Chapter 1:
Feelings of the Past
Dark… He couldn't see the world around him. Where was he? An image stood out. A devil and an angel stared intently at one another. They started to disappear in dark purple and light blue bits. The angel started to fade away faster until only the devil was left smiling.
Slowly, focus started to come. The devil flattened out. A screen dimly lit his surroundings. A cell? Yes, the prisoners were being released. Shouldn't he be helping? The boy turned back to the screen. The devil that was within it only had his head left, still smiling. Anger, sadness, and fear swelled inside the boy. He couldn't stand it. Another feeling moved his feet forward, leaving his backpack and hat behind him.
"Where are you going, Takeru?" a younger boy asked. Iori could only look on as his friend started down the dark hallway. Wanting to call out again, he was reminded of the prisoners escaping and was told that Patamon would take care of his friend.
"Takeru, wait!" Patamon chased. "You can do all this settling nonsense later. We have other things to do right now." He couldn't understand what needed to be done so urgently when there were digimon that needed rescue.
Takeru knew what his partner was saying, was right. He should be helping the others, but that didn't feel right. This whole time he had been thinking about protecting his friends. He had left Hikari and Miyako with Daisuke. Thinking they would run into the base in the air, Iori would safely in the water. He didn't even think it could be in the ocean. In the end everything worked out for the best, yet his feet wouldn't stop. He couldn't just keep standing there, waiting for something bad to happen. Something he couldn't do anything about. He needed to act, and the best action would be to end things as quickly as possible and stop the Kaiser himself.
"You've done well to make it this far," an arrogant voice rang in the hall. The Digimon Kaiser appeared out of a doorway with his worm like partner not far behind. He looked down on the boy that dared to trespass in his fortress. "You have earned the pleasure of appearing before one who controls the power of darkness." The boy's glare softened only to scoff at the Kaiser. Seemingly amused that the Kaiser would address himself as such.
"It seems like you are having a lot of fun playing around Ken Ichijouji," Takeru chuckled. "Is taking over the world really that great?"
Not amused by the boy's attitude, Ken snapped the whip in his hands. "When it's mine to take," he snapped back.
Something in Takeru seemed to want to get under the other boy's skin. He could only smirk at the thought. "That, 'power of darkness,' you spoke of, do you even know what that means? You don't, right?" he antagonized.
Ken was taken aback. How dare some nobody brat spit back the same words as that devil in the whirlpool. This world was his. Why couldn't anyone understand that? Ken spat, "and what would you know? You and your stupid friends have just been lucky up till know. You pathetic maggots can't even be compared to me, so you should just stay out of my way."
Takeru could only laugh at the boy before him. To think, they thought the same of each other. "The only pathetic one is you, Ichijouji," He inhaled. Takeru then calmed himself for his next words. His face grew more serious. "You don't understand anything… Don't know anything… This isn't a game! If you keep playing around, you're not just going to end up hurting yourself!" Takeru stared past Ken's shades, and into his eyes. He looked at the small green digimon at the Kaiser's side.
He didn't "understand"? Ken couldn't take that well. He was a genius. He was better than anyone. Better than… "Maggots," he whispered. "Maggots, Maggots, Maggots, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS!" Ken could only bark that word louder with each breath until he was gasping for air.
Takeru could see that the Kaiser had just about reach the end of his rope. "Is that really all you can say?" he taunted.
No longer of a fully cognitive mind, Ken could only express his frustration with violence. He pulled back and swung his whip at the boy. It cracked on the boys face, a perfect hit. Patamon and Wormmon stared in shock at what just transpired. Ken could only smile at the thought of putting that maggot in it's place. "That should shut you up," he exhaled.
Something was off. The boys face was turned with his hand cupping the wound. Even from where he was standing, Ken could see Takeru wiping at the blood. What bothered Ken, was the boy's movements. He didn't shake with anger, or cower in fear at the threat of more pain. If the boy's face hadn't moved, he wouldn't have been sure the boy reacted at all. Takeru then turned his eyes on the Kaiser. No tension or sharpness, yet they were looking down on him. Not once had he received such a look after whipping someone.
"Given up on talking?" Takeru wiped the rest of his wound. "That's fine by me. You done?" Ken didn't have any sort of comeback. All he could do was stare at the boy before him who had an uncanny smile on his face. Takeru drew his sharpest glare. "If you are…" Takeru drew his sharpest glare, "then it's my turn." Takeru rushed in and punched the off guarded Kaiser. Ken was laid out on his back with his shades and whip spilled beside him.
Not wasting time, Takeru mounted Ken to keep up the beating. He wouldn't hesitate like his enemy. He pulled back and started punching at Ken's face. An endless back and froth. "You don't know what you're dealing with," right. "I'm not just hitting you cause I'm upset," left. "You need to be stopped," right. "Before you do something you regret," harder. "Before you do something that can't be undone," harder. Wanting to deliver the final hit, Takeru pulled back further.
The base suddenly shook violently. It rattled and threw Takeru off balance. Ken took advantage of this to throw the boy off of himself. He scrambled to his fallen whip. "Something that can't be 'undone'?" Ken whipped at the blond who could only hold is arms up in defense. "Quit acting like any of this matters," left. "This world is just a bunch of data," right. "It's beings don't really exist," left. "Of course it can be undone," faster. "And even it can't, I don't care," faster. Takeru rose his arm to ensnare the whip. The two boys were forced in a sudden tug of war. "Why do you care so much over nothing but data in a screen?" Ken tugged. Using the force of the tug, Takeru rushed forward forcing Ken off balance. Takeru lunged at the Kaiser.
