Within an office set within one of the realities allied alongside the Digital Defense Force, a man in his late thirties with dark hair and brown eyes sat behind his desk.

Clad in a black business suit as he held his hands before him, the individual held a stern look within his expression.

There were many things people could describe Richard Carson as, a politician, a man of influence and even an asshole, but one who knew how to play politics and people very well.

With the appearance of the entities known as Digimon within his world, Carson was able to gain a high ranking spot within an organization meant to monitor the digital beings, as well as the Digital World, to keep an eye upon them and to see what kind of threat they could possibly pose to the Real World.

When the multiple Digital Worlds were merged into one and the various organizations monitoring the Digimon began working together and eventually formed the DDF, Carson used his great influence to rise through the ranks and gain an even higher position within the organization, while scoffing to the antics of the so-called heroes that were protecting the various worlds, seeing them as nothing more than children with little to no concept of true power.

Finally, with the rise of the Dark Empress and the DDF changing from a watchdog agency and into a military force, Carson managed to earn a spot on the Provisional Council, where the council member used his influence to push for military reforms and to gain more power over the organization.

In his eyes, defeating and saving the various worlds from the Dark Empress meant more publicity, more opportunities and perhaps even a way to manipulate things to make himself a hero in the media's eyes for ending the threat to the various world governments.

However, much to his displeasure, the war wasn't going in the DDF's favour, a situation that Carson blamed mostly on the so-called heroes that weren't on the enemy's side and too blame their incompetence, where the council member used his influence to put more pressure upon Commander Takaishi, reminding him of his lost friend, who's supposed death set off the war in the first place and how he was failing him by allowing this war to continue as it was.

It was then, after a long and costly battle against the Dark Imperium that, along with the rest of the Provisional Council, Carson learned that the Dark Empress' supposedly dead boyfriend, one Davis Motomiya, was still alive and on another world which the DDF had yet to explore for allies.

Likewise, the councilman was surprised and quite eager to learn that the Dark Empress was willing to surrender herself to the DDF's custody if they would bring the boy back to his home and praise him as a hero, a proposal Carson found quite intriguing.

He had already begun mentally planning the trial, publicly airing the trial as he and those he bought would condemn the Dark Empress for her evil and dark deeds, then he'd proceed to either have her executed or locked up for the rest of her life, while the council member himself saw on interviews, using his influence on the media to portray himself as the hero of the various reality as he used the popularity to rise to even more prominent positions of power.

Likewise and upon seeing the military might of the Fire Realm, Carson believed he could convince the fiery forces of Nexus to trade with the DDF and bolster his own influence over the various world governments back home.

However, upon Hashima's return from Nexus and his explanation on the situation, Carson found his plans ripped from him before they could even start, with the so-called hero protecting his damnable girlfriend and informing the Council that Kari Kamiya's punishment would be to remain upon Nexus for the remainder of her days.

While the majority of the Provisional Council was alright with this outcome, not only because it would remove the Dark Empress as leader of the Imperium, but also due to the fact that they had no say in the matter, Carson was not pleased and refused to allow things to play out as they were, which brought him to the current moment as he looked towards the individual standing before him.

Dressed in a DDF officer's uniform, the man standing before Carson looked to be in his thirties and had white hair and blue eyes, while a scar ran along his left cheek, a battle wound received against the Dark Imperium a few months prior.

Though considered a less important figure within the DDF, Colonel Markson was one of Carson's most loyal and trustworthy associates, someone the council member could depend on for a clandestine operation.

"You will be given an elite force, one equipped with some of the best tech and gear Ms. Wong has developed for our forces, and a way to contain that witch, while an airship will be there for support." Carson told the Colonel with a small grin on his face as he then ordered. "You will travel to Nexus and wait for the opportune moment, where they will apprehend the Dark Empress and bring her back here for trial. Succeed and I'll make sure the media paints you as the saviour of worlds."

Though grinning toward the idea of the fame and popularity he would receive, Markson then questioned. "While I know Commander Takaishi and the rest of the commanders won't like this, what about Motomiya and the Fire Realm?"

"My informants have told me that Motomiya will be taking the Dark Empress into one of the other realms, so the Fire Realm won't be a problem, but you need to take her before this new realm decides to interfere. As for Commander Takaishi, I will make sure he and his friends are painted as traitors for allying with the Empress and her minions." Carson said in reply and with a growing grin, one Markson shared as the Colonel then left to begin his operation in order to capture the Dark Empress.

.

.

.

