Oh wow. How long has it been since I've updated? Since Christmas? That's a long time! Sorry for the wait you guys but my digimon muses have been off on vacation and they sent Detective Conan muses to take their places! Sorry. It didn't help that I started taking higher level classes at college, that midterms were last week and now while I'm on spring break and starting to finished these updates to post i find myself sending you this update from a hospital room because of dangerously high blood sugars (I'm diabetic)! Apparently they were so high that it was possible (according to my grandma who's a nurse) that with blood sugar levels as high as mine, I could have slipped into a coma at any time the next time i fell asleep. I am seriously not joking people. I wasn't able to eat anything but jello that whole day until dinner when my BSs came down to an agreeable level (luckily i like jello but that's not the point!). I found all of this out yesterday morning while coming in for a normal check up! and things were so bad I wanted to cry with all the poking and prodding with the IV, blood tests, sugar level tests, insulin shots... that's a LOT of needles people.
alright enough about my sad rant. point is: in hospital, wonderful blessed parents thought to bring me my laptop, angelic nurse gave me internet wi-fi password, have time and can update so lets talk about the update! Not much to say really except for the usual stuff. Enjoy the chapter and please review (that'll make for nice reading tomorrow).
I DO NOT OWN DIGIMON ADVENTURE 02, FRONTIER OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS!
Chapter 21: Grey Areas
Davis was relieved when they finally got back to the factory of File Island. He just wanted today to be done with. So much had happened and his body was starting to protest and fall asleep on him.
"Are you alright Davis?" Koji asked when they disembarked from Kabuterimon's back and Davis stumbled a little due to the numbness spreading through his body.
"I'm fine," Davis gave Koji a reassuring smile. "Just a little tired. It's been a long day."
Koji nodded, but persistently remained at his side while Ken silently did the same on the other. Normally Davis would be annoyed but he was getting to that point where he just didn't care. They found Gennai, Mimi, and Palmon on the main floor of the factory and soon rejoined with Cody, Koichi and Digmon in the battery chamber. Everyone marveled at the hole in the floor and JP and Sparkmon commented on the high levels of energy that were being emitted from below. The energy levels were so high that Izzi had to shut down his computer to prevent it from overloading.
Now that Davis was actually in the chamber he began to feel that pulling sensation again only it was stronger than before. It was guiding him towards the hole in the floor and before he knew it he was near the edge. Someone grabbed his arm, but whoever it was quickly let go with a startled cry. Takuya was saying something to him, but their mind link was garbled and soon he couldn't hear the Warrior of Flame at all. Then the light of the battery went out and the ground started to shake. There was a roaring sound in Davis' ears and after a minute the ground settled down. The lights came back on a minute later and Davis felt himself fall forward, barely hearing the panicked cries of the others over the roaring in his ears. Down he fell deeper and deeper underground before unconsciousness claimed him…
Everyone just started numbly at the spot where Davis had fallen. Flamemon and Strabimon were both holding back a distraught Veemon while Koji and Ken knelt at the edge of the hole, their expressions a mixture of shock and sorrow. Koichi himself approached the hole and rested a hand on Koji's shoulder.
It had only been moments ago before the incident that he had noticed Davis' strange behavior and when the younger boy approached the hole and was too close to the edge Koichi had reached out to pull him back, but something shocked him forcing him away. When the lights went out Koichi – being the Warrior of Darkness and all – saw that Davis hadn't moved from his spot at the edge of the hole even when the ground started to quake. Then the lights had come back on blinding him. But he recovered in time with everyone to see Davis fall over the edge. Davis hadn't so much as fallen into the hole but rather he seemed to have collapsed and toppled over the edge of the hole as if all the energy had just been drained from his body…
It had been deathly silent since the Child of Miracles had fallen; yet no one had yet to hear the sound of a body hitting the bottom of the dark pit beyond the hole like they were expecting. Desperately Koichi peered out over the edge of the hole and closed his eyes, desperately searching the dark pit for any sign of life. After all that had been happening in the last week at this point he wasn't too surprised to sense Davis' life signature, but he was relieved beyond... well relief. Davis' life energy even in his weakened state was practically a bright beacon in the darkness. He willed Koji to sense this too. A moment later Koji sighed and stood up.
"Koji?" JP spoke up softly, Zoe and Tommy casting the Warrior of Light hopeful stares.
"He's alive," Koji informed them, a tired smile spreading across his face.
"And how do you know that?" Matt demanded.
"His life energy," Koichi explained. "It remains strong. Weak due to his physical condition, but it's strong."
"How is that possible?" Joe asked. "A fall like that should have killed him."
"What I want to know is how you can even sense his life energy to begin with," Izzi frowned.
"It's one of our Warrior traits," Koji said distractedly as he realized that Koichi had begun to pace, staring intently at nothing. Koji knew that Koichi did that whenever he was either deep in thought, nervous about something, or in a bad mood. None of the scenarios made Koji feel comfortable given their present company. Koichi tended to loose himself in these moments and revealed his darker side; one that reminded Koji that his twin still bore some serious demons and reminded the others that there was a reason Koichi was the Warrior of Darkness.
