Rediscovering Destiny
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon and "On the Way Down" by Ryan Cabrera aren't mine!
A Hopeless Romantic: Yep, that's what I was referring to with the michi hints. Glad you liked it. And you'll hear more about the party with all the digidestined later. As for my timetable, well, I don't really know how to explain it. It might be kind of hard to believe, but I don't spend a lot of time writing each chapter. When my family goes on car trips, I just take a notebook along and write then. I don't have much free time during the day. I work about 4-5 hours a day, help coach an AAU soccer team, hang out with my friends a lot, go to sporting events…my schedule's really busy. If I have some free time, I'll write. I usually know what I want to write. If I don't, I just start writing and hopefully it flows. Summer is easier to update in because I have more time, but my summer's only getting busier as I leave for Mexico in about a month. During the school year, I usually do my homework during other classes in the day, so if I have a free period, I can jot down some ideas or talk to people. It's hard to explain. Hope that helps some…
Favo de Mel: Thanks! No, I'm not posting at Portkey. –whispers- I can't say I've ever heard of it. It'd be great to talk to you. Just send me an e-mail or something; my address is in my profile somewhere.
Wandering Rain: It's great to hear from you again. I haven't heard from you in awhile on Gaia either probably because I'm not on that much. Thanks for all the nice words, and I'm hoping you update some of your fics soon if you get a chance.
Mrs. Ishida-to-you:Congratulations. I didn't graduate; I still have one more year left of high school.
Kari Minamoto:I don't think the rating is going to jump anymore. At the beginning, I was going to have everyone's problems be a bit more severe, but I changed my mind. And the higher rating was going to stand for some violence, but I don't think it's going to get that detailed or anything.
Calare:You'll have to see…
KoumiLoccness: There's no distinct Mimi pairing. That bit was actually a michi hint. I think I put somewhere in here that Mimi's crest was purity, but I'm referring to it both as sincerity and purity.
And thanks to: fanfic, money makes me smile, Moppy, RYOnRIKA-AllDaWay, Curtis Zidane Ziraa, sorato-takari, Miranda, Ballet Kitty, and mizuki wa kataomoi.
Chapter 7: And on the Way Down
"The Digital Network is being monitored by the Dark One."
"Then how are you able to communicate with me right now, Gennai?"
He offered a faint smile to the confused Wizardmon despite himself. There's a first. "Before being captured and trapped with the other guardians once more, Azulongmon gave me about a dozen power cores. The Dark One, knowing no good, cannot detect nor trace this power. Right now, I'm using one power core to power The Resistances' communication means."
Clever. Think of Gennai to do that. "So, who do we have left on our side? The Meramon in sector nine gave in just the other day. I got to them and cleared their memories of us before they could reveal anything about The Resistance."
"It's a shame we lost them," the digital being replied. "If you count the two of us, Elecmon, Leomon, a handful of Gatomon, Piximon, and a few remaining Tyranomon…well, just about a dozen of us are left. And thanks for the concern over the Meramon. However, the Dark One knows I'm plotting against him. He knows the destined are here."
Wizardmon's brow furrowed. "How?"
"While he cannot sense good, pure power, he can detect the corrupt sort. And unfortunately for us, with the exception of Ken, the other chosen all wield that type."
"But if he knows they're here and broken…"
"…why hasn't he attacked? I can't answer that, Wizardmon, but I have to say I'm thankful he hasn't."
The digimon nodded. "That is at least working in our favor. So what's The Resistances' next job?"
"I need you and Piximon for the next task. Ken and I have been running a series of tasks in the Dark One's territories. When Ken was the Kaiser, he used control spires and dark rings. The Dark One has plenty of power by fear, but we feel he could be using some artificial mechanisms too."
"I'll alert Piximon, and we'll start immediately. Good luck, Gennai."
With a wave of his hand, Wizardmon signed off the communication. The digital being fell back into his chair, exhausted but very relieved. Well, at least hope still remains with The Resistance. We've been losing support rapidly, and members are being discovered each day.
He studied his elaborate computer. The map with all the chosen children's destinations held on the screen. Group A is together. It appears they're camping out at a diner. All of them are there so apparently Ken is still managing to keep the peace. I'll check up on them later.
Gennai found the location of Group B. All of them are still split in pairs. But I have a feeling they'll be together by nightfall. And from the looks of things, the two groups will be together tomorrow. The Resistance can't hold out much longer. We need you to solve your problems and join together as soon as possible…
I'm about a minute away from completely ditching these shoes! "Miyako, come back!"
