Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: Not much to say at this point, but enjoy the new chapter!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 115: Azulongmon's Light
Spritemon
Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World
Spritemon hovered above the castle's rooftop with DarkAngelicmon by her side and pointed eagerly at the Digidestined standing on the ground below them. All of the guards had immediately leaped to attention as soon as the East Tower door had burst open, and every single one of them either had their weapons pointed at the Digidestined or were ready to start launching blasts of energy at their prey. Daichi and his friends looked like a bunch of deer caught in the headlights of a human vehicle, and the looks on their faces, though hard to interpret because of the distance, were filled with what she assumed was panic and fear. Clearly they knew they were in big trouble.
"It looks like the Digidestined have finally decided to show themselves. They may be a bunch of fools, but what they lack in brains they more than make up for in courage. I'll give them that much. Wait a minute, is that Leomon with them?"
"Well, that explains the missing guards," DarkAngelicmon said dryly, his emerald eyes travelling over the large group of humans and digimon who were gesturing widely in their direction. "Naturally Ogremon is with him, and look! If it isn't Gabumon and Agumon. Our screen did not lie, Spritemon. Although I could not hear Agumon and Whamon speaking to Dai, I was able to guess correctly that they would be joining Leomon and the others in the forest. Thankfully I was able to see them because of the link existing between the Digidestined and the crests. That's how I knew where Agumon and his friends could be found. Our master had already left for the forest by that time because he knew Leomon was rumoured to be there, and although he wasn't aware of Agumon's group at the time, he must be by now. I wonder what happened back there. We should have known Tai Kamiya and Matt Ishida would find a way to get themselves involved in our business. Those two always did have a rather annoying habit of sticking their noses in where they clearly aren't wanted. And correct me if I'm mistaken, but is that one of Gennai's counterparts? I'm not exactly sure which one, but judging by the tilt of his head and his body language, it appears to be Benjamin. It looks like he's holding something in his hand. I wonder what it could be. He seems to be making quite a ruckus with it, if all the noise coming from the East Tower is anything to go by, and it seems to be emitting some sort of light. Interesting."
Spritemon gaped at the fallen angel and tugged viciously on one of the long, ear-like feathery wings sticking out of his head.
"Ouch! Spritemon, is it really necessary for you to use violence all the time? I am listening, you know, even if you don't think I am."
"Leomon and the others can't be here!"
"Why not? Obviously they found a way to get past the guards, and judging from the scene playing out in front of us, they also found a way to help the Digidestined escape from the castle."
"But...but Vampiramon's supposed to be keeping an eye on them in the forest!"
DarkAngelicmon frowned and crossed his arms. "Something must have gone wrong. It looks like we're not the only ones having a little bit of trouble when it comes to the Digidestined and their allies. In that case, our master may not be so quick to punish us if we fail here today, especially when it looks as if he, himself, has failed."
Impossible! Our master has never let something like this happen before. It must be Vampiramon's fault! I knew we couldn't trust her to do the job properly! BlackWidowmon and Jestermon aren't much better. If the Digidestined manage to escape, they have no one to blame but themselves. Our master must be extremely angry with them right about now...
Spritemon smirked at the thought and let out a gasp when she suddenly realized there was more than one robed figure gazing up at her from beneath the setting sun. "Look, they have Gennai with them!"
DarkAngelicmon rolled his eyes and impatiently fluttered his wings. "I'm aware of that, thank you. I told you they would probably try to rescue Gennai, didn't I? Obviously they were able to make it out of the dungeons, which doesn't bode well for Devidramon and SkullSatamon."
"What do you think happened to them?"
"Dead, I expect."
"What about Ivymon and BlackGatomon?"
"They've either suffered the same fate as Devidramon and SkullSatamon or they've been delayed somehow." DarkAngelicmom dismissed the two female digimon with a wave of his hand and smiled slightly. "It doesn't matter either way. The important thing is the fact that the Digidestined have managed to escape, and somehow we have to stop them from reaching the gate before they can make it back to the human world. And, of course, we must stop them from allowing Gennai to flee from the Western Hemisphere."
"I told you SkullSatamon was useless, but you wouldn't listen to me, and now look what's happened! You'd better start coming up with a good excuse for our master because it looks like you're going to have to go through with your promise and take all the blame for what's happened here today. I wonder how you'll manage to talk your way out of this one! We should have gone to the dungeons ourselves, DarkAngelicmon. The Digidestined never would have escaped if we'd been there. How many times do I have to tell you the guards are useless?"
