Digimon Story: The Next Order

by The Hooded Writer

A month has passed since the world went back to normal. Six chosen ones fought with Digimon to save two worlds. Little did they know that defeating the Eaters was not the end of it. A new threat has appeared in the Digital World. Now the Cyber Sleuths and their friends are on the case to save Digimon from a war. ...And new allies join them from close by and somewhere VERY far way.

30. Chapter 30: Assembled Resistance

Takuto gritted his teeth on his knees. Takumi slowly walked over to him. "It's over. Just listen to me."

"No…You listen to this!" Takuto shot back to his feet and grabbed Takumi by the shirt who didn't even react. "I don't care what happens. This changes nothing! I'm. Taking. My sister back!"

"I told you, I don't have her."

Takuto reeled back his fist, eyes now filled with rage. "DON'T SCREW WITH ME YOU BASTARD!" This time Takumi blocked the punch. Takuto grunted as he kept pushing his fist, but Takumi pushed his arm away and punched him in the face. Takuto yelped at he fell face first to the ground.

"JUST SHUT UP FOR ONE MINUTE AND LISTEN TO ME!" Takumi demanded. "I'm in the same boat. When K attacked EDEN, he took my sister Ami. I came to this world with my friends to save her… and all the Digimon suffering because of the Next Order."

"What?" Takuto grunted pushing himself off the floor. "You trying to tell me you're not K? I saw you take off that damn mask you idiot!"

"I saw K take off his mask to." Takumi replied. "And do you know what I saw?"

"A mirror?" Takuto aske sarcastically pushing himself to one knee.

"Your face. K looked just like you."

"What?!"

The door Takumi used to get into the room opened. "It's true Takuto." Both boys looked to see Mameo step into the room with Keisuke and Hudiemon.

---

Vademon watched them enter the room from the monitor. "What the-How did they get in here?!"

Shiki watched the display. "Mameo?"

Ami looked at the three and gasped as she recognized one of them. "Wait…is that…Keisuke?! What's he doing here in the Digital World?!"

The image cut off and showed K. "Vademon. Looks like we're going to have to go with plan B."

"Understood."

---

"Mameo…?" Takuto was in shock as he stood back up.

Takumi faced them as they approached. "Keisuke. Hudiemon."

Mameo walked over to Takuto. He took out two Regen Discs and gave them to Nova and Storm, reviving them. They slowly got back up. "Takuto. Takumi is one of Keisuke's friends who came to this world with him."

"What?"

"It's true." Keisuke replied. "Remember when I told you someone from my world was kidnapped by K?" He pointed at Takumi. "That was this guy's sister. Ami Aiba."

"There's more." Hudiemon held up a hand. "Yuugo got an image of K without his mask when he attacked EDEN and kidnapped Ami. Take a look at this." An image appeared in front of her. It showed the picture Yuugo took.

Takuto was taken aback. "What the…?"

Nova gasped. "What?! How?!"

"That's…impossible!" Storm gapped.

"His hair, his eyes, his whole face looks just like yours." Mameo said.

Takuto was taken aback. "But…But I would never…!"

Mameo put a hand on his shoulder. "I know Takuto. I know. But I also know Takumi wasn't the one who attacked Flotia and took Shiki. While we were separated, I got to know the guy. And a lot of good people can vouch for his good will. Including Keisuke."

"But…but what does this mean?" Takuto pointed at Takumi. "I saw K as this guy, and he saw K as me?"

Takumi folded his arms. "This was all part of K's plan."

Keisuke turned to him. "So, you did know this was a set up! Why didn't you just tell us back at Zaxon's Pride HQ?!"

"I only had a theory with no hard evidence. I didn't want everyone to jump to conclusions that might be false. So how do we think K did this?"

Hudiemon looked at him. "Our guess is that he gathered fake EDEN avatar parts to modify his avatar, so he'd look like Takuto when he attacked EDEN. Then he used the same method to look like you when he attacked Flotia."

"Wait…are you serious?" Takuto asked.

Everyone heard a groan and looked at a blue doorway the masked K stepped out of. "And scene. Seriously, what a letdown."

Everyone glared at him. "You!" Takumi growled. Rapidmon Armor X aimed at K. But then he spilt back into Rapidmon, BlackWarGreymon, and Dorugoramon all exhausted. "Guys?!"

"They must have run out of energy." Mameo said.

"Not surprising." Hudiemon replied. "Takumi just used Overclock and EXE on them at the same time. Two programs they know nothing about let alone how to control."

"So, you were watching." Hudiemon said. "Care to share your thoughts on our theory of you?"

K sighed and put a hand on his mask. "This little game clearly won't help me any longer." He pulled it off his face.

Takuto gasped. Takumi was expecting this but still felt shock. He was looking at a perfect copy of his face and hair. "I knew it."

K laughed with Takumi's voice. "What do you think? Don't I look handsome? I gotta say Cyber Sleuth, it was pretty exhausting running around finding the fake parts I needed."

"You…" Takuto glared at him. "You pretended to be him! You were the one who attacked Flotia!"

"Took you long enough to figure that out. For a supposed hero, you really are a dim bulb."

"Why? Just why?!"

