For the purpose of this story, Ken is the same age as Taichi and Yamato (16) and Osamu is 19. All the other characters ages are the same as canon.

Ken - 8 (Dw War)/11 (01)/14 (02)/16 (2 years later)

Osamu -11 (Dw War)/14 (01)/17 (02)/19 (2 years later)

Chapter 1

Nothing had ever been the same after their adventures in the Digital World. From the moment they were summoned, it was hell. They hadn't gotten along in the beginning. The older kids were always arguing about every little thing. One such thing was from his older brother, who was rather protective of him and hated the fact that he would never have the chance to have a normal life or the fact that they had to worry about a war and the possibility of being killed.

However, the arguing was only minor compared to the dangers they were in. The Digital World was a very dangerous place. Everywhere they turned was a Digimon either killing another Digimon or attempting to kill them because of the prophecy. It had been distressing when a Digimon they thought was an ally was an enemy. It seemed that almost every Digimon wanted to kill them. This had made them uneasy and suspicious of their own partners. It had put a strain on their partnership.

Over time they had managed to finally trust their partners completely and helped evolve them to Ultimate and even beyond that. They had learned so many things and grown together as friends and as a team. But that was the only good thing that came from their time in the Digital World.

The Digital World was close to destruction due to their war. It seemed next to impossible to figure out who was on who's side. It was even worse when they realized the type of powers they could wield as well. It had taken them years to handle them, thanks to Gennai and the other Great Dragons. But even then it was awful.

They might have saved the Digital World, but at a price. Yuki had closed herself off to the outside world (emotionally). They had lost their leader and Yuki's twin brother, Nissho, in the final battle against Ornismon, Megidramon, and ChaosDukemon. Asami had lost her right arm (which was now replaced with a prosthetic arm) and would have to go to therapy for PTSD and depression for the rest of her life. Osamu had lost his will to trust others and had become cold to everyone, but him, and had developed a strong hatred for the Digital World, and Ken had lost his sight. The Digital World had caused so much pain and suffering for them.

Once the battle was over and they were returned home, never to see their partners again, the team had divided. The others hated what happened to them and everything that involved the Digital World. The others kept in touch semi-monthly, but other than that, they didn't act like friends or even close. The only one who actually still kept in touch with anything with the Digital World was Ken.

Unlike the others, Ken was close friends with Izumi Koushiro and Ishida Yamato. Ken hadn't known it at the time, but he was close friends with the current Chosen Children. Ken only knew of the Digital World from his partner. Wormmon often came into his dreams and talked to him about the Digital World. It turned out that only in his dreams was he able to see anything. Wormmon felt guilty for him losing his sight and had taken upon himself to make sure he didn't forget what the Digital World looked like or what he looked like for that matter.

Ken had to admit that Wormmon's Ultimate form was breathtaking. He never saw a powerful Digimon like him before. Even as an Ultimate, Ken refused to call him anything but Wormmon. Wormmon had always reverted to that form in the past and so the name stuck. Ken didn't see the point in changing his name just because he evolved to a higher form.

However, it had been three months since he last saw Wormmon. Wormmon had told him that bad things were happening in the Digital World and had just left it at that. Ken hated that Wormmon was leaving him in the dark. Ken wanted to help, like all the previous times the Digital World was in danger. But the Digital World must have felt that he was no longer needed or maybe he was not fit anymore. He was blind now. What could he do to save that world? He was damaged. Besides, there were tons of kids out there that were capable of fighting the evils in the Digital World.

But even still, Ken wanted to help. He was a Chosen. Didn't that mean anything? Probably not, not even his own brother wanted to hear about the Digimon anymore. His hatred had only grown with the death of his partner.

Osamu had become cold after their ordeal. Ken noticed that his brother became more involved in his work, just to appease their parents. Ken had felt inferior and worthless in that sense. Ken couldn't do half of the stuff that Osamu had to do because of his lack of sight. But Osamu didn't care. Osamu told him more than once that he was doing this for him.

