Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. No profit from this.
Author's Note: Sorry for taking long but I finally found time from my hectic schedule. Still remember me people? The overly dramatic writer who exaggerates everything! Shall I start the main feature? ^_^
WARNING!: Shounen ai (boyxboy love) hinting! Key word is HINTING people! It's on the border of friendship and affection for that special someone so if you don't like the same-gender love thing, then think they're just very good friends or, don't read it at all. It's small in this fic but people want warnings (even though some would read the fic anyway) and is very tame. Also, for those of you who don't know, shounen ai is "lighter" than yaoi in that it focuses on feelings/emotions (maybe you can call it courtship?) while yaoi often gets down right "physical" O.o The most you can get from shounen ai (or *should* get anyway) is kissing...and there aren't any of that between the boys in this one.
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"Crests of Destiny"
~Chapter 8-Confession~
The Digital World seemed to be in a state of chaos when they arrived. Agumon and Gabumon smelled Fear and Hate in the air as digimon scurried from one another. Despair floated among the smaller digimon as the giant ones trampled everything in their way. Taichi observed through his mini-telescope to discover their location. Yamato just stood to witness the Digiworld falling apart. "What is going on here? We're gone for one day and the whole world is falling apart!" shouted Taichi through the explosions.
"Something's not right here..." Yamato muttered.
Taichi turned to face his friend, "EVERYTHING'S not right here! It's a damn war zone!"
"That's not what I meant..." The blue eyes were closed shut and let his body feel the air, "The atmosphere doesn't feel right. Can't you feel it?"
Taichi blinked, feeling Yamato was acting a bit unusual. But he let his body relax and let his mind roam free. He felt a small chill down his spine, the hair on his neck standing on end. The world is in trouble and he felt its pain. "We better go before those rampaging digimon uses us as targets." He grabbed Yamato's arm and headed for the tallest mountain they saw, Infinity Mountain.
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"Finally we are back together again my love." Piedmon extended his hand to the dark girl aimlessly watching the world burning. "It has been too long."
She tapped her finger on the tree she was leaning on and held the steady beat, "You killed them all." Piedmon retracted his hand and gulped nervously. "You killed them just so you could have me back..." She slowly turned her head to meet his red eyes, "How sweet." Piedmon exhaled in relief. "The only reason I not killing you at this moment is because of you're respect and loyalty to me."
Piedmon smiled, "You haven't changed a bit my dear." He took her gloved hand and with one knee on the floor, kissed the hand gently.
Scythemon shifted from her position. "They're here."
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"You didn't have to come with me Tai." Yamato said in front of the fire. The four managed to find an empty cave to contemplate the state of things. Night was claiming the sky.
"Hey, we're a team remember? What are friends for? And it's a good thing that I came along." Taichi watched through the opening, "I've never seen this world so bad before." He poked at the fire while his mind wandered to other matters. Actually, with only one question. Why was Yamato so concerned over Midori? Is he in love with her?... "Are you alright Matt?" Yamato didn't answer. He was too caught up in his own thoughts. "Can I ask you something?..." The blonde slowly nodded his head. "Before, when we were supposed to leave for good, why did you want to stay? Didn't you want to go home?"
Yamato glanced at him for a moment, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I don't really know myself. There were so many reasons..." He pulled his legs in to his chest and rested his chin on them. The air was cool so Gabumon buried his fur in the blonde's body to keep him warm. Agumon nestled in Taichi's arms and took a light nap. Yamato looked down to see his digimon was asleep too and watched the fire dance.
"Do, do you want to talk about it?" Taichi offered. Yamato sat still, not making a sound. The wild haired boy felt nervous by his silence.
"I had these dreams." He glued his eyes to the fire while his words escaped his lips. "They started after I left you guys to find my path... There was this voice, and a silhouette that looked like me. It said, that my job wasn't done. Even after defeating Piedmon and Apoclymon, it said I still haven't found my path." Taichi leaned in to hear better. "It always said, someone was waiting for me and I was waiting for her. For me to be saved, I need to save 'her'." A tear dropped to the cave floor from the blue eye, "But I failed..."
"Yamato, you haven't..." Taichi let his digimon lean on his back while he moved over next to Yamato. "You're not responsible for what she has become."
