Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: This is one of my longer chapters! I won't be updating this story next week because I'm going to be posting a Season Four oneshot fic. So, if you like the twins, (and I don't mean Mickey and Matty!) then you might want to check it out!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 114: The Words of Oikawa
Takara 'Kara' Kamiya
Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World
Takara Kamiya held Dovemon tightly against her chest and hurried down the long, dark, narrow hallway that, according to Izzy, would eventually lead them back to the first floor again. She could not see the staircase yet, but it had to be somewhere up ahead otherwise they were in serious trouble.
Wait a minute, what am I thinking? Izzy's directions have never been wrong before, and so far Taniko has proven herself to be just as reliable as her father. I really should have a little more faith in them. They've gotten us this far, and that has to count for something.
"We should be getting close now," Dai shouted over his shoulder, his voice echoing down the hallway. The goggle-headed leader was right on Gennai's heels, and neither one of them looked like they were slowing down in the slightest. Takara quickly put on a burst of speed and joined her fellow soccer player at the front of the group, and the two of them raced down the hallway step for step. Dai was extremely fast on his feet, but Takara wasn't a member of the girls' soccer team for nothing. Like Dai, she had excellent stamina, and as a result, she had no trouble keeping pace with the goggle-headed leader. Neither one of them had even come close to losing their breath yet, which was more than she could say for some of her other friends. Mickey and Matty had managed to keep up so far, but that was mostly due to the fact that every so often they would shout something encouraging to one another. The only reason Sam hadn't fallen behind yet was because Ken had grabbed a hold of his son's arm and was half-dragging, half-carrying the raven-haired Digidestined down the corridor. Ryoko was clearly struggling to keep up, and T.K. was holding onto his side and wincing after every step. The digimon, of course, were a different story. JewelBeemon, MagnaAngemon, and all of the champion digimon looked like they were merely out for an evening stroll instead of running for their lives, but the same could not be said for some of the rookies. Agumon and a few of the others looked like they were having a little bit of trouble because of their size, which explained why Dovemon was quite content to be carried the whole way. Ken was in pretty good shape after playing soccer as a child, and Benjamin was jogging along as if he were running for a marathon instead of escaping from evil digimon.
Even so, I don't think Ryoko and the others are going to be able to keep this pace up much longer. What are we going to do if BlackGatomon and Ivymon catch up to us?
"I'm getting too old for this!" Davis complained, who despite his words was having no trouble keeping up with his son.
T.K. raised his eyebrows and managed a loud snort. "And that's coming from the guy who still plays soccer with his kids!"
"Yeah, well what about you, Mr. Basketball Hero? You don't exactly look as if you're enjoying our little race, especially since you obviously can't keep up with me!"
"Davis, will you quit talking and keep running otherwise Ivymon and BlackGatomon are going to catch up to us!"
"They won't," Ryoko gasped, his breath exploding out of his lungs in short, sharp bursts. "Neither BlackGatomon nor Ivymon saw us leave through the weak point, which means they probably have no clue where we are. I bet they think we left through the larger entrance to the dungeons, and if that's the case then they're probably wandering around the castle by now with no clue where to look for us. I think we have to worry more about what's ahead of us rather than what's behind."
Takara nodded in agreement and was about to reply when Ryoko suddenly stumbled and collided with Gabrielmon's wings. Mickey's partner turned and managed to grab onto the golden-haired Digidestined's arm, and the two of them stumbled into the wall.
"Ryoko, are you hurt?" Mickey cried, hurrying over to his cousin's side and placing his hand on the golden-haired Digidestined's shoulder.
Ryoko managed a weak smile and quickly shook his head. "No, I'm fine, but thanks for asking. I'm really sorry about that, Gabrielmon. I didn't mean to run into you."
"Don't worry about it. I'm more concerned about you than I am about myself. After all, I am quite a bit bigger than you are, and I would hate to think I ended up hurting you in some way."
"You haven't. Trust me, I would know if something was broken, but everything seems to be intact. Don't worry about me, Gabrielmon. I'll be fine as soon as we get out of this stupid castle."
Gabrielmon sighed and shook his head, but instead of voicing his opinion, he merely smiled and ruffled Ryoko's golden hair. "If you say so, but I do wish you would be more careful. Mickey worries about you enough as it is, and I-"
"Ryoko, climb onto my back before you hurt yourself," Tirimon said gruffly, his icy blue eyes travelling anxiously over his partner's face.