Ken knew why he was doing this. Osamu had always felt protective of him and, at times, it felt like he was the only one taking care of him. And when he got hurt and lost his sight, it had affected him greatly. It had been difficult explaining to their parents what happened to them, followed by a bunch of doctor visits hours later. Ken remembered Osamu had been depressed when the doctors said that the cause of his sudden blindness was unknown and untreatable. Osamu had taken that news pretty hard. Osamu had felt guilty, just like Wormmon, and spent every wakening day helping him. Ken had to admit it had been difficult getting around at first. But Osamu was always there to guide him around until he was able to get around on his own without bumping into something and after he got used to his heightened senses.

Osamu had always made sure they did normal things as well (like going to the park or getting ice cream). Ken was forced (by his parents) to give up on football and programming. He was pretty much incapable of doing the things he loved without his sight. But he had found other things that caught his interest, like music. That was actually how he and Yamato became friends. Osamu had taken him to the park one day in hopes of cheering him up after his parents scolded him for not being like his brother. Nothing Osamu did seem to work. Osamu was about to give up until they heard someone approaching them while playing a song with a harmonica.

Ken had been intrigued by the soft music. He had actually hummed along with the music and started singing softly several songs later. They had sat in the park, singing, for a few hours. That was how their friendship started. Ken had developed a love for music and was actually quite good at it.

As the years went by, Yamato had introduced him and his brother to Koushiro. Osamu had no interest in being aquatinted to the computer genius, but Ken had and they had been friends ever since. Ken had talked to Koushiro on the phone almost every day and Yamato had even gotten him to sing a few songs during band practice, but he had yet to get him to sing in public. Of course, Osamu was against it and was even more protective as usual.

But over the years, Ken noticed something was off. Wormmon's warning was enough to make him worry, but Ken had noticed something odd about his brother. He had been colder and closed off to everyone. Osamu always made time for him and helped him as his guide. But there were times where Ken knew his older brother was hiding something. Ken loved his brother and knew how protective he was, but Ken couldn't shake the sinking feeling that something was terribly wrong and somehow his brother was right in the middle of it.

Ken had been having that feeling for a while now, but it was more heavy and suffocating today. He couldn't explain why, though. The Digital World had always been on his mind, but it was more intense and more vivid as they got closer to his brother's football game. His brother was apparently playing against Yamato's best friend (and Ken's old rival), Yagami Taichi. Ken might not be able to see, but his hearing was strong enough to tell him where everything was. Besides, it was fun to imagine what the others looked like.

Ken had been sitting on one of the benches, listening to the sounds around him when he heard familiar footsteps coming towards him. The steps were slightly on the lighter side, but it gave the impression that the person didn't play sports, but ran quite a bit. The other person was the same way but was slightly different than the older person. The other one gave the impression that he was carrying a carrying case. Ken had to raise a brow in question as he heard the voices of Yamato and Koushiro.

"Morning Yamato-kun, Koushiro-kun. Great game, isn't it?" Ken had expected Yamato to be here. Taichi was Yamato's best friend. However, he hadn't expected Koushiro. Koushiro wasn't a sports person.

"Morning Ken-kun," Yamato replied in his usually smooth voice. He was a singer after all. "How are you today?"

"Pretty good," Ken said cheerfully. "I've actually been looking forward to this game for a while now. Oniichan kept telling me how he was going against Taichi-san. This is so exciting!" Ken wasn't as close to Taichi as he was to Yamato, but they used to play against together before Ken lost his sight. Now they just talked occasionally on the phone or when Taichi invited him to the games. It was fun talking to Taichi about football. Taichi had a habit of coming to him for advice from time to time and even talked about his kohai on occasion. Ken felt that it was Taichi's way of being there for him, now that he was blind

"True," Koushiro spoke up this time. Ken tilted his head to his left as he heard the distinct sounds of typing. Koushiro was always on his laptop, but it sounded different this time. His typing sounded frantic and heavy. "We believe they might be evenly matched with the way Taichi-kun's keeps trying to take the ball from your brother."

