Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: Sorry about the wait! Here's another chapter for you guys! I hope you all like it. I had quite a lot of fun writing this one.
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 236: The Light Inside
Sam Ichijouji
Sever, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World
For a long moment Sam could do nothing but stare at the celestial digimon hovering before him, and then before he could open his mouth another digimon suddenly appeared out of the trees, the small newcomer's breath coming in short bursts as he struggled to keep up with Lucemon.
"Don't run off on me like that!" the little digimon complained, giving his celestial friend a rather disgruntled look.
Sam, who had finally managed to find his voice, stared at the little newcomer and said stupidly, "Who are you?"
Upon reflection, seeing Lucemon really wasn't all that big of a surprise. After all, Sam had always expected they would eventually run into the celestial rookie at some point, whether it was them who found him first or he found them. That being said, he certainly hadn't counted on the tiny digimon who appeared to be Lucemon's little sidekick. Neither Luciamon or DarkAngelicmon had ever mentioned the little guy before.
So who was he, and where had he come from?
"Oh, me?" the little digimon asked, faltering slightly in the air at being addressed so suddenly. "I'm Lucemon's friend. My name is MarineAngemon. You...you're Sam Ichijouji."
Sam nodded in return, not the least bit surprised that this MarineAngemon knew his name, and clearing his parched throat, he said, "You...you're really tiny."
"Do not let his size fool you," Lucemon said softly, landing gracefully onto the sand. "He is a mega."
Sam's mouth fell open at this astonishing piece of news, and forgetting for a moment that he was stuck in the World of Darkness, a bemused smile suddenly turned up the corners of his mouth. "Well, that's surprising. And you...you're a rookie. You're Lucemon."
Lucemon nodded, his young face a mask of sorrow. "Indeed, I am. My friends speak too highly of me...Sam Ichijouji, it pains me to witness you in such a terrible state. To think that your situation has come to this..."
Lucemon's soft words and gentle tone affected Sam deeply, and all of a sudden his fear and sorrow came crashing down upon him again. He fell to his knees in the sand, and the shadows that were left stirred, reacting to his mood. More shadows were beginning to appear out of the ocean, their long legs carrying them across the beach, and a group of them were spilling out of the cave to Sam's left. It was clear that Lucemon's Grand Cross attack had only delayed them. There was still too much darkness to feed on, and there was still enough light for them to covet. There was no way they would be able to ignore what was happening on the beach. Sam knew deep inside that they would not stop coming until he learned to control the darkness in his heart. They would continue to hunt him until he learned how to fight back with the light inside.
And not only that, but he also suspected all of the shadows weren't just connected to him anymore, nor was he certain that the new batch were all manifestations of the darkness in his own heart.
Especially considering the way they were gazing so hungrily at Lucemon and DarkAngelicmon.
"Sam, I'm sure my old friend has told you, but if you cannot bring yourself to listen to him, then please at least listen to me," Lucemon said urgently, moving hesitantly closer. "You must leave this place at once before the shadows feed on the darkness in your heart. They are trying to steal the light inside of you that's hidden away so deeply within your soul. If you do not arm yourself against them and fight the darkness trying to consume you, they will succeed."
"But...what about you?"
The words came out of Sam in a whisper, and reaching up a trembling hand he let his fingers trail across the gold bracelet circling Lucemon's left wrist. The rookie angel was standing directly in front of him now, and gazing down at him, the angel said sadly, "You are not the only one who is floundering in the darkness."
"W-what do you mean?"
Lucemon reached out to place a hand upon his dark head, and Sam could feel the warmth of his gentle touch. "The darkness is within me as well as within my old friend. The shadows want to feed on us every bit as much as they want to feed on you."
"But...why?"
Lucemon looked at him then, and there was a flash of fear in his pale blue eyes. "It isn't the darkness they truly seek. The real prize is what lies underneath. What they truly want is the light inside of us. The light that hides beneath the darkness that threatens to consume us."
"That's true even for me?"
