Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. For those who are wondering if there is more past Adventure for this tory…. You'll just have to wait and see. ;)

I'm Sorry(2)

Ken Ichijouji

As they returned to the area to meet up with Sora, Ken began to remember how he met Wormmon in the first place. Takeru and Hikari were chatting a little ahead of him and Wormmon was skittering by his side. It was a hot August day… Only a few days prior, but it felt forever ago. So much had happened.

August 1st

Ken was enjoying himself on the balcony outside of his brother's room. He was playing with a ball while his brother was in the room studying. It seemed like Osamu-niisan was always doing school work, his brother never had time for him.

Laughing joyously he suddenly heard a loud bang inside the apartment. He stopped for a moment and glanced inside the room. It was Osamu, he had slammed his book on the desk and was angrily walking towards him.

"Ken! How many times have I told you to stop bothering me when I'm studying?!" He seethed.

Ken took a step back, hurt by his brother's mean expression. "But I-" he started off before being cut off by his brother slapping the ball out of his hands.

"Enough excuses!" He roared. "Now leave this room! You can play your stupid, childish games in your own room!" He growled.

The younger colbalt chosen looked at the ground, obviously sad. "But, I wanted to be with you…"

"I said enough excuses!" The older boy screamed, bringing his arm down for another attack.

But it was stopped by a blinding beam of light that shot out of the sky. Both stepped back in shock and putting their arms up to shield the bright light. Once it dimmed, both looked to see a floating device in some sort of bubble floating between them. Before Ken could reach it, Osamu snatched it from his grasp.

"It's mine." He growled, stomping back into his room. He promptly put into his desk drawer and slammed it. "You better not touch it, either." Osamu warned with a deathly glare.

Ken shrank back, but ultimately listened to his brother and went to his room, alone. He always felt alone. His brother was always the smart one, better than him. His parents obviously favored his brother over him. Ken began to cry on his bed.

"Why does no one like me?" He sobbed into his pillow. "I try to be nice, but I always end up being wrong."

Later that night after dinner, his interest got the better of him when he snuck into his brother's room just to see what the device looked like. That's all. He wouldn't be a bad person for looking at it, right? His brother always told him he was a bad kid because he was always touching other people's things.

The young boy crept quietly into the room. Even though his brother was out running errands, the young boy was still scared to be caught. Slowly opening the drawer, he gazed at awe at the object. It was a grey oval like shape with a few buttons, a small, green screen, and a black antenna. Something compelled him to touch it, which he did. It glowed brightly at the even slightest touch. Grasping the device in his hand, he held up to his face, doing so made the computer screen in the background glow brightly.

Ken let out a shout as the light engulfed the room. The light disappeared revealing a green creature in a cacoon. The thing's long, green antenna's twitched with curiosity. Ken stared back in awe.

"Who are you?" He meant to say coolly, but sounded very scared.

"My name's Minomon! It's a pleasure to meet you. You are?" The little guy said happily. Something was happy to see him, the boy couldn't believe it.

"Ken. Ken Ichijouji." He choked out reaching down to hug the creature. "I'm so happy to meet you."

Minomon smiled. "Me, too."

That night things changed. Ken brought the little Digimon back to his room where he explained what he was and what this all meant. Osamu had come back and didn't even notice Ken went into his room. In fact, Ken could have sworn his brother had completely forgotten about the day's events. That didn't matter to him. He now had someone he could call a friend.

August 3rd

It had been almost two days and the fog at Tokyo bay hadn't let up. It was still as thick as ever and Ken realized he had to do something.

Minomon had evolved into a bigger creature named Wormmon. Other Digimon that were attacking the Tamachi area had forced Wormmon to evolve to Stingmon. Ken couldn't believe someone had done everything they could to protect him from danger. He thanked Stingmon for his friendship.

The young boy had tried to leave the day before to go to Tokyo. It was only a train ride away after all. But his parents wouldn't let him.

"Wormmon, we need to go, don't we? Other Digimon are hurting people. We can't just sit here." Ken looked worriedly at the TV in his room.

"I am with you, Ken-chan. I'm ready when you are." The green Digimon looked to his partner with a determined look.

