Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Another chapter done! I'll be updating Trinity next, but if you have time (and you love Nao!) then check out my new one-shot fic called When the Rain Falls. It's my second FTFOD one-shot!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 108: Nobody's Angel

Makiya 'Mickey' Takaishi

Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World

Makiya Takaishi gently rubbed the tears from his eyes and gazed helplessly at the fallen angel kneeling beside him. He wanted to say something, but no words seemed suitable enough for the tragedy that had just occured.

How am I supposed to comfort an evil digimon when I can't even find a way to comfort myself? DarkAngelicmon has tried to hurt me several times now, and Matty, as well, and yet for some reason I can't bring myself to hate him. He looks so...lost. In fact, he looks exactly how I feel. I don't care what Matty says. Luciamon's dead because of us. If only I had tried to reach DarkAngelicmon just a little bit sooner...

"Luciamon, why? You should have listened to me. You should have changed your mind," DarkAngelicmon whispered, gazing sadly at the spot where his friend had been lying only moments before.

Mickey hesitated and slowly placed his trembling hand on the fallen angel's arm. He could feel the taint of darkness soaking into his skin, but it felt different this time. Before the feeling had been almost overwhelming, but that was no longer the case anymore. The darkness felt weaker, less dangerous somehow, as if the fallen angel was slowly slipping away from what he had become. But...that's impossible. He has always been evil, hasn't he?

Maybe, but maybe not.

"DarkAngelicmon, I...I'm sorry."

"No, Makiya Takaishi, it is not your fault. You did not make her decision for her. She has always been stubborn, and in the end that is what killed her."

"But...she was your friend, wasn't she?"

DarkAngelicmon bowed his head and slowly nodded. "Yes, she was, but as terrible as it seems, friendships can be broken. Not everyone is like you, Mickey."

"If only we were," Ryoko said quietly, his troubled gaze coming to rest on Dai's face.

The goggle-headed leader sighed and turned away from the golden-haired Digidestined. "If only."

"Will you two quit it? Now is definitely not the time for you to be doubting yourselves!" Takara said tearfully.

Both Ryoko and Dai ignored her and turned to gaze sadly at the spot where Luciamon had disintegrated into data. Mickey could tell they were upset about what had happened to the female angel, but it was obvious there was something else troubling them, as well, and he had a feeling it had something to do with a little thing called friendship.

Didn't they learn anything from Luciamon? DarkAngelicmon has done everything he can to try and hurt us, and yet Luciamon still considered him to be her friend. She still cared about him even though he had allowed himself to become corrupted by the Powers of Darkness. He would not have killed her. I realize that now, but I guess Dai and Ryoko haven't come to the same conclusion yet. Don't they understand? Don't they realize just how much they care about each other?

He had seen the look that had been on DarkAngelicmon's face when Luciamon had disappeared, and the more he thought about it, the more he understood just exactly what the expression on the fallen angel's face had meant. Although DarkAngelicmon would not admit it, it was obvious his friendship with Luciamon had remained intact right up until the moment Spritemon had intervened, and they probably would have gone on being friends if the evil mega had not decided to do away with the female angel. If those two celestial digimon could remain friends until the end, despite the fact that they had betrayed one another, then there was no reason why Dai and Ryoko could not do the same thing.

There's still one thing I don't understand. What exactly was Luciamon trying to tell me earlier? She made it sound as if DarkAngelicmon wasn't always an evil digimon, but that seems so unlikely, and yet it's the only explanation that makes sense. What else could she have possibly meant? It's so hard to picture DarkAngelicmon being anything but a creature of darkness, but at the same time I want to believe there's still some good left inside of him. Could he have only turned evil just recently? If that's the case then what could have possibly made him want to give in to the Powers of Darkness? Even if he had become evil a long time ago, that still doesn't explain why he wants to take over the Digital World. He must have been good at some point. After all, he did try to save Luciamon...

"Poor Lucemon. He's going to find out about what happened to Luciamon eventually, and when he does he's going to be extremely upset. He's always been rather sensitive," DarkAngelicmon murmured sadly to himself. "Luciamon was a good friend of his. They were very close, just like he and I used to be, a long time ago. Unfortunately Luciamon never had an opportunity to tell me exactly when and why she, along with Lucemon, had decided to betray me. If only they would have joined up with me again. The three of us could have helped our master rule the Digital World together. They were with me in the beginning and then they left. I should have known. I should have realized they had decided to rebel against the Ruler of Darkness."

