I don't own Digimon.

A/N: After this chapter, it'll pretty much be all about Kara until this Spirit Chip arc is over. Some more building here for the two Spirit Chips still to come. Enjoy!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 302: Late Night Visit

Makiya 'Mickey' Takaishi

Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World

Though it pained him to succumb to his own racing thoughts, at this point Mickey was willing to accept defeat. Here he was, lying in complete darkness on the uncomfortable ground miles beneath the surface of the ocean, and unable to sleep, there was nothing for him to do but think, which didn't bode well for his sanity. Granted, Matty and DarkAngelicmon were largely to blame for the turmoil wreaking havoc inside his brain, but his twin and the fallen angel certainly weren't the only culprits. Takara was also an issue and so was their missing leader, but even then he couldn't blame those two any more than he could blame his brother or the celestial champion for his current predicament. As much as all four of them were weighing heavily on his brain, the warm body sleeping next to him had quite unexpectedly catapulted itself to the top of the list, and that was a worrisome problem there was no way he could have foreseen.

I don't understand. What's wrong with me lately? When did I become so...aware of him?

It was an interesting thought, and twisting slightly in his sleeping bag, Mickey proceeded to gaze at Sam's lovely features with obvious shyness and open curiosity. The raven-haired Digidestined was fast asleep, the sound of his soft breathing mingling with Matty's faint snores, and studying the other boy's pale face, he felt something tighten pleasantly inside his stomach. With raven hair and sapphire eyes, Sam was very good-looking, and his milky white skin and slim stature only emphasised how handsome he was, which made Mickey wonder.

How had he not noticed before?

I wonder what Sam meant when he made that comment to Matty. Does he...like being close to me? He never did move his arm until we all crawled into our sleeping bags. Plus, earlier when he hugged me and took my hand...

Mickey blushed at the memory, and feeling utterly embarrassed and even more confused, he proceeded to bury his head inside his sleeping bag. Nothing about Sam's behaviour had been out of the ordinary, but for some reason it had felt like he was experiencing the raven-haired Digidestined's touch for the very first time. It was ridiculous for him to think of it like that, since Sam had hugged him more times than he could count over the course of his young life, but even so, something about this particular time had felt oddly different.

Had it been the same for Sam? He didn't think so, since the raven-haired Digidestined hadn't really reacted to their closeness. Perhaps, he was only imagining things, but if that was the case, then why couldn't he stop his heart from racing everytime he thought of that moment?

Sam was just being friendly, not that I deserved it. I didn't mean to pull away from him. He just...with his bold statement about Matty and that touch I wasn't expecting, I...I'm just so...

Even now, he still felt bad about his behaviour, and although Sam had apparently forgiven him, he still wanted to make it up to the other boy. Clearly, he had upset the raven-haired Digidestined, which made him question the whole exchange. Why had Sam reacted so strongly to their innocent squabble? Was it just because he had hurt the other boy's feelings or was it something more?

Or maybe, I'm just hoping it was something more.

Mickey frowned at the uncharted path his mind was embarking on without his consent, and peeking over the edge of his sleeping bag, he once again proceeded to gaze at the raven-haired boy lying close beside him in the darkness. They had shared a bed and slept next to each other countless times over the years, and never before had he stopped to think about the close proximity between them. Only now, did he realise the implications of what it meant to share their personal space, and unable to ignore the way Sam's knees were digging into his thigh, he found himself anxiously wondering what he would do if the raven-haired Digidestined suddenly woke up. He could literally feel the other boy's warmth soaking into the confines of his sleeping bag, and before he even realised what he was doing, he found himself snuggling a bit closer. On his right, Ryoko continued to sleep peacefully on his side, blissfully unaware of the turmoil his cousin was experiencing, and on Sam's other side, Matty's snores continued uninterrupted, indicating the younger twin was content to remain oblivious to the waking world. Sam also didn't seem likely to open his eyes anytime soon, and letting out a soft sigh, Mickey once again delved into his own tangled thoughts.

Is it just me, or does Sam feel a bit different, too? He's been acting so sweet and caring lately, but that's probably just because he's worried about me. It can't mean anything else, can it?

Highly unlikely, since chances were the raven-haired Digidestined was simply acting like his usual concerned self, but even so Mickey couldn't help feeling like there was some sort of strange tension between them. A sensation which he had never before experienced in Sam's presence.

Is it my fault because my emotions have been so all over the place lately? Am I allowing my uncertainties to create a rift between us?

That was the last thing he wanted, which was why he had promised Sam he wouldn't pull away like that again. No matter how awkward he was feeling on the inside, there was no way he could let his own insecurities hurt the raven-haired Digidestined, thus the reason he had forced himself to ignore the bizarre tightening in his stomach while continuing to remain close to Sam. Much to his relief, the raven-haired Digidestined didn't seem to mind being near him, and that was the only reason he hadn't allowed himself to create some distance between them.

