A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the delay on this chapter...my exams are coming
soon ^_^; ...Thank you ERICA! lol, An0nymous, Lissa, thephoenix,
OmniGaruGreymon, Blaze and others not mentioned for your reviews! Thanks,
PurpleQueen for the info on the correct use of "attacks" and "terms" in
Digimon...I'm NOT a HUGE fan....The only information source I'm using for
Digimon is my brother (Shinya "Cedric" LOL). Anyway, I fixed the incorrect
words and terms so it'll be more precise for "everyone's liking" ("Erica",
lol!) .... R&R!...Thanks again!
*Jap. Names vs. English Names*: (I will not be using the acknowledgement of
- i.e.-Izumi-chan...Takuya-kun...etc.)
(Digimon names will stay in English version)
also
D-Scanner - D-Tector
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Digimon Characters or any other related
subjectives that is directly copyrighted towards Toei Animation.
To Golden_Sakura 3000 (Miss All-Around Perfect): Since we're not going to
see each other in a while....I'll dedicate this chapter to you for your
(belated- first half) birthday present...ENJOY! ^_^ Hugs & Kisses to my
best bud!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Pure of Heart: Netherworld Journey {I}
The Di-Cang Prophecy [Part 2]
-Chapter 3-
There was a definite brightening glare that strained Takuya's eyes.
Above him was, what he thought to be, a bleary likeliness of a sky and a
scattered pattern of starry glints that created the stinging feeling in his
vision. With this feeling came another, one which left him believing that
he was weightless. It was if he were being suspended in mid-air. And he had
been, too; there was a sky but no ground below him, no sign of any steady
landing at all. All that could be seen from below was a pitch-black
opening, an opening that seemed to go farther down than it appeared.
He thoroughly focused his sight to check himself...he was alright, he
supposed. No scars or wounds were to be found, he was fully clothed and not
particularly feeling grubby or soiled--as he usually would have felt after
a battle. However, scars or no scars, there was still a distinct soreness
in his shoulder.
That soreness was where he had been hit, right?
His mind began to scour through his slowly fading memory. All he had
recollected from just a few hours ago were of vague images of a ghoul-like
monster rapidly tumbling to the ground, the flickering flashes of flaming
spears and the last image of Izumi--her face soaked with rampant tears.
These strange new surroundings were not helpful either, there was just
darkness.
Was he dead?
Where was he?
"Hello?" he was near whispering, almost fearing that he was indeed
alone. Was he ever to see the light of day, again?
Just as he bowed his head in a helpless, defeated way, a howling jet
of wind erupted right before him. From this startling new occurrence came
a more focused source of light and a quartet of silhouetted figures, both
presences surrounded him completely. His mind became refreshingly clear and
evoked a transcendent sensation. It was as though a heavy weight of pain
had been lifted from his mind's once dismal state. In place of the pain and
confusion came a heavenly surge of comfort that had washed warmly over his
body. The sheer power of the light caused him to tightly shut his eyes.
Though after a few moments after the light had dimmed Takuya found himself
feeling nothing short of curious. As he lifted his eyelids to see the
light, he instead found it hard to fathom the reason why he was no longer
suspended in mid-air.
He appeared to be in an open glade. There was spruce trees on either
side of the path he was now standing on, miles of neatly cut yellow-green
grass stretched out behind the trees, and flowering bushes aligned
perfectly with the trees as well. Near the farthest of trees towards the
distance were slides, swings and monkey bars attached to a rather odd-
shaped jungle gym. This strangely normal place couldn't have looked any
more similar to be of his own world, Earth. And yet it felt as though, for
certain, it wasn't.
The sky was of a normal blue, one sun--slightly scorching at the back
of his neck-- and the familiar laughter of nearby playful children reached
his ears. As he felt the presence of one of these children he lowered his
gaze. His eyes rested to the boy-- standing tip-toed in getting his
attention-- in front of him. Takuya's heart gave a sudden jolt.
"Tomoki!" Takuya gasped, his throat became suddenly dry.
"Takuya, where have you been?" the boy who was certainly Tomoki
gleefully smiled a toothy smile at him.
