Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: First chapter of the new year! Before we get into it, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for your support. While I haven't had a chance to respond individually to each person, I have read all your messages, reviews, etc, and they definitely brought a lot of smiles to my face! I'm so glad there are still those out there who are enjoying my story. I will say this chapter was a tough one to write. I'm still not entirely happy with it, but if I don't stop fussing over little things and just get it out, we're all going to be here forever. Having said that, I hope you all enjoy the start of Mickey's battle with the darkness and the start of how a certain someone is going to make it happen.
Following the Footsteps of Destiny
Chapter 340: Hidden Turmoil
Sam Ichijouji
Net, Northern Hemisphere, Digital World
At first, Sam merely stared at the fallen angel in utter disbelief, and then somehow managing to find his voice, he gasped, "How did you..."
"Yes, how were you able to figure out the truth so quickly?" Mickey asked quietly, finishing the thought he hadn't been able to voice for himself.
Was it something we said or was it Mickey's inability to act like his brother that gave us away? Unless...no, there's just no way DarkAngelicmon could possibly know I have feelings for Mickey and not Matty. And yet...he did seem intrigued by our closeness...
DarkAngelicmon raised his eyebrows, and clearly amused over the fact that Mickey hadn't made any attempts to deny the accusation, the fallen angel turned towards the older twin and said mildly, "Had I been quicker, neither you nor I would have found ourselves stuck in this situation to begin with. Truthfully, this entire conversation could have been avoided, but alas here we are."
Indeed, here we are...and what do you intend to do about it, I wonder?
"You say that, but you don't sound even a little disappointed despite now knowing that Mickey isn't who you thought he was," Celestimon pointed out, wriggling out from under the blanket they were all sharing to confront his dark counterpart. "Shouldn't you be more upset over the fact that we tried to deceive you?"
Glancing over at the rookie angel, who was snuggled up against Mickey's left side with Glowmon, Sam had to agree, but despite his best efforts to remain focused, he couldn't stop himself from questioning just how exactly DarkAngelicmon had discovered the older twin's true identity so easily.
It can't be because of anything I did. At the beginning, Mickey definitely sounded convincing. He really could have passed for Matty. It was only after DarkAngelicmon started talking about the shadows that Mickey began to slip up and act like his true self...
Though he was doing his best to set aside the fact that Mickey had deliberately withheld the truth about the shadows from him for the time being, Sam couldn't deny the obvious pain that was slowly beginning to build inside his heart. Though he genuinely believed the older twin trusted him, it still hurt to find himself in a position where the truth had come from someone other than Mickey.
And that someone had to be DarkAngelicmon. That almost makes it even worse...
Beyond that, though, it was his fear for Mickey's wellbeing that stood out most profoundly in his heart, and the terror coursing through his veins was strong enough to overshadow all of the other emotions waging war inside his head, including the pain and shock of being held at arm's length in a desperate attempt to hide the truth about the shadows.
I know he didn't want me to worry about him, but he still should have told me. I wonder...does Matty know?
Thinking upon the matter, Sam quickly came to the conclusion that if Matty had known about the shadows, the younger twin absolutely would have informed him from the beginning.
Especially since he was so adamant that I do everything I can to protect Mickey if for some reason he couldn't be there to play the hero himself. This whole time Matty hasn't shown any prior knowledge about the shadows, which means Mickey hasn't told him anything of note either. If I had to make a guess, I think Matty definitely knows something about Mickey that the rest of us don't know, but I don't think it has anything to do with the Powers of Darkness...
"Upset?" DarkAngelicmon murmured, his emerald eyes glittering in the dim light illuminating the dark walls of the cave sheltering them from the storm. "You are mistaken, Celestimon. I am not upset. If anything, I am relieved."
Huh?
Taken by surprise, Sam wasn't quite sure what to make of such a cryptic statement, and letting his arms fall away from Mickey's torso, he said slowly, "Why would you be relieved to know we've foiled your presumably evil plans?"
