With Astral Express Crew and Caelus
"What's been bothering you?"
March looks at Caelus with a concerned look, given that the young man has been frowning ever since they dealt with the rest of the Antimatter Legion surrounding Arlan and the scientists.
"It's about Theo, I wonder if he's okay," Caelus responds.
"Oh, right, I forgot about him..." March mutters, a hint of guilt in her voice. "I-I'm sure he's fine. He probably has left for safety."
"One of the scientists said that he had disappeared into the thin air, simply poofed out of existence," Caelus says as March and Dan Heng pause, trying to process what he said before March slowly turns pale.
"W-we didn't just encounter a ghost, do we?" March says nervously.
"I doubt all of us are capable of seeing ghosts, and I never heard of a ghost capable of interacting with machines like him," Dan Heng says before pausing. "A sentient AI, however, is a possibility."
"Theo isn't a ghost nor a sentient AI, or else he won't be able to get hugged by March or holding you, Dan Heng," Caelus points out, causing March to flush in embarrassment while Dan Heng looks away. "I don't know if I sound crazy, but maybe Theo disappeared because of Nous."
"...no offense to him, but he doesn't seem smart enough to gain Nous' attentions," March says as Dan Heng gives her a deadpan stare.
"You have no right to judge how smart people are based on their appearance," Dan Heng responds. "But, Caelus' theory doesn't seem far off. Theo is an unknown creature, and I have never heard anyone in the news talking about him or his kind. But, to attract Nous himself, he must be an undiscovered creature that was never supposed to exist in this vast world of cosmos."
"...can I admit something?" March asks meekly. "I quietly dismiss Theo, saying he's from another world in my own head, thinking he was simply making things up."
"..." Dan Heng and Caelus look at each other before silently scratching their cheeks, confusing March, before she realizes that she isn't the only one.
"...we all agree we never mention this to him, right?" March asks as the boys nod in unison. They all continue their journey, before suddenly, they were greeted with a giant yellow bug with shiny armor, beating Voidrangers left and right.
"...am I seeing things, or did I see a giant bug poke a hole in Voidrangers?" March asks in confusion and disbelief.
"It's not just you, March. I am seeing it as well," Dan Heng responded.
"He's fast..." Caelus observes.
"...do you think Madam Herta may have stumbled upon Sting's Eggs?" March asks fearfully. Dan Heng was about to respond, but paused and started pondering a bit. It might be possible.
"What is this Sting? And why are March sounds so scared?" Caelus asks in confusion.
"Stings are...abominations walking in the path of Propagation, a path solely focused on multiplying themselves. Stings were dangerous creatures that had ruined many planets and civilizations in the past, which people dubbed the Swarm Disaster. It was so bad that Aeons had to join forces to fight against the source of all Sting, Tayzzyronth, the Aeon of Propagation, and sealed it." Dan Heng says as the yellow bug suddenly pauses and turns towards them.
"You know, associating me with Propagation and the Stings because I look like a bug seems a bit racist, don't you think?" The bug responds in a familiar voice, causing the trio to freeze before the bug lifts up its visor to reveal a blue-skinned lizard face. Both March and Dan Heng look surprised, but Caelus looks at him before his eyes widen in realization.
"Theo, is that you?" Caelus asks, causing March and Dan Heng to look at him like he's crazy.
"Yup," This made the Express Crew look at Theo in disbelief as he glows yellow and turns into a familiar-looking blue lizard.
"W-where have you been?" Caelus asks with concern visible in his voice, which catches Theo off guard. Didn't they just know each other for a while? Why does he sound so concerned?
"I'm fine, I was just called by..." Theo pauses before pondering a bit. Should he say he was called by Nous? Would that make him sound crazy?
"By Nous, right?" Caelus asks, causing Theo to look at him in surprise. How did he know that?!
"There's no doubt about it," Dan Heng says as he glances at his phone. "The energy reading on the Path energy has suddenly risen sharply. The energy level doesn't match the one when Nous gazes on this Space Station, but the signature matches."
'Wait, they have tools to detect Path Energy? Well, I mean, some factions weaponize them, so tools to detect or read the energy don't seem far-fetched...' Theo thought before nodding at Caelus' question as both Caelus and March sighed.
"Please don't scare us like that ever again," March says as Theo scratches his cheek.
"Sorry, but I can't exactly expect Nous suddenly to drag me into the Path Space and study me," Theo says before pausing and pulling out the Digi-Egg. "But, THEY did give me a way to warn me if THEY plan on pulling me back."
"..." Everyone goes silent as they try to process what they just heard.
"...you're telling me you have a personal contact with a god?" Caelus asks in disbelief.
"...when you put it that way, yes," Theo nods, ignoring how bizarre it sounds.
"...Don't let Madam Herta hear this, or she will keep you locked up," March says half-jokingly.
"She wouldn't do that...right?" Theo says nervously.
"..." The silence was loud enough to answer the question, causing Theo to gulp and put the Digi-Egg away.
"A-anyways, why an egg?" March asks in confusion.
"I have no idea, it was supposed to be a phone," Theo says, as everyone imagines a god giving him a phone, then shakes their heads. That sounds so ridiculous.
Meanwhile, in a far, far away, a certain llama god sneezes.
"...we should go to the Master Control room and regroup with Himeko to discuss our next move against the Legion," Dan Heng says as Theo tilts his head. So, his conversation with Nous didn't take that much time.
