Facing the Darkness - [Open 2/3]

It was first time that Evan step foot into the Digital World. Just as he had suspected, that strange train in the Shibuya Train station did take him all the way over here. Natually, like most, he could hardly believe that there really is a parallel world where these monsters exist. There were many different kinds and sizes of digimon every there he went. Once he got his head around that, then he realize that there were some intelligent digimon out there, willing to give out jobs and money. This could be a chance for Evan to start a new business. He would become a mercenary and do different missions. But for that to happen, he would need some money to start with.

That is when Evan heard rumors about treasure in the Tyrant’s Labyrinth. Perhaps this would be the key to getting the money to start his mercenary business. With his shiny expensive blue coat and the green sunglasses that he wears on his forehead, the young man wondered into the dark woods. It was hard to explain, but he strangely feels comfortable in this environment. Maybe it was because of that digimon spirit inside of him. Evan had to push that aside. He has his own interest to worry about.

Soon, Evan was surrounded by mist. He was finding it quite annoying, since he can’t seem to find an exit. Still, he couldn’t just give up. He was determined to find that treasure no matter what. As he was randomly walking around the mist, he managed to see a boy and his digimon. He wondered what he would be doing in a place like this. If he was going to get out of his place, he would need some help, but he would have to be smooth about it. So he slowly approach the boy, giving a rather large grin over to him.

“Young man, you seem to be lost. Don’t worry, I, Evan Oshiro, will assist you in finding a way out. This is a very lucky day for you indeed.”

[ENTER]

Power. A thing that would bring someone to the top, or to befall them. That was Ankh thought about it. Power was like double-edged sword: beneficial in one side, and harmful in another. But nevertheless, he wanted more of it. The power to rule, destroy, and to create an order. To replace the old, corrupted world with the new, pure one.

That was the FireBeelzemon thought when entering this place for the first time. To seek for more power. He needed to defeat savage Digimons as many as he could to absorb their data, and become stronger. He had made deals with Joseph to make more allies from around the world, and so, this was the chance. While power of influence was already attained, he needed more, physical, raw power.

And that was where Ankh could start his hunt. But first, he noticed two boys. One was the ones he had been familiar: The brat with Dorumon that almost pissed him off in the trials. Maybe he could make him pay for the retribution, but he couldn't due to him was sleeping. Another boy was entirely new to him. He was a bit weak, so he doubted that he could be any use on his plans.

Had been wandering around and trying to find an exit, Ankh then loitered near the humans, waiting for someone to wake up. While so, he took out a durian-flavored popsicle and nommed on it, before throwing away the pack. Hopefully, someone wouldn't notice that he littered...

"...Him," Yuuki muttered in a way that could be said that he's not fond of his appearance at all. Dorumon starting to become more agitated, but he chose to stay low for now. Honestly, he's not sure that they'll stay in one party because... hey, that guy basically isn't on same road with them. The trial just proved it... However, to Yuuki, teaming up with the FireBeelzemon might be better than with this shady guy.

"....OK, bud... just tell me several reasons why I should trust someone who's waltzing on my way, and then ignoring someone on Mega level entirely. All the more reason for me to avoid you."

Your distrust has walled your heart to the point of where you only trust yourself...

Unaware of the telepathic message that seem to invade everyone's mind, Yuuki kept his assessment of the situation.

"If you want someone to trust you, then you should at least mix some sort of truth in your confident remarks. Now I ask you, what kind of truths that you have to offer me?"

Dancing alone, secluded inside wall of distrust... poor, poor child.

"Well?"

The boy is totally unaware of his shadow that start to form into some sort of vines that ready to capture his feet anytime. Looking at this, Dorumon is unsure of what to do. He want to snap Yuuki out of it, but... if they noticed that he's actually awake, then...

“Hmph, cheeky little brat, aren’t you?” The very nerve of this little twirp, having the gall to ask why he should trust him. Here Evan was, in a strange new world, and he taken the time to come over and help out this lost little boy and his digimon, and this is how he was treated? Sure, he was a tad bit shady and actually did some shady things in the real world, but you can’t always trust a book by the cover. Then the boy pointed out Beezlemon, who turned out to be a Mega level digimon. This did became an interesting development. This digimon clearly outclass Evan in strength in every way, while he didn’t have a chance to use his spirit yet. Still, that doesn’t really scare him at all. He had his smug, confident attitude to back him up.

