A/N: Next up – part one of the Tower stuff. Brave Story familiars will be able to guess what's coming. Kouichi chapter too. :D

Two other notes. One, the main series has four books, and while each focuses on a different set of main characters, the stories are continuous. So the journeys of Takuya, Kouichi, Kouji and Tomoki don't end with this book!

Second…though I've finished writing this first book, exams are also knocking at my door hence the delay with posting this chapter and possible delay with posting the rest. Hopefully come next weekend the exam will be over and done with and I can start writing instalment number two. It's always exciting to start sequels!

Enjoy!

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Wish Journeys 1.1
Three Brothers

Chapter 21/Tomoki

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They teleported to the Infinite Ice Ridge, and it looked like a winter wonderland from the outside. Until they stepped on the ice. And Kouichi had them walking on air so they wouldn't slip again.

Still, Tomoki wished they had skates. But he didn't ask. Considering why they were there, it wasn't really appropriate. And he didn't see Bokomon being much of skater. Neemon might manage quite well actually.

He squashed that thought. They weren't ice-skating and that was that.

What they were doing was going somewhere potentially dangerous. But also possibly not.

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It turned out to be a bit of both. There was a very mouthy rock guarding the entrance, and Takuya for some reason made a particularly nasty impression on it. Kouichi and Tomoki managed to wheedle the rock into letting them pass, Tomoki with using the puppy dog eyes he'd perfected to an art and Kouichi by convincing the rock they really didn't mean any harm. Which could have gone both ways, considering Takuya and Tomoki.

But they made it inside. Before they were met with their next opponent: a lion. And it made Tomoki's heart thump within his chest. Takuya and Kouichi both fell into defensive stances, though Tomoki noticed they were very different. Maybe it was because one had a sword and the other a staff. Or maybe it was because neither of them actually readied their weapons, though Takuya's hand was on his hilt and Kouichi's grip on his staff was lax, easy to adjust.

Tomoki didn't get it until the lion nodded and let them pass.

'I don't get it,' he said, once they were out of earshot.

'He might have attacked us,' Kouichi explained, but he didn't.

'I don't think that made sense,' said Takuya.

'It did,' Tomoki hurriedly interjected.

Takuya shrugged. 'You two are perfect for each other.'

Maybe they just had similar personalities but were brought up differently? Tomoki didn't think they were that alike, in the end. Tomoki had heard the "doesn't like bullies" story, but that was also for different reasons. Actually… 'Why don't you like bullies?'

Kouichi and Takuya both looked at him. And fairly enough; it was an odd question for the time.

'Why don't I like bullies?' Kouichi repeated.

Tomoki nodded.

'Well…' He looked at his feet. 'Sometimes…people stay quiet for a reason. To protect others. Or to try and keep peace: some semblance of a happy life, or because they want to get stronger on their own. Without context, that's a fine ideal, isn't it?'

Tomoki gulped but he nodded. He'd thought that. Shinya had thought that too.

Takuya was studying his face, then he turned to Kouichi. 'Is there something about your family situation you still haven't told us?' he asked suspiciously.

Tomoki wondered at the situation. But Kouichi frowned and his tone was guarded as he replied: 'It has nothing to do with me.'

'Your mother then?' Takuya's voice had relaxed. His shoulders too. Tomoki wondered what he'd been thinking. Whether he'd thought Kouichi had been hiding problems at school or something from his mother. But that didn't seem to fit the Kouichi Tomoki knew…even if he'd only seen him awake for about a day.

'Single mothers in general get a short end of the stick,' Kouichi pointed out. He was still avoiding the question, Tomoki noticed, but Takuya didn't push so Tomoki left it as well. It wasn't important for the conversation. Probably he worried she worked too hard. Yutaka was always saying how not all families had nice nine to five hours and weekends off and benefits that let them spent quality time with their families. And how, often at the college he went to, students had to work afternoons and weekends (and sometimes during lectures) to pay for rent and living expenses. It was all their parents could do to pay the fees.

Or maybe Takuya just didn't get a chance to think of a new question, before a new voice echoed all around them when they stepped into a chamber. 'Who speaks of mothers?'

They looked around, startled, before their eyes came to rest on the creature on the throne. He was larger than even Ofanimon and dressed in warm furs. His hair was long and his fists more animal than human. But his face did look human – a human without a mask.

Tomoki was both in awe and terror at that first sight. He looked like he could pound them all into the ice without getting up from his seat.

But the man-beast beckoned