"Is it really?..." The blonde didn't want to sound bitter but that was what Taichi heard. "I know how she feels. Being alone most of your life...that's what I wanted to avoid when we were to go back." Placing his hand on Yamato's shoulder, he remembered the discussion of staying in the Digiworld longer. Yamato was the first to propose it, and he was the most disappointed when Gennai said they couldn't stay. (Cloud: If you watch that segment of the last 01 episode, he looked the saddest, to me anyway) "If I were to go back," Yamato tilted his head to lie on Taichi's hand, "would there be anyone waiting for me? Will my friends of the Digiworld still treat me as one?... I was scared of that..."
"Yamato," Taichi lifted his other hand to pull the curled up boy closer, "never worry your friends. We will always be there. And we're best friends aren't we?" Yamato laid in Taichi's arms as sleep started to invade his eyes. Best friends...really? Taichi let the blonde stay in his arms and breathed a sigh, "I'll always be there..." Yamato was off in his dream world and the leader of the Digidestined was the only one left to stand watch for the night.
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"I am you. I am the reason why you have the Crest of Friendship." The dark figure invaded his dreams again.
"What do you mean?" Yamato searched through the darkness and the figure let him come before him. A spotlight shined over the two. Yamato stared into the mirror image of his eyes. The untamed golden hair was reflecting his own. Clothing wrinkled the same way. He was staring at himself.
But the lips moved on their own, "I am Friendship. The one you have forgotten so long ago. The one you thought you have forgotten." The mirror image lifted his green sweater to reveal a carving of a symbol on his chest. Where Yamato's tag would usually hang, the symbol of the Crest of Friendship decorated the soft skin. "This is your greatest challenge. Your conquest over Loneliness. Through her, you will discover yourself. Your path will be opened for you to tread in."
"I don't understand...you're talking about Midori all this time?" Yamato stuttered.
"Friendship's greatest enemy is Loneliness, just as Courage's greatest enemy is Fear. As the Keeper of Friendship, you are her responsibility." The twin lifted his gloved hands to Yamato's shoulders, "Don't give up. Whatever the outcome, your path will be revealed. And remember, take Courage and declare Friendships you refuse to see."
Before another word, the Sun shattered the darkness.
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Yamato woke up by a rude awakening. Taichi screamed out to him as explosions bombarded the entrance. "Wake up Matt!! We've got trouble!" Agumon already warp digivolved to WarGreymon and Gabumon to MetalGarurumon.
"TRUMP SWORD!" The familiar voice caught Yamato's attention. Piedmon?! Then that means... He ran out to join in on the fight only to see Piedmon attacking on his own. On the ground, Yamato saw the dark figure that he came to save. Her scythe was poised down, and her black hair flowed with the wind. She caught the blue eyes scanning her, and she stared back. "CLOWN TRICK!" A streak of light headed for the blonde and he was too slow to react. Noticing the light heading for his partner, MetalGarurumon unleashed his Metal Wolf Claw and dispersed the dark attack. "No gawking at my Lady." he snarled as Piedmon flew closer to the wolf and boy. The clown's back was turned from WarGreymon and decided it was the best time to strike.
His fists formed an orange energy ball and grew to enormous proportions, "TERRA FORCE!" WarGreymon released his attack and Piedmon turned in surprise.
He raised his white-gloved hands to defend himself when a shout stopped him in his tracks, "MIND DRAIN!" Scythemon was directly under Piedmon as the orange ball of light lost its glow and shrunk from the electric flashes from her free hand. Soon the ball dematerialized as the sparkling lights returned to Scythemon. She jumped into the air while her hands formed a familiar orange ball between them. Next, mimicking WarGreymon's moves, she lifted her hands to the air and the orange ball grew enormous. With one mighty cry, "TERRA FORCE!" she threw the energy ball at the dragon man digimon. The unexpected attack paralysed WarGreymon and was hit head on by his own attack. He and Scythemon hit the ground the same time, only she was standing. She raised her scythe, ready to finish the job.
"Midori NO!!" Yamato tackled her to the ground, making her lose her grip on her weapon. "Don't do this!! You're not like this..." He pleaded with her cold expression. But deep in her heart, she listened intently to Yamato's words, still caring of his thoughts. The mixture of emotions caused her crest to glow, releasing a black mist covering them both. MetalGarurumon charged with all his might but he was too late. Taichi reached the black dome and clawed at it to find a way in, "MATT-!!"
