In another universe somewhere...
The sun beat down on the world below. The end of summer was nearing, and cooler days had already passed. For the time, however, it was very humid and hot outside.
Two boys were seated in front of a TV, playing a game of Super Sprint on an NES console. The boys were nearly identical, save for slightly different clothing and minor variances in nail and hair length and complexion.
"This game is hard," complained one of them, wearing a white T-shirt.
"Well," said the other, wearing a dark blue T-shirt, with amusement in his voice, "that's because we haven't played it in a while."
"A while?" muttered the first. "We haven't played this game for years, SulamiTea." His car ground against the wall. "Ghhhhhhhhh!"
They continued racing, with one of the computer cars far in the lead. The first boy clutched his controller in a death-grip. As the computerized opponent crossed the starting line again, the game just STOPPED. It had abruptly frozen.
"Screw this," sneered SulamiTea at the Nintendo. "Emulation. EMULATION."
"We can't do multiplayer on the computer," pointed out the first boy.
"Yeah, I know, I was just saying."
The NES and TV were turned off in turn, and the two kids sat where they were for a couple of minutes.
SulamiTea began to laugh for no apparent reason. The other looked at him questioningly. "SUCKERS," screeched Sulami, and began laughing even harder.
The other boy chuckled, then commented, "I can't believe it's starting so soon."
"And we still need to apply," came a moaned reply.
The first boy's eye caught an EarthBound cartridge sitting on top of a case in front of the TV. Just then, his eyes shot open.
"Sulami!! Something new happened!"
"Huh? Whatya mean?" said Sulami in confusion.
"EarthBound!" exclaimed his companion.
"Oh, wow. ........ should we go now?"
"I think we have enough time."
"I'll go tell your mom. There shouldn't be a problem - I don't think."
"Right.. I'll just stand by the door."
"Okay."
Both boys rose and went in separate directions - the first towards the front hall, the second towards the dining room.
In ANOTHER universe –
The two boys stood at the edge of a great number of bluish holes in space-time.
"Let's go," said the first.
The second pressed a button on the tape recorder he was holding, and they began walking into the mass of portals.
The absolute destiny: Apocalypse
The absolute destiny: Apocalypse
Birth records, baptismal registry, records of death
The absolute destiny: Apocalypse
The absolute destiny: Apocalypse
My own birth, absolute birth, Apocalypse
A shining place in a desert of darkness
A gold-plated Shangri-La
Day and night turning back on one another
A time-gilded Paradise Lost
Darkness of Sodom
Darkness of light
Darkness of distance
Never-ending darkness
The absolute destiny: Apocalypse
The absolute destiny: Apocalyptic darkness
Apocalypse
Apocalypse Revelation Revolution Evolution Solution Salvation
Apocalypse Revelation Revolution Evolution Solution Salvation
The music faded out just as they walked up to one portal in particular. SulamiTea pressed the stop button and the tape recorder shut off.
Both boys joined hands and focused, then stepped into the portal.
All around them was complete darkness, and yet, neither were worried because they knew that they could move freely on a specific plane in this place.
TsuramiSea and SulamiTea. You've come. Did you feel it within you? Something new has come up.
"That's right. Can you please give us whatever details you have?" forwarded SulamiTea.
Certainly. I see you brought notebooks...
"M-hm." Tsurami nodded softly. "We wanna make sure we don't forget anything."
I'll begin right now. The truth is, whereas the other occurrences happened in other dimensions, this one did not. It occurred in the same dimension as you previously had visited.
"Zenith..." said Tsurami.
Yes, and that's not all. But first I'll describe the events and those involved. Tsurami, it appears your previous enemy Raltise arose by absorbing the Nightmare Rock into him and pouring his evil essence into the body of a man named Risosha Richmonde.
That Summers hotel guy, thought Tsurami.
From there he awaited the rising of his true power, from both the Nightmare Rock breaking and releasing its evil power and from the 'Path of Light' of legend. However, a group rose up to combat his plans.
Numerous hologram-like images appeared before the two boys in the void, seven at first. Harsemhin Aberfydd... Luna Seikou... Daniel Morton... Skulryk... Siris O'Brien... Chartreuse of Altus... and Matt. Your friends from before gathered together upon noticing strange situations unfolding.