As the sun rose the next day upon the Fire Realm, the DDF and Dark Imperium heroes and heroines were all assembled once again within the hanger, each wide awake and alert after Davis told them that his contact within the Dark Realm had spoken to him and that he had found what was needed to help Kari.

As her friends and her brother assembled below, Kari spent a little time to herself to reflect her thoughts.

Standing upon one of the balconies overlooking the hanger, the Dark Empress in deep thought about what Davis had said the night before.

While surprised by the information she was told, Kari found herself more intrigued than angry or shocked as Davis had seemed to expect, while the brunette began to wonder how it would all play into her new life in Nexus.

Hearing footsteps behind her and brought out of her thoughts, Kari turned and smiled to see Julie approaching her, the silver haired champion looking upon Kari with a sweet smile.

"So, he told you?" Julie asked with curiosity.

Remaining uncaring or surprised that Julie knew what Davis had told her, Kari nodded her head in response.

Looking back down toward the hanger as she watched her beloved coordinating with a flight crew, the Dark Empress then said softly. "Yeah, though, I am surprised that he didn't tell me sooner."

"He was afraid." Julie said in reply as she moved and stood by Kari's side.

Keeping a kindness within her attitude, Julie then told the brown haired Kamiya. "Afraid that once you heard of it, your feelings for him might change."

Smiling lightly in reply and toward Julie's sincerity, Kari shook her head, looked upon the silver haired girl with a bright smile and told her. "That will never happen. I love Davis Motomiya, no matter what. This will just make things... interesting."

Chuckling lightly in response to Kari's words, Julie then told her with a continued kindness and smile. "He hasn't told the others yet, partly because he wants to see their reactions, so in the meantime, I will wish you luck on this part of your trip."

"Thank you, Julie." Kari said in reply, before looking just as Gatomon came around the corner in search of her partner.

"Kari, Davis is asking for us all to come meet him." The former Digimon of Light told Kari, a part of Gatomon overjoyed to know that soon, Kari's life would be out of danger from her powers and she would live happily with the one she loved.

Smiling in reply, Kari and Julie then followed Gatomon down toward the hanger floor, the brunette continuing to hold a warm smile as she envisioned how her life with Davis would play out.

As the pair also made their way toward the hanger, Jun and Veemon remained somewhat quiet, before the maroon haired girl broke the silence and whispered inquisitively to the V marked Digimon. "You ready for this, Veemon?"

"Confidently, no." Veemon said in reply with a small sigh, knowing that now the information Davis had told him and his family a few days prior to all this would soon come to light, and the Digimon of Miracles remained uncertain how to process it.

But remaining faithful toward Davis, Veemon and Jun would remain silent to the others on the issue, knowing that they would find out soon enough themselves.

As Jun and Veemon joined the rest of the heroes and heroines of the DDF and Dark Imperium, alongside Julie, Caleb, Victor and Kenji, Davis remained waiting for TK, Patamon, Tai and Agumon to arrive, seeing the four walking toward them a moment later as the Digidestined of Hope gave a frustrated sigh.

"Sorry for being late, I was in contact with the Provisional Council." TK said with a tired sigh, turning to Kari, the Digidestined of Hope then told her. "Some amongst the council are worried that you'll gain more allies from the Dark Realm and use them against us."

To see Kari narrow her eyes, TK then told her. "But I reminded them a few times that no forces from Nexus could leave this world and that once this is done there won't be any reason for the war to continue."

Nodding her head in reply at seeing that TK was taking this seriously now and no longer believed that Kari was manipulating the situation for some darker ends, the Dark Empress then looked over as Davis then stepped forward so he could address the group.

"Ok, so when it comes to the Dark Realm, they have a ton of rules, especially for outsiders coming into their lands, and thus for now, I only have permission for a few of you to come with me into the Dark Realm." The maroon haired Champion informed, his words causing a few to nod in understanding, especially those of the Fire Realm, who knew full well the rules and customs of their allies.

"Kari is obvious." Davis then said as he gestured to the love of his life, before adding as he looked toward the others. "Then there is Jun, Veemon, Gatomon, Tai, Agumon, Matt, Gabumon, Sora, Biyomon, Izzy, Tentomon, Mimi, Palmon, Joe, Gomamon, TK, Patamon, Ken, Wormmon, Yolei, Hawkmon, Cody and Armadillomon."

