Izzy was parked outside the airport terminal, leaning on the rear end of his car. He pulled out his phone to check the time, it was already 3:30 in the afternoon. Much to his own surprise, he had missed a text from Tai that was hours old. Opening up his phone, he caught a glance at the picture and smiled.
“Wow! Meiko, and Meicoomon were there!? Prodigious! Wow, look at her eyes.” Izzy spoke to himself. “But I wonder what’s keeping-“
“Hey!” A familiar voice called out. Waving Izzy down was Willis, along with Terriermon and Lopmon. “Izzy, how’s it going!?” He was wearing a Colorado State hoodie and khaki shorts.
“Willis! Good to see you! Welcome to Japan. You guys too of course.” Izzy happily greeted the three of them.
“I’ve learned one thing, I’m not riding in your luggage again.” Lopmon shook off.
“We were carry on, silly brother.” Terriermon reminded him.
“Oh don’t you two start now. So, about this mission of yours?” Willis said. Izzy helped him load his bags into the trunk.
“Right, I wanted to bring us all together to work on it. So far, it’s me, you, Ken Ichijoji and Yolei.”
“You mentioned. What I wanted to know was, what exactly are we working on? Not that I don’t mind the first class flight here.” Willis smiled, getting into the car. Once inside, Izzy pulled out a printed version of the prophecy, along with a few other key notes. “Printed, since when do you do anything on paper?”
“Let’s just say, that as much of this we can do offline, the better.” Izzy stated, driving through the terminal. “Do me a favor, turn off your phone.” He requested, doing the same with his own. Terriermon and Lopmon each raised up an ear and listened. “I’m sure you’re aware of the situation regarding the Digi-destined that have taken their own lives.”
“Yeah, to say the least. I was actually driving to Maria’s but. I got there too late.” Willis confessed.
“Gennai gave me a drive with that prophecy written in digicode. I deciphered it using some of my retro tech, as form of caution to keep it offline.”
“Smart call. But if Gennai gave it to you, what’s the problem?”
“Read it over.” Izzy tapped the paper and Willis gave it a good look over.
“What’s it say, Willis?” Terriermon asked.
“Shades of grey can weave.” Willis thought for a moment.
“Any ideas?”
“You remember when you sent me all that data you collected from File Island? The room with the runes that controlled the lights, and then the old ruins with Centarumon?”
“Yeah, I remember. There was a story in there about the three angels, right?”
“Right, but. There’s more than that. It talked about Cherubimon, which I’ve got here with Lopmon or Terriermon. Seraphimon, and Ophanimon.”
“T.K and Kari.”
“Right, but the part it never mentioned was of one named Rasielmon.”
“Rasielmon?” Izzy quickly glanced to Willis.
“When you told me about Ophanimon and Raguelmon turning into Ordinemon, it seemed strange that a random digimon could merge with an angel and DNA digivolve. So I did more digging and found out more about it. Turns out that she was just as crucial a part of the Kernel as the others, she could see all outcomes of the future and had divine knowledge. I think in part it’s why she’s called the Libra. Striving for balance and harmony in everything, sound familiar?”
“Homeostasis.” Izzy thought aloud. “Are you saying Meicoomon is the digimon form of it?”
“Maybe, and maybe not. Perhaps Meicoomon is more of an affront to homeostasis because she has the capacity to foresee all outcomes and balance the world.” Willis countered. “A threat to its power maybe.”
“Well, it’s an interesting theory. But we should really share this with Ken and Yolei. I want all of us working together on this.”
“Do you really think we can stop the countdown timers?” Willis said softly.
“Don’t tell me yours has!” Izzy exclaimed.
“No, so far I’ve been really lucky. After hearing about how Menoa lost her digimon after getting into college, I thought I was in major trouble. So far though, no light.”
“So you still have potential.” Izzy said. Willis huffed, and threw back his head.
“Well, if you like theories, get this one.”
“Huh?”
“I’m betting there’s not even really a potential protocol at all.” Willis stated.
“What!? But, I’ve seen the code for it. Gennai and Hackmon-“
“Could very well be in the dark. What if Homeostasis is selectively recalling digimon, particularly the most powerful ones? I can’t say for certain why, maybe the incident with Meicoomon scared it, or perhaps it’s become too unstable to manage itself and the digimon properly; maybe something even bigger is coming and it needs far stronger digi-destined to add to the roster. But something has to be going wrong because, what now Homeostasis can’t figure out its own digi-code to recall the digimon properly? How else would these whispers, or echoes keep happening? It can’t be mass coincidence or hallucinations, something’s gone wrong.”
“Are you saying that someone-”
“Is blocking the digimon from passing in to the digital world to be destroyed. Redirecting them to a pseudo purgatory between both, waiting for a chance to get them out.”
“You have proof of this?” Izzy breathed.
“No, not yet. That’s what I was working on when you called me.” Willis shook his head.
“It’s a fascinating theory. Well worth exploring. Let’s get to my building and discuss it further.”
