Hi, I'm back! I fixed all of the errors, sorry about that! Oh, and I don't own Digimon. Have you ever noticed that in the show, Ken and T.K. did not even talk to each other very often? Other than the famous scene in the Emperor's base and a few others (namely when T.K. gave up his seat for Ken in the car and the one where he handed him food in the restaurant), there really wasn't much between them. This is my answer to why and how to fix that! Also, I'm using the english names because this story is based off the english version, so I feel it makes more sense that way. If you like the Japanese names, feel free to substitute. This part doesn't have much suspense because I'm laying out the story, but there will be tons to come. Oh, there might be a little Takari, but if your not a fan of that, don't stop reading. It certainly is not the main focus of the story.

One World Away From Darkness

Chapter 1: A Meeting With Friends

Ken ichijouji

"Dude, wake up! Have you even listened to a single word I've said?"

Sixteen year old Ken Ichijouji blinked and the soccer field came back into focus. He turned his gaze and found himself staring into the irritated brown eyes of his best friend, sixteen year old Davis Motomiya. Apparently Davis had been chattering away and he had not heard a single word of what the other had said.

"Uh...sorry...what was that?" Ken quickly turned his dark violet gaze to the ground, feeling guilty.

Davis glared at him, looking thoroughly exasperated. "I was only telling you about my brilliant plan for tomorrow's soccer game!"

"Yea, right...soccer." Ken trailed off, watching several kids from their highschool race past. They were laughing and shouting as they soaked each other with water guns. Ken sighed and ran a hand through his thick, raven hair. He had recently cut it a lot shorter, but that did not seem to stop the heat wave they were having from making it stick to his forehead with sweat. Since when did September get to be so hot?

"It's not just soccer!" Davis shouted, getting his attention."We have to win this game or we won't make it to the school championships this year! There's no way I'm going to let that snotty private school knock us out of the running!"

"Davis, it's just high school soccer, not the end of the world." An amused smile played across Ken's lips as he watched his friend go red with anger. Davis was captain of the school's soccer team, but the other guys always complained he acted more like a drill sargent, though never to his face. They were always quick to make sure he was out of hearing range first. I thought I was bad when I was the Emperor. It looks like Davis is every bit the soccer fanatic he claims to be. He sure takes his games seriously. It's a good thing I'm not like that anymore otherwise the team would up and quit with the two of us. He was on the soccer team as well and played defence while Davis played centre. At first he had not really wanted to join, due mostly to the fact that some of his talent had come from Yukio Oikawa's dark spore. In the end, Davis had been the one to convince him to join, and he was glad now that he had. When he had started to play again, he had discovered that he was actually still a decent player, even without the spore's help. That had been back in ninth grade. Now in eleventh, he had rediscovered his love for soccer. But no matter how much he loved the sport, that did not mean he wanted to practice when it was practically a hundred degrees outside. Okay, maybe not that bad, but it's close!

Davis glowered at him and crossed his arms.

"Come on, Davis, it's too hot outside to practice," Ken reasoned. "If we keep this up, we're all going to die of heat stroke, and you won't have a team to practice with!"

"Ken's right," another member of the team named Roka agreed. Roka Suzuki was an energetic boy with brown hair who played half back. With his head of curls and his mischievous grin, he was known for getting into as much trouble at school as Davis did! "Don't worry so much. We'll beat that private school. I've seen them play this year. They're not exactly stellar, if you know what I mean."

Davis looked ready to explode. "Never underestimate your enemy!" he snapped.

Roka shrugged. "Whatever, I'm going for ice cream. Anyone else want to come?"

"Count me in," Ken's fellow defence player, Denbe Yukemura, piped up. Denbe was usually the quiet one on the team, but at that moment he looked ready to do just about anything for an ice cream cone. There was sweat in his pale blond hair, and his emerald green eyes looked tired.

The rest of the team cheered, backing Denbe up, and started off the field after Roka. Ken, being the loyal friend that he was, remained standing next to Davis' side. Surprisingly enough, he did not mind having to take orders from Davis on the field. His days of wanting power were over, and he was content to be an average person. Even his parents had noticed the change in him. Four years ago, his mom had announced that they all needed a fresh start. His parents had decided to move to Odaiba, and he had been glad because it meant he was able to go to school with his friends. Unfortunately he had a sneaking suspicion the reason they chose Odaiba in the first place was so that he could be closer to Davis and the others. His parents seemed to think his friends would help him not to do something stupid, like run away again.

Davis was fuming as he watched the team leave.