"What can I say?" K grinned as he held his mask to the left of his face. "Didn't you hear? Sometimes imitation…" He slowly moved it past his face to the right of it. After it passed over his face, his appearance changed. Now he looked like Takuto and spoke in his voice. "…is the sincerest form of flattery."

Takuto gasped. "What…?"

"You did all this just to pit both our worlds against each other?" TyrantKabuterimon glared.

"Eh, just this guy and the Cyber Sleuth really. What I want is to erase Takumi Aiba. But I knew that was something beyond my power. It disgusts me to admit it, but he's stronger than I can ever hope to be. That's why I needed someone who might have had the power to eliminate him. That's when the Director pointed me to Flotia."

"Director?" Nova asked.

K glared at Takuto. "After seeing what you can do, I thought you'd have what it takes to defeat this pest. Instead, you got beat into the dirt. You disappoint me."

"Does it really matter who won here K?" Everyone looked at the blue doorway as someone else stepped out.

"Brother Sorrow!" Keisuke gasped.

Takumi looked at the newcomer. "So that's Brother Sorrow."

"Both Takumi and Takuto are weakened from the fight. If we're going to eliminate them and clean up this mess you made, now would be the best time." He snapped his fingers. Creepymon, BlitzGreymon and CresGarurumon all emerged behind him.

K put his mask back on. "I suppose you're right." He snapped his fingers and Leviamon and Lilithmon appeared. "Lesson learned. If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself."

Takumi and Takuto gritted their teeth. None of their Digimon were in any condition to fight. "Takumi, Takuto, get behind us!" Hudiemon said. "Flying Kick!" Lilithmon rushed in front of her as she charged at K and caught her foot. She laughed as she flipped Hudiemon effortlessly who straightened out and held her hands in front of her. "Gaia Element!"

A green explosion hit Lilithmon. But her hand came out of the smoke and took advantage of Hudiemon"s hands being together and grabbed her wrists in one hand and held them high over her head with the other hand over her face. "Spirit Drain." Hudiemon screamed into the hand over her mouth as her power was sapped.

"Erika!" Keisuke shouted. "Guys, help her!"

PileVolcamon ran at Lilithmon only for BlitzGreymon to knock him down with a knee to the face. TyrantKabuterimon charged at them, but Levimon stood in his way. MetalSeadramon charged next, but CresGarurumon slammed him to the ground with his spear. "What a joke." K scoffed.

"Tell me about it." Creepymon yawned holding up File with one hand who was trying to punch at him with his stubby little Mamemon arms.

Lilithmon laughed holding up the limp Hudiemon by her hands. She reached down with her free hand and slowly creased her thigh, traveling up her hips and towards her cheek. "Mmm… So, this is a human Digimon hybrid. What a treat you are. Soft, and delicate like you humans, but brimming with power like us Digimon. Delectable." She licked her lips.

"Stop…sounding…creepy…!" Hudiemon grunted trying to get her drained body to kick her.

"Atomic Ray!" HiAndromon shot Lilithmon making her drop Hudiemon.

"Will O' Whisp Slash!" Samudramon sent two waves into Creepymon making him drop File.

Yuuko ran in with Yuugo, Kouta, Himari and Darcmon close behind. "Takumi, are you alright?!"

"Yuuko! Yuugo! And Dacrmon, you're okay!"

---

Ami gasped when she heard her name. Memories of her old friend flooded in. "Darc…mon…?"

Shiki looked at her. "Ami? What's wrong?"

---

Brother Sorrow and K watched them come in. Himari and Kouta ran to Takuto. "Takuto, are you okay?" Himari asked.

"Guys! I'm fine but the others can use some help. I don't think Mameo, Keisuke and Hudiemon can take these guys on their own. And Nova and Storm are utterly exhausted."

"We got em covered." Kouta said. "With all of us together we can win this fight."

"There's no need for a fight in the first place." Yuuko opened up a menu. "After running into Brother Sorrow I've been thinking about how to confront him and his Digimon. Back while we were clearing out Zaxon's Pride's base, Zero came up with a good idea."

"How cheeky." Lilithmon stepped forward.

"Such arrogance." Creepymon growled. "You dare think you can ignore me?!" His body burned with fire as he and the other Digimon charged at them.

Yuuko pressed images of each of them on her screen then pressed her palm against it. All five of the enemies froze in place. K blinked in surprise. "This is…"

"They…stopped?" Himari asked.

Kouta looked at Yuuko in shock. "What did you do?!"

Yuuko smiled. "Keisuke, remember that mess we had with the Dreamn' Hackers?"

Keisuke's eyes lite up. "Oh yeah! That thing you did to punish Phantomon! You froze him completely!"

"Nice work Yuuko!" Yuugo smiled. "Now we've got both Brother Sorrow and K cornered!"

Yuuko turned to the two hackers. "Don't think we're letting you two get away. We have questions for both of you and we will have our answers."

K and Brother Sorrow each pulled out a monitor. "Interesting. You froze them like how you could an EDEN Avatar." Brother Sorrow said.

K nodded. "Indeed. The Digimon victim of this can't do anything to break free. Even though they're still conscious. There's no counter play here." The two then started making inputs. "Unless of course, you know the program and its code…"

"Down. To. It's. Last. Digit." Brother Sorrow smirked. They both finished their input and all five of their Digimon broke free roaring.