Davis, Cody, T.K and Kari met up at their usual spot in Odaiba under the bridge near the water, along with all of their digimon. Davis was leaning up against the wall, pouting while Veemon was doing his best to ignore his friend’s poor attitude.
“Is everything alright Davis?” Kari asked.
“He’s been like this all morning.” Veemon replied.
“I have not!” Davis was quick to retort.
“Calm down Davis, what seems to be the problem?” Cody spoke up.
“Hrrr.” He turned away, blushing.
“He found out that T.K and Kari are together and hasn’t been the same since.” Veemon explained, but Kari just giggled covering her mouth.
“Davis, we had a whole talk about that. I like you a lot and think you’re super sweet but you’re just not my type.” Kari reiterated.
“But I could have changed, you don’t know that! Oh, whatever. Sides I’m a big boy, I can get over it.” Davis brushed off.
“So is it true?” Cody asked.
“Did the ring of light really stop?” Armadillomon said finishing Cody’s question. T.K and Kari produced their digivices and sure enough, the light still shown white with all the counters there.
“Yeah, it hasn’t moved since it restored itself.” T.K explained.
“I can’t even describe how relieved I am.” Gatomon smiled.
“I know! Turns out all we needed was a little love!” Patamon proclaimed, leaping from T.K’s head to Gatomon’s side.
“So what happens next?” Davis asked.
“Apparently we’re in some kind of waiting period. Gennai showed up at my apartment last night and explained it all. If our potential is strong enough, the light will go away.” T.K answered.
“Cody.” Kari spoke up. “Did you and Yolei find anything in the digital world the other day?”
“Sorry.” Cody shook his head. “We had a run in with a Drimojemon but that’s about it. No sign of Hackmon or Homeostasis.”
“I reveal myself as needed.” A voice from behind them spoke up. As they turned around they spotted Hackmon sitting upright, taking to his typical calm and stoic demeanor.
“Hackmon.” T.K breathed.
“Yes. I heard you might be searching for me?”
“I want answers.” Kari fumed, stepping toward him. “This light may have stopped for now, but I want to know why it exists in the first place.”
“The answers you seek have already been given to your companion, Izzy.” Hackmon refuted, fixing his eyes on Kari. “I know, that you know the answer to your question.”
“It’s not good enough! We were supposed to be partners for life! Why would you take Agumon, Gabumon and the others away? Why are you trying to take Gatomon away!?”
“Kari’s right ya big metal hot-dog! Start talking!” Davis joined in.
“What you ask is not for me to know. I am the messenger, not the keeper of the reasons behind the actions of Homeostasis.”
“So is killing digi-destined part of your plan!?” T.K shouted in a rather Matt like outburst. “Go on, rationalize that away. Tell me how Eosmon was allowed to exist if you were doing your job. Or how bout not even lifting a finger to help the digi-destined suffering from the loss of their partners. How heartless are you!?”
“You misunderstand.” Hackmon hung his head.
“What is there to misunderstand exactly?” Cody demanded.
“Just as your partners do as you command, I follow what Homeostasis orders me to do. It does not mean that I always agree with it, but I cannot betray that to which I am sworn to protect.” Hackmon said, gazing up at the sky. “In so many ways, Homeostasis behaves like King Drasil, but instead of consuming worlds, it wishes to maintain them, preserving balance and harmony. However.” He returned his gaze to Kari. “I despise every sacrifice made to preserve that order. I mourn the deaths of those we have lost that have sworn to protect our world and the human world. I understand the pain the digimon feel when they fade from their partners. It sickens me.”
“So why do it!?” Davis asked.
“Because it has been successful in preserving harmony. That is what truly matters when you consider the need to balance entire worlds.”
“But it doesn’t!” Cody shouted out. It was enough to get Hackmon’s direct attention. “If it was working, you wouldn’t have rogue creatures like dark Gennai. You wouldn’t allow digimon like Eosmon to be made, and Ordinemon would have never been allowed to form.”
“Did Homeostasis learn nothing from everything with Meicoomon?” T.K stepped in. “You were going to reset, everything. Sending humanity into the dark ages, you would have killed billions.”
“I’ve made my stance on that clear. The reboot of the real world, would not have been my choice of action. I was grateful that it did not have to come to that, so much so that I felt compelled to free Gatomon upon the first opportunity.”
“Then start being a messenger and stop being a puppet.” Kari stated. Hackmon was quite taken aside by the statement. “Do you have any idea how many times we’ve listened to our digimon, put our faith in them when we didn’t know the answer? If what you say is true, why aren’t you telling Homeostasis how much you despise these losses? Why aren’t you asking them to allow us to keep our partners when we do so much good together? What happens when Davis, Ken, Yolei and Cody lose their digimon? Are you going to pick new children? Are they going to be made to suffer these losses? Is this constant cycle of endangering our lives to preserve your world really the best way to handle things? There’s so much more we could do. Our potential is limitless, and Homeostasis is throwing all that away.”
“Hmm.” Hackmon lowered his head. “An impassioned speech. Your words do carry a ring of truth. But it is not my place to speak of such things to Homeostasis.”
