Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: The Lucemon chapter is complete and I'm dedicating it to all Lucemon fans out there! Now, my next chapter will most likely be a couple weeks from now because I'm posting another chapter for my Kingdom Hearts story, but it is on the way! Totally off topic, but a few of you have asked me what my theories are with regards to the new Kingdom Hearts game. Just so you all know, I've started a Kingdom Hearts forum and I have posted my entire theory there. It's er...interesting to say the least! The forum is called 'The Realm of Light and Darkness'. Check it out!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 126: Fallen From Grace

Lucemon

Server, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

Even now the darkness mocks me, and no matter how hard I try to run from the past, I cannot seem to escape my fate. Maybe Daemon was right. Maybe I am a monster. The light of the Digital World is fading, and I have no one to blame but myself. I was a fool and a coward to think I could change things by casting aside an old friend, and if that's not enough, I deliberately abandoned the Ruler of Darkness, which has only made him even more determined to plunge the Digital World into darkness. Luciamon and I both believed we could not save our friend without some help, and in order for that to happen, we needed to find a way to separate ourselves from our former master. We had no choice. We had to leave. No. I am only making excuses for myself. If I had stayed by my friend's side, maybe none of this would have happened. If only...if only I wasn't so afraid to confront him. I could have done something to change his mind, but instead of facing the truth, I'll I've been doing is running from the one digimon who needs me the most...

"Lucemon? Are you going to be okay? I'm sorry I wasn't able to bring you some good news for a change, but it's getting harder and harder to find something I'd consider to be worth a few smiles. I know how much you care about DarkAngelicmon, and I'm...I'm sorry about Luciamon..."

I never wanted to join the Ruler of Darkness, but I did it because I knew my old friend had already made up his mind. He would not listen to reason, and it was the only way I could stay close to him. I never should have left. If I had stayed, he never would have let Spritemon destroy our friend. Luciamon, I can't believe you're really gone...

Lucemon smiled sadly at the dark sky looming above the continent of Server and brushed a stray strand of pale blond hair out of his icy blue eyes. A gentle breeze rustled his wings and the long grass brushing lightly against his bare legs, but he barely even noticed. Luciamon was dead, and the mournful sound of the waves crashing against the cliff where he stood overlooking the ocean made her absence even more real to him than if he had witnessed her death himself.

"Lucemon?"

Luciamon's dead because of me. I should have gone with her, but instead of trying to help my friends, all I did was abandon them. And for what? I haven't even been able to find Azulongmon, which means Luciamon died for nothing.

He had tried to talk her out of it, of course, but she had insisted it was the only way. Before he could even process what was happening, Luciamon had left to seek out the Digidestined, rescue Gennai, and on top of all of that, she had been determined to find out exactly what DarkAngelicmon and the Ruler of Darkness were planning. Somehow during that conversation, he had ended up with the task of searching for Azulongmon, and almost before he knew it, the two of them were saying goodbye before proceeding on a quest that would take them to opposite ends of the Digital World. Luciamon had insisted they would need help from the Guardian of the Eastern Hemisphere, as well, in order to stop the Ruler of Darkness, but so far the large dragon digimon had eluded him, and despite the need to keep searching, he knew he was on the verge of giving up.

DarkAngelicmon must have requested Luciamon's help and sent someone to search for her. Obviously she let herself be found because I don't see how else she could have been invited into the castle and stayed on DarkAngelicmon's good side without causing our fallen friend to become suspicious. And yet, DarkAngelicmon's timing couldn't have been more perfect, since Luciamon had been planning on entering the castle with or without our friend's help. She had to find a way in in order to help Gennai and the Digidestined.

"Lucemon, please don't be sad. I know it might not seem like it right now, but there's still hope. Luciamon won't be gone forever. One day she'll come back, and when she does, I'm sure she'll want to hear all about how we helped the Digidestined save DarkAngelicmon."

Despite his efforts to remain cheerful, Lucemon could not stop himself from letting out a small sigh of despair. After a moment of silence, he turned to look at the little mega digimon hovering beside him and managed a faint smile. "I'm sorry, MarineAngemon, but I cannot see the light when there is darkness hovering all around me. I do not want to believe it, but...it looks as if I've lost both of my friends now..."