What is it that I'm feeling? Is this...how it's supposed to be?

Mickey shook his head at his own questionable behaviour, and glancing at Halomon, who was curled up with the other digimon near Ryoko's feet, he wasn't surprised to find the little rookie sleeping soundly next to Celestimon, his small body snuggled against the other angel digmon's back. Near the door, Matt was keeping careful watch for DarkAngelicmon and any other intruders that might be lurking in the darkness, Gabumon sitting faithfully by his side. Across from the former musician in the second row of bedrolls, Kara was sleeping fitfully next to her mother, and on Sora's other side, Tai was lying on his stomach with his eyes closed, though despite his appearance, Mickey wasn't certain the former leader had actually fallen asleep. Ken and Izzy were rolled into their sleeping bags at the end of the row near Tai, which left Centarumon, who was resting with the other digimon.

Though it was now well past midnight, DarkAngelicmon still hadn't made an appearance, and as a result, Mickey couldn't help wondering if the fallen angel had changed his mind.

Something about him definitely seems different. Though he's still playful, his demeanor seems a lot more serious and subdued. I wonder if the change has something to do with the way he disappeared from Lucemon's radar.

Mickey was glad he had finally had a chance to meet Lucemon, and knowing it was hurting the celestial rookie to witness how much DarkAngelicmon was suffering, he couldn't help wanting badly to change the fallen angel's fate. That being said, it also hadn't escaped his notice that DarkAngelicmon appeared to have a special interest in Matty, but the reasoning as to why was still a mystery to him.

I know I shouldn't let it get to me so much, but I can't help worrying. I don't believe DarkAngelicmon would hurt Matty without a good reason, but if he feels like he doesn't have any other choice...

What would he do if something terrible did happen to Matty? Would he truly be able to handle any serious threats to his twin's safety? The thought made him shiver, and pulling his sleeping bag closer, he glanced over Sam's shoulder to make sure his brother was still sleeping close by. Matty continued to snore, unaware of the inner turmoil Mickey could feel building in his chest, and reaching out a hand to give the younger twin's shoulder a gentle squeeze, he stared unseeingly into the darkness. The atmosphere in the room felt ominous, despite the warm bodies occupying the space around him. Deep within the shadows, something terrible was coming, but when and where it would strike wasn't immediately clear.

Nor did he think it would be until it was too late.

We need you, Dai. Somehow everything always seems so much better when you're with us. Plus, you're the only one who can get through to Matty when he's being so stubborn...

"Shouldn't you be getting some rest?"

Mickey jumped at the sudden voice in his ear, and looking down, he found himself gazing deeply into Sam's dark sapphire eyes. The raven-haired Digidestined had spoken in low tones, and the intensity in the young teen's searching gaze suggested he had been awake for several minutes already. Normally that wouldn't have been an issue, but upon realising he was leaning heavily over Sam, his hand still resting on Matty's shoulder, Mickey flushed before quickly scrambling into a sitting position. Despite the fact that he had effectively put some distance between them, he could still feel the warmth of Sam's body surrounding him in the darkness, and biting his lip he had to force himself to ignore the exquisite sensation. With the way Sam was looking at him, it was clear the raven-haired Digidestined expected an answer, and avoiding the other boy's eyes, he whispered, "Sorry."

"For what?" Sam snorted, shaking his head in amusement. "You don't have anything to apologise for."

Mickey blinked, and realising the raven-haired Digidestined hadn't reacted to their unexpected closeness, he felt himself relax a little. No matter what was going on inside his heart, Sam was still his friend, and he knew the raven-haired teen would support him no matter what the issue was. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," Sam sighed, shifting to get more comfortable. "I probably would have woken up sooner or later even if you hadn't tried to squish me."

Mickey could feel his face turning an even deeper shade of red, and clutching his sleeping bag close to his chest, he mumbled, "That wasn't what I was trying to do."

"I know. I'm just teasing you. I take it you've been awake for quite awhile now?"

Mickey was having trouble meeting the raven-haired Digidestined's smouldering gaze, and shrugging his shoulders, he glanced quickly at Matt before whispering, "Can't sleep. Too much on my mind."

Sam frowned, and sitting up, the raven-haired Digidestined lightly touched his arm and murmured, "Tell me about it then. You know I'm always here for you."

It was such a simple statement, and yet the words were exactly what Mickey needed to hear. Without even thinking about it, he quickly nestled himself against Sam's side, and feeling his throat close up, somehow he managed to say, "I just can't shake this feeling that something bad is going to happen."

"You mean to Matty?" Sam asked, doing his best to keep the conversation just between them.