"Something down there was calling to him," Koichi finally frowned, no trace of his usual carefree smile.
"Calling to him?" Zoe blinked. "How could you tell?"
"Didn't any of you notice the dazed look in his eyes when he approached the edge of the hole?" Koichi asked.
"Ah!" JP gasped. "Hey yeah! Now that I think about it he was in some kind of trance like state. I'd just figured that the poor kid was tired though."
"He was acting like you all got did when you sensed that the location of your spirit partners were near by," Koichi nodded.
"But Davis isn't a Warrior DigiDestined," Tommy frowned cocking his head to the side. "Why would he be entranced?"
"Ah! You don't think he might become one of us do you?" Zoe squealed. "I know that the other day when I said that he should just join us and make things easier on himself that I was joking, but seriously! If he were to join us that'd be totally awesome!"
"Davis become a Warrior DigiDestined?" Matt frowned, obviously not liking the sound of that. The other Odaiba DigiDestined looking rather weary of the idea as well.
"Why not?" JP shrugged. "According to Davis, TK and Kari joined his team of DigiDestined and got upgraded Digivices when their group formed. I see no reason for him to do the same now."
"But I thought that you all were together again minus Takuya," Sora pointed out.
"True," Koji nodded, "All of us Warrior DigiDestined are together again, but there are only six of us. There are technically four other Warrior DigiDestined slots open. Davis could become one of them if one of the four Warrior Spirits chooses him to he it's human host."
Tai and his group traded nervous glances. Koichi ignored them for a moment to stand by the edge of the hole again. He could still sense Davis' life energy, but now it had stopped falling and something was approaching him within the darkness. It was that familiar aura again. Koichi found himself nervous. He still couldn't remember where he'd felt this presence.
"What do you sense?" Koji asked him.
Still in his contemplative state Koichi spoke in a serious manner that betrayed his true Warrior nature. His tone was cold and grim, but still held traces of his usual light flippant offhandedness.
"Something lurks within the darkness," he spoke softly but clearly so that everyone could hear him. "Whether this presence is good or evil I can't discern yet, but it possesses a strong aura and is most likely the source of all this energy we've been detecting. The entity isn't ominous, however so Davis should be safe. Whatever it is it's now leading him somewhere..."
This change in Koichi's character was making the others nervous. Even Zoe, JP and Tommy were watching Koichi warily.
"…You recognize it," Koji frowned, sensing his twin's mixed feelings. "You know who it is that's down there with Davis."
"Yes, but I cannot put a name to it," Koichi frowned. "I haven't felt this presence since… those darker days. They are nothing but a blur to me now and time has not helped me remember, though I'm not sure that I care to. This aura is familiar yet it is different from what it once was..."
"…Is it just me or is it getting darker?" Koji heard Kari whisper nervously after a long stretch of silence.
That made the younger twin turn his attention away from his brooding brother and focus on what was going on around him. The light in the battery chamber was dimmer than it had been moments ago and if he looked at the floor around everyone's feet he could see their shadow's stretching.
"Koichi!" Koji snapped, gripping his brother's shoulder, but then something erupted out of his twin's shadow and the entire battery room went dark for a second time…
Davis wasn't sure what to think when he awoke because he wasn't even sure if he was awake. Everything was pitch black around him yet he could clearly see his body.
"Where am I?" he asked himself as he slowly came to his feet, looking around wearily. Then he remembered falling into the hole in the Battery Chamber… wait… Chamber!
"You're not as slow as you look," a childish voice giggled. "That's good. I'd hate to think we'd been wrong in calling you. Took you long enough to answer."
Davis whipped around and saw… actually he wasn't sure what he saw. There was a glowing orb hovering in front of his face and behind it was now a long stretch of corridor that looked like it had been taken right out of Star Wars. Han Solo's Millennium Falcon to be precise. The walls were all beat up and slightly rusted with streaks of long dried oil in the edges of panels that looked like they were about to pop out of place any second.
"Well don't just stand there boy! Follow me!" the orb reprimanded him and began to float bobbing down the corridor.
Seeing no better option other than just standing there like an idiot, Davis followed the orb. As he walked down the passage he noticed that the corridor began to look a little nicer, cleaner and better maintained. But it wasn't just the corridor's condition that was changing. With every step he took, Davis began to feel a little stronger, less tired and more awear of his surroundings. The orb led him to a large chamber that was blindingly white.
"I've brought the boy!" the orb exclaimed before darting over to two figures standing in the middle of the room.
"I can see that," smiled one of the figures.
This one was human in appearance, but his waist long hair was silver like the pristine steel walls of the corridor Davis just been traveling down. His eyes were a vibrant red and would have been unnerving had it not been for the gentle and kind look he was giving Davis. His skin was pale as if it had never seen daylight, making the black markings that decorated his body prominently stand out. There were three pointed streaks on each cheek, and a complex winding and twisting dragon symbol that ran down the complete length of each arm. He was wearing a gray sleeveless tunic and slacks with a silver sash tied around his middle. The "man" could have been human even with the bizarre hair and eye colors, but his hands had one-inch long sharp fingernails that could only be claws. Then when he smiled Davis could see sharp fangs.
