Disclaimer: I don't own the awesomeness that is Digimon.
A/N: Now the story has started moving forward. Hope you all like this chapter as there are a lot more interesting things to come!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 227: Modem Hospitality
Makiya 'Mickey' Takaishi
Server, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World
Walking silently next to his twin brother, Mickey lifted his chin to gaze at the deep blue sky hovering high above the swamp, a sigh escaping his lips as he proceeded to brush a couple of stray strands of sweaty blond hair off his forehead. The rain had stopped falling by the early hours of the morning, and now that it was late afternoon and they were several hours into their journey to reach the village of Modem, even the clouds had cleared away, leaving the sky a brilliant blue. It was a welcomed sight, and Mickey was quick to note that it lifted his spirits somewhat, but at the same time the lack of rain came at a price. Because the sun was now shining and the air was humid, he felt unbelievably hot and sticky. In fact, he felt even worse than he had the day before, though unlike some of the other Digidestined he had refrained from complaining about the heat throughout the morning and afternoon.
So far, they had once again failed to encounter any of their enemies, and Mickey had to admit that the lack of a confrontation left him feeling slightly worried. It wasn't like DarkAngelicmon to remain inconspicuous for so long, and on top of that he was also worried about his digimon partner.
Who, once again, was acting strangely.
Halomon and Celestimon are definitely hiding something, and the way they keep staring at the trees...I'm pretty sure they think we're being followed. But...if that's true, who could be following us? It can't be DarkAngelicmon. I'm sure Halomon and Celestimon would have definitely said something if he was. But if he's not then it would have to be another celestial digimon, since they seem to be sensing whoever is watching us more than seeing him. That doesn't make any sense either, though, because the only other celestial digimon we've come across is Luciamon, and she's gone...
Mickey winced at that sudden thought, and watching his partner, who was flying up ahead with Celestimon, he shook his head before turning his attention to Sam. The raven-haired Digidestined was walking just ahead of him, and thinking back on the night before, his eyebrows narrowed into a deep frown.
Mickey couldn't deny that the fight between Sam and Ken had greatly unsettled him, and adding in the problems with Dai, Ryoko, and Matty, he wasn't sure how much more he could take.
Though they had placed guards to watch both the springs and the front of the cabin last night, none of whom had spotted anything unusual, deep down inside Mickey could not helping feeling as if they had missed something important. And even now, he still felt like they had overlooked a vital piece of information.
Sam was very quiet. Too quiet for Mickey's liking.
He's acting even more unlike himself today. It's like staring at a complete stranger...
There was no denying that Sam had been relatively silent throughout their journey so far, but today he seemed even more reclusive than usual, and something about the look on his face scared Mickey. The expression in Sam's eyes was mostly blank, but underneath that unreadable gaze there was something dark and stormy brewing like the murky waters of an angry cauldron ready to boil over. Something so intense Mickey couldn't quite describe it. That look had never been there before, even when Sam was fighting with his father, and not only that, but Sam had also not even glanced once at his father all day, let alone spoken to him, which also concerned Mickey. Yesterday Sam couldn't seem to stop looking at his father, and there had been times when he had even spoken to Ken, though more than once it had been against his own will.
But today, nothing. Not even a hint of awareness that his father was traveling with the group at all.
It's like Ken doesn't even exist to him.
So far, Mickey was sure he was the only one who had noticed the change in Sam's demeanor, and he wasn't sure what to do about it, since he couldn't quite convince himself that it wasn't just his imagination.
He was sure it wasn't, but how to convince the others of that?
Did something happen last night?
Mickey scratched at his blond hair in confusion, but he couldn't think of anything that would have caused the subtle change in Sam's attitude. Sam had been fine in the springs and also when they had said goodnight to each other.
Unless something happened after I fell asleep. But that can't be it. Considering all of the things that could have happened, it turned out to be a pretty uneventful night.
