A/N: well I started out thinking I was going make this an opening to a series, so I didn't intend to give it that much thought, but I kept getting ideas and now I'm not really certain where this fic is going. This chapter is longer then the first two, and I think the chapters are going to keep on getting longer. I hope this part isn't a disappointment, if you get confused I apologize.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, your encourage means so much.
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon, however I do own Spectermon and Eidolonmon, so if you would like to use them just e-mail me.
Prisoner of the Night
Part Three: I Swear I'll Take This One Lifetime
We rest; a dream has power to poison sleep.
We rise; one wand'ring thought pollutes the day.
We feel, conceive, or reason; laugh or weep,
Embrace fond woe, or cast our cares away:
It is the same: for, be it joy or sorrow,
The path of its departure still is free.
Man's yesterday may ne'er be like his morrow:
Nought may endure but mutability!
From Marry Shelley's, Frankenstein
I hate trees. I use to love them. I loved how they provided cool shade on hot summer days, and how they provided a shield from the wind during winter. I loved how their leaves would turn all kinds of colors during autumn, like red, gold and orange, the colors of a warm welcoming fire after a day of being slaughter by frosty blows of wind. Nature's explicit painting inspired by time. I loved how these beautiful colors would eventually fall off leaving the tree bare in a winter wonderland. I loved how the leaves would grow back green and beautiful and the process would begin all over again, reminding us that life is a circle, and the only thing that last forever is that circle, you're born, you grow up, you grow old, and then die. In a way we're like the leaves, and the tree is like life. Each generation start young fresh and green, but eventually time takes its toll and we begin to loose our attachment to life. Then we fall, forsaken by the life we knew and left to it's a never-ending cycle, a fate we're all bound to.
The icy wind of the aphotic world blew through crisp black leaves, it rattled the dyeing leaves like an off tune wind-chime, sounding more like teeth chattering from the cold or fear, rather then rattling leaves. The forest that Matt had stumbled into was little better then the maze of rotting fences or the rolling hills of scorched grass. Thorn covered vines hung down from the canopy of branches and leaves, while strange moss grew on the tree trunks. It was dark, the tree's crowns blocking out what little light came from above, while the shrubs and bushes were decaying from the extreme amount of moisture in the air. The ground was wet and slick, and there were times when the blonde thought for certain he had fallen into a puddle of quick sand.
Matt had been walking for hours now. He had traveled so far inland that he could no longer hear the waves of the dark ocean beating upon the ashen sand, but the foreboding presence of those black depths still lingered in his mind, reminding him that those waters were only a journey away.
His brown boots hit the ground hard in frustration, making it difficult to free them from the sticky mud whenever he went to take another step. His brow was crinkled, his hands were buried deep in his pockets, and his mind was anywhere but in the forest.
I hate forests too. It was admits a bunch of looming trees and brush that I lost my life. I held on so tightly, I could feel sanity leaving me, even then. The stress of being in the digital world, watching over TK, and forcing my stupid crest to glow was just too much. But then TK didn't need me; the digital world didn't need me, as is evident by the fact that this piece of junk won't glow.
Matt ceased his disgruntled march, then reached his hand down his collar until his palm grasped the chain around his neck. He almost expected the crest to be gone, but relief flooded over him when his hand made contact with the necklace and he pulled out the pendant, allowing the chain to caress his neck and run over his hair as he removed the item from its former place.
I wonder if giving me this crest was the digital world's cruel idea of a joke. That has to be it, after all nothing in that stupid world was ever based on logic, telephone booths on the beach, mailboxes in a frozen wasteland, choosing children to safe the world. Everything was based on chaos, like my home before the divorce. Constant fighting with basic animal instincts, they fight over everything, devouring anything that gets in their path, not bothering to consider the consequences of their action, just like my parents.
Matt soon lowered his hand, not bothering to return his crest to its place around his neck, and continued his trek to nowhere. It had gotten darker, the decrepit trees, with their twisted trunks seem to slink over more the further the blonde wandered. The wind no longer howled, and soon even the gentle breeze faded away leaving the land still and silent. The humidity began to grow without the wind to circulate the air, and a thick blanked of sticky fog settles over the muddy forest floor.
Everything about this place is wet, the ocean, the earth, and even the air. If only the water was fire, it truly would be a digital representation of hell then. Worthless souls forever locked in a fiery pit of despair, I think I'd fit right in. if the ocean couldn't wash my sins away then maybe a fire could burn them away, cleansing me deeper then water ever could.
The blonde was soon lost in is thoughts, being held prisoner by his own conscience, as his musing began to torment his mind once more. He would not allow himself forgiveness, nor would he allow himself peace from his own crucifixion.
With head bowed and shoulders slumped Matt continued to walk, all movement around him was ignored and his contemplation soon became a tool for the enemy lurking near by.
"It really is amazing how such a pretty little thing could cause so much trouble." An enticing voice chimed sweetly, lust evident in the voice's tone.
