It had been a few years since the second generation of Digidestined had defeated MaloMyotismon, ensuring the safety and the future of the Real World and the Digital World.
And though Diaboromon had made a return, escaping from the internet and transforming into the terror that was Armageddeemon, through their teamwork, devotion and friendship, the Digidestined managed to call upon the power that was Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode, sealing the corrupt Data of Armageddemon within the Omni Sword.
Everything in Odaiba seemed to have returned to normal, even improving greatly, with new children chosen to be Digidestined, Digimon slowly and gradually welcomed into Odaiba, to live alongside the humans, while the Digidestined continued in their task of ensuring the protection of the Digital World.
To the Digidestined and their partners, it made them all content to have such a growing potential in their world, encouraging them all to follow their own dreams.
With the three years that had passed, while the older Digidestined, including Tai Kamiya, Matt Ishida and Sora Takenouchi were now more focused on their futures, attending various college courses as to improve their skills and help those discover what they wanted for a career, the younger Digidestined were now in the tenth grade, some more advanced than others, with Cody's genius already placing him in his first year of highschool and Ken being sought out by recruiters from competing colleges.
While things remained fairly normal for the younger Digidestined during school hours, outside of school and when they weren't looking out for the Digital World, most of the young Digidestined, both human and Digimon, would spend time with their beloved.
As Ken continued to date Yolei, Izzy wound up dating Mimi, making their relationship work despite the distance between them, Joe was dating a girl named Meiko Mochiuki, who he had met during his medical training, with the pair both being geniuses and falling for one another, while Tai and Sora had become boyfriend and girlfriend.
After talking with Matt and realizing they were better off as friends, the pair broke up, where Tai remained a friend to Sora, staying close to her as to lend an emotional shoulder if she needed it, but at some point in the time they spent, the pair found themselves admitting their feelings and falling in love.
As the romance continued to grow within the Digidestined group, with some of the Digimon finding love, many were surprised to learn that Matt had gained an unlikely girlfriend, being Davis' older sister, Jun Motomiya.
Finding herself in a similar position to her brother, sometime after Armageddemon was bested, Jun found herself a Digidestined, not only obtaining her own Digivice, but she found herself a Digimon partner, a silver furred Renamon, which Jun not only found beautiful, but her devotion and loyalty toward her made Jun smile.
Having Renamon with her, Jun realized she would have more responsibilities on her hands, knowing from Davis how crazy it could get as a Digidestined, asking for his and Veemon's help to become a team and to be the best they could be.
Though things started off a little bumpy for Jun, having difficulty as a Digidestined at first, her dedication and determination helped mold her over the years, which the others noticed, namely Matt, who no longer saw Jun as another obsessed fan of his, but as a friend and a woman, which allowed the feelings he didn't know he held for the maroon haired girl to develop.
Lastly, and similar to his brother, TK found himself falling for another girl, many believing the Digidestined of Hope would wind up with Kari, but his heart followed a different path.
Staying in touch with the Digidestined he met in France, Catherine Denurve and her Floramon, TK and Catherine became good friends, very good friends, able to tell each other anything, to the point Catherine confessed her true feelings to the Digidestined of Hope, telling him that the first time they met, she had a crush on him, not caring if TK didn't feel the same way about her, she just needed to let her feelings be known.
But with Catherine's courage, TK responded similarly in kind, telling Catherine that he cared deeply for her and that during the time they spent together, his feelings grew beyond a mere friendship and led to the pair becoming a couple.
However, though there were romances between the Digidestined and their partners, things seemingly at peace, there was an oncoming darkness, a calm before an ever growing storm.
.
.
.
Deep in a more darker and forgotten area of the Digital World, there stood Myotismon castle, once the fortress of the dark and malicious Digimon that tried to sink the Real and Digital World into darkness, now a forgotten building which housed wild Digimon that would devour any who trespassed on their property.
After the defeat of Myotismon, the castle was empty until new occupants came out from the shadows and claimed the empty fortress as their own, wiping out the few wild Digimon occupying the halls and setting up for new plans against the Digidestined and the Digital World.
