Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: Hello everyone! I'm so sorry this chapter took so long, but although it might not seem like it this was actually a very difficult chapter to write. I had to do a ton of backtracking to make sure I didn't write anything to contradict earlier chapters, and let me tell you that can sometimes be a massive challenge. I apologize if my sleepy brain has missed any mistakes in the editing. I promise I will look over the chapter again tomorrow to catch anything I may have missed. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. Next up will be the final chapter that takes place in Odaiba for this Spirit Chip arc!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 270: A Secret Past
Masato 'Matty' Takashi
Net, Northern Hemisphere, Digital World
It took Matty several minutes to overcome his initial shock at seeing the celestial rookie they had all been wanting to meet for a while now, and even though it probably seemed a tad rude, he was unable to turn away from the solemn face that was gazing rather shyly back at him. Matty was a bit embarrassed to admit that he simply could not stop staring, but his eyes refused to focus on anything else. That pale blue gaze seemed to drag him down into the farthest depths of the celestial rookie's troubled soul, and what he saw there gave him an irresistible desire to push away the darkness that lurked at the edges of Lucemon's seemingly fragile heart.
A heart that was filled with brilliant light.
Though Matty had just been through a very harrowing ordeal, it was momentarily forgotten with the arrival of this elusive celestial being. How badly he had wanted to speak to Lucemon, and now finally after all this time the celestial rookie was here in the flesh. The hundreds of questions he wanted to ask raced through his head in a whirlwind of emotion, but despite how badly he wanted to speak he couldn't seem to get his mouth working.
He knew from Sam's experiences that Lucemon was a powerful digimon, especially for a rookie, but despite his supposed strength, like Luciamon he looked so fragile.
And that sad look in his eyes.
This was a digimon who had suffered greatly.
There was no denying Matty had his own host of problems to deal with, but strangely enough none of those obstacles seemed important at the moment. He felt strangely calm, as if Lucemon's presence had somehow placed a soothing hold over him, and deep within his heart he felt a large wave of sympathy for the weary rookie who was gazing so hesitantly back at him.
That look in his eyes, that expression on his face...He looks just like how I feel...
Matty suddenly felt very self-conscious, and pulling away from the celestial rookie's comforting embrace, he ducked his head and stared mutely at his hands, unable to react. Now that he was able to think with a clear head again, all of his problems came rushing back in an onslaught of painful memories, and all of a sudden he couldn't help wondering if all of the things he had seen were merely a dream of some kind or a crazy hallucination.
But that didn't make sense. He was here in some cavern that was different from the one he had been sleeping in, so he couldn't have been hallucinating. The crystal mirrors had definitely transported him away from his family and friends, but that still didn't explain Jayden and the other people who attacked him in the clearing.
This very clearing, to be exact.
They had screamed at him, shouted at him, taunted him...And then Lucemon had made them all disappear.
All of those people I love. All of them wanting me to disappear...
Matty shuddered, and glancing uncertainly at Lucemon he jumped when he realized the celestial rookie was still gazing at him. He wasn't sure why, but Lucemon seemed just as fascinated by him as he was of the celestial rookie. He could feel something in the air stirring between them, and it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. It was the same type of sensation he got when he was around DarkAngelicmon, and it made him feel like they were connected somehow.
And yet, despite that connection Lucemon still seemed a bit timid, not at all like how Sam had described him. It was almost as if the celestial digimon was uncertain of him, and for some reason that made Matty feel strangely guilty.
Did Lucemon think that he wasn't welcome to be a part of their team?
Maybe he thinks I'm mad because he hid from us for so long...
That almost made Matty blurt out the first thought in his head, but somehow he managed to keep himself in check. Instead, he kept his voice even and said quietly, "You know me. You know me well by now, I think."
Lucemon opened his mouth as if to speak, his pale blue eyes sparkling with emotion, but before he could decide how to respond, an anxious voice suddenly shouted the celestial rookie's name. The sound echoed and bounced off the crystals surrounding the clearing, and a moment later a small figure came zooming into view, an anxious expression on his face. Matty was surprised and a little bit confused at first as he stared at the small digimon, but then he remembered Sam's words about a mega digimon named MarineAngemon, who was apparently Lucemon's traveling companion.
This little guy must be the MarineAngemon Sam told us about. He really is tiny for a mega...
"Lucemon, there you are!" the little digimon cried, flying straight into the celestial rookie's arms while letting out a string of complaints that showed off his obvious disapproval. "How many times have I told you not to do that to me! You just suddenly flew off without any kind of warning, and you didn't even wait for me to catch up! How do you expect me to look out for you when you're constantly running off all the time? Oh, I don't know why I bother complaining. You never listen anyways!"
"I'm sorry, MarineAngemon, but there was no time to wait," Lucemon replied, giving the small digimon a soothing hug. "There was someone who needed my help."
"Huh?"
MarineAngemon looked startled for a moment, and turning he glanced around the clearing in confusion. Matty, who had put some distance between himself and Lucemon, remained silent as the little digimon's large blue eyes finally settled on his face. For a moment they just stared at each other, and then tumbling out of the celestial rookie's arms, MarineAngemon let out a gasp of surprise.
"Do you see now why I had to hurry?" Lucemon said gently, his icy eyes hiding behind pale gold lashes.
MarineAngemon's expression changed from surprise to curiosity, and smiling, he said with excitement, "A human!"
Matty wasn't quite sure what to say to that, and scratching the back of his head, he said hesitantly, "Um...hello."