"I don't see how that little pest is going to help us accomplish our goals." A second voice snarled shattering the serene feeling the first voice's charming tone brought. "The only thing good about him is his blood, it's has the most intoxicating scent. We should drain it from his body, then stitch up his flesh and send it back to those other brats as a warning."
Midnight blue eyes rolled in annoyance and the first being spoken once more. "You're so bestial, and you have no sense of vision." The soft feminine being replied, her tone still entrancing as her greedy eyes fell upon the oblivious boy treading through the forest. "But if you want your drink, then you shall have it."
The second figure's eyes lit up with hunger and he bent down low wishing to hear of how he could earn what he desired. "When, when may I drink from this child's life?" he questioned as excitement radiated from his glowing eyes, like a toddler waiting to learn of when he will receive a present from his parents.
"When our Master has his prize, of course." The female stated mocking the beast before her, and treating him like the toddler he was behaving as. "Retrieve the prize, but be careful not to damage him, then bring him to the fortress in the Black Mountains. Our Master wishes that we waste little time." the female being gave her command then waved her hand dismissing her companion.
Both turned to go their separate ways until the beast called back to his departing alley. "If I am not to damage him then how shall I receive my reward?" the beast question his voice gaining an edge of suspicion.
Deep blue eyes flash in aggravation turning from the color of a midnight sky to an icy silver glow before fading back to their normal color. The being's anger cooled and she turned around to address her companion.
"After we arrive at the fortress you may have whatever you require of him, even his flesh if you like, however the Commander of the Fortress wishes to see the boy whole and untainted before we begin our mutilation."
The sweet reply seemed to satisfy the beast and with an apologetic bowed the creature took to the air in search of the prize all creatures of this dark world had been lusting over.
The first being watched as the creature flew into the distance getting lost amongst the black clouds, then smirked, pleased with her web of deceit.
'Fool, he has no idea what true significance that boy holds, none of them do.'
With that last thought the figure walked into the shadows merging with the darkness as though it was born of the same attributes, then vanished.
Every time I look at one of these trees I almost expect to see that smirking face looming down at me, as though I was some freshly unwrapped toy, ready to be abused by some ungrateful child. Growing up I think the only kids I ever heard complain about being bored where the ones with at least ten to twenty toys. It's just another sign of how our society takes all of its blessings for granite. But that doesn't matter, what matters is that I can relate to those toys. That's all I ever was growing up, a plaything, never a person. At first it was my parents, to them I was nothing but a prize to be won, they we're like two four year-olds fight over a rag doll that neither one was interested in, until they thought the other wanted it. It had nothing to do with the toy, it had everything to do with winning, you didn't want it but, you certainly weren't going to let the other have it.
And somewhere in the arguing and tug-a-war, I was ripped apart, then no one wanted me. After all, who would want a broken toy, even if you were responsible for damaging it? The abuse of being someone else's plaything, rather then a person only escalated when I got to the digital world. I became nothing but a pawn in the world's war, I really don't think they even know what they're fighting about. It's a lot like our world, we've been fighting so long that even the cause of our hate has been forgotten, but still we keep fighting, as though it was a necessary factor in life. I'm tiered of hating and fighting. I'm tiered of my hatred ruling my judgment. I'm tiered of hating and fighting just because I'm told that it's my destiny. And I can't believe I was the only one in the whole group of Digidestined who saw through this Augean chess game.
And I'm tiered of these trees. They remind me of him, he may have looked healthier, and maybe even more beautiful, but I think that if I had looked closer, I would have seen these decaying black trees instead of a large healthy cherry tree. I wish I could hate him for what he did, but I'm tiered of blaming my anger on everyone else. Sure the world's a screwed up place, but I should be use to it by now. And even if I wasn't use to being an abused plaything, that still isn't any excuse, why should I let the world define what I'm going to be?
I am so tiered of these stupid trees, and I'm tiered of hating myself.
The beast glided through the air using the heavy breeze from the high altitude to whisk him to its destination. From its appearance you would never believe that such a thing could even get off the ground, let alone glide with such precision and speed. The creature was small but completely hideous, its slumped-over form barely reach five feet high, and its dark mahogany scales were brushed up and peeling in some places, this made the creature look more like a zombie, with rotting flesh falling from its body. The majority of its form was in cased in a large black egg, as though the creature had never fully escaped the digi-egg it had hatched from. Eight eyes were placed on both sides of its head while one final eye decorated the center of its deformed skull. With bulky limbs and small firm wings, the creature moved with amazing speed both on land and in the air.
"Where are you my little treat."
The beast hummed as its seventeen eyes blinked then focused in on the forest floor miles beneath it. He looked past the crisp black leaves and hanging vines, its incredible sight allowing it to see even the smallest detail on the forest floor, like a bent blade of grass, or a foot print made hours ago.
"Ah! So you have already been here have you?" the creature hissed in disappointment as it glided in a circle around the area like a flying predator. "But you are still near, yes. I can smell your delicious scent."