"What?!" Yuuko gasped. "Impossible!"

K laughed. "That is adorable Yuuko! Did you really think I was going to fall for that old trick? You always were a tad naïve."

Yuuko looked at her in shock. "Huh?"

"You know Yuuko?" Takumi asked. "Who are you?"

"I'm the one who will erase you from existence detective." K snarled. "That's all you need to know."

"Programs that manipulate digital beings can be countered." Brother Sorrow said. "But manipulating someone's flow of time in this world? There's no countering that." He snapped his fingers. "Skip Frame!" BlitzGreymon in an instant went from being a distance from Samudramon to having his fist shoved into his face. As he was knocked back, the Greymon fired gold bullets from that same hand.

"Samudramon!" Yuuko gasped.

Brother Sorrow laughed. "I have been granted power from the king far beyond anyone's imagination. I doubt even this "Extra Cross Evolution" can beat me now."

Hosaka stepped out of the portal K and Brother Sorrow appeared from. "Alright you two, are you done showing off?"

"Hosaka!" Keisuke glared.

"Hosaka?" Takumi asked. "The guy K hired to steal your EDEN Account? Why is he here?"

"The same thing I'm always doing." Hosaka smirked. "Business. And speaking of business, how about we settle this professionally. Like Yuuko said, there's no need for a fight." He snapped his fingers and opened a monitor. It showed Ami and Shiki tied up dangling off the floor with Vademon pointing his gun at them.

"Ami!" Takumi, Yuuko, Yuugo, and Keisuke shouted.

"Shiki!" Takuto, Mameo, Himari and Kouta gasped.

"Takumi!" Ami shouted.

"Nothing hasty humans." Vademon said as the tip of his gun glowed.

"You cowards." Yukimura glared.

"Stooping to hostages now?!" PileVolcamon asked.

"Leave my sister alone!" Takumi glared.

"I'd watch the attitude if I were you." K said. "Piss us off and I'll give Vademon the signal to pull the trigger."

"And I should warn you…" Vademon carefully aimed at a Ami's chest. "After analyzing these two I have discovered the weak point in humans."

Himari glared. "Is he seriously aiming for that girl's- Wow, what a pervert!"

"What is a "pervert" and why do you humans keep calling me that?"

Hosaka rolled his eyes. "Oh, I'm not sure I'd call him an intentional pervert. He's just clueless."

"Excuse me?! I'll have you know I-

"Yeah, yeah, that's cool pal but literally nobody cares. Anyway!" Hosaka turned to the resistance. "How about you lot lay down your arms and you don't have to worry about two dead innocent girls on your conscience."

"Guys, don't listen to them!" Shiki yelled.

"It's bluff!" Ami yelled. "If they do kill us nothing's stopping you from pounding their faces in!"

"Au contraire." Hosaka smirked. Belphamon, Lucemon, and Babramon appeared behind him. "We got the firepower to win this fight. This just saves us on time and trouble. And suffering for all of you of course. So? What's it going to be?"

"Guys, what do we do?" Himari whispered.

"I agree with Ami, it could be a bluff." Hudiemon whispered back. "If they really did think they could win against all of us, they wouldn't have revealed their last ace in the hole like this."

"Hold." Darcmon held up her hand. "Perhaps we should hear out their demands."

Everyone looked at her. "Darcmon, are you seriously suggesting we give in to these creeps?!" Keisuke asked.

"If we don't our friends suffer. Do you have a better plan?"

Vademon's blaster glowed brighter. "We only need one hostage. As much as I'd hate to lose a research subject, would blasting one of them prove this isn't a bluff?"

Ami squeezed her eyes shut. "Ami!" Takumi yelled.

Then a spikey hand on a stretchy arm flew into the room and smacked the gun out of his hand. "Gah!" It clattered to the floor behind him. "Who…?!" Diaboromon rammed into him kicking him to the other side of the room.

"What the hell?!" K asked as everyone looked at the monitor.

Arata, Shoma, Nokia, and Luche hurried in with their Digimon. Terriermon Assistant, Doctor Datamon, and Professor Agumon were right behind them. "Ami!" Arata yelled.

"Arata?!" Ami gasped with a smile.

"Shoma! Luche!" Shiki beamed.

Noir slashed the ropes suspending them. Shoma caught Shiki and Ami landed in Arata's arms. They were put down and quickly they started to untie the two. "Are you two okay?" Arata asked.

"Th-thank you." Shiki smiled.

Nokia and Luche hurried over to help. "Look at all this, what degenerate ties up someone like this?!" Nokia scowled.

Leviamon squinted. "Yeah Lilithmon, what kind of degenerate does that?"

"And what's with these collars?" Shoma asked. "How do we get them off?"

"Allow me." Wires extended from the fingers of Datamon to the colors. They made strange sounds before they opened up and dropped to the floor.

Vademon looked at him and his companions. "What do you three think you're doing?!"

"Quitting. Can't you tell?" Terriemron Assistant replied, sticking his tongue out at him and pulling down an eyelid.

"Those traitorous curs…!" K growled.

"I knew it!" Ami laughed as she and Shiki were untied. "I knew I could trust you!"

