A/N: I'm really proud of myself I got started on this the day I posted
chapter five. I'm making this up as I go (you've probably noticed that
already) so if it gets confusing or it has been confusing in past chapters
I apologize, I know how this story will end, I'm just not sure of how to
get it to the ending.
Oh and sorry about all the spelling and grammar errors in all these chapters, I've been rushing through the editing part due to the fact that it already takes me so long to get new chapters out.
~*~*~
"I think my digi-vice grants wishes." Matt stated as brushed his clothes off, preventing loose dirt from getting stuck to the sweat or blood covered areas of his garments.
"Do you think that's what it was, an answer to a wish?" Gabumon asked from his side as he too brushed the loose dirt from his body.
Matt took a few steps forward, his head cast downward as he stared at his brown shoes. "No, I guess not, but it's a nice thought." He replied softly as he took a few more steps forward still with his eyes upon his shoes. Finally he drew his eyes away from the ground and looked at his new surroundings.
The crystal orbs scanned over the landscape taking in every detail of the rocky terrain that he and his partner had ended up on. A small gasp escaped his lips as his eyes came to rest upon a flat area of the mountain.
"What is it?" Gabumon asked from his side, the show of surprise from his partner had startled him into anticipating the worse.
"This is the place." Matt announced as his eyes focused in on the spot his was looking at. The land was dirt covered so there wasn't a very large variety of colors, yet the flat land was stained in many places with a reddish hue that could not be found anywhere else on the mountain. "This is where I had my battle with Piedmon, the blood has dried but it's still there."
Gabumon turned his gaze to where his partner was indicating. His soft crimson eyes immediately turned cold as he saw the battleground where Matt had undertook such serious abuse. Three different sets of footprints embedded the sandy ground completely undisturbed. Fragments of shattered rocks and small pieces of torn fabric still littered the area, but the most disturbing article on the battleground was the blood. Dried blood stained rocks and ground like paint splattered upon an artist's floor. The evidence of the battle between the mega clown and the young teen was a gruesome art show.
Gabumon was so full of rage, all he wanted to do at that moment was to take his clawed hand and rip out that crazed clowns heart and then show it to him while it was still beating. Of course he would never truly get that opportunity but the very thought of it put a smile upon his cold face.
"I hope Ladydevimon managed all right, I mean I didn't really stick around long enough to make sure she was really okay." Matt's concerned voice broke through Gabumon's malicious daydream.
"I'm sure she's okay, it takes a lot to bring down a Ladydevimon." The stripped digimon replied with confidence. He knew that most true Nightmare Soldiers were stronger then any average digimon, and any Nightmare Soldier that was loyal to their true lord was exceptionally powerful. The armies draw their strength from their leader, and Ladydevimon already proved her loyalty.
"If you want we can go look for her, she might be able to offer us shelter." Gabumon suggested as he looked at his partner who was still studying the battleground.
Matt didn't answer right a way and Gabumon was about to address the blond again when he turned his eyes from the landscape and sifted them to the cloudless sky.
"When Piedmon was announced the candidate Zhuqiaomon sought him out and brought him before the Digi-Core, but there has been no evidence that Zaquiomon has even acknowledged my victory over Piedmon." The teen stated wearily.
"Well it did take a while for Zhuqiaomon to find Piedmon, maybe it will take a while for you to be acknowledged as the rightful candidate too." Gabumon pointed out.
Matt slowly turned around to face his digimon partner. "I think this is different. Piedmon didn't have to take the first test, and at the time there was no reason for haste, but now the Nightmare Soldiers are diminishing. If the Digi-Core truly wants me to be the new Lord then you would think there would have been some action by now." the blond explained almost eagerly.
Gabumon raised his paw to his chin as he contemplated everything his partner had just said. "Do you think that this could be another test?" he asked thoughtfully once his mind had processed the information and came up with the only logical answer.
Matt smiled proudly at his digital companion. "I think so, I'm human, but Piedmon was a mega level digimon, I think that the Digi-Core wants to test me in anyway possible. I already proved I was strong, and now I have to prove that I am motivated and diligent. I have to take the chance to seek out Zhuqiaomon and demand my right to be tested by the Digi-Core." Matt stated firmly, though his voice was soft with exhaustion.
Gabumon nodded his head in agreement, showing that he would follow his friend to the end of the world and back.
Once Matt had received an affirming nod from his partner he started off in the direction that he and Ladydevimon had used to get up the mountain. He took a few steady steps, but soon his legs began to sway beneath him and he was eventually forced to his knees by dizziness and weakness.
Gabumon, seeing that Matt had been reduced to his knees, rushed over to his partner and looked him over carefully.
A few small cuts marked his upper body, mostly the chest area, while bruises swelled upon his legs. The small cuts on his body had stopped bleeding, however the dry blood latched itself to Matt's shirt causing it to stick to his body and rub many of the old sores raw. Removing the fabric from the flesh would be easy however the separation would reopen the cuts. The bruises could be dealt with if they had ice and a way to elevate the blonde's legs, however that was obviously not an option.
These smaller injuries were not the main focus of Gabumon's worries, Matt had already proven himself able to handle such small lesions, the thing which was causing panic to rise in the reptile digimon's heart was Matt's upper left arm. The cut there had been reopened and had been bleeding this entire time. Signs of infection could be seen even through the blood- covered skin. The blood loss was obviously the thing that was affecting Matt the most.
The blond hadn't once complained about the pain, but the loss of his life force was what forced him to his knees, and unless they could find some way to stop the bleeding then Matt wasn't going to make it.
"Don't suppose you have a first aid kit in that fur coat of yours do you?" Matt joked softly trying to ease some of his partners concern, which could be read in the digimon's crimson eyes.
"Matt" Gabumon scolded, generally he would be pleased to hear a joke from his blond friend, but this wasn't exactly the time to be kidding around. "Maybe if we applied enough pressure and kept your arm elevated then we can slow down the bleeding until we find some alternative to your stitches." The reptile stated thoughtfully as he observed Matt's injured arm.
"As much as strolling through the digital forest with my arm sticking straight in the air excites me, I don't think it will work, I tried that when I first got the cut, it didn't make much of a difference." Matt stated smiling kindly at his digimon. Despite his sarcasm he was really quiet worried about the injury, but he didn't want Gabumon to stress out about it.
Gabumon shook his head in frustration. He was running out of ideas and Matt was blinking and taking deep breaths, that was a sign that he was falling to sleep, or at least slipping into unconsciousness. "I don't think you're going to like this idea either, but maybe we can try a tourniquet."
Matt's eyes widened slightly at the sound of Gabumon suggestion. He had seen tourniquets performed on rescue shows, and he had also seen that the results weren't always the greatest. "Do you think that's the only way?" he asked his voice shaking with a hint of fear.
"I could digivolve into Garurumon, and carry you to the forest. Then we'll look for Ladydevimon or someone who can help us. But we won't try it unless you are absolutely certain you want to." Gabumon stated showing that he understood that the effects could cause more damage then good.
Matt finally nodded his approval and left Gabumon to handle the actual process.
With a sigh of relief and concern Gabumon went to work on stopping the blood flow in Matt's arm. First he used his sharp claws to carefully rip Matt's right shirtsleeve from the rest of the fabric then he gently pulled the free fabric off.
Matt shivered slightly from the exposure of his right arm, but still he complied with Gabumon's actions.
Gabumon took the fabric, which was once Matt's right sleeve, and moved over to the blonde's left side. After examining the wound carefully, he motioned for Matt to slowly lift his arm. Then he took the fabric and wrapped it twice around Matt's arm about two inches above the wound. Then he pulled the cloth as tightly as possible, causing Matt to yelp in pain before he tied the fabric in a tight double knot.
Once he was certain that the tourniquet was tight and secure he stepped away from the blond and waited to see his response.
Matt raised his right arm to his left, softly touching the wrap with his shaking and sweaty palm. Holding back the pain and fear Matt turned his eyes to his partner and without a word ordered him to digivolve.
Light radiated from the small digi-vice, hocked to Matt's pants, as a screeching sound echoed off the rocky cliffs. Light engulfed Gabumon and soon stretched out growing lager to match the digimon's advanced form. Once the light faded a giant wolf with long muscular limbs beautiful white and blue fur, and kind crimson eyes stood before the kneeling blond.
Matt slowly stood and walked to the side of the large wolf. Once he was at Garurumon's side the wolf bent down allowing Matt easy access to his back. Matt struggled to place himself on his partner but soon he was sitting upright on the wolf digimon's back, prepared to ride the giant beast as though he and the wolf were one.
Garurumon made it down the mountain with little effort, his large paws and sturdy legs made it easy for him to trot down the rocky mountainside.
Matt's right hand clung to the wolf's fur as he stubbornly fought back the darkness calling him to blissful unconscious. Garurumon moved carefully so as not to jerk the teen around too much, but the downhill ride was still very difficult for the blond since his strength was giving out.
Now the mountain was out of the way, and all that lay before the two was a flat grassy plane. Traveling in such an open space did cause some concern with Garurumon. If the two were attacked then there would be no place to seek cover in, and Matt certainly wasn't in any condition for battle. Still the flat land did offer one advantage, an easier terrain for running.
"Head southwest, that direction will bring us to a forest, and that is where we should find Ladydevimon." Matt ordered from on top the massive beast.
Garurumon growled a yes and began a slow trot in the direction the teen had said to go. After a few minutes at that speed, Matt grew restless and began to fidget from where he sat.
"Garurumon, don't worry, there are no digimon for miles, and I can handle you going at a quicker speed." The blond stated hoping to encourage the wolf to take to a faster pace.
The white wolf nodded in reply to Matt's announcement then began to speed up. At first he went from his slow trot to a run, but the run quickly turned into an astonishing dash. Soon the wolf was moving through the field going at least forty miles per hour.
Matt didn't so much as tense up from the wolf's incredible speed. He simply tightened his grip upon Garurumon's fur, leaned forward and enjoyed the ride. The wind blowing through his hair cooled the fever that was creeping up on his weakened body. He closed his eyes allowing the moving motion to rocking him into relaxation as he gave his full trust to the wolf digimon.
Garurumon was amazed at the speed he was traveling at, even on his best days alone he had never been able to go past maybe thirty miles per hour, but now he was traveling at an alarming pace, and he wasn't even using his full strength. He was certain that if Matt wasn't riding him, or that if he wasn't taking great care as to unsure that the ride was pleasant, that he could be going twice this speed. The new revelation actually wasn't that shocking. Matt was growing stronger so it was only natural that the wolf would grow stronger too.
Soon the field was behind them, and a great forest stretched out before them. The large trees with their dark wood and deep green leafs looked almost threatening as they loomed over the forest floor. The natural chill of the forest and the unusual mist that blanketed the land only gave the area a more grisly atmosphere.
The frigid climate and obscure clearings didn't seem to bother Matt; he merely patted Garurumon's neck, showing the beast that it was all right to enter.
The wolf like digimon walked cautiously into the shadowed forest. His red eyes dashed from side to side as he took in every detail of the haunted woods. His sharp hearing was on full alert as his focused on catching every sound of movement that transpired within a five-mile radius.
The dark didn't bother him, his eyesight was very keen and being a wolf meant he had a nocturnal instinct. The cold also wasn't a problem; his fur coat could easily block the icy hand of a blizzard, so a simple chilly forest wasn't going to cause him any problems.
Each long stride the wolf digimon took was agony for Matt. The teen's fever had risen considerably during the walk across the field, and his body ached with exhaustion and pain. His ribs felt like they were bruised, and this made breathing very difficult; the lack of food and water was also causing him some discomfort. While his stomach told him he was starving, the rest of his body despised the very thought of food. These discomforts were only minor in the teen's eyes, he could deal with the pain, illness, and hunger, but what he couldn't handle was his left arm.
The blond winced as his thoughts drifted to the lesion that was causing him so much trouble. His left arm had pretty much lost all feeling, but that didn't grant Matt any comfort. He hadn't really wanted to use the tourniquet, but
Gabumon was right, they really didn't have any other options. Still this didn't make the pressure any less frightening.