"So... basically all the Digidestined, minus Catherine and Floramon." Mikey said with a deadpanned expression as he and the others took note of the small and specific group that would be accompanying Davis and Kari to the Dark Realm, as well as the fact that an even smaller number of the said group were loyal to the Dark Empress.

However, knowing that Davis would be at Kari's side left the Red General feeling a little more comfortable with the situation.

"Like I said, once I meet up with my Dark Realm contact, I'll work on getting the permission for the rest of you to join us." The maroon haired hero said in reply, before adding as he looked to the ships which resided within the hanger. "Likewise, we will be taking a smaller transport and leave the main airship for the rest of you to take when that permission comes."

As the conversations finished and came to a halt, Julie and Caleb led those that would remain behind back toward the Palace, while Davis led the group going with him and Kari towards a smaller ship, a red steeled aircraft that resembled a large phoenix, one big enough to house the Digidestined and their Digimon partners, with its swings curved as the group boarded the ship, before it took off and the crew directed their craft towards the borders of the Fire and Dark Realms.

.

.

.

As their transport flew and made its way toward the border between the Fire and Dark Realms, a silence hung over the Digidestined and their Digimon partners, a mixture of tension and relief flowing through them, while Davis stood behind the trio of pilots operating the ship as they kept him up to date on their progress.

As most in the group looked between Davis, Kari, who kept her eyes upon her maroon haired lover, and each other, many felt a sense of nostalgia in the air, each remembering happier times when they were all together as friends, each wishing to get past the pain of the past few years now that Davis was back in their lives.

However, as much as they wanted things to return to what they used to be, some of the Digidestined and Digimon knew things would remain unchanged forever.

With Matt, his relationships amongst TK, Tai and even Sora would never be the same, the younger of the two brothers uncertain if he could trust Matt after finding out that he had willingly taken Kari's side in their conflict, while Tai wasn't one who would so easily forget how his best friend betrayed him and fought against him instead of helping him try to save his sister from herself.

At the same time, Sora and Matt's relationship practically dissolved due to the war, and while the orange haired Digidestined could see herself one day forgiving the Digidestined of Friendship and being friends again, the chance of a future between them as more than friends had been taken away from them.

Likewise, Sora's own relationship with Tai had been damaged over the years, both internally blaming each other and themselves for Kari's fall to darkness, for the pain they had caused her and Davis over the years, and neither knew how to move on from their past sins.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Mimi looked upon Izzy with a frown, doing her best to not let him know she was looking at him as she held her disdain within herself.

Two years prior and during the beginning times of the war in the Digital World, Mimi found herself in one of the worst moments of her life after a confrontation with Kari, where the Digidestined of Sincerity called out for Izzy, praying that the man she loved would come save her, but he never did, and through her own will to survive, she eventually returned home, but Mimi had been changed from the experience.

Since then, Mimi had let herself believe that it was due to Kari controlling his mind that Izzy didn't save her, that the Dark Empress had kept him from coming to her in her time of need.

But now knowing that Izzy was never under any form of mind control, the pink haired Digidestined felt a cold fury within her and found that she may never forgive the boy she once loved for abandoning her.

Sitting in silence with one another, Ken and Yolei also remained unsure how to move past the events of the past five years.

Though they still loved one another, the fact that they were fighting against each other left some scars that each hoped would eventually fade and allow them to return to the feelings they once shared with each other.

Cody, on the other hand, mentally sighed as he relaxed within the chair he sat in, part of him happy to have Davis back in their lives as the Digidestined of Knowledge and Reliability saw that slowly, things were returning to normal for him and his friends, all of whom have, so far, been able to stand being together in the same room for a while without incidents.

As he believed things would work out for everyone in the end, the one person Cody knew that the relationship he used to hold between him and TK would never be the same.

Cody had witnessed a side to his DNA partner over the years he never thought he would, and the Digidestined of Knowledge and Reliability wasn't sure how to get past what he had seen, the paranoia, the panic, the fear of losing control, all of which left Cody feeling cold.

Though not as impacted as the rest of his friends, meanwhile, Joe still felt a loss to the friendships and bonds those close to him held, while many of the Digimon each wanted to see an end to this hostility around those they care for.

Seeing the tension within the Digidestined around him, save for Kari, who kept her eyes upon Davis, an action Jun and Veemon mimicked, Tai then looked to Davis as he broke the silence and questioned. "So, Davis, what can you tell us about the Dark Realm?"

"Actually, I was asked to keep you guys in the dark... no pun intended." The maroon haired champion remarked from over his shoulder, this earning a sigh from most of the Digidestined and Digimon, before Davis then informed his friends. "You'll learn more once we meet up with my contact."

