Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: In the english version, they never really said what happened to Datirimon so I've come up with my own idea for his fate after Oikawa died. Hopefully it makes sense. The same goes for Oikawa and the cards and Ken's crest. I had to add bits of my own theory to make everything flow for my plot to work. Enjoy and please review! One more chapter and then they face their parents!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 73: His Memory Lives On
Daichi 'Dai' Motomiya
File Island, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World
"In the end, MaloMyotismon was defeated, and Yukio Oikawa was able to help us restore the Digital World to it's former beauty. He gave up his life to give our world a future, and we will never forget him for making such a huge sacrifice. It took Digidestined from all over the world to stop MaloMyotismon, but we did it, and since then the Digital World has been filled with peace. It's amazing what a little teamwork can do, isn't it?" Veemon said softly.
"Yeah, too bad Vampiramon and her buddies had to go and ruin everything!" Dai muttered. "This world isn't going to know the meaning of the word peace again until we can find a way to defeat Vampiramon's master."
"Oikawa only gave up his life because he was going to die anyway!" Ryoko snorted. "His body had been badly damaged by MaloMyotismon, and instead of just dying, he made himself useful by using his life force to protect the Digital World. That doesn't exactly make him a hero if you ask me!"
"Well, we consider Oikawa to be a hero, and so do your parents," Hawkmon sniffed. "He was able to turn away from darkness, just like Gatomon, and I would appreciate it if you would show him a little bit of respect, Ryoko Ishida!"
"You may be right, Hawkmon, but that doesn't change the fact that, hero or not, he was still a total nutcase!" Ryoko muttered.
Hawkmon gave the blond an indignant look and angrily ruffled his feathers. "Oikawa was a Digidestined. You would do well to remember that, young man!"
"Alright!" Ryoko grumbled. "He did turn away from darkness eventually, but not until it was too late for Davis and the others to save him. Even so, I guess the fact that he helped save the Digital World has to count for something."
"Yes, it does," Takara said softly. "Oikawa did some bad things, but deep down inside he was a good person who had become a victim of the Powers of Darkness. He was also friends with Kenzo's grandfather. There's no way Hiroki Hida would have been best friends with someone who was truly evil."
"It's too bad Kenzo never got a chance to meet his grandfather," Mickey said sadly.
"What ever happened to Datirimon?" Matty asked curiously.
"Datirimon disappeared after Oikawa died," Armadillomon replied.
"As a rule, digimon never really die. Their data still exists even if they're killed in battle, and that is what allows them to be reborn right here at Primary Village. The only way a digimon can truly die is if they have a human partner. If their human partner dies, then they will die, as well," Hawkmon explained. "A digimon and his human partner share a special bond that joins them together for life. It's almost like they become a part of each other. When the human dies, that bond is broken, and the digimon has no choice but to die, as well. After all, how can you expect a digimon to keep on living when half of him has been destroyed? After his partner is gone, his data will simply disappear. We're not sure why, but that is the way it is. Luckily the Four Guardians, Gennai, and his counterparts are the only ones who know the truth, other than us partner digimon and the Digidestined. Can you imagine what would happen if all the evil digimon in the Digital World knew? Gennai told me all of this a long time ago, and it makes sense. A digimon cannot live without his or her human partner, and that's why Datirimon disappeared."
"Poor Datirimon," Takara said softly. "He waited a long time to meet his partner in the flesh, and they both ended up dying before they really had a chance to get to know each other. I can understand why, though. It must be devastating for a digimon to lose their partner."
"Yes, it is, and it's also devastating for a human to lose their digimon partner," Patamon said softly. "I can't even imagine how Oikawa must have felt to be separated from his digimon for so long. The same goes for Datirimon."
"It's too bad Oikawa had to die after living such a hard life," Dai grumbled. "Somehow that just doesn't seem fair."
"Oikawa and Datirimon are together now. I know it." Takara whispered.
"How come humans don't die when their digimon partners die?" Matty asked curiously.
"Like I said before, digimon never really die," Hawkmon replied. "Their data is reconfigured, and then they're reborn at Primary Village. How can a human die when their partner was never dead to begin with?"
"Good point," Dai laughed.
"That doesn't mean a human doesn't suffer when they're partner is killed in battle," Wormmon said seriously.