"Because if there is one thing I've come to understand since I started working for the Ruler of Darkness, it's painfully obvious to me that none of my colleagues understand humans the same way I do," DarkAngelicmon sighed, his emerald eyes straying towards the entrance to the cave before he gracefully sat down across from them on the cold stone floor. "YukiOnnamon is a perfect example. If not for me, we wouldn't stand any chance at all of completing our mission successfully. She thinks she has all the answers, but her unwillingness to understand the unlimited scope of what humans are capable of and the formidable strength of their seemingly fragile hearts will be her undoing."
"Are you saying you wanted to be the one to test me?" Mickey asked, his voice wavering in a way that suggested he wasn't sure how he should feel about the fallen angel's peculiar interest in the state of his heart.
Don't you see it, Mickey? It's obvious DarkAngelicmon wants to be the one to guide you safely through the darkness to ensure you ultimately overcome the insecurities in your heart, which would then allow you to successfully activate your Spirit Chip. YukiOnnamon and the others don't care about any of that. They just want the Spirit Chip, and if you end up getting hurt along the way, or worse, it makes no difference to them. Whether he admits it or not, DarkAngelicmon cares about you, not the Spirit Chip. I can feel it, and I know I'm right. That's why he doesn't want anybody else to have a say in what happens to you. He wants to be the one in charge...
"That's exactly what I'm saying," DarkAngelicmon replied, his intense gaze betraying the neutral tone of his voice. "But before we get to that, I believe Sam is still waiting for an answer to his earlier question, and judging by his expression he hasn't forgotten about it."
Did you really think I would?
Sam could feel the cold stone against his back, and shifting to make himself more comfortable, he said quietly, "What gave us away?"
"A number of things," the fallen angel replied, studying him closely. "From the very beginning, I found it odd that Matty would allow the shadows to lure him away so easily. It seemed out of character for him, particularly since he had done such a magnificent job of pushing the darkness away while he was in the Ice Caverns. As I stated to YukiOnnamon earlier, I didn't think it would be quite as simple as using the shadows to entice Matty to wander off on his own, and it appears that I was correct. For that very reason I suggested to YukiOnnamon that we may have to use other methods to pry Matty from his brother's side, but as it turns out no other method was needed."
"Because you have me instead of my twin," Mickey mumbled, wrapping his arms around his knees.
"Indeed," DarkAngelicmon agreed. "I was fairly confident the shadows would work on you, as your heart is clearly wavering in the darkness, and as it stands my suspicions were correct the first time. I merely tried using the shadows first on Matty to appease YukiOnnamon, so you can image my surprise when that tactic actually worked."
Except it didn't. Not on Matty, at least.
"So what would you have done if the shadows hadn't convinced Mickey to follow them?" Celestimon asked. "Plus, I thought you said you weren't the one who lured them into the valley."
"I didn't," DarkAngelicmon insisted, another sigh escaping his lips. "Need I say it again? I am not the one who conjured the shadows into existence. Mickey alone is responsible for their presence. I merely used them to my advantage. Regardless, Mickey's reaction to the shadows was the first red flag, indicating that something was off. It simply made far more sense for him to answer to the shadows than Matty, whom we thought we had successfully captured. If the shadows hadn't worked, rest assured there were a number of other methods we would have tried."
"What was the second red flag?" Glowmon asked curiously.
The little rookie was still curled up with Celestimon against Mickey's side, their small faces poking out from beneath the bottom of the blanket in order to contribute to the conversation, and tilting his head to the side, the fallen angel said lightly, "The noticeable change in demeanour once I revealed the truth about the shadows. A few small slip-ups in the beginning aren't as likely to catch one's attention, even for someone as observant as myself, but the very distinct change in personality once I shared what up until then had been a secret was obvious. After that, I was on the alert for any sign of mannerisms and behaviour that would have been out of place for Matty."
Which means...
Sam could feel his heart pounding rapidly in his chest, and without looking at Mickey, he said as calmly as he could manage, "What was the final red flag? There is one more, isn't there?"
If he really did see something in my behaviour that gave us away then he's way more observant that I could have ever imagined. And modest, especially for a dark digimon. Definitely not giving himself enough credit. He's far more perceptive than most, and I doubt that sharp mind of his misses anything. I might be in trouble. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten so close to Mickey...
"You have always been fond of Mickey, have you not?" DarkAngelicmon inquired, watching him closely.
