I don't own Digimon.
A/N: I know it's been a long wait, but I finally got through Trails of Cold Steel IV and I'm going to do my very best to finish Takara's Spirit Chip arc. I hope you like this chapter as we steadily approach the finale!
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 308: The Power of Love
Tai Kamiya
Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World
Though it hadn't been easy, Tai had done his best since leaving DarkAngelicmon behind to brace himself for what was to come, but nothing could have prepared him for this. As much as he didn't want to accept it, the voice and the face were the same.
And so was the spark of rage and malice in her eyes.
After she fell into the pit, I wanted to believe we'd seen the last of her, but even then my gut was telling me we weren't done with her yet. But...to come back even more powerful than before? There's just no way...
"I thought something like this might happen," Izzy said calmly, his dark eyes studying YukiOnnamon's unsettling profile. "Although, I will admit I hadn't expected you to have a new look."
"You don't like it?" YukiOnnamon mocked, her pale blue skirts swishing against the hard floor. "I think it suits me quite well. That being said, my physical appearance is of little importance. What matters is my strength and the dark energy flowing through my body."
"I sense her power is far greater than what we experienced before when she was Vampiramon," Alopemon warned, gazing warily at the female digimon. "Don't let her delicate appearance fool you."
"How!?" Matty blurted out, shaking his head in disbelief. "There's no way you should have survived that fall!"
"Or the darkness bubbling up from deep inside the pit..." Mickey murmured, his handsome face turning deathly pale.
Mickey's right. Even the strongest of digimon wouldn't have made it out of there without turning into data...
YukiOnnamon turned her terrible gaze on the twins, and holding out her arms, she said quietly, "Would you like to know? As I hovered there suspended in darkness deep within the pit, I heard a voice calling out to me. It was the voice of despair, the voice of the very darkness itself. By giving myself over to the misery and hate threatening to consume the light in this world, I was granted new power. The power to destroy all those who dare to oppose me."
"I assume we fall into that category?" Ryoko asked, raising an eyebrow.
YukiOnnamon's dark eyes quickly shifted to the golden-haired Digidestined, and without raising her voice, she said simply, "There is no reason for you to think otherwise. That being said, I will have a chance to test my strength on all of you soon enough. Before then, there is something I need you to do."
"Now we're getting to the good part!" Spritemon interrupted, clapping her hands together in delight. "Let's hurry up and break that seal so we can torture the girl even more."
Tai immediately felt himself tense at those words, and glancing anxiously at his daughter, who still hadn't acknowledged his presence, he had to take a deep breath to steady his nerves. He knew exactly what task YukiOnnamon wanted them to perform, and though it needed to be done regardless, he still hesitated.
And with good reason.
The moment we shatter the seal surrounding the Spirit Chip, YukiOnnamon and Spritemon are going to immediately go into full attack mode on my daughter. They'll try everything they can think of to keep piling on the darkness until she breaks. Spritemon in particular wants to make Kara suffer as much as possible, even if it means running the risk of going too far. If we can't reach her and bring her back to her senses before it gets to that point, there's no telling what might happen if YukiOnnamon doesn't step in to stop Spritemon...
Though many years had passed since then, the dark cave that had almost overwhelmed Matt and Sora was still fresh in his mind, and reaching for his wife's hand, Tai felt a shiver race down his spine. It was plainly obvious what was happening to Takara, and Spritemon's nasty dig about a 'blast from the past' only confirmed his worst fears.
There was no doubt in his mind that his daughter was stuck in that very same cave, or at least something similar to that well of despair.
Kara...No, I can't give up. Both Matt and Sora were able to overcome their insecurities and rise above the darkness in that terrible place. If they could do it then so can Kara, especially with our help!
"Let me guess, you want us to release the first seal surrounding the Spirit Chip," Ken said quietly, his arm reaching out to wrap around Sam's shoulders.
YukiOnnamon nodded, and gesturing with her hand, she said, "Exactly, which means I need those of you who hold the crests that are currently protecting the Spirit Chip of Wisdom to step forward. The rest of you may remain by the aquatic sphere."