Patamon nodded in agreement and sent Wormmon a sympathetic smile. "I know exactly what you mean, Wormmon," the long eared digimon said softly.
Why do I have a feeling they're hiding something from us?
Dai crossed his arms and frowned at the two digimon. He was going to ask them what they were talking about, but at that moment he happened to catch a glimpse of Sam's face, and the words died in his throat. The raven haired Digidestined's eyes were filled with horror, and he looked like he was going to be sick.
"Sam, what's wrong?" Dai asked, reaching out and gently placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"The Emperor," Sam whispered, his violet eyes filling with tears. "He was a human, just like us. How could he have done all those horrible things? Veemon, you said Davis and the others defeated the Emperor, but you didn't tell us how they defeated him. What happened to him? Where is he now?"
Veemon shrugged and gave Sam a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, Sam, but I can't answer your questions."
"Why not?" Sam shouted, his face turning pink with anger.
Veemon glanced anxiously at Wormmon and slowly shook his head. "You're going to have to ask Davis and the others about the Emperor. It wouldn't be right for me to tell you what really happened back then."
"Who was he?" Sam whispered. "You never told us his real name."
"Only your parents can give you the answer to that question," Wormmon murmured.
"You're not serious, are you?" Sam said in disbelief. "You have to tell me, right now! Centaurumon said you would, and so did Elecmon! Please, Wormmon. I need to know."
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you," Wormmon said sadly. "I want to, but if I did, I'd end up betraying a very good friend of mine, and I can't do that. Veemon's right. You're going to have to ask Davis and the others about the Emperor."
"I'm glad my dad punched that wacko out when they met up with each other in the base!" Matty muttered. "Seriously, the Emperor was just as bad as Oikawa, if not worse! He even created his own creepy digimon, of all things!"
"So did Oikawa, only he created two digimon," Mickey replied. "You're right, Matty. Kimeramon was totally weird!"
Sam hugged Glowmon tightly against his chest and promptly burst into tears. "Why?" the raven haired Digidestined sobbed. "Why did Sirenmon compare me to the Digimon Emperor? I'm nothing like him! I would never have tried to take over the Digital World like he did, and there's no way I would ever have been able to bring myself to hurt any innocent digimon either! It's not fair! I'm not evil! I'm not...am I?"
"No way!" Glowmon cried, snuggling against his partner's chest. "I don't care what Sirenmon said about you! You're a good person and a good Digidestined, and nothing anyone says is ever going to change what we already know to be true! She was just trying to trick you, and the same goes for the rest of her evil buddies! Don't let them get to you, Sam. If you do, we'll never win against them!"
Dai sighed and smiled sadly at his friend. Poor Sam. I don't understand either. Why would Sirenmon call him the Emperor? Sam's nothing like that evil jerk! If only Wormmon and the others would tell us the Emperor's real name...
Mickey suddenly jumped to his feet and threw his arms around Sam. "I don't care what anyone else says," the older twin whispered. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You're not evil, Sam, and you never will be. You're not going to suddenly turn into another Emperor no matter what others might say about you. We love you, and we'll never stop being friends with you, no matter what."
Sam hugged Mickey tightly and buried his face against the older twin's shoulder. "You promise?" the raven haired Digidestined mumbled.
"We promise," Takara said softly.
"Definitely," Matty said firmly.
"You know what, Sam? You are a lot like the Emperor, only not in the way that you think," Wormmon said, his large eyes sparkling with sudden happiness.
"What do you mean?" Sam snapped, tightening his arms around Mickey.
"You'll find out eventually," Wormmon replied. "Oikawa, Gatomon, Noriko, and the rest of the children who ended up with Spores in their bodies were able to turn away from darkness, and so were all the digimon who were affected by Black Gears and Dark Rings or Spirals. The Emperor is no different from them. It took a bit of a miracle, but in the end, he too was able to find his way back to the light. I can't tell you any more than that. If you want to know the rest of the story, you'll have to ask your parents."
"I can't believe Noriko has a Dark Spore inside of her!" Ryoko said, changing the subject in an obvious attempt to take Sam's mind off of the Emperor.
"Actually, now that I think about it, it makes sense. No wonder she's so evil!" Dai joked. "I'm not really surprised. I've always suspected there was a reason why she's constantly out to get me all the time!"
