Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: Okay, another chapter done! Just to let you all know, the chapter that comes after this one is one of my all time favorites, and even though I've gone over it so many times, it still brings tears to my eyes, so I'm hoping you will all like it. I'll try to keep the chapters coming as soon as possible, but I also want to start writing my next Trinity chapter. Plus, I have started the sequel to my Kingdom Hearts story, (for those of you who have read the first part called The Way to the Heart) but I won't be posting any of the chapters until I finish it on paper first. I've got two chapters done so far. It won't be a long story. Probably about the same as The Way to the Heart. Just so you all know if you're looking for my next FTFOD chapter. (Those, as I said, will still be coming hopefully every week, or as much as I can post since I'm quite busy this time of year.) And yes, as you may have guessed, if we're going by tradition like the show, there should be a new digivolution coming up soon...
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 165: The Abduction of Sam
Masato 'Matty' Takaishi
Odaiba, Japan, Earth
Crouching behind a low hedge and feeling almost like a spy in a really bad made-for-t.v. move, Matty peered anxiously over the bushes and he frowned suspiciously at one of the tall apartment buildings located just across the street from him, his amber eyes studying a brightly lit window shining brilliantly on the fourth floor of the large, shadowy structure. Beside him, Mickey was also gazing at the apartment building, but unlike Matty, the older twin did not appear to be nervous. Instead, Mickey merely looked worried, and in the pale light of the moon, Matty could tell his brother's amber eyes were sparkling with sorrow.
And it's all because Sam was acting like such a jerk earlier. I can't believe he actually said he didn't want to be anywhere near his friends, even Mickey! If he thinks we're going to let him get away with that then he's about to receive the biggest surprise of his life!
A surprise Matty sincerely hoped would teach the raven-haired Digidestined a valuable lesson.
I wonder what he's doing up there. Could he have told Taka and Makku about the Digital World? I don't see why he would, especially since he wanted to avoid everything that has to do with the Digital World, but you never know....
"Well, do you think we should go in now?" Mickey whispered anxiously in his ear, glancing around unnecessarily to make sure they were still alone.
Wrinkling his nose, Matty glared at the apartment building and he crossed his arms over his chest, vehemently wishing Sam could see him right at that very moment. He wasn't quite sure how long he had been watching the Inoue residence with Mickey, but considering how badly his back was starting to ache, he felt sure it was pretty safe to say he had been crouching behind the bushes for quite some time.
We've definitely been here long enough for Sam to tell Taka and Makku everything there is to know about the Digital World and what's been happening lately, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. It won't really be a big deal if Yolei's nieces, nephews, and siblings find out about the Digital World, and it might do Sam some good to talk to people who won't be as biased about Ken and the Digital World, one way or another. But still....I wish he would talk to us...
"Matty? Matty, are you even listening to me?"
Jumping at the sudden feel of Mickey's hand on his shoulder, Matty quickly sat down on the grass with his back turned towards the apartment building, and reaching into his bag, which sat next to him on the ground, he gently stroked Goldmon's fluffy ears. "Why do you even need to ask? It's not like you're really going to give me a choice! Besides, we're not going to accomplish anything by sitting out here."
"Hey, Matty? Do you think Sam might have told them about the Digital World?"
"Well, I was thinking the same thing, but....even if he did, I don't think it's really that big of a deal."
Letting out a deep sigh, Mickey sat down next to him and the older twin frowned thoughtfully at the full moon shining faintly in the distance. "I guess you're right. Poor Sam. I wish he could see the whole picture, but it's like he's refusing to even try. Somehow we have to get through to him, but...."
"We will," Palelymon whispered softly from the depths of Mickey's backpack. "You'll think of something, Mickey. I believe in you."
"Do you think Sam doesn't want to be my partner anymore?" Glimmermon whimpered from his place next to Palelymon.
"No!" Mickey said sharply, frowning disapprovingly at his backpack. "Don't say things like that! Of course Sam still wants to be your partner. He's just a little....confused right now. Once he comes to terms with Ken's past, I'm sure he'll be his old self again."
"But what if that never happens?"
Reaching into Mickey's backpack, Matty gave the small digimon a gentle pat on the head and a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry so much, Glimmermon. We've got the issue with Sam covered. With us on the job, he'll be his old self again in no time."
"We would never let Sam turn his back on you," Mickey said seriously, smiling fondly at the little digimon.
