A/N: Sorry for not uploading last week, I was quite busy with some stuff so I couldn't upload the chapters. I'll also upload 2 chapters next week. :D

Chapter 23: The Earth Warrior and the Swift Assassin

Ken was sitting with his parents having lunch. Leafmon had evolved up to Wormmon and was also at the table with them. Ken had just finished his bowl and set it down.

Mrs Ichijouji: "Want some more, Ken?"

Ken: "Umm… no it's fine. Wormmon and I have to get going soon."

Mr Ichijouji: "Alright, just make sure you have eaten enough. And take care of each other later."

Wormmon: "Of course!"

Ken cleared both his and Wormmon's bowls before they both went into his room. Upon closing the door, he saw an odd woman in his room. Wormmon and Ken were immediately on alert.

Ken: "Who are you?"

Woman: "You're done. You're useless now. Poor you."

Ken: "Huh?"

And she was gone.

Wormmon: "Ken. Who…"

Ken: "I don't know, Wormmon… but… I have... a bad feeling about this…"

The Digidestined were in the Digital World continuing their work in the farmland. It was getting late and they met up on a hill outside of the farm.

Daisuke: "Well, looks like that's it for today."

Miyako: "Yeah, we can continue tomorrow."

Hikari: "There's still a lot of space that can be used here."

Takeru: "Yeah, it is nice that this area wasn't attacked though."

Iori: "But the Kaiser still put dark towers surrounding this area."

Daisuke: "They're a real eyesore."

Takeru: "Well, we can always get rid of them later. We should focus on this farm since it's slowly becoming a proper village for all kinds of Digimon."

Miyako: "Yeah, I wonder what he is doing now..?"

Takeru: "You mean Ken?"

Daisuke: "He should help us out with some of this."

Miyako: "I guess… but… will he even come back to the Digital World anymore?"

Hikari: "I'm sure he is helping in his own way."

Iori: "It's better if he doesn't come back. The Digimon aren't likely to forgive him. And I won't either."

Takeru looked to Hikari as she gave him a short solemn look back.

"Takeru, Hikari, thank you for all you two have done. I'll do my best to help out in the Digital World."

"It's fine, you don't have to push yourself."

"It also might be good for you to lay low for a little while. Some of the Digimon are dangerous, and we wouldn't want you getting attacked by them."

"Oh… ok. Then maybe I'll just help destroy some of the dark towers then. Could you not tell the other three? I don't think they would be so accepting of me…"

"We're ok with that, but I'm sure they'll be accepting of you if you want to help us out."

Miyako: "Takeru? Hello? Earth to Takeru!"

Takeru: "Huh? Err sorry, I just spaced out for a second there."

Miyako: "Why is it that every time we catch you daydreaming, you're staring at Hikari~"

Takeru: "Hmm? Is that so?"

Hikari: "Come on, Miyako, stop teasing him. I'm sure he had something important on his mind and just happened to be looking in my direction."

Takeru: "Right…"

Miyako: "That didn't sound very confident of you, Takeru…"

Takeru: "Anyways, I agree with Hikari. Ken is probably helping out in his own way."

Koushiro's office

The Digidestined came back from the Digital World and were currently taking a short rest break before they left.

Iori: "Thanks for letting us rest here, Koushiro. I will get going now. I need to go to the dojo today."

Koushiro: "It's no problem, Iori."

Hikari: "Do your best at practice!"

Iori: "I will, thanks."

Iori left the group and began to leave. Daisuke and Miyako left as well, with Takeru and Hikari staying behind to discuss with Koushiro.

Takeru: "I hope Ken doesn't push himself."

Hikari: "Yeah, he said the dark towers should be deactivated but…"

Koushiro: "Wormmon can only evolve once, right? It would be bad if he they encountered some of the Digimon we had to fight."

Tailmon: "They should be fine. Ken is smart. He'll know when he needs to run."

Koushiro: "Right, anyways, now that the whole Kaiser thing is over, I would like to study one of your phones. I would prefer if it's one of you two since the new Digidestined are more reliant on Armor evolution compared to you two."