And although that was true, there was no denying that Sam was acting even more oddly than usual, and the almost imperceptible change in his demeanor was very recent. Mickey couldn't really explain it, but there was something about the aura around Sam that was slightly off.
Something dark and unpleasant.
So much...despair...
Mickey shivered at the thought, the heat of the swamp failing to touch him this time, and wrapping his arms around himself he continued to gaze at Sam's profile.
He had wanted to confront Sam about his attitude this morning, but unfortunately he hadn't been able to work up the courage to do so. Normally, he found Sam's presence to be warm and comforting, but today it felt dark and disturbing, and it made him want to keep his distance.
I've never felt this way before around Sam. It feels so...wrong, and I can't help feeling guilty.
And upon reflection, Mickey realized that even the day Sam had found himself pulled into the World of Darkness, it hadn't felt like this. It hadn't felt so overwhelmingly dark and powerful.
Does that mean that Sam...No! No, that's not going to happen. I won't let it happen!
"Mickey? Hey, are you okay?"
The sound of his brother's voice startled him, and turning to look at Matty, he managed to say, "Huh?"
Matty studied his face for a moment, and tilting his head to the side, he said, "You have a funny look on your face."
"Oh. Do I?"
Matty snorted, looking amused. "Come on, Mickey. I know you too well. Something is bugging you. I mean, really bugging you. You've been thinking too much to be healthy all morning, and you look really serious. What's up?"
Mickey glanced at Sam, and shaking his head, he said slowly, "I'm not sure."
To his surprise, Matty also looked at Sam, and the strangest look came over the younger twin's face as he said, "What do you mean you're not sure?"
Wait, does Matty maybe feel it too? He did feel the darkness when Sam got pulled into the World of Darkness that one time...
Mickey shook his head, and avoiding his brother's eyes, he said, "It could just be my imagination. Let me think about it for a little while. If I can make sense of it, I'll let you know."
"Well, okay. I mean, if you're sure, but...I don't think it's your imagination."
Matty, you always understand what I'm thinking. I love that about you. Everything is so easy with you, even when we're not getting along so well.
Smiling, Mickey gave his brother's shoulder a quick squeeze before turning his attention back to the rest of the Digidestined.
The rest of the group chatted easily as they moved through the dense brush and murky waters blocking their path, and with the exception of himself and possibly Matty, not one of the others was paying any attention to Sam.
Except perhaps for one other member of the group, now that Mickey had actually had a chance to study their faces. Whereas Ken had attempted to speak to Sam more than once the day before, today he had surprisingly kept his distance. He had not tried to approach Sam or talk with him, and though he was walking fairly close to Matty, he was looking straight up ahead.
At Sam.
Wait...does that mean that Ken also feels it?
Mickey glanced more closely at the former Emperor's face, and though Ken's expression was fairly neutral there was a hint of worry in his deep blue eyes.
If Ken feels something too then it can't just be my imagination.
And if that were true then that meant he and possibly Matty weren't the only ones who thought there was something wrong with Sam.
But what can we do?
Ken must have felt a pair of eyes on him because he turned his head suddenly and Mickey found himself gazing into the former Emperor's sapphire eyes. Upon seeing his expression, Ken took a closer look at him, and a meaningful glance passed between the two of them before they both turned to look at Sam.
Mickey could tell Ken wanted to speak to him, and the former Emperor even made a move as if to step around Matty, but before he could get very far, Mimi's voice interrupted him.
"Are we almost there? I feel like we've been walking forever," the rosy-haired Digidestined complained.
Leomon, who was at the front of the group leading the way, paused to look back at Mimi, and smiling, he said, "It's not too far now. We should be coming upon the village in a few minutes."
"I can't wait to get there," Dai said enthusiastically. "It'll be cool to have a chance to speak with some of the digimon in this world who are just normal digimon. We haven't had a lot of chances to. Most of the digimon we've met have been digimon partners or digimon working for Gennai."
"The digimon in Modem are a cheerful and easygoing bunch," Leomon said, smiling in remembrance. "They live simple lives, and even their fear and curiosity of the purple light in the forest hasn't gotten their spirits down."