"Why should I?" the younger girl demanded, continuing to sprint out of the yard. "Of all the people I get stuck with, here of all places, it just had to be you."
"Why are you so mad at me? You've never even given me a valid explanation."
Miyako turned around, hands on her hips in a defensive manner. "Maybe if you'd get off your high horse once in a while, you'd figure out."
With a sigh, Mimi sat down a nearby log, hands in her head, left very confused by her answer. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I really wish Sora was here."
"I bet if Sora would've done it, you would've embraced her with open arms. But me? I'm nothing. You totally forget about me."
"Miyako, I have no idea what you're going on about." The older girl shook her head, looking up to the sky as she felt a drop of rain hit her. "Listen, it's starting to rain and from the looks of things, it'll probably be really heavy. Let's go back inside and talk things over. When we're done and when the rain's done, you can leave if that's what you want and I won't stop you."
She was silent for a moment. The now down pouring rain was the only thing that filled the air. Mimi rose from the log she'd been sitting on, clothes very drenched from the onslaught around her. But that was the least of her concerns at the moment. She really hoped that by standing up, Miyako would be under the implication that she was going in regardless what the lavender-haired teen chose.
"Fine!" she had to shout to be heard, "But only because it's raining, and I have absolutely NO IDEA where I am." Other than in the digital world.
The two girls ran back to the mansion, trying to escape the continuing rain. Miyako got there first and opened the door up for both of them to enter the refuge. They now stood dripping on the lavish carpet, reevaluating the situation.
"Follow me."
Mimi took up the lead, vaguely remembering the large gathering room with a gigantic fireplace. I hope it's still there.
"I thought you wanted to talk to me." It came as a taunt.
"First I want to find somewhere dry where we can warm up. I don't want either of us to get sick."
Though touched by her sincere tone, Miyako's cold exterior remained. She hurt me too much. "How do you know your way around this place?'
"I was brought her once back in the old days." Mimi fondly recalled. "And I stayed her for awhile."
Miyako made a motion to respond but was cut off by the beeping of her digivice. We must be getting a lot closer to whoever is near us. That or they moved closer to us, and we didn't know it.
"Here we are." Mimi pushed open the west doors, one of the four entrances to the room, and walked in. An instant warmth greeted her. Someone's in here. The fireplace can't run by itself. "Excuse me, but we're not interrupting anything are we? We're just seeking refuge from the rain, and…holy cow…"
"Jyou…Jyou, can we please take a break?" Iori nearly collapsed on the ground behind the older boy. "I can't keep up with the pace you set."
The bearer of reliability turned around, eyes full of concern when he saw the boy. "Are you alright? If only I had my medical kit with me. Do you have a temperature? Are you…"
He held up a hand to cut off the man's ramblings. "Jyou, I'm fine. I'm just a bit exhausted. I can't keep up with you. You have such long legs compared to me."
"Oh," he couldn't think of anything else to reply. "I'm glad you're fine then."
Jyou took a seat on the soft earth next to the boy. They sat in an unnerving silence together, neither knowing what to talk about or discuss. "Why do you think we were sent here?"
"I don't know, Iori. Perhaps there's a problem or something along those lines. That's normally the reason we're sent here."
The younger boy nodded. "That's true. But I'm surprised we were sent here so unceremoniously. You'd think Gennai would've contacted up first."
"Maybe Gennai didn't send us here."
It was a plausible hypothesis. Iori had never thought about something like that. "But if Gennai didn't send for us then who did?"
He couldn't think of an answer for that. "I don't know. But haven't you noticed that the area all around here is dark and depressing?" He motioned around with his hand. Now that they were out of the claustrophobic cave—at least in Jyou's opinion—they could observe their new surroundings.
The new digital world.
Something wasn't right; they could both tell. Everything was dark and depressing. There was hardly any life or beauty around them. All forms of life seemed…dead. From one side of the path they were on to the other things were all the same. Something was going on here.
A beeping interrupted both their musings. "We're almost to where the others are."
"How many are there?" the blue-haired man questioned, standing up.
"It appears there are four. Two more have joined them. They're all up ahead. We're almost there."
"Then I say we head off again." He glanced around him and up at the sky. "We'd better hurry. It looks like it could start raining any minute…"
BOOM!
"…now." With the rain pouring down, Jyou faced Iori. "Let's go. Hopefully there's shelter up ahead."
This time the younger boy made absolutely no complaints about the fast pace. The rain was picking up. With the sporadic lighting and thunder, things seemed even more threatening and dark. This is not someplace I'd want to get stuck at night. "Hey! There's something up ahead!"
