(¯ˆ·.¸Dark Hope ¸.·ˆ¯)
Part 02

Real World

Koushiro knew something bad just happened when Angemon -of all mon- send an email to ask him to come as soon as possible to Odaiba Elementary School and keeping it a secret from Yamato and Taichi. He found chaos in computer room, Daisuke was yelling, Miyako was typing furiously on computer, Iori looked pale and Hikari was clinging to Angemon and Tailmon in the corner.

Where was Takeru when you need him?! Or Taichi?!

"What happened?" He asked Angemon who was stroking Hikari's back gently with his large hand, the girl looked like she just cried herself to sleep.

The angel digimon sighed, "Well… we're unsure ourselves but more or less…" He and Tailmon began to tell him what happened from the start, about the dream, Takeru's bad feeling and something dark stalking Hikari, and then Takeru went missing.

"How did that happen?"

Angemon shook his helmeted head, "I don't know… Hikari is too shaken to give us a clear picture." He swallowed, "But what Hikari said after Takeru went missing…"

Daisuke huffed, "We should go looking for him in digital world! Where else he could be?!"

"Daisuke." Angemon called him in stern voice and Daisuke froze. "Don't go to search for Takeru blindly, Digital World is larger than earth… and as we speak Andromon is trying to locate him with his network."

The heir of courage and friendship looked sheepish.

"Beside… the gate would just bring us to Midgard layer…" Angemon explained. "He couldn't be there… if he is Hikari won't say she totally lost his presence."

"Huh?" Daisuke was confused now. "What do you mean?"

Tailmon sighed tiredly, "Well… we didn't think we need to bring this up before but among the original eight and you three in addition, Takeru and Hikari are special." And she added before they could come to their own conclusion. "In a good and bad way…"

Koushiro winced, "Ah… their crests, right?" So there was a reason why Devimon and Vamdemon picked on them first, and there was a number of incidents he recalled where their enemy seemed to tailor to get to Hikari and Takeru though not as blatant as what the two dark digimon did.

Tailmon nodded, "Personally I think there's more bad and good…" Getting picked first all the time. "HIkari's light and Takeru's hope are closely linked with each other… they're similar in nature but not quite the same. Which is why unlike the rest of you… like Yamato and Taichi who only feel each other in tune on special occasion like their partner's first ultimate evolution… Hikari and Takeru feels that way all the time."

"Huh?"

Angemon continued, "I believe Takeru put it when he felt her presence strongly as... it's like their blood is pumped by one heart and they were breathing with the same lungs… even when separated they could feel each other's presence constantly."

"That's also why they're so sensitive to each other's mood…" Tailmon added with a sigh.

Koushiro hummed, "So it's like they share the same wavelength?"

Daisuke couldn't help but feel unhappy to hear that, while Miyako squealed that was so romantic.

Angemon broke her assumption splendidly, "Their position is mentally straining… and trust is tested all the time because they barely could keep anything from each other regardless of their own will." And even that openness didn't mean they could understand each other easily.

Tailmon nodded in agreement. "Beside, don't you see how miserable Hikari is now? What they share is pretty superficial if you ask me. Can you imagine sharing such link with someone you don't like? It surprise me to be honest Takeru and Hikaru manage it so well…"

Daisuke and Miyako cringed, that was unpleasant. Daisuke had to say Takeru's position didn't sound appealing considering no matter how much he liked Hikari, he wouldn't want Hikaru to be able to read him like an open book all the time.

Hikaru's eyes fluttered open and close slowly. "Takeru-kun… where?" Her eyes snapped open and she began to panic again. "Angemon! Takeru is-"

"Shh…" Tailmon calmed her down. "Take a deep breath Hikari, I know you want to cry… and believe me I want you to let it out to make you feel better." She had cried herself to sleep just a few minutes ago.

Tailmon hopped to his shoulder and Angemon spoke next. "But for Takeru you have to stay strong… so you can tell us what happened when we lost you two, we need you to calm down…"

Hikaru nodded and with shaky voice she began to tell them what happened after she ran. "And he pushed me out of the fog… and I can't feel him anymore! I… I feel so terrible! I…"

Angemon bit his lower lip, "We have to find him quickly… Kyoushiro, did you and Andromon find something?"

Koushiro shook his head, "Not yet... aside from the distortion is closed somewhat sloppily, it seems whatever Takeru did really stop them for now."

Hikari noticed Angemon's restlessness, Tailmon did too but she didn't say anything. "Angemon… why are you so frightened?" The angel digimon was calm even though his partner was missing and yet after Hikari finished her story the air around him changed.

He hesitated, "It's just…"

"Tell me!" Hikari demanded. "I promise I will stay calm… I will not panic! Just tell me…"

He swallowed heavily, "He… just like you, Takeru's is stronger in digital world… so using it in real world or in large amount in one burst like he did…"

Hikari's eyes widened as she recalled what happened in a fight against Mugendramon, she felt very weak after sharing her power with the others. Only Takeru and their partner knew this as she stuck close to him until she felt better. No, she felt better quickly because he was close so now…

"He must be in a very weak condition…" Angemon continued, "And with his link to you and digital world cut off…" Not to mention his mentality must be in strained condition now because of their separation.

Hikari fought off her urge to give in to panic again, "I… I have to find him!" And she ran out of the room.

"Hikari!" Tailmon cried out and followed her out.

Angemon groaned and went to the open window. "Call Taichi and Yamato! This is out of control and-" Then he yelled at Daisuke who was halfway to the door. "Daisuke, you stay here!"

"But!" He protested.

