Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Another chapter is here! Again, this is one of my favorites so I hope you all like it, too!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 189: The Fabled Lucemon

Angelicmon

File Island, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

Landing gracefully on a small slab of rock overlooking the sea of dirt and pebbles beneath his perch, Angelicmon gazed silently at his quarry, uncertain of how to proceed.

Standing dangerously close to the edge of the rubble strewn path down below, DarkAngelicmon had his back turned towards the cliff, his black wings fluttering gently in the slight breeze circling around the top half of the mountain, and although Angelicmon could not be certain, it looked to him as if the fallen angel was lost in thought.

He hides his feelings well, though who exactly he is trying to fool, I cannot say for certain. He is a mystery to me, and unless I can find a way to understand him, I will not be able to help Matty remove the darkness from his heart. Underneath the mask, there is an air of sadness about him. I wonder if it's because of Lucemon...

Though his celestial nature should have alerted DarkAngelicmon immediately to his presence, despite his sudden appearance the fallen angel did not turn to look in his direction. Instead, DarkAngelicmon continued to gaze silently at something only he could see, despite the fact that he was clearly being watched.

Even now, you are too proud to seek assistance. I wonder...what will become of you if you continue down this path of destruction?

As much as he did not want to admit it, Angelicmon knew full well that the fallen angel was keenly aware of the fact that he was no longer alone, and deciding to take the direct approach, mostly due to the fact that he was obviously being ignored on purpose, Angelicmon leaped off the cliff and tackled the fallen angel to the ground, earning himself a face full of fluffy black feathers for his efforts.

Twisting around, DarkAngelicmon made a surprisingly weak attempt to kick him in the stomach, but before the fallen angel could so much as lift his foot, Angelicmon shoved him roughly back down against the hard ground, forcing him to go limp and to remain cooperative.

An impossible feat, I'm sure, but it's stll worth a try.

Placing one hand firmly on DarkAngelicmon's chest and pressing the tip of his golden spear against the fallen angel's throat he said dryly, "Pardon me, but I must have miss-judged my landing. I do apologize for the inconvenience, though you'll have to forgive me for not being particularly concerned over the outcome, since it appears to have worked in my favour."

Raising his eyebrows, his green eyes glittering like jewels in the light of the sun, DarkAngelicmon responded pleasantly, "You know, for a celestial digimon your battle tactics are disgraceful. Sneaking up behind a fellow digimon? I'm disappointed in you, Angelicmon."

"Yes, well, I don't like to be ignored any more than you do. One of my less appealing attributes, to be sure, but it's there all the same."

"You don't say. It seems we have more in common than I originally first believed."

"Perhaps we do."

"I must say, I'm not quite sure whether I should be pleased or slightly annoyed by this sudden turn of events."

"I've been wondering the same thing myself."

Turning his head to the side, the smile fading from his lips, DarkAngelicmon said quietly, "Come to challenge me, have you?"

"No. I just want to talk."

"But you will challenge me eventually. Even you cannot deny the facts, Angelicmon."

Pulling his spear away from the fallen angel's throat, Angelicmon shook his head in denial. "The choice is yours. I do not wish to fight you, but I will if you give me no other choice."

"You're going to depend on the wisdom of my choices? Not exactly a very wise decision yourself, is it?"

Ignoring the fallen angel, Angelicmon said calmly, "Speaking of sneaking up on people, isn't that what you were trying to do to us?"

Something doesn't feel right. Why is he just standing here when he should be trying to stop us all from splitting up?

Looking genuinely confused, DarkAngelicmon said slowly, "Sneaking up...on...you?"

"Weren't you planning to go after Daichi, or any of my other friends even?"

What are you up to, my fallen friend?

Growing suddenly angry, DarkAngelicmon pushed him away, and leaping gracefully to his feet, the fallen angel snapped, "Leave at once. I do not wish to speak to you."

"Perhaps not, but I intend to speak with you whether you want my company or not."

"If you're not here to fight me then what do you want?" DarkAngelicmon said shortly, fluttering his wings in annoyance.

"I've come to give you a warning."

"You should know by now that I do not scare easily, Angelicmon. Whatever warning you feel inclined to give me, I have no need of it."