Mickey bit his lip and gently stroked one of the fallen angel's dark wings. The shadowy feathers felt light and soft against his fingers, and for some unexplained reason he suddenly felt a strong desire to pluck one and keep it as a symbol of hope, just as he was planning to do with the feather he had received from his father and Angemon. "She'll come back, won't she? She promised you she would."

DarkAngelicmon frowned and let out a soft sigh. "She'll come back, but not every digimon is the same, just as there are no two humans who are the same. Some digimon take longer than others to be reconfigured so I cannot tell you exactly when she will be reborn at Primary Village. You look exactly like your brother Matty, but the two of you are very different. Am I right?"

"Yes, we're a lot alike in some ways, but in other ways we're complete opposites. That's one of the best things about being a twin. Matty understands me perfectly, even though we're so different, but...I still don't understand. What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Digimon are the same way. For example, there are many Vilemon in the Digital World, but no two are exactly alike. Each one has their own personality and their own way of living. We are similar to you humans in more ways than one, Makiya Takaishi."

"I...I think I understand. DarkAngelicmon, you have to believe her. She never meant to betray you. She only did it because she had to. That's what she said earlier and I believe her. She'll be back, and the two of you will be friends again before you know it."

"Not if I can help it!" Spritemon snapped, stepping forward and pointing the weapon in her hand at DarkAngelicmon. "I always knew you were a fool, but I never realized you were such a complete idiot, until now! How can you sit there having a conversation with one of the Digidestined when we're supposed to be capturing them and taking them to the dungeons? Are you trying to make our master angry? Do you see now why Luciamon had to die?"

DarkAngelicmon clenched his hands into fists and glared at the sprite digimon. The despair in his emerald green eyes had faded away and been replaced with anger and hatred. He looked like he wanted to wrap his hands around the evil mega's neck and strangle her to death. "You killed her. She was my friend, and you turned her into data. I told you I would deal with her myself, but you wouldn't listen, and now you must pay for disobeying my orders! You have been nothing but a disappointment to our master since the very beginning, and I think it's time for me to relieve him of your presence. I do believe I'm going to destroy you now. I hope you don't mind, but it really is for the best. You stole something that was very important to me, so it's only fair I take something in return. What else could be more important to you than the pitiful life you claim to be living for our master?"

Spritemon threw down the spear in her hand and smirked at the fallen angel. "You won't kill me. Besides, if you do, I'll just come back."

"Perhaps, but you will not be the same digimon you are today and I know that's not what you want."

"You can threaten me all you like, but that won't change the fact that you still need me. You dare to accuse me of disappointing our master? What about you? What about Luciamon? Our master will be pleased to hear about what I've done. I'm quite sure he'll thank me for getting rid of your traitorous friend. And just where does that leave you, I wonder. Our master's going to be very angry when he finds out you've been hanging around with digimon who want to get rid of him!"

"He may know already, fool. They were there in the beginning. Both of them, or have you forgotten already? They were with us and our master, and then they left. How much do you want to bet he had his suspicions?"

"Unlike you! You're going to go from being our master's favorite servant to his worst enemy, especially when he finds out you have a soft spot for the Digidestined!"

DarkAngelicmon suddenly leaped to his feet and regained possession of his spear, before Spritemon could pick it up again, and pointed it at the little mega. "Your death will be my revenge!"

Mickey's mouth fell open and he stared at DarkAngelicmon in shock. It was hard to believe, but he could tell the fallen angel was actually being serious! Unbelievable! DarkAngelicmon's actually trying to help us! I must be dreaming. There's just no way he can possibly be on our side, unless...

"Well? What are you waiting for? If you're going to kill me then hurry up and do it already!" Spritemon snorted.

If DarkAngelicmon really does turn her into data then we'll have a better chance of escaping from the castle. Is he really going to risk ruining all of his plans for Luciamon's sake?

Mickey smiled at the thought, and before he could stop himself, he tugged on DarkAngelicmon's right wing and buried his face against the fallen angel's arm. "Would you really help us? I don't want you to destroy Spritemon, but I guess we really don't have a choice, do we. Revenge has never helped anyone, but we need to stop her, only I wish you would do it because you want to save the Digital World, not because you have let yourself become filled with anger and hatred. I won't hate you if you promise not to hurt my brother. I could be your friend, if you really want me to be."

