Woooo another chapter! Enjoy

Oh, and btw, don't think I mentioned before that any plot-related questions in the reviews that aren't answered in the author's note are to be answered as part of the plot-line. I think there was something like that which I saw in the reviews a few chapters back, but yeah. Fyi

Touched by Darkness

It wasn't easy to run down tunnels of pitch black. It wasn't easy on his pride, but by now TK didn't care. Several minutes had passed since that horrible moment, and he still hadn't let up on his frightened sprint. He was wearing down quickly. He felt the layer of dried blood on the lower half of his face crack and peel, and he wiped it on a clean section of his sleeve. Normally TK would have been utterly embarrassed to run face-first into a wall like that, giving himself the worst bloody nose he ever had, but there was no time to think about that. There was no time to do anything but run with his arms stretched in front of him like a blind child.

It was useless to look behind. TK could just feel Devimon stalking him. Still, as much as he wanted to get away, with as much experience as he had fleeing monsters, he couldn't hold a sprint forever. He had to let up soon. At long last, there was a comforting sight up ahead. A small stream of grey light poured down into the darkness from a hole in the roof of the cave. It wasn't nearly big enough for him to climb up out of, but he slowed to a stop underneath the glow. He must be getting close to a way out of the caves. It was a small hope, but there was nothing else to be hopeful for in a time like this.

He turned around, keeping a cautious eye out while he caught his breath, which was no easy task considering the humid atmosphere. The thick air almost seemed capable of suffocating him. That would be ironic. He tilted his head back to try and catch a glance up and out into the open, but quickly jerked his head down again when he felt the blood run from his still-flowing nose into the back of his throat. He swallowed and proceeded to wipe his face off some more, grimacing when he saw his already red-stained sleeve.

TK took another look into the dark tunnel, and froze when he noticed the shadows start moving. All that running and his enemy had still kept right behind him. He backed away on panicky feet, away from the small comfort of the light. A figure took form, and he knew it was Devimon. The evil digimon stepped into the light, showing himself in all his shadowy glory. TK could only stare in dismay. Devimon snickered, a vulgar smile spreading across his face at the boy's despair.

"Patamon," TK whimpered, his voice heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

The smile disappeared, and for a moment he couldn't read the look on the digimon's face. An instant later it was replaced by pure hatred and rage as Devimon pounced forward to attack. "Touch of Evil!"

TK threw himself backwards from the coming blow, but he wasn't quick enough. Devimon's claw slashed across his chest, carving three gashes through his shirt and instantly drawing blood. TK let out a shocked cry, and spun to make another attempt at fleeing. The pain came gradually, but it wasn't long before his shirt was sullied with red. The agony multiplied, and soon he was hunched over and limping, hugging his arms about his chest. He couldn't run in this condition. His legs were growing wobbly, and his lungs began to feel constricted.

He finally collapsed, tripping over shaky feet. He took a panicked glance behind him. Wherever Devimon was, he was certainly taking his time. TK felt his strength being rapidly sapped. He knew that a few gashes on his chest shouldn't be affecting him this way. It must have been the darkness draining the life from him.

TK stood with difficulty and tried to press on, but each step now came with a shot of pain coming from his chest and spreading to the ends of his limbs. Every time it was worse. His only hope had been to run from the digimon he feared and hated the most, but even that option was being taken away from him. TK collapsed again, and this time didn't make a move to continue. White spots were crowding his vision, and he felt as if he was on the brink of blacking out. But he never did. The agony was enough to knock him unconscious, and yet something was keeping him awake. Above the ringing in his ears, he heard the heavy footsteps of Devimon approaching behind him. TK lay on his side, curled up tight, and pressed himself into the wall. There was nothing he could do but try and suppress his panting and grunting.

There was another hole in the ceiling nearby, allowing TK to see vague shapes in the cave. It seemed like hours passed as he lay there. Was Devimon even following? His question was eventually answered. One moment he was alone, the next he was staring up at the dark figure of Devimon, looming above him in the dim light. Seeing the champion that had once been his partner brought a fresh wave of remorse upon him, and he swallowed back his hatred for the creature in front of him. He tried to speak to the rookie he knew was still within.

"Patamon…stop…come back," his voice had grown weak and his breath shallow. He paused and inhaled as deeply as the burning in his lungs would let him. He spoke with a little more strength, but he still felt on the verge of tears at what he had done to his partner. "I know it was my fault. Daemon was right about me and our friends. About us."

He interrupted himself with a groan, and hugged his arms tighter around his chest. Devimon seemed to be waiting for him to continue. TK took the invitation, hoping that if he kept talking, the evil digimon would stay at bay.

"I don't know what to do–"

This time he was cut off by Devimon's claw wrapping around his neck. TK gasped as he was lifted off his feet until he was at eye-level with the digimon. He grasped Devimon's wrist with weak hands, but that only made the grip on his throat tighten. The evil digimon's face spread into a wicked grin and his red eyes glowed bright.

"You can die. You had it coming. The darkness has had its sights set on you for a long time now."

TK began feebly struggling as he felt himself being quickly strangled by the digimon's strong claw. His head began to pound with the pressure. He felt as if his body were being pricked all over by little cold daggers. His chest was on fire, and the pain radiated throughout his being. He had to hold on. He didn't know why he was enduring this type of agony. He just had to get every second's worth of breath he could before…before what? Before he died? Before someone rescued him?

"Spiking Strike!"

At first, the new voice barely registered to TK. All he knew was that the grip of the hand around his neck had lessened, and then let go altogether when the impact of the coming attack came. TK was three feet up when he fell, and upon contact with the ground, bolts of pain shot up his legs, immediately forcing him to his knees. He leaned forward, planting his hands in the ground to support himself, but he couldn't even withstand that. TK fell onto his side, waiting for the pain to dull.