The raven-haired Digidestined's arm immediately went around his shoulders, and resting his head in the crook of Sam's neck, he wrapped his arms around his knees and said, "I don't know. I think so, but maybe not. I can't really decide. It's...kind of hard to describe. There's just something about this trip that feels different from the others, and with DarkAngelicmon acting so strange..."

"I know what you mean," Sam said slowly, giving his shoulders an affectionate squeeze. "Everything seems...darker somehow. More serious. It's like the game is over and the real battle is about to begin."

Mickey froze, and knowing Sam had just done a perfect job of describing at least some of what he was feeling, he buried his face against the raven-haired Digidestined's neck and mumbled, "I wish Dai was here."

He felt Sam glance over at Matty, who was curled up against the raven-haired Digidestined's leg, and shaking his head, the young teen said quietly, "So do I."

They remained that way for a long moment, and though the silence between them was thick, it wasn't awkward or tense. Mickey could feel Sam's pulse throbbing against his cheek, and the pleasant sensation once again made him wonder. What exactly had the raven-haired Digidestined meant when he made the choice to challenge Matty over the younger twin's ridiculously overprotective behaviour? Sam had made it clear he wanted to remain close to him, and that wasn't something Mickey could ever remember the raven-haired Digidestined making such a big fuss about before.

Is it just because he wants to protect me from my own dark thoughts?

There was no way to tell, and without thinking, Mickey closed his eyes and murmured, "You feel nice."

For a moment there was an even heavier silence between them, and then shifting even closer, Sam said nonchalantly, "If it makes you feel better, then I'm glad."

Huh? Wait, did I just...say that?

Caught up in the moment, Mickey had just blurted out the first thought that came to his mind, and realising how it must have sounded, he suddenly felt mortified by his own behaviour. He really hadn't meant to say those words out loud, and turning his face away, he gasped, "Sorry, I didn't...I was just..."

"You don't have to explain yourself," Sam said calmly, shrugging his shoulders. "It's fine."

Mickey wasn't quite sure what to say to that, but thankfully the raven-haired Digidestined didn't seem all that concerned about his slip of the tongue. In fact, Sam was taking the strange tension between them completely in stride, which was only making him feel even further confused. Perhaps he really was just imagining things?

But if that's true...

Somehow the thought made him feel slightly disappointed, and giving the raven-haired Digidestined's hand a grateful squeeze, he said softly, "Thank you. I do feel a lot better now."

"Glad I could help," Sam replied, returning the gesture. 'It always feels better to talk things over with the people you trust."

Mickey nodded in agreement, and smiling shyly at the other boy, he said, "That's why I like talking things over with you."

Because you're just as important to me as Matty.

"The feeling's mutual then."

Despite his carefree words, Mickey sensed that there was more Sam wanted to say, and studying the raven-haired Digidestined's thoughtful expression, he said timidly, "Is something wrong?"

Sam was slow to respond, and without letting go of his hand, the raven-haired Digidestined gazed directly into his eyes and said seriously, "It's not like you to feel the need to justify your actions. Are you sure there isn't more you want to tell me?"

Mickey's breath caught in his throat, but before he could respond, there was a sudden flurry of activity near Ryoko's feet. Halomon and Celestimon had both jerked awake, and fluttering into the air, Halomon announced, "I can feel him. He's here!"

Immediately, the others reluctantly came to life, and rubbing at his eyes, Matty groaned, "For real? Took him long enough. What time is it?"

"Don't ask me," Celestimon replied, the little rookie's words ending in a yawn. "Doesn't matter what the clock says. I still can't decide whether he's too late or too early."

Mickey chewed anxiously on his lower lip as Sam gently released his hand, and blushing as Ryoko sat up next to him, he did his best to act as normally as possible. Sam's question had completely thrown him off guard, but he didn't have time to think about what it meant right now. First, they needed to deal with DarkAngelicmon.

"It's definitely well after midnight," Ryoko responded, climbing quickly to his feet. "I assume he's waiting for us outside?"

By this time, everybody was awake, and pulling open the door to the utility room to stick his head out, Matt said calmly, "He's waiting for us by that section of raised pipes. We should probably go and meet him."

Surprisingly, it was Kara who answered, and motioning for Dovemon to join her, the female Digidestined said quietly, "I've got a couple of things I'd like to ask him, as well."

Huh? That's strange. As much as I know Kara's worried about DarkAngelicmon, she usually let's Matty or I do the talking...

Mickey wasn't sure whether he should be concerned or not, and allowing Sam to pull him to his feet, he immediately sensed that he was being watched. Turning, he spotted Matty gazing intently at him in the darkness, and raising his eyebrows, the younger twin said, "You okay?"