"Is there anything you can tell us about him then?" Sora then inquired, the Digidestined of Love at least wanting some idea of what she and the others were heading into.

"He's nicknamed the Shadow." The maroon haired Digidestined said in reply as he continued to look over the monitors before him, his response raising a few eyebrows.

"That doesn't sound too bad." Tentomon then commented, thinking that things wouldn't be as bad as many within the group were thinking.

"It's short for the Shadow of Death." Davis then informed in reply, this causing almost everyone to deadpan as the maroon haired hero then told his friends. "He's the Dark Emperor's champion and not someone you want to cross."

"Great, another dark evil we have to worry about." TK grumbled as he brought his hands to his face and sighed, uncaring in the slightest for the glares Kari, Matt and their partners sent his way, nor the upset looks from Cody and the others.

"He might be dark, but that doesn't mean he's evil TK." Patamon said as he looked upon the blond Digidestined, who removed his hands and looked upon his Digimon partner with confusion as Kari and the others looked to the Digimon of Hope.

"If Davis is willing to work with him, then that means he might not be evil, just probably different, not everything related to darkness is against us." The Digimon of Hope went on to say, before adding with a trusting smile. "Take Koichi for example, he might be the Warrior of Darkness, but he's one of the kindest and most loyal people I have ever met and uses his power to protect others. Just because something is dark, doesn't always mean they are evil."

"And just because something is of the light, doesn't always make them good either." Gatomon then added as both former friends looked at one another with a smile, while the rest of the Digidestined took in the words Patamon and Gatomon had told them.

Hearing a throat clearing however, the group then looked to see that Davis had turned to face them, where the maroon haired champion then commented. "While I completely agree with that statement and the examples used, I do need you guys to keep this in mind with our destination."

"As stated before, Nexus launched a multiversal war that lasted for eons and shaped much of the multiverse's views." He went on to say, before adding as he continued. "Since humanity could first walk, we have always had this internal view or idea of darkness and what it represents, heck, many Digimon have come into existence based on those from our writing and literature being uploaded to the net. Where do you think we get that from?"

Letting that question hang in the air, Davis turned back towards the pilots, while Kari, TK and the others remained in silence as they realized that they were heading towards what could be the origin of Darkness throughout the multiverse.

"Sir, we're about to cross the border." One of the pilots, a human, informed as he looked at the monitors, while another pilot, a Drakkon, commented with a small growl. "I always hate this part."

Nodding in reply, Davis then walked toward Kari and took her left hand, closing his eyes for a moment as the Dark Empress felt a surge enter her hand, confusing the brunette slightly to what just happened.

"A precaution." Davis merely said to the unanswered question, before moving to each and everyone of the Digidestined, Digimon and Jun as he performed the same action, leaving the group even more confused as to what his actions were a precaution to.

"We're about to pass through the border." The maroon haired hero then said as he walked toward one of the windows, commenting as he looked out. "You'll know it in a second."

And as soon as the transport flew over the border between the two Realms, Kari, TK and everyone else instantly felt the change within the atmosphere.

Where within the Fire Realm, the group felt the burning warmth of the land around them, the Digidestined and the Digimon each felt a deep coldness within its place, as though if they made a wrong step that they would plummet into an endless void and disappear into oblivion.

And even worse, whether it was actually happening to them, or they were becoming paranoid from the changing energy around them, the Digidestined and Digimon all felt as though thousands of eyes were now upon them.

"Welcome to the Dark Realm." Davis commented as he looked outside, seeing a desolate landscape with enough cloud cover that little to any sunlight could pass through, an almost eternal night that shrouded all before it in darkness.

"Damn it, this forsaken place always makes my skin crawl." The dwarf pilot remarked with a grumble, the ill feeling shared by his co-pilots as they continued to navigate toward their destination.

"Just remember, they are our allies and they never forget." Davis said as he moved back towards the pilots and commanded. "Now, let's head to the rendezvous point."

Allowing themselves to get used to the changing environment, Kari, TK and the others remained silent as their transport continued toward their destination, their meeting with the Dark Realm, the means to help Kari and to put an end to their war back home.

Unbeknownst to those on the transport however, and with the aid of a cloaking system, another airship followed closely behind, ready to make their move.

.

.

.

Within the theatre-like room in the Fire Palace, Julie, Caleb, Victor, Kenji and Fire Lord Cameron watched as Thomas set up his tablet and connected it to the viewing screen, while the rest of the DDF and Dark Imperium heroes and heroines sat around the room.