"But I can't go without my parents' permission…" Ken sulked.

"Ken-chan…" Wormmon wanted to say more, but kept quiet.

Ken had tried to explain to his parents he had to be there to help his other friends. His parents were shocked to hear him even mention friends, let alone those that were all the way out in Tokyo they had never met. Osamu on the other hand refused to believe Ken would have friends in that area. His brother knew Ken hardly had any friends here in Tamachi even.

Ken hands were balled into fists as he stared at the TV in his room. It was a hard decision he had to make. Make his family worry? Or leave people to be in further danger? The young cobalt finally resolved with an answer.

"Wormmon, can you evolve?" Ken suddenly asked. His voice quivered a little, looking to his partner.

"If you want me to, I can and I will." Wormmon looked to him with a kind expression.

"I want to protect those people, even if I am weak. You said I was a Chosen Child and it was my destiny to protect both worlds… So, I have to go." His expression went back and forth to unsure to determined. He was worried about the other Chosen that were there, but he was also worried his parents would worry and his brother would only hate him more…

"Ken-chan, I am your partner. I'll stand by your side no matter what!" Wormmon clung to his arm.

"Wormmon…" Ken smiled hugging him. "Thank you."

The two of them left the apartment. It was around lunch time, they would probably be there in a few hours. He just hoped he wasn't too late.

"Ken, what are you doing?!" His brother's voice came from behind him. Ken looked at him to see he was angry. "Didn't mom and dad already say you can't go out? You never listen!"

"Onii-san, I have to go! They need me!" Ken cried.

His brother took a moment to register the scene in front of him. He must have just realized Wormmon was there, because he looked down in shock. "What is that thing?"

"He's not a "thing"! He's my friend, Wormmon! We have to help our friends!" Ken's Digivice shone brightly, as did Wormmon.

Wormmon evolve….Stingmon!

"What?!" His brother's voice was barely audible. "Don't be ridiculous, Ken! No one would need or want your help!" He barked, his eyes showing rage.

"I hate you, Onii-san!" Ken yelled after getting onto Stingmon. "All you ever do is yell at me and tell me I'm bad! I wish you didn't exist, then mom and dad would love me more!" Ken said angrily, his body shaking.

Osamu was silent for a moment before balling his hands into fists. "You are just jealous! I'm better than you are and always will be! You are nothing! Useless! No one will miss you when you are gone!" Osamu yelled.

Ken just turned around with tears in his eyes. It hurt so much. "Let's go, Stingmon." He choked through his tears. He would prove to his brother, to everyone that he could be something. He would go to Tokyo and help him friends. His comrades, the Chosen Children.

They had made it to Tokyo only to find the battle ended without him. He was a little hurt from that, but now he was with good friends. He hoped now he could show he was useful and cared very much about them. He couldn't imagine him or Wormmon going through the pain most of them had endured in the Digital World. It would have torn him apart. Luckily, they managed to stay together, and hoped they would pull through, just like Takeru said.

He didn't realize he had been crying and quickly wiped away his tears. They finally met up with Sora and Piyomon.

"Where did you three go?" Sora asked anxiously. "I was getting worried." She frowned at them.

"Sorry, Sora-san. But we found something of Ken's!" Takeru said enthusiastically.

"Show her, Ken-kun." Hikari put a hand on his shoulder.

Ken nodded and brought out the crest. It slightly shone a light purple in his hand.

"Another crest?" Sora said in surprise. "I guess I can't be too shocked since Gennai forgot to mention an 8th and 9th Chosen Child…" she rubbed the back of her head. "Anyway, congratulations Ken-kun. Now Wormmon can reach Perfect level." She smiled.

"Perfect, huh…" Ken's eyes widened in wonder. What could Wormmon look like if he reached Perfect… He and Takeru were now the only two who hadn't reached that level.

"C'mon. let's go and find Onii-chan and Koushirou-san." Hikari grabbed Ken's hand, leading him to the way they came. "I bet if we used that passage that opened up, we can find them." She said happily.

Sora and Takeru followed hoping they would find the other two. Ken hoped they all could find each other again…