“Then listen up buddy!” Davis cut in. “We’re going to find a way to stop this once and for all. If there’s a way to rescue the digimon that were lost, we’ll find it. If we can stop that stupid protocol we’ll do it, and if you get in our way we’ll fight you too! Our friends are our strength, our partners put their lives on the line to save this world and the digi-world and you’re gonna slap us in the face by taking them away!? What makes you any better than King Drasil or any evil digimon!? We’re gonna keep the world safe, our way, and we’ll do it with or without you!”
“That’s right!” Veemon jumped in. “I love this world and the digi-world and if you take me away from Davis, you’re putting them both in danger, that makes you a bad mon in my book!”
“You tell him Veemon!” Hackmon was mostly ignoring the two and began to turn around, still he turned his gaze to Kari.
“Go. Be useless somewhere else.” She spoke in a rather monotone voice.
“Hmmm.” Hackmon turned away and vanished as Kari turned her back to where he was and started walking away from the group. T.K rushed over and tried to put a hand on her shoulder.
“Kari-AH!” T.K cried out as a dark shock hit his hand. “What the!?” Kari suddenly aware of her feelings turned back to see T.K clasping his hand.
“T.K, what happened?” She asked.
“You, shocked me somehow.” T.K answered, showing the small burn on his hand.
“Kari?” Gatomon spoke up. “You gotta be careful.”
“Huh?” She turned to Gatomon.
“I remember. When you got so sad, when you thought Tai was dead. You corrupted me and released a whole lot of darkness.” Gatomon reminded her.
“Kari.” T.K moved in closer, taking her hands. “It’s ok. See, no more pain. No darkness.”
“You’re really sensitive to that.” Cody noted.
“I’m sorry, T.K. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Kari lowered her head, but T.K picked up her chin.
“Don’t be sorry. Like I said, we’ll fix this.” T.K assured her, keeping to his happy composure. “Sides, you were right. Hackmon was being pretty useless anyway. So let’s work together and find a way. I won’t stop till we’re all back together again.” Kari smiled and threw her head into his chest and held him tight.
“I like the way you think.” She whispered.
“Let’s start by breaking this down.” Izzy began to address his team. Ken Yolei and Willis had all gathered in a small common room next to Izzy’s office. “The prophecy goes: They follow along in worlds unseen, no light or dark can touch but the shades of grey can weave. As the harmony fades, the walls break down but so does all within, the cats tail is the key to salvation. Fear not the dark for the light can blind. For within harmony lies chaos and within chaos lies harmony.”
“I’ve had a little time to think on that.” Ken spoke up. “I went over some of the notes that were left behind by Menoa and when she digitized the consciousness of the other Digi-destined, their digimon left behind a sort of noise, like a digital echo.”
“Right, they stayed beside their partners in the real world, while some form of them was transferred to Menoa’s never world.” Willis agreed.
“I can verify that. An echo has been following me as well.” Izzy addressed the group. “Like Sora and probably Tai now, I can hear Tentomon calling out to me now and then.”
“What does he sound like?” Yolei asked.
“Distant, a lot of reverberation, and clearly he’s in distress.” Izzy explained, clenching his fist. “It’s always this weird combination of troubling yet, comforting. I know it’s him, but I’m powerless to help.”
“What do we know about the other worlds?” Yolei said. “Remember you mentioned that from the quantum sea came all these other worlds. Any chance that they could be in one of them?”
“We went into that world where dreams were made manifest when we battled Malomyotismon.” Ken threw in.
“Right! Exactly, and Kari and I went to the dark ocean. Isn’t that the quantum sea?” Yolei threw in.
“When Lopmon was infected by the Diaboromon virus he tore apart the fabric of reality. I don’t know how many worlds we passed through, but we sure went through strange things, like age regression.” Willis reminded them. “Playing around with these worlds has to be done extremely carefully. One crack and we could shatter barriers between realities that don’t mix well with our own.”
“Agreed.” Izzy nodded. “We need to find out exactly where the digimon are, how they’re communicating with us, where these cracks between our two connecting worlds are, and then how to safely pull them out without risking a massive imbalance or breech.”
“Coding for that kind of work is my specialty.” Willis offered up.
“Finding these cracks could be mine.” Ken nodded.
“Wait a second you guys, I think we’re overlooking something big here. The prophecy mentioned that the cat’s tail is the key.” Yolei added.
“Of course. Any suggestions there?” Izzy asked.
“Gatomon of course.”
“I had a feeling, either her or Meicoomon.” Izzy nodded.
“Meicoomon’s back?” Willis questioned urgently.
“Tai sent me a text earlier today. Meiko and Meicoomon are working with him.” Yolei got up and smiled, folding her arms.
“Ok, then maybe we should do it like this. Izzy, you and Willis should try to isolate what world the digimon are in, and try to find a way to create a gate to it. Ken, you should follow-up with all the digi-destined you can, see if there’s an overlap on the locations or circumstances where their voices broke through. I’ll go talk with Kari and Gatomon. Maybe I can convince them to let me borrow her tail ring for further study. If the cat’s tail is the key, then I’m gonna research everything I can on digimon rings so we can maybe craft our own.”
