Rediscovering Destiny
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon and the song "On the Way Down" by Ryan Cabrera are not mine!
A/N: I'm so incredibly tired…this would've been up sooner, but it was prom this weekend and I got back home at 5 a.m. (after prom was a blast!) and after enjoying sleep, taking a college visit, and saying goodbye to some relatives, I finally got a chance to type this. Please R&R!
Cherryblossom Sky: Yes, Tai did finally cut his hair. And you'll have to wait another chapter to find out if Sora's pregnant!
Crazyamzy: Refer to chapter 2…
Kuroi Black Nightingale: They're civil; the best they can be given the situation they find themselves in…read on…
Teehee: Yeah, I realized after I typed that they'd be important, I'd have to figure out why…but I think I've got it now…
Windedlove: Finding time to update's a problem. I'm not dead from soccer, though. I've been playing for eleven years so it's always a fun time of the year, especially games. Crap, I have a game tomorrow night…
And thanks to: money makes me smile, Mrs. Ishida-to-you, stubblyanimal, James Daivies, sorato-takari, SoraKoi the Water Goddess, RW Grimm, Blondie121147, Inconnu, and KoumiLoccness.
Chapter 5: Waiting, Suffocating, No Direction…
"Do you see anyone in there?"
"No, it's just an empty cave."
"I guess the Dark One was wrong about his tip." The Bakemon turned to his comrade. "But I'd never tell him that to his face. Let's get outta here."
The two flew off into the dark distance. A fourth of a mile a way. Now one half. Three fourths. Finally out of range.
Gennai slouched back on the rock he'd been sitting on, wiping his damp forehead off with a red handkerchief. That was a close call.
The digital being hit the button on the computer that dismantled the concealment feature. His computer was up and running as it had been when the scanner went off, alerting him that there was danger on the horizon.
He sat down in front of the machine, trying his best once again to locate the chosen children. There's Taichi and Daisuke. They're located about five miles northwest of…Sora and Yamato. I wonder how that situation is fairing. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some feelings of tension between the two. And…wow, Koushiro and Ken are within a two mile radius, landing just south of them. Hopefully their digivices will lead them all to each other.
He saw six lights appear as fast as a blink of an eye. They weren't there the last time I checked. But I guest the other six have arrived as well. Here's the coordinates of the first pair…
"Mimi, wrap it up! You're break is over."
The pink-haired celebrity rolled her eyes. "I'm in the bathroom. Give me another few minutes."
"We don't have that kind of time, darling. I'll give you one minute tops. We're already six and a half minutes behind schedule."
Mimi let her body fall limber, laying down on the recliner inside her dressing room. She does this everyday. I hate how every minute of my life is planned out to the millisecond. My life's not going to come to an end if I stop and smell the roses.
"Thirty seconds," Her assistant called out. "Honestly, Mimi, if you showed a bit more dedication to everything like you originally did, we'd be done sooner…"
It was the same talk she always got, once, twice, sometimes even three times daily. If I could only have a break, a vacation from all the distractions in my life.
"…it'd be so much easier on you. Then you could buy a beach house down in Cancun and have some much needed R and R. How's that sound, Meems?"
There was no answer.
"Ouch! What just happened?"
Mimi stood up, brushing the soot and grime of her leopard print skirt. It's going to cost me a fortune to get this dry cleaned. Whoa, where am I? Last thing I knew, I was in my dressing room at the studio, and now, well, now I have absolutely no idea.
The young woman studied her surroundings, finding them to be a bit foreign but at the same time nostalgic. To her left was an incredibly large field, isolated and desolate. In front of her, probably a mile at the most, lay a cliff Mimi assumed didn't lead to anywhere she wanted to see.
Turning to her right, she fell over in shock. There's no possible way! There's only one place on Earth that looks like this—wait, it's not even on Earth!
It was the Geckomon palace and castle she had once gotten lost in—both physically and emotionally—and ventured to. However, it seemed she'd gotten lost once more and wandered to it again.
How did I get back here? I thought it'd be impossible to. And why was I brought here? And what about the others? What do they think about me? Maybe someone's inside, and that's why I was brought here. Maybe it's Sora!