"Tomoki, are you...is it really you?" said Takuya, clasping his hands to
the little boy's shoulders.
"It's me, Takuya! What's wrong with you?" Tomoki chuckled lightly at him.
"You're acting a little weird, is everything okay?"
"What about Lucemon...how did you escape...were you hurt?" Takuya
frantically circled him, studying Tomoki's present condition.
"Er-- Taku--" Tomoki began.
"I just can't believe--but it can't be....are you really Tomoki?" Takuya
interuppted him.
"Yes! Now, come on I want to show you something." said Tomoki, his hands
propelled Takuya forwards.
Tomoki had led Takuya into another part of the park, where another
field opening could be seen. Takuya's eyes grew wide, half interestedly and
half feeling reluctant to believe anything was reality here. His other
half of reluctance came from the fact that he knew all of this could be
just a dream...it surely felt it was by now.
"A soccer field?" Takuya turned to look at Tomoki beaming up at him
excitedly.
"That's right! One on one...you and me, how about it?" Tomoki grinned
even more happily.
"But...Tomoki--" Takuya still hesitated, knowing full well that he
needed more questions to be answered...and if Tomoki knew about his real
self being at the capture of Lucemon...
"Come on Takuya, when was the last time you played this game?...Don't
you miss it...being with the team...cheering fans at the
sidelines...scoring the winning goal...having a normal game, in our normal
world...for once?" Tomoki tone seemed almost luring as it was also
sincere.
He had pointed out something that Takuya usually found himself
longing for...it had been a long time since he had played a tournament game
for his soccer club. Was he to play a game of soccer and forget about the
task at hand--to wake up and resume in finding the others within this
strange netherworld... to finally start their journey towards the Tengu
Fortress... and to rescue the real Tomoki.
It would only be for a little while, he thought and felt slightly guilty at
his selfish decision.
"One game, Tomoki...then I have to leave...to wake up." Takuya
lightly smiled at the anxiously waiting, little boy.
"SCORE!" Tomoki cried excitedly as the soccer ball flew past the goal
line on Takuya's end. "What's the score, Takuya?"
"Five to Two!" Takuya mockingly smiled with a smug-like grin. "I win
again, buddy!"
"You always win." Tomoki bowed his head sadly. "Best out of three?"
Tomoki looked hopeful. Takuya simply shook his head.
"I need to go..." he firmly stated, he avoided meeting with Tomoki's gaze.
They strode over the grassy soccer field. Takuya looking aimlessly into the
distance, Tomoki staring at his shoes.
"One more game!" Tomoki looked pleadingly up at him, his eyes began to
water.
Takuya looked down at him. He isn't real, he isn't real, he repeated
to himself several times. So, why then had he felt it impossible to leave
him here.
"I have to go..." Takuya softly repeated.
Takuya kept walking as he smiled wistfully at the sulking face of
Tomoki.
"But...why?" Tomoki asked, still gloomy in the face at his decision of
parting ways.
Takuya stopped and stood in front of Tomoki, he knelt to level with his
small stature and tightly grasped both his shoulders. His deep brown eyes
trying their best to show him sympathy.
"Why...Why do you have to leave me here...don't you miss being back
home...just doing normal things on Earth?" Tomoki croaked from a muffled
cry. "...Don't you want to play soccer again...don't you want your life
back. Stay...you won't have to worry about saving the world...saving the
others. Takuya, you're here for me...you're just like--like my big
brother...I want you to stay!"
Tomoki almost sounded demanding, his intensive frown only confirmed this
much.
"Don't you see, if I don't wake up...the others will suffer...our world
will suffer. If I don't find the others....if we don't save the Digital
World...don't you realize the consequences? This is my life! No matter how
many times I could try to change it from what it's become...it'll still be
the same...I'd still be stuck with the same fate...and I'd still be here
for you. I have to worry...I have to! For everyone's sake...for yours...and-
-and--" Takuya took in a quick panted breath.
"And...and...what!" Tomoki cried frustrated.
