A/N: For anyone confused on the power scaling of the evolutions, I will go with this: (For this power chart take it as the 3 new Digidestined Digimon are equal in power to one another in their respective forms)

Seraphimon = Ophanimon Imperialdramon Holyangemon = Angewomon Paildramon Angemon X-Veemon Pegasmon = Nefertimon Fladramon Tailmon Patamon = Veemon

I'm gonna say Seraphimon and Ophanimon are stronger than Imperialdramon because apparently Seraphimon has the power to destroy armies without even moving and I see the two holy Digimon being at least similar in power. They just get majorly nerfed in like almost every anime debut. Also, I see Tailmon as physically stronger than the Armor evolutions, but like I said in the previous chapter, the Armor evolutions are more suited for combat than Tailmon, meaning the Armor Digimon will generally do better than Tailmon in a fight, even if Tailmon would physically be stronger.
Pegasmon and Nefertimon will be stronger than the other Armors because I need an excuse to make Takeru and Hikari more relevant than in the original series. :D

Reply to Matsky: So, again I didn't exactly think through every chapter of this reboot. So, some of these chapters will feel similar to the episodes in Adventure 02. I can't exactly give a definite answer to your questions cos I'm still not sure how I wanna write the ending and epilogue. I do have some new things in mind but honestly, I'm kinda just winging most of these chapters. :D

I'm gonna increase the rating to M just in case cos ngl Ken kicking a dog is animal abuse and I'm just gonna play it safe. Also, I'm not sure how 'safe' Digimon death is considered and there will be sections for that later in the story.

Also, I've been hearing some weird rumours about a 02 reboot being announced in November? I honestly don't know why this is popping up considering the only real news we have on 02 is the movie coming out. Well, regardless, if a 02 reboot does come out, I will still be doing this story and will not change anything from my previous ideas.

Chapter 3: The Light of Hope

Koushiro's Office

Miyako: "Sorry I'm late! I've brought drinks for the Digimon".

Takeru: "Oh yeah, your family runs a convenience store."

Daisuke: "That must be great. You can have snacks whenever you want and for free as well."

Miyako: "Not really, I have to help out at the store sometimes, it's hard work you know?"

Veemon: "What's all this?"

Patamon: "It's snacks. They are very good."

Patamon grabbed his drink and flew to his signature spot on Takeru's head.

Takeru: "Don't go overboard. I don't want to deal with you on a sugar rush again."

Patamon: "Don't worry Takeru. Besides you wouldn't be the only one dealing with it. Everyone else is here."

Takeru: "I'm seriously beginning to wonder if having Devimon infused into you is having some lasting effects…"

Hikari giggled and grabbed a drink for Tailmon.

Hikari: "Here you go, your favourite."

Tailmon: "Thanks, Hikari."

Tailmon took her spot, on Hikari's lap and Hikari gently stroked her head. Spending multiple years in the real world clearly changed Tailmon to be more like a normal housecat.

Hawkmon: "Well, it looks safe enough."

Miyako: "Where's Iori?"

Hikari: "He should be on his way here already. The last I saw him was in his classroom. He said he wasn't going to leave until he was done with his lunch. Apparently, his late father said that he should never waste food."

Miyako: "Oh well, Koushiro do you have TV? We might as well watch something while we wait."

Koushiro just started typing on another monitor and flipped it over to them.

On the TV

Reporter: "A computer programming contest was held the other day. We interviewed our winner, the prodigy Ichijouji Ken."

Tailmon immediately went on alert.

Tailmon: "Ken? That's the name Wormmon said to me when I tried to stop the Digimon Kaiser the other day."

Miyako: "It's probably just a coincidence. This Ichijouji Ken doesn't look like the Digimon Kaiser at all."

Koushiro: "At this point, I would take any lead I could get. Plus, they do have the same colour of hair and to my knowledge it isn't a popular hair colour right now. Anyways this Ichijouji is really a genius. He has made programs surpassing even some professors. He is also good at sports and schoolwork on top of being a computer genius."

Iori had walked into the room by this point and was unnoticed by everyone except Armadimon.

Iori: "It's hard to believe there are people that exist that are so smart. Err, No offense Koushiro."

Koushiro: "None taken, I agree with you honestly. This Ichijouji Ken really is a child prodigy."

Takeru: "Well, now that Iori is here, we can go to the Digital World now."

Koushiro: "There are two small energy signals in a cave. You guys should check it out. The cave is outside my effective scanning range so I can't tell whether they are Digimentals, or just random energy signals. I don't know how safe it will be so I'll be sending you guys as close to the cave that I'm comfortable with and then it should be a short walk towards the cave. I'll be staying here today. Hikari, Takeru, keep me updated with the earpieces."

