Chapter 16

The Ichijouji residence was a cosy place.

They didn't have much furniture, featuring only the essentials. Family photos in small picture frames stood on a moderate cabinet, some blurred out by the reflective glass panes. Several trophies were stashed away in it, while a pair of bigger ones stood proudly on top. Mrs Ichijouji beckoned for them to take a seat and she left to make some drinks.

Davis took the armrest, whereas Takeru, Iori, Miyako and Hikari managed to cram their small frames into the three-seater. Ken himself sat down in the single armchair opposite them. He put down the puppy and it scampered out of the living room. The children watched it run off.

"I didn't know you kept pets, Ichijouji-kun," Miyako was the first one to break the ice.

"Yeah, I didn't until yesterday. It sort of just followed me home."

"Keeping pets in an apartment though?"

"I was surprised that my mom let me keep him too. I guess the rest of my free time will be training the little guy. Anyway," he said as he leaned forward, forearms on his knees, "what brings you guys here?"

This was the moment. The Chosen Children looked nervously among themselves. Even Davis shifted uncomfortably a bit. They hadn't exactly expected to get this far in all honesty. Now that they were here, they couldn't just ask him whether he was the Digimon Kaiser, an egomaniac who is trying to take over the Digital World either.

Takeru approached the subject carefully. "Ichijouji-kun, do you remember when we last met, we talked about Digimon?"

Ken nodded. "Yes, those cute creatures that could pass off as stuffed toys. What about them?"

"Well… what do you know about them?"

It was a loaded question. "Um, that they're creatures who appeared out of nowhere in our world?" he answered carefully.

Davis stood up abruptly. "Don't lie. You know about them as much as we do. You even have a partner, for god's sake. Quit acting like you don't know anything!"

The other chosen stared at him in shock. Davis was shaking in anger. His fists were clenched at his sides. "Daisuke-kun, please! You're being rude," Takeru admonished. Ken waved him off calmly.

"It's fine, Takeru (it's Takeru right?). I want to hear what he has to say. Apparently Daisuke here has some beef with me and I want to know why."

Taking a deep breath, Davis launched into his rant. "You held my friends hostage and almost killed them. Don't you know that this isn't just a game? There are lives at stake here. How can you just sit calmly and act like nothing happened?" At this point Takeru and Iori had to get to their feet and hold him back, for fear of him doing something rash. If Ken was affected by the outburst, he didn't show.

"Daisuke-kun, stand down and calm yourself," Takeru ordered. Davis shrugged their grips off and sat back down on the arm rest. He folded his arms and looked away, his expression brooding. At that moment, Mrs Ichijouji returned with a tray of cups, a jug of lemonade and a small bucket of ice. The puppy stood at her feet, its tail wagging vigorously. "Oh dear, I heard raised voices. Is everything alright?"

Ken smiled and replied as his mother lay the tray on the coffee table. "It's fine, mom. We were just discussing some school stuff and I accidentally offended someone. " He nodded at Davis who looked away pointedly.

Mrs Ichijouji shook her head. "Well, I hope you can settle your dispute. Enjoy your drinks!" She left and the Ichijouji's new pet followed her out.

"Cute guy, isn't he? He followed me home but now his new favourite is mom because she always has food for him," Ken commented. "Anyway, would any of you like to explain a bit to me what Motomiya here is accusing me of?"

Miyako waved her hand dismissively, eager to speak up. "Don't bother with Daisuke over there. He's an idiot." Davis gave her an indignant look, to which she promptly ignored. "He thinks you are the Digimon Kaiser but I say you're not."

"The Digimon Kaiser?"

"Yes. He is trying to take over the Digital World and has done terrible things. I almost got eaten by one of his slave Digimon."

Ken raised his palms. "Whoa, slow down. What did you just say?"

Takeru took over from Miyako. "The Digital World is where the Digimon come from. They lived in peace and harmony, but that was all ruined when the Digimon Kaiser appeared in the Digital World. He killed and enslaved the Digimon to his will, and used them to slowly take over."

"Sounds like a prick to me."

Davis snorted at his response. Ken shot the goggle boy an irritated glance, before turning his attention back to Takeru's explanation.

"So Davis told us that he knew who the Kaiser's real identity was. He said it was you. We came here to talk to you about it," he finished. Ken sank into his armchair and looked at all of them, even meeting Davis' cold stare. His face was expressionless. His finger tapped the armrest of his seat hypnotically, making the only sound in the quiet living room. After a moment's silence, he spoke.