"If whatever grabbed Takeru tried to get you, you have no way to defend yourself! We will retrieve Hikari back so don't you dare to move even an inch!" With that warning Angemon took off, and followed Hikari who once again was running towards the ocean.

The worst thing that could happen to them! Their partners lose their head in emergency situation. What Hikari expected him and Tailmon could do if both of them got kidnapped?!

Somewhere else…

When Takeru woke up he felt lethargic, like he was going to pass out again. It had been a while since he got this, exhausting his soul to the point he couldn't think straight. Even to stand up felt difficult, as the world was spinning to him. He managed to stand at last and walking around aimlessly, feeling so empty and lifeless.

'Where am I? This is not digital world… not quite.'

He frowned at himself, 'Why I feels so… like it doesn't matter, and this monotony is so lulling to the point I…'

His eyes snapped open and he bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood and the pain was enough to snap him back to his senses. "Haa ah!" He choked out as he struggled to get most of the dark influence out of his mind, the dark fog sipped off of him. He stomped on them angrily, "That was close! Damn it!" He spat out the blood and began to cough violently.

The thing made him walk around aimlessly like a fool in the middle of nowhere with his guard down! He rubbed his arms, trying to warm his own body up to get rid of his goosebump. "So this is that ocean…" He eyed the water warily, and scooted away. "Nope, not going to be anywhere near water." Whatever inside won't be as cute as Shellmon for sure.

His head spun again but he caught himself before he stumbled to the sandy ground. "Hikari-chan…" Was this another world or something else? He couldn't feel her, and it was like he lost a third arm he never knew he had. "I can't believe this…" He wanted to cry, turning back to that eight years old crybaby. "To feel this miserable just from being separated for a few moments…"

Perhaps there was a blessing in this connection they shared without their consent, even in years of separation, he missed her and yet he never felt miserable because he knew from their link she was close. And now…

"Cold…" He had used up a lot of his digisoul, and the exhaustion was mentally tasking. There was a good reason why not all children could donate their digisoul to evolve digimon, there was a risk.

He pulled his staff and used it was walking stick, "This can't get worse than it already is."

He hoped so. At the time like this he was so glad he was embodiment of hope, to be this optimistic even in this situation.

Back in Real World

Angemon was rarely angry, less to Hikari of all people. "Hikari! Stop running off blindly! They're initially after you, what are you going to do if they come back!"

Tailmon was surprised Angemon raised his voice but she agreed. "Hikari! Listen to us!"

At last she stopped, panting as she walked through the beach with slower phase and Angemon lifted her up to his arms. "What did you do to yourself? Takeru would be upset if you-"

She didn't cry but her eyes became watery. "I… it's alright if he is upset with me, if he gets angry…"

"Huh?" Tailmon became confused, "Hikari, you didn't make any sense! Why would he get ang-"

"He should!" Hikari snapped, tears started to pool on her garnet eyes. "I said something terrible to him! I… said he is a liar! I doubt his feeling for me… that he is protecting me out of obligation to my brother!" She sobbed quietly. "I know he is keeping secrets from me and even though I try to understand that I still get angry… I thought he didn't trust me and because of this darkness I gets frustrated, and I just blow up at him!"

"Hikari…" Tailmon was shocked, she fought with Takeru?

"I know my mind was addled because of this… dark ocean but it's no excuse to lash out to him like that..." Hikari choked out. "I shouldn't have doubted his feeling for me… to think that he protects me because he feels obligated is just…"

Tailmon sighed, "Hikari… you have every right to feel insecure, I know I feel that way all the time."

Angemon became confused, "Uhm, what?"

"Because men and mon are dumb when it comes about feelings… like certain idiot he must think since you know him, you understand him." Tailmon gave the angel digimon a meaningful glance. "He should tell you something to hold onto at least, just because you know doesn't mean you don't want him to tell you out loud."

Hikari quietened down at that.

"Even this idiot keep tells me, he is sorry." Tailmon pointed her claw at Angemon.

"Uhm, I am not sure what you mean but… about the secrecy Takeru is just-" He was cut off by clawed limb over his mouth.

Tailmon glared at him from her position in his shoulder, "That's Takeru's part to say, not you!"

"I… I made him upset…"

Angemon nodded and Tailmon let go of him. "Hikari… Takeru won't get upset with you just because of what you said, if anything he has been…" The angel trailed off with sheepish laugh. "Wondering if one of these days you will lose patience with him, and he said when you do… he will let you to let your frustration at him out all you want… he will be a man and accept it."

So all this time Takeru knew deep down she was…

Tailmon growled, "He should make it an open invitation in the first place instead of waiting for Hikari to blow her fuse!"

Angemon sweat-dropped, "You think he should ask her to get angry at him?"

"He should!"

Hikari smiled, suddenly she felt better about everything, thanks to their partners. She was still missing him so much, and she would get him back and take that offer!

Dark Ocean

It looked like a village by the beach, there was even typical beach house like ones in Japan. The alphabet used was also familiar, digicodes. "But this… is not recent used codes, from before second great war?"

He groaned, "Great! Of all placed to get stuck, it's a Nielfelheim layer's area!"

And most likely one of the worst place he and expedition group usually avoided. "I wonder if Metafalica can ask someone from Witchelny to come or something…"

Back in Odaiba Elementary

"What do you mean our siblings are missing?!" Taichi and Yamato roared at poor Koushiro.

The child of knowledge groaned, "Shut up you stupid doting brothers! I am working to help your siblings so don't shout at me!"

