Notes: If you haven't figured out by reading my previous stories, I'm a fan of Takari. I don't mind Daisuke, I just find him annoying and too similar to Taichi. Okay to keep from confusing yourselves. The English names will be the names of the first series characters while I use the Japanese name for the 02 group. All with the exception of Sora and Mimi since their names were left unchanged in the dub. Ixen is also in this story so if you don't know who he is, I suggest you read at least some, if not all, of Crest of Infinity.

~IXEN~

I was almost finished with my new toy. Just a little longer before my two new digivices were finished! Careful now, just one little stroke of the brush to add a bit of color to my masterpieces.

"My liege!" I jumped up and looked at the source.

"What now? One slip up and these D-Packs can pretty much be scrapped. These covers are delicate!" Infinimon waited until I was finished. "What's up?"

"Video message," Infinimon said. "It's Ryou."

I brightened. "Really?" He pushed my computer towards me and the video message opened. "Ryou Akiyama. What are you doing here?"

"Just called to see my favorite duo." He smiled at me and saw the pink and green D-Packs on my desk. "Are those for something important?"

I nodded. "I was finishing up the design. I don't know why though. They're only good for one card use." I marveled them. "Pretty nice, don't you think? It doesn't compare to the real thing though." I flashed my grey and gold D-Pack at him.

"Still messing around with your toys, I see. Cyberdramon and I have been wondering if you could make one for me."

I chuckled. "You have your own D-Arc. Why would you need a D-Pack?"

He gave me a level stare. "Yours has more functions that a D-Arc." He pulled out a binder. "But that's not why I called. I wanted to make sure you recompleted your card collection."

"Yeah, why?" I flipped through my own card binder. "I'm missing a few, but that's because I haven't managed to get those cards before I lost them."

"That's too bad. Didn't you get Apocalymon?"

I shook my head. Infinimon stood behind me. "That was near impossible. Ixen's Crest was unstable at the moment. I was also overloaded with energy. There was no way to get his data."

Cyberdramon appeared behind Ryou. He smirked at my partner. "You can never have too much power."

I smiled at the digimon. "I know that." I stopped smiling and flipped through my binder again. "Well, there's no helping it, Ryou. I don't have the card. I have to find him again."

Ryou crossed his arms. "Jenrya also contacted me. He was a bit worried about what you were doing on your little trip to that other Digital World. He sent me something hoping that I could get it to you."

"What is it?" I set up a transporter to the laptop. I clicked on a program and the light on the transporter went green.

Ryou was doing the same thing. "It's a card. His dad was able to make an extra copy for him and he thought that you would want it." He smiled and activated his own machine. "It's coming your way."

I picked up the card and was surprised by it. "A bio-merging card? Really? Jen must be losing it if he wants me to have this. He hates my battle style."

"Sir?" Infinimon gave me a sideways glance. "It may come in handy."

I bit the inside of my cheek. "Well, thanks for it, Ryou. Tell him I'm grateful that he's looking out for my safety. This will come in handy for these two digivices." I stared at them and frowned. "Now I just have to finish them."

Ryou laughed at me. "Well, if it makes you happy, everyone else says hi. Takato wants you to visit sometime. Jenrya's little sister also wants to play with Charimon."

Infinimon chuckled. He should be smiling too, but his helmet prevents me from proving it. "We'll see you soon, Ryou. Cyberdramon, I look forward to a duel."

The digimon smirked at the two of us. "No cards, just the four of us as Mega digimon."

I blinked. "What? I never agreed to that!"

Ryou smiled. "It was good seeing you, Ixen. Bye!" He hurriedly disconnected.

I turned towards my digimon. "Look at what you did!"

"Sir, don't you have work?"

My eyes turned towards my work. "Fine." I sat down and took one of the covers and carefully placed it on the pink digivice. "By the way, I need you to check up on a few people." I looked at my own D-Pack to match the screens.

"And if I get caught?"

"It depends on who catches you. The younger group will need to be avoided. As for the older group, don't let them know about what's going to happen. It's bad enough that half of them have a vague memory about this."

"I'll leave now, my liege."

I shook my head. I realized something important. "Make sure that I'm already here!" He left after giving me a sharp nod.

