The Saga: Shattered Light

By: Linkmaste

Authors Note: So, some of you might be confused why this chapter is here. When I first posted this story, this was what you would have been greeted with. It was made aware by some readers that it would be too confusing and I would have to agree. There relevance would be lost and most of you would have forgot why it was the first chapter. Therefore, it's here in Part III to make it more relevant. So, if you already read this, I apologize. Nothing has been altered or changed in the chapter except for the beginning quote (which is pretty important) and will go according to plan.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. That is owned by respective trademarks, licensing and ownership.

Part III: Hybrid Theory

"Forgiveness is beautiful and it feels good when someone gives that gift to you. But it's one thing for someone you wronged to forgive you. It is another to forgive yourself."

-Unknown

Chapter Fifteen: It Lurks in the Shadows

In the shadows of the night, all was quiet in West Shinjuku, except for the occasional car driving by in the rain. It tumbled down, and many residents were rushing home or staying in; for it was late and everyone should've been asleep.

Except, two beings were neither home nor asleep.

In the long, dark alleyway, two figures were running, breathing heavily as if each step was making them lose more of their air. Their feet pounded the pavement loudly, stomping through puddles and potholes. Neither cared if their feet got wet, they just needed to escape.

One of the figures was a young boy around eleven years old. The dark, cloudy, night concealed any descriptions of him, but he was slower at running than the other figure. In his clutched hand, was a white and purple device. It was made of smooth plastic, all pointing to the fact that it had been made seamlessly. A few yellow buttons were on the bottom, but they were of little use to the boy. The screen in the middle was glowing red, a sign of trouble and no amount of pressing buttons could solve it.

The other figure was smaller significantly, but much faster. The outline depicted that the speedy being had two horn like ears, three fingers on each hand, a bandana wrapped around its neck and claws on its abnormally large feet. If you looked closer, the figure was limping between strides-an indication that it was injured.

Still, they kept running, panicked by what was following them. Not even twenty feet behind them, were shadows chasing the figures. They were dark, hair-raising entities. Not even phased by a fire ball attack one of the figures threw. The shadows were ready to snatch one of the beings and take them away. The duo were exhausted from running, but they had to keep going. They turned a sharp left, onto a road with a few cars driving away.

The boy slipped and his sneaker caught a puddle that cleverly concealed a pothole. He gasped and smashed onto the ground, contacting with the pavement, hard. Giving a small groan, the second figure rushed back to help the boy up.

"C'mon Mako, we gotta run!" the small figure reminded the boy, who tripped. Makato or Mako grimaced in pain, as he let the figure assist him in getting back up. The two continued running across the street and into another alleyway. This one however, provided the two fleeing figures no sympathy for an escape. An eight foot chain fence stopped the duo in their tracks. Mako cursed looking around for another escape route. He turned to his accomplice.

"Can you change?" he inquired breathlessly, the sounds of voices and whispers were pronounced. A sign that what was pursuing them, was very close.

The being grunted, and gave a response saying it was not possible. Mako gasped as something grabbed his injured ankle and started to drag the poor boy back out onto the street. The pavement burned his skin and he clawed at anything to escape the invisible grip that had captured him. On the road, a dark puddle swirled that had not been there moments earlier. It was thick, but was proven to be a portal as Mako was painfully dragged into it. A gloved hand grabbed Mako's hand, quick as lightning.

"I'm not letting you go!" the partner cried, tears prominent on the creature's face. In the street light, the pale faced being was struggling to keep up its strength. Mako's brown eyes connected to the figure that was trying to save him.

It was a long minute as the creature fought tooth and claw to make sure Mako was not sucked in the black molasses pool of death. Mako was slipping deeper and deeper, sweat coating his young face and hands. The grip was becoming too slippery and the brown eyed creature gasped-losing its grip on the human boy's hand.

"Mako, no!" The creature cried. Mako's body sunk quicker into the portal. He let a few tears escape from his eyes and a whimper.

"Ai, save yourself. Don't worry about me." Mako told the creature, but she shook her head furiously.

"N-no! You're my brother-I'm not letting you go!"

"Go! I love you, sis."

The grip had slipped completely. It was unclear if Ai's gloves were too slick with Mako's sweat or he simply gave up and gave his twin sister a chance to get away. In one motion, the rest of Mako was engulfed into the portal and with a popping sound, the portal closed. Ai screamed, trying to reach out for Mako-but no avail. He was gone, taken away by the shadows of the night.

Heart broken, Ai ran off the street, jumping on the lamp post. With an ungraceful leap, she climbed onto the high buildings of West Shinjuku. She wiped tears off her face and decided she was not going to give up on her brother. Rain poured down, making Ai shiver, despite being covered in dark brown fur and having her pink attire provide some kind of warmth-if what you called gloves and an bandana proper attire for the cold, wet rain.

Ai knew she only had one choice. She had to save Mako, but she needed help from another creature like herself. Her digimon partner.

She needed Impmon.

Author's Note: Like I said, this might be either new or very old to you readers. Now, you might have guessed that this isn't the Ai and Mako we are used to seeing-they are different. Don't worry. Next chapter will explain it-stay calm. Breathe. There you go. Sure you don't want the bag? Okay, I'll leave the bag here. Humor aside, we will go see where Ai, Mako and their digimon had been sent by Azazel. Any guesses? I'm sure most of you have figured it out by now. See you Sunday!