Once again the two were on the ground. Once again Takeru had the upper hand. He grabbed at the Kaiser's collar. "Because that data is one of my closest friends," Takeru grit. "Even if it doesn't matter, even it can be undone, I'll still care. Those moments… Those feelings…. They won't go away." Takeru pulled back his fist. "So no one has to go through what I did, even for your sake, I'll stop you." About to deliver the finishing blow, Takeru was stopped. A green and orange blast burst through the base. He looked through the hole to see a mix-matched monster. "What?"
Ken could only laugh at the boy. "That's my newly created digimon. You and your maggot friends don't stand a chance," Ken explained. "You might as well give up.
Even with Ken at his mercy, Takeru didn't need to think twice about what to do. He turned to Patamon with his digivice in hand. With a shout and a flash, Pegasusmon, a golden armored horse with wings stood before the two boys. Takeru mounted the steed and took off through the hole made by the blast. "We'll finish this next time Ichijouji," Takeru yelled as they picked up speed. They raced towards the light to help their friends. They braced for the impact the light would have on their eyes.
It was too bright. The light's heat was too hot. Looking down he could only see a human figure beneath him. Ken sat there with empty arms. That's right, they had just won, and Ken was defeated. The elation of defeating the mixed monster had long worn off. It was now replaced with a bitter taste. Wormmon was, as he himself had said, dead. Takeru couldn't help but look at Ken with empathy. He could only squeeze Patamon tighter in his arms. Ken rose and started to stagger away through the desert as Daisuke called out to the distraught boy. The child of hope could only grit his teeth at the scene before him, irritation building. What was he himself doing?
"Pathetic," Takeru whispered to himself. He dashed towards the leaving boy, ignoring his friends shouts. His digivice flashed and Pegasusmon was behind him. His friends could only look on in confusion. They watched as the two boys conversed. The two stopped moving for a while and just stared at each other. Even from as far back as they were they could tell Takeru had a sour look on his face. He wasn't attacking the boy in any way, so what could he be doing? Suddenly Pegasusmon knelt as Ken started to move towards him. The steed let Ken mount his back and was soon fallowed by his partner. The digimon rose and took off to the sky.
Speechless would be the best way to describe the rest of the chosen children. One of their most calmest members flew off with their just defeated enemy. No on said a word. Their words were either caught in their throats or their mouths were hung open. A beep on broke the silence. Hikari quickly gathered herself to pull out her D-terminal. She looked over the message before reading it out loud for the others. It read, "I'm going to Primary Village. Go home without me and I'll gate back when you get there, Takeru." The others objected to his seemingly selfish actions but Hikari assured them that he had his reasons. She told them to trust Takeru's judgment. The others didn't understand what was going on but they trusted the both of them. They all gathered their things and made their way to a gate, and thought of the best way to explain the situation to their seniors.
The skies were quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the wind and the flapping of wings. Takeru sharply kept his eyes to the front. Ken could sense the boy not wanting to talk. He kept focus on his hold of the flying horse and on what the boy had told him. He focused on Wormmon.
The three flew for a long while. The sand turned to grass, and the grass to forest. Ken looked past the boy to the horizon. He saw what looked like large shapes. The closer they got the more they became defined. It wasn't jut the distance and perspective that made out those basic shapes. They were large building blocks. Squares and triangles were stacked in a multitude of ways. They got closer and the ground tuned to green tiles.
They were now over this giant sized play pin. Ken was too focused on his surroundings to notice a sudden bout of turbulence. The shaking made him focus on the two in control. Before he could ask what was wrong, Pegasusmon glowed and reverted back to Patamon. Before the three truly picked up any downward motion, he could her a very audible and understating, "Ah..." between the two. The froward motion they already had, sent them sailing through the air. Ken's heart leapt to his throat as he was coming closer to the ground beneath them. He could only hold up his arms in protection.
They all crashed into the ground at great speed. Ken braced himself for pain yet it didn't come. He opened his eyes to be surprised that he was once again in the air. Yes, at a much lower altitude, but once again in the air. He dared to look over at the other two who just looked back at him with amusement in their eyes. Again they hit and bounced off the ground this time barely lifting up, but still moving forward. They again touched down and tumbled to a stop.
Takeru got up and patted himself down. He looked at Ken who was gathering himself off the ground. He walked over and gave him a hand. Ken's hand hesitated before grasping the other boys. He scanned the area before motioning for Ken to fallow him. He started making his way up a steep hill with Patamon resting on his head.
Ken fallowed the boy. He gathered his courage to ask what had been on his mind. "Are… are you really going to help me find Wormmon?" he almost pleaded. The other boy just stared back at him with a look he couldn't read.
"I've pretty much done all I can do for you," Takeru kept moving up the hill. He reached the top and waited for his temporary companion. The two looked down at all the eggs littering the land before them. "The rest is up to you," he looked over at the stunned face of the former Kaiser. "When a digimon dies, it's data reforms at primary village." When he was asked which egg would be Wormmon's, he could only shrug. "To be honest, the last time this happened the egg reappeared right in front of me." Ken eye's widened with realization. "Anyway, all that matters is that you are the one that needs to find Wormmon. You don't have all day so I suggest you get started."