I finished up the two D-Packs. I slipped my own into my pocket. An explosion sounded out on the horizon. I looked out the window and frowned. My computer blipped with messages as Infinimon completed his assignment.

I sat at my computer and opened up two different Digital Gates. I stared at them both and located the fourteen digimon that made up this new problem. My finger lazily floated over the enter key. Another explosion made up my mind as I quickly started a timer.

~TAI~

"Kari! Be careful!" I looked at my little sister as she climbed down from the balcony rail. "We're up about three floors. You'll get hurt!"

"Sorry, Tai. There was a bird stuck there and I had to help."

A shadow flew out over us. I turned and thought I saw a large grey angel. "Did you see that?"

Kari gave me a clueless glance. She answered the door and smiled at Sora. "Hi, Sora! Yamato should be here soon."

"Hi, Kari. What's wrong, Tai?"

I looked around the balcony for the angel. "I thought I saw a digimon or dragon. I know it was something."

~TAICHI~

"Sorry, Daisuke. I don't think I'll be going with you and Ken." The phone nearly slipped off my shoulder and I hurriedly caught it while cooking breakfast. "No, it's not that. I just want to spend time with Hikari." I paused. "Yes my sister. Who else?" I paused again as Daisuke pleaded for me to go watch a soccer game with him. "How about another time? Yamato and I have stuff to do with our younger siblings. I'll see you later, Daisuke." I hung up the phone and finished cooking the eggs.

"What's going on Taichi?" Hikari came out of her room, ready for the day.

"Daisuke wanted to see if I was free to hang out with him."

"You said no?" She took a seat and accepted a plate of pancakes I had recently made.

"I thought that you and I could hang out. When was the last time the two of us spent time together?"

"Besides in the Digital World?" Hikari pensively ate. "I don't actually know."

The doorbell rang and I answered it. "You're here early."

Takeru and Yamato smiled at me. The younger blonde saw the breakfast and raised his eyebrow. "I told you we should have eaten before we came, Yamato."

"Go on and eat then," Yamato replied.

Takeru happily sat next to Hikari and ate. I laughed as Yamato made his way towards the pancakes. Hikari smiled at the older blonde. "What are you two doing here?"

Takeru swallowed whatever he was eaten and replied. "It was Yamato's idea. He said he wanted to spend time with me."

She stopped eating and stared at me. "Is something wrong, Taichi?"

I smiled at the two younger teenagers. "Nothing. Why would you think that?"

Yamato smiled mischievously. "Why would you think something is wrong?"

Takeru stared at us intently. "Why would you two want to have the four of us spend a perfectly good day of summer vacation together?"

Hikari agreed. "Are you planning something?" I shook my head. "Are we going to the Digital World?"

I felt sadness rise within me. "No."

Yamato glumly finished the rest of his breakfast. "Just do this one favor for us. It'll be fun to just hang out."

Takeru and Hikari looked at each other and shrugged. They still didn't understand, but they didn't pester us too much on the subject. We haven't really relaxed as much as we should have.

I blinked when I saw a grey knight standing on the roof across from us outside. "Ixen?"

Hikari turned to look out the balcony. "Taichi? Is something wrong?"

"Sorry, it was just a bit of déjà vu." I nervously laughed and hoped the day could stretch just a bit longer.

~IZZY~

"Great, everyone's here!" Mimi quickly unrolled the picnic blanket.

TK smiled as he sat at the bench and opened up the containers. "Kari! Do you want some brownies? I made them myself with my mom." The young boy's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I will if you have one of my own chocolate chip cookies, TK." The brunette accepted his treat.

Matt looked at his younger brother. "Don't eat too many sweets, you two. We have a lot of good food you should try."

The two nodded and smiled. They watched as Sora and Tai competed to see who was better at soccer. Tai tripped over a rock and scowled. "Hey! I demand a rematch."

Joe looked at his watch. "Let's get started!" He grabbed a plate and began to choose carefully.

I sat on the blanket and smiled as I ate. "This is good. Tai, did you make this fried rice?"

"Not exactly. I was going to, but my mom said I was banned since I accidently burned last night's dinner."

"TK, Kari, what's going on?" Sora had been watching them. The two were finished eating.

"We're going to explore the park." Kari looked at Tai. "Can we?"