Making their way down another hall of the castle, a slender female figure strode on down, keeping a dark smile on her face, not only admiring the decor of the castle, but she could sense the hungry eyes of the Dokumon and KoDokumon glaring down at her.
Listening to the spider Digimon hiss as they shot on down, trying to overwhelm her with their superior grouping and devour her, the dark figure swung her right arm, revealing a golden gauntlet, the final sight to the spider Digimon as they were all torn apart and what remained of their Data was absorbed into the female Digimon.
With the last of the infestation cleared from her sight, the dark Digimon slid her clawed arms back in the purple robes around her body, concealing her more enticing figure and continued advancing deeper inside the castle, expressing a growing wicked smile on her purple lipstick coated lips.
The female figure kept roaming round the castle, until came across a big wooden door, which she pushed open and entered, finding the room of a great size, while taking note of the dark red carpeting, the stained glass windows and the massive throne that sat opposite to her.
"That old bat had taste." The figure commented to herself, clearing away the cobwebs from off of the throne and took a seat, resting her arms on the wooden armrests and crossing her legs as she made herself comfortable.
"I'm going to finish what Myostismon couldn't, destroying those troublesome humans and sending the worlds into darkness." She then declared, drawing up her gauntlet, which radiated with pure darkness, this not only filling the empty torches around the room with dark purple flame that illuminated the room, but this had an effect upon the array of Digimon statues set along the sides of the throne room.
Amongst the statues, which included AxeKnightmon, BelleStarmon and Argomon, be it its Champion form, the Dark Digimon knew that beyond the terror these statues inspired, each held a malevolence to them, each wicked Digimon Myotismon had slain through his desire for power and displayed.
And through her dark power she could once again give them life, granted a few at a time.
"Arise and awaken, my dark servants. Myotismon might've bested you, but I am giving you a second chance. Follow my commands and help me bring this world to darkness." The wicked Digimon declared, sending out three black orbs from the increasing dark energies gathering in her gauntlet, entering the statues of Argomon, Blastmon and BelleStarmon.
From her position, the female figure watched with a growing smile to see the statues affected by her evil and start to crack open one by one, life returning to the three Digimon, who took notice of the figure now seated in Myotismon's throne, with BelleStarmon questioning. "Alright, who are you and where's Myotismon?"
"That freak has a date with me and the barrel end of my blasters." The gunslinger added with clear resentment in her voice, delighting the Digimon upon the throne.
"Myotismon has been defeated, twice in fact, defeated by Digimon who've sided with a group of humans, calling themselves the Digidestined." The slender figure upon the throne replied, this piquing the interest of the Dark Digimon before her.
"The Digidestined?" AxeKnightmon questioned, the name sounding vaguely familiar to him, recalling Myotismon mentioning such an imposing threat to him, only to ask. "How could mere children stop the darkness?"
"Don't underestimate them, they are more powerful than they first appear." The figure upon the throne cut in, her claws digging into the arms, her teeth gritting as she confessed. "And I need your help in defeating them."
Curious to her words, BelleStarmon set her guns back in their holsters, crossing her arms and asking. "And why should we help you, Lilithmon? I thought a Demon Lord could handle herself."
"Don't push your luck, BelleStarmon. I brought you back to this world and I can easily undo that mistake whenever I choose." The Digimon, Lilithmon, said back, expressing her bitterness at the disrespect BelleStarmon gave her.
Knowing Lilithmon wasn't bluffing, that she practically held their lives in her hands, while BelleStarmon shut her mouth, Argomon and AxeKnightmon remained in place, each kneeling before the Demon Lord, accepting her as their new commander.
Pleased with AxeKnightmon and Argomon's more subservient attitudes, Lilithmon looked upon the pair, turning her attention to AxeKnightmon.
"I have a job for you." She told AxeKnightmon, telling the dark knight Digimon. "I want you to give a message to those human brats. Tell them there's a new force that will defy destiny and will destroy the Digital World."