Silence as the boys scanned the images. "You don't mean to tell us that's Luna, do you?" put forward Sulami while pointing at the image of a lavender-haired girl wearing a cloak.
That requires some explaining. Luna Seikou tried to bring together all of her selves across the dimensions. It ended up radically changing her and afflicting her with amnesia. She then knew herself as 'Chione Dia'. That is spelled C-h-i-o-n-e... D-i-a... in case you were wondering. This last part was added due to Tsurami struggling to figure out a spelling.
"Weird."
"Chartreuse? He's......" TsuramiSea paused. "Wait a minute. You mean that guy is Chartreuse? Chartreuse the ghost?"
Yes.
"How did that happen?!"
Miss Topolla did that using the gun she had created. Supposedly it can give ghosts back their life, and their bodies.
"...... how could Narcy meet Chartreuse, I thought they were in different dimensions?"
I will address that. In addition to these six... More images appeared. Christina Evanhouse. A young girl. Talus. A young man. Rustopher Bonham. A man who looked like Rusty, only more neatly groomed and dressed. Kageru Hiyatake. A boy with firey hair and... a D-Ark!
"Is he related to Cyan somehow?" interrupted Tsurami before Sulami could.
That will require some explaining which is best done later, so please have patience.
TsuramiSea seemed annoyed, but jotted a quick note in his notebook and continued listening.
Jack Flash. A man who looked like he was in the Mafia. Kapeka Kupefka. A... Moogle. Tsurami and Sulami raised their eyebrows at this unexpected arrival. Bruiser. A large man. And, of course, Ness and his friends.
"But they're..." sputtered Tsurami, then looked closely at the Chosen Four's images. Behind them were three Stinky Ghosts.
"Wait..... like Cha..."
Yes, they were brought back to life by Narcy, who was located by Chartreuse.
"That again!" cried Sulami. "What are Narcy and the ghosts doing in the ZENITH DIMENSION?"
Again, that must wait until later. SulamiTea groaned.
And then, those who served Raltise. Tsurami and Sulami recognized such people as Mr. Agerate, Mr. Carpainter, Mr. Everdred, Mr. Monotoli, Venus, the arms salesman, and some others.
But... "Wait, who's that guy with the thick cloak?"
Don't you remember him?
"No, not exactly..." stated Tsurami.
That's Virus.
The kid was struck with realization. "Ohhhhhhhh! HIM! ..... he served Raltise?"
Yes.
"Okay...."
As for people from different dimensions being here, that's because the dimensions of the old stories joined. Images of five boxes appeared, each with images of people from those dimensions in them. The boxes drifted towards each other and overlapped, the identical images of people overlapping and all the rest spreading out to fill the box. Those with multiple identities became one being. And all of the people in every dimension fell into the one new dimension.
"I wonder why that happened...."
"Sounds like Chrono Cross," mumbled Sulami.
As for Kageru's having a 'D-Ark', Cyan's appearance in the Digital World changed the TV show. You may not have seen this changed version, but it appeared in an alternate version of the 'Tamers' world, which I can see in your mind. It is not my native universe, so I'm not certain.... but this may have lead to Kageru becoming a Tamer. But I am restricted to this universe, so I only know of changes in its dimensions. In addition, I think it may be necessary to note that you may know Cyan in your universe?
"I know him as well as I can know anyone online," remarked Tsurami offhandedly. "But yeah."
From this point forward, you will have to think of all of the elements of your previous journeys combined to reach this specific dimension. For the time, I cannot foresee any more major disruptions in this dimension.
"That's probably for the best," responded Tsurami.
However, there will continue to be unrest in other dimensions. And I foresee you two getting caught up in it once more.
"What?" "You're kidding!"
Don't worry about it too much. I believe this may be the last battle you get caught in, in this universe.
TsuramiSea and SulamiTea both gave sighs of relief.
Shall I go into detail on both the events and the personalities of the people you don't know?
"Yes, please," said Sulami politely.
Very well. The entity began by relating Raltise's entombment within the Nightmare Rock...
Both boys sorted their notebooks into the pile that contained all of the other information.
