Notes: It took a while since I was thinking too far ahead, but I finally have this chapter ready. I'll try to get the next chapter ready sooner. I don't own Digimon, only Ixen, Ix, and Charimon's forms.


~IXEN~

"Takeru!" I charged towards the hall and into the dark foyer. I skidded into a stop and stared at the darkened form of Seraphimon. "Infinimon!"

"Eternal Charge!" Ix's partner took in the dark energy and diverted away from the Digidestined.

The dark boy turned towards me and frowned. "You're finally here, Ixen. But what do you think? I'm even more powerful than you were when you fell under the darkness."

I glared at him. "I don't fall under anything! The darkness follows me." He sneered at me and rushed forward to give me an uppercut. I stumbled backward.

Takeru smirked at me as his eyes flashed. The coloration was an odd pale blue unlike his regular clear ocean blue. His hair had also gone darker. This made me worry and I took out my D-Pack to check my reflection. My eyes had solidified into black while my hair was a brighter red. I stared in silent horror at this outcome.

Takeru laughed at me. "Pure darkness. What do you think of that, Ixen?"

I couldn't find it in myself to be angry. It was amusing though. "I think you're in over your head!"

The ground shook and I looked at the glowing dark mass. I gritted my teeth as Apocalymon rose out of it. "Now that we're all present, let the destruction begin!"

Hikari was still on the ground. What was she doing? This was not the time to be having an emotional breakdown. I relaxed myself and felt sorrow and pity. It didn't last long because with my defenses as low as they are now, I was open for attack.

Takeru kicked me down and I didn't get back up. I had to think and with that dark side of me gone, my mind was clear and free to do anything.

Takeru faced Apocalymon. "Leave Hikari and Ixen to me."

Apocalymon laughed. "Of course. You deserve to show them your power."

Charimon and Gatomon came to our aid, but Apocalymon threw us into a barrier. Hikari was still crying and I had to focus on not falling into my emotions.

"Ixen!" Ix tried to get through the barrier but it was too late.

I stared at my surroundings and had to get my cousin to focus. "Hikari, get up!"

"Why? Takeru is gone and we're no match against ShadowSeraphimon."

"True enough," Takeru smiled. "It's a pity that Hope didn't actually put up a fight."

"Shut up!" I looked at Charimon. "Take him down!"

"Charimon warp-digivolve to…"

"Infinimon!" He rose up and tried to fight ShadowSeraphimon in our small battlefield.

"Shadow Shockwave!" The strike flew into Infinimon and sent him into the barrier. It shocked my partner and I felt both blows.

I fell forward and waited for the shocks to leave my body. Gatomon checked to see if I was okay. "Ixen, what's going on?"

"This place binds us to our partner. If Infinimon gets hurt so do I. Same with ShadowSeraphimon and Takeru. How am I supposed to fight back?"

Gatomon looked at the boy. "That's Takeru?"

Hikari shook her head. "That can't be him. He would never do something like this."

"Then you don't know anything about me! ShadowSeraphimon, get rid of Gatomon!"

"Counter him, Infinimon!"

"Shadow Shockwave!"

"Imperial Blade!"

"Gatomon warp digivolve to…"

"Ophanimon!"

"Infinimon mode change to Dual Blade Mode! Double Striker!" He cut through the dark digimon and caused Takeru to take a few hist.

Hikari looked at me worriedly. "We can't hurt him, Ixen."

I took another blow. "I know that, but there's nothing else we can do. If I stand down, we're both in danger."


~MIYAKO~

We were able to see them inside the barrier and it was hard for us to support them without wanting Takeru be hurt. Apocalymon laughed at their predicament. "His new power will definitely put an end to them. It's not like Hope himself will survive. Only one of the two will come out, but by then, they'll be easy to be rid of."

"MetalGarurumon! Attack!" Matt's fury rose. He couldn't stand to see his brother act like that.

Tai pulled him back. "What do you think you're doing? We can let them handle it."

"I won't let TK end up destroying himself!"

TK looked up at his older brother. "Patamon, we've got to fight for them!"

"I'm sorry, TK. I didn't recover enough."

"Neither have I, Kari," Gatomon said.

