days like these made him want to cry. He had only come here because Glasssweeper had wanted to return to his home world. He hadn't expected to end up loving this world with Yuga-senpai being so different from his Uncle Yuga, Dan and Hiro being nothing like his mentors, his uncles... everything was so different in a fresh way he loved it here.

But it wasn't like they would accept him either way. He was an anomaly. Heck, Centuriomon plotted his demise everyday.

He couldn't help but wonder if this was what his Papa felt when he was in university. All alone, struggling against people who saw him as nothing but a weird person, a loner, an outcast... Never... Never heard because he was always the minority, the last resort...

It hurt so much. It hurt him so much that even if he had friends, he didn't have a home here. Pleco could stay, of course, Jackjack too, even Jettra could, but Wuliang?

He was... he was nothing...

The eleven-year-old gasped, feeling his chest heave in pain as he stumbled back. "Why... why won't it... Why can't I... Be happy? Why can't I... Have a home...?"

"Wuliang? Hey, breathe!" Pleco didn't waste time. He went back to small size and rushed over.

"He's having a panic attack!" Acheelmon paled. "We have to rush him to a doctor right away!"

"Someone pick up that card as well! It's his Earth Armour card with Yuga!" Jackjack agreed as the jackalope went small as well, hopping over but jumping back an inch away. "It is strangely static-y!"

"Is it?" Sandayuu picked up the card in confusion. "It feels normal to me."

"It's definitely not normal." Jettra was staring at him in surprise. What in the world was this kid doing?! "I don't know about you, but something about it just screams wrong."

"Guys, we have a person in the middle of a panic attack or dissociation, if I may remind?!" Félix cut in.

"Right, right. Get him on my bac-" the youngest of the group suddenly slumped and fell to the ground, making them all yelp in shock. "Ah, Wuliang!"

"Oh Dragod, hang in there, Wuliang!" Glasssweeper tried to support his partner, but his flippers made it hard, leading Jackjack to assist him while Jettra landed on Acheelmon's head. "We have to hurry!"

Belos frowned. Making a split decision, he strode over and picked up the child, carrying him on his back as he said, "We must hurry just in case. Getting shelter is important!"

"But we should help Pureeby as well!" Tiggan was concerned about this. They knew that for all his honest intentions, he was also an overworker and could very well be overwhelmed this time.

(He never truly got over the losses they suffered after the Anomalice were sealed away. He always seemed secluded, angry, lost. That only grew when Konju died and they scattered, unable to accept Skyla or Areum as their new Master when she was mourning the death.

He... They doubted that after so long, he would be able to slay that beast, what with how he had to resort to using his true form every time, and that drained him.

This could very well be his last battle if they don't help...)

"We can't rush in so brazenly either. We need all the information we can get if we want to win this," Félix said while detransforming. "It's best for us to take things slow and regroup for now."

"Plus, we can't go in with only three people. We need all hands on deck if Itzpuxololt is truly returning after all this time," Sandayuu added.

They bit their lip. They saw the merit in their thoughts, but... "I just... I don't want to lose a friend. Pureeby had always acted weird, but after the sealing he truly secluded himself away... We have to help..."

"A-About that... I think someone's going over for backup?" Xrosmon sounded surprised as he pointed up, making them look up just in time to barely see a familiar butterfly Digimon flying to the valley at top speed.

"Wait that's...!"

"DysMonarchmon!!"

A-Cyber grabbed another Sweetypie out of the way with his arm as Benny shakily said, "T-Thank you!!"

"It's okay. Go with your king to the forest okay?" He reassured him.

"B-But the monsters!!"

"They're gone for some reason, dude. It'll be safe there for now!" A-Badgerclops said while taking the child from A-Cyber. "It feels like something scared them off, though!"

"I wonder why myself..." A-Cyber bit his lip. "Could it be related to the Ruby Pure Heart? The magic levels have never been higher than right now. Even before the barrier broke down..."

"We're better off figuring out this after we evacuate!" A-Adorabat yelled as she ushered some of the toddlers to follow the crowd. "We can't get distracted now!"

"R-Right!" A-BC nodded.

A-Cyber looked back up onto the Heart, and as his goggles adjusted his vision, he was sure of it now. There WAS someone there. He didn't know who that person was or if they were related to A-Snugglemagne, but it was way too dangerous to be in the air when the sky was like this! "BC, can you handle the rest? I have to get up close to the ruby!"

"What?! Why?!" His boyfriend demanded.

"There's a creature up there! I don't know who they are but they're too close to the sky!" He answered.

Hearing that, A-BC frowned deeply, but said, ".... Come back safe, please, Cyber."

The second time he had heard that today. He sighed as he gave A-BC a peck on the cheek. "I'll try."

After all, this person has the legendary Puro Gladius...

He didn't have time to warn him. He had to go right away and make sure that the person was okay.

Getting out his grappling hook weapon, he began running to the Ruby, the question still clear in his mind.

Just what was going on here?

The Ruby really didn't seem like a cocoon for a world-ending insect-amphibian hybrid. No wonder the tales twisted the truth so easily.

DP-Leviathan clung onto DysMo's back as they slowed to a stop in front of the ruby to see a creature. Similar to Irratio, but this was a black cat with wings, a golden stump and cybernetic parts, not to mention a pink heart on its chest.

"DysMonarchmon... It's been a while..." The Kwami looked surprised.

"I wish it was in better circumstances. Better yet, I wish I wasn't still bound to her..." They said back.

"Despite that, you still chose to come here to help take down your counterpart, right?" There was a faint smile on his face. "Instead of taking my Miraculous, of saving..."

"She... She encouraged me to do this." Their words surprised DP-Leviathan. "I... She didn't need to use words. I could see it in her eyes. She wanted me to... To do what I had to do. If it means going against all those ****Ed up rules of the Creators' system to save a world from becoming like mine... If it means saving lives from suffering what my world had to go through because I died of natural causes... If it means I... I die..."

"Itzpuxololt..."

"That's what I thought at first," They, no, she spoke. "But then... I was partnered up with someone I consider a dark horse by his own right. And... For some reason, we just connected. We both saw ourselves as nothing but burdens to our worlds, yet we managed to help each other see our own worth. That's why... I'm a bit glad that I'm an Anomalice, because I would have died with regrets had I not become who I am today. This is... This is OUR second chance, and I won't waste it."

DP-Leviathan smiled, wiping the small tears that had escaped his eyes at her words. "Man, don't say stuff like that out of nowhere!"

"I mean every word," She reassured him. "So... If this is my final battle... Just know that I've enjoyed fighting alongside you, Levia."

He shook his head. "No. Everyone is getting out of this battle alive. I won't settle for anything else."