Mimi dashed inside as fast as should could in the painfully large heals she had chosen to wear today. I didn't anticipate running. But then again I can't say I thought I'd end up in the digiworld either.
Sora. The prospect of seeing her or anyone from the set of Japanese destined both excited and scared her. Quite honestly, while a bit of her hoped to see everyone, Mimi wished more than anything the person, if there was one inside, was the redhead.
She set me straight once before in this very place. Maybe she'll be here to do it again.
The girl made her way through the castle, finding the dusty staircase that led to the room she'd stayed in. She longed to see Sora, to see how life had treated her, to hear what was going on with her, and to know if her relationship with Yamato was still in existence.
Yamato had been the only chosen Mimi had seen since the group split. They'd been at the same after-awards party a couple of years ago. Although she recognized him immediately—and was fairly certain he spotted her—the actress was too scared to approach him. They'd never really talked much over the years even when the chosen were all together. Their friendship hadn't been as strong as the others, but Mimi still considered him a friend.
I think the longest conversation I've ever held with him came when he called me that once.
Flashback
"Mimi, there's a message for you on the machine! I'm heading out to the gym."
"Okay, Daddy!" the girl called back. She hustled up to her room, tossing her bags full of new merchandise onto the floor, anxious to hear who the message was from. "I bet it's Trevor. He did tell me he'd call sometime today. And considering there's no school because of the weather..."
Mimi pushed the button on the machine, but the voice that greeted her was not the male voice she expected. "Hey, Mimi…it's Yamato Ishida. Could you…give me a call back? Uh…thanks."
Why would Yamato be calling me? We're really not that close of friends. Maybe something's happened. She dialed up the number, forgetting the fact it was a long-distance phone call.
"Hello?"
"Yamato, it's Mimi."
Silence. "Oh, hey Mimi. Thanks…thanks for calling me back."
He sounded nervous and unsure, two traits Mimi had never really associated with the blond. "Why are you calling? Has something happened in the digital world?"
She heard a door shut in the background, assuming he wanted some privacy from whomever happened to be in the apartment with him. "No, nothing's wrong in the digiworld."
"Then why are you calling?" Silence. "Yamato?"
"I need some advice, Mimi."
"About what?" She was a bit confused. Typically, the others turned to one of the other chosen—usually Koushiro or Sora—when in need of a listening ear. "I'm not the best person at advice."
He was silent again, trepidation evident in the air. "Sora,"
Mimi hadn't been expecting that answer at all. "What about Sora?" He paused yet again, and the girl was beginning to grow agitated. "Yamato?"
"I think I feel something more for her than friendship…"
End Flashback
Mimi pushed the door open. A silhouette could be seen just around the bed. Mimi approached and gasped upon recognizing the person. But it wasn't Sora…
Deep breath, Miyako. You can do this. Kathy, I quit. Kathy, I'm ready to take my leave of absence. Kathy, I hate your filthy guts!
The teen had been standing in front of her boss's door for the past ten minutes, attempting to muster up the courage to quit. As much as Miyako wanted to be around that kind of business, she'd grown to hate it.
I have a feeling I wasn't destined for this. The girl had begun straying from the door, hiding a bit in the shadows. Miyako, you used to be the chosen with the digimentals of sincerity and love—there's no reason you can't tell the truth now.
With her resolve gaining a bit of strength from her pep talk, Miyako headed back to the door, hand positioned to knock. At the same time, Kathy came barreling out the door, cell phone in one hand, and lighted cigarette in the other.
She would have run straight into Miyako. Only Miyako wasn't there…
"What's going on?" The lavender-haired girl stood. She was no longer standing in a bustling apartment complex. The office cubicles were replaced with dressers and shelves, and a huge canopy bed was stationed before her.
Am I just dreaming? This place seems familiar in an odd way. I know I've never been here, but something tells me someone I know has or there's something here I'm connected to.
She walked through the dusty old room that appeared to have not been used for awhile. The girl took in all the sights, finally heading back to the bed when she heard the creak of the wooden door.
The door opened, and a figure walked in. She heard a gasp "M…Miyako? Is that you?"
The teen glanced at the new arrival, at first unsure of who she was. This woman was dressed as if she had money, but the pink cowboy hat she wielded didn't seem to go with the outfit or her persona. Miyako realized who it was, though, upon seeing the hair.
