FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 14

Trails

Â

           â€What’s going on!?†Shouted Michi in a panic as the walls lit up and the world around her began to fade away into darkness again. She breathed heavily as she felt a heat on the back of her neck. She stood slowly and turned to find herself face to face with a digimon the size of a two-story house and it looked hungry.

           It looked like a giant dragon with several rows of teeth dripping it’s thick spittle while it’s red eyes looked deep into her own with an unnerving stare. It’s entire body; at least as much as Michi could see, was covered in orange scales, while parts of the thing had metal plates of armor over vital spots.

           She froze in place and swallowed hard as she looked the beast down right in the eye. She started to back away but felt heat to her back and got a feeling that it would be a terrible mistake to back away. Instead she continued to stare the monster down unable to move. It was several minutes before she realized the monster was not going to do anything and she spoke, â€Don’t scare me like that… You big ones always have to be all macho and full of yourselves. Go bug someone else!â€

           The digimon chuckled softly and shook it’s head, â€You’ve got guts girl. Talking to a mega that way… I don’t know if it’s courage or stupidity.â€

           Michi scoffed and shook her head, â€Courage and stupidity share a fine line. Courage is often brought on by ignorance of the situation.â€

           The digimon lifted it’s great paw and rubbed it’s chin with a bit of a smirk, â€You’re a clever girl. Behind me you will find a door with a crest upon it. If you have the courage to do what must be done then it will open for you. If you do not, well, then I must send you back to the world you came from. It is too dangerous to have people running about with devices such as your own.†Said the Megidramon as he turned away and took flight disappearing into the darkness.

It was then that the room erupted into flame around the edges and Michi found she was standing on a platform that was only big enough for her and the digimon. She turned around and saw that if she had backed up she would have fallen to her death in a lake of magma.

           The young girl turned back and saw the door glowing red with a strange symbol upon it. It looked somewhat like a creature surrounded by many shadows but still standing with its weapon ready. She knew this was the door the monster had told her to go to. The only real problem was the fourty foot drop between the pillars and the lava at the bottom.

           The young girl swallowed hard as sweat was already dripping from her brow. The nearest platform was even smaller than the one she and shademon shared, â€A real pickle this one Shade...â€

           The Digimon chuckled softly and simply flew to the door looking back at it's master and waiting as she shouted obscenities to him, â€Shade you son of a bitch! When I get over there I'm going to wring your neck!â€

           The digimon called back quickly, â€Then get your skinny ass over here and prove it!â€

           Michi frowned and growled as she looked to the next pillar about six feet away. It lead to a series of other pillars, about seven of them all oddly spaced apart and some of them not quite so level. The tamer looked over her shoulder to see a door behind her and the entrance to the cave, the easy way out.

           The young girl closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them again and focusing on the next platform. Time seemed to slow as she took the one step she had and leapt forward to land on the next platform over the flaming death below. She looked to the next and did the same now with a smile on her face.

           She smirked a bit and leapt again landing on the third platform with her goal in sight. It was that confidence that lead to recklessness. She leapt to the next platform without nearly enough energy to make the jump and ended up gripping the side of the pillar as she hung above the hot rock below. She could feel the air currents singing her hair and burning her skin as she groaned and cried out hefting herself onto the platform panting now as she noticed the bottoms of her shoes were melting away now.

           She growled a bit more and looked to the crest ahead where shademon waited. The girl got to her feet and put all her energy into the next jump to a platform that was tilted slightly towards the next which was tilted to the next which was aimed towards the door. She saw what she had to do and so she used the energy to bundle up a bit and leap to the next platform never really coming to a stop until she smashed into shademon and tumbled through the door.

Â

           Rukan felt himself falling for what felt like an eternity until he felt the crash of water against his skin. It stung him quite bad in the places that broke the surface tension but in the end it would just be welts he would have to worry about. He let himself float to the surface in the dark and took a few gasping breaths as he tread water and tried to get his bearings.

           The cavern was so dark he couldn’t even see the water he was floating in, or if it was water at all. He called out, â€Rena!? Narwith? Michico!?†but the only answer was his echo. He frowned deeply and took a deep breath as he began to swim. He was going to try and find a wall and use it to guide him.