His grip on Leipda tightened. "We're here to save this world, but I refuse to have any casualties outside your counterpart. No matter what, we WILL win this battle."

"Levia..." She smiled gently. That was... "Thank you. For believing in others when they can't do the same for themselves."

"Hey, I'm the same way," He joked. "We're just two Anomalice in a world, you know? I... I'm glad I met Rag too. He's safe now, right? So for everyone's sake, I'll fight. I'll keep going and win this fight for their sake! It's what Mona would have wanted."

"She never wants another world to suffer again. Even at her own risk, she's willing to fight for their sake. That's why... That's why I WILL break free. Somehow, I don't know how, but I WILL break out and save her no matter what," She said with a smile.

"Then let's fight. It's time we take down that overgrown lizard!" He grinned.

There was quite the lengthy silence at that, before Pureeby remarked with a snort, "Itzpuxololt is an axolotl, not a lizard-"

And immediately his face went as red as his hair while DysMo snorted. Pureeby himself let out a light laugh. Man, did it feel so good to have comrades to fight with.

(He could never truly survive being a Kwami. He had to watch so much pass by, carry so much guilt by himself... It hurt so much...

But now.... Perhaps he had comrades to fight alongside and that was a wonderful thing. Heavens know he... He wasn't strong enough.

He... He might not survive this battle, so this too could be his last.

After all, Kwamis whose ran on nonexistent fumes... They....)

"Hey, you guys alright over there?!" A voice suddenly called out. "You guys should get down, it's too dangerous!"

The three paused and looked over to see A-Cyber hanging onto a tree, panting a bit. Man, grappling was not easy! How did people do things like this so seamlessly?

"We are well aware of that-" Pureeby began.

"Also! Why do you have Puro Gladius?! That thing was lost after the first Snugglemagne's death!" He cut in, but paused and blushed a bit. "S-Sorry, I'm a bit on edge."

DP-Leviathan blinked. "Puro Gladius? What's that?"

Pureeby hummed. "It's a long story, but I can't tell you. We don't have much time before they hatch."

"Which is why we're here. I've gotten an upgrade, per se," DysMo said while twirling her new swords around.

A-Cyber froze upon seeing the jade sword. "Wait... That's Wraithful End! How-"

"Like we said, we don't have much time before things get really bad. I advise you to step back." Pureeby gripped his spear and sword tight.

"What are you talking about? A hatching? There's no egg around here!"

"Please, you gotta understand! This is a really delicate situation!" DP-Leviathan pleaded.

"Then please explain!" He snapped. "Just what is going on here?"

A spike. DysMonarchmon and Pureeby shared a glance.

"It's coming. It will start hatching soon! We have to destroy the Ruby before it comes out!" The butterfly said.

"We have to WHAT?"

"DysMo's right! The moment Itzpuxololt hatches, this world is doomed!" The Kwami agreed. "This one has been nurturing more power thanks to Mao Mao's corruption! The moment it hatches and emerges, this world will become another Forbidden Verse for sure! I refuse to fail again!"

DP-Leviathan gripped the sickle as his eyes narrowed. This was not going to be an easy fight, but if they wanted any chance of saving this world, they would have to go all out.

He just hoped no one had to die again. Not like...

"Please... Do what everyone refused to do and reach out to Mona and her vessel..."

"Rag, I won't let your death be in vain. I won't back down. I WILL fight for the right thing now."

The Codes... They had clouded his mind. How ironic was it that an Anomalice had been the one to help him realise how much he meant to others, had been the one to break him out of the Codes.

He wasn't going to waste the chance he got. No way. He was going to fight to protect the worlds. He was going to say no to the voice in his head whispering evil words and cruel plans into his ear.

He was Shinkai Seirei and this was his revenge on the worlds that doubted them; proving that even the most irredeemable people had hope as long as they were willing to redeem themselves. That stuff ingrained into people didn't determine how they turned out.

It was time to pay them back tenfold by accepting he was worth something!

(His gem.... The crack...

Centuriomon has never seen anything like this in his years of working as Milady's right hand...

The newest Creator herself smiles watching this.

A small red goop begins closing the gap, a bright light shining proud.

And the Mark on Seirei, there are THREE of them...

The Miraculous world...

The Appmon world...

And...

The Mao Mao world...)

"Please, trust us to handle this," He said to A-Cyber. "We will be fine."

The Clawberry stared back at him with a frown, but something about that look...

He closed his eyes. Oh, he was so going to be killed by his cousin and boyfriend but... "Then let me help, please."

The three stared at him with incredulity. What was he SAYING?

"You... You could DIE fighting Itzpuxololt." Pureeby couldn't help but stammer. "LITERALLY."

"But it's threatening a place I consider home now," He pointed out. "Plus, I won't go down that easily."

(The fight against Mao Mao had taken years. It had only been months since his death and they were still trying to rebuild. He refused to let their hard work go to waste. Not after all that they had to endure under his insanity...)

Something about that determination... It spoke to Pureeby. He couldn't help but chuckle as he said, "You're quite the determined young man, you know that?"

"I don't think that can be attributed to me. I... I had to fight for my life when Mao Mao went crazy. It was... It wasn't easy."

(The Heart had given him so much power, not even Night could take him down. For all his insanity, his skills had been sharpened immensely with his newfound anger and vengeance.

He didn't see much change in himself, honestly. Maybe the Sweetypies warming up to him. He didn't know what else.

But he was chosen to be part of the Sheriff Department for a reason. His kindness, his raw determination to keep fighting for his loved ones... It had shined through during the rebellion. Despite his shyness, Cyber Clyde Clawberry was a powerful asset who was an integral part of their victory.

Perhaps... That very kindness would help him connect.)

The former hero chuckled, feeling Puro Gladius vibrate. Interesting.

Pureeby Snugglemagne may have found his successor. "You shouldn't dismiss your own strengths so easily, although that is a talk for another day. We must hurry and take down Itzpuxololt."

"Right. How DO we do that?" The human inquired.

"The wound on it. Ironically, the very incision that started its countdown to reawakening is its weakness." DysMo smirked.

"Poetic, really." Pureeby chuckled, his sword glowing all the while. "Graivic, I hope you're ready for this."

"I was born ready," The double-headed spear told him. "Time to uproot another ruby!"

"Let's end this *****!" DP-Leviathan smirked.

A-Cyber prepared his blasters as the four faced the ruby, prepared to utterly shatter it and save the lives of the people in this world-

.... Hang on, why was the crack widening?!

(Pink eyes with slits for pupils can be seen from within...)

He looked around. Was he... in his Mindscape?

"So after I fail to use the Earth Armour card, I run away like a coward..." he muttered under his breath.