"Sorry it took us so long." Agumon Expert replied. "Ah, I believe these belong to you."

Ami and Shiki took back their belongings before stretching out. "Thanks. Ah! I feel like I haven't had free movement in months!"

"Don't think…This is over…" Vademon stormed towards them. "My research shall not fail…" He ran at them. "I still know the human weak point! Even I can defeat you with ease!"

Diaboromon and the other Digimon were ignoring Vademon up to that point to notice he was getting close to their tamers. "Oh no!" Noir gasped.

Arata pulled Ami behind her much to her shock. "Arata?!"

Arata closed his eyes and braced himself. "Take this!" Vademon yelled and banged his fist against the boy's left side of his chest. Arata opened one eye and looked at the balled-up fist over his breast and then looked at Vademon. The Digimon looked at him then pounded his fist on him multiple times. "Come on! Why isn't it working!?" His hits were about as soft as a pillow. "When the subjects were just touched there, they reacted!"

"Wait, you did WHAT to Ami and Shiki?!" Nokia asked. "That's so wrong!"

"I know! Because it's a weak point!" Vademon panted getting tired of pounding Arata's chest. "So why isn't it-

"It's not a weak point you moron!" Himari yelled form the monitor. "You just don't touch girls there!"

"Wait." Vademon froze. "This only applies to female humans?"

"It applies to all females you pervert!" Luche glared.

"Seriously!" Nokia yelled. "That is so inappropriate! But it's not like doing that's going to instantly make you win against us, certainly not if you do it to a boy!"

"…Oh." Vademon said. "Errors have been made." Arata glared at him and lifted a foot up before slamming it into Vademon's face knocking him over. "AH! My face! Why is it always the face?!" He rolled back and forth writhing in pain.

"Hey Shiki." Ami stepped towards Vademon. "I think we owe this pervert for his "research" on us, don't you think?"

Vademon looked up. Ami and Shiki were leering over him. "True. Think this guy has any weak points?"

"Good question." Ami cracked her knuckles. "But I bet I know how we can find out."

Vademon shrieked. "Not the face!"

Vademon's screaming was even louder than the pounding the girls inflicted upon him. Arata and Datamon cringed and looked away. Nokia grinned as Shoma and Agumon Expert were quick to cover Luche and Terriermon Assistant's eyes. From their end, Takumi, Takuto and their friends watched Ami and Shiki beat up Vademon with uneasy expressions. "Wow." Takumi gulped. "Those two are pulling a Makiko. Only they're actually doing instead of just threatening."

"Oh, I've seen Makiko actually pull through with kicking someone's ass before, but it wasn't this bad." Keisuke muttered. "…With Makiko it was worse."

"Hey, this guy had it coming." Himari glared. "I mean who does he think he is doing something so gross to two girls?!"

"Aaaaand there goes plan B, way to hold down the fort Vademon." K sighed.

Brother Sorrow looked at K. "Remind me, you thought leaving Vademon out of all Digimon here in charge of guarding our prisoners by himself was a good idea because…?"

Hosaka shook his head shrugging. "A decision that shall henceforth be known to as "mistake number 1"."

"Mistake number 2 actually." a voice said from the portal. Everyone looked at it. "Mistake number 1 was not asking the king for more personal to help guard this facility."

Takuto gasped. "That voice…"

Shiki stopped in mid punch to look at the monitor. "It really is him!"

Ami stopped and looked at her. "What is it?"

A Digimon wearing a golden mask, a black hat, skeletal arms along with his normal ones. "That's the guy from before!" Takumi said. "The one Yuuko and I saw when we went after Darcmon!"

"No way…" Kouta gasped.

"Looks like our suspicions have been confirmed." Mameo said.

The Digimon looked at Takuto and his crew and waved. "How's it shakin' everybody! Long time no see!"

"You guys know this creep?" Keisuke asked. "Wait, is he the one you told us about?"

Takuto gritted his teeth and glared at the Digimon. "The Malevolent Fist…Boltboutamon!"

The Digimon smirked. "So glad you remember me. Sorry I ran from our world without saying so much as a goodbye."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Nova glared.

"You see, since our last encounter, I caught wind of this Digital World and the interesting occurrences in it. So, I thought' I'd dip in and offer my Dark Bond research to them."

"That's why you had K attack us and kidnap Shiki?" Takuto asked. "So, you could use the Dark Bond on Skyla and Terra?!"

"And Ami and her Digimon as well. You may have broken that Dark Bond, but I still got plenty of delicious energy for his majesty's plans."

Himari growled. "Playing dirty! Just like you did when you used Rikka and Yukimura for your Dark Bond!"

Boltboutamon laughed. "It was worth all the trouble. Shiki and Ami's Digimon gave us more than we could ever hope for." He then squinted at Takuto. "By the way, I'm with K here Takuto, I'm disappointed in you. Because of you losing I'm out 10000 Bits!"

"Hey, that's your fault for taking up gambling." Mameo said.

"Right, thanks mom. Anyway, now that I got everything, we need from the girls we have no use for them or this facility, so go ahead and do what you want." He turned around to leave. "Come on kids, we're leaving."

