Part 8: The Bell Tolls.
For a moment everything stood still. The DigiDestined stared up at Takeru, sitting rigidly in the huge throne. A million questions flew through their minds. What is he doing there? What made him lose control over Angemon? Why was he just looking back at them like that.
None of those questions mattered to Yamato. He had finally found his little brother, and he was safe and sound. "T.K." he whispered, and started forward.
"Why're you here?" Takeru asked coldly. Matt stopped in his tracks and looked up at the boy.
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" Yamato asked harshly. " I'm here to get you! You got lost and we found you."
"I wasn't lost!" T.K. snapped. " I was never lost. I finally got rid of you." He looked around frantically. "Where's Fallen?" He thought. "Why isn't he here to help?"
"You finally got rid of us?" Taichi repeated. "What the…are you OK T.K.?" He looked around the boys surroundings, the huge throne and the nicely decorated palace. Taichi laughed. "Boy they're sure giving you the sweet treatment. What did you tell them, that you were a god or some-"
"Shut-up Tai!" Takeru snapped. Taichi was taken aback by the remark, and stood shocked for a second. He frowned at T.K. and took a step forward.
"I'm really getting tired of people telling me to shut-up." He said angrily. "Just what's you're problem anyway?"
Yamato looked at his friend, then peered up at his little brother. "What's with you T.K.?" he asked. " Do you have any idea of the trouble we had trying to find you?"
T.K. laughed. "Nobody ever asked you to look for me." He said. Takeru turned his throne back to the DigiDestined and scowled. "Now go away!" he shouted.
"What?!" Joe started.
"That wasn't especially nice." Mimi frowned. "First we have your crazy Digimon beating up on ours, and now we have you being all rude and everything."
"T.K., what are you doing?" Sora pleaded gently. "This is nuts. Let's just get outta here and get Angemon under control."
Takeru said nothing. Yamato looked at his friends apologetically, embarrassment plastered all over his face. Angrily he turned to the throne and took several quick steps forward. "T.K.!" he shouted. "Enough with this attitude. Get off that chair and let's go. Now!" He added angrily.
Takeru's blood ran cold. He turned around on his huge chair quickly and stood up. He stared down his older brother and howled at the top of his lungs, "YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO MATT!" The power of the Crest of Despair flowed through his voice, knocking Yamato and the rest of the DigiDestined off their feet.
Yamato gasped as he floated in the air, not hitting the ground after being yelled down. He stared wide-eyed as he floated towards his little brother. Takeru was ablaze with dark energy, sparking away from his body.
The others tried to help, but found themselves paralyzed. "Wh-what's going on?" Kari stammered. She looked at her tall protector. "Angewomon?"
The angel said nothing, only looked as Yamato floated up to his brother, who stood with all the power of the Crest on his tall throne.
"You don't tell me what to do anymore, Matt." He repeated silently, his eyes dead cold. " Not anymore."
***********
Fallen wasn't even breaking a sweat against the Ultimates who fought him. Zudomon launched a vicious attack, slamming down his Vulcan's Hammer on the small dark figure. FallenAngemon reared up and sent a powerful punch right into the Hammer's path. The force of the attack vibrated through Zudomon's body, and he was blown away to the far side of the courtyard.
A green flash of light flared behind Fallen, and he vanished, as Lillymon's attack blasted the ground where he was. Lillymon quickly followed, the only one of the Digimon who seemed to be just as fast as Fallen was. She fired her Flower Cannon repeatedly, nearly hitting FallenAngemon several times, and seemingly putting him on the ropes.
Suddenly, Fallen stopped in mid-flight and waited as Lillymon rushed up to him. Before she could move, FallenAngemon sent a devastating knee to her midsection. Lillymon shocked in place and then blew back. She screamed in pain and a green glow enveloped her, as she returned back into Palmon stage.
Garudomon moved quickly in front of the Rookie. Fallen just looked down at her, he had no intention of attacking the helpless one. He made a move, when his cheek opened up from a wicked slash from WereGarurumon. The werewolf was so quick, Fallen had no chance to move. Black Digifluid poured down his face from the cut on his cheek. WereGarurumon skidded in place, and reared back towards the wounded Angel.
"Garuru kick!" He boomed, as he leveled a round-house kick towards FallenAngemon. Fallen blocked the attack with his fore-arm, and with his right fist, backhanded the werewolf straight in his muzzle. Lights flashed in WereGarurumon's vision, and he hit the ground hard, temporarily paralyzed.