           He swam and swam but still found no wall. It was quite some time before he was breathing hard and nearly exhausted. With a frown on his face he began to think. He had to be in the trials now. This had to be some sort of test. It was then that he realized that perhaps the wrong way was to try and find a way out but to find a way in.

           Rukan looked down into the water and saw something glowing faintly in the depths. He took a few deep breaths before going under and scrambling with all his might to try and reach the glow at the bottom. His muscles were aching and his chest burning with the exertion. As he came just short of reaching the glow and he surfaced quickly gasping for air.

           The Hisashi boy cursed himself as he started to believe that perhaps he wouldn’t be able to make it down there. He realized then that if he didn’t he would fail the trials and Skullrenamon would have won. He would have failed an entire world that was depending on him. He would have failed Renamon.

           With this though he sparked his incredible determination and he dove kicking harder and using his arms to their limit. He felt the burning and knew he was running out of air but failure was not an option this time. Instead he pushed himself harder and harder with the pain becoming nearly unbearable. His joints were starting to freeze up as the muscles needed oxygen.

           He frowned and with one last kick touched the glowing stone and he felt himself fall hard onto the floor coughing up water and gasping for air as a voice filled his ears with it’s soft feminine sweetness, â€Good job Rukan Hisashi. We have been watching you and are pleased with your actions but still you must be tested. You have shown the determination and perseverance of a hero.â€

           The young man slowly got to his feet aching and breathing hard as he looked up and saw what looked like an angel shining above him. He knew immediately that it was an Angewomon and he nodded slowly, â€I… I knew I had to. Or I would have failed the one I love again.â€

           The digimon nodded slowly and spoke again but its lips did not move. It was almost as if it were speaking directly to Rukan’s mind, â€You did not fail your sister Rukan. You will know in time that the events that are happening around you are all connected. Everything started on that night when your sister took the blade meant for you. Do not weep for the past as the future holds the power of your dreams. You will find what you are looking for be it forgiveness or to see her again.â€

           Rukan paused for a moment and shook his head, â€Th… That’s not possible… Are you saying that Skull was right? Ruki is still alive? But I saw her die in my arms…â€

           The Angewomon floated down to stand before Rukan and spoke once more, â€You do not understand yet but you will with time. Now you must hurry. While time passes here your friend in the other world is in grave danger from Hypnos. He is on the brink of finding a cure for the world and you must be able to receive it.â€

           Rukan nodded quickly and saw a door light up behind the angel. She turned and motioned her hand towards it but said nothing as he ran to the door with the symbol on it that looked like a man pushing against the side of a mountain.

           As he touched the door he was surrounded by light so bright that he had to cover his eyes. It wasn’t until he heard familiar noises that he took his hands away from his face and saw himself in the slums of Tokyo. He began to walk down the alley he was in when he saw a group of men beating on a woman and pressing her against a wall. He frowned and charged forward drawing his blades and shouting, â€UUURRRYYYAAAHHH!!!â€

           The men looked up and saw the boy running at them with the tonto in one hand and the wicked looking dagger in the other and decided it best to run. One of them shoved the woman against the wall hard making her yelp and fall to the ground in a heap.

           The boy with the braid stopped and knelt down next to the pile of rags that had the helpless inside. He put his hand softly on it and shook the woman speaking softly, â€They are gone now. It’s ok.â€

           She sat up and looked at him having a strikingly familiar face but he couldn’t put his finger on who it was. She had a nasty cut on her head making blood stream down the side of her face. Rukan sighed softly and pushed back some of her hair to get a closer look, â€Here I’m going to help you.â€

           He took his trench coat off and used his tonto to cut his right sleeve off to use as bandages for her wounds. He wrapped up the cut on her head as well as several others on her arms and legs before he sat back down and pulled his trench coat back on, â€Are you going to be ok?â€

           The woman nodded slowly and looked at Rukan awestruck, â€Y…You don’t know me and you help?â€

           Rukan chuckled a moment and shook his head slowly, â€I’m trying to help a lot of people I don’t know right now miss. A whole world of them.â€

           â€Why? Why would you help people you don’t know?†Said the woman in a bit of a whimper.