“Sounds like a great start! Let’s do this!” Izzy cheered.
In a large clearing, preceded by a massive forest with mountains beyond, a flash of sparks began to appear. Soon, a great gaping portal opened up and stepping through was Tai, Meiko and Meicoomon. As the gate started to collapse behind them, Tai activated a marker on his phone along with Meiko. A green confirmation notification showed “Tracer secured” and Tai and Meiko nodded to each other. Tai adjusted the thin, smart watch looking device on his wrist and confirmed the same light was active.
“So you can make portals like that whenever you want?” She asked.
“Thanks to Izzy’s know-how, yeah. This app allows us to stay locked onto from the real world, kind of like a dimensional GPS. They can be tied in with these bands, or you can activate the gateway on your phone. Give the band a hit, or activate the digital gate on your phone, and the portal opens right back to where we were.” Tai explained.
“So neat!” Meicoomon smiled.
“You think they’ll show?”
“Kari and T.K? Of course.” Tai smiled. “Check your digivice, I’ll bet their not far.” Meiko did as he requested and without fail two red lights appeared on her digivice.
“Tai!!” Kari called out from the top of a nearby hill.
“Kari! T.K! Over here!” Tai happily waved down. Kari and T.K slid down the hill with Gatomon and Patamon, rushing over to him, Meiko and Meicoomon. Gatomon clasped Meicoomon’s paws with a big smile while Patamon flew in and hugged her tight.
“Meicoomon! Hahaha!” Patamon giggled with delight. “I’m so happy you’re back.”
“I’m so glad to see you guys too!” Meicoomon greeted, hugging Patamon for a moment before returning her attention to Gatomon. T.K and Kari both stole hugs from Meiko.
“It’s so great to see you again! And Tai, where did this suit come from, you almost look like a professional.” Kari chuckled.
“You’re hysterical.” He quipped, poking her cheek.
“Was going to say, you’re both looking good. It’s great to see you back, Meiko and you too Meicoomon.” T.K threw in.
“I hope you don’t mind Tai, we invited another friend. He’s gonna met up with us shortly.”
“So long as it isn’t Davis. Love the kid but reckless is his middle name, remember, I’m here on official business.” Tai smiled.
“Nope, he’s watching over the real world.” Kari stated.
“Cody and Armadillomon are on standby too if their needed.” Patamon threw in. “But we figured if we were going to look for something as hard to find as Homeostasis, we better get a little help.”
“Right then, let’s get going.” Tai approved, leading the way. After a good half hour walk they ended up in a small town of Gazimon. The area was designed just like an old japanese village with many of the digimon simply going about their daily lives. Kari led them into a small restaurant and much to all of their surprise, inside at one of the tables was Wizardmon.
“Wizardmon!” Gatomon called out.
“Gatomon.” He turned and smiled. Gatomon rushed over and gave him a big hug.
“I’m so glad to see you again.” She cooed.
“It’s wonderful to see you as well. Along with a couple of new faces I see.” He noted.
“Hello, I’m Meiko Mochizuki.” She bowed.
“I’m Meicoomon.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Wizardmon bowed.
“Wizardmon, are you sure you can find wherever Homeostasis and Hackmon are?” Gatomon asked.
“I can’t promise anything, but I do seem to have a knack for sensing the cloaks and illusions they use to conceal the paths to their inner lairs. Besides if it’ll help you Gatomon, I’m on board for certain.” Wizardmon smiled. The group headed out to the rest of the town, while Wizardmon began to feel out the area. Patamon took to the air to see if he could spot anything unusual while Meiko and Tai stuck close together with T.K and Kari right next to them. Gatomon was keeping pace right next to Wizardmon when she asked.
“Think it’d really be here in town?”
“Anything is possible. Homeostasis is something of a legend among digimon after all.”
“It certainly hasn’t been kind to me.” Kari sighed. Gatomon moaned looking back to her partner.
“What do you mean?”
“Well. See.” Gatomon started to explain as they walked toward the edge of town. “Kari has a ring of light on her digivice and while it’s frozen for now. Once it starts counting down. I’m gonna fade away.”
“What!? Impossible, I can’t allow that!” Wizardmon shouted. Tai cut in trying to ease the tension.
“Relax Wizardmon, that’s why we’re here. We’re trying to stop these timers if we can. Agumon and everyone else has already been taken.”
“Humph” Patamon moaned, landing in T.K’s arms.
“Anything Patamon?” T.K asked.
“Nah, nothing I could see anyway.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary?” Wizardmon inquired.
“No, just the houses, the market and the wells in the town and the big one outside.” Patamon explained.
“Big well?” Wizardmon pondered.
“Hmm?” Tai glanced over to him.
“The town was constructed around its main well, why would there be a second one outside of it and nothing else around.”
“Worth checking out. After all, the research I did on the digiworld before coming here told me that often times the things that were very out of place, were out of place for a reason.” Meiko explained.
