Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: Not one of the more exciting chapters, but I promise there will be fighting soon!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 177: What is Good and What is Evil
DarkAngelicmon
File Island, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World
The Spirit Chip of Bravery. How brilliant it looks sparkling in the sunshine. I wonder...my master intends to use the Spirit Chips to gain control over the Digital World, and eventually the human world too, I think, but...will that truly be possible? The Digidestined are far stronger than even I could have ever imagined. They will not fall to the darkness so easily. I hope the same can be said for you as well, Lucemon...
"Mission accomplished, I see," BlackWidowmon suddenly smirked, interrupting the fallen angel's thoughts. "Spritemon wasn't lying."
"Let me guess, you thought we would fail," Vampiramon snapped, whirling around to face the insect digimon, her eyebrows narrowing into a deep frown.
Lounging gracefully on one of the five large rocks arranged in a circle about twenty feet away from the Spirit Chip, BlackWidowmon shrugged, her lips twitching into a nasty smile. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. I mean, I knew there was a possibility you might fail, but I must admit I was hoping the two of you would actually do something right for once. No one can fail at everything they do all the time. Not even you, Vampiramon."
Glaring at the spider digimon, Vampiramon opened her mouth to make a nasty retort, but before she could snap at BlackWidowmon, Jestermon choose that moment to intervene. "So now the real game begins. Humans are so easy to manipulate."
Raising his eyebrows, DarkAngelicmon smiled in amusement, and waving his hand at Jestermon he said, "You certainly look comfortable."
Sitting on one of the five rocks next to BlackWidowmon, Jestermon nodded in agreement. "It's not everyday I get to play with humans."
Indeed, or is it the other way around? Perhaps it is the humans who are the ones playing with us.
The circle of rocks where Jestermon and BlackWidowmon had made themselves comfortable were set in the centre of the large slab of earth and stone that made up the mountain's peak. The pedestal that held the Spirit Chip of Bravery was located at the edge of the cliff on the far side of the peak, directly opposite from where the path led back down the mountain. Takara was still standing in front of the pedestal, and judging from the look on her face she appeared to be lost in thought.
Smirking slightly, Jestermon nodded his head at Takara in approval. "Nice going, angel boy."
"What's this about Spritemon?" Vampiramon asked curiously, frowning at BlackWidowmon.
Stretching the eight, black spidery legs sprouting from her back, BlackWidowmon let out a soft snort, her bright red eyes rolling in annoyance at what she clearly thought was a rather stupid question. "Nothing. She's just following your orders like a good little mega. She sent DemiDevimon back here earlier to confirm she had reached the spot where you guys were planning to meet up with each other."
"That was before you and angel boy actually got here," Jestermon added. "She sent DemiDevimon back here a second time to inform us that you'd captured the girl and that you were on your way. She wanted to know if you had arrived yet, but we told DemiDevimon to inform her that you guys were still a no show. She also told us she'd reached the Digidestined, and she wants you to know she's watching them just like you wanted her to."
"Excellent," Vampiramon said approvingly, her lips twitching into a nasty smile. "All is going according to plan."
So far. That could still change, Vampiramon.
"Spritemon said she'd check in with us again to confirm your location as soon as possible, but before she makes her report she wants to find out exactly what the Digidestined are planning now that the Kamiya girl has been captured," Jestermon informed the vampire digimon, his customary set of three black balls spinning swiftly through the air in a circle above his head. "DemiDevimon's last visit wasn't that long ago, but if Spritemon hasn't gone back on her word since then, he should be back any moment now."
DarkAngelicmon raised his eyebrows, and smiling slightly he said, "Spritemon certainly made it down the mountain rather fast, don't you think, Vampiramon? Granted, she didn't have a human slowing her down, but even so she must have used her wings at least a little bit. After all, we were closer to our destination than she was, and yet oddly enough she was able to reach the Digidestined before we could make it to the top of the mountain."
"That idiot," Vampiramon snarled, tugging angrily on her skirts. "Doesn't she ever obey orders? Honestly! Well, I hope she at least had enough sense to stay out of sight!"
"I'll be the first one to admit that Spritemon has her moments of stupidity, but even she isn't foolish enough to let herself be caught so easily. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, but if you don't believe me why don't you ask DemiDevimon? Here he comes now."
"Greetings, your evilness!" DemiDevimon called out, catching the vampire digimon off guard.
Instead of responding, Vampiramon glared at the little rookie, and letting out a deep scowl, she took a seat next to Jestermon on one of the five rocks in the circle, her hands clenching into tight fists.
"Whatever kind of news you have, it'd better be good," BlackWidowmon warned, frowning suspiciously at DemiDevimon.