Showing complete obedience to Lilithmon, AxeKnightmon nodded in reply, concealing his being within his cloak and fading in a wisp of darkness as he took off, seeking out his new enemy, the Digidestined, leaving Lilithmon smiling darkly upon her new throne.
-Back in the Real World-
As Lilithmon's plans had begun, the Digidestined were continuing in their own plans and dreams for their futures.
Currently within the Motomiya's apartment, Davis was standing before the stove and cooking up a storm, having prepared a variety of foods, which included tempura, ramen and takoyaki.
Though Davis had made more than enough food, even preparing seconds and thirds for Veemon and the other Digimon if they were still hungry, the maroon haired Digidestined found a relaxation in cooking, as well as finding that expanding his choices in meals only improved his cooking skills.
"It all looks amazing, Davis." Veemon commented encouragingly as he entered the kitchen, showing off his encouraging smile. "Keep this up and I just know your dream will come true."
Smiling back at Veemon and the trust his partner held in him, Davis just nodded in reply, keeping an eye on the foods boiling and cooking away upon the stove, before both heard a knock at the door.
"Vee, think you can see who that is?" Davis then asked, a little surprised and curious as to which of their friends it was, noticing from the clock in the living room, they still had another half hour before anybody was supposed to show up.
Approaching the door, and using the small line of stairs set up as to allow Veemon to reach the doorknob, the Digimon of Courage and Friendship called curiously. "Who is it?"
"It's me." Veemon heard Jun say from the adjacent end of the door, which caused Veemon and Davis to smirk a little, knowing that though they couldn't see the maroon haired girl, they were certain she was embarrassed.
"Listen, I kind of forgot to take my keys with me when I was going out with Matt, so can you please let us in?" Jun then asked, expressing a clear politeness in her voice.
In the past, Davis and Veemon would've used this chance to torment and tease Jun, leaving her locked outside for a few minutes and making her yell to them through the door, but showing their maturity, Veemon reached for the locks on the door and slid them open, allowing the older Motomiya sibling back inside.
Returning in the apartment, Davis and Veemon smiled, not only to see Jun, seeing the older Motomiya dressed up for her date, now clad in an elegant black dress and even having painted her lips, fingernails and toenails with a dark red/purple hue, but by her side was Matt, the Digidestined of Friendship looking more casual as he wore a dark green jacket over a loose fitting white top, alongside a pair of tight blue jeans.
Turning down the heat of the stove as to greet their guests, Davis then walked out of the kitchen and approached Matt and Jun.
"Hey, guys. Is the date over already?" Davis asked, teasing Jun just a little, which made her glare at her sibling.
"Very funny, Squirt. I just forgot my cell phone, and my keys." Jun said in reply, setting her arms around Matt and holding him closer to her as she added. "As soon as I find those, my date will be back on track."
That being said, Jun headed on back to her bedroom, rummaging through her belongings to find and retrieve her phone and her keys, leaving Matt to speak with Davis and Veemon.
"Sorry to barge in when you two are having company over." Matt apologized, which Davis and Veemon just shrugged off.
"It's no trouble. If you like, you and Jun can stay for a bite?" Veemon offered, this bringing a smile to Matt's face at the kindness, but he shook his head, declining the offer.
"I was actually planning on taking Jun to the same sushi restaurant where we had our first date." Matt replied, lowering his voice a little to tell the details of his date.
Looking past Davis and Veemon, noticing Jun had shut the door to her bedroom, Matt kept his voice a whisper as he continued to converse with the Digidestined and Digimon of Miracles.
"There's also something else I was planning..." Matt said, expressing a little more nervousness in his tone and actions as he reached into his jacket, before withdrawing a small box and opening it, revealing inside rested a silver ring baring light blue coloured gem, the sight astonishing Davis and Veemon.
Looking at the ring and Matt's nervous expression, it took a moment for Davis to register what Matt had in mind, before finally speaking. "Wait... are you...?"
"That's right. I plan to ask Jun to marry me." Matt replied, adding as he spoke from his heart. "I know it's soon, but I do love Jun. We started off a little rough, but she makes me happy, and I want her to know that. I also know it's a little unusual, but it'd mean a lot if you agreed."