“Right, let’s go!” Tai rushed off with Patamon guiding the way. The large well was a good seven-hundred feet outside the town on the upper part of a hill. Tai peered down and took out his cellphone to use as a flash light. “Can’t really see the bottom, but I don’t see any water either.” Tai climbed over the wall and grabbed hold of the rope. “Wizardmon, lower me in.”
“Sure.” He agreed, easing the bucket Tai was standing in down. It was rather spacious inside, Tai’s arms could easily stretch out without touching either side. After a minute or so, he found ground and started pressing on the walls. Nothing gave way, but there were some strange yet subtle markings.
“Hey guys! I think I found something.” Tai called back up. One by one, T.K, Kari, Meiko and their digimon headed down. While a little crampt, Wizardmon floated down and began to survey the small area.
“Something isn’t right.” He surmised.
“What is it?” Meicoomon asked. Wizardmon closed his eyes, and after a series of gestures from his hands, he pressed them against the wall. The runes lit bright and a large square of the wall faded to reveal a steel stairwell walled in iron that fed down deeper into the ground.
“Whoa!” They all said in unison.
“Digital world never fails to impress.” Tai stated. “Come on, let’s head in.”
“Wait Tai!” T.K cut off. “We’re the ones with digimon to protect us now. We should guard you.”
“I’ll be ok, T.K.” Tai dismissed.
“Tai please. I’m worried for you without Agumon here. Let us protect you for once.” Kari pleaded, tugging on his arm.
“Oh, alright.” He surrendered, letting T.K and Kari lead the way with Wizardmon.
“Remember Tai, we’re here as emissaries. Let the security detail handle the danger.” Meiko smiled.
“Sure, take all the fun out of it.” He laughed. The corridor ran long however thanks to Wizardmon, he was able to light the way with his staff. Once they found the exit at the bottom, they discovered a massive indoor structure that appeared to be something of an engine room. Eight enormous turbines seemed to be churning away and the area seemed to take the form of a massive factory. The mesh iron floor they were on ran the perimeter of the building with several stairs feeding down to other levels. Tai peered over the ledge and noticed that even below the turbines seemed to be a whole other floor.
“Unreal!” Meiko cried out.
“It’s so big, what are those things for?” Meicoomon asked.
“No idea.” Tai shook his head, following behind T.K and Kari still.
“I wonder if these are pumping the water up above us or something.” T.K surmised.
“Good guess, T.K! I’ll bet that’s exactly what this is!” Patamon complimented. Tai suddenly perked up, hearing what sounded like a jet pack rising up nearby. Ascending up from the ground came four Mekkanorimon, attempting to surround them.
“Of course there’s a welcoming party!” Tai fumed, raising his fist.
“Intruder detected. Eradicating. Twin Beam!” They fired in unison on the bridge but Tai pushed Meiko out of the way and T.K and Kari dove for cover.
“Alright, that tears it!” T.K shouted.
“Patamon digivolve to! Angemon!”
“Gatomon digivolve to! Angewomon!”
“Go get em Angemon!” T.K cried out.
“You too, Angewomon!”
“Magical Game!” Wizardmon shouted before blasting one of the Mekkanorimon with a thunderous blast. It was enough to knock it back while Angemon slapped it down with his staff. One of the other Mekkanorimon got up behind him and seemed ready to fire.
“Celestial Arrow!” Angewomon fired, blasting the cannon clear off his hand.
“Thunder bomb!” Wizardmon fired, taking it out as it flailed toward the bottom floor.
“Rah!!” Meicoomon roared in on another one of them, slashing at its head but couldn’t dent the armor. Mekkanorimon ejected Meicoomon off but as she took to the air she attacked. “X-Scratch!” She cried as a massive wind whipping slash hit Mekkanorimon head on. The attack sent him down on his knees long enough for Angemon to finish him off.
“Hand of fate, hai!” The last Mekkanorimon landed on the bridge, not too far from Tai. As it opened fire, Tai threw himself on top of Meiko to protect her from the blast. The twin beam sailed right over their heads, smashing the doorway and bringing it down. Tai growled as he got up and charged at the Mekkanorimon.
“Eat this ya tin can!” Tai shouted, punching it right in the eye. Much to everyone’s surprise it was enough to cause it to back off and stumbled around. However it managed to charge up another shot and fired right for Tai. Wizardmon dove into the way and smacked away the attack with his staff, sending it into the wall and sending debris blowing across the bridge.
“Enough!” Kari yelled, but in a strange and atypical voice. The last Mekkanorimon withdrew and flew down to the ground to collect its friends.
“Kari?” Tai turned around. Kari closed her eyes and created a large energy sphere around everyone, it was enough to de-digivolve Angemon and Angewomon as they rose up into the air, then back down below the turbines into a rather familiar looking stone room with similar machinery to what they saw upstairs. As they landed Tai looked around and was in awe. The oil lamps burning in blue flame, the machinery, the glass cases with new digivices inside but no digieggs. It was all too familiar. “I know this place.”
“Of course, you’ve been here once before.” Kari answered.
“Tai, I think it’s Homeostasis.” T.K stated.