"That's good to hear," Takara said happily, beaming at Leomon. "There is something bothering me though. We still haven't seen Vampiramon or any of the others so far yet. It worries me. You would think they would have shown their faces by now."
Next to her, Izzy frowned, and squinting up ahead, he said slowly, "It is a bit odd for them, but that doesn't mean they won't confront us somewhere along the line. I'm sure they have something planned, and now that we're getting closer to the Spirit Chip, I'm sure they're going to put their plans into action very soon."
"I agree with Izzy. It's more important than ever now that we be careful," Leomon warned, glancing back over his shoulder as he spoke. "The village should be just past those trees up ahead. Come."
Sending one more worried look in Ken's direction, Mickey followed the rest of the group in silence, and ducking under some low hanging branches he made it through the trees without incident. On the other side of the mini forest, he spotted a tiny, sleepy looking town surrounded by both thick underbrush and the murky waters of the swamp. Trees also surrounded the small village, and Mickey could hear the voices of the digimon chattering happily on the wind.
"You know, this is actually a nice place, even if the village is surrounded by a swamp," Takara commented, exchanging a smile with Rosa.
"Do you think the digimon will be willing to tell us their stories themselves?" Cody asked curiously, turning to Leomon for an answer.
In response, Leomon nodded his head and said, "Digimon tend to be curious by nature. I'm sure they will be very happy to tell you everything they know, especially if it means you'll be able to solve the mystery of the purple light."
"Hearing the story for ourselves probably would be a good idea," Izzy agreed, smiling at Leomon. "Shall we all head inside then?"
"Let's go!" Embermon cheered. "The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can start looking for the Spirit Chip."
"No way!" Celestimon pouted. "That's a job for tomorrow. I'm tired, and Izzy says we need our rest."
"Plus, we want to explore the town!" Halomon called out, fluttering around Embermon's head with a smile on his face.
Ignoring the smirk Alopemon sent in his direction, Embermon turned his back on the two celestial digimon and muttered, "You guys are no fun."
"I suggest we go see the village elder first," Leomon suggested, once again taking the lead and motioning for everyone to follow him. "He would be the best digimon to ask about the purple light in the woods. After that you can explore the town a bit and speak with the other digimon if you desire to do so."
"That sounds like a good idea," Matt agreed, giving Ken, who was lost in thought, a gentle nudge to get him moving. "The digimon won't mind if we stay the night here?"
"Not at all," Leomon quickly reassured the former musician, hacking away at the underbrush for easy passage. "In fact, many of them will most likely offer you dinner and a place to sleep in their homes."
"Now this sounds like my kind of place!" Dai said happily, beaming at the small buildings up ahead.
"Anything to satisfy your stomach," Ryoko muttered.
That comment earned a snort from Matty, but Mickey was quick to note that Sam didn't even seem to notice the friendly jibe as he otherwise would have. Instead, the raven-haired Digidestined continued to stare blankly out at the trees, his sapphire gaze clouded by a touch of darkness that Mickey was unable to define clearly. He was pretty sure Sam hadn't even seen the village, and the raven-haired Digidestined's lack of interest, not only with regards to the town but with his surroundings as a whole, was starting to make Mickey feel extremely nervous.
Sam, what is wrong with you? Why do you seem so distant from us?
"Here we are," Leomon announced, motioning them through the trees that led to the main path into town. "The village elder's house is the third one on the left. I'm sure he'll be quite happy to see you."
Mickey followed his twin down the narrow dirt path, and emerging on the other side of the trees, he smiled at the sight of the town lying out before him. The village of Modem was mostly made up of dirt paths and tiny huts, but even though the town was primitive, it looked like a lively place. There seemed to be quite a lot of digimon outside who were chatting easily with one another and going about their business. The village elder's hut was fairly easy to pick out, since it was clearly the largest and fanciest house in town, and making his way towards it, Leomon would pause occasionally to smile at the residents and to say hello. And upon seeing him, many of the digimon would wave or call out a greeting in return.
