Thanks to Keisuke and Ryuji Digivolving their partners to the Ultimate Level, Ben and Summer were able to tame Moltres and Articuno who were driven mad buy parts of the Golden Armor on their mountains. However before they could retrieve the parts, they were stolen by Ice and Lavana, two former members of Team Dim Sun. X and Zero arrived to give chase with the Rangers and their friends retreating to Rand's house to plan their next move...

Back at Rand's house, both Ben and Summer's teams gathered in the living room with Matayoshi, Nema, Calumon, Tokomon, Lopmon, and Date as the Rangers gave their report.

"Wow, been a while since I got hit with a bombshell like that." Matayoshi sighed. "So, two former commanders of this Team Dim Sun stole two pieces of the Golden Armor Moltres and Articuno were guarding. X and Zero went after them and now we have this mysterious Guardian Sign user."

"We let them get away with something so dangerous…" Keith mumbled in shame.

"Hey, don't get depressed!" Nema said. "You claimed down Moltres and Articuno! That's something!"

"She's right." Matayoshi added. "That was what you set out to do, wasn't it?"

"I guess…" Kate sighed.

"Rather then getting depressed over what we can't change now, we should focus on what we should do next." Ryuji said.

"Right as always Ryuji." Matayoshi smiled. "What we do know is that there are four pieces of Golden Armor. Ice and Lavana stole two pieces from Moltres and Articuno. That means there are still two pieces we can get before them."

"If we can just secure one part, we can hide it from them, so they'll never get the complete set." Yuugo said.

"Isn't there still one bird left?" Date asked. "Do you think it's guarding a part of the Golden Armor too?"

"Zapdos?" Ben asked. "Most likely. But it's going to be hard to catch it when it's in the sky with those thunder clouds. Summer and I can get there if we use Latios and Latias, but I don't know if we could carry all of you with us."

"Well, if we can't get it, then I doubt Ice and Lavana will be able to any time soon." Chitose pointed out.

Kellyn shook his head. "Don't underestimate them. They'll do whatever it takes to complete their plans. They're tenacious."

"So, wait, there are three birds and four Golden Armor parts?" Yu asked with three fingers out on his right hand. "If Moltres and Articuno were guarding two and Zapdos has one, that makes three, so where's the fourth?" he added with four fingers held out on his left.

Matayoshi looked down. "That's a good question. Maybe Zapdos has both of the remaining parts."

"I doubt it. When Purple Eyes was defeated the parts scattered in different directions." Fei said. "No way two of them landed in the same spot. There's no tellin' where that forth bit ended up."

"But if it's not protected by something like Zapdos maybe it'll be easier to go after it first." Nokia said.

"Easier how?" Arata scowled. "We don't even know where to look! What if it landed in the ocean? Or somewhere outside the region!"

"Hey, I'm just suggesting something you jerk! You got a better idea?!"

"I think our best hope is for Ben and Summer to try to search those clouds for Zapdos." Yuuko said. "It's dangerous but…"

"If it's our only choice, we'll do it!" Ben said. "We can't let another Societea get their hands on the Golden Armor!"

Summer nodded. "Thunder clouds or no thunderclouds we'll track down Zapdos in the sky and-

"That won't be necessary." Everyone turned to the front door as a blond woman walked inside. "Sounds like you've all been busy."

"Hey…" Yu said. "Isn't that…?"

"Kyoko?!" Nokia gasped. "Is that you?!"

The detective smiled. "Sorry to keep you waiting. And Ben, Summer. It's been a while."

"It sure has!" Summer smiled. "Boy am I glad to see you!"

"It's been a week, where the heck have you been?!" Date asked.

"I told you. Digging into the matter of Team One World privately."

Nokia looked at the door waiting for two people in particular to show up next. "Huh? Where are Takumi and Ami?"

"They're still investigating." Kyoko then looked at the crowd. "Looks like we have some new faces among us."