“Yeah. This room, this is where we went when we saw that vision in the past. Back when we were climbing up spiral mountain, isn’t it?” Tai questioned.
“That is correct.” Homeostasis nodded. With a snap of her fingers Hackmon and Gennai appeared beside her, Gennai with a big smile on his face as well.
“Figured you’d find your way here, one way or another.” He greeted.
“You’re not gonna conk me out this time are you?” Tai proposed with a laugh, placing a hand on his waist.
“I just figured you needed your beauty sleep, and judging by that nice new suit I’d say it did wonders.”
“Homeostasis?” Meiko approached, bowing her head. “Allow me to introduce myself.”
“Meiko Mochizuki.” Homeostasis answered. “And I see the Libra has been restored as well.”
“That’s not a problem, is it?” Meiko asked.
“It depends. But as I can sense no dark power emanating from her and no sign of infection. I’d say Meicoomon is of least concern right now. What I am concerned with is why you were seeking us out. However, first things first.” Kari pointed to Wizardmon and a sphere of light enveloped him.
“Hey, what the!” He cried out.
“Wizardmon!” Gatomon shouted. In a flash the sphere disappeared along with Wizardmon. “What did you do to him!?” Gatomon shouted.
“Don’t worry, I have no intention of bringing harm to him. Wizardmon has been a noble soul since his return. He’s back at the restaurant in the town above ground. Besides, he forgot to pay his tab.”
“Homeostasis. Tai and myself are here as emissaries of Japan. We want to speak to you regarding a cessation of hostilities caused by the digimon breaching our world, and perhaps further collaboration on what you’d like from us as humans and how we can benefit the digital world on a more formal level.” Meiko stated.
“We’re well aware of your desire to take a more diplomatic approach and while admirable I don’t see a need. The digital world can manage itself and the breaches while incidental are being investigated. We plan to seal them off for good at some point in the near future.” Homeostasis replied.
“But. Well.”
“Is that all you’ve come for?” Homeostasis asked.
“No, not all.” Tai stepped forward.
“I assume you’re here, asking for Agumon to be returned to you.” It asked, tipping its head unimpressed.
“Of course that’s what I want.” Tai confessed. “But that isn’t what we came to talk about.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t think I’d be so quick to turn down human collaboration if I were in your position. Sure, you know the digital world best, and likely have a good understanding of the real world. But the truth of the matter is that whether it’s being investigated or not, these breaches are resulting in damage, injuries and sometimes even deaths. The more this happens, the more hostile humans will become, and the more dangerous their actions.”
“We are prepared for such outcomes.”
“On top of that, you’ve been taking kids like us into the digital world to resolve your issues without warning. While I’m not gonna deny the mutual benefit, it raises hostilities between our two worlds even further. Now, some of those you’ve retired like me; have been taking their own lives from grief and sorrow over the loss of their partners. So I’m asking, what are you planning to do to help those that are suffering?” Tai stated.
“It’s deeply tragic. We weren’t anticipating such grief or fragility in those we choose as Digi-destined. Menoa and Himakawa were very far outliers, but some Digi-destined have also tried to recreate their digimon using dangerous hacks and programming. We’ve been doing our best to shut that down, but some always slip through the cracks.” Homeostasis explained.
“I thought you had a handle on everything. According to the notes I read from Mr. Nishijima and Ms. Himakawa, you’re some kind of supreme being, aren’t you?” Tai asked, but Homeostasis shook her head.
“Recall the conversation we had when I first took you all here. We’re like the digimon, but we can’t manifest a physical form. While Gennai and Hackmon do the heavy lifting, I divided myself and now lead a team of beings capable of helping to maintain the balance within the coding and programming of the digital world. I’m not a supreme being as you’d call it. Just a leader, like you are.” Homeostasis explained.
“I was.”
“Tai, you still are.” Homeostasis said more sympathetically. “For all your flaws, you are still you. The traits that made you unique as an individual didn’t fade with Agumon.”
“Please don’t mention him.” Tai turned away.
“My apologies.” Homestasis said. “I’m not blind to the fact that you loved him. But your duties as a Digi-destined have passed, and digimon are not pets to keep for life.”
“I still don’t understand why you had to take him away.” Tai stated.
“A flower isn’t beautiful because it lasts forever, Tai. All of you have been enriched by your partnerships and can be made better people as a result. Still, I’m so sorry for your grief.”
“I have to ask, a personal question. Was that you that took hold of Kari, when Meicoomon was going berserk and fought with Jesmon?” Meiko questioned.
“That entity was part of us, yes. A little more rigid, but forthright. But if you’re asking if it was me specifically, no.”
“So there’s really more than one of you?” Tai questioned.
“Yes, hence why I lead a team. Long ago I existed as a singular entity, however as the digital world grew, along with the discovery of countless worlds progenerating from the Quantum Sea, I split myself into separate entities to help manage the variety of problems that arose. Just as Gennai copied himself repeatedly and now oversees those that look like him and aide in keeping our world safe. I oversee the balance within the programming of the digital world.” Homeostasis explained.