Following its venatic instincts the creature continued its quest for its prey, following the alluring scent that only a true prize could have.
The beast circled around knowing that it could travel faster then the land stricken human, and that what would take hours for its prey to journey, would only take a few minutes for this superior hunter to trek. Black eyes continued to pierce through the trees, hunger shone brightly in the shallow orbs, as the scent of the boy grew stronger.
A spark soon lit in the beast's eyes, as all seventeen of them landed on a small figure treading slowly through the shadowed forest.
"There you are my prey!" the creature announced in excitement as it slowly circled the area getting lower as it each pass until at last it laded in a tree some ways ahead of its approaching prey.
Matt 's head was lowered and his hand still grasped on to the tiny crest as he debated on whether it was worth keeping the item or not.
It's not doing any good with me; I can't even make it glow. Maybe I should just through it away. It is worthless with me. Kind of ironic, the crest are suppose to be representation of the one who bares it, so I guess it's only fitting that I bare the one crest that is worthless, the one that clashes with all the others.
Matt stopped dead in his tracks, tears began to glisten in his fading blue eyes, but he refused to let them fall. His crest was worthless, that thought had always been there, but this was the first time that the revelation that he truly clashed with his fellow Chosen had arisen. He had always held on to the hope that maybe his place was to be the misunderstood member of the group, but now he truly felt, without a doubt, that he had no place with his friends.
Blue eyes shut to the world and Matt fell to his knees. His shoulder began to shake as he tried to hold back the sobs, his head bowed low and his eyes were shut so tightly that it almost hurt. Mud and water seeped into in jeans, making him colder then he was before, but the cold was the last thing that his mind registered.
I'm worthless, I have no destiny, I was just a toy, born only to amuse, and now that I'm broken I have no purpose. Now one wants to play with a broken toy. I'm just so tiered of hating life, I'm tiered of hating my place, and I'm tiered of hating myself.
Matt gripped his crest in his gloved hand. Mud now covered both the pendant and the brown glove. The cool from the mud reached sweaty palms, and soon the blonde's body began to shake not only from built up emotion but also from the cold.
The brake down eventually passed, leaving the pre-teen tiered and worn. Slowly the trimmers stopped and Matt opened his eyes. At first his vision was blurry from the unshed tears still coating his eyes, but after blinking a couple of times his senses returned to normal, only to reveal another reason for tears.
First his eyes met with four long scaled covered toes, then his eyes traveled up to a black shell before finally meeting up with a deformed head, covered in hallow black eyes, and a large mouth with long spiked bones that grew from its jaw like teeth.
For a moment the blonde simple looked up into the many dark eyes, his body began to shake once more as the creature's hot, reeking breath beat across his face.
The creature had all of its many eyes upon the boy on its knees, and a dry black tongue ran over its bone like teeth indicating what thoughts were flashing through its mind.
The creature took a step closer to the frighten boy, and Matt fell back intimidated by the beast's approach.
Soon Matt stopped staring and his mind gave him on simple command, run.
Quickly the blonde leapt to his feet and took off in the direction he had just come.
The creature sneered in amusement then chased after the boy on foot, running over the muddy ground with ease.
Soon the sound of pounding feet faded and Matt skid to a stop. Panting heavily the blonde began to feel weak and dizzy from the chase, he hadn't eaten in two days, and he hadn't slept since the Digidestined returned to the digi-world. All of these factors made him want to give up and let darkness sweep over him, but the creature was still near, and Matt could practically feel its hot breath and thirsty eyes upon him.
Blue eyes scanned over the multitude of trees trying to take in every detail while trying to distinguish different shapes and shadows from the collective entity of the dark forest. Nothing could be made out, nothing that seemed out of place, besides the boy himself, and the blonde soon found himself wondering if he hadn't imagined the terrorizing beast and the exhausting chase.
He was about to surrender to his enervation when the sound of rustling leaves diverted his attention to a near by tree. The black leaves rattled for a moment then went still. Leaving the forest perfectly silent once more.
Matt felt the silence weigh down on him, suffocating him in anxiety and leaving his tiered mind to torment him with his own nightmares. Soon shadows began to take awkward shapes, moving like eerie spirits over large tree trunks and muddy ground every time the clouds shifted. The blonde jumped then whipped around upon hearing more leaves rattle. One branch amongst the thousands of limbs in the forest moved with no sign of case. The leaves fell still once more and again Matt was left with nothing but his imagination and his fear for company.
The pre-teen gritted his teeth then decided to fight his fear and move forward. The first timid steps were painful, it seemed like weights had been placed on his ankles, locking him to the ground and holding him prisoner in the midst of decaying trees. Soon his steps got easier, the mud no longer clinging to his boots holding him down, and with each step he took he felt a little safer. Feeling trapped can cause some of the worse fear of all, no one wants to feel like they're stuck in one place, and now that he was moving the fear slowly began to fade and comfort came from progress.