Listening to Matt and hearing the warmth and sincerity that came with talking about Jun, Davis knew that Matt truly loved Jun.
Putting a hand on Matt's right shoulder, Davis looked upon the blond with a trusting smile. "Matt, I give you my blessing. I know sometimes Jun can be annoying, but I do care about my sister, and I know you'll make her happy."
"But if you ever break her heart, I'll set Flamedramon or Raidramon on you without a second thought." The maroon haired Digidestined added, expressing a clear protectiveness in his voice, which Matt nodded to.
"Found them!" Davis, Matt and Veemon heard Jun call, this causing the three to stumble a little and quickly refocus, with Davis returning to the kitchen, Veemon looking calm and Matt pocketing the ring, just as Jun returned to the living room with a smile on her face.
Pocketing her keys and her cellphone within her purse, slinging the strap over her shoulder, the older Motomia sibling headed on back to Matt, resetting her embrace as she wrapped her arms around Matt's body.
"Ready to go, sweetie?" Jun asked with a growing smile, earning a supporting nod from Matt as he slid an arm around Jun, keeping her close to him as they prepared to leave.
However, as the couple headed out, keeping her head resting close to her boyfriend, Jun spoke up and told Davis. "Don't give up on her just yet."
From her words, Davis and Veemon stared at Jun, who then turned her head, showing a seriousness on her face, alongside an understandable smile, before she said. "We aren't the closet siblings, but I know you still care about Kari , you see her as more than a friend."
Davis just sighed from Jun's words, expressing his feelings and his doubts. "I still have feelings for her, but I doubt she feels the same way about me. I just know if I say something and she doesn't feel the same, it could cost us our friendship."
Sighing back to Davis' words, out of empathy for her little brother, Jun then told Davis. "You've got to stop being so hard with your feelings and just let Kari know how you feel. Sure, you might be annoying, stubborn, loud and a gigantic pain in my neck, you are also a considerate and caring person. And if Kari can't see that, then it's her loss, but in my heart, I believe there is always someone for someone else, a soul mate if you will, and Kari is yours."
From Jun's supportiveness, her clear dedication to his feelings, Davis looked at Jun, giving a small smile in reply, before he spoke. "I guess you're right. Thanks for the pep boost, sis."
"Anytime, Squirt." Jun replied, teasing Davis a little, only the Motomiya siblings just laughed it off.
Knowing that Davis was feeling better and more comfortable with his feelings, Jun returned her attention back on her date.
"We'll catch you later. Oh, and don't bother waiting up. I'll be staying at Matt's." The older Motomiya said, relaxing herself back in Matt's welcoming arms.
"Have fun." Veemon replied with an implying grin, knowing that from Matt's proposal and them spending the night at his place, there would be a growing romance between the couple.
Luckily, Jun failed to pick up on the hint, with Matt all but hurrying her out the apartment.
With the apartment all to themselves again, Davis, with Veemon's help, spent the next half hour making the finishing preparations for their friends, leaving an amazing array of foods displayed upon the kitchen table, to the point it almost looked like it had come from a restaurant, before hearing someone knocking on the front door.
Approaching the door, removing the locks and opening the door, Davis found himself smiling as he took in the familiar and pleasant sight that was Kari Kamiya, seeing the Digidestined of Light clad in a more elegant style of clothing herself, with the brunette wearing a stunning pink dress that made Kari look even more beautiful than Davis ever imagined.
And by her side was Gatomon, the feline Digimon retaining her form, but in Veemon's view, she just looked as perfect as always.
"Hey, guys. Glad you could come. " Veemon greeted with kindness in his voice, reflected in his action as he took Gatomon's right paw up and kissed it, causing the feline Digimon to smile and giggle a little at his antics, finding Veemon as sweet as usual.
"Thanks for inviting us." Davis then heard a familiar voice say in reply, this leading to the Digidestined of Courage and Friendship to look past Kari and Gatomon, noticing the Digidestined of Hope, TK Takaishi, alongside his Digimon partner, Patamon, the pair standing behind Kari and Gatomon.