Time passed as Takeru watched Ken try to find his lost partner. It didn't help that he was constantly being tackled by infants as he walked by looking at eggs. He didn't even hold his hands up in defense. He was nothing like the Kaiser he knew just earlier that day. He however, knew that the moment he looked into the boys eyes after he was defeated. He had changed; to what, he wasn't sure, but Takeru knew that he couldn't just sit still while Ken anguished over his lost friend. Even if Ken didn't change, he himself couldn't leave Wormmon alone. He'd be out here by himself if he had to. He perked up at the sight of Ken returning with an egg with heart shaped patters. "You find him?" Takeru rose to his feet.
Ken gave the egg in his arms a long, hard look. "Yes," he confirmed with confidence. Ken noticed Takeru relaxed and genuinely smile for the first time in front of him. "Why did you help me? I mean, I..." Ken couldn't get the words out.
"It's nothing special, just pity," Takeru yawned, the day was catching up with him. "I just felt so sorry for you," Takeru gazed at the egg, "and him." Takeru really didn't care where his need to help the boy came from. He wasn't lying when he said it was a bit of pity, but for who exactly, he didn't quite know. When he saw Ken's face while running with the egg he knew it didn't really matter.
Ken couldn't seem to let it just sit with that. "I don't deserve such kindness. You should be as angry as those baby digimon over there," Ken pointed at the disgruntled infants.
"Don't you think you have fought enough today?" Takeru countered. "Personally, I'm kind of wiped out."
"You said that the next time we met, we would finish that fight. So why would you help me?"
"I'm pretty sure we fought and defeated the Digimon Kaiser."
"So I'm not the Kaiser anymore?" Ken was speaking to him self. "Does that really make me better? What if I just become worse than I was before?"
"I'm telling you, I don't care about that," Takeru sighed in frustration. Ken couldn't believe the words coming out of the boys mouth. "I couldn't stand what you did as the Kaiser, and will never forgive those actions. I couldn't help but feel sorrow for the digimon who gave his life for his partner who wasn't there for him anymore. I could only feel pity for that partner that came back only to find out that it was his own fault that his friend had died." Ken was being assaulted with all his actions and crimes he had committed. How could this boy not be hitting him like before.
"Yet those things are in the past, and no matter what I do, I can't do anything about them," Takeru's eyes hardened for a moment. "That digimon has a chance to comeback to someone who truly cares about him. That sad boy who did so much wrong can now only feel regret. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I left you two alone." It wasn't an act of complete kindness. Takeru acted for himself as much as he did for Wormmon and Ken.
"However…" Takeru wasn't finished, "if you do turn out just as bad as you were, or even worse, then I will keep my promise," Takeru gave a wide grin and a wink. "I'll take you down anytime, anywhere," he rose his fist at the boy. Patamon added that he too, would help take down Ken.
Ken was speechless. It wasn't confidence that gave the boy the strength to speak those words, it was resolution. Takeru would take on whatever would come from him. Takeru gave the impression he would fight no matter what came. It was almost scary. He could tell, that strong resolution didn't all come from positive places. Could he too use his awful feelings to push himself forward? He could only feel self destruction awaiting him if he tried. He had thought that Daisuke was an odd one, but this was incomprehensible. Daisuke was stupid enough for his own good. Takeru knew that his actions held consequences, but would fight and help someone anyway. Maybe even both at the same time.
"You're crazy," Ken finally spoke. "To help someone you don't believe in." Takeru's smile never left his face. "I hope for both our sakes, that you made the right choice." Ken left with his egg to return home.
Takeru walked over to where the baby digimon were sitting. They started jumping at him in annoyance. They couldn't believe that he just let the Digimon Kaiser walk away, and with a digiegg no less. Takeru didn't mind the assault. Their soft bodies did nothing but tickle him. "You guys sure are energetic," Takeru plopped down on the soft ground. The baby digimon stopped their, attack. Takeru laid back looking up at the sky.
"You can't blame them for being a little mad," Patamon laughed at his partner. He landed on Takeru's stomach. "They can't just forgive him that easily."
"It's not like I forgave him either," Takeru shot back. He looked Patamon in the eyes. "Do you think I did the right thing?"
Patamon knew how much of a loaded question that was. Takeru had been thinking about a lot of things, with dealing with the Kaiser. Facing a human was new for them and they weren't sure how to handle it. All in all, they were really lucky things didn't end up worse. "I don't know about all the complicated stuff but in the end you wanted to help Ken, right? That look he had when he found Wormmon's egg made me know for sure you were doing the right thing. A part of you even wanted to help the Kaiser back the base too."
Takeru looked back up to the sky. If Patamon thought his selfishness was the right thing to do, then it had to be so. He smiled knowing that he didn't have to deal with the Kaiser anymore. How he and the others would deal with Ken Ichijouji could come later. For now he just wanted to rest. He closed his eyes and waited for his well earned rest.