"You must be Matty," MarineAngemon said brightly, fluttering towards him to study him more closely. "It's nice to meet you."
"Same to you."
He sure is friendly.
Matty glanced at Lucemon, but for some reason the celestial rookie still seemed to feel particularly shy around him. Lucemon hadn't acted like that with Sam from what he could remember, and that made him curious.
What is it about me that he's so hesitant about? There's something there, but...I can't figure it out.
"I hope your partner Celestimon is okay," MarineAngemon said soberly, giving him a sympathetic look.
Matty suddenly remembered that he had been clinging desperately to his partner when the shadows attacked him, and feeling a stab of panic in his chest, he glanced around frantically for the little rookie. He didn't have far to look, though. Celestimon was curled up on the ground near his thigh, and as far as he could tell his partner was still unconscious.
Celestimon...
Matty quickly gathered the little rookie into his arms, and holding him close, he murmured, "Wake up, Celestimon. Please wake up. Why won't you open your eyes?"
How could I have almost forgotten about him? This is all my fault. He only ended up in this mess because of me...
"May I see him?" Lucemon asked rather shyly, holding out his arms.
The celestial rookie was still sitting back on his knees, seemingly unaffected by the cold ice beneath his legs, and Matty suddenly felt guilty for having pulled away so abruptly. He hadn't done it because he feared Lucemon, though, it had simply been a matter of succumbing to his own embarrassment.
I hope he didn't take it the wrong way.
Lucemon was still a stranger to him, but Matty didn't hesitate to hand over his digimon partner. There was just something about the celestial rookie that he knew he could trust, and the light that seemed to emanate from Lucemon was genuine. He felt very much like Luciamon in that regard.
"Poor Celestimon," MarineAngemon said sadly, hovering next to Lucemon's shoulder.
The little mega's tone sent Matty into a state of panic, and finding his voice, he said urgently, "Do you know what's wrong with him?"
Lucemon held the little rookie gently in his arms, and studying Celestimon's unresponsive body, he said softly, "Your partner was targeted by the crystal mirrors. No...that's not it. Not truly. I suppose it would be more accurate to say he was attacked by the darkness that runs rampant within the Ice Caverns, which in turn is amplified by the crystal mirrors."
Matty didn't like the sound of that, and forgetting Lucemon's shyness for the moment, he said with a tremor in his voice, "But why?"
Lucemon's expression turned to one of sympathy, and keeping his voice low, he said, "Because you were the target. The darkness that thrives inside these caves wants to live inside your heart. It wants to steal your light away so it can grow stronger in the darkness, and it knew you would be easy prey if your partner was out of commission. When we are alone, that is when we become most vulnerable to the darkness."
Matty felt a shiver race down his spine, and feeling the tears welling up again in his eyes, he said, "But that still doesn't explain anything. Why me? Why did I become a target?"
There was a pause, and forgetting his own uncertainty for a moment, Lucemon murmured, "You left an opening that the darkness could slip through by ignoring the true feelings that rest deep within your heart."
"So I'm weak," Matty replied, surprised by the sudden bitterness in his own words. "And Celestimon got hurt because of me."
It really is all my fault...
Lucemon looked startled by his sudden outburst, and Matty watched as the celestial rookie visibly flinched at his harsh tone. It was then that Matty realized how vulnerable Lucemon looked, and feeling suddenly guilty, he edged closer to the angel and hesitantly touched one of his wings. The sudden contact made Lucemon look up in surprise, and as their eyes met, the celestial rookie said quietly, "No, you are strong. Very strong. And it is that strength that is your weakness."
That response left Matty speechless, and as they continued to look at each other, he could feel the sadness and longing that pulsed within the celestial rookie. Lucemon's gaze was intense, and he seemed to hesitate before whispering, "I have been wanting very much to meet you, Masato Takaishi."
This time it was Matty's turn to feel shy, and unable to delve too deeply into matters of the heart in his current condition, he avoided Lucemon's eyes and said, "Do you think you'll be able to help him?"
Lucemon returned his attention to Celestimon's unresponsive body, and closing his eyes he began to concentrate on the small form lying limp in his arms, his whole frame beginning to glow with a pale luminescence. As Matty watched in amazement, the light coming from Lucemon's graceful form began to flow from his hands into Celestimon's small body, and all around them the air grew warmer as the darkness began to recede.
As Matty continued to watch in fascination, Celestimon's eyes suddenly snapped open, and glancing around in confusion, he said, "Where am I?"
"There's nothing to worry about anymore," Lucemon said gently, smiling softly at the little rookie in his arms. "Your partner is safe now."
Celestimon blinked at the angel holding him, and letting out a gasp of surprise, he tumbled out of Lucemon's arms and hit the ice with a thud.
"Careful! You don't want to end up unconscious again!" MarineAngemon said cheerfully, looking very amused.
Celestimon barely seemed to register the fall, and scrambling onto his knees, he pointed at the celestial rookie and cried, "Lucemon!"
"It is an honour to finally meet you," Lucemon replied rather shyly, nodding his head to the little rookie. "I...I have wanted to do so for a long time now."
"You feel even more amazing up close," Celestimon said in awe, fluttering up to Lucemon without any hesitation and placing his small hand on the rookie's cheek.
Lucemon jumped at the touch, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he leaned into the touch and let his eyes fall closed, a soft sigh escaping his lips.
"Don't forget about me! I'm MarineAngemon!" the little mega spoke up, wanting to be included.