All of a sudden, the bulb on Glimmermon's head began to glow brightly in the darkness, and beaming at them from the confines of Mickey's backpack, the little digimon nodded and he gave them a shy smile. "Thanks, guys. I know you would never let me down."
Turning once more to face the Inoue residence, Matty glanced sideways at his twin and he mumbled, "Hey, Mickey? Do you think we'll ever end up there? I mean, do you think the World of Darkness will ever come for us?"
Mickey's shoulders went rigid, but to Matty's surprise, instead of their eyes meeting, the older twin wrapped his arms around his knees and he turned once more to gaze at the moon. "Not if we don't let it."
"Maybe.."
"We'll be fine, Matty," Mickey said softly, his voice just barely above a whisper in the darkness. "If we keep believing in ourselves, we'll be just fine."
"And each other?"
"Especially if we believe in each other."
But what if we can't?
Squeezing his eyes shut, Matty turned his back on Mickey and he hugged his backpack tightly against his chest. "Mickey, I don't want to end up like Sam. I...I don't want us to end up like Sam."
"We won't."
"Please don't give up, Matty," Goldmon whispered encouragingly from his backpack. "I know it's tough, but we'll find a way to get past all the darkness surrounding us and our friends, even if it doesn't look like it at the moment. I know it might not seem like it now, but if the darkness ever gets too strong for us to handle alone, Mickey and Palelymon will be there to help us out, and we'll do the same thing for them."
"Matty, no matter what happens in the future, I know it won't stop us from remembering what's really important. Somehow we'll get through this, and if we do ever end up like Sam, I know we'll help each other find a way back to the people we care about," Mickey said quietly, oblivious to Goldmon's words.
"Really?"
Matty felt Mickey give his shoulder a quick squeeze, and turning to face his twin, the two of them smiled almost shyly at each other. "I'm glad you're my brother, Matty. We might not always think alike, but if we continue to do our best to understand each other, it'll never be a problem."
"Or at least it'll stop us from ripping each other's heads off!"
Laughing, Mickey grabbed his arm and quickly pulled him to his feet. "Come on, let's go knock some sense into Sam. Sitting here and arguing with each other isn't going to solve anything."
"But taking out our frustrations on Sam will be extremely satisfying. Hey, Mickey, a lot has happened to us since we joined the Digidestined. Do you think our story would make a good movie?"
"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a television show."
Sam Ichijouji
Odaiba, Japan, Earth
Sitting on Taka's bed with his head in his hands, Sam swallowed a huge lump in his throat and he scrubbed vigorously at his eyes, trying desperately to regain control over his emotions. Even though he was starting to have second thoughts, he knew he had already come too far to even consider turning back now, and since he had no other choice, he forced himself to finish his story about the Digital World, despite feeling very unsure of himself. His tale came to an end with the news of his father being the Digimon Emperor, and unable to look at anyone, especially Ren, he pulled up his legs and buried his face against his knees, wishing desperately he had done himself a favour and kept his big mouth shut. Although he hadn't really known what kind of a reaction to expect from his cousins, the sudden silence in the room was unnerving, and for the first time in his life he was starting to regret coming from such a big family.
They either think I'm crazy or they think I'm lying, and why shouldn't they feel that way? So many bizarre things have happened to me lately, I'm starting to wonder if I even believe them myself..
The uneasy silence hovering over Taka's bed seemed to last for an eternity, but after a quiet moment of thoughtful contemplation, Taka's sympathetic voice suddenly cut through the tense atmosphere of the room, causing Sam to jerk his head up in surprise. "Sam, I....wow. That's..."
"Crazy? Go ahead and say it. I know it's crazy, but even if you don't believe me it's all true."
"Sam..."
"You probably think I'm lying, don't you. Not that I have any right to complain. If I were you, I wouldn't believe me either."
"Sam," Taka interrupted, his voice firm and his gray eyes dark and serious, "nobody here has accused you of lying about anything. It's just....this Digital World you've told us about....it's a lot to take in all at once."
"And you guys say I exaggerate," Hana sniffed, tossing her head.
"Hana, you don't really believe Sam is making all of this up, do you?" Rumi asked quietly, shaking her head and tugging rather harder than necessarily on her long, blond hair, a gesture that was becoming a bit of a habit with certain members of the Inoue bloodline.
"I never said that!"