Takeru: "Then you can take mine. Patamon can still evolve to Pegasmon without the Digimental so we can still have synergy if we need it."

Koushiro: "Alright, thanks. I'll borrow it from you tomorrow. After all, it still is your phone, and I don't think I should hold onto that for more than a day."

Takeru: "Alright."

Koushiro: "That's all, you two can leave now if you want. Oh right, Yamato told me that he is going to set up some practice sessions for you two soon."

Hikari: "Right, now that we no longer have to worry about the Kaiser, we can get start practicing for Yamato's gig."

Koushiro: "Honestly, I'm surprised you two agreed to it."

Takeru: "Well, considering both of us are somewhat known because of our brothers, we won't be able to keep this a secret forever."

Hikari: "Yeah, I don't really like that we have to make this such a big deal though."

Koushiro: "Well, it's unfortunate, but at least your classmates won't be trying to fight for the affection of either of you two."

Tailmon: "That is hardly a positive thing."

Koushiro: "Regardless, I think it's safe to say that all of us Digidestined are happy for the two of you."

Hikari: "Thanks, Koushiro. You know, the first group always felt like family to me. It's almost like all of you were big brothers and sisters to me."

Koushiro: "Thanks, Hikari."

Takeru: "Oh, Koushiro don't thank her yet. It could also be a bad thing that she sees the older Digidestined as older siblings."

Hikari: "Hmm?"

Takeru quickly put Patamon on top of his hat and grinned cheekily.

Takeru: "You better watch out, Koushiro! Don't want her brother complex to start coming back out!"

Hikari: "TAKERU!"

Takeru bolted out of the door with Hikari running after him. Tailmon sighed and ran after them on all fours. Koushiro just looked at Tentomon as they both laughed.

Tentomon: "Takeru has certainly started to be more of a prankster."

Koushiro: "Haha, nah, according to Yamato, Takeru only does this with the ones he's really close with. He is much more reserved when in front of others. Guess it's just a sign that our bonds as Digidestined have grown a little, even if he has been away from us for so long."

The next day

The Digidestined had just arrived at the farm and were about to start working with the other Digimon, but they realised something odd.

Miyako: "Weren't there more dark towers surrounding this area yesterday?"

Hikari: "Yeah… but now there's only that one over there."

Iori: "Maybe we could check with Koushiro."

Takeru took a quick glance at Hikari. She gave him a small nod as he pulled out his Digivice and a hologram of Koushiro appeared.

Knowledge: "Did something happen?"

Hope: "No, just the dark towers surrounding the farm have decreased. There's only one now."

Knowledge: "I see. Well, guess your job becomes easier when you want to clean them up then."

Light: "Right."

The hologram went away and the digidestined were about to go off to continue working.

Daisuke: "Alright, Veemon, let's do this!"

Veemon: "Got it, Daisuke!"

"Veemon Evolution!"

But nothing happened.

Veemon: "Huh? Why can't I evolve?"

Daisuke: "Maybe it was just a fluke? Let's try again."

"Veemon Evolution!"

But nothing happened.

Iori: "Could it be an energy problem?"

Miyako: "It could be, you were evolved for a long time yesterday."

Takeru: "It shouldn't be an energy problem. But let's try it anyways, Patamon."

Patamon: "Got it, Takeru!"

Takeru clenched his Digivice and it began to glow yellow, with Hikari's glowing pink, unknown to the new Digidestined.

"Patamon Evolution! Angemon!"

Miyako: "Then it is an energy problem."

Iori: "Seems like it, especially if Patamon can evolve normally."

Hikari: "That's not right, is it Takeru?"

Hikari pulled her Digivice from her side and showed its glow to the Digidestined.

Takeru: "Yeah, this evolution isn't a normal one. It's calling upon our crests."

Angemon: "That means the dark tower is still active? But that can't be… it was not activated yesterday."

Tailmon: "It's definitely active. I can tell from my tail ring. But that's really odd. Why did it activate again?"

Iori: "It could have been the Kaiser."

Takeru: "Unlikely. He wouldn't have taken down the dark towers and then activate the last one."

Iori: "How do you know he didn't activate it?"