Fallen's head snapped up, and he abruptly took a look behind him. MetalGreymon's chest plates were opened up, and light began to coalesce at the spot.
"Eat this…" he growled. "Giga Blaster!" A torrent of light poured out of MetalGreymon's chest and speeded towards FallenAngemon. Two hideously grinning nuclear missiles were riding the blast from MetalGreymon, screeching towards their target.
Fallen braced himself and caught the two missiles in his hands. He was pushed back by their force, his feet digging a trench in the ground of the courtyard. He roared as he was pushed back into the South-West corner of the wall.
A blinding light flashed as the missiles detonated. The explosion rocked the whole palace. Clouds of dust and debris were thrown everywhere. The Digimon looked at the rubble anxiously.
At first there was no movement, then a pile of rocks were pushed away from the debris, and FallenAngemon got up silently. His face was a scowl, covered with dust and dirt. He flexed his wings, brushing off the dirt from them and rushed towards MetalGreymon.
Tai's dinosauric-Digimon laughed inwardly. He didn't stand a chance against this little monster, but he sure as hell wasn't going to lie down and let him win easily.
He charged against the dark angel, and the force of their collision rocked the Palace, and was felt as far down as the town of Sector.
************
"So Matt," Takeru sneered at his older brother. " guess I'm not so helpless after all."
Yamato dangled in the air. He could only stare at T.K. with a growing horror. "What the heck's up with you T.K.?" He asked.
"Nothing's up with me." T.K. lied. "I'm fine. You're the one who barged in and starting annoying everyone."
"What are you talking about?" Matt asked angrily. "We came here to save you! We thought you were in trouble!"
Takeru shrugged. "I'm having a lot better time here than I was with you guys." He said. " Sorry, but you're not gonna have me around to spite and hate anymore."
Yamato's eyes widened. "Spite? Hate? Who've you been talking too T.K.? Who's been telling you all this crap!?" He struggled to get out of the invisible grip he was in.
"It's not crap! You're the ones that are full of it." He pointed to the rest of the DigiDestined, who stood paralyzed on the spot. "I know how you guys really feel. I always knew, but Dawoemon had to point it out to me, because I was hiding it from myself!"
"Dawoemon." Matt thought to himself. "I'm not gonna forget that name." He turned to his brother. "T.K. this is nuts. Whatever that crazy Digimon told you, it's all lies. Now let me go and let's get out of here."
T.K. blinked. Matt seemed so calm, why was he acting like this, if he really hated him? He thought back to his memories with Yamato and the DigiDestined, and found nothing but sneers and hateful glances. T.K. knew what they really thought of him, but right now…they seemed so different, as if they really cared.
Tears started filling his eyes. "Yeah but…" he started. "…then why did you hold me back? Why did you always make fun of me? Why'd you always make me feel bad before?"
Yamato glared. "Make fun of you? T.K. that's crazy! We never made fun of you! We…" Matt gulped. "We love you man," he forced out. "We all do! Where are you getting this?"
Suddenly T.K.'s vision grew black. He saw nothing. He panicked for half a second, and then his vision cleared, and he started to see the truth.
************
Dawoemon's truth. She spoke at Takeru through the mirror, weaving net around the boy. "Even now they mock you." She whispered. "Especially this one. They think you're a fool that can be easily manipulated. You're not, Takeru-sama. You're the savior of the Digital World."
Dawoemon laughed as she forced the thoughts into the young boys mind. Celamon could only watch. She felt sick. She knew that this wasn't right…but she couldn't do anything against Dawoemon. She couldn't fight her, not while Dawoemon was the reason for Celamon being alive.
Celamon turned away from the visions in the mirror and tried to block all the sounds that were coming through it. She tried, but there was no point. The sounds pushed themselves into her conscience, and she hoped that they wouldn't last for much longer.
************
T.K. opened his eyes. "No!" he shouted. "You're making fun of me right now! You think you're so cool, trying to make me feel like the baby." He leaned at his stunned brother, who was floating at level in front of him. "Well I'm not the baby anymore Matt, and you're not gonna win this time!"
Yamato gulped. "T.K. what are you talking about!?" he nearly shouted.