Sam didn't fail to notice the sharp intake of breath from the boy cowering beside him, and lifting his chin a little higher, he said firmly, "Of course. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Based off my previous observations, your behaviour was far more reminiscent to how you usually act around Mickey rather than Matty. That is not to say you don't share a sense of closeness with Matty. I am well aware that you do, and it is as plain as day that you care deeply for him. I'm merely pointing out that your bond with Matty manifests itself in ways that are different from how you behave around Mickey. That was the final red flag. It was the subtle nuances in the relationship the two of you share that finally confirmed my suspicions."
I knew it. So I wasn't imagining things. What am I supposed to do now?
Sam chanced a quick look at Mickey, and what he saw was more or less the reaction he had been expecting. The younger twin's cheeks were bright red, and though they were still sitting close together under the same blanket, Mickey was doing his best to avoid any sort of eye contact between them.
Is that good or bad? I feel like I don't know anything anymore. Maybe he's finally realised I have feelings for him because of what DarkAngelicmon said about us? Am I really that obvious?
There was still a good chance that Mickey was simply acting like his easily embarrassed self for no particular reason, but even so Sam could still feel his heart fluttering nervously in his chest.
What if DarkAngelicmon tells Mickey about my feelings just like he broke the news about the shadows? If he's willing to give away Mickey's secrets, who says he won't do the same thing to me?
The thought made him pause, and then shaking his head, he closed his eyes in an effort to gain at least some control over his emotions.
Maybe I'm overthinking this whole thing. Obviously I have different ways of expressing myself towards Mickey and Matty, just as I do with all of my other friends. DarkAngelicmon was merely pointing that out and acknowledging the fact that my behaviour helped him discover the truth. That doesn't necessarily mean he's figured out that I'm in love with Mickey. I'm not even sure if he's capable of sifting through the complexities of things like love and romance between humans the way Glowmon and Celestimon are. They're around us all the time, but DarkAngelicmon hasn't had the chance to interact with humans as much as our partners have. I know he's spent his life studying humans, but there's only so much you can learn without integrating yourself with an unfamiliar species and seeing their world with your own eyes. The same would be true for us if we hadn't been given the opportunity to visit the Digital World and experience the way digimon live and interact with each other for ourselves. I'm pretty sure DarkAngelicmon isn't aware of my attraction to Mickey, but...if he did know, I'm sure he would try to use my feelings to his advantage. The last thing I need is for him to get involved with whatever's going on between myself and Mickey in the hopes that our confusing relationship will act as a catalyst to activate the Spirit Chip...
"Well, that explains a lot," Celestimon grudgingly admitted, his chin resting comfortably in his small hands. "I guess Mickey was being kind of obvious, and Sam wasn't exactly helping."
"Celestimon!" Mickey gasped, looking even more embarrassed.
Sam couldn't deny the little rookie's words, and slowly opening his eyes, he said wearily, "Back to what we were talking about before, I assume you're happy about Mickey and Matty switching identities because you don't trust YukiOnnamon and the other dark digimon you're working with?"
"Not in the slightest," DarkAngelicmon agreed. "They will use whatever means they feel are necessary to steal the Spirit Chip at the expense of Mickey's safety, and I cannot allow that. I will admit I was nervous about YukiOnnamon's group being in charge of Mickey's suffering, but now I no longer have to worry about what sort of methods they'll use. I will decide how to handle Mickey's Spirit Chip, which is how it should be."
There was still one thing that Sam didn't understand, and deciding to voice his thoughts, he said calmly, "Tell me, why are you so concerned about Mickey's wellbeing?"
"I've been wondering that, as well," Mickey whispered, refusing to look at the fallen angel. "Is it because..."
.. you're not an evil digimon at all? Is it because deep down inside you're one of us? You know we've been talking to Lucemon, so why won't you just tell us how you really feel?
DarkAngelicmon was silent for a moment, and then bowing his head, he said softly, "Because the Digital World needs you, and so do I."
"For what?" Mickey asked, sounding close to tears. "What am I good for?"
Mickey...
