Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon, just the plot of the fic.
Author's Notes: Heh…ummm…((glances around for somewhere to hide since her rock has currently gone missing)) so here's the latest installment of Different Journey's! I know it takes me forever to put out these chapters and I do apologize…really! This one chapter however, was driving me nuts-it's kind of a connection chapter, and so I had to think it out and plan it out carefully so that way I wouldn't mess anything up for me writing wise in the future. But…it's finally done and here for all of you wonderfully patient readers to enjoy! (And I know that this isn't actually chapter 24…it's actually 23 since I deleted that author's note earlier, I know it's all screwed up and confusing-but for now I'm going to go ahead and continue on this way until I can get working on reorganizing the chapters…so hang tight for now, I promise that it'll be done eventually…)
Okayyyy…so, normally I don't do this in my fics anymore, especially since I've taking a huge liking to the new REPLY button that's attached next to the reviewers ID if they're signed in…(really, it's made my life so much easier and I tend to-most of the time-reply to reviewers quicker that way!) BUT, I did have one review that I saw that my fingers were just itching to type a quick reply to and that one's to eclipsedlight. First of all the answer to your first question-I'm not going to actually answer for two reasons…one…no on else knows who the 'Dark Digimon' is (unless if they might've figured it out already, which I'm sure that some of my readers might have…you know who you are! LOL!) and two…because it would give away half of the plot for this chapter!-And of course, other chapter's to come in the near future. So do continue reading and you'll find out who the Dark Digimon is, I promise! And as to your question on Kouji and why he's so special? Hehe…((looks around at most of her readers who all know how she's going to answer this)) he's my favorite bishie. I adore Kouji…so whenever I get the chance to torture him be it physically or emotionally, of course I'll take it! LOL! (Remember, this is also an AU fic-meaning that everything and anything can go.) That, and I'm a big fan of the lightness vs darkness deal…and I'm saying way to much there, so I won't go any further into that least I give something away…((smiles innocently)) And as for where Takuya is during all of this…? ((manages to find a place to hide)) That's…actually a really good question and you're actually not the only one who's asked that…and…umm…you know, I think I'll leave it right there and allow you guys to have a good read and I'll…umm…explain that at the end of the chapter…yeah…((disappears into hiding spot where hopefully no one can find her))
Rating: PG13
Warning: This fic contains slash/yaoi…if you're not a fan of male/male pairings or any of the pairings listed below then ever so kindly hit the wonderful back button to the top left of your page up there and run far, far away. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji, with strongJunpei/Izumi hints
Time Setting: 100 AU-rewrite of season 04 w/Takoujiness abound
Different Journey's
Author: Angel Spirit
Chapter 24: Welcome To My Nightmare Arc Part IV: Nightmare IslandHe was running. Running so fast, he had never thought that he was capable of running at such a speed before in his life.
The darkness was no longer there…it wasn't even necessary…because now, he was one with that darkness.
And it felt…strangely good to be one with that darkness, to have the darkness creeping through him and eating at his very soul. He felt stronger with it, like he could be anybody and anything-and no one could stop him.
Dark brown eyes narrowed at this thought as it continued to chant it's way through his mind.
No one could stop him, no one could stop him, no one could stop him, no one could stop him…
Especially him.
His mouth-no, correct that, no longer his mouth, the mouth of a beast-curled upwards in a snarl…and he was still slightly surprised when he heard the snarl come from himself.
He was strong…powerful…he could defeat anyone…anyone.
Even him.
Do you like it little one? A voice that resounded through his head sounded just as strong and sure as he felt.
YES! Was the answered cry.
You know what to do…there's only ONE who stands in your way of everything you ever wanted. So what are you going to do? That same dark sounding voice from before was now gentle, and his teeth barred at it, a long tongue running over sharp canines. It was the voice that would give him everything he'd ever wanted, and more.
I'll hurt him…I'll watch him suffer…and then…I'll kill him.