Whereas Vampiramon was sitting on Jestermon's left, BlackWidowmon was sitting on the male digimon's right, and every so often they would glance warily at each other, as if uncertain of whether or not they were among friends or enemies. Clearly they were still suspicious about the whole Lucemon issue, and judging from the look on Jestermon's face, he too could feel the lingering tension in the air.
To risk coming so close to Infinity Mountain. You are getting quite bold, Lucemon.
Settling himself next to Vampiramon on one of the two remaining rocks occupying the circle and ruffling his small wings, DemiDevimon said cheerfully,"Everything is going according to plan, your evilness. I will inform Spritemon right away that you've reached the peak of the mountain."
"I'd expect nothing less of you," Vampiramon snapped, tossing her long red hair. "Do you have any news for us?"
DarkAngelicmon briefly considered claiming the fifth rock as his own, but before he could decide whether or not he liked the idea of sitting between BlackWidowmon and DemiDevimon (mostly because of BlackWidowmon, not because of the rookie) a flash of movement off to his right suddenly captured his attention, momentarily distracting him from the dilemma he currently had on his hands.
Turning slightly, he spotted Takara moving slowly towards him, having abandoned her position in front of the pedestal where she had been hovering over the Spirit Chip of Bravery, a silent guardian watching over a sacred artifact she alone had been chosen to guard with her life, and yet despite the direction she was heading in, DarkAngelicmon could not help noticing that her attention wasn't focused on him at all. Instead, she was staring at DemiDevimon.
"Do I ever!" DemiDevimon cried gleefully, a triumphant smile turning up the corners of his mouth. "As you had hoped, the Digidestined are still continuing their way up the side of the mountain, and although they're moving quite cautiously at the moment, their determination hasn't been overshadowed by their fear. Now that their little friend has been taken, there's no chance they'll give up on their quest to gain possession of the Spirit Chip."
"Excellent," Vampiramon said approvingly, her bright green eyes narrowing in concentration. "If everything continues to go as planned, we should have no trouble getting our hands on the Spirit Chip of Bravery."
"Of course, your evilness. Is there any message you would like for me to pass on to Spritemon?"
"Actually, there is. Tell her to make sure she continues to keep an eye on the Digidestined and if they make any sudden movements, or if they do anything even remotely suspicious, she's to let us know immediately. We can't afford to lose track of them, which means we can't allow them to split up or get separated either. If they start coming at us in all directions, they could end up catching us by surprise."
"Which could potentially jeopardize our chances of getting the Spirit Chip," BlackWidowmon added. "If they somehow manage to steal it right under our noses, slipping away in the process before we can make a move to stop them, our master will not be very pleased."
"If the Digidestined do attempt to try and outsmart us, Spritemon is to stop them immediately, understand?" Vampiramon said coldly, glaring viciously at the little rookie.
DemiDevimon flinched under her gaze and managing a weak smile he said meekly, "Loud and clear, your evilness."
"Um, DemiDevimon? How...how is Dai doing?" Takara asked hesitantly, her sudden words catching the little rookie off guard.
"It's okay, you may answer her," Vampiramon said coolly, her bright green eyes studying Takara's anxious face.
"I'm not really sure. There's a lot of tension in the group, and from what I can tell no one seems to want to even look at the Motomiya boy, let alone talk to him. If you ask me, he looks like a volcano waiting to erupt, which would explain why none of the others seem to want to get too close to him. I have a feeling things could get nasty from here on in, especially since the girl's father also seems pretty upset, but you never know. Things could change. At the moment, none of the Digidestined are really doing anything except walking in silence."
"Oh no!" Takara gasped, her hands coming up to cover her mouth.
And so it begins...
Shaking his head, DarkAngelicmon gave the female Digidestined a reassuring smile, and waving his hand towards the circle of rocks he said pleasantly, "Why don't you sit down, Takara? It looks like we may be in for a long wait."
She might as well take my seat. I certainly have no desire to sit amongst such a worthless group of fools.
Perhaps Takara somehow sensed what he was thinking because instead of taking him up on his offer she said skeptically, "You're not serious, are you? Why would I want to sit with them?"
"Good point. I must admit, I'm rather reluctant to sit myself."
"Nobody asked for your opinion, so keep your mouth shut!" Vampiramon snapped, her emerald eyes narrowing into angry slits. "Besides, the girl is a hostage, not a guest. She can sit on the ground near the Spirit Chip. That way, we'll be able to keep an eye on her."
But will you? That is the real question...
"You won't get any complaints from me!" Takara shot back, glaring at the vampire digimon. "Like I'd want to sit anywhere near you!"
Vampiramon let out a snarl of rage, but before she could make a nasty retort the female Digidestined wheeled around, her dark brown ponytail whipping out behind her, and stomping off towards the Spirit Chip of Bravery she promptly sat down in a huff, her hazel eyes glittering dangerously in the light of the barrier surrounding the Spirit Chip.