It was one thing to do that when he was chosen to wield it.

It was another thing entirely when the world itself was created FOR him.

He knew how this happened. He had loved watching Buddyfights when he was with his Papa, and his Papa had wanted to incorporate his beloved fishies into the world, but nothing in it could do so. It was what led to Biome World's creation...

He closed his eyes. Was he truly a user worthy of the world when it was made to match him? What about his mentor, the people whose will had matched up with Uluru's sincere wishes? What did they mean to this world?

What did HE mean? When he was the son of two Fate Changers, one who created the worlds, who caused suffering for others but also gave them happy endings?

He groaned. Sometimes he really didn't know anymore.

Just where did he belong?...

"... isn't that something I can answer myself?" He suddenly asked aloud. "Because while God has a good plan for me, it's up to me how I take it into my hands?"

It... it made sense. His uncles had always emphasized on how he should trust in God's plan, how he should keep going and fight for what He said was right. It was why he fought against those who threatened the worlds. Even if he did mess up when he hopped around the worlds due to his status as an Anomalice, it was meant to happen.

His eyes widened. "Papa, you.. you chose to let them go through it to give them the best ending, didn't you?"

A chuckle was heard. "You really did figure me out, huh, Liang? Even though it's been years, a decade for you since you saw me."

His head swiveled around. There he was, the brown-haired Fate Changer with light brown eyes, black pupils clear under the light.

Ficmata, Mystowe, Gaea, Jefrin, or even their birth name...

But to Wuliang, he would always be Papa.

Fic smiled at him. "I suppose that it's part of being a writer. But maybe... maybe it's a way to remind myself that for all the dark days out there, there will be good days. That one day... I'll be able to be free of the *******s I have to call family."

"Call it selfish if you want. I'm making people suffer because of what I went through. I wouldn't blame you for thinking that, really." He looked him in the eye, and with a start, Wuliang realized the guilt, the sorrow in those eyes. "You guys could even think I'm playing God. Maybe I am. There are still so, so many parts of me that need attention if I want to fully be able to move past everything and... and have balance in my life."

"But know this. We nonfictioners... we root for you guys. There will be times when things fall apart, of course, yet even this story, even if I know how it ends... the journey itself is what matters the most. And I..." he paused.

Tears pooled at his eyes. (None in real life, but he knows how he feels.) "I know your true home is here, in the Mystical Travels world. Even if you grew up in the OD... your true calling was always here, with Team Demigod, with the Mystic Detectives. Your true life was meant to begin the moment you met Mikado Yuga, and Liang, I am so proud of who you've become."

Wuliang felt his own tears prick at his eyes. "P-Papa...!"

The other rushed forward, pulling him into a hug. "Even if things get tough, rely on your friends. Trust them. You are not alone Wuliang. Embrace who you are, and move forward. No matter how hard it is, you WILL make it. I know that for sure."

"T-Then the same applies to you, Papa!" He fiercely said back. "You deserve happiness as much as I and everyone else do! Don't ever discount that fact, okay, Papa?!"

"Liang...!" His grip grew tighter. Thoughts of manipulation were swatted away as Fic smiled. "I... I'll try. I'll keep trying so please. Don't give up."

"I... I'll try not to as well," he promised.

Fic smiled. "I really raised a good kid didn't I?"

He laughed. "I had two awesome parents, so it's to be expected."

They snorted. "When did you become cheesy, Liang? I'm pretty sure Hongbao would never be caught doing stuff like that."

"I learnt it from George-nii!" He answered brightly, only triggering full-blown laughter from the Fate Changer as Wuliang himself joined in the giggling.

Man, this was nice. He just wanted to spend more time with his Papa...

"You know, I missed you too," Fic suddenly said, surprising Wuliang and making him look up. "But I knew that if you stayed I would only hold you back. That I would hold everyone back from their true potential. Their true stories can only be written when allowed to develop on their own. And they're their own people."

"Papa..."

"That's the same for you, Liang. You don't have to fit into the mold of others. And why not embrace your heritage?" There was a glint in his eyes as a keychain manifested in their palm. A quick look determined it to be an emerald hedgehog with a golden glint carrying a golden orb bigger than itself with its stubby feet. When it shined, it gave off a green glow too... Definitely Uncle XenoSaiyan.

Then he felt a nudge behind him, making him look back to see a light blue spirit animal... a... manta ray? It seemed to chirp at him before disappearing in a flash of blue, forming a tattoo of an apple on his right knee. Probably Aunt venusaura.

Fic had a grin as he held out some Buddyfight cards. "I think you'll like this a lot, Liang."

"Huh?" The eleven year old blinked while taking them, but his eyes grew wide. "These are..."

"Arabian Nights, The Lonely Great White Shark, the Legend of Bukit Lawang and many more. I may not remember them all but I know Buddyfighting means a lot to you," Fic said while yawning a bit. "Oh man, I must be quite exhausted."

"Then go rest Papa," he chided.

"You should probably go meet up with your friends too then," Fic teased back. "You're not Sleeping Beauty, last I checked."

He snorted. "Sure enough, Papa."

The two separated as Wuliang began walking away, but paused and ran back to Fic, surprising him with a hug and making him stumble back before hitting the ground with an oof. "Woah, woah, what-"

"We've surprised you before, haven't we? And plus, you set up happy endings for all of us... So even if you gave us the mold, we can still CHOOSE." His hug tightened. "We're both going to find a home for ourselves, Papa. So... please don't give up either." There was a noticeable crack in his tone, and Fic chuckled quietly. "No promises but... one day, I want to believe, God WILL deliver."

Wuliang smiled, and even as the space faded to black, he would never forget that happy smile, tearful but proud.

When he opened his eyes, he found a bunch of people sighing in relief.

"You scared us out there!" Glasssweeper snuggled him while Jackjack bonked him on the head. "Are you becoming your Papa?!" He had heard stories about the former leader, so he really, really didn't want his partner to pick up his bad traits. Even Jettra looked terrified.

That made Wuliang snort, the sheer irony in that statement undeniable. "Maybe I am, but... I'm still me, you know? That's all that matters. Even if things get tough, I've surprised people before, I can surprise them again."

"What?" Belos, Félix and Sandayuu shared confused looks, but Glasssweeper caught on and a smile formed. "That's true."

(Even if he was meant to be Wuliang's partner from the start, how he would meet Wuliang was never set in stone. Only happened when it did, when Agatha Harkniss used him in a fight against Fic and Kumori.)

Jackjack snorted. "Fair enough. But please, no more recklessness. That's not a good thing."