Laughter…evil laughter…bubbled up in his mind, and continued to flow until he found himself laughing that same, spine-tingling maniacal laughter. If only the others could see him now…he wouldn't be known as the 'weak one,' if they could. No, that nickname was long gone.
You'll kill him…you'll kill them ALL…And he continued to run with that last thought, stopping every once in awhile to sniff into the night…
The hunt was on.
"Did you hear that?" Izumi's heart skipped a beat, as she suddenly stopped-and Junpei nearly plowed her over, causing her to stumble. She managed to catch her balance before she fell flat on her face though, only half turning to make sure that Junpei was okay-and he gave her a swift nod as an answer. Which, was just fine with her…
The two of them were silent, as they waited to hear what had caused Izumi to stop in her tracks so suddenly.
One minute…two…three…
And there it was again. A low sounding wail off in the far distance…Izumi shuddered in the darkness, as she crossed her arms over each other and used her hands to try and warm the chill that her bare arms suddenly felt. She could swear that she had goose bumps on them and the hair was starting to rise on the back of her neck as well.
"That noise sounds really strange, Z…do you think another Digimon could be in trouble or something?" Junpei whispered, trying his hardest not to sound as panicked as he was really feeling, as he shifted Kouji's weight once more in his arms. He really wished that Takuya was here to help carry Kouji and relieve him of the burden…no offense to their dark haired team mate, but Kouji was starting to weigh a ton…of course, maybe that was because Junpei had been carrying him for a really, really, really long time now.
Again, the wailing noise sounded, and this time, even Junpei got the same hair-raising chills that he knew Izumi must've been feeling as well-and Kouji mumbled something incoherent in his fevered sleep, burying his head in Junpei's chest as though it could shield him from the awful noise.
Izumi bit her lip, debating on whether or not they should continue on or take a break. A part of her really wanted to continue on, because she wanted to get away from that wailing noise…more importantly though, she wanted it to stop.
"It sounds like a wounded animal…" She murmured softly, her voice carrying out the fear she felt, as Junpei decided to made the ultimate decision on whether to rest or not. Kneeling gently to the ground, Junpei gently placed Kouji down and shook his arms as the wailing noise pitched…and grew louder.
"Come here, Izumi." The light brunette whispered, as she did as she was told and buried herself in Junpei's warm embrace, trying her hardest to block out the unknown noise.
The two teenagers weren't sure how long they were there, or how long they stayed huddled in each others' arms. Eventually though, the wailing stopped-and Izumi sighed as she slowly let go from Junpei and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Thank you." She murmured, kneeling down to check on Kouji and grinning softly when she placed a hand on his forehead…to find that his fever had gone down and that he didn't feel as warm as he had before.
For his part, Junpei was shocked to say the least, as his hand instantly went up to the spot on his forehead that Izumi had so tenderly kissed.
I'm never going to wash this forehead again! Junpei thought dreamily, as he snapped out of his thoughts the moment Izumi's voice managed to break through them. She sounded a bit happier, and when his mind re-focused itself, he quickly found out why.
"Kouji's fever's going down-or so I think…he's not as warm as before, and I definitely no longer hear that awful wailing noise. Maybe the fact that Kouji's fever is descending, means that we're going in the right direction in this creepy darkness." Junpei found himself agreeing with his blonde friend-though these days, he wished that it was something more than friendship and often wondered if she felt the same way.
Seconds…minutes…days…weeks…months…just how much time had passed since they were trapped in this dark world? Junpei knew that he had lost track of time hours, maybe days ago.
So he decided to bring up the question to Izumi to see what she thought.
"Hey Z…how long do you think that we've been here, trapped in this darkness?" The look on Izumi's face grew thoughtful, and Junpei soon found that he liked seeing her like that…the thoughtful look on Izumi's face made her look peaceful in an odd sort of way.
"In all honesty, Junpei…I…don't know. Though, I think I should…you know? It's almost as though time doesn't have any real relevance to this place." The blonde teen said with a light shrug, and Junpei nodded at this. He agreed with that statement as well.