Elsewhere

Ken was walking back to his home from the park, where the interview had taken place. As he was passing by a store, a small dog started licking his shoes.

Ken: "You're making my shoes dirty, runt." Ken had a frown on his face. His frown turned into a devilish smile as he kicked the dog.

Ken continued home thinking about the Digitdestined.

"Those kids are really being pests to me… maybe I should target one of them. Yes… that blonde boy and brunette girl can't Armor-evolve… but the blonde boy's Digimon is clearly weaker. Maybe I should make an example out of him. I will show them not the mess with the Digimon Kaiser."

When Ken reached his home, he was greeted by his mother.

(Sorry, Idk her name.) Ken's Mom: "Ah, Ken welcome home, I have to go to work soon so I'll leave this her for you to eat." Ken's Mom had a small cake and a juice box on a tray. She set it down on the dining table.

Ken didn't respond. With a frown on his face, he went towards his room.

Ken's Mom: "Ken, I know you're busy studying but…"

Ken's Mom didn't get to finish her sentence as Ken entered his room and closed the door. He started up his computer to go into the Digital World.

In the Digital World

Ken had a smirk on his face.

"That Elecmon seems like a good target for today."

Ken: "I know you're there. There's no use in hiding from me."

The Elecmon instantly ran away from its hiding spot in the bushes.

Ken: "Running away? Looks like I'll be having some fun today."

Ken whistled for a Digimon. A Tuskmon appeared from the trees in response.

Ken: "Give me a ride and follow that worm!"

The Elecmon ran as fast as possible from the Tuskmon and Ken, but Tuskmon being a much bigger size and a higher level allowed it to catch up with little effort. Once within range, Ken brought his whip down on the Elecmon, causing it to be immobilised. The Elecmon tried to crawl away. It was obviously in pain.

Ken: "Yes… struggle like the worm you are!"

Ken kicked the Elecmon into a cell that was set up in an arena.

Gotsumon 1: "Another one got caught…"

Gotsumon 2: "When he catchs a Digimon, he puts those rings, and they change completely… they go crazy and are willing to attack anything…"

Gotsumon 3: "We need to run."

Gotsumon 2: "What about our friends… our company…"

Gotsumon 3: "We can't help our friends if we get caught… We need to get help."

Ken sat down on his throne and prepared himself for the show he was about to watch. A previously captured Elecmon ran out of his cage charging towards the Elecmon Ken had just caught. The Elecmon that initiated the charge was winning due to its dark ring. It's mind, tampered by the dark ring, had only one goal. To win.

The Gotsumon started to run but they broke a twig, causing Ken to turn around and send his whip towards them. He hit two of them on the leg and started to walk towards them.

Gotsumon: "Run! Get help for us!"

Ken approached the two Gotsumon he managed to hit, ignoring the third one who was running away. He put dark rings on the two Gotsumon and put them in the arena. He enjoyed every second of this show. After all, to him, Digimon were just bits of data to be played around with. How could Digital lifeforms possess a soul? They were just bits of code designed amazingly to give the player a nice interactive experience.

Wormmon stared at Ken from a distance.

Wormmon: "Ken… does this truly make you happy?" Wormmon's words came out as a whisper… completely unheard by Ken.

Daisuke: "So, the Digimentals should be forwards from here, right?"

Takeru: "Yep, although I wonder who it's going to be for… assuming the energy signals actually are Digimentals."

Hikari: "Yeah… there aren't any new Digidestined to pick them up."

A few minutes later

Miyako: "Jeez, didn't Koushiro say they would be close?"

Takeru: "He said he would bring us 'as close as he is comfortable with' just in case there is any danger at the cave."

Miyako: "He also said it would be a short walk…"

Hikari: "In the Digital World, short walks aren't exactly that short. Koushiro just calls it short because the older Digidestined walked much further before on their quest to find the Holy Digimon. Takeru and I weren't in the Digital World with them yet though."

Just then a very realistic hologram appeared to their side.

Ken: "What do you think you are doing?"

Miyako: "He's here!"

Daisuke: "You! This is for the other day!"

Daisuke ran towards Ken with his fist raised, but to his surprise his fist never made contact and he almost fell to the ground due to his momentum.

Takeru: "It's… a hologram?"

Hikari: "It looks very real."

Ken: "How can humans like you come in and out of this world as you please? Only those chosen should be able to enter this world."

Takeru: "How are you able to come into this world? The Digital gate can only be opened through a special program."

Just then the hologram disappeared, and the ground started shaking. Ken came in while on the shoulder of a Tyrannomon.