"Really?" Jyou shouted back. "I can't see a single thing! My glasses are worthless."
"It's a really, really large house. It looks almost like a mansion. If nothing else, it'll at least provide sturdy shelter."
"Sounds good to me. You lead the way because I can't see a thing!"
Cody sprinted ahead of him. They continued running and were about eight hundred meters away from the house when they met an obstruction.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
Iori and Jyou looked at each other. "Who are you?" Jyou finally asked.
The large, very dark creature let out a sadistic laugh. "You don't know who I am? Oh, Gennai, Gennai, Gennai…you really think you can save the digital world from me with this kind of comical show? You all are more broken than the rumors I heard. This will be even easier than I thought."
The brunette looked around him. "Save the digital world?"
"You mean you don't know that either? And I suppose you don't know what happened to your digimon either. This is a riot!"
"What happened to our digimon?" the two asked in unison. They had no idea who this creature was, but they could tell it was up to no good. And the bit about their digimon was only making things more nerve-racking.
"I'll let you ponder all the different possibilities. Now, though I haven't had a good kill in ages, I think I'll show some mercy and let you be. But don't expect me to be this nice next time…"
With a snap, the digital monster had disappeared. "Who the hell was that?"
Iori shook his head, water running down his face. "I have no idea. But what I do know is that I don't want to be out here any longer."
They started to run again, both eager to get into the hopeful refuge. About a minute later they arrived, each panting and exhausted, but very happy to be out of the rain and darkness. "My digivice is going berserk. I think there are some chosen here." Jyou whispered.
The two boys found some towels, hastily thrown into an old closet. After drying off, they began to walk through the halls, ready to explore the house and find the others there.
"I think this is the spot."
Iori opened up the large mahogany doors, pulling on them as hard as he could muster. Finally, with a creak, they opened, revealing a large, spacious room with a roaring fire. "Hello? Is anyone in here? Can…oh my God…"
"And I thought we were out of the Dark Ocean."
T.K. glanced around at his new environment. "I think we are."
"But everything's dark."
He had no good answer for that. It was true. The area of the digital world that they now were in lay completely in black nothingness. Sure, it was a bit lighter and less threatening than the Dark Ocean—probably as it didn't carry the same memories as that particular place—but still, nonetheless, it was a bit frightening.
Once again their digivices were their saviors. Each emitted a powerful burst of light, pink for Hikari and yellow for Takeru, offering a way for them to find…well, they didn't know what they were trying to find.
The two remained silent. What do I say to him? Things between us are awkward, to say the least.
She probably thinks I'm the world's biggest jerk for what I did to her. But I had my reasons. And I don't want to talk about it.
"Let's look for some shelter." Both girl and boy turned their heads away, light blush on each ones' cheek, as they had replied in unison. "Okay,"
It was clear that a long walk was in store for the two of them. They had been in the Dark Ocean, miles and miles away from other civilization. Or at least they thought so.
"Where were we sent to?" Takeru wondered out loud, not really directing it to the brunette next to him.
"It's a new place every time," She took the comment as an invitation to talk. "We really never end up in the same place twice in a row."
They were silent again. Question and response seemed to be the most exchange the two could manage—more likely were willing—to have. It was odd. The two who were the closest, surviving umpteen could-be fatal digimon attacks, saving two worlds twice, and experiencing so many hardships couldn't even string a few words together to have a civil conversation.
He was my best friend. We were so close. I miss the old, sweet, kind Takeru. Not that phony "Chosen of Despair" as he's dubbed himself. I understand that he wanted to speak up to make a difference. If he would've chosen any other way, I'm sure I would've been right there, helping him out. But what he did, the way he went about things, wasn't right. Why can't things go back to the way they used to be?
His digivice began to beep. Looking at it, he realized they were approaching a large building and some of the other destined. "Let's go there." Hikari spoke up.
"Yeah. I bet some of the others and there and know why we were sent here."
One line forced conversations. Of all the people I thought I might ever end up talking to like this…Kari definitely wasn't one of them. Where did we go wrong? Was it me? Should I not have written those columns? It seemed so right at the moment, letting everyone know the true problems behind the digidestined, hoping that my words would cause the situation to be rectified. Maybe I just made things worse…
The large building was now in seeing distance. Thankfully, both silently agreed, the darkness had begun to dwindle a bit, giving them enough light to see without their digivices and making them feel a bit more secure. A mansion stood before them. It reminded Kari of an old-fashioned, elaborate castle to some extent. I wonder if anyone's in there. I wonder if anyone we know is in there.