Ryoko jumped in surprise, and without a word he scrambled onto his partner's back and buried his face in the fox digimon's pale blue fur. Tirimon gently nuzzled the golden-haired Digidestined's leg, and after a brief hesitation, Ryoko whispered something softly in his partner's ear.
"You're welcome," Tirimon murmured in response to Ryoko's gentle words. "You looked like you could use a lift, and judging from the way Sam looks like he's about to fall on his face, I think he could use one, as well."
"You're right."
"What?" Sam wheezed, leaning against his father and trying unsuccessfully to get his breath back.
"Sam, I think maybe you should ride with Ryoko," Tirimon said gently.
The raven-haired Digidestined looked like he was about to protest, but before he could say anything, Ryoko grabbed the other boy's hand and dragged him onto Tirimon's back.
"Thanks, Tirimon," Ken said quietly, reaching out and gently stroking the champion's soft, furry side. The raven-haired Digidestined was obviously worried about his son, but Sam was too busy moaning and complaining to notice.
"Now that that's been settled, let's keep going," Leomon said impatiently, his dark eyes searching the corridor for any signs of danger. "We should be getting close to the staircase soon. This hallway can't go on forever."
"I think I'm dying," Sam moaned, his head drooping onto Ryoko's shoulder.
The golden-haired Digidestined let out a snort and rolled his bright blue eyes. "Don't be dumb. Since you seem to have plenty of time to worry about whether or not you're dying, I think it's pretty safe to say you're going to be just fine. Now will you hang onto me before you end up falling off and getting trampled by one of our digimon?"
Sam quickly grabbed a handful of Ryoko's blue shirt, and although a faint smile slipped across the raven-haired Digidestined's face, he did not lift his head or open his eyes. Obviously he was in need of a good rest, and thanks to Tirimon, there was a chance the raven-haired Digidestined might recover enough to make it out of the castle and onto Dragermon's back without being carried the whole way. Although Ryoko hadn't commented on Sam's need for a shoulder to lean on, it was obvious the golden-haired Digidestined was doing all he could to give his friend as much support as possible. Even without words, the offer had been there, and Sam, being rather sensitive and observant when it comes to other people's emotions, had picked up on it immediately and accepted it without hesitation.
That's Ryoko for you. He might fight with Dai, disagree with Mickey, snap at Matty occasionally, get impatient with Sam, and argue with me over everything I say, but when it really counts, he's fiercely loyal to all of his friends and he'll do whatever he can to protect them. If there's one thing I know about Ryoko Ishida, it's what he doesn't say that shows just how great of a friend he really is. Actions speak louder than words, and in Ryoko's case, I'd definitely agree with that statement.
"Hurry, we're almost there!" Gennai called out, waving a hand and motioning for Dai to take the lead. The Watcher's robe was streaming out behind him as he ran, and the fierce sparkle in his sapphire eyes caused a shiver to race down Takara's spine. She had only ever seen one other person look that focused before, and his name was Daichi Motomiya.
We have to make it out of here otherwise I'll never get a chance to tell him how I feel...
"Is it just me or does Gennai have an obscene amount of energy?" Dai muttered, interrupting her thoughts.
"If we keep this up much longer, I'm not going to have enough energy left to digivolve!" Embermon complained. "Dai-"
"Fine, I'll carry you this time, but don't get used to it. You're heavier than you look, and if you want us to make it out of here without getting captured then you'd better hope my arms don't fall off before we get to the East Tower! In fact, I think you need to go on a diet. You eat more food than I do, and considering how much food I eat, that's probably not a good thing."
"No, please, anything but that!"
"Do you want a lift, or not?"
Takara rolled her eyes, and without a word, she shifted Dovemon into the crook of her right arm and grabbed the goggle-headed leader's free hand in a tight grip. Dai almost dropped Embermon in surprise, but somehow he managed to hang onto the little rookie using his left arm, and instead of pulling away, he squeezed her hand and frowned in confusion. "Kara, is something-"
"Come on. You heard Gennai. Let's keep moving."
The tunnel curved slightly up ahead, and Takara quickly pulled Dai towards the front of the group. They had fallen behind a little bit, but now that they were past the curve and once again keeping pace with Gennai, she could see the staircase up ahead shimmering faintly in the light from the torches. She had been hoping they would make it to the first floor without any trouble, but unfortunately there was a group of evil digimon waiting for them at the end of the tunnel, and her heart leaped into her throat at the prospect of yet another fight.
We can't afford to waste time trying to get past the guards. If we get involved in another fight, we're going to end up in the dungeons for sure!
"Look, it's the Digidestined! Stop them!" a fierce looking reptile digimon shouted.