What was it that made Devimon release him? He could hear faint sounds of some sort of skirmish rising above the roaring inside his ears. He remembered that voice, and recalled what it had shouted. That was Stingmon's attack! His heart that was racing with fear only moments before was now leaping in hope. If Stingmon was here, then no doubt his partner was close by.

"TK!" The call finally came, and TK was never so glad to hear Ken's voice. Still, as much as he missed his friend, he couldn't bring himself to string out a coherent sentence. He heard the other boy's footsteps draw closer. "TK, are you in here?"

TK opened his mouth. He never realized his throat was so dry, though it did make sense considering that he hadn't eaten or drank since lunch break yesterday. His voice came rough and small. "Here."

Ken's gasp was loudly audible, and his words were much nearer. "Keep on talking, TK. I'm coming."

"Over here."

The footsteps were right beside him when they stopped; Ken had found him. A soft hand rested on his bloodied sleeve, and instantly jerked away. "I'm sorry, TK! Did that hurt? Are you injured?"

"That's from bloody nose," TK mumbled, the feeling of unconsciousness lurking just beyond his waking mind. His words slightly slurred as he tried to keep talking. "My chest. He cut up m'chest."

Ken's hands had returned to TK's wrists, and he slowly and gently tried helping TK to a sitting position. The older boy called in the direction of the two champions fighting further down the tunnel. "Stingmon! Get us out of here!"

There was one final shout and a crash, and soon the sound of an insect's wings came buzzing down the cave.

"I'm more than ready to leave!" Stingmon said, scooping up the two boys as he passed. TK tried his best to swallow down a yelp at the sudden movement, but a grunt still made its way through, loud enough for Ken to hear.

"How bad is it, TK?"

"Bad. It was his Touch of Evil attack," TK replied, taking a little comfort that the pain was lessening enough for his head to clear. But, as if responding to his words, Stingmon doubled his speed.

"That is bad." The digimon said. "The attacks of virus digimon do infect humans easily, but fallen angel attacks even more potent. The darkness plays a factor in the relapse of the victim."

"Well, that 'splains how I feel," TK mumbled again, curled up in Stingmon's hand.

"We've got you covered, TK." Ken said brightly as they burst out of the blackness of the caves at last.

TK squinted as he looked around to get an idea of the environment. It was just as barren as the rest of the Dark World. Holes and bare, jagged rocks dominated the landscape, providing multiple places fit for hiding. Stingmon dove down behind one particularly large spire of rocks after making sure they weren't pursued. He set the two boys down, and Ken could finally get a good look at TK's condition. He voiced his concern with a gasp.

"TK," he said, kneeling beside the blond. TK sat leaning heavily against a flat part of the rock they were hiding behind. He was still having difficulty breathing, being that each time he inhaled brought a fresh twinge across the gashes on his chest. The front of his shirt was soaked in blood, and Ken already had a few smears on his grey outfit from helping TK move. The pain was no longer so intense with each movement, even though there was still a dull ache throughout his body. It was miserable. He forced himself to focus on Ken's anxious gaze.

"Don't know if I'm okay, but I'm still here." TK attempted to try and get his mind off of his own situation. He spoke the first question that came to mind. "How did Wormmon digivolve?"

Ken and his partner exchanged a glance. "The normal way? I asked him to digivolve and he did."

TK hung his head. "Patamon couldn't digivolve. He tried as best he could, but couldn't. I…" The blond banged his head on the stone behind him in regret, and then closed his eyes at the rush of nausea that came from the movement.

"You what, TK?"

The younger boy's eyes were still closed as he replied. "I forced him to digivolve. And he turned into that."

Ken took a breath. "That was Patamon?"

TK nodded. "It's my fault. I made him."

"We can bring him back, TK," Ken said, trying to sound hopeful. "We just need to get him back to rookie."

A sudden attack interrupted to announce Devimon's arrival. "Death Hand!"

Stingmon sprung into action, shouting, "Ken!"

The champion dove in front of the dark blast that had been aimed for the raven-haired boy, and took nearly the full brunt which sent him sprawling. The attack was followed by a streak of black shooting by, taking Ken with it. TK was on his feet immediately, ignoring his body's protests, shouting after Devimon and his captive.

"Ken!"

The older boy's cries were growing faint all too quickly. Stingmon had taken to flight immediately, pursuing his partner. He shouted over his shoulder.

"Stay there TK! I'll get him back!"

TK sank to his knees as he watched his companions leave so soon. He didn't want to be alone, and the darkness knew it. He wondered how many more of his friends would make it through from the DigiWorld only to be taken by the dark ones. He scooted back and pressed himself into the cover of the rocks, curling his body up tight. He was alone once more, and that was going to be the norm. TK sat as helpless as ever, wounded and weakening, sitting alone in the open, just waiting for someone or something to come.

He didn't notice when it came.

Alright, so now that I'm keeping track of several people in the Dark World at the same time...who should be next? Sora and Yolei, or Matt, or Kari, or one more on TK?

And I realized that some of the recent chapters aren't posted in exact chronological order as far as who's doing what while so-and-so's doing that...but don't panic. Here's some clarification just in case you want it, because I know I kinda do.

Kari is sent to the Dark World around the time TK takes refuge in the town - evening

TK flees the town around the time Ken reaches the spot where TK and Daemon met for the first time - morning the next day

Sora, Yolei, and Matt get to the Dark World during the hours that TK is lying in hiding from Devimon - afternoon that day

I think it was chapter 16 that I confused myself on...but all better!