Her older brother gave her a nervous chuckle. "We come here all the time. There's nothing new to find."

"But TK has never been here before."

"Can we, Matt?" The small blonde looked up at his own older brother.

Matt raised an eyebrow at him. He sighed. "Fine, just stay close! Give us a call if you get into trouble."

TK jumped up in excitement. "Let's get started!"

Mimi laughed at the two. "They're so adorable."

I smiled as the two were inspecting a tree. I glanced at my laptop as it beeped. "Mail? That's odd. It's from someone I don't know."

Joe looked at the screen. "Why did you bring your laptop?"

"Just in case the gate opens. I want to learn as much as I can about the Digital World. The gate wasn't supposed to open, but it did. That means that we can see our digimon again." I jumped in shock as I read the mail. "This is about the Digital World!"

Tai stood up. "Really? What is it about?"

"I don't know if I can trust it. It says that this was sent about four years from now!"

"Izzy!" I looked up as Kari urgently called for my attention. "There's a digimon here! He's hurt!"

Joe stood up. "How can a digimon be here? Isn't the gate closed?"

Everyone got up and went to see TK as he carefully helped the digimon up. TK worriedly let Joe handle. "Is he okay?"

Joe looked at the soldier. "What kind of digimon is he, Izzy?"

I looked at the programs I had activated. "There's nothing here on him." I scanned through the files and saw screen come up. It locked my computer. "What is going on?"

Mimi pointed towards a button. "Izzy, isn't that the Digital World?"

My mouse moved on its own accord and pulled us into the Digital World.

~MIYAKO~

Ken and Daisuke dejectedly entered the lobby of my apartment building. Ken looked at Daisuke. "Are you sure he doesn't want to?"

"I'm sure. Maybe Takeru would like to."

"Hey, guys. Takeru's not here. He left with Yamato." I looked at the two as they became even more depressed.

Iori came down and saw them. "Is something wrong?"

Daisuke shook his head. "It's summer vacation and Ken and I are bored. Are you two doing anything?"

I shook my head. "What about Hikari?"

Ken sighed. "She's spending all day with Taichi. Why don't the four of us go to the Digital World? It's been a while since we saw our partners."

Iori nodded. "That's a great idea. Do any of the older Digidestined want to come with us?"

Daisuke sulked again. "Sora and Mimi want to go shopping. Jou is busy studying. Koushiro says that he needs to do something with his laptop. Something about an alternate version of the Digital World. And Miyako just said that Yamato is spending the day with Takeru."

I led them back to my apartment. "I'll get some drinks."

Ken let my computer boot up and waited. "Koushiro's project sounds interesting."

"But most of us wouldn't understand it," Daisuke stated as he drank the can of lemonade I handed him. "I'm more concerned about when Ixen will come back. I want to test Imperialdramon Paladin Mode against Infinimon Dual Blade Mode."

Iori smiled at the goggle boy. "We'll see him again. He said that he'd get back as soon as he finished a few things."

Ken raised an eyebrow at the Digital Gate program. "That can't be right. It says that the gate has been closed and diverted. Our digimon are also in the real world."

I checked the screen. "We never opened the gate today and Hawkmon should still be there. I checked yesterday."

The mouse moved and Daisuke pointed it out. "Ken, you're not doing anything are you?"

"What are you talking about?" Ken was drinking his refreshment and he saw the mouse too. "The mouse?"

Iori lifted up his D-3. "I guess we're going in."

~TAKERU~

My digivice reacted for no apparent reason. Hikari's D-3 did the same thing. Taichi and Yamato glanced at each other.

"What's going on in the Digital World?" Hikari asked.

Taichi gritted his teeth. "We've got to get you to a computer."

Yamato nodded. "My apartment is close by."

They dragged Hikari and me away. "Yamato? What's going on?" I held onto my fisherman's hat as they didn't slow down.

"Don't worry about it." Taichi took out his digivice and looked at it. He put it on the desk and crossed his arms.

Yamato hurriedly turned on his computer. "Taichi, a word? Now!"

The two left Hikari and me alone. I crossed my arms. "Those two are acting strangely today."

"What do you think is going on?"

I shrugged and heard static coming from Taichi's digivice. A voice was coming out of it. "Taichi? Yamato? You two there?"