Why couldn't these digimon give it a rest? They were just trying to fix up the digital world, but someone had to get in the way. A golem was trying to destroy a whole city by breaking a dam. It didn't help that the others couldn't decide whether or not to kill the enemy. Now wasn't the time for hesitation. Hadn't he already decided on what to do a long time ago?
The group's digimon were knocked out during their argument. Now they wouldn't be able to help even if they wanted to. Takeru wouldn't let it end like that. That would be too pathetic. "Patamon, Digivolve!" The small digimon responded by engulfing itself in light. When it faded, there stood a tall white angel.
Everyone was surprised the blond's sudden out burst. Was he going to fight? The look in his eyes showed much more than that. Iori had to say something, "Are you going to destroy him?" The blond didn't give a response and his stare only grew harder. "You can't do that, what gives us the right?" How could his friend do something so cruel?
Takeru paid the others no mind. He focused solely on the enemy before him. "Angemon, attack from above," he ordered. The digimon complied and rose to the sky. It gained the advantage over it's grounded adversary.
Daisuke didn't understand what had came over his friend. He knew that Takeru and the older kids had killed digimon before, and he also knew that Takeru was one of the nicest kids there were. Did he too believe in Ken? He had heard more about how they went to Primary Village to find Wormmon's egg. "Do it Takeru," Daisuke encouraged. He had to believe in his friends.
Again Takeru didn't seem to hear the others. He watched as Angemon dodged flying boulders. "Get your attack ready." Angemon kept dodging as his right hand started to glow. Energy gathering bit by bit.
"Noooo, you can't," Miyako wailed. "He's a living thing, just like us." How could Takeru of all people be doing this? He seemed like he wouldn't even harm a fly. He was one of the people who was furthest from the tyrannical Ken. "Don't tell me you think Ken has changed too. How can you trust him?"
Once more Takeru drowned out his friends words, watching and waiting for the moment to attack. The moment the aggressor fired off a shot that would miss entirely. He saw his path to victory open before him. "There! Angemon move in from the front." The angel dived forward without anything stopping his progress.
Hikari could only watch with wonder. Takeru wasn't one to hide his emotions, even when he wanted to. The person she was looking at was the exact same as the little boy who protected her from Piemon. That boy who couldn't hide his tears back then couldn't hide is frustration and willingness now. Hikari herself didn't want to kill the enemy even though she knew there would be times where she wouldn't have a choice. She didn't know where his resolution came from but she believed in her friend. She knew he would do the right thing nonetheless. "Takeru…"
This on attack would put the monster in it's place. Angemon pulled back his fist. "Aim for the head," Takeru gave the final command. Angemon thrust his hand towards the creature's face.
What happened next was outside of Hikari's expectations. Instead of a beam firing out of his hand, Angemon grabbed tightly, onto the monsters face. The golem lost balance and this gave Angemon enough edge to push it off the dam. They crashed into the ravine below with Angemon not letting go the entire way. Angemon mounted the monster and tighten his grip.
Takeru took that moment's advantage to address his friends. "Believe in Ichijouji? It's got nothing to do with that." Everyone focused on the blond, trying to understand his motives. "The only thing that matters is that we stop the enemy before others get hurt. We can't hesitate. You have to seriously focus on your opponent even if that means putting it's life on the line."
The others were confused, to say the least. He spoke as if he would kill the enemy, but he wasn't, he was holding him back. His actions and words didn't match up to them. What did he mean by being serious? Hikari was the only one to grasp at what the blond was saying. Being serious didn't have to mean killing the enemy. She smiled at the fact that she could always trust Takeru to think of others.
A cracking noise stole their attention. They all looked to see the golem's face start to crumble away. A hard dark matter seemed to make up his insides. Like the outer layer of the digimon was some kind of fake skin. It was a fake digimon. Is that why Ken had no problem destroying these creatures? Before they could vocalize their thoughts, Angemon gave out a painful yell.
Everyone's eyes turned to the angel. They couldn't see what was wrong but he reverted back to Patamon. Takeru couldn't believe what happened. His eyes traced over the area for any attackers. He saw movement in the bushes but it wasn't an enemy, it was Ichijouji. He knew Ichijouji would help, so he rushed down the ravine to his partner that was left alone in favor of the dam.
He skidded to a stop to pick Patamon up. "I'm sorry Takeru," the small creature apologized. It wasn't his fault. Takeru himself wanted to understand what was going on. He was expecting the monster to talk, not break apart like some moving statue. He looked up at the dam. Hawkmon managed to digivolve to champion somehow and was fighting with Stingmon. Together they managed to save the town.
Everyone was celebrating the victory but Iori. His focus was on the boy at the bottom of the ravine. He couldn't let the look in Takeru's eyes go. They were so intense and angry. Did that digimon upset him that much? It was the same as the time he went off alone in the Kaiser's base. The boy who would seemingly destroy a living being, was the same to rushed down to check on his friend. Those actions didn't match up in Iori's mind. Weren't bad people only just that, bad? Takeru was just as much a mystery as Ken.
Takeru looked down at his partner once again. He thought back on the battle that just transpired. At the start, he too, hesitated like the others. Only when he seemingly shut them out, was he able to take things seriously. It's not like he ignored them completely, he just didn't let his worries about them get in the way of protecting them. He had plan to destroy the monster himself in the end if it came to that. He would have shouldered the responsibility by himself if Angemon hadn't dedigivolved. He patted Patamon's fur and stopped when he felt something odd.