DarkAngelicmon stared at him for a moment and gently placed a hand on his golden head. He could tell the fallen angel was surprised by his sympathetic touch and his sudden display of emotion, but he could not help himself from allowing his feelings to be seen on the surface. He had been shown a side of the virus digimon he had not known existed, and it confused him. He wanted to hate DarkAngelicmon, but like Ken, he could not bring himself to do so. At first he had been angry and frightened of the fallen angel, for Matty's sake, but now he felt only pity and sadness, and it was all because of Luciamon...

"You would really be friends with an evil digimon?"

"Yes, I...I want to help."

DarkAngelicmon moved closer to him and gave his hand a tight squeeze. "I think I would-"

"Mickey!"

Mickey jumped at the sound of his father's voice and gasped when his dad suddenly pulled him into a tight grip and dragged him away from the fallen angel. "Mickey, you're causing me more stress today than Matty has in his entire life! You can still help an evil digimon without putting yourself in unnecessary danger, you know. What would your mother say if I came back from the Digital World without you? Besides, Matty and Rina would never forgive me if I let something happen to you."

"It's true," Matty said quietly. "Everyone always feels the need to tell me I'm reckless, but you're the one who has gotten himself into trouble more than once now, not me."

Mickey blushed and quickly turned away from his brother. "I'm sorry. I..."

"It's okay, Mickey. I know why. You don't have to explain anything to me. We're not twins for nothing, you know. You're doing this because you want to help, and you wouldn't be yourself if you didn't try to do something. I don't want you to change because then you wouldn't be the brother I've known all my life, and I like you just the way you are."

"Really? You...you mean that?"

He felt Matty's arm slip around him, and he found himself gazing into his twin's amber eyes. Matty smiled at him and nodded. "Of course I do. Listen, Mickey, I know you want to change the world, but please be careful while you're trying to help, alright? I kind of like having a twin so I'd appreciate it if you would stay alive long enough for our own kids to grow up together. They're going to be great friends, you know, just like you and I are with our cousins."

Mickey smiled softly at his twin and turned to look up at his father. "I really am sorry, Dad. I never meant to upset you."

"I'm not upset, Mickey," his father murmured, holding him close and gently ruffling his hair. "I'm just worried about you, that's all. You understand that, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. I'll be more careful next time. I promise."

"You have a good heart, Mickey, but sometimes it can get you into a lot of trouble," Gabrielmon laughed, swooping down next to him and gently placing a hand on his golden head.

Matty's right. Maybe I'm the more difficult twin, after all!

"You're just like your mother, Mickey. She would have done the same thing," Ken said, giving him a warm smile.

I wonder what Mom would think if she could see me now...

Mickey glanced anxiously at his father, and his dad beamed back at him. "Ken's right, Mickey. Your mother's going to be so proud of you when she finds out about what you've done here today. I wish I could be just as forgiving, but it's hard, especially after Devimon..."

Yes, Devimon. You still won't tell me about him, will you, Dad.

Mickey rested his cheek against his partner's ribs and gazed silently at Angelicmon and MagnaAngemon. All three angel digimon had flown out of the sky to stand protectively around him and their obvious concern brought a smile to his face. He could tell they were worried about him, but their fear only made him even more determined to get through to DarkAngelicmon.

There has to be a way. Maybe if I keep talking to him, he'll change his mind about throwing us into the dungeons. As strange as it might seem, I think he really does want to be my friend...

"Mickey?"

Mickey turned slowly towards DarkAngelicmon and bit his lip. "You haven't changed your mind, have you?"

"Mickey...I..." The fallen angel reached out a hand towards him, but his father suddenly pulled him back and glared at the evil digimon. "Leave my son alone! You've caused him enough pain already!"

"Dad, wait! You don't understand. I-"

"See what I mean?" Spritemon smirked, stepping forward and placing her hand on the fallen angel's arm. "Honestly, DarkAngelicmon, how many times do I have to say it? Humans cannot be trusted, and it looks like you've just found that out the hard way. Do you really believe a human would actually want to be your friend? He's just trying to trick you into helping him escape from the castle with the rest of the Digidestined. They're no better than Luciamon was. She betrayed you, and they're trying to do the same thing. I, on the other hand, have not once tried to trick you or pretend to be someone I'm not. I'm the only real friend you have in this room, other than perhaps Ivymon and BlackGatomon. I'm sorry I killed Luciamon, for your sake, but it was something that had to be done. You understand, don't you?"