"Mimi?"
"How are you? I haven't seen you forever! You look so great! You got your hat back? I thought you hated it…it goes so well with your look though; I think it's cute." Mimi rambled off before blushing crimson. "I'm sorry, Miyako. I'm just relieved to find someone else here."
Miyako gasped, looking into the cracked mirror on the wall to check her reflection. My old hat…but the only time I ever wore this was in…the digital world… A beeping noise interrupted her thoughts. She nearly fainted as she pulled the noisemaker out of her pocket. Her D3.
Mimi was in shock too, as from her purse came her own digivice. "I wonder how we got back here. We should go find the others."
"Yeah," The younger girl answered half-heartedly. Miyako wasn't sure how to react about either new development, but really wasn't sure if she should be angry at Mimi or feel guilty about the rumor she started.
"So, how have you been?"
The girl made up her mind, storming away, avoiding the hug Mimi attempted to give her. The actress rushed out the room after her. Is she mad at me?
"I'll have a BLT on rye. Hold the mayo but extra lettuce."
"Sure thing," With a nod of his head, Jyou wrote the order down, turning to head for the kitchen.
"Mister, I ordered a hamburger twenty minutes ago! How freaking long does it take to get a piece of meat with a bun ready?"
The blue-haired man offered an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, sir. I'll get right…"
CRASH!
"Why me?"
"KIDO!" His boss came rushing forward like a freight train. "Do you know how to walk?"
He flushed cherry red. "Yeah," Jyou managed to mumble as he picked the plate of onion rings off the floor. The by-standers and diners—all of whom immediately turned his direction upon hearing the impact—went back to their respective activities.
"Kido, go fill up these water pitchers. That will keep you out of trouble. Hopefully." The manager scathingly barked. Taking the crystalline objects, one in each hand, the young man stood, praying he wouldn't drop them.
Jyou successfully reached the back amidst the snickers of his co-workers. He head to the far end of the kitchen, solitude extending its welcoming grip.
This blows! I'm normally not this sloppy and carefree. I just…oh, thank goodness!
Breaking fine dinnerware wouldn't have appeased the slave driver outside. He miraculously caught the falling glass, managing to set it down on the table.
His knees gave way, and Jyou lunged forward to protect the other crystal pitcher. What the…
It safely found the sanctuary of the countertop in one piece after spinning around two times. But Jyou wasn't there to celebrate…
Rubbing his head, the man stood up. Please say I didn't just drop that pitcher. I can't afford to lose any of my wages the way it is. Jyou opened his eyes to see a dark oasis surrounding him. Wait, it was bright inside the coffee house. Did I fall and bump my head?
The coffee house had disappeared, replaced by enormous brown caverns and walls of what seemed to be a cave. How exactly did I get here? Jyou examined the walls. The apparent cave was circular with a large mesa in the center area. A huge stone sphere lay in the middle of the mesa, a bit cracked around the edges as if the test of time had not offered the best results.
Claustrophobia began to kick in. Jyou took a deep breath, senses acute to these feelings. Okay Jyou. Just breathe deeply. He tried, but the panic was setting in more than usual. He gathered that was a probably a result of being in an unknown place with no idea of how he'd arrived.
If only I had my medical kit here with me. It would make things so much easier and…
CLUNK!
Jyou hit the ground in surprise…
Iori typed his password into the computer for the tenth time since he'd gotten home. Maybe there's something. The e-mail program launched up but didn't provide him with his anticipated answer.
He sighed, logging out of the internet, choosing to now go lay on his bed. It was like this everyday. Why did I expect today to be any different? Things aren't going to inexplicably change. Why was I even hoping to be optimistic? There's nothing left to be optimistic about anymore anyway. The others have completely forgotten about me. They could care less if I'm okay.
Iori's attention turned back to his computer. May as well shut it off. He went through the normal procedures, but nothing happened. The boy tried turning the power off, but…the computer remained on? What's going on?
There was a knock on his door. "Iori, could you possibly run down to the Inoue's store and pick up some more prune juice? I'm out, and I have this craving…"
The boy only heard the first part. A huge flash of light captured his mind instead.
"Iori? Iori?..."