Ken: "Do you honestly think I wouldn't be able to get in? HAHAHA! Only a perfect human like me could be a true Digidestined. Even then, the so-called gate to the Digital World was very easy to bypass. The program used was very elementary."

Hikari turned to Takeru and whispered to him.

Hikari: "Koushiro took months to even make a working prototype of that program. If he is calling the program elementary…"

Takeru turned to Hikari and whispered back.

Takeru: "It seems he might really be that boy genius. I can hardly think of people smarter than Koushiro."

Ken: "HAHA! What are you two doing? Whispering sweet little nothings? How lucky you must feel Girl. To have not only a Courageous Knight as a brother but also to have a Knight of Hope as a boyfriend. Go Tyrannomon! Burn them to ashes!"

The group ran backwards from the flames.

Daisuke: "Veemon let's do this. Digimental Up!"

"Veemon, Armor-evolve to… Fladramon! Burning Courage!

Ken: "Hmph, do you think the same trick will work again? That's why I can't stand stupid people like you."

Daisuke: "Man you really piss me off!"

Ken: "I think it's time to show you how stupid your tricks really are, Tyrannomon! You know what to do!"

Tyrannomon rushed towards Fladramon ramming into him with his claws. Tyrannomon took advantage of his superior size and strength to cause Fladramon to go flying back to a tree.

Fladramon: "This… is nothing! Knuckle fire!"

Fladramon's fists started to heat up as he jumped from the tree, and he threw a fireball at Tyrannomon. Ken smirked. Tyrannomon turned and used his tail to counter the fireball, causing the fireball to dissipate and have no effect.

Daisuke: "What! Dammit!"

Hawkmon: "Miyako! We must join the fight too."

Miyako: "Got it! Digimental Up!"

"Hawkmon, Armor-evolve to… Holsmon! Wings of Love!"

Tyrannomon spat out a fireball towards Holsmon, but Holsmon was too fast and managed to dodge the fireball.

Holsmon: "Red Sun!"

The attack hit Tyrannomon head on, causing the dark ring to crack slightly, but it didn't break.

Ken: "Hmph, you think you have advantage in numbers? Come out, my slaves!"

Just then, four more Tyrannomon came out, surrounding the Digidestined.

Iori: "There's five of them… Armadimon, I'm counting on you. Digimental Up!"

Armadimon: "Leave it to me!"

Armadimon, Armor-evolve to… Digmon! Steel Knowledge!

Patamon: "If only I could evolve… I want to fight too!"

Ken: "It's useless, as long as I have this dark Digivice, you won't be able to evolve. Now, my slaves, concentrate your attacks on him!"

Takeru and Hikari's faces paled. They never met anyone willing to aim for the defenceless first.

Hikari: "Tailmon! Protect Patamon!"

Tailmon: "Got it, Hikari!"

The Tyrannomon focused their fire at Patamon. Luckily, Tailmon was able to grab Patamon and dodge the attacks. Tailmon ran from one of the Tyrannomon only to find herself cornered by two more. They fired at Tailmon and Patamon, but Digmon appeared before them.

Digmon: "You're fighting me!"

Daisuke and Fladramon ran in front of Tailmon and Patamon and confronted the last two Tyrannomon, one of them had Ken on its shoulder.

Daisuke: "Dammit! That's not fair Ken!"

Ken: "You will address me as the Digimon Kaiser! And what does it matter if it's fair or not? All that matters is the winner."

Iori: "If this keeps up, we won't get anywhere. We must take a chance and get to the energy spikes."

Miyako: "But we don't even know if they are Digimentals, and even if they are, we don't know who can lift them."

Daisuke: "We have to take that chance!"

Takeru: "Patamon quick! This way!"

Hikari: "Tailmon, come along! We need to protect Takeru!"

Iori: "We need to buy some time! I'll go with Takeru and Hikari and hope it's a Digimental one of us can lift!"

Ken: "You worthless… Don't let them get away!"

One of the Tyrannomon split off from the group.

Takeru, Hikari, Patamon and Tailmon ran off towards the direction of the energy spike. Hikari put her hand to her ear to contact Koushiro.

Hikari: "Koushiro! Are we going the right direction?"

Koushiro: "Yep it is. Why are you guys separated?"

Takeru also put his hand to his ear.

Takeru: "Long story short Ken attacked us, and we are banking on these energy spikes being Digimentals that we can lift."

Koushiro: "You know, if you guys need to escape, I can open a gate. You just need to be quick enough to get through before the Kaiser."

Hikari: "Ok, we will contact you if we need to."

Iori: "Into that cave!"

