Disclaimer: I don't own digimon.

Ages:

Takato = Matsuda Takato (13)

Jeri = Katou Juri (13)

Henry = Lee Jianliang (13)

Suzie = Lee Shaochung (9)

Rika = Makino Ruki (13)

A/N: I'm using the Japanese names for the characters. Katou-san refers to Juri and Jian/Lee-kun refers to Henry.

Chapter 1: An Old Foe

After school, Shinjuku Junior High

It has been nearly two years since the tamers defeated D-reaper and saved the world. Takato, Jianliang and Ruki as well as the others who had acquired an acquaintance in the digital world were all missing these friends of theirs: their partner digimon. The tamers were all feeling down at the moment, still unable to forget that moment where their partners were separated from them, hoping to see them again.

"Ring..."

The loud chime of the school bell sounded, indicating the end of another day for the students at Shinjuku Junior High. A sudden rush of people flocked into the once empty corridors. The school was no longer filled with the tiny whispers of the teachers but rather a whole lot of noise from the departing students.

A boy with goggles over his head dragged his feet slowly out of the classroom which became empty almost instantly after the bell rang. His eyes were glued onto the ground. Why did you have to leave me? was all that filled his mind.

"Takato-kun."

Why? Are you really coming back?

"Takato-kun." the voice called again, seeing no reaction from the boy.

Couldn't you stay? Yes, it's Jian's fault. Why did he use that program? Why did he separate us? Right, D-reaper... He is forced to use it.

"Takato-kun!" the familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned around and was able to force a slight grin on his face.

"K-Katou-san. I thought you went home already so I..." he said as the girl walked towards him.

"It's not your fault. I just wanted to wait for you so well... Here I am." she interrupted.

"Well. Thanks. I could use a friend instead of walking home alone." he chirped happily.

She grinned back at him, delighted to see him joyful again, as the two walked towards the school gate.

"So what do you think of the first week of school?" she started as she noticed that Takato was on the verge of falling back into his deep thoughts.

"Huh? Well. Fine, I guess," he shrugged.

"How about the bakery?"

"Fine."

"Your family?"

"Fine."

Noticing that the boy is no longer paying much attention to her, she questioned, "Ruki-chan?"

"Fine... Huh?" he stood there, shocked, realizing that he made a mistake. "I mean I don't know." His face turned red in embarrassment as he saw her giggling.

"Been to her house recently?" she continued teasing her friend, suppressing yet another laugh.

"H-Hey! Katou-san... Come on…" the tamer's face deepened its shade of red.

Juri let out a laugh. "Can't take a joke, Takato-kun?"

He let out a smile onto his face in defeat, a true smile. She sighed. Seeing Takato smile was really rare since the end of their fight with D-reaper but now she's happy that for once he could relax a bit and not always be depressed. A question struck her mind.

"Still thinking of Guilmon I guess?"

"..."

"Well?"

"Yes. I still miss him a lot. And I can't forget the promise he made before he left. I hope we can get together again, soon."

A silence enveloped the two as they continued to walk. Despite it being in the noon time beside a busy road, it still seems quiet. Too quiet.

"Ah!" Juri screamed.

"Are you okay?" Takato bent down and held out his hand, noticing that she was laying flat on the ground.

Juri took Takato's hands to support herself up slowly, clutching on it tightly. As she stood by Takato, her hands were still firmly latched onto Takato's, not loosening her grip at all. Takato's body stiffened as the feeling of a hand in his still remained.

"Katou-san? You could let go of my hands now?" he said with an awkward tone.

"Sorry." she said as her faced turned red and remove her grip on his hand.

"Never mind."

They again walked in silence, each not daring to look at the other after the embarrassment.

"Katou-san?"

She nodded slightly, eyes still peeled on the pavement.

Takato eyed over to her. "Hey, you're hurt."

"It's alright. A small cut, that's all."

"But..." not knowing what to do, he changed the topic to avoid the silence again. "Is your family still alright?"

"Better now, I guess."

Their footsteps stopped. They have reached central park where they would usually go their separate ways.

"I guess that's goodbye then, Takato-kun?"

"Sadly, yes. Bye now. See you tomorrow then."

"Bye." Juri said as she walked off.

Well I should get going too. Takato thought as he walked off too.

What was that for anyway? Although I do feel right holding her hands but... Argh... Why am I thinking about that anyway?

Haiz...he sighed mentally. Maybe I could visit Guilmon's place since I'm at the park? Oh... Might as well. It could cheer me up. He headed towards the small concrete structure hidden in the trees in the park.

He settled himself on the soil-filled floor of the structure, constantly eyeing at the hole in front of him. Should I risk myself and venture there? It could help me and Jian and Ruki and the others reunite with our partners but... To be missing for some time to look for them would worry my friends and I could be killed easily by any hostile digimon on my search and hurt Juri... Juri? Why her? Wouldn't the others be hurt too? Never mind. Well... Everything comes with a risk so...

His hands began to reach for the hole. His sweat kept dripping off from his hair as he moved inches by inches closer. His fingers could almost touch it.