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He blinked his blue eyes open, to see a nostalgic cave surrounding him. I've been here before... He searched the cave to find any signs of life, "Tai? MetalGarurmon? Midori?" No one answered. He felt a chill along his neck and turned to see a mist of black brushing up against his skin. He followed the trail of mist to a wide section of the cave and a shadowy figure. "Midori?..."
She stood below an orb of black, her body surrounded like an aura by the dark mist. Her alter ego of Scythemon wasn't around. She was back to her regular clothing. With a closer look, Yamato remembered the orb that almost took his life by solitude. This orb was much bigger though. "Midori..." He walked closer to her until he was only inches away. She opened her eyes and tears flowed out. He held her hands and clenched them in his, "Don't let the Darkness get to you. Don't let it possess you."
"I'm always alone...no one cared about me and never will. I was their convenience..." She repeated the words over and over in a chant.
Yamato clasped her arms, shaking her gently. "You are not alone! I'm with you...I care..."
She blinked, then stared into his eyes, "You care?...The one who only wants to find his path by using me?" Yamato flinched by the remark. "I know. My dreams warned me of you. But I didn't listen. I trusted but betrayed, once again."
"Midori, that's not true...I...I love you..." Yamato whispered with tearful eyes.
Midori simply stared at him with half a smile, "Love?... Don't say that to make me feel better." Yamato blinked in confusion. "I don't believe in love. To me, it is an illusion; a luxury only the 'rich' can afford. Love is nothing to me. Besides, we would only end up hurting each other." Her words were as cold as ice, "I wasn't searching for love Yamato, I was searching for a friend." He stood there with mouth open. "I've figured out that I am Loneliness. I've denied that but I understand now. I was meant to be alone..." The black orb grew with every word that left her lips. It shifted downwards to the girl.
"Midori, snap out of it! That...'thing' is making you feel this way! I know! I've been through this too... Fight it Midori...Tell me what you want..." He led her hands to his chest, the Crest of Friendship glowing very slightly.
"What I want?..." She looked at him sincerely, but her eyes turned to stone, "I've been waiting for so long I've forgotten. I've been searching for so long that I don't remember. There is no absolute desire in me anymore. I'm empty." she crooned. The dark mist was now right above her and no matter how hard Yamato tried to pull her; she was frozen to the ground. The stream of mists wrapped around her, ready to engulf her.
Suddenly, a raspy voice echoed from the orb, "Loneliness...sorrow...hate...your desires you will never have. You will be mine."
"I'm all alone..." Midori repeated. Yamato continued to coax her but no change. The orb was finally only inches away when suddenly, Midori ripped her hand through the orb and clenched it in her iron grip. A smile creeped to her lips and Yamato was taken aback by her action. "Loneliness...I wallow in solitude." She laughed at the orb, the raspy voice choking from her hold. "I thrive in it. I hated to be alone but I learned that solitude can be a very valuable ally." Her crest glowed to illuminate the entire cave. "Because of it, I learned my own rights and wrongs. I've learned respect, loyalty and honour, the three things I value the most." She pulled the orb to her face, "As for my desires? How could you have something I don't have?! Ever been to the Forest of Illusions? The lake that reflects what is in one's heart... Guess what, I saw nothing. Not even my own reflection." Yamato stood against the wall, as he saw the fire that was hidden for so long in her heart began to explode. The lake scenario was very familiar to his encounter, only he saw the image of Taichi. He wondered why he saw him, more than ever at this moment. Midori didn't see anything because she had nothing in her heart, but why would he see Taichi? 'Shows what's in people's hearts'...does that mean that I...Tai... "Don't think that you can kill me with your mind games." Midori continued, "I know I'm alone. I understand the consequences for treading that path. I am Loneliness." With the last declaration, the orb shattered into data and was absorbed into Midori's crest. It glowed in Darkness and shrouded her whole body. When it was over, Scythemon had returned.
Yamato stared in sadness as the cave started to dissolve. He had defeated the orb by conquering his doubts. She had destroyed it by turning her weakness to her greatest strength. Scythemon turned to Yamato, slowly walking towards him, "You went through exactly what I have. You left to find your path. There were, and are, many ways to get to the end. I took all the opposite roads. I am what you could have been."
