Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: I'm going to apologize ahead of time for what happens with Matt and Ryoko in this chapter. I know some of you will be disappointed, but I feel now isn't the right time for their conversation, and I want it to be just between the two of them. It will happen eventually. I promise. Same with the Emperor. Sam will find out about Ken's past, but...well...Ken isn't going to be the one who tells him. Anyway, I won't be able to update for the first two weeks of July, just to let you know, but I'll be back as soon as I can be. Oh, and of course this will be up as soon as document manager decides to behave itself. (if you're wondering about my late post.) Also, I'm probably only going to get one update this week, but I will try to do one more. Thanks. See you all in two weeks! (and hopefully one more before then!)
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 81: The Prince of Darkness
Davis Motomiya
Odaiba, Japan, Earth
Matt's face turned an interesting shade of red, and Davis quickly bowed his head to hide the sympathetic smile on his face. He had been wondering when Ryoko was finally going to ask the former musician about Cherrymon and the dark cave, and now that the moment had come, he was finding it difficult not to feel sorry for his golden-haired friend.
Obviously there are still a lot of things our children don't know about us, and it's only a matter of time before they all start asking questions. How are they going to handle the news about SkullGreymon and Devimon, and what about the Emperor? They will find out about Ken's past eventually, no matter how hard we try to hide the truth, and when they do they're going to be really upset, especially Sam. Our kids deserve to know the truth, but if we tell them exactly what happened twenty-five years ago, it'll only cause even more problems, and right now we have to focus on stopping Vampiramon and her buddies from taking over the Digital World. I have no idea what we're going to do anymore, and what about the Dark Ocean? How are we ever going to bring ourselves to tell them about the World of Darkness?
"Dad-"
"Not now, Ryoko," Matt mumbled, sitting back down on the couch and avoiding his son's eyes. "I'll um...tell you when we're alone, okay?"
Ryoko slipped his arms around his father's waist and rested his tear-stained cheek against the former musician's shoulder. "Promise?"
"I promise."
"Yeah right. You're just saying that."
Matt held his son tightly in his arms and gently placed his hand against the back of the golden-haired Digidestined's head. "Ryoko, I want to tell you because I know you'll understand, but I think it's something you and I need to discuss on our own without any other distractions. You understand, don't you?"
"Um...I think so." Ryoko gazed curiously at his father, and his big, blue eyes filled with sudden hope. "So...um...it'll be just between us?"
"Just between us."
"Can I tell the others?"
Matt managed a shaky smile and nodded. "Yes, but first I want you all to myself when I tell you."
Ryoko's whole face lit up, and he beamed at his father. "Okay, um...Dad? Just so you know, I...um...I'll always love you no matter what you tell me."
"I know," Matt whispered, his sapphire eyes glittering with love and affection. "I feel the same way about you."
Davis grinned at his golden-haired friend and turned to look at Ken. The former Emperor was gazing at Matt and Ryoko with tears in his eyes, and there was a smile on his face. He looked like he was finally starting to believe there was a chance for Sam and himself after all.
Don't worry, Ken. I know Sam feels the exact same way Ryoko feels, and he'll continue to love you no matter what you tell him.
"Oh, honey, I'm so proud of you," Mimi said tearfully, leaning over Ryoko and giving her husband a gentle kiss on the lips. "You're a good father, Matt, and I know you know it. Parents always fight with their kids once in a while, and I'm glad you and Ryoko are working things out."
Matt kissed her back and gave his wife a loving smile. "Thanks, Mimi."
"Hey, not in front of me!" Ryoko complained, his face turning pink with embarrassment.
Davis stared at Mimi with his mouth hanging open and shook his head in disbelief. Wow, she's taking this a lot better than I thought she would! I guess she noticed the tension between Matt and Ryoko after all.
"I'm sorry I made you worry," Matt said quietly, gazing deeply into his wife's eyes.
Mimi kissed her son's golden hair and gave Matt's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't be. I was never worried. I know how much you love Ryoko, and I know nothing's ever going to change that."
"You got that right!" Matt said firmly.
"Mom!" Ryoko groaned, covering his face with his hands.
"Don't worry, he's happy!" Iramon laughed.
"So am I. I'm glad you're okay, Ryoko," Taysuke said shyly.
Ryoko gave the younger boy a warm smile and shrugged. "Don't worry, Tay, your sister and the rest of my friends have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. They'll never let anything happen to me."
"Aw, thanks, Ryoko. We love you, too," Matty grinned, trying his best to keep a straight face and failing miserably.