"Huh?" The young teen yawned, glancing around him. "What just happened? Grandpa? Grandpa, are you here?" He paused, standing up and looking around. "Wait…where am I?"
He was in an enclosed area, more compact then his room at home because he was no longer surrounded by four walls. The boy's eyes wandered from place to place in hope that he'd find someway out of this mysterious location.
I have no idea where I am. But…there is something remotely familiar about this place. The only time I've ever been in a cave is in the digital world and then… The realization hit him. Could I be back in the digital world?
Iori's musings were interrupted by a loud noise. He turned to his right, sensing the sound echo from that direction. Taking a step, the teen decided to investigate. "Ouch,"
After he got up off the floor.
Iori looked at what he'd tripped on. "My…my kendo stick? How did that get here? I haven't practiced kendo in a long, long time."
He was getting a stronger feeling of uneasiness as he moved down the path that he hoped led to the strange noise. This has to be the digiworld. There's no other explanation. That would explain why my computer wouldn't turn off…
Turning the jutting corner, trying to stay on the meandering path the best he could, Iori stopped in shock at the sight before him. "This is where one of the Destiny Stone's was located. Angemon digivolved to mega here…"
He glanced around, searching for the ambiguous sound he'd heard. And then he saw it.
Iori dashed over to the fallen man, knowing who it was from the blue-hair. "Jyou? Jyou, wake up."
"Franklin D. Roosevelt said 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,' during the American Great Depression, professor."
The boy gave a puzzled look. Apparently he thinks this is class. "Jyou, come on Jyou. You're not in class."
He shot straight up, head in his hands. "That was a rough landing. Where am…Iori?"
Giving a nervous chuckle, Iori forced a smile. "That's me."
"How…what…this…we're…" Jyou paused. "I'm completely and totally confused."
"You and me both," Iori looked around. "But I'm fairly certain we're in the digital world."
The college student agreed with a nod. "I came to that conclusion as well when I saw this."
Jyou's blue medical bag hug limp at the side of his body. Iori had heard stories of how that had helped Taichi and the others in the digital world the first time.
"Do you think the others are here?"
A beeping sound interrupted the conversation. Reaching into his pocket, Jyou offered him a weak smile. "I'm going to answer yes to that question as well."
Iori pulled out his D3. "We may as well head to the others."
"Yep," The blue-haired man stood up, starting to walk at a brisk pace, forgetting the teen behind him couldn't keep up with such a fast stride.
"Jyou! Jyou, can you slow down?"
"Huh?" He turned around to see Iori panting to keep up. "Oh, yeah. Sorry about that."
He started walking again, seemingly forgetting what he'd just said. Iori shook his head, sprinting to keep up. Am I invisible to him too?
"Class, I've graded your tests, and they turned out decently. I hoped they'd be better, but this is the way cookie crumbled."
Takeru nearly hit his head on his desk. This is so boring. Hand back the tests already. You do this every time we have a test. He looked at the clock. Five more minutes and then I can leave.
"I gave you all a four extra points instead of curving the tests, and one lucky individual got two extra points on his essay."
All heads immediately turned in Takeru's direction. "Yep, it was indeed Takeru. If you don't mind, I'm going to read some of what he wrote. Listen to the beautifully scripted syntax…"
Shut-up already. You don't have to read my essays every freaking time. I wasn't even trying on this. I could care less about this type of writing; the thing that really matters to me is my Chosen of Despair pseudonym and columns.
Resting his head against his desk, the blond suddenly felt really sleepy. What's going on? I got plenty of sleep last period and…
He began to cough, first just a bit, then more, then more, finally…
"Takeru, would you like to go get a drink?"
"Yes, sir."
The teacher smiled. "Okay, meanwhile, listen to this parallel structure!"
Takeru escaped the classroom, still coughing. He headed over to the nearest drinking fountain, but the second he put his mouth down to receive the flow of water…there was none…
The coughing had subsided along with the exhausted feelings, but both had been replaced by some pain. Where am I? And why am I on the ground?
The teen forced his weary body up, trying to determine why he wasn't standing at the water fountain, prepared to refresh his parched throat. Darkness enveloped him. Sheer darkness. Takeru could barely see two feet in front of him.
