Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Okay, so now that Christmas is over, hopefully I'll be able to get in some more writing! Here's another chapter for you all and oh! Time to update Embermon's profile, I think! It's getting to that point soon!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 190: The Game is Up

Daichi 'Dai' Motomiya

File Island, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

"We're almost to the top," Ryoko said quietly, waving his D-Coder in the general direction of the peak. "From here on in, we're going to have to be really careful, especially if they're paying attention to Kara's D-Coder."

"And with the way our luck has been going today, I have no doubt they know we're coming," Alopemon scowled, shaking his head in disgust. "We should be there any minute, and if, like you said, Ryoko, we're right about Kara's D-Coder, then they'll most likely be waiting for us."

Kara, if they've done anything to hurt you...

Clenching his hands into tight fists, Dai walked silently next to Matty, his heart racing and his mind working overtime to process everything that had happened to him since the moment he had stormed off on his friends, which to him felt like a lifetime ago, though really he hadn't been gone for all that long. There were so many things he wanted to say, things he needed to tell Tai and the others, but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to blurt out what was on his mind.

Like I need to give Ryoko and Matty another excuse to hate me...

Though he tried his best to ignore it, he could almost feel Matty's animosity towards him seeping into every pore on his body, burning him from the inside out, and on his other side, Ryoko's frosty expression seemed to freeze the very marrow of his bones, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

He knew, deep down inside, that there were some issues the three of them needed to resolve, but at the moment he didn't feel quite brave enough to start another argument.

And what about Tai? I know he's trying to be nice, but that doesn't change the fact that he must still be really disappointed in me...

Glancing uncertainly at the former leader and blushing when he suddenly realized Tai was staring back at him, Dai quickly turned his head away, hoping in vain to hide the expression on his face.

Why? Why didn't I tell them about DemiDevimon? I had to get rid of him. He was going to try and stop me from saving Kara, but...even so...I...I...

"What's with the avalanche?" Embermon asked curiously, pointing at the huge pile of rocks blocking the path up ahead.

Making a face, Matty mumbled, "We can't climb over those."

"What should we do, Tai?" Agumon questioned, glancing uncertainly at his partner.

"I don't care what we do as long as we reach Kara," Dovemon said firmly, anxiously fluttering her small wings.

Frowning at the obstacle blocking their path, Tai said slowly, "It looks like we're going to have to fly our way over. Either that or Tirimon can make a couple of trips with us on his back. He's agile enough that he shouldn't have a problem getting over those rocks."

"What do you think, Alopemon?" Ryoko asked, glancing down at his partner.

"It's probably best if you guys ride on me. We need every advantage we can get."

"That settles it then. I'll go first with Dai and Embermon. Matty, you'll be next with Tai, Dovemon, and Agumon."

"Be careful," the younger twin mumbled, avoiding his cousin's eyes.

Nodding at his partner, Alopemon digivolved quickly, the mountain of rocks blocking their path obscuring the light surrounding the fox digimon from view, and turning to his partner he nodded his head, indicating that he was ready.

Without a word, Dai climbed onto Tirimon's back, settling himself behind Ryoko, and leaping gracefully over the mound of rubble blocking their path, the fox champion landed easily on the other side, his paws stirring up a cloud of dirt.

In front of him, Dai could literally see the tension in Ryoko's shoulders, and nudging the golden-haired Digidestined in the back with his elbow he mumbled, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't...I mean..."

Leaning back slightly, Ryoko said softly in his ear, "Don't apologize to me. Matty's the one you need to apologize to."

"What's the point? He probably won't even care. You heard him earlier."

"Dai, are you really that blind?" Ryoko snapped, shaking his head in disbelief. "The only reason Matty even mentioned me is because I..."

"What?"

"I...it's nothing. I don't get it. How could Matty possibly think something like that? I mean...look at us. This is so stupid!"

Huh?

Dai stared at the golden-haired Digidestined with his mouth hanging open, and scratching the back on his head in confusion he said, "Uh...Ishida, no offence, but you're not making any sense."

"I told you, it's nothing. Just forget it."

"But..."

Instead of answering, Ryoko slid off of Tirimon's back with ease, his feet lightly touching the ground, and although he didn't want to admit it, Dai couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed since he himself had nearly slipped in his efforts to perform the same maneuver, forcing him to grab onto the golden-haired Digidestined's shoulder for support, but despite how disgruntled he felt, he still managed to give his friend a grateful smile as Ryoko quickly reached out a hand to steady him.

"Thanks."

Inclining his head slightly in response, Ryoko quickly motioned for the three of them to move off the path, and together, along with Embermon, the two of them sat next to each other against the base of the cliff looming above their heads, not close enough to touch, but not far enough away to make the tension between them even more awkward than it already was.