"Union and Tryst were written as fanfics! They must have strong Third Eyes."
"I guess so. They couldn't have.... there's no way they could've laid out so flawlessly what happened. Otherwise, I mean."
"If Cyan changed the plot flow of Digimon, maybe we changed the others' train of thought by participating in these stories."
SulamiTea's eyes gleamed. "Yeah..... that's an interesting thought! They couldn't have accurately written about us, after all...."
"It could be because we're from the same world as them that they didn't have the inspiration for those stories."
"I wonder if those stories did get written in another dimension?"
"Possible." TsuramiSea arose and headed to the computer. "Well, I'm going to add to the text files now. Are you staying?"
"Yeah, I'll entertain myself a little more."
"Okay." Tsurami turned on the computer. I've had enough adventures in the world of Mother... Time to go back to normal.
"Do you know, do you know, do you know what that is?" The comment was eerily in tune with Tsurami's thoughts.
-----
A while after the wedding reception began, Vincent entered the pyramids of Scaraba. It seemed very strange to see him walk through the ancient walls still clad in his formal attire, but only one person was in the pyramids to notice him. As soon as that person did, they fled through halls.
By now, Vincent was lost in the vast maze of hieroglyphics, unable to find what he had set out to look for. The one thing he did find was the sound of someone running in the opposite direction. Puzzled, he made his way towards the source of the sound and soon discovered a surprise.
Jars of paint shattered on the floor when Vincent reached out and grabbed the person in front of him. "Don't hurt me!" the person exclaimed in fright, wheeling around to face him.
"Why would I hurt you? Who are you?" Vincent asked, glancing at the paint below, then turning to the walls. "Did you... draw all of these paintings?"
"N-no, not all of them," the small little man before him responded, quivering. "Just some." Upon seeing Vincent's inquiring face, he continued. "I sort of wanted to keep the mystery of the pyramids alive. You know, for the tourists and people like you, who come to study them. I just added to it a bit."
"But how did you predict all those things?"
"I didn't really. The key to always getting it right is being vague. I doubt even the ancient Scarabans could predict the future well. You make your own future, right?"
Vincent looked both dejected and embarrassed. "Right..."
-----
Chartreuse turned to Narcy and whispered secretively in her ear. Her eyes went wide within minutes. "Oh, you're right!" She exclaimed, and ran off. Chartreuse grinned.
"What was that about?" Matt asked.
"Oh, you'll see." The newlywed chuckled. Matt's eyes traveled up to the stage, where Siris, Joe and Dan had just finished playing. Narcy shuffled onto the stage, hiking up her gown somewhat to avoid tripping on it, a bouquet of flowers in hand. She pushed Dan out of the way, grabbing the microphone.
"Time to throw the bouquet!" She shouted into the mic, beaming. A crowd of women, mostly Altian, drowned out Chartreuse and Matt in front of the stage, screaming and hopping and pushing each other out of the way. Within the literal mosh pit Christina struggled to breathe, and Anna and Indigo could be seen standing next to each other giggling insanely, jumping up and down. Luna was busy knocking frailer girls over and headbutting the stronger-looking ones.
Narcy turned her back to the audience, clutching the bouquet in both hands and grinning. Then she propelled her arms upward quickly, tossing the flowers high over her head. The bouquet arced over the crowd's head, further than they anticipated. Luna tripped over herself and pushed several girls out of the way. She was mere inches from it when it was six feet off the ground. Her face lit up with excitement as she reached her outstretched hand to claim the prize.
She stopped dead, empty-handed. She looked up into the face of a dark-skinned man wearing shades, his black hair in a buzzcut, the rest of his person decked out in military fatigues. He held the bouquet of flowers almost triumphantly in his clenched hand over his head. Luna immediately collapsed to the floor in defeat. Chaz stared down at her curiously, his brow furrowing, his shades falling down the bridge of his nose to reveal dark brown eyes, not the evil crimson that had possessed him on the SS Thed three months ago. He smiled laughingly at Luna and then looked up.
"Mr. Chartreuse!" He bellowed. Narcy stared at the familiar arms dealer in perplexity. Chartreuse poked his head out of the crowd. "The fireworks are ready. Care to fire them off?" He said, holding up a lighter and grinning.