Daisuke: "Wait go back a bit. Did you say he took the dark towers down?"

Takeru: "I'm pretty sure it was him."

Miyako: "How do you know?"

Hikari: "Ken has a digimon partner too, it's not out of the question that he is helping us."

Daisuke: "Then he should just come to us and help instead of working behind the scenes."

Takeru: "It's better for him to work behind the scenes. It's unlikely he could help us safely."

Daisuke: "Still I think it would be better for him to join us... anyways, we should probably destroy the dark tower then."

Takeru: "Let's do that later at the end of the day. Our main priority is to help the town. And if a Digimon does attack us, Shakkoumon can defend us."

With the sounds of agreement, the Digidestined went off to continue on their individual tasks, with Holsmon, Nefertimon and their partners on them, transporting large items, Daisuke and Veemon handling construction, Takeru and Angemon helping out the other Digimon with the plants. Iori and Digmon went underground to dig to investigate for possible water sources for the farm.

The Digidestined finished their jobs and met up at an unoccupied corner of the farm, with the exception of Iori and Armadimon. Suddenly, they felt the earth shaking.

Digmon: "The area here is so complicated and messy."

Iori: "Right… Digmon, do you think it's possible for the Kaiser to work with us?"

Digmon: "I don't know, Iori. It's unlikely that the other Digimon will accept him, but if he works together with us then maybe it will be fine."

Iori: "And what do you think, Digmon? Can you forgive him?"

Digmon: "That is up to you, Iori. We're partners and we Digimon will do whatever you think is best. Whether you trust Ken or not, I'll be there supporting your decision the whole way."

Iori: "It's up to me… huh?"

"Grandpa, what would you do if someone did something unacceptable? Would you forgive them for it?"

"If they are showing that they wish to change, I will forgive them. But it doesn't matter what I would do. You're asking this because you have a friend in this situation, don't you? It's up to you, Iori. Don't make your decisions based on my answer."

"Ok, Grandpa."

Digmon: "Iori?"

Iori: "Huh? Sorry, Digmon. I was just thinking. What did you say?"

Digmon: "It's nothing, you just seemed quiet, that's all."

Just then, Iori and Digmon heard a light sound as if something was flying through the air really quickly. Iori recoiled a little as he felt something brush across his cheek. He brought his hand up to his cheek. His hand felt hot as he brought it in front of his face.

"Blood?"

Digmon quickly brought Iori in front of him and held him tight. Digmon was quickly hit multiple times by the small Digimon. They could barely even see it.

Iori: "What digimon is that?"

Digmon: "I don't know, but I don't care. I'll make sure you're safe Iori!"

The small Digimon continued to blitz Digmon before finally knocking him back, causing him to lose grip of Iori and revert. Iori fell to the ground and tried to find the small Digimon. As Iori looked up, he saw the small digimon hit the ceiling, breaking it and allowing sunlight to come through. The ceiling of the small underground cave began to collapse, causing rocks to start falling.

Armadimon: "Iori!"

Armadimon dived towards Iori and managed to get above him as a light glowed from Iori's Digivice.

"Armadimon Evolution! Ankylomon!"

Ankylomon brushed the large rocks off him just as the small Digimon crashed into Ankylomon's forearm, resulting in little damage due to Ankylomon's incredibly tough armor.

Ankylomon: "You won't hurt Iori!"

Ankylomon threw the small Digimon to the side and picked up Iori, who was below him.

Iori: "You… evolved..?"

Ankylomon: "Seems like it."

Iori: "But the dark tower…"

Ankylomon: "Regardless, we need to get out of here."

Iori: "Right."

Ankylomon jumped up from the hole made in the ceiling and landed on the ground. He put Iori down and looked back down towards the hole.

Ankylomon: "Iori, get somewhere safe. I'll handle this Digimon."

Iori: "Got it. Don't hurt it unless you can confirm it has a dark ring or spiral."

Just then, the ground below Iori cracked and the Digimon rushed through, causing Iori to fly upwards.

Ankylomon: "Iori, no!"

Just then, the other Digidestined arrived on the scene and Takeru and Hikari quickly brought out their Digivices.

