Note: I do not own the rights to Digimon Frontier or "Heathens" by Twenty Nine Pilots.

Chapter 13

Doesn't mean our brains will change to hand grenades...

The Digidestined were gathered for a relaxing picnic in the Digital World, as far away from the Dark Zone as possible. Matt knew Tai felt it was needed. Izzy was frustrated, TK was acting weird, Matt and Cody were worried, and Tai just wanted his team to relax for a change with their Digimon. Matt had agreed with Tai's plan and was currently helping Joe set up the second blanket while Sora and Mimi handled the first. He glanced over and saw TK helping Yolei and Kari set out the food.

The Digidestined's rare pleasant day in the Digital World was spent with food and friends. Matt saw Sora and Tai getting cozy out of the corner of his eye, but found he wasn't able to care at the moment. He was too busy watching TK discreetly. TK sat with the younger group, but seemed detached from the current conversation. Something was up and Matt was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Mercurymon's lips twisted up into a satisfied smirk as he surveyed the picture on his mirror. The boy with the Patamon had finally returned. It was time to put his plan into action.

The picture vanished from his mirror as Mercurymon crept silently out of the castle. Lady Ophanimon was spending the day with her little ice warrior, so he had no fear of her noticing his absence. The other Digidestined actively avoided the Warrior of Steel, which was fine with him. He had no desire for their company or camaraderie.

As Mercurymon ran into the forest, safely out of the castle's view, he headed straight to the heart of this dark land. He needed to procure something in order to find those so-called Digidestined from the other side of the border, and to get him what he ultimately wanted out of his dissatisfying life: power.


Koji scowled as he watched Mercurymon run silently into the forest. He didn't trust that particular warrior as much as the others.

He wouldn't have even noticed his leaving if he hadn't snuck outside himself for fresh air. Ever since his "duel" with Takuya, Koichi had practically attached himself to him and kept him confined to their room as much as possible. It was only because Takuya and JP were fighting over Zoe again that Koji had the chance to slip outside while Koichi reestablished order.

Koji debated on whether he should tell Koichi or let it go. If he told Koichi, he would have to admit that he had snuck outside after promising to rest more in the bedroom. On the other hand, if he went back to his room right now, he wouldn't have to admit that he had broken his promise and risk pissing off his Tainted brother.

Decision made, Koji crept back into the castle back to his room. Whatever Mercurymon was planning could be taken care of later.


Mercurymon moved cautiously forward towards the pit. The pit was vast, endless, and filled with oozing black Taint. It undulated and expanded towards him as it sensed his presence. Mercurymon shuddered and eyed the Taint with unease. Unlike most everyone else, he silently feared the Taint and refused to allow it to control him, although the promise of his ambition was too tempting to stay completely away.

Mercurymon knelt near the edge of the pit. The Taint crawled out of the pit and surrounded him, whisps reaching and grabbing like eager children reaching for a sweet.

Surrender. Release. Yield. The whispers moved over his being, piercing every bit of his data.

"I have come to thee for partnership, not surrender," Mercurymon said in a strained voice. Normally Mercurymon was quick-witted and elegantly worded, but now the whispers left him breathless and awkward.

The whispers halted as the Taint ceased its playful reaching and suddenly lashed onto his limbs with a severe grip.

Speak.

The whispers were harsher, angrier, firmer. The single command sent a wave of fear down his spine, but Mercurymon swallowed it down and continued.

"Thy want the boy. I can get thee what thine wish."

For a moment Mercurymon was afraid the Taint would swallow him into the pit. But the tendrils released their grip and the Taint's voices once again whispered.

Go.

Mercurymon braced himself as a wave of Taint greater than anyone had ever dreamed of withstanding entered his mirrors. He collapsed to the ground panting hard, but he had no time to rest. He had to make it across the border to the children before they left. Mercurymon stood from the dirty ground, looking back once more at the sea of Taint writhing with anticipation in the pit. He shuddered and ran speeding towards Arbormon's gate, knowing the Warrior of Wood would be the easiest to trick.