"All those times of laughing behind my back because I was the smallest. All those times of using my power, but making me feel like I didn't have any!" T.K. narrowed his eyes and continued. " All those times hating me and being jealous of me while you were pretending to like me, it's all over Matt." He turned to the others. "The act's all over. Now get lost!!"
Taichi looked flabbergasted, he moved his mouth, trying to speak. Sora's eyes filled with tears. Yamato turned angrily and stared down his deluded brother.
"T.K. just listen to me-" Matt started.
"Just shut-up!"
"T.K! Listen! Those are all lies-"
"SHUTTUP!" Takeru blasted back. His head felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. He shut his eyes and brought his fists up, trying to block the pain. "SHUTTUP! GO AWAY! NOW!" He screamed.
"TAKERU! STOP!" Matt pleaded, using his full name the first time in what seemed like a long time. He watched his brother self-destruct in front of him, and Mat felt all the guilt and shame and pain his knew his brother was feeling. He dropped to the ground suddenly, landing painfully on his elbow. Yamato got up, tears pierced his vision. He stepped towards his younger brother. "PLEASE!" he prodded.
Takeru couldn't stand the pressure building in his head. He threw his head back and blasted throughout the Digital World. "FALLENANGEMON!!!"
Like an explosion, Fallen appeared. He blasted through the thick steel doors, and leveled his arm at Yamato. Black energy coalesced around the length of his arm, and without thinking, he attacked.
"Touch of Fate!" he screamed, and a dark orb of energy exploded out of his arm and screamed towards the stunned boy.
Everything seemed to move at super slow motion. Sora screamed. Mimi's hands flew to her mouth. Joe and Koushiro seemed to be shocked in place. Taichi could only watch, his mouth slowly gaping open in terror.
Yamato stared up at the screaming ball of death that was heading towards him. He blinked once, then slowly looked up at his brother. Takeru was completely blank. He stared down at Yamato, and Matt couldn't figure out what he was thinking.
Matt stared back at the inky globe that was speeding towards him. He could feel the power radiating from it. Yamato didn't even bother screaming, he knew there was no point. He knew that he was going to die right then, right there.
Hikari stood gaping at the sight in front of her. Angewomon looked forward, then turned to the little girl. "Mikari…Mikari!" she said repeatedly.
Kari turned up slowly to face her. Angewomon smiled and asked simply. "Do you trust me?"
"Wha?"
"Do you trust me? Hurry! I must know, I need to know!" Angewomon pleaded.
Hikari looked at the scene of impending death of her friend, then at her beautiful protector. "Yes." She answered. "Of course I trust you."
Angewomon smiled and nodded, then she vanished. Kari blinked, and then looked at the horrible scene in front of her. The Touch of Fate was still speeding towards Matt, but now Angewomon stood in front of him. She braced herself as the hellish attack finally reached her.
Everyone was shocked back, and the scene played itself out in normal speed. The dark ball buried itself into Angewomon's body, spinning and trying to drill itself through. Angewomon grunted, her fists clenched and gritted her teeth. Yamato was still behind her, frozen into place.
Fallen's mouth gaped open. He couldn't stop the attack once it was released. He looked at the horrified T.K., then at Angewomon, who was struggling to stay standing.
The Touch of Fate drilled its way into Angewomon slowly. She let out gasps of pain, and glanced back at Yamato behind her. She tried to speak, but couldn't make out any words.
Taichi snapped to attention and ran towards them. At full speed, he tackled Matt out of the path and a few feet away from the action. Angewomon smiled and visibly relaxed.
The Touch of Fate bored its way cleanly through her body, and exploded in the floor below her. Angewomon lifted off the ground with the force of the explosion, then settled gently into the crater that now marred the floor.
"ANGEWOMON!" Kari screamed. She ran towards her fallen friend, the others shocked into place. The Digimon that were outside fighting finally rushed through the door and in, just in time to see their dear friend dying in the center of the room.
Kari hugged the limp body of her Digimon. Angewomon looked her in the face and whispered silently. "Do you trust me?"
Tears were flowing down Hikari's face. She shook her head angrily. "How can you ask me that, Angewomon, after what you just did?"
"I need an answer, Mikari. Please." Angewomon whispered.
"YES!" Kari screamed. "Yes I trust you! Just don't go, please!"
Angewomon smiled, and then went limp in Kari's arms. Her body began to disintegrate into points of lights, and she died, spinning off into the heavens of the Digital World.