"Stay away from Matty."

For a moment, DarkAngelicmon merely stared at him, the expression on his face completely unreadable, and then smiling bitterly the fallen angel shook his head in regret, the sadness sparkling in his green gaze disappearing almost as quickly as it had come. "Maybe you should stay away from him, unless you want to end up like me."

What...I don't understand. What could he mean?

Frowning slightly and dismissing his spear with a flick of his wrist, Angelicmon said stiffly, "I am not like you."

"Don't be a fool," DarkAngelicmon retorted, poking him sharply in the chest. "You're all like me! You, your fellow digimon, and even your human partners. That's the very reason why you've all gotten yourselves into this mess in the first place!"

Now he speaks...

Sensing he was coming close to revealing the truth about DarkAngelicmon's past, or at least a part of it, Angelicmon waited in silence, his green eyes once again studying the fallen angel's unreadable expression.

At first, DarkAngelicmon kept silent, his emerald gaze never wavering even for a split second, and placing a hand against his heart, the fallen angel said quietly, "You know he's here."

"And so do you, whether you want to admit it or not. You cannot hide the truth from me. But there's one thing I do not understand. Your master gave you instructions to hunt Lucemon down, am I right? If that's true, why then, DarkAngelicmon, have you not gone after your old friend? He's so close by. It would take very little effort to catch him now."

It would be so easy, and yet here you stand, letting your opportunity slip away...

Letting out a soft sound that bordered on the edge of despair, DarkAngelicmon turned his face away, his right fist coming up to rest wearily against his forehead. "Do not ask me such questions. To do so will only put you even more at risk. The Ruler of Darkness does not tolerate traitors or those who associate with them."

Wait a minute...Is he saying...Could it be?

Reaching out to gently place his hands on the fallen angel's shoulders, Angelicmon whispered, "What is it? What are you hiding?"

Why do you live in darkness when it only causes you pain?

Beneath his hands, he could feel DarkAngelicmon's shoulders trembling, and unable to look at him, the fallen angel said very quietly, "I do not know. I can't remember."

"What?"

Lifting his head, DarkAngelicmon whispered, "I can't remember. Why can't I remember?"

What does he mean he can't remember? Is he talking about his past?

Staring at the fallen angel in disbelief, Angelicmon found himself at a loss for words, his thoughts unable to process what he had just heard, though there was no mistaking the pain and sorrow that had very nearly escaped his hearing. For the first time since meeting the fallen angel, Angelicmon did not know what to do or how to respond. No longer giving off an air of great confidence and an unflappable sense of humour, DarkAngelicmon did not resemble the fallen angel he had come to know so well, and that beyond anything else deeply disturbed him.

Instead of acting like his usual arrogant self, DarkAngelicmon appeared to be struggling with his emotions in a way that suggested there was a war waging somewhere within is heart, a war he was clearly on the brink of losing. Contrary to his large ego and his abundance of self confidence, he looked strangely lost and confused, as if he had suddenly discovered some unpleasant truth about his past, and as a result he was beginning to question everything and everyone around him, himself included.

Your mask is slipping, DarkAngelicmon. Perhaps Mickey was right. I should have known he'd be able to see right though you.

Encouraged by the fallen angel's sudden willingness to talk, Angelicmon shook him gently by the shoulders and said, "Tell me. Help me to understand."

Help me find a way to help you...

Gazing silently at each other, their bright green eyes studying one another closely, Angelicmon remained silent, waiting for the fallen angel to speak. Identical in every way, and yet so different, their eyes were their one feature that remained the same.

Untouched by the darkness. Free from the taint of evil.

It was amazing how a face he knew so well, a face he shared not only with DarkAngelicmon, but also with Gabrielmon, though Gabrielmon's eyes were a different colour, could look so alien to him, and yet at the same time it was so familiar, it caused a painful ache in his chest.

Light and darkness. Identical and yet completely opposite in every aspect of their being.

"You're all like me! You, your fellow digimon, and even your human partners. That's the very reason why you've all gotten yourselves into this mess in the first place!"

Wherever there's light, you will always find darkness. One cannot exist without the other. Perhaps, like Mickey, DarkAngelicmon is also right. Maybe, deep down inside, we are more like him than we know...