"I suppose there's not much more we can do here now." Brother Sorrow said. "Still, I think we should at least eliminate Takumi now while he's weak. He has proven to be the biggest threat to us after all."

Yuuko stepped in front of the Cyber Sleuth. "I won't let you!"

K's fists clenched. "Is that right?" Brother Sorrow asked.

"That's enough." Everyone heard a voice. Then there was a bright light. From it, Crusadermon emerged. "Our plans require all of you. I cannot allow you to be put at risk."

"Crusadermon?!" Yuuko gasped.

"So, the cursed humans have returned." The Royal Knight looked at Keisuke. "With some help I see."

Keisuke's blood ran cold. "You…!"

Crusadermon folded her arms. "It seems K's plan to eliminate Alphamon's pet has failed. There is nothing more we can do here. Let us be off."

Brother Sorrow sighed. "Very well." He, K and Hosaka turned around to leave.

"Wait!" Takumi reached towards them. "What happened to Alphamon?! Where is she?!"

Crusadermon laughed. "Ah, of course you would ask that. I hate to break it to you detective, but I'm afraid Alphamon is no longer of this world."

"What…? What do you mean by that?!"

"His majesty knew she would prove to be a thorn in our side. So, before he eliminated our failed king, we devised a plan to remove her as an obstacle. However, it required programs and abilities that were tampered with so we Digimon cannot use them."

Takumi looked at K, Brother Sorrow, and Hosaka. "So that's why you brought these three in."

"Correct." Hosaka said. "Well, it was really Brother Sorrow here and I who made sure the big bad Royal Knight was out of the picture."

"And just how did you manage that?" Rapidmon Armor asked.

"She was so obsessed with this "Eater" thing she was looking into. So, we devised a four-step plan. Step 1: open a portal to the Dark Area and convince the Deadly Digimon to come out so they don't get in the way. Step 2: manipulate the Eater thing to go in the now empty Dark Area. Step 3: wait for the obsessed Alphamon to follow them in there. Step 4: close off the portal and create a special seal that blocks off all access from it to the rest of the Digital World and presto! Alphamon is out of the way!"

"You sealed Alphamon within the Dark Area?!" Samudramon gasped.

Crusadermon laughed. "And as I said the program was made so it cannot be used by Digimon. A safety protocol of the former King Drasil. Not even Alphamon can escape now!"

Ami watched in horror from the other room. "No…Alphamon…!"

"Damn you…!" Takumi growled.

"Now then, if you will excuse us, we have important tasks to fulfil. Like hunting down certain Digicores." Crusadermon swung her hand and a new portal opened. She and her companions walked inside.

"Get back here!" Takumi ran towards the portal as they all got in.

"Takumi, stop!" Mameo yelled, grabbing his arm.

He stopped and turned around. "Huh?"

"Don't be naïve. What are you going to do with your partners in this state?"

Takumi sighed as the portal closed and looked at his tired Digimon. "I'm sorry."

"No…We're the ones who should be sorry." Rapidmon Armor said shaking his head. "That day Alphamon disappeared…She said the Eaters were behaving strangely and was uneasy about us going into the Dark Area. That's why she had us stay behind while she went to investigate. That's when we lost contact with her, and everything went to hell. If only I listened to my gut and followed…"

"There was nothing you could do. Alphamon made the right call. If you joined, you'd be trapped in there with her right now." Hudiemon replied.

"I agree." Darcmon nodded. "Sometimes you need to take one for the team."

"For now, we should get out of here." Yuugo said.

"Agreed." Yuuko looked at the monitor. "Everyone, we're going back to Cache City."

"Okay." Nokia nodded. "See you guys outside!"

"Right." Takumi turned around to leave, but then looked at Takuto. He had a troubled look on his face. "What's wrong? You okay?"

Takuto sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Huh? For what?"

"Evreything! I…I was wrong about you. I attacked you, accusing you of things you didn't do."

"Don't worry about it." Takumi smiled at him. "You were just being used like the rest of us. Come on. Let's go back. I can't wait to be with my sister again. And I'm sure yours is waiting for you too." Takumi walked out of the room.

"That's it? After everything, he just…?"

Yuuko smiled at him. "That's just how Takumi is. He's quick to forgive."

Mameo patted Takuto's shoulder. "One of many things you two have in common, I assure you." Takuto smiled faintly. He and the others left.

Ami and the others watched from the monitor. "We should leave too." Shoma said.

Ami smiled at the group. "Thanks for saving us, guys."

Arata grinned. "What are friends for?"

Luche jumped up and hugged Shiki. "I missed you, Shiki!"

Shiki laughed rubbing the girl's head. "I missed you too Luche. I missed all of you."

"Good to have you back Ami." Nokia smiled. "Now that finding you is scratched off the to do list, next up is beating down the Next Order!"

"Sounds good to me." Ami said before gasping. "Oh! But, Rosemon and the others! What happened to them?"

"And Skyla and Terra…" Shiki muttered.

"Don't worry, your partners are resting in the city." Shoma said. "And Ami's should arrive soon with the Resistance teams. We should get you over to them."

"I'm down with that." Ami nodded.

"Doctor Datamon, Terriemron and I will join you." Agumon Expert said. "We are done working with the Next Order."

