Disclaimer: I don't own digimon...
A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. Just enjoy...
Chapter 8: The Test of Leadership
"Huh?" He groggily opened his eyes after it was sealed shut from the glaring orange light that spewed forth from the 'thing'.
"Ah-Huh?" He rubbed his eyes.
"Wow…" He slapped himself on the face.
The scenery was breathtaking. Right beneath the rock he stood on was a red glowing pit of magma, which seems to extend beyond the horizon. In front of him was a long and narrow wooden bridge, stretching seemingly to infinity. Down by his side were two companions of his.
"Takato. Takato." He shook him.
Takato flipped to his side, groaning. "Later…"
He sighed. "Daisuke!"
Daisuke jumped up from the call. "What?"
"Stop screaming." Taichi hit Daisuke's head.
"Ow."
"Takato!"
He rubbed his eyes groggily. "Where are we?" he questioned as his vision became clear.
"Erm…" The response was incomplete as Taichi moved his head around again.
"What now?" questioned Daisuke.
"We should look around."
The trio proceeded to the wobbly bridge. The fragile ropes were currently holding up the cavity-filled lumber pieces. From their short scouting mission, the only viable route was across the seemingly unending bridge.
"Well, guys?"
"Do we have another option?" cowered Takato.
"There doesn't seem to be…" stated Daisuke flatly.
Taichi proceeded to place his foot carefully on the precarious bridge. "It's holding…" He slowly lifted the other foot off the solid ground and lightly placed it on the bridge.
His foot then started to travel more naturally, one step after another with less hesitation. The two younger boys followed his lead as they inched slowly across the bridge.
Sometime later
"Stop!"
"Ow!" Daisuke cried out again after Takato's head landed heavily on his spine. "Oi…"
"Daisuke!" Taichi cried out harshly.
"What?" he said grumpily, unhappy that Taichi is defending a newcomer. "Ah…"
The bridge stopped. The creaking timber slabs under them stopped abruptly. The only remaining tools they have are the ropes that hung.
"Now what?"
"I think we should go on." Taichi placed a finger under his chin.
"…"
"We could…"
"Takato?"
His head drooped and his eyes were focused on the molten rock ocean flowing underneath him. The river… he began drifting off into his own imaginary world. It seems nice… Better than trudging endlessly on a bridge, or ropes… I…
"Takato-kun?" Daisuke waved his hand in front of his face.
"Daisuke-san?"
"You drifted off…"
"Y-Yes. I was just thinking about what Taichi-san is saying." What did he say?
"So?"
"I-I agree."
"Okay, now that's off, let's go!" Taichi pumped his fist into the air in an attempt to raise the gloomy atmosphere.
Their faces remained gloomy despite Taichi's attempt to cheer them up.
He took a first step onto the lower, sturdy ropes and firmly grabbed onto the higher rope. He lifted his second leg off the ground wearily as he tried to maintain his delicate balance on the trembling ropes. The process quickened as his raised foot landed on the rope. He then slid his feet along the rope as his hands held on tightly.
Daisuke was the next to go as he quickly stood on the available rope without any hesitation or caution. His swift actions jerked the rope, causing it to vibrate vigorously. He wobbled a little and paused, waiting for the length of rope to stop shaking.
"Be careful, Daisuke!" reprimanded Taichi as he watched his protégé's antics.
"You worry too much, Taichi." muttered Daisuke.
The two boys made their way across the ropes steadily. Takato remained behind. He trusted the wooden planks beneath more than the ropes holding the planks together. I musn't… I couldn't… I'll fall off… I… He hesitated as the two boys moved farther and waved for him. It's difficult… I don't think I can… But… I…
"Are you alright, Takato?" Taichi called out softly.
What should I do… I don't want to cross but… I fear death, I… "I'm fine." Now, why did I say that?
"Are you sure?" Taichi lulled softly.
"Come on, Takato!" Daisuke motivated.
Takato stared at his feet as if gold have grown on them. He lifted his legs up wobbly, as if it was strapped to a ten pound bowling ball. The steps were slow and short. Daisuke frowned at his inching, but decided it was best to keep it to himself.
Taichi cautiously slid back along the rope and approached Takato.
"Here." He lifted his hands out in offer.
"Thank you." Takato curtly replied as he slowly reached out for Taichi's grip.
Taichi held and secured his position, in fear that one single move from him would freak Takato out or even send him tumbling down into the bottomless abyss.
Their hands finally met. Taichi smiled gently and lightly nudged on Takato's hand, like a mother caring for her offspring, to guide his smaller frame forward. Takato twitched at Taichi's movement, but, slowly, his body relaxed. His feet stood on the rope now and he started to follow Taichi.
Crack… Snap!
"Huh?"
The three boys turned back. "Oh my…"
The bridge is no longer what it is just moments ago. What remained of it is just four taut ropes hanging in mid-air, and small wood splinters caught in the ropes.