Daisuke looked at Apocalymon in frustration. "Let them go!"

Imperialdramon Fighter Mode ran towards the giant monstrosity. "Positron Laser!"

A black wall rose up to block the attack. Apocalymon smiled. "I don't have the need to fight you. Have fun with my army instead!"

The dark digimon that reined this island were regenerated and Ken clenched his fists. "We can't fight them all!"

"We're going to have to try," Joe stated. "Zudomon, do you best!"

Ix held out his digivice. "Come on, Infinimon! We've got to make sure TK and Kari can recover enough to help." The two took their position to watch over the youngest Digidestined. "We're not going to fail here!"

Valkyrimon looked down at me. "We'll do our best too, Miyako." I nodded.

Matt climbed onto his digimon. "I want to head straight to Apocalymon."

Tai looked at his friend in worry. "Fine, but I'm coming too. WarGreymon, let's go! Clear a path for us, Sora!"

"You two better come out okay!" She had Garudamon join the battle.

I turned my focus on my partner. "Keep going! We have to help Ixen and Hikari."

VenomMyotismon laughed and looked at all of us. "I need more energy!"

Iori frowned. "I can see why he wasn't much of a problem when it came to taking over the real world."

"Rough Spirit!" The red beam burned the large digimon and caused him to stumble backwards.

"Laser Javelin!" The javelin exploded on contact with VenomMyotismon, but he still go up.

"Venom Infuse!" We dodged the beam and had to wait for another opening.

I turned when I saw Daisuke panic. He fell back and his partner collapsed. "Are you okay?"

Ken looked over but had his hands full. "Daisuke! You two need to recover! Tai and Matt are in danger!"

All of the Dark Masters were surrounding the two. Iori looked up at me. "Valkyrimon can go. I've got this battle!"

I nodded and Valkyrimon swept forward. "Sanction Storm!" His shield flew forward and the tornado managed to distract Puppetmon. I gritted my teeth because it wasn't enough.

MetalGarurumon looked at the digimon that surrounded him. "Grace Cross Freezer!" Missiles exploded out of him, but Machinedramon shot them all down.

"Give it up! You two can't handle the four of us at once!"

Tai clenched his fists. "We're not going to give up to you!" He faltered for a bit as they edged closer.

"Trump Sword!" Piedmon aimed at my partner and it was enough to keep us occupied. "Now for our attack!"

Kari and TK shouted out for their brothers. Ix closed his eyes in frustration.

"Ending Snipe!"

"Giga Cannon!"

"Ultimate Stream!"

"Flying Cross Cutter!"

"Garuru Cannon! Grey Sword!" All of us looked up in surprise. Omnimon was above WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon and on his shoulders were…

"Taichi! Yamato!" Daisuke jumped up in surprise. "How are you two here?"

Yamato smirked at him. "How else?" He looked down at Koushiro and HerculesKabuterimon. "Great timing! It's a good thing we made it!"

Taichi carefully came down from their partner. "Tai, Matt! Are you two alright?"

Both of the younger boys nodded. Piedmon recovered from the attacks and rose up again. "It'll take more than reinforcements to stop us!"

Hououmon and Sora were in the air and both attacked the flying MetalSeadramon. "Ix! Where's Ixen?"

The small redhead was breathing hard out of relief. "He's stuck in a barrier with Hikari and Takeru."

Jou went over to the three and inspected Patamon and Gatomon. "You two should be okay. Maybe a bit exhausted, but here's something for you to eat."

Ix looked at them both. "Ready?"

TK nodded. "Let's go!"

"Patamon digivolve to…"

"Angemon! Angemon digivolve to…"

"MagnaAngemon!"

"Gatomon digivolve to…"

"Angewomon!"

"Infinimon mode change to Phoenix Mode!"

That completely took the young boy off guard. The grey dragon armor became a mix of colors. The golden blade was replaced with the silver sword his Dual Blade Mode used. His ten angel wings also were lit aflame. Ix used a few seconds to take it in and smiled. "Infinimon, get towards the barrier! We've got to get them out of there!"

I looked at the barrier and saw that it became clouded. There was no way to see what was happening in there. Apocalymon laughed. "It won't be enough. You will all fall to the darkness!"


