Disclaimer: I don't own digimon. *sigh* Any resemblance to any people dead or living is entirely coincidental. Aerogolemon is a digimon of my creation.
italics represent a character's thoughts
Soul of Darkness
In an abandoned lighthouse by the lost lake of the digital world, a young digimon struggles up the many steps to the top. It is a Aerogolemon, a fish type digimon. He walks (not very well though) on eight tentacles. At the very top Aerogolemon shudders as he opens the door. What lay behind that door was an evil greater than anything ever seen in the digital world. It was said to be the root and creator of all evil in the entire digital world.
You sent for me Lord of all? Aerogolemon trembled fearfully before his evil master.
No need to tremble. You have done nothing to screw up my plans. Yet. Have they arrived?
Yes, Lord of all.
Good. It is time for them to be destroyed. The other plans have failed, but this will not. said the shadowy figure.
Lord, forgive me for asking, but how are you going to destroy them when the others couldn't? he cowers again before the figure.
Simple, Aerogolemon. I know them. You keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
How are you going to destroy them then?
Aerogolemon, what is the best way to break a chain?
uh... the weakest link my lord.
Who do you think is the weakest?
I have no idea my lord.
they all have their strengths and their weaknesses, don't they?
So the weakest one will be the best one to destroy? Aerogolemon asks hesitantly.
Not always. Not always.
Forgive me master, but I don't follow.
Of course, forgive me. I forgot that you are an ABSOLUTE IDIOT!
Aerogolemon shivers under the robed figure's shadow. It was the most feared one in the digital world, and the fact nobody had ever seen its face--and lived to tell about it added to Aerogolemon's fears.
Let me explain, my little moron. Once you break the strongest link, the rest pose no problem.
Do you see my logic?
Never mind. I didn't expect you to understand. I'm the evil lord around here. Leave me now. I must prepare myself for their demise.
He looks into a mirror and laughs evilly. Digidestined you have no idea what your up against. His pure evil laugh echoes throughout the digital world.
****
Meanwhile....
Did you hear something? asks Sora. The digidestined, minus Cody, Davis, and Yolei were hiking through the woods in the digital world.
What was that? asked Mimi to no one in particular.
Izzy, have you been able to contact Gennai yet? asked Tai.
Negative. For some reason my signal seems to be blocked. he answers.
I wonder why he didn't want the new kids along? muses Mimi.
Well, Mimi he said this bad guy is from our past. He probably thinks that its best that we deal with it. answers T.K
I have a bad feeling about his guys. We've been walking for hours, and we still haven't found our digimon.
Duh, Tai. says Matt, rolling his eyes. He wipes a bead of sweat off his brow. How long has it taken you to figure that out? I knew that the moment Gennai contacted us.
What's that in the sky? Kari asks.
Tai removes his telescope and focuses on the dark object in the sky. It looks like a flying hand.
Sure Tai. Matt says sarcastically.
Sora exclaims. Its Agumon.
Tai turns at the small dinosaur exited the brush. Hiya Buddy!
What's up Buddy, you don't look...
WATCH OUT TAI! Izzy throws himself on the larger boy, his momentum knocks Tai out of the attacking hand's path.
It is a hand! shrieks Mimi.
It is highly improbable that it is just a hand Mimi. exclaims Izzy.
Everybody stay sharp. advises Matt.
Where did Agumon go? wonders Kari.
Forget Agumon. WHERE DID TAI GO? yells Sora.
Tai's goggles lay on the ground.
TAI WHERE ARE YOU?
Matt slowly walks over to the orphaned goggles. He holds them like a priest would hold a cross or bible. He'll be fine. He'll be fine. He says again, more for his benefit than anyone else's'. Matt places Tai's goggles around his neck.
What are we going to do Matt? asks Sora.
I don't know, I don't really know. What would Tai do if he were here?
Izzy we need to have the others come to the digital world right away. We are going to need all the help we can get. Matt declares.
I can't get through! The gateway has been sealed. Izzy states, shocked.
What does it mean? asks Mimi.
It means were on our own. answers Sora.
And it means were stuck here again! Mimi cries.
They group begins their search for Tai. By sundown the digidestined are exhausted.
We need to rest. Matt states.
I thought you'd never say that. Mimi exclaims.
But what if Tai is in trouble? asks Sora.
We have no idea where to look. answers Izzy, typing away on his computer, just hoping that perhaps a miracle will happen; he can find out who has Tai, and why.
We won't do any good in the dark, Sora. consoles Matt. Besides, Old Tai is a Tough one. He'll be alight until we find him. Right Tai? You better be O.K.
****
Groaning Tai comes to again. It feels as if he's moving in molasses. oh my head.
Its about time you woke up.
Who said that? Who are you? What do you want with me?
You are going to help me Tai, help me destroy those digidestined.
Tai yells.
The powers of darkness are too powerful for the likes of even you and your friends.
Tai's denial echoes throughout the prison.
I see I will have to convince you further. You will now see my true form! The shadowy figure removes his hood. And a face appears.
Tai gasps in shock. He can't believe who it is.
NOOOOOOOOOO it can't be! it can't be!
And now courage, lets see how strong you truly are.
Tai screams as his mind feels like its being hit with a sledgehammer. Dimly he realizes that the figure is invading his mind, viewing his private thoughts, feelings and desires. He leaves nothing in Tai's mind untouched, even exploring the darker emotions buried deeply within Tai's Id. Tai continues to scream as the figure continues to invade his mind. Tai doesn't even register the blood streaming from his bond hands, or the tears running down his face.