"Do we want to rest here for awhile more? I know my arms could certainly use the rest!" Junpei lightly joked, and Izumi eyed him for a moment, before a smile appeared, and she nodded as she settled down, so that she was sitting right next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder.
"I'll second that! A rest would be nice…" She murmured, a yawn following.
"You can fall asleep, Izumi, I won't fall asleep on my watch this time." Izumi giggled as she nuzzled Junpei's shoulder and Junpei fought the blush that threatened to appear with how cuddly Izumi was being-as he prayed to whatever god was up there that this wasn't another dream playing with him.
Pinch me now please, I think I'm dreaming! Junpei thought as he grinned while he watched Izumi fight to stay awake…
So close…so very, very close…
Another pause, long enough to smell the air once more and howl at the moons of the Digital World that were now high in the air. A light breeze passed by him, and his eyes darkened a bit, as he decided to sniff the air once more.
He looked to the left of him, and almost thought about changing directions at the scent that he'd picked up with the wind. Almost.
Too close. Don't go that way-continue the way you were going. You'll meet up with them, eventually…and he will pay for making you suffer. For trying to take him away.
Yes…make him pay first. Then go and visit the other one.
Beast-like animal senses kicked in, and with another howl, he was off and running gracefully through the forest once more.
Soon…very soon…
The hunt continued.
Darkness. It creeps up onto you so unexpectedly…overtakes you, overwhelms you…leaves you feeling completely, and helplessly lost.
It was how Kouji felt, as he woke to that same darkness, feeling chilled-yet warm moments later as a thin layer of sweat seemed to cover his body. He really didn't feel very good…but he hadn't been feeling very good for a while now, that much he knew. But he knew of little else.
Except for the darkness that seemed to seep in all around him-it was almost as though he was entwined in it…like it was taking him in and carrying him away.
But away to where?
If only Kouji knew…
BREAK"Kouji!"
Izumi found herself suddenly waking to the sound of her friend's name being frantically called out, and she quickly jerked herself into a sitting position-realizing that she was no longer in Junpei's arms, and that Junpei was the one who had called out Kouji's name.
Becoming more awake, Izumi saw that Junpei had Digivolved…and was trying to rescue Kouji from vines that seemed to be made out of the darkness. The vines were entwining themselves around Kouji's unconscious form, trying to slowly drag him away from where he'd been laying next to Izumi and Junpei.
"Junpei!" Letting Junpei know that she was awake, she dashed forward to help the brunette, who couldn't use any of his attacks, knowing that he might hit Kouji.
"Izumi, take him!" Junpei hollered, just as Izumi reached the boys. Junpei had managed to grab a hold of Kouji and pull as hard as he could-getting him out of the vines' grasps and tossing Kouji's frail-looking figure into Izumi's waiting arms. She expected to hit the floor with him-not catch him as she did, and was surprised at how light he really weighted.
She let out a soft grunt as she caught him, and caught her balance while she staggered backwards, ever so slightly. Regaining her momentum, Izumi turned her heel and fled-hating the fact that she was leaving Junpei behind to battle out the dark vines, but at the same time, knowing that she couldn't help him fight. She didn't have her spirit anymore…Kouji couldn't Digivolve either being as sick as he was…so that left Junpei.
Please be okay, Junpei…please…we can't be separated or hurt anymore than we already are! The blonde teen thought desperately, as she clutched Kouji a bit tighter to her-realizing that she was running blindly through the darkness and loosing her way.
She prayed that she'd be able to find Junpei again…she didn't think that she could protect Kouji herself…especially if the same dark vines returned for him.
Thinking that she heard something behind her, Izumi spun on her heel, quickly turning around. Nothing but darkness greeted her, and Izumi shook her head and kept on running-keeping a tight grip on Kouji as she did so.