Matt lowered his head once more and his trek began again. He embarked on his journey with no destination. His head was down and his mind had returned to its world of depressing daydreams, the only thing that matter was putting one foot in front of the other.
Suddenly the blonde screamed out in pain and shock, then fell to the ground. Blood began to flow down the back of his right arm, and his back. It felt like four sharp daggers had been jammed into his shoulder, and had reached so deeply into him that they broke bone and ripped muscle.
Tears of pain began to cloud the blonde's vision but he focused just hard enough to see the creature, a mutated dragon in cased in an egg, looming over him from behind. The creature sneered then licked his four long claws, each of which was dripping with Matt's blood.
"Your scent does not do you justice," the beast hissed with pleasure, "No, not at all."
Matt turned his body over so that he could look the digimon in its face. His elbows supported him, keeping his fresh wound from the earth below. Mud now clung to the blonde's clothes, and painted across his face, but the filth was obsolete, along with the blood dripping down his back. At the moment the only thing the child could focus on was the hideous creature, hovering by his feet.
"Ah such a delicious treat."
At that moment the best lunged forward, ready to lock Matt's leg in his large jaw.
The Chosen's natural instincts to fight took over and with a defiant yell he swung his leg up, his boot connecting with the creature jaw. The best screeched in shock, then toppled back, from being knocked off balance.
Matt then took this opportunity to scramble to his feet, and within seconds he was down the path, running at full speed, trying to escape the creature after his blood.
The digimon jumped back to his feet, his strength and agility far greater then one would imagine.
"A chase?" he sneered thoughtfully. "Yes I would love a chase, and a feast. His flesh and blood is to be mine! But… but the witch wishes that I take him to the fortress, our master wishes that he goes to the fortress. The witch, I would love to feast upon, if her blood was not so thin, but the Master's word is law." The creature continued to babble somewhat incoherently, as it debated on what to do with its fleeting prey. "The witch will have what she wants for now, yes, but only because our Master wishes it too."
With his actions decided the creature rose to the air, his many eyes scanned down the road. Matt had moved fast and was now far down the path, but this didn't seem to bother the creature. With a loud and commanding cry the beast released its most powerful attack, one perfect for a true hunter.
"Black Death Cloud!"
A cloud aphotic, and bleak, carrying the cries of an innocent child, waking from a night terror in the dark alone, spread through the forest like a title waves rushing to shore.
Matt looked over his shoulder as he ran, his blue eyes widened in dread as he saw the mist approaching him. The cloud in many ways resembled the mist from the cave, it was dark, but obsidian. It moved like a spirit risen from a grave, washing over the land with a vengeance.
The black mist swept passed trees, freezing them in a case of black crystal. Fear drove Matt forward, he could feel the icy grip of the mist approaching him but still he ran. The wound on his shoulder continued to bleed, but had long since been forgotten, fatigue faded like a blanket of fog being dried by the sun, only to be replace with urgency.
"You can not escape me, my little treat." The deformed wretch chanted delightfully as his attack began to close in on his prey.
Matt ran blindly, paying no attention to the landscape around him. His eyes were clouded with tears and his mind was frantic with the need to escape, leaving him unaware of the root placed in his path. A surprised cry, and then the blonde tripped over the molded tree limb and tumbled to the other side, landing face first in the mud.
He quickly rose from his falling place, whipping the filth from his eyes and mouth, and then stole a quick look behind him. The look gained him little, for the moment his mind comprehend how close the approaching attacks was it was too late. The black cloud fell upon its victim, filling his lungs with a chill that froze his blood. The cold spread through his body and in less then a second he was frozen form the inside out. A crystal shell hardened over the lifeless teen, making him look like a statue, intelligibly formed of dark but lavish crystal.
The tented shells soon began to fade from the dying trees that the mist took captive. Now the forest return to its original state, with dying trees drooping over and concealing the mud covered paths winding through the blacken brush. The sticky fog settled upon the floor once more, and the moss, brittle bushes, and crisp leaves formed the morbid decorations of the grand woodland.
Matt was unconscious, still trapped within his mineral prison. His blood had stopped flowing, his lungs no longer drew breath, and his mind had drifted into a dormant state, as he remained preserved within the crystal.
Hot pants began to fog up the crystal, as the beast responsible for the attack circled its captive, barely able to contain its excitement upon seeing its own success.
"A true prize for our Master, and a delicious treat for myself." the creature mused aloud. "But it will not do to take you back in this state." The beast concluded as it raised its clawed hand and placed it upon the human statue.
The black tent began to glow a bright orange, and the mineral began to melt away. As the rock melted and ran off the boy's body, the heat from the new spell reanimated his body returning him to full life. Soon tremors over took his body, and breathing became difficult, but the beast decided that despite its preys damaged condition the child would still live, and if given the time would be able to completely recover from the injuries.