Celestimon beamed at MarineAngemon, and fluttering over to the other digimon, he said happily, "Hello! It's nice to meet you!"
Matty couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped his lips, and voice trembling, he said, "Celestimon, are you okay?"
Celestimon turned to stare at him in confusion, as if he had no idea what was going on, and then everything seemed to come back to him all at once. The little rookie's eyes suddenly grew wide with fear, and then Matty found himself falling backwards onto his buttocks from the weight of Celestimon's trembling body flinging itself against his chest.
"Matty! Are you okay? What happened? Where are we?"
Matty wasn't sure how to respond, and hugging his partner tightly, he found himself whispering an apology over and over again in his partner's ear. Celestimon had been right, as usual. He never should have left the group. He never should have allowed himself to be persuaded by the darkness. And he most definitely never should have allowed himself to get pulled through the crystal mirror.
"He will make a full recovery," Lucemon interrupted, watching the two of them with a fond smile on his face. "Put your fears to rest, Matty. Celestimon will be just fine."
Matty suddenly felt warm inside, and reaching out to give Lucemon's hand a grateful squeeze, he said quietly, "Thank you. This means a lot to me. More than words can say."
Lucemon shyly returned the gesture before looking away from him, and Matty had to smile. Unlike DarkAngelicmon, this was a digimon who had not yet gotten used to humans, and as a result he was still quite self-conscious around them.
Or is it just me?
"Matty, I don't need an apology. I just want to know what happened," Celestimon interrupted, gazing imploringly into his eyes. "You don't need to apologize to me. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you."
Matty suddenly felt very fond of his partner, and cuddling Celestimon close, he said, "You did your best, Celestimon. I should have listened to you."
"Please tell me what happened," Celestimon whispered, clinging tightly to his jacket.
Lucemon watched them with a mixture of sadness and longing, and settling himself on the rocks, his gaze seemed to pierce Matty's fragile soul. "I think...there is more to this story than what you have revealed to anyone thus far. Perhaps it would be best to start from the beginning."
Matty was stunned at the celestial rookie's ability to read him so easily, and collapsing onto the rocks next to Lucemon he found himself gazing down at his feet in humility as he clutched Celestimon tightly to his chest. At that moment all of his memories came rushing back to him, and gazing around the clearing he could see the phantoms of his loved ones who had mocked him earlier. Though there wasn't really anything there this time, he could still see them clearly in his mind. They weren't real. They couldn't have been, and yet a shiver still raced down his spine.
I feel mostly calm now, but the memory still lingers. And I...
He was embarrassed, to say the least. He was sure he had fallen for the same type of dark trick that had caught Sam unawares when looking for his Spirit Chip, and after all that time he had spent telling Sam he was a fool for falling for both the darkness and the Vilemon, here he was.
A victim of the darkness himself.
Which makes me nothing but a hypocrite.
His doubts about his friends and brother had been building for some time now, and though he wasn't quite ready to reveal everything yet, he knew he had to give them some sort of an explanation. He thought it would be hard, but there must have been some part of him that wanted desperately to relieve some of the burden because he found himself spilling out almost the entire story. He talked about how he hadn't liked the caves from the very beginning, and he told them about his doubts concerning Ryoko and Dai. From there he went on to talk about the crystal mirrors and the shadowy versions of his friends who would creep out of the darkness to taunt him. He even told them about what he had seen in the mirrors, and he finished off with the events that had transpired in the very clearing where they now sat, his version of the story once again bringing back the cruel faces of his loved ones. When he was done, he felt like he had run a marathon, and stretching out on his back across the rocks, he stared blankly up at the high ceiling above him while taking a moment to rest his weary limbs.
He felt completely drained, and yet there was also a sense of relief in his heart. It felt good to get at least some of what was bothering him off his chest, but at the same time he was also nervous. Would they think any less of him because he was afraid Dai and Ryoko would leave him behind?
What if they think I'm a bad person for the part of me that does want to keep Dai all to myself? I don't want to end up being the third wheel...
After a moment of reflective silence, Celestimon struggled out of his arms so he could curl up next to him and said softly, "I'm sorry if it might have seemed like I didn't believe you. If I had seen those shadows for myself..."
"It's okay," Matty murmured, reaching out to stroke his partner's fluffy ears. "It's not your fault. You didn't know what was happening."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Celestimon whispered, shaking his head in denial. "Why didn't you mention any of your fears to me? You know you can tell me anything!"
Matty immediately felt guilty, and letting out a deep sigh, he said, "It's not that I didn't want to. I just...I didn't even want to admit them to myself, and now it looks like I've paid the price for it."
"The Powers of Darkness prey on our deepest thoughts and our greatest fears," Lucemon said slowly, his sudden words catching Matty off guard. "We are most vulnerable to our own doubts and uncertainties, and thus we are our own worst enemies."
At first Matty was unable to look at the celestial rookie, but feeling Lucemon's intense gaze on him, he slowly lifted his head. When their eyes met, Lucemon gave him a tentative smile, and speaking quietly, the celestial rookie said, "I had two very close friends myself, as I am no doubt you are aware. The three of us were inseparable. When you truly love those who are most important to you, there should never be a moment when somebody feels like a third wheel."
Matty did know. Lucemon, Luciamon, and DarkAngelicmon. The three of them had been the best of friends, and with every new tidbit of information he learned it was becoming more obvious to him how deeply they had cared for one another. The three angels had always stood together, and not once had one of those angels ever felt like they were being left behind.
That could be him. Dai, Ryoko, and himself.
All three of us together...