"And--I--I--...I have to save you!" he blurted out, louder than he thought
it sounded in his head.
Tomoki stared blankly back at him. Takuya stood at his side once
more, walking silently beside Tomoki.
"Let's just walk, Tomoki."
Tomoki nodded, following him in silence as well. As they departed from the
soccer field seconds later, it had only been a few steps ahead that Tomoki
decided to speak again.
"Takuya?"
"Hmm?" Takuya turned in attention.
"Do you know how to get back?" asked Tomoki timidly.
Takuya walked on, his stare seemed distant as it tore away from
Tomoki's direction. Before Takuya could ever had had a chance to reply,
Tomoki quickly answered his own question.
"Wake up, Takuya... If you want to save your friends...if you want to
save me--the real me..." Tomoki side-stepped in front of him "...that's
what you want, right?"
"It's all I want." Takuya gently answered.
"Then--I guess--I can't stop you from leaving." Tomoki said and grimly
lowered his head.
"I'm out to save you, I have to leave." Takuya softly replied.
Tomoki lifted his head to stare up at him.
"Come here." Takuya motioned for Tomoki to come closer.
"Don't forget our game, Takuya." Tomoki suppressed a dry sob as they
hugged.
"Don't worry I'll remember...Five to two....five to two..." replied Takuya,
smiling almost painfully.
"Make sure you wake...you don't belong here...you have to return." Tomoki
briefly said and parted from him.
Takuya stared after him, his face contorted in fear. Tomoki began to
look translucent--he was fading.
"Don't worry, Takuya...this means you're getting better...you're
almost awake." Tomoki beamed at him brightly.
"But--" Takuya began to feel stiff, the words he wanted to stay did not
come quick enough. Tomoki was now completely translucent, his last words
were whispered, 'It's only a dream, remember?...You'll save me soon
enough...'
Trails of shimmer lingered where Tomoki soon disappeared. Takuya
looked wildly around, the surroundings began to fade just as Tomoki had
moments before. The pitch-black darkness returned, only now the sound of a
soothing voice filled his ears. The feel of a outlying aura began to caress
his forehead. He could hear his name being spoken, he smiled as he now knew
who this warm, peaceful voice belonged to.
"Izumi..." he heard the soft undertone of his own voice.
~~~~~~~~~
If it wasn't for the pungent odour of an unfamiliar fragrance or the
morning light that shone across his eyes, it would have been the smell of a
distinct meal being prepared that had awoken him from sleep. He slowly
straightened himself up from underneath what looked like the ruffled
remains of a sage-leaf blanket. His head rested to the bed's headboard as
he yawned and with the back of his clenched hands rubbed his tired eyes. He
looked to his left and saw another bed, one which had been occupied by the
soundly sleeping form of Izumi. A cool draft had suddenly entered the
cavernous room, his back slightly shivered and he had now noticed that he
was without a shirt. As he looked down in bewilderment he noticed other new
things, a silver-chained amulet that hung from his neck and tightly
bandaged areas where he started to recall were once open sores from before.
"It is wonderful that you are awake Takuya, sir!" a tiny squeak of a
voice sounded from the doorway.
Takuya turned his eyes from Izumi towards the doorway. "Er...Where
am I?"
At the front of room stood, about two feet tall, a white glimmering sight
of a bear. In the tiny paws of the bear lay his shirt and jacket, both
intact and looking almost as radiant as the creature.
"You are within the Mahonmon Caverns, sir. Miss Orimoto has brought
you here to rest from yesterday's terrible incident...We have sown your
clothes. I hope they are to your liking. Do you feel better?"
Takuya nodded graciously taking his clothes and dressed himself
briefly after he answered the bear. "Yes. I feel much better, thank you."
His stomach, however, would beg to differ. A grumbling sound from inside
him made the tiny bear squeal in shock. "You must be famished! Hoshiko,
bring in the breakfast for the humans!"
Takuya's mouth began to water as the wooden trays of food came with
the scurrying bears by his bedside. Takuya bolted upright and alert as he
was handed a plate of eggs, bacon and piled-high pancakes. Another bear,
looking quite exasperated, brought in a tall glass of milk.