           Rukan looked her in the eyes and tilted his head to the side, â€Because… it’s the right thing to do. What they do after that is their business but even if they plan to try and hurt me it’s still not right to just leave them there all helpless like.â€

           The woman smiled a bit and stood up, â€That’s a nice way to put it… You are certainly a kind and compassionate young man Rukan Hisashi.â€

           Rukan quickly got to his feet and backed up against the wall as she glowed bright and turned into a great bird made of fire known as Pheonixmon. He smiled a bit as he knew he had passed the test.

           â€From the ashes of your life filled with hatred and pain you come forth and show just the opposite young Hisashi. I am very surprised that you did not become calloused and cold. It warms my heart knowing that you are ready for your final test. But be warned, what you see through that door will be the greatest of your fears and you will have to face it alone. Steady your blade Rukan for all eyes are on you and your friends. Do not allow the worlds to be plunged into darkness.†Said the great bird.

           Rukan nodded slowly and looked to the door that showed a woman giving her heart to a beggar. He walked slowly to it and pressed his hand against it’s cool surface making it swing open and he was once again surrounded by darkness.

Â

           Michi stumbled forward and found herself in the middle of a battlefield. A red and green haze filled the air and the smell of death was all around her as she knew this was a war between the corrupted and the still uninfected digimon. She ducked quickly as a bolt of energy flew over her head and found herself being pulled up and dragged into a trench by a Seraphimon.

           â€Human explain yourself! Why are you here in this world!?†Shouted the angel type.

           Michico fell back against the wall of the trench and tucked her knees in close to her body, â€I… I want to help. Things are just so screwed up in my world and now I can help make this one right again.â€

           The Seraphimon chuckled and shook his head as he pointed to the field with his golden sword, â€Do you see this!? It is a losing battle girl! You have no chance against a digimon anyway. Go home.â€

           She stood up slowly and looked out into the field seeing the dead bursting into red or green data and the dying bleeding out the flecks they were made of. She frowned deeply as she saw the carnage and knew she was unable to help. A tear fell from her eye, as she knew she wasn’t able to fight like Rukan could. She was nothing without her Shademon.

           The girl wouldn't give up she growled angrily at the Seraphimon and leapt out of the trench dodging several needles that flew past her and rolling into a crater only to find herself face to face with one of the infected. She froze for a moment but saw the Elecmon was in a most terrible state. She looked about and found a shard of metal picking it up in her hands and holding it over her head like a blade.

           The creature whimpered and cried as it couldn't fight back with it's body in such a wounded state. She locked eyes with the creature and knew what she saw. It was that pain she felt every time she ran into battle. That incredible fear that perhaps she wouldn't live to see another day. Could she really take life from a thing like this? But it was evil and would hurt others. It would spread the disease.

           Michico frowned and fell back against the other side of the crater. This thing didn't do what it did on it's own will. It was sick, not evil. She shook her head and tore a bit of her sleeve away and inched forward getting near the now absolutely terrified Elecmon. She spoke softly, â€I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to try and help you.â€

           The Digimon growled and hissed at her but still she inched forward with her makeshift bandage. She reached into her pack and pulled out a bottle of alcohol she had brought with her in case Rukan or she had been injured in their adventure. The digimon still hissed and growled but couldn't move away from her. She got close enough now to see the cut on the monster's leg that she would treat.

           She was just about to pour the disinfectant into the wound when she heard the voice of Seraphimon behind her, â€You help those that would kill others.â€

           The tamer frowned deeply as she turned to face the angel, â€And you help those that kill the innocent.â€

           Seraphimon looked a bit taken aback and frowned deeply as he lifted his sword, â€How dare you accuse me of...â€

           The Tamer stood tall now letting beams and various other attacks whiz by her head as she stomped to the angel and looked up at him with a growl, â€They don't mean to do what they do! They can't help it! â€She†is making them do all of this! Hurt their friends... their families... It can't hurt anyone like this! Look at it oh angel of light and tell me that this creature was born of the dark and in it's heart it wishes to hurt others! Tell me that!â€