“Fascinating. Quite a clever tactic if I may say so myself.” Meiko complimented with a smile.
“Fool.” T.K spoke in a rather deep voice. Tai and Meiko turned around, along with Patamon, Gatomon and Meicoomon. Meicoomon in particular began to raise her fur and growled.
“That stink!” She shouted, her eyes flexing back into their X shape.
“Partnerships. Digi-destined. You have no idea how reckless it was, bringing them into our world. But then, you always were a poor leader.” T.K said, raising his head. His eyes were jet black, and his hair gradually turned the same color. Smiling he snapped his fingers, as Dorumon and Dark Gennai appeared.
“You!” Homeostasis shouted.
“Son of a bitch!” Tai shouted at Dark Gennai.
“Tai, take it easy.” Gennai intervened as Hackmon and Dorumon confronted each other eye to eye.
“Make one fell move, and you’ll perish here.”
“Ever the obedient pet, aren’t you brother?” Dorumon snarled.
“Look at you, Meiko. Looking as luscious as ever.” Dark Gennai licked his lips.
“Stay away from Meiko!” Meicoomon bellowed. Homeostasis teleported directly in front of T.K and met him eye to eye.
“I shut you down, how is it possible you can manifest here King Drasil!?” Tai gasped at the realization of what was happening.
“Come now. Did you really think the digital world could carry on without me?”
“It would thrive.” She glared. Drasil smiled and sighed passing by her.
“Love what you’ve neglected to do with the place. But it does seem you have a human infestation.” Tai clenched his fist and growled before answering him.
“If you hurt T.K, you’ll be the one getting exterminated.”
“Shut your insolent mouth, human lapdog!” He shouted, and with a wave of his hand a gust of wind blew Tai, Meiko and Meicoomon to the ground. Gatomon and Patamon leapt in to cover them, but they seemed mostly unhurt.
“Hahahah! Pathetic!” Dark Gennai cackled maniacally. “Poor Digi-destined, so sad and lost without your precious digimon. Now here you are begging for their lives back so you can stop scrubbing filth off the floors of your world. I guess you truly are a disappointment to Daigo, is that what he meant when he told you to dream big with his dying whimper!? Hahahahaha!”
“Be silent, fool!” Drasil bellowed, slapping a nailed on piece of iron over his mouth. “I can only tolerate so much of your drivel.”
“Last warning, leave now.” Homeostasis glared. King Drasil turned around and stepped back in front of her.
“Are you sure you can afford that? These breaches are becoming more dangerous than you know. The pores of which were wide enough for me to slip through unnoticed and it won’t be long before the Kernel is exposed to greater harm than it can overcome.”
“And I’m certain you had nothing to do with that.”
“My desire is for the digital world to prevail over all. The human world is a blight upon the quantum sea, however. That being said.” Drasil relaxed his eyes, resting his hands behind his back. “Your precious Digi-destined may be the best chance of sealing those cracks.”
“You always say what you think I want to hear. The Kernel is safe, our world will prevail and it will do so without your interference.” Homeostasis argued.
“I will not watch my world burn in the wake of your stupidity.”
“You’re testing my patience!”
“Wait, both of you.” Tai got up and stood in between. “What do you mean the Kernel is exposed? Isn’t it at the core of the digital world where its creator or god resides?”
“Your fool isn’t as poorly educated as it seems.” Drasil replied. “Yes, Tai. However much like the breaches that are happening in your world from mine, the quantum sea has pathed new breaches from worlds more powerful and dangerous than you can imagine, including the Primal world. As such, our world will soon suffer from new, and a far more deadly cascade of breaches.” Snapping his fingers he took them all to the dark ocean.
“Wait, where are we?” Meiko whimpered. Tai took hold of her and Meicoomon.
“I know this place too well, I can’t stand it here.” Gatomon trembled.
“Is this really?” Patamon began to say.
“The Quantum Sea, you know it best as The Dark Ocean.” Homeostasis replied. “There’s nothing here.”
“Is that so? A breach occurred here, not thirty minutes ago. Let’s see what the result was.” Drasil raised his brow. Within seconds a massive Seadramon burst from the water, seeing the group of them there on the shore. Roaring it seemed to be charging up its attack.
“Hackmon, digivolve to! Jesmon!”
“Dorumon digivolve to! Alphamon!”
“Ice Blast!” Seadramon shouted, and in a massive nearly deafening blast he fired on Jesmon hurling him into the cliff and flash freezing the whole area. Spikes of jagged ice fired out in every direction. Tai covered Meiko and Meicoomon but both Drasil and Homeostasis had raised a barrier to deflect the attack. Jesmon was left frozen solid on the cliff while Alphamon went on the attack. Revealing his sword, Oryurken he went on a full-scale attack, he was able to knock Seadramon around, but couldn’t land a finishing blow. Jesmon broke free and picked himself up and started to charge his strongest attack.
“Un-Pour-Tous!” His bladed nodes named Athos, Rene and Por, lining up to create the triangular shield which he uses to fire through. Seadramon’s tail caught Alphamon, slapping him down harshly into the water and with another strike sending him further down into the depths.