Ryoko blushed and glared at his cousin. "Shut up, Matty, or I'll have to hurt you!"
"I'd like to see you try it!" Matty shot back. "You don't want to make Mickey angry, do you? He's scary when he's angry!"
"Hey, don't get me involved in this," Mickey said, looking amused.
Matty crossed his arms and gave his twin an exasperated look. "Mickey, you're supposed to be sticking up for me!"
"So much for that idea!" Ryoko smirked.
"Mickey!"
"Ryoko, don't even think about it," Mickey said, his amber eyes narrowing into a frown.
Matty sent Ryoko a dirty look and made a face at his twin. "Well, it's about time! Took you long enough already!"
Mickey gave his brother a sympathetic smile and shrugged. "Sorry, but you were the one who started this whole thing in the first place!"
Both Mickey and Matty burst out laughing, and Ryoko sent them a very suspicious look.
"Twins," the golden-haired Digidestined muttered, a small smile slipping across his face.
"Makiya Takaishi! How can you joke around at a time like this?" Kari cried, her amber eyes glittering with tears. "Jestermon dropped you off a building! If Celestimon hadn't digivolved, you...you..."
Mickey's angelic face filled with despair, and he wrapped his arms around his mother's neck. "Mom, I'm okay. Please don't cry. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to scare you or Dad."
"Mom, if you think I'm ever going to let anyone hurt Mickey forget it," Matty said firmly.
"Us, too!" Palelymon and Goldmon both cried.
"Mickey's my partner, and there's no way I'm going to let Jestermon come anywhere near him!" Palelymon said fiercely.
"Yeah, I feel the same way! Mickey's like my second partner, and I'm not going to let Palelymon and Matty down by failing to protect someone who's close to them and me!" Goldmon shouted.
Mickey held the two little digimon tightly in his arms and smiled fondly at them. "Thanks, guys."
"Matty, you...you saved him! Oh, honey, I love you so much. I'm so proud of you. You really are a wonderful brother and a great friend," Kari sobbed, reaching out and pulling the younger twin into a hug. "Thank you for everything, sweetheart."
"Mom, be careful! You're squishing him!" Mickey laughed. The older twin pulled his brother out of Kari's arms and gave his mother a warm smile. "I told you, I'm fine, and the same goes for Matty. You know I would have done the same for him if he had been in my place."
"I know, sweetheart. Trust me, I know."
"See? I told you Mickey's the best brother in the whole world," Matty said confidently.
Kari laughed and reached out to stroke Goldmon's and Palelymon's heads. "You two are incredible. Thank you, Goldmon. You saved my son's life. I'll never forget what you've done, and I'm sure you're a very handsome angel digimon. You, too, Palelymon."
"Mom!" Matty shouted in horror.
Rina giggled, and Kari rolled her eyes. "Well, what do you expect? I have two very handsome boys. It's only fitting their digimon would reflect that, as well."
Mickey and Matty turned identical shades of red, and their digimon smiled shyly at Kari.
"Mickey and Matty are lucky to have a mom like you," Palelymon said happily.
"You don't have to thank me, Kari. Palelymon and I will always protect your sons no matter who tries to hurt them," Goldmon said softly.
Rina scrambled forward and threw her arms around Mickey's neck. She hid her face against his shoulder and hugged him as tightly as her small arms would allow. "I never realized the Digital World was such a scary place. I'm glad you and your friends are keeping each other safe. You and Matty are great brothers, and I don't want either one of you to die."
"No one's going to die, Rina," Mickey said quietly, kissing his little sister's cheek.
"You promise?"
"We promise," Matty replied.
Rina brushed away her sudden tears and pulled Matty into her arms with Mickey. She hugged both of her brothers as tightly as she could and smiled up at them. "Okay then. I'm not scared anymore. You guys always keep your promises, and I know Goldmon and Palelymon will protect you. The same goes for DemiEmbermon and the rest of the digimon. They'll keep Dai and the others safe. I know they will."
"I love you three so much," Kari whispered, smiling fondly at her children.
Unfortunately her happiness did not last very long because T.K. chose that moment to speak, and his words froze everybody in the room.
"What about DarkAngelicmon?"
Poor T.K. It's like Devimon all over again, only this time it's even worse because DarkAngelicmon wants Mickey and Matty, and I'm pretty sure he has something planned for Sam, as well. T.K. probably feels like his worst nightmare is coming true. He was devastated when he lost Angemon, and I can't even imagine how he would feel if he ever lost his sons...