"More than you give yourself credit for," DarkAngelicmon responded, reaching out to place his hand on the older twin's golden head. "In time, you will see. Do not insult yourself by failing to acknowledge your own potential. You must understand how important you are to those around you. If you do not, any attempts on my end to show you the true value of your worth will be meaningless. I am certain Sam would agree with me, would you not?"
Startled a being addressed so suddenly, he wasn't quite sure how to respond, and truthfully there was a part of him that wondered if he should even bother.
I'm still not exactly sure what DarkAngelicmon's true intentions are when it comes to Mickey and Matty, but...
Sensing Mickey's eyes on him, Sam turned to face the older twin, and unable to discern the other boy's expression, he said hesitantly, "You do have to admit, he's not wrong."
"At the same time, that doesn't make him right," Mickey mumbled before turning his attention to the angel in question. "What's going to happen to my brother?"
DarkAngelicmon glanced towards the entrance to the cave, and seemingly satisfied that they were still alone, the fallen angel returned his attention to the older twin and said, "As far as I'm aware, I'm the only one who knows you've switched places with your brother. As a result, YukiOnnamon's plan will likely commence as originally planned."
"And what plan is that exactly?" Celestimon demanded.
"A test of sorts."
"A what?" Glowmon asked, looking confused.
"The plan was to involve Makiya Takaishi in a series of trials to test the strength of his heart. His performance would have allowed us to determine his weak points, which we would have capitalised on to help fuel his descent into darkness. From there, it would have been up to you, the Digidestined, to help him navigate through the insecurities plaguing his heart, giving him the chance to overcome himself and claim his Spirit Chip. Since YukiOnnamon is unaware that she has the wrong twin, I suspect the plan will go forward as if Matty really is Mickey."
"So they'll test my brother instead," Mickey murmured, his amber eyes widening in fear.
Immediately picking up on what the older twin was thinking, DarkAngelicmon said gently, "You have nothing to worry about. The tests were specifically designed for you. They will not affect Matty in the same way, thus YukiOnnamon's efforts will be wasted on him. He should be far more worried about you than you should be about him."
Sam wasn't quite sure how to take that comment, and glancing suspiciously at the fallen angel, he said curtly, "Does that mean you're going to tell Phelesmon about Mickey?"
"Absolutely not," DarkAngelicmon said firmly, shaking his head at the very thought before removing his hand from Mickey's golden hair. "Allowing that fool to have any say in anything concerning Mickey's fate is unacceptable. As much as I don't trust YukiOnnamon, I trust him even less. I will deal with this alone. No one but myself needs to know the truth."
So he plans to keep up the charade. Interesting. It really does seem as if he's on our side. He's going to great lengths to protect Mickey at the risk of his own safety. What does it all mean?
"You're awfully chatty today," Mickey said carefully, as if sensing his thoughts. "Why so forthcoming with all your devious plans when normally you like to talk in riddles?"
DarkAngelicmon glanced once more at the cave entrance, and ignoring the older twin's question completely, he said in a much more serious tone, "I do not know how long we'll have until Phelesmon returns, but I meant what I said before. If there is anything else you were hoping to learn from me, speak now before you no longer have the chance to do so. I cannot guarantee how many more opportunities we'll have to talk without him listening in on what's being said."
The blunt response caught Sam completely off guard, and exchanging a baffled look with Mickey, he pulled the blanket more closely around his body before saying, "If we do, would you respond truthfully?"
"If I do not, it may hinder our efforts to activate the Spirit Chip."
Sam could think of no way to refute the fallen angel's earnest words, and wrapping his arms around his knees, he said, "In that case, tell us this. How many of you are there?"
"Five," DarkAngelicmon promptly replied. "Myself and Phelesmon, plus YukiOnnamon and two others. Phelesmon and I were instructed to keep Matty occupied, while the other three were in charge of Mickey and the rest of your group."
One of the other two must be the third fallen angel, and the other one...
Feeling as if he was finally starting to put some of the pieces together, Sam said, "One of your companions wouldn't happen to be the feline digimon who was snooping around the village of Analogue earlier, would they?"
"That would be Persiamon. She is a personal attendant of the Ruler of Darkness. She is also the one who lured you out of the cabin earlier."
"Wait, if she's that important then why is she out helping you guys?" Celestimon asked, making a face. "And doesn't that also leave your master vulnerable?"