"Indeed, Sam. They are not just here to feed on the darkness, which allows them to become stronger. They both despise and hunger for the light within, and they will stop at nothing until they take it from us."
"So what they really want...is our light."
Lucemon gave a barely perceptible nod, and both of them turned to gaze at DarkAngelicmon, who was slowly picking himself up off the sand.
The fallen angel must have sensed that he was being watched because at that moment he looked up, and Sam found himself gazing into the dark champion's emerald green eyes. "Lucemon, if the shadows really want to steal the light inside then that means there's something sill left inside of me...right?"
Sam wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer, but he needed to ask. He needed to know the truth.
"You are beginning to see the truth of my words."
Sam was trembling again, and getting to his feet, he whispered, "Then the same would be true for everyone else here too, right?"
There was silence, and Sam turned to look at Lucemon.
The celestial champion was smiling.
DarkAngelicmon! So then...he's been telling me the truth this whole time? And underneath that darkness...there's still hope?
"If the light remains strong within you, the shadows can be defeated for good," Lucemon said softly.
"But they'll still attack me, too."
"They will be more wary, like they were earlier, before you lashed out at my old friend."
"Why?"
Lucemon gazed at him, his blue eyes full of emotion. "Because when you stand strong they know you have the power to defeat them."
I can...survive this?
"Lucemon, you must leave at once!" DarkAngelicmon snapped, coming towards them as the shadows began to gather around again. "They know your past, and their focus has shifted. You give them much to feed on, my friend."
Sam was confused, but at the moment the two angels seemed to have forgotten all about him. They were now gazing at each other, their expressions strained.
"The same is true for you," Lucemon whispered. "We both put Sam at risk. And though he has calmed down somewhat, his heart is not yet free. Please, Angelicmon, you must help him."
...Angelicmon?
Before Sam could process the meaning behind Lucemon's plea, the shadows attacked, and though they were clearly still interested in him, Sam could tell their main focus had shifted to Lucemon.
They want to steal his light and get him out of the way. They want to get rid of him so they can come for me.
Sam screamed and ducked as a shadow suddenly leaped over him with cat-like grace, and immediately jumping into action, Lucemon sent them flying with another blast of light.
"I'll help!" MarineAngemon cried, looking a little sheepish. "Though I don't know how much help I'll be...Kahuna Waves!"
For a moment the shadows seemed a bit confused, and they stood there as if they had lost the will to fight, and then DarkAngelicmon was stepping in to protect Lucemon, his face a mask of anger and his spear flying. "You cannot hope to defeat all of these shadows on your own!"
"Then help me," Lucemon said calmly, his concentration focused on the shadows. "Reach inside yourself and find the past you have forgotten."
DarkAngelicmon let out an impatient sound, and closing his eyes, his spear held at the ready, he seemed to withdraw inside himself. Sam gasped as a spark of light erupted from the fallen angel's hand, and swinging his spear, DarkAngelicmon shouted, "Litany Spear!"
DarkAngelicmon's spear rammed straight through the heart of the closest shadow, and it disappeared in a burst of light. Lucemon's Grand Cross attack took out a whole contingent of shadows on the left, and then DarkAngelicmon was hovering back to back with him in the air, his concentration focused on the shadows to the right.
Sam just stood there beneath them in a state of awe as bursts of light attacks flew in every direction, dissolving the shadows on impact.
I can't believe I'm really seeing this.
Lucemon and DarkAngelicmon weaved through the air with incredible speed, darting around each other and taking out shadows as if they were participating in a dance rather than a fight. They were well coordinated, and despite how close they came to one another there was never a collision and they did not once get in each other's way. There was never a moment when they would impede one another's movements, and as a result they moved almost as if they were one being. It was such a wonderful display of teamwork, and it gave Sam the impression that they had done this sort of thing many times before, both in practice and in real battles. It was clear they knew each other very well, and though they were concentrating on the shadows, Sam could tell they were also watching each other in case one of them got into trouble and needed help.
Luciamon, if you could see your friends now...
"Celestial Star!" DarkAngelicmon shouted, taking out a shadow that had leaped at Lucemon from behind.
