Gate Way of Life
I don't own Digimon
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'Thoughts'
"talking out loud"
'-----' scene change
(V)(V) different point of view
'+' flash back
Chapter 23
He and his brother wake to Zoe standing over them. "You guys, it's lunch time." And she turns and heads to where the food is. He notices that IceLeomon's back and that Takato was by IceLeomon's side. They already have their bowls ready.
He too goes through his pack and takes out his bowl and Kouji as well. They walk over to where the soup is. They all had their spoons out. Soon they all were eating their lunch.
"Any ideas on where the strains originate from?" Zoe asks. Takato looks at IceLeomon and motions for IceLeomon to speak. "From what I can tell, the come from the keep. They get thicker around the keep. It's going to be tough going." IceLeomon says. "So, what happens when we just touch the strains?" Zoe asks. "Didn't try it. I don't think it's a good idea." IceLeomon says. "I think we're safer if we don't touch it. I hope you guys agree with that theory." Takato says, after he finishes his lunch. "I think Takato's right, we shouldn't touch the strains. So, is everybody finished their soup?" Guyver asks. They all nod and they put the pot over to were the dirty dishes were. After washing their bowls and spoons, they repack the items.
Soon they were on their way, with IceLeomon and Guyver in front to cut the strains. They all hope that this wasn't as bad as it looked. They really hoped that it wasn't hard to undo.
(V)(V)(V)
He uses his Void Cutter on a series of strains with one swing of his sword. Then he steps back to let IceLeomon use Fist of Ice. Then they move forward along the path that's been cleared. He remembers the report about what Davis told about Takato's adventures with an entity called D-Reaper. He could understand why Takato doesn't think it a good idea to touch the strains.
They were getting closer to the keep, and they have been encountering what seems to be a jungle of strains. They reach the stairs leading up to the keep. IceLeomon and him combine their attacks and a path was cleared.
"We're getting closer." IceLeomon says, breaking the silents that the group has been walking in. "I wish I knew which room it comes from. I guess we'll have to find the room where all the strains are coming out of. Just remember, try not to touch them." Takato says, reminding them about the danger of touching the strains.
They continue their way up the stairs and IceLeomon and him continue to use their attacks on the strains.
(V)(V)(V)
He sighs and keeps an eye on the direction that they seem to be angling from. He could tell that they seem to becoming from up a level or two. He then thinks of that vision with Calamon in it. He suddenly knew where the problem comes from, and he hopes that Calamon is safe. He runs through the spells that he had mastered. Most of them were just simple, like creating lights to light ones way or to create a sphere of darkness that nobody can see in. They were mostly harmless and therefore the easiest to master.
They stop and Takato then points to the stairs leading up. "I think we should head up. I think that's the direction on where the strain are." He says to them. They look at him surprised, and then he adds, "I've been using the angle of the strains to make a guess that they come from a room higher up." Kouji and Kouichi just look at each other and then Kouji says, "I didn't think about that. But now that I think about it, it makes a good idea." He blushes, though nobody knows that he did, and then IceLeomon and Guyver again lead the way.
Soon they make it to the right level and they soon spy the right room. The attacks of Guyver and IceLeomon continue until they could open the door. They open it and a white blur tries to tackle him. "Takato!" They all look to find that Calamon was the white blur and that the little Digimon was hugging him. "It's alright, Calamon. We're here to help! What's wrong?" He asks his little friend. "Something really bad wants Lucemon! His dreams had been getting worst and he wouldn't tell anyone! I couldn't help him, Takato! It's like that time with Jeri all over again! I'm so scared and sad!" Calamon says. He comforts the in-training Digimon.
Everyone looks stunned about that information. "So, that's Lucemon?" Zoe asks, for she's pointing to the great bundle that's covered with the strains. "I'm guessing yes, so now what?" Kouji says. He takes a look at the bundle and then sighs. "I'm open for suggestions." He tells them. They all ponder ideas and it was Kouichi that says, "Maybe it might be a good I idea to try and touch it? It can't be that bad and it might lead us to the problem." They all think about it and he then says, "I guess that'll work, but I was hoping that it wouldn't be about touching anything. Lets do it."