Takeru: "Thunderballmon. Champion level."

Hikari: "And Ankylomon. Also, Champion level."

Daisuke: "What's that green one up there?"

The Digidestined looked up and saw a green Digimon holding onto Iori.

"Stingmon?"

"Ken's here?"

Miyako: "He has Iori!"

Stingmon turned his head towards the Digidestined and rushed towards them. He stopped just before them and set Iori down next to them. He immediately turned back and rushed towards Thunderballmon.

Miyako: "Iori! Are you alright?"

Iori: "I'm fine. I just got grazed just now though."

Daisuke: "Where's Armadimon?"

Iori: "He evolved to Ankylomon over there."

Ankylomon came running towards them.

Angemon: "Congratulations on your evolution."

Ankylomon: "Thanks. Iori, you ok?"

Iori: "Yes, but who is that Digimon?"

Takeru: "The small one is Thunderballmon."

Hikari: "And the other one is Stingmon."

Daisuke: "Is Stingmon… on our side?"

Takeru: "Likely, he is Ke-"

Hikari: "He saved Iori. So, he's probably on our side."

Thunderballmon was currently hitting Stingmon and Stingmon appeared to be unable to hit him.

Miyako: "Should we help him?"

Angemon: "No, I think he has this."

Stingmon then flinched as if he had made a realisation. He quickly turned around and landed a kick on Thunderballmon. Thunderballmon flew towards the Digidestined and stopped just in front of them. A purple energy started to surround Stingmon's arm and it formed into a lance.

Stingmon: "Spiking Finish!"

Stingmon rushed towards Thunderballmon. Stingmon's attack pierced through Thunderballmon, causing it to disintegrate instantly, without a data explosion. Stingmon visibly relaxed and landed on the ground, with his arms crossed.

Miyako: "He just…"

Iori: "Killed it…"

Daisuke: "In one strike…"

Just then, Ken came out from the cover of one of the building rooftops. Stingmon's eyes widened and he rushed towards Ken. The Digidestined quickly turned around and realised Ken's sudden appearance.

Daisuke: "Watch out! That Digimon is dangerous!"

Ken merely watched as Stingmon stopped in front of him.

Ken: "Good work, Stingmon."

Stingmon nodded and began to revert. He landed in Ken's arms as Wormmon.

Daisuke: "Wormmon!?"

Miyako: "Wormmon can evolve?!"

Ken made the short jump off the building and onto the ground right in front of the Digidestined. He gave them a small nod before turning around and starting to walk away.

Iori: "Why did you kill that Digimon!?"

Ken stopped walking but didn't turn around.

Wormmon: "Ken…"

Ken: "That thing… wasn't a Digimon."

Miyako: "It had to have been one! Hikari and Takeru's Digivices identified it!"

Ken: "Sigh I didn't want to rope you guys into this."

Takeru: "Ken, what are you hiding from us?"

Hikari: "Tell us, we will help you."

Ken remained silent.

Takeru: "At least tell us what is happening."

Ken: "There was a lady in my room just now."

Daisuke: "Not the best way to start a story."

Ken: "I saw her in the Digital World, next to the dark tower."

Miyako: "Another human in the Digital World?"

Ken: "The dark tower began to shrink, and that thing replaced it. That wasn't a Digimon. It was the dark tower. I tried to chase after her, but I couldn't get her."

Iori: "So it wasn't a Digimon..?"

Ken: "Yes it was not. If that's all, I need to get going. I don't think I'm quite welcome here."

Ken turned around, only to see a golden staff in his way. He turned back around to see Angemon who had thrown it in front of him.

Angemon: "Come with us, or we will escort you back to where you need to go."

Ken: "Fine… I need to go over there."

Ken pointed towards a random direction.

Hikari: "Alright then. Takeru and I will bring you there. The rest of you guys can rest up. We'll meet up with you guys later at Koushiro's office."

Miyako: "But…"

Takeru: "It'll be fine."

The new Digidestined didn't know what to say as Takeru, Hikari and Ken began to walk off.

Takeru: "Did anyone tell you that you're good at acting?"

Ken: "Really?"

