Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: This one's a little short, but it basically leads into what will be the main focus back in the human world as the story continues moving forward!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 243: Island Prophecy

Spritemon

Server, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

Spritemon managed to untangle herself from the last of BlackWidowmon's sticky webs, and climbing slowly to her feet she turned to gaze at Vampiramon in stunned disbelief. The vampire digimon was staring back at her, and although Vampiramon's eyes were flashing she looked unusually calm about the whole situation.

"The fool must admit...he hadn't seen this coming," Jestermon muttered to himself, also climbing to his feet and brushing off the last of the webs clinging to his clothing.

Spritemon knew the fool wasn't expecting an answer, but she nodded anyways and quickly made her way over to Vampiramon. The two of them continued to stare at each other for a minute, and crossing her arms over her chest, Spritemon finally said, "We're going to be in serious trouble."

And even that is an understatement...

Vampiramon didn't reply. Instead, she walked over to DarkAngelicmon, and giving the fallen angel a harsh kick to the ribs, she snapped, "Get up, you fool."

DarkAngelicmon's emerald eyes fluttered open, and letting out a soft moan he slowly sat up and glanced curiously around the clearing, his green gaze taking in the debris strewn all over the now vacant battlefield. Something about the view must have bothered him because the curious look on his face changed to one of obvious discontent.

"Nice of you to join us again," Vampiramon said sarcastically, her crimson eyes flashing.

"What happened?" DarkAngelicmon demanded, ignoring the wave of hostility coming from the vampire digimon.

Since Vampiramon seemed to be having some trouble controlling her temper, Spritemon decided to humour the fallen angel with a response. Crouching next to him, she said with what she hoped didn't sound like a hint of fear in her voice, "BlackWidowmon was defeated by the Digidestined, and they escaped on Dragermon."

Escaped with two Spirit Chips. How could we have let this happen?

DarkAngelicmon stared at her, and then he was up so fast that the wings on his back knocked her backwards onto her bottom.

"What's with you, angel boy?" Jestermon asked curiously, coming over to join them.

Realizing what DarkAngelicmon was about to do, Spritemon leaped to her feet and grabbed his arm to try and stop him. "Hey, where do you think you're going?"

DarkAngelicmon didn't respond. Instead, he simply tugged his arm out of her grip, and spreading his wings he took to the air without so much as glancing at her.

"Hey! Get back here, you idiot!"

"Leave him be," Vampiramon said coldly, catching her arm just as she was about to launched herself into the air to follow him.

"But-"

"Whatever he's up to, it's no concern of ours," Vampiramon interrupted, her crimson gaze following the fallen angel as he disappeared over the treetops from view. "We need to return to the castle on Cyber."

"Really?" Jestermon replied, cringing at the mere thought of confronting their master. "Do we have to?"

Spritemon had her doubts, as well, and wincing at the thought of what their master might do to them it took all of her willpower not to show any fear. They had not only lost BlackWidowmon, but in the process they had allowed not one, but two Spirit Chips to slip out of their grasp. Needless to say the Ruler of Darkness was not going to be very happy with them.

We'll be lucky to leave his presence with our data still intact...

Spritemon quivered at the thought, and certain that she was on the brink of meeting her demise she straightened her shoulders and tried to put on a brave face. The Ruler of Darkness had always frightened her, but now more so than ever. Would he allow them to live after they had managed to fail him so many times?

Only one way to find out...

"As much as I'm not too keen on suffering at the hands of our master's wrath, we don't have much of a choice," Vampiramon snapped, glaring at the fool. "Even if we did not return, one way or another he would find us. And if that were to happen our suffering would be even greater. You know as well as I do that our master's wrath is unforgiving. Sooner rather than later we would be punished. Best to get it over with as quickly as possible."

"Except if you're angel boy," Jestermon snorted. "He never seems to suffer as much as the rest of us at our master's hands. It pays to be the favorite I suppose."

Spritemon hesitated, unsure of whether or not she should mention it, and avoiding Vampiramon's eyes, she said, "What about DarkAngelicmon?"

"He'll be back," Vampiramon said coldly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "No doubt he will return to our master in his own time, but rest assured we have not seen the last of him."

"You're right. You're not that lucky," Jestermon cackled, earning himself a smack to the head.

Spritemon wasn't so sure, but she did not put her fear into words. She was still having trouble processing what had happened. The Digidestined had managed to take out a mega. Their power was growing stronger, and Spritemon knew that if things continued as they were, there was a chance that she could be next.

We need to steal those Spirit Chips as soon as possible!

If their master let them live, of course.

Spritemon winced at the thought, and holding onto Jestermon she launched herself into the air and proceeded to follow Vampiramon in the direction of the Western Hemisphere. The vampire digimon was right. There was no escape for them. In the end the Ruler of Darkness would have his way regardless of whether they chose to flee or not.