"The bonds of friendship are very powerful," Lucemon said gently, refusing to look away. "I know you see it too. If the three of you truly care for each other, nobody will get left behind."
It was good advice, and Matty got the message loud and clear. The only way any of them could be truly happy was if the three of them were together.
That's what Dai was trying to tell me that night at the beach...
Matty glanced at the celestial rookie sitting close beside him, and twisting his hands together he felt suddenly foolish in the angel's presence. While he had done his best to tell them everything that was going on with him, there was one thing he had neglected to mention. Though he was slowly beginning to see the truth about his relationship with Dai and Ryoko, he had not revealed his fears about Mickey or mentioned the growing rift between them. It wasn't that he didn't want to. He just didn't think he was ready for that yet. It was a very personal and painful subject for him, and right now his heart just wasn't ready to reveal the deepest part of his soul, but even so he suspected that Lucemon was well aware of his feelings on the matter. He hadn't failed to noticed the flash of emotion in Lucemon's eyes every time he had mentioned a shadow version of Mickey coming after him, but he had ignored the celestial rookie's gaze and continued on with his story. So far Celestimon and MarineAngemon hadn't seemed to notice the way he had tried to avoid talking about Mickey, but that didn't make him feel any better.
One problem at a time. First I have to do something about Dai and Ryoko...
Matty could feel Lucemon's eyes on him again, and he gazed back at the celestial rookie in silence. What Matty saw in that gaze confirmed his suspicions, but despite that knowing look Lucemon seemed content to let the issue with Mickey remain buried.
For now.
"I never knew you felt that way about Dai and Ryoko. I mean, I had my suspicions, but I didn't realize you felt so strongly about all of this. Next time something's bothering you, will you please tell me?" Celestimon insisted. "I can't help you if you keep leaving me in the dark all the time."
There was truth to that, and feeling guilty, Matty said, "I'll...I'll try. I really am sorry, Celestimon. I just...I can't seem to wrap my head around anything that's been going on lately."
"All I ask is that you try," Celestimon replied, snuggling close. "And it's not true, you know. Dai and Ryoko would never forget about you. The three of you are meant to be best friends together, and the others aren't excluded from that either. Dai will always care about you just as much as he cares about Ryoko."
"Not that he would ever admit he cares about Ryoko," Matty murmured, smiling faintly.
And I care about Ryoko too. He's my friend, cousin, and brother. Maybe...this isn't just a chance for Dai and Ryoko to grow closer to each other. Maybe...maybe it's my chance to grow closer to my cousin too...
"Well, now that we know what happened, I'm still a bit confused," MarineAngemon commented, frowning at the mirrors lying dormant all around them. "I know you explained it to me before, but I'm still confused by how this place works."
The mirrors still had a faint glow to them, since they were still active, but they weren't as bright as they were before when they had sent the shadows after him. Matty was surprised to find that they didn't scare him anymore. Now, when he gazed at them, they merely made him angry.
How could I have fallen for such an obvious trick?
Matty felt Lucemon shift slightly beside him, and turning to face the celestial rookie, he said slowly, "Do you know what's going on around here? I asked Ogremon earlier, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer."
"That is because Ogremon doesn't know much more about these caves than you do," Lucemon replied, his expression growing serious. "While I have never been to these caves before myself, and I cannot say I know what this place is, I am not a stranger to the Powers of Darkness. My knowledge on the subject is extensive. Ogremon has been to these caves before, but he has never ventured in past the main entrance. And since he doesn't have the centuries of knowledge about darkness that I possess, he cannot give you an answer or a theory as well as I can."
Matty wasn't quite sure what to make of that, but he had a feeling there was a hidden message beneath those words. "What do you mean?"
Lucemon stretched his wings to get more comfortable, and though the thick feathers brushed against Matty's side, nearly knocking him sideways, the celestial rookie didn't seem to notice. There was a thoughtful look on Lucemon's face, and he seemed hesitant to speak. When he did finally open his mouth, Matty could tell the celestial rookie was being careful with his words.
"Many long years ago, I lived in a beautiful city that was a home for many angel digimon. There was a war, and the city ended up in ruins, but before that terrible day, I did not spend my time living an idle life of luxury," Lucemon said softly, his thoughts drifting back to the distant past.
Matty had heard this story before. It was the fallen city where Tal and his friends had met DarkAngelicmon, but Lucemon did not know that as of yet.
I wonder what he'll say when I tell him the truth...
"Before my home was destroyed, I was deeply involved in researching not only the history of the Digital World, but its many mysteries as well," Lucemon continued, once again being careful of his words. "I was part of a team of dedicated researchers who were trying to learn as much as we could about our world, and our main task was to study our origins and unlock the secrets of our creation. We were also researching the prophecies of the Digital World, particularly the ones that related to humans and the human world. We wanted to learn all we could about the world that had supposedly created our own, and we were determined to prove the existence of humans. But those weren't the only prophecies we studied. We were also deeply involved in researching prophecies about the ancient powers of light and darkness. My particular field of research was the Powers of Darkness."
Matty felt another shiver race down his spine, and thinking back on the story he had heard from Tal Kuroki and Kenji Iwamoto, he knew he was on the verge of learning some very useful knowledge.
A city of angels, destroyed centuries earlier in the distant past. A home Lucemon still remembered as if it was yesterday.
And he knows what happened back then before Tal and his team came to the Digital World. He knows things we still don't know...
"So...are you saying that what you learned from your research you can apply to these caves?"