"Do you believe him?"

They looked at him questioningly. Ken repeated his question, to which no one answered. They couldn't have possibly looked more uncomfortable. Davis was hurt at his friends' responses. None of them met his eyes.

"Actually, we were here to prove that you're not the Digimon Kaiser. We don't think you'd be someone that would do such things," Hikari admitted. Davis felt his heart sink as he gave her a disbelieving and devastated expression. She turned away, choosing to study the carpet under the coffee table instead.

"I already said it's not possible that it's you. You're such a kind, smart and amazing person while that Kaiser dude pisses me off. Totally not you." Miyako blurted out her passionate belief.

Iori voiced his opinion as well. "I personally doubt you are the Kaiser as well, but you know about Digimon… I don't know what to think." Takeru merely shrugged and pursed his lips.

"No comment."

"Well, I can assure that you guys have nothing to worry about. There's clearly a misunderstanding here," Ken started as he observed Davis' forlorn countenance. "Although I would love to hear you talk about Digimon, I actually have homework and a research project to do. Perhaps you guys can come again next time? I'll give you my email address so that you can tell me before you pay me visit."

The Chosen Children pulled out their D-Terminals, secretly relieved that the topic had been dropped. Davis murmured something about getting the address from the others later. When they were done, they got up to leave. Miyako noticed something that she hadn't when she first came in and gasped. She pointed to a photograph on the cabinet at the corner.

"It's the Digimon Kaiser!" That got everyone's attention. Even Ken grew wary as he looked to where she was pointing to. He walked over and picked the frame up. He held it out and asked, "This guy?" Miyako nodded. The resemblance was almost uncanny. The spiky hair was there but the glasses were normal ones, unlike the Kaiser's tinted lenses. The boy's smile was a lot sweeter.

Ken's expression darkened. "This is Ichijouji Osamu, my brother. He is dead." The news shocked everyone. Hikari covered her mouth. Takeru and Iori's jaw dropped. The most affected of all was Miyako. She went pale and apologized fervently.

"Oh, I am so sorry! I didn't know about him. I am so, so sorry!"

Ken shook his head. "It's alright. I can see why you were frightened. I am a bit intrigued about why this Digimon Kaiser looks like my long dead brother though. Perhaps you can tell me when you find out who his real identity is." Davis gave him a hateful glare of defeat. The Chosen Children agreed to do so and they stepped out into the hallway, ready to leave. Mrs Ichijouji poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Going so soon already? You just got here!"

Davis muttered to himself, "Where have I seen that face before…"

Takeru smiled politely. "We just stopped by, since we have work to get back to. Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs Ichijouji." He bowed, the others following suit. Mrs Ichijouji returned the bow, saying that it was a pleasure to have them.

"I hope you can visit my dear Ken again someday. It's been a while since anyone came over," she said cheerfully.

Outside the house, Ken placed a hand on Davis' shoulder. He addressed the Chosen Children. "I'm going to borrow Motomiya here for a few private moments. I want to talk to him about this little accusation he made." There was emphasis on the word accusation. "Could you guys wait for him downstairs? It won't take too long." It wasn't really a request. Takeru sensed it too.

"Okay, we'll be at the lobby then. See you later, Daisuke-kun."

"Don't lay a finger on Ichijouji-kun, got that?" Miyako made an 'I am watching you gesture'. She was heard muttering in relief that Ken was not the Digimon Kaiser and he couldn't have been. Hikari still wouldn't meet Davis' eyes and that hurt him a great deal. Iori bowed silently and went along with his companions. After they were gone, Ken turned towards Davis with a serious face.

"Let's go to the roof."

The apartment building was fourteen storeys tall, and the roof could only be accessed by the staircase at the top floor. The cool evening breeze blew on the boy's skins, feeling a tad chilly. The sun was setting in the west, painting a beautiful picturesque sunset sky. Davis looked down at the road below. The cars that glided past were like ants. Pedestrians could hardly be seen at all. He placed a palm on the safety barrier, feeling the vertigo in his stomach as he imagined what it would be like to fall off. It make him nauseous and he stepped back. Ken joined his side, gazing in the same direction. Neither of them spoke a word.

Ken broke the silence first. "You told them about my identity."

"Fat load of good that did." Davis spat back at him.