~HIKARI~

I winced in pain and Ixen got up once more. "Keep on trying, Takeru. Come on! I can handle it!"

Infinimon swung his blades at ShadowSeraphimon, but it wasn't enough to do damage to the digimon. Takeru smirked at us. "You're not even going to fight back. You two are just making it easier for me."

"Seven Hells!" Infinimon took most of the hits to prevent damage to Ophanimon and me.

Ixen and I cringed in pain. He collapsed again but this time he couldn't find the strength to stand again. I got to a knee and looked up at Takeru. "Takeru, why are you doing this? You're not dark. You've got to fight it!"

"Hikari, don't. You'll make things worse. Besides," Ixen laughed. "He won't succeed anyways."

I helped my cousin up. He continued chuckling and it disturbed the blonde. "What's so funny?"

Ixen stood up on his own and I stood behind him. He lowered his gaze and finished laughing. "You can't take down the both of us, Takeru. You may be holding onto my dark side, but you have no way to counteract it. Destroy me and my darkness will eat you inside out! Destroy Hikari, and your own darkness will drive you into despair! One last thing, you're scared of the dark. No matter what you'll always be afraid. You don't want it to fully consume you, do you? So, what will it be?" Takeru looked at us hesitantly. Ixen scoffed. "Then let me decide for you!" He charged forward and managed to punch Takeru.

Infinimon charged through ShadowSeraphimon to do even more damage.

Takeru turned around to face Ixen. "I've had it with your smug attitude! It'll be easier to let Hikari go because she can't do a thing without Hope! She could never stand in the light without me. I don't care if I'm destroyed with you either! I'm better suited in the darkness than you! ShadowSeraphimon! Destroy Infinimon!"

"Infinimon, stand down!" Ixen bravely stood.

ShadowSeraphimon dove towards the waiting digimon. "Testa—"

"Takeru!" I hugged my best friend from behind. "You can't do this! I won't let you." I felt more tears well up in my eyes. "I'm sorry if I drove you to this, but I didn't mean to. You helped me more than I could ever repay you. You never complained though. You might be right that I can't be Light without you, but even if I could, it wouldn't mean a thing if you're not beside me. You mean a lot to me. Can't you remember all those times we were together? We were always by each other's side, ready to defend the other. You didn't forget, did you? You're my best friend! And I won't let one stupid argument get between us. I couldn't bear to lose you."

Ophanimon did her best to restrain ShadowSeraphimon from finishing his attack. The dark digimon couldn't attack again. He was awaiting Takeru's final decision. Infinimon readily levitated; he would take a hit whether or not he wanted to because he had to respect Ixen's choice. Ixen steadily looked at Takeru and me. He smiled softly at me, but was still ready if Takeru couldn't find his way to his Light.


~IX~

I was halted as Devimon rose before us. I didn't let that stop me for long. "Infinimon!"

"Phoenix Flare!" Fire erupted from his body and engulfed the digimon.

TK and Kari waited for me to catch up. TK looked at me. "How are we going to break it open?"

"Just keep attacking, I guess," I answered. "But be careful. Too much damage and we might hurt them."

Kari nodded. "I hope things are going our way in there."

TK frowned. "Of course it is! We have to have faith in all of them. Even Takeru! He'll do what's right!"

I stared at the small blonde and shook my head. I didn't have time to think right now. I looked up at my partner and he nodded. "Phoenix Flare!"

"Excalibur!"

"Holy Arrow!"

It didn't leave a scratch on the barrier. I clenched my fists. "Try again!"

"Danger Thorn!" I turned around as Rosemon fought off the digimon that were coming towards us.

"Ix, you've got to be careful." The older Mimi frowned at me.

Koushiro arrived and checked the barrier. "HerculesKabuterimon, cover us, will you?" He and Izzy looked it over carefully. A spark came out of one area.

"Koushiro, do you think that's a weak point?"

I ran over to check. I placed a hand on it and felt a minor tingle run through my arm. "Infinimon, attack here."

TK and Kari allowed their digimon to follow.

"Holy Arrow!"

"Phoenix Flare!"

"Excalibur!"