The sounds of Junpei's battle with the dark vines were growing feint and she could hardly hear them now. Believing that she must've been at a safe distance, Izumi paused for a moment to catch her breath, wondering just how long she'd been running.
Izumi heard another sound behind her-one that sounded like harsh breathing-that wasn't hers, and she almost dropped Kouji. She whimpered, clutching Kouji that much tighter to her, as she fought the urge to turn around and face whatever it was that stood behind her. This time, she knew that it wasn't her imagination…there really was something behind her and from the sounds of it, that something didn't sound very nice.
"Oh gods…I'm sorry…I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Why Izumi was apologizing, she wasn't sure. Who she was apologizing to, that much she knew. She was apologizing to everyone-to Junpei for having run away when she should've stayed her ground right then and there to protect Kouji even though Junpei had told her to run, to Takuya-because she knew that she wasn't going to be able to protect Kouji in this darkness by herself and she was scared of what might happen to him if she didn't. And to Tomoki-because they hadn't found Tomoki yet and had no idea of his whereabouts, and finally to Kouji himself…knowing that he hadn't the vaguest clue as to what was going on around him and knowing that if he was in her position, he wouldn't be cowering like she was now.
The darkness was finally getting to her, Izumi knew. Even though she'd lived through her nightmare, the darkness was making her go crazy and causing her to act out of character. Izumi had the feeling that after this, she'd be scared of the dark for life.
A low growl in the darkness snapped Izumi out of her thoughts, but froze her body-trying to protect Kouji the best way she could, while knowing that she was going to fail, wasn't exactly how she'd planned all of this. In fact, she hadn't really planned any of it. If it had been up to her, none of this would be happening.
"Izzzzzuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…." When her name was called from the darkness behind her, Izumi flinched. The voice sounded eerily familiar, but she wasn't sure why and couldn't put a finger on as to where she'd heard it from before.
Shuddering, Izumi forced herself to turn around-and almost dropped Kouji at the sight that stood behind her.
It had to be a reincarnation of Big Foot…even though Izumi knew that Big Foot was nothing but legends, from all of the fake pictures that was displayed around the internet from various people's viewpoints and imaginations of what the giant beast looked like; Izumi had the feeling that this wasn't her imagination-that this was the real deal standing right in front of her.
But…it wasn't quite big foot…at least, definitely not the Big Foot that Izumi had always pictured in her mind-just like everyone else, Izumi had her own definition of the mythical creature. And this definitely was not it. This…thing, stood tall-towering over her and making her feet rather small-almost as small as a mouse. Its large, brown eyes were dark and menacing and white fur covered it…
That was only the beginning, though. As Izumi's wide blue eyes roamed over the beast that loomed above her, she took in it's massive paw-like hands…and saw the ax that they held-an ax that looked as though it was ready to strike her at any moment.
Izumi fought the urge to scream, but the fight was lost as the beast before her let out a howling scream and sent the ax flying her way. She threw an arm up to protect herself (in the best way she possibly could still holding onto Kouji) not knowing how it would help as she had the feeling that if the beast's attack continued in the direction it was going, that she would be thoroughly harmed, no matter what she tried to do at this point-and she prayed.
Her prayers were answered, as right before the ax hit, someone plowed into her from the side, the momentum carried her and her rescuer inches away from where the ax hit the ground, and Izumi thanked her lucky stars that Kouji hadn't been hit.
"Are you okay?" A new voice-one that Izumi had never heard of before, that sounded just as dark as the darkness that surrounded her, caused Izumi to come back to reality as she shook herself out of the daze that she had quickly gone into when she had realized that the ax-bearing beast was trying to kill her.
Izumi found herself staring into a pair of deep, dark eyes-eyes that somehow looked familiar to her, and yet, she'd never seen them before in her life. Those dark eyes were the only facial features that she could see, the rest of it was all covered by a mask…long, wild dark blonde hair flowed down the human-like Digimon's back, reaching mid-point so that it was slightly above his waist. The rest of him was covered in body armor…and Izumi blushed when she realized that he had caught her staring, and tried to look away. Izumi noted that the creepiest part about the new Digimon's armor had to be the eyes that seemed to be in three different places on his chest plate.