"Going somewhere?" a voice struck him cold. He turned around. "Hi." he saw a boy staring sternly at him.

"Lee-kun..."

"Snap out of it, Takato. Don't you know that we'll be terribly hurt if you went there?"

"But Jian, if I can just get into the Digi..."

"Takato!" he snapped. "It's 'if'. That means you might not. What 'if' you don't? You're willing to risk hurting Katou-san again?"

"I... I'm sorry."

A smile went onto his face as Jianliang stepped forward to help Takato up from the soil. "Apology accepted, as long as this doesn't happen again. And I'm sorry at yelling at you too."

"I..." he dropped his head with guilt, mouth devoid of words.

"Relax. Don't look so glum. Why don't we get ourselves comfortable and talk about our old times together?" Jianliang said as he sat down.

"Okay..."

The two boys settled themselves on the soil as they looked at each other, both smiling and with questions for the other.

"Takato, you know better than everyone else that we can't enter the digital world for the sake of our selfishness. We decided as a team didn't we? It would be chaotic if digimon start appearing in Tokyo again."

"Yes I know. But I miss him dearly. It feels that my life has been on a low since he's gone."

"Takato, you still have me, Ruki and the others by your side. We also miss our partners a lot too you know." Terriermon... When are we going to meet again? He sighed.

A smile came to his face. "Well I guess you're right then. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I was on my way to my martial arts lessons when I suddenly have an urge to come here. Instincts I guess. Why?"

"Just curious. Don't you have to leave now?"

"I don't have to. I'm too early anyway. I can spend some time here with you if you don't mind."

"Okay. So how's school?"

"Fine. It's still the start so I guess the work is still not piling up yet."

"Yes, it's been quite relaxing thus far."

"I wonder how's Ruki doing."

"Jian, you don't have to worry about her. With her personality, Ruki-chan is sure to..." A foot going towards his face shocked him. It stopped before hitting his face.

"What did you just say?" the new teen that appeared in this small concrete structure demanded.

"I..."

"You have to stop scaring Takato like this, Ruki." Jianliang said as he held back his laughter.

"Fine." she snapped as she removed her leg from his face and sat down, arms folded.

"I was just saying that you can handle school well. Ruki-ch… Sorry... Ruki."

"Do that again and my foot would really touch your face! But fancy meeting both of you here." (A/N: For those who don't know, there is this part in the original Japanese version about Takato calling her Ruki-chan and he got a warning from her – refer to the episode when Takato first went to Ruki's home)

Hmm... I wonder... "Why are you here, Ruki?" asked the curious Jianliang.

"I have no idea. I was just walking around the neighbourhood and I came past here. So I decided to enter just when he said something..." she said, glaring to a sweating Takato, who just grinned nervously at her.

"Ruki, should we plan a get-together for the tamers again? It has been a long time since we all last met." suggested Jianliang, who is seemingly unaffected by Ruki's wrath and trying to divert her attention from his dear friend.

"Are you out of your mind? Last time they came to my house they left a terrible mess!"

"What about a camping trip? Then you don't have to worry."

"Okay… But it's a waste of time eventually."

"Ruki! How can you say that? Of all people, I thought you are one who treasures friendship the most after your ordeal with Renamon in the past."

"Re-Renamon. She left…"

"Sorry. I mean it isn't that bad spending time with your friends, is it?"

"It certainly is, especially with Hirokazu, Ryo and Kenta. I just can't stand them."

"But you can't just stop hanging out just because of the three of them. Shaochung will miss you if you don't turn up, Juri too. You can't bear to disappoint them, could you?"

"Why can't I? I never made any promise to them whatsoever."

"You know you're just saying that right? I know you cared for Shaochung ever since we entered the Digital World."

"But-…"

"Ruki… She's in a bad mood recently. Can't you just come to cheer her up? She enjoys your company."

"Alright. You always have it your way in these arguments, don't you?" she looked at him and folded her arms. She knew she could never out-talk him in an argument.

"So, where should we go then?" he smiled at her and eyed at Takato who is still dazed.

"Well..." Takato forced himself to say. "The... What's that?" all three of them turned to the doorway and dropped their mouths.

The mist. The all so familiar mist.

To the trio, it seems all too familiar. "Let's go." was all Ruki said. The boys faced her. "But Ruki, our partners..."

"No! We are the only few who know what a digimon is and we would just stay back? Don't worry. We'll think of a way." she snapped angrily at Jianliang's remarks.

The trio stood up and sped towards that small fog. In an instant, the fog rapidly expands. Oh my... They all thought.

Their mouths dropped as the white fog now appears to stretch in all directions by miles and miles. Many bright spots forms all around them. Shit. Before they had any time to react, the realization process was underway. All around them were rows and rows of digimon of different types. Many are looking around, amazed to see the real world they had heard only in legends that is now right in front of their eyes.

All of them then started to move towards the city.