Ken nodded, but he couldn't help but ask: "Is something wrong?" when he heard Koushiro's voice grow stiff and then hesitant at the very mention of his brother. "Is it bad?"

The two boys sighed in response. Ken had a very bad feeling that something happened. "You could say that," Koushiro replied to him.

"What you mean?"

"Ken-kun?" It was Yamato who spoke up this time. The corners of his mouth pressed together as he heard a sad tone in his friend's voice. "We need your help."

"But first we need to know something," Koushiro added as the people around them cheered when Osamu scored again. They all ignored it.

"What's going on?" Ken asked his friends. He felt like he was out of the loop from something important. And whatever it was, it was bad.

"Ken-kun, have you been to the Digital World before?" Koushiro asked. Ken stiffened and turned his head towards the younger boy's direction. Ken hadn't told anyone about the Digital World, not since his group returned to their world and especially not since Osamu's partner death five years ago. Ken couldn't believe that Koushiro and Yamato knew about that world. Were they summoned to the Digital World too? Was the Digital World in danger again?

"Yes, eight years ago," he told his friend; the corners of his lips twitched into an uncertain frown as he removed the black sunglasses that he had on. His parents had made it a rule that he had to wear sunglasses over his sightless eyes. Osamu had accused them of being heartless and ashamed of Ken's disability since it wasn't part of their perfect image. Ken had felt hurt that he was such a burden to his family that he had to hide under sunglasses. "But how do you know about the Digital World?"

But ever since he met Yamato and Koushiro, he didn't need to hide. They treated him like a normal person and not someone who was a burden or inferior and needed to be hidden from the world. They were both against the rule and had often reminded him that he was allowed to remove his glasses; they didn't care if he was blind or not. They were still his friends.

"Eight years?" There was a surprised tone in Koushiro's voice. "That's three years before us!"

Ken raised a brow at that. "You were eight, just like Otouto and Hikari-san when they were summoned," Yamato added, sounding just as surprised.

"So you guys are the new Chosen then." Ken didn't form it as a question, but his friends still answered him.

"Yes and no," they both said at the same time. Ken furrowed his brows in confusion.

"I'm sorry. Run that by me again."

Ken might not be able to see, but he could tell that the two boys were sheepish at the moment. "You see," Koushiro began. "We were summoned to the Digital World three years after your group."

"By we he means me, Otouto, Hikari-san, Taichi-kun, Sora-chan, Mimi-chan, and Jo-san," Yamato interrupted.

"As I was saying," Koushiro said with slight impatience. "We were summoned three years after you to save the Digital World from Vamdemon, the Dark Masters, and then Apocalymon. Two years later, Miyako-san, Daisuke-san, and Iori-kun were chosen along with Takeru-san and Hikari-san to fight a human (who calls himself the Executor) who was seeking to destroy the Digimon."

"A human?" Ken couldn't believe it. Was that even possible? How could a human get into the Digital World to seek the Digimon's destruction? Hadn't the Digimon suffered enough?

"Yes, but it wasn't what we originally thought," Yamato added softly. Ken turned to him. His sightless eyes were staring into Yamato's blue orbs (at least, that's what Yamato said they were). "You see at first we thought the Executor was just attacking Digimon just for the hell of it. But it turned out that he had been brainwashed by our old enemy Vamdemon, who was hiding in the body of a human adult until the Executor freed him six months ago." Ken was beyond shocked. He felt bad for this Executor. What Vamdemon did to this human was beyond cruel. "We had tried to free him from Vamdemon's control but he is constantly guarded by Mummymon and Archnemon. We can never get near him to get him to listen to us. I know he's starting to resist, but it's not enough to completely break Vamdemon's control over him."

"Good heavens! How long has this been going on?" Ken couldn't believe it. Things sounded really bad. Not just for the Digimon, but for this Executor as well. Was this what Wormmon meant? Why hadn't he been told about this sooner?

"Two years now," Yamato told him gravely. "It's bad Ken-kun. Vamdemon is getting stronger and we are barely able to stop him. We'd barely managed to get away last time when they ambushed us."