The orb floated over to this man and landed in his hand and began to glow brightly.
"You have done well Kagamimon," the man said before holding the glowing orb to his chest.
There was a flash of light and when it subsided Davis noticed that the man was now dressed in glowing reflective armor. In the white room it was rather hard to look at him directly without being blinded. He was relieved when the lighting dimmed and he was able to see better. He noticed that the armor was dragon themed and there were shields on each of the man's arms that were actually mirrors. There was also a broadsword strapped across the man's back.
"Ah… who?" Davis blinked.
The man chuckled.
"I am Tetsukomon, the true Human Spirit of the Warrior of Steel," the man/Digimon bowed. "We've been waiting for you for a long time."
"Me?" Davis gasped with a small squeak, his mind reeling. He remembered the Warrior of Steel from Takuya's memories and noted that there were very few actual physical resemblances between the tainted Human Spirit of Steel and Tetsukomon. The only similarity that both versions of the warrior had was the mirror shields on each arm but even so the designs were different.
"Yes you," growled a deep voice. "Wouldn't have bothered ta drag ya down here otherwise."
Davis finally observed the second and larger figure in the chamber who could only be the Beast Spirit of Steel. He looked nothing like the tainted spirit that Takuya had known. This Beast Spirit was less creepy but far more menacing looking. It looked like an android version of BurningGreymon with a mostly robotic body and without the signature Greymon horns. Instead of fiery golden wings this Digimon had metal struts fitted with metallic panels that looked like they fanned out. There were cables and wires looping through the various joints on the body feeding pumps and rotating gears beneath what Davis was pretty sure were chrome digi-zoid armor plating. This Digimon's talons looks razor sharp and unlike BurningGreymon's golden plated firearm-guard blasters, this Digimon was decked out with a large cannon on each arm. The Beast Spirit of Steel looked like a deadly war machine and was a stark comparison to his Human Spirit counterpart.
"Ya done staring kid?" the android dragon chuckled, which sounded odd since the action caused the pumps along its jaw to pump harder and hiss and spout. Davis jerked himself out of his daze and mumbled an apology.
"Bah!" the Steel Beast huffed. "Whatcha apologizing for? I know what a handsome devil I am. Can't blame ya fur staring I suppose."
Davis sweat dropped as the menacing image that he'd first perceived of the Digimon Beast was shattered. He noticed that Tetsukomon rolled his eyes, but there was an affectionate smile hovering in the corners of the Human Spirit's lips. It was obvious that unlike Agunimon and BurningGreymon, these two spirit partners were close.
"Uh…" Davis swallowed.
"Hmm?" the dragon beast blinked. "Oh! That's right! I'm Ginryumon Beast Spirit of Steel. Nice ta finally meetcha Daisuke Motomiya!"
"Ah… Nice to meet you too," Davis answered numbly at the surprisingly expressive android. Of course none of the feeling was conveyed by any physical expression, but the glow in the Best Digimon's bright electric blue eyes, the rhythmic beating of the pumps and gears and the tone of the that deep voice made the android seem more alive then Davis thought possible.
"Forgive him, Daisuke," Tetsukomon sighed. "He is but a simpleton."
"Hey!" the dragon Digimon barked with a mechanical snarl. "Like you're one to talk pretty boy!"
Tetsukomon shrugged before returning his attention to Davis.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"For what?" Davis blinked, still so dazed that he hadn't bothered to tell them not to use his full first name.
"Ta join us!" Ginryumon beamed, eyes glowing brightly. "Become our human host and the Legendary Warrior of Steel!"
"Become the Legendary Warrior of Steel?" Davis froze. "Me? Why?"
Tetsukomon smiled gently and stepped forward until he was about a foot away from where Davis stood near the chamber's entrance.
"Can you think of anyone more suited for the position? You are the Child of Miracles and the bearer of three Armored Digieggs. Also when you think about what they represent elemental wise no one could be more qualified. The Digiegg of Courage is fire and fire is used to work metal. The Digiegg of Friendship is lightening and lightening can be harnessed into electrical energy used to power up mechanical devices made from metals. And being the bearer of the Digiegg of Miracles means that you are a pure hearted individual that never gives up even when things are at their worst. Who could be a better candidate for becoming the Warrior of Steel?"
"Well… when you put it that way," Davis smiled nervously and the spirits smiled back.
"Ah, but before all that," Tetsukomon gasped pulling a small chest out of nowhere, "There's something that we need you to do."
Davis looked at the chest and noticed that it had the symbol for Miracles on it. After getting an encouraging look from both spirits Davis reached forward to take the chest from Tetsukomon and the moment it was in his possession the symbol began to glow and the chest sprang open as three lights shot out. One was blue that seemed to swim through the air, another was green that zipped around, and the third was brown that just seemed to hover about. The blue, green and brown lights circled around Davis for a moment before disappearing out of the room.