"See you later!" Roka called, and Ken answered his goodbye wave with one of his own. He turned to Davis and said weakly, "I guess this means soccer practice is over."

Davis gave him a look, and Ken quickly shut his mouth. The goggle-headed leader was obviously not in any mood for jokes.

Without a word, they started off the field towards the school. After several minutes, Davis began to rant.

"Why doesn't anyone listen to me! I'm the captain! It's not fair!"

Ken rolled his eyes as Davis continued to complain. By this time thay had reached the school and come upon their fourteen year old fellow Digidestined, Cody Hida. The younger boy was standing motionless under the glass enclosed hallway which resembled a bridge. It was used to join the school's buildings together. Students called this place the alley because of the shadows cast from the bridge. Cody was standing with his eyes closed, and he looked as if he had been turned to stone.

Davis stared at the younger boy as if he had gone crazy. "Cody, dude, what the heck are you doing?"

Cody's eyes remained closed, but he held up a hand for silence. Ken and Davis exchanged confused looks. The younger Digidestined lifted his kendo stick in both hands and let out a slow, deep breath. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, without warning, Cody leaped forward and whirled around. His kendo stick caught Davis in the mid-section with amazing accuracy. The breath left Davis' lungs in a gasp, and he doubled over, letting out a loud groan of pain.

"Owwwwwwwwww! What did you do that for!" Davis held onto his midsection, gasping for breath, and Ken swallowed a laugh.

Cody opened his eyes and smiled. "As I always say, Davis, your mouth is your biggest enemy!"

"What's that supposed to mean, and how'd you know where I was with your eyes closed?"

"Your voice," Cody replied, lowering his kendo stick. "The sound of your voice told me exacly where you were standing."

"That doesn't mean you have to assult me," Davis grumbled. "Besides, you probably peeked."

Cody frowned at him and stalked off.

"Wait up," Ken called, catching up to him while Davis staggered along behind. He could not help smiling at the crazy antics his friends played. They were definitely a one-of-a-kind set. I'm lucky to have them, especially after everything I did to them. Cody was still taking lessons from his grandfather and was rapidly becoming an expert. Unfortunately for Davis, Cody had a tendency to practice on him!

"I thought you guys were having soccer practice. What happened?" They left the cool shade of the alley, and Cody turned to gaze curiously at them, his kendo stick swinging by his side.

"We would be if the whole team hadn't walked off on me," Davis retorted. He glared at Ken as if it was his fault.

This is what I get for sticking by his side. Typical Davis! " We decided to take a break from the heat," Ken explained, his eyes focused on Cody's face. He could see the heat steaming off the pavement as the sun beat down harshly on their heads. Davis snorted in disgust and crossed his arms, sulking.

"Good. That means we can start making plans to go to the Digital World after your soccer game tomorrow."

Ken nodded and smiled softly. It had been four years since the defeat of MaloMyotismon, and since then, the Digital World had become a peaceful place. The gates had remained open, thanks to Oikawa's life force, and often they would visit their digimon partners. This visit they were planning was one of those visits. It was still hard for Ken to believe that they had really done it. Now digimon lived in peace. It was a wonderful feeling. One I don't want to ever go away. For once in my life I feel free, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

"Where have you been?" an angry voice demanded. Ken winced. So much for the peace idea.

He looked up to find seventeen year old Yolei Inoue glaring at them. Standing beside her was sixteen year old Kari Kamiya, who was smiling slightly. Yolei impatiently tapped her green sandled foot and crossed her arms. She looked angry, and Yolei angry was not something anyone wanted to face.

"Duh, soccer practice, remember?" Davis retorted.

Yolei whirled on him, her high ponytail bouncing with fury. "Just how to you expect us to plan anything around here when you're running off all the time? It's always something, isn't it? Don't you care about Veemon at all, or are your other plans more important?"

"It's soccer practice! Veemon would understand," Davis said defensively. "It's not like I purposely try to screw up our plans!"

"Davis, you got detention four times last week!" Yolei shrieked, turning her back on him. The long silky strands of her lavender hair smacked Davis in the face, making him cough and sputter.

"That was so totally not my fault! I didn't know those frogs were for biology class, I swear! If you ask me, four detentions was a bit harsh."

"Your four after school detentions ruined our plans to go to the Digital World last week!" Yolei shouted. Her brown eyes were blazing wirth fury. "And you knew very well those frogs were for biology!"

"Yeah, but you have to admit, the four detentions were worth it!" Davis grinned and glanced at Ken, who sighed and shook his head.

Yolei was so mad, she could not quite seem to form a sentence. Kari frowned at Davis with disapproval.