What's going on? He blindly took a few steps east, squinting, trying to make out some form of light. It was less dense in that direction; his feet continued to carry him to what looked like a better area.
It was as if the dark was a blanket, covering the whole entire land around him. But at the same time, this blanket consisted of a few holes, yet to be patched, letting a bit of light and energy seep through.
A good time later, Takeru collapsed on the ground, finally able to see himself. It was obvious the land on this side of…wherever…was much lighter. He could see things in an almost sepia tone from where he was standing. If he chose to move—which he had to laugh at; the thought of doing it was ludicrous—he could venture northeast, east, or southeast and continue to see. It appeared that just that area was cloaked in darkness.
Now that he'd regained his sense of sight, Takeru studied the area. It was looking familiar. Too familiar. Not the kind of familiar he ever wanted to see again.
There was the cliff. And a long cave stretching out into the beached area. And…it confirmed his fears.
There was the ocean.
How'd I get back here? I…I thought it was impossible. Takeru aimlessly headed southeast, as far away from the ocean as possible.
CRASH!...
Hikari heard the door shut. I guess Dad headed back to work. She wandered off into the kitchen in search of something to eat. She didn't need anything large, just something to fill the hole in her stomach. Though she knew it was a hole not caused by hunger pains. Rather, it was a hole caused by the digidestined, namely Takeru.
She sifted through the cabinets, finally settling on some crackers. The girl headed over to the television and flipped it on, hoping something would brighten her mood. But given some of the trash that appeared in the box, she wasn't expecting much.
Sleep sounded like the best option. Hikari tried to make herself comfortable on the loveseat but couldn't sit still. She could hear the tick of the clock in background, trying to soothe her to sleep.
Maybe if I just close my eyes and count backwards from ten I'll be able to sleep. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…
Darkness overwhelmed her senses. Her body temperature dropped as well, sending the girl into a fit of shivers. She could feel goose bumps rise on her body, spreading as fast as wildfire. Am I having a nightmare?
Hikari forced her eyes open, not believing the sight, or lack of one, before her.
It was an abyss of pure darkness. There was no color around her, and she couldn't even see her own hand. She started to shake violently. This brings back horrible memories of the DarkOcean
Hikari turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees, praying there was some light source around her. Darkness, only darkness.
The girl could make out a bit of a lighter area to her west. Not wanting to be consumed anymore by the lack of light, the girl moved that direction as fast as her legs would carry her.
As she walked further west, she could begin to see herself and make sure she hit nothing. Her new place of residence appeared as quickly as her body. A beach. Feelings of pathos in the air. Pitch black all around me. The waves of an ocean crashing against the shore. I'm…how did I get here? This has to be a bad dream.
She began to head northwest, trying to distance herself from the chaos, hoping an exit was in sight. It's impossible to get back here. There's no way, and I…
"Ouch!"
Hikari began to fall, caught from hitting the ground by a pair of arms. "Thank you," She timidly replied. Please don't be one of the DarkOcean's creatures.
"It's no…" Another human. "Are you okay?"
Their eyes met. Silence became as bountiful as the darkness.
"Is it really you?"
"Are you just an illusion?"
"How did we get here?" They chanted together.
Hikari avoided his eyes, clearly not wanting to be in this area particularly with his presence. Even though he did save me from here once.
"Were we supposed to be transported to the digital world?" Takeru finally broke the blanket of silence.
The girl shrugged. "Maybe." She looked down at her feet, attempting to avoid his gaze. "My camera? How did that…your bucket hat." Her gaze returned to his face.
Takeru felt his head, surprised to find his old hat residing on it. "Something strange is going on."
They both saw two flashes of light, one pink and one yellow, each coming from their pockets. The two pulled out their D3's, which for the time being, along with pointing out there were other destined around, served as flashlights.
Hikari pointed hers straight ahead, and it slowly began to break down the darkness. "Look, there's a rift over there. I bet it separates this from the digiworld."
She was doing her best to be civil to him. Takeru could infer it from her tone of voice. "Let's go…"
They walked in silence, each one thinking the same thing. I really hope we find the others…I don't know if I can stay here with him/her for much longer…
A/N: Next chapter marks the group reunions. Everyone's items will come into play as we go. Please review!