"Thanks--Thank--you--so--much!" Takuya began to wolf down the meal as
he spoke in between his chewing.
"Most humble appreciations, sir." both of the creatures beamed up at
him. "Anything else, Takuya, sir?"
Takuya shook his head, keeping his eyes towards his meal. The two creatures
bowed politely and briefly left the room.
"Are you going to leave enough food for me?" said a voice from
behind. It was Izumi and she began to giggle at the sight of him lunging
towards the other tray for more food.
Takuya felt his face fuming red. "Oh, er--sorry I didn't know you were
awake."
Izumi lifted herself up and out of bed as she combed her fingers through
her disheveled hair. "Never mind that, how are you feeling?"
"Better." Takuya replied and finally directed his attention to her,
leaving the food off to another side. "Izumi, how did you--when did you--
are you--erm...what I want to say is..."
"Don't worry about Takuya, I'm fine. You're welcome by the way. Your
arm, is it still a little sore?" she waved off his stammer casually.
"I don't feel any soreness." he shrugged.
"That's wonderful!" she exclaimed in relief. Izumi strode towards
him, her hands behind her back and now looking a bit saddened.
"What's wrong?" he noticed her change in mood immediately.
"Um..." Izumi finally reached his bedside to show him his damaged
goggles and battered hat.
"Is that all?" Takuya stared, bemused at her nervousness. "It's okay Izumi,
really. Forget about it."
"You sure?" she continued to look unconvinced. "Because--"
"Forget it. Now, eat up before I finish your breakfast for you." he smiled
reassuringly at her.
Izumi pouted mockingly at his threat and sat across from him to eat
her breakfast meal, too. She, just seconds later, found herself feeling
worrisome again and peered from her food to Takuya.
"Do you remember anything that happened yesterday?" her voice shook
considerably.
"Well...I remember a lot of things...most of them are sort of vague though.
I remember--uh--falling, pretty hard...then the pain in my shoulder...then
you..." he put down his plate again and began scratching his head in
thought. "That monster...it was huge...it wanted data, and real badly too."
"You speak of Hisamemon's minions. They are vicious data thieves who
ambush prey, like yourselves, to steal your data...leaving you for death."
at the opening of the doorway stood the appearance of a wise and rather
aged bear-creature in which Izumi came to know as Galen.
"Galen!" Izumi turned her eyes to the front of the room.
"Good morning, children." Galen glided towards their bedside. "I expect you
are waiting for many of the explanations I had promised yesterday?"
Izumi nodded as Takuya seemed rather confused of the bear's identity and as
to how Izumi knew him. And as if the old-aged creature had read Takuya's
very thought, he had turned to him and smiled. "And I do believe you are
Takuya Kanbara, a pleasure. My name is Galen, the chief Mahonmon of this
tribe."
The bear extended his outstretched paw to Takuya; they shook hands.
"Now you two, I presume, are lost?" asked Galen.
Both of them nodded dejectedly.
"This place you have stumbled upon is known, by many here, as Yomi-
Naraka. We live within a netherworld that surrounds the Tengu Fortress.
Living here is not as pleasant, as you have already experienced." Galen
shot his gaze to Takuya's bandaged areas. "But far from here, we long to
live as we once have...the paradise we once inhabited."
"We've been to a place that had felt that way...where we were first
transported." Takuya interrupted.
"Yes, I thought as much. That wonderful place you had been in is the
other, divided half of Yomi-Naraka. You see this netherworld is separated
from light and dark, as a tribulation from Lucemon. He once had peaceful
intentions with the creation of this world, but he gradually became power
hungry--seeking data from the netherworld he had just perfected. Being as
he was a peaceful and protective Digimon before, he created a barrier
surrounding this netherworld to ward off all evil beings that would ever
try to attack the creatures who dwelt within it. This was the only
prevention from his plans to steal all the data he put forth to this land--
the only safeguard for our kind. Fortunately, his presently evil powers
were repelled by this barrier--but barely fended off his stronghold of
destruction. That is why half of his paradise is now empowered by evil and
that is why...we were forced to seek refuge underground. These caverns are
our home, now. We only emerge from underneath for simple rations of food--
what we can find, really." Galen finished with a weary sigh.