Looking at TK, then back at Kari, seeing the two together, Davis felt a small knot in his chest, believing Kari had finally chosen TK as her boyfriend.
But pushing the feeling aside and keeping his smile, Davis moved aside, allowing the couple inside.
"Kari, you look incredible." Davis found himself saying, his compliment causing Kari to smile and to give a faint blush as she passed the maroon haired Digidestined, who then turned to TK, adding with a remaining sincerity. "And, TK... congratulations."
"Uh... thanks, Davis..." TK replied, a little unsure what he was being praised for, but decided not to be rude and to just go with it.
With the Digidestined and Digimon of Light and of Hope the first to arrive, Kari and TK each took a seat at the table, admiring all the foods Davis had prepared.
"This all looks amazing, Davis." Gatomon commented, admiring the food from her vantage point.
Lacking the height to sit beside her partner, her sense of smell made up for it, allowing the feline Digimon to take in the delicious aromas of the meals Davis and Veemon had prepared.
"It shouldn't be long until the others show up, so help yourselves." Davis replied, continuing to show his hospitality toward his friends, who nodded in reply and understanding, to which Kari and TK both took several sections of the foods, placing them on a single plate and handed them down to Veemon, Gatomon and Patamon, allowing the Digimon to be the first to taste Davis' food and to take in how his skills as a chef had only improved.
Taking a bite, Gatomon and Patamon's eyes widened to the tastes filling their senses, before both Digimon continued to pick at the foods upon their plates.
"Davis, this is great." Patamon said happily, continuing to dig in. "Your cooking is amazing."
"Don't forget to thank Veemon. I couldn't have done it with his help." Davis said in reply, sharing the credit with the V marked Digimon, who rubbed his head with modesty, before Veemon blushed as Gatomon showed her thanks and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
After allowing Kari and TK to try the food themselves, both agreeing with the comments shared by their partners, a few minutes passed on before Ken, Yolei, Cody and their Digimon partners soon arrived.
"Sorry about being late, Davis." Ken apologized. "We would've been here sooner, but we stopped over at Cody's Kendo class and found it went on longer then expected."
Just smiling at friends, knowing that Cody was now the one teaching, Davis shrugged it off.
"It's no problem, Ken. All that matters is you guys are here now." The maroon haired Digidestined said in reply, showing his friends to the table and showing his kindness as he helped Yolei out of her jacket, revealing the light purple shirt she was wearing underneath.
"Looking good, Yolei." Davis commented as he placed Yolei's jacket aside, the kindness reflected back within the Digidestined of Love and Sincerity as she said back. "Thanks. And you're looking pretty good yourself, Davis."
Smiling at Davis and Yolei, Ken was glad to see the pair getting along, no longer fighting or arguing as they used to when they were younger, proud of the maturity his girlfriend and his best friend now showed to one another.
"You guys are in for a real treat." Kari then said as the remaining Digidestined took a seat at the table, while the Digimon sat close to their partners.
"You have to try the tempura." Gatomon said, piercing another piece of fish with her claws and allowing it in her mouth.
"Not before you try the ramen." Patamon contradicted, holding a bowl of the steaming noodles and slurping it all down, not caring if he made a mess in the midst.
Encouraged by Kari, TK and their Digimon's clear enjoyment, Ken, Yolei, Cody, Armadillomon, Hawkmon and Wormmon began to chow down, finding that the praise their friends directed to Davis and Veemon was well deserved after they too enjoyed the skillfully prepared meals.
"Perfeto!" Yolei let out delightfully, using the chopsticks provided to her to scoop up a few Takoyaki balls and place them on her plate.
Keeping a smile on her face, the Digidestined of Love and Sincerity then looked to Davis and added, teasing a little. "If I knew you could become such an amazing cook, maybe I would've asked you to be my boyfriend."
"Very funny." Davis said back, enjoying that he and Yolei could joke around through their friendship, while enjoying the company and friendships he and Veemon made.