As they made their way down the road, the chattering amongst the digimon grew to a low murmur as word began to spread that there were humans in town, and as they passed the digimon looked at them with open curiosity and excitement. They were obviously surprised to see humans traveling this far out in the swamp, and Mickey made sure to smile warmly at them as he passed.
"If my suspicions are correct, the village elder should be inside," Leomon informed them, reaching out to knock on the door.
A moment later the door was opened by a digimon who resembled a shriveled old woman, and peering at them from the shadows inside the hut, she said in a gravelly voice, "Back again are you, Leomon?"
"I apologize for the interruption, but I've brought some friends along whom I would like you and the elder to meet."
"Humans, huh?" the old digimon said, studying them closely. At least, Mickey thought she was studying them, though he couldn't say for sure since her eyes were hidden by a fringe of grey hair. "Well, this certainly makes for an interesting turn of events. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. At my age my life could use a little bit of excitement."
"I thought digimon didn't age," Matty muttered, earning himself a sharp poke in the ribs from Ryoko.
"Is the elder home then?" Leomon asked politely, bowing in respect.
"Yes, yes of course he is. You know that as well as I do. The fool never ventures outside unless I personally drag him out the door. Well, don't just stand there. Come on in. I'm sure he'll be most happy to see you again, Leomon."
Leomon was quick to follow her orders, and exchanging an amused look with Matty, Mickey followed the lion digimon inside.
The interior was fairly gloomy, and leading them into a room at the back of the house that resembled a sitting room, Mickey found himself gazing at a digimon who looked remarkably like a rugged old man. He was sitting in a rocking chair by the window, his blind gaze focusing on something outside in the village, and pointing to the large braided rug covering most of the floor, the old female digimon said, "Sit. All of you must be tried from your journey. I will provide you with food and water."
For reasons Mickey could not explain, he found himself quickly moving to obey her commands, and as she left the room the elder turned in his chair to face them, his hidden gaze coming to rest on Leomon. "Welcome back, my young friend. I figured I would be seeing you again soon."
"I am sorry for interrupting again, but I've brought some good friends with me who would very much like to hear the story about the light in the woods."
"I see. In that case I will do my best to tell it with as much accuracy as possible. Welcome, Digidestined, to the humble village of Modem. It is a pleasure to have an opportinity to meet you all in person. I am the village elder, Jijimon, and that old crone ordering you around is my wife, Babamon."
"A digimon married couple?" Yolei said curiously, raising her eyebrows. "I've never heard of such a thing before."
"Eh, it happens," Jijimon replied, shrugging his shoulders. "So you want to hear the story about the light in the woods for yourselves, do you? It's based on the observations of several digimon in the village who came across it, myself included."
"Wait, you saw it for yourself?" Alopemon demanded, looking skeptical.
"The old crone forced me outside to investigate the incident after we received several reports about its existence in the forest. She's a slave driver, I tell you. Anyways, there's not really much to tell. About half a day's walk from our village there seems to be a strange purple light emitting from a small clearing to the east. Quite a few digimon from my village have come across it, though none have yet dared to get close enough to investigate the source, myself included. No sense in asking for trouble, as I always say. I figured it was a matter best left to Gennai and his counterparts. And wouldn't you know it, Leomon and his friends showed up to hear the tale. I take it you have investigated the incident and that you have discovered the mystery behind the purple light?"
"Indeed, and that is the very reason why I have brought the Digidestined here with me today," Leomon replied. "That purple light is emitting from a small object Gennai and his counterparts call a Spirit Chip. It is a tool to help the humans and their partners with the digivolving process."
"I see. So you have come to retrieve it then?" Jijimon asked, brandishing his staff at Leomon.
"That is our intention, yes. If it is alright with you, since the Spirit Chip lies in your territory."
"By all means take it. We certainly have no use for it," Jijimon said, waving the matter aside. "It belongs to the Digidestined after all, does it not?"