"Y-yeah…I-I'm fine…thanks." The blonde managed to struggle the words out of her mouth, wincing as she did so, while she thought of how pathetic she sounded. But then again, a huge Digimon beast had just tried to kill her…she had every right to sound pathetic…or so she thought.
All the new stranger did was nod, before standing and brushing himself off, sending a fierce glare in the unknown Beast Digimon's direction. The hairy thing had picked up its ax once again and its growl seemed to be never-ending.
"Take care of your friend." Izumi shook her head once more as she saw the new Digimon pick up a staff that she hadn't seen before, and stalk towards the Beast Digimon, muttering something underneath his breath.
Raising an eyebrow, Izumi looked on at the battle that seemed to be brewing before her as she scrambled to Kouji's side…panic flooding through her as she saw that she was going to be too late. The dark vines that had attacked before…that had caused her to run from Junpei's predicament-were back.
And this time, they almost had Kouji in their vice-like grips.
"NO!" Izumi launched herself towards Kouji's body, as it was slowly being overcome by darkness…if she didn't act fast, then she'd lose him. And she couldn't do that…she knew that if she did that, she'd be all alone in this darkness once more, and she didn't think that she could handle it by herself this time. Izumi knew that if she were left alone, that it would be the end of her.
The previous bearer of the wind spirit, wasn't about ready to let that happen. She clung onto Kouji's legs with all of her might, batting the dark vines away with her right hand, as her left arm stayed securely around Kouji's legs.
Little did Izumi know, that she was in for a wild ride as the dark vines began to thump and squirm as they tried to throw her off, determined to get what they came for.
That was how Junpei found her, when he arrived out of breath. He had been forced to DeDigivolve when he'd used a stronger attack on the dark vines to make them disappear the first time. This time, he knew he wasn't going to be so lucky. He barely got to Izumi in time, rescuing her from getting sucked into the darkness with Kouji-and holding onto her, while she started sobbing into his chest.
"It's not fair, Junpei…it's not, it's not, it's not!" Izumi wailed, clutching tightly to him and Junpei nodded in understanding. A part of him knew exactly where she was coming from.
A blast from the side caused him to turn around, shielding Izumi from the heat of the attack. His light, brown eyes opened wide as he saw the creature that loomed behind him, shuddering as the Beast Digimon's glare seemed to penetrate right through his soul when his eyes locked with the creature's own.
Junpei saw the new human-like Digimon attack once more, and his jaw nearly dropped when he saw the stranger's attack send the Beast Digimon down, though the humanoid Digimon seemed to be tiring.
Izumi's detector beeped, and as she quickly brought it out as she wiped her eyes-still wet from crying, her eyes widened as she pulled on Junpei's sleeve to take his attention away from the battle, so that he was now looking at the screen of her detector.
"Junpei…my detector's telling us what those Digimon are! The Beast-like Digimon that looks like Big Foot is called KoriIkkakumon, and the humanoid-looking Digimon is called Duskmon! But…" Izumi frowned, looking thoughtful as she glanced at her detector and then at the battle where KoryIkkakumon and Duskmon were battling it out.
"This…doesn't…sound…right." At Izumi's puzzled tone, Junpei gently took her detector from her hands and took a look at the screen himself, his eyes turning frantic as he did so.
"You're right…this doesn't sound right! We should be protecting that Beast Digimon-KoryIkkakumon…it's Tomoki!" Grabbing his detector, Junpei was ready to digivolve again-but Izumi stopped him last minute with another tug on his sleeve, as she'd stood up with him, since he'd taken her along with him when he had done so to digivolve. He glanced down at her, a questioning look in his features as Izumi roughly shook her head 'no'.