"Does my very existence cause you pain?" DarkAngelicmon said coldly, after a long moment of silence.

"No...your failure to recognize the strength of your own heart is what truly causes me pain."

Letting out a snarl of rage, his dark spear appearing suddenly in his hand, DarkAngelicmon attempted to stab his fellow angel straight through the heart, but luckily, Angelicmon was ready for the dark celestial champion, and summoning his own spear again he easily blocked DarkAngelicmon's attack, their weapons colliding with a resounding clang.

Frustrated, DarkAngelicmon tried yet again to use his weapon, and ducking under the fallen angel's arm, Angelicmon slammed the blunt end of his spear into DarkAngelicmon's back, just below the spot where the fallen angel's wings sprouted from between his shoulder blades.

Staggering, DarkAngelicmon landed flat on his face, sending up a light cloud of dust, and crossing his arms over his chest, Angelicmon said softly, "Your reflexes are terrible today. Do you really think you can accomplish your goal of stealing the Spirit Chip of Bravery when you have other matters on your mind?"

Turning onto his side and facing in the opposite direction, his wings drooping slightly and his right hand clenching a fist full of dirt, DarkAngelicmon said bitterly, "I hate you."

"Why?"

The words stung, but despite the sudden stab of pain in his heart, Angelicmon kept his voice calm and his expression neutral.

"I hate you for everything you are. For everything that I am not..."

"You mean, for everything you could be."

"No," DarkAngelicmon whispered, letting the dirt in his hand slide slowly through his fingers. "For everything I used to be..."

There was silence.

DarkAngelicmon...

Kneeling next to the fallen angel and placing a trembling hand on his dark wings, Angelicmon said uncertainly, "What do you mean?"

"I...do not know."

"What do you mean, you do not know?"

Leaning over DarkAngelicmon's limp body, hoping desperately to catch a glimpse of the fallen angel's pale face, Angelicmon gasped when he spotted the strange look in DarkAngelicmon's bright green eyes, his heart twisting painfully in his chest.

Always so confident, it was a bit unnerving to see DarkAngelicmon looking so lost and confused, and feeling a sudden pang of sympathy for the celestial digimon who was supposed to be his enemy, Angelicmon gave the fallen angel's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Tell me."

"Tell you what?" DarkAngelicmon said wearily, without turning to face him. "How can I tell you anything when I do not even know the answers myself?"

"Is this about your past? I do not understand. How can you not remember your own past?"

To his surprise, instead of responding, the fallen angel suddenly flinched at his touch, and leaping gracefully to his feet, DarkAngelicmon glared at him, his green eyes blazing with fury.

He's hiding something, but what could it be?

Before Angelicmon could even attempt to ask any more questions, DarkAngelicmon suddenly pushed him roughly against the cliff wall, effectively causing a small cry to escape his lips, and summoning his spear again the fallen angel said harshly, "Do not ask me questions you don't want to know the answers to!"

"What do you mean?"

Holding him in place with his spear pressed horizontally against his chest, DarkAngelicmon said quietly, "There are some things you're better off not knowing. If you want to succeed in claiming all six Spirit Chips, you would do well to listen to my words of wisdom."

Frowning, Angelicmon murmured, "Tell me what you're planning to do with Mickey and Matty."

"I don't plan on doing anything. They will be the ones doing it to themselves, and each other."

"I told you not to threaten my partner."

"Listen to me, Angelicmon, and listen well," DarkAngelicmon hissed, grabbing him by the shiny yellow strips of armour crisscrossing over his pale chest and pulling him close enough that they could see the fury in each other's eyes. "Mickey is mine. Do you understand me?"

"What are you-"

"You and your foolish companions think you know exactly what's going on, but truly you know nothing. You can fight me all you want, but the Child of Innocence is mine, and your little partner is going to help me claim him as my prize. Do not think for one second that I do not have a use for Matty, as he may in fact turn out to be the most important player in this little game of good verses evil. Oh yes, I have a use for him, as well, and once he gives me what I seek, I will be sure to reward him greatly for his help. He is every bit as important as Mickey, Angelicmon. Do not fool yourself into thinking otherwise."