Easier said than done. You can't tell me she hasn't realised we can't do that without Dai's D-Coder...
"Just be aware, if you attempt to interfere, you'll have me to deal with," Spritemon threatened, glaring as if she thought they might make off with the Spirit Chip the moment she looked away. "Don't even think about trying anything funny!"
According to Gennai, the Spirit Chip of Wisdom was protected by the Crest of Courage, the Crest of Love, and the Crest of Knowledge. Two of those crests were currently in the possession of their owners, but as for the Crest of Courage, it was stored in Dai's D-Coder Digivice, which was currently in YukiOnnamon's possession.
Which makes me wonder. How am I supposed to use it to help Izzy and Sora break the seal?
"We can step forward, but there's not much we can do for you without the Crest of Courage," Sora said quietly, her anxious gaze shifting to Kara's still form. "I would have thought you'd be aware of that already."
I knew Sora would catch on pretty quick, and I bet Izzy's already figured out an answer by now...
A quick glance at the computer expert revealed nothing of what the other man was thinking, and realising YukiOnnamon's penetrating gaze was focused on him, Tai quickly rearranged his facial features into a more neutral expression. The last thing he wanted to do was give off any sign of weakness, and pointing a finger at him, she said coldly, "You, follow me."
Huh?
"What do you want with my uncle?" Matty demanded, looking suspicious. "Is this some kind of cheap trick?"
YukiOnnamon ignored the younger twin, and without another word she quickly glided towards the front of the sphere where the D-Coder was currently hiding beneath the floor. Realising he had no choice but to follow, Tai hesitated only a moment before motioning for Agumon to come with him. Together, the two of them proceeded to join YukiOnnamon by the spot she had indicated with her hand, and quickly rushing over to watch the proceedings from inside the sphere, Dai said firmly, "If you try pulling anything funny with my D-Coder, you'll never get Kara's Spirit Chip."
"Yeah, that seal's not going anywhere if you mess with it," Embermon warned, coming quickly to his partner's defence.
The little rookie had immediately followed after Dai in an effort to remain close, and holding up a hand to placate the energetic duo, Tai said gently, "It's fine. I doubt that's the goal here."
"Duh, obviously," Spritemon snorted, fluttering over to watch the scene unfolding with obvious interest. "Do we look stupid to you?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Embermon shot back.
Before Spritemon could reply with a nasty retort, YukiOnnamon snapped, "You're supposed to be watching the others, you fool."
"What? They're not going anywhere."
That much was true, since Sora and the others clearly didn't want to try anything that might potentially put Takara even more at risk, and attempting to keep the conversation on track, Tai said calmly, "What do you want me to do?"
Anything to give us a chance to save Kara...
YukiOnnamon quickly snapped her fingers, and a moment later a strange looking cylindrical glass tube rose up from the floor. Inside, Tai could see Daichi's red D-Coder floating in the centre, and gesturing with her hand, the female mega said simply, "I assume since the Crest of Courage still exists on some level, you'll find a way to make it work."
Can I really? It fused with the Spirit Chip. Then again, if it wasn't possible the crests never would have been used to create the barriers in the first place. There has to be some way...
"What do you think, Tai?" Agumon asked, looking uncertain.
Tai shrugged, and as the clear cylinder split open, allowing him access to the D-Coder, he quickly glanced at Dai to judged the goggle-headed leader's reaction.
In response to his silent question, the younger male quickly nodded his assent, and taking the Digivice, Tai headed back around the sphere to join the rest of the group. Upon seeing the D-Coder, Matt turned to Izzy said said, "Do you think it's possible?"
"It should be," the computer expert confirmed, his neutral expression indicating that he wasn't concerned about the whole affair.
Maybe if I just point it at the Spirit Chip?
"Now that you have all the tools you need, we can proceed," YukiOnnamon announced, coming around the sphere with Spritemon. "The three of you who are required to break the seal will come with me. The rest of you will stay here with Spritemon."
"I'm assuming that means our digimon are also supposed to remain with the rest of the group?" Sora asked, crouching next to Biyomon to give her partner a gentle pat on the head.
