Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Yes, I'm finally back, and I promise we get to some really good chapters once we're past the talks going on in the Motomiya residence. Enjoy! As for me, I'm off to catch up on all the stories I'm trying to read!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 156: The Digital Reserve Team

Davis Motomiya

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

"Unbelievable," Ami murmured, smiling slightly and shaking her head in disbelief. "Completely unbelievable."

I should probably be surprised, too, but...really, I'm not. Of course Ami would have been considered a candidate for saving the Digital World. She's so much like Dai, only...I think she'd probably be a bit more careful than her brother if she found herself stuck in a dangerous situation, though I have to admit, Dai is definitely not as bad as I used to be. Both of my kids usually act a little more sensible than I normally did when I was young. I bet they got that from Noriko.

Davis smiled at the thought, but instead of commenting on Ami's obvious surprise, he merely got to his feet and moved over to sit behind his daughter, his hand coming up to ruffle her dark hair.

"I know what you mean, Ami," Noah said softly, moving over to sit next to his cousin and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I can hardly believe it myself. To think we could have been Digidestined..."

To think you could still be Digidestined...

Davis was about to put his thoughts into words, but before he could open his mouth, Ami suddenly turned to look at Noah, and gazing directly into her cousin's deep brown eyes, she reached out and flung her arms around him in a tight hug. "You know what, Noah? When we first found out about Dai and the others, I admit I couldn't help wondering why they were chosen over us. After all, I have the same parents as Dai, and Miya has the same parents as Sam. Your dad, too, is a Digidestined, so it's not like Dai and his friends have any kind of an advantage over us. Also, Miya and I are older and more mature than our younger siblings, so wouldn't it have made more sense for us to be chosen instead?"

"Hey!" Dai shouted, leaping to his feet and plopping down on the carpet next to his sister. "You and Miya aren't any more mature than the rest of us. Sometimes you act younger than I do!"

Rolling her eyes, Ami made a face, and reaching out her hand, she slapped her brother lightly on the back of his head. "I just mean we've been around longer so we've had more time to gain wisdom and experience in life. Basically, we've had a few more years to learn how to handle tough situations and to overcome the many obstacles that block the path we've committed ourselves to follow. That's why, logically, Noah, Miya, and I would be better able to help ourselves and our friends reach the goals we've set to accomplish whatever it is we're trying to achieve."

"Whatever, you're only a year older than me!" Dai grumbled.

"You're so dumb, Dai. Don't you get it? That's why the most sensible answer isn't always the best answer. At first I couldn't understand why I wasn't chosen, but now it all makes sense. It's not just about having parents who were also chosen to be Digidestined. There's so much more to it than that. I'm not afraid to admit it. At first, I was a bit jealous, especially since being a Digidestined would have meant having a digimon partner of my very own, but now I feel better knowing that I wasn't completely disregarded."

"Same here," Noah mumbled.

"Ami, Noah...Wow, I...I never knew you felt that way," Ryoko said quietly, gazing uncertainly at his feet.

"Why didn't you guys ever say anything?" Dai asked curiously.

Noah shrugged his shoulders and gave his younger cousin a sheepish smile. "Well, I guess it's because we didn't want you guys to feel guilty. After all, it's not your fault the rest of us weren't chosen to join you as members of the Digidestined."

"Maybe, but still...we're um...we're really sorry," Takara said meekly, avoiding Noah's dark eyes.

Bursting into giggles, Ami motioned for Takara to join them, and as soon as the female Digidestined sat down next to Dai, Ami reached out and gave her a quick squeeze. "Don't worry about it, Kara. Like I said, I feel better now knowing I wasn't completely overlooked. You guys were chosen for a good reason, I see that now. It might be a bit confusing, though Gennai did do a good job of explaining things in a way we could fully understand, but I think maybe not knowing the full answer is the way things are supposed to be. I doubt we'll ever have all the answers, but...maybe it's better that way. Even Gennai doesn't know everything about the Digital World. Some of what he told you was merely a bunch of guesswork, though his theories do have a strange habit of turning out to be more than just speculation."

"Maybe..."

"You have a big heart, Kara," Ami said softly. "No wonder Dai likes you so much."

"Ami!" Dai shouted, his cheeks turning bright red.

"What?"

"For once in your life could you please keep your mouth shut? What do you know anyway?"

"More than you, obviously," Ami snorted, looking amused.

"What are you guys talking about?" Tai asked, frowning suspiciously at Dai.