DarkAngelicmon shook his head, and keeping his unsettling gaze focused on the stone ceiling, the fallen angel said quietly, "The Ruler of Darkness has plenty of other servants who can take her place, which is also why Phelesmon is here with us. He is another one of our master's attendants. What we needed were digimon who could compensate for the loss of Spritemon, Jestermon, and BlackWidowmon, and both Persiamon and Phelesmon are more than capable of taking up the mantle."
"What about the other fallen angel?" Mickey demanded, his gloved hands clenching beneath the blanket. "Who are they and why are they here?"
"I could tell you, but at this time I trust it would do more harm than good," DarkAngelicmon replied in a low voice. "In this case, I believe it would be better for you to see for yourself, which is inevitable once we reach the Spirit Chip."
I get it. He's not telling us because that other angel has some sort of significance, and I bet that somehow relates to Mickey and Matty...
"I thought you said you were going to tell us the truth," Mickey shot back, frowning at the fallen angel.
"Indeed, and I have not gone back on my word. Allowing you to discover something for yourself isn't the same as lying."
He's being truthful by telling us he doesn't think he should say anything yet. Not the same as lying by omission.
Mickey must have felt the same, and failing to hide the guilty look on his face, the older twin chose not to respond. Though they were sitting shoulder to shoulder, Sam suddenly felt like there was a barrier between them, and doing his best to ignore the sensation, he said slowly, "What exactly was this Persiamon doing in Analogue? We're not stupid, you know, and neither is Lucemon. We know you're not here just for the Spirit Chip, and it obviously somehow relates to the Powers of Darkness. Care to tell us what you're really up to?"
"And don't say you can't!" Glowmon scolded.
At first, Sam didn't think the fallen angel was going to answer, and then turning to look at him, DarkAngelicmon said quietly, "How was my old friend?"
"He's worried about you, obviously," Celestimon replied, rolling his eyes. "I can still feel him in the Northern Hemisphere, but thankfully not near the Glacial Waterfalls. You really scared him going behind the Wall of Fire like that. What were you thinking?"
"It was not by choice," DarkAngelicmon sighed. "Of that, I can assure you, I suppose I worry him as much as he worries me. Enough about that, though. He is safe for the time being. While I cannot tell you everything, as doing so at this time could put you in danger if YukiOnnamon were to suspect you know more than you should, I can at least offer you a hint on what I believe you've probably already guessed for yourselves."
"There's something here, isn't there," Mickey whispered, curling into himself.
DarkAngelicmon turned his attention to the older twin, and nodding his head, he said, "There is a place here, a dark chasm that exists within the heart of the Glacial Waterfalls that is very similar to the one in the Ice Caverns. It also acts in a similar fashion."
"And that's what you're after?" Glowmon asked, his small body lighting up to provide a bit of warmth for Mickey, who was shivering beside him.
"Indeed, it is our main focus and takes priority over the Spirit Chip. That is all I can tell you."
Sam understood, and crossing his arms over his chest, he said simply, "If you were to tell us anything more than that, you would be putting yourself at risk, as well."
"That is not to say we won't put everything we have into stealing the Spirit Chip," DarkAngelicmon warned. "But yes, ultimately we do have a greater goal, which it appears you have already worked out for yourselves."
If the Ruler of Darkness is so interested in this supposed evil chasm, there has to be a good reason for it. Which reminds me...DarkAngelicmon did make a comment earlier about how it could still be possible for someone with a strong heart to feel the effects of the darkness in this area. I assume that's because of the chasm, which means even someone like Matty who was able to break free from the shadows and their influence in the Ice Caverns could still potentially become a victim of his own insecurities. That also explains why DarkAngelicmon didn't argue Mickey's true identity at first, even if he did have his doubts.
"I take it you're not going to tell us anything else then?" Celestimon grumbled, wrinkling his small nose.
"I would be risking too much if I did," DarkAngelicmon replied, though he sounded very much as if he would have liked to say more. "Having said that, I'm certain with Izzy's expertise you will figure out the rest without my help."
"Maybe a lot faster than you think," Mickey mumbled, his tone suggesting a hint of defiance.