"What is it, Z? Duskmon is attacking Tomoki! We've got to help him!" Biting on her lower lip at Junpei's sudden sense of bravado, Izumi shook her head once more…wondering how it was that she could possibly tell Junpei that Tomoki had just tried to kill her.
And suddenly, the words just came tumbling out of her mouth.
"That new Digimon-Duskmon…he saved me, Junpei. He saved me when…when KoryIkkakumon tried to attack me…he was bringing his ax down to kill me before Duskmon practically flung himself at me, and I narrowly avoided being on the end of that ax! You can't go in there to help Tomoki, because Junpei…I don't think that that is Tomoki!" Izumi started to sound frantic again, and Junpei tried to calm her down as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Shhh…Z, remember when Takuya and Kouji got their beast spirits?" He asked her, and Izumi nodded. She remembered alright…while Kouji had been slightly better at regaining control of his beast spirit, he still hadn't quite been himself…and Takuya…Takuya's Beast Spirit experience had been the worst they'd seen so far. He'd almost killed Kouji without realizing what he'd done until it was nearly too late. Luckily for them, Takuya had regained his senses in the nick of time. But what did that have to do with the current situation that they were in now? Such thoughts went through Izumi's head as she listened to what Junpei had to say with a rather open mind.
"Tomoki could be going through the same thing. Maybe he attacked you because he didn't remember who you were! Maybe his Beast Spirit's still controlling him-maybe he's in that thing trying to fight it like Takuya and Kouji had to do, and Duskmon continually attacking him, isn't helping!" At Junpei's exclamation, Izumi hesitated.
"But…but Duskmon saved me!" She whimpered, and Junpei shook his head.
"I know he did, Z…I know, and I'm not saying that he's not on our side…all I'm saying, is that we've got to convince this new guy that KoryKagumon's on our side, do you understand?" It was several seconds after Junpei's question, before Izumi found herself able to answer.
She wasn't sure why she was so torn up about this-but she was sure of one thing-she wanted out of this darkness. And she'd do just about anything to get out of this darkness. Even if it meant confronting the two battling Digimon in front of them without her spirit.
"Are you with me here, Izumi?" Izumi blinked, almost gasping when she heard Junpei call her by her full name. Lately he'd been calling her "Z"…a nickname that she found herself growing quite fond of, actually. For Junpei to not be using her nickname, she knew he was serious.
Very serious.
Nodding, Izumi stopped clinging to Junpei, suddenly preferring to stand on her own two feet. If they had to confront Duskmon and encourage him not to attack KoryKagumon then she preferred to do it without using Junpei as a leaning post.
She was scared…
But she wasn't that scared.
Right?
He got AWAY! You LET him get AWAY! He was MINE! The mental voice growled inside his head, and the Digimon made of darkness smirked behind his mask.
I HAD to let him get away from the others, you fool! My plan is going to work perfectly and YOU my friend, are NOT going to mess it up! He argued back in mind speak, in the same tone of voice that KoryKagumon was speaking to him now.
He was supposed to be MINE! He IS mine, I MUST make him pay! He's hurt me just like all the others have, but more! Again, another smirk-this time one of confidence, behind the mask that the dark Digimon wore. Timing was everything. His long, thought out plan was finally going into effect.
He'd have the Digi Destined-all of them-trust him one way or the other. And once he had their trust…
He'd crush them.
You'll get what is yours, I promise…but we've got an agreement, remember? He was met with a snarl in his mind this time, but he knew what it meant, and he nodded his head at the gigantic Beast that stood in front of him.
Good…now attack me…attack me like I was the one you really want to be attacking!And attack he did…and the darkness came once more, followed by screaming.
Izumi's screams were the one's that echoed through the darkness, when she found that she could barely see her hand in front of her face.
She couldn't see Junpei, couldn't see the new, strange dark-armored Digimon who had come to her rescue when Tomoki's uncontrolled, evil beast spirit attacked her the first time.
Izumi couldn't even see the battle that had started before the darkness had taken over, and so she dared to take a few cautious steps forward in the inky blackness that surrounded her, feeling her way so that she wouldn't trip or stumble over anything that might've been in her path.