Though Matty often gave off the impression that he could be a bit clueless sometimes, Mickey knew full well that wasn't the case when it came to him. Matty was always aware of his state of mind, and thus he knew the younger twin suspected there was something going on between him and Sam. Truthfully, his newfound insecurities were an issue he fully intended to speak with Matty about, since he trusted his brother completely and knew the younger twin would never judge him, but now wasn't exactly the best time to bring it up. As much as it pained him not to say anything, he wanted to wait until he had a better sense of what was happening to him before confining in Matty. Maybe then, his emotions would give him a clue as to what he was feeling. "Don't worry, Matty. I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous about seeing DarkAngelicmon."

Technically, that was actually true, and coming over to give him a sympathetic hug, Matty whispered in his ear, "I know exactly how you feel, but it'll be okay. We'll get through this together."

Matty...Even though our personalities are so different, you understand me completely. I love you for always being you, and as long as we have each other, I know I'm never alone.

Mickey felt so overwhelmed, even if he had wanted to, he doubted he would have been able to come up with an appropriate response. Since he couldn't talk, he simply hugged the younger twin tightly in return, and watching them with a fond smile on his face, Sam said gently, "Come on, you two. Let's go out and meet him."

Mickey waited long enough for Halomon to join him, and then following the rest of the group out into the larger chamber, they made their way over to the spot where DarkAngelicmon was waiting for them. The small area featured thick, black pipes sprouting from the ground, and behind the fallen angel, a steady river of water ran through a wide canal that disappeared into the darkness. Even though the atmosphere was gloomy, they could still see the distant green glow of the pipes lining the closest wall, but since the chamber was so huge, the light had little effect on their current location.

Sitting on one of the pipes. his face turned away from them, DarkAngelicmon didn't move as they approached. At first, nobody seemed to know what to say, and then boldly taking a seat next to the fallen angel, Celestimon cuddling up on his other side, Matty crossed his arms over his chest and said bluntly, "You're late."

It was only then that DarkAngelicmon finally acknowledged their presence, and turning to gaze at the younger twin, his expression lacking any sort of definable emotion, the fallen angel said calmly, "My apologies. I trust you were able to get some rest?"

"Barely," Matty snorted, rolling his eyes. "Why can't you meet us during the day like a normal digimon would?"

"I'd rather not have to explain myself to YukiOnnamon, thank you. She despises me enough as it is."

That name again...

Mickey slowly sat down on the pipes across from DarkAngelicmon between Sam and Kara, and studying the fallen angel's emotionless face, he felt a sense of uneasiness building inside his heart. As a general rule, the celestial champion was playful and easygoing, but at the moment he could see no trace of the humorous digimon he had come to know so well. And yet, despite the worrisome change, he didn't feel at all concerned about how close the fallen angel was sitting to Matty, which surprised him. He would have thought he'd be more adversed to the idea, given the circumstances, but that wasn't the case at all. No matter how much he believed DarkAngelicmon was after the younger twin, a stronger part of him knew the fallen angel truly didn't want to hurt his brother.

But what if...like I said before, he doesn't have a choice?

The thought created a terrible ache in his chest, and sitting on a pipe next to Izzy with Wormmon in his lap and Tentomon perched on a pipe overhead, Ken said slowly, "Since you came all this way, I assume that means you're going to answer our questions?"

"As much as I am able to," DarkAngelicmon said mildly, speaking softly enough to avoid an echo.

It was almost as if the fallen angel was afraid somebody might overhear them, and sitting between Matt and Sora, Agumon, Gabumon, and Biyomon crowded around his feet, Tai said dryly, "You're the one who offered to come. You might as well make it worth our while."

That's true. We didn't ask him to meet us. He made the choice all on his own.

DarkAngelicmon was an intelligent digimon. Because of that, Mickey knew the fallen angel wouldn't have risked coming to see them unless he had a good reason to do so. That alone sparked his interest, and holding Halomon tightly in his lap, he said quietly, "You came all this way to offer us information because there's something you want from us. Is that it?"

Immediately, a tense silence fell over the underground chamber, and meeting his eyes, DarkAngelicmon said shortly, "You want something from me, as well, and since I'm willing to answer your questions, I would say it's a fair exchange."

"Not like I'm surprised, but we should have known there was a catch," Ryoko grumbled, sitting on Matty's other side with Alopemon in his lap. "Just remember, we haven't agreed to give you anything."

"A wise decision. I would advise against trusting your enemies."

Mickey winced at the obvious implications of those words, but he didn't have the heart to argue. Luckily, Centarumon, who was standing at Matt's side, chose to keep the conversation moving, and gesturing with his arm, the champion digimon said, "Izzy looks like he's about to burst with questions. Why don't you fill us in on what you do know."

"For starters, I assume this YukiOnnamon is the digimon you and Encantamon are constantly referring to as 'my lady?'" Izzy asked, taking the hint.