I recognized the voice immediately. "Ixen?"

There was a long pause. "Taichi, you idiot. Hey, Takeru. Is Hikari with you?"

Hikari picked up her brother's digivice. "What are you doing? Our digivices reacted to nothing."

"Nothing? What do you mean nothing?" There was some rustling. "Infinimon!" There was more static. "You know what; get to the Digital World now! Where are Taichi and Yamato? Never mind, no time for that. Just hurry up!"

Hikari clicked on the program to the Digital World. "I wonder what's going on."

I was about to respond but Taichi was yelling at Yamato. "What do you mean by that?"

"Takeru can't handle that. I completely trust in their abilities, but you're overestimating them."

"They can handle it. We won't be there, but those others will. They'll be more than enough. If things go as smoothly, then what does it matter?"

"You're not thinking again! What happened with us is completely different with what's going to happen to them!"

I had no idea what they were arguing about but I had just about enough. "We're leaving!"

"We can't tell them the whole truth, Taichi. You know that!" The truth? That certainly made me curious.

"I don't care what Ixen says. They'll find out anyways." They didn't seem to hear me.

"Let's see if they want to know or not."

"Fine, Yamato. We'll see. They'll want to know the truth on what's about to happen anyways. And I'll be right!"

The two boys came out and scowled. Hikari was losing patience. "Ixen needs us."

"What's going on?" I asked.

Taichi sneered at my brother. "See, Takeru wants to know. You two ar—"

Yamato covered his mouth. "Hikari, what do you think?"

"If Ixen doesn't want us to know, then we shouldn't. You said we find out anyways."

I really wanted to know now though. "Just tell us, Yamato."

"I'd rather Ixen tell us, Takeru."

The computer behind us began to beep. "Yamato, tell us."

"We've got to go, Takeru."

Taichi bit Yamato and took a deep breath. "Hikari, you're goin—"

Yamato tackled his best friend. "Sorry, Taichi. But I don't want this to get in the way with what is supposed to happen."

Hikari and I were pulled into the Digital World. I stood up quickly to face the Bearer of Light. "Didn't you want to know what was going to happen?"

"Calm down, Takeru. Ixen can probably explain to us about their arguing."

"Or maybe he'll just hide the truth from us like he always does."

"What is up with you? It's for our best. I want to know too, but Yamato seemed pretty sure that us knowing too early will change a lot. I don't see how it matters, but we'll understand it once we know it."

"Really? But what if knowing can change things for the better?"

"We'll learn one step at a time. We can't jump ahead, Takeru."

I paused and took a look at my bearings. "This can't be right. Are we in the Digital World or not?" The sky was an array of colors and I could see different land forms floating off in a distance. "Where are we?"

We saw Daisuke and the others. They were glad to see us, but they were just as confused as us. Ken took out his digivice and frowned. "The compass on this thing is screwed up. We're lost."

"Another reason why Taichi should have told us what was going on," I muttered.

"Give it a rest, Takeru." Hikari looked at her own digivice. "Mine's dead!"

I looked at mine in surprise. "What? How did my digivice die?"

Iori looked at his. "The rest of ours is just fine. Did something happen to you two on your way here?"

Hikari and I eyed each other. We both looked away and I responded. "Nothing really. But my brother was acting pretty weird."

"Your brother? Taichi was the one being more awkward."

Miyako looked at the two of us. "Are you two okay?"

Hikari and I replied at once. "Yeah, my best friend is just being an idiot."

Daisuke blinked at us. "Wow, I've never seen you two argue before."

Ken looked between us. "That's because they aren't meant to argue with each other. Pull yourselves together. We have to figure out what to do."

"Why don't we find Ixen?" Hikari suggested.

I rolled my eyes but reluctantly agreed. I walked behind them alone. Hikari was up front with Miyako. They were just talking. I looked at my best friend and sighed.

~HIKARI~

"You can't blame him, Hikari. He's concerned. Actually, Takeru is always protective about your safety."

"Yeah, but so is a lot of other people. He could at least be a little patient. Ixen can tell us about this."

"Hikari?" I turned as I thought I heard Gatomon.

"Gatomon! What are you doing here?"