His blue eyes started to water and Scythemon caught one of his tears, "I've failed you..."
"Don't think you failed me. This is my true self. The part of me that I kept hidden away from others. Even though I may be alone all my life, I like who I am and I won't change me for anyone. I like what I have become."
"If this is truly what you want..." Yamato whispered.
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The cave finally disappeared and shouts of attacks and Yamato's name could be heard. "Matt! You're alright!" Taichi wrapped his arms around the blonde and fell by the unexpected embrace. "I was worried that you were hurt or worse..." Yamato blinked at him, Taichi....
Scythemon watched as Taichi fussed over Yamato and the blonde responded to each question. "If you two are finished clomping each other, we are in a battle right now." Taichi stopped his questions to see WarGreymon de-evolved to Agumon. "Piedmon!" Scythemon shouted, "Withdraw. The fight is over."
Piedmon stopped in his tracks as did MetalGarurumon and Agumon. "What are you talking about? They're about to be finished!" He stopped the argument when her face turned cold. He slowly floated down and sheathed his swords. "As you wish my Lady."
"You four are free to go." Scythemon stated. "I suggest you leave immediately."
"No. We won't leave with the Digiworld like this. I won't leave you alone here." Yamato spoke sternly.
"I will take care of the problems here and Piedmon will be with me so I won't be alone." She smiled slightly to the clown and then to Yamato, "I should be killing you at this very moment," Taichi stepped forward slightly in front of Yamato by the statement, "but I won't. You've shown loyalty by coming here just for me. You've honoured me by having someone like you to talk with. You respected my wish to be Scythemon. I will never hurt you..." She leaned in to wrap her arms around the boy, and whisper into his ear, "Our Crests of Destiny made us destined to be enemies, but we proved destiny is not set in stone." She tightened her grip, "And your love belongs to someone else." Her eyes reached over to Taichi as he watched in confusion.
Piedmon waited patiently for the embrace to cease and took his Lady's hand. "Yamato," she said her last words, "trust me...and him." Her eyes pointed to the face with the enormous goggles.
With that, Piedmon carried her into the sky towards the endless explosions. "Matt, are we really gonna let them go?" Taichi asked.
Yamato waited for the two to disappear and turned to his companion, "Yeah, I trust her. Just like how I trust you." The brown-haired boy smiled by the remark. Agumon, Taichi and Yamato straddled on MetalGarurumon and took to the air.
When they were flying over the ocean, Yamato took off his tag and crest and threw in to the raging waves below. "Matt! What did you do that for?..." Taichi asked.
"..." Yamato pondered at the question, "I have a feeling someone else needs it more than me." Behind them, the expslosions of chaos started to fade from the world.
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Three years have passed and the Digital World enjoyed peace that lasted for a short time. The world was plunged into darkness once again by a new evil.
"Master, another spire was destroyed." the pudgy green digimon reported with caution.
"Those Digidestined are more of a nuisance than I thought..." His large sunglasses reflected the image of the object in his hand. "What about Area 02?" He pointed to an island with completely white squares on the digital map.
"The last invasion was a disaster...again." the green digimon reluctantly added.
His fist tightened with silent anger, "I think it's time I changed my strategy." He calmly said to his servant as he lifted the object in his hand into the air. Then he threw it at the green digimon and left his throne room.
"Ken..." the digimon whispered in sorrow, "...don't be sad..." The Crest of Friendship glowed in response.