DarkAngelicmon gave her a withering look and crossed his arms. "The Digidestined would have escaped whether we had been there or not. They are more powerful than you think, Spritemon. Never underestimate them or you will end up like Devidramon and SkullSatamon. Besides, it appears Gennai and Benjamin are up to their old tricks again. I have no doubts they had a hand in helping the Digidestined escape."
And it's all because of you! Our entire plan to capture the Digidestined has turned into a complete disaster! Leomon and his friends are going to pay for thwarting our master, and the Digidestined are going to suffer the same fate if I have anything to say about it! Stupid, useless guards! Well, I suppose if you want something done properly, you just have to do it yourself, and that's exactly what I intend to do!
Fuming, Spritemon turned towards her fallen angel companion and gave the virus digimon a sweet smile. "Well, DarkAngelicmon, since you seem to have an answer for everything, what do you suggest we do now?"
He doesn't seem to be worried at all about BlackGatomon and Ivymon. Maybe there's some hope for him after all!
DarkAngelicmon snapped his fingers, and once again the long, dark spear he was so fond of appeared in his right hand. "We stop them, of course. Come, Spritemon, let us lead our guards to victory!"
Makiya 'Mickey' Takaishi
Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World
"Thanks a lot, Kara. If we wanted more bad news, we would have asked for it," Ryoko said sarcastically.
"You don't really think they've spotted us, do you?" Matty asked anxiously.
Makiya Takaishi held the Crest of Light tightly in his hand and turned to gaze up at the two evil digimon. Both Spritemon and DarkAngelicmon were gesturing in their direction, and they appeared to be having some sort of an argument. Is DarkAngelicmon having second thoughts again? He wanted to believe that was the case, but unfortunately the fallen angel's current behaviour wasn't exactly encouraging. Just because he was arguing with Spritemon didn't mean he had decided not to come after them. I might not be able to see his face clearly, but I can tell he's not exactly impressed with the way things have turned out!
"Considering the way they're staring at us and the fact that the guards all have their weapons pointed in our direction, I'd say that's a definite yes," Dai snorted.
"What are we going to do now?" Sam cried.
Mickey stared blankly at the crest in his hand and frowned when he suddenly realized he could not remember how he had managed to remove it from around his neck without noticing what he was doing. Obviously he had removed it sometime before Luciamon's death, though he had no idea when exactly that would have been. Luciamon, I promised you we would get Gennai to safety, and I'm not going to break my promise. We will save DarkAngelicmon and BlackGatomon, and I'm not going to let any of the other guards stand in our way. Mom would never give up if she were here, and neither will I!
Mickey gently touched the white feather he had stowed away in the back pocket of his jeans to make sure it was still there and tugged on Dai's arm to get the goggle-headed leader's attention. "Dai, there's no use changing our plan now. Dragermon's still the best chance we have of escaping, and if we don't leave now, we're never going to get back home. You'd better get Embermon to digivolve before we really get into trouble!"
"Wait a minute, why aren't the guards attacking us?" Sam asked, frowning in confusion. "I know they're staring at us, and they look like they're ready to fight, but so far they've done absolutely nothing."
Alopemon gestured towards the castle and rolled his icy blue eyes. "They won't attack until DarkAngelicmon and Spritemon have given them their orders. That's why they're just standing there staring at us like a bunch of clueless idiots."
"I like the way you think, Alopemon!" Matty laughed, leaning down and gently scratching the little rookie between the ears. The fox digimon had given up his champion form in order to climb aboard Dragermon, but the fierce look in his eyes clearly stated he wasn't about to quit fighting just because he was no longer at a higher level.
"Here they come," Davis warned, nodding his head towards Spritemon and DarkAngelicmon.
"Stay back," Dracomon said quietly, pulling Sam behind him and motioning for Ken to look after the raven-haired Digidestined. "We will handle this!"
"What do you think, Gennai?" T.K. asked, glancing anxiously in the robed figure's direction.
Gennai shifted slightly on his feet and held up a hand for silence. "Mickey's right. Embermon must digivolve into his champion form otherwise we're never going to get out of here. At this point, Dragermon's the only chance we have of escaping, and even with his help, our journey will not be an easy task. Quick, Benjamin, hide the Digicore before DarkAngelicmon sees it."