"Dai!" Takara scolded.
Dai laughed and rolled his eyes. "I'm just joking, Kara. Still, maybe she secretly knows I'm a Digidestined, and that's why she's always trying to make my life miserable!"
"Your mom's a Digidestined, too!" Takara shot back.
"Daichi, you might be lacking in brains once in a while, but you certainly make up for it in imagination!" Ryoko laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Dai replied, smiling slightly.
"I thought all the Spores were harvested by Oikawa," Mickey said, looking confused.
"Yes, but a part of the Spore still remains in Noriko and the others," Veemon replied.
"Where exactly did the Dark Spores come from?" Matty asked curiously. "We know Oikawa scanned them into Noriko and the others, but you didn't tell us where he got them from."
"That's another thing you'll have to ask your parents," Wormmon mumbled.
"Veemon, you said my dad joined the Digidestined team late. Why?" Sam asked, sniffing back tears and trying to get control of his emotions. "Was he sick like Kari was when she joined Tai's team late?"
Wormmon shrugged. "Not exactly," the little rookie replied, avoiding Sam's eyes. "You'd better ask your dad about that. He'll be able to explain why it took him a while to join us better than I can."
"Um...Veemon? What's the Dark Ocean?" Mickey asked quietly. "You mentioned it earlier, but you didn't go into detail about it."
"The World of Darkness," Gatomon murmured. "The Dark Ocean is part of the World of Darkness. It is a place where dark thoughts come to life. We sent Daemon there, and he has never returned. We don't exactly know where it is or even what it is, but it is a place where the Powers of Darkness thrive, and they won't let you go until you can find a way to overcome them."
"Did any of our parents ever go there?" Mickey asked, his amber eyes wide with fear.
"You're going to have to ask your parents about the Dark Ocean," Gatomon replied. "We think it's a place like the World of Dreams, but we're not exactly sure. Oikawa used the power from the World of Dreams to help him spread his life force over the Digital World. As Veemon said earlier, the World of Dreams makes wishes come true. I can't tell you any more about the World of Darkness. Like I said before, you're going to have to ask your parents about it. Besides, a lot of what we know is really just a bunch of guesses."
"I wonder how many worlds there are out there?" Matty said quietly. "There's one thing I don't understand. If the Dark Ocean is a separate world, why was Ken able to use his D-3 to send Daemon there? In fact, why was Ken able to open a gate to the World of Darkness in the first place?"
Sam let out a gasp of horror and turned to look at Wormmon. "What-"
"I don't know," Wormmon replied, his face turning red. "We've never been able to figure that out. The only reason we were able to go to the World of Dreams is because BlackWarGreymon sealed the gate to the Digital World over Heighten View Terrace and we ended up being sent to another world because of that. No Digivices were involved. It's hard to say."
"I still don't understand why Oikawa wasn't able to open the gate again even if BlackWarGreymon did seal it," Dai murmured.
"The cards!" Tentomon piped up. "Remember how we had to choose the right cards to open the gate and get back home when we were in Myotismon's castle? Oikawa used those same cards on his laptop at Heighten View Terrace, only he chose the Agumon card! Tai chose the Gomamon card! Maybe that's why we were sent to another world! That's my theory anyway, and I'm sticking to it!"
"That could have had something to do with it," Hawkmon replied.
"It doesn't matter if the Dark Ocean is connected to the Digital World or not," Mickey whispered. "I don't like it. It...scares me."
"Me, too," Sam mumbled.
Matty scrambled forward and gently wrapped his arms around Sam and Mickey. "I don't like it, either, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let it frighten me! I promise I'll never let it hurt either one of you," the younger twin said fiercely.
"Thanks, Matty," Sam whispered. "And we'll do the same for you."
"BlackWarGreymon was really cool," Ryoko said softly. "He's another example of a digimon who was able to turn away from darkness. The same can't be said for Daemon. That demon digimon was an evil jerk! Why did he want the Spores anyway?"
"We have no idea," Patamon replied.
"I guess we'll never know," Hawkmon murmured.
"Arukenimon and Mummymon were a joke!" Dai snorted. "I still can't believe Oikawa created them."
"Oikawa could open a gate to the Digital World, but it's defences prevented him from entering," Hawkmon explained. "In the end, he was able to enter the Digital World because he had found his innocence again."