Naturally, the little bird digimon looked ready to protest, but before she could do so, YukiOnnamon said, "I don't want them interfering, particularly because we'll be so close to the girl. Rest assured, you will have your chance to try and get through to her. Whether or not you succeed depends entirely on if she's willing to let you into her heart."
Tai winced at those words, but he couldn't deny the female mega had a good point. If Kara didn't want their help, then all of their efforts would be for nothing.
That's not going to happen, though. No matter how much she's suffering, I know she still wants to save Dai. She'll never give up until she absolutely knows for sure that he's safe. As for the rest of us, I know deep inside she wants to see us all again and tell us how she really feels. YukiOnnamon said we'd have our chance to save her, but something feels off. I doubt it's going to be that easy, especially if Spritemon has any say in the matter...
"Come here, Dovemon," Mickey said gently, holding out his arms. "Halomon and I will keep you company until Aunt Sora gets back."
It was obvious the little rookie wanted to go with Sora instead, but no doubt if she attempted to do so YukiOnnamon would not be pleased. Rather than risk Kara's safety, Dovemon meekly fluttered into the older twin's arms, where she was greeted by a sympathetic Halomon who was quick to give her feathers a comforting pet.
Might as well get this over with.
"Stay vigilant," Centarumon warned, nodding to Izzy as Tentomon left the computer expert's side to settle on his broad shoulder.
Tai quickly crouched next to Agumon, and placing his hands on the little dinosaur's shoulders, he said, "Watch over Dai and Embermon for me, will you?"
"Of course! You can count on me, Tai!"
"I know, buddy. Thanks, I appreciate it."
Leaving Biyomon with Ken and Sam, Sora came over to take his hand. Together, the two of them joined Izzy, and following YukiOnnamon the group made their way over to the pedestal. The thick green mist swirling around its surface made it hard to see the Spirit Chip itself, and standing at the edge of the water, Izzy said simply, "Everyone ready?"
The computer expert was standing closest to Takara's huddled form, but despite the fact that the two were only a foot apart, the female Digidestined didn't even attempt to raise her head. There was no sigh at all that she was even aware of their presence, and unable to stand the sight, Tai quickly turned his attention to the pedestal. He needed to focus, even if his daughter's condition was tearing him apart.
The sooner we do this, the sooner we can focus our attention on rescuing Kara.
"It's time to begin," YukiOnnamon ordered, standing back to avoid the light from their crests.
Tai stood on the left with his wife in the middle, and raising their hands, Izzy and Sora quickly pointed their crests at the green barrier. Studying the D-Coder in his palm, Tai slowly held it out, uncertain of what exactly he was supposed to do. Immediately it began to react to his touch, and a moment later the Spirit Chip of Bravery detached itself from the Digivice. It hung suspended in the air, its shiny surface twirling in a lazy circle, and then all of a sudden it split it two. The Crest of Courage proceeded to hover in the air next to the Spirit Chip of Bravery, and reaching out to take it, he said softly, "So that's how it works."
"Unlike in the past, the crests are still at full strength," Izzy explained, his own crest beginning to glow. "As a result, even though the Crest of Courage has fused with the Spirit Chip of Bravery, it can still be used to its fullest potential."
"Which is why Tai, Matt, and Ken haven't had any issues with being able to digivolve," Sora murmured, smiling softly. "Not that I think they would have anyway after their many years of experience."
Sora's crest was also glowing at this point, and adding his own light to the mix, Tai watched in silence as the tri-coloured hues of their immense power moulded together and began to circle around the three of them as a single unit. From there, the light started to branch out and stream towards the pedestal, creating a brilliant explosion of colour. For just a moment, the chamber lit up to reveal just how vast it actually was, and then the light from their crests slammed into the misty barrier surrounding the Spirit Chip of Wisdom, completely shattering it on impact. As the tiny fragments of emerald mist dissolved into thin air, the Spirit Chip began to glow brightly in the darkness, creating an even more pronounced green hue.
The first seal was gone, which left only the second one for Takara to overcome herself.
This is where it becomes the most dangerous...