Takeru pulled at the fur and something came up. Was Patamon shedding? He didn't remember his partner doing that before. He looked at the fur closer until he noticed it had a different color. It wasn't orange or cream colored, it was silver. What did it mean? Could this hair have attacked Angemon? Thinking back at all the digimon he had met, it wasn't out of the question. It would also explain why he dedigivolved. He looked harder at the hair and remembered what Palmon had said before he jumped down. That mysterious woman controlled hair. Who was she, really?
Takeru really couldn't care less about who this silver haired digimon was anymore. Created to destroy the digital world? It didn't help that she didn't answer any of their questions. It also didn't help that his friends were having the same problem yet again. He remembered what happened last time. They didn't bring it up, but he knew it bothered them. While they were still talking he dedigivolved Pegasusmon.
"Then please let me do it? That way you won't have to dirty your hands," Ken spoke up. He was the one who created the towers that Arukenimon turned into digimon. He would be the one to carry out the burden of killing someone.
"That doesn't make you sound cool, you know," Takeru gabbed the attention. "How about we find a way to restrain her? That way we can get some real answers out of her." The others could agree with that.
"Foolish," Arukenimon taunted. "It's that tenderheartedness that will be your undoing. DIE!" She fired her Spider Thread at the children. Paildramon intercepted the attack and brushed it off. The children couldn't stand this monster who wouldn't stay down, yet most didn't have it in them to kill it either.
"Well that's a shame," Takeru smirked, "and I really liked my idea. Didn't you, Angemon?" Angemon came from behind Arukenimon and grabbed at her neck. He forced her face down to the wooden floor and called for Paildramon to tie her up with it's claws, perfect. "How about I play the bad guy today, Ichijouji?" Takeru kept his smile as he made his was towards the spider woman.
The rest of the group were again puzzled by their friend's aggressive behavior. Would this be the same as with that golem monster? Iori and Miyako wanted Arukenimon stopped but they didn't want her killed. Daisuke trusted Ken, who was willing to kill the spider digimon, and he was willing to fallow his partner's lead. Hikari still trusted Takeru, even if he was acting a bit too antagonistic for her liking at the moment. Things need to be done. What truly bothered her was the boy's light attitude to the situation.
The only one who had the best idea of what was about to happen was Ken. The way he asked to play the "bad guy" brought up a memory he'd rather forget. Would Takeru really taunt Arukenimon as if she were the Kaiser? It was crazy, even if she was restrained. Daisuke had told him about the fight at the dam before his arrival. The others had only seen half of what Takeru was like when he was upset. Ken felt that he hadn't even seen what the blond could really be like, especially for someone he would willing killing.
Arukenimon couldn't believe she was taken off guard. She had noticed that the little pig dedigivolve, but not when he had got behind her. Had those kids planed this far ahead? No, the blond seemed to be acting on his own. Not to mention that he had the gall to walk towards her. A mere human would try and intimidate her? What kind of bad joke was this? He'd better not think he would get anything out of her just because she was tied up for the moment. She just had to buy time.
Arukenimon gazed up at the blue eyed boy looking down on her. They longer helding that slightly teasing expression. She didn't think a human's eye could get that sharp.
"How about you really start talking to us and we don't have to do anything drastic." Takeru proposed with a light smile. He needed to hold himself back for his friend's shake. Unlike the time with Ichijouji, he held an advantage. He would try to mostly use that instead of just taunting the monster.
"You brats don't have it in you to do me in," Arukenimon spat back. Who did this kid think he was? He was in no position to be demanding things from her. He was just a brat who couldn't finish off an enemy. She would show him not to mess with her. "Acid-," her attack was cut short with her face quickly coming in contact with the wooden floor. The hand around her neck tightened and she felt a foot push down on her head. That didn't compare to the backlash from her own attack. It seared at the wood and caused her senses to go into over drive. Her eyes watered, her nose ran with mucus and she couldn't help but drool. It's as if she was hit with pepper spray. She was sent into a fit of coughing and sneezing.
Takeru's plan of holding himself back was abruptly cut short as he pulled his foot back from atop the arachnid's head. He pulled at her hair to lift her face up. It was a mess; "disgusting," he muttered, letting her go. "Look we both know you're not that strong. If you were, then you wouldn't have to set up all these traps, or fight us with artificial digimon." Takeru didn't know if his emotional attack was working but it made him feel better, so he kept it up. "Or could it be that you don't know anything at all?" He had set out some bait. "I mean, a being of destruction would focus on just that, wouldn't they? Yet you seem to keep coming after us. Just destroy something far away form us and run off like the little pest that you are."
Arukenimon's mind was a mess. The acid distracted her mind, and the boys words angered her soul. Had he really figured her out? She had to buy more time. She could only say the first thing that came to mind. "I'm not a bug," She glared up at the boy.
"I didn't call you one," Takeru chuckled. He crouched down closer to her level. He smiled, "don't get me wrong, it's not like I'll beat the information out of you." His mouth relaxed and his eyes glared, "I will however, kill you if you don't" He finally gave a genuine grin and offered his hand, "That's why I'd be grateful if you accepted my offer. Even if you honestly tell me that you don't know anything, I promise to still let you go."