MarineAngemon floated slowly into his outstretched hands and gave him a disapproving look. "That's not true! You know as well as I do Luciamon will be reborn at Primary Village, and DarkAngelicmon...he..."

"What is it, MarineAngemon?"

"Do you think DarkAngelicmon is going to be okay? I mean...the light from the Digicore knocked him unconscious. You know I didn't actually see it myself, but I heard the Digidestined talking about it. That's how I found out about Luciamon."

"I know. I regret hearing the news you've given me, but you did not leave anything out and for that I am grateful. I'd much rather hear the truth from a friend instead of from some passing digimon long after events have already moved forward."

In order to compensate for Luciamon's rash actions, Lucemon had sent MarineAngemon to the Western Hemisphere in his place, and although the little mega had been eager to fulfill his request, the plan had been doomed to fail right from the very beginning. MarineAngemon's only task had been to watch out for Luciamon and make sure she returned safely to the Eastern Hemisphere, along with Gennai and the Digidestined. Once that part of the plan had been complete, Luciamon would then have had a chance to tell them everything she had learned about DarkAngelicmon and the Ruler of Darkness. On top of that, he would have had a chance to meet Gennai and the Digidestined, and that would have given him the opportunity to tell them the truth about DarkAngelicmon, but more importantly, he would have finally had a chance to help them defeat the Ruler of Darkness. Luciamon, of course, had not known about his plan to have MarineAngemon follow her to DarkAngelicmon's castle because he knew she would have been annoyed with him if she had discovered the little mega's presence, which was why he had decided to keep his plan a secret. Also, by that time the two of them had already gone their separate ways so there was no way he could have told her ahead of time, even if he had wanted to.

MarineAngemon was supposed to have kept himself hidden and watched the female angel from a distance during her time in the castle, but unfortunately the little mega had never made it that far. Instead, MarineAngemon had ended up getting stuck in the forest trying to hide from Vampiramon's scouts, and despite his size, the little mega had almost been caught several times while making an attempt to move towards the castle. In the end, MarineAngemon was forced to retreat towards the shore, but thankfully he had not left the Western Hemisphere empty-handed. MarineAngemon had managed to learn a lot about what Leomon's group had been planning from the digimon hiding in the forest, and luckily he had ended up stumbling upon the Digidestined while the large group of humans and digimon were waiting for Whamon at the gate. It was then the little mega had learned of Luciamon's fate and discovered the truth about what had happened within and around the castle's stone walls.

The only reason we even knew the Digidestined were planning to find the crests and rescue Gennai on Cyber is because Luciamon heard Agumon's group talking about it on File Island. All of the good things that have happened are because of her...

"You don't think Azulongmon's Digicore hurt DarkAngelicmon, do you? Gennai kept insisting your friend was still alive, but...I'm not so sure."

Lucemon felt the little pink mega snuggle against his palm, and turning to face the ocean again, he held MarineAngemon tightly against his chest and waved his left hand in the direction of the Western Hemisphere. "He's alive, MarineAngemon. I can feel him, even at this distance."

"Well, that's a relief. Maybe we would be able to save him if he were reconfigured, but I know that's not what you want."

"There must be another way. Even if he were to die and be reborn at Primary Village, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll automatically become a vaccine digimon or even a good virus digimon. He might even come back as an evil digimon if the Digidestined are unsuccessful in their efforts to save him, though that rarely ever happens. We won't really know until he reaches his champion or rookie form. Besides, the process of reconfiguration is a little...different for evil digimon. Who knows what might happen? Yes, he would have a chance to start over, but that won't mean anything if he allows himself to be tempted by evil yet again. I don't want history to repeat itself..."

"Neither do I. And besides, reconfiguration is only a little...different for truly evil digimon."

"MarineAngemon, I'm such a fool. I came here to search for Azulongmon at Luciamon's request because I believed he could help us, but so far all of my efforts have left me empty-handed. If Azulongmon really is here, then it's clear to me he does not want to be found, which means my search has been in vain. If I had gone with Luciamon, maybe things would have turned out differently, but I suppose there's no use dwelling on what might have been."

"It's not like Luciamon ever listened to you anyways. At least, that's the impression I got when you told me all about what the two of you were planning. She was every bit as stubborn as DarkAngelicmon!"