(Even after he was saved from Agatha Harkniss too, he chose to go to Legend World to become his own person, and when Wuliang met him at the age of seven during a field trip, he knew that he was meant to be with him somehow. A Biome world user... It proved all the more to himself that he was finally free of Whirnobog and Kumori's creator.)

Jettra rolled his eyes. "Gods, we do not need another Dan or Hiro. The MT versions are already a handful enough."

(Abandoned for not being enough... They met in a sunken shipwreck and he helped him save lives when people attacked the wreck. It was how they knew, things were meant to be. Even if fate was a thing... perhaps they too could surprise others and the one supposedly writing their story.

Indeed you have, you guys. Indeed you have.)

Wuliang laughed, pulling his feet up to expose his knees to the world as he shook off the blanket. "I'll try not to. No promises, though."

"He's just like his Papa."

"This is the worst."

"Oh Kam-"

"Wait. What is that mark on Wuliang's knee?" Sandayuu suddenly asked as he pointed to the mark on it now.

Everyone's eyes landed on it, and Wuliang blinked. "What the..."

(The Buddyfight mark, the Bakugan mark and the Ghost Game mark are hard to miss in stark contrast to his skin, yet the veins are glowing as well. Power is seeping through those marks. He can feel it.

He feels at peace. As if he's finally faced down a mammoth and made it out alive...!)

[A gem glows bright. Hiuliyoull chuckles.

Perhaps... everyone is prepared to take down the Ruby once and for all.]

The curtains were suddenly drawn back as A-Night walked in. "Good. Your friend is awake. Could you move so that we can treat more people? Those thunderstorms are getting worse."

"Ah, sorry about that," The Buddyfighter apologized while getting off the bed. "We should probably head off to find Pureeby and figure out what's going on with DysMonar-"

The ground suddenly shook hard, making all of them stumble as loud cries of fear and terror echoed inside the cave. Just what was going on here?!

But something seemed to resonate with Wuliang. It felt like... He could pinpoint the location of that tremor.

His eyes landed on the bedside table, where the key chain and cards sat. "Wait those are...!"

"When did THOSE get there?" Sandayuu stared. Those hadn't been there before!

Wuliang grabbed the key chain right away, closing his eyes as he tapped into his Aura abilities again. His scope was a bit wider, but he could at least sense the location to some extent.

And boy was the aura he was feeling OVERWHELMING. At the center of it all was...

His eyes opened. "It's coming from the valley. Something HUGE is happening, and the Ruby... The RUBY is the center of it all."

"What?!" Tiggan gasped. "That can only mean..."

"Itzpuxolotl... DysMo and Pureeby must have realised that this world's Itzpuxolotl was close to reawakening!" Everything fell into place for Acheel. "We have to get to the valley right away!"

Wuliang nodded. "Let me switch out of my clothes first. Where's the Aerial Leviathan card too?"

Sandayuu blinked at the sudden question while the younger Keeper grabbed his clothes set down for him. "Oh, and can someone show me an empty place to change?"

"Alright." A-Night nodded, gesturing to the room behind the huge medical room they were in before she added, "I'm coming with you though. My cousin is still in the valley and I refuse to let him get hurt."

They shared a glance at that, but Acheel stepped forward and looked her in the eye, even if she was still in her Child form. "I think you should stay here. This fight is an ancient one that has been going on for a long while. I promise you I will keep an eye out for your cousin, but please, let us handle this. This is OUR battle."

"Acheel..." Félix's eyes softened.

Belos nodded. "We shall ensure that no one dies this time. That monster shall be defeated if we must take it down to protect everyone."

"That thing must NOT be allowed to die of natural causes. Its injuries will probably not have fully healed so our best bet is to take it out right away," Tiggan said. "But the best way to take that thing down is through swords blessed by its power."

"That would be like Wraithful End, then..." A-Night spoke up.

"Wraithful End? What's that?" Sandayuu looked over.

She paused. "It's... A really dangerous artifact that if left in the wrong hands could end badly for the person."

"How bad are we talking here?" Wuliang said while emerging from the room he had slipped into, now adjusting the purple jacket he was wearing over a red shirt, grey shorts and green socks while wrapping his cloak back up into his backpack.

"A new outfit change?" Sandayuu was surprised. "Did something happen while you were knocked out?"

"Something like that. I'll tell you guys later," Wuliang answered while slipping a belt around his waist and hanging the keychain on one of the loopholes he had on the pants, putting the new cards into his deck case. "But either way, we're going all out for this battle. It's an ancient threat, after all."

"Then allow me to assist," A-Night insisted. "Moonlight Noir may not have a blessing but it should hold it off long enough."

"Pureeby will take care of it. He's got Puro Gladius and Graivic, so we can only fight to the best of our ability to help him weaken it," Tiggan said.

THAT surprised her. "Pardon me, did you just say... Puro Gladius?"

"That very sword indeed. And it's the sword the Heart blessed when he was still alive," they answered.

"But that can only be wielded by-" she stopped herself. "Does that mean that the Pureeby you speak of, he..."

Tiggan smirked. "Think of it how you will."

"While I am always for a chance to learn more, we must make haste if we wish to protect this world," Belos cut in.

"I agree. If we want to put an end to Itzpuxolotl, we have to go NOW before the energy gets too much," Félix agreed. "I'm assuming its power rivals my uncle's when he stole most of the blessings."

"I suppose you can imagine it as a scenario similar to the Leviathan Daun faced with Irratio's help," Tiggan said, making them all pale.

"Let's not waste time then!" Jackjack urged.

"Right. Night-san, we suggest staying here in order to protect the Sweetypies should things go wron-"

"I refuse," she bluntly answered Sandayuu. "My cousin is out there and you need all the help you can get, so I will gladly provide it."

(The Valley was her home now, and NO ONE got away with messing with it. Not even the Heart!)

They all shared a surprised glance at this, but soon enough a smirk formed on Wuliang's face. "Fair enough. I'm sure you can keep up, right?"

"Don't underestimate the power of a legendary villainess." She smiled back at him.

"Perfect. We'll be in your care," he said, zipping up his jacket the same way his Papa would while getting out his armour card. "I equip, Satoshi's Aural Armour!"

The others grinned as well, getting themselves ready as they transformed too.

A-Night chuckled while unsheathing her sword. "Let's get going."

"Right!"

Hopefully they made it in time...

Perhaps they didn't.

DysMonarchmon could only watch in horror as the four saw the ruby crumble apart, a shadow looming over them slowly.

A pink salamander-like monster took to the skies, its butterfly wings glistening blood red and almost falling apart. Pink reptilian eyes looked back at them with a smirk while six tails similar to an axolotl's rami moved gracefully behind it, and a pair of purple antennae completed the look of the beast that could spell the end of a world.