"Agreed." Datamon nodded. "Ah, that's right. Some of our colleges here said they also wanted out of the Order to join the Resistance. I'll message them to meet us outside so they can join us in the city."

"Thanks doc." Ami nodded. "Oh." She put her hands behind her back and looked at Arata. "Before I forget…"

Arata glanced at her. "Hmm? What is it?"

Ami leaned up and gave him a peck on the cheek. She blushed with a smile. "Your reward. Thanks for catching me and protecting me Arata. You can be such a knight in shining armor when you try." She hurried out of the room.

"Daaaw~!" Nokia grinned. "Who knew Ami was so brazen! That sly cat!"

Everyone watched Arata freeze in place and his face become red. "Um…is he okay?" Shoma asked.

"Ha, ha, ha! That's a funny look he's got!" Luche laughed.

Shiki giggled. "I think Ami broke him in a way only she can. What a cute pair."

Noir turned to them. "I'll nudge Arata along. The rest of you should go." The others nodded.

---

Takumi took in fresh air as he and the others finally met the sunlight outside of the laboratory. "Finally. Thought we'd never get out of there."

"Imagine how Shiki and Ami feel." Mameo said.

"True."

"Hey, big bro!" Everyone looked around and saw Ami and Shiki run towards them.

"Shiki!" Takuto ran over to Shiki, and she held her brothers' hands, jumping happily. Ami ran past them and into Takumi's arms who swung her around.

"Ami…" Takumi set his siter back on her feet. "I'm so glad you're okay!" Ami wrapped her arms around him. Yuugo and the others caught up.

"Finally, we're all together again." Himari said. "Took a while, but it was worth this moment."

"Couldn't agree more." Yuugo nodded.

"Did they do anything to you?" Takuto asked.

Shiki and Ami shut their eyes trying to ignore memories of Vademon's experiments and Lilithmon's…being Lilithmon with them. "I'd rather not talk about it." They replied simultaneously.

"Well at least you're both okay now." Yuuko said. "So's Darcmon."

"Oh!" Ami went over to the Digimon. "Darcmon…it's really you!" She went over and hugged her.

Darcmon was surprised by the action. "Um…yes… It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Terriermon Assistant walked over to Takumi. "Hi Cyber Sleuth. Remember me?"

"Hmm?" Takumi looked at the animal Digimon. "Have we met?"

"Takumi." Takumi looked at his smiling sister who held up a pinkie.

"Huh?" Takumi gave her an odd look before he put it together and gasped. He looked at the small Digimon. "You're…the one from back then…"

Terriermon smiled. "Yup."

Takumi laughed and patted his head. "How are you doing little guy?"

"Well, since our worlds parted I got a partnership with Agumon Expert."

"Greeting detective. I'm Datamon. Everyone calls me-

"Doctor Datamon." Takumi smiled at him. "You haven't changed a bit."

"Ah, yes. I suppose we've already been acquainted."

"Guys, thank you all so much." Takuto said. "Without all of you I'd probably never see Shiki again."

"Yeah. I'm grateful too." Takumi added. "If something happened to Ami, I don't know if I could ever face my parents again."

Arata smiled. "Come on you two, this is what pals do. Help each other out."

"For once I agree with him." Nokia grinned.

"Besides, we couldn't just leave Shiki and her new friend here hanging." Kouta said.

"After everything you and Shiki did for others Takuto, I think it was time someone did something for you." Himari smiled.

"Takumi, you and Ami made great risks to bring me and my brother back together." Yuuko said. "This was the least I could do."

"And I'm glad you were able to find each other again." Keisuke smiled.

"Oh right!" Ami looked at him. "Guys, what's Keisuke doing here? And now that I think about it, how'd you guys get to the Digital World without Kuzuhamon?"

Takumi chuckled and ran his hands through his hair. "You missed a lot, sis. Honestly, I have so much I want to tell you, I don't even know where to start."

Yuugo laughed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Take your time Takumi. We'll get her up to speed on the trip back to the city."

"Yeah."

---

One by one, flying Digimon landed in Cache City. TyrantKabuterimon and Rikka were carrying Agumon Expert and his subordinates who decided to defect to the Resistance. The rest were carrying the humans. Justimon was the first to greet them. "Welcome back everyone."

"Hey." Hudiemon waved. "Mission accomplished. We got Ami, Darcmon and Shiki back."

As Shakkoumon went inside the central tower, Justimon nodded. "Excellent. We now have all the Chosen Ones working with us."

"So…dad worked with Kamishiro before he died..." Ami said as her brother helped her off of Rapidmon. "And Keisuke also remembers everything from the previous reality…Not to mention Kyoko and mom were told everything."

"Yeah." Takumi nodded. "It's a lot to take in, huh?"

Ami smiled. "Yeah. But you know…It's kinda nice having more people to include in our little circle. It's…comforting in a way."

Keisuke nodded. "Believe me, I know."

Justimon turned behind him. "By the way, Zero arrived not long ago with all the members of Zaxon's Pride and Sleuth's Will. And I believe there are some in particular who will be happy to have their Tamers back."

Rosemon Burst Mode, Kuzuhamon, and Ophanimon ran out with a Phoenixmon and another Rosemon. Shakkoumon was close behind. "AMI!"