"Ah yes, I should explain." Matayoshi said. "While you were out, I called Ranger Union to request backup. This is Kellyn, his sister Kate and Keith, Rangers like Ben and Summer. What surprised me was to see some people I know from our world. Kamishiro sent them to get us back home."

"Is that so?"

"Ryuji, I want you to meet Kyoko. I've known her for a long time now. Kyoko, this is Ryuji. A handyman of sorts. And a devious hacker. He's rough around the edges, but a good guy overall!" Matayoshi laughed.

"Charmed. You must be something special if you caught old Matayoshi's eye."

"Nice to meet you. I run a team called Hudie. These are Chitose, Keisuke and Yu." The other three waved.

"Hudie…" Kyoko said. "That's Chinese for Butterfly. Interesting name. Is it related to the Butterfly Dream?"

"Ah, so you've heard of it too." Chitose grinned. "What I'd expect from a detective!"

"Butterfly Dream?" Kate asked.

Ryuji turned to her. "Back in our world there's this story about a man who dreamed he was a butterfly. When he woke up, he was human. But then he asked himself, did he really have a dream of being a butterfly? Or was he a butterfly that was now dreaming he was human? My mother taught me that story when I was a kid."

"Are you saying the lives we live might actually be a dream?" Fei asked.

"Reality is not as straight forward as you think." Kyoko replied. "Take this world for instance. Would you ever imagine something like Pokemon existed a few months back?"

"Why do you think a dream of being a butterfly in particular would make this guy question reality?" Keramon asked.

"Good question. Though it is note worthy that butterflies mean many things in dreams. Some say they represent a new beginning or a passion in life. Some say they are a symbol of hope. Some say they indicate life force. Some say they-

"Stop! Stop!" Nokia yelled. "My head's about to explode!"

"Perhaps we're getting a bit off track here." Kellyn said. "In any case, well met detective. Hopefully your arrival can turn around our bleak situation."

"Don't mind my mopey brother, he just likes to take everything too seriously." Kate grinned.

"There are worse things then caution Kate. Not that you'd know since you never really exercise it."

"You could have told us you were okay!" Calumon said. "We were getting worried!"

Kyoko smiled. "Sorry. We figured if Team One World thought the Cyber Sleuths disappeared, they might act carelessly. And sure enough, we were able to get some info on them."

"If it's about how Ice and Lavana, two ex admins of Team Dim Sun are taking the charge, we already know." Arata replied.

"But did you know that they brought in a bunch of Dim Sun grunts and former Pokemon Pinchers to join them?"

"That explains their numbers." Yuuko said.

"They also recruited members of a former gang called Go-Rock Squad."

"Did you say Go-Rock Squad?" Keith asked.

"You know these people Keith?" Yuugo asked.

"Sort of. While I was stationed in the Fiore region, I heard that they were an evil group that stole a special kind of Styler form Professor Hasting and tried to use them to control Pokemon all over the region. But they were defeated and disbanded."

"There's more." Kyoko said. "Ice and Lavana are taking orders from a leader of some sort."

"A leader?" Kate asked. "Who could it be if not Ice or Lavana? Heith fled to the country, Kincaid was arrested, Blake Hall went to a faraway land…"

Kellyn looked at Keith. "Think it could be a leader from Go-Rock Squad?"

"Not a chance. I heard their four sub leaders all turned over a new leaf and the big boss is working to atone for his crimes."

"I've been looking into that as well." Kyoko nodded. "No suspects so far I'm afraid…but there is one possibility. There is one man who wanted to control the Pokemon and Digimon in Oblivia for himself in the past. And that man has not been apprehended yet…"

"You mean Ed "The Thinker?" Ben asked.

"Rand and I though he changed after what happened with Mewtwo…perhaps we were too optimistic…But this is only an assumption. I have no proof yet."

"We also spotted Red Eyes recently." Summer said. "But I don't think he'd pull something like this…"

Nokia nodded. "Yeah. He looked really demoralized when Ben and Takumi beat him."

"What about X and Zero?" Ryuji asked. "They have a separate agenda from Team One World. Do you think Red Eyes or this "Thinker" guy are connected to them?"