"Curious," The hulking beast, A-Itzpuxolotl, mused while looking them over. "You are... You are me, from another world."

"I'm you from a world where you died of your injuries, and ruined that very world," DysMo said coldly, her grip on the swords tightening. "So say your wishes because you are not getting out of this alive. You will NOT self-destruct!"

"I'm surprised you teamed up with the hunter in order to take me down, truth be told. Why would you, pray tell me?" A-Itzpuxolotl asked with curiosity.

"I refuse to have another world fall before me!" she roared back. "If this is the only way to save innocent lives, so be it! I, no, WE will fight, and we will WIN!"

"If your actions are going to kill my world, then I'm sorry but we have to take you down!" A-Cyber spoke with conviction.

"I would like to see you tr-" It barely dodged a swing from behind as DP-Leviathan landed a kick on it. "What the-"

"Nice job, Levia! Let me join in with Aircycle Strike!" DysMo grinned.

A green portal opened up and an aircycle landed right on top of the beast, making it howl in pain. She didn't waste time, holding her swords tight and swinging them at it multiple times. "Pureeby, let's not waste time! How long do we have before this falls apart on us?"

"According to the Aura I feel, we have 30 minutes remaining! This Itzpuxololt must have been storing up a lot of dark energy because of the events that transpired here!" Pureeby yelled back as he transformed into his true form, feline features more prominent and Puro Gladius in its true form once more.

"That is definitely the worst case scenario! Dual Dysphoria!" DysMonarchmon added as her  wings thoroughly shattered and rushed at A-Itzpuxolotl, who roared in pain at the shards embedding into it.

"Then we HAVE to do something about this!" DP-Leviathan swung the sickle again at the same time DysMonarchmon thrust her sword forward, but the beast blocked both of them, its tails grabbing them and throwing them downwards.

"Ugh...!" DP-Leviathan hissed in pain. Okay, five broken bones. He was totally going to be feeling the pain later on, but...!

Let me help then. Man, you're in quite the pickle.

His eyes widened. This was... "D... Doc?"

Who else would have to save your *** when you're down like this?

Hey don't be so harsh, Doc. He's in the middle of an important battle. Aphrodite?! Sorry it took us so long to show up. Your mind is a weird place.

"D-Don't look through my mind without my permission!" He yelped, feeling his face flush.

Come on, it's HILARIOUS! He wanted to die. Why was LYARRY here too?! But those kids are adorable and I doubt they want their caretaker to never come back.

That never really works out for any kid, anyway. Charis was the final one to speak, as always. We've all seen the repercussions of kids being exposed to horrible situations, so let's try to keep our friend alive, Doc. Heal him up right now while I protect him.

"You guys... But... But why?... I... I was the one who...?" He quietly asked.

I thought you already learned that you mean something, Seirei. Dear Kami, get it in your head that none of us blame you! Doc said with an exasperated tone.

Loathe I am to admit he has a point, he's not wrong, Levi- no, Seirei. Lyarry sounded serious for once. We've all accepted this.

We are happy that you finally managed to move on after so long. Your time is finally moving for the first time since the day when we died. We... We are very grateful to Ragnarökmon for helping you that day... For inspiring you to leave your world and eventually team up with DysMonarchmon. Charis's voice cracked at some points. It was filled with emotion even when he rarely expressed feelings. Considered them dumb some times. 

You're finally... You're finally happy, so take our powers and use them to protect your loved ones. Aphrodite added, her voice carrying emotion as well. Take our souls... And reach out to the worlds! LET THE WORLDS KNOW YOUR NAME! THE NAME OF THE MAN WHO OVERCAME HIS GUILT AND SELF-DOUBT! WHO IS LOVED AND CAN NOW LIVE AS WHO HE WANTS TO!

He felt tears streaming down his cheeks. The people he had doomed... They were still supporting him.

What had he done right in his past to deserve this?...

(Perhaps not him. Perhaps the sacrifice of a snake, half a year ago on Christmas Day, was what allowed him this second chance.

Even so, this chance was his alone to wield.)

A smile formed on his face. "You guys... are the best. I'm so glad I met you four."

As are we, Shinkai Seirei. As are we.

(The canon timeline ends with only Leviathan knowing the truth, and carrying the guilt to his grave.

This Leviathan, though, sheds the guilt and takes a step towards a brighter future with someone he has come to see as a friend. As a comrade.)

DysMonarchmon's entire body hurt. She couldn't deny that as she struggled to get back up, her wings all but shattered to bits and pieces. It hurt so, so much.

Still, she got up, gripping Ziel Sāwaripere and Wraithful End. The memories echoed in her mind, trying to overwhelm her, had been trying since she grabbed them.

They had almost succeeded.

But standing here now, DysMonarchmon felt determined. She would not fall for the illusions of a psychopath again. Not like she had with Pascatmon! She would NOT let her past define her. She would take these two swords and their histories of spreading blood and insanity, and she would redefine their purpose!

"Allow me to take your sorrows, and turn them into hope! We take our stand here!" She yelled.

"And we won't give up!" A green glow fading, DP-Leviathan joined her as he held Leipda.

"TOGETHER! WE WILL TAKE YOU DOWN AND PROTECT THIS WORLD!" They chorused at the same time.

The swords, they lit up.

And that attracted A-Itzpuxolotl's attention with surprise. "What?"

Pureeby didn't waste time as he rushed forward, swinging the sword at him, only for the beast to block in time and punch him back before charging up a pink lightning bolt and aiming it...

Right at A-Cyber.

"NO!!!" Pureeby yelled. 

A-Cyber's eyes narrowed at the incoming blast, but he grabbed a new invention of his and equipped it as he aimed it at A-Itzpuxolotl. "I won't give up! You're hurting the home that we spent YEARS trying to rescue from a crazy dictator!" 

(They had fought so, so hard. Even his cousin had to come to terms with her inner conflict, understanding truly that she did love the valley, vowing to protect it from others as Timber would have.

He would make his stand here! He wouldn't give up! Even if things got hard, he would always protect the souls of the valley!

It is time.

[Another gem lights up slightly. It's vague, but...]

Pureeby heard that voice, and his eyes softened as the weapon pulled itself out of his hands and flew over to A-Cyber, slicing the beast's attack in half. "You've chosen, haven't you, old friend?"

It has been an honour to fight alongside you for so many years, Pureeby, but both of us know it is time to finally be wielded. Avoiding your kwami status... You're close to fully fading away, my friend.

"You know I would gladly give up everything, Puro. This time is no different."

And yet I have found a worthy wielder for myself after all these centuries. Pureeby, perhaps you have found your own match, have you not?