"Look, they're fusing back together," Sora announced, pointing at Dai's D-Coder. "At least now we know for the remaining Spirit Chips."
"Not that such an insignificant little piece of information will help you," YukiOnnamon said harshly, bending over to scoop the motionless Takara into her arms. "The things you humans waste your breath on. It truly is mind-boggling."
Tai immediately tensed, and doing his best to remain calm, he said quietly, "What do you think you're doing with my daughter?"
"You want to get through to her, don't you?" YukiOnnamon challenged, ignoring the waves of darkness floating off the female Digidestined's body. "To do so, you'll likely need the rest of your little motley crew to help you. But before we get to that, I'll be taking the D-Coder back."
Tai turned just in time to see the Crest of Courage merge back with the Spirit Chip of Bravery, and as soon as the Spirit Chip inserted itself back into the D-Coder, YukiOnnamon shifted Kara's position in her arms to swipe the Digivice from the air. Though his instincts were telling him to steal it back, he knew he had to let it go for now. They could worry about the D-Coder after they saved Kara and rescued Dai.
Now what? Matt got through to Sora by talking her out of a bad situation, but can the same be done for Kara?
"Move, all of you," YukiOnnamon commanded, indicating they should walk ahead of her. "I'd like to wrap this up as quickly as possible."
It was all Tai could do to stop himself from taking drastic measures, and as Izzy placed a sympathetic arm around his shoulders, he quickly grabbed his wife's hand and gave it a tight squeeze.
Sora seemed unable to take her eyes off their daughter, and squeezing his palm in return, she used her other hand to cling to her crest as if it was her only lifeline.
"Come on," Izzy murmured, nudging him forward. "Don't give up hope just yet. You don't want to get a talking to from T.K., do you?"
Tai managed a smile, and following after YukiOnnamon they once again rejoined the crowd that was waiting for them by the sphere. Upon reaching the others, Dai immediately pressed himself against the gooey surface of his prison and shouted, "Hey, let Kara go! Don't touch her, you crazy vamp!"
"That's the Snow Queen to you," YukiOnnamon hissed, setting the female Digidestined down on the hard ground by the empty, clear cylinder that was being used to hold Dai's D-Coder.
Once Takara was settled, the snowy mega quickly placed the aforementioned Digivice back inside its futuristic prison, and rushing over to join him, Agumon said urgently, "Are you okay?"
Not even close, Agumon.
Somehow, Tai didn't think the truth was likely going to help their situation, so instead of voicing his thoughts out loud, he simply said, "I'm fine."
"Now what?" Sam demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Are you going to stand in our way while we try to help her?"
"That depends," a new voice interrupted, catching all of them completely off guard. "We've done our part. The only thing left to do is for you and the others to bring her back from the darkness so she can claim her Spirit Chip. If you're unable to do so, we may have to step in to speed up the process, so to speak."
Tai squinted through the dim green light at the two figures slowly approaching from the door they had used earlier, and realising it was DarkAngelicmon who had spoken, he said grimly, "So, you finally showed up."
"Sorry about the wait," Encantamon apologised, shrugging her shoulders. "You gave us quite the beating back there. Even I needed a little rest."
"Are you serious?" Spritemon scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You lost to these humans? I suppose I should thank you for biding me enough time, not that you deserve it after such an embarrassing defeat."
"Going up against Omnimon is no easy feat," DarkAngelicmon reminded the little pixie, coming to a stop just inside the sphere's circle of blue light. "I would say we preformed quite admirably considering our statuses as champion and ultimate."
"Enough, you three," YukiOnnamon snapped, dismissing their words with an impatient flick of her wrist. "There's work to be done. Go on, Digidestined. Show me the strength of this so-called bond you all have."
Tai didn't need to be told twice. Ignoring the darkness swirling around his daughter's body, he quickly wrapped his arms around the female Digidestined's smaller form and held her tightly to his chest. She didn't respond to his touch, and resting his head against her dark hair, he said softly, "Kara, listen to me. Can you hear me?"
"Please, Kara," Sora murmured, throwing her arms around both of them and burying her face against her daughter's shoulder. "I know you're hurting, but you need to let us in."