Something about that spark of rebellion caught the fallen angel's attention, and leaning forward, DarkAngelicmon said seriously, "Do you truly believe you are the one holding the shadows at bay?"
"I do," the older twin confirmed, his words ending in a whisper.
Sam could see Mickey's amber eyes glimmering with suppressed emotions, and not wanting to upset the other boy, he said carefully, "What is it that makes you feel so sure it's you and not your brother?"
"How can a person hold the shadows back if they're not aware of their existence to begin with? Matty's light is strong, and that's also true for my parents, but we all know the shadows aren't here for them. Nobody in my family would have any reason to consciously or unconsciously hold the shadows back, especially because they aren't aware that I can see them. If they knew what I was going through, the strength of their will might be enough to keep the shadows from coming after me, but even if for some reason they know about me now, they didn't when all of this started. I know I'm struggling, but I understand better now that the shadows have more to do with me and how I feel about myself than they do about the darkness. It's not about what they want. It's about what's in my heart..."
Mickey...
"Wise words, but can you stand behind them?" DarkAngelicmon inquired, his emerald gaze studying the older twin's conflicted expression.
"Shouldn't you be happy? Weren't you hoping I was the one responsible for keeping the shadows at bay?" Mickey countered, sounding confused.
"Indeed, I truly thought Matty was the one responsible, and yet even when you were pretending to be him you kept insisting he was not. That caught my attention, and even now I must admit I still find myself surprised by this unexpected turn of events. And yet...it does make sense. Both knowledge and awareness of the shadows are important. You must have some control over yourself if you want to have any hope of containing them. It is even more important to tighten the reigns on your insecurities when in such close proximity to the dark chasm. Take your brother and your parents. They will also need to keep their wits about them, despite their past triumphs over the darkness, and in your state you are far more vulnerable than they are. Truly, you have done well to keep the shadows at bay in a place as wretched as this frozen wasteland."
What can I do? Mickey isn't unaware of his own strength, the fact that I can't see the shadows is proof enough of that, but he still refuses to believe he's as strong as his brother. Isn't there anything I can do to make him believe in himself?
It was a difficult question, one he didn't have an answer for.
And even if I did, I doubt Mickey's in any state of mind right now to listen to anything I have to say...
"There is one more thing I'd like to know," the older twin said hastily, blushing in obvious embarrassment over the fallen angel's subtle compliment. "You seem...uneasy around Phelesmon. No...not just him. Around the Powers of Darkness in general. Why is that? You were never like that before..."
Maybe it's my imagination, but I feel like it must have started sometime around when he started acting like he can't decide who's side he's on...
DarkAngelicmon's expression was hard to read, which wasn't surprising considering the question. If Sam hadn't known any better, he would have said the fallen angel looked conflicted, but surely that couldn't be the case.
Unless I'm right...
"Well?" Celestimon pressed. "Are you going to answer or not? You know, there's a lot more we could ask you about, including things we've heard from Lucemon and the stuff that Izzy's been able to piece together from his research. If you ask me, we've let you off easy. The least you can do is tell us what's up with your attitude!"
"I would if I had a solid answer for you," DarkAngelicmon murmured, his emerald eyes growing dark. "Truthfully, I do not fully understand it myself yet. I believe...yes, it is likely Lucemon's fault. That or all of you are to blame. Perhaps it is a bit of both. It seems the more I am exposed to the light, the heavier the darkness feels..."
And I bet the more you remember about your past, the worse it gets. We know who you really are. You were never meant to be a servant of the darkness, and I think you're finally starting to see that for yourself, past memories or not. You belong in the light, and until you come to terms with the truth, a part of you will always fear the darkness...
"I have a feeling that's the best answer we're going to get for the time being," Glowmon lamented, his small bulb drooping in disappointment. "So what now? What's going to happen to us once Phelesmon gets back?"
"Nothing," DarkAngelicmon said shortly, climbing to his feet. "For now you will rest. I can sense Phelesmon close by, thus our conversation ends here for the time being. He will be arriving at any moment with the wood. Once we're all settled, we'll discuss the next phase of our plan. In the meantime, you will be allowed to keep your Digivices with you as long as you do not make any attempts to escape or have your digimon digivolve into their higher evolutions. We will be using them, along with our abilities to sense your angel digimon and our celestial comrade, to track Matty's group. Depending on how you respond to the darkness, you may need them to protect yourselves, as well."