"The bulk of them do not seem to be slowing down!" Lucemon gasped, landing on the sand and stepping back to give MarineAngemon a chance to use his attack again.
It was helpful in slowing the shadows down, giving Lucemon and DarkAngelicmon and chance to destroy large quantities of them at once.
"You need to leave now," DarkAngelicmon commanded, landing next to Lucemon and kicking at a shadow that had tired to grab his ankle. "They hunger desperately for you."
"But-"
"I thank you for earlier, but it would be wise if you left now," DarkAngelicmon said stiffly, leaping into the air again. "Zenith Point!"
Seven rays of light exploded onto the beach, sending grains of sand flying in all directions, and the main bulk of shadows disappeared in an explosion of light.
Remembering what had happened the last time DarkAngelicmon had performed such a feat, Sam held his breath, but the fallen angel did not falter. Lucemon's presence must have somehow given him extra strength because he did not faint. Instead, he once again landed next to Lucemon, his body glowing from the force of his attack. "Go now!"
Lucemon looked like he wanted to protest, but before he could there was a sudden blast of purple light in the sky that immediately caught their attention. Even the shadows that were still streaming out of the water paused to anticipate whatever this possible new threat might be.
As Sam watched in shock, the sky appeared to split open, and he could glimpse what looked like a forest on the other side.
Is that the...Digital World?
"They come," Lucemon said softly, sounding relieved.
"It appears the Emperor has finally arrived," DarkAngelicmon murmured, his lips turning up in a pleased smile.
Sam had no idea what they were talking about, and frowning, he said, "What's going on?"
Lucemon came to him, and reaching out to touch his shoulder, the rookie angel said, "Your friends have come for you, Sam. Please, I beg you. When the time comes do not ignore their words. Do not be deceived by the darkness."
"What do you mean?"
"Let your friends into your heart, Sam," Lucemon said sadly, his eyes bright and his words clear. "Give your father a chance to make things right again."
"But I-"
"Trust in yourself. Trust in your friends," Lucemon whispered, pulling away to face DarkAngelicmon.
"You are a fool to believe in me," DarkAngelicmon said quietly, shaking his head.
"And you are a fool not to believe in yourself," Lucemon replied, though the words were spoken with kindness and there was a fond smile on his face.
DarkAngelicmon actually laughed, and he bowed to Lucemon, a smile playing across his lips. "Go on. Get out of here, my friend."
"I leave the rest in your capable hands," Lucemon said softly, leaping into the air. "Good luck, old friend. Till we meet again."
And then Lucemon was gone, his wings carrying him back through the trees. MarineAngemon hurried after him, leaving Sam with only DarkAngelicmon for company. He wasn't worried that Lucemon would remain stuck in the World of Darkness. He knew the celestial rookie would somehow find his own way out.
And as for me...
The shadows shrieked and wailed at Lucemon's departure, but because of the ominous portal in the sky they did not dare give chase.
Both Sam and DarkAngelicmon stared after Lucemon in silence for a long moment, and somewhere in the back of Sam's mind his brain wondered if it might not be a good idea to try for the portal. At the same time, though, it scared him. He had no way of knowing if that really was the Digital World or not. Perhaps it was only a trick or an illusion of some kind, like his reflection in the waters of the Dark Ocean. And then there was the fact that DarkAngelicmon was making no move to use the portal. Perhaps it was dangerous. Perhaps it would lead him to an even worse fate. And what about the shadows? Why did they seem so wary of the portal?
And I can't reach it unless DarkAngelicmon carries me...
As Sam continued to weigh the pros and cons of the portal, a sudden sound from the other side caught his attention, causing both himself and DarkAngelicmon to look up in surprise.
As Sam watched in shock, a group of digimon came bursting through the portal, which closed regretfully behind them, and the shadows quickly backed up a bit to watch with angry, violent eyes. As the group of digimon and humans landed, Sam froze, his gaze immediately focusing on the tall, dark-haired man who was at the head of the group.
Ken Ichijouji. His father. The Digimon Emperor.