As they sat there holding their daughter close, the rest of the Digidestined gathered around them, and snuggling against her partner's knees, Dovemon cried, "Kara, you can't give up like this! Don't you remember what happened to your mother? You can't let the darkness hold you back and destroy your confidence!"
"Don't let it control your fear," Mickey pleaded, reaching out to take his cousin's hand. "Please, we need you. Dai needs you."
"Seriously," Matty butted in, throwing himself down onto the ground to take the female Digidestined's other hand. "Come on, Kara. You know we'd totally be lost without you."
It's true. She's always been a source of comfort and inspiration for them. For all her friends, and for her family.
"Do you think she can hear us?" Gabumon asked, glancing uncertainly at his partner.
Matt quickly crouched down next to Sora, and reaching around the female Digidestined's shoulder to tug gently on Kara's long ponytail, he said firmly, "Of course she can. No matter what's going on inside her head, I know our voices will reach her."
"You hear that, Kara?" Sam said gently, dropping down next to Mickey and placing his hand over the younger twin's palm. "We're not going anywhere."
"And neither are you," Ryoko ordered, crowding in next to Matty to add his own hand to the mix.
We're all supporting you, just like we always have.
There was still no response from Kara, and allowing his belly to dim slightly, Glowmon said anxiously, "She must be in pretty deep."
"I assume this is similar to what it was like for you and Sora?" Ken asked, kneeling next to his son and turning his attention to Matt.
The former musician nodded, and frowning, he said, "She's in her own world right now, and she's suffering. I suspect her feelings are even stronger than what Sora and I were experiencing, though, which is going to make this difficult."
"But not impossible," Izzy added, crouching in front of Kara. "The trick is to remind her of what she's fighting for in the first place."
She's fighting for us...
"Kara, you have to come back to us!" Dai called out, the intensity in his dark eyes smouldering from within the confines of his prison. "If you don't, how am I supposed to tell you how I feel..."
The words ended in a whisper, and Tai felt his heart break for the goggle-headed leader. After spending years denying the truth hovering at the edges of his subconscious, the guilt Dai was experiencing was clearly taking a toll on him. Tai couldn't imagine how much it was likely eating away at the younger male, which was why they needed to act fast.
If Dai lost his confidence and allowed his emotions to overwhelm him, then they really would be in trouble.
Takara 'Kara' Kamiya
Cyber, Western Hemisphere, Digital World
The air was cold and damp, and wrapping her arms more tightly around her body, Takara shivered violently in the darkness. How long had she been there now? Days, months, years? It couldn't have been that long, and yet it seemed like forever. That was surely due to the fact that time passed more slowly in the cave than it did in the outside world, which meant a lot had probably happened since her capture and subsequent fall into a state of depression. It was mind-numbing to think about, and yet...She was so lonely, and the darkness was so thick. There had to be a way out of it somehow...
Please, someone save me...
This was nothing like the peaceful emptiness she had experienced before. The voices speaking to her in the gloom had shattered that illusion, stripping her of any respite from her own misery.
I don't want to be here anymore.
"Really? Are you sure about that? The world outside is full of pain and sadness, and your loved ones have already moved on."
That's not true! I don't believe it! I won't believe it!
The thought burst forth in her head before she could stop it, and letting out an anguished scream, she flung out her arms in a useless attempt to shove the relentless voices away. The words were like needles digging into her heart, and shaking her head in denial, she shrieked, "I don't care what you say! I'll make them remember me, no matter what it takes!"
"Kara, listen to me! Can you hear me?"
Huh?
Takara froze, and slowly opening her eyes, she frowned in confusion. That voice. It hadn't sounded at all like the evil whispers calling out to her from the darkness building deep within the blackness of her soul. There was warmth and love in those words, the tone indicating a deluge of genuine concern. She knew that voice, that very familiar voice.
A voice that had always encouraged her to fight with everything she had.
"Please, Kara. I know you're hurting, but you need to let us in."
So soft and gentle. Has she always sounded like that?
Yes, she had. Always a pillar of support and a shoulder to cry on when it was needed. That voice had soothed her on many occasions in the past, and even now it was having the same effect.