"Ixen brought us here. He's freaking out inside." She pointed at a castle. "He came outside and saw us but he wouldn't let us in. He said to wait for everyone else." She smiled at me. "I'm glad you made it here safely." She blinked. "Is something wrong, Hikari?"

"Nothing. Does it seem like something is off?"

"You were a bit sad about something." She looked over my shoulder. "What's wrong with Takeru?"

I turned around and saw him shaking his head. Patamon was a bit disappointed, but shrugged it off and took his space on top of the blonde's head.

"I don't know," I replied blandly.

~IXEN~

I heard the loud commotion outside. I ran my left hand through my messy hair. "Let the troubles begin. Hopefully everyone got here alright."

I opened the door to the large entrance hall. Eight kids stood with their digimon and were exploring this abandoned castle.

"TK, doesn't this remind you of Devimon's castle?" Patamon looked at a painting curiously.

"Devimon?" TK jumped up. "I hope this isn't that place again." He held his partner closer to him. "I don't want you to fight him again."

"TK? Who's Devimon?" Kari stared at the painting with him.

"He's a bad digimon that tried to kill me." TK sniffed. "Angemon saved me, but he was reborn as a digi-egg."

"Don't cry, TK," Gatomon said. "We have to help everyone figure out where we are."

I don't know how long I was watching those four. I just knew that Tai had spotted me. "Hey! Who are you?"

I jumped in surprise. I wasn't supposed to be wasting time! I nervously cleared my throat. Time for me to meet the Digidestined. "I see you found your partners."

Matt looked up at me. "Well? Who are you?"

"Relax, Matt," I simply stated.

Joe tensed. "How do you know Matt?"

"Seriously, all of you need to relax." I leaned over the railing and smiled as Infinimon stood beside me. "You made it back alright. Have the final pair arrived yet?"

"Yes, my liege. Just now. They should be exploring. The two should reach the castle after everyone meets each other."

I bit the inside of my cheek. I wasn't looking forward to that meeting. "Very well then."

Sora looked up at Infinimon. "Is he your partner?"

I came down the stairs and crossed my arms. "That's Infinimon Dual Blade Mode. I'm Ixen."

Tai suspiciously came up to meet me. "I'm T—"

"Taichi Kamiya," I finished. I smirked at him. "I know all of you." I frowned. "And she called my hair messy," I muttered.

Tai flared up. "Who are you really?" He clenched his fists. "And my hair is not messy!"

I passed him and the other children. "Well, I could answer or you can get home. Either way, you're stuck here until I save this place from Apocalymon." I bit my tongue. I said too much.

Mimi shook her head. "Apocalymon? Didn't we destroy him?"

I decided to receive help from a distraction. "Guys? You can come in!" Infinimon opened the door that let out.

Daisuke came inside. "Finally, Ixen. We were getting pretty tense out there. What were you doing?" He stopped as he saw Tai and Matt. "Taichi? Yamato?" Daisuke turned to me. "What did you do?"

I ducked out of the way as Tai and Matt stared at Daisuke. Tai shook his head. "Okay, who is this?"

Matt shrugged. "I don't get how he knows us."

They stood in front of TK and Kari to protect them. I smiled when I thought about a million possible outcomes to this meeting.

Daisuke managed to grab hold of my shirt. Ken thankfully saved me. "Daisuke, calm down!"

Miyako came in and saw the group. "What's going on here?" Hawkmon flew in and landed. "Hawkmon, who are they?"

Iori ran in with Armadillomon. He paused as he saw Daisuke trying to kill me. "Daisuke, let him go! He's the only person who can get us home."

He did let me go and I straightened out my clothes. "Thank you. Where's the other two?"

"Arguing outside," Miyako said glumly.

"What?" I opened the door all the way and saw Takeru and Hikari. They were turned away from each other. Their digimon were trying to console their respective partners. "What are you two doing?"

Takeru turned to me. "You!" He rammed into me. "This is your fault, isn't it?"

"Hey! Calm down and look around you!" Hikari pulled him off of me.

Daisuke, Iori, Miyako, and Ken managed to keep Takeru and Hikari apart. They stared at Tai and the others.

I stood between them as Tai and Matt still kept TK and Kari from view. I nervously chuckled. "Let me introduce you to each other despite the awkward tension."