Suddenly, Evan felt something hit him hard in the head. He rubbed the spot and looked down to see another popsicle stick by his feet. Then, before he knew it, he picked up by the back of the coat collar by that Beezlemon. After giving him a hard glare, he tossed him back to the ground. To say the least, Evan was very surprised by this, though he shouldn’t be since he was purposely ignoring him. Then he was going on about how he only cared about himself, while point a gun at him. This also didn’t scare Evan, as this wasn’t unusual due to his line of work in the real world.

Of course, Ankh wasn’t wrong about this. If given the chance, he would rather leave his companions behind if he felt that he was in danger. It was only natural human behavior after all. What he does take offence to is that this digimon only just met him and he was already labeling him. After gaining a bit of his compoisiure and brushing off the dust from his coat, he gave the digimon a nasty grin.

“Well, aren’t the judgmental sort? Going around and judging others like you know exactly what they’re like. You don’t know me at all, my friend and I highly suggest you don’t go around talking like you do. So maybe you should watch your own mouth and kept those slanderous comments to yourself.”

Now that he got that out of his system, Evan turned his attention to boy. “Now listen up, you little turd. I’m not just speaking hot air. I have indeed proven myself in a dangerous situation by disposing a fat whale orca digimon before he eaten all of Shibuya. If you don’t believe me, that’s not my concern. Whether you take my assistance or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”

As Evan let his words to the boy sink it, it seems that he and the Beezlemon are exchanging words. Ironically, it seems that Evan and Ankh had something in common, the both really don’t like this brat. How they know each other mean nothing to Evan. He only cared about leaving place.

“So, just curious, do any of you geniuses have any ideas on getting out of here?”

Hearing Evan's remarks, Ankh could only glare at him with suspicious look. He knew, that he couldn't trust this guy's words even for a bit. While the man had slight hint of denial from his words, Ankh's judgment stayed the same. He wouldn't ever change his mind, though. But he could give that cheeky man a chance to go with him to get out of here, though.

"But I know you're trying to persuade him to go with you, right?" Ankh asked Evan. "Fine. How about this. You're going with me and the boy and that cheeky Dorumon to get out of here. If you're trying to betray us or throwing us into danger just to save your skin, I'll kill you."

Ankh's offer was clear. It was to provide assistance to everyone to get out of here. As much as he disliked Yuuki, he couldn't afford to let him trapped in this labyrinth forever. He still had sense of honor, mind you. Evan then asked everyone else if they had any idea to get out of this place. Ankh was still figuring out how to get out of this cursed place, though.

Suddenly, the telepathic message invaded his mind, and it told him that the boy couldn't go as long as that brat was still distrusting him.
"So what?!" Ankh snapped at nowhere. "I know it's you, you the one who looks like the brat from the trial earlier! Stop your nonsense blabbering and help the brat out!"

Ankh then noticed the vines near Yuuki, and the black mist oozed from him. The black mist seem to nourish the vines, which then meant something bad to him. Ankh then turned to Dorumon, and then he asked,
"I hate to say this, but if that brat is still clinging to distrust, he will be eventually consumed by the vine over there. The worst part is, you and your partner can't get out of here. So I think I don't have any choice but to ask for your help, so he can let go of his problems and go out."

No matter what happened Ankh couldn't afford to have any of ones here trapped in this labyrinth forever. He needed to get everyone out, fast.

No matter how much they tried to earn the boy's trust, it's almost as if it doesn't budge the boy. It was too late when suddenly something else happened. The vines quickly enveloped the boy and dragged him inside the forest... but what on the floor is another thing differently. It's Yuuki, but in much younger stage. It's almost like his age cut by half. Perhaps that it's just an illusion, perhaps that's something that created by the place, but...

"Yuuki!" Dorumon frantically tries to wake him up. It's clear that the boy in front of them is the same boy, but... does he have the same personality? Before they could, however, a Kuzuhamon descended upon them.

"...I was too late apparently. Hello, I'm a travelling priest. I go by the name Kyoka.. This forest getting more and more frantic lately... So I was sent to investigate it. I was the one who tried to inform you, but alas, I was too late. The boy there would most probably be the boy's 'Innocence'... as much as 'Innocence' stays, he won't be a full human. If you wish to get out, then..."

"Then what? Don't tell me we're going to fight something?" Dorumon asked.

"Exactly. You'll need to face something... your own darkness."