"Uh...nothing."

"Right," Ami giggled.

"Didn't I tell you to keep your mouth shut?"

"Whatever, Dai. I'm not completely blind, you know."

"No, you're just really stupid, which is even worse."

Beside Ami, Takara was frowning in confusion, and even though her cheeks had turned the same colour as Dai's face, oddly enough she didn't seem to have noticed that the goggle-headed leader hadn't even denied Ami's words. If anything, by arguing with Ami, he was making himself look even more guilty of the one thing he didn't have the courage to fully admit yet, even to himself.

I wonder why Kara can't see just how much Dai cares about her, especially since she obviously feels the same way about him. Who knows? Maybe it's because she doesn't want any false hopes. Whatever the case, I don't think it's anything to worry about. They still have plenty of time to sort out their feelings. Maybe in the future...if Tai has no objections!

"What have I told you two about arguing?" Noriko scolded, glaring at her children.

"And why don't I believe you?" Tai said dryly, his dark eyes studying Dai's guilty face.

For a moment Dai seemed to wilt under the former leader's intense gaze, but his uncertainty didn't last long. Almost immediately, he lifted his chin, and straightening his shoulders, he gazed directly into Tai's eyes, his lips twitching into a small smile. "I told you, we're not talking about anything and there's nothing going on. At least, not yet."

"What?" Takara gasped, her mouth dropping open in surprise.

Before either Daichi or Tai could respond, T.K. suddenly leaned around Matt and his twin sons and poked Ami gently in the shoulder, his bright blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, Ami, just because you're not a Digidestined right now doesn't mean you won't get your chance eventually. Don't you remember what Gennai told us?"

"Yes, I remember, but...I don't really want to get my hopes up in case it turns out the Digital World doesn't need any more Digidestined to help defeat the Ruler of Darkness."

"I wouldn't count on that," Matty snorted.

"It's just so hard to believe," Noah murmured. "To think we might still have a chance..."

"Do we? Do we really? I mean, Gennai wasn't lying or making things up, was he?" Ami asked anxiously. "It's really true, what he said, isn't it?"

Izzy raised his eyebrows, and shaking his head in amusement, he quickly gave Ami a reassuring smile. "Of course it's true. Gennai would never lie to us. If, by chance, we find ourselves unable to defeat the Ruler of Darkness without the help of more Digidestined, I have no doubt you, Miya, and Noah will be called to help us save the Digital World. Out of all the other potential candidates, you three would be the most likely choice. After all, you all share many of the same qualities that allowed Dai and the others to become Digidestined, and on top of that you already know what's going on in the Digital World, which definitely makes things easier on the rest of us. Of course, the Digital World itself is the force that truly decides, so who knows what might happen?"

"If anyone deserves a chance, it's you three," Jun said firmly.

Noah beamed at his mother, but a moment later his smile faded and he turned to gaze thoughtfully at the computer screen. "I wonder how Miya will feel about all of this. She doesn't know yet..."

"She doesn't know she still might at least have a chance to be a Digidestined," Ami said quietly. "I mean...not that I want things to get so bad in the Digital World that we'd have to be called..."

Davis stared at his daughter in surprise, and before he could stop himself he started to laugh, her guilty expression bringing a smile to his face. "Don't worry about it, Ami. I'm sure Dai and the others would have felt the same way if they had been in your place, and so would I for that matter. We know you'd never want anything bad to happen to the Digital World."

"Davis is right. I would have been disappointed, too, if I were you," Mickey said shyly.

Ami shrugged her shoulders and gave the older twin a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mickey. It's just...I know Miya was also a little disappointed about not getting a chance to have a digimon partner of her own..."

"Right now, I think Miya is more concerned about Sam than she is about being a Digidestined," Goldmon said sadly.

Ami nodded in agreement and a soft sigh escaped her lips. "I know. That's why I want to tell her about everything we've learned. I was hoping it might cheer her up a bit. I'm sure it would make her happy to know we weren't forgotten, especially if it means we might still get our own digimon partners, even if our chances could be considered pretty slim."

"I don't know about that," Ryoko muttered. "If you ask me your chances are looking pretty good right about now."

"I think, like Goldmon said, in order for Miya to be happy, Ken and Sam will need to work out their problems first," Matty said glumly. "Don't get me wrong, I know we don't know for sure whether or not Sam will reject Ken, but considering the way he was acting earlier, I'd say we're making a pretty safe guess."