For some reason DarkAngelicmon suddenly looked amused, and with a hint of his usual playfulness, the fallen angel said, "I don't know if I'd consider her a lady, but best to call her what she wants to avoid her wrath."

"Who is YukiOnnamon?" Dovemon asked from the safety of Takara's arms. "We've never heard that name mentioned before until now."

DarkAngelicmon tilted his head to the side, and studying the bird digimon's female partner with obvious interest, the fallen angel said dismissively, "I could tell you, but where would the fun be in that? You will understand for yourselves once you've had the chance to meet her."

Mickey was quick to pick up on the fact that DarkAngelicmon had said 'when' not 'if,' and realising an encounter with the elusive YukiOnnamon was likely inevitable, he cuddled his digimon partner a little bit closer. Though he couldn't explain why, for some reason he had a feeling the female digimon was a mega, and by the sounds of it she was not only powerful, but also a bit on the scary side.

Another mega digimon is the last thing we need right now, especially since we still have Spritemon to deal with. Speaking of which, I wonder where she is. There's no way she wouldn't show up to steal another Spirit Chip, especially after we defeated BlackWidowmon and Jestermon. Plus, with Vampiramon missing, I can't see her not wanting some kind of revenge on us...

"So mean!" Glowmon complained, wiggling impatiently in Sam's lap. "I thought you said you were going to answer our questions?"

"I didn't say I would answer all of them," DarkAngelicmon drawled, his wings fluttering to ward off the damp air. "Suffice to say, YukiOnnamon is a business associate of mine who was commissioned by the Ruler of Darkness to lead in our current mission to steal the Spirit Chip. She is currently here in the underground waterway asserting her authority and annoying me at every opportunity. I mean really, it's so hard to find good help these days."

Despite the fallen angel's unwillingness to cooperate exactly as they were hoping, Izzy didn't seem the least bit fazed. Instead of continuing to press DarkAngelicmon about the female digimon, the computer expert quickly changed tactics and said, "You mentioned earlier that you would provide us with more details on Dai's whereabouts?"

DarkAngelicmon regarded the computer expert for a moment before nodding his head, and once again turning to gaze closely at Takara, his words surprisingly gentle, the fallen angel said seriously, "As I mentioned before, Dai and Embermon are being held captive in the central chamber where the Spirit Chip of Wisdom lies. Your D-Coder will lead you directly to it. Though I can assure you they are safe for the time being, Encantamon is using one of her attacks on them to keep them trapped. That is why they are unable to escape and join up with you."

"You're sure he's safe?" Takara asked, her words trembling in the darkness. "You're not just saying that?"

"I am certain. I have spoken with him, and he is every bit as robust as he always is, despite his fear for your safety."

The confirmation was apparently too much for Takara because the female Digidestined suddenly covered her face with her hands and promptly burst into tears. Immediately, Mickey wrapped his arms around his distraught cousin, and burying her face against his chest, Takara proceeded to cling to his shirt with the desperate need to hang onto something tangible. It broke his heart to see the female Digidestined in such a terrible state, and stroking her long ponytail, he held her close and whispered softly into her hair, "It's okay, Kara. That's a good thing. You and I both know Dai would never give up. We need to believe in that. We need to believe in him."

"I know," Takara gasped, struggling to get her emotions under control. "Please, just let me have a moment."

Mickey was content to honour the female Digidestined's wishes, and resting his golden hair on the top of her head, he turned to gaze at Takara's parents, both of whom were looking unusually pale. Sending a quick glance in his daughter's direction before turning to DarkAngelicmon, Tai said quietly, "When you spoke to him, what did he say?"

DarkAngelicmon's emerald eyes were still focused on Takara, and speaking directly to the female Digidestined, he said, "Dai asked me to watch over you and keep you safe. I promised him I would do so as much as I was able to."

"Why?" Takara whispered, slowly lifting her head and staring at the fallen angel in confusion. "I don't understand..."

Over the course of their time in the Digital World, Mickey hadn't failed to notice that DarkAngelicmon was the only evil digimon who called them by their nicknames, which indicated he felt a closeness to them that the rest of his companions would never be able to accept or understand. Now more-so than ever it was painfully obvious, and shaking his head, the fallen angel murmured, "I do not know myself. Curious, isn't it?"

"It doesn't matter," Sora said firmly, reaching out to squeeze her husband's hand. "As long as you protect my daughter, that's all I care about."

He never would have said such a thing even just three weeks ago. Something has definitely changed.

Matty must have been thinking the same thing because instead of making a fuss, the younger twin sighed and said, "You're really confusing, you know that?"

"I thought that was part of my charm," DarkAngelicmon teased, turning slightly so he could focus his full attention on the disgruntled teen. "And now, I have a question for you. I presume you had a lovely visit with my old friend?"