"The witch will be upset, but that does not matter, I am not her lap dog." The creature exclaimed maliciously then roughly lifted Matt's unconscious form in its short crooked arms. "Now I will take you to the Mephistophelean Fortress, and we will truly see if you are the prize in which we have waited for."
With this decided and the task of keeping its prey for resisting its captor complete, the beast took to the sky once more, heading for the black peaks in the distance, where the Commander of the Fortress was waiting for their prize.
~*~*~
The wind pushed past the soaring beast, caressing its scale body as well as its prisoners flesh. Matt had yet to awaken from the creature's earlier attack, and he remained resting in the monster's grip. The digimon took little effort to ensure that his prey had a gentle ride, and nearly dropped the boy twice, but its destination was now below him.
Black Mountains reaching high into the misty sky rolled down the earth in a large jagged range. The mountains were completely vacant of forests, allowing the beings of the world to gaze upon the landmasses naked coal bodies. No snow fell from the heavens to clothe the unsightly cliffs, leaving them bare, but despite their repulsive appearances the crooked marks where completely adequate to serve life. Many valleys scattered between the smaller peaks with soil suitable for farming, and with the extreme amount of moisture in the air and within the dirt crop growing was easy. The range was the perfect location for a fortress, the cliffs provided extra reinforcement for the structure, and the idea for planting a base there was conjured by a being far more intelligent and crafty then the beast landing on one of the fortress' walls.
"At last my little treat we have arrived." The mutated dragon stated with pride as it lowered its prize to the bricks.
The fortress was a well kept medieval castle, with large walls of black stone surrounding a courtyard, which seemed to be bigger then the actual castle. There were no doors on the castle gates, any creature wishing to enter would either have to fly or teleport to get in. statues of gargoyles sat upon the gates and roof of the palace, but no signs of living guards were anywhere to be seen.
"The witch must be waiting inside." The beast snarled, displeased that his employer did not have the courtesy to come met him.
With a grunt the creature picked the unconscious boy back up and headed down the gate until he reach a large wooden door leading inside.
"You had better be right about this Spectermon." An eerie and almost sickly voice expressed, its melancholy tone seeming out of place for such a large digimon upon a magnificent throne of solid onyx.
"I assure you Lord Mephistomon, this child is the one." A confidant voice, matching the one, which spoke to the beast earlier, replied gently.
Mephistomon, a large ultimate fallen angel digimon, nodded in response to his servant's words, but still no ease came to his empty black eyes. "If you are mistaken, then we shall both suffer the punishment," he reminded sternly his once timid voice gaining an edge of authority. "So explain to me how you can be so confident that he is in fact the one our Master seeks?"
Spectermon gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to reply with a sarcastic remark such as, because he is in the world of darkness yet he is still alive, and lifted her head to respond.
"My dear Commander," she exclaimed as she rose to her feet, a sly smile painted upon her lips. "Have you no confidence in me? Have I not proved to be a capable servant to this point?" she questions with mock offense. "But I understand your worry, so let me bring rest to your troubled mind."
"Our first search was on too great a scale, having to visit the nightmares of every babe in order to find our prize, but once those fools in the Digital World found humans that could survive the exertions of passing from one world to another our search, which once consisted of millions, was reduced to eight." Spectermon paused for a moment, waiting for Mephistomon to respond to what she had just explained.
The ultimate fallen angel nodded, still wearily, but with less stress.
All that Spectermon had stated was true; the servants of darkness had wandered through children's mind for years. Every child from the smallest infants to the rebellious adolescence had been a target for their quest, but all of their searches had proven in vain. None of the children displayed the qualities necessary for what they had planed, and the fiendish servants had almost given up their search, after all every failed attempt had ended in the destruction of the unsuccessful. Now very few servants remained, and the prospect of fulfilling the darkness' wish had grown slim. They were running out of servants and children, leaving the darkness' followers with little hope for survival.
Mephistomon was now in charge of the search, a great reward was to be given to the one who found the prize, but all the ultimate could focus on was his execution, which surly was coming soon, since it had almost been a year since he was positioned as commander.
Just as it seemed that the prize would never be found, a neighboring world brought new interest back to the mission. This world had somehow located eight children who were actually capable of leaving their world and going to another. This had never been done before, very few beings could actually travel between worlds, and it was absolutely unheard of for humans.
The servants waited until this neighboring world brought the humans to the new dimension, after that the search was quick, only eight could pass through the gate, and one of these eight was the one the servants sought. At first it was uncertain of who it was. Many believed that it was the Child of Light, who did not make the original journey to the Digital World, and the probability still remained that it was this child, but Spectermon was convinced that the dejected pre-teen was the one, so she arranged to have him brought to the World of Darkness. Now the prize was here, and only one thing remained to be done, and Spectermon was going to see that it was done before Mephistomon or any of the other servants could interfere.
"Of course all of the eight proved to be very powerful, but this one had a single quality that I felt separated him for the others." The elegant digimon explained, her eyes lighting up a bit as her mind wandered to demented daydreams of her prisoner.