Hikari: "Yeah, you really played the cold and uncaring role very well."

Ken blushed.

Ken: "It's just… I don't want to get them involved in this. It's my problem."

Hikari: "Hey, don't be like that. All of us are Digidestined. We will help each other when we can. Plus, trust me, keeping yourself locked away doesn't feel good. I would know."

Takeru: "Yeah, it's nice when you have a friend you can share everything about. All your problems and worries. It feels great."

Ken: "I-I see."

Angemon: "You should start getting a little closer to our group. I'm sure it would be great having you working with us."

Tailmon: "Yep, espicially since we're trying to fix the Digital World right now."

Angemon's voice suddenly turned much deeper, causing Ken to jump and almost lose grip of Wormmon.

Devimon: "Plus, you barely have any darkness left in your heart."

He grinned widely.

Devimon: "And you just got scared of me. A soldier of darkness wouldn't be so easy to scare."

Ken blushed as he turned away.

Devimon: "How are you embarrassed about this? Everyone has their fears. One of Takeru's was apparently confessing to Hikari considering how long he took. And he wasn't even the one to confess first."

Takeru: "Hey! You can't blame me for that."

Hikari: "Since when did you get so… sassy, Devimon?"

Devimon frowned before he left his control of Angemon.

Angemon: "I'm never going to get used to how weird that feels."

Ken let a small laugh come out.

Ken: "Your bonds with your Digimon are so strong. It really does look like a long friendship."

Takeru: "Well, we did live with our partners for around four years."

Wormmon: "Don't worry, Ken. After all this is over, I'll stay with you forever."

Ken: "That's… a long commitment, but thanks, Wormmon. I'm glad to have you as my partner."

Wormmon smiled as Ken hugged him tightly. Takeru and Hikari watched with smiles on their faces. After a short while, Ken turned towards them.

Ken: "Anyways, do you two have anything else to ask?"

Takeru: "Not really."

Hikari: "We have got to set you up a meeting with Koushiro, if that's fine with you?"

Ken: "I don't mind, but may I ask why?"

Hikari: "Your whole method of travelling to and from the Digital World is much more advanced than Koushiro's."

Ken: "Oh, right. You said something about that before."

Takeru: "Yeah, he is still amazed you managed to solve the transportation problem to our world that he was struggling with."

Ken: "I see. I might not be able to help much though. I just remember suddenly being able to learn faster and better after I first came to the Digital World. But I felt angrier than before. Right now, I feel like I've lost some knowledge."

Hikari: "Maybe something happened in the Digital World?"

Ken: "I'm not sure. It's all a blur at this point. Wormmon, do you know anything?"

Wormmon: "No… my memory faded a little after my death. It will take me some time to remember everything."

Ken: "I see. Thanks anyways. I'll transport you two to the office now. Where did you say his office was again?"

Koushiro's office

A gate appeared in front of Koushiro and the new Digidestined. Takeru, Hikari and their partners walked out of it.

Koushiro: "I still can't believe he fixed that problem."

Hikari: "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll tell you someday."

Daisuke: "So what's up with him?"

Takeru: "Nothing much, he didn't tell us anything much about the lady and the dark towers."

Koushiro: "Oh well, regardless, you guys should get home now. Good work out there. Considering what happened today… maybe the Digital World isn't out of the woods yet…"

Iori: "Men!"

"Why?"

Iori: "Men!"

"Why did it have to be him?"

Iori: "Men! Men! MEN!"

"Why did I have to be saved by him!? I will never forgive him!"

Grandpa Hida: "Dou!"

Iori got hit and he stood there defeated.

Grandpa Hida: "Iori! Swinging at only the head is not Kendo. You know that. What is on your mind my boy? You aren't as dedicated as usual. Have you been slacking off on your training?"

Iori: "No Grandpa, I wouldn't dream of slacking on my training. Sorry."

Grandpa Hida: "It's fine, my boy. Just don't forget your training. You must be flexible in mind, body and heart."

Iori: "Yes, Grandpa."

"I acknowledge your words, Grandpa. I want to follow them… but can I..?"

That's it for this chapter. :D Again, sorry for not uploading last week. .