"If you're talking about Lucemon, I wouldn't exactly call it a fun visit," Matty shot back, batting away the feathers tickling his ear. "You can't tell me you don't know he's worried about you. Seriously, you're the worst friend ever. You could at least try not to scare him to death, you dummy."

"Since you obviously know Lucemon was determined to meet up with us, then you know why that is," Takara suddenly spoke up, wiping hastily at her tears. "Let me ask you something. Where were you when Lucemon couldn't feel you anymore?"

Mickey was shocked the female Digidestined had brought it up so quickly, and glancing hesitantly at DarkAngelicmon, he wasn't surprised to find the fallen angel's expression growing much more guarded. At first, he thought the celestial digimon wasn't going to answer, and then without warning, DarkAngelicmon said harshly, "A place I never want to visit again."

I don't understand. DarkAngelicmon has never once acted like he's afraid of anything, but that look in his eyes...He's genuinely scared, but why? What sort of place could shatter his strength and courage so easily?

It wasn't exactly a question he wanted an answer to, but a part of him desperately needed to know.

Does this place have something to do with why he's acting so differently now?

On his left, he felt Sam stir, and leaning forward in his seat, the raven-haired Digidestined said quietly, "You wouldn't happen to know why the barrier between the human world and the Digital World has grown weaker lately, would you?"

"And if you do, it wouldn't happen to have anything to do with this place you're talking about, would it?" Takara demanded, having picked up on something Sam was trying to convey.

Feeling a bit lost, Mickey had to admit he had no idea what they were getting at, and lifting his chin to gaze at the high ceiling, DarkAngelicmon murmured, "I might."

"Really, in that case why don't you tell us what you know," Matt said nonchalantly, exchanging a look with Tai. "And don't try to tell us you hardly know anything because it's clear you obviously do."

Instead of acknowledging the former musician, DarkAngelicmon gently placed his hand on Matty's golden head, and speaking carefully to the younger twin, the fallen angel said, "There is a place in this world that can sever even the strongest of bonds, and it has the power to upset the balance of light and darkness that the barrier separating our world relies on to remain stable. It is often the source of lost harmony, as you will soon come to understand."

"So...this place where Lucemon couldn't feel you...It's the reason why the barrier has weakened?" Matty asked, clearly confused.

"Not the place itself, but the darkness that lies within it. The darkness that has returned to this world."

What does that mean? What is he trying to say?

Matty looked just as baffled as he felt, and allowing the fallen angel's hand to remain upon his golden head, the younger twin said, "Now you've totally lost me."

"Ditto," Celestimon complained, wiggling his ears. "You need to give us more than that."

Instead of replying, DarkAngelicmon gently cupped Matty's cheek in his pale hand, and gazing into the younger twin's amber eyes, the fallen angel said simply, "I can only pray that I'll be able to stop it from taking what is precious to us before you need to know."

"Huh?" Matty gasped, his mouth falling open in surprise.

Mickey jumped as Takara suddenly wiggled out of his arms, and pointing a shaky finger at DarkAngelicmon, she said in a trembling voice, "You couldn't feel him either, could you."

DarkAngelicmon's gaze shifted to the female Digidestined, and instead of denying her words, he said quietly, "To find yourself separated from those who are most important to you, I wouldn't recommend it. You mustn't allow Dai to slip out of your grasp. Hold tightly to him and fight with everything you have."

"You know, everybody says the Spirit Chip of Wisdom belongs to me," Takara said bitterly, her words ending in a harsh laugh. "But I don't feel very wise right now."

"You have wisdom enough to know you're simply avoiding what lies deep within your own heart."

For a moment Takara looked like she'd been slapped, and then curling in on herself, she proceeded to bury her face in Dovemon's feathers. Before their late night meeting, nobody had been brave enough to give the Spirit Chip its proper name, but now that it was out in the open, so much more seemed at stake. The female Digidestined clearly had no faith in herself, but Mickey knew the truth. Takara was wise beyond her years, and the courage and empathy she possessed was what defined her personality. Even if she didn't believe it, she knew what it meant to love others with all of her heart, and that was the wisdom her Spirit Chip had been named for.

Kara...why can't you see how amazing you are?

"I do not know exactly what YukiOnnamon has in store for all of you tomorrow, but you had best be wary," DarkAngelicmon warned, completely changing the subject. "Whether she means to ambush you early or wait until you've reached Dai, I cannot say. She may even try to get Kara alone if doing so will serve a purpose. She also might attempt to separate all of you, or she might not think it's worth her time. She is nothing if not secretive about her plans until she deems it necessary to relay orders. Watch your backs, and in the meantime I will do my best to watch over Dai."