But how?
"Kara, you can't give up like this! Don't you remember what happened to your mother? You can't let the darkness hold you back and destroy your confidence!"
Wait, my mother?
A faint flicker of some long forgotten memory immediately assaulted her senses, and putting her hands over her face, she had to think for a minute. Something about a cave?
That's right. My mother was in a cave like this, and so was Uncle Matt. But it's not real, right? It wasn't for them. Does that mean...this place is the same? Did I...create this place?
"Don't let it control your fear. Please, we need you. Dai needs you."
Dai...
Is that what she was doing? Was she allowing her fear to control her, which was what created the cave in the first place? Her mother and Matt had ended up in a similar situation because they had allowed their doubts to destroy their confidence. Had she let herself fall into the same trap?
"Seriously. Come on, Kara. You know we'd totally be lost without you."
...Without...me?
Takara slowly lowered her hands, and as tears began to pool in her eyes, a choked sob escaped her lips. Was that really true? Did they really need her after all?
"No matter what's going on inside her head, I know our voices will reach her."
"You hear that, Kara? We're not going anywhere."
"And neither are you."
Takara sniffled, and then all of a sudden a laugh escaped her throat. That was so like them. Telling her not to give up on herself.
I would've done the same if they'd been in my place.
How many times had she talked her friends out of their worries? All the times she had been there to comfort them when they were at their lowest points. From gentle scolding to words of advice, she had been there without fail, and now they were trying desperately to do the same for her.
Her family, her friends, her digimon partner. They were the voices of the people she loved, and despite all of her shortcomings, they still hadn't given up on her. There was no blame for her attitude or mistakes, only warmth and affection for everything that made her who she was.
They said you didn't need me anymore, but here you all are, still trying to reach me.
Were those images in her head just an illusion? Had she created them herself out of despair and self-loathing?
It's the same thing that happened to Matty. The only person who thinks I'm useless...is me...
"Kara, you have to come back to us! If you don't, how am I supposed to tell you how I feel..."
Wait, what?
Takara blinked, and slowly standing up, she let the tears drip freely down her cheeks. There was no mistaking that voice. She would recognise it anywhere. Though there was obvious fear in those words, something about that warm tone pleading for her to listen made her pause. There was a significance to what that voice was saying, a warmth that made her knees feel weak.
Though the words themselves were ambiguous, the truth they hinted at was painfully clear, and as her heart began to pound frantically in her chest, she almost forgot how to breath.
Could it be?
Dai...is it really you?
"Don't be a fool. Of course it isn't him."
Those voices again, cruel and menacing. Why should she listen to them? They didn't know Daichi Motomiya like she did. Even if he did ultimately turn her down, she knew he would never abandon her. They would always be together, and that alone made it worth the risk.
I'm not useless. My friends and my family do need me. If they didn't, they wouldn't have come all this way to find me. They wouldn't have risked themselves to save me...
"You dare to disregard our words?"
Standing alone in the dense darkness, Takara was surprised at how calm she suddenly felt. It wasn't like anything about the cave had changed. It was still damp, but she didn't feel cold anymore. Somewhere behind her, she thought she could sense a small spark of light building deep within the shadows, and lifting her chin, she said firmly, "I don't believe you."
"So you intend to defy us?"
Takara nodded, and placing a hand against her heart, she said softly, "I love Dai with all my heart. Sorry, but he needs me. I don't have time to doubt myself, not when he's calling to me."
"You will regret this!"
Takara shook her head, and as the light continued to grow, she said simply, "No, there's only one thing in my life I know I would end up regretting if I didn't act, and I think he feels the same. I'd rather face rejection than say nothing at all, and no matter how much you threaten me I'm not going to change my mind on that."
She expected a response, but the voices in her head remained silent. Somewhere along the line, she had pulled out her D-Coder without realising it, and as it began to glow brightly in her hand, she turned towards the light pulsing behind her.
There was an urgency to it, as if it was trying to tell her something important, and sensing that Dai was in danger, she quickly steeled herself for what was to come and stepped through the light.