Lucemon bowed his head in acknowledgement and gave the little mega a gentle smile. "I will not deny the truth in what you've said, but still...I should have tried to protect her. It was terrible enough when I left my best friend behind to fulfill a promise I seem destined to break, but with Luciamon gone, now I've lost everything..."

"Not yet, you haven't!"

"Huh?"

MarineAngemon smiled shyly at him and turned to gaze at the pale blue moon shining brightly over the ocean. "You still have me. If you had never come to Server, the two of us might not have had a chance to meet each other. My only regret is that I never got the opportunity to meet Luciamon, as well. Maybe you didn't find Azulongmon, but you did find me, and considering what's been going on lately, I think it's pretty safe to say loyal friends are hard to come by these days."

"You're right, MarineAngemon. The two of us haven't really known each other for very long, but despite that you're still one of my best friends. That's why I have to apologize for sending you to the Western Hemisphere. The continent of Cyber is a dangerous place at the moment, and I'm sure it's only going to get worse. I never would have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you, especially if you had ended up losing your life because of me. I seem to have a bad habit of putting my friends' lives in danger lately."

"Luciamon put her own life in danger, not you. It was her choice, and she gave up her life to help the Digidestined. We cannot fault her for that, and you cannot blame yourself for it either. Lucemon, the reason I went to the Western Hemisphere in the first place was because I wanted to help you. I would have gone anyway, even if you hadn't asked me to. Do you know why? It's because that's what friends do. I told you I would come back in one piece and here I am right in front of you. I...I wanted to reveal myself to the Digidestined, but I wasn't sure if that would have been the right thing to do at the time. Now I can't help wondering if maybe I had made a mistake..."

Lucemon gave his little friend a warm hug and gently fluttered his wings. "I wish I could reassure you, but even I don't know what we should do anymore. It's strange, but I thought for sure Gabrielmon, MagnaAngemon, or Angelicmon would have sensed your presence in the forest, even if you are quite small."

"Well, despite my name, I'm technically not an angel digimon. That's why they weren't able to sense me."

"You're right. I'm sorry, MarineAngemon, but sometimes I forget. There are times when you act more like a celestial digimon than I do."

"Really? You think so?" MarineAngemon beamed at him and let out a musical laugh. "Well, I've always been different from other MarineAngemon. For one thing, I talk a lot more, and that alone makes me very unusual! Still, even if I were an angel digimon, I don't think Gabrielmon and the others would have noticed my presence because they were distracted by Luciamon's death. As a result, they weren't paying close enough attention to their surroundings. Gabrielmon was also quite upset with his human partner at the time, so even if you had been the one hiding in the forest instead of me, I don't think they would have noticed you either. Celestial digimon have a tendency to let things slip by them unnoticed when their minds are preoccupied. If I had been an angel digimon, and they had been watching the forest closely, they would have felt me. After all, I was close enough to hear exactly what they were saying, though I had to strain my ears to listen. Normally, an angel digimon can only sense the presence of another celestial being when they're pretty close by, but for some reason it's different with you and DarkAngelicmon."

Lucemon nodded slowly and gazed thoughtfully at his bare feet. "I've always been able to sense DarkAngelicmon, even when we're on opposite sides of the Digital World, and I think it's because we share some sort of special connection. I can't tell you where he is exactly, but I know he's out there somewhere, and I know he can sense me, too. He probably knows I'm on Server, but he wouldn't know exactly where on this large continent I've been hiding all this time. It was the same with Luciamon. I think the range in which celestial digimon can sense each other is based on how close they are concerning distance and how much they mean to one another. I hope my connection to Gabrielmon and Angelicmon will one day be as strong as the one I shared with Luciamon and still share with DarkAngelicmon. You see, MarineAngemon? In the end, I guess you really didn't need to tell me about Luciamon's fate. I knew the minute she died because I could no longer feel her presence, but I guess I just didn't want to admit it to myself. I kept hoping I was wrong..."

"I'm so sorry, Lucemon, but...there's something else I wanted to tell you. Gabrielmon and his celestial friends are beginning to sense DarkAngelicmon's presence more strongly with each passing day. You know what that means, don't you?"