"I know," Ami mumbled, "but I still can't help hoping..."

"Wait, there's still one thing I don't understand and it's really bugging me," Ema suddenly interrupted, turning to look at her brother. "How come I was never considered a potential Digidestined, but you were? How fair is that? And what about Tay, Taniko, and Kenzo? Don't they deserve to be Digidestined, too?"

"Of course they do," Izzy said mildly, the look on his face suggesting he was trying very hard not to smile.

"Well, then why-"

"I don't know, Ema, maybe it has something to do with the fact that you and the others weren't even born when the rest of us were getting our data scanned," Noah said sarcastically. "Weren't you paying attention at all?"

"Oh right...that would make sense, wouldn't it."

"It's still not fair. The Digital World might be a scary place, but it's worth it if you get to meet a new friend," Taysuke said thoughtfully, blushing slightly. "I...I think I would like to have a Digimon partner."

"Me too," Taniko sighed.

"Me, as well," Kenzo murmured.

Ryoko studied Taysuke's face for a moment, and despite the misery sparkling in his sapphire eyes, he somehow managed to give the younger boy a reassuring smile. "Don't give up now. You never know. One day you might have your chance. The Digital World is always going to need Digidestined."

"As scary as that actually is, it's true," DemiEmbermon said cheerfully.

"Really, you think so?" Taysuke gasped.

Ryoko nodded seriously and put a hand on Taysuke's shoulder. "You would make a great Digidestined, Tay."

"Really?"

"Definitely."

Taysuke's face turned an even darker shade of red, but instead of responding he merely smiled shyly at Ryoko and quickly lowered his eyes to the carpet.

"As much as we don't want any of you kids to be in danger, there's no doubt you would all make great Digidestined," Sora said quietly. "If that ever happens, we're just going to have to accept it."

"Even if it makes us worry even more," Noriko moaned. "It's bad enough I already have to worry about one of my children, but it'll be even worse if I end up having to worry about both of them."

"But...I want to be a Digidestined now!" Ema complained.

"You, we could do without," Dai snorted.

"Hey! I'll get my chance, just you wait! I'll make it happen somehow, no matter what!"

"Ema, there's no point in getting worked up about it," Kenzo said hesitantly. "I mean, we don't even know for sure if-"

"I'm going to be a Digidestined no matter what!" Ema shouted, ignoring Kenzo. "Just you wait, Dai! Nothing is going to stop me!"

Dai stared at his female cousin and quickly edged closer to Noah. "You're scary sometimes, you know that?"

"What did you say?"

"Uh...nothing.""

"That was not nothing!"

Instead of answering, Dai turned to look at his sister and punched her lightly on the arm. "Hey, Ami, if it's any consolation, I think you'd make a pretty cool Digidestined."

"You think so?"

"Well, as much as I hate to admit it, you're pretty tough. We could use someone like you on the team."

Much to the goggle-headed leader's surprise, Ami suddenly flung her arms around his neck and gave him a quick squeeze. "Thanks, Dai. And just so you know, I think you make a pretty cool leader."

"You're stupid, Ami," Dai mumbled, but despite his words he looked pleased and he even returned his sister's hug.

"Well, now that Ema's done complaining, we have more important things to talk about," Taniko snorted, dismissing the younger girl with a wave of her hand.

"Like what?" Palelymon asked curiously.

"Like DarkAngelicmon for instance," Kari said slowly. "I think he may be more than he appears to be."

Kari's words must have affected Matty very deeply because the younger twin suddenly jerked his head up in surprise and he stared at his mother in complete astonishment. "Wait a minute, you don't really think, at one point in time, that DarkAngelicmon used to be a good digimon, do you?"

"I see. So...Mickey finally told you. I assume that's one of the reasons why the two of you haven't been getting along very well lately?"

"What? No way. Mickey and I are just fine!"

Kari sighed and gave the younger twin a faint smile. "I wish I could believe that."

"DarkAngelicmon has a lot of secrets hanging over his head," Mickey said quietly, avoiding his brother's eyes. "If we ignore them, it could mean the end of the Digital World as we know it."

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean we still don't need to be careful," Matty protested. "We can't just assume DarkAngelicmon might once have been a good digimon just because he was able to use one of Angelicmon's attacks."

"No, but it's definitely a possibility," T.K. interrupted, gazing intently at his slightly younger son. "I don't understand how he could even be capable of using one of Angelicmon's attacks unless at one point in time he truly understood what it meant."