He holds on to Calamon and they walk into the room, and they all look at each other, then they move their hands to touch the bundle of strains. He was very reluctant to touch it, but he did for Lucemon's sake.
They soon find themselves in a world of light green with dark blue streaks. They haven't seen any Digimon or Lucemon. They all look around and they then floated straight. Calamon was out of his arms and riding on the back of his neck. He didn't mind, just as long as Calamon stays close to him.
Soon they find Lucemon covered in darkness. He didn't know why that was and looks over to Zoe, Kouji, and Kouichi for answers. He sees that the three Digidestine look pale and kind of scared. 'I'm just taking a wild guess here, but I'm guessing that this is a bad thing. Now what?' He waits for them to recover and then asks, "Do you know why that darkness is covering him?" Kouji answers, "Lucemon's dark data was never scanned, it might be trying to take over his light data. That's my idea about it." Zoe nods and adds, "I don't want to deal with an other power hungry Digimon. What should we do?" They just look at each other, Guyver just looked lost at what to do. IceLeomon says, "I'm certain that you'll come up with something. I'll stand by what your idea." Guyver nods in agreement with what IceLeomon said.
Calamon floats over to where Lucemon is and then says, "Lucemon! Wake up!" They all watch, as Lucemon seems to open his eyes and look at Calamon. "Calamon? What are you doing here?" Lucemon asks in a weak voice. "I'm here with Takato, Kouichi, Kouji, IceLeomon, Guyver, and Zoe! We're here to help!" Calamon says to the rookie. He notices how when Calamon spoke Kouichi, Kouji, and Zoe's name that Lucemon looks like he was really scared. "But I didn't do anything wrong!" Lucemon cries out. He floats over and says to Lucemon in a calming voice, "You didn't do anything wrong. We're here to help you with your dreams." That calms Lucemon down. "I have these really bad dreams where another me does really bad things. I've seen what the other me does to Kouichi. I see how Kouichi disappears and the other me takes his data. Make it stop Takato! Make it stop!" Lucemon cries out and begins to cry himself. He moves closer to the angel rookie and gives him a hug. He opens his wings and uses them like a cloak; his wings cover Lucemon like a blanket. "It's ok to be scared Lucemon. It's how we deal with being scared that should matter. We're not here to judge you, Lucemon. We're here to help, if you let us." He says to Lucemon.
He looks at Calamon, who's come closer to him and Lucemon. "Remember what I said about Takato's partner, Guilmon? Guilmon always helps me! Just think about him!" Calamon says to Lucemon. Lucemon nods his head. And then something happens and he finds himself human.
He looks to find Kouji and the others also here; they were also staring at him. He sighs and looks around the park. He then looks at Calamon who grins and yells out, "Guilmon! I'm here!" And soon Guilmon comes running up the stairs that lead to the shed. "Calamon! Takatomon! Kouichi!" Guilmon says and Lucemon moves out of his hug and look at Guilmon. Guilmon stops and look at Lucemon and then looks at Takato, "Who's that?" He grins and says, "I told you about Lucemon. And the guy that's standing with Kouichi is Kouji, Kouichi's twin brother. The Digimon that looks like a white vision of Leomon is IceLeomon. The other Digimon is Guyver and the last person is Zoe." Guilmon looks at each in turn and then says, "Did they all come to play?" He and everybody kind of laughs at that. "I don't know, boy. Maybe you should just play with Calamon and Lucemon right now. I'll join in later, ok?" He says to his partner. "Ok! What to play in the fountain?" Guilmon asks the other two. Lucemon nods and they head back down the stairs.