"I'll be back with the others in a moment," Tirimon said quietly, turning quickly and leaping his way back over the rocks.

"I bet Kara's going to be really happy to see us," Embermon said cheerfully, attempting to smile.

Scratching his partner gently between the ears, Dai glanced hesitantly at the golden-haired Digidestined sitting beside him, and realizing all of a sudden that Ryoko was intently studying his face, he blushed and grumbled, "Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" Ryoko snorted, rolling his eyes.

"You know...that look you always give me. You really know how to make someone feel like a complete failure. I hate it when you do that."

"Is that what you think?"

For a moment, Ryoko looked as if he didn't know whether or not he should be angry or amused, but then his face suddenly softened, and lowering his voice he murmured, "You're so way off it's no wonder you keep driving me nuts all the time."

"Hey! You're not exactly the easiest person to get along with either! See? This is exactly why-"

"Did it ever occur to you that the reason I might look at you like that is because I can't help wondering what might be going on inside your head when you say and do things I don't understand?" Ryoko said quietly, looking away from him. "Did you ever think it might be because I want to understand and it frustrates me when I can't figure you out no matter how hard I try to read between the lines of everything you say?"

Unable to respond, Dai stared at the golden-haired Digidestined, conscious of the fact that he must look like a fool sitting there with his mouth hanging open, and somehow managing to find his voice he said uncertainly, "I'm not that hard to figure out."

"Not on the surface maybe, but...I often wonder what's underneath..."

I wonder the same thing about you...

"Ryoko..."

Face growing suddenly serious, Ryoko said quietly in a voice barely above a whisper, "Don't call me that unless you really mean it."

Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

Reaching out to place his hand on Ryoko's shoulder, determined to ask the golden-haired Digidestined what in the Digiworld he was talking about, but before he could open his mouth, Tirimon suddenly appeared over the rocks, his long, graceful body bounding easily over the debris.

"Are we ready to continue?" Agumon asked curiously, leaping off of Tirimon's head once the fox champion had landed safely on the path.

"We should hurry. How many times do I have to say it? We're wasting time here," Matty said stiffly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Realizing how the situation must look to Matty, Dai quickly jerked away from Ryoko, his smile faltering at the look on the younger twin's face.

He can't seriously think I'd sink so low...

Rolling his eyes, Ryoko said curtly, "We weren't talking about you."

"I didn't think you were!" Matty shot back, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

"That was convincing," Tai snorted, shaking his head in amusement. "Come on, boys, let's get moving."

Leaping to his feet, Dai quickly hurried to catch up to the former leader, and squinting at the path up ahead, he said uncertainly, "Is that light up ahead?"

"Yes. I saw it shining faintly above the cliff just before we climbed over the rocks," Dovemon confirmed, soaring gracefully through the air next to Tai's shoulder. "It's been growing stronger ever since. It doesn't seem to be concentrated in one area either. To me, it looks like it must me shining over the entire peak of Infinity Mountain, which is why we can see it from several angles."

"The Spirit Chip," Tai murmured, almost to himself. "The light of the barrier surrounding it must be so powerful that it radiates out so far it can be seen even when you haven't actually reached the peak yet. Almost like a lighthouse beacon."

"It feels warm," Dovemon said softly, her eyes sparkling like green jewels in the light of the sun and the faint light shining from two different sides of the path.

Kara!

Grabbing Tai's wrist, Dai quickly dragged the former leader around the last bend in the road, and catching sight of the makeshift stone pedestal standing erect on the opposite side of the peak from where he was standing, Dai felt his heart leap into his throat.

It wasn't so much the pedestal that had forced such an intense reaction out of him, despite the fact that it clearly held the Spirit Chip of Bravery, it was the female Digidestined sitting at its base with her forehead pressed against her knees that had caused his heart to begin beating almost painfully fast within his chest.

"Kara!"

Jerking her head up at the sound of his voice, Takara leaped to her feet and shrieked, "Dai! I knew you would come?! I knew it!"

"Kara, are you okay?" Tai asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly.

Beaming at her father, Kara said softly, "I'm fine, Dad."

"Worried about Dai, were you?" Ryoko said nonchalantly, a small smirk turning up the corners of his mouth.

Takara blushed, and smiling sheepishly she said, "Of course."

"Kara..."

"Don't give up now, Dai," Takara said urgently, anxiously studying his face. "Don't let them get to you."

It's almost as if she knows...In fact, she probably does know. She's always been good at reading people.

"Kara, I..."

Unable to put his feelings into words, Dai took a small step towards the female Digidestined, his arms reaching out almost as if to embrace her, despite the fact that they were still so far apart, and realizing his intentions, Takara suddenly took a step back and shrieked, "No, Dai, don't! They're here! They've been watching you. You can't let down your-"

"Shadow Spheres!"