Izumi looked guiltily at the food on her plate; Takuya doing the same.
"Oh! Children, you mustn't worry...we understand that both of you
must feel terribly exhausted from yesterday. Please continue your
breakfast!" Galen quickly told them as he noticed their sudden timid
reaction in eating.
"Oh, thank you--but--erm--" Izumi still didn't touch her meal. "I was
meaning to ask you...er-- that thing, that monster that attacked us--
yesterday--"
"Kukuthmon's Data Ravens. They don't look like the likeliness of its bird
oriented name but simply the way they relentlessly pillage for other
creature's data is familiar to the bird's nature in stealing." Galen
disgustedly explained. "Kukuthmon is a Digimon whose sole power and purpose
is to unmercifully ransack lives and give all the data stolen to Lucemon.
And so with Nagamon, as well. They are all under the rule of Hisamemon, she
is the most imminent darkness that Lucemon has sent to plague upon our
land."
Takuya and Izumi both exchanged discouraging glances to one another.
"You've been living this way for...?" Takuya implored lightly.
"It has been thus for over three generations ago...my fore fathers
have died since but leave fair warning of the danger they hold." Galen
said, his paws shuffling in a clasped grip. "They also left a
prophecy...one that promises a saviour that will deliver our kind
liberation--our freedom--our absolution. We wait until that day will come."
Takuya stared after Galen, feeling a painful pang of pity as he
stared at the little bear's eyes misting over.
"Do you want me to show you this wondrous saviour we have been
waiting for?" Galen's eyes lit up considerably to this offer.
"How?" Izumi raised her brow. "I thought you said you were still
waiting for him?"
"Come! To the sacred temple you shall see what all our kind waits
patiently for." Galen cried gloriously and hurried them out the room.
~~~~~~~~~
Past the other inhabitants of Mahonmon and their tiny cavern rooms,
past the labyrinth of tunnels and dingy corridors of the caves beyond and
past the eerie structures of enormous monsters (that held, to much of
Izumi's displeasure, hundreds of bat eyes blinking incredulously at them),
they finally reached what seemed to be a large chamber door. Engraved in
the moss-covered, iron entrance was the detailed design of a fiery creature
that resembled a brooding dragon. The dragon's eyes gleamed of ruby and its
wings shimmering in a deep amethyst purple. In its left claw it held a
smoldering flame that was lively decorated by scarlet-coloured gemstones.
In its right claw it held a vaporous orb of a brilliant violet colour.
Galen past confidently after Takuya and Izumi; both still found
themselves entranced by the dragon-embossed door. "We are entering sacred
grounds, children. You must follow my lead. Follow my--every--word."
Galen crept closely up to the iron-chiseled dragon and bellowed;
easily enough to understand: "Di-Cang!"
The chamber door shook inwardly and suddenly creaked open. They
finally entered the vastly spacious chamber. Unlike the dull and dingy
cavern tunnels they had been traveling through earlier, this particular
chamber held far more allure. The walls glimmered with soft trails of
water droplets seeping from above. The above ceiling glimmered as well,
though the strange sight of the sky reflected from it's ancient carvings.
The reflection was of a glorious dawn--its cool blues, faint purples and
pale yellows filled their intrigued eyes.
Izumi took in an astonished gasp. Below them--and where they stood--were
smooth and water slick stepping stones that, one-by-one, made a path in
front of them. They made their quick journey on each stepping stones
cautiously, avoiding the water that flowed around each stone and throughout
the chamber itself. The winding pathway to the very last slippery stone had
ended to the centered spectacle of the chamber, a stone pagoda temple. On
each side of the old and moss-laden temple were two stone figured
creatures: the armored angel to the left sat upon its knees firmly clasping
onto an actual samurai sword; the human also clad in armour held a fiery
sword that acted as torch light for the chamber.
"What do these symbols mean?" Takuya curiously strode forward to the
temple, he fingered the engravings on the temple walls.
