Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. Sometimes I wonder whether or not I even own my own ideas. I mean, don't I just synthesize what I see, hear, and read into something else? Food for thought.


Chapter 3: Fire and Ice

"There's nothing there."

"Stop making stuff up, dumbass."

"Is this some perverted way of crying for attention?"

"Seriously, you're frigging twelve. Grow up already!"

No one believed him when he told them about the things he saw.

"But I'm not lying. There really is something on your shoulder. It's red with purple stripes and-"

"Enough already! How long are you going to keep this up?" Satsuki Himi demanded. Huge emerald eyes stared back at her. "Why can't you act normal for once?"

Not even his own mother.

So he convinced himself that everything was a figment of his imagination. The creatures lurking around every street corner and hanging out on the rooftops were not real. There were no such things as walking plants. Dinosaurs were extinct. None of this existed.

And it had worked. Until he started hearing a voice in his head.

People only see what they want to see.

Denying it doesn't make it any less real.

Once the voices started, his parents pulled him out of school. They locked him away in his room so that he would not bring more shame to the Himi name. Not even his brother, Yutaka, was allowed to see him. He was considered a freak, a threat to society.

Do you want to show them what we can really do?

No, he did not. Tommy just wanted all of it to go away.

Xxx

In an abandoned building across the street, three figures were observing the scene as ice crystals spontaneously materialized outside of Tommy's window.

"Do you think he knows what he's doing?" Zoe asked.

"Probably not. He's letting his emotions run wild," J.P. speculated as they watched the young child clasp his hands around his ears. The burly thunder user cracked his knuckles.

"Wait a second! What are you going to do?" Takuya asked, shocked.

"Eliminating the source of the ice storms. It's what we came here to do," the hacker answered as electricity crackled at his fingertips.

"Nooo! You just said that he doesn't know what he's doing!" Takuya exclaimed. Arms flailing, he jumped in front of the older teen.

"What should we do then?" J.P. demanded. He waved a hand at the window. "Do you feel that? The surge in energy around that boy is unmistakable. Pretty soon, Mon of all kinds will be flocking here, drawn to the power of his Mon. And judging by the extent of the Mon's powers, there's no hope of saving his Kode."

"What a shame. He's so young." Zoe frowned. The Fire Warrior seemed to visibly deflate.

"What if he becomes one of us?" Takuya asked suddenly.

"Say what?" His friends exclaimed.

"What if I can talk him into forming a contact with his Mon and joining Fractal?" Takuya said. Gaining momentum, he quickly added, "You said that it's really powerful, right? It would never hurt to add an ice user to our team."

"It could work," J.P. conceded. "But-"

"Please just give it a shot," the gogglehead begged. The expressions of the two more experienced agents softened.

"Alright. You have one hour to convince him to join our side," Zoe stated. "If it doesn't work, we eliminate him just like any other advanced Mon possession case. Absolutely no arguments."

The fire user clapped his hands together in front of his face. "Don't worry! He'll join us. You'll see," he affirmed as he jumped out the window.

"That boy…" Zoe sighed.

"Sentimentality will be the death of him."

Xxx

"This is going to be annoying," Kouji mentally sighed from his perch on the rafters of an abandoned warehouse. From his vantage point, he observed as two adults (if he could still call them that) brutally whipped a small boy tied to a chair. One of the adults was covered in bandages from head to toe, as if he had just walked out of an Egyptian sarcophagus. The other was a female with long white hair. Her upper body resembled that of a woman, but her lower body was shaped like a spider. As he watched the events unfold, he thought back to his mission briefing.

"There have been numerous reports of children going missing around the southern docks in Sector 8. Evidence suggests to us that some high-level Mon might be involved. Your job is to rescue the kids and kill the Mon responsible."

"I have a feeling that I won't be able to fulfill the first part of the assignment," the raven-haired Warrior thought as he surveyed the floor below. The corpses of children ages 2 to 7 were strewn throughout the warehouse, without a doubt stripped of their Kode. The stench of the decaying bodies did not seem to faze the couple at all. They just continued their torment of their remaining victim. "I have to do something fast or he won't make it either," Kouji mused. The whip cut into pale flesh as the poor tike's green jumper was reduced to shreds.