Lucemon looked at him then, and nodding, he said, "I have learned much during my short time in these caves, and after hearing your story, I believe my theories about the Ice Caverns are mostly correct. I was able to form those theories based on my knowledge of the Powers of Darkness, and having done so, I am now able to share that knowledge with you."
"Tell me," Matty whispered, wanting very much to know what he was up against. "The darkness was using me, wasn't it. I want to know why. I have a right to know."
Lucemon suddenly stood up, and holding out a hand to him, the celestial rookie said almost shyly, "Come, follow me. There is something I would like to show you."
"Don't forget about me!" MarineAngemon cried, moving quickly to float at Lucemon's side.
Matty exchanged looks with Celestimon, and figuring he had nothing to lose he began to follow the celestial rookie, his partner fluttering by his side.
They made their way back through the crystal maze that the shadow versions of Lily, Jayden, and Emma had guided him through earlier, and once they were out in the main part of the cavern Matty found himself walking next to Lucemon. Even though there were still crystals all around them, Matty did not feel a pull from them anymore. Instead, he felt that familiar sense of anger he had felt earlier.
He was furious that the crystals had tried to use him. He was annoyed at the darkness for trying to trick him. But most of all he was angry at himself for being so gullible.
Is this my heart telling me to be strong? Am I maybe not as weak as I think I am?
As far as he could tell the crystals all looked like they were glowing in a dormant state. The light coming from their shiny surfaces was definitely not as bright as before, making them look almost dull and lifeless. It was almost like the mirrors themselves were wary of Lucemon, and understandably so, since he had just taken on an army of dark shadows all by himself and won. Or maybe it wasn't the mirrors. Maybe it was the Powers of Darkness themselves that were distrustful of Lucemon. Matty had a feeling as long as he was with the celestial rookie the darkness wouldn't attempt to reach for him again, and that made him feel warm inside.
But was it really because of Lucemon? Or was it because he was staring to think of Dai and Ryoko in a different light? He was starting to see the truth, and that in turn was opening up his heart and restoring his flickering faith.
Maybe the three of us can work this out somehow. Dai did promise me everything would be fine. I've always believed in him. Why should this time be any different?
But even though he now felt more at peace with himself, his thoughts were still bitter, since he should have been able to defeat the shadows all on his own.
What did Lucemon mean about strength being my weakness?
He desperately wanted to know, but at the moment he had more important concerns.
Like the shadows. I'm pretty sure I'm right, but I want to know without any lingering doubts...
"Lucemon?"
The celestial angel seemed surprised to hear the sound of his own name, and looking curious, he said softly, "There is something troubling your mind."
"Those shadows that attacked me and the ones that kept watching me through the mirrors...They weren't real, were they? They weren't really my friends or my family...right?"
A faint smile appeared on Lucemon's handsome face, and shaking his head, he said, "No, Matty. What you saw was merely what you fear most inside your own heart. But I think you've already realized that for yourself."
So it was true then. The darkness had been using him.
And I was stupid enough to fall for it.
Matty clenched his hands into tight fists, and holding his head a little higher he glared defiantly at the crystals to his right. Now that he was starting to understand what was really going on, he was beginning to feel more and more like a fool. That, in turn, made him even more angry, and though the twisted faces of his loved ones still flashed across the sensitive barriers of his mind, he refused to be distracted by the fake images.
There was something else that required his attention, and now was the perfect opportunity to get some answers.
"Lucemon, may I ask you something?"
Lucemon did not look at him, but Matty saw a flash of emotion in the celestial digimon's eyes. His expression suddenly looked guarded, but even so, he still said in a pleasant voice, "You may ask me anything."
"Your friend, Luciamon. I'm going to assume she was part of the research team, right?"
"Indeed, she was."
"What was her field of research?"
For the first time since he had met Lucemon, the celestial rookie smiled. It changed his face completely, and Matty was blown away by that radiant sparkle in the angel's pale blue eyes. "Her area of expertise was the Powers of Light."
It suited her, and Matty found himself smiling as well. "She wanted us to find you, you know. She said that you would be able to help us."
Lucemon's smile faded, and avoiding his eyes, the celestial rookie did not reply. He looked so sad and lonely, and Matty's heart ached to reach out to him.
So why don't you?
Matty was startled by his own thoughts, but he didn't hesitate to act on them. Stepping closer, he took both of Lucemon's hands and said quietly, "Why? I don't understand. Why did you hide from us for so long? And even now, you and I are only here because of a chance encounter. Why would you spend all that time following us only to push us away again? Why would you do that if you didn't want to speak with us? And if you don't want to give us some answers then why are you here?"
"Matty, I..."
"I know you're hiding a lot from us, and it's stuff that could help us save the Digital World. And even now, I can tell there are things you are hesitant to tell me. Please, just tell me why. Why would you put us all at risk like that?"
It was a while before Lucemon spoke, and when he did, he voice was full of sorrow. "For the same reason you hide your fears from those most important to you."
Matty was shocked, but thinking on the words, he suddenly understood. Lucemon had his own fears, and he was involved in something so powerful and so personal that sometimes in a situation like that you couldn't help succumbing to the easy route to protect your heart.
And that route was to hide from everything that could hurt you.
Including us, the Digidestined. And not just us. But someone like DarkAngelicmon. Someone like a friend who has lost his heart to the darkness...
"I'm sorry," Lucemon whispered, his fingers trembling in Matty's grip. "Words cannot express how sorry I am."