"And what quality is that?" the dark digimon questioned, a hint of excitement entering his voice.
Spectermon pushed her fantasy aside and returned her focus to her Commander. "Simple, he is self sufficient. I know its not something you would consider hard evidence, but a human who depends upon others is both weak and more likely to brake from the strain."
"I still do not see how you can be so satisfied with such little denoting!" the ultimate bellowed exasperated with the female digimon.
"Well my Lord, unlike you I am not afraid of death." The arrogant reply only earned a grunt of anger from the fallen angel, but Spectermon was not shaken, she knew her show of fearlessness would draw Mephistomon to comply. "Oh, that snarling beast has returned with the child, should I commence?"
She questioned showing pretenses of concern for her Lord's fear. Mephistomon had grown annoyed, but also embarrassed by his display of emotion, embarrassment and the need for redemption pushed the fallen angel into making a quick decision, and with a nod he waved his hand dismissing the female digimon before him.
Spectermon smiled then bowed before walking out of the throne room and disappearing into the dimly lighted corridors of the fortress.
Matt groaned as he was roughly dropped on the castle's cold stone floor. He felt groggy and could barely stay conscious.
I don't understand what happened. It feels like I've been pricked all over my body by tiny needles. My shoulder stings, and my arm and ribs feel like they must be broken, or at least bruised. Fate can be so cruel, I must endure all this pain, but destiny will not grant me the one thing I want most, and that is to die, to feel nothing at all. And what was that… that thing that grabbed me? What does he want with me? What could anything want with me?
Matt groaned again as his ears picked up the sound of heavy panting, coming from a source above him. He knew that whatever had abducted him must still be near, and the thoughts of more torture made him wish that he would pass out again.
Everything in this world is so cold and dark, like a cold winter's night, one without the beauty of snow. The chill from space has fallen from the heavens and crashed to earth wrapping everything in darkness and frost. Winter can be so beautiful when the sun is up to warm and illuminate the world, but once the lights are out we become a prisoner of the night, locked away and shackled to a world without a sun, a world without warmth, love, or light.
"What is taking so long!" the best cried, what little patients he had fading with the passing of time.
"You are as impatient as you are ugly."
The digimon jumped in surprise its long neck twisted around the room, looking over the lanterns, statues, and large wooden door, but its many eyes were unable to locate the source of the voice.
"Who are you? Come out!" the choleric creature hissed.
"Very well…" the voice sounded disappointed, obviously upset that the other digimon was not enjoying its little game.
Matt was laid on his stomach, one arm rested under his head while the other, with the injured shoulder, was spread out comfortably on the ground. The blonde could hear the brief exchange of words between the mutated dragon and his antagonizing companion, and he grew strangely curious in seeing who the owner of the second voice could be.
Summoning up all of his will Matt forced his tired eyes lids to open, and to his relief his sight was met with a dimly lighted room, rather then a flood of head splitting light.
Shadows danced on the floor before Matt, the patches of darkness were caused by the flickering flames within the many lanterns lining the room's walls. The flames danced as the wind hit them, and the blotches of darkness followed in step, matching the light's movement.
Where ever the Light goes, there also will Darkness be.
The blonde thought to himself as he continued to watch the shadows move, feeling less interested with each passing second, that is until the shadows stopped moving all together. The breeze still played with the tiny flames, yet these shadows no longer followed the light, now they moved on their own path, merging together to form one circle of darkness directly in front of Matt.
He slowly picked himself up and was now sitting, supporting himself with one hand on the ground. The beast completely ignored the boy as all of its eyes watched the collection of shadows with infant curiosity.
Matt lost interest in the shadow when nausea, from sitting up, swept over him, however new intrigue filled him when her heard a light giggle coming from the shadow. His eyes watched as the darkness remained still for a moment and then the shadows became an entity all its own and jumped into the air. The now dark sphere stayed in the air for a moment before transforming into a small digimon.
Matt's eyes widened in surprise as the tiny black digimon landed quietly on the ground.
"Gatomon?" the blonde question in shock as his cerulean eyes ran over the small feline digimon many times.
The pre-teen closed his eyes and shook his head, hoping to clear the delirium from his mind, but when he reopened his eyes he found that his sight had not deceived entirely, there was a cat digimon standing before him, but it was not Gatomon. This feline had jet black fur with deep purple fur on the tips of her ears, royal blue gloves with deep purple stripes, royal blue stripes on her long tail, and a tail-ring of finely polished silver.
The little digimon smirk, almost playfully at Matt, with mischief shinning in her marine blue eyes.
"Please don't insult me." the new comer stated with an over dramatic sigh. "I am BlackGatomon, feline goddess of the shadows." The tiny digimon bowed as she introduced herself, pride entering her voice as she offered her self-appointed tittle.
Matt blankly stared at the champion, showing no amusement from the cat's antics.
BlackGatomon noticed the boy's disinterest and scoffed with irritation and crossed her arms over chest.