Mickey wasn't quite sure how to respond, and leaping swiftly to his feet, his hand slipping away from Matty's face, DarkAngelicmon turned his back on them, as if intending to leave. Before he could get very far, though, Takara jumped up and caught his arm, and forcing the fallen angel to look at her, she said firmly, "One last thing."

"And what might that be?" DarkAngelicmon asked, regarding the female Digidestined with careful scrutiny.

Takara's face twisted in pain, and refusing to look away, she whispered, "Tell me, who is it you're trying so hard to protect?"

DarkAngelicmon slowly pulled his arm out of the female Digidestined's grasp, and placing a hand against his heart, he said simply, "I think you already know the answer to that."

Takara's eyes widened, and letting her hand fall away, she said dully, "So it's true then. You sacrificed yourself for him."

"Would you not have done the same if someone you loved was about to lose their heart to the darkness?" DarkAngelicmon countered, his emerald eyes glowing brilliantly in the dim light.

Wait, what are they talking about? Sacrificing himself to save another...Is that...what happened to him?

Takara's face was deathly pale in the darkness, and visibly trembling, the female Digidestined whispered, "What happened all those years ago?"

"Pain and despair, that much I can remember," DarkAngelicmon replied, the words lacking any emotion. "A terrible tragedy that must never come to pass again, and that is why I am here. I have given you the answers you seek. Whether you understand them or not is a path you must follow for yourselves. In return, I have a request."

This time it was Matty who stepped forward, and stopping in front of the fallen angel, the younger twin said shortly, "It's the same request as before, isn't it? You want us to protect Lucemon. Of course we will, you idiot. We would never let anybody hurt him."

DarkAngelicmon suddenly sank to his knees in front of Matty, and bowing his head, the fallen angel said almost to himself, "Why? Why do I feel such an affinity towards you?"

Surprisingly, Matty took the odd question in stride, and lifting his chin, the younger twin said bluntly, "Do you remember that time my D-Coder reacted to you? It was in the Ice Caverns when I told you the truth about Mickey's feelings. Do you want to know what I saw?"

DarkAngelicmon slowly lifted his head, and gazing up at Matty, the fallen angel said softly, "I could feel your light. How is that possible? You are not mine. I have no human partner."

"Maybe because you're meant to have one," Matty countered, the determination in his amber eyes lighting up the dark chamber. "I could feel you, too. I could feel your heart beating, and then you started to change. Your hair, your wings...everything. You looked exactly like my partner."

"I saw it, too," Celestimon confirmed, fluttering over to join them. "It was like staring at a mirror image of myself. Even if it was just for a moment, the darkness inside you somehow...disappeared..."

"So that is what happened," DarkAngelicmon murmured, gazing at Matty with a tenderness that Mickey had never witnessed before. "What have you done to me, Masato Takaishi? You truly are a remarkable human."

He is, even if he doesn't always realise it himself...

Matty reached out to tug on one of the black feathery appendages sprouting from DarkAngelicmon's raven hair, and shrugging his shoulders, the younger twin said calmly, "Lucemon gave us a clue. He told me the truth lies with Daemon. You got anything to add to that?"

Mickey almost fell over in surprise as Takara suddenly let out a horrified gasp, and turning to stare at his cousin, he said hesitantly, "What's wrong, Kara?"

Takara merely shook her head in response, but despite her silence, Mickey could tell he had missed something very important. For some reason he had a sneaking suspicion the female Digidestined had just discovered something incredibly crucial to their mission to save the Digital World, but before he could press any further, DarkAngelicmon suddenly leaped to his feet and said firmly, "Do not forget my request, trivial as it might seem, but that is not all. Remember what I told you about the prophecy and the Seven Great Demon Lords. This battle has only just begun. If you want to prevail over the Powers of Darkness, you must defeat my master. That is your only hope of saving the Digital World."

Nobody seemed to know what to say to that, and giving Matty one last searching look, DarkAngelicmon briefly touched the younger twin's golden hair before fluttering off into the darkness. Once he was gone, a heavy silence fell over the large chamber, and turning to his daughter, Tai said quietly, "You asked those questions for a reason. What are you thinking, Kara?"

Takara immediately turned red in the face, and recognising the fact that the female Digidestined clearly wasn't in a state to talk, Izzy held up a hand and said mildly, "I think that's a conversation for tomorrow morning."

"But Izzy-"

"I have everything written down on my laptop," Izzy interrupted, giving Sora a meaningful look before the female Digidestined could protest any further. "We only have a few more hours to get some sleep. I suggest you all take advantage of the time we have left. I'll relieve Matt from watch duty, and Ken can finish up the night."