"Ok…" Davis blinked but then the chest in his hands began to vibrate and something popped out of the bottom and hovered before his face. Davis recognized what it was immediately. He'd seen something like it only last year.
"A crest?" he gasped.
"It's your Crest of Miracles," Ginryumon informed him. "It had been hidden away with us until you were ready to become the Warrior of Steel. With it you should be able to help unlock the seals placed on the other DigiDestined's crests. They will need the crests' powers if they wish to help you and the other Warrior DigiDestined in the fight against Millenniummon. Right now only the DigiDestined of Courage and Friendship stand any chance of being useful because when they regain the powers of their crests their Digimon will be able to digivolve to not only Ultimate level but to Mega as well. The other chosen children will have to discover how to help their Digimon achieve Mega on their own. Even the strongest Ultimate level Digimon doesn't stand a chance against Millenniummon's evil. This is to be a battle of Megas."
"So with this crest Veemon will be able to reach Ultimate and possibly Mega," Davis mused.
"Not just that," Ginryumon smiled – at least that's what Davis thought the Beast Spirit was trying to do. It was hard to tell with the metal helmet. "When ya become tha Steel Warrior, all of Veemon's Armor DigiVolutions will be strengthened as well, giving him one hell of a power boost."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Davis grinned.
"Knew I liked this kid!" Ginryumon laughed his disturbing mechanical laugh, but Davis was quickly growing used to it.
"It is time then," Tetsukomon nodded, holding a hand out to Davis, palm facing straight out. The Warrior's symbol for Steel glowed brightly on his forehead.
Davis suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket and the moment he took out his D3 a beam of light hit it from Tetsukomon's palm. Then the beam widened and engulfed him. Now Davis had heard Koji, Zoe, and Tommy talk about their rebonding with their spirit partners and he had even kind of experienced Takuya's when BurningGreymon had bonded with Takuya, but none of their stories had prepared him for his own. It felt as if all his bones were melting, stretching and reforming and as if a thousand knives pierced his skin. As the first wave of pain hit him he dropped the small chest and his digivice. He felt cold and hot all at the same time and there was an electrical energy coursing through his veins. It felt as if his entire physical structure was breaking down, changing, and reforming itself. Then, as suddenly as it had begun it stopped and he lay panting on the cool steel floors of the room. After a couple minutes he forced himself up into a sitting position.
He spotted his digivice – now a D3-T model – and looked around for the Digimon partner he knew he'd gained. When he spotted the creature he wanted to laugh.
"Something funny?" it asked.
Davis shook his head, smiling fondly at the newly formed Digimon instead. It looked just like Veemon only silver and white instead of blue and white. It even had the same red eyes. The only other difference was that this Veemon didn't speak with a lisp like his other partner.
"I'm SilverVeemon," it grinned holding out a hand. "The newly fused Rookie form of Tetsukomon and Ginryumon."
"Two Veemon for partners," Davis shook his head as he stood up. "And I thought one was trouble."
The SilverVeemon grinned but then he frowned and looked off in a direction as if he could somehow see outside the chamber. Then Davis felt a shiver run down his spine. He could feel something dark and evil emerging. Sad thing was, he knew this presence. He'd felt it many times before in his nightmares.
"So you sense it too," SilverVeemon frowned. "Common. I think your friends might need our help. Now that you've accepted the Crest of Miracles the evil forces that have been kept at bay are starting to emerge."
Everyone was frozen where they stood waiting for the battery chamber to light up again. When it didn't, Koji ordered Strabimon and Flamemon to provide them with light. Everyone was now watching the shadows more carefully now. They'd all seen something shoot out of Koichi's shadow before the lights went out so now they were all looking for it. Only Koichi remained still and calm, but he had apparently snapped out of whatever mood he'd been in before the darkness had fallen. His eyes were clear and his face had a kinder softer look to it again, but the grim seriousness hadn't left.
"Koichi, what's going on?" Zoe asked. "Can you sense anything?"
"Sense?" Matt and many others gaped.
Koichi looked over at the Odaiba group who were giving him worried and suspicious looks.
"Well?" Zoe demanded.
"…Something's here," Koichi said frowned. "Something different from the presence I sensed before lurks within the shadows. I think I know what it is, but I hope I'm wrong."
"…Koichi I realize that this might not be the time," Izzi stated nervously, "but now that I think about it none of you ever told us what your Warrior Spirit element was. You've all managed to avoid discussing that little detail."
"You haven't guessed yet?" Koichi chuckled nervously. "I would have thought that it was rather obvious by now."
"Koichi," Koji warned, but his twin ignored him.
"I'd been hoping that Davis would be here to help better explain things to you all about my… unique element and to help smooth some of the details over," Koichi sighed sadly. "But now it seems that I can no longer afford that luxury. We waited too long to tell you all about us…"
"Quit dancing around the issue and tell us already!" Yolei cried, the darkness and the eerie shadows cast about by the light and fireballs were starting to unnerve her.
