Prologue

The smooth white egg felt cool as he held the DigiTama in his hands. The white DigiTama with purple and red bands was all that was left of his friend — and nemesis. He wasn't sure what to feel now. The things Millenniumon did and said would always be on his mind, hunting him. The battles had ruined the lives of many Digimon — as well as the life of his close and only friend.

Forgive me, Ken-kun.

He had jeopardized the life of his best friend. He remembered the mind games and close calls Millenniumon had thrown at them — to stop them. He remembered how mean and cruel Millenniumon was towards his friend. There was nothing but mean words coming out of that monster's mouth as he insulted Ken like he was nothing. Nothing at all.

And then there was the laugh. The cruel laugh as Ken took the hit for him.

I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happened.

Ken would become corrupted by the very darkness that was from Millenniumon's very body and soul. And it was all his fault.

I can prevent this! I can go back and make sure Ken-kun never becomes the Kaiser. That small, heroic thought froze however when another thought made him question himself and those around him. But they would be there. The Chosen… As much as he wished he could forgive and forget what the Chosen did — he understood why — he just couldn't. But what about the Tamers? He soon remembered the gang of Tamers that bullied him during the D-1 Tournament. Not all the Tamers were mean and hurtful or had a hand in making him doubt himself. But what they said, hurt. But he couldn't think that. Not all were bad. There were some that were nice, like Takato. And that Ruki girl was okay — she seemed tough and sassy — but she wasn't like the others. He was sure there were others like them. Then again, they could be using him like…

No more, his mind begged, no more. I can't take this anymore!

Too much had happened. Too many lies. Too many wars. Too many hateful words and manipulation on both sides. Too much of everything. He couldn't take it anymore.

He looked up from the white, red, and purple DigiTama and looked at the bright ball of light that floated above the pedestal. Next to the ruler of this Digital World was a clear portal. Swirls of colors shifted around, creating an unclear image of a world that he could return to. After a moment or so the colors settled and formed an image of his world. Ryo recognized the scattered programming books (that his father had bought him) that littered his bedroom floor, the scattered clothes that were hung on the footboard of his bed and computer chair, the blue coverings of his bed, his bookshelf filled with other programming books, and his desk.

Ryo felt a brief longing before feeling an overwhelming dread. He wanted to go back home to his parents — to live a normal, peaceful like again — but nothing would ever be the same. His parents would not understand the pain and horrors he went through. They would likely think he was crazy and sent him to a mental hospital for all he knew. And then there were the other Chosen.

Ryo shook his head no. As much as he would love to see Ken and Osamu again, he couldn't go back to that world.

The image returned to the mass of colors that resumed it's swirling. Ryo waited for a little longer this time before an image settled within the portal. However, the image he was seeing confused him. In the image, he saw several kids buying packs of cards and toy merchandise that looked like the Digimon. Confused, Ryo continued to watch until one of the kids turned around. Ryo gasped as he recognized the brown haired boy with yellow goggles resting on his head.

"Takato-san?" This world was the Tamers' world. The world that Takato, Ruki, and the other Tamers lived. Ryo pondered about this world for a moment. The Chosen — nor the Tamers that bullied him — didn't live in this world. And Digimon were nothing more than a card game, from what he could gather. Ryo smiled slightly. That actually sounded a lot better than going back to his world, with the possibility of dealing with the Digital World again.

"Humph, Humans…" Ryo's smile faltered as the image shifted to a vague form that rested on one of the old tree branches that were above the store. The image was blurry, but Ryo could make out the purple form of a Child Digimon — an Impmon. Ryo immediately shook his head and waited for the image to fade out and return to swirls of color.

"ENIAC, please," Ryo looked at the ball of light with uncertain eyes. "I-I can't do this anymore…" Ryo looked at the portal as if it was his only source of salvation. "No more. I can't save this world anymore." Ryo closed his eyes. "It's too much. Please, send me somewhere where I don't have to deal with it anymore." Ryo opened his eyes, ignoring the stinging in his eyes as he gazed at ENIAC. "I want a normal life again. Please."

"Very well." ENIAC's response was immediate. Ryo smiled slightly in relief.

"Thank you," he murmured as he returned his gaze to the portal. However, no image formed on it. The colors kept shifting and changing. What was going on? Ryo looked at the Digital Ruler in confusion.

"There are many timelines and worlds, Ryo," ENIAC's voice rang out. "I cannot guarantee where you will end up." Ryo finally understood. He could end up in any world, any timeline, any dimension. There were so many out there that it would be by chance that he would end up in a world that didn't have a Digital World. "Would you still like to proceed?"

Ryo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could not take this likely. He only had one chance at this. If he returned home, he would have to deal with the other Chosen and the Digital World, and possibly an unhappy life. If he decided the Tamers' world, there would be a chance that he would be involved in a Digital World incident. He didn't want that. There was only one choice left.

"Yes," Ryo said as he stared at the portal and took a small step forward. "I am. This is what I want."

"Very well, Ryo," ENIAC said. "Thank you for everything you have done. We are forever in your debt." Ryo nodded as he stood in front of the portal. "Goodbye, Ryo…" was the last thing he heard before he entered the portal to an unknown world and the start of a new life awaiting him on the other side.