"Way to sound ominous," Celestimon grumbled. "It's not like I can digivolve anyways."
"Well, at least we know the D-Coders will remain safe in our hands until we reach the Spirit Chip," Glowmon offered, attempting to put a positive spin on their precarious situation. "That's something at least."
"Says you!"
Under any other circumstances, Sam might have laughed, but at the moment he definitely wasn't in the mood. Not only had they gotten themselves into a dangerous predicament, he was also still concerned over not only Mickey's mental health but also the older twin's physical wellbeing.
I haven't forgotten what Phelesmon did to him...
As if sensing his thoughts, DarkAngelicmon paused to stretch his wings before saying lightly, "While I do still believe Sam's concerns are valid, humans are less vulnerable to physical injuries while they are in the Digital World. Having said that, it should be safe for Mickey to close his eyes for a little bit as long as he doesn't allow himself to have a full proper sleep until this evening."
That's true. I'd almost forgotten all about that...
A sudden commotion at the entrance to the cave caught his attention, and glancing over, Sam watched as Phelesmon materialised out of the blowing snow with a large stack of wood in his arms. Having sensed the other angel approaching, DarkAngelicmon was already at the door, and directing Phelesmon on where to place the wood, the two began to converse in tense tones, their obvious dislike for each other pulsing within the walls of the cave.
Deciding it was probably best to leave the two angels to their own devices for the time being, Sam turned his attention to his backpack. Although the blanket he was currently sharing with Mickey did provide some warmth, perhaps it would have been better to have two.
We could always layer them over top of each other...
"Why did you move?"
Huh?
It was Mickey who had spoken, and seemingly unable to look at him, the older twin said in a small voice, "Why did you move your arms?"
At first, Sam had no idea what the other boy was talking about, and then remembering he had in fact dropped his arms from around Mickey's torso earlier, he paused for a moment to reflect on his actions. The act of moving away from the older twin hadn't been what he would consider a conscious decision. Though he still felt hurt by Mickey's inability to tell him the truth about the shadows, that wasn't what had prompted him to let his limbs fall away. At the time, he had been so caught up in the conversation with DarkAngelicmon that he hadn't even spared a thought for what his body was doing or how it was responding to the surrounding environment.
Does he think I moved on purpose?
Shifting so he could once again slip his arms around the older twin beneath the blanket, he said gently, "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you cold?"
"No, it's...not that..."
Sam could feel Mickey's warmth soaking into his coat, and wanting to absorb as much of that heat as possible, he slowly rested his head against the older twin's golden hair before saying softly, "What is it then?"
Something's definitely bothering him, but he seems reluctant to tell me.
At first, Mickey didn't reply, and then hesitantly reaching for his hand, the older twin mumbled, "It's nothing. You just pulled away so...abruptly."
Does he think I'm lying?
That wouldn't do at all, and giving Mickey's hand a squeeze, he said in a low voice, "I really am sorry, I wasn't thinking at all. It's not because of you. You know I love being close to you."
The older twin immediately blushed at his words, but despite his obvious embarrassment, there was something about Mickey's demeanour that seemed off.
Why won't he look at me?
"Mickey?" Celestimon asked, clearly wondering the same thing.
"I just...stay close to me," Mickey whispered, squeezing his hand in return. "I...I really need you right now."
Does he really not believe me? I can tell he's questioning everything I've said. It's like the more I try to explain myself, the less he's convinced. What can I do to ease his mind?
Mickey's plea had sounded so earnest, and feeling his heart skip a beat, Sam reached up to pull the golden-haired boy's head against his chest and said firmly, "Of course I'll stay close to you. I never had any intention of leaving you on your own."
"I know, but..."
A sudden thought occurred to Sam, and whispering in the older twin's ear, he murmured, "Are the shadows close by? Can you see them here right inside the cave?"
Is that why he seems so on edge?
A quick glance around the cave revealed nothing, at least not anything that he could see.
That's a good sign, at least. If I can't see them then Mickey still has some control over them.