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This kinda ended abruptly. This the last chapter under the title "Crests of Destiny". BUT THE STORY IS NOT OVER!!! I REPEAT!! IT IS NOT OVER!!!!! There is a sequel to this. That's why this chapter seems unfinished. These chapters were kinda to explain how Scythemon was born for the next story. THE STORY WILL CONTINUE ON except the title will be changed and the timeline in season 02. If you want to search for it, it'll be under the title "Revelations" OR better yet by my author name. Hopefully, I'll be able to post ch.1 up next weekend. Hope you'll keep reading. Afterall, I'm doing this for the you, the readers. ^_~
(Thanks to Sailormoonshadow for supporting me from my first chapter ^_^)
Author's Note: Sorry for taking long but I finally found time from my hectic schedule. Still remember me people? The overly dramatic writer who exaggerates everything! Shall I start the main feature? ^_^
WARNING!: Shounen ai (boyxboy love) hinting! Key word is HINTING people! It's on the border of friendship and affection for that special someone so if you don't like the same-gender love thing, then think they're just very good friends or, don't read it at all. It's small in this fic but people want warnings (even though some would read the fic anyway) and is very tame. Also, for those of you who don't know, shounen ai is "lighter" than yaoi in that it focuses on feelings/emotions (maybe you can call it courtship?) while yaoi often gets down right "physical" O.o The most you can get from shounen ai (or *should* get anyway) is kissing...and there aren't any of that between the boys in this one.
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"Crests of Destiny"
~Chapter 8-Confession~
The Digital World seemed to be in a state of chaos when they arrived. Agumon and Gabumon smelled Fear and Hate in the air as digimon scurried from one another. Despair floated among the smaller digimon as the giant ones trampled everything in their way. Taichi observed through his mini-telescope to discover their location. Yamato just stood to witness the Digiworld falling apart. "What is going on here? We're gone for one day and the whole world is falling apart!" shouted Taichi through the explosions.
"Something's not right here..." Yamato muttered.
Taichi turned to face his friend, "EVERYTHING'S not right here! It's a damn war zone!"
"That's not what I meant..." The blue eyes were closed shut and let his body feel the air, "The atmosphere doesn't feel right. Can't you feel it?"
Taichi blinked, feeling Yamato was acting a bit unusual. But he let his body relax and let his mind roam free. He felt a small chill down his spine, the hair on his neck standing on end. The world is in trouble and he felt its pain. "We better go before those rampaging digimon uses us as targets." He grabbed Yamato's arm and headed for the tallest mountain they saw, Infinity Mountain.
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"Finally we are back together again my love." Piedmon extended his hand to the dark girl aimlessly watching the world burning. "It has been too long."
She tapped her finger on the tree she was leaning on and held the steady beat, "You killed them all." Piedmon retracted his hand and gulped nervously. "You killed them just so you could have me back..." She slowly turned her head to meet his red eyes, "How sweet." Piedmon exhaled in relief. "The only reason I not killing you at this moment is because of you're respect and loyalty to me."
Piedmon smiled, "You haven't changed a bit my dear." He took her gloved hand and with one knee on the floor, kissed the hand gently.
Scythemon shifted from her position. "They're here."
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"You didn't have to come with me Tai." Yamato said in front of the fire. The four managed to find an empty cave to contemplate the state of things. Night was claiming the sky.
"Hey, we're a team remember? What are friends for? And it's a good thing that I came along." Taichi watched through the opening, "I've never seen this world so bad before." He poked at the fire while his mind wandered to other matters. Actually, with only one question. Why was Yamato so concerned over Midori? Is he in love with her?... "Are you alright Matt?" Yamato didn't answer. He was too caught up in his own thoughts. "Can I ask you something?..." The blonde slowly nodded his head. "Before, when we were supposed to leave for good, why did you want to stay? Didn't you want to go home?"
Yamato glanced at him for a moment, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I don't really know myself. There were so many reasons..." He pulled his legs in to his chest and rested his chin on them. The air was cool so Gabumon buried his fur in the blonde's body to keep him warm. Agumon nestled in Taichi's arms and took a light nap. Yamato looked down to see his digimon was asleep too and watched the fire dance.
"Do, do you want to talk about it?" Taichi offered. Yamato sat still, not making a sound. The wild haired boy felt nervous by his silence.
"I had these dreams." He glued his eyes to the fire while his words escaped his lips. "They started after I left you guys to find my path... There was this voice, and a silhouette that looked like me. It said, that my job wasn't done. Even after defeating Piedmon and Apoclymon, it said I still haven't found my path." Taichi leaned in to hear better. "It always said, someone was waiting for me and I was waiting for her. For me to be saved, I need to save 'her'." A tear dropped to the cave floor from the blue eye, "But I failed..."
"Yamato, you haven't..." Taichi let his digimon lean on his back while he moved over next to Yamato. "You're not responsible for what she has become."