"So wait, Cody has a camera on his outfit?" Takuya questioned as he continued to watch Thomas set up and monitor the system.

"Yep, we installed it in his outfit when he first entered Nexus, which allowed us to see what was happening when he made contact with Davis." Yoshi informed in reply as she assisted Thomas finish with his set up.

"Since we aren't allowed in the Dark Realm just yet, we can at least get a look at it and see how things go with Davis and his contact." Lalamon then added with a joyful tone, happy that they at least had a way to see what was happening even if they couldn't be present.

As they watched the DDF and Dark Imperium members finish setting up the visuals and take their seats, Julie, Caleb and Lelouch looked toward one another with a knowing look at what would occur within their allies' domain.

.

.

.

Meanwhile and within their chamber, the Provisional Council of the DDF had also set up their own visual link to Cody's camera as they sat patiently and waited to see what would happen between this meeting with the Dark Realm.

The only member not present was Richard Carson, whose absence was alright to most within the room, each not caring for their fellow council member and his schemes.

Standing alongside Hashima were other members of the council that he could rely on, which included Richard Sampson, the former DATS commander being promoted to a seat on the council to give the group a more military outlook, Mitsuo Yamaki, who represented the Digimon Tamer's world upon the council, and finally, Gennai, who represented the Digital World as a whole.

"I admit, I am not comfortable with this." Hashima remarked as he and the rest of the council watched the imagery from Cody's camera, before he added with a small sigh. "But I trust young Motomiya's determination on this matter."

"And that is the best decision we can make." Sampson then said, adding as he looked to his former superior. "We said that Davis would end this war, and that is what he is doing, whether we agree with his methods or not."

"We just need to make sure nothing happens to upset him or this Dark Realm in the process." Yamaki then commented, unaware of the trouble the DDF were about to find themselves in.

.

.

.

Travelling for the next half hour, the transport landed next to what appeared to be an abandoned fort, where Davis led the others inside as they waited for the maroon haired hero's contact, the Shadow, to arrive himself.

And not wishing to deal with the inhabitants of the Dark Realm themselves, the pilots all remained on board their ship, unaware of what was about to happen to them and those they were transporting.

"So, when is this guy going to show up?" Yolei then asked as she stifled a yawn, the purple haired Digidestined feeling somewhat exhausted for some reason.

"Soon, he's never late." Davis said in reply as he kept his eyes out towards the horizon, before narrowing his eyes.

Something wasn't right, the Shadow should have been here by now, the only thing that would keep him is…

"Davis, something is wrong!" Blaze yelled through his gem, alerting Davis as he looked toward his friends, his eyes widening to see most of them passed out, while Kari seemed to be staggering and trying to fight off whatever it was that was trying to place her under a state of deep sleep.

And gaining a whiff of what the cause was, Davis quickly realized that there was sleeping gas spreading throughout the outpost.

Quickly summoning his helmet, Davis was about to rush toward Kari and get her out of the area before dealing with the unknown threat.

But before he could act, Davis felt a large amount of electricity run through his body, shocking him and stunning him as he fell to the ground, growling in frustration as he heard Kari cry out as well, the brunette falling to the floor and into unconsciousness herself.

Trying to move, Davis looked to see a group of DDF soldiers, Commandramon and Sealsdramon surrounding him and his friends, each fitted with filter masks on their faces.

"Secure them!" One of the soldiers ordered through his helmet, earning compliance from the others.

Looking around through his hazing gaze, the maroon haired hero saw a DDF commander then enter the room with three other individuals who all wore masks, where Davis quickly recognized three of the newcomers as Kouki Tsubasa, Nanami and Ivan, each of whom looked upon him with sly expressions.

As consciousness slowly slipped from him, Davis' last thoughts were of rage, rage at the stupidity of those surrounding him, not because of what they planned to do, but for what they had just done and what it would cost them.

'You fools...' Davis thought as he fell unconscious, knowing that no matter what these DDF members thought would happen, the darkness would soon descend upon them all.

.

.

.

Author's note: Seems not everyone in the DDF is ok with the way Davis wants things, and now a rogue element of the faction has come and put Davis, Kari and the others in trouble. But who are the ones really in trouble here? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.

PS: As I said earlier, there was a major plot twist, one I am sure no one has guessed yet, coming, one that has made me work more on this story and set my other story aside to work on. That plot twist comes in the next chapter, and it will change everything about this story.