"You... you know me so well," he chuckled. He was already feeling the pull. The heart sync. (It had always been that way, since that day when he had to face DysMonarchmon. Perhaps he knew that someday, things would turn out this way.) "We'll be fighting on the same side, old friend."

Even if we are no longer partners, we still rely on each other to protect the worlds. It's okay to rely on others. You deserve a chance to finally unlock your true potential, my friend. Release the guilt and step towards the light at long last! 

"Let's go then," he said with a smile, closing his eyes and allowing an eyepatch to form as he flew over to DysMo and DP-Leviathan. 

[The power he felt, it was unlike anything he had ever felt. 

Perhaps that quote Desstin had always been spouting out, 天人合一. When humans and nature become one. Perhaps there WAS merit to it, was there not?]

"I will be in your care, Seirei, Itzpu- No, DysMonarchmon..."

The words came naturally to the two. 

DysMo and Seirei shared a smile. 

"Let's go! Pureeby, apply the data!" 

Meanwhile, A-Cyber gasped as the scepter floated in front of him. "You... You..." 

I have chosen my next wielder. Cyber Clyde Clawberry of World 0961. I am in your care henceforth.

[The mark forms on Puro Gladius. To the worlds, he may as well be tainted already. 

But to the sword who had been searching, waiting for his rightful owner, it doesn't matter. 

**** the Creator Gods. The worlds needed more kindness, and not from those they blessed. No, they need small but meaningful change.

Here, the small revolution begins.]

The bright lights were seen by the five as they rushed to the scene, and Glasssweeper felt his partner's surprise. "Hey, Heliang?" 

"This is... This aura is immense," he said in surprise. "Just what is going on now...?" 

On the other hand, PrimorHekatmon felt a grin form on her face. She could sense it. It wasn't hard to, in this form. "DysMo... You finally broke free of the Codes too... Man, the others are going to love this!"

They finally got close enough in time for the light to subside, and A-Night was well and truly speechless for the first time in a long while, her words dying in her mouth even as she tried to speak, "Cyber?! That... that SWORD! Puro Gladius...?" 

"N-Night!" Cyber gasped. 

But the others had their eyes trained on the other two. A-Itzpuxolotl itself was stunned. "That form...! Impossible!" 

"Well, don't sweat your thoughts now!" Seirei yelled out as the light fully subsided, showing the the two standing side by side with matching grins. 

Seirei adjusted his grip on Leipda, feeling the digital data coursing through it as he swung it left and right. His draconic wings, once ripped and fragile, were now beautifully colored, shining in pink, grey, purple, green and yellow while his red eyes shone with the glimmer of the same pink ruby that once stood above the valley. His red hair now sported red and green streaks that complemented his black doctor's coat over a yellow turtleneck sweater, light blue shorts and brown combat boots that went up to his knee, yet the true treasure was the determination one could see in those orbs. "Time to get this show on the road, Xinjireimon!"

"Joie de vivre!" Phoegos smiled. "That is a beautiful look!"

"Indeed, I agree." Oflairon himself couldn't help but stare in awe.

PrimorHekatmon had been grinning from ear to ear from the start. "So, Xinjireimon huh?"

"You're quite on point, Acheel," the new Digimon greeted with a smile before she spread her ocean blue bat wings out from her face, her rami becoming their backbones while her pink and brown lower body dragged down below, as if she was being carried like a pet. Honestly, it did seem like her lower half could fall off any moment now, but they all knew better than to think that way, especially with the cybernetic snake tail propelling her up. Those light green eyes were bright while her antennae, sprouting from her front legs and resembling human fingers, gripped the two swords-

Wait.

One was GOLDEN instead of green. Another didn't have souls coming out of it. 

Watching from afar, A-Humora couldn't stop the grin forming on his face. This meant that... "They somehow did it. Somehow, they bonded with the swords so well that..."

What made them 'evil' in the first place was completely erased and reverted them back to how they were beforehand.

They knew that this was the right choice to make. The swords were finally back to their former glory. 

Ziel... and Geraldine...

They could now fight at their peak strength. 

Xinjireimon smiled, feeling the part of her that used to be Adorabat loving this even if it was bittersweet. She had finally found a way to take on her mentor's mantle, and despite no words from the Orangusnake part, she knew that he was proud as well of having his rival's sword. 

The memories themselves faded away, and a golden light shined. 

"Thank you... for giving me a chance to be myself. Rest in peace, Adorabat and Orangusnake of World 1057..." she whispered under her breath. (LOST. The world was meant to be gone from the start. Its name indicated so, yet...

She was a survivor. The one who doomed that very world... was now moving forward FOR that very world. 

It was finally time to break free and save this world!)

"I'm liking the energy right now!" Wuliang felt an almost insane grin form on his face as his mark glowed again, allowing the manta ray spirit animal to resurface. "Alright, time to take this beast down once and for all!"

"Let's get to it!" Little Kommander Ace agreed as he got his gun ready. 

"Oh right, you need a cover name!" Pureeby added to Seirei, who blinked at that, but then remembered something from Ragnarökmon. His Leviathan's name...

"Pangran," he decided. "That's my cover name, Pureeby."

Xinjireimon grinned, while PrimorHekatmon chuckled. "Neat little Easter egg!"

"Time to shatter this ruby to pieces then!" A-Night had a feral smile on her face. She WAS still a villainess, even if she had toned it down a lot over the years. Chances to let loose were few and far between, so she was all for taking this monster down if it also allowed her to protect her home!

"YEAH!" 

The beast roared as its tails flared up, detaching from it to attack the group, but they immediately scattered, Cyber swinging Puro Gladius while his arm stretched out to get a good cut through its left cheek. When it tried to attack him in reply, his cousin was there to block, using Moonlight Noir to land a blow on its other cheek. 

Xinjireimon then dove down sharply, her rami detaching to embed themselves into the beast. The name of the attack streamed easily into her mind, and she was proud to announce it to the world. "Ramilepís!"

"Titan's Blessing!" PrimorHekatmon added while sending pressurized wind gales its way, forcing it to stumble back in pain. Phoegos threw some fire glyphs at the wounds before Oflairon froze its feet to the ground with an ice glyph, allowing Little Kommander Ace to insert a Command Medal into his watch. 

Execute! 

Cosmic Punch!

He swung his fist at its right cheek, and while it dwarfed him in size, it roared in pain and tried to swat him back, but the Youkai Hero simply jumped out of the way just in time. That was a close call alright! 

Leipda glowed pink, and Pangran held a hand out. "Freeze." His voice seemed to drop to a whisper, yet the beast found that it couldn't move, too entranced by that simple word. 

Ziel then lit up with purple bits, making Itzpuxolotl's vision swim as Cyber struck again, swinging the sword at its neck this time. 