The crowd headed out into the cool Altian night, the stars winking in the sky overhead. On the ground, before the entrance to the ballroom, Chaz had arrayed a series of fireworks that extended toward the sky. He handed the lighter to Chartreuse, who in course turned to Narcy. He clasped her hands in his and placed the lighter into them. "Here, you do the honors." He said, smiling. Narcy gazed into his eyes deeply, smiling in return, and then knelt to the fuse of the fireworks, all collectively bundled into one. She flicked the lighter quickly, bringing a small flame to life, and she ignited the end of the fuse, then quickly stood up. Chartreuse draped his arm around her, pulling her close. Indigo sidled up to them and placed a hand on her brother's shoulder.
The fireworks erupted in a brilliant display, soaring into the twinkling sky and bursting in an array of vibrant colors. Exploding flowers of white mingled with dazzling splotches of red and purple, dancing about comets of green and blue. Hundreds of eyes turned to the display, awed by its beauty.
"It's lovely, isn't it?" Christina whispered. Mike nodded.
"I helped Chaz pick it out, you know." He said, looking to her. She returned the gaze. Mike placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling. "Just remember, your parents will always be watching you." Christina nodded.
"I know." She said, looking up into the bright displays against the profound night.
Bruiser approached Kageru from behind, noticing that the digital boy was trying to get as close as possible to Ruki. He meandered up alongside the boy, looking down. "Hey kid." He mumbled. Kageru looked up.
"Hello Bruiser." He murmured. "Didn't think I'd see you again." He paused. "...I'd like to thank you. For taking care of me at the ship." Bruiser nodded.
"Hey, I really could never stand to see anyone truly hurt." He smiled. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Penetella Giovanni beside him.
"Say, I heard some jibba-jabba through the grapevine that you is a wrestler." He stated gruffly. Bruiser nodded in the affirmative.
"Well...yes. Yes I am. Or at least was." Penetella grinned.
"say, how'd you like to come work with me, sucka? I've been thinking about starting up a little franchise. My bakery's been destroyed and all, so I was thinking of maybe working out a little pro wrestling federation. Entirely scripted of course. No one'd get hurt, much less killed. And Penetella was thinkin' of donatin' the profits to all those people who suffered at the hand of that darn fool Raltise. So...whaddaya say?" Bruiser paused.
"Hey, yeah. I'd like that."
"A most beautiful evening to conclude a most touching ceremony, don't you agree, Cyan?" Anthadd murmured. Cyan, however, couldn't respond immediately, as he currently had his hands full with Anna.
"Aww, come on, it's a cold night. Don't you have someone to stay close to? To keep you warm?" Anna grinned viciously. "What about Anthadd over there?" A visible veinmark pulsed at Cyan's temple. Fortunately for him, Anna was yanked away at that moment by Saffron.
"Come on now, leave the guy alone. Tonight's a night for celebration." He pulled her close, cradling her in his arms.
"So Skulryk, I was thinking about this band of ours." Skulryk looked at Lucky.
"What about it?" He inquired, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Well what do you say to just the two of us? No other band members. We could kick some butt from here to Tiennammen Square. What do you say?" Skulryk's eyes lit up.
"Man, we would rock some socks off. I love it!" Lucky grinned.
"I was thinking about our first song too!" He nearly jumped as he said this. "Hold on, I got some lyrics." He pulled a crumpled piece of paper and cleared his throat. "Malibu nights! Tangerine dreams! Malibuuuu" he wailed. Skulryk blanched.
"Maybe I should work on the lyrics, bud." Lucky's face turned visibly red at this. He exploded.
"You're always naysaying! Everything I create!" He fumed. Skulryk raised his hands in the air disarmingly.
"Alright, alright! I'm sorry, I love it."
"Joe, my son! I've been looking all over for you!" Rustopher exclaimed upon catching sight of Joe near Dan and Siris. Joe ran to greet his father, and the two embraced in a hug, but then Joe visibly drew back.
"Whoa Dad, that's not like you. What's up?" Rustopher smiled genuinely.