Matty barely heard Lucemon's apology. Something very important had just occurred to him, and all of a sudden his heart was pounding rapidly in his chest. His breath seemed to catch in his throat, and without looking at the angel, he said nonchalantly, "I heard an interesting story from a human by the name of Takahiro Kuroki a while ago. Four weeks ago, to be exact. His friends were more than willing to back up his claim. I learned some pretty useful things that day."
Lucemon froze, and pulling away from him, the angel said calmly, "So, you know the story of GranDracmon then."
"Sure do, though it was a long time in coming. You know the story too, don't you?"
"While I was not involved directly with what happened in the past, I am aware of what took place during Tal's time in the Digital World," Lucemon said slowly, his expression becoming even more guarded. "The history of Tal's team of Digidestined is also recorded on the walls of the ancient fortress where you found Embermon. Long ago I learned how to read the computer language of the Digital World, and I have read the writings on those walls several times."
"I guess you would have had to learn in order to research the Powers of Darkness."
"Indeed," Lucemon said softly, brushing absently at his wings.
"DarkAngelicmon...Does he know how to read the computer language of your world?"
Lucemon hesitated before saying, "No, he knows very little of the language, though not for lack of someone trying to teach him. I was always scolding him for it, but he never seemed to take me seriously. He was always relying on me to decipher any ancient writings if there was a need for it. His interests lay in...other areas."
"I see. So you must have told him what was written on those walls."
"I told him once, but...I believe he has forgotten."
Matty pondered that for a moment, and lifting his gaze to Lucemon's face, he said quietly, "So you know what was written on those walls, but do you really know everything that happened back then?"
Lucemon slowly looked up at him, and Matty could see a sudden spark of uncertainty flash across the angel's face. "What do you mean?"
"Well, my friends and I had the opportunity to learn the story first hand. Thanks to Tal and his team we know everything about what happened back then, but...there are still some things I don't get. It's like there are still some pieces of the puzzle missing, especially when it comes to Daemon and this Ruler of Darkness gimmick GranDracmon used, which incidentally is the same name DarkAngelicmon's master now uses."
Lucemon visibly flinched at hearing Daemon's name, and Matty was quick to make a note of it. He had only known the celestial rookie for a short while now, but he like the angel immensely and was quickly growing fond of him. And that was why he felt bad for what he was going to say next.
But I need to know.
"In that celestial city destroyed by GranDracmon and his army long ago, what field of research did your friend Angelicmon study?"
The result was both expected and unexpected. Lucemon looked like he had just been slapped across the face, but Matty could tell immediately that the angel's reaction wasn't just because of the name Angelicmon. There was something else in what he had said that had come as a shock to the celestial rookie.
But what was it?
Matty watched as Lucemon's expression changed to a look of horrified understanding, and MarineAngemon let out a gasp of shock. As the two of them stared at him in painful silence, Matty could tell that the little mega knew a lot about Lucemon's past.
Things I need to know too.
"GranDracmon?" Lucemon whispered, his voice trembling and his pale blue eyes sparkling in the darkness. "What do you mean? What is this you speak of?"
"Your city," Matty said calmly, crossing his arms over his chest. "It was destroyed by GranDracmon's army. Didn't you know?"
"I..." Lucemon's voice trailed off, and shaking his head, he managed to say, "I...I was not aware. I was there the day it was attacked, but I did not know who was behind it. The writings on the walls of the ancient fortress do not speak of the incident, but I always wondered. How did they..."
"He told them," Matty said simply, shrugging his shoulders. "GranDracmon himself admitted to Tal and the others that he had attacked the celestial city."
"I see," Lucemon whispered, his face crumbling with sorrow as a sudden thought struck him. "I always wondered, but now everything is clear to me. It makes sense now, and as I often suspected the blame lies with me..."
Matty was confused, and shaking his head, he said, "What are you talking about?"
"He must know," Lucemon said softly, speaking almost to himself. "He must have found out somehow. Yes...the Ruler of Darkness. He must have told him..."
The air around them suddenly felt uneasy, and Matty wasn't quite sure what to do. For some reason the news about the fallen city seemed to affect Lucemon more than he had anticipated, and feeling uncomfortable he was quick to change the subject. "Your old friend, Angelicmon. Or should I say DarkAngelicmon? The brave celestial digimon who helped Tal and his friends fend off LadyDevimon, the future Demon Lord of Lust. What was his field of research?"
That is the question I really want an answer to.
Lucemon opened his mouth and closed it again, his blue eyes burning with emotion. When he was able to speak once more, his words came out in a whisper. "So Takahiro Kuroki and Kenji Iwamoto did not leave anything out of their tale. I often wondered when this moment would finally come."
"Tell me," Matty said gently, reaching out to take Lucemon's hands again.
"Humans," Lucemon said softly, the tone of his voice filling with sudden affection. "Angelicmon's area of expertise was the prophecies about the humans and the world they called Earth. He was completely enthralled by the possibility of their existence and what they could do for the Digital World. He was their greatest advocate in our city, and he would always defend them if anyone objected to the idea of humans in our world. And he refused to believe that they were only a myth. I still remember how he shone with radiance when he told me of his encounter with Tal's team. It was like he couldn't believe his dream of meeting humans had finally come true. From the beginning he has always respected humans. He has always loved them. And I truly believe...he still does."
And there it was, plain as day. There was no longer any possibility that they could be wrong about the Angelicmon that Tal and his friends had met many years ago. Lucemon had just confirmed the truth.
The Angelicmon from the past and the DarkAngelicmon of the present were indeed the very same digimon.