Most of the evil digimon had either been sprawled on the stairs or leaning against the walls, but the dark reptile's words had immediately brought them to attention and they quickly moved to block the staircase.
"Who are they?" Matty demanded, leaning against his partner for support and trying desperately to catch his breath.
Leomon's dark eyes narrowed into a frown and he pulled out his sword. "The ugly one who spoke goes by the name of DarkLizardmon. The three spread out in front of him are Roachmon, the two of the left are Mushroomon, and the two on the right are Vegiemon. They're all nasty digimon, but with Benjamin's help I think we can get past them."
"It's time to knock a few heads around! Are you coming, Leomon? You don't want to get left behind, do you?" Ogremon smirked.
Leomon hit the virus digimon in the back of the head with the hilt of his sword and motioned for Benjamin to get behind him. "Wait for my signal, alright?"
"If you insist, but please do hurry. We're running out of time."
"Then we'll just have to make time," Gennai muttered.
Maybe Ryoko was right about Gennai after all!
"Attack!" DarkLizardmon screamed, taking his own advice and shooting a bright, fiery blast at MagnaAngemon and JewelBeemon. T.K.'s partner managed to block it with his sword, and the rest of the fighting champions and ultimates immediately leaped into battle.
"Holy Sceptre!" Gabrielmon shouted, raising his staff above his head and shooting a ray of orange light at the two Mushroomon. One of them tumbled backwards onto the stairs and the other one stumbled into a Vegiemon and sent them both crashing to the ground.
"You guys don't play very fair! Come on, fellow Roachmon, it's time to take out the trash! Garbage Dump!"
The other two echoed the first Roachmon's attack, and Takara frowned in confusion when nothing happened. What exactly are they up to?
"Look!" Mickey gasped, pointing at the ceiling.
Takara just barely had time to lift her head before large clumps of rotting garbage appeared from seemingly out of nowhere and started to rain down on top of their heads. Something that looked like a rusty toaster hit Dai hard on the shoulder, and Takara quickly pulled him into her arms before a broken coffee maker could land on his foot. The goggle-headed leader gave her a grateful smile and she gently rubbed his injured shoulder. "This has got to be the most disgusting thing that's ever happened to me!"
"No kidding. They're throwing everything at us but the kitchen sink!"
At that moment, Mickey grabbed onto his brother and pulled the younger twin out of the way of what looked remarkably like a kitchen sink, and despite the seriousness of the situation, both Takaishi boys stared at each other and promptly burst into laughter.
"It had to be Roachmon, didn't it," Palmon sighed, smiling slightly. "This sure brings back a lot of memories, and I don't mean the good kind. How are we going to get past them?"
"You're not!" the first Roachmon smirked, shoving one of the Vegiemon out of his way and moving steadily towards Palmon. "Yard Sale Bombs!"
Ryoko snatched Palmon off the ground before the attack could hit her, and the garbage sailed harmlessly down the corridor. "Palmon, you're not hurt, are you?"
"No, but that Roachmon needs to be taught a lesson! Poison Ivy!" Palmon extended her roots towards the Roachmon who had tried to attack her and lifted him high into the air. He let out a squeak of surprise, but before he could attempt to escape, she slammed him hard against the wall. "That's what you get for trying to make us all dirty!"
"My mom never let any stupid Roachmon get away with hurting her friends, and if you think I'm going to settle for anything less and disappoint her, forget it!" Ryoko snapped. "Get them, Tirimon!"
"Winter Inferno!" Tirimon shouted, slashing all three Roachmon accross the face with his tail. Ryoko, Sam, and Palmon managed to hang onto the fox digimon's fur with effort, and they quickly covered their eyes as the Roachmon disappeared in a flurry of snow and ice, which resembled a small blizzard.
"Don't let them get up the stairs!" DarkLizardmon snarled.
"Yes, sir!" the two Vegiemon shouted. The one standing furthest away from the stairs stretched out his long vine-like arms and wrapped them around Dai in a tight grip. Takara screamed as the goggle-headed leader was pulled out of her grasp, and despite her attempt to hang onto her friend's hand, the slightly larger Vegiemon managed to succeed in dragging Dai towards the rest of the evil digimon.
"Dai!" Embermon cried.
"Hey, give me back my son right now, you stupid Vegiemon!" Davis snapped, his dark eyes flashing with sudden anger and a hint of fear. "ExVeemon, help him!"
"I'm on it!"
"I'll help, too," Angelicmon murmured, his hand coming to rest lightly on the former leader's shoulder.