Kyoko looked at him. "X and Zero?"

"They're these Digimon Tamers that went after Ice and Lavana." Monodramon explained. "They did help us but…"

"I don't think they're bad people." Keisuke said.

Ryuji shook his head. "Don't be over trusting. They're clearly after the Golden Armor."

"Come on Ryuji, we wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for them and you know it!" Yu objected. "This is twice they saved us now!"

"It could have just been a coincidence they arrived when we were in trouble."

"And what about the time before then?" Kate asked. "Zero said she was trying to keep a low profile, but she came out in the open to help us anyway."

"Yeah. X and his Digimon said something like that too." Keith nodded.

"If they did take a risk to help you, I wouldn't worry about them for now." Kyoko said. "Team One World on the other hand, have proven to be the ones responsible for the abduction of Pokemon from around the world. Not to mention they use Digimon."

"What about that hooded man with the Guardian Signs?" Kellyn asked. "Do you think X and Zero are in cahoots with him?"

"Guardian Signs?" Kyoko asked. "There's someone other then Ben and Summer using them now?"

"Yeah. Just after X left a man with a hood and a staff showed up and used a Guardian Sign to summon a Typlosion to thaw Summer out of an ice block she was trapped in. Then he disappeared the moment our backs were turned."

"Interesting…" Kyoko said. "This is news to me. What did he use to draw the Sign? A Capture Styler?"

"No, it was the staff." Chitose replied. "It looked real special. A gold staff with rainbow wings on the end."

"What?" Kyoko looked at her senior. "Matayoshi…remember when the kids went to go after Purple Eyes while I was reading that book about the forbidden song?"

Then it hit the elderly detective. "That man with the cloak! I forgot all about him!"

"What's going on?" Patamon asked.

"While Ben and his gang were trying to find a way past the thunder clouds around Mt. Layuda, some stranger with a hood and a staff told us about Latios and Latias. How they share a Guardian Sign."

"Oh, yeah! He was singing that forbidden song!" Nema exclaimed.

"That's right." Yuuko said. "I remember hearing about that. And this staff he had…"

Matayoshi nodded. "Perfectly fits the description Chitose just made. Whoever this fellow is, he knows a lot about the Guardian Signs."

"Intriguing…" Kyoko admitted. "But let's put that on the back burner for now. I think I know the answer to what our next move should be."

"Music to my ears." Ben grinned. "You got a plan?"

"Sort of. It seems Zapdos has returned to Mt. Layuda."

"Really?" Yuuko asked.

"Indeed. It'll be easier to reach the island rather then track it down in the middle of a lightning storm. And odds are it'll have an armor part like Moltres and Articuno did. Most likely why they were running wild."

"How'd you know about that?" Date asked.

Kyoko smirked. "Didn't I tell you Takumi, Ami and I have been investigating? My assistants are still on the job right now."

"Man, those two are hard at work same as always." Ben grinned.

"They tend to get obsessed when a case is on."

"Tell me about it." Arata sighed. "I just hope those nitwits aren't neglecting their own health and safety."

"They can be a handful at times." Kyoko admitted. "When a mystery is at hand they just can't stop."

Matayoshi laughed. "Just like a certain someone when she was their age."

"Oh? Do tell." Date grinned.

"At any rate, thanks to Takumi and Ami we know what to do next. Go to Layuda and get that armor before Team One World."

"But that island is still surrounded by thunder and lightning." Yuuko said. "Only Latios and Latias can get in and I doubt we'll all fit on them. Even if we do use the Connect Jump."

"What's a Connect Jump?" Keisuke asked.

"Oh, that's right. You haven't seen it yet. You know that in this world we are essentially digital entities that exist on a physical plain, yes?"

"Right."

"Well because of that our bodies can be stored in electronic devices."

Chitose squinted. "Are…you serious?"

"I'll prove it." Nokia said. "Hey, Kate! Show me your Styler!"

"Huh? Okay." Kate held up her right wrist.