If anything, this seemed to break it out of the trance. It grew frantic, swiping at anyone blindly. 

"Jackjack, Tremor Uproar!" Wuliang quickly commanded, making the Legend World jackalope nod as he stomped on his feet three times, then used his hind legs to kick the ruby monster back right into Jettra's path. The Aura user landed on an Aquos BakuCore in a nearby building, throwing it at him without hesitation. "Current Bolt!"

The jellyfish Bakugan nodded while he blasted out water jets at Itzpuxolotl, the electrical current in them shocking it and making it stumble back. 

Wuliang then grabbed out one of his new cards. "I call, the Proud Great White Shark, Shinkansen!"

(The name he had given the shark in the story during one of the days after his Papa left. He couldn't help the relief that formed, knowing that his Papa did love him, that he had found his home... and it all began with that one story about friendships between those of different worlds.)

The shark appeared and ripped off one of Itzpuxolotl's arms, making it scream in pain before it returned to the card, only for Plecosweeper to cut off the other arm while Wuliang hopped over to the other three. "It's time we put an end to this guy!"

"Yeah, let's do this!" Cyber said. 

"is the finale already?" The Digimon of the group asked with a light tone.

Pureeby chuckled. "Indeed! It is time to end this once and for all!"

Pangran smirked. "Finishing time, yeah!"

The four then prepared themselves, Wuliang equipping his taser as the beast turned over to them and ROARED. 

"Guys, let us finish Itzpuxolotl off!" The SRS member looked at the others, who nodded as they backed off, A-Night and A-Cyber meeting eyes. A-Night mouthed, "You better survive this!" She only got a nod in reply, even as his eyes did seem determined.

Huh, who would have guessed her cousin would be the one to wield THAT sword. She was all the more proud of him, for sure. 

"Hespurii!" Xinjireimon sent a blast of pure pink light, making it scream in pain before Wuliang got a new Spell card out. "I cast! Fate Changing Flames!" Green flames burst out from the card and struck Itzpuxolotl HARD.

Then Leipda glowed green. In the cave, any injuries were healed as everyone got up feeling energized. This was awesome!

Cyber's sword proceeded to light up the same way a computer did, the new mark seeming to wither slightly as Puro Gladius spoke, Cyber, it is time!

"Understood!" He gripped it tighter.

Meanwhile, Seirei summoned smoke arrows and sent them flying at the beast, obscuring his view before the special power of Pureeby, the ancient warrior, kicked in. Some parts of his body were covered with metallic parts, and data was humming into his ear. 

His grin was as wide as a Grinch (but in a good way) as he held his sickle. "You ready, Xinjirei?!"

"Absolutely!" She answered.

The four shared a glance and nodded. 

At the exact same time, they rushed together. Wuliang threw his taser, its electricity at full power, at the neck, sending off a powerful electrical shock that caused it to stumble back, screeching in pain. 

Then Xinjireimon appeared in front of it, summoning ruby shards and sending them at it. "Heart of Gills!"

Pangran slid up behind it, bringing Leipda down onto one eye, making its wails all the more powerful as Pureeby added, "Its other eye!"

"Got it!" He pulled Leipda out and watched as it seemed to spit out the blood on it. "You don't like that, huh? I'll make sure to keep that in mind."

The sickle seemed to sulk, as if saying, "You better!"

He chuckled. That was pretty cute. "Alright, you got it. Hey, Xinjireimon! Could ya handle the other eye?!"

"Do we have to?!" was the reply he got. "That usually hurts a LOT, Pureeby!"

"Good point. I suppose I do tend to go overboard. Let's finish this quickly then!" Pureeby said sheepishly. 

"Alright!" He jumped off the head right away, his wings taking him beside Cyber and Xinjireimon. 

Cyber roared as he took a long jump, Puro Gladius seeming to grow in size by the second. 

Xinjireimon held her swords together, swooping down with them while Pangran aimed his boots at Itzpuxolotl. 

The sword and the boots made contact with its neck when the newly freed Digimon spun around rapidly with her swords. "XANTHIC METAMORPHOSIS!"

A loud scream was all that was heard when all three attacks landed. 

A voice, a child's voice whispered, "All I wanted was to be a hero..."

"Then be one, but remember that nothing in your past defines you. Only YOU determine the limit of your potential. In another life... I trust you will be given a better life," Seirei said as he detransformed, the wings slowly curling in. 

"You WILL become a legendary hero, I promise you that. You just need to keep pressing forward," Xinjireimon added. 

"And... never forget, that there ARE people who support you. Don't keep looking for support from those who will never give it," Cyber finished. 

(Because that had been the problem, hadn't it? Mao Mao had sought approval from the wrong people. If he had realized just how much he was loved... maybe all of this could have been avoided.)

The child sniffed, sobbed, and... and it felt like a spirit went past them all. "T-Thank you all for stopping me... I know you all will become great heroes! Please... keep my loved ones safe..."

And the body of the beast fell down, slowly disintegrating into nothing but ruby shards. 

They all fell to their knees, panting. 

"Is it... really over?" Acheel asked as she devolved into Guilmon X. 

Pureeby smiled while DysMo herself devolved into a Betamon. "It... is."

A-Night rushed to hug her cousin, tears falling down her cheeks as she sobbed, "I'm so glad you're alright! Do you have any idea just how worried and scared I was for you?! Even if you reassured me you would be fine-"

Cyber hugged her back, perhaps even tighter. "I... I know, Night. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for scaring you. But... it's all over now. Everything..."

"It... is, isn't it?" Seirei remarked while scooping Betamon up. "I'm happy for that."

Turning to the four Dimension Keepers, he paused. "You worked with the kids I fought against when I was under the Codes, right?"

"Y-Yeah," Sandayuu confirmed. 

"I... I deeply apologize for what I had done," he said as he bowed to them. "I have a small request, if that is okay. You can do whatever you want with me afterwards, and it's a selfish little thing, but..."

"I doubt it is," Wuliang remarked with a chuckle. "You've changed a lot, I can tell. I doubt it's that tall an order, and even if it is, I'll help you with that."

"Even if you..."

"I may not know you personally, but us Anomalice gotta stick together, so of course I'll help," he said with a warm smile. "So... shoot away."

"I... thank you..."

"I'm Tai Wuliang, by the way. But you can call me Wuliang or Helios. I'm a Dimension Keeper."

"Then, Wuliang, may I... go home to my original world and stay there? I... I want to be with the kids now. I want to... go home to my family," he said. 

If anything, the younger male's smile widened. "Of course. You don't have to ask."

Guilmon X patted Betamon on the head as a portal was opened. "You better stay safe, DysMo."