Ken bit his lip as his mind traveled back to his partner. Why hadn't Wormmon told me that his home was in danger? Did he not want me to help? Ken held his glasses a bit tighter as he shifted his eyes to his lap. What difference could he do? He didn't have his partner anymore and there was no way he would be useful against this human and Vamdemon. He was blind. He was an easy target. Sure, he still had his abilities but it was limited at best without his counterpart.

Ken felt his eyes beginning to sting as he spoke softly to Yamato. "Yamato-kun…I really want to help. I really do. Even after everything my group went through to save that world." Ken felt the tears beginning to fall. He closed his eyes, trying to hold them in. There was no way he could help them. "But I can't. I'll just be a burden to your group. I'm sorry."

Ken wasn't sure if they heard him over the screams from the game that continued on without them. Ken was barely listening to it anymore. His mind was such in a state of turmoil. He wanted to help, but he knew that was impossible. He would be too much of a burden anyway.

Ken was startled out of his thoughts when warm hands gripped his shoulders. "Ken-kun, you are not a burden." Ken opened his eyes and blink away the tears as Yamato lifted his head back to his friend's face (he assumed). "You are very capable of taking care of yourself. I don't know what nonsense your parents are telling you, but that doesn't mean you are weak or insignificant. I know it's hard being blind and I can't imagine what its like. But you never let that get you down. You accepted and embraced your blindness and that just proves how strong you are."

"He's right, Ken-kun," Koushiro added, now no longer typing on his laptop. "You are strong; stronger than most. And not just you, but your Digimon as well." Ken blinked at that information. He was touched that they thought that strongly about him. Was he really that strong? He didn't think so. "We came across this historical tablet that Gennai wanted us to find. It was severely damaged, but it told of the first Chosen and what happened to them. We know a little of what you went through..." Koushiro's voice trailed off slightly before he continued. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Ken smiled with a soft sigh. "It's okay Koushiro-kun. I might be the only one from my group that doesn't hate the Digimon, though."

"I'm not sure I completely understand why they hate the Digimon so much," Koushiro said with a hint of confusion and sadness. "But I guess it's understandable. It must be hard losing a member of your group."

Ken sighed sadly at the reminder. They had all been devastated by Nissho's death and it was worse when they were swiftly sent home after defeating their enemies. Ken felt it was very cruel the way they were treated after they risked their lives to save the Digital World.

"We still need your help, Ken-kun," Yamato said, cutting through his thoughts. "Please, you are the strongest member of your team and we could really use your help to fight against Vamdemon and the Executor. Will you help us?"

Ken didn't answer as the crowd cheered over their voices. Apparently, Taichi managed to get the ball away from his brother. Ken thought about what he heard and thought it over. After all these years, he was finally needed. Could he really make a difference that could help his successors? Maybe, but he wouldn't know until he tried. Besides, this war had to end.

"Okay. I'll help, but we need to find Wormmon first."

His two friends sighed in relief. Ken soon heard Koushiro typing again. "Can I see your digivice, Ken-kun?" Koushrio asked. He must want to analyze the data on his digivice. Although Ken found the question kinda funny, considering they've seen his digivice all the time without realizing it.

"You've seen it before."

"I have?" was Koushiro's reply.

"Yes." Ken couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him. "My watch is my digivice." When he was summoned to the Digital World, he was given a gray digital watch. The screen was a large square shape and had four white button buttons, two on each side. In addition to telling time, the digivice had a map of the Digital World (though, it might be outdated), a digi-analyzer, a communication feature, and a Digimon status feature (which usually showed their Digimon's level, attribute, and energy levels).

"Really?" Ken nodded at the younger boy. "Can I?" Ken smiled and nodded again to the younger boy. Ken felt Koushiro lift up his left hand, removing the watch from his wrist to get a better look. Ken heard Koushiro pressing a button on his digivice. Koushiro hummed curiously as he pressed the button a few more times. Ken assumed he was checking out the other features. "Your map and digi-analyzer are a bit outdated. I can update it if you want."