The rest of the group was as quiet as a mouse. Human and digimon alike couldn't make a single noise. This was something completely different from what they were used to. They all felt the tense atmosphere weigh them down. What would their enemy choose to do; more importantly, would their friend keep his promise?
Petrified wasn't even a good enough word to describe Arukenimon. In just a few words this boy had asserted himself as the superior in this situation. She had never felt being at a greater disadvantage. He was in a position to keep his word, both of them. Yet what bothered her the most was his face. A smile and a hand promising her salvation, and eyes that would readily watch her destruction if she declined. She'd lost the battle long ago but only now did she fell defeated. "I..."She began.
"I think it's about time we played a different game," a mysterious voice called out. Everyone turned to see a figure dressed in blue on the closet chair.
"Mummymon…" Arukenimon whispered.
Not taking any time explain himself, Mummymon transformed into his namesake. He rose his rifle and fired at Paildramon making him lose his grip on Arukenimon and the ground beneath him. The other digimon charged at their new foe only to be wrapped in his bandages. He noticed that the angel hadn't moved and inch, still holding on to Arukenimon. Why hadn't she escaped?
Mummymon pointed his rifle at the blond boy next to his comrade, "let her go." The boy just shook his head. He shot at the floor in front of the boy, "that wasn't a question."
"How about you come get her, and leave?" Takeru asked. They were at the disadvantage with Paildramon stunned and the rest down for the count. He needed to keep what ever advantage he had. He couldn't let Arukenimon go off on her own. She seemed like she couldn't fight anymore but he need to play it safe and keep the two monsters together. That way he and his friends wouldn't be surrounded.
"You aren't in the position to be making demands," Mummymon fired his rifle again, this time at the boy's leg. What he didn't expect was for his target to be replaced with another. His shot hit one of Arukenimon's many legs and she wailed in pain. "You monster!" He couldn't believe such cruelty could come from a child.
"I'm just protecting myself. Your friend tried the same thing and it didn't work out for her either, so don't feel too bad about it." Takeru had to start taking more drastic measures to speed things up. He had to play the situation well with the cards he had. "I'll make this clear, Arukenimon is too dangerous to keep around. Seeing that she has a friend makes things even worse. I should just go ahead and destroy her so we don't have two monster makers on our hands."
"Don't you dare!" Mummymon yelled. "She is the only one who can even make digimon from dark towers. I'm just the muscle." Mummymon had to make sure Arukenimon got out okay. He couldn't bare it if she got hurt anymore than she already had.
Lucky! Takeru didn't think the mummy would unravel that easily. He must of had wrappings in his head instead of brains. Now all he needed to do was get them to leave without realizing their advantage. "Well I guess you should come get her and leave before one of us kills her," Takeru pushed.
Mummymon didn't know why this was so hard. He just had to run down there, get Arukenimon, and leave. He also knew that if he ran away like that, she would be mad at him. A mad Arukenimon wasn't bad, but one that praised him was better. He had to take a chance. "How about you let her go and I don't zap your friends," The mummy lied. Once he had Arukenimon back, the two would kill those horrible kids.
The rest of the children gasped at the threat. They all called out for their digimon to dedigivolve. Daisuke yelled for Paildramon to get up. This was the worst outcome. Even if they did dedigivolve they would still be covered in bandages. Mummymon would shoot at the slightest movement, so they wouldn't be able to untangle themselves in time and escape.
"I'll give you to the count of ten to let her go," Mummymon ordered. He rose his rifle at the bandaged digimon. "Or you could just let her go now?"
Ken couldn't help but feel this was all his fault as he heard his friends yell for their digimon. He looked over at Takeru, who's face was just as distressed as everyone else. The yells from his friends and their partners seemed to be taking a toll on the blond's conscience as well.
Ken looked closer at Takeru because he seemed to have noticed something in that distress. Takeru turned to his left to face his partner. Ken couldn't see his face but he noticed that Takeru turned his neck and body just a little bit too much just to look at someone. The blond chosen was discreetly glancing at something behind him. Ken too turned his gaze, to his left. It was Paildramon; he was waking up. This was there chance, if Takeru took out Arukenimon, then it would be a two on one fight in their favor.
Ken looked over his partner and was hit with a deep realization. Paildramon wasn't in any condition to fight. He had about one more attack in him. Takeru seemed to have noticed as well. Ken racked his brain for a solution. He just had to tap into the genius he once had.
Like a bolt of lighting Ken was struck with inspiration. "Paildramon, you need to get up and protect the others," he called out. He looked over to Daisuke to prompt him to yell the same. He just hopped Takeru would catch on as well.
"That useless digimon can't help you," Mummymon laughed. He looked over to Takeru, "Or your friend." He started his count…
10…
Takeru had to think fast. He couldn't just let Arukenimon go. They would gang up on them if he did. He couldn't just kill her either because even if Paildramon got up he wouldn't last, and the rest of the digimon were spent too.
9…
The yelling didn't help at all. Conflicting cries of, "don't worry". Yells to, "get up". Screams of, "protecting everyone…" That was it! He had to take a chance.
8…
"Aren't you counting a bit too slowly?" Takeru bluffed. "Count as much as you want but your friend is dying before you reach zero." Takeru bluffed like he never bluffed before.