"Did the bridge just…"
"… Collapse?" Daisuke finished for Takato.
Taichi was rendered speechless, but he shook his head and forcefully clamped his mouth shut. The three just hung by the rope and stared at the empty space where the wooden planks once stood just a while ago.
That… Lucky I… "Thank you, Taichi."
"Ah."
They continued to move on in deep silence. No one dared to think what could have happened to them. Fatigue was quick to take over them as their steps slowed considerably. The hanging ropes did not seem to have an end.
"I… think we should… rest…" Daisuke said between breaths.
"…" Takato was a s quiet as ever, shunning himself from the conversations between the two Odaiba Chosen Children.
"We can continue… we can't… possibly rest… here."
"True…" he kept his voice low and sped on.
After some time
"Finally!" Daisuke cried in excitement as a piece of land became visible.
A rush of adrenaline pushed the boys forward as their pace quickened. The ropes began to shake wildly as they trotted past the ropes like a herd of wild elephants in rampage. It was a miracle that the tough ropes didn't buckle or snap due to the heavy footsteps. The group seemed to no longer care for their own well-being and safety, but rather, they seemed to only care about when they would make it onto solid ground for a rest.
"Hurry up!" Daisuke motivated his friends behind him.
"(pant)… Wait up…"
Daisuke was the first to step onto solid ground. He raised both his heads up and enjoyed the cool breeze blowing onto him, removing the trickles of sweat clinging on his hair and cooling him from the battle with the ropes and the lava beneath. The cooling wind became a friend now, not a foe that tried to pull them off the ropes just a few moments ago.
"Come on! …A few more steps…" Daisuke cried out to the other boys.
Takato and Taichi literally collapsed onto the ground out of sheer exhaustion. The effect of adrenaline had worn off. Daisuke dropped himself onto the ground as fatigue began to overwhelm him as well. The three boys lay on the ground, eyes directed onto the seemingly infinite space as they waited for time to pass. As they lay, they observed that where they are is just a small floating 'island', without any food, water and shelter available, although they don't really feel hungry or thirsty at all.
As their heavy breathing subsided, the trio slowly stood up and explored the small patch of land they are on.
"Ah! Ropes again…" Daisuke whined.
"Hmm…" Taichi proceeded to check the conditions of the rope while the other two just groaned. "It's too bad we can't see where it leads to with this thick fog around. At least we know there should be something solid on the other side to hold this rope up."
The boys stood at the rope, eyeing it.
"Should we cross?" Takato asked the winning question.
He sighed before settling onto the cold, hard ground as silence ensued.
"Maybe I should scout first?" questioned Taichi.
The other boys nodded.
This time, the rope was sturdy and taut as if it were a metal rod. The little wobbling reduces the strain on Taichi's fatigue self as he trotted into unknown territory. The thick fog obscured his view of the front as he pushed himself forward. Small droplets of mist adhered to his skin and clothes. Taichi panted as he proceeded on in the hot and wet atmosphere.
After a quick walk, the end was reached. "Hey guys! Come take a look at this!"
A few more minutes of walking and the two boys were behind him, eyes focused at what was in front. It was a huge orange door, shining brightly. The symbol of the Sun was carved in the middle. The three boys staggered forward slowly as the door began to creak open.
"What's inside?"
The door opened to reveal a small, familiar object. The trio rustled forward and stood in front of it.
Take it… For the one who dares…
The crest of courage.
"Erm… Should we decide on who should take it?"
"I think you should… Taichi-sempai. It's yours after all."
Taichi marched forward to a small stone inscription on the ground. "May the orange blaze of courage guide you. May the chosen one carry the fire of courage."
Choose your representative now… Warriors of courage.
"Taichi!" the two boys called out.
"But… You, Daisuke, you have the courage to risk your safety. That's brave… Takato, you have the ability to do careful considerations of the risk before acting. I have neither… I don't think…"
"Taichi-sempai," Daisuke cut in. "You've always been the best person I've known, my idol for so long. You have courage. Don't you remember the times when you held the group together? You were the leader, our leader, a rational, courageous one who led us through difficult times. Although I wasn't with you the whole journey, but I believe that I speak for the group that you deserve it."
"Taichi-san," Takato spoke. "I was never there when you guys had your adventure. When I heard that you once held the crest of courage, I thought that it suits you. After what we've been through here, I can truly see why you are destined to hold the crest again. Your selfless care for others and the ability to keep your composure is what keeps the courage in you burning."
"I… but…" he hesitated. Is that… for real? I-I never realised that I'm that… good. "Okay. Thanks, Daisuke, Takato."
With a small nod from him, orange light poured forth from the walls and engulfed them.
When they opened their eyes, they were greeted with cries from their dear friends.
"Taichi-san!" "Onii-chan!"
"Daisuke-kun!"
"Takato!"
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter too. Not sure when I'll finish the next part though... Busy... Finals are like 1 month away? But anyways, thanks for reading and pls review!