"SHIKI!"

"Everyone!" Ami and Shiki broke into a run. Ami jumped into her Rosemon's arms and her three Digimon proceeded to toss her up and down into the air. Shiki threw one arm around her Rosemon and petted her Phoenixmon's head.

"Ami, are you okay?" Rosemon asked as her human was put back down.

"I'm fine." Ami replied. "What about you three? Takumi told me what happened. Are you alright?"

"We're fine." Ophanimon replied. "Whatever that monster did to us seems to have worn off."

"Skyla…Gaia…I'm so sorry you two had to go through that." Shiki said.

"That should be our line." Skyla replied.

Gaia nodded. "I can't even imagine what they did to you in there."

"Probably not." Ami muttered.

Everyone smiled happily watching the Tamers reunite with their Digimon. Justimon then remembered something. "Ah, before I forget, Diaboromon, I sent word to the Digimon in Jude's Flare like you asked. Magnamon went to recruit them and just messaged me. They will also be joining us in the city."

Arata's Digimon nodded. "Good. Shouldn't take em more than a day or two."

"Perfect." Hudiemon nodded. "With this we'll have all of the Resistance together."

"So…where do we go from here?" Nokia asked.

"Once everyone is here, we begin our first true steps to stopping the Next Order. It won't be easy. But I'm willing to believe in the power formed by those brought together for a common cause."

Takuto stepped forward. "In that case…count me in."

"Same here." Shiki nodded.

"Are you certain?" Yuugo asked. "Takuto, you only came to this world to find your sister. Now that you have her back, there's no reason why you should risk yourself for a world that doesn't involve you."

"Wrong." Takuto replied. "If Boltboutamon is screwing with some other world I can't just ignore him. Besides, I wouldn't have been able to save Shiki if it weren't for you guys. I owe you. Big time."

"Same here." Shiki nodded. "And I can't let Leopardmon have his way with the Digital World. He needs to be stopped!"

"If Takuto and Shiki are sticking around to help, so am I!" Himari said.

"Same here!" Kouta nodded.

"Count me in too." Mameo added.

Luche raised her hand. "Me too! Me too!"

"I'm staying as well." Shoma nodded.

"Thank you." Hudiemon smiled. "All of you."

"With everyone here, I'm sure we can pull this off." Takumi said. "Leopardmon may have most of the Digital World under his thumb. But what we have is far more important. We have the moral high ground. We know we're doing what's best for this world." Ami was slowly sneaking up on Takumi while everyone listened to his speech. Takumi continued by looking at Terriemron Assistant. "I…My sister and I made a friend a promise. To never give up. To strive to make a world where Digimon and humans can coexist. Given his hatred for us, Leopardmon will never let that happen. And I'll admit, we do have a lot to answer for. But that's why I want to help this world. To make up for what I did to it eight years ago."

Yuuko shook her head. "Takumi, you need to stop beating yourself up over that. All of us made mistakes that day."

"I can't help it. But rather than letting that guilt tie me down, I'm going to use it as motivation to keep going. Along with all the friends that support me here today."

"That's better." Nokia replied. "We got your back Takumi. Just like how you always had ours when we needed a hand."

Takumi smiled. "Good to know. With all of us together I know we can save this world. So, let's band together and- AAAHH!" His speech was cut short by a surprisingly high-pitched shriek as he felt fingers sneak under his shirt and tease him under the ribs. Everyone stared at him in surprise as his face reddened while he covered his sides.

He looked behind him to see his giggling sister. "Sorry, couldn't resist."

Takumi gave her the most furious glare. "Why you…!" Ami ran off and Takumi wasted no time pursuing her.

Everyone looked at the Aiba twins with awkward expressions. "…Didn't think a man's voice could go that high." Himari said.

Yuuko was staring at Takumi with his shriek still in her head. She didn't take him as a ticklish person. "…Cute."

"Eh?" Nokia looked at her. "Did you say something Yuuko?"

"No. Nothing."

Takuto chuckled. "Not quite how I'd end an epic speech like that."

Shiki nudged him. "Hey, at least he thought of one. And unlike a certain someone with his English essay, he used proper grammar."

Takuto glared at her. "Oh for-That was ONE TIME! How many times are you going to bring that up?!"

"As many times as I like my funny-Neenerheaded brother!" Shiki giggled ruffling Takuto's hair. "Neener-neener!" She pulled his hood over his face and ran off.

"Get back here!" Takuto growled straightening it out before chasing her. Shiki found a planted tree nearby and climbed up it. "Hey, no fair! Get down here!"

Shiki swung her legs from the branch she sat on and playfully stuck her tongue out. "Why don't you just come up after me bro? Oh wait, that's right. You never figured out how to climb a tree." Ami ran around said tree with Takumi hot on her heels.

Everyone else sighed in exasperation. "And to think moments ago those boys were so desperate to save their sisters." BlackWarGreymon sighed. "I'll never fully understand humans."

"Well…Takumi did have the right idea though." Mameo said. "I'm sure that if we all work together, we can find a way to stop Leopardmon and the Next Order."

"It's not going to be that simple." Darcmon said. "They've already proven how dangerous they can be. And who knows what other tricks they have up their sleeves."