5…
Mummymon was stunned. He couldn't believe the situation he was in. The boy had took the count-down as his own. Arukenimon had always described the children as babies who had too much power to know what to do with, spineless brats. Yet here was a "brat" that just had a champion, and yet he had taken control of the whole situation. He wanted to run and rescue Arukenimon this very moment. To take her as far away from that small, blue eyed demon as quickly as he could. Yet he knew that the boy wouldn't risk his friend's partners. He just need to call the boy out on his bluff.
4…
Angemon's grip tightened and started to glow.
3…
Mummymon rifle shook in suspense.
2…
The other children had their voices taken away except for Ken. They didn't know how to process what was happening. Again their blond friend was acting in a way that betrayed his character. The way he spoke to Arukenimon was off putting, but now betting the lives of their partners was too much to take in. What could be running through his mind?
1…
Arukenimon was also at the end of her rope. The angel's grip just kept getting tighter as the time decreased. She couldn't even breath anymore. To think, she would be deleted before killing those brats. She wondered if she would reform into a digiegg after having her throat crushed.
"Z-," Takeru was stopped as the mummy's rifle shot a blue stream of energy into the air. He looked close at his adversary, not letting up his act in the slightest.
"I give," Mummymon rose his other hand in the air with his weapon. "I'm coming over now," Mummymon trudged over with his arms still up and tears in his eyes.
How could all of this have happened? Only that thought could replay in Mummymon's mind. He was now in front of the boy looking down into his blue eyes. Those eyes told no lies. Once the boy had reached zero, Arukenimon would have been killed. He had come to realize that killing her wasn't the bluff. It was the boy's feelings about it that were. The boy's will, hid his fear of the digimon being killed. The blond's eyes made sure that the only thing felt by Mummymon was the intention to kill Arukenimon. Mummymon accepted his loss.
Angemon released Arukenimon and she fell onto the mummy. He gingerly picked her up and turned away for him and his partner. Mummymon gave on last teary backwards glance at the boy and dashed out of the house though the back. Angemon let out a sigh of relief and dedigivolved back to Patamon. He landed on his partner's head who also let out a huge sigh.
"That was too close," Takeru relaxed. He didn't think he would make a mummy cry today. He made his way to the digimon and helped them get the bandaging off. They had reverted to their smaller forms but they were still covered from head to toe in wrappings. The others came over as well. He looked at Ken who was now carrying Leafmon. "Thanks for the support," he smiled.
Daisuke was confused. A lot of things had just happened that he couldn't really understand, but he got that everything worked out alright. That said, how had Ken helped out in that crazy situation? "What do you me?" he asked.
"He means when we yelled for Paildramon to protect everyone," Ken explained. "That way he didn't have to worry about the others getting hurt and we could take the advantage." Daisuke made a face that showed he still didn't get all of it. "But I wonder why you didn't destroy Arukenimon when you noticed?" Ken asked for his DNA partner's sake.
"Well, Paildramon didn't look like he was up for another fight and Angemon can't really handle a full powered ultimate," Takeru got up. "Also…" he looked away a little embarrassed. "I did promise I'd let her go if we got any information. Mummymon gave us enough so it was fine to let her escape."
"Jeez, you had me going there!" Miyako exclaimed as he hugged Hawkmon. "You were so scary back there. So much for 'playing the bad guy'. I knew you were a big softy on the inside." She patted at the younger blond's back in relief.
"I think he did a good job acting," Hikari added. To an untrained ear, it would sound like she praised Takeru's actions. Yet, the look on her face as she tended to Tailmon showed something else.
Iori was the only one left in silence as he picked up Armadillomon. He once again thought over his blond friends actions. He thought over once again how his friend could have that look on his face. Once again, thought about how quickly it could change.
Iori looked over his friends to see if they had noticed the same thing. Daisuke had a look of complacency on his face. Most likely thinking of how they won over Arukenimon. Miyako was ranting about them coming into the trap in the first place. They really hadn't learned anything that could help them in the long run and the risk wasn't worth the danger. Hikari kept her eyes on Tailmon but he could tell her focus was elsewhere. Most likely on Takeru, seeing as those two seemed to be close, even back in their first adventure. Finally, Ken kept a close grip on Leafmon. How had he and Takeru pick up on the same things in that commotion?
Iori couldn't help but notice the similarities between the two. By the two of them, he really meant Takeru and the Kaiser. They seemed ruthless and didn't shy away from harming their enemy in anyway. Iori didn't want to hurt anyone more than needed, so killing was completely out of the question. Yet that wasn't what bothered him the most. Even if their actions seemed to be the same, how they did it was different. The Kaiser didn't seem to care about who he was hurting but Takeru seemed to be over flowing with feelings when fighting. How could someone who cared so much still be able to willingly take a life.
Takeru looked around at his companions. He could see that they were stressed. How could they not be. A new enemy appeared while the old one wasn't even taken care of. He closed his eyes and rubbed at his face. Mummymon's teary eyes still on his mind. Had he gone too far? No, he hadn't, he didn't have a choice. Once again, he wasn't able to settle things. Maybe if Patamon could digivolve to ultimate again….