"Think about it," Koji frowned at her, but looked resigned to the situation and what he was about to say. "Koichi and I are complete opposites. Takuya even went as far to give us the nickname Yin-Yang twins. So if I am the Warrior of Light, what does that make Koichi?"
"Darkness," Ken said quietly with a hint of fear, making everyone freeze.
Koichi shot the DigiDestined of Kindness a neutral look before a sad smile crossed his features. He could already see the mistrust and fear in their eyes.
"Yes," he whispered, hanging his head. "While Koji is the light, I am the darkness. The two of us balance each other out quite nicely both personality wise and elemental wise. As they say, there can be no light without darkness and there can be no darkness without light to cast the shadow."
"Correct," whispered a dark menacing voice.
It was a voice that made Koji and the other Warrior DigiDestined's blood run cold and sent chills down the Odaiba DigiDestined's spines.
"Duskmon," Koichi whispered as the skeletal Digimon emerged from the shadows before him. "So I was right after all."
"Hello Child of Darkness," the creepy Dark Warrior said, advancing on the older twin until Koji and Strabimon darted in front of him.
"Duskmon don't you even think of touching him," Koji hissed, drawing his digivice.
"Or what?" Duskmon laughed. "You can't touch me as I am young Warrior of Light."
"Wanna bet?" Koji growled and Strabimon seconded the sentiment.
"Koji," Koichi said softly. "He's right. This is just his spirit and only a small sliver of it at that. An image really. He's not actually here."
"What?" Koji blinked, but didn't remove his gaze from the Shadow Warrior.
"That's right," Duskmon stated coldly. "I am nothing but an apparition. A shadow."
"Why are you here?" Koichi asked, stepping out from behind his twin to face Duskmon.
"Consider this a warning," Duskmon drawled. "Even without the Spirits of Darkness surely you can sense the growing evil lurking in the shadows. As the Child of Darkness you walk a fine line between good and evil and will have to make a decision that will essentially affect the outcome of what is to happen in the battle against Millenniummon."
"…What kind of decision?" Koichi asked wearily with a touch of bitter anger. "Because I hope you aren't insinuating that I'd dare betray and fight my brother and the other DigiDestined a second time."
The Odaiba DigiDestined traded alarmed looks and their Digimon unconsciously took up defensive positions in front of their partners. The shadows were beginning to grow in length and seemed to flicker agitatedly in accordance to what Koichi was feeling. For the first time since finding out Koichi's Warrior Element the Odaiba DigiDestined were truly afraid of the other boy.
"No," Duskmon chuckled darkly. "I can see that you have grown too wise to be tricked a second time. But be warned that when you find the Spirits of Löwemon and JägerLöwemon, Velgamon and I'll be waiting for you as well."
Koichi paled.
"Why?" Koji hissed. "Why would you tainted Spirits of Darkness-! …Koichi?"
"So that's what my dreams have been trying to tell me," Koichi whispered.
"Dreams?" Koji frowned. "Those nightmares you've been having?"
Koichi nodded before looking back up at Duskmon. "The decision I must make is whether or not I accept Duskmon and Velgamon as spirit partners along with Löwemon and JägerLöwemon."
"What?" gasped the Warrior DigiDestined.
"Smart boy," Duskmon nodded. "But you are a fool if you believe that it is even possible for Darkness to solely be used for good. You must accept it's evils as well if you wish to become the true Warrior of Darkness."
"…I understand," Koichi sighed.
"Koichi!" Koji gasped grasping his twin by his shoulders shaking him slightly. "Don't let him deceive you! He's-!"
"Telling the truth," Koichi smiled sadly. "What he's saying is right. I've known for a long time now. I just didn't care to admit it to you and the others, because I knew that a part of you all would resent me for accepting such a thing."
Koji looked truly lost for a moment not knowing to say to that.
"However," Koichi growled out, his eyes darkening and becoming hard, "that does not mean that I will ever turn against you and the others Koji. Being the Warrior of Darkness is a cursed role that I must play out, but I will fight my fate." Then he turned on the tainted Spirit of Darkness. "I will prove you wrong Duskmon. I'll prove that the Powers of Darkness can be used for good as well as evil. I'm tired of you and other evil Digimon trying to persuade me otherwise. I'm not the weak and defenseless boy I was all those years ago."
The shadows reacted to Koichi's words and were starting to materialize into fog that curled around him roiling angrily alongside him. The Odaiba DigiDestined hurried back in alarm their Digimon tense and battle ready.
Duskmon laughed cruelly.
"We shall see," he sneered. "But what happens now? Those pathetic Children Virtue have now seen what you are really like, who you really are. And even if they do come to trust you what about the other Digimon? Being a Warrior does little to help stave off prejudice in this world. Who will trust you?"
"I honestly don't give a shit one way or another," Koichi smiled coldly. "What they think of me and what the Digimon of this world think of me doesn't matter. As long as I have my brother and my fellow Warriors at my side and they don't give up on me then was else do I need except not to give up on myself."