There were a few grumbled complaints, but nobody seemed eager to get on Izzy's bad side. As a result, they all obediently made their way back to the maintenance room, and immediately rolling herself into her sleeping bag, Takara proceeded to ignore everybody to avoid any unwanted questions. Izzy and Tentomon took up watch by the door, allowing Matt to steal the computer expert's spot next to Tai's sleeping bag, and eager for more rest, Gabumon went to join the rest of the digimon by Ryoko's feet. Mickey slowly climbed back into his bedroll, and unable to sleep themselves, Sam, Matty, and Ryoko proceeded to crowd him with full intentions of holding a whispered conversation.

"Takara knows something," Sam insisted, checking to make sure everybody else had settled in again for the night.

Ryoko immediately nodded his head in agreement, and glaring at his feet, the golden-haired Digidestined muttered, "That much is obvious. She's hiding something from us, and whatever it is, it's clearly important."

Mickey had to agree, and letting out a soft sigh, he said, "Even if that's true, it's not going to do us any good to pester her about it."

"No kidding," Matty grumbled, making a face. "If anything that'll just make her not want to talk to us even more."

"Do you think it's related to Dai?" Ryoko asked, frowning in the darkness.

Matty threw up his hands in defeat, and sounding exasperated, the younger twin said, "Maybe? I don't know. He might be a part of it, but I don't think that's the only reason she's acting so cold. Haven't you guys noticed the way she's gotten really weird about DarkAngelicmon lately?"

Sam glanced at Matty in surprise, but despite the fact that the younger twin was invading his personal space, the raven-haired Digidestined merely tolerated the lack of room to move and said slowly, "So you noticed."

"Of course I did," Matty shot back, poking the other boy's shoulder. "I'm not dumb, you know."

"You said it, not me," Sam teased, though the smile on his face was full of affection.

Mickey couldn't help shaking his head in amusement, and realising he was squished between Sam and Ryoko, it took all of his willpower not to acknowledge the way the raven-haired Digidestined was pressing warmly against his side. He needed a distraction, and gazing at his twin, he said hesitantly, "Are you okay, Matty? That was...a lot to take in."

Matty regarded him for a moment in silence, and shrugging his shoulders, the younger twin said mildly, "In all honesty, I haven't really let myself think about it too much. At least, not right now. Kara's way more important, and so is Dai. Whatever this thing I have with DarkAngelicmon is, I've felt it for a while now, but I didn't used to think it was a big deal. I guess...we have some sort of connection to each other, but I have no idea what that means. That's part of why you're worried, isn't it? It's because you see it, too."

Mickey froze, and realising Matty had just read is mind, he ducked his head and mumbled, "I'm afraid he wants to use that connection to hurt you."

"Not gonna happen," the younger twin said firmly, reaching over Sam to pull him close. "I might not understand it now, but I will find out. Nobody's going to take me from your side. Not even him."

Mickey suddenly felt guilty for spending so much time worrying about Sam when he should have been focusing his concerns on Kara and Dai, but despite his wayward thoughts, he knew both the female Digidestined and the goggle-headed leader would understand. After all, that was part of the reason they were all in this mess to begin with.

But my feelings aren't...like that...right?

"It's funny how DarkAngelicmon has two sides to him, and those personalities are constantly at war with each other," Ryoko said slowly, his deep blue eyes growing thoughtful. "Who would have thought something like that could make such a difference in one digimon?"

For some reason Sam was gazing intently at Matty, who was practically sprawled right out in the raven-haired Digidestined's lap, and speaking as if he was talking about something else entirely, the young teen said softly, "Trust me, personality can make all the difference in the world."

It...can? What does that mean?

Mickey blushed as Sam suddenly turned to look at him, those stunning sapphire eyes burning deeply into his soul, and though he couldn't explain why, he had a strong feeling those words were meant for him.

Matty and I look the same, but on the inside we're completely different. Despite our identical appearances, I don't think Sam's ever mistaken us to be the other before like some people have. Not even when we were really little...

"Ugh, this is getting us nowhere," Ryoko muttered, looking visibly frustrated. "Come on, Sora's giving us the stink eye. We better get to bed."

Mickey felt a brief sense of loss as Matty quickly let go of him, and settling into his sleeping bag, he closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths to steady his nerves. Within moments, Ryoko had fallen asleep beside him, and jumping when a warm hand suddenly touched his back, he murmured, "Still awake?"

In the darkness, he felt Sam reach over him to once again take his hand, and shifting slightly to get more comfortable, the raven-haired Digidestined whispered, "Night, Mickey."

Mickey could feel his face heating up again, and thankful that nobody could see the red stain on his cheeks, he whispered back, "Night, Sam."

Clinging tightly to the fingers that were weaved wonderfully between his own, sleep came surprisingly easy for the rest of the night, and though he wouldn't remember his dreams the next morning, he knew there was no way he would ever forget the feel of Sam's touch.