"No, but you certainly made it sound like that's what you were implying," Tamami snorted, rolling her eyes at the raven-haired female.
Sam glanced uncertainly at Hana, but a sudden tug on the sleeve of his green top made him look up in confusion, and turning to his right, he found himself gazing into Renmi's amber eyes. Frowning, he muttered, "If you're going to tell me I'm acting like Hana, save your breath."
"Excuse me, and what is that supposed to mean?" Hana shouted.
"I don't think you're lying," Ren said slowly, ignoring her sister. "I mean, you're usually not in the habit of making stuff up, you know?"
"That's true," Rumi agreed, nodding her head for emphasis. "I believe you, Sam."
"Besides, it's too crazy not to be true!" Makku joked.
"Sam, do you have your Digivice with you?" Taka asked curiously.
"Can we see it?" Hikaru gasped, hopping up and down excitedly on his knees. The young boy's sudden movements startled Flurry, and letting out a hiss of surprise, she quickly leaped out of Hikaru's lap and hid herself under the bed.
They....believe me?
Sam stared at his cousins with his mouth hanging open, and all of a sudden he started to laugh.
I can't believe I forgot about my Digivice! Even though I don't have Glimmermon with me, it doesn't matter because I still have a way to prove my story is true!
"Don't tell me you didn't bring it with you!" Hikaru complained, clearly disappointed.
Instead of responding, Sam pulled his Digivice out of his backpack and he dropped it on the bed directly in front of Hikaru. For a long time, Taka and the others just stared at it, as if unable to believe what they were seeing, and smiling in amusement, Sam motioned for Tamami to pick it up. "Go ahead. You're not going to be struck down by lightning just because you touched it."
"So this thing allows your partner to, what did you call it? Digivolve?" Hana asked skeptically.
Tamami gave Hana a surprisingly dirty look and she quickly scooped the purple D-Coder into her hands. "Of course it does, and it makes a pretty cool fashion accessory too!"
"Um....Sam? Where is Glimmermon?" Rumi asked hesitantly, watching him closely.
Convinced she had somehow managed to read his mind, Sam blushed and he quickly ducked his head. "I....left him with Mickey."
"Can we meet him sometime?" Hikaru asked eagerly, "And tell your friends we want to meet their digimon, too."
"It must be a real interesting experience having to take orders from Dai," Makku laughed, shaking his head in amusement.
"This Digital World of yours must be pretty desperate if it's willing to let someone like Daichi take charge," Hana said disapprovingly. "That's almost as bad as letting Renmi run the show."
"Better me than you!" Ren shot back. "At least I wouldn't bore all the bad guys to death!"
"How come we didn't get to be Digidestined?" Tamami asked indignantly, "And why didn't Ami, Noah, and Miya tell us what was going on?"
Rumi smiled softly to herself and she gave her sister a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Isn't it obvious? Like Dai, Ami, and all the others, we probably had our data scanned too, but unfortunately, as was the case with Ami and her friends, we didn't quite make the cut. As to why Miya didn't tell us about the Digital World, she only found out about it not that long ago herself, and I bet she didn't tell us because she wasn't quite sure if Davis and the others would approve. I'm sure the adults wouldn't want to put us in any unnecessary danger."
"Still, Miya should have said something, and you too, Sam. Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"Well, truthfully it never crossed my mind, and even now I wasn't sure if I should tell you because I didn't think you'd believe me."
"Sam? Listen, I'm sorry for teasing you earlier," Ren said a bit awkwardly, avoiding his eyes. "I never meant to make you feel as if we wouldn't believe you..."
Shaking his head, Sam wrapped his arm around Renmi's shoulders and he gave her a quick smile. "Don't worry about it."
"Okay, I won't, but...just so you know, no matter what happens, we have your back. So...if you ever need any help..."
"You guys will find me standing on your doorsteps."
Ren suddenly smiled and she gave him a hearty pat on the back. "Good, that's what I wanted to hear. Hand over that Digivice, Makku! I want to see it, too."
Sam waited patiently while his D-Coder was passed around the circle, but despite the now light-hearted atmosphere, he could tell his cousins all had something on their minds.
I bet they're thinking about my dad.
As if to confirm his suspicions, Taka suddenly glanced at him and said hesitantly, "Sam, about your father....I don't think you should be too hard on him. He had a pretty rough life, especially with the death of his brother, and....if you ask me, I think he's done an amazing job of putting the past behind him. It couldn't have been easy for him to overcome all of the terrible things he did."