Ruki felt shivers up her spine as she stood. It became worse as she felt a sudden icy breeze sweep past her. She was feeling terribly cold despite wearing a thick outfit. Despite the fact that it was going to be winter soon, the temperature seemed to drop from the usual 18 C to a freezing -20 C. She looked at her two companions but they didn't seem to feel the cold at all. Jianliang was just staring at the mass of realizing digimon, along with Takato. She started to feel her body shivering briefly once. Then another time. Then another. Eventually, she shivered uncontrollably as her body tried to fight away the cold. Her shivering caught the two boys' attention.

"Are you alright, Ruki?" Jianliang asked.

"You don't seem too good." Takato continued.

"I… feel… cold… I think… it's… him…" she spoke ominously.

"Who?" they both cried out in unison.

"Him…" she replied as her face began to turn white.

"Ruki. Do you want to take a seat and rest?"

"Do you need us to get you a doctor?"

"No… I… It's him… He's… close…"

The duo turned and look around but saw nothing.

"Ruki, who's there?"

"Him…"

They looked in the direction she is pointing at and gasps. In front of them stood an unmoving old foe: IceDevimon.

"Haha! Finally... Nice to meet you again." he smirked in a cold voice. "Guess it's a piece of cake now to take care of you pathetic weaklings."

"What are you doing here again? I thought you're dead. You... Bastard!" Ruki screamed at the one who tortured her mentally some months back. A silent tear dripped off from her eyes.

"Ruki..." Jianliang put an assuring hand on her shoulder.

She looked back at him and his smile gave her new confidence to confront her past memories of this cold, evil being.

"We have defeated you before and so we still can and will do that again now." Takato said.

"Big words, my friend. Since you and your stupid red dinosaur defeated me last time, so I will let you have the honour of dying last." he laughed. "You'll be the first, girl. How dare you choose Renamon over me! Unless… you apologize and take me as your partner."

"Never!" cried out all three of the tamers in unison.

"Well then… die!"

"Frost Claw!"

A wave of icy white light came out from his claws as he slashed his claws and aimed the attack directly at Ruki.

"No!"

A body came diving at her, knocking her out of harm's way. Ruki gasped.

Jianliang closed his eyes as he dived at Ruki. He was all prepared to put his life at stake for his friend as he very well knew the attack would most probably hit him. A picture of his family formed in his mind as he prepared himself for his inevitable death at only the age of 13. Dad, mum, Shaochung. I'm sorry. My friends need me. A silent tear fell from his left eye. It fell in slow motion as it hit his left pants pocket. A bright hue of green glowed in his pocket.

Time seemed to slow down as bright lights of different colours started coming from each of their D-arcs: red, blue and green, according to the colour on their D-arcs. All three light beams were directed at the ice attack and it was instantly vapourised.

IceDevimon stood with his jaw dropping, stunned by what just transpired in front of him.

"What… just… happened?" Jianliang spoke in shock and pulled out his green digivice which is still shooting out a green beam of light. He held the digivice in his hands, aiming it right at IceDevimon. The others followed suit.

Once again, all three light shot out from each of their digivices was aimed at IceDevimon. IceDevimon had his hands held in front of his eyes to shield himself from the bright light.

"We will defeat you for the safety of our home." The red light glowed brighter.

"Our family." The blue light glowed brighter.

"Our friends." The green light glowed brighter.

Unaware to them, a temporary portal appeared behind and voices were heard.

"Koyosetsu!"

"Petit Twister!"

"Fireball!"

The attacks hit IceDevimon as he disintegrated into data.

"Ahh…! Not again… I will return…"

The trio stood with a mix of feelings in their hearts. Only one single word came out of each of their mouths.

"Guilmon?"

"Terriermon?"

"Renamon?"

The trio said as they turned to face the portal. The portal closed as they heard the faint voices of their three partners. "See you soon..." the trio looked down again as the memories of their partners flooded into their minds.

Guilmon… You really came back…

Terriermon…

Renamon… Are you… really back?

"So what exactly happened here?" Ruki inquired as she snapped back into reality.

"Do we look like we know?" Takato replied.

"The digital world has so many things that are so mysterious."

"Agreed."

"Hey Jian."

"Jian?" Ruki called again.

"Lee Jianliang!"

She ran up to Jianliang who was back facing her. "Hey!" she shouted into his ears.

"Hey! Why did you have to shout into my ears?" his hands covered his ears in pain.

"Thank you." she smiled at him. "Thank you for saving my life."

"That's what you would do if I was in trouble too, won't you?"

She nodded and put her right hand out.

Jianliang took the hint and shook hands with her. She's acting strange today... But probably because I just saved her? Probably... They smiled at each other in silent as they faced one another.

"What are you two doing there?"

The duo turned towards Takato as they blushed slightly.

"This is no time for chit-chat. We have a MAJOR problem here." he said as his fingers shot towards the many other digimon there which were curiously looking at them, probably astonished at them being able to defeat IceDevimon.

A loud, low-pitched horn sounded. The digimon start to move towards the downtown district filled with throngs of people in the afternoon.

"I guess we should get going, right Ruki?"

"Right, Jian."

"Let's go!"

The trio followed the departing digimon. However, they knew that they have no way to defeat all those digimon alone.