And he was a digimon who truly loved humans.
Matty felt something deep and powerful welling up within his chest, but before he could make sense of his emotions, Lucemon said, "We're almost there."
Startled, Matty turned to see what Lucemon was pointing at, and catching a glimpse of the lake, he frowned and said, "What's that purple light in the centre?"
"Come and I will show you," Lucemon said gently, urging him forward.
Matty could tell the celestial rookie was feeling quite vulnerable at the moment, and because of that he didn't want to push the angel too hard. There would be time enough to ask more questions about DarkAngelicmon and the Ruler of Darkness, but right now he had a weird violet thingy to deal with.
They reached the edge of the lake in silence, and glancing down at the water Matty could tell it had the same tinge of violet that he had seen earlier in several of the streams flowing through the Ice Caverns, only here the tint was more noticeable and it seemed thicker in concentration.
I wonder what it is...
"What is that thing?" Celestimon asked, pointing to the glowing object that was hovering on an island in the middle of the lake.
It looked like a portal of sorts, and Matty wrinkled his nose in disgust when he realized there was some kind of purple goo leaking out of it. It seemed to be flowing right into the lake, and from there it was being dispersed into the streams that would eventually carry it to various parts of the caverns.
It made Matty feel sick to his stomach, but that wasn't enough to distract him from realizing that the purple liquid looked somehow familiar.
And that was when it hit him.
It was the same purple goo that had been oozing out of the dark shadow that had confronted them in the castle on Cyber.
"That," Lucemon said softly, "is a direct gateway to the World of Darkness."
"What do you mean?" Matty whispered, unable to look away.
"There are two types of gates that lead to the World of Darkness. The first type is a fixed gate, which is what stands before us now. These types of gates never close, and many of them have existed for a very long time. This one in particular has probably been here since the Dawn of Darkness in the early days of the Digital World."
"Like the gate to GranDracmon's castle," Matty murmured. "What's the other type?"
"The other type is like what happened with Sam. If we allow our hearts to succumb to the darkness, it starts to bend the barrier between the worlds, just like how the barrier between the human world and the Digital World can shatter if it becomes too weak. Allowing the darkness to touch your heart causes the barrier to weaken, and when that happens random doors begin to pop open between the Digital World and the World of Darkness. They normally appear in places where the barrier has grown weak. Those types of portals can show up at any time if your heart is taken by the darkness. They don't have a fixed location."
Matty thought about that for a moment, and glancing sideways at Lucemon, he said, "You've been in the World of Darkness with us before, and from what I can tell you don't seem to have much trouble moving between the two worlds like the rest of us. Why is that?"
Lucemon's eyes were focused on the portal across the lake, and speaking carefully, he said, "Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in your research, and when that happens there is always a chance that something unforeseen can alter the course of your destiny. Many centuries have passed, but it has not all been in vain. I have learned a few things to find my way around the darkness. If I had not, it could very well have changed the course of my future."
Matty wasn't quite sure what Lucemon meant by that, but he filed the information away for later. He had a feeling it might become important at some point, and no doubt it was a piece of information that Izzy would be able to put to good use. Though he was tempted to ask more questions, he didn't want to push Lucemon too hard. If he did, the celestial rookie might completely freeze up on him and refuse to speak at all.
He's still being careful of his words. I wonder what other secrets he has...
"I don't mean to interrupt, but what does this all have to do with Matty and what's been happening to him in these caves?" Celestimon asked curiously, hugging himself as he hovered in the air next to MarineAngemon.
Lucemon stepped forward, and waving his hand towards the portal, he said, "That purple substance coming from the portal has the power to carry the darkness from the World of Darkness directly into the Digital World. You can see how the purple liquid is spilling into the lake, and from there it's being transported all over the Ice Caverns. It's a perfect tool for spreading the darkness all over the caverns. You can feel it in the atmosphere of the caves, and it lurks in the shadows that remain think here under the earth. The darkness from this portal is also powering the crystal mirrors."
Matty hung his head for a moment, and glancing back at the towering crystals in the distance, he said, "So what happened was entirely my own fault?"
"Not entirely," Lucemon said slowly, reaching out to touch his shoulder. "While the darkness always lurks in the shadows alongside the Powers of Light, it cannot harm you unless a trigger has been activated. While some of us can feel the darkness more strongly than others, that does not mean we are any more vulnerable. It simply means we are more aware of its existence, and like with anyone else it cannot harm us unless we allow it do so."
"Isn't that what I did?"
"Yes, and no," Lucemon replied, smiling faintly. "While there was darkness in your heart, there is still a sense of hope in you that protected you at first. Normally the crystal mirrors lie dormant, and they are only activated if someone's heart has lost all sense of hope to combat the darkness. That allows the darkness of the caves to get inside their heart. When that happens, it triggers the mirrors, and they become activated. Once they are activated, anyone who has strong doubts lingering inside their heart will be affected by the mirrors. And even if that initial person starts to regain some of their lost hope and some of their light, the darkness won't stop until that person has fully stepped back into the light."
"So...anyone who's heart has the potential to fall into darkness will be affected by the mirrors."
"That's exactly it," Lucemon agreed, his words becoming far more confident now that he was in his element. "And that is what happened to you. While I believe you are not the one who triggered the mirrors to begin with, you were able to feel their effects once they were activated."
Matty was surprised at how calm he felt now that he was beginning to understand what had actually happened to him, and it made him curious. "So what exactly is it that this place and those mirrors do to people?"