But for how long was the real question.
"No," Mickey mumbled, his amber eyes gazing unseeingly at the ceiling. "They might still be out there in the storm, but they haven't ventured into our cave. I don't know why, but they seem content to just...observe for the time being."
Something about that statement caused a shiver to race down Sam's spine, and shifting just enough to pull the second blanket free from his open backpack, he quickly wrapped it over the first blanket and pulled both more tightly around their bodies to keep out the chill. A few feet in front of them, Phelesmon had arranged the wood in a make-shift fire pit while thankfully ignoring his captives and their conversation, and using one of his attacks, DarkAngelicmon was able to create a spark in the logs to start the fire. It took a few minutes before Sam could feel the warmth of the flames on his cheeks, and once again settling back against the stone wall with Mickey resting comfortably in his arms, he closed his eyes and gave himself a moment to let the heat from the fire sooth his weary body.
"You have your precious fire, now what?" Phelesmon growled, glaring at the fallen angel before settling himself against the left wall.
DarkAngelicmon remained standing against the right wall, and crossing his arms over his chest, the fallen angel said shortly, "We wait. It is best that we move in sync with YukiOnnamon's group, which means we'll stay here until they leave the abandoned fishing village. There is no sense in us arriving at the Spirit Chip before they do, and it will give the humans a chance to rest. It's going to take time to chip away at Makiya Takaishi's heart, and we will give YukiOnnamon's group that time."
"They better hurry it up then," Phelesmon snapped. "The less time I spend around humans, the better. Unless I get to torture them."
"Would you prefer to rush on ahead and ruin all of YukiOnnamon's plans?" DarkAngelicmon said harshly, his emerald eyes flashing in the dim light of the cave. "If that is your intention, you can be the one to suffer her wrath."
Instead of responding, Phelesmon merely snarled at the other angel before turning to gaze out at the storm, and though DarkAngelicmon hadn't said it, the message was clear.
It's not just YukiOnnamon he would have to answer to. Even more importantly, Phelesmon would have to explain himself to the Ruler of Darkness, and that's the part that scares him. No wonder he's always in a foul mood. His reluctance to disobey his master is probably the only thing keeping us safe...
The unpleasant thought created a bad taste in his mouth, and tightening his arms around Mickey's warm body, Sam had to push back an overwhelming urge to give in to his overprotective side. The logical part of his brain knew the older twin was safe for the time being, but his heart was doing its best to put up an argument.
Even if Phelesmon doesn't know the truth, DarkAngelicmon is fully aware. Sooner or later he's going to make an attempt to test Mickey's heart, and when he does there's no telling what's going to happen. What am I going to do if I can't help Mickey overcome the darkness in his heart? Matty's counting on me...
"I don't know if I can rest with him here," Celestimon grumbled, once again poking his head out from under the blankets. "I mean it when I say he feels nothing like DarkAngelicmon."
"Hey, not so loud," Glowmon scolded, his small face appearing alongside the celestial rookie. "What if he hears you?"
"I don't care!"
Sam knew he should probably reprimand their digimon, but at the moment he didn't have it in him to argue with the little rookies. He was still worried about Mickey, and sensing there was still something off about the older twin's behaviour despite the fact that the golden-haired boy's arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, he lowered his head and said quietly, "What are you thinking about?"
"I don't know," Mickey whispered, closing his eyes. "If it's alright with you, I think I'd like to rest for a while. I promise I won't fall asleep, but...I need to rest my eyes."
Immediately growing concerned, Sam leaned closed and said softly in the other boy's ear, "Of course you can. I'm right here if you need me."
Mickey didn't respond, and stroking the older twin's golden hair, Sam exchanged a tense look with Celestimon and Glowmon. He could tell the two digimon were worried, and uncertain of what to do, they both quickly ducked back into the blankets to hide from the cold. Gazing into the crackling frames with Mickey's slender body curled up against his side, Sam was unable to ignore the growing sense of uneasiness that was slowly building inside his chest.
Something has changed, but no matter how hard I rack my brain for an answer, I can't figure out what's going on. What is it, Mickey? Have I done something to upset you? Please, tell me. Don't let yourself give up on whatever this is we have...