The group of five ran into the cave. The Tyrannomon went past the cave, being much slower than the Digidestined prevented it from finding out their location. The group of five were now resting on some rocks trying to catch their breath.

Takeru looked to Hikari. He was annoyed at Ken for the previous statements.
"No one gets to talk to my best friend like that! Not only reminding her of Taichi but also assuming we are dating! …Well, I wouldn't mind that last bit… huh, she really has gotten cute over the years… Ahh what am I thinking, we are in a life-or-death situation and here I am thinking about my cute wonderful best friend. Ahh, why am I thinking of this now? I already know I like her more than a friend and I've accepted that I won't ask her… I can't risk the friendship we have."

Takeru shook his head to try and get his thoughts of Hikari out of his head. Iori looked at him confused by then turned away upon seeing two specks of light further into the cave.

Iori: "Those look like…"

Hikari: "Digimentals!"

Takeru: "If we can move them, will new Digimon be born?"

Hikari: "Will we even be able to move them though? The new Digidestined may only be able to lift one Digimental each…"

Takeru: "Wait… isn't that the crest of Light and Hope?"

Tailmon: "Then maybe… the Digimentals belong to you two…"

Patamon: "Yeah! You two should try to lift them."

Hikari: "Well we could try…"

Takeru put his hand on Hikari's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

Takeru: "Come on Hikari, have some confidence. After all, we are hoping they belong to us aren't we?"

Hikari gave him a smile back.

Hikari: "Ok, we will try then."

As Takeru and Hikari walked towards the Digimentals, there was a sudden light from their Digivices. Takeru's had a yellow glow, while Hikari's had a pink glow.

Takeru: "Our Digivices?"

Hikari: "Their glowing?"

Their Digivices then morphed into the shape of the D3.

Iori: "They look like our Digivices now…"

Takeru: "Guess these Digimentals could actually belong to us…"

Takeru and Hikari went to lift the Digimentals with their respective crests on them. The Digimentals came up with no effort.

Hikari: "It's light…"

Takeru: "We moved them…"

Just then a pink light shot towards Tailmon, and a yellow light shot towards Patamon.

Patamon: "I can feel it."

Tailmon: "This power is so great…"

"Patamon, Armor-evolve to… Pegasmon! Soaring Hope!"

"Tailmon, Armor-evolve to… Nefertimon! Light of Smiles!"

Iori: "Patamon and Tailmon Armor-evolved…"

Hikari: "They were really ours! Do you feel strong Nefertimon?"

Nefertimon: "Yeah, Hikari! Now we can fight as well as the others too!"

Takeru: "Pegasmon? That's weird… oh well, it doesn't matter. Now we can fight as well."

Pegasmon: "Yeah. We're not a burden anymore."

Back at the rest

Ken was slightly annoyed at the fact that the Tyrannomon couldn't find the rest of the Digidestined. He was now taking his anger out on the Daisuke, Miyako and the three Digimon, who were beaten and reverted to their previous forms.

Ken: "Have you given up yet?"

Daisuke: "What are you talking about!?"

Ken: "Are you really that stupid? Look behind you. You have nowhere left to run."

Daisuke looked behind him and grit his teeth
He's right… we can't run anywhere this cliff is too steep to get down without hurting ourselves…

Just then, the group of five came flying in. Hikari and Takeru were on their respective Digimon, and Iori was in front of Takeru.

Iori: "Daisuke! Miyako!"

Miyako: "Those Digimon…"

Iori got off Pegasmon's back as Takeru and Hikari nodded to each other, a silent agreement that they would win this fight.

Ken: "It's just a temporary and weak evolution. You think you can win against me?"

Four of the Tyrannomon lined up and shot fireballs towards Pegasmon and Nefertimon. The one Ken was standing on stayed back.

Pegasmon and Nefertimon flew upwards to avoid the fireballs.

Pegasmon and Nefertimon: "Sanctuary Bind!"

A golden rope formed from Pegasmon and Nefertimon's forelegs, and they flew around the four Tyrannomon, binding them and making them unable to move.

Pegasmon: "Shooting star!"

Nefertimon: "Nile Jewelery!"

Stars came from Pegasmon's wings, while small jades came from the ornaments on Nefertimon's forelegs. The stars and jades broke the dark rings on the four Tyrannomon.

Ken: "Dammit! Aim for the girl!"

The Tyrannomon Ken had been standing on sent a fireball towards Nefertimon. Nefertimon pulled her paws up to try and defend the fireball, but the sudden movement caused Hikari to fall off. She screamed as she fell off.

Nefertimon: "Hikari! Noo!"

Takeru: "Hikari! Pegasmon, catch her!