"And fat load of good it would be with them knowing, "Ken snapped. "What would you be able to do? Try and talk me out of being the Digimon Kaiser? Go 'you're a chosen child so help us, don't do this' on me? I don't know if you realised but it's not going to work."

"Well, how should I know? You're the unpredictable one." Venomous sarcasm dripped from Davis' words. Ken was about to reply but he stopped, finally understanding.

"Is this about that day? Is this petty revenge? Ruin their image of Ichijouji Ken, show them that he's actually the Digimon Kaiser? I thought you're better than this."

"No, it's not all about revenge," Davis shouted. It wasn't the complete truth. Deep down, he resented the Kaiser's actions. Until Ken had pointed it out, he hadn't realise that subconsciously he wished to wreck Ichijouji's reputation among his friends. It gave him grim satisfaction to just imagine his friends hating Ken as much as he did at the moment. "I felt like they deserved to know who the Kaiser really was behind that mask."

"That is not for you to decide!" Ken roared at him. "It would be a burden for them, and a nuisance before my job as the Kaiser is completed. The mission comes first."

"There you go again, going on about the mission. You keep saying that we are here for some god forsaken reason, but you won't talk." Davis grabbed Ken by the collar and got in his face. "You know something but you refuse to tell me. You got my hopes up that you were someone from home that I could trust, that you were my friend! Then you went and stabbed me in the back."

Ken tried hard not to flinch from Davis shouting directly in his face. He grasped the angry boy's hand and unclasped it from his shirt. "I am your friend, Davis. It pains me that I can't say tell you the full story, but I need you to trust me in this."

Davis flung off Ken's grip. "After that day? You're asking for too much."

Ichijouji hung his head. "That day was a mistake. I went overboard, and I swear I didn't mean to. It was a mistake. I really didn't mean to harm anyone."

"And how do I know you're not lying?"

He sighed. "You don't, but I can make it up to you. You have my email now, I leave you clues about what I'm about to do. One condition: you do not reveal anything to the other Chosen Children. Just use the clues to lead the team."

Wariness filled Davis' face. "You're going to let me know what you're about to do so that I can stop you?"

"Not exactly. I am just preparing you mentally so that you don't freak out about it when I do it."

The Chosen rolled his eyes. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? You need to redefine compensation. I suggest a dictionary."

Ken smirked. "Now that sarcasm sounds more like the Davis I know. You haven't lost your edge at all."

Davis gave him shove that was neither playful nor malicious. "Watch it, you. You haven't proven yourself trustworthy yet."

"I suppose… But do you accept this offer? It is the only way I can make it up to you."

"How about you give up the Kaiser façade and admit yourself to my friends? Then we'll call it even."

Ken shook his head, frustrated. "You don't understand. I have to do this, no matter how hard it is. I can't explain." That set Davis off again.

"I don't understand why you're keeping this a secret. You and I are not from this world, and I have a right to know the truth about my past! Do you know how irritating and confusing it is when your brain keeps telling you two different things?"

"I do, actually."

"Then why is it that you can't trust me?!"

"I do trust you!" Ken protested. "I swear. It's only that if you knew the truth, everything would be different. I know it's hard to be left in the dark, but it's for your own good."

"That's not for you to decide."

"That's what our future selves decided!" Ken yelled at Davis.

The boy with burgundy hair took a step back. "Future selves?" he repeated.

Ken turned away from him. "We were sent here by our future selves. Ten years in the future, something happened to our world. In order to save it, we were switched out with our native counterparts from this world. We were both left with a mission, and mine is to be the Digimon Kaiser. I can't help you if you can't remember yours."

Davis grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. The raven haired boy didn't look at him. "Our future selves, what did they say? What did they tell us?"

Ichijouji shook his head. "I already told you more than I should have. I think you should go back to your friends. They're probably wondering what's taking you so long."

"I am not done with–"

"Listen, we could stand here arguing all day but nothing is going to come out of it. Just go. Everything will be revealed in due time." Ken's tone was weary, pleading even. It was obvious he had had enough of the conversation."

Davis huffed, unsatisfied with the result. He turned to leave. Before he walked down the stairs, he asked without facing Ken. "I trust you will keep your promise?"

"Yes. I swear on it."

Watching his once friend walk away, Ken crumpled into a sitting position on the floor. He hugged his legs and placed his head on his knees. Moments later, a tingling in his head told him that someone had appeared.

"I hate you. I hate you so much," Ken said bitingly.

Nauticus merely crossed his arms and look at the base of the building, observing five small figures walk off.