"But-"
"Hide it!"
Benjamin promptly shoved the Digicore back into his robe, and a moment later SkullMeramon and the other tower guards burst through the East Tower door and swarmed out into the setting sun. The sky had turned a deep shade of orange, but despite the sudden gloom, Mickey could still see DarkAngelicmon and Spritemon heading towards them. The fallen angel landed lightly next to SkullMeramon and raised his dark eyebrows. "Going somewhere?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, I think we've overstayed our welcome," Dai smirked.
Spritemon settled herself next to the fallen angel and clenched her small hands into fists. "Why you little-"
"Leomon, how nice of you to join us," DarkAngelicmon interrupted, his emerald eyes travelling over the lion digimon's face. The fallen angel casually twirled the dark spear in his right hand and let out a soft laugh. "I see you've brought a few friends along, as well. Agumon, Gabumon, do give my regards to Tai and Matt. I'm sure they're anxious to meet me. Then again, considering the fact that you won't be leaving here any time soon, I guess that won't really be possible, will it."
"I don't think my partner's going to have too many nice things to say to you when he does finally come to the Digital World, especially considering the fact that he probably isn't too happy about the way you've been treating his nephews," Gabumon said quietly.
"Tai, too," Agumon added.
DarkAngelicmon smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "What a shame. I think Matt Ishida and I would have gotten along quite well, don't you agree, Ryoko?"
"Are you kidding me? You'll be lucky if my dad doesn't turn you into data himself for what you've done to Mickey and Matty!"
"He's right, DarkAngelicmon. That Ishida death glare can be deadly!" Dai laughed.
"No wonder Ryoko has so much potential."
"What did you say about me?" Ryoko snapped, glaring at the fallen angel.
DarkAngelicmon laughed and fluttered his dark wings. "I do like you, Ryoko Ishida. I think even Vampiramon would consider you to be a useful human pet!"
Mickey quickly grabbed onto Alopemon before the rookie could attack the fallen angel, and he laid a hand on his cousin's arm in case Ryoko had any similar ideas. He could feel the golden-haired Digidestined's anger simmering like a volcano about to erupt, but at the moment he only had eyes for DarkAngelicmon. Although the fallen angel was smiling, there was something about his expression that seemed a little odd. It was hard to believe, but DarkAngelicmon's bright green eyes did not have their usual sparkle and his smile appeared to be a bit forced. As usual, he was firing off a series of clever jokes and stinging remarks, but the words did not have their usual finesse. It was almost as if he had lost some of his spirit, and Mickey could not help noticing the fact that the fallen angel had not once looked in his direction.
What's going on? Why is DarkAngelicmon acting like I don't even exist? It's almost as if he's trying to avoid making eye contact with me, and the same seems to be true in my dad's case. It's like he's purposely trying to avoid having to acknowledge us in any way. Is it because of what happened earlier?
"Well, Leomon, I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting before. Tell me, how did you manage to sneak inside the castle?" DarkAngelicmon asked curiously.
Leomon pulled out his sword and pointed it at the fallen angel. "Let's just say my friends and I didn't have that many obstacles to overcome when we arrived earlier this afternoon. You really should have left a few more guards outside. Any digimon could have walked right in without too much effort!"
"I see your point. I would take the blame myself, but if you want to know the truth, I'm tired of having to make excuses for Spritemon's stupidity. Only she could find a way to try and ruin my plans twice in the same day. Wait, make that three times, or maybe it's up to four now..."
"Will you quit yacking and start capturing some humans?" Spritemon snapped, her cheeks turning a dark shade of red. "You're to blame just as much as I am!"
"You're both starting to get on my nerves," Ogremon muttered. "Hey, Leomon, let's knock them out and get out of here!"
"Good day to you too, Ogremon," DarkAngelicmon smirked. "You don't seem very happy to see me. What a shame. I was looking forward to meeting you, but obviously the feeling isn't mutual. You, at least, should have been able to understand my master's thirst for world domination. Speaking of my master, how is he?"
"He's still alive, but not for long if I have anything to say about it! Vampiramon and the rest of your buddies were sitting around doing nothing the last time we saw them."
DarkAngelicmon glanced at Spritemon, and his emerald green eyes narrowed into a frown. After a moment of silence, the fallen angel slowly turned back to Ogremon and gave the virus digimon an accusing look. "How did you manage to get out of the forest without confronting my master?"