The two quickly calmed down as asked what happened, Koushiro gave them a brief explanation and watched both of them paling rapidly. "So that's why Takeru ran off to his morning walk earlier than usual?"

"Hikari was a little off this morning too." Taichi groaned.

Koushiro sweat-dropped, "You two never learned your lesson when Hikari-san and Takeru-kun behaves differently than usual."

"We gotta-" They began to panic.

"Or learned to have cooler head when they got themselves into something dangerous!" Koushiro cut them off. "In case you forgot, Yamato! The last time you freaked out, Takeru saved himself! And Taichi! Hikari-san is not as helpless as you think!"

The two brothers hung their head gloomily, "Sorry…"

PING!

"Andromon called!" Miyako announced and opened the window that showed Andromon's robotic form.

"Hello." The android digimon greeted them. "I… found the source of the disturbance and most likely also the one who took Takeru from real world."

Koushiro frowned, "There's a but somewhere, right?"

Andromon fidgeted, a strange action for a robotic looking digimon like him. "There's an ocean known by dark digimon as Dagomon's ocean… It's an area in lower layer called Náströnd…"

"Nas- what?" Daisuke flailed, "That doesn't sound like a good place."

Koushiro who had been reading into Norse myth because a lot of place in digital world named after them keep his mouth shut. 'A place that means Corpse Shore of course can't be a good place.'

Yamato folded his arms, "And the problem? I have heard there's no portal whatsoever but surely there's a way! Takeru have went to a place in that layer, right?"

Andromon nodded, "Niefelheim layer is like another world, there's a rift between it and digital world… so you can't go there by normal means and his expedition group had been in a number of place in this layer but… Náströnd or commonly known as Dark Ocean is a place even Metafalica's best avoid! It's a dwelling of fallen gods of digital world…"

Taichi didn't like how that sound, "Then what do they want from Hikari and Takeru?"

"I believe they don't want Takeru at all…" Andromon assured them, "In fact most likely they have been circling around Hikari until they get desperate because of Takeru. If they take her by force as she is, Takeru would have been able to pull her back easily…"

Taichi blinked owlishly at that, "Takeru can do such thing?"

"I heard they're half-pulled when cornered by dwellers of Dark Ocean, right? Because Hikari was so out of it… Takeru decided to force to make a way out for Hikari…" Andromon explained his analysis. "Which was so reckless of him…" He was connected to a flying fortress so even though he had digisoul as much as Hikari, he had been running on half most of the time to sustain Metafalica.

Metafalica was in chaos now because they surely noticed something was wrong with their ruler when they crashed to Aral sea. On positive note, they won't declare a war on Náströnd because they were in no condition to do so. Seriously, they were reborn under Takeru's rule but their knee jerk response was still declaring war to whatever they felt was wronging them.

"Wait." Koushiro stopped, "Takeru force a way? You mean… he or Hikari-san could do that?!"

Andromon nodded, "Actually if you want to get there you just need Hikari, once Takeru get his bearing back… I am sure they can make a bridge to cross dimension." He sighed, "The problem is whether they're both in condition to do so…"

Miyako frowned, "Why can't we do that too? I mean we can open digital world's gate."

"That's because the fundamental of their crest are different from yours." Andromon answered, "And not really in a good way, because it's connected to their very soul…"

Taichi gritted his teeth, "Is that why Hikari was so sickly when she was small?"

"But Takeru was so healthy…" Yamato added in confusion.

Andromon didn't answer, there was a good reason why Takeru didn't fall to the same predicament Hikari did. It was not something he'd like to reveal anytime soon, it was not his place to say. "By the way, you'd better catch up with Hikari… she might accidentally open her way into Náströnd by now."

The room was swiftly vacated.

Meanwhile in Dark Ocean (Náströnd)

Takeru frowned at the sight of a cave or rather an abandoned tunnel that was just begging to be explored, and the dark aura coming from there was not helping. It reeked of the same creatures that were trying to abduct Hikari. He clenched and unclenched his fist, his hand was getting warmer so he regained some of his power already.

He had staff, digivice and D-terminal.

But no Angemon.

He didn't have enough strength to open a portal or anything, and doing such a reckless thing on his own was just suicidal. It didn't help his link to Metafalica was cut off, but it explained why he got half of his digisoul full again. Poor Valdurmon and his people must have crashed somewhere, but after years with them he was sure they could figure something out. Ryo was with them too.

So now what he should do was investigating this area and found out what these guys wanted. He was not disappointed when he entered the tunnel something writhed in agony and begging for help. "Uugh… you're not the one we called…" They muttered with a hiss. "You feel similar to her but not… the same…"

"You are-" Another gasped, "The Lord of Valhalla!" They must be out of touch calling Metafalica with that old and forgotten name. "You reeks of that barbarian land!" It spat at him.

CLANK!

It scooted away when Takeru almost impaled one of them with his staff, it took form of a Scubamon but Takeru could tell it was just borrowing the shape of said digimon, "So… you guys are the one who send the warm invitation." He growled at them, feeling no sympathy even when he saw the evil spiral on their arm. "I can't say nice to meet you… but you're right, I am Takeru… not the child of light you invited so rudely but the child of hope and ruler of Metafalica, formerly named as Valhalla." He could see fear in their eyes as his cold blue eyes gazed at theirs.

"I don't appreciate you trying to touch Hikari… and unless you have a good reason, I will turn you to data waste before you could scream…" He hissed.

The creature in Scubamon skin recoiled, "We're desperate… for help from child of light, as an invader came… blinding us with this shackle and forced us to worship the god that's not ours."