The group was mostly silent on the way back. Miyako kept expressing how glad she was that Ken wasn't the Kaiser and how her idol couldn't possibly be such a horrible person. She did not notice the deadly glares Davis shot at her back.

"I can't believe I got his email! I can text him anytime I want now. Ooh, do you think I can ask him out on a date?"

"I don't think he's interested in dating anyone, Miyako-san. You don't even know if he has a girlfriend."

"Ha, that's where you're wrong. His interview four issues ago said that he is still single and open to dating, but he's a bit busy. Ah, if only he could make time for me…"

Davis grimaced and slowed his pace, distancing himself from the team. Takeru and Hikari shared a look before the blonde adjusted his pace to match his. Hikari nodded and proceeded to distract Miyako and Iori by joining their conversation.

Takeru cleared his throat. "Are you okay?"

Davis didn't respond.

"I still believe you, you know. I am not rejecting your theory completely, I'm just giving him the benefit of the doubt." He got a raised eyebrow before he explained.

"I've learnt not to take things for surface value so easily. Our time in the Digital World taught me that. It's a little farfetched to think the Digimon Kaiser's alter ego is Ichijouji Ken, but nothing is impossible."

"Takeru," Davis stated lowly, "you have no idea what is possible or not."

The Chosen of Hope scoffed. "Keep thinking that, hardhead, if it makes you feel better. You don't know what I've been through. For us at least it's relieving that we don't have a genius as our enemy. Can't say the same for you." He sped up to catch up with Hikari, leaving Davis to ignore the sideway glances they threw at him every now and then.

They arrived at Odaiba a little past dinner time and they were all positively starving. The group split up as Takeru, Iori and Miyako headed off towards their apartment building. Takeru gave Davis a long hard stare as he waved goodbye and turned in the other direction.

Hikari and Davis trudged off, neither saying a word. Hikari rubbed her arm nervously, opening her mouth to speak but stopping herself at the last second.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

She bit her lip. "Daisuke-kun, I… I'm sorry for what happened just now."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. Ichijouji is not the Digimon Kaiser, end of story."

"Do you really believe that?"

Davis sighed and looked up at the darkened sky. He couldn't see the stars with the artificial light around them.

"I don't know, Hikari. I don't know what to believe anymore."

Hikari hung her head. "When Ichijouji-kun asked whether I believed you, I… I'm…"

Davis didn't reply and they continued their journey in painful silence. She felt her heart shatter when her long-time friend said goodnight emotionlessly and strode off. She heard her voice crack as she announced her arrival back home.

Then she felt tears wash down her face as she buried her head in her brother's chest, sobbing for the first time in ages.

A/N: I really want to thank everyone for sticking with me for so long. With a heavy heart, I announce that this is going to be the last update in a very very long time. I know, how dare I come up with a measly 3k word chapter after making you wait for so long yada yada… Truth is, I am beginning to outgrow the fanfic phase of my life, in addition to the Digimon fandom slowly dying off. I want to write an indigenous story, with characters that I came up with myself. That and I want to write a novel that focuses on Digimon alone, no humans (just like that X-Evolution movie). I want to explore a lot of things I can do, and I want to improve my English skills before I do that. I don't plan to abandon my fics at all, but I know for sure I won't be writing and updating much.

Anyway, here's a summary of what to expect from me if I ever get to writing again: Nauticus convinces Ken completes the Evil Spiral and Project Dark Evolution after losing control of Perfect level (Ultimate in the Dub) Digimon. They start using Perfect Level Digimon to take over territory. Keeping his promise, Ken informs Davis of his plans and the Chosen of courage has to figure out how to lead the team without giving himself away. Nevertheless, the Chosen Children have a hard time fighting back, especially with the rift between Davis and the team. The partners of the Original Eight retreat and they lose their territory. Hikari sinks into darkness and when Agumon is turned into a servant of the Kaiser, Davis must restore his Courage and restore his relationship with the team.

Knowing that the new Chosen can use more than one Digimental, the team begins to seek out remaining few in hopes to help them fight the Digimon Kaiser. In the meantime, Ken completes project Chimera but Nauticus has better ideas. The base starts moving and it's up to the Chosen to stop him before Milleniummon is recreated!

That's all from me for now. Hope you leave a review and hopefully I'll get back to this fic someday after a long, looooooong break. Ciao!

Leader From Another World: Now on indefinite hiatus.