Koji started at his brother shocked – normally his twin never cursed – but then a sharp grin slowly slid into place as he stood shoulder to shoulder with his twin – ignoring the creepy shadows for the moment – and held his hand.
"You got that right!" JP suddenly exclaimed and soon he, Zoe and Tommy all stood around Koichi.
"We'll always have your back Koichi," Zoe smiled. "Because for better or worse you're our friend. You've never let us down before."
"Yeah!" Tommy said determinedly. "Besides, if we were to give up on you now then what was the point of Takuya and Koji saving you from Cherubimon's hold in the first place?"
"Warrior of Darkness or not you're still my brother," Koji added. "My twin, and more often then not my better half."
"Oh please," Duskmon snarled. "Now you're just getting sappy. Words and sentiments are nice, but what will you Warriors do when he slips? As the Warrior that has power over the greatest resource for evil there is always a chance that he will succumb to those powers when they become too great for him to handle."
"Enough," Koichi snarled, the shadows actually pushing Duskmon back and making him fade in and out for a moment.
"Ha!" Duskmon sneered. "You are afraid. Just look around you boy! Even without your spirit partners the shadows bend to your every whim. You are very powerful indeed. Maybe even as powerful as the Child of Miracles himself should the boy live to reach his full potential. You and your twin have the potential to be the most powerful of the Warriors, but your twin, unlike you, doesn't have as many resources to call upon while Darkness practically lurks in every corner. Why do you think that there are four Spirits of Darkness that you must harness boy? Darkness has many sides both good and bad. So here's my warning boy. Should you not accept Velgamon and I and rely only on the good aspects of your element then the evils of Darkness will eventually come to consume you and drive you mad. Velgamon and I can prevent that as your spirit partners, but at a price."
"What price?" Koichi frowned.
"You'll find out when it comes time for you to bond with your spirit partners," Duskmon laughed before melting into the shadows. "Until then, cursed Child of Darkness."
When Duskmon disappeared entirely the lights came back on but the foggy shadows still swirled around Koichi who still looked angrily at the spot where Duskmon had been standing. With a sigh and a wave of his hand the shadow fog vanished and Koichi collapsed shivering on the floor. Koji wrapped an arm around Koichi holding him close. Koichi was cold and pale like death and was falling unconscious in his arms.
"…Too long," Koichi mumbled incomprehensibly. "Didn't realize…"
Koji and the other three warriors shared concerned looks after Koichi fell asleep.
"Too long?" Tommy blinked.
"Didn't realize?" Zoe frowned. "What did he mean?"
"I think he was referring to the fact that it's been too long since he's tried to control shadows or any other aspect of Darkness," Koji sighed. "He has never been one to use his powers as casually as we do."
"And the 'didn't realize' part?" Tommy asked.
Koji shrugged but someone answered for him.
"What Koichi probably hadn't realized was the fact that he was controlling the shadows' actions at all and that they were reacting to him."
Everyone turned to face the speaker and were shocked to see Davis standing perfectly fine by the hole in the floor with a silver colored Veemon looking better than he had in a while. He was less pale and the shadows under his eyes were less prominent.
"Davis!" they all shouted and Veemon practically tackled his partner back into the hole again.
"Hey Buddy," Davis laughed, hugging his partner back. "So what did I miss?"
After they caught Davis up on what had happened after he fell, Davis told them about the Spirits of Steel. Zoe, Tommy and JP cheered and celebrated the fact that he was now officially one of the Warrior DigiDestined. Davis cut the celebration short though as he kneeled beside Koji and Koichi.
"Poor Koichi," Davis sighed. "I'd always thought that Ken had it rough back when he was transitioning between being the Digimon Emperor and joining the DigiDestined, but now…"
"He'll be alright," SilverVeemon stated. "Koichi's a good person. It's unfortunate that those with the purest of hearts like you, Ken and Koichi, often struggle with the darkest and hardest trials. But as long as you all support each other I'm sure that Koichi will not deviate from his path."
Veemon nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. He knew that Koichi wasn't a bad person.
"Sometimes simply being with supportive friends isn't enough though," Matt sighed. "It takes a strong heart on top of all that. One moment of weakness… that's all it takes."
"Speaking from experience Matt?" Tai joked, but no one laughed.
"This is serious Tai," Kari reprimanded. "The Powers of Darkness aren't to be underestimated." She shivered after that and TK placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"So what are you saying?" Zoe frowned. "That you're not going to Koichi simply because of his Warrior Element?"
"Well why should we trust him?" TK asked. "Or any of you for that matter. You haven't exactly been straightforward with us."
"TK does bring up a valid reason," Izzi sighed. "You've been withholding information from us. You still are."
"Davis especially," TK frowned disapprovingly at Davis. "You knew about everything that has been going on and you didn't even bother to give us any warning and now you're all like 'Oh! And by the way-!"
"Don't you pin this on Davis!" Zoe cried outraged. "You have no idea what he's been through!"