So Ken managed to conquer this area after all, but there was a master already before he came. These creatures took shape of Scubamon so their master must be an ultimate, one with God status like Seraphimon and Valdurmon. How did Ken bypass the master?

"You guys are still self-conscious… digimon under Kaizer's control usually are slave to his will, why is that?"

"Uu… we're only loyal to our God… even if he force us, we will not… submit…"

Resisting by willpower alone? He couldn't believe that, after all Agumon would have plenty of willpower when Taichi was concerned. They were lying, obviously. He could tell they hated him with passion for stopping them from getting to Hikari. If she was in his shoes now, she would have tried to help them without getting suspicious of the circumstances of her summoning.

He narrowed his eyes at them, "You want help from Hikari, you said… I'd say you certainly clueless how to ask for one properly." They growled at him, "But this enemy of yours… when did he come to this land? Three? Four days? A week?"

"...We do not know concept of time you have Lord of Metafalica, child of hope… but tide of our sea has changed twice since then…"

The timeline fit, "Then… has he come before to this place?"

They growled again, "He… was… smaller and… not as dark… long time ago… the tree shed their leaves once since then."

One year ago! Ken really came here.

"Does this invader has no connection whatsoever with your master… creature of darkness?"

They shook their heads, "No… but he dared to tread the water… once…"

Alright, that was not the wisest thing to do. Skinny dipping in that tainted sea. "Are you expecting payment for information you gave away? Dweller of Náströnd?"

"You're a lord, you have honor… your land belongs to barbarian but they know honor…" They growled in inhuman voice, scarlet eyes daring him to say otherwise.

They knew the rule well. "Glad to know you acknowledge us barbarian have honor…" His free hand began to clench and unclench, and a golden light erupted from his palm.

They were not freed but they could feel the warmth, the spiral was not hurting them anymore. "You… didn't take these off?"

Takeru just smiled, "That's how much your intel worth, beside… are you guys going to attack me once my back is turned? And also… not even once you promise me to not go after Hikari anymore…"

They tensed as he spun around, walking backwards towards the exit. "And you're right… I am the ruler of a warrior land, we have honors indeed but it's also said we have no obligation to respect dishonorable creature who tried to abduct an innocent to do their bidding."

"You!"

BANG! CRACK!

Takeru smirked, "It seems Kaizer's servant found your hideout… you can run now, I helped you enough so you can escape."

"Very well… child of hope." And they ran as he suggested.

He followed them in brisk pace, and there was a controlled Airdramon. An adult level digimon Kaizer favored for its agility in the air. Airdramon didn't waste time and started killing the dark creatures as they ran for their lives.

"...So Ken is hunting them down because they disobey him?" No hesitation whatsoever, so the order was clear. Ken didn't want the creatures dwelling in this place, he didn't need them. "Náströnd… the territory of fallen Gods…" Which mean this place was very close to that place.

He had to get out of here. "But…" He eyed the lighthouse in the distance. "I have to destroy that first."

Metafalica

"What do you mean Takeru was taken to Náströnd by accident?!" Wisemon asked in shock.

Andromon sighed, "I wasn't even there, don't ask me! Anyway… the other children now is trying to reach him so your job!" A steel finger pointed at him. "Is keeping your soldiers in line, keep Valdurmon calm and make sure no one found out! We don't need you people declaring war on Náströnd!"

Wisemon raised an eyebrow at him, "In case your forgot we're already on war with Náströnd on principle alone…" Being ruled by child of hope and an angel digimon by default made them enemy of Náströnd that ruled by Nightmare soldiers and other dark digimon.

"Exactly… just make sure it won't be an open war, we have our hands full with Kaizer and what else… don't start the third Great War, or else..."

"Right."

Odaiba's beach

"Takeru-kuuun!"

Angemon and Tailmon watched her with worry, "Uhm, Hikari… you have been calling Takeru repeatedly like that but I don't think… he can hear you." Tailmon told her.

"I don't think she can hear you either." Angemon added. "Why don't we try too? It can't hurt… Takeru!"

Tailmon groaned, "We looks like idiots, but at least we're not alone… Takeru!"

"Hikari! Angemon! Tailmon!" Their friends had found them.

Yamato frowned at them, "Why are you yelling for Takeru?"

"TAKERU-KUUUUN!" Hikari cried out, panting before she tried it again.

They winced in unison, "Hi… Hikari?" Taichi had no idea she could yell that loud.

Back in Dark Ocean

Even though he lived in stratosphere, as a human with no wing he would always had healthy amount of fear for height. So understandably after deciding climbing the cliff would be faster than taking a detour to safer route to lighthouse, Takeru had wondered if he was too suicidal after all. He was betting on those doomed creatures to distract Airdramon long enough so he could reach his destination.

Not the kindest strategy, but he had no sympathy for creatures that tried to kidnap Hikari and put him in this predicament. Beside he was pretty sure they had another hidden motif they refused to tell, so as far as Takeru was concerned they deserved to be his decoy. How far he was from the top again? Oh, just a few meters ahead!

"Takeru-kun!"

Takeru's eyes widened, looking up to the sky, there was a spark of pink light. "Hikari-chan?" She was looking for him, and now he could feel her reaching out for his. "No! Don't come over here!" He yelled.

Real world

She heard him and felt his presence, and of all things to say when he felt her coming for him… "Wha…" Her temper rose, and she couldn't stop herself from yelling. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN DON'T COME OVER THERE?! BAKA TAKERU-KUN!"

As one her friends who were standing behind her flinched in unison. "Hikari?" Taichi called her in worry.