The two teens walked inside, taking in every feature of this large house. There appeared to be hundreds of rooms, and Takeru was willing to bet they all were lavish. This place looks kind of run-down and old, but the rooms inside, though dusty, are still awesome.
A large crack of thunder made them both jump. Shivering a bit, gathering her confidence as well, Hikari faced her once best friend. "Takeru, do you think we can find someplace with heat or a fireplace?"
He nodded, opting not to say anything, but at the same time, kicking himself for not having the strength to do so. I'll talk to her later. I'll explain everything then.
He's being so cold and stoic. Takeru's kind of acting the way Yamato did when we first came to the digital world. She knew the older blond had a justified reason for the way he was acting based on his home life. But Takeru? Is he purposely doing this? His antics make it seem like he doesn't want to have me around, like he doesn't want me to be a friend to him. I'm so confused.
The blond pushed open the large wooden doors before him, opening up a gigantic living room complete with a large fireplace. "Will this do?"
"Sure," she meekly replied.
The two walked into the room. Takeru headed over to the fireplace to attempt starting a fire while Hikari began to examine the room and its artifacts. There was an ancient dining table complete with nearly twenty chairs. A table this large in a living room? And ten comfy reclining chairs, couches, and other types of furniture dotted the room. They appear kind of small, but I know I can fit into them.
Meanwhile, after four failed attempts, the boy was able to start a roaring fire, bringing more light and plenty of heat to the room. Hikari headed over, settling herself down on the chair closest to the fire. Takeru picked the chair opposite to her and began warming his chilled hands.
Silence returned and the two avoided each others' glance the best they could. The brunette had just thought of a topic to discuss—hopefully meriting more than a one line response—when they heard a large creak. Both looked up, jaws dropping at the sight before them. "Mimi?" Hikari called out.
Another creak.
"Iori?" Takeru challenged.
The four new inhabitants walked into the room, unbelieving, though their digivices told them so, that others were here. Each destined sat down in a chair by the fire. Takeru couldn't help but notice they were dripping wet.
"So…"
"So…" Jyou repeated the sentiment. "Long time no see, huh?"
Mimi gave a forced laugh. "You could say that."
The lavender-haired girl glared at her. "Does anyone know why we're here?"
Iori smiled, knowing that while nearly everyone had changed over the years, certain idiosyncrasies they carried still remained, including Miyako's bluntness. "I don't think any of us know for sure. But…"
"But what, Iori?" Hikari asked.
"We ran into this digimon on our way here," continued Jyou, taking over for the younger boy. "He said something about conquering the digital world, and we couldn't stop him because we're broken."
"And he said something about our digimon. He wouldn't tell us where they are or what happened to them. What did he say, Jyou?"
The older boy sighed, still befuddled by the creature's warning but also scared of its meaning. "He said he'd let us think about all the possibilities that could've happened to them. But he wouldn't tell us what."
"That does not sound like the kind of news we want to hear," Takeru spoke up. One by one the others agreed.
It was silent again. Now that the problem had been addressed, everyone was back to the way they were.
Mimi sat staring at her designer clothes. Miyako was mad at her, but she had no idea what for. Maybe it was because I left. I don't know. She refuses to even tell me.
She should know what she did. Mimi never talked to us after she left. She was my role model, and then she let me down. The teen stared idly into space, wishing she was anywhere but there.
Sitting around here and doing nothing is going to get us nowhere. If only we had some clues as to what is going on other than what that digimon told us. Iori looked around the room at the different destined before him. Now if only everyone would talk together and get along. But that seems like too much to wish for.
Jyou lounged back in his chair, knees bouncing up and down in worry. I thought I had conquered this problem of worrying, but it only came back. We all should be talking, but we have no leader here. We need someone like Taichi or Yamato to keep us going straight. Who's going to be our leader here?
The blond looked down into the dancing flames, unsure of why he was really here. I gave up hope long ago. My crest is as good as gone. The rate we're going, based on the way we're acting right now, darkness and despair will win. He snorted. Then I will be the Chosen of Despair.
Hikari's face was in her hands. Enough is enough. We need to band together. It's up to us to find out what's going on and the way to fix it. But first, we need to address some issues here. "Alright, I know none of us know for certain why we're here. And it's obvious we're not on the best of terms here. But though we don't know the reason we were sent back here after all these years, that digimon made a good point. We're broken. We're not ourselves. Every one of us has changed and not for the better. It's up to us to fix our tattered relationships. And sitting here on our asses isn't going to accomplish much!"
All eyes met hers. Hikari NEVER cusses! Takeru knew she was right; it was just what she was asking to do. I've already let everyone down the way it is. Others across the room, though knowing she was right as well, couldn't get themselves to do anything. They, like Takeru, were loosing hope.