"Dad, are you okay?" Mickey asked anxiously.
T.K. pulled the older twin into his arms and did not say a word. Instead he buried his face in his son's golden hair and held the boy tightly against his chest.
"T.K., I'm so sorry," Kari whispered, reaching out and placing a hand against her husband's pale cheek. "Honey, I know what you're thinking, but we can't give up yet. You're free of him forever, and soon Mickey and Matty will be free of DarkAngelicmon, as well. I mean it, T.K. We're not going to let him hurt our sons, and you know our friends will help us in any way they can."
Matt sat down next to T.K. and wrapped his arms around his brother's shoulders. "Kari's right. There's no way I'm going to let that creep come anywhere near my nephews, and I'm not going to let him hurt you or Kari either. I'd like to see him try it!"
"Hey, they're my nephews, too!" Tai complained.
Matt rolled his sapphire eyes and sent the original Digidestined leader an impatient look. "Alright, our nephews. Are you happy?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am." Tai put a hand on Kari's shoulder and gave his sister a reassuring smile. "I'm not going to let DarkAngelicmon cause you or T.K. any pain, and that means I'm going to make sure he doesn't even think about trying to hurt my nephews!"
"Our nephews!" Matt grumbled.
Kari gave her brother a hug and managed a weak smile. "I know, Tai. Thank you. You, too, Matt."
"Don't forget about us!" Dai piped up, gesturing at Sam, Ryoko, Kara, and himself. "We'll never let anything happen to Mickey and Matty, and sooner or later DarkAngelicmon's going to find that out the hard way!"
"My friends and I might not be Digidestined, but that doesn't mean we can't help out, too," Noah said quietly, gazing directly into T.K.'s eyes.
"Hey, what about me?" Taniko shouted.
"And me," Kenzo said seriously.
Ema glared at Noah and crossed her arms. "We're all going to keep the twins safe, and we're not going to let DarkAngelicmon get his hands on Sam either!"
"You got that right!" Taysuke said firmly.
Davis nodded in agreement and smiled softly at the former Emperor. "Ema's right, Ken. Sam's safe with us, and you know he always will be."
Ken held his son protectively against his chest and ran a hand across his eyes. "Thanks, Davis. That means a lot to me, but I feel like I ask too much of you and the others already..."
"No, Ken, sometimes I think you don't ask enough," T.K. said quietly, his bright blue eyes travelling over the former Emperor's face. "We've stuck by your side for the past twenty-five years because we care, and we'll make sure DarkAngelicmon never gets a chance to hurt your son or my sons."
"It's okay, Ken. My fellow digimon and I will protect Sam and his friends. We haven't let them down yet, and I know we never will," Glimmermon said shyly.
Ken stroked the top of Glimmermon's head and sent T.K. a rather hesitant smile. "Thanks, T.K. I...um...feel a lot better now. I know you and the others will do your best to protect my kids as much as you can, and that makes everything seem a little less scary."
"Everything?" T.K. whispered, his eyes never leaving Ken's face.
The former Emperor blushed and pressed his cheek against Sam's forehead. "Almost everything," he whispered, avoiding the blond's eyes.
Yeah, everything but the truth about the Emperor...
"Dad, you're not making any sense, you know that?" Sam mumbled, glancing suspiciously at T.K. "What are you guys talking about anyway?"
Ken exchanged a quick look with Yolei and shrugged. "It's not important, Sam."
"Oh, Sam, what if that evil angel tries to...to...kill you?" Yolei gasped, her eyes shining with sudden tears.
Sam smiled softly at his mother and shook his head. "DarkAngelicmon's not going to hurt me, Mom. Mickey won't let him."
"I won't!" Mickey said stubbornly.
Ken slowly turned to look at T.K. and gazed directly into the blond's eyes. "He...he really means it, doesn't he?"
T.K. gently placed his hand against Mickey's cheek and smiled sadly at his son. "Yes, Ken, he means it."
"Thank you, Mickey," Ken whispered, his face turning pink. His words sounded awkward, but the look he sent T.K. was filled with fierce hope and determination. It was not always easy for the former Emperor to express his emotions, but in most cases he did not have to. The look in his eyes was enough for anyone to figure out exactly what he was thinking.
"Dad, I'm sorry about what happened with Jestermon," Mickey mumbled, gazing nervously into his father's eyes.
T.K. managed a shaky smile and rested his hand against the back of Mickey's golden head. "Don't be. You're alive, and that's all I care about."
"Matty promised me he would look out for me, and I promised him the same thing. Nothing's going to happen to us as long as we have our friends and each other," Mickey insisted.