"Takeru said what?" Yamato added in shock. "Don't come?"

Daisuke huffed, "He must be kidding us, which kidnapped people tell his friends to not come to save him?" Takeru apparently.

Angemon frowned beneath his mask, 'There must be a reason for Takeru to say that.' He cleared his throat, "Perhaps we should wait-"

"I am not waiting!" Hikari yelled at the sky, "Takeru-kun! You idiot! You don't have any say, if I want to rescue you I will come over there! Whether you want it or not! GOT IT?!"

Then suddenly the spark of pink light in the air shrink as a golden light in contrast to it coaxed it to close. "NO!" Hikari was so done with his stupidity! And the tear in the dimension widened in response to her feeling. "This time! It's my turn to come to you!" And she jumped.

"Ah!" Angemon and Tailmon followed her. "Hikari! Wait!"

"Hikari!" As they saw her jump, Taichi and Yamato quickly followed her, the trio of new chosen children didn't fall far behind.

And they disappeared in a burst of light.

Dark Ocean (Náströnd)

WHAM!

"Kyaa!"

"Oof!"

"Gah!"

It was one of messiest landing they ever had and there was a lot of pretty light beams on the way here so their sight was pretty blurry, and the ground they landed on was hard. Hikari stood up quickly, unfazed unlike the rest, followed by Angemon and Tailmon.

"Takeru-kun!" Hikari called again. "Where are you?!"

They groaned in unison, "Hikari-chan, please cut us some slack… beside I am sure that idiot Takeru is just fine." Daisuke grunted.

A blonde head popped up from the edge of the top cliff they landed on, "Glad to hear you have that much faith on me, Daisuke-kun."

"GYAA!" Miyako and Daisuke screamed, "Takeru's head!"

The child of hope snorted in amusement before he pushed himself up, "I am very much alive thank- Oof!" He could never finish that sentence as Hikari threw herself at him and almost pushed him off of the cliff. "Hikari! I am going to fall!" His knees bend dangerously and Angemon had to push him up and away from the edge.

"Baka…" Hikari didn't listen, as she rammed her fist on his chest. "Bakabakabakabaka!" All of her pent up frustration flowed up. "Why did you push me out of the way?! Takeru no baka!"

Takeru send Taichi and Yamato a pleading look, and the two older brothers swiftly averted their eyes. 'No way, you're on your own.'

Daisuke fumed, Hikari-chan had been hugging Takeru for too long! And it didn't seem like she was about to let go anytime soon.

Miyako squealed like a fangirl inwardly, and Iori wondered until when Hikari was going to hug Takeru like this, it was getting embarrassing to watch.

Tailmon was thinking, 'Serves him right!'

Veemon, Hawkmon and Armadimon wondered if they should ignore the Airdramon by the beach or not.

Angemon wondered if Tailmon would hit him if he dared to breathe a word to stop this moment, it seemed she would.

Seeing no one was going to help him, Takeru sighed. "Hikari-chan… I am sorry I make you upset, I will do anything to make it up to you so please?" He pushed himself away from her a little so she could see his smile. "Forgive me?" And he gave her his best puppy look, blue eyes wide pleadingly, lips pouting.

"Aa…" Hikari faltered, her anger evaporated.

Yamato snickered in the background, 'Smooth bro! Even our cool mom can't resist this!'

Hikari's face became as red as ripe tomato, "Anything?"

He nodded, still smiling brilliantly at her blushing face. "Anything… start from buying you convenience store ice cream with name longer than time it takes for you to eat it." He knew she loved sweets, "Posing for your photo collection." She was too shy to ask but he knew anyway. "And there's beautiful places in digital world you would love to photograph with your camera…" He listed on and on.

The guys gaped at him, 'This casanova!'

Miyako sighed wistfully, 'Wow… he didn't hold back at all…'

Tailmon glared at Angemon demandingly, 'You guys spend years together and you didn't learn anything from Takeru?' The latest present he brought her was a roll of fishcake! It was delicious but not romantic at all!

'Why is she glaring at me as if I have done something wrong?' Angemon couldn't help but wondered.

Hikari knew very well he had her, "Takeru is so unfair… I am still angry at you and that means I get to yell at you later!"

Taichi gaped, 'She still wanted to yell at Takeru?!'

"Of course, princess." Takeru stepped away and bowed to her.

Now steam was coming out of her ears, 'Princess?!'

'How could he say that with straight face?!' They wondered in unison.

Daisuke couldn't take it anymore, "Stop flirting already! You playboy! We… have a world to rescue, remember?!"

Hikari blushed furiously again as she backed away from Takeru, and the blue eyed boy raised an eyebrow at Daisuke. "Actually we don't really have anyone to save, I can understand why Hikari-chan came… but the rest of you in the other hand..." He trailed off taking a deep breath. "Brace yourself."

They tensed, and then Takeru exploded. "WHAT ARE YOU IDIOTS THINKING TO COME WHEN I TOLD YOU NOT TO?! DO YOU THINK I'M A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS YOU NEED TO RESCUE?!" Then he whirled around to his partner, ignoring their gaping face. "And Angemon! Why didn't you stop them?! You know where the hell is this!"

Angemon sighed, it had been a while since Takeru blew his top. "To be fair, there's no stopping someone who jump to a portal… and everyone else jumped in too on impulse."

He groaned, "Great…"

Daisuke snapped, "Why are you so angry we came? But Hikari-chan is okay?"