"He might be working against us, Matty, but even you can't deny he's done a lot to help us, too," Mina said gently.

"But...you heard about what DarkAngelicmon did! If he really isn't evil then why did he say all of those horrible things to Mickey?"

"I think it's because he's really sad," Rina piped up, a thoughtful expression on her face. "He lost both of his best friends, and now he's all alone. That's enough to make anyone sad."

Matty frowned at his sister and slowly shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense. From my understanding of what little we know so far, DarkAngelicmon was already evil before he discovered both Luciamon and Lucemon had betrayed him. He only found out the truth just recently when Luciamon confronted him in the castle."

"Well, her death certainly didn't help matters, that's for sure," Rosa muttered.

"Look, I don't know why DarkAngelicmon became evil, but I'm sure it has something to do with his friends," Mickey mumbled.

"What do you think, Dai?" Jun asked, turning to gaze curiously at her nephew.

Dai was silent for a moment, and when he did finally speak, it was obvious he was choosing his words very carefully so as not to give the wrong impression. "I think maybe both Mickey and Matty are right. Well, I actually think they're both right about certain things and wrong about others. In my heart, I can't help thinking there might be more to DarkAngelicmon than what he has revealed so far, but like Matty, I still think we need to be cautious. At this point we don't know anything for sure so it would be stupid of us to let our guard down."

"So, in other words, like Mickey, you believe DarkAngelicmon used to be a good digimon," Ryoko said bluntly.

"Well yeah, I guess I do."

"If that's the case then why do you think he became evil?"

Dai gazed directly into Ryoko's eyes, and lifting his chin, he gave the golden-haired Digidestined a defiant look. "Matty is right about one thing, DarkAngelicmon didn't become evil because his friends betrayed him. I think he was deceived by someone who was trying to hurt his friends, and his vulnerability and lack of faith in both himself and the digimon he cares about caused him to turn away from the light. At least, that's what I think."

Instead of arguing with Dai, Ryoko's face suddenly lit up and he gave the goggle-headed leader a brilliant smile. Even though Davis knew the golden-haired Digidestined's happiness wouldn't last long, it was still a relief to see him set aside his misery over Sam, even if it was just for a little while. "That's what I think, too, and you know what, Daichi?"

"What?"

"I bet you anything that someone who deceived him was the Ruler of Darkness."

"My thoughts exactly."

"Daichi, I don't think I'll ever understand you. Half the time you act like you don't have a clue what's going on, but then you'll go and say something so brilliant I can't help but wonder if you sometimes hide just how smart you really are," Ryoko murmured, laughing softly.

Dai blushed and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe you're rubbing off on me."

"In more ways than one I hope," Matt muttered. "It's at times like this when friends become truly important."

He's right, Dai, and right now I think Ryoko needs your friendship more than ever...

"Thanks for believing me, Dai," Mickey said shyly, beaming at the goggle-headed leader.

"No problem, but don't forget, I still agree with Matty, too."

"Thanks, Dai," Matty mumbled, avoiding both his friend's and his brother's eyes.

"Izzy, what do you think about all of this?" Joe asked hesitantly, his gaze flicking anxiously back and fourth between Mickey and Matty.

"Well...actually, I agree with Dai and Ryoko, but the only way to find out for sure is to confront DarkAngelicmon. The best way to do that is to continue searching for the Spirit Chips. Wherever we go to look for them, I have no doubt he will follow, which is why I won't be surprised if he turns up on Infinity Mountain tomorrow. That is...if we make it there tomorrow."

"What do you mean by that?" Mimi asked curiously.

"Well, there's still the issue with Sam..."

"Either way it doesn't matter. DarkAngelicmon won't tell us anything and you know it, Izzy!" Iramon grumbled.

"Then that leaves us with only one other option. Lucemon knows the truth, that much is certain. If we can find him, I'm sure he'll be happy to tell us everything he knows."

"But we have no idea where he is!" Fluttermon protested.

For some reason Goldmon and Palelymon exchanged meaningful looks, but it happened so fast Davis was unsure of whether or not what he was seeing was really real or if his mind was playing tricks on him.

"No, we don't, but we do know where the first Spirit Chip is, and right now that's what we need to focus on. If we meet up with Lucemon along the way, so much the better, but we can't lose sight of our main objective. And that, of course, brings us to you, Joe."