Matty beamed at the older twin and nodded. "You read my mind, Mickey!"
Why won't Mickey and Matty talk about DarkAngelicmon? It's almost as if they're purposely avoiding the subject, and the same goes for T.K. I thought he wanted to ask his sons about the fallen angel. At least, that's the impression I got earlier. I guess he must have changed his mind.
Davis studied his friend's face for a moment and frowned. T.K. was the one who had brought DarkAngelicmon up in the first place, and now the blond looked like he wished he had never said anything.
I bet T.K. would rather face Devimon again instead of DarkAngelicmon. I would feel the same way if I were him. Devimon tried to hurt him, but I know for a fact he'd rather have a fallen angel digimon coming after him instead of his children...
"Matty, I'm so proud of you right now," T.K. whispered, reaching out and pulling the younger twin into his arms. "Angelicmon saved Mickey's life, and it's all because of you. If you hadn't helped Celestimon digivolve, Mickey would not be here. I love both of you so much. The two of you have done a lot to help each other and your friends, and I'll never be able to thank either one of you enough for what you've done."
"Dad, we need to breath!" Matty replied, his amber eyes sparkling with amusement. The younger twin's cheek was squished against Mickey's forehead, and the two of them were trying their best not to elbow each other in the ribs. Apparently T.K. did not even notice because he pulled his sons even closer and held them tightly against his chest.
"T.K., I know it's hard, but we have to talk about DarkAngelicmon," Kari said quietly, avoiding her husband's eyes.
T.K. let out a sigh and finally nodded. "I know, Kari. I want to, but...I..."
"What's going on?" Matty asked suspiciously.
T.K. frowned and gently stroked the younger twin's hair. "Matty, is DarkAngelicmon the reason why you and Mickey have been acting so strange lately?"
"What?" Mickey gasped, his amber eyes growing wide with shock.
Matty's face turned bright red, and he sent his brother a frantic look. "What are you talking about?" the younger twin asked, avoiding his father's eyes.
T.K. smiled sadly at his sons and shook his head. "Matty, your mother and I aren't blind. We can tell there's something going on between you and Mickey."
"It is kind of obvious," Sam added, his face a mask of sorrow and confusion.
"What are you talking about? Matty and I are just fine!" Mickey said sharply before his brother could respond.
T.K. froze, and his bright blue eyes slowly widened in horror. "DarkAngelicmon. Mickey, did...did he hurt you? Tell me right now! If that evil digimon has touched even one hair on your head, I swear-"
"Dad, stop! Mickey's fine!" Matty interrupted. "Physically he's fine, and so am I. That's not the problem."
"I don't understand. Mickey, Dai said you met up with DarkAngelicmon earlier when you were with-"
"No, Dad. You just don't get it! None of you do!" Mickey shouted, his amber eyes filling with sudden tears. "Why am I the only one who has figured out the truth?"
"Please don't get angry, Mickey. We just want to help you," Takara said tearfully.
Ryoko nodded in agreement and glanced uneasily at his cousin. "Why won't you tell us what's wrong? We just want to make sure you're okay."
"He's right, Mickey. How do you expect us to help you if you keep hiding things from us?" Dai said slowly.
What is he so upset about?
Mickey's face was very pale, and he kept avoiding his brother's eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something, but apparently he was having trouble putting his emotions into words because he refused to speak to anyone.
"Oh, honey, please don't push us away," Kari said sadly.
Sam scrambled off the couch and sat down on the floor next to his golden haired friend. He wrapped his arms around Mickey's shoulders and let out a soft sigh. "Mickey, you've helped me a lot over the past few days, and I want to return the favour. Please tell me what's wrong. If you don't and something happens to you, I'll never be able to forgive myself for not trying hard enough to get you to open up to me."
"Don't be scared, Mickey. I don't like it when you're scared. It makes me scared," Rina said softly.
Matty gazed silently at his twin and did not say a word.
"Mickey, what did DarkAngelicmon do to you?" T.K. whispered, his arms tightening around Mickey's shoulders.
"Nothing!" Mickey shouted at the top of his lungs. "He didn't do anything to me! Why is it so hard for you to understand what I'm trying to say? I know you're worried about me, but I'm not the one you should be worried about! DarkAngelicmon doesn't want me! He never did! The human he really wants is the one person he knows he can use to cut my soul in half and rip my heart into pieces! Do you understand now? Stop worrying about me, Dad! He doesn't want me! He wants Matty!"