He sighed, "Because one way or another Hikari-chan will find a way here…" As soon as she sorted herself out. "But Taichi-san and Nii-san didn't even bring their partners." The two older brothers flinched, "And the rest of you coming will set offan alarm… Hikari-chan bringing so many people at once here means, she used up a lot of power. Thankfully she didn't faint…"

Hikari tensed, she felt pretty weak actually now that adrenaline left her system. Takeru sighed, noticing her condition and scooted closer to her. "Come over here… you better don't leave my side for a while." He was pretty dried up himself, but they had to deal with this. "And can you imagine how much power Hikari-chan and I had to recover until we have enough to send us back home?"

Silence…

"Erm… how much you two have by now?" Yamato asked in worry. "No pressure of course."

Takeru was ticked, "Just for the two of us plus our partners…" In short if it was just Hikari, they could have gone back in a jiffy. "As soon as we destroy that Dark Tower over there." He pointed at the lighthouse. "It's blocking most of our power… but!"

ROAR!

"I just have to pass an Airdramon… but because you guys set the alarm off." He glanced behind him. "There's three Airdramon and a bunch of Snimon…" Damn, did they get all of those sea dwellers already? Nope, he could still feel their presence. He secretly hoped those controlled digimon wiped them off, too bad.

So that was why he didn't want them to come?! "I am happy you come for me, really… but at this point should you learn already if I told you to stay away usually… it ended up like this?"

Iori, Miyako and Daisuke hung their head guiltily, "We're so sorry…"

"Well, I am sorry too for yelling but…"

GROAR!

"Split to two group, one go to the tower while the other distract Kaizer's henchmen!" Takeru ordered, "Decoy team come with me! Taichi-san! Nii-san! Bring Iori-kun and Miyako-san! The rest with me!"

Daisuke couldn't help but elated Takeru asked for him, that means he got to be in the same team as Hikari-chan! "Glad to know I am awesome enough to be in your team, Takeru!" He beamed as they split up, their partners digivolved to their armor form in unison minus Tailmon whose partner was still tired.

"Actually you're too excitable for sneaky mission." Takeru corrected him with an innocent smile. "And you're very good to attract attention, best person in the right place! He beamed at Daisuke.

"Is that a compliment or you're being sarcastic with me?" Daisuke wondered.

As if on cue most of Kaizer's troop zeroed in to Daisuke. "See?"

Daisuke was ticked, "Ne, Takeru… that bastard must have programmed these guys to go after me first, right?"

"Perhaps…"

Hikari sweat-dropped, "Well, Daisuke-kun seems to be so good at getting on Digimon Kaizer's nerve."

He beamed, "I will take that as a compliment! Hikari-chan!"

Takeru stopped them, "Don't get anywhere near the beach or the water!"

Daisuke became confused, "Why?"

"Those Scubamon!" Takeru pointed at a group that was chased by Airdramon. "They're the one who tried to abduct Hikari and the reason why I ended up here."

"Shouldn't we save them?" Hikari asked, "Kaizer's minions are chasing them!"

Daisuke nodded, "Hikari-chan is right!"

Takeru shook his head, "No… his enemy didn't mean our friends, they're dark creatures… if you get too close to them they will influence your mind, making you think negatively…"

Hikari's eyes widened as she recalled how this morning she just started thinking so pessimistically and then she blew up on Takeru. "They did that to me?"

"But to let them got killed like that…" Daisuke felt squeasy to see them turned to black smoke of data.

Takeru cursed when he saw two of Airdramon zeroed in to them. "We have to retreat to the beach… stay away from them and the water!" Unfortunately there was more of them now, it seemed Airdramon's attack brought more of them to the surface from every corner they used as hiding place.

"Kyaa!"

"Child of light!"

Tailmon moved, "Neko punch!"

"Heaven's knuckle!" Angemon yelled.

Daisuke flinched, "You… killed them!"

"That spiral didn't control them! See how they still have their free will?" Daisuke nodded frantically. "That's why Kaizer wanted to get rid of them! They won't obey him, so whatever they tried to do to Hikari-chan is out of their own evil intention! Takeru hissed, "And I am not letting them to touch Hikari-chan! They make her vulnerable!"

Hikari recalled how scared she was just by getting closer to them, and she had to agree she was no good with them. "What do they want with me?"

Takeru shook his head, "I asked and they lied…"

"Lied?" Angemon who was flying close to Lightdramon they were riding on asked.

"To be exact they're not telling me everything." Takeru elaborated. "It can't be good."

"Blue Thunder!" Lightdramon yelled, discouraging the Airdramon from getting closer to them. "The other team, not yet?" He wondered. "We're attacked from both sides!" He was jumping from sides to sides erratically.

"Huwaa!" Daisuke yelped. "Lightdramon is right! We can't avoid them forever!"

BOOM!

Takeru smiled at the sight of lighthouse crumbling, revealing the dark tower that shattered a moment later. "Finally!" He glanced at Hikari. "Come on Hikari-chan!"

"Eh?! Yes!" She didn't really know what he was asking but she instinctively responded to his call, and two pillars of light, gold and pink pierced the dark cloud.

Angemon dived down so he was flying right beside Lightdramon. "Tailmon!"

The cat digimon grinned as she jumped to his back and they flew towards the two pillars of light, Tailmon catapulted herself towards the pink light and Angemon glided to the golden one.

"Tailmon!" "Angemon!"

"Chou-Shinka!"

And as the light dispersed, stronger light emerged revealing a pair of angelic figures with eight wings on their back. Shining brightly like a pair of sun in the monochrome sky.

"Angewomon and Holy Angemon!" Hikari cried out happily.