In one sense the tourniquet is good, it will stop the blood flow from reaching the left arm, which will stop the bleeding of the wound. If Matt did loose any more blood then it could became fatal, so in a way the tourniquet helped. But there were some side effects. Without blood within the left arm, the limb would die. There was also the threat of infection, which could be very damaging if not fatal.
'It's amazing how dependent we are on blood.' Matt thought bitterly to himself. 'The tourniquet hasn't been on too long, so there shouldn't be a problem.' He tried to reassure himself, but the positive thinking didn't quench his desire for the wrap to be off.
Matt dared a peek at his left hand. His fingers were turning a disgusting shade of pale blue, and when he laid his right hand upon his left a shiver ran up his uninjured arm and traveled through his broken body.
His left hand felt like ice; while his head left like it was on fire. The teen closed his blue eyes tightly in a desperate attempt to block off the pain by shutting out the light. This action didn't help the pain go away, but it did send him into another dizzy spell. When he opened his eyes again all he could see was fuzzy shapes which were quickly turning into shadows. His grip loosened on Garurumon's fur until his mind went black, his limbs went numb and the world itself vanished.
Garurumon slowed down the moment he felt Matt's grip loosen. Just as he was about to ask the blond what was wrong, he felt Matt's grip go completely. Soon the unconscious boy was sliding off the wolf's slick fur.
The wolf wasn't certain what he could do; there was no way to prevent Matt from hitting the hard forest floor. Just as the boy was about to hit the ground on his bruised back a shadow jumped from the near by trees and caught Matt's unconscious form only moments before he hit.
Garurumon quickly turned to face the shadowed figure. His muscles tensed as he stood in a battle ready position.
The figure didn't speak at first; it simple looked the boy over from top to bottom several times till at last a small growl escaped it lips. "You monstrous beast!" a famine voice shouted in fury. "What have you done to him!" she demanded as she stood still holding the teen in her arms.
Garurumon studied the figure still hidden by the shadows of the trees. "I didn't do anything to him!" he shouted back, he already felt guilty about not being there in time to help Matt. "He is my partner, and he's badly injured. I am trying to find someone who will help me save him." the wolf explained, this time his voice was gentle but still racked with sorrow.
After hearing the pain and sincerity in Garurumon's voice the figure stepped out of the shadows allowing the wolf to look at her.
Ladydevimon cradled Matt's broken body in her long arms, rocking him slightly as she held him protectively close. "What kind of protector let's this happen to his partner!"
Garurumon growled defensively. "There was nothing I could do, and if you really care, then you should stop arguing with me and listen!" he snapped back at the ultimate digimon.
Ladydevimon didn't reply, but her red eyes soften slightly as she stared at the wolf.
Garurumon took this small motion as a surrender and continued. "Matt's running a high fever, and his left arm has been put into a tourniquet. I'm not sure how long it's been in it, we didn't really think to time it, but if we don't get him help he'll die." Garurumon stated drastically.
Ladydevimon snarled in agitation. "I know of someone who might help, but you will have to stay here." She stated smugly.
Garurumon growled again then his muscles tensed as he glared at the fallen angle digimon. "Yamato is not going anywhere without me, and if you truly care about what happens to him then you will take us to this person who can help." He ordered, his voice changing from its ferocious snarl to a commanding tone.
Ladydevimon eyed the wolf digimon; her mouth turned up in a smirk. "You are just the kind of partner I thought he would have." She stated as her eyes gleamed with admiration. "Come I'll take you to the healer, if he can't help then know one can." Her eyes soften as she looked upon the boy in her arms once more.
"Thank you." Garurumon replied gratefully.
Ladydevimon's feet left from the ground her arms wrapped tightly around Matt as she prepared to take the quickest rout to the healer's home. "Just try to keep up." She ordered with a hint of arrogance. "Oh and Garurumon, this doesn't mean that I like you."
With that stated, the two digimon took off with amazing speed, as they both rushed to save the one who meant more to them then life itself.
~*~*~
"This is where the healer lives." Garurumon expressed in amazement.
"Let's just hope that he will be willing to help us with little questions." The demon digimon replied.
Garurumon looked over the area taking in every detail of the healer's home. Hills with dark green grass and a few rocky areas made up the basic landscape. The climate was damp with a light silver mist settled upon the hills of beautiful green grass. Tall mountains, which made up part of the inner wall of Forbidden Valley, overshadowed the land, blocking most of the sun's golden rays and casting the land in a almost mystical twilight.
Unlike most of Forbidden Valley this area was warm with only a gentle autumn breeze blowing playfully over the grassy hills. No water source could be seen however the sound of running water could be heard reverberating off the mountains from some unknown source. If you tried to compare the land with that of the real world the closes you would come would be the emerald green hill of Ireland along with the rocky hills of Scotland, but even those two places could not compare with the beauty of the landscape in northeast Forbidden Valley. The area was defiantly enchanting, a place of magic.
"Follow me. His home is close." Ladydevimon's soft voice broke through the wolf's wonder.
The two digimon continued their trek this time moving at a slower pace. Matt's fever wasn't improving and he had begun moaning and fidgeting in his sleep. The ill stricken boy had grown deathly pale and his breathing had grown more labored.
Using the Child of Friendship's pain for fuel the demon and the wolf marched on with dread and urgency haunting their minds.
Soon the group left the smooth hills covered in seas of grass and entered the rockier part of the land. The closer they got to the mountains the rockier the land became. The rocks presented obstacles but these small obstacles didn't slow down the determined digimons' progress.
"There!" Ladydevimon shouted in relief.
Garurumon brought his eyes of the rocky ground and focused his gaze to where the fallen angle was pointing. There carved in the stone wall of a small cliff was a cave. The entrance to the cave was actually a large round wooden door. The wood was well polished and had strange carving, that looked to be some form of digi-code, lining the otter rim. In the center of the door was a large, polished iron door handle. About two feet away from both sides of the door was a window. The windows where of beautiful stained glass making up murals of Zhuqiaomon the god of the south. On top of the cliff, where the cave was carved, there stood an old brick chimney with puffs of smock rising from its opening.
Ladydevimon walked cautiously towards the door to the underground house. Garurumon followed the demon's lead and walked silently to the healer's home.
Once he was closer Garurumon could clearly see exotic vines with deep red flowers covering the sides of the cliff and draping over the windows and door. The entranceway was a clean brick lined sidewalk with some small potted plants and statues of other Nightmare Soldier digimon scattered here and there.
Ladydevimon freed one of her hands and knocked quickly upon the dark brown door. The sound of her knuckles hitting the door sounded like glass upon iron.
Garurumon was a little startled by the sound of the door, but Ladydevimon didn't seem to notice or she simply didn't care.
"Healer! Please we need your help!" the demon maiden shouted once she did not receive a reply to her knock.
The two digimon waited in silence hoping to hear some indication that the healer had acknowledged them. However soon impatient kicked in and Garurumon was about to shout for the healer himself when all of the sudden something grabbed him from behind.
Garurumon yelped in surprise as the vines covering the house began to move; two wrapped themselves around the wolf's hind legs while another two grabbed his front. Then another set of vines grabbed him around the neck forcing his head to the ground while it tighten around his throat allowing him just enough oxygen to remain conscious. The final vine twisted around his snout preventing him from using his teeth or crying out for help.
'That little witch betrayed us!' was the first thought that ran through the stripped digimon's mind. He was just about to shoot the demon an accusing glare when he heard a startling screech.
Ladydevimon's panic filled scream rang out over the hills. Desperately she slashing at the attacking vines while trying to hold Matt away from them. The unconscious boy groaned in pain every time the fallen angle jerked around, but that could not be helped. The vines tore at the digimon, latching on to her limbs and hair as they fought to gain control over her.
Forcefully she jerked and slashed, while ordering the plants to stay back. Her grip on Matt tightened, but it was no use, every time she hoed down a vine two more would appear in its place. One vine broke free from the group and went behind Ladydevimon; it then slithered around her neck and tightened. The sudden pressure around her neck caused the demon to loosen her grip on Matt in surprise.
The vines took this as an opportunity to rip Matt from Ladydevimon's hold and wrap themselves around his limbs while keep his limp body suspended in the air.
Ladydevimon screamed in fury at the attacking vines but it was too late, once Matt was taken from her arms the vines wrapped around her ankles and wrist holding her tightly in the air.
"Release me you slithering vegetables!" the fallen angel, shouted as she struggled to free herself from the vine's grip.
Garurumon too began pulling on the plants, trying his best to brake their hold. The sight of Matt suspended in the air gave the wolf a new strength and he stubbornly fought against the vines. Drawing all the strength he had, he concentrated it into one forceful pull. Quickly he yanked his muscular legs up ripping some of the vines and freeing himself just enough to move three steps towards he partner. After he had moved the vines attacked again only this time dozens of slithering dark green plants wrapped over his body, latching on to his fur and forcing him to the ground.
Once Garurumon was held with his stomach pulled tightly to the ground, the vines tried something new. Slowly large thorns began to grow from the plants, after the tips of the thorns had emerged the rest of the growth shot out with the speed of bullets.
Garurumon yelped and struggled in pain as three inch thorns pierced his skin and dug deep into his flesh causing dots of crimson to appear all over his beautiful white fur.
"Stop it you hideous plants, he hasn't done anything, and neither have I. Let me and my master, and my comrade go now!" Ladydevimon shouted in anger.
"Who are you and what do you want?" a soft voice chanted. The sound was soothing and the voice seemed to radiate from the wind itself.
Ladydevimon looked around in search of the source of the voice, while Garurumon, who could not move his head, shifted his eyes from side to side also searching for the owner of the voice.
When no source could be found Ladydevimon decided to answer. "Who we are is not as important as why we are here. We need your help healer, my friend is injured and ill, we have brought him here because rumor states that you are an expert at healing."
The voice did not reply quickly, instead it left the two digimon in the agonizing silence of waiting, with only the wind to keep them company.
Just as Ladydevimon was about to call out to the voice once more something happened. The fines around her wrist and ankles loosened and then released her completely. As she looked around she saw that the thorns that once dug into Garurumon's skin had recoiled and the vines had slackened their grip upon him, until at last they released him completely.
Before Garurumon could stand a bright blue light engulfed him. When the light faded Gabumon stood in the place of the giant wolf.
The fallen angel was about to ask what happened when she noticed that Gabumon's attention was not upon her. The reptile digimon's red eyes stared straight at Matt as he ran to his partner's side.
The vines hadn't held the blond too tightly, and once the other vines released their captives, the vines, which held him, lowered his body slowly to the ground before lying him gently on his back.
Matt's body flinched as his chest rose in a hoarse cough. The teen coughed several times before his form returned to its limp state.
Gabumon rushed to Matt's side, once he was beside his partner he bent over gently checking his breathing and fever.
Soon Ladydevimon joined the two partners and knelt on Matt's other side. The demon was about to ask how Matt was doing when a strange sound came from the cave.
Both Gabumon and Ladydevimon looked over to the entrance of the cave, and where greeted with an astonishing sight. The wooden door began to swirl like liquid in a world pool. The shades of dark brown mixed and spun until the brown began to turn into a very dark gray and then black. Once the colors turned the darkest shade of black the swirling stopped, and in the place of the door was a dark portal with no sings of an end.
The two digimon peered inside the portal with curiosity.
"Brining the boy in." the same voice, which spoke before ordered. Its soft but mystical tone sent both digimon into a hypnotic state, causing both of them to comply with the its demands.
Slowly Ladydevimon lifted Matt into her arms once more, and then followed Gabumon through the dark portal and into the healer's lair.
~*~*~
Sirens whaled as people ran about, some trying to get home, some trying to help the shocked an injured, and others trying to get as much information out of the attacked as possible.
Tai wished that he could fall under the trying to help category, but at the moment that didn't really describe what he was doing. The second a student from school announced the attack; school closed down, or rather the students and teachers panicked and ran out of their classes leaving the school vacant.