A small voice started to whisper in her ear, and at first, Izumi whirled around in the darkness in fright-wondering where the voice was coming from. It strongly sounded like Ophanimon-the Digimon who had brought them all here to fight the evil that was taking over this world.
But Izumi wasn't one hundred percent positive…but she decided to listen to the voice anyway; hoping that it would tell her a way to get out of the mess she suddenly found herself in.
While it didn't quite tell her exactly what she wanted to hear, the voice did tell her something important that they all needed to know.
"The darkness is like poison to the bearer of light…you must find him and get him out, before it's too late…where you find him, you'll find the bearer of fire, as well."
Just like that, the voice was gone and Izumi shook her head slightly to clear her mind.
The bearer of light? Izumi assumed that that had to mean Kouji…he had been effected by this darkness since they'd first come to be in it. And if the darkness was like poison to him…
Izumi suddenly felt the sudden sense of urgency that had been in Ophanimon's voice…they had to find Kouji. He was already sick when the dark vines attacked the first time, and took him from them. Izumi guessed that the bearer of fire must've meant Takuya-he was the only one of them who had fire powers as an attack when he was in any of his Spirit forms.
Nodding to herself, Izumi grew determined. Now that she had deciphered the meaning behind Ophanimon's words, she had to concentrate on getting out of this darkness. She was really starting to get sick and tired of it.
But Izumi hadn't taken all but three steps forward, before someone grabbed her by the arm.
She screamed again, but a soft, gentle voice in the darkness told her to hush.
Some of the darkness vanished, and Izumi found herself looking up at the dark-armored Digimon, who had saved her the first time around. Trying to hide her surprise, Izumi swallowed nervously and tried to look into the Digimon's eyes…he avoided her gaze, and only started to pull her along further into the darkness.
Izumi managed to find the strength and pulled her arm out of his grasp, and he turned around to look at her. She really wished that she could see his face, to see what he was thinking-but because of his mask, she couldn't.
"If I'm going to go with you, you have to promise me two things." All the Digimon did, was turn his head slightly to the side, as though questioning her exactly what it was he wanted her to promise-all without speaking. Izumi fought the urge to growl underneath her breath at how incredibly childish that this Digimon was acting, and instead, settled for stomping her foot.
"You listen to me right now! I need you to promise me that you're going to tell me what your name is-before I go anywhere with you-and you're going to promise to me that you're going to help me find Junpei before we even think of a way out of this darkness because I'm not going to go anywhere without him!" Stomping her foot once again for emphasis, her bright blue eyes opened wide when she heard the dark-armored Digimon start laughing…at her!
"Oh, you're a very amusing girl indeed-they told me you would be…" Izumi grew furious, and it was apparent by the look on her face, because the Digimon stopped laughing.
"How rude of me. All right, I'll agree to keep those promises. And to start it out, my name is Duskmon…and I know where your friend Junpei is-he's not hurt, on the contrary he's quite all right and is waiting for me to bring you to him, so that we can get out of this darkness. Does that sound better?" Nodding, Izumi accepted Duskmon's guidance as he brought her closer into the darkness…
TBCEnd Note:
I know, I know I said that in my last chapter's AN that I'd bring Takuya back in this chapter…but…see, my dilemma is, is that if I did the scene that's going to start out as the next chapter's beginning for the ending of this chapter-it'd make it a HUGE chapter! I'm not kidding! And I couldn't have ended this chapter as well as it did-it's somewhat of a cliff hanger, but not a horrible one…right? (Listens as readers start booing and hissing at her and crawls back meekly into her unknown hiding space) Umm...review and help keep this author inspired…please? (gives readers puppy dog eyes) I PROMISE that Takuya will come back in the next chapter, which I'm working on as we speak and this fic will be the first fic updated in my next update rounds! And if I spelled Tomoki's Beast Digimon name wrong, can someone please let me know?