           Seraphimon frowned deeper and lifted his sword pointing at the infected one, â€If it heals it will spread disease!â€

           Michico gripped the sword to point it away from the helpless digimon. Her grip was hard enough to slice open her palm making her blood run down her arm, â€I won't let you kill the innocent! I will stop this! I will end her and bring about the purification of the digital world! I will!â€

           The Seraphimon smile and took her hand off of his blade as they stood in a white room. The battle was gone and her hand was healed. The Angel knelled down to be eye level with the girl as he spoke, â€Compassion and forgiveness. You know that those infected do not wish to do what they do and so show them mercy. Your crest will reflect that. Go Michico, Lady knight of Forgivness, your last test awaits you in the darkness beyond that door.

           Michico nodded slowly and saw the door with a symbol that looked like an angel crying over a fallen demon on it. She stepped forward and pressed her hand against it pushing it open wide as she stepped through and felt as if the darkness were pulling her into it’s grasp and sucking her through the entryway into the black.

Â

           Rukan stood in a circle surrounded by purple flames. Blasphemous symbols sealed him inside the ring and cut off any escape with their burning pires of darkness. Rukan frowned and reached for his blades only to be knocked back making him roll to the edge of the ring with a grunt.

           â€Heh… weaker than I thought.†Came a familiar rasping voice. Rukan looked up quickly and saw himself, no, someone that looked like him standing across from him carrying a monstrously long katana. He let his hair out of the braid letting it’s silver strands blow in the slight breeze the fire created.

           â€Wrath…†Replied Rukan as he got to his feet and pulled his blades free holding them at the ready.

           â€Oh ho… Aren’t we just a little touchy? Tell me Rukan? Are we really all that different? I mean you end the lives of many as I see it… I only wish the change them into something more… savory.†He chuckled softly and narrowed his crimson eyes, â€Of course then you have that silly thing… what do they call it? A heart? Ahh yes that’s it. Allow me the pleasure of cutting it out of you!â€

           Rukan leapt to the right as Wrath swung at him at impossible speeds. The tamer had to bring his daggers to bare quickly blocking the sword but sending him high into the air where Wrath jumped up to meet him, â€I’m nothing like you Wrath! You are nothing but a cheap copy!â€

           Wrath chuckled as he swung but Rukan flipped backwards and landed on the edge of the blade. He felt something strange inside him. A burning sensation started to pain him greatly as he ran along the edge only to be flipped off as Wrath swung the sword hard.

           Rukan hit the ground hard making him groan but he got to his feet quickly and flipped out of the way of Wrath’s slash. Rukan growled as his slitted green eyes narrowed and he felt a new sense of grace and agility. He ran at Wrath impossibly fast and smashed the digicarbide blade against the sword sending Wrath backwards making him slide on the floor.

           The dark creature slowly got up and laughed, â€Oh? Where did this strength come from?â€

           Rukan dashed forward again and flipped throwing the tonto at Wrath making it stick into his shoulder then grabbed the handle and twisted as he felt a little queasy and he fell off balance. Something was different. Rukan rolled backwards-dodging Wrath’s attacks but saw that he hands now only had three fingers. Was this the change?

           â€Well would you look at that… too bad it’s not going to save you.†Said the monster as he began to glow with the dark purple light sucking in the flames and the runes from the floor until a SkullRenomon stood before Rukan with a smirk on it’s face.

           â€You’ll never win with the darkness Wrath!†Shouted Rukan as his new body was complete. He leapt at Wrath and drove his daggers into the digimon’s neck but he felt the cool pain of the long sword through his own gut making him cough and wrech.

           Wrath frowned and spoke, â€I’ll never be gone Rukan… I’m your darkness… the lighter your light gets… the darker I will be.â€

           Rukan coughed, â€Then stay there… in the shadows of my mind! In the pain of my memories. Stay there quiet in your retreat of darkness as my light will never be snuffed out. Stay in the prison you have made yourself...â€

Â

           Michico found herself being pulled in every direction by the dark tendrils making her scream out in fear and panic. It was then that the tugging stopped and she was set down in the blackness. She looked about in a panic but there was nothing to give her direction. She hugged herself in the darkness as it made her feel bare and exposed. She felt helpless, she knew despair and felt her hope being sucked away from her.