The Child of Courage hated these sights. He hated all the honking cars, backed up traffic, and rushing people; he hated all the reports and officers trying to interview the frightened people. He hated it every time he was forced to pass by a child crying in their mother's arms because they saw the monster from their nightmares.
But these are all things he was forced to grew use to, all the chaos, tears, and fear. Odiba had been named the number one city for monster attacks, and these attacks were often blamed on the mysterious children who could tame beast.
The Digidestined and all digimon were viewed as the enemies, viewed as the cause of this destruction. Officials were always trying to find the identity of the monster tamers, but so far, thanks to Izzy, Yolie, Ken and Gennia all their efforts were in vain. Still this didn't ease the dread that someday men from the army, dressed in bio-protective suits, will come busting down your door in the middle of the night, and drag you and your family off to some experimental lab.
Tai shook his head fighting back one of his greatest fears as he continued to walk down the street listening in on every conversation, in hope of finding out a little more information.
"Hey Tai!" a voiced shouted from the crowds of crying people.
The young teen looked around the moment he heard his name, finally his eyes landed on a red headed boy carrying a laptop on the other side of the street.
After making eye contact with the boy Tai headed in his direction. Crossing the street and avoiding the many cameras was actually a very difficult task. Cars were backed up for miles and news reporters were everywhere, but still the leader made it across and faced his friend.
"What'd you find out?" he asked quietly trying not to drive any attention to himself or the boy genius.
The red head pulled Tai down the street and over to an area where only a few pedestrians walked, trying to get to there homes. Tai looked around and saw Sora sitting quietly on and old bench with her head down and her eyes locked on the sidewalk.
"Okay let's compare information, and then we can determined which information is the more plausible." Izzy stated as he sat next to Sora, who had looked up the moment she heard Izzy talking.
"Well I didn't find out much other then there was three different battle sites, and that there was a lot of blood on two of them." Tai stated as he leaned against the large pine green lamp posted towering over the small wooden bench.
Izzy, after hearing Tai's information, opened his laptop and began typing away with a determined scowl on his face. "Well according to the latest update on CNN's site, there was in fact three different battle sites. Apparently one was fought in the open streets, with many witnesses watching. In that battle witnesses say that there was three ghost fighting a horned dog like creature. While the second site had no witnesses, however there was a great deal of blood and considerable damage done to a toyshop. Let me see what I can get on the last battle site." Izzy announced as he continued to type on his laptop.
Tai and Sora both stared at the red head with anticipation. All three of them had come to the conclusion that the horned dog like creature had to be Gabumon, but this was something the group had already determined. After hearing of the attacks, all the Digidestined checked in and stated that they were nowhere near those areas during the time of the attacks, all except Matt. The group had been trying to reach the blond for some time, but there was no answer on his home phone or palmpilot.
"This doesn't make any sense!" Izzy exclaimed in bewilderment.
"What?" Tai asked in fear and surprise.
"Well according to this, the last attack took place in an alley, not too far away from the other attacks, the attack was made by two ghost. The report says that there were two victims, a young couple walking home from a date was grabbed from behind and pulled into the alley. According to one of the victims the couple was beaten, and ordered to scream. Soon after the victims were then ordered to remain silent. Shortly after that their captives became transparent." Izzy then stopped and read over his screen once more, obviously not believing a word of what the report says.
"Izzy, what happened after that?" Tai asked in annoyance.
Izzy blushed sheepishly. "Sorry, but this report really doesn't make any sense." The genius stated as he again turned his eyes to the screen.
"Well would you just tell us, then we can decided whether or not it makes sense." Sora stated with an aggravated glare.
The red head shrugged his shoulders and then turned away from the computer screen. "Well according to this the victim states that he and his girlfriend was saved by a boy. The victim says the boy was some kind of angel and he had these strange powers. He used the powers to destroy the ghost and then he helped the victims to safety."
Sora shook her head in disbelief. "But there are no digimon who look like boys, and the only angel digimon are Angemon and Angewomon." She stated in confusion.
"Well according to this the boy didn't have wings, but he did have golden blond hair and intense crystal blue eyes." Izzy replied, he already had a theory about this mysterious angel, but he wanted his comrades to decide on their own about the savor.
After Izzy had stated the last bit of information on the boy, he could hear a gasp escaped from Tai's lips.
"Matt!" the brunette exclaimed in worry and then took off in the direction of the blond boy's apartment.
Sora stared at the quickly retreating form of their leader before turning back to Izzy. "You don't really think it was Matt who saved those people, do you?" the young woman asked, her voice shaking in confusion.
Izzy shrugged his shoulders. It was true that the theory was a little unorthodox, but the boy genius never liked to close his mind to any possibilities until they had been completely proven wrong. "We have already determined that Gabumon was the creature at the first battle sight, and we also know that Matt was not at school during the times of the attacks, so yes I believe it is possible."
Sora shook her head in disbelief. "But Matt doesn't have powers, how could he possibly be able to fight two Bakemon?" she argued, the idea of her friend having "powers" frightened greatly.
"Well maybe he used a mind over matter chant like you and Joe did, but I think you're wrong about the power thing. Remember the battle against Piedmon?" the genius asked as he prepared to share one of his long time theories with the auburn hair girl.
Sora only nodded, she wasn't certain of where the boy was going, but she had a feeling she wasn't going to like it.
"Well I kept careful records of that battle, and I have analyzed the information from it many times, and every time this one little factor shows up that intrigues me. During the battle Tai was on the brink of death, and Wargreymon was already dead, his body simply hadn't reconfigured yet, but when Matt showed up he was some how able to use his crest to bring both of them back to life; and restore Wargreymon's strength beyond it's normal parameters. That was very amazing, and it definitely shows that Matt does indeed have some type of gift." Izzy announced his theory with pride.
"Yeah, but Kari used her crest like that too. Does that mean she has special powers as well?" Sora asked confused.
Izzy's face immediately dropped from his proud smile to a defeated frown. "I hadn't considered that. I guess that means that we all might have powers, which blows a hole in my 'Matt is special theory.'" He stated in aggravation.
"You see, I knew Matt couldn't be different from the rest of us. We're a team and he is our friend, not some kind of warrior." Sora stated pleased with the idea.
Izzy was silent for a few moments as he thought of Sora's words. Finally he decided to reply, and stated something that had been on all the Digidestined's minds.
"Yes he is our friend, but how well do we really know him?"
~*~*~
A rounded hall with beautiful polished banisters and a high ceiling lead the way from the black portal. Gabumon found that once the group was inside the endless darkness faded as well as the portal, leaving the group in an elegant yet homey hallway. The light brown banisters were round giving the hallway the illusion that you were traveling in a tunnel.
The floor to the hall was also wood and had a beautiful woven rug, with deep red and bright violet thread woven into kaleidoscope patterns. There were no doors in the hall, only large areas of plain wood showing where a door might exists. There was also no light source, no candles or torches or even chandeliers, however the hall was lit in the fashion of a study.
"Do you think this hall has an end?" Ladydevimon finally asked the smaller digimon.
Gabumon shook his head then looked towards the fallen angel. "I don't know. Perhaps this is some kind of trap." The rookie speculated.
"Well if it is then this healer is going to pay." The demon replied as her face twisted into a scowl.
"This is no trap I assure you." The voice which had ordered them in spoke once more.
The two digimon looked around in confusion. Their eyes darted back and forth as they searched the small hall for the owner of the mysterious voice.
Gabumon looked around until his eye rested upon the wall next to him. The dark wood began to grow soft, and then the polish became completely flat and even. The dark wood then began to fade in color as it thinned out. Once this process was done all that remained of this particular area of the wall was a thin transparent piece of glass with a light brown tent.
The stripped digimon walked up to the glass wall and peered in. Once he strained his eyes hard enough he could see some sort of room on the other side. Slowly he touch the glass with the palm of his hand.
Immediately the contact sent a command to the door. Once Gabumon's warm paw touched the glass; the window began to move. Slowly and even crack ran down the center of the glass in a perfect straight line. Then the two halves of the glass pushed back in the direction of the room, just like a door.
Gabumon's crimson eyes scanned over the room carefully. The space was large and had many items scattered about it. One area off to the right corner was covered in colorful cushion. A desk with elegantly carved legs sat off to the left side of the room with scrolls and a few burning candles scattered on top. A long table, which was very low to the ground, rested in the center of the room, while a mat was laid out just behind it. And finally there was the fire place, unlike the rest of the room, the fire place was of ordinary stone, probably carved out of the cliff itself, and had a blazing fire burning in it.
Ladydevimon ignored all the lovely assets of the room and walked immediately to the mat laying on the ground.
The mat seemed to be made of many lawyers of cloth, while the top cloth was a light blue piece of silk, embroidered on the outside with silver thread. The pillow lying at the head of the mat was a beautiful navy blue satin cushion.
Gently Ladydevimon lower the injured teen to the mat and placed him on the soft fabric.
Once Matt was resting on the soft cot Gabumon walked to his side and sat down, while Ladydevimon wandered around the room looking at everything that caught her curiosity.
'You don't deserve this, I know you're extraordinary, but you're still just a kid. Well maybe young man is more appropriate, but still you should be at home resting on your couch while flipping through those three hundred channels with nothing good on. It's not fair that you're lying here sick and injured, I should be the one in pain. All the other Digidestined are free from these kinds of attacks, they will always have their partners with them, but you will have to fight many of your battles on your own. I just wish I could take all the pain away.'
'You will not need to.'
Gabumon jumped then looked around in surprise and fear. Someone was reading his thoughts, not only that but someone answered his thoughts as well.
"Ladydevimon, he's reading our thoughts!" Gabumon exclaimed to the demon digimon who was now at the wooden desk flipping through old scrolls. "Why did you bring us here if we were just going to be attacked and then intruded on?" Gabumon shouted at the female digimon.
Laydevimon placed her hands on her hips as her face twisted into an angry frown. "First of all I didn't know we were going to be attacked and second who is reading our thoughts?" she asked in irritation, as she grew very offended by the accusation the rookie was making about her.
Gabumon stared at the fallen angel in disbelief. "I thought you said you knew this digimon." He stated through grinned teeth.
"I said I knew of him! I never loose a fight so I never get injured so I never need a healer!" she retorted partly in mockery and partly in anger.
At that moment Gabumon simply wanted to pull out his fur in frustration. Matt was being hunted and Ladydevimon took him to a place where she didn't even know who lived there, or who that digimon worked for.
Just as the reptile digimon was about to shout a few insults at the ultimate digimon a soft laugh radiated throughout the room. The laugh wasn't mocking or evil, it was simply pleasant and soft. Whoever was laughing was greatly amused by something, of course the laughter only added to the tension in the room.
"You two are very amusing, but your fighting won't help the boy." The voice stated through his laughter.
Gabumon took a deep breath in an attempt to take control of the anger and frustration that was building up within him. "I know our fighting won't help him, but neither will your taunting. So please if you have any intention of helping us then do it now, or let us go so we can find another way to help our friend."
The light within the room grew brighter as the fire in the fireplace flared into amazing sparks of orange and red light. Soon the flame began to take a form as he floated out of the fireplace and hovered above the wooden floor. Once the fire had completely separated into two flames, one in the fireplace and one hovering above the ground, the fireplace turned back to it's normal flame while the flame hovering above the ground began to take shape.
Soon a short figure with a pointed hat and a ragged cape formed out of the flame. Once the basic figure was formed the flame vanished and there standing before the two digimon was a child size being clad in a loose one piece garment. The main part of the garment was black with silver patches, zippers and designs placed all about it. A cape of light neon blue floated behind the figure giving him a mysterious look. The cape itself seemed to glow and the inside was decorated with silver digi-code. Two gray boots and two gray gloves covered his feet and hands while a pointed wizard's hat rested proudly upon his head. The cape reached high onto his face covering up his mouth while the rim of his matching hat shielded his soft blue eyes, and finally hidden under his neon blue hat was light gray hair held back by a ponytail.
"Are you a Wizardmon?" Gabumon finally asked after the mysterious digimon had landed on the floor between the fireplace and Matt.