Bravery to match her father's and the wisdom to keep it in check. A dangerous combination for those who are her enemies. Vampiramon really should learn to be more careful.
"So, Daichi's acting up, is he? This game just keeps getting more and more interesting!" Jestermon cackled, a devious smile flickering across his wrinkled green face.
"Let's just hope he doesn't act up too much otherwise he'll jeopardize not only his own chance of getting the Spirit Chip, but ours as well!" Vampiramon scowled, frowning in annoyance. "DemiDevimon, you may take your leave. Report back here again if you have any news that may be of value to us. Also, have Spritemon send you back here as soon as the Digidestined reach the halfway point of the mountain. We'll know when that is regardless of whether you come or not, because of Takara's D-Coder, but that's not why I want you to report back to us. What I really want to know is the state of Daichi's mind at the halfway point, and the same goes for the rest of the Digidestined. A person's state of mind can reveal a lot of what it is they're planning."
And yet what you're planning doesn't always reveal the state your mind is in. Am I not proof of that, Vampiramon? How easily you miss the things that are most important...
Shaking his head in disgust, DarkAngelicmon turned his back on the three mega digimon and their little rookie companion, and joining Takara in front of the Spirit Chip he gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. For a long moment the two of them just stared at each other, and realizing all of a sudden what was causing her so much stress he said in a low voice, "Daichi will be fine. Don't let DemiDevimon's words fool you."
"Maybe, but there's no way to tell for sure. Dai is the backbone of our team. Without him we're lost."
"Which is why he will not fail you."
"But..."
"What about the girl's father?" DemiDevimon asked hesitantly, nodding his head towards the female Digidestined.
"Watch him as well. If he's anything like the stories say, he too could become an issue," Vampiramon scowled, making a face. "Now leave. You're starting to irritate me."
DemiDevimon gave her a quick salute, and leaping into the air he said eagerly, "I'll be back before you know it."
"And you'd better have good news for us, or else!" BlackWidowmon threatened.
DemiDevimon quickly fluttered away from the three mega digimon, clearly anxious to avoid any unnecessary abuse, and just as he was about to fly past the pedestal DarkAngelicmon softly called out his name, glancing briefly over his shoulder to see if Vampiramon and the other megas were still watching the little rookie.
Luckily, all three of the megas appeared to have forgotten all about DemiDevimon because not once did they glance up from their conversation to confirm whether or not the little rookie had obeyed Vampiramon's orders.
Fools.
Motioning for the little rookie to join him, DarkAngelicmon held out his right arm, and taking the hint DemiDevimon quickly landed on the perch that had been so graciously offered to him, his small clawed feet digging into DarkAngelicmon's black gauntlet. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have a quick word with you, DemiDevimon."
"Oh, n-not at all," the little rookie gasped, clearly flustered by the sudden attention he was receiving.
Studying the little rookie's face, DarkAngelicmon couldn't help noticing the way DemiDevimon was staring oddly at him, clearly fascinated, and doing his best to put the small digimon at ease he said gently, "Actually, what I really have is a request for you."
"Anything you want. I am yours to command!" DemiDevimon said eagerly, his eyes lighting up with sudden excitement.
DarkAngelicmon glanced warily over his shoulder, conscious of Vampiramon's desire to expose him as a traitor to her plans, but before he could mask the apprehension on his face, Takara said softly, "Vampiramon and the other two are so busy arguing with each other I doubt they'd notice if we started screaming in their faces. Don't worry, they're not going to hear us."
"And what makes you think I had any intention of worrying about such a thing?"
Takara raised her eyebrows, and smiling slightly she said, "You're not the only observant one around here."
"So it would seem."
"Um...DarkAngelicmon?" DemiDevimon asked tentatively, nervously rustling his wings.
Bending his head close to the little rookie he said quietly, "Watch Daichi especially. See that he does not separate himself from the others. He will need their help if he wants to overcome the darkness within himself. Can you do that for me?"
DemiDevimon frowned in confusion, but despite the look of uncertainty in his eyes he quickly plastered a confident smile on his face. "Sure, I can do that, and I'll make sure Spirtemon does the same. Well, um...if I can."
"I'm sure you'll do just fine. Spritemon is more bark than bite, trust me. Don't let her intimidate you. Go on now. The Digidestined are waiting."
DemiDevimon quickly launched himself into the air and beaming at the praise he said, "I'll be back."
"With good news for our side, I hope," Takara whispered.
Watching DemiDevimon as he dived over the side of the mountain, disappearing from sight, DarkAngelicmon couldn't help smiling slightly in amusement.
Since when have the two of us been on the same side?
And yet standing in the light of the barrier surrounding the Spirit Chip and gazing into Takara's hazel eyes, for some reason he couldn't quite explain at the present moment, it really did feel like they were indeed on the same side.