"Uncle Ken is such a sweet person. I don't think he meant to hurt anyone. Sometimes bad things happen to good people," Tamami said gently, her sympathetic green eyes daring anyone to disagree.
Biting his lip, Sam let out a deep sigh and he gazed miserably at his stockinged feet. "I know, but..."
"Considering you have an evil angel after you, one who seems to be playing both sides of the battlefield, along with an egotistical fairy, a psycho jester, a spider lady, a crazy vampire chick, and a phantom calling himself the Ruler of Darkness, don't you think you have bigger things to worry about?" Makku said dryly, raising his eyebrows.
"It's the people who don't believe they deserve forgiveness who should be forgiven most of all," Rumi said softly. "They're the ones who truly understand the consequences of their actions. Your father isn't stupid, Sam. He knows he's done a lot of terrible things and he is well aware of the fact that he has no right to ask you to forgive him. Doesn't that tell you anything?"
Sam was about to answer when Taka's bedroom door suddenly burst open, and to his complete surprise, Mickey and Matty charged into the room, their amber eyes full of determination.
"Oh! Hey, guys!" Taka said cheerfully, waving them over to the bed.
Gaping at the twins, Sam rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't just imagining things, and realizing they weren't suddenly going to disappear, he felt his cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. "Mickey! Matty! What are you guys doing here?"
"Bringing you back your partner," Mickey said quietly, his amber gaze settling on the purple D-Coder in Renmi's hands. "You told them?"
"About the Digital World? Yeah, I told them everything, including the stuff about...about my dad..."
"We were just in the process of telling Sam he has no reason to be angry with his father," Rumi said softly, giving Mickey a warm smile.
"You are awesome, Rumi! You totally just read our minds!" Matty cheered, beaming at the golden-haired female.
Mickey nodded in agreement and he returned Rumi's smile. "Thanks, Rumi. So, I guess that means you guys also know both Matty and I are also Digidestined then?"
"That's right and it wasn't fair of you guys to keep the Digital World a secret from us!" Tamami said disapprovingly, frowning at the twins.
"So, what's this about Sam's partner?" Ren asked curiously.
"Are you guys saying you brought Glimmermon with you?" Hikaru piped up, his bright blue eyes shining with anticipation.
"Who let you guys in here anyway?" Makku asked, scratching his head in confusion. "I didn't hear a knock on the door."
"What? Are you deaf?" Matty snorted. "We were pounding on the door loud enough for the whole building to hear us. Your mom let us in."
"Can you blame us? Sam tells a really good story. How can you expect us to hear the door when we're still trying to get over the fact that apparently these digimon Sam told us about can talk!"
"Of course they can talk! How else do you think we communicate with them?" Matty shouted indignantly.
"And yes, Hikaru, we did bring Glimmermon with us," Mickey interrupted, frowning disapprovingly at both his brother and Makku.
"Awesome! Can we see him?"
Leaping off the bed, Sam pulled Glimmermon out of Mickey's backpack, and he hugged the little digimon fiercely against his chest. Feeling incredibly ashamed of the way he had treated his partner earlier, Sam buried his face against the top of Glimmermon's head and mumbled, "I'm sorry, Glimmermon. I'm sorry for leaving you behind."
"Sam, don't you want to be my partner anymore?" Glimmermon whimpered, snuggling against his chest.
"Of course I do! Glimmermon, you know I care about you, and no matter what happens you know we'll always be partners and friends. I just....needed a little time to think."
"Even though it didn't help? You're no closer to forgiving your dad than you were before. I can tell. Please don't push me away, Sam. I want to help you."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad to be with you again," Glimmermon said happily, sighing contently in his arms.
I always feel so much better when I'm with Glimmermon. How could I have ever left him behind? I never realized Mickey understood me so well. He knew all along I didn't really want to leave Glimmermon. That's why he came after me! And Matty.....Matty always wants everyone to be happy all the time. I wonder if he realizes what a good friend he is...
Smiling fondly at the little digimon in his arms, Sam let out a happy sigh and he humbly bowed his head. "Thanks, Mickey."
"Don't mention it."
"You too, Matty. I....thanks."
"Did you really think we were going to let you pull off something this stupid?" Matty shot back, looking quite pleased with himself.