The small digimon shook his head no and if one could see his face then they would know that an amused smile appeared there every time someone would ask him that question.
"Wizardmon and I are alike but we are also very different. Wizardmon are more open while my kind prefers to remain away from other. Wizardmon also travel and seek out the sick, while my kind prefers to remain in one place." The wizard digimon explained.
"Well then what should I call you?" Gabumon asked gently. He could tell that this digimon didn't fully trust them, he could also tell that this digimon would never hurt them unless he felt he was in danger.
"You may call me Sorcerymon."
"Well Sorcerymon, you've caused use a lot of trouble, and it had better be worth it." Ladydevimon stated with cold eyes. In her mind this little wizard had not only attacked them without provocation, but had also endangered her master's life.
The wizard digimon winced from the icy glare he was receiving from the fallen angel. "I wasn't sure of what you wanted, these are confusing times, many of Deamon's servants have come around asking question. I don't want to take any risk of getting mixed up with that monster or his followers. I'm not a digimon of war." He explained softly.
Ladydevimon's face didn't change from its cold state and though no verbal reply came from her you could feel the sarcastic words within her stare.
"Never mind her, I think her mask is on too tight." Gabumon spoke trying to relax the wizard digimon and move on to the more important matters. Luckily for him Ladydevimon chosen not to reply to his remark, giving him the opportunity to continue. "Sorcerymon, you said that you are a healer, could you please heal my friend? I will give you anything I have just please help him." the reptile begged.
"But what could you a partner to a Digidestined possibly have that I could want or need?" Sorcerymon replied skeptically.
Gabumon lowered his head casting his eye upon Matt's injured form. 'He's right I have nothing to give him.'
"I have many things that could be considered of value, simply name what you want and if I do not have it then I will go find it for you." Ladydevimon spoke up offering her services to save Matt.
"Maiden I want none of your spoils, but I would like answers." The wizard answered his eyes slanted showing that he would not help unless he received his request in return.
"Answers to what?" Gabumon asked quietly, not looking away from Matt.
Sorcerymon turned his light blue eyes away from Ladydevimon and shifted them to Gabumon. "I told you Deamon's servants have been in the area asking all sort of questions. His cruel scouts keep asking about a boy, a Digidestined. Apparently this boy has challenged Deamon's authority, and what I want to know is how he has become so high on the demon's priority list, and why a Nightmare Soldier would fight to protect a human, especially a Digidestined." The sorcerer looked towards Ladydevimon as he asked his last question.
"Listen shorty none of that is any of your business!" Ladydevimon replied in an icy voice which could freeze anyone's spine.
"She's right we can't answer your questions." Gabumon spoke as he looked away from Matt and locked eyes with the wizard.
"Well then I can't help your friend." Sorcerymon replied not seeming at all fazed by the looks he was receiving from both Ladydevimon and Gabumon.
Gabumon grew very angry by Sorcerymon's reply. "Why ask us question when you can simply read our minds?" Gabumon demanded.
"The two of you hold your knowledge about the boy very well, all I can learn about him from the two of you is that you both care about him dearly. And the boy himself, I can get nothing from him. He is unconscious and weak, and yet still he can block my powers." The wizard explained in amazement.
"Well if you're not going to help him then we will leave." Ladydevimon stated simply as she headed towards the cot where Matt laid.
"If you feel that you can find someone to help him else where then by all means leave." Sorcerymon replied smugly.
"You're lying." Gabumon whispered quietly."
Sorcerymon's eyes narrowed as he stared at the rookie in confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asked softly.
"You may not be able to read his mind but you can read ours, you're simply choosing not to." He explained. "And you really don't want us to leave. The fact is that you already have your suspicions about him, and you want to see if you are correct." Gabumon smiled at the shocked face he was receiving from the wizard.
"How could a rookie have read me so well?" he asked in bewilderment.
Gabumon's smile widened at this remark. "I'm only as strong as he is, and he would have seen through your act much sooner." He replied sadly.
Sorcerymon looked at the blond boy his eyes softened at the sight of the injured teen. "Is he really who I think he is?" he asked quietly.
Gabumon nodded. "We think so, but we'll never know for sure if you can't heal him. We have to go find Zaquiomon that way he can be tested by the Digi-Core."
Sorcerymon bent down to Matt's side and ran his gloved hand of the teen's pale cheek. "I could get in a lot of trouble if I help you, but if this boy can tame the hearts of a wolf and a demon, then he must be special." He whispered in amazement.
Slowly the wizard brought he two gloved hands together and placed them together as though he was praying. Quietly he began to chant words in a language unknown to any outside of the wizard's realm. As his voice grew louder a silver light began to radiate off his hands. The light spread from his hands and began to cover the dying teen and a beautiful glow. The light then intensified so much that both Ladydevimon and Gabumon were forced to shield their eyes, when at last the two digimon were opened their eyes they found the light was gone.
Sorcerymon had placed his hands upon his folded knees while his head hung and he eyes shut.
Gabumon felt that he was going to scream for joy when his eyes fell upon his partner.
All the color had returned to the teen's skin, all the wounds both old and new had healed. Many of them had faded completely while a few left scares. Not only had the teen been held, but all the blood and rips in his clothing had vanished.
A soft sigh escaped Matt's lips as his eyelids fluttered open revealing his intense cerulean orbs. He blinked a few times as he adjusted to the light in the room.
"Matt, how do you feel?" Gabumon asked once Matt's eyes had adjusted.
The blond boy looked at his digimon partner and smiled reassuringly, then he slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position. Matt didn't acknowledge Gabumon or Ladydevimon; instead he turned his attention towards the small digimon sitting exhausted by his side.
Sorcerymon bent his head lower; Matt's intense gaze made the wizard feel slightly uncomfortable. This teen was able to fight him even when he was weak and the power coming from him was stronger then anything Sorcerymon had ever felt.
Matt sensed the digimon's uneasiness and decided to speak. "Thank you." He whispered quietly trying to ease the wizard's fear.
Sorcerymon immediately looked up to see the young man staring back at him with a kind smile. "I didn't really do much." The wizard replied.
Matt's smile widened then his face returned to its clam expression. "I was wondering lost in a world where only darkness could be found. There I remained alone and afraid, but then I saw you and I knew there was hope." The blond said simply. "You saved my life, and I will not forget this. I will always be in your debt."
Sorcerymon shook his head then replied. "Just save my people, save them from corruption, save them from themselves, and we will be even."
Matt nodded and then stood. "I promise I will do everything in my power to save them." he stated as a gleam of determination flashed within his eyes.
"Well in order to do that you will have to get out of here." The wizard answered as he waved his hand.
The once brown tented glass door faded and into an opening leading to the grassy hills of the outside world.
The three looked at one another then at the wizard digimon, after receiving a nod from him the group walked towards the opening. First Ladydevimon passed through the exit, followed by Gabumon.
Matt was about to walk through, but he stopped and looked back at Sorcerymon.
"I will never forget you." He stated simply before he turned back around and exited the wizard's lair.
Once outside Matt felt cold. Inside Sorcerymon's house, he felt warm safe, but out here the world was colder cruller, and less magical.
~*~*~
As soon as the elevator doors open a blur of blue and tan ran out and dashed straight towards the end of the walkway. The person's shoes barley hit the ground before they were brought back up again, and though he was painting from the long run his pace didn't slacken. Finally the blur drew near to the last door in the walkway and skid to a stop. After he stopped he grabbed the railing to the eighth story balcony steadying himself as his sudden stop caused him to stumble.
Taking a deep breath the tanned hand released it's grip on the railing an approached the Ishida's front door.
'What if he's not here? No that's crazy, he has to be here, he has to be all right. It probably wasn't even him at those attacks; he was probably at band practice or here at home, safe away from the danger. Yeah that's it he was here the whole time, and when I knock he'll answer the door and then he'll invite me in. we'll talk and he probably won't know anything about the attack. He had nothing to do with it, please say you had nothing to do with it.' with these thoughts circling his mind Taichi knocked on his best friend's door and waited patiently for an answer.
Two seconds later he rose his fist to the door and pounded on it once more with his callused knuckles. The sound of the knock could be heard all the way down the walkway, so Tai was certain that whoever was in the apartment would have heard, but still no reply came.
After three more loud knocks Tai finally decided to gather his courage and see if the door was unlocked. Slow he turned the brass doorknob and to his surprise the knob twisted all the way and the door opened.
'This isn't right, Matt and his dad are very cautious, they would never leave the door unlocked, not even when they're home.'
Tai pushed the door all the way open and then stepped into apartment. "Hello, Matt are you home?" he called loudly enough for anyone in the apartment to hear, but softly enough too not draw attention from any neighbors.
The first thing the brunette noticed once he had shut the door and entered the living room of the apartment was the dark. The entire apartment was a dark as night, and with blinds of black covering every window including the balcony door. The second thing he noticed was the cold, the apartment was like ice, the cold was so intense that you could actually see the carbondioxide leaving your mouth as exhaled.
"Matt, Mr. Ishida? Is someone here?" Tai called once more. After a few minutes of straining his eyes he finally decided to turn on the on the living room light. With a flick of a switch the dark apartment transformed into common living quarters.
Tai didn't bother looking in the living room, instead he peered down the dark hall. "Matt?" he called once more, but still all he received in reply was a panic building silence.
"He's not here." A soft voice whispered from within the living room
Tai jerked around to see who had just spoken and received a great shock. "TK! What are you doing here?" he asked as he walked towards the young blond boy who was sitting perfectly still on the leather couch. "Are you okay?" the brunette asked once he saw how unresponsive the younger boy was.
TK didn't move, his eyes stared straightforward, but the crystal orbs didn't seem to see anything.
"TK?" older boy asked again as he grew concern for his young friend.
"I looked all over the apartment three times, I called all of his friends, and my parents, but no one knows where he is. No one has even seen him since around lunch time." The blond finally spoke although now that he had Tai could tell just how disturbed the boy was.
"I'm sure he's okay, he goes off on his own all the time." Tai tried to reason.
"If you really thought he was fine then you wouldn't be here." TK snapped as he finally turned to look at the older boy. His eyes held so much worry and his voice sounded so similar to his older brother.
'Man TK and Matt are very different, but they are also so alike. Both have that intense stare when ever they're worried about someone, and both have that protective nature.' The leader thought to himself as he sat down next to the younger boy. "I guess you saw the news reports too."
"I just don't understand! Why didn't he call us for help?" TK shouted in frustration. "The news reports said that there was a lot of blood, Bakemon don't bleed, so that means the blood had to have come from him."
Tai wrapped his arm protectively around the younger boy, drawing him into a comforting embrace. "I'm sure he's okay" Tai didn't get a chance to finish because TK jerked out of his hold and stood up.
"If he is really okay then why isn't he here? The report said that a boy fought two of the Bakemon, how could Matt have possibly taken out two Bakemon?" the boy exclaimed as he hung his head trying to hide the tears that were building up in his eyes.
Tai slowly stood up and looked at the younger boy, his heart went out to the Child of Hope; it was true that he was worried about Matt, but TK was beyond worried he was panicked.
"I don't know TK, I'm worried too, but we have to have hope. We have to hope that he's okay and that he'll be back soon." The older boy coaxed softly.
TK nodded his head slowly showing that he understood what the brunette meant. "I'm not leaving until he gets back." He stated simply.
Tai smiled and nodded. "Me neither." He announced, as the two looked at each other both understanding the other's worry. "Don't worry you know your brother's too stubborn to be taken down by a bunch of ghost." Tai expressed with a confident grin.
TK smiled and nodded, he knew his brother was strong, but still that didn't ease the worry much.
'Big brother please be okay.'
~*~*~
Okay I need opinions, should I shorten the chapter length, or should I stop adding little sense (like the one with TK and Tai) and focus my attention on just getting done with this story. Basically what I'm asking is should I write less development scenes and just be direct and do the story quicker?
Oh I know the tourniquet was on Matt way to long, and I know that Sorcerymon's outfit isn't really black, but I haven't seen a pic of him in so long that I couldn't remember what he looks like. Oh and you're going to see Sorcerymon again. Last thing is that Gabumon and Ladydevimon are going to fight every now and then because I thought it would add a neat twist.