"You do realize I'm going to do everything in my power to stop you. I will allow myself to be deleted first before I let you hurt Mickey or Matty."

"Are you really so blind that you cannot see the truth?" DarkAngelicmon snapped, his green eyes flashing. "They're the ones hurting me, not the other way around!"

"The only one hurting you is the Ruler of Darkness!"

Pulling his spear away, its surface beginning to glow with a strange purple light, DarkAngelicmon snarled, "I should just delete you right here and be done with it!"

"Perhaps, but the question is, can you bring yourself to do it?"

Letting out a strangled cry, DarkAngelicmon swung his spear with lightning speed, but before the weapon could connect with its target, a sudden voice shouted, "Grand Cross!"

Without warning, a flash of brilliant light exploded into DarkAngelicmon's back, causing him to stumble and drop his weapon, and catching the fallen angel by the arms while at the same time ignoring the soft gasp of pain in his ear, Angelicmon glanced over his fellow digimon's shoulder, searching for the source of the attack that had hit DarkAngelicmon.

What he saw made his mouth drop open in shock.

Hovering in the air, the gold bracelets circling his wrists and ankles sparkling in the sunshine, was a celestial digimon Angelicmon had never seen before, but judging by his resemblance to Luciamon and his powerful presence, Angelicmon knew the digimon hovering in the sky before him couldn't possibly be anyone other than the fabled Lucemon, whom Luciamon had spoken so highly of and whom DarkAngelicmon appeared to fear above all other digimon.

"Lucemon," DarkAngelicmon whispered, his eyes closing in pain.

Much to Angelicmon's embarrassment, apparently the two of them had been so preoccupied with fighting each other that they had failed to notice Lucemon's presence approaching, but what surprised him even more was the little digimon floating next to Lucemon's side, his small face twisted in sadness and despair.

So, Lucemon isn't traveling alone. Well, that certainly is a relief. At least now we know he has a voice of reason to rely on, though at the moment that doesn't appear to be the case...

Releasing his grip on DarkAngelicmon, Angelicmon took a small step towards the celestial rookie, and gazing mournfully at him Lucemon said in a soft, pleading voice, "Please, help him. Please..."

There was silence. After all, what could he say?

Pushing away from the cliff wall, his handsome features twisting in pain, DarkAngelicmon stumbled towards the rookie angel, falling to his knees when he reached the spot where Lucemon hovered just above the edge of the rocky path.

"We've come so far only to end up back where we started. How could we have fallen so far? All that we worked for, all that we accomplished. Was it all in vain?" Lucemon whispered, gazing down at the fallen angel and shaking his head in despair.

Unable to look at Lucemon, DarkAngelicmon turned his face away, his arms wrapping protectively around his trembling body, and putting his hands over his face, he shook his head in denial, unwilling to accept Lucemon's words of failure. On the surface, he appeared to be in great pain, but whether that pain was physical or emotional, Angelicmon could not be sure. Considering the look on the fallen angel's face, though, deep beneath the surface of his lifeless green gaze, he appeared to be struggling with the agony of Lucemon's unexpected outburst.

"Will you not even speak to me anymore, even after everything we've been through?" Lucemon said sadly, humbly bowing his head.

In response to Lucemon's plea, DarkAngelicmon held out his hand, his fingers trembling slightly, but before he could leap to his feet, Lucemon glided towards him, the rookie angel's hand coming to rest gently against the top of the fallen angel's raven head.

Flinching at the sudden contact, as if it pained him to have Lucemon so close, DarkAngelicmon restlessly fluttered his wings, his green eyes once again squeezing shut to hide the emotion hiding just beneath the surface of his pale eyelids.

So much sadness...

"Angelicmon..."

Realizing all of a sudden that Lucemon was staring at him, Angelicmon quickly lowered his eyes to the ground, humbled by the deep wisdom and knowledge that seemed to pulse within the depths of the rookie's pale blue eyes, and speaking around the lump in his throat, he whispered, "Lucemon."

Next to him, I feel so insignificant...

"Please," Lucemon repeated, his voice quiet. "Save him. Bring him back to me."