The barrier cracked and opened. I stared into it and decided to enter. "Wait out here, everyone."

Kari pulled me back. "You can't go in there alone. What if ShadowSeraphimon gets you?"

TK agreed. "The three of us should go."

"But our partners just can't sit outside," I argued. "The crack is barely big enough for us."

Infinimon looked at me with amused eyes. "We'll fight out here, Ix. Don't worry about us."

"Worry? Who said I was worried?" I made a face but smiled. "Fine. Let's go!"


~TAKERU~

I couldn't move. My head hurt too much for me to decide. The darkness inside of me wanted everyone to feel endless pain, but another part of me wanted to take the pain and make myself stronger.

You didn't forget, did you?

My mind went backwards and I couldn't stop it from acting on its own. I tried remembering what Hikari wanted me to remember.

Kari, you can't be sick. Please be okay. I sat next to Gatomon as I watched my best friend as Tai and Izzy left to get medicine.

"Let's pray for the Numemon, TK!" It was simple enough. They had risked their lives to save her and I would do the same.

"Okay, Sora. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to protect Kari!" That odd determination never left me. I always followed through with that promise.

"It's been a while, TK. You've grown taller." I took my seat next to her and was happy about my return to Odaiba.

"You're just going to give up? I care too much about you to let anyone take you without a fight!" There was an awkward pause afterwards, but looking back now, I don't regret saying that.

"You know what? I care for you too." I didn't know how to respond to that back then.

"I have to know whether or not you're going to keep holding on to that light that keeps you going, despite your feelings." Ixen was serious when he said that, causing him to be extremely peeved with my answer. Here he was facing up to me, waiting to be destroyed. That was the thing about his darkness; he cared but never showed it. It was driving me forward to decide and I had to choose before I would be swallowed up by it.

"ShadowSeraphimon," I started. "Stand down. Hikari?" She tightened her hug. "I-I-I forgive you."

Ixen let out a sigh of relief and collapsed forward. All three of our digimon reverted into their base forms. I fell forward too. Hikari checked if the two of us were alright.

"Ixen! Takeru! Hikari! Are you okay?" The barrier opened up slightly. Ix looked at the three of us. He stepped forward to help Ixen sit up. "Come on. You can't stop now. Taichi and everyone else are counting on you."

Hikari looked at him, alarmed. "Taichi? Don't you mean Tai?"

Ixen managed to finally get up. "No, Taichi should be here. Everyone else is outside." Ixen winced as he tried to stand. "No good. I can't do anything."

Charimon couldn't fly either. "The two of us took the most damage. It'll be hard for us to keep going."

I looked at them both. I turned to Hikari and saw that I could outlast them. "Ixen, don't you have something to help?"

Ix jumped up. "How about that red card you dropped earlier?"

Ixen moved his arm, but winced. "Ix reach into the card case. It should be the first card in there." Ix took out a red card.

TK and Kari were curious as to what it was for. I explained to them. "With his D-Pack, he can strengthen Charimon. It sometimes gives added effects to attacks or powers him up enough to keep going."

Hikari stared at the card and frowned. "We've never seen that card before though, Takeru. What does it do?"

"D-Packs out." Ixen took the card and looked at Gatomon, Patamon, and Charimon. "Are you three ready to digivolve once more?"

Gatomon looked at Ixen oddly. "We have enough energy to go up to Ultimate. But that's all."

Charimon smirked at the other two digimon. "Not with that card. We'll be able to go Mega. For now, it's a one-time thing. If it fails, we're going to have to stay at Ultimate."

Patamon was surprised. "But we won't be able to handle that much energy. We're at our limits."

Hikari and I looked at each other. We would have to take the chance. I looked at Ixen. He was waiting. "Fine, Ixen. But this had better work." I held out my D-Pack.

He smirked at me. "This card was one of the reasons why I built those D-Packs for you. One more thing, be prepared to fight."

Hikari held up her D-Pack and looked at her cousin in surprise. "What does that mean?"

Ixen chuckled softly and tossed the card to give it a spin. It went into the card readers smoothly and came back into his hand. "You'll see. Card Slash!" He sliced the card into his own digivice. The D-Packs surrounded us and our partners surged with renewed energy.