"Leave my prisoner alone, pest, and go find Spectermon!" the other digimon shouted.
"I am not your errand cat, Devitamamon." The feline snapped back. "Why don't you take that ugly head of yours and crawl back in your shell."
BlackGatomon's smooth temper reminded Matt so much of Gatomon when she still worked for Myotismon.
"You little runt! I'm going to rip you apart!" Devitamamon shouted, fury ringing from his snarling voice.
"Is there a problem here?" all parties in the room whipped their heads around at the sound of a new voice.
"Spectermon!" the beast shouted in surprise before he rushed to the female digimon and fell on his knees before her.
BlackGatomon smirked as she watched Devitamamon graveled at Spectermon's feet. The little cat digimon giggled with amusement before she leapt into the air and landed on one of the Meramon statues lining the hall.
"There is no problem here, oh honorable Lady of Darkness." BlackGatomon expressed, humbly answering Spectermon's earlier question.
Devitamamon growled as BlackGatomon offered her chirps reply.
"Spectermon I have brought you the prize that you requested." The mega mutated dragon stated with pride.
Spectermon's attention fell fully on the boy crouched over in the shadows. Everything else in the hall faded and the female digimon smiled seductively as she drifted over to the blonde.
Matt fell back as Spectermon bent down by him, her eyes running over him as though they were measuring his worth.
Matt looked back at the woman entranced by what he saw. The digimon's body was built like an average woman's, she stood about five feet nine inches tall, her body, like most female digimon's, were lined with perfect curves. Her body was also well formed with muscles, still feminine and smooth, but obviously very firm. Her skin was as pale and flawless as porcelain; her fingernails were long like claws and were black, but shinning with health. Her lips were slick and black, as though someone had painted the shadow across her mouth; she had two sharp fangs that sparkled, allowing the world to see her carnivorous heritage. Her long raven hair reach down to her back in soft wavy ribbons, some strains faded into bleach white while the others remained dark.
The digimon's clothing seemed unusual and somewhat collective, but they fit the normal fashions of the Digital World. She wore two black boots, which reached to her knees, silver buckles latched to the side of each boot, and the front had silver pointed tips that made Matt cringe at the very thought of being kicked by one. A long black skirt reached down to her feet, but the fabric split high on the thighs. A thick black belt with silver bolts rested on her hips and on the left side a whip was attacked to the punk-like belt.
Black gloves cloaked her hands, cutting off at the fingers, but stretching up to her shoulders. A black lace shirt clothed her like a bathing suit top, and a thick silver choker fit around her neck like a collar. Her face was unreadable, but her eyes, slanted and cat-like with a color matching the deepest depths of the ocean, shone with ill intent.
The digimon smiled as though a thought had just crossed her mind, then she stood with the grace of an angel and took two steps back from the seated boy. Her eyes continued to burn into the Chosen Child, making him uneasy with her thoughtful stare.
Lazily Spectermon snapped her fingers, and from her command more shadows on the walls began to move. Like wild spirits the blotches of darkness swept across the walls until they all reached the company gathered in the hall. Then to Matt's surprise and horror the shadows began to step off the wall and become solid objects.
For towering figures cloaked in shadow, with no signs of limbs or life stood before Spectermon patiently awaiting her orders.
Devitamamon hissed, slightly in fear and slightly in curiosity, upon seeing the shadowed digimon.
"Why must you bring them into this!" the mega dragon cried in anguish as his shaky clawed hand pointed at the cloaked digimon.
"Do not tell me, creature, that you are afraid of the forsaken." Spectermon questioned idly as she walked past the beast, her boots tapping softly on the stone ground as she moved, sounding like the perfect rhythm of a clock.
"No… no! Of course not." Devitamamon stuttered in reply.
"Good." Spectermon grinned wickedly, her cold demeanor not faltering despite the glee she was gaining by the mega's show of intimidation.
"This world is a product of forgotten souls, the land where all lost wandering beings come to receive release from pain and sorrow. The land where those forsaken by their own may find acceptance, much like this poor boy here." the pale digimon spoke softly as her hand gestured towards the confused Matt.
But they didn't leave me, I left them. They never forgot me, I forsook them. This digimon is wrong.
"Eidolonmon," Spectermon's voice suddenly went cold, her words flowing from her mouth like rivers of ice, "spirits of darkness, tend to the boy I shall joining you later."
Tend to me? What are they going to do?
Two of the Eidolonmon drift silently to Matt's side. The unusually long arms reach to grasp the boy, but the chill radiating off the creatures bodies' reach him long before their hands touched his flesh, and the cold was like a shot of burning pain reaching all the way down to his bones.
With a yelp Matt fell back, evading the Eidolonmon's reach and then stood. Before another thought could pass through his mind Matt ran. His leg muscles were cramped and weak, but still he force his strength to last as he dashed down the hall, trying to escape this new grip of pain.