Okay enough of me please review.
Oh and sorry about all the spelling and grammar errors in all these chapters, I've been rushing through the editing part due to the fact that it already takes me so long to get new chapters out.
~*~*~
"I think my digi-vice grants wishes." Matt stated as brushed his clothes off, preventing loose dirt from getting stuck to the sweat or blood covered areas of his garments.
"Do you think that's what it was, an answer to a wish?" Gabumon asked from his side as he too brushed the loose dirt from his body.
Matt took a few steps forward, his head cast downward as he stared at his brown shoes. "No, I guess not, but it's a nice thought." He replied softly as he took a few more steps forward still with his eyes upon his shoes. Finally he drew his eyes away from the ground and looked at his new surroundings.
The crystal orbs scanned over the landscape taking in every detail of the rocky terrain that he and his partner had ended up on. A small gasp escaped his lips as his eyes came to rest upon a flat area of the mountain.
"What is it?" Gabumon asked from his side, the show of surprise from his partner had startled him into anticipating the worse.
"This is the place." Matt announced as his eyes focused in on the spot his was looking at. The land was dirt covered so there wasn't a very large variety of colors, yet the flat land was stained in many places with a reddish hue that could not be found anywhere else on the mountain. "This is where I had my battle with Piedmon, the blood has dried but it's still there."
Gabumon turned his gaze to where his partner was indicating. His soft crimson eyes immediately turned cold as he saw the battleground where Matt had undertook such serious abuse. Three different sets of footprints embedded the sandy ground completely undisturbed. Fragments of shattered rocks and small pieces of torn fabric still littered the area, but the most disturbing article on the battleground was the blood. Dried blood stained rocks and ground like paint splattered upon an artist's floor. The evidence of the battle between the mega clown and the young teen was a gruesome art show.
Gabumon was so full of rage, all he wanted to do at that moment was to take his clawed hand and rip out that crazed clowns heart and then show it to him while it was still beating. Of course he would never truly get that opportunity but the very thought of it put a smile upon his cold face.
"I hope Ladydevimon managed all right, I mean I didn't really stick around long enough to make sure she was really okay." Matt's concerned voice broke through Gabumon's malicious daydream.
"I'm sure she's okay, it takes a lot to bring down a Ladydevimon." The stripped digimon replied with confidence. He knew that most true Nightmare Soldiers were stronger then any average digimon, and any Nightmare Soldier that was loyal to their true lord was exceptionally powerful. The armies draw their strength from their leader, and Ladydevimon already proved her loyalty.
"If you want we can go look for her, she might be able to offer us shelter." Gabumon suggested as he looked at his partner who was still studying the battleground.
Matt didn't answer right a way and Gabumon was about to address the blond again when he turned his eyes from the landscape and sifted them to the cloudless sky.
"When Piedmon was announced the candidate Zhuqiaomon sought him out and brought him before the Digi-Core, but there has been no evidence that Zaquiomon has even acknowledged my victory over Piedmon." The teen stated wearily.
"Well it did take a while for Zhuqiaomon to find Piedmon, maybe it will take a while for you to be acknowledged as the rightful candidate too." Gabumon pointed out.
Matt slowly turned around to face his digimon partner. "I think this is different. Piedmon didn't have to take the first test, and at the time there was no reason for haste, but now the Nightmare Soldiers are diminishing. If the Digi-Core truly wants me to be the new Lord then you would think there would have been some action by now." the blond explained almost eagerly.
Gabumon raised his paw to his chin as he contemplated everything his partner had just said. "Do you think that this could be another test?" he asked thoughtfully once his mind had processed the information and came up with the only logical answer.
Matt smiled proudly at his digital companion. "I think so, I'm human, but Piedmon was a mega level digimon, I think that the Digi-Core wants to test me in anyway possible. I already proved I was strong, and now I have to prove that I am motivated and diligent. I have to take the chance to seek out Zhuqiaomon and demand my right to be tested by the Digi-Core." Matt stated firmly, though his voice was soft with exhaustion.
Gabumon nodded his head in agreement, showing that he would follow his friend to the end of the world and back.
Once Matt had received an affirming nod from his partner he started off in the direction that he and Ladydevimon had used to get up the mountain. He took a few steady steps, but soon his legs began to sway beneath him and he was eventually forced to his knees by dizziness and weakness.
Gabumon, seeing that Matt had been reduced to his knees, rushed over to his partner and looked him over carefully.
A few small cuts marked his upper body, mostly the chest area, while bruises swelled upon his legs. The small cuts on his body had stopped bleeding, however the dry blood latched itself to Matt's shirt causing it to stick to his body and rub many of the old sores raw. Removing the fabric from the flesh would be easy however the separation would reopen the cuts. The bruises could be dealt with if they had ice and a way to elevate the blonde's legs, however that was obviously not an option.
These smaller injuries were not the main focus of Gabumon's worries, Matt had already proven himself able to handle such small lesions, the thing which was causing panic to rise in the reptile digimon's heart was Matt's upper left arm. The cut there had been reopened and had been bleeding this entire time. Signs of infection could be seen even through the blood- covered skin. The blood loss was obviously the thing that was affecting Matt the most.
The blond hadn't once complained about the pain, but the loss of his life force was what forced him to his knees, and unless they could find some way to stop the bleeding then Matt wasn't going to make it.
"Don't suppose you have a first aid kit in that fur coat of yours do you?" Matt joked softly trying to ease some of his partners concern, which could be read in the digimon's crimson eyes.
"Matt" Gabumon scolded, generally he would be pleased to hear a joke from his blond friend, but this wasn't exactly the time to be kidding around. "Maybe if we applied enough pressure and kept your arm elevated then we can slow down the bleeding until we find some alternative to your stitches." The reptile stated thoughtfully as he observed Matt's injured arm.
"As much as strolling through the digital forest with my arm sticking straight in the air excites me, I don't think it will work, I tried that when I first got the cut, it didn't make much of a difference." Matt stated smiling kindly at his digimon. Despite his sarcasm he was really quiet worried about the injury, but he didn't want Gabumon to stress out about it.
Gabumon shook his head in frustration. He was running out of ideas and Matt was blinking and taking deep breaths, that was a sign that he was falling to sleep, or at least slipping into unconsciousness. "I don't think you're going to like this idea either, but maybe we can try a tourniquet."
Matt's eyes widened slightly at the sound of Gabumon suggestion. He had seen tourniquets performed on rescue shows, and he had also seen that the results weren't always the greatest. "Do you think that's the only way?" he asked his voice shaking with a hint of fear.
"I could digivolve into Garurumon, and carry you to the forest. Then we'll look for Ladydevimon or someone who can help us. But we won't try it unless you are absolutely certain you want to." Gabumon stated showing that he understood that the effects could cause more damage then good.
Matt finally nodded his approval and left Gabumon to handle the actual process.
With a sigh of relief and concern Gabumon went to work on stopping the blood flow in Matt's arm. First he used his sharp claws to carefully rip Matt's right shirtsleeve from the rest of the fabric then he gently pulled the free fabric off.
Matt shivered slightly from the exposure of his right arm, but still he complied with Gabumon's actions.
Gabumon took the fabric, which was once Matt's right sleeve, and moved over to the blonde's left side. After examining the wound carefully, he motioned for Matt to slowly lift his arm. Then he took the fabric and wrapped it twice around Matt's arm about two inches above the wound. Then he pulled the cloth as tightly as possible, causing Matt to yelp in pain before he tied the fabric in a tight double knot.
Once he was certain that the tourniquet was tight and secure he stepped away from the blond and waited to see his response.
Matt raised his right arm to his left, softly touching the wrap with his shaking and sweaty palm. Holding back the pain and fear Matt turned his eyes to his partner and without a word ordered him to digivolve.
Light radiated from the small digi-vice, hocked to Matt's pants, as a screeching sound echoed off the rocky cliffs. Light engulfed Gabumon and soon stretched out growing lager to match the digimon's advanced form. Once the light faded a giant wolf with long muscular limbs beautiful white and blue fur, and kind crimson eyes stood before the kneeling blond.
Matt slowly stood and walked to the side of the large wolf. Once he was at Garurumon's side the wolf bent down allowing Matt easy access to his back. Matt struggled to place himself on his partner but soon he was sitting upright on the wolf digimon's back, prepared to ride the giant beast as though he and the wolf were one.
Garurumon made it down the mountain with little effort, his large paws and sturdy legs made it easy for him to trot down the rocky mountainside.
Matt's right hand clung to the wolf's fur as he stubbornly fought back the darkness calling him to blissful unconscious. Garurumon moved carefully so as not to jerk the teen around too much, but the downhill ride was still very difficult for the blond since his strength was giving out.
Now the mountain was out of the way, and all that lay before the two was a flat grassy plane. Traveling in such an open space did cause some concern with Garurumon. If the two were attacked then there would be no place to seek cover in, and Matt certainly wasn't in any condition for battle. Still the flat land did offer one advantage, an easier terrain for running.
"Head southwest, that direction will bring us to a forest, and that is where we should find Ladydevimon." Matt ordered from on top the massive beast.
Garurumon growled a yes and began a slow trot in the direction the teen had said to go. After a few minutes at that speed, Matt grew restless and began to fidget from where he sat.
"Garurumon, don't worry, there are no digimon for miles, and I can handle you going at a quicker speed." The blond stated hoping to encourage the wolf to take to a faster pace.
The white wolf nodded in reply to Matt's announcement then began to speed up. At first he went from his slow trot to a run, but the run quickly turned into an astonishing dash. Soon the wolf was moving through the field going at least forty miles per hour.
Matt didn't so much as tense up from the wolf's incredible speed. He simply tightened his grip upon Garurumon's fur, leaned forward and enjoyed the ride. The wind blowing through his hair cooled the fever that was creeping up on his weakened body. He closed his eyes allowing the moving motion to rocking him into relaxation as he gave his full trust to the wolf digimon.
Garurumon was amazed at the speed he was traveling at, even on his best days alone he had never been able to go past maybe thirty miles per hour, but now he was traveling at an alarming pace, and he wasn't even using his full strength. He was certain that if Matt wasn't riding him, or that if he wasn't taking great care as to unsure that the ride was pleasant, that he could be going twice this speed. The new revelation actually wasn't that shocking. Matt was growing stronger so it was only natural that the wolf would grow stronger too.
Soon the field was behind them, and a great forest stretched out before them. The large trees with their dark wood and deep green leafs looked almost threatening as they loomed over the forest floor. The natural chill of the forest and the unusual mist that blanketed the land only gave the area a more grisly atmosphere.
The frigid climate and obscure clearings didn't seem to bother Matt; he merely patted Garurumon's neck, showing the beast that it was all right to enter.
The wolf like digimon walked cautiously into the shadowed forest. His red eyes dashed from side to side as he took in every detail of the haunted woods. His sharp hearing was on full alert as his focused on catching every sound of movement that transpired within a five-mile radius.
The dark didn't bother him, his eyesight was very keen and being a wolf meant he had a nocturnal instinct. The cold also wasn't a problem; his fur coat could easily block the icy hand of a blizzard, so a simple chilly forest wasn't going to cause him any problems.
Each long stride the wolf digimon took was agony for Matt. The teen's fever had risen considerably during the walk across the field, and his body ached with exhaustion and pain. His ribs felt like they were bruised, and this made breathing very difficult; the lack of food and water was also causing him some discomfort. While his stomach told him he was starving, the rest of his body despised the very thought of food. These discomforts were only minor in the teen's eyes, he could deal with the pain, illness, and hunger, but what he couldn't handle was his left arm.
The blond winced as his thoughts drifted to the lesion that was causing him so much trouble. His left arm had pretty much lost all feeling, but that didn't grant Matt any comfort. He hadn't really wanted to use the tourniquet, but
Gabumon was right, they really didn't have any other options. Still this didn't make the pressure any less frightening.