He watches the group of Digimon leave and then turns to the others. "So this is what you look like. Nice goggles." Kouji says. He grins and says, "Yip, this is what I look like. So, anybody got any ideas?" "I think that his dark data is using Lucemon's memories to take over. We might have to walk him through them." Zoe says after five minutes. "I think that she's right. Lucemon needs to come to terms with what happened last time. It might be holding off right now, but who know how long until it pushes itself again? So how do we approach this?" Kouji asks. "First I think we should let them play, and then I'll bring it up. I think it's better if I do it. He doesn't have any memories with me in them. So, let's just relax." He tells the others. They nod and they all look around and then sit down. He lies under a tree. He plans on relaxing first, then joining their games. He only hopes that Lucemon will be ready to handle what's about to happen.
After relaxing for about an hour, he gets up and says, "I'm going to check out what they're doing, anyone want to come?" Kouichi gets up and says, "I'm up for a game or two." So, as Kouichi and him are about to leave the others get up and Zoe says, "We're going to look around, ok?" He nods and they go to find Guilmon and the others.
They hear laughter and they find Guilmon running around with his eyes closed, trying to tag either Lucemon or Calamon. "Hey you guys, need two more?" Kouichi asks them. Guilmon opens his eyes and then all together they say, "Yes!" Then Guilmon runs up to him and tags him, "Your it, Takatomon!" Kouichi and Guilmon run off, leaving him surprised and then he catches after them. Soon he tags Calamon and Calamon's it.
They played for about two full hours and they notice that the sun was going down. He sighs and looks at the others, they all look tired, but they were happy. He motions to Lucemon to follow him, and Lucemon does. They walk for until they find the play equipment.
"You need to come to terms with those memories of yours." He says to the rookie. Lucemon looks away, he sighs. "Deep down you knows that they are memories, but they're just that, memories." He tells Lucemon, Lucemon looks at him with a surprised look on his face. "But they're so real." Lucemon says to him. He nods, adding, "That's because those things had happened. They can't affect you unless you want them too. We all have our dark moments, Lucemon. It's just yours lasted longer. You get to decide on how others will see you. You don't want them to forever see just a kid, right? You want to grow up. That's why the memories are surfacing now, Lucemon. You are Digivolving, you're growing up. That's also why some of your old data is gathering, right?" He looks Lucemon in the eye. Lucemon breaks eye contact first. "Why now? Why not in a year or sometime later? Why can't I just be a kid longer?" Lucemon asks him. He sighs and says, "You will always be a kid to Seraphimon. He's your parent and parents are the ones that'll always see you as a little kid. And you think that it also has to do with Calamon and myself?" He waits for Lucemon to think it over. "I guess with Calamon, he's helping me to be on the right track and that you're here to help me with my memories. But I don't want either of you to leave!" Lucemon says. "If I can create other doors to this one place, I'll bring Guilmon and Calamon to visit you. I don't really want our good byes to be final yet, Lucemon. Your like a younger cousin, and I like to visit my family. No matter what changes you'll go through, I'll still think of you as my cousin and if you're my family, then so is Guilmon. It's time to understand what happened to you in your first life, Lucemon. And I'll be right here for you, too. You don't need to be scared of memories for they have already happened and are in the past. You trust me, so trust me on this, cousin. Just believe in me and it'll help." He says to Lucemon and Lucemon looks him in the eye and then nods. Lucemon holds out his hand and he takes it.
He sees flashes of images and sounds, but throughout it all, he held on to Lucemon's hand. It continued to get harder to hold on to Lucemon, but he manages it. The images and sound were soon joined with feelings. Knew them and also knew that they weren't his, but how Lucemon had felt back then. Soon he sees just how Lucemon was defeated, about how the dark data tried to destroy Takuya and the others. Then the memories are finished and he finds himself still holding onto Lucemon's hand.
He looks around to find himself and the others back at the keep. And then he looks into Lucemon's eyes and Lucemon nods his head. He lets go of Lucemon, and he step backs and watches as Lucemon begins to Digivolve into a champion.
To be continued …