Hang on, Dai! This is so unfair! If only Dovemon could digivolve again, but she can't until she gets all her strength back.
"Nobody attack Vegiemon or we'll hit Dai!" Dracomon warned.
"That doesn't mean we can't attack the second Vegiemon! Pepper Breath!"
"Wait for me, Agumon! You're as bad as Tai sometimes," Gabumon shouted, shaking his head and hurrying after the eager rookie. "Blue Blaster!"
The second Vegiemon was blasted off his feet, and he ended up flying halfway up the staircase. Angelicmon tried to grab Dai's arm, but DarkLizardmon hit the angel digimon with his Dark Flare attack, and Matty's partner would have fallen if MagnaAngemon hadn't caught him under the arms.
"Let go!" Dai complained, wincing and struggling to get free.
ExVeemon knocked the two Mushroomon out of his path, and stepping over a dazed Roachmon, he managed to grab onto the Vegiemon holding Dai. "You guys are as bad as that RedVegiemon who tried to hurt me and my partner a long time ago. I haven't forgotten, you know, even if it was because of the Dark Rings. Take this!"
ExVeemon punched the virus digimon in the face, and JewelBeemon joined the fight to keep the Mushroomon at bay. Vegiemon ended up losing his grip on Dai, and ExVeemon flung the plant digimon to the side in disgust.
"You're all useless!" DarkLizardmon hissed, glaring at his fellow virus digimon. "How hard is it to capture a bunch of humans?"
"It's not the humans who are the problem," one of the Mushroomon shot back.
"We're trying, but ExVeemon and the other digimon are really strong!" the second Vegiemon moaned.
"Now, Benjamin! Spike Buster!" JewelBeemon shouted, aiming his energy blasts at the Mushroomon.
"Lightning Spark!" Dracomon sent bolts of violet lightning raining down on the Roachmon, and the corridor lit up with bright purple light.
Benjamin squirmed his way to the front of the group and pulled the Digicore out of his robe. DarkLizardmon and the other evil digimon immediately covered their eyes, and ExVeemon gently set Dai down next to his father.
"Dai, are you alright?" Davis said quietly, pulling his son close and checking the goggle-headed leader over to make sure he hadn't sustained any major injuries.
Dai managed a weak nod and glared at the evil digimon. "I'm fine, but I'm getting really tired of being attacked all the time!"
"You should be more careful," Embermon muttered, his emerald eyes narrowing into a disapproving frown.
The rookie buried his face against his partner's legs, and after a brief hesitation, Takara hurried over to them and threw her arms around the goggle-headed leader. Her heart was still pounding against her rib cage, but somehow she managed a smile and rested her cheek against her friend's shoulder. "Dai, don't ever scare me like that again! I'm glad you're safe. I was really worried about you."
Dai shifted slightly in her arms and started to laugh. "Thanks, Kara. Listen, don't get me wrong, you know I enjoy your hugs, but I think we're crushing Embermon!"
Did he just say he enjoys it when I hug him?
"I can't breath!" Embermon gasped from somewhere below them.
Even Dovemon managed to open her eyes, and Takara blushed as her partner gave her a disapproving look. "He's not the only one!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Dovemon! I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, but you squished my wings!"
"Sorry."
"Look, I hate to interrupt this lovefest, but we have to keep moving," Davis interrupted, smiling in amusement.
"Dad!" Dai's face turned bright red, and Takara quickly moved away from the goggle-headed leader before Davis could embarrass them even more. I hope Ryoko and the others didn't hear any of that!
"My eyes hurt! I can't see!" one of the Mushroomon cried, trying desperately to hide behind a Roachmon.
"Fungus Crusher!" the other Mushroomon shouted, shooting his toodstools blindly into the light.
"Everyone, follow me! Bone Cudgel!" Ogremon launched himself into the crowd of evil digimon and began clearing a path leading towards the stairs with his club. Leomon and MagnaAngemon followed behind the virus digimon, slashing Roachmon and Vegiemon alike with their swords in order to keep the path free of evil digimon.
"This way!" Gennai called, racing up the stairs.
Takara quickly grabbed Dai's hand and dragged the goggle-headed leader up the stairs. Benjamin and Gennai were just ahead of her, their robes whipping frantically around their knees, and both of them kept glancing back over their shoulders to make sure everyone else was still following them. The hallway abruptly came to a dead end, and both Gennai and Benjamin quickly turned left.
"DarkLizardmon and his goons are still trying to get to their feet, but it won't be long before they start to come after us," MagnaAngemon warned. T.K.'s partner, along with Leomon and Ogremon, had only now just caught up with them, and the two were making a point of staying near the back of the group to discourage any of the evil digimon from trying to come after them.