"Hey, wait a minute! She's the one who's trying to trick you, not us!" Matty shouted, stepping forward and clenching his hands into fists. "Mickey never says anything he doesn't mean!"

"So you say," Spritemon snorted. "Well, DarkAngelicmon? Who are you going to believe, a member of the Digidestined or an ally who has already proven just how far she's willing to go to help you take over the Digital World for our master?"

Mickey sent his brother an anxious look and turned slowly to face DarkAngelicmon. They gazed at each other for a moment, and suddenly, without warning, the fallen angel tightened his hold on the spear he held in his hand and slowly shook his head.

Is he really going to believe Spritemon over us, even after she killed Luciamon?

DarkAngelicmon's green eyes narrowed into angry slits, and Mickey gasped when he realized the fallen angel was glaring at his father. "BlackGatomon, please send in more guards. I want you and the rest of Spritemon's little company to destroy ExVeemon and the others before they can cause any more trouble, and bring the Digidestined to the dungeons. I'm growing impatient with their constant efforts to try and escape from the castle."

"Are you completely out of your mind?" Ryoko snapped, staring at the fallen angel with his mouth hanging open. "I can't believe you're just going to throw Mickey's offer to be your friend right back in his face! Nobody treats my cousin like that and gets away with it!"

No, this is all wrong! I know Ryoko and the others want to help, but I have to stop them before they ruin any chance we have of getting DarkAngelicmon to help us!

He had seen the look that had been on the fallen angel's face when his father had intervened and pulled him as far away from the evil virus digimon as their current position would allow. It was hard to believe, but DarkAngelicmon's eyes had been filled with hurt and anger, and a little sadness, as well.

At least, that was the case before my dad started shouting at him in an effort to defend me. It's almost as if he's angry at my father for trying to stop him from getting close to me. What am I going to do? How am I going to get him to change his mind before the others can cause even more damage?

He knew he had to do something, but unfortunately he had a feeling it was already too late.

"Ishida's right, DarkAngelicmon, you're officially nuts!" Dai snorted. "You're actually going to turn your back on Mickey? Nobody turns their back on Mickey! He's like the guy none of us can live without. If it weren't for him, we'd never get any of our problems solved!"

"Dai's right. We'd be lost without Mickey," Sam said softly.

Mickey blushed and sent DarkAngelicmon a hopeful look, but the fallen angel ignored him and turned to Spritemon instead. "Let's get this over with. I grow tired of waiting. Our master could be back at any moment, and we need to be ready for his arrival."

"Right. You heard him, BlackGatomon. Send in more guards!"

"I think not!" MagnaAngemon snapped, leaping into the air and motioning for Angelicmon to join him. "T.K., we cannot delay any longer. It's time to act now!"

"You're right, MagnaAngemon. Come on, Davis, let's get out of here before our wives kill us for putting our kids in danger. You, too, Ken. Let's move!"

"What are you doing?" DarkAngelicmon asked calmly.

Somewhere along the line MagnaAngemon had managed to get a hold of his sword again, and he pointed it at the fallen angel. "Forgive me, DarkAngelicmon, but I don't have time to satisfy your curiosity. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must have a word with Angelicmon."

"No need. I know what to do. This is for you, Luciamon! Zenith Point!"

Mickey gasped as seven rays of light streamed down from the ceiling and headed towards DarkAngelicmon and the others at an alarming pace. Somehow they managed to leap out of the way, and the light slammed into the ground in front of them in the shape of a crescent moon.

"Now's our chance, come on!" Davis shouted.

Mickey allowed his brother to drag him back towards the wall, but despite his efforts to look away, he seemed unable to keep his eyes off DarkAngelicmon. The fallen angel and his group of evil digimon did not appear to have been harmed, but in the end that did not make any difference. The important thing was the fact that they could not see what was going on because they were blinded by the light. It was a perfect distraction, and Mickey could not help wondering why they had not thought of using it before. If they had, Luciamon would still be alive.

I'm sorry, Luciamon. I"m sorry I failed you, but I swear I'll keep my promise if it's the last thing I do!

He caught one last glimpse of DarkAngelicmon trying to shield his eyes from the light before he was pulled through the weak point with the Crest of Light shining brightly in his hand.