"I'll do my best, Acheel," she chuckled. "Do send my regards to the others."

"Will do," the former Hubris Digimon answered. 

"Old friend, you know your true calling, so go for it," Pureeby told the sword that had become a scepter once more. "You too... Cyber, was it? I think that helping the Dimension Keepers would be an eye-opening experience for you." 

"But the valley-" a hand placed itself on his shoulder, making him turn to see his boyfriend smile as he said, "Cyber, you should go for it. We can hold the fort down here, you know."

"And plus, you can always come home to visit from time to time," Tiggan added as they sat on Fèlix's shoulder. 

"Cousin, we will be fine. You should go for it," A-Night firmly said. "As much as I don't want you to get in danger, I want the best for you, and I think this will help you immensely."

"Night..." he teared up, but wiped them off with a determined smile. "Alright then. I accept, if you'll have me."

"Of course! Welcome aboard! I think Skyla may lose her mind, but oh well," Belos remarked with a shrug. 

"You are WAY too nonchalant about this," Jackjack snorted, causing a round of laughter to begin.

Seirei chuckled before he looked at Betamon and Pureeby. "You can join them, you know."

"But we're partners to the end, Seirei," DysMo answered. 

Pureeby chuckled. "Plus, if they need our help they can always come over, but until then... I suppose I need a vacation after all these years of fighting."

Seirei just laughed, his wings now all but gone, as if they were never there. "Alright then. Let's... let's go home."

With a quick wave, he stepped through with his two new friends, and his sisters immediately shot up upon seeing him enter the daycare, hugging him tight. 

Minerva gripped him tight. She had been so, so scared... She had been terrified of losing her brother... "LEVIATHAN! YOU! YOU SCARED US!"

"Please don't do that again..." Shinkai Mari agreed while sobbing. 

He hugged them back, and tears fell once more as he choked out, "I-I... I'm home..."

"W-Welcome back..." they whispered back, and Betamon smiled at Pureeby, who chuckled at the wholesome scene. 

He was finally, finally home...

Nearby, Xrosmon frowned as he looked at his reflection in a stream nearby. He could almost see who he was before... Caleb Whittebane, Evelyn Clawthorne, and the former Titan of the Boiling Isles but...

There was... something else, wasn't there? Something he wasn't remembering...

Just... just who was he? Where had he come from and...

And WHY had he been created?

In the main world's ancient center, a certain Rito trains and patrols, not knowing when to rest as she constantly pushes herself again and again... while in another world, unknown to the Dimension Keepers, Gargantua Dragon stumbles away from where Harzimierz had stood, gripping his head as memories began returning in a messed up order. 

All according to HER plan...

The next one to be sent out was a simple snake, tasked with hunting down the Kwami of Destiny... Just what would Apophimon do in order to grab Desstin for himself? What story lies within him? How would the Dimension Keepers combat him?

Little do they know, that with the ever-growing numbers they have, Mona Artemision's sanity wanes, and the darkness within Mikado Yuga's heart grows all the more... 

They may have averted the worst-case scenario but things are about to get much, much more complicated...

The stars are beautiful, Keketmon reflects as she looks up at the sky. A soft smile forms. The mindscape of the Vessel, no, Solisamon, she thinks to herself, is beautiful.

This world may not be beautiful, but it has its moments, she considers. She's relieved Nirvanamon managed to reverse the damage. She had to fulfill her role, and... She's happy the worst was avoided.

Now, things are calm.

Although, she finds herself wondering. Something had felt... Off when she was erasing the worlds. Sure, she was also erasing people who were in the non-fictional world, which would only make the pain worse, but it felt like some sort of Malice had been there. It was such a small amount she had doubted it at first but looking back...

She frowns. It feels familiar. It feels like HIS-

"I must say, the beloved creation of Pangu is quite pained by his actions too, apparently~"

That voice!!

Her eyes shoot wide as she spins around. No, it can't be!

Yet there she is. In all her (forbidden) glory.

The humanoid Digimon cackles as she approaches Keketmon. "You have been quite helpful, my little minion. I came personally to thank you for always playing your part. Can't believe Pangu was useful for SOMETHING."

"W-What?! What are you-"

It suddenly hits her. "You... You planned this, didn't you?"

"Me? Oh no, fate just lined up perfectly, you see." A sinister smile forms on her face. "All I had to do was sit tight and pretty, bidding my time. I honestly expected your vessel to go crazy in June, not January, but it just made things so much easier. Of course, her entire stint with the Forbidden Verse only made it sweeter. For someone whose role is to destroy it all, you quite enjoy making your own life miserable."

Keketmon pales. "But Pangu, they all... They can't have... You were supposed to be DEAD!"

"And yet Nirvanamon and Proximamon fell so easily to my tricks. Both are quite blind," She snickers. "You did too, and I, for one, find it hilarious that you did not question once the worlds were restored how everyone remembered the erasure."

"YOU DID THAT!" It's one of the rare times Keketmon expresses rage, eyes burning with hatred as she lunges, only for her to dodge with a haughty laugh. "It was necessary for my plan to come to fruition. After all... It wouldn't do for Mikado Yuga to forget his promise."

"What did you trick him with?! What did you tell him that made him fold?!" She knows Mikado Yuga from the memories of the others. He's not the type to fold so easily; a stubborn person like his parents. Just what had she DONE to the poor child?!

Pascatmon's eyes glow as she giggles wickedly. "Well, wouldn't you like to know~ Unfortunately I have so little time to play around with you. I have to prepare after all~ May you continue to remember your failure, Keketmon~ May you always remember the day your role led to the corruption of a child~"

She fades off with one more cackle, but Keketmon doesn't waste any time. She immediately bangs onto Azraelmon's door. "AZRAELMON! YOU HAVE TO WARN THE OTHERS! FAST!"

The death angel Digimon opens the door with surprise in her face. Never has she seen her so frightened, so terrified before. "Keketmon?..."

"You need to warn Hiro and the others! Warn the Mystic Detectives that..." She catches her breath. "Pascatmon... She's still alive in that egg! She faked her death, Azraelmon! She's still alive and she's using a child from a different world for her schemes!"

Azraelmon's eyes widen. "She's WHAT?! Who is it?!"

Keketmon tries to say the name, but it comes out as a whole new language not even she can comprehend... Garbled data comes out of her mouth. 

The two can only stare at each other in complete surprise. What the HECK is going on out there?...

(A seal, a painting between her and Nirvanamon shimmers slightly.

From within, a pair of glowing eyes watch in interest.

A corrupted child from another world... Quite interesting.

Perhaps she could pay them a visit herself~)

*Some of the stories referenced her can be found in my random ideas book! Do check them out!*