"Thank you, Jijimon. We are in your debt," Ken said softly, humbly bowing his head. "It will be a great help to us on our journey."
"Speaking of our journey, you haven't by any chance seen any suspicious characters prowling around your village lately, have you?" Izzy asked slowly, clutching his laptop tightly against his chest.
"My eyes might not be the sharpest, but nothing in or around this village happens without me being aware of it," Jijimon said proudly, his tone leaving no doubt he believed every word that had come out of his mouth. "Gotten yourselves into a bit of trouble, have you?"
"Well..."
Before Izzy could give a proper reply, Babamon returned with the food, and passing it around everyone took a moment to fill their empty stomachs and to quench their thirst. Matty proceeded to make a comment about Jijimon under his breath, which implied that maybe the old digimon's eyes would be sharper if he didn't have so much hair on his face, and hearing the whispered words to Dai, Jijimon promptly whacked Matty over the head with his staff. Babamon took the empty rocking chair next to Jijimon, and folding her hands over the broom in her lap, she eyed them and said, "Your enemies hunt you."
"How did you know?" Rosa asked, glancing at the old female digimon in surprise.
"The Ruler of Darkness and his companions," Jijimon snorted, growing thoughtful. "The rumours have reached even so far as our humble village. Best to be on your guard. They appear to be a tricky lot."
"No kidding," Matty grumbled, making a face.
"This Spirit Chip you speak of. It glows persistently, as if eager to meet its user," Babamon said, her hidden gaze coming to rest on Sam.
No way. How does she...
Mickey turned his gaze to Sam as well, and staring at something unseen, Sam murmured, "It feels so far away. I can't see it. I can't see anything..."
It was such an odd thing to say, and Mickey wasn't surprised to see both Ken and Yolei glance at their son with concern in their eyes.
"Eat, my friends, and take your time visiting our village and its occupants. I'm sure they are eager to meet you. You are more than welcome to stay here for the night, as it appears you will have a difficult journey ahead of you tomorrow."
"Are you sure it's okay?" Yolei asked, frowning. "We wouldn't want to put your village in danger if the Ruler of Darkness and his allies decide to make their move on us."
"That's the last thing we want to do," Mimi added.
"Don't worry about us," Babamon cackled, waving off their concerns. "We don't live out in the middle of nowhere for nothing. The digimon in this village know how to defend themselves."
"Besides, it is our duty to help the Digidestined," Jijimon added. "Unlike this Vampiramon spoken of in the rumours, we have not forgotten our duty."
"Thank you," Matt said, his tone ringing with sincerity. "And in return we will do whatever we can to keep your village and your people safe. Not only from Vampiramon and her allies, but also from the darkness threatening your world."
"Sounds like a fair exchange to me," Babamon said. "Now eat up. You have a busy evening ahead of you. Our people will be anxious to meet you."
Mickey quickly finished his dinner of fish, fruit, and vegetables, while Leomon introduced them and told the old couple much about their journey as the Digidestined, and once everybody had emptied their plates they all headed towards the door with a promise to return at night, since the married couple had been gracious enough to offer their home as a sleeping quarters.
Mickey was the last one to leave the house with Ken, but before either one of them could slip through the door, Jijimon stopped them, a grave look on his face. "The darkness hunts him and seeks to enter into his heart. You must not allow him to succumb to the cloak of shadow he as wrapped himself in."
"What? You mean...Sam?" Ken asked quietly, glancing warily towards the door.
The others were out on the street and couldn't possibly have heard anything, but even so Mickey kept his voice low. "Sam's in trouble. I can feel the darkness."
"So can I," Ken replied, turning to look at him and saying what Mickey was sure he had wanted to say before.
"He is teetering on a thin rope between the forces of light and darkness, and soon he will lose his balance," Jijimon said simply, turning his back on them. "Do not let him topple off the wrong way."
And with that the old digimon disappeared into the gloom of his hut, leaving Ken and Mickey staring after him in somber silence.