"Actually, technically he only half entered it," Dai replied. "He died before he could make it all the way in. The Dark Spores fed off the innocence of the kids, and Oikawa was going to use that power to enter the Digital World, but the gate over Heighten View Terrace sort of ruined his plan. In the end, my mom and the others were able to enter the Digital World because they didn't let the Dark Spores consume them. Innocence is the thing that allows humans to come to the Digital World, right?"
"Yes," Wormmon replied. "The Control Spires came from the Dark Ocean and Oikawa used them to weaken the defences of the Digital World to help him enter. In the meantime, he sent Arukenimon and Mummymon to the Digital World to do his dirty work. Unfortunately his plan was really Myotismon's plan and not his own plan. The true purpose of the Spores was not to help Oikawa get to the Digital World. Myotismon used them to bring himself back to life. He needed them in order to be reborn, so the Control Spires are technically his fault as well, not the Emperor's or Oikawa's."
"Couldn't he have waited to be reborn at Primary Village as a better digimon like everyone else?" Ryoko snorted.
"The process of reconfiguration works a little differently with really evil digimon, though we're not exactly sure how or why." Tentomon replied. "So far, other than Myotismon, none of the evil digimon we've fought have caused us trouble again."
"See? Oikawa wasn't really evil. Myotismon was controlling him!" Takara said quietly.
"Whatever!" Ryoko muttered. "I'm glad that's all over and done with!"
"Armor-digivolving sounds really cool," Embermon said cheerfully.
"I think it's really neet how Davis, Cody, and Yolei got to inherit the powers of the crests from Matt and the others," Takara said softly. "Does that mean the Crest of Courage and the Crest of Friendship would both glow for Davis?"
"Maybe, you never know," Veemon replied. "See, Dai? Ryoko's father isn't the only one who knows a thing or two about friendship, and you do remind me a lot of Davis..."
"Whatever," Dai mumbled, avoiding Ryoko's eyes. He could feel the blond watching him, and it was making him nervous.
"I never knew you and Ryoko had so much in common!" Matty laughed.
"Shut up!" Dai muttered, his face turning pink. He glanced at Ryoko out of the corners of his eyes and realized the blond's face had also turned the same colour as Biyomon's feathers.
"What happened to the Digieggs?" Mickey asked.
"I don't know," Veemon replied. "They might still be in your parents' D-Terminals. That's where they were fifteen years ago. I'm guessing that's where they are now unless something has happened since then."
"Why didn't my dad and the others get crests?" Dai asked curiously.
"No clue. You'll have to ask Gennai for an answer to that question," Armadillomon said with a shrug. "I think it has something to do with what Azulongmon said during the whole incident with the Destiny Stones."
"I'm glad our mom and dad got to be on both teams," Matty said, turning to smile at his twin. "They got to use crests, and they got to armor-digivolve."
"Don't forget about DNA digivolving!" Mickey added. "And I'm also glad Uncle Tai and the others still got to help out. Matty, can you believe our parents were in the city where we found our digimon? Our mom was the one who saved Andromon."
"I know what you mean," Matty murmured. "It's weird, but it's also really cool. We stood in some of the same spots where they stood twenty-five years ago."
"I can't believe my dad and T.K. came after Kari together despite the fact that they were finding it difficult to agree on anything!" Dai grinned. "I knew my dad used to like her, but I didn't realize he'd spent so much time risking his life in the Digiworld to help her! Both him and T.K. were crazy!"
"Hey, both of them were in love. What do you expect?" Takara shot back. "You think that's weird. Don't even get me started on my mom and Matt!"
"Now that's weird!" Ryoko laughed. "Besides, T.K. and Davis would have done the same thing for any of their friends."
"I can't believe the Emperor captured you, Agumon!" Embermon said, looking confused. "You mentioned something about SkullGreymon again. What was that about?"
"Nothing," Agumon mumbled, ignoring the look Takara gave him.
"Michael and his digimon were a great help. He comes to Japan to visit our parents every once in a while with his wife and kids," Mickey said softly. "I'll never be able to look at him the same way again after this, and the same goes for Willis. In fact, I feel that way about our parents and the rest of the Digidestined, too!"