FallenAngemon shook his head slowly. "I….I…." he stammered. He looked down at T.K., who stared at Kari. " I didn't mean…" he stopped and gulped…not able to go on.
Hikari was kneeling silently…her arms still in the position of holding her friends. Not in her wildest nightmares did she imagine this…but now. She let out a heart-rendering wail and collapsed on the ground, sobbing openly.
The other Digimon returned to their In-Training stages, losing their will to fight. They cried openly and went to their charges arms. Taichi looked at his sister and started towards her. Kari turned away and rushed into Sora's arms. Sora held the little girl as she continued in her grief.
Tai looked at the ground where Angewomon had lay. He turned his head slowly to Yamato, who stood holding Tsunomon, eyes wide and mouth opened. Tai turned to T.K. "We're leaving." He said simply. With that, he walked to the door that exited the Throne Room.
The others followed, Mimi sobbing and hiccuping, leaning into Joe as he lead her out. Yamato looked up once at his little brother, then left the room, carrying a weeping Tsunomon.
Taichi looked back, holding Koromon. "We're leaving, but this isn't over." He said. "We're not gonna lose you too." And with that, he left the Throne Room.
************
Dawoemon laughed. It wasn't exactly what she had hoped for, but at least one of them died. She cackled openly, and Celamon stared at the mirror in horror.
In a huff, she turned towards the door of the chambers, ready to blast them open if she had to. There was no need though, the door was unlocked. Dawoemon had released her hold of the smaller Digimon. She glanced at her evilly, then began laughing again.
Celamon rushed out of the chambers at full speed, and ran towards the Throne Room.
************
"Takeru-san…" Fallen began. " I…I don't know… I didn't mean for this-"
"I know." T.K. said quietly. He stared down at the crater where Angewomon had lay. "I'm tired. Can you go now?" He asked.
FallenAngemon began to say something, then dropped his head and walked out of the room, closing the broken door behind him.
Takeru threw his head back and wailed. Power of the Crest of Despair surged through him, and the harder he cried, the more powerful he would be. He felt completely trapped in the cycle. T.K. stopped fighting and let the Despair invade his soul.
************
The DigiDestined silently walked out of Sector, except for the ones who were crying. None of the guards or other Digimon from Sector interfered with their going. It was all that they could do to watch as the kids in their Digimon left broken and defeated from their town. They knew now that there would be no hope of Sector becoming free again, and readied themselves for a life of slavery.
************
Celamon rushed towards the Throne Room, and into the battered courtyard. There she saw Fallen stumble out into the open room.
Celamon ran towards him and stopped just a few feet shy. "Fallen?" she asked. FallenAngemon collapsed to his knees and dropped his head on her small shoulder. Tears flooded out from beneath the hood he wore, and he cried silently.
Celamon held him as he grieved. She cursed Dawoemon under her breath, but could do no more than that. She was content enough just to hold him until he was through with his grieving…or forever. Whichever came first.
************
Gennai was working hard, trying to create a new Fun Word Puzzle, when an alarm went off in his head. He fell out of his hickory chair in shock. "The DigiDestined…" he stammered. "…they've been…defeated!"
He leaped out of his chair and into a small room in his undersea house. There on the wall, the symbols of all the Crests were laid out, along with bars symbolizing their strength. All the bars were at an extreme low, except for the Crest of Hope, which had gone into the negative, at nearly maximum strength.
Surprisingly, Gennai smiled. There was only one light he was worried about. "Yes!" he thought to himself. "The Crest of Light was still glowing. It was faint, but it was still glowing positively."
Gennai ran into his room and began to relay a message to Koushiro. Time was of the essence, but he wasn't worried. He knew that everything would be OK at the end. The Crest of Light still shone.
And where there was Light…there was always Hope.
END OF ACT I
Well there it is, the depressingly sad ending to the first part of Dark Destiny. But there's still a glimmer of hope. The DigiDestined aren't giving up on T.K., they just have a few obsticles to get by…like say…FallenAngemon!! That guys like Darth Maul man, too friggin strong. Anyhoo…I might not get to the first chapter of the second act soon because of all the stuff that's going on around my place. And I'm also thinking of where I'm headed in this series. Anyhoo, I'll continue. Your reviews and comments are especially important, so please review. Later. -Incognito.