"You mean to tell me that thing is alive?" Hana squeaked, pointing a trembling finger at Glimmermon.
"He's so cute!" Tamami squealed.
"He really does talk," Renmi muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Hello, everyone," Glimmermon said shyly.
Setting Glimmermon gently on the bed, Sam beamed at his cousins and he said proudly, "This is my digimon partner, Glimmermon. Glimmermon, these are my cousins, Taka, Makku, Hikaru, Hana, Tamami, Rumi, and Renmi."
"Let me hold him!" Hikaru demanded, flinging out his arms.
Glimmermon happily hopped into the younger boy's lap, and turning to Mickey and Matty, Sam motioned for them to open their backpacks. "Why don't you show Taka and the others Palelymon and Goldmon? I'm sure your digimon don't want to be left out."
Mickey quickly hopped onto the already crowded bed next to Rumi and Matty nudged Ren over to make room for himself across from Makku. Palelymon and Goldmon were quickly introduced to a new crowd of admirers, and soon enough Palelymon was snuggled in Rumi's arms while Goldmon sat happily in Taka's lap.
"I guess they're kind of cute," Renmi laughed, tickling Goldmon's fluffy ears.
"How many times do I have to keep telling everyone? They're not cute!" Matty groaned.
"They're cool! Right, Matty?" Hikaru said happily.
"Hey, you've held Glimmermon long enough. Hand him over, you little runt!" Makku joked, snatching the little digimon out of Hikaru's arms and ruffling the younger boy's hair.
Shaking his head at Makku's behaviour, Sam glanced at the twins and he frowned thoughtfully to himself, his brain going into overdrive. Mickey, Matty, and the rest of the new Digidestined were pretty well acquainted with his cousins, having met Taka and the others quite a few times in the past, and he was glad his cousins normally got along quite well with his friends, but there was just one thing bugging him. On the surface it looked as if Mickey and Matty had decided to stick around after delivering Glimmermon because they wanted to spend some time catching up with Taka and the gang, but despite their perfectly innocent behaviour, Sam had a feeling the reason the twins were still there was because they still had unfinished business with him, an ulterior motive for sticking around so to speak.
Mickey must have sensed what he was thinking because the older twin suddenly looked at him, a hesitant smile on his face. "Is something wrong, Sam?"
"You didn't come here just to deliver Glimmermon, did you."
"Well, no. Actually, the real reason we came here was to kidnap you!" Matty said cheerfully.
"Huh?"
"From the way you're acting, it looks like you've settled down a bit when it comes to your father, but I know you better than that," Mickey said quietly. "You're trying to hide it, but I can tell your father's past is still eating you up inside."
"I'm fine, Mickey. Well, I'm fine if...if I don't think about it too much..."
"Hiding from your father's past isn't going to help you heal," Rumi said simply. "If you want to find happiness again, you're going to have to face the truth. It might be hard, but if it means reuniting with you father, all of your suffering will be worth it."
"I'm sorry, Taka, but Sam's going to be sleeping at my house tonight," Mickey said firmly, climbing off the bed and giving Rumi's shoulder a grateful squeeze.
Sam blinked and he stared at the older twin in surprise. "I am?"
"Yes, and you'd better be grateful because Mickey's threatening to kick me out of my own bed!" Matty grumbled, making a face. "We hope you don't mind, Taka."
"I'll admit I was kind of hoping Sam would stay here tonight, since I haven't seen him in a while, but considering what's been going on lately, I think it might be better if he stayed with you guys. As long as he's in good hands, I'm cool with it. You might want to tell my parents, though. They can phone Ken and Yolei and let them know what's going on."
"Good idea," Mickey agreed.
In response to Mickey's words, Matty quickly scooped up all the digimon and he tossed them unceremoniously into the two backpacks sitting on the floor, and before Sam could even attempt to protest, he found himself being dragged to his feet by Mickey and pulled towards the door. "Hey! What if I don't want to-"
"You're coming, so quit complaining," Mickey interrupted, tugging firmly on his arms.
"What just happened here?" Renmi asked, scratching her dirty-blond hair in confusion.
Taka suddenly got to his feet and Sam felt the older boy's arm go around his shoulders. "At least think about what we've said, okay?"
Am I the only one who feels like my dad betrayed us?
Biting his lip, Sam managed a quick nod to his cousin before both Mickey and Matty literally dragged him out the door.