To Dai's complete astonishment, three black balls of energy suddenly erupted into the air from the centre of a tight circle of rocks made up of five large boulders, which stood directly in the middle of the peak, and streaking through the air, one of them slammed directly into Takara's chest, sending her flying back against the pedestal. The back of her head hit the rim of the stone structure and slumping forwards, she felt flat on her face, her entire body going limp and her D-Coder rolling out of her hand, its glowing green surface coming to rest a few feet away from her unconscious body.

"Kara!" Tai gasped in horror, his whole face turning a deathly shade of white.

"No!" Dovemon shrieked.

Standing next to Tai, Daichi stared at his female friend's slumped body, too stunned to even cry out in horror.

No...

Behind him, he could here Matty and Ryoko screaming Kara's name, but for some reason their voices sounded strangely far away.

This isn't happening. This can't be happening.

Coming to his senses, Tai made a move to race to his daughter's side, but before he could get very far, two digimon leaped out from the centre of the rocks and moved to intercept him, stopping the former leader in his tracks.

"You," Tai said coldly, his dark eyes sparkling dangerously in the light of the sun.

"What have you done to Kara?" Dovemon wailed, hovering protectively next to Tai's shoulder.

Smiling evilly, Jestermon said cheerfully, "She's not dead, if that's what you're worried about. She's merely in a deep sleep, much like Makiya Takaishi was. Tell me, oh great Digidestined leader, how is your nephew fairing these days? I haven't seen him since...ah, yes, angel boy's little disappearing act and Gennai's long boring speech. When was that again? Oh wait, that was yesterday, wasn't it? How the fool forgets."

"You jerk," Tai spat, glaring daggers at the jester digimon.

"Now, now, play nice," BlackWidowmon smirked, smiling in amusement. "I must say, your daughter's D-Coder really came in handy."

"You saw us coming and decided to ambush us, didn't you! That was supposed to be our job!" Embermon complained, scowling at the female mega.

"Now that you're here, I am curious as to where Vampiramon and angel boy went," Jestermon interrupted, a thoughtful look on his face. "They said they were going to go after you, but...it looks like you managed to slip past them."

"Our friends!" Matty gasped, coming up behind Tai and tugging anxiously on the former leader's arm. "Uncle, you don't think they've gone after our friends, do you?"

"If they couldn't find Dai then that would be the most logical assumption," Tai said quietly, his dark eyes never leaving his daughter's limp body. "Instead of catching up to Dai, they must have inadvertently run into the rest of our friends."

"Great," Tirimon grumbled, making a face.

Smirking slightly, Jestermon said nonchalantly, "Tough luck, Matty. Looks like your precious brother is in trouble again, and this time you're not around to help him!"

"You're going to pay for what you did to Mickey, and Kara, too!" Matty shouted furiously, his hands clenching into tight fists.

"Why don't you make me? Then again, I don't see how you could possibly stand up to me, especially without a partner. Tell me, Masato Takaishi, the fool is quite curious. Where is your dear digimon partner?"

"None of your business!"

"Touchy, aren't we," BlackWidowmon said dryly, tilting her head to the side and studying the younger twin's angry expression. "Fine then, don't tell us. It doesn't really matter either way. We'll beat it out of you eventually."

"Until the rest of the players in this little charade arrive, it seems we are at a standstill," Jestermon cackled, an unpleasant smile lighting up his wrinkled green face. "You cannot get your hands on the Spirit Chip without your friends, and we cannot steal it from you until those same friends of yours decide to make an appearance. What to do...I know! Why don't we play a little game to pass the time? The fool does enjoy a good game once in a while, especially when there are so many humans and digimon who are so eager to play along."

Gazing silently at Takara's motionless body, Dai felt something inside him snap, and feeling a sudden spark of pure rage in his heart, which was so powerful it almost overwhelmed him, he held out his Digivice and said coldly, "I don't have time for games. What you did to Kara, and to Mickey, it's unforgivable. I'm going to make you suffer just like they have."

"Dai, wait!" Tai shouted, grabbing onto his arm and giving him a gentle shake. "Listen to me! I know you're angry, but there's no use wasting our energy on a pointless fight when the real battle is still to come. We're better off saving our energy until the others arrive, even if it might be one of the hardest things we've ever had to do."

"Tai's right," Ryoko said firmly, his expression serious. "We can't help Kara if our digimon run out of energy before we can get our hands on the Spirit Chip!"

Ignoring Ryoko and pulling his arm roughly out of Tai's grip, Dai snapped, "Let go of me!"

"Dai, I know you're upset, I am too, but you have to-"

"No, I don't!"

In response to his outburst, Tai quickly snapped his mouth shut, and glaring at Jestermon Dai said quietly, his tone dripping with venom, "Embermon, digivolve now."