"Is it really?..." The blonde didn't want to sound bitter but that was what Taichi heard. "I know how she feels. Being alone most of your life...that's what I wanted to avoid when we were to go back." Placing his hand on Yamato's shoulder, he remembered the discussion of staying in the Digiworld longer. Yamato was the first to propose it, and he was the most disappointed when Gennai said they couldn't stay. (Cloud: If you watch that segment of the last 01 episode, he looked the saddest, to me anyway) "If I were to go back," Yamato tilted his head to lie on Taichi's hand, "would there be anyone waiting for me? Will my friends of the Digiworld still treat me as one?... I was scared of that..."
"Yamato," Taichi lifted his other hand to pull the curled up boy closer, "never worry your friends. We will always be there. And we're best friends aren't we?" Yamato laid in Taichi's arms as sleep started to invade his eyes. Best friends...really? Taichi let the blonde stay in his arms and breathed a sigh, "I'll always be there..." Yamato was off in his dream world and the leader of the Digidestined was the only one left to stand watch for the night.
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"I am you. I am the reason why you have the Crest of Friendship." The dark figure invaded his dreams again.
"What do you mean?" Yamato searched through the darkness and the figure let him come before him. A spotlight shined over the two. Yamato stared into the mirror image of his eyes. The untamed golden hair was reflecting his own. Clothing wrinkled the same way. He was staring at himself.
But the lips moved on their own, "I am Friendship. The one you have forgotten so long ago. The one you thought you have forgotten." The mirror image lifted his green sweater to reveal a carving of a symbol on his chest. Where Yamato's tag would usually hang, the symbol of the Crest of Friendship decorated the soft skin. "This is your greatest challenge. Your conquest over Loneliness. Through her, you will discover yourself. Your path will be opened for you to tread in."
"I don't understand...you're talking about Midori all this time?" Yamato stuttered.
"Friendship's greatest enemy is Loneliness, just as Courage's greatest enemy is Fear. As the Keeper of Friendship, you are her responsibility." The twin lifted his gloved hands to Yamato's shoulders, "Don't give up. Whatever the outcome, your path will be revealed. And remember, take Courage and declare Friendships you refuse to see."
Before another word, the Sun shattered the darkness.
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Yamato woke up by a rude awakening. Taichi screamed out to him as explosions bombarded the entrance. "Wake up Matt!! We've got trouble!" Agumon already warp digivolved to WarGreymon and Gabumon to MetalGarurumon.
"TRUMP SWORD!" The familiar voice caught Yamato's attention. Piedmon?! Then that means... He ran out to join in on the fight only to see Piedmon attacking on his own. On the ground, Yamato saw the dark figure that he came to save. Her scythe was poised down, and her black hair flowed with the wind. She caught the blue eyes scanning her, and she stared back. "CLOWN TRICK!" A streak of light headed for the blonde and he was too slow to react. Noticing the light heading for his partner, MetalGarurumon unleashed his Metal Wolf Claw and dispersed the dark attack. "No gawking at my Lady." he snarled as Piedmon flew closer to the wolf and boy. The clown's back was turned from WarGreymon and decided it was the best time to strike.
His fists formed an orange energy ball and grew to enormous proportions, "TERRA FORCE!" WarGreymon released his attack and Piedmon turned in surprise.
He raised his white-gloved hands to defend himself when a shout stopped him in his tracks, "MIND DRAIN!" Scythemon was directly under Piedmon as the orange ball of light lost its glow and shrunk from the electric flashes from her free hand. Soon the ball dematerialized as the sparkling lights returned to Scythemon. She jumped into the air while her hands formed a familiar orange ball between them. Next, mimicking WarGreymon's moves, she lifted her hands to the air and the orange ball grew enormous. With one mighty cry, "TERRA FORCE!" she threw the energy ball at the dragon man digimon. The unexpected attack paralysed WarGreymon and was hit head on by his own attack. He and Scythemon hit the ground the same time, only she was standing. She raised her scythe, ready to finish the job.
"Midori NO!!" Yamato tackled her to the ground, making her lose her grip on her weapon. "Don't do this!! You're not like this..." He pleaded with her cold expression. But deep in her heart, she listened intently to Yamato's words, still caring of his thoughts. The mixture of emotions caused her crest to glow, releasing a black mist covering them both. MetalGarurumon charged with all his might but he was too late. Taichi reached the black dome and clawed at it to find a way in, "MATT-!!"