Such is the life of dark digimon.

And yet even though her fate was hanging in the balance, she couldn't help feeling curious about DarkAngelicmon. Where had the angel gone, and what did he intend to do once he got there?

Something to do with Lucemon maybe?

She had not forgotten her orders from the Ruler of Darkness, and whatever DarkAngelicmon was up to, she hoped she lived long enough to find out the truth.

Makiya 'Mickey' Takaishi

Server, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

Mickey sat quietly between Ryoko and Matty, Kenji's digimon partner nestled tightly in his arms. Though he was quiet, his mind was racing, and gazing back at the swamp dwindling in the distance he shook his head at the memory of what had transpired. He still couldn't believe that they had managed to defeat a mega digimon, and judging by the silence of his peers, they too were still in a state of stunned disbelief. The silence was a bit unnerving, and remembering the unconscious fallen angel they had left behind, Mickey winced and wrapped his arms more tightly around Kenji's partner.

I hope he's okay. He looked so vulnerable lying there all alone and completely defenseless...

"Oh!" Takara suddenly gasped, the sound of her voice breaking the barrier of silence that seemed to have descended upon the group. It was the first time someone had spoken since they had left the clearing earlier, and it made Mickey jump in surprise.

"What is it, Kara?" Izzy asked, typing rapidly on his laptop.

"I almost forgot. Shouldn't we let Jijimon and Babamon know what happened? I'm sure they'll want to know that we managed to recover the Spirit Chip," Takara replied.

"Especially since we solved their mystery of the purple light once and for all," Ryoko murmured.

It was Leomon who responded, and giving Takara a reassuring smile, he said, "I'll have Gennai send one of us back to Modem to tell the villagers the news."

"Really? Thank you, Leomon! That would be excellent if you could," Izzy replied, smiling in response.

"Yes, thank you!" Takara added, beaming at the lion digimon.

Leomon gently patted her head, and smiling, he said, "I doubt it will come as a surprise to them, though. I could tell both Jijimon and Babamon have a lot of faith in you. They had no doubts that you would succeed, but as you said I'm sure they would like to officially hear the good news nonetheless."

"Whoever Gennai decides to send, make sure they give Jijimon and Babamon my thanks," Sam said softly, his sapphire eyes sparkling in the sunshine.

Leomon nodded, but before he could reply there was a sudden rustle of wings. Everyone jumped as Gabrielmon suddenly made a hasty landing on Dragermon's back, and seeing the look on his partner's face, Mickey asked nervously, "What is it?"

Gabrielmon knelt next to him, and pointing back the way they had come, he said calmly, "We are being followed."

"By who?" Dai demanded, immediately on the alert.

"DarkAngelicmon."

Mickey let out a gasp, and glancing around his partner's wings his eyes found Matty's, who was gazing fearfully at him in return.

"He is moving quickly and slowly closing in on us," Gabrielmon said quietly, gesturing with his hand. "He seems determined, almost desperate even, to catch up to us."

"Why?" Rosa asked curiously, frowning in confusion.

"We do not know. Whatever the reason, though, it seems important to him."

"What should we do?" Cody asked, looking to Izzy for guidance.

Izzy slowly set aside his laptop, and glancing back towards the swamp, he said, "Let's keep heading towards the gate."

No!

Mickey was about to protest, but Izzy held up a hand to stall him. "You didn't let me finish. We'll keep heading towards the gate, and once we get there we'll wait for him."

"Are you sure about this, Izzy?" Matt asked, exchanging a look with his wife.

"I sent Taniko a message informing her that we would be home soon. Turning back now would delay us. If DarkAngelicmon is so eager to talk to us he can do so at the gate."

"Because speaking to us near the gate rather than out here in the middle of nowhere gives us the advantage," Ken finished, nodding to show his approval. "I see your point, Izzy. Waiting for DarkAngelicmon will give us a chance to speak with him, but it will also allow us a chance to escape quickly through the gate if he tries anything."

"Exactly," Izzy replied, smiling at Ken.

"He won't," Sam spoke up, catching everyone off guard.

"What are you saying, Sam?" Yolei asked her son.

Mickey blushed in embarrassment as Sam looked directly at him, and raising an eyebrow at his reaction, the raven-haired Digidestined said calmly, "I agree with Dad and Izzy that we should take precautions, but I honestly don't think there's any cause for concern. I don't believe DarkAngelicmon will try anything. I really don't."

"But better to be safe than sorry?" Dai asked, grinning at the raven-haired Digidestined.

"Always better to be safe than sorry," Sam agreed, smiling back at his leader.