Nokia walked up to her and held her hand out towards her Styler. "Connect Jump!" A blue hole opened up on front of Kate's Styler and Nokia was sucked inside.

Kate, Kellyn, Keith, Keisuke, Chitose, Yu, and Ryuji were all in shock. "Wow!" Yu jumped. "Did I really just see that?!"

"Pretty cool huh?" Arata asked. "It's a little on the unconventional side of things. And I won't pretend to know everything about how it works. But it sure comes in handy for moving the whole gang around at once."

"But with everything installed into the Stylers we can only fit so many of people inside them at once." Yuugo said as Nokia came out. "And even if we can all fit in everybody's Stylers I don't know how we'll fit Ben, Summer, Kellyn, Keith and Kate on Latios and Latias without slowing them down too much."

"I have an idea if you're willing to wait a bit." Kyoko said. "There is one being we know can rival Latios and Latias in speed. And another as tough as Regigigas. I've been thinking about calling both of them back. And now that we have a clear objective the time is right."

Gallantmon floated high above a region. "No Digimon in Hoenn either. Perhaps we were paranoid after all…"

Just then UlforceVeedramon flew over at incredible speed and stopped in front of him. "Gallantmon. I just received word from Detective Kyoko. The issue in Oblivia has escalated."

"How so?"

"This Team One World is collecting the scattered pieces of the Golden Armor."

"What?! Is she certain?!"

"I fear so. They are already in possession of two parts."

Gallantmon growled. "This is bad…if they assemble all four…"

"There's more. The parts were guarded by Moltres and Articuno. Two of a trio in Oblivia."

"Yes, the legendary birds I believe they are called. So, the last of these birds…"

"Zapdos. It is likely in possession of another. But the island it fled to is surrounded by fierce thunderclouds. That is why she asked us to return to Oblivia to help them reach it."

"Understood. We should aid our comrades. Our search can wait. This is an emergency."

UlforceVeedramon nodded. "Agreed. Let's go!" The two of them flew off for Oblivia.

"They'll be here tomorrow?" Yuuko asked.

Kyoko nodded. "We can afford to wait. I doubt Team One World knows Zapdos returned to its island yet. Even if they have, they won't find their way past that lightning any time soon."

"I guess we might as well rest until then." Ryuji said. "Because tomorrow is going to be a very busy day." Everyone nodded.

"I'm going with ya'll this time." Fei said.

"So are we." Date added. "Right partner?"

"Right!" Lopmon nodded.

"And me too of course." Matayoshi said before everyone turned to him. Most of them with wide eyes or crocked eyebrows. "What's with that look?! I may be old, but I still got some fight in me! Besides you kids aren't the only ones with Digimon. Right Biyomon?"

"Yes sir!" the Digimon saluted.

"While we're waiting, we might as well upload the data of the Digimon you defeated." Nema said. "Come here!" She led everyone to her computer and pulled up a screen. It showed an island with a bunch of sprites with a few Digi-Eggs and a few Baby and In-Training Level Digimon.

"Oh, how cute!" Kate gushed.

"Digimon will reincarnate after being destroyed." Nokia explained. "Nema has been working on a storage system to keep them in until we find a way to send them home."

Monodramon nodded. "I see. Very good. It's best to keep them safe until we find a way to get them back to the Digital World."

"Yup!" Nema nodded. "So, anyone who's got data from a Digimon, I'm gonna have to barrow your Digivice."

As Nema was doing her upload, Ben looked at his group. "Man, I'm so glad to be working with all of you again."

"Same here." Arata smiled. "Just like three months ago."

Yuugo laughed. "Not quite. Now we have a bigger group with us."

"Including Almia's finest heroes!" Summer giggled.

Keisuke smiled faintly. "Heroes…every one of them huh? I feel like the odd one out…"

Arata felt uneasy as he looked at Ryuji and Chitose. We sighed and turned to the door. "Welp if we got nothing to do, I'm going for a walk."