Ken shrugged his shoulders. "I appreciate the gesture Koushiro-kun, but I'm not sure what good that would do for me if I can't see it anymore."

"What about a voice feature?" Yamato asked. "That can be added, can't it?"

Ken assumed Yamato was addressing his question to Koushiro since he heard the clicking of the computer keys again. "That can be easily added. Just give me a moment to update and install them."

Ken smiled at his friends. "You guys are the best!"

"At least you think so," Yamato replied with a hint of humor.

Koushiro didn't say anything, but the way Koushiro's fingers paused briefly before returning to updating his digivice told him that Koushiro was touched by the comment. Ken hummed softly as he turned his attention back to the game. The crowd was in an uproar. Taichi had managed to steal the ball from Osamu again and even scored. Ken chuckled. Osamu was not going to stop without a fight. The two were both so competitive. It was kinda scary at times.

Ken remembered how he and Taichi used to play against each other when they were younger. He and Taichi had been rivals and good friends. They both had a passion for football and bonded over it. Ken remembered going to Taichi's house a couple of times and even met Hikari. Hikari was three years younger than him if he remembered correctly.

"Ken-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"Would it be to much trouble for you to come to my house after the game? You can stay over if you want." Ken pondered over Koushrio's question. Ken didn't think it would be a problem. Ken had been to Koushiro's plenty of times. He was just there two weeks ago, actually. Besides, Osamu was supposed to have an interview after this anyway.

"I don't see a problem, Koushiro-kun. I'll just tell Oniichan I'm going to your house again. I'm sure he won't mind."

"Okay," Koushiro replied, but he seemed hesitant about something. "But don't tell him about the Digital World or that you know."

Ken's forehead wrinkled slightly as his eyes shifted to Koushiro's general location. "Why? I know Oniichan's partner died, but I'm sure he would want to help too if he knew how badly the Digital World was now."

"His partner died?" Ken could imagine the horror on Yamato face. It was always sad to remember his brother looking so broken when Wizarmon died. Osamu had felt the connection between him and Wizarmon break and it had broke him in a way. He had acted like a robot for a year and a half before he returned to them again. Ken never wanted his brother to be like that again.

"Yeah, Oniichan was a mess when Wizarmon died five years ago. I really wish I knew what happened to him. I know Digimon can be reborn, but I'm afraid he never was."

"Wizarmon?" Ken heard Yamato murmur softly. "It can't be the same Wizarmon, can it?"

"Maybe," Koushiro replied distractedly. "This certainly is a surprising coincidence."

Ken felt really confused now. His friends obviously knew something he didn't. "Guys?"

"Sorry," Yamato said apologetically. "I guess we are not making any sense, huh?."

Ken turned to Yamato and narrowed his eyes at him. "Maybe you should explain what is going on then, Ishida." Ken made sure his disappointment and annoyance were present. "It seems like everyone just loves keeping me in the dark about these things."

"Ken-kun, please." Ken could hear the pleading and desperation in Yamato's voice. He was pleading for him to understand. "I rather we talk about this where we can't be overheard. I promise we will explain everything at the meeting."

Ken's lips pressed against each other and curved down into a deep frown. "Fine, but I expect a full explanation. Do I make myself clear?"

Yamato murmured a "yes" before Ken returned his attention to the game. He wasn't paying attention to it anymore, though. He couldn't believe how bad things had gotten in the Digital World. It hurt that no one thought to ask him if he wanted to help sooner. Ken loved the Digital World and would do anything to help. Blindness be damned.

Ken was so sick and tired of being left in the dark and he wasn't talking literally. He hated not knowing and he was going to make sure Wormmon heard from him when they meet again. Wormmon had known what was going on and refused to tell him. Wormmon could have told him about what had been going on in the last five years, but he chose to remain silent and kept him ignorant of the problems that were happening. And on top of that, his friend had stopped coming into this dreams. Wormmon was going to have a lot of explaining to do. Ken was going to make sure of that.