Despite his embarrassment, Mickey couldn't help smiling himself. This was the Sam they knew and loved. Smart, cautious, always thinking things through, but at the same time always giving the benefit of the doubt. Kind, courteous, and compassionate to the core. That was the real Sam Ichijouji.

"Are we almost there?" Mimi asked. "Don't forget we have some friends to take with us this time!"

"I haven't forgotten," Izzy replied, smiling at Kibomon. "Just a bit further now."

"We will keep tabs on DarkAngelicmon's progress," Gabrielmon informed them before leaping back into the air again.

They traveled the rest of the journey in silence, and spotting the gate up ahead Mickey could feel himself becoming more anxious.

They landed quickly, Dragermon turning back into his rookie form, and sticking close to his partner's side Mickey waited in tense silence. The others seemed eager to talk, though, and studying the gate, Kibomon said, "I can't believe I get to see Tal again."

"It's been a long time since we've been to the human world," Aiwemon agreed.

"Do you think they'll still remember us?" Gessmon worried.

"Of course they will," Takara reassured the little digimon. "You definitely don't need to worry about that!"

"There's no way Mai could ever forget about me," Velinemon agreed, winking at the little rodent digimon.

Mickey glanced at the celestial rookie standing by his feet, and gazing up at him, Kenji's partner said, "He comes."

Mickey quickly lifted his amber eyes to the sky, and spotting a black shape in the distance he felt his heart leap into this throat. The black spot slowly grew into the shape of a digimon, and then DarkAngelicmon landed with a flurry of dark feathers. His emerald eyes traveled over each of their faces, and Mickey felt his chest grow tight as that brilliant green gaze eventually settled on him.

"Whatever you have to say must be pretty important if it sent you all the way out here," Angelicmon said calmly, a slight frown marring his handsome features.

"Tell me, Digidestined, do you believe in prophecies?" DarkAngelicmon asked quietly, his black hair rustling in the breeze.

"Considering a prophecy once saved us, we would be stupid fools to ignore them," Matt replied just as calmly, MetalGarurumon standing protectively by his side.

DarkAngelicmon seemed to approve of Matt's answer, because the ghost of a smile appeared on his face. It wasn't there for very long, but Mickey had seen it.

The fallen angel's eyes were still on him, and he let out a gasp as DarkAngelicmon suddenly motioned for him to come closer. He hesitated, unsure of what to do, but then Sam gave him a gentle push and he suddenly found himself standing face to face with the fallen angel.

"Tell me, Makiya Takaishi, how good is your memory?"

Mickey was startled by the question, and shaking his head, he stammered, "I...um...good enough, I guess."

"Then heed my words and listen well," DarkAngelicmon said quietly, his emerald eyes growing serious. "The world will become shrouded in darkness, and the beings known as the Seven Great Demon Lords shall walk the land. In time, a digimon with immense power will appear out of that darkness, and he will have the power to unite the forces of evil. When the Seven Great Demon Lords gather under his command, the worlds of both digimon and humans will be at his mercy, and those under his reign will tremble with fear, for he is the source of evil that slumbers within the hearts of the guilty and the innocent."

For a moment all Mickey could do was stare, and then finding his voice, he whispered, "Is that...a prophecy?"

"Lucemon tells me the prophecies of File Island do not lie," DarkAngelicmon replied, crouching so they were at eye level. "One way or another we shall find out if he speaks the truth."

"But-"

"That is your only clue. Do with it what you will," DarkAngelicmon said simply, stepping back from him and turning to gaze at the Halomon that belonged to Kenji Iwamoto. "You want to unlock the secrets of my past? Do so on your own terms then. I will not make it easy for you."

Mickey did not know what came over him, but unable to stay silent, he said with conviction, "I will save you. Somehow I will."

"When so many others in the past have abandoned me?" the fallen angel said quietly, turning away from him. "Actions speak louder than words, Child of Innocence."

Mickey gasped. "How would you-"

"Only a fool wouldn't know," DarkAngelicmon replied stiffly, glancing once at him before turning his gaze to Sam. "If you see my old friend again, give him my regards."

Sam looked startled, and then DarkAngelicmon was in the air again, looking down on them all. "The Ruler of Darkness shows no mercy. You must understand the past to set your course for the future."

Mickey felt his face scrunch up, and screaming into the air, he cried, "Why? Why are you telling us all of this!"

"Show me your strength, Makiya Takaishi, and prove your worth to me," the fallen angel said with authority, his emerald eyes flashing. "I do not condone idle promises. If you cannot do so, we all die, and the human and Digital World along with us! Seek the truth and you will have your answers!"

And then he was gone, and Mickey was left staring after him, a flurry of black feathers floating out of the sky the only sign left to prove he had even been there at all.