"You can thank Jackie and Andromon for that!"
"How so?"
"Like we're going to tell you!" Agumon shot back.
DarkAngelicmon ignored the rookie and turned his attention to Gennai. "Leaving so soon, are you?"
"As much as I've enjoyed your hospitality, DarkAngelicmon, I think it's time I relieved you of my presence. Give Vampiramon my regards. I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear the news about the Digidestineds' successful attempt to rescue me!"
"How dare you speak to us like that!" Spritemon snarled, tugging angrily on her long, dark green ponytail. "You have a lot of nerve if you think you can escape from here without getting captured by our guards. See what I mean, Daichi? I have plenty to spare!"
"And they're all about as useless as the ones who attacked us earlier."
"You're pretty cocky for a puny little human!"
"Is that supposed to be some sort of an insult? You're even shorter than I am!"
"Has anyone ever told you you have a big mouth?"
"Enough," DarkAngelicmon scolded, his hand coming to rest lightly on Spritemon's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Gennai, but I cannot allow you to leave just yet. I do believe the two of us were finally starting to understand each other, and I would like to continue our conversation whether you would wish it or not, but first I have a question for your counterpart."
"What could you possibly want to ask me?" Benjamin said quietly.
DarkAngelicmon stepped closer to the robed figure and held out his hand. "Give it to me."
"What?"
"I saw the light coming from the thing in your hand. What is it, Benjamin? What are you hiding from me?"
"A gift, but I doubt you'll have any use for it."
DarkAngelicmon placed a thoughtful finger against his lips and motioned for SkullMeramon to join him.
"What is it, my lord?"
"SkullMeramon, what is Benjamin holding?"
The flaming digimon scratched his head and shrugged his broad shoulders. "Um...well...I'm not really sure, my lord. The light coming from the thing in his hand was so bright I could barely see a thing. It was small and round, though, and it looked like it was glowing."
Mickey's heart sank as DarkAngelicmon's eyes filled with sudden understanding, and he bit his lip. Uh-oh, we're in big trouble now! He knows about Azulongmon's Digicores, and there's no way he's going to let one slip out of his grasp without a fight!
"My lord, is something wrong?" one of the Roachmon asked anxiously.
DarkAngelicmon shook his head and gazed eagerly at Benjamin. "A Digicore! You have one of Azulongmon's Digicores!"
Benjamin slowly began to back up, but before he could get very far, DarkAngelicmon grabbed the Watcher's wrist and began to tug on his robe. "Give it to me! Give it to me right now!"
"No!" Benjamin yanked his arm out of the fallen angel's grasp and pulled the Digicore out of his robe before the evil champion had a chance to recover. DarkAngelicmon tried to make another grab for it, but the thing suddenly exploded with light. The glowing beams hit the fallen angel directly in the chest, and without so much as a gasp, he collapsed onto the ground in a swirl of dark feathers.
Mickey clapped a hand over his mouth in horror and stared at the fallen angel in shock. DarkAngelicmon's eyes were closed, and he was lying a bit awkwardly on his side. One of his dark wings was trapped underneath his body, and his raven hair was spread out around his head like a pool of dark ink. Although he appeared to be unconscious, it did not look as if he had sustained any major injuries. Unlike BlackGatomon, the light had not burned his skin at all and the expression on his face was peaceful.
Could it be? Is there really some good left in him after all?
"Benjamin, you fool! What have you done?" Spritemon shrieked, throwing herself at the fallen angel and pulling his head into her lap.
Benjamin covered the Digicore with his hand and stared at the fallen angel in surprise. "I...I don't know. He's..."
"Fine," Gennai said quietly, his sapphire eyes travelling over the fallen angel's pale face. "He'll be just fine."
Spritemon ignored the robed figure and turned to vent her anger on SkullMeramon. "Why didn't you warn us about the light?"
"You never gave me a chance to!"
"What do you want us to do now, my lady?" a second Roachmon said timidly.
Spritemon sent Dai a look of utter hatred and let out a loud shriek. "Attack! All of you, kill the digimon and bring the humans to the dungeons!"
"What about the Digicore?" SkullMeramon asked hesitantly.
"Bring it to me!"