"I never said it will be simple. But I'm confident we can do it."

"I agree." Keisuke smiled. "I mean we have the heroes of two worlds with us after all."

"Can't argue with that." Kouta grinned. "Takuto and Shiki have pulled always through regardless of the odds."

Nokia grinned. "So have Takumi and Ami. And not to brag-

"As you usually are." Arata scoffed.

"But I can do a lot of crazy stuff too!"

Arata rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no kidding."

"And the self-proclaimed geek back there is good for some things. Yuuko, Yuugo, and Keisuke are good at what they do too!"

"Don't forget us!" Himari said. "I'm getting tired of sitting back while letting Takuto and Shiki doing everything! This time I'm carrying my own weight!"

"We'll all have to in order to see this through." Shoma said.

"True." Keisuke said. "But I'd say our best hope of winning this war and saving the Digital World is the Cyber Sleuths, and Flotia's heroes."

Mameo nodded. "Agreed. So, Takuto, Shiki, Takumi, Ami, what do you say? Ready to-

"HEY!" Shiki screamed as Takuto grabbed her ankles and started pulling. "Stop that!" She shrieked as she slipped off the branch and was now holding it for dear life. "Takuto, let go of my legs!"

"Why don't you let go of the branch?" Takuto grunted and pulled harder.

"HA!" Takumi tackled into Ami from behind wrapping his arms around her and they tumbled to the ground. "Gotchya!"

"OW! Takumi, what the hell!" Ami glared, hurting from impact on the cement. "You don't have to be so rough!"

"Oh, I'm just getting started."

"What are you-No! Stay away!" Ami thrashed in her brother's grip knowing well what was coming.

"Takuto, seriously my fingers are-AAAAAAAHHH!" Shiki lost her grip and fell. Right on top of Takuto who was flat on the ground, face first with his sister lying on top of him.

"Nice landing." The boy grunted.

"You're fault." Shiki replied, feeling the impact on her rear.

"You plan on getting off me?"

"No."

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ami was on the floor laughing her lungs out with tears running down her cheeks. with Takumi looming over her, fingers scattering all around her sides, belly and ribs. No matter how hard she tried to roll around Takumi's fingers found access to a ticklish spot on her. "TAKUMI NOHOHOHOHOHO! I'M SOAHAHAHAHAHARYHEHEHEHEHE!"

"Not as sorry as you're gonna be!" Takumi replied with an evil grin.

Everyone stared at both sets of siblings. Arata put his hands in his pockets and groaned. "We are so screwed." Everyone either chuckled or sighed as they shrugged.

---

Leopardmon watched a screen displaying footage of Takumi's battle with Takuto. He watched closely as Rapidmon Armor X won the fight. "Well done, Brother Sorrow."

The masked man and his Digimon kneeled in front of him. "Pleased to be of service. As you can see, the Cyber Sleuth obtained a new power."

"The X-Antibody."

Brother Sorrow looked up. "X-Antibody?"

"Legend says that it is a form of Digicore used by Digimon of an old and forgotten Digital World to survive its annihilation before coming to this one millennia ago. Some Digimon carry it naturally. Others are said to undergo mutations when they receive one, granting them a massive increase in their power."

"How do you think Takumi came upon this?" BlitzGreymon asked.

"I believe Dorugoramon is an example of a natural carrier of it."

"This is bad." Brother Sorrow scowled. "That fool K pushed Takumi to a new level and brought unwanted trouble in the form of Takuto and his allies to our doorsteps."

"It is of no consequence to our plans." Leopardmon pondered. "…Actually, we could use this discovery to our advantage."

"What do you mean?" Creepymon asked.

"You will know in due time. In the meantime, I trust our plan went through?"

"Yes, sire." Brother Sorrow replied. "The agent is in place. They don't suspect anything."

"Excellent. Keep an eye on the Resistance's actions. Especially Takumi."

"As you wish." Brother Sorrow stood up and left with his Digimon.

On the way out of the throne room, they passed Hosaka as he entered and bowed. "You called for me, King?"

"Yes. Any progress with Arcadiamon?"

"Still hasn't changed form yet. But if we were to offer more Digimon to feed him…"

"Save using members of the Next Order as a last resort. I don't want any foul rumors spreading among our ranks."

"Yes, sire. Either way I assure you he will be ready for…whatever it is your planning at one point or another."

"In the meantime, I have a new task for you." Leopardmon replied. "One you must do without anyone knowing."

"Behind everyone's backs, eh? That won't be easy. I'll have to take it slow and carefully to not stir suspicion from Brother Sorrow and Crusadermon."

"Crusadermon knows of this. But you must keep it from everyone else. You will be rewarded handsomely if you can complete job this in secret."

"Oh?" Hosaka grinned. "In that case, just tell me what you need."

---

And that's a wrap. Ami and Shiki are finally part of the team again so I'm updating the cover image. This is probably the last time I will do so for this story even though we still have a long way to go. I know I kinda had those two stuck as the damsels in distress for a good chunk of this story but it was the best way I could think of to get Takumi and Takuto to fight. But now they can go back to kicking ass. I don't want the cover to contain too many spoilers. Now that everyone is together the true war effort can begin. What's the team's next move? Stay tuned.