"These rune languages tell a story of an old prophecy, the long
awaited task at hand...our freedom." Galen stood at Takuya's side, his tone
sounding hopeful. "It prophesizes of two warriors that would bring forth
their powers to raise Di-Cangmon to life. He was the pure, appointed one
who sought after peace in our lands long ago...before Lucemon had turned
away from his good-natured self. Lucemon now imprisons his spirit in
Naraka...the badlands of this netherworld."
"And Yomi...is the good of this netherworld." Izumi thoughtfully
added.
"Why have you brought us here...and these secrets, you couldn't have
possibly thought we could be trusted...we just met." Takuya, from the
silence, queried in confusion.
Galen peered up at Takuya's eyes, his cloudy grey ones were
impossible to identify with expression. "What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? I have healed
you...but done so much more than mend broken bones or seal open cuts. You
see, there is more than meets the eye with the Agate Amulet." Galen pointed
towards Takuya's front. "It bears our very essences as Mahonmon, of whom we
heal, to bind with yours. We know your aura, hear emotions and feel your
thoughts. It strengthens our bond. And with thus, I trust you with an
absolute."
"And what of you, Miss Orimoto...I feel it is safe to carry such
knowledge on to you for your simple support. Di-Cangmon would have wanted
this to be. He would have wanted more support for peace--from anyone who
would care enough to listen." said Galen, his gaze now directed to the worn
away engraving of, what both Takuya and Izumi assumed to be, Di-Cangmon.
Izumi looked on, heavy-hearted, at the despaired expression Galen
directed towards the pagoda temple.
"You'll have our support, Galen. But...it won't be enough...you'll
have much more than that...you'll have us to help." Izumi called from
behind, her voice grew more confident. " Why do you have to wait for
freedom--and suffer in hiding, when we can help you gain freedom now?"
Galen turned to her, his somber face now glowing. Though, as he
opened his mouth for a word of gratitude a sudden tremble of the ground
below averted their attention. The temple itself shook as well. Takuya and
Izumi exchanged worrisome looks. The water that had flown freely around
their surroundings began to rapidly disappear into the ground. Behind them
the pagoda structure subsided from its tremours but now shone brightly with
a straining light. The two stone statues on either side of the temple
followed in the same way.
"Takuya...what--" Izumi turned to face him.
"I--don't--know." Takuya was sprawled against the ground as he was
thrown off balance by another tremour.
Then suddenly, in a movement too quick for the eye, Takuya and
Izumi's D-Scanners flew from their pockets towards the brilliantly lit
temple. The devices were swallowed into the light. Seconds later the
tremours had faded and the light had finally ebbed out of sight--leaving
everything looking strangely new. In place of the moss and obelisks of
ancient ruins were newly built stone structures which completed the
magnificent pagoda temple, and where the once murky swamp water flowed
around the stepping stones and chamber walls was instead crystal-like water
that held patches of lotus blossoms and lily pads afloat. Galen turned to
face both Takuya and Izumi, he seemed speechless. His mouth opened but no
words could be heard.
"Galen?" Izumi stared questionably at him. "W-What is all this?"
"It's true...Di-Cangmon has prophesized your coming." Galen ignored
her, his eyes began studying them more thoroughly. "You are not here for
your mere support."
"What are you trying to say?" said Takuya, standing upright again.
Galen paused once more, glowing even more with delight and awe.
"You are the Pure of Heart...the Digi-Destined... Your powers are
unprecedented, your hearts of pure, your strength in battle surpasses
many... You are the Legendary Warriors..." Galen smiled brightly.
"There are only the two of us, though." Izumi frowned in realization.
"We got separated from the rest." Takuya added.
"Yes...and so the prophecy says." Galen promptly replied. "The
promised ones come to liberate our kind in... only.... one pair...no more,
no less."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Whoa! LONG CHAPTER! Sorry I couldn't condense it any more..this is,
after all, a very important chapter...though light with the
adventure/romance....sorry about that too ^_^;! But I hope you liked it all
the same. Come back for more! R&R please!