Takeru smiled at her, she must be delighted to see angelic form of her partner again. "Right on time…" He breathed out. "We're in bigger problem now."

"Huh?" Daisuke was snapped out of his daze from witnessing the angelic evolution. "Erm… how are we in bigger problem? I mean we got two perfect digimon now."

"The reason I disagree you guys come in large group…" Takeru elaborated, "I am bad enough on my own, plus Hikari-chan… but with seven of us here, we're like beacons to other dwellers in this accursed area…" He pointed at the sky, "Look!"

Hikari's eyes widened, "That's… evilmon! So many of them! Including a couple of Devidramon!"

"They're coming to scout the area, we make a lot of commotion after all…" Takeru scowled, "As you can see… the portal is up there." He pointed at where the light came from. "They won't let us pass for sure…" From the corner of their eyes he could see the rest of their group coming towards them, riding on Halsemon and Digmon.

Both Angel digimon was flying in tandem, leaving a trail of light as they glided across the monochrome sky. Flying faster ahead of Airdramon, slipping pass their formation with ease. Airdramon was big but because of its agility it was always hard to break their ring, but the two angel didn't seem fazed, flying close to its snake body without fear of colliding and broke the ring with efficiency of trained soldiers.

Miyako and Iori gaped at Angewomon and Holy Angemon, "Wow!"

"They're very fast!" Iori couldn't help but commented. "So veteran's teamwork is like this?"

Taichi who was riding on Halsemon waved his hand in negative. "Erm.. no way! It's just Takeru's and Hikari's partner works in tune like that…" As usual those two didn't hold back about flying speed, how did they keep track of each other again?

At last the other group reached them.

"Takeru!" Yamato called his brother. "Why the heck we have a bunch of Evilmon and Devidramon?"

"Scouts from other dark digimon group!" Takeru answered them. "They came to see what caused this commotion! With them crowding the sky like that, we can't go home!"

Miyako wailed at that, "Eh?! What's their problem with us?!"

"We didn't do anything to them!" Iori added. "Can we talk to them so they leave us be?"

The more experienced Chosen Children stared at them in disbelief, "Huh?"

Silence…

Damn it! These guys had been chosen for a while, they completely forgot all these times they only faced controlled digimon. They had never met digimon that earnestly trying to kill them! Could it be by now they thought… all digimon were good?!

With the angels in the air...

Angewomon heard them and scowled, "If they want to daydream, they should do it in bed." She aimed her arrow at Airdramon's ring and shot.

HolyAngemon beside her snorted, "Be more understanding… so far no digimon tried to kill them for real." He get rid of the last Airdramon, cutting down its ring. "But it's not a bad idea really…" He murmured as the gigantic digimon crashed to the shore. The tower was gone but the digimon was still controlled, could it be the taint of this area made that possible?

"What?" Angewomon asked gliding side by side with him, it's been awhile since they fought together like this and he made a joke? "We just can banish these evildoers to oblivion as usual…"

"And start a topic our partners are not ready to explain to the new kids?" He pointed out. "From what I see human have serious issues with killing intelligent living being… Why did you think we always brushed our story off with defeating evil digimon, and not killing them?"

The angel digimon groaned, "You and Takeru are pampering them again!" She had never agreed with this careful rearing nonsense of theirs. "Why don't we start to give them a taste of reality then…" She pulled her hands to shooting position and aim.

He grabbed her aiming hand gently, "Angewomon… we would be fine if we're judged, but what about Hikari?"

Angewomon paused at that, clicking her tongue. "So, you're going to talk with them? I recall last time we tried that certain vampire shamelessly bragging on and on…" And they killed him in the end. "Aside from that I don't recall we make it a habit to ask for surrender or retreat…"

When she said it like that, their first adventure was run and gun tactic and they never really consider forgiving any of their enemies. No wonder it was hard for Angewomon to comprehend the new kids had qualm about killing evil digimon, their partners were never given the luxury to hesitate.

"I will try anyway…" He spotted a lone Phantomon on top of a Devidramon and made a wild guess. "Are you the leader of this troop?"

The Phantomon stilled at the sight of two angel digimon, before answering. "I am Phantomon… milord ordered me to scout the area…" He sniffed, "You reek of Valhalla…"

"it's called Metafalica now ." He corrected the dark digimon, "I am proposing a truce… pull back and let us pass, if you do so… you will live."

Phantomon growled, "You dare to threaten me angels?!"

BANG!

The robed digimon yelped when his scythe dispersed to data. Angemon blowed her still smoking fingertips. "I will not miss the next shot…"

Devimon the Phantomon was riding on roared, unleashing it's dark breath towards Angewomon. The female angel digimon scoffed as Holy Angemon flew forward, stepping between her and the attack. "Heaven's Gate!"

Holy Angemon kept his gate closed and announced, "On the count of five if you didn't order retreat I will send you off beyond the gate!"

"What?!"

"One!" Holy Angemon started. "Two!" The gate opened slightly, giving them a glimpse of milky white oblivion hidden beneath it.

On Land

Taichi whistled, "As usual those two are merciless…" He murmured in low voice.

Yamato agreed, "Yeah." Their looks could be deceiving but all of them knew among digimon partners, the partners of their siblings were aggressive and extremely pragmatic in battle. It surprised them these two consider letting the horde of evil digimon go, in old days they would cut their enemies down without mercy.

Taichi was grateful they did, looking at swiftly retreating dark cloud of Evilmon. He was not prepared to explain to his juniors if the two angel digimons slaughter those evil digimons in front of them all.

"Five!"

WHOOSH! BANG!