But looking at Ken, seeing his affection upon Yolei, then looking at Kari as she happily ate and talked with TK, keeping his smile, Davis wished he could know that feeling, that warmth that came with love.
.
.
.
As the day went on, with the Digidestined and Digimon handling the food, including helping themselves to seconds and thirds, wanting to make sure his friends felt welcomed in his home, while Kari and the others were lead in the living room and continued to chat amongst one another, watching the television, Davis took the time to rinse and clean the dishes, knowing if he left them then Jun would be on his back.
Scrubbing the stains off another plate and running it under hot water, Davis found his attention drawn aside, noticing Kari approaching him.
"Thanks again for another amazing lunch, Davis." The Digidestined of Light said, slowly moving herself closer to Davis and keeping a warmth in her tone and her smile.
Smiling back, Davis said in reply. "It's no trouble, Kari. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I know it's going to be a lot of work if I want to start my noodle cart business, but I need to start off somewhere, and your support really helps."
Kari smiled to Davis' words as she took a moment to look upon and admire the maroon haired Digidestined, before the brunette slid herself closer, moving beside Davis and grabbing a rag as she assisted in cleaning the dishes.
While helping Davis with the dishes, there was something on Kari's mind.
"Davis can i ask you something?" The brunette began to question, facing Davis as she added. "Earlier, I heard you say congratulations to TK, but why did you say that? Why congratulate me and TK?"
As Davis continued washing the dishes, he took a moment to look to Kari and answered with a sincere tone. " I congratulated you guys for finally getting together. I know you and TK obviously share a close bond, and I know you'll make each other happy."
Kari was left surprised at Davis' words, now understanding that in his view, he believed she and TK were dating, and for some reason, that didn't sit well with the brunette as she felt she needed to clarify things with Davis.
"Davis, TK and I aren't..." The Digidestined of Light tried to tell Davis, but found she was unable to finish her sentence when Ken burst into the kitchen, expressing a clear concern on his face.
"Guys, come quickly! We've got trouble!" The dark haired Digidestined said with a continued worry on his face, leading Davis and Kari to the lounge room and directing their attention to the television, displaying the imagery of a large and dark armoured being tearing through cars and destroying anything in his path.
Now understanding Ken's concern alongside the others, Davis drew his D-Terminal, using the Digimon Analyzer function to gather any information on the unknown attacker, where the Digidestined of Courage and Friendship informed his friends. "That's AxeKnightmon, he's an Ultimate Level Digimon. If we're going up against him, we'll need to be careful. If he gets one hit with that axe we'll be cut down to size."
Amongst the Digidestined and Digimon, Gatomon was left in a confused and puzzled state.
"Impossible. How is he alive?" She questioned, this causing the Digidestined and Digimon to turn and look at the Digimon of Light, before Kari asked. "Do you know that Digimon, Gatomon?"
Nodding in reply, Gatomon looked amongst Kari and their friends as she gave her reply.
"I've seen him back in Myotismon's castle, however, the AxeKnightmon I remember back then was only a statue, or at least I thought so." Gatomon replied, thinking back to the AxeKnightmon statue and feeling an uneasiness whenever she was around it, as if it was watching her.
Unsure about AxeKnightmon himself, Davis knew they needed answers, but the safety of the citizens of Odaiba were far more important, to which the Digidestined of Miracles rushed to his bedroom, withdrew his shoes and prepared himself.
"We need to stop him before he deals anymore damage." The maroon haired Digidestined declared, drawing his D-3, looked upon Veemon and added with a faithfulness. "Let's go, Veemon!"
Nodding in reply, Veemon readied himself, as did the Digidestined and Digimon, with Kari, Ken, Yolei, Cody and TK all drawing their D-3s out, aiming their Digivices toward the television set.
"Digi-Gate Open!" TK declared, opening up a virtual gateway he and the others could take as to pass the growing traffic and confront AxeKnightmon.
With the years of training as Digidestined, their equipment had improved and their bonds stronger than ever, the Digidestined set off, ready to confront AxeKnightmon and put an end to his terrorizing ways, unknowing that this was the start to another clash of light against the darkness