Even with his eyes still closed, Takeru perked at the sound of his friends calling out to him. He wondered how long he could keep up this strained relationship with them. It always seemed like his actions would mess things up with them. He felt that it wasn't far off, that he would scare them away. However, their shouting made him feel like that time was further than he thought it was.
The yelling got louder, yet his friends seemed farther away. Takeru strained to open his eyes. He was laying face down on the ground. How had he gotten there? He looked over to see MagnaAngemon fighting off BlackWarGerymon in a futile battle. He managed to turn his head to see the Holy Stone on his other side. That's right, he ended up this way because MagnaAngemon was being forced back. He hand ran out with his digivice in hand in some inane attempt to stop the dragon-man. The light from the device did stop the attack but after that, the beast regained it's bearings it swiped him into the stone. He could feel the shallow cuts on his chest sting as blood started to gather at the ground.
MagnaAngemon wasn't doing much better. Even digivolved, he didn't seem to be fighting on equal grounds. He was doing slightly better than the others had done. Whether if it was because of the stone or his type, it didn't matter because it still wasn't enough. The gate of destiny was destroyed and he didn't have any other tricks up his sleeves. It didn't help that the others tired themselves out fighting Arukenimon and Mummymon, and had dedigivolved. He just counted himself lucky that those two were also to tired to fight.
Takeru could only anguish as he realized that he still wasn't able to do anything. He was once again, powerless to stop another catastrophe. Hadn't he be trying hard to make sure something like this wouldn't happen? So even if this did happen, he would be able to do something about it? Had his efforts been in vain? He griped at the ground beneath him and pushed himself to his knees, his hands still holding the ground for support. Even if it was worthless, he wouldn't give up until the end. He would regret it forever if he gave up.
Oh, so you want to keep fighting, even like that?
What? Who's voice was that? Takeru could still hear his friends yelling for him to move, yet that odd voice over took all of them.
Why try so hard, boy; isn't this a pretty futile battle?
That didn't matter. He couldn't give up when he could still fight. He couldn't give up when MagnaAngemon was still fighting.
So you want the power to destroy your enemies?
No... It may seem that way but that was just means to and end. If he could handle things differently he would take it, but he also wouldn't shy away from what needed to be done.
So it's the power to protect?
That still felt wrong. That wasn't enough sometimes. He had protected his friends before but look at where they were know. He didn't regret what he did but he felt he needed more than that.
More?
He didn't want to regret anything anymore.
You're wishing for the impossible.
He knew it was. If he was anything he was realistic, a life without regret was impossible. That wasn't something he'd ever wish for. It was something to live by. Something spurred by events long ago. He just couldn't give in. Just like how the Angel never gave into the devil.
So, that's the image that motivates you?
Takeru couldn't seem to think anymore. It seemed the stress had gotten to him and his mind was trying to figure out how he had gotten to this point. He thought he had already made peace with his way of life. Did he push too far, or was his will weaker than he thought? Was he too weak for this aggressive life style?
You are anything but weak, boy. You have earned the right to power. Touch your hand to the stone.
Takeru was shocked to say the least. He had been talking to the stone this entire time, and in his mind no less. Yet he was weary. He had never just been given power before. He had always had to earn it in some way. He looked towards MagnaAngemon as the only example of power just seeming to fall upon him.
Don't worry, all power come with a price, but regret it later.
Takeru could only marvel at the stone. It gave such an untrustworthy line. He couldn't help but chuckle. It was right. He pushed himself to face the stone while now resting on his knee. He straightened out his back and placed his left hand upon the stone. It glowed with it's brightest light yet. Everyone had to cover their eyes from the strain it put on them. The only one who looked into the intense brightness was Takeru. Whatever this was, he needed to face it head on. He would, "regret it later".
An: A new story focusing on my favorite character! Takeru is really interesting in that 02 doesn't really explore him. I could say the same for Hikari but even she had some character development on her own. When it came to Takeru, only vague hints were given.
I don't buy into most of the Darkeru stuff, but I do find that more aggressive aspect the most interesting. I don't see Takeru as hiding his emotions if you can tell from my past story, so I have to write in a way where the other parts come out naturally. I worry that I might make him too aggressive but this is supposed to be building up, so I think it's fine in the end. Speaking of the build up; while not completely rushed, the story is just kind of laid out there. I didn't want to rewrite the whole season for this story so I had to write just the necessities. It was suppose to give a dream like aspect but I ended up writing for the other characters so….
I'm now putting more effort into the other characters even if in the long run they're playing off of Takeru. I don't think I'm that good at writing the 02 characters other than Ken. For characters with such strong character traits, I think their actual character is rather weak, but that's more of a problem I have with the show's writing. To be honest I don't even like how Ken was handled but now I'm just complaining.
In all honesty this story is something to clear my head for a retelling I want to write for adventure. Throw out as many ideas I don't need here. Yet the story it self was something I wanted to write as well. The original idea just became to large and different, that these parts just had to be cut off, but there is more than enough here for a small story.
Now about the writing style. I didn't think I'd be a person to mix and match the English and Japanese terms, yet here I am. Japanese names, English levels, don't get me started on the digimon. I'd like to say I'm picking what's best, but it's really what ever comes to mind first. This story is going to be really loose so….
Now that I've rambled on long enough, all I can say is look forward to the rest of the story. Review if you can and I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please look forward to a very aggressive, Takeru centric plot.