"I finally obtained a new suit! What's more, my arch nemesis Everdred is six feet under! I am the happiest man alive!" He paused, grinning. "I'm only joking. To be truthful, I've finally realized what you mean to me. What it means to have a son. It has inspired me to write a new novel!" He beamed. "I was thinking of calling it something like... You May or May Not Wish You Had My Life, But That's Fine All The Same Because I Am Content With My Own. What do you think?"
"Um...that's great, Dad. Does this mean we can get a new TV?" Rustopher nodded as the two embraced in a hug again and turned to watch the fireworks. "Dad, you know what my favorite number is?"
"What?" Rustopher inquired. Joe's face seemed to crease into a frown, as if he was sad.
"Seven."
Siris wandered away from Matt and Dan, who were preoccupied with the fireworks. He approached Luna from behind, draping his arms over her. She smiled and grabbed his hands in hers. "Luna?" He whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think he's at rest?" No names needed to be given. They both knew who.
"Hard to say. But we avenged him and his father. So maybe he can leave this world in peace." Siris frowned.
"But he loved you. I don't think he'd leave that willingly." Luna was silent for a long time, staring into the starry sky and the bursting light.
"You love me too, don't you?" Siris smiled in response to this.
"Yeah." The two remained in their embrace, words no longer needed. Luna closed her eyes and inhaled the night, the cool winds blowing her lilac hair about in a chaotic manner. Through the whispering breeze she thought she could hear a faint voice calling her through the expanse of time and space, but she paid it no heed.
Cirra of Altus sat exhaustedly on a wooden bench outside the ballroom hall, head arched back, staring into the sky. Strata dropped down beside her. The Queen tilted her head slightly, looking at her sister. Then she smiled contentedly. "It's great to be back." Strata nodded.
"Yes..." she trailed off. Her gazed focussed on Anthadd who was no more than a couple feet away. "It's a shame that Nebule couldn't be here to see this, though..." she murmured, frowning. Strata returned her sister's gaze. "So...where's that Harse-guy you were telling me about? I don't see him around." Cirra paused.
"I don't know...he must have left earlier. It's a shame, I wanted to introduce you to him." She smiled. "Well, maybe he'll show up later on, right?"
----
Ness peered into the thickness of the Altian night, fiddling with a small twig in his hand. He blinked once or twice, then his eyes traveled to the faces of his friends nearby, sprawled about him in the grass. He smiled. For the first time in more than a year, his heart was at peace. His friends, the ones whom he had made the long and lonesome journey with some years ago, the ones who had looked out for him and whom he cared for, they were alive once again. It could be no less than a miracle. All the anger and hatred that he had harbored against Raltise vanished the instant The Light imbued him. And he was happy once more.
Jeff adjusted his spectacles. "You know, I was just thinking about something." Paula moved closer to Ness, and the young protector put his arms around her, holding her close. She sighed contentedly, then looked up from her position on the grass to where Jeff was perched on an overturned log.
"What about?" She questioned him. Jeff's brow furrowed visibly.
"Well, three of us have had the experience of being ghosts. That's not something everyone has had...well, anyway, you know that we fought spirits in our quest to defeat Giygas. Stinky Ghosts, Evil Elementals, and the like." Poo nodded to this.
"It is true, my friend. What of it?" Jeff kicked a nearby stone.
"Well, we were ghosts just like they were. And all three of us had lived lives, had stories to tell. It makes you think...if any of those spirits that we sent to oblivion were the same way? Maybe they were innocent creatures conjured forth by Giygas's influence? Maybe they only attacked because we attacked, like a sort of instinct reaction?" He paused. "What if they were all once like us?"
Ness nodded thoughtfully to this. "Yeah, you're right...it makes you wonder what stories they all had to tell. It's a shame, really...but it's best not to think about it." Ness grinned at his spectacled pal. He cast a quick glance about him, taking in the sight of his closest friends, the thoughts and memories warming him in the presence of the cold night.
His eyes fell to Paula by his side, and he rested his head against hers, smiling contentedly. This Dalaamese Prince keeping a stalwart visage on a nearby boulder; this Boy Genius stargazing on a rotting log; this frail girl with the blonde locks resting peacefully in his arms; they meant the world to him, and Ness was whole once again.