Digimon Adventure: Secret Police

Chapter Eighteen: Opposites Attract

Ceya pet Tsukaimon silently. Her fingers went in the same robotic motion, and differences were too tiny to be noticable. Her emotional state matched her actions perfectly.

"We have to find them," Ceya monotoned to Maia, who stood nearby, Patamon atop her head.

Maia looked at her nervously. Concern was the only thing etched on her face. "I sense some negativity coming from you."

Ceya's head whirled up. Her hand tightened on a section of Tsukaimon's fur. "Who do you think you are? Teasing me about Rae at a time like this!?"

Tsukaimon shrieked in pain. Ceya looked down at her hands, as if terrified of what she had just done.

Maia jumped back. She hadn't meant for Ceya to take offense...

But why was she?

Silence covered the area as Ceya's expression softened. "I'm afraid. There's one person who's been able to help me at times like these, and I get like that when I'm worried about her."

"Her," Maia whispered distantly.

Ceya shook her head. "Forget about it."

Maia stared at her silently. Patamon spoke first. "Why were you so rude a few days ago with that fight against ShadowWereGarurumon?"

Ceya sighed. "The truth needs to be heard. My friend rarely ever states it, thinking feelings are more important."

"Who is this friend of yours?" Maia asked.

Ceya looked at her seriously. "That's something you should have figured out by now."

Maia bit her tongue so she wouldn't feel tempted to yell at her friend. "Fine. I'll tell you when I figure it out."

Ceya nodded. "Fine by me."

Tension became so thick one could slice it with a knife. Ceya stood, Tsukaimon in her arms still. "I'm going to find them."

"I'm coming too!" Maia exclaimed, rising to her feet.

Ceya looked at her, face like lightning: fierce and threatening. "Only if you can figure out the one reason I'm here, the one I'm protecting, and who you're protecting."

Patamon looked on in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"There's a reason behind everything. And these things ae all part of something that will make you a better person to others," Ceya replied darkly.

Maia's face was painted with shock. This seemed like too much of a task...until she remembered hearing from Fumiko about Ceya's outburst towards Izzy before they got trapped in this world.

"Reason you're here? To find yourself. Person you're protecting? The one who you keep talking about. Rae, that's her name, correct?"

Ceya stared at her blankly before nodding. "Find myself after what?"

"You don't know who you are...not sure why...but you don't."

Ceya nodded. "Continue."

"And the person I'm protecting...probably Kaez. She was the first person in my life that actually made things positive."

Ceya looked at her one last time. "You're coming then. But before we go, let me explain. I need to find myself, but I can only do that with opposing forces to test me. And you need the same. So, we need one another. Stick together?"

Maia stared silently this time before nodding robotically. "I guess so."

But part of Maia still didn't understand. But she would.

In time...

-----

Charlie walked aside Ayame. Nearly no words had been exchanged between the two girls. 

Charlie was desperate for conversation at this point. "How are you so popular?"

Ayame was startled by the sudden noise. Her eyes went downwards. "I...I..."

Charlie suddenly felt she had done something wrong. "I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable!"

Ayame shook her head wildly. "No! I think I should be talking anyways. It might be better that way."

"Then spill!" Lopmon exclaimed. Before Charlie could scold her partner, Ayame spoke.

"I've never told anyone this, but there's a secret behind the perfection you see. This crest...it's the only hope that this girl holds."

Falcomon looked at her encouragingly. "It's okay. You can tell her."

Ayame sighed. "I see no harm in saying this, Falcomon. I'm really weak. The person you see is a facade."

Charlie looked at her, hope suddenly filling her eyes. "I can help you."

"Help me?"

"I stay true to myself but am lonely. You are surrounded by friends but cannot reveal your true self. What about we teach each other?"

Ayame looked into Charlie's eyes. "I think it's too late. I'm too broken to be fixed now. This shadowy realm is the place for hopeless ones such as me."

Charlie stared at her in defiance. "I odn't buy that! It's never too late to begin hoping again! And I can bring that light back to you! Please!"

Ayame sighed. "Are you sure?"

Charlie nodded. "I've never been more sure in my life."

Ayame sighed again. "If you insist, I'd call this a deal."

-----

Fumiko and Tay sat on rocks boredly. Tay was upside down, Gatomon purring on her stomach.

"How do we get out of this nightmare of a place?" Fumiko asked.

"How do you know it's necessarily bad?" Tay questioned in response.

"I had a dream where I was here once. It was all hopeless and seemed to be like a chasm...endless," Fumiko explained.

Tay sat up. "In that case, maybe some positivity will chase away the darkenss."

"I like thinking about the light that saved me from the darkness during that dream I told you about. Something told me that it meant loyalty...whatever that is supposed to mean," Fumiko said.

Tay tapped her finger against her chin. "I like thinking about going home where everything seems set in stone, where everything is hopeful and there isn't worrying about surviving another night."

Fumiko nodded. "That seems like a good thought."

"Yeah. But I feel like that loyalty thing is going to be important. Like some weird thing in my gut is saying loyalty will be vital to this," Tay agreed. "That light you talked about links us somehow."

"How so?" Fumiko asked.

"I remember dreaming about a place that was shining, and that light was the center of it. Loyalty...it connects us somehow. How? This is something I do not know...." Tay said distantly.

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A/N

I know, not an exciting chapter. 

But the next one gets better.

And I changed my mind, as you can see: Fumiko and Tay were in this one instead of the next one, which will focus around Anna and Sam.

And I will give you the title. It's the Master of Illusions.

*insert spooky ghost noise here*

And also, this story is now 42 in adventure!!!!! *screeches in happiness*

-digital