Lucemon seemed to ponder that for a moment before saying, "If you focus too closely on the mirrors they begin to show you a reflection of the greatest fears lurking deep inside your heart. You've seen those shadowy figures that come from the World of Darkness. They hide within the mirrors and take on the form of whatever you fear the most. They reflect whatever is hurting you and causing you pain. In your case, I suspect your greatest fear is seeing your loved ones leave you behind because you're afraid they no longer need you anymore."
Matty blushed furiously at the angel's words, and ducking his head, he mumbled, "Something like that."
"Matty!" Celestimon scolded, giving him a disapproving look. "You know none of that is true! The people you love would never abandon you!"
Eager to change the subject, Matty said, "But these shadow versions of my friends in the mirrors...They came after me in person too."
"If you allow whatever you see in the mirrors to sway you, and you believe what you see, it gives the shadows strength and power over you. The Powers of Darkness grow stronger, which makes the shadows grow stronger, and then they begin to feed on the light inside you. This gives them sufficient strength to leave the mirrors and to take on any form they wish to lure you further into the darkness. In this case they took on physical versions of your loved ones to taunt you and make you succumb to the darkness in your heart."
Matty nodded, and feeling ashamed of himself, he said, "So that's what Ogremon meant when he said the Ice Caverns can affect us in many ways and to stay on our toes."
"Yes," Lucemon agreed. "What happens here isn't the same for everyone as it is determined by the individual fears that lurk inside every heart. This much, Ogremon had figured out for himself. What form that darkness takes depends entirely on the person whose heart has been affected. It is not something you can anticipate or plan for, which is why we often succumb to those fears."
"You could see the shadows attacking me, though, but nobody else could," Matty pointed out. "Or at least they didn't seem to be able to. Celestimon didn't see anything either."
"That's true," Celestimon agreed.
Lucemon turned his back on the dark portal, and nodding his head, he said, "That is because at first there was still a chance to escape your own fears, so the shadows were only visible to you. But by the end the darkness had grown within you so much that anyone would have been able to see the congregation of shadows attacking you. That is because they now had sufficient power to solidify themselves in this world. When that happens anyone can see the shadows."
"And the voices in my head?"
"They also came from the shadows in the mirrors," Lucemon finished. "Those shadows took on the forms of the loved ones you feared inside your heart, not the true form of who they are in person."
So he was not only a fool, he was also an idiot.
But I don't think I'm the only one who was attacked by the shadows...
Matty hesitated, and moving closer to Lucemon, he said, "Do...do you see anything in the mirrors?"
Lucemon's face once again grew somber, and nodding slowly, he said, "My old friend continues to haunt me, but I cannot seem to save him no matter what I do."
Lucemon...
Matty looked back at the mirrors, and feeling Lucemon's hand touch the top of his golden head, the celestial rookie said, "The mirrors will not bother us anymore now that we are aware of their trickery. We've built up a defense against them, and the shadows know it. And if they do attempt to corrupt us again, the power of my light will keep them at bay."
Matty hated to ask, but he needed to know the truth. "Lucemon, are you the one who triggered the mirrors in the first place?"
"It was not I," Lucemon replied, his expression suddenly turning blank. "And I'm quite certain it was not my old friend either, though I am sure he can feel their effects."
"Then who was it?" MarineAngemon asked curiously.
"I am fairly certain it was no digimon," Lucemon said carefully, his tone growing soft.
Which meant it would have had to have been a human, but other than himself the only human acting really weird at the moment would be...
"Ryoko!" Matty gasped in horror, his eyes growing wide with sudden fear. "Ryoko must have activated the mirrors!"
Though he should have been annoyed at his cousin for causing him so much pain and trouble lately, strangely enough all he felt was terror.
Without even thinking about what he was doing he jerked away from Lucemon, but before he could race towards the nearest exit the celestial rookie caught him by the shoulders and held him in place.
"Let me go! I have to find Ryoko!" Matty cried, struggling to break free. "I need to warn him!"
"What you need now is rest," Lucemon scolded, refusing to let go. "I have a feeling that when he wakes, Ryoko will be coming for you."
Matty frowned, and realizing that Lucemon was gazing at the D-Coder he had unconsciously pulled out of his pocket, he looked at it as well. What he saw caught him off guard and momentarily distracted him. Dai and Ryoko weren't actually that far away from where he was. They would be able to reach him relatively easily once they spotted the signal on their Digivices.
"I understand your feelings, but we have more pressing matters at the moment," Lucemon murmured, his eyes going back towards the crystals. "My old friend has decided to pay us a visit."
Celestimon let out a gasp, and speaking urgently, he said, "I can feel him! He's coming this way!"
"What are we going to do?" Matty cried, confused by the sudden onslaught of activity.
What does he want?
"He feels so determined to reach us," Celestimon murmured, his emerald gaze focusing on something only he could see.
Matty felt a sudden warmth from Lucemon's hands on his shoulders, and that sensation made him feel sleepy. He tried to speak, but before he was able to manage a few words, the celestial digimon said softly in his ear, "I would like to hear about your visit with Tal sometime. Sleep, Matty. You'll need your rest for tomorrow. When my old friend arrives, we will be ready for him."
"But-"
"Sleep," Lucemon whispered.
The light felt so warm, and due to its strength he had no choice but to obey. As his eyes started to fall closed, he managed to mumble, "I like you. I hope you like me too."
The worried expression on Lucemon's face seemed to fade for a moment, and Matty thought he saw a small smile before he drifted off to sleep.