In one sense the tourniquet is good, it will stop the blood flow from reaching the left arm, which will stop the bleeding of the wound. If Matt did loose any more blood then it could became fatal, so in a way the tourniquet helped. But there were some side effects. Without blood within the left arm, the limb would die. There was also the threat of infection, which could be very damaging if not fatal.
'It's amazing how dependent we are on blood.' Matt thought bitterly to himself. 'The tourniquet hasn't been on too long, so there shouldn't be a problem.' He tried to reassure himself, but the positive thinking didn't quench his desire for the wrap to be off.
Matt dared a peek at his left hand. His fingers were turning a disgusting shade of pale blue, and when he laid his right hand upon his left a shiver ran up his uninjured arm and traveled through his broken body.
His left hand felt like ice; while his head left like it was on fire. The teen closed his blue eyes tightly in a desperate attempt to block off the pain by shutting out the light. This action didn't help the pain go away, but it did send him into another dizzy spell. When he opened his eyes again all he could see was fuzzy shapes which were quickly turning into shadows. His grip loosened on Garurumon's fur until his mind went black, his limbs went numb and the world itself vanished.
Garurumon slowed down the moment he felt Matt's grip loosen. Just as he was about to ask the blond what was wrong, he felt Matt's grip go completely. Soon the unconscious boy was sliding off the wolf's slick fur.
The wolf wasn't certain what he could do; there was no way to prevent Matt from hitting the hard forest floor. Just as the boy was about to hit the ground on his bruised back a shadow jumped from the near by trees and caught Matt's unconscious form only moments before he hit.
Garurumon quickly turned to face the shadowed figure. His muscles tensed as he stood in a battle ready position.
The figure didn't speak at first; it simple looked the boy over from top to bottom several times till at last a small growl escaped it lips. "You monstrous beast!" a famine voice shouted in fury. "What have you done to him!" she demanded as she stood still holding the teen in her arms.
Garurumon studied the figure still hidden by the shadows of the trees. "I didn't do anything to him!" he shouted back, he already felt guilty about not being there in time to help Matt. "He is my partner, and he's badly injured. I am trying to find someone who will help me save him." the wolf explained, this time his voice was gentle but still racked with sorrow.
After hearing the pain and sincerity in Garurumon's voice the figure stepped out of the shadows allowing the wolf to look at her.
Ladydevimon cradled Matt's broken body in her long arms, rocking him slightly as she held him protectively close. "What kind of protector let's this happen to his partner!"
Garurumon growled defensively. "There was nothing I could do, and if you really care, then you should stop arguing with me and listen!" he snapped back at the ultimate digimon.
Ladydevimon didn't reply, but her red eyes soften slightly as she stared at the wolf.
Garurumon took this small motion as a surrender and continued. "Matt's running a high fever, and his left arm has been put into a tourniquet. I'm not sure how long it's been in it, we didn't really think to time it, but if we don't get him help he'll die." Garurumon stated drastically.
Ladydevimon snarled in agitation. "I know of someone who might help, but you will have to stay here." She stated smugly.
Garurumon growled again then his muscles tensed as he glared at the fallen angle digimon. "Yamato is not going anywhere without me, and if you truly care about what happens to him then you will take us to this person who can help." He ordered, his voice changing from its ferocious snarl to a commanding tone.
Ladydevimon eyed the wolf digimon; her mouth turned up in a smirk. "You are just the kind of partner I thought he would have." She stated as her eyes gleamed with admiration. "Come I'll take you to the healer, if he can't help then know one can." Her eyes soften as she looked upon the boy in her arms once more.
"Thank you." Garurumon replied gratefully.
Ladydevimon's feet left from the ground her arms wrapped tightly around Matt as she prepared to take the quickest rout to the healer's home. "Just try to keep up." She ordered with a hint of arrogance. "Oh and Garurumon, this doesn't mean that I like you."
With that stated, the two digimon took off with amazing speed, as they both rushed to save the one who meant more to them then life itself.
~*~*~
"This is where the healer lives." Garurumon expressed in amazement.
"Let's just hope that he will be willing to help us with little questions." The demon digimon replied.
Garurumon looked over the area taking in every detail of the healer's home. Hills with dark green grass and a few rocky areas made up the basic landscape. The climate was damp with a light silver mist settled upon the hills of beautiful green grass. Tall mountains, which made up part of the inner wall of Forbidden Valley, overshadowed the land, blocking most of the sun's golden rays and casting the land in a almost mystical twilight.
Unlike most of Forbidden Valley this area was warm with only a gentle autumn breeze blowing playfully over the grassy hills. No water source could be seen however the sound of running water could be heard reverberating off the mountains from some unknown source. If you tried to compare the land with that of the real world the closes you would come would be the emerald green hill of Ireland along with the rocky hills of Scotland, but even those two places could not compare with the beauty of the landscape in northeast Forbidden Valley. The area was defiantly enchanting, a place of magic.
"Follow me. His home is close." Ladydevimon's soft voice broke through the wolf's wonder.
The two digimon continued their trek this time moving at a slower pace. Matt's fever wasn't improving and he had begun moaning and fidgeting in his sleep. The ill stricken boy had grown deathly pale and his breathing had grown more labored.
Using the Child of Friendship's pain for fuel the demon and the wolf marched on with dread and urgency haunting their minds.
Soon the group left the smooth hills covered in seas of grass and entered the rockier part of the land. The closer they got to the mountains the rockier the land became. The rocks presented obstacles but these small obstacles didn't slow down the determined digimons' progress.
"There!" Ladydevimon shouted in relief.
Garurumon brought his eyes of the rocky ground and focused his gaze to where the fallen angle was pointing. There carved in the stone wall of a small cliff was a cave. The entrance to the cave was actually a large round wooden door. The wood was well polished and had strange carving, that looked to be some form of digi-code, lining the otter rim. In the center of the door was a large, polished iron door handle. About two feet away from both sides of the door was a window. The windows where of beautiful stained glass making up murals of Zhuqiaomon the god of the south. On top of the cliff, where the cave was carved, there stood an old brick chimney with puffs of smock rising from its opening.
Ladydevimon walked cautiously towards the door to the underground house. Garurumon followed the demon's lead and walked silently to the healer's home.
Once he was closer Garurumon could clearly see exotic vines with deep red flowers covering the sides of the cliff and draping over the windows and door. The entranceway was a clean brick lined sidewalk with some small potted plants and statues of other Nightmare Soldier digimon scattered here and there.
Ladydevimon freed one of her hands and knocked quickly upon the dark brown door. The sound of her knuckles hitting the door sounded like glass upon iron.
Garurumon was a little startled by the sound of the door, but Ladydevimon didn't seem to notice or she simply didn't care.
"Healer! Please we need your help!" the demon maiden shouted once she did not receive a reply to her knock.
The two digimon waited in silence hoping to hear some indication that the healer had acknowledged them. However soon impatient kicked in and Garurumon was about to shout for the healer himself when all of the sudden something grabbed him from behind.
Garurumon yelped in surprise as the vines covering the house began to move; two wrapped themselves around the wolf's hind legs while another two grabbed his front. Then another set of vines grabbed him around the neck forcing his head to the ground while it tighten around his throat allowing him just enough oxygen to remain conscious. The final vine twisted around his snout preventing him from using his teeth or crying out for help.
'That little witch betrayed us!' was the first thought that ran through the stripped digimon's mind. He was just about to shoot the demon an accusing glare when he heard a startling screech.
Ladydevimon's panic filled scream rang out over the hills. Desperately she slashing at the attacking vines while trying to hold Matt away from them. The unconscious boy groaned in pain every time the fallen angle jerked around, but that could not be helped. The vines tore at the digimon, latching on to her limbs and hair as they fought to gain control over her.
Forcefully she jerked and slashed, while ordering the plants to stay back. Her grip on Matt tightened, but it was no use, every time she hoed down a vine two more would appear in its place. One vine broke free from the group and went behind Ladydevimon; it then slithered around her neck and tightened. The sudden pressure around her neck caused the demon to loosen her grip on Matt in surprise.
The vines took this as an opportunity to rip Matt from Ladydevimon's hold and wrap themselves around his limbs while keep his limp body suspended in the air.
Ladydevimon screamed in fury at the attacking vines but it was too late, once Matt was taken from her arms the vines wrapped around her ankles and wrist holding her tightly in the air.
"Release me you slithering vegetables!" the fallen angel, shouted as she struggled to free herself from the vine's grip.
Garurumon too began pulling on the plants, trying his best to brake their hold. The sight of Matt suspended in the air gave the wolf a new strength and he stubbornly fought against the vines. Drawing all the strength he had, he concentrated it into one forceful pull. Quickly he yanked his muscular legs up ripping some of the vines and freeing himself just enough to move three steps towards he partner. After he had moved the vines attacked again only this time dozens of slithering dark green plants wrapped over his body, latching on to his fur and forcing him to the ground.
Once Garurumon was held with his stomach pulled tightly to the ground, the vines tried something new. Slowly large thorns began to grow from the plants, after the tips of the thorns had emerged the rest of the growth shot out with the speed of bullets.
Garurumon yelped and struggled in pain as three inch thorns pierced his skin and dug deep into his flesh causing dots of crimson to appear all over his beautiful white fur.
"Stop it you hideous plants, he hasn't done anything, and neither have I. Let me and my master, and my comrade go now!" Ladydevimon shouted in anger.
"Who are you and what do you want?" a soft voice chanted. The sound was soothing and the voice seemed to radiate from the wind itself.
Ladydevimon looked around in search of the source of the voice, while Garurumon, who could not move his head, shifted his eyes from side to side also searching for the owner of the voice.
When no source could be found Ladydevimon decided to answer. "Who we are is not as important as why we are here. We need your help healer, my friend is injured and ill, we have brought him here because rumor states that you are an expert at healing."
The voice did not reply quickly, instead it left the two digimon in the agonizing silence of waiting, with only the wind to keep them company.
Just as Ladydevimon was about to call out to the voice once more something happened. The fines around her wrist and ankles loosened and then released her completely. As she looked around she saw that the thorns that once dug into Garurumon's skin had recoiled and the vines had slackened their grip upon him, until at last they released him completely.
Before Garurumon could stand a bright blue light engulfed him. When the light faded Gabumon stood in the place of the giant wolf.
The fallen angel was about to ask what happened when she noticed that Gabumon's attention was not upon her. The reptile digimon's red eyes stared straight at Matt as he ran to his partner's side.
The vines hadn't held the blond too tightly, and once the other vines released their captives, the vines, which held him, lowered his body slowly to the ground before lying him gently on his back.
Matt's body flinched as his chest rose in a hoarse cough. The teen coughed several times before his form returned to its limp state.
Gabumon rushed to Matt's side, once he was beside his partner he bent over gently checking his breathing and fever.
Soon Ladydevimon joined the two partners and knelt on Matt's other side. The demon was about to ask how Matt was doing when a strange sound came from the cave.
Both Gabumon and Ladydevimon looked over to the entrance of the cave, and where greeted with an astonishing sight. The wooden door began to swirl like liquid in a world pool. The shades of dark brown mixed and spun until the brown began to turn into a very dark gray and then black. Once the colors turned the darkest shade of black the swirling stopped, and in the place of the door was a dark portal with no sings of an end.
The two digimon peered inside the portal with curiosity.
"Brining the boy in." the same voice, which spoke before ordered. Its soft but mystical tone sent both digimon into a hypnotic state, causing both of them to comply with the its demands.
Slowly Ladydevimon lifted Matt into her arms once more, and then followed Gabumon through the dark portal and into the healer's lair.
~*~*~
Sirens whaled as people ran about, some trying to get home, some trying to help the shocked an injured, and others trying to get as much information out of the attacked as possible.
Tai wished that he could fall under the trying to help category, but at the moment that didn't really describe what he was doing. The second a student from school announced the attack; school closed down, or rather the students and teachers panicked and ran out of their classes leaving the school vacant.
The Child of Courage hated these sights. He hated all the honking cars, backed up traffic, and rushing people; he hated all the reports and officers trying to interview the frightened people. He hated it every time he was forced to pass by a child crying in their mother's arms because they saw the monster from their nightmares.