The Eidolonmon remained where they were, their faceless heads turned to Spectermon, not wishing to make a move without her consent.
Spectermon waved her hand and the two wraith like digimon flew to their fleeing captive, the shadows moving as quickly as the light.
"Let go!" Matt shouted defiantly as he struggled under the ultimate spirit digimon.
A cry of pain escaped his mouth as one of the phantoms gripped tightly on his wounded shoulder. Mat fell to his knees, pain surged through his body. His blood ran cold he felt as though he had frost bit all over his body.
The Eidolonmon waited until Matt stopped struggling then began to drag him away down the hall.
The remaining company watched as the worn child was carried off by the forsaken wraiths until they at last past out of sight.
"Quite the rebel isn't he. Fighting when there is no hope of victory." Spectermon commented casually.
"Yes even as a mortal he shows strength, imagine the strength he will have once we are through. The perfect prize for the Darkness, the perfect servant for our master." BlackGatomon spoke her sweet mischievous voice holding a darker theme to it then before.
Devitamamon growled in annoyance by the feline's words, then turned to the mega female with demanding eyes.
"When shall I receive my reward witch! When shall I have what I rightfully deserve!"
Spectermon's dark blue eyes began to glow until they where eerie silver shinning with malice.
"I do not award failure wretch." The phantom digimon replied coldly.
Devitamamon snarled, saliva dripping from its sharp yellow teeth.
"Failure! I did not fail!" the creature screech in anger. "I brought you the prize just as you asked. I want my reward!" as the beast screamed these words he began to hit the walls of the hall, causing the stone to crack and dust to rise from the ruins.
Spectermon watched the show of frustration for a moment, her eyes still glowing, but her face completely emotionless. Then once she grew tiered of the mega's fit she held her hand to silence him.
When Devitamamon would not compiled with her order the phantom nodded at the two remaining Eidolonmon, commanding them to seize the mega.
The two wraiths leapt upon the fitful beast holding him firmly, until he at last stopped struggling.
"You liar, you witch! You traitor, deal breaker!" the mutated dragon screeched as he wiggled under the Eidolonmon's hold, but it was to no avail, he was their prisoner, held tightly to the ground.
"Mortal digimon truly are disgusting creatures." Spectermon commented as she looked at the trapped Devitamamon. "Even the human put up a better battle then you."
"You deceiving witch!" the dragon hissed.
"Do not blame me for your failure, I ordered you to bring me the boy undamaged. The moment you shed his blood you broke our deal."
Spectermon's eyes began to darken once more until the silver was gone and only deep blue pools remained.
BlackGatomon giggled as she watched the mutated dragon continue to struggle, his face was wrenched in pain, and his many eyes begged for mercy, while clearly showing the fear racing through his heart.
Spectermon turned around and began to retreat back down the hall as BlackGatomon jumped up onto her shoulder, perching herself comfortably at her Mistress' side.
"Spectermon! Please!" Devitamamon's woeful voice rang down the hall. He cried out a few more times until at last silence.
"I told you I should have been the one to handle it." BlackGatomon commented thoughtlessly.
"I did not wish to trouble you with something so trifle. Anyone could have brought the boy here." Spectermon replied, the elegant tone returning to her gentle voice.
"My Lady, do you really feel this will work?" BlackGatomon questioned.
"Yes, there is no doubt."
"We should act quickly then, before Mephistomon can get involved." The little cat digimon commented.
"Yes that is exactly why I brought him here so quickly, but do not worry about the fallen angel, he is a trusting fool." The phantom digimon replied coldly.
"May I ask why you chose this specific boy?"
Spectermon was silent for a moment, and it seemed as though she would ignore the champion's question entirely, but she eventually answered.
"He intrigues me."
The simple reply was enough for Spectermon's faithful servant, so no more was spoken of it.
"This plan seems to be flawless!" the feline exclaimed with pleasure.
"Dear BlackGatomon, you should know by now that nothing is flawless."
Spectermon stopped as she spoke and BlackGatomon raised a questioning eyebrow.
"There is one thing that could undo all that we have worked for."
"And what is that my Lady?"
"That is for my knowledge alone." Spectermon snapped, but then her voice became even again. "I have something else for you to focus on."
"Oh?" the cat digimon asked with curiosity.
"Yes go into the forest and retrieve the boy's crest. It is a most important factor in our plan." The phantom explained softly.
BlackGatomon smiled with pride that her leader would trust her with such an assignment. "I won't let you down my Lady." The little cat chirped as she jumped from her spot on Spectermon's shoulder.
Spectermon's cold eyes watched as the champion digimon walked into the wall and merged with the shadows dancing upon the stone.
'It won't be long now.'
~*~*~
I hope I didn't loose anyone. I haven't really made any intentions clear on this, but everything will become clear soon enough. If I stick to my plan then I think the next chapter will really throw you off, well maybe not, but it might throw some people off. Review please and tell me what you think, I could especially use your opinions on Spectermon and Eidolonmon.