****
Matt bolts awake. He felt his friend's fear and agony rip through his soul. Suddenly, a picture of a light house sitting besides a mysterious lake floats in his brain.
I know where Tai is!
You what?
Matt, where is he?
How do you know that?
We have to hurry. He's in so much pain. I don't know how much longer he can last.
Where do you think he's at Matt? asks Izzy, already tapping on his computer again.
A light house, by some sort of water.
Aerogolemon enters the private chamber at the top of the lighthouse.
Lord of all, The children are arriving.
Don't you want to stop them?
I SAID NO YOU IDIOT! This is all part of my destruction of the digidestined.
Look everyone! A lighthouse. exclaims Kari.
Does this lake look familiar to anyone? Joe asks.
It appears to be the lake that Gennai's house was under three years ago. states Izzy.
But its so...dreary! exclaims Mimi.
T.K., do you think this could be the lake Ken told us about?
Kari, I think that you may be right.
Guys, this is the lake that Ken was compelled to dip his digivice in, and it made it evil. announces T.K.
Well then, nobody bath! orders Matt crossly. How does Tai do it?
The place looks abandoned. We should all go in. Declares Sora.
Well, whatever. Tai needs us. We can think about this lake later. Declares Matt.
They enter the lighthouse and begin the arduous climb up the stairs. About halfway up T.K. and then the others hear a slight sound.
plink
plink
plink
THAT'S NOT WHAT I THINK IT IS? IS IT? shrieks Mimi, staring at the crimson stain on the wooden stair step.
Matt swears under his breath. He stares in shock at their leader, bound to a wooden cross. Blood drips in small rivulets from Tai's bound hands and feet, falling at their feet.
Kari screams hysterically. T.K. holds her back in a bear hug as he begins to cry too. Mimi then folds her arms around T.K and Kari as tears slip down her own cheeks.
We have got to get him down. Joe states, staring worriedly at him.
Joe, you and Izzy get ready to catch him. Sora and I will get him loose.
Matt and Sora climb up, and slowly untie the bonds. They both wince as they view Tai's injuries up close.
Joe is he...?
No. I think he'll be okay, but I need to examine him in better light.
Lets get out of here! This place is totally creepy declares Mimi, and for once nobody argues with her.
As they exit the lighthouse carrying Tai, a shadowy figure watches their escape.
Excellent. Everything is going to plan.
****
Groaning, Tai opens his eyes. seven blurry figures crowd around him.
Don't scare us like that big brother.
You're awake!
We were all worried about you.
Tai closes his eyes. The jabbering shapes were making his headache even worse, if that was possible. my head. he groans.
Shhhh. The patient needs his rest.
Yes Dr. Kido.
All the digidestined take turns keeping watch that night. Matt ends up with the final watch.
Tai begins to toss and turn restlessly. He moans in his sleep. He is shaking in terror, in the grip of some horrible nightmare.
questions Matt softly. Should I wake the others? No they need their rest, besides, its my turn to watch him.
Tai turns to Matt and opens his eyes. Once rich chocolate eyes that sparkled are dull and lifeless, so unlike Tai that Matt can't help but shiver.
Please, I don't want to be alone. Somebody Please. Tai whimpers.
Its O.K. Tai. your not alone.
They're gone.
No, everyone else is right here.
Its my fault. The digimon are all gone.
Shhh Tai. Just rest. Your safe now.
Yes Tai.
Don't leave me alone...please?
I'll stay right here Tai. None of us are going to leave you.
Matt takes hold of Tai's hand. He continues to hold his friend's hand even after Tai falls into a more restful and healing sleep.
Tai continues to sleep into the next morning as the others contemplate what to do next over breakfast.
Hey everyone! We just got an e-mail from Gennai. Izzy declares.
What does it say?
He is worried that this evil is completely different than the others. He wants to meet with us in person. relates Izzy.
Where at? asks Mimi.
He's sending me a map. Izzy answers.
What a second guys, Sora states. Tai is in no condition to go anywhere.
Sora's right. agrees Matt. I'll stay behind with him. You can fill me in later.
Are you sure Matt? cause I can stay... Sora begins.
Matt than adds more gently. I can stay here, I want to stay here with him.
we will be back by sunset Matt. Izzy says.
Joe gives another long list of instructions to Matt.
Go, I think I can take care of him. It can't be too hard, right? jokes Matt.
Joe gives him a look. Until he wakes up, that is.
Matt watches the group until he can no longer see them on the horizon. Returning to Tai's side, he feels the boy's forehead. At least the fever's gone.
Tai opens his eyes again. Seeing Matt he smiles.
How are you feeling?
Hanging in there like a champ. Tai says weakly, coughing.
Sure you are Tai.
Where is everyone else at? Tai asks alarmed.
Relax Tai. They went to go meet with Gennai.
Oh no! Tai grits his teeth to keep from screaming in agony as pain rips through his head. We have got to stop them? He stands up, trying to ignore the pain coursing through his body.
Tai relax! Like he'll listen anyway. What is the matter? They will be O.K. without us, and besides they will be back shortly. Matt says worriedly. Is he worse off than we thought?
We have to stop them. gasps Tai.
They are headed right for a trap.
I saw it's face.
It was Gennai.