Ryuji eyed the boy as he left. "Hey." He couldn't tell if Arata didn't hear him or was ignoring him at first. "Hey, you!" Arata stopped but didn't turn around. "Have we met somewhere? I feel like I know you…" Yuuko looked at Ryuji, slightly surprised. Then at Arata waiting for a response.

"You must be mistaken." Arata replied.

"Is that so?" Ryuji asked. "My bad."

"Anyway, due to recent events Booker and Nick gave Rand's house a little expansion. And by that, I mean a guest room, so we have plenty of beds." Matayoshi said.

"Man, those two never cease to amaze." Ben said.

The next day, everyone assembled outside. Omnimon was already out. "Not very punctual are these guys?" Chitose asked.

"Well, they said tomorrow, they didn't say when tomorrow." Nema replied.

Omnimon sensed something and looked up. "They're here!"

UlforceVeedramon zoomed in and stopped right in front of them. The burst of wind threatened to blow the gang over. "This Digimon…" Keisuke thought. "The one that Rina had with her!"

"UlforceVeedramon!" Ben smiled. "Long time no see!"

"Ah, Ben, Summer, my dear comrades. Good to see you are well."

Then Gallantmon flew in. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Ben, Summer, thanks for coming back in our hour of need."

"Gallantmon!" Summer gleamed. "How'd your search go?"

"No Digimon were found. Perhaps there was no need for a search." He then looked at the group. "I heard that there would be new faces in our circle of friends."

"These are Kellyn, Kate and Keith, Top Rangers from Almia." Ben said.

"And these are Ryuji, Keisuke, Chitose and Yu." Matayoshi. "They came from our world and will be sending us back at the end of the month. Hopefully that will be enough time to clear up this mess."

"It is a pleasure everyone." UlforceVeedramon bowed. "And I see some of you have befriended Digimon."

"We sorta ran into each other." Yu replied as he petted Oatamamon. "I've gotten attached to this little guy!"

Gallantmon laughed. "I do hope you will continue to develop deeper bonds with our kind. Hmm? The Cyber Sleuths' are not present."

"Actually, I contacted them a moment ago." Kyoko said. "They'll be joining you at Mt. Layuda."

"Alright. Let's head over and meet them there." Arata said.

"I can't wait to see Ami and Takumi again!" Summer smiled.

"Pichu! Pichu!" Ukulele Pichu happily nodded.

"Same here." Ben grinned. "Well then, let's get started. Go, Guardian Sign! Latios, come forth!"

"Go, Guardian Sign! Latias, come forth!" Both Eon Pokemon appeared before Summer and Ben. "Okay, let's do this. Ben, Kate, Kellyn, Keith, Stylers up!"

As Nokia climbed onto Omnimon's shoulder the Rangers held up their Stylers towards the rest of the gang. "Connect Jump!" Yuugo and Arata went into Ben's Styler. Yuuko and Fei to Summer's, Keisuke and Ryuji to Kellyn's Chitose and Yu to Keith's and Matayoshi and Date to Kate's.

"Ow! A lot more cramped in here then I thought it would be…" Keisuke muttered.

"These gadgets are small and probably hold a lot of software." Chitose replied.

"Aye. This is my first time doing this and I can't say it's easy." Matayoshi groaned. "You young ones sure put up with a lot."

"You have no idea." Arata replied.

As Ben boarded Latios. Summer realised something. "Uh, Yuuko? Fei? Sorry about this, but you're gonna have to make room for one more."

"What do ya mean?" Fei asked. Summer then put her Staraptor into her Styler. "Hey! Ack!"

"Sorry, just deal with it for a bit!" Summer then got on Latias. Kellyn, Keith and Kate picked up their Pokemon and got on Gallantmon, UlforceVeedramon and Omnimon.

Nema waved as the Eon Pokemon and the Knights levitated off the ground. "Good luck everyone!" As they left she then thought of something. "Hey, wait a minute Kyoko! How are Takumi and Ami going to get through those clouds?"

"They already have the means to do so." Kyoko went quiet before smiling to herself. "I bet they're excited. This marks the end of a long blank."