Then a pure white beam shot forward from the fully opened gate, missing the horde of digimon that had flown quite far. This time they ran on full speed after they saw the evidence the angel digimon was serious.

Angewomon clapped, "If I didn't know better I'd think you're an expert at making threats."

Holy Angemon scoffed, "I'd rather it didn't become a habit… next time I will purify them without mercy."

Daisuke who was watching everything gulped nervously, "Oi Takeru… did your digimon almost…"

"That attack just now if it hits…" Miyako continued, equally as pale as Iori and Daisuke.

Iori finished, "Those digimon… would have been killed…"

Takeru had to admit the last parting shot was unnecessary, but then again he had to applaud his digimon for incredible restrain against angel digimon's instinct. Daisuke and co looked shaken though, but he was sure they could snap out of it soon enough.

Then suddenly a Snimon that escaped their notice darted towards the trio, Takeru's eyes widened.

"Watch out!"

A Scubamon jumped from the sea and tackled Snimon that had flown low enough for it to grab, destroying it to data. "Kyaa!" Miyako screamed.

Iori trembled, "That Scubamon… killed Snimon…"

Daisuke growled at Scubamon that killed the insect digimon, "You didn't have to go that far!" Backing away when more of them appeared from the sea, he was not scared but there was something very wrong with these guys.

Scubamon held their arm with spiral out, and Takeru narrowed his eyes. "You want us to return the favor with releasing you?" It nodded. "I suppose you deserve a payback for saving my friends…" He called out for their partners. "HolyAngemon! Angewomon!"

The pair of angels descended, hovering a few meters above their group of friends. "These creatures…" Holy Angemon murmured softly.

Angewomon sighed, "Do we have to?"

"Angewomon!" Hikari chided her partner.

Holy Angemon nodded at her, "A debt is a debt… better settled it as soon as we can, Angewomon."

The female angel digimon didn't seem happy but she got his point. "Very well…" Her hands began to glow, so did his wings and bathing under their combined light, Scubamon's spiral fell off one by one. It was even easier than normal spiral because it never had iron hold on their mind.

"Takeru…" Yamato called him, "I think we should go home as soon as we can."

Takeru nodded, "Yes… I think by now Hikari-chan and I can-"

"Kyaa!"

Taichi ran towards his sister, the Scubamon had morphed to something like black mass of fog with longer limb and fin like mohawk. "Let go of Hikari!"

"Hikari-chan!" Daisuke cried out in shock.

Hikari was terrified, she had been just beside Takeru when suddenly this creature out of nowhere pulled her away from him. "We helped you! Let me go!" Their grip on her arms was strong and there was two of them holding both of her arms.

"We want you… Child of Light… if not for Child of Hope… we need you as our bride. To fight against the new god, to bring stronger generation to this dark world…" They spoke in haunting voice.

Chill crept up to her spine, "Let… Let me go! Takeru-kun!"

There was a flash of light, familiar warmth on her back and twin groan of pain. When she opened her eyes Takeru was beside her in a flash, holding her by her waist and pulling her close to his side. The proximity sooth her but the icy blue eyes of his… she didn't like his blue eyes to take that icy hue, a sign of his anger.

Taichi and co gaped, at one moment those creatures grabbed Hikari and said creepy stuff Taichi won't hesitate to kill them for. And the next Takeru was beside Hikari, one hand holding her protectively while the other was holding a sword that reminded him of Holy Angemon's excalibur, but of golden light instead of royal purple. They also belatedly realized Takeru didn't pull Hikari away from her captors, Takeru cut off the arms holding Hikari captive and those creatures had backed away from him in fear.

"Kyaaa!" Miyako couldn't stop the scream from escaping her lips. 'Takeru-kun… he cut them off!'

Daisuke and Iori were frozen, unable to believe what their de facto leader just did.

"Takeru?" Yamato couldn't believe it, he knew Takeru had done things even older group didn't but cutting off limbs?!

Takeru narrowed his icy blue eyes, "I warned you didn't I? Lay one finger on her and I will turn you to data waste before you can scream…" He hissed at them threateningly. "I owe you… so I let you off easy with just those offending limbs…" He pointed the sword of light at them. "But if you dare to pull this stunt on Hikari again… next, you will part with your head! Dwellers of Dark ocean!"

"Next time…" They murmured hauntingly as they backed away further to the water. "We will return to our former God… for now…"

They still want to try? The nerve of these dark creature. "There's no next time… or the lord of the sky will descend to this tainted sea, and we will burn everything to ashes… including your fallen God…"

They tensed at that, eyes wide at his threat. "You wouldn't dare… for Valhalla to declare open war on us…"

"This girl…" Takeru's voice dipped low, "Is under my protection, and if you try to go after her again you will find my threat is real… dwellers of dark ocean."

There was no hesitation in his voice, they really had stepped on the wrong person to anger. "Very well… we shall see, Lord of-"

"Or." A masculine voice interrupted from above. "We can finish all of you off, right here… right now." Holy Angemon's sword was humming with energy. "As you wish…"

Angewomon aimed her holy arrow at them, ready to shoot. "If we want to send a message to your master… I believe we only need one."

"Ugh." Angel digimon, the servant of light.

Takeru's grip to the hilt of his sword tightened, "Get lost, now."

This time they made a complete retreat to their ocean, fading away under the shroud of fog. The message was clear though, they were not finished.

I guess now you get why I call this chapter 'Dark Hope'

When Ryo will appear you ask? It's been a while since I work on this story so I am not recalling WHEN I planned that to happen again?!