Lucemon let out a soft gasp and slowly lifted his head. "He is beginning to let them into his heart!"

"You see?" MarineAngemon said shyly. "There's still hope. Besides, you can still feel DarkAngelicmon's presence as strongly as you did when the two of you were best friends, which means you're still in his heart, too!"

Lucemon beamed at the little digimon in his hands and fluttered into the air with a big smile on his face. "Thank you, MarineAngemon. You have given me a reason to smile again, but...there is still a long road ahead of us."

"Maybe, but if DarkAngelicmon is allowing Gabrielmon and Angelicmon to grow closer to him then that means he's allowing their human partners to enter his heart, as well."

Makiya and Masato Takaishi. They are my only hope, but how can I ask them for help when they do not deserve my trust? Besides, I could not live with myself if anything ever happened to them because of me...

"Lucemon, I...I'm the one who should be apologizing," MarineAngemon said miserably, avoiding his eyes. "You wanted me to watch over Luciamon, but I...I failed you. If I had made it to DarkAngelicmon's castle, maybe she would still be alive."

"Don't blame yourself, MarineAngemon. You did what you could, and that is all I can ask of you."

According to the Digidestined, DarkAngelicmon knows I am no longer working for the Ruler of Darkness. He probably believes Luciamon and I have betrayed him.

There were many reasons why he had run from the Ruler of Darkness, but the one thing that had frightened him the most was the path his master had set for him.

My dear Lucemon, you cannot change your fate. This is your destiny. With your power, the two of us can plunge the Digital World into darkness. Continue to fight with me and I will reward you for your efforts...

Even now, Lucemon could still hear the words echoing in his mind, and the sound of his master's voice caused a shiver to race down his spine.

No! I will never be a Demon Lord! Never! He's only using DarkAngelicmon and the others to get to me! I know it in my heart, but what can I do to change things? DarkAngelicmon truly believes I'm his enemy. He hates me, and nothing will stop him from believing Luciamon and I are traitors...

"MarineAngemon, I...I've never met a human before. Do you think they're really as nice as the stories make them out to be?"

MarineAngemon suddenly squirmed out of his arms and happily flew around him in a circle. "I didn't get a chance to watch the Digidestined for very long, but...you should have seen the way they acted towards their partners. They have amazing respect for digimon, and I know they will do whatever they can to save our world. Even the digimon who don't belong with them were treated the way friends are supposed to be treated. Embermon and the others really care about the humans, as well. That's why Gabrielmon was so angry at Mickey for putting himself in danger."

Makiya Takaishi. The Child of Innocence. He put his life in danger to save my friend. Luciamon heard Gennai call him by that name. It must be important. No, I know it's important, and luckily Luciamon found that out before Gennai was captured. I have a feeling I know what it means, and if I'm right, then Mickey might be able to do what I could not. I do not deserve that kind of loyalty. Will he still feel the same way when he finds out about my past? How could he ever care for a digimon who's destined to fall into darkness...

"Lucemon, Mickey and the others are going to like you. How can they not care for a digimon who's as loving and nice as you are?"

Lucemon slowly settled himself on the ground, and kneeling in the long grass, he gave his little friend a sad smile. "I...I've never had very many friends. Do you really believe I can find a way into their hearts?"

"Don't throw this chance away, Lucemon. They'll save DarkAngelicmon, and they'll save you, too."

The fate of all digimon lies in the hands of friendship, but without the light of the humans, there is no hope...

"What will you do, Lucemon?" MarineAngemon asked, hovering anxiously in front of his face. "Will you go to File Island or continue your search for Azulongmon?"

Lucemon wrapped his arms around himself and gazed thoughtfully at the dark sky. "I will think on it tonight. My answer alone may decide the fate of the Digital World."

"Don't take too long, okay?"

Somewhere across the ocean lay File Island, and beyond that the Western Hemisphere. So many choices, and yet his answer had to be clear before he could set out on another journey. And yet, despite common sense, he longed to find his old friend and fix the rift between them. Everything could be traced back to the moment DarkAngelicmon had let himself be deceived, and now the entire Digital World was suffering for it.

Your allies and enemies alike call you DarkAngelicmon, and yet, that wasn't always your name. How? How did it all come to this? Oh, my dear friend Angelicmon. What have you done?