"The whole thing with Wizardmon being a ghost was creepy. He really needs to get himself reconfigured, and what is the 'Golden Radiance?' You never did tell us," Matty piped up. "And what was that about...um...Devimon returning?"
"Ask your parents," Patamon said with a sigh.
Matty glared at the little rookie and did not reply.
"Do you think Wizardmon will come back soon?" Takara said hopefully.
"Some digimon take longer to be reborn at Primary Village than others," Tentomon said seriously. "The ghost of Wizardmon was actually Wizardmon's data which had not yet been reconfigured. That's why he didn't have a solid form. At least, that's what Gennai says anyway."
"Where did my dad get the Crest of Kindness from anyway?" Sam whispered.
Wormmon hesitated, and Dai rolled his eyes. "Alright, we get it. We're supposed to ask our parents!"
"Davis and his team were lucky," Takara said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Their digimon got to digivolve to champion, and they got to armor-digivolve, as well!"
"They also got to DNA digivolve," Matty added.
"DNA digivolving is cool, but I don't know if I like the idea of digivolving with one person," Dai said slowly.
The others all stared at him, and he blushed.
"What do you mean?" Mickey asked.
Dai shrugged and avoided their eyes. "All of you guys are my friends. I'd want to DNA digivolve with all of you, not just one of you," he mumbled.
Takara suddenly hugged him tightly, and he felt his face turn red. "Oh, Dai, you're such a sweetheart," she said softly.
Dai buried his face in her hair and did not reply.
"Daichi, you stupid idiot! Why do you always make me want to-" Ryoko suddenly broke off in the middle of his sentence and quickly lowered his eyes to the ground.
Dai lifted his head and frowned at Ryoko. What was that all about?
"Veemon, do you think our parents would still be able to DNA digivolve even though Gatomon got her tail ring back?" Matty asked, looking amused.
Veemon shrugged. "I don't think so, but you never know. Remember, digivolving comes from the heart, and that is where it's true power lies. Anything's possible."
"Why did our parents have to stop the Emperor's base from exploding, and why did they need Ken's crest to do it?" Mickey asked quietly. "His crest didn't work. Paildramon had to detroy the reactor and the base. They also glimpsed a doorway to the World of Darkness. What-"
"I can't say," Veemon replied. "There's only one thing I can tell you. Gennai was able to recover Ken's crest from the ruins of the base, and after MaloMyotismon was defeated, he asked Ken if he could keep it in a safe place here in the Digital World. Like I said before, Ken agreed to Gennai's request. Your parents will have to explain the rest of the story about the Emperor's base."
"Forget the Emperor's base. What about Arukenimon's Control Spire digimon? Talk about scary, and don't even get me started on the trap she set in Giga House! She and Mummymon would have made a great couple!" Ryoko snorted.
"At least BlackWarGreymon was able to resist her in the end!" Takara cheered.
"I still can't get over what happened to Yolei in Kyoto!" Mickey said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "At least we know more about the Four Guardians now. The Digital World really is a shadow world of earth."
"Our parents saved Azulongmon," Matty whispered. "That's why Tai and the others had to give up their crests. The four Guardians needed them in order to restore their power and to protect the Digital World. Those Dark Masters really did cause a lot of trouble, didn't they?"
"So did the Destiny Stones!" Mickey laughed. "Our mom and dad broke the seal that kept Azulongmon trapped. That's pretty amazing."
"Those Control Spires tried to steal his power, too! He seems to have a lot of problems when it comes to people trying to take his power away!" Dai snorted. "First the Dark Masters, then the Control Spires-"
"He's also the Keeper of the Spheres of Hope and Light," Ryoko said quietly. "That counts for something, Daichi."
"I know you guys are going to ask us about the Digicores since your D-Coders came from one, but we'll let Gennai explain what they are. All I can say is that they're very powerful, and one of them helped Tai and the others digivolve to the ultimate level again. It also helped Paildramon digivolve to his mega form." Veemon added. "Alright, Agumon. I think you'd better finish the story about the crests."
"Okay, I'll also finish up with what Veemon said about Benjamin and the others who, as you all know, helped us destroy Control Spires that were scattered all over the world. As Veemon said earlier, the Dark Masters, with I suspect the help of Apocalymon, captured Azulongmon and the other three Guardians, and that is the very reason why your parents had to give up their crests..."