And there's no telling how many evil digimon are up ahead! We could be trapped and not even know it!
"Come on, Kara," Dai mumbled, tugging anxiously on her hand.
Takara quickly pulled Dai down the left-hand corridor and spotted the two robed figures waiting impatiently up ahead. They had reached the second dead end Izzy had mentioned earlier, and without a word, Gennai once again led them down the left-hand hallway. The right-hand corridor appeared to be empty, but there was no telling what might be lurking in the shadows, and Takara purposely turned her back on the dim hallway. Izzy had told them to go left, and that was what she had to focus on. Unfortunately they had barely made it five feet down the tunnel before they were intercepted by a group of Bakemon.
"Humans! Quick, don't let them past!" the one hovering in the lead wailed, his voice echoing slightly down the long corridor.
Benjamin lifted Azulongmon's Digicore high into the air, and the Bakemon immediately scattered, their shrieks turning into moans as they tried desperately to flee. ExVeemon and the others didn't even bother trying to attack them. Instead of fighting, the digimon merely ran past the Bakemon, and the humans were quick to follow.
"Gennai, look! I think there's something up ahead!" Matty shouted, pointing frantically down the hallway.
Takara followed close on Benjamin's heels and promptly ran into the robed figure when he came to an abrupt stop. He reached out a hand to steady her, and glancing around his shoulder, she found herself staring at a thick, wooden door.
"This must be the East Tower," Mickey whispered.
Gennai nodded slowly and turned to look at Benjamin. "You'd better go first."
"Wish me luck."
"Yes, I think you're going to need it."
Benjamin frowned at his counterpart, and pulling up the hood of his robe, he clutched the Digicore tightly in his right hand and kicked the door open with his foot.
Takara watched the robed figure slip into the room, and a moment later a loud cry, followed by several others, broke the tense silence hovering around them.
"That's our cue. Let's go!" Ogremon growled.
Takara burst into the small, round room just behind Davis and winced at the bright light illuminating the rough, stone walls and the door standing directly opposite from the one they had just entered. She could just make out several Roachmon, and what looked like a group of digimon who were all sitting in their own separate garbage cans, but it was the flaming digimon with a skull for a face that made her stomach flutter and her heart leap into her throat.
"It's the Digidestined! We're being attacked!" one of the Roachmon cried. "What are we going to do, SkullMeramon?"
"What do you think we're going to do? Attack them, you idiot!"
"Everyone through the door!" Dai shouted, shoving a Roachmon out of the way and motioning for Embermon to follow him.
Takara had lost her grip on the goggle-headed leader's hand when she had entered the room, and as a result, they had gotten separated. With a sigh of defeat, she shield her eyes from the light and raced out into the cool evening breeze. The outside air felt great after being stuck in a place that had made her feel like she was suffocating in the darkness, and she took a deep breath, which renewed her energy almost immediately. As strange as it seemed, she could almost hear the wind speaking to her. It was calling her name.
Hold onto your dreams, Takara. Hold on...
Takara frowned and shook her head. What? My...dreams?
Your dreams, and your friends...
"Kara, will you pay attention before you get trampled!" Ryoko shouted from somewhere behind her. The others had nearly flattened her in their haste to get outside, but somehow they had all managed to make it out, and Benjamin wisely kept the Digicore pointed at the door to the East Tower in case SkullMeramon and his flunkies decided to follow them.
"We made it!" Matty cheered.
"Not yet," Ryoko snorted. "We still have to get to the gate."
"Yes, in that case, I'd better turn back into Alopemon," Tirimon said quietly. "I can't fly, and I don't think my energy is going to last much longer anyways."
"Good idea."
"Come on, Dai, let's get out of here," Mickey urged.
Dai nodded, and holding out his red D-Coder, he pointed it at Embermon and smiled at the little rookie. "Are you ready?"
"I've been ready since we entered the castle!"
"In that case you know what to do. Hang on, Izzy, we're coming home!"
Takara happened to look up just at that moment, and a loud shriek escaped her mouth before she could suppress it. Hundreds of guards were gazing down at her from the castle walls, but it was the two digimon hovering directly above the castle that had caused her to become so frightened all of a sudden.
No, this can't be happening. Not when we're so close!
"What's wrong, Kara?" T.K. asked anxiously.
Takara swallowed hard and pointed to the top of the castle. "Guys, I think Spritemon and DarkAngelicmon have just found us."