“Why can’t I digivolve!?” Patamon cried out.
“Me either, I don’t get it.” Gatomon protested.
“I think it’s because T.K and Kari are being controlled. But more importantly. Seadramon’s only a champion level digimon!? How can he be knocking out Alphamon and Jesmon at the same time!?” Tai shouted.
“Because fool, he is not a digimon from the digital world.” King Drasil replied. Jesmon fired away, the massive verdant beam lashing violently across Seadramon, sending him hurling down into the water unconscious. Alphamon emerged, seemingly panting from the attack he suffered. King Drasil raised his arm and began channeling a dark sphere.
“The portal to his world is distant. I cannot open this gateway alone, you know this.”
“Fine.” Homeostasis reluctantly agreed and began channeling a sphere of light. The two fired off into the water and massive ring appeared, slowly swallowing Seadramon into it. In a snap, Homeostasis brought them back to the factory. Meiko still shaking in Tai’s arms with Meicoomon in hers. Jesmon reverted to Hackmon and all but collapsed on the floor, to which Gennai rushed in to pick him up. Alphamon reverted to Dorumon and was panting loudly.
“Two megas of our caliber and still, we could barely subdue even a simple Seadramon. Pushing it back through the gate was the only way to win, yet hardly a victory if you can call it that. Do you see now?” King Drasil went on.
“If you’re asking for us to work together, it will never happen again!” Homeostasis refuted.
“Then why not a truce?” Tai jumped in. Both King Drasil and Homeostasis turned to him. “Look, we have the resources to investigate these breaches from our side of things. I could share that information with you through Gennai or Hackmon. With it, maybe we could predict where these massive breaches will happen and stop any needless destruction in our world.” Tai suggested.
“I couldn’t care less about your human world. If a primal digimon were to annihilate you all, it would be no concern of mine.” King Drasil refuted.
“But he does have a point.” Homeostasis cut in. “Some of those “Worthless” Digi-destined have impressive computing skills and what they share with me, I could apply here to prevent breaches into the digital world. All I would need from you, is a truce. Your followers must back off and cease all hostilities until this crisis is averted. After that, well. We’ll just have to see.” Homeostasis suggested. King Drasil folded his arms, shaking his head for a moment. With a glance he ripped the muzzle off Dark Gennai.
“Ugh, thank you master.”
“Gennai. Go to the lairs of our most powerful dark digimon. Tell them to hold their ground until I give the order. They may be needed to halt further incursion into my world.” King Drasil ordered.
“But master, collaborating with the Digi-destined, isn’t that-“
“Do not dare question my orders!” King Drasil bellowed.
“Sorry master! Right away, master.” Dark Gennai groveled helplessly before vanishing.
“Gennai, act as my voice to the human world through Tai and Meiko.” Homeostasis replied.
“Of course.”
“One last thing.” Tai spoke up. “If a breach happens on earth, from this Primal world. How are we supposed to defend it without Omnimon?” Homeostasis sighed and turned back to King Drasil.
“You’ve gotten what you came for and made your point. Drasil?”
“Glad to be rid of this flesh ridden disease sack.” King Drasil stared at himself in disgust. A great light opened up beneath them as T.K and Kari were released. Tai swooped in to catch his sister along with Gatomon while Meiko, Meicoomon and Patamon caught T.K. As the light vanished, Tai looked around and was surprised to learn they had returned to his office. Tai picked up his sister and rushed her to the couch.
“Medic!” Tai called out, after a few seconds a young man burst through the door.
“Mr. Kamiya sir! I didn’t see you come in. What in the-!” He exclaimed.
“I said get a medic!” Tai ordered.
“Yes sir, at once!” He bolted out. Tai turned his attention to T.K and helped him onto the couch on the opposite side. Patamon and Gatomon stayed right beside their partners, holding their hand.
“T.K, are you ok?” Patamon whimpered.
“Don’t worry, he should be fine. He’s probably just exhausted.” Tai tried to assure him.
“Quite the first day.” Meiko smiled, stroking Kari’s hand. “You’re really good at this, Tai. I was too scared to even talk to King Drasil, let alone convince him to call a truce.” Tai couldn’t respond. All he could do was recall in horror the fight that had just happened.
“Jesmon and Alphamon are so strong. But a simple Seadramon clobbered them. A Seadramon from the Primal World. They’re so much more powerful there. Does that mean, if they can breach the dark ocean. How long before they breach here. I don’t know if Imperialdramon can stop them.” Tai said softly with cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Checking his phone it was 7:45PM. Opening his contacts, he called Izzy right away. After three rings, he answered.
“Hey Tai, how was your first day?”
“Izzy. We have a problem. Get everyone together. As soon as possible.”
“Uh, ok. What’s happening though?” Izzy asked.
“Just do it. I’ll bring Kari and T.K as soon as they wake up.”
“Wake up? Oh!” Izzy clued in. “You found Homeostasis. Certainly Tai, I’ll get everyone together. I’ll text as soon as they’ve arrived.”