Thinking quickly, Kouji tossed a lit firecracker into the far corner of the room. As the two individuals turned to investigate the disturbance, he jumped and landed behind the boy. With a short dagger, he cut through the victims' bonds with ease. Kouji was about to pick him up and hoist him to safety when a stream of sticky thread whizzed past the Warrior's ear.

"What do you think you're doing, Fractal scum?" the spider-lady sneered.

Kouji shrugged. "Freeing a helpless little kid from the clutches of an old hag and her boy toy," he answered, nonchalantly.

"What did you say?!" she screamed. Arukeni was quite proud of the host that she had managed to acquire. The human used to be an international model before the Mon ate her Kode and stole her body. In Arukeni's opinion, she was the epitome of beauty.

"Don't you dare talk to my pumpkin that way!" Mummy yelled. He had eaten the Kode of the model's buffoon of a mate in order to stay by the side of his beloved Arukeni.

"I tell it as it is," Kouji said. Nudging the little boy clinging to his arm, he instructed, "Go hide behind that stack of crates for now. It won't take long to deal with these freak shows." The former hostage nodded and scurried off as he was told.

"Insolent brat!" Arukeni shot another sticky mass of webbing at Kouji's head. The Warrior sliced the projectile in half with one of his swords. He flicked his other sword at the spiderwoman's legs. The blade tore through one of her lower appendages before flying back into his outstretched hand like a boomerang.

"Aaaahhh!" Arukeni yelled as she toppled to the ground.

"You'll pay for that!" Mummy screamed as he sent a wave of musky bandages in Kouji's direction.

Xxx

They don't believe you. But I do. I'll always be here for you.

"Shut up!" Tommy screeched.

"Whoa there. Easy, buddy," Takuya coaxed. He had slipped through the second story window just a few seconds prior.

"Aaaahhh!" Tommy dove behind his mahogany dresser.

"Relax. I'm not here to hurt you. Well, technically I am, but that's-" Takuya rambled.

"Who are you?" Tommy interrupted, still trembling in apprehension.

"Err...Takuya Kanbara, Fractal Warrior at your service." The older boy stared at the child who seemed to be torn between talking and screaming his head off. To be completely honest, he was expecting some more resistance from someone with such a strong Mon.

"What do you want with me?" the younger boy inquired. Huh. It appeared that he opted for the first choice.

"That depends." Takuya put a gloved hand on his chin. "I guess I came here to give you an ultimatum: make a contract with your Mon and join Fractal or my friends-" he jerked a thumb in Zoe and J.P.'s direction "-will be forced to kill you."

"M-my what? And what?" Tommy stammered. His parents had always called him a menace to society. Maybe society had finally decided to take care of him once and for all?

"You see them, don't you?"

"Huh?"

"The little monsters crawling all over the place. They're called Mon for short. Your room is practically infested with them." The two scanned the area. Sure enough, small Level 1 and 2 Mon were clinging to the walls and furniture. They ranged from black cat heads to irregular pink blobs.

"Wait. You see them too?" Tommy asked. "They're real?" With this remark, Tommy crawled out from his hiding place and stood in front of Takuya.

"Of course!" Takuya paused. "To both questions."

"But no one else can see them." The possessed boy was intrigued with the suggestion that someone might have shared his experiences. That he was not alone.

"The only people that can see these things have Mon that let them do so. Aguni, my Mon, grants me this ability so that I can do my job as a Warrior-eliminating Mon that get out of hand." Takuya's gaze hardened. "Like yours."

"So one of those creepy things is inside me? And it's out of control?" Tommy asked, fearfully.

"At the moment," Takuya responded. The younger brunette visibly tensed. "You need to rein in your powers. The energy levels you're giving off are bound to attract some nasty visitors."

"B-But I don't know how," Tommy whimpered.

"Do you hear a voice inside your head? One that doesn't belong?" Tommy hesitated before nodding his head. "That's your Mon. Form a contract with it, and make it your partner. Then, you'll be able to use its ice abilities at will."

"A contract?" echoed Tommy. "What's-" Takuya abruptly silenced him with a raised finger. The Warrior seemed to be listening intently to the wall, his head cocked to the side.

"Something's coming this way," he announced. As if on cue, an explosion sounded from the first floor of the building. Terrified screams pierced the air.