But these are all things he was forced to grew use to, all the chaos, tears, and fear. Odiba had been named the number one city for monster attacks, and these attacks were often blamed on the mysterious children who could tame beast.
The Digidestined and all digimon were viewed as the enemies, viewed as the cause of this destruction. Officials were always trying to find the identity of the monster tamers, but so far, thanks to Izzy, Yolie, Ken and Gennia all their efforts were in vain. Still this didn't ease the dread that someday men from the army, dressed in bio-protective suits, will come busting down your door in the middle of the night, and drag you and your family off to some experimental lab.
Tai shook his head fighting back one of his greatest fears as he continued to walk down the street listening in on every conversation, in hope of finding out a little more information.
"Hey Tai!" a voiced shouted from the crowds of crying people.
The young teen looked around the moment he heard his name, finally his eyes landed on a red headed boy carrying a laptop on the other side of the street.
After making eye contact with the boy Tai headed in his direction. Crossing the street and avoiding the many cameras was actually a very difficult task. Cars were backed up for miles and news reporters were everywhere, but still the leader made it across and faced his friend.
"What'd you find out?" he asked quietly trying not to drive any attention to himself or the boy genius.
The red head pulled Tai down the street and over to an area where only a few pedestrians walked, trying to get to there homes. Tai looked around and saw Sora sitting quietly on and old bench with her head down and her eyes locked on the sidewalk.
"Okay let's compare information, and then we can determined which information is the more plausible." Izzy stated as he sat next to Sora, who had looked up the moment she heard Izzy talking.
"Well I didn't find out much other then there was three different battle sites, and that there was a lot of blood on two of them." Tai stated as he leaned against the large pine green lamp posted towering over the small wooden bench.
Izzy, after hearing Tai's information, opened his laptop and began typing away with a determined scowl on his face. "Well according to the latest update on CNN's site, there was in fact three different battle sites. Apparently one was fought in the open streets, with many witnesses watching. In that battle witnesses say that there was three ghost fighting a horned dog like creature. While the second site had no witnesses, however there was a great deal of blood and considerable damage done to a toyshop. Let me see what I can get on the last battle site." Izzy announced as he continued to type on his laptop.
Tai and Sora both stared at the red head with anticipation. All three of them had come to the conclusion that the horned dog like creature had to be Gabumon, but this was something the group had already determined. After hearing of the attacks, all the Digidestined checked in and stated that they were nowhere near those areas during the time of the attacks, all except Matt. The group had been trying to reach the blond for some time, but there was no answer on his home phone or palmpilot.
"This doesn't make any sense!" Izzy exclaimed in bewilderment.
"What?" Tai asked in fear and surprise.
"Well according to this, the last attack took place in an alley, not too far away from the other attacks, the attack was made by two ghost. The report says that there were two victims, a young couple walking home from a date was grabbed from behind and pulled into the alley. According to one of the victims the couple was beaten, and ordered to scream. Soon after the victims were then ordered to remain silent. Shortly after that their captives became transparent." Izzy then stopped and read over his screen once more, obviously not believing a word of what the report says.
"Izzy, what happened after that?" Tai asked in annoyance.
Izzy blushed sheepishly. "Sorry, but this report really doesn't make any sense." The genius stated as he again turned his eyes to the screen.
"Well would you just tell us, then we can decided whether or not it makes sense." Sora stated with an aggravated glare.
The red head shrugged his shoulders and then turned away from the computer screen. "Well according to this the victim states that he and his girlfriend was saved by a boy. The victim says the boy was some kind of angel and he had these strange powers. He used the powers to destroy the ghost and then he helped the victims to safety."
Sora shook her head in disbelief. "But there are no digimon who look like boys, and the only angel digimon are Angemon and Angewomon." She stated in confusion.
"Well according to this the boy didn't have wings, but he did have golden blond hair and intense crystal blue eyes." Izzy replied, he already had a theory about this mysterious angel, but he wanted his comrades to decide on their own about the savor.
After Izzy had stated the last bit of information on the boy, he could hear a gasp escaped from Tai's lips.
"Matt!" the brunette exclaimed in worry and then took off in the direction of the blond boy's apartment.
Sora stared at the quickly retreating form of their leader before turning back to Izzy. "You don't really think it was Matt who saved those people, do you?" the young woman asked, her voice shaking in confusion.
Izzy shrugged his shoulders. It was true that the theory was a little unorthodox, but the boy genius never liked to close his mind to any possibilities until they had been completely proven wrong. "We have already determined that Gabumon was the creature at the first battle sight, and we also know that Matt was not at school during the times of the attacks, so yes I believe it is possible."
Sora shook her head in disbelief. "But Matt doesn't have powers, how could he possibly be able to fight two Bakemon?" she argued, the idea of her friend having "powers" frightened greatly.
"Well maybe he used a mind over matter chant like you and Joe did, but I think you're wrong about the power thing. Remember the battle against Piedmon?" the genius asked as he prepared to share one of his long time theories with the auburn hair girl.
Sora only nodded, she wasn't certain of where the boy was going, but she had a feeling she wasn't going to like it.
"Well I kept careful records of that battle, and I have analyzed the information from it many times, and every time this one little factor shows up that intrigues me. During the battle Tai was on the brink of death, and Wargreymon was already dead, his body simply hadn't reconfigured yet, but when Matt showed up he was some how able to use his crest to bring both of them back to life; and restore Wargreymon's strength beyond it's normal parameters. That was very amazing, and it definitely shows that Matt does indeed have some type of gift." Izzy announced his theory with pride.
"Yeah, but Kari used her crest like that too. Does that mean she has special powers as well?" Sora asked confused.
Izzy's face immediately dropped from his proud smile to a defeated frown. "I hadn't considered that. I guess that means that we all might have powers, which blows a hole in my 'Matt is special theory.'" He stated in aggravation.
"You see, I knew Matt couldn't be different from the rest of us. We're a team and he is our friend, not some kind of warrior." Sora stated pleased with the idea.
Izzy was silent for a few moments as he thought of Sora's words. Finally he decided to reply, and stated something that had been on all the Digidestined's minds.
"Yes he is our friend, but how well do we really know him?"
~*~*~
A rounded hall with beautiful polished banisters and a high ceiling lead the way from the black portal. Gabumon found that once the group was inside the endless darkness faded as well as the portal, leaving the group in an elegant yet homey hallway. The light brown banisters were round giving the hallway the illusion that you were traveling in a tunnel.
The floor to the hall was also wood and had a beautiful woven rug, with deep red and bright violet thread woven into kaleidoscope patterns. There were no doors in the hall, only large areas of plain wood showing where a door might exists. There was also no light source, no candles or torches or even chandeliers, however the hall was lit in the fashion of a study.
"Do you think this hall has an end?" Ladydevimon finally asked the smaller digimon.
Gabumon shook his head then looked towards the fallen angel. "I don't know. Perhaps this is some kind of trap." The rookie speculated.
"Well if it is then this healer is going to pay." The demon replied as her face twisted into a scowl.
"This is no trap I assure you." The voice which had ordered them in spoke once more.
The two digimon looked around in confusion. Their eyes darted back and forth as they searched the small hall for the owner of the mysterious voice.
Gabumon looked around until his eye rested upon the wall next to him. The dark wood began to grow soft, and then the polish became completely flat and even. The dark wood then began to fade in color as it thinned out. Once this process was done all that remained of this particular area of the wall was a thin transparent piece of glass with a light brown tent.
The stripped digimon walked up to the glass wall and peered in. Once he strained his eyes hard enough he could see some sort of room on the other side. Slowly he touch the glass with the palm of his hand.
Immediately the contact sent a command to the door. Once Gabumon's warm paw touched the glass; the window began to move. Slowly and even crack ran down the center of the glass in a perfect straight line. Then the two halves of the glass pushed back in the direction of the room, just like a door.
Gabumon's crimson eyes scanned over the room carefully. The space was large and had many items scattered about it. One area off to the right corner was covered in colorful cushion. A desk with elegantly carved legs sat off to the left side of the room with scrolls and a few burning candles scattered on top. A long table, which was very low to the ground, rested in the center of the room, while a mat was laid out just behind it. And finally there was the fire place, unlike the rest of the room, the fire place was of ordinary stone, probably carved out of the cliff itself, and had a blazing fire burning in it.
Ladydevimon ignored all the lovely assets of the room and walked immediately to the mat laying on the ground.
The mat seemed to be made of many lawyers of cloth, while the top cloth was a light blue piece of silk, embroidered on the outside with silver thread. The pillow lying at the head of the mat was a beautiful navy blue satin cushion.
Gently Ladydevimon lower the injured teen to the mat and placed him on the soft fabric.
Once Matt was resting on the soft cot Gabumon walked to his side and sat down, while Ladydevimon wandered around the room looking at everything that caught her curiosity.
'You don't deserve this, I know you're extraordinary, but you're still just a kid. Well maybe young man is more appropriate, but still you should be at home resting on your couch while flipping through those three hundred channels with nothing good on. It's not fair that you're lying here sick and injured, I should be the one in pain. All the other Digidestined are free from these kinds of attacks, they will always have their partners with them, but you will have to fight many of your battles on your own. I just wish I could take all the pain away.'
'You will not need to.'
Gabumon jumped then looked around in surprise and fear. Someone was reading his thoughts, not only that but someone answered his thoughts as well.
"Ladydevimon, he's reading our thoughts!" Gabumon exclaimed to the demon digimon who was now at the wooden desk flipping through old scrolls. "Why did you bring us here if we were just going to be attacked and then intruded on?" Gabumon shouted at the female digimon.
Laydevimon placed her hands on her hips as her face twisted into an angry frown. "First of all I didn't know we were going to be attacked and second who is reading our thoughts?" she asked in irritation, as she grew very offended by the accusation the rookie was making about her.
Gabumon stared at the fallen angel in disbelief. "I thought you said you knew this digimon." He stated through grinned teeth.
"I said I knew of him! I never loose a fight so I never get injured so I never need a healer!" she retorted partly in mockery and partly in anger.
At that moment Gabumon simply wanted to pull out his fur in frustration. Matt was being hunted and Ladydevimon took him to a place where she didn't even know who lived there, or who that digimon worked for.
Just as the reptile digimon was about to shout a few insults at the ultimate digimon a soft laugh radiated throughout the room. The laugh wasn't mocking or evil, it was simply pleasant and soft. Whoever was laughing was greatly amused by something, of course the laughter only added to the tension in the room.
"You two are very amusing, but your fighting won't help the boy." The voice stated through his laughter.
Gabumon took a deep breath in an attempt to take control of the anger and frustration that was building up within him. "I know our fighting won't help him, but neither will your taunting. So please if you have any intention of helping us then do it now, or let us go so we can find another way to help our friend."
The light within the room grew brighter as the fire in the fireplace flared into amazing sparks of orange and red light. Soon the flame began to take a form as he floated out of the fireplace and hovered above the wooden floor. Once the fire had completely separated into two flames, one in the fireplace and one hovering above the ground, the fireplace turned back to it's normal flame while the flame hovering above the ground began to take shape.
Soon a short figure with a pointed hat and a ragged cape formed out of the flame. Once the basic figure was formed the flame vanished and there standing before the two digimon was a child size being clad in a loose one piece garment. The main part of the garment was black with silver patches, zippers and designs placed all about it. A cape of light neon blue floated behind the figure giving him a mysterious look. The cape itself seemed to glow and the inside was decorated with silver digi-code. Two gray boots and two gray gloves covered his feet and hands while a pointed wizard's hat rested proudly upon his head. The cape reached high onto his face covering up his mouth while the rim of his matching hat shielded his soft blue eyes, and finally hidden under his neon blue hat was light gray hair held back by a ponytail.
"Are you a Wizardmon?" Gabumon finally asked after the mysterious digimon had landed on the floor between the fireplace and Matt.
The small digimon shook his head no and if one could see his face then they would know that an amused smile appeared there every time someone would ask him that question.
