Knights of the Digital World

"Hey, don't cry. Leave this little thing to me."

Emu originally wanted to tease the children, but seeing how sad they were, and even those who hadn't cried out loud were wiping away tears, he immediately lost interest in playing with them. He took out his World Guardian cartridge and tried to comfort them.

Chapter Seventy-Four: The Door That Never Closes (End of Volume)

The World Guardian Gashat was originally a fusion of the Susanoo Gashat and the Yggdrasil Gashat. In addition to possessing the powerful abilities of these two LV100 Gashats, the World Guardian Gashat also has the privileges of these two Gashats, namely the ability to control the Digital World.

Emu is now preparing to use the World Guardian Gasket to gain control of the Digital World and keep the gate to the Digital World open.

Emu wasn't worried about the impact this would have on the Digital World or the Real World. After all, according to the original trajectory, the gates between the Digital World and the Real World would reopen in the second season.

Judging from the ending of the second season, the gate connecting the two worlds has clearly remained open. Humans and Digimon have also achieved a state of harmonious coexistence.

Putting everything else aside, this at least proves that opening the door will not harm either world.

Furthermore, due to Emu's intervention, Myotismon died before it could evolve into VenomMyotismon. As a result, BelialMyotismon, the greatest antagonist of the second season, will obviously never have another chance to appear.

Without this guy stirring things up behind the scenes, Ken Ichijouji wouldn't have transformed into a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The early plot of the second season completely fell apart. The Digital World no longer needs to find new Chosen Children to protect it, and the gates to the Digital World may remain closed as a result.

Therefore, both morally and logically, Yongmeng has an obligation to reopen this door.

Emu's words made the children and Digimon, who were originally immersed in the sadness of parting, all look over, their reddened eyes filled with surprise.

The next moment, everyone swarmed around Yongmeng, chattering amongst themselves:

"Emu, when you said you'd take care of this, did you mean you'd open the gate?"

"Is this alright? Elder Gennai said that closing the gate is a way to protect both worlds. Would reopening the gate have a negative impact on both the digital and real worlds?"

"It shouldn't be that bad, right? We've opened it for so long before without any problems, haven't we? If something really goes wrong, we can handle it! It'll be perfect for us to continue our adventure!"

"I agree!!!"

"As long as I don't have to be separated from Patamon/Gatomon!"

As the children talked, they began to dream about the future. Before they could even wipe away the tears on their faces, they started laughing again, which looked quite strange.

Since the children met Emu, he has always kept his word and made promises that are true to his word, earning him a high level of trust among them. Since Emu said he could solve this problem, the children immediately believed him.

Aside from Koushiro, who was genuinely thinking about and worried about the impact of the gate, the other kids were just venting their emotions.

"Alright, alright, give me some space. It's just a gate; it won't have any negative impact on either world. And like Taiichi said, if something really happens, you can just deal with it. Just treat it as a new adventure."

Let me take care of this first. Look at the extent of the eclipse; there's probably only about an hour left before the gates close. If we don't hurry, we'll miss it.

As Yongmeng watched the children chattering away around her, she shook her head and shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, the children immediately made way for Emu, and a group of them sat in a row under the tree, staring wide-eyed at Emu's actions.

Ignoring the children's gaze, Emu transformed into Ex-Aid World Guardian form, took a deep breath, and released ten-colored light from his body, connecting with the Digital World.

This wasn't the first time Emu had taken control of the Digital World. Back in the third season, he had experienced the feeling of controlling a world using the Yggdrasil cartridge. However, this time, after connecting to the Digital World, before he could even take control, a consciousness intercepted his subsequent actions, and a calm female voice sounded in Emu's mind:

"Who are you? Where did you get your authority? What do you want to do with the Digital World?"

Emu was taken aback by the voice, but quickly recovered and asked in return:

"Are you...homeostasis?"

"Yes, it's me. You haven't answered my questions yet. Who are you? Where does your authority come from? What do you intend to do with the Digital World?"

The voice was devoid of emotion; it simply repeated its question calmly.

“Uh… my name is Emu Hojo, and I obtained control over the Digital World from Yggdrasil. I think…”

"The World Tree?! You were sent by the World Tree? Then we are enemies! I will not allow you to disrupt the peace of the Digital World!"

The usually calm and indifferent Constancy suddenly became agitated upon hearing the words "World Tree" and began to show hostility towards Emu.

Both Yggdrasil and homeostasis can be considered "gods" of the Digital World. However, Yggdrasil possesses a richer sense of self and emotions, and often makes impulsive decisions to destroy the world, prompting a group of Royal Knights to rebel and cut down the tree.

Homeostasis is essentially Yggdrasil's successor, possessing similar abilities, but lacking much personal emotion; its sole goal is to protect the peace of the Digital World. It harbors hostility towards its predecessor, Yggdrasil. After all, given Yggdrasil's nature—its tendency to create major incidents at the drop of a hat—it essentially disrupts the peace of the Digital World, contradicting Homeostasis's pursuit.

"Bridge Bean Sacks!"

Emu didn't want to fight Homeostasis for no reason. He wasn't the World Tree's henchman in this world, nor did he want to destroy the Digital World, so he quickly shouted:

"I didn't destroy the Digital World! I even helped defeat Apocalymon! I just wanted to open the door between the Digital World and the Real World."