"Himeko?" Caelus asks, unknowingly tilting his head like Theo. March notices this and giggles, confusing the two of them.
"Himeko is the Astral Express Navigator, and she's also like a leader to all of us," March says with a smile. "She's a very kind and caring person; you guys would love to meet her."
"...Astral Express?" Caelus asks again, causing March and Dan Heng to freeze.
"...March, you didn't tell him about the Astral Express to him?" Dan Heng asks in disbelief.
"H-hey, to be fair, there was too much going on here, the Antimatter Legion, Theo, Caelus, Nous, and so on..." March tries to defend herself while twiddling her fingers.
"The Astral Express is a travelling crew walking in the path of Trailblaze, a path associated with travelling around and connecting with others. They are very well known for their space train capable of flying around space and creating a path called the Star Rail, which can be used by anyone for safe travels and sometimes reaching a place that a normal spaceship is unable to reach. The path is also used as a trading route for certain factions," Theo explains, albeit a bit too excited as everyone stares at him, causing him to fluster.
"S-sorry, I was a bit excited..." Theo says in embarrassment.
"...how come you didn't show that much excitement with us?" March asks while narrowing her eyes.
"How did you know so much about us? Didn't you say you're from another world?" Dan Heng asks in confusion.
"My homeworld is basically data manifested physically into worlds. Trees, food, land, and even myself is made of data. And those data are from your world," Theo points out as both March and Dan Heng widen their eyes.
"...so, you have people's search history?" March asks as everyone feels nothing but dread.
"...no, but the possibility of other Digimon having them is not zero," Theo mutters. "And before you ask, yes, some people's porn is also included."
"...I am so glad I never indulged myself in one of those," Dan Heng says, his face turning slightly pink while March's entire face turns red. Caelus, however, asks something that horrified them.
"What's porn?" They all froze before looking at each other, raised their hands, and shook their head. Without any more words, they all continue walking towards the Master Control room to meet Himeko. It was super awkward for all of them as Caelus kept giving them a questioning look while they refused to elaborate even further.
As they ride one of the elevators that leads to the Master Control room, neither of them notices something has appeared in Caelus' pocket, not even the amnesiac young man himself.
When the elevator door is open, they are greeted by a beautiful red-haired young woman with a white dress and a black jacket hanging on her shoulder, holding a giant suitcase with both of her hands. Upon seeing Dan Heng and March, the young woman smiles before glancing at Caelus and then shifts her eyes to Theo. She can't help but widen her eyes slightly, surprised at the appearance of an unknown creature.
"Himeko!" March exclaims as she rushes towards the woman, who's called Himeko. "So glad to see you. The Legion is everywhere in the Space Station."
"I'm glad you both are fine, March, Dan Heng," Himeko says gently as she looks at her and then Dan Heng. "I hope neither of you got hurt."
"We are fine, Himeko," Dan Heng nods curtly. "Caelus has helped watch our back when dealing with the Voidrangers, and Theo over here had cleared a way for all of us as well."
"H-hello..." Caelus says, slightly stunned by the woman's beauty. He honestly thinks she's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, but again, he didn't exactly remember any other woman he saw in his life.
There's this other woman, but he feels a bit bitter about her abandoning him, so he didn't want to talk about her either.
"Hi..." Theo nervously greets the woman. He can't help but be nervous upon seeing Himeko. She's one of his favorite characters from HSR, and he was about to learn more about her since the 4.0 update is finally here.
Too bad his ass got sucked into the game.
"My name is Himeko, the Navigator of the Astral Express." Himeko introduces herself. "Thank you for helping March and Dan Heng."
"Happy to help. I'm Theo, nice to meet you," Theo greets as Himeko nods.
"I-I'm Caelus, and no need to thank me," Caelus says humbly.
"Nice to meet you both, but unfortunately, this isn't the right time to chat. The Legion has yet to stop invading this station, and their target seems to be the Stellaron in this space station." Himeko says as both March and Dan Heng stiffen.
"Oh, right. I saw the Stellaron Hunters shoved it into Caelus' chest," Theo says as everyone snaps their neck towards Theo. "...I should've mentioned that earlier, sorry."
"Yeah, you should have..." March says dryly.
"Sorry, there's so much happening in just a short moment, you know. Got my ass sent into another world, trying to hide from two dangerous criminals, dealing with invasions, then get summoned by Nous of all things..." Theo says guiltily.
"...what's a Stellaron?" Caelus asks in confusion. Himeko, who was trying to process everything that Theo said earlier, snaps out of her thought before looking at Caelus in confusion.
"He got amnesia," March notices Himeko's look and elaborates.
"Stellaron is known as the Cancer of All Worlds, known to cause disaster wherever it appears," Himeko explains as Caelus widens his eyes before looking at Theo.
"Which part of me did they put this 'Stellaron'?" Caelus asks in panic.
"In your chest-! Don't do anything reckless!" Theo exclaims as Caelus clutches his chest. "You have no idea what it might do to you if you pull it out! Right now, it seems stable inside your body!"
"Indeed," Himeko nods. "We have no idea how your body could contain the Stellaron, and pulling it out recklessly could've killed you. So please don't do anything."
"O-okay..." Caelus agrees nervously before lowering his hands. He pauses upon touching something on his pants and reaches into his pocket. He furrows his brow as he pulls something out.
A blue phone with a yellow V on the back.
To be Continued