Xxx

Kouji relaxed his muscles as Mummy's bandages wrapped around his right wrist. With a sharp jerk, he caused the Mon to lose his balance. The Warrior twisted his body and brought his leg crashing down onto Mummy's neck. Stunned, Mummy fell to his knees. Arukeni chose this moment to send a web at the former child hostage. Kouji was unfazed. He tossed a dust bomb at the sticky netting. The debris clung to the threads, rendering them harmless. Taking advantage of the low visibility, the agent dashed towards the injured Arukeni.

Not to be outdone, Arukeni changed back to her two-legged form and sidestepped Kouji's deadly blades. She grabbed a fistful of her hair and muttered, "Spirit Needle!" As if hexed, the white strands floated out of her grasp and merged into the nearest inanimate objects. The items morphed into small armored spiders. "Attack, my babies!" Together, the creatures spit poison at the lone Warrior.

"That's new," Kouji thought as he somersaulted behind a crate. After a few seconds of consideration, he threw a metal circle over the box. Four blades popped out from the device. The blades spun rapidly, creating a miniature tornado that blew the tiny arachnids into the walls. "Gotta thank Zoe for that little gadget later." When the winds died down, Kouji leaped out from his hiding place with his twin swords poised to strike. However, the Mon was nowhere to be seen.

"Crap. Takuya's sloppiness is wearing off on me," Kouji said. A groan brought his attention to his previous opponent. Mummy was stirring from his spot on the warehouse floor. Kouji rolled his eyes, "Die already!" One flick of his wrist later, a twirling sword separated the Mon's head from the rest of his body.

Xxx

Spider-shaped Mon flooded the streets after Arukeni's Spirit Needle attack. All of them were headed towards the Himi residence.

Zoe sighed. "Looks like we have company."

"I told Takuya that this would happen," said J.P. He slipped on his brass knuckles while the blonde readied her fan.

"Regardless, we did promise him an hour," Zoe shrugged as she opened the window.

"Guess we gotta keep our word, eh?"

The two snickered as they plunged into the sea of insects.

Xxx

"Mom! Dad! Yutaka!" Tommy cried. The pair raced down the stairs to the source of the racket.

"Not good," Takuya breathed. The room was being overrun by hundreds of spider-shaped Mon. The rest of the Himi family was hanging from the ceiling, tightly encased in silvery white cocoons. A woman clad in red ran her bony fingers over the threads. Half of her head was bald. The other half was covered with what seemed to be white hair.

"I was wondering where all of that power was leaking from," Arukeni said. She smiled at Tommy. "Now give it to me!" she yelled. "Go, my pets!" The spiders leaped at the two brunettes.

"Sorry. He's ours," Takuya stated. He drew three darts from his belt and set them aflame. Turning to face Tommy, "You save your folks. I'll take care of this bitch."

"I never said I'm coming with you!"

The fire user laughed. "I told you already. It's that or die. Not really much of a choice if you ask me." Tommy just stared as Takuya struck down thirty spiders with his pyro darts. The fire user charged headfirst at Arukeni, fist outstretched.

"I have no choice," Tommy repeated. He dashed to the three cocoons and started tearing at the strands. Despite his efforts, the fibers refused to budge. His eyes were brimming with tears. "Nothing's working. I need to get them out. But how?" The little boy scanned the room for anything that he could use. He paused at the frost clinging to the windowpane. "Form a contract," he answered himself. Closing his eyes, he searched deep within himself for the presence that had always been there.

Xxx

Tommy opened his eyes to frozen tundra. Gigantic glaciers rose from the snow-covered ground. Against the laws of gravity, intricate snowflakes were suspended in midair. Instinctively, he knew that he should have been cold. He was only wearing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts after all. A white cloud formed in front of his face every time he exhaled. However, his imperviousness to cold was the least of his concerns. There was a reason why he came to this kingdom of ice. And that reason stood directly before him in the form of a white polar bear with an assault rifle on his back.

Well, hi there. The bear grinned. What brings you to the mindscape?

"I need your help." Tommy swallowed. "Please lend me your power."

The bear chuckled. I've been waiting a long time to hear that.

"Takuya said something about a contract. What do I have to do?" Tommy asked.

The Mon stepped forward. Are you willing to open your Kode to me?