It was Iori who spoke up, giving Hikari a weak smile. "I agree. We have to remember the good times. Think about the times we were the best of friends. Think about everything we went through. We can fix this, guys. We just need to believe."
"Do you guys remember the time we all went to visit Mimi in New York?" the brunette girl spoke up, directing the question to everyone.
Iori again answered, showing it would be a conversation between the two of them, but it was also apparent that they had caught the others attention. "It was right after we defeated MaloMyotismon. We were going to do an interview on some American station, but first we decided to see the sights in the Big Apple."
She snickered. "Remember when Daisuke bought that gigantic cotton candy and he and Tai tried to eat it all. It got all over them!"
"And we had the hardest time finding Mimi's place. Yamato and Taichi tried to navigate, but we ended up sending the taxi driver in circles!"
Hikari winked at the younger boy, seeing the others get a reminiscent look in their eyes. "Think about that time…"
"Guys! What took you so long? I was expecting you over an hour ago!" Mimi shrieked, greeting Miyako and Kari with a long hug.
Sora smirked at her. "We would've been here sooner, but these two felt they were obligated to get us lost."
"Come on, Sora," Taichi replied, "we didn't get that lost."
"We went around in a circle—the same circle—three times." Takeru dryly muttered.
Yamato walked over and wrapped his arms around his brother and the redhead. "We were sightseeing! Give us a break. Tai and I tried to do something nice, show you guys the finer points of the city, but nooooo…we get blamed for getting "lost"…"
"This is fantastic!" Iori exclaimed. "Look at all the animals."
"I heard they put on great shows," Jyou replied while consulting his guidebook. "There are a bunch of different animals."
"I really want to see Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo, and Melman the giraffe." (1)
The older boy smiled while looking up at the magnificent zoo around him in Central Park. "They have everything here."
"And no shortage of food, either." Miyako let out a laugh, joining them and pointing over to Daisuke and Tai. The two boys were tackling an enormous mountain of cotton candy they had bought. Amazingly, twenty minutes later, it had been reduced to a minor foothill.
"How do they do that?" wondered Mimi, trying to figure out their eating habits.
"We all wonder," Sora replied, joining her friend. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that covered in that pink cotton candy, they look a lot like Piyomon right now…"
"Carriage rides! Come on you guys. You all are going to love this part!" the pink-haired girl exclaimed. "I may have lived here for awhile, but I've always loved going on one."
"Pick a partner or two and climb in." the front driver merrily proclaimed.
Michael, who had joined the group a bit earlier, motioned for Daisuke to hop in the front carriage with him. "I want to tell you about this movie my dad just signed for. I'll give you an early preview of what it's about."
"Awesome!" the boy exclaimed.
"Do you think I could come too?" Iori asked. "I really like your dad's movies."
"Of course, join right in."
Jyou and Koushiro rode in the next carriage, talking excitedly about the sights they were going to see. "And we are not letting Tai or Yama navigate." Koushiro boldly proclaimed.
"Couldn't agree with you any more," the blue-haired boy nodded.
"Taichi, you riding with me?" Mimi asked.
He gave a fake sigh. "If I have to."
She rolled her eyes. "I'll tell you all about that soccer match I went to."
Miyako shyly approached Ken. "Hey, Ken, I was wondering if you wanted to ride with me."
Takeru smirked, giving the boy genius a push toward the girl. "Go on, Ken. I'll ride with someone else."
"Okay, then." He climbed into the carriage, smiling rather noticeably.
Yamato climbed into the second-to-last carriage. He offered Sora his hand, and she walked in, sitting down comfortably next to him. "Have fun, you two!" the older blond catcalled over his shoulder as their ride began.
Hikari blushed, studying the boy next to her. "Well, it's you and me then."
He gave her a dazzling smile. "Sounds good to me. Let's go…"
Iori was elated to see the expressions on the destined's faces change so rapidly. Maybe this is getting through. This could really work.
Hikari's smile grew as well. I'm afraid this is only a temporary happiness. We won't be able to mend everything until the whole group is together. She studied her digivice, finally seeing a bunch of other dots. They're not too far away from us. Only once we all reunite will we be able to rediscover what we lost. I hope we find them soon…
A/N: Please review! The (1) up above is a reference to the movie Madagascar. I wrote this chapter right before I went to see it and nearly burst out laughing when it started out in the Central Park Zoo. So, the names of all the animals are the names of the four main characters in the movie, which I do not own. Hope you guys liked the chapter! Please review!