Pegasmon flew to Hikari and Takeru managed to grab her from the air.

Hikari: "Thanks, Takeru."

Takeru set her down behind him.

Takeru: "You may want to hold on tight here."

Hikari looked at him in confusion but did as she told. She wrapped her arms around Takeru's waist and held on tight. Takeru blushed slightly.

Takeru: "Pegasmon! Let's end this. Aim straight for that dark ring."

Pegasmon: "Got it, Takeru. Rodio Gallop!"

Pegasmon started spinning at rapid speeds towards the Tyrannomon. The Tyrannomon tried to shoot fireballs at Pegasmon but Pegasmon plowed straight through them. Ken, realising he was about to lose, jumped off Tyrannomon and ran through the forest, whistling for his Tuskmon to bring him back to his base.

Pegasmon came to Tyrannomon's feet and went directly up, in a similar fashion to when he first beat Cerberumon, shattering the dark ring.

Pegasmon and Nefertimon landed on the ground and Takeru helped Hikari get off Pegasmon. She was struggling to balance. Pegasmon and Nefertimon reverted to Patamon and Tailmon, with the Digimentals of Hope and Light going into Takeru and Hikari's phone Digivices. Their phone Digivices had no change.

Hikari: "Keruuu… How do you not get dizzy from that?"

Takeru: "I… actually, now that you mention it… I don't know. I just don't feel dizzy I guess."

Hikari: "Well, remind me to not ride on Pegasmon again…"

Daisuke: "Wow…"

Iori: "Pegasmon and Nefertimon took care of them with no problem at all…"

Miyako: "Yeah…"

The group of Digidestined and their Digimon stood watching as the five Tyrannomon walked off to their homes in the Digital World. Hikari held up her handheld camera and took a picture of the sunset. They then called Koushiro to get them a gate back to the real world.

Hikari: "I can't believe that Ken kid, going after those who can't protect themselves!"

Daisuke: "Exactly! I'll beat him to a pulp!"

Hikari: "Keru you, ok?"

Daisuke looked at Hikari confused and jealous as she had completely ignored him.

Takeru: "Don't worry about me Hika, honestly, you should worry about yourself. You did fall quite far before I caught you."

Hikari gave a shrug and giggled.
Hikari: "And aren't you my knight in shining armor, maybe Ken was right about you being my Knight of Hope~."

Koushiro: "Wait, he targeted you two? None of the Digimon targeted the defenceless, well except for Millenniumon but then again, he was like a mindless beast."

Takeru: "Yeah, Digimon have only targeted the defenceless when they went insane."
Takeru tightened his grip on Patamon.
Takeru: "Just like when Devimon evolved…"

The room remained silent while the three new Digidestined looked on confused but too scared by the dark atmosphere to ask who Devimon was.

Iori: "Err, Koushiro, I think Takeru and Hikari's Digimentals are different from ours. For us, when we got our Digimentals, new Digimon were born. For Takeru and Hikari, new Digimon weren't born but they could still Armor-evolve."

Takeru: "On top of that, Patamon Armor-evolved to Pegasmon, and he did seem stronger than before when he evolved to Pegasmon normally."

Koushiro: "Hmm, maybe the Armor evolution forms can happen naturally but it's just hard to achieve. Maybe the Digimentals allow the evolutions to reach their true potential as well, which is why Pegasmon seemed stronger. But I'll have to research on that."

Hikari: "Also the Digimon Kaiser might be that genius kid we saw on TV, he called the Digital gate program elementary."

Koushiro stood up from his chair swiftly.
Koushiro: "WHAT!? That program took so long to make and perfect… but then again… if he really is that genius kid then I guess… it makes sense…"

Daisuke: "Whoever he is, he won't get away with this! We will beat him!"

Iori let his head sink a little.
"I can't bring myself to hurt other people… my grandfather always told me not to…"

Miyako: "Hey, this is kind of like an Adventure game, isn't it?"

Daisuke: "Weren't you afraid of all of this like two days ago?"

Miyako bent down to be nearer to the Digimon that were eating snacks from a plastic bag.
Miyako: "Guess I changed my mind~."

Ken sat in his room looking at his computer screen.

Ken: "So, now all of them have that new power… guess I'll just have to find more competent slaves to beat them."

That's the end for Chapter 3. Hope you guys enjoyed. I think y'all will enjoy the next Chapter, I have something special prepared for it ;).
For those here because of Takari, I am going to go with the approach that Takeru has found out his feelings for Hikari, but he is too afraid to ruin their friendship. It's a very common approach in a lot of Takari Fanfiction here and honestly, I'm quite fine with it that way.