Last week, Davis had somehow managed to steal all of the frogs from biology class. Sneaking into the girls locker room, he concealed buckets of frogs on top of all the shower stalls. The next P.E. class happened to be ninth graders. When the ninth grade girls went to use the showers, they ended up covered in frog guts and smelling like formaldehyde. Yolei still had not forgiven him for it. In fact, the ninth grade girls now jumped at every sound. At the time, their screams could be heard all the way down the hallway. Needless to say, the principal had not been impressed.

"I don't see what the big deal is." Davis shrugged "We're here now."

"That's not the point!" Yolei shouted, pushing her glasses back up her nose. They had a tendancy to slide off when she got angry.

Davis glared at Yolei, looking indignant. "What are you yelling at me for? What about T.B.? I don't see him anywhere around here, do you?"

Yolei blinked and looked around, as if only now realizing that someone was missing.

"See?" Davis smirked. "You always say I'm irresponsible. Now look who's the one ruining our plans. Where do you think he has run off to?"

"I don't know. Probably off somewhere with his head in the clouds," Yolei muttered, sounding grumpy.

Ken frowned. Good question. Where is T.K.? Usually wherever Kari was, the blond wasn't to far behind and vise versa. They were practically inseperable. Where could he have gone?

Everyone looked at Kari, but she just shrugged, looking confused.

"Well? Don't just stand there!" Yolei snapped. Puffing herself up, she straightened her short, green skirt. "Let's go find him!"

They were about to start off across the grass when Ken spotted sixteen year old T.K. Takaishi. "There he is," Ken spoke up in surprise and pointed. His handsome blond friend lay on his stomach in the grass nearby. T.K.'s chin was resting in his hand and a book lay open in front of him. Unlike Ken, T.K. did not look to be suffering from the heat at all. In fact, his golden hair appeared to reflect the rays, making it glow a bright yellow while Ken's dark hair seemed to absorb them. It made beads of sweat slide down his forehead in tiny rivers. Tall, lean, blond, and athletic, T.K. made quite the spectacular sight. Every single girl who walked by glanced hopefully in his direction and giggled. T.K. appeared to be so absorbed in his book that he did not even notice. The student body was always joking around saying that all the girls loved him and all the guys wanted to be him. Ken figured it was probably true. A lot of guys were jealous of T.K., his best friend being amoung them. To top it all off, the blond was captain of the highschool basketball team.

"T.K.! Hello, did you forget?" Yolei called out. Davis gave her a look of outrage. Unlike with the goggle-headed leader, her tone was friendly. T.K. did not even look up. He didn't appear to have heard her words.

"Come on," Kari said and started towards him. Ken and the others fell in behind her, heading towards the blond. The former Emperor gave his female friend a startled look. She seemed uneasy about something. They reached T.K.'s side, standing over him, but still the blond did not look up.

"Dude, we don't have all day, you know," Davis said impatiently. He nudged T.K. with his foot and the blond jumped, obviously startled. He jerked his head back and stared at them with wide, sparkling, aquamarine eyes. Slamming the book closed, T.K. scrambled into a sitting position and shoved the book into his bag out of sight.

"Oh, hey, guys. I didn't hear you come up," he said quickly, trying to smile.

Ken stared at him and exchanged a look with Kari. That's funny. T.K. looks worried about something. I wonder what it is?

"No kidding," Yolei smiled. "I called out to you and you didn't even twitch."

Their golden haired friend shrugged, looking guilty, and avoided their eyes.

"T.K., Is something wrong?" Kari asked. She sounded concerned.

"Huh? No, nothing." He stood up, brushing grass off his blue jeans, and straightend the brown, long-sleeved shirt he wore. It had a green stripe across the chest, which brought out the colour of his eyes, making them appear to be almost a teal colour. Ken frowned at him as T.K. put what looked like a false smile on his face. The blond did not seem fine. Maybe he's just having a bad day. I definitely know what those are like.

"Well, if his royal highness his ready now, can we go?" Davis joked.

T.K. flushed, and Ken had to step back as the blond brushed past him, stalking towards the school.

"Davis, are you ever going to grow up?" Kari sighed. Turning her back on him, she followed T.K.

"Hey wait!" Davis yelled, running after her.

Yolei groaned. "When is he ever going to give it up?"

"Don't hold your breath," Cody muttered.

Ken shook his head and smiled. "Come on, guys, let's get going." Despite his smile, he still felt worried. Something doesn't feel right. Maybe I'm just imagining things. At least, I hope that's what it is...