Unable to look away any longer, Angelicmon met the rookie angel's intense gaze, and placing a hand against his heart he said solemnly, "I promise you. If it's the last thing we do, we will save your friend. Mickey and Matty will not fail you."

Blue eyes sparkling brilliantly in the sunshine, Lucemon bowed his head in acknowledgement of the promise, a faint smile turning up the corners of his mouth, and gazing one last time into DarkAngelicmon's brilliant green eyes, which seemed unable to stay hidden behind pale fingers, he dropped his hand and quickly dived over the edge of the cliff, disappearing from view.

"Oh, I'm very sorry about this," the little digimon who had been hovering next to Lucemon's shoulder said apologetically, looking a little bit flustered. "I'm afraid Lucemon can be a little bit reckless sometimes, but he means well, even if he doesn't always think things through first before he acts. Please don't be angry, Angelicmon."

Raising his eyebrows, Angelicmon said softly in amusement, "I must say, he certainly has excellent timing."

"Oh! Well..."

"I will keep his friendship close to my heart. Do not worry about that, my little friend."

Beaming at him, the little digimon cast one last anxious glance at DarkAngelicmon before following Lucemon, and realizing all of a sudden that the rookie angel had left, DarkAngelicmon quickly leaped to his feet, racing to the edge of the cliff to catch one last look at his old friend.

Feeling like an intruder, Angelicmon said hesitantly, "DarkAngelicmon..."

"Lucemon," the fallen angel murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "You would dare to risk yourself for me? How very foolish you've become."

Knowing instinctively he was most likely stepping on a landmine, Angelicmon said quietly, "Are his actions really so foolish? Would you not have done the same for him?"

As he had suspected, DarkAngelicmon's whole body suddenly stiffened, and he gasped as the fallen angel suddenly whirled around and grabbed him by the throat, causing him to tumble back against the cliff wall. A moment later, he felt the sharp tip of the fallen angel's spear press painfully against the soft skin of his stomach, and gazing into each other's eyes he felt DarkAngelicmon's fingers close tight around his neck, loose enough not to obstruct his breathing, but hard enough to send an important message.

"If Lucemon dies, you die. Understand me?" DarkAngelicmon hissed, his green eyes blazing with fury.

Gazing wide-eyed at the fallen angel, Angelicmon slowly nodded, and a moment later he felt DarkAngelicmon's hand slip away from his throat. "What are you-"

"We should hurry," DarkAngelicmon interrupted, turning away from him. "Unless, of course, you want Daichi to fail."

"You know I don't."

"Then you should be on your way and so should I. There is still work that needs to be done. If Daichi is to obtain the Spirit Chip of Bravery then all of you must reach the peak before it's too late. I would hurry if I were you. Kara is waiting."

Angelicmon opened his mouth to say something, but before he could respond, DarkAngelicmon suddenly leaped into the air, his dark wings stirring up a cloud of dust.

Covering his mouth and nose to prevent himself from coughing and sneezing, he shouted, "Do not forget my words. Leave Mickey and Matty alone!"

"I'll keep my word if you keep yours," the fallen angel said coldly, glancing back to look over his shoulder. "Oh, and a word of advice. Tell Makiya Takaishi it isn't very wise to be stealing my feathers. We don't want to anger the Ruler of Darkness, now do we?"

"I didn't know you were so fond of stray feathers. Would you like it back?"

DarkAngelicmon didn't answer. Instead, he flew around the corner out of sight, and Angelicmon was left to contemplate his counterpart's cryptic words.

Lucemon, Mickey, Matty...what does it all mean?

He didn't know, but there was one thing he was sure of. DarkAngelicmon wanted something from them, but what exactly it was the fallen angel wanted he had no way of knowing without needing more information.

Maybe there's more than one reason he needs us because although I don't know exactly what's going on, there is one thing I do know he wants from us...

It was so painfully obvious he didn't know why he had never noticed it before. DarkAngelicmon was good at keeping secrets, but when it came to his emotions, he would often inadvertently let something slip, like he had with Lucemon only a moment ago.

What did the fallen angel want from them above all else, maybe even more than hurting Mickey and Matty?

It was simple.

He wants us to save Lucemon...