"Wizardmon and I are alike but we are also very different. Wizardmon are more open while my kind prefers to remain away from other. Wizardmon also travel and seek out the sick, while my kind prefers to remain in one place." The wizard digimon explained.
"Well then what should I call you?" Gabumon asked gently. He could tell that this digimon didn't fully trust them, he could also tell that this digimon would never hurt them unless he felt he was in danger.
"You may call me Sorcerymon."
"Well Sorcerymon, you've caused use a lot of trouble, and it had better be worth it." Ladydevimon stated with cold eyes. In her mind this little wizard had not only attacked them without provocation, but had also endangered her master's life.
The wizard digimon winced from the icy glare he was receiving from the fallen angel. "I wasn't sure of what you wanted, these are confusing times, many of Deamon's servants have come around asking question. I don't want to take any risk of getting mixed up with that monster or his followers. I'm not a digimon of war." He explained softly.
Ladydevimon's face didn't change from its cold state and though no verbal reply came from her you could feel the sarcastic words within her stare.
"Never mind her, I think her mask is on too tight." Gabumon spoke trying to relax the wizard digimon and move on to the more important matters. Luckily for him Ladydevimon chosen not to reply to his remark, giving him the opportunity to continue. "Sorcerymon, you said that you are a healer, could you please heal my friend? I will give you anything I have just please help him." the reptile begged.
"But what could you a partner to a Digidestined possibly have that I could want or need?" Sorcerymon replied skeptically.
Gabumon lowered his head casting his eye upon Matt's injured form. 'He's right I have nothing to give him.'
"I have many things that could be considered of value, simply name what you want and if I do not have it then I will go find it for you." Ladydevimon spoke up offering her services to save Matt.
"Maiden I want none of your spoils, but I would like answers." The wizard answered his eyes slanted showing that he would not help unless he received his request in return.
"Answers to what?" Gabumon asked quietly, not looking away from Matt.
Sorcerymon turned his light blue eyes away from Ladydevimon and shifted them to Gabumon. "I told you Deamon's servants have been in the area asking all sort of questions. His cruel scouts keep asking about a boy, a Digidestined. Apparently this boy has challenged Deamon's authority, and what I want to know is how he has become so high on the demon's priority list, and why a Nightmare Soldier would fight to protect a human, especially a Digidestined." The sorcerer looked towards Ladydevimon as he asked his last question.
"Listen shorty none of that is any of your business!" Ladydevimon replied in an icy voice which could freeze anyone's spine.
"She's right we can't answer your questions." Gabumon spoke as he looked away from Matt and locked eyes with the wizard.
"Well then I can't help your friend." Sorcerymon replied not seeming at all fazed by the looks he was receiving from both Ladydevimon and Gabumon.
Gabumon grew very angry by Sorcerymon's reply. "Why ask us question when you can simply read our minds?" Gabumon demanded.
"The two of you hold your knowledge about the boy very well, all I can learn about him from the two of you is that you both care about him dearly. And the boy himself, I can get nothing from him. He is unconscious and weak, and yet still he can block my powers." The wizard explained in amazement.
"Well if you're not going to help him then we will leave." Ladydevimon stated simply as she headed towards the cot where Matt laid.
"If you feel that you can find someone to help him else where then by all means leave." Sorcerymon replied smugly.
"You're lying." Gabumon whispered quietly."
Sorcerymon's eyes narrowed as he stared at the rookie in confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asked softly.
"You may not be able to read his mind but you can read ours, you're simply choosing not to." He explained. "And you really don't want us to leave. The fact is that you already have your suspicions about him, and you want to see if you are correct." Gabumon smiled at the shocked face he was receiving from the wizard.
"How could a rookie have read me so well?" he asked in bewilderment.
Gabumon's smile widened at this remark. "I'm only as strong as he is, and he would have seen through your act much sooner." He replied sadly.
Sorcerymon looked at the blond boy his eyes softened at the sight of the injured teen. "Is he really who I think he is?" he asked quietly.
Gabumon nodded. "We think so, but we'll never know for sure if you can't heal him. We have to go find Zaquiomon that way he can be tested by the Digi-Core."
Sorcerymon bent down to Matt's side and ran his gloved hand of the teen's pale cheek. "I could get in a lot of trouble if I help you, but if this boy can tame the hearts of a wolf and a demon, then he must be special." He whispered in amazement.
Slowly the wizard brought he two gloved hands together and placed them together as though he was praying. Quietly he began to chant words in a language unknown to any outside of the wizard's realm. As his voice grew louder a silver light began to radiate off his hands. The light spread from his hands and began to cover the dying teen and a beautiful glow. The light then intensified so much that both Ladydevimon and Gabumon were forced to shield their eyes, when at last the two digimon were opened their eyes they found the light was gone.
Sorcerymon had placed his hands upon his folded knees while his head hung and he eyes shut.
Gabumon felt that he was going to scream for joy when his eyes fell upon his partner.
All the color had returned to the teen's skin, all the wounds both old and new had healed. Many of them had faded completely while a few left scares. Not only had the teen been held, but all the blood and rips in his clothing had vanished.
A soft sigh escaped Matt's lips as his eyelids fluttered open revealing his intense cerulean orbs. He blinked a few times as he adjusted to the light in the room.
"Matt, how do you feel?" Gabumon asked once Matt's eyes had adjusted.
The blond boy looked at his digimon partner and smiled reassuringly, then he slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position. Matt didn't acknowledge Gabumon or Ladydevimon; instead he turned his attention towards the small digimon sitting exhausted by his side.
Sorcerymon bent his head lower; Matt's intense gaze made the wizard feel slightly uncomfortable. This teen was able to fight him even when he was weak and the power coming from him was stronger then anything Sorcerymon had ever felt.
Matt sensed the digimon's uneasiness and decided to speak. "Thank you." He whispered quietly trying to ease the wizard's fear.
Sorcerymon immediately looked up to see the young man staring back at him with a kind smile. "I didn't really do much." The wizard replied.
Matt's smile widened then his face returned to its clam expression. "I was wondering lost in a world where only darkness could be found. There I remained alone and afraid, but then I saw you and I knew there was hope." The blond said simply. "You saved my life, and I will not forget this. I will always be in your debt."
Sorcerymon shook his head then replied. "Just save my people, save them from corruption, save them from themselves, and we will be even."
Matt nodded and then stood. "I promise I will do everything in my power to save them." he stated as a gleam of determination flashed within his eyes.
"Well in order to do that you will have to get out of here." The wizard answered as he waved his hand.
The once brown tented glass door faded and into an opening leading to the grassy hills of the outside world.
The three looked at one another then at the wizard digimon, after receiving a nod from him the group walked towards the opening. First Ladydevimon passed through the exit, followed by Gabumon.
Matt was about to walk through, but he stopped and looked back at Sorcerymon.
"I will never forget you." He stated simply before he turned back around and exited the wizard's lair.
Once outside Matt felt cold. Inside Sorcerymon's house, he felt warm safe, but out here the world was colder cruller, and less magical.
~*~*~
As soon as the elevator doors open a blur of blue and tan ran out and dashed straight towards the end of the walkway. The person's shoes barley hit the ground before they were brought back up again, and though he was painting from the long run his pace didn't slacken. Finally the blur drew near to the last door in the walkway and skid to a stop. After he stopped he grabbed the railing to the eighth story balcony steadying himself as his sudden stop caused him to stumble.
Taking a deep breath the tanned hand released it's grip on the railing an approached the Ishida's front door.
'What if he's not here? No that's crazy, he has to be here, he has to be all right. It probably wasn't even him at those attacks; he was probably at band practice or here at home, safe away from the danger. Yeah that's it he was here the whole time, and when I knock he'll answer the door and then he'll invite me in. we'll talk and he probably won't know anything about the attack. He had nothing to do with it, please say you had nothing to do with it.' with these thoughts circling his mind Taichi knocked on his best friend's door and waited patiently for an answer.
Two seconds later he rose his fist to the door and pounded on it once more with his callused knuckles. The sound of the knock could be heard all the way down the walkway, so Tai was certain that whoever was in the apartment would have heard, but still no reply came.
After three more loud knocks Tai finally decided to gather his courage and see if the door was unlocked. Slow he turned the brass doorknob and to his surprise the knob twisted all the way and the door opened.
'This isn't right, Matt and his dad are very cautious, they would never leave the door unlocked, not even when they're home.'
Tai pushed the door all the way open and then stepped into apartment. "Hello, Matt are you home?" he called loudly enough for anyone in the apartment to hear, but softly enough too not draw attention from any neighbors.
The first thing the brunette noticed once he had shut the door and entered the living room of the apartment was the dark. The entire apartment was a dark as night, and with blinds of black covering every window including the balcony door. The second thing he noticed was the cold, the apartment was like ice, the cold was so intense that you could actually see the carbondioxide leaving your mouth as exhaled.
"Matt, Mr. Ishida? Is someone here?" Tai called once more. After a few minutes of straining his eyes he finally decided to turn on the on the living room light. With a flick of a switch the dark apartment transformed into common living quarters.
Tai didn't bother looking in the living room, instead he peered down the dark hall. "Matt?" he called once more, but still all he received in reply was a panic building silence.
"He's not here." A soft voice whispered from within the living room
Tai jerked around to see who had just spoken and received a great shock. "TK! What are you doing here?" he asked as he walked towards the young blond boy who was sitting perfectly still on the leather couch. "Are you okay?" the brunette asked once he saw how unresponsive the younger boy was.
TK didn't move, his eyes stared straightforward, but the crystal orbs didn't seem to see anything.
"TK?" older boy asked again as he grew concern for his young friend.
"I looked all over the apartment three times, I called all of his friends, and my parents, but no one knows where he is. No one has even seen him since around lunch time." The blond finally spoke although now that he had Tai could tell just how disturbed the boy was.
"I'm sure he's okay, he goes off on his own all the time." Tai tried to reason.
"If you really thought he was fine then you wouldn't be here." TK snapped as he finally turned to look at the older boy. His eyes held so much worry and his voice sounded so similar to his older brother.
'Man TK and Matt are very different, but they are also so alike. Both have that intense stare when ever they're worried about someone, and both have that protective nature.' The leader thought to himself as he sat down next to the younger boy. "I guess you saw the news reports too."
"I just don't understand! Why didn't he call us for help?" TK shouted in frustration. "The news reports said that there was a lot of blood, Bakemon don't bleed, so that means the blood had to have come from him."
Tai wrapped his arm protectively around the younger boy, drawing him into a comforting embrace. "I'm sure he's okay" Tai didn't get a chance to finish because TK jerked out of his hold and stood up.
"If he is really okay then why isn't he here? The report said that a boy fought two of the Bakemon, how could Matt have possibly taken out two Bakemon?" the boy exclaimed as he hung his head trying to hide the tears that were building up in his eyes.
Tai slowly stood up and looked at the younger boy, his heart went out to the Child of Hope; it was true that he was worried about Matt, but TK was beyond worried he was panicked.
"I don't know TK, I'm worried too, but we have to have hope. We have to hope that he's okay and that he'll be back soon." The older boy coaxed softly.
TK nodded his head slowly showing that he understood what the brunette meant. "I'm not leaving until he gets back." He stated simply.
Tai smiled and nodded. "Me neither." He announced, as the two looked at each other both understanding the other's worry. "Don't worry you know your brother's too stubborn to be taken down by a bunch of ghost." Tai expressed with a confident grin.
TK smiled and nodded, he knew his brother was strong, but still that didn't ease the worry much.
'Big brother please be okay.'
~*~*~
Okay I need opinions, should I shorten the chapter length, or should I stop adding little sense (like the one with TK and Tai) and focus my attention on just getting done with this story. Basically what I'm asking is should I write less development scenes and just be direct and do the story quicker?
Oh I know the tourniquet was on Matt way to long, and I know that Sorcerymon's outfit isn't really black, but I haven't seen a pic of him in so long that I couldn't remember what he looks like. Oh and you're going to see Sorcerymon again. Last thing is that Gabumon and Ladydevimon are going to fight every now and then because I thought it would add a neat twist.
Okay enough of me please review.