The boy nodded.

Alright, Tomoki Himi. The bear placed his icy paws on the brunette's forehead. Where the two touched, a glowing green light appeared. In exchange for your Kode, I hereby bestow upon you the powers of ice. Seal this contract by calling my name. The bear faded from view as the entire scene dissipated.

Xxx

"It's time to show them what we can do," Tommy said when he returned to the real world. For the first time in years, the brunette smiled with confidence. "KUMA!" he shouted with his hand raised in a peace sign. He felt the Mon's power flowing through his entire body. It was as if his core had become one with the ice. Instead of being unyielding and cold, Tommy's ice was pure and clean. Although ice was generally considered fragile, Tommy's essence was not so easily broken. His bond with Kuma gave him new strength to defeat his foes.

Tommy took a deep breath and blew frigid air onto the cocoons. The silver threads froze instantly. "Hiya!" Tommy cried as he punched through the brittle strands to free his unconscious family members from their confinement.

Xxx

From across the room, a gogglehead watched as Tommy broke through the cocoons. "Looks like he'll be fine," Takuya thought, affectionately. Turning his attention back to his own fight, he smirked at Arukeni. The Warrior had finished off all of her spider spawn with his darts. Only the insect master was left, and even she was looking worse for wear, with parts of her skin completely charred beyond recognition. "Time to get serious."

"Don't count me out just yet," Arukeni said. She ripped out a handful of her white locks and screamed, "Spirit Nee-" Her cry was interrupted when gloved hand appeared from out of nowhere and pulled her backwards by her hair. The other hand grabbed her wrist in a death grip. The spiderwoman's eyes widened in fear. When had he slipped behind her?

Takuya whispered into her ear, "I'm not quite sure what you have in mind but I'm assuming that you need this to do it." With that remark, tendrils of flame shot out of his palms and traveled up Arukeni's hair, setting the pure strands of white ablaze.

"N-NOOOO!" Arukeni shrieked. Her precious hair crumbled to ash before her very eyes.

"You're finished," Takuya stated arms wrapped around her from behind. In another instance, the pose would have looked quite romantic. As it were, the position only filled the lady with dread. The Warrior retrieved another dart from his belt and stabbed Arukeni. Straight through the heart. The motion was so quick that only a few drops of blood trickled from the wound before the possessed woman crumbled to the ground.

A shadow fell across her prone figure. "Seems as if you took care of my pest problem," Kouji said to his partner. He was holding a small child in his arms. Upon seeing Arukeni's body, the bandanna-wearing Warrior's young charge shuddered uncontrollably. "Hey, kid, what's wrong?" Kouji looked uncharacteristically worried about the little dark-haired boy.

"M-mom, mom!" he wailed.

"Mom?" the Warriors repeated in shock.

"You'll pay!" the child shouted. He opened his mouth to reveal two rows of sharpened fangs and bit down on Kouji's arm.

"You little brat! You've been possessed too!" Kouji yelled as he shook the child onto the ground. Takuya took a defensive stance, eyeing the false hostage with caution.

The kid attempted to stand, but a bolt of lightning struck the kid back down. "Hehe...hope we're not too late," J.P. said as he entered the house with Zoe at his heels. They had cleared the nearby streets of Arukeni's minions with their combined thunder and wind attacks.

"Thanks a lot, you guys!" Takuya beamed. "Hey, Kouji, are you okay?"

The gogglehead only received a pained grunt in reply. The blue-haired Warrior was desperately clawing at the teeth marks on his left shoulder. His face had turned frighteningly pale, and his breathing had become increasingly labored. Before the other Warriors could react, the teen swayed and fell onto the cold ceramic floor.

"Kouji! KOUJI!"


A/N: Geez. That was a long chapter. For me, anyway. I have issues writing things this length, so please don't expect this much from me in the future. I just couldn't figure out a good place to stop midway, and I really wanted to end with that particular scene. This was my first time writing a fight scene, and of course, I decide to have multiple (bangs head on desk). I was going to have Zoe and J.P. fight onscreen, but it was just too much for one chapter. Don't worry, they'll get their chance to shine. Eventually. Hopefully, this story is living up to your expectations. It's my first multichapter, so I would love to know what you think of it so far. Please read and review!