           â€You fear me Michico? Why?†Said the voice of Shademon.

           She looked around quickly but couldn’t find him anywhere. The darkness was trying to wrap around her and she fought once again kicking and screaming, â€Shademon help!â€

           Shademon spoke again, â€Michico I am trying to help but you fear me… you fear your nature. It is a part of who you are to be a part of the darkness.â€

           Michico shouted as a tendril wrapped itself around her neck, â€I… I can’t be! I have to help! I can’t do it!â€

           â€Michico… the Darkness is not evil. For all light there is shadow. A balance must be struck or there would be no light and no darkness. You must understand Michico.†Said Shademon

           Michico shook her head as she was soon wrapped up in the darkness and her body felt like it was on fire, â€Shademon! It hurts! Make it stop! Save me!â€

           â€Michi… Do you not see that the darkness wants to help this world as much as the light? The darkness is not evil nor is the light. Good and evil are completely separate.†Said her digimon companion as his face appeared before her. Michi's eyes were wide with terror as the darkness pulled and yanked her about.

           Thing's were becoming clear now. While Rukan wielded the power of the light she was destined to be a part of the shadows. She fought a bit more but soon relaxed and let herself be bathed in the blackness. She felt unsettled in the stomach as the darkness seemed to turn photo negative. Her head hurt and so she lifted a hand to press a finger against her temple but found a claw at the end of it.

           â€Michico... champion of the darkness and forgiving lady of the digital world. See now your avatar. See that form that will bring your enemies to fear and your allies to comfort. Wield the darkness to protect the weak, to heal the world of the night together with your friends.†Said Shade as he slipped out of the darkness to make it reflect her form all around her.

           The Lady Devimon gripped it's long clawed hand and grinned a bit showing the pointy teeth as the dark wisp on it's shoulder reflected her expression, â€I think it's time to start kicking some Skullrenamon ass and stop running away. I have forgiven those under her control but those that use the innocent to fulfill their own evil desires are unforgiven.â€

Â

           In a flash of light the five companions appeared in a great golden room with data streaming along the walls. Monitors and artifacts were strewn about like a great treasure trove, all of them pushed aside to show the path leading up to a throne made of wire and gold, â€Champions of the two worlds... your power is incredible now but with power comes an incredible responsibility. You are now your own worst enemies and you must learn to trust your hearts.â€

           Rukan turned to look for Renamon but only found three unfamiliar humans and a Lady Devimon standing next to him. He frowned deeply and gripped his blades, â€Is this some kind of trick!? I passed the final test and now you tell me that my friends are here with me!?â€

           He turned quickly then to see the source of the voice seeing a Leomon with a black jacket slung over it's shoulders. Rings and various piercings cover it's body as the symbol on the back of the jacket could be seen in the reflection of the treasure for Rukan to see, Bancho, â€Foolish Hisashi! Your eyes see Wrath where your friends stand.â€

           Rukan lowered his weapons and tilted his head as he frowned looking at the woman and he remembered the face now. It was the woman from the alley, â€Wh... who are you?â€

           The woman stepped forward in her yellow and purple clothing now appearing quite familiar with purple mark tattoo's under her eyes, â€Rukan... you know who I am.â€

           It was then that he realized that the digimon themselves had been through the same trials he and Michico had been through. Their reward was to be just like their companions. He dropped his blades and stepped forward holding his beloved Rena tightly and laughing, â€That's amazing! You... and the others... we can stop her now! We can fix the world that Skullrenamon tore appart!â€

           The BanchoLeomon put his large hand on Rukan's shoulder as he shook his head, â€You forget Rukan that she is the same as you now. You have something she doesn't have though and so you must use it to cure this world of the disease.â€

           Rukan looked up at the huge digimon and shook his head, â€She has an army under her command. What do I have that she doesn't?â€

           The answer did not come from the digimon but from Michico, â€Friends...â€

           Rukan looked to the Lady Devimon and looked a little shocked at first but then smiled and replied, â€Taka... Michico... Rena, Shade and you to Narwith... Together we will end her reign.â€

Â

          Â