"What he's still going through!" JP added.
"Exactly my point!" TK yelled back. "I thought we were your friends Davis! I thought we were a team! Why have you held back until now?"
"TK," Davis sighed, looking very tired now. "I-!"
"We could have helped you!" TK continued stubbornly. "Do you know how much it hurts us to know that you'd rather go to them – friends you haven't seen in a year – instead of us?"
"TK's right Davis," Yolei said sadly. "We could have handled it."
"Don't you trust us?" Kari asked.
"Of course!" Davis said imploringly. "Guys I never meant to shut you out. I know that I should have told you sooner, but between being sick, accepting the fact that Takuya wasn't just a voice in my head and discovering the truth about Koji and the others, I was kinda overwhelmed. I didn't know how to bring it up. There was just so much to tell you and there still is so much that you need to know."
Davis looked utterly lost at that moment.
"Ok you three lay off," Tai ordered. "It's not Davis' fault."
"But-!" TK started but Matt cut him off.
"Leave it alone TK," the older blond said firmly. "He doesn't need this right now."
"Yeah well…" TK stuttered but then recalled the initial reason for his anger. "He still knew about Koichi though, am I right?"
"Yes," Davis nodded, but some of the old spirit returned to him. "And don't you start on him again TK. Koichi's a good person."
"Good person or not he can control the forces of Darkness!" TK exploded. "No one can or should have that kind of power! It never ends well. How do you know that he won't turn on us?"
Davis pursed his lips but didn't answer. Koji looked murderous, but he didn't leave his brother's side. The whole room was silent.
"Well?" TK demanded. "We've all seen what the Powers of Darkness are capable of. All the evil Digimon we faced could never control it, but were still able to do unspeakable damage. Remember what it did to Ken! The affects it had on Kari! Or did that slip your mind?"
"That's enough TK," Davis said softly, but his tone had a hard edge. He was trembling. "Koichi isn't like that and neither were all of the Digimon created and soaked in darkness. Blackwargreymon was a good guy in the end. Ken overcame the evils of Darkness and so did Gatomon back when she was working for Myotismon or have you forgotten that? Matt fought it too and so did Sora if I remember what they told me about your fight against the Dark Masters."
"But none of them ever controlled darkness," TK shot back. "None of them even manipulated the power except perhaps Ken, but the point is, is that he's dangerous! You can't guarantee that he won't loose to the Darkness and betray us!"
"He's DigiDestined!" Davis shouted back. "He was chosen just like you and me and everyone else here! He never asked to be the Warrior of Darkness anymore that you did to be the Child of Hope! DigiDestined no matter what team, generation or nationality stand together! We are all chosen ones! Just because you still hold onto your fears of the past doesn't mean that it's right not to accept him on account of his Element."
Davis was shaking pretty hard now.
"DigiDestined or not, Darkness-!" TK pressed.
"ENOUGH!" Davis screamed and to everyone's shock burst into flames. When the fires calmed Davis glared murderously at TK, but his eyes were no longer dark chocolate brown. Instead they were flaming light hazel.
"Takeru Takaishi don't you say another damn word," he said but it wasn't Davis' voice. It was Takuya's.
"Takuya?" Tommy cried.
"What are you…?" JP gaped.
"Takuya Kanbara what are you doing possessing Davis like that?" Zoe frowned, but her tone wavered when she saw the glare directed at TK.
"Wha-?" TK gasped but a fireball formed in Davis' hands and it was thrown at the blond's feet where it melted and singed the floor. Everyone cried out in shock.
"I said not another word," Takuya hissed at the blond. "I'm not just going to stand by and let you insult one of my team, or any of you for that matter."
In spite of the growing temperature of the room everyone was feeling very chilly.
"Now lets pull back for a second, TK, and think about what you've been saying," Takuya growled. "You've not only insulted one of my team, but you've also insulted and attacked someone's brother. In which case you should be really grateful that I'm the one dealing with you and not Koji because he sure as hell isn't as lenient as I am."
Koji's angry growl only confirmed Takuya's statement. If he hadn't had his arms full holding Koichi, no one doubted that the Warrior of Light would be in TK's face – which was why Zoe, JP and Tommy hadn't moved to help Koji with his unconscious twin.
"Now how would you feel TK," Takuya growled, "if I started bad mouthing your brother Matt? Kari same question. How would you react if I went after Tai for something he couldn't help? And the rest of you! How you would you feel if I started picking on a member of your team? On Izzi for being a computer freak? On Mimi because she's almost never around due to living in America? On Matt because he never has much time for the team due to band practice? On Tai because he's too busy with soccer? On Sora because of tennis? Or Joe because he's always off taking some test or exam? And you younger DigiDestined! What if I were to start picking on you because of things that I just don't like about you? Yolei, you're too loud and obnoxious always complaining about things. Cody, you're too quiet, take things way too seriously and are always late because of stupid Kendo. Ken you're a whimp with no self-confidence whatsoever because you're still dwelling on the whole Digimon Emperor thing. TK you're too judgmental and stubborn to look past a single bad deed or experience and move on. Kari, you may be a sweet goody-goody, but you can be just as judgmental as your boyfriend. …Does that sound fair to you?"