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He blinked his blue eyes open, to see a nostalgic cave surrounding him. I've been here before... He searched the cave to find any signs of life, "Tai? MetalGarurmon? Midori?" No one answered. He felt a chill along his neck and turned to see a mist of black brushing up against his skin. He followed the trail of mist to a wide section of the cave and a shadowy figure. "Midori?..."
She stood below an orb of black, her body surrounded like an aura by the dark mist. Her alter ego of Scythemon wasn't around. She was back to her regular clothing. With a closer look, Yamato remembered the orb that almost took his life by solitude. This orb was much bigger though. "Midori..." He walked closer to her until he was only inches away. She opened her eyes and tears flowed out. He held her hands and clenched them in his, "Don't let the Darkness get to you. Don't let it possess you."
"I'm always alone...no one cared about me and never will. I was their convenience..." She repeated the words over and over in a chant.
Yamato clasped her arms, shaking her gently. "You are not alone! I'm with you...I care..."
She blinked, then stared into his eyes, "You care?...The one who only wants to find his path by using me?" Yamato flinched by the remark. "I know. My dreams warned me of you. But I didn't listen. I trusted but betrayed, once again."
"Midori, that's not true...I...I love you..." Yamato whispered with tearful eyes.
Midori simply stared at him with half a smile, "Love?... Don't say that to make me feel better." Yamato blinked in confusion. "I don't believe in love. To me, it is an illusion; a luxury only the 'rich' can afford. Love is nothing to me. Besides, we would only end up hurting each other." Her words were as cold as ice, "I wasn't searching for love Yamato, I was searching for a friend." He stood there with mouth open. "I've figured out that I am Loneliness. I've denied that but I understand now. I was meant to be alone..." The black orb grew with every word that left her lips. It shifted downwards to the girl.
"Midori, snap out of it! That...'thing' is making you feel this way! I know! I've been through this too... Fight it Midori...Tell me what you want..." He led her hands to his chest, the Crest of Friendship glowing very slightly.
"What I want?..." She looked at him sincerely, but her eyes turned to stone, "I've been waiting for so long I've forgotten. I've been searching for so long that I don't remember. There is no absolute desire in me anymore. I'm empty." she crooned. The dark mist was now right above her and no matter how hard Yamato tried to pull her; she was frozen to the ground. The stream of mists wrapped around her, ready to engulf her.
Suddenly, a raspy voice echoed from the orb, "Loneliness...sorrow...hate...your desires you will never have. You will be mine."
"I'm all alone..." Midori repeated. Yamato continued to coax her but no change. The orb was finally only inches away when suddenly, Midori ripped her hand through the orb and clenched it in her iron grip. A smile creeped to her lips and Yamato was taken aback by her action. "Loneliness...I wallow in solitude." She laughed at the orb, the raspy voice choking from her hold. "I thrive in it. I hated to be alone but I learned that solitude can be a very valuable ally." Her crest glowed to illuminate the entire cave. "Because of it, I learned my own rights and wrongs. I've learned respect, loyalty and honour, the three things I value the most." She pulled the orb to her face, "As for my desires? How could you have something I don't have?! Ever been to the Forest of Illusions? The lake that reflects what is in one's heart... Guess what, I saw nothing. Not even my own reflection." Yamato stood against the wall, as he saw the fire that was hidden for so long in her heart began to explode. The lake scenario was very familiar to his encounter, only he saw the image of Taichi. He wondered why he saw him, more than ever at this moment. Midori didn't see anything because she had nothing in her heart, but why would he see Taichi? 'Shows what's in people's hearts'...does that mean that I...Tai... "Don't think that you can kill me with your mind games." Midori continued, "I know I'm alone. I understand the consequences for treading that path. I am Loneliness." With the last declaration, the orb shattered into data and was absorbed into Midori's crest. It glowed in Darkness and shrouded her whole body. When it was over, Scythemon had returned.
Yamato stared in sadness as the cave started to dissolve. He had defeated the orb by conquering his doubts. She had destroyed it by turning her weakness to her greatest strength. Scythemon turned to Yamato, slowly walking towards him, "You went through exactly what I have. You left to find your path. There were, and are, many ways to get to the end. I took all the opposite roads. I am what you could have been."