All of the guards must have heard the evil mega's screams because they raised their fists in acknowledgement and began to either climb down the castle's walls using ropes or, if they could fly, used their wings to dive towards the ground. Large groups of guards began to pour out of the entrances to the castle, and Mickey found himself gazing at an army larger than anything he could have ever imagined.
"We have to get out of here now!" Ken said sharply.
Dai nodded and his Digivice began to glow brightly in his hand. "Embermon, digivolve now!"
"Right! Embermon digivolve to, Dragermon!"
"Let's go!" Davis shouted, leaping onto Dragermon and pulling his son up behind him.
"Where do you think you're going?" Spritemon shrieked, leaping to her feet and nearly stepping on DarkAngelicmon's raven hair.
"Hurry, everyone, I'll hold them off!" Benjamin called out, uncovering the Digicore and pointing it at the large army of evil digimon.
Spritemon, SkullMeramon, the Roachmon, and the garbage can digimon quickly backed up, and the rest of the digimon either paused on the ground or hovered warily in the air. All of them were trying to shield their eyes from the light, and many of them were visibly flinching away from the bright glow. Once again, the guards were providing a perfect opportunity for escape.
"Mickey, hurry up!"
Mickey turned at the sound of his brother's voice and gasped when he realized all of his friends, including the adults and all of the rookie digimon, were already settled on Dragermon's back. All of them were waving frantically to him, but he ignored them and turned to stare at the dark feathers scattered all over the ground around DarkAngelicmon's unconscious body.
"MagnaAngemon, Gabrielmon, Angelicmon, bring Mickey here right now!" he heard his father cry frantically.
"Mickey, come on!" Matty screamed at him.
Gabrielmon and the other aerial digimon had been keeping an eye on the large army in order to give Benjamin a chance to climb onto Dragermon's back, but at T.K.'s words, the three angels immediately abandoned their positions and began to sail towards the ground.
"Mickey, what are you doing?" Gabrielmon gasped, landing next to him and trying to grab his arm.
Angelicmon and MagnaAngemon also reached out towards him, but he squirmed away from all three of them and raced towards DarkAngelicmon.
"Mickey, come back!" Angelicmon cried.
No, not yet! Just a little bit longer...
Mickey reached the fallen angel's side, and bending down, he snatched one of the virus digimon's dark feathers off the ground. Leaning over, he pulled DarkAngelicmon's head into his arms and pressed his face close to the fallen angel's ear. "I'll be back. I promise."
"Mickey!"
Mickey felt himself being pulled into Gabrielmon's arms, and he buried his face against his partner's shoulder. Gabrielmon silently flew him over to Dragermon, and the other two angel's followed close behind. Benjamin still had the Digicore pointed at the guards, but all of them, including Spritemon, appeared to have gotten over their initial shock and were slowly heading towards Dragermon.
If we don't leave now, we're going to be surrounded.
Mickey clung tightly to his digimon's shoulders and let out a sigh of relief when Gabrielmon lowered him onto Dragermon's back. Matty and his father immediately crowded around him, and he winced as Matty shook him hard by the shoulders. "Mickey, have you completely lost your mind? When Mom finds out what went on here, you're going to be grounded for sure!"
"I'm sorry, Matty. I..."
Matty glared at him and pulled him into a tight hug. "You're lucky you're my brother otherwise I would seriously consider giving you a black eye right about now!"
Mickey clutched DarkAngelicmon's feather tightly in his hand and turned slowly towards his father. "Dad, I..."
His father stared at him for a long moment, and he gasped when his dad suddenly pulled Matty and himself into a tight grip. The man never said a word, but he held them close to his heart and rested his cheek against the tops of there heads.
"You're lucky to be alive, Mickey!" Gabrielmon snapped before turning away and flying off to join the others. Angelicmon and MagnaAngemon merely shook their heads before fluttering off to join their angry companion. Gabrielmon's bright blue eyes were filled with anger, and the current look on his face clearly stated he was not at all impressed by what had happened. Great, now everyone's mad at me, even my own partner...
"Let's go, Dragermon!" Dai shouted.
The large champion leaped into the air, and Mickey sighed in relief as the guards began to grow smaller beneath them. He could still see DarkAngelicmon's body lying on the ground, but he looked away before the others could realize what he was staring at and gently ran his fingers over the dark feather in his hand. He did not care what anyone else said. To him, the black feather was still a symbol of hope, and he would hold onto it until the day DarkAngelicmon became whole again.