By the end of his little rant Takuya/Davis' hair was smoking and fire was dancing around his fists. Then he took a deep breath and threw his hands down and sent the flames rushing down around his feet, scorching and melting the floor around him. Takuya took another deep breath and opened his eyes. He was still smoking but he appeared to be calmer.
"Look," Takuya sighed running a hand over his/Davis' face. "I know that it's hard for you all to comprehend the fact that Darkness can be a good thing let along an attribute for a DigiDestined, but Koichi is just as much a DigiDestined as you are."
"But how is it even possible for there to be a DigiDestined of Darkness to begin with?" Cody asked.
"I see where you're coming from," Takuya sighed. "You're thinking that DigiDestined chosen children represent good aspects of life and I can't blame you for that. Your DigiDestined teams focus on the virtues for your attributes, but we Warrior DigiDestined were chosen when elements were main sources of power and upheld the balance of the Digital World."
"I see," Izzi mused. "You and your team of DigiDestined were formed thousands of digital years ago. I suppose it only makes sense that you all were made into chosen children for a different type of attribute."
"And the reason Darkness is one of these chosen elements?" TK asked grudgingly, but still looked a little scared of Takuya.
"Geeze how many times does this have to be explained? There can be no light without darkness, and no darkness without light. If neither were to exist then there'd be only nothingness," Koji stated firmly. "As long as there is Light, Darkness is needed to maintain the balance. Therefore if there's a DigiDestined of Light then there needs to be a DigiDestined of Darkness. They're two sides of the same coin. It's the reason that Koichi and I were chosen for our respective roles."
"How so?" Ken asked.
"You see," JP sighed, stepping forward so that he stood between the two groups of DigiDestined, "even though Koji and Koichi are twins they are complete opposites, even without their Warrior titles and elements. But even so, their elements both compliment and contradict their personalities."
"How so?" Tai asked looking intrigued.
"Glad you asked," Zoe beamed, wrapping and arm around Koji who was still holding Koichi. "You see Koji here tends to be a grouch, not to mention suspicious and short tempered. Not exactly one you'd expect to be the gallant knight in shining white armor."
"Thanks a lot Zo," Koji scowled.
"But it's Koji's inner kindness, his straight forwardness and determination that makes him the perfect candidate for the Warrior of Light. His heart never wavers when he sets his goals," Zoe stated, ignoring Koji. "Now Koichi on the other hand is a kind and gentle soul, who prefers to avoid confrontation. Again, he's not exactly who you'd expect to play the role of the diabolical black knight."
Koji rolled his eyes.
"However," Zoe sighed. "It's Koichi's timid and shy demeanor and tendency to keep things bottled up inside that leaves him vulnerable to doubt and opens him up to the darkness, making him an ideal candidate to be the Warrior of Darkness."
"Just think of them as Yin and Yang," Takuya shrugged. "That's how I explain it. It's a harmony balance thing. Koichi's harmless… for the most part."
"Unless you're an evil Digimon," Tommy nodded.
"Or if you somehow royally manage to piss him off," Zoe sighed.
"But luckily that's really hard to do," JP quickly reassured the Odaiba DigiDestined. "Koichi's the easy going and level headed type."
"Someone's gotta be to be Koji's brother," Takuya joked before letting out a huge sigh and smiling sadly at everyone. "Hey, sorry about the fire storm, but you Odaiba DigiDestined should really lighten up on Koichi. He's not all that different from Ken. Even their stories are similar. I gotta go now and give Davis back his body. Good luck and I hope that the next time we meet will happen under better and happier circumstances."
He cast a sad look to his fellow Warrior DigiDestined and closed his eyes. When they opened again, Davis was back.
Whoa. Looks like things are going to be a little rocky between the two DigiDestined teams. Will Davis be able to bring them together and help Koichi gain the Odaiba DigiDestined's acceptance? Find out next time on Digimon Digital Monsters!
I hope I didn't make Koichi too OC, but I was leaning more towards how he'd act in UGotD all cool and stuff when in "Dark Warrior" mode, but this Koichi's got years of experience behind him. Looks like his relationship with Tk's gonna be a little rockier though. I'd totally wanted Koji to be the one to get all in TK's face, but I liked the exploding Takuya thing better. I'll probably give Koji his opportunity soon enough though.
What are your guys' impressions of the Spirits of Steel? I was gonna go with earth for Davis but 1) earth just seemed so obvious and was when others were doing and 2) steel just called to me for some reason and i backed up my standing with all the armor digieggs. I loved writing his spirits and I'll shed more light on Kagamimon latter, but Davis actually has 3 spirits.
If you guys have any questions please feel free to send me a private message or submit it in a review. Reviews are lovely and would make for great reading material while I'm in the hospital. Hope all of you are well though! See ya next update!