His blue eyes started to water and Scythemon caught one of his tears, "I've failed you..."
"Don't think you failed me. This is my true self. The part of me that I kept hidden away from others. Even though I may be alone all my life, I like who I am and I won't change me for anyone. I like what I have become."
"If this is truly what you want..." Yamato whispered.
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The cave finally disappeared and shouts of attacks and Yamato's name could be heard. "Matt! You're alright!" Taichi wrapped his arms around the blonde and fell by the unexpected embrace. "I was worried that you were hurt or worse..." Yamato blinked at him, Taichi....
Scythemon watched as Taichi fussed over Yamato and the blonde responded to each question. "If you two are finished clomping each other, we are in a battle right now." Taichi stopped his questions to see WarGreymon de-evolved to Agumon. "Piedmon!" Scythemon shouted, "Withdraw. The fight is over."
Piedmon stopped in his tracks as did MetalGarurumon and Agumon. "What are you talking about? They're about to be finished!" He stopped the argument when her face turned cold. He slowly floated down and sheathed his swords. "As you wish my Lady."
"You four are free to go." Scythemon stated. "I suggest you leave immediately."
"No. We won't leave with the Digiworld like this. I won't leave you alone here." Yamato spoke sternly.
"I will take care of the problems here and Piedmon will be with me so I won't be alone." She smiled slightly to the clown and then to Yamato, "I should be killing you at this very moment," Taichi stepped forward slightly in front of Yamato by the statement, "but I won't. You've shown loyalty by coming here just for me. You've honoured me by having someone like you to talk with. You respected my wish to be Scythemon. I will never hurt you..." She leaned in to wrap her arms around the boy, and whisper into his ear, "Our Crests of Destiny made us destined to be enemies, but we proved destiny is not set in stone." She tightened her grip, "And your love belongs to someone else." Her eyes reached over to Taichi as he watched in confusion.
Piedmon waited patiently for the embrace to cease and took his Lady's hand. "Yamato," she said her last words, "trust me...and him." Her eyes pointed to the face with the enormous goggles.
With that, Piedmon carried her into the sky towards the endless explosions. "Matt, are we really gonna let them go?" Taichi asked.
Yamato waited for the two to disappear and turned to his companion, "Yeah, I trust her. Just like how I trust you." The brown-haired boy smiled by the remark. Agumon, Taichi and Yamato straddled on MetalGarurumon and took to the air.
When they were flying over the ocean, Yamato took off his tag and crest and threw in to the raging waves below. "Matt! What did you do that for?..." Taichi asked.
"..." Yamato pondered at the question, "I have a feeling someone else needs it more than me." Behind them, the expslosions of chaos started to fade from the world.
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Three years have passed and the Digital World enjoyed peace that lasted for a short time. The world was plunged into darkness once again by a new evil.
"Master, another spire was destroyed." the pudgy green digimon reported with caution.
"Those Digidestined are more of a nuisance than I thought..." His large sunglasses reflected the image of the object in his hand. "What about Area 02?" He pointed to an island with completely white squares on the digital map.
"The last invasion was a disaster...again." the green digimon reluctantly added.
His fist tightened with silent anger, "I think it's time I changed my strategy." He calmly said to his servant as he lifted the object in his hand into the air. Then he threw it at the green digimon and left his throne room.
"Ken..." the digimon whispered in sorrow, "...don't be sad..." The Crest of Friendship glowed in response.
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This kinda ended abruptly. This the last chapter under the title "Crests of Destiny". BUT THE STORY IS NOT OVER!!! I REPEAT!! IT IS NOT OVER!!!!! There is a sequel to this. That's why this chapter seems unfinished. These chapters were kinda to explain how Scythemon was born for the next story. THE STORY WILL CONTINUE ON except the title will be changed and the timeline in season 02. If you want to search for it, it'll be under the title "Revelations" OR better yet by my author name. Hopefully, I'll be able to post ch.1 up next weekend. Hope you'll keep reading. Afterall, I'm doing this for the you, the readers. ^_~
(Thanks to Sailormoonshadow for supporting me from my first chapter ^_^)