"Defeated Apocalymon?... I was reckless. If you don't want to disrupt the peace of the Digital World, then open the gate to it if you want. But I hope you understand one thing: keeping the gate open all the time might not be a good thing..."

"I know that the emergence of a new world may cause a series of conflicts. However, isolation is the worst option. Only through mutual exchange and communication can we achieve mutual understanding. I believe in both humans and Digimon!"

"Then... whatever you say..."

Homeostasis didn't say much, withdrew its power, and handed over control of the Digital World to Emu.

Emu took control of the Digital World and, with a thought, reopened the gates to it. Based on his previous interaction with Homeostasis, Emu pondered for a moment and then set certain conditions for passing through the gates, ensuring that ambitious individuals and warmongers would be excluded from the Digital World.

"Hopefully, this will allow both worlds to develop better..."

Emu let out a long sigh, relinquishing control of the Digital World, and saw that the children were still staring at him with wide eyes.

The eclipse has disappeared, but the children will not be completely at ease until Emu confirms it in person.

Emu deactivated his transformation, a smile appearing on his face. He opened his arms and announced loudly:

"The gate has been reopened! From this day forward, the gate to the Digital World will never be closed again!!!"

Chapter One: Heading to the Knight World

"I'm so bored!"

Emu lay on the table and shouted loudly.

The cub lion, curled up and taking a nap on the desk in front of him, yawned, rolled its eyes at Emu, and said:

"Emu, you're so noisy! I was sleeping soundly when you woke me up."

"No, Lion Cub, you've got your lines wrong. You should be suggesting we watch TV right now."

Emu spoke with utmost seriousness.

The young lion didn't hold back in giving Emu another pair of eye rolls, and retorted:

"Are you trying to recreate a scene? I'm not a wrinkled beast anymore."

Emu chuckled, accepting all of the young lion's eye-rolls, his shamelessness reaching new heights:

"Oh dear, it's all your fault, you're the same as me."

"You're so different now! Can you be the same as when you were a baby? Forget it, I won't argue with you. Give me your seat, I'm going to go find something to eat."

"Don't go! Didn't you hear me say I'm bored? Quickly help me think of something fun to do."

"Think for yourself! How am I supposed to know what you find interesting?"

"Don't say that! We're partners! We're on the same wavelength! You definitely understand me! Go for it, I believe in you!"

"What are you watching?! Move aside, I'm starving!"

"I won't let you do it unless you help me think of something."

""

"I asked you to help me because I couldn't figure it out myself. Please help me, Lion Cub."

""

"You come back here! Taking a detour isn't an option! I'm going to get you today! Come on, think of something!"

The young lion looked utterly hopeless as Emu held him in her arms. After struggling several times without being able to break free, the young lion began to seriously ponder how Emu had become like this.

It said it was bored, but its face was all smiles, and it was happily fiddling with its two front paws, striking a pose for itself.

What's wrong with me? Am I just a tool for you to kill time?

I may not be human, but Emu, you really are a dog!

The young lion inwardly cursed Emu, but had to face the reality that it was still under his control, and could only rack its brains to think:

"Hmm, if you're bored, why don't you go hang out with Ruki? She's your girlfriend, and the Dark Knight is fast. You've been running around a lot this year. Just go see her if you're bored!"

“I went there before, but Ruki went on a trip with her mother and grandmother. Although I had met them before, I felt too embarrassed to go with them.”

"You're actually embarrassed!"

The lion cub was shocked.

Yongmeng glared fiercely at the young lion beast, then rubbed his face repeatedly, saying:

"This won't do. Think of something else!"

"How about we go hang out with some other people? Like Takuya, Kouichi, and Kouji. You guys haven't seen each other in a long time, have you?"

"They're all busy. Takuya's practicing soccer; he wants to play in Italy in the future, so he's still practicing Italian with Koizumi, although I think they're dating. Keiichi's working; his mother's health isn't good, and his family is relatively poor. Koji wants to travel the world and is now taking his first step by going to Hokkaido. Junpei seems to want to pursue a career in music; he's enrolled in a cram school and attends classes every day. Yuuki's family has gone back to their hometown to visit relatives. Anyway, nobody's free."

""

"Lion Cub, say something! Why are you silent?"

"Damn it! What the hell do you want me to say! Why is everyone else so busy and living such fulfilling lives, while you're the only one with so much free time? If you're bored, go study! Have you finished your summer homework before you're bored?!"

"It's done."

"If you haven't finished, what are you waiting for? Are you done yet?"

"Yeah, the homework in Form 1 is not difficult at all. The teacher doesn't assign too much either. I finished it in about a week."

"Then go and start studying! Learning is a lifelong process! Don't think that finishing your summer homework means you're all set!"

"Hmm, you're right. I've already reviewed the curriculum for all three years of middle school, so I have a good grasp of it. It's not impossible to look at the high school curriculum later, but there are still three years left, so there's no need to rush, right? I don't plan to skip grades; I'll just finish my studies step by step."

"???"

A bunch of question marks popped up above the young lion's head, and he was speechless for a moment. Given Emu's current goofy demeanor, it was really hard to associate him with the word "academic genius."

After a long pause, the lion cub finally managed to squeeze out a few words:

"Then you should go watch TV."

"No way, Palad and Mom are watching, I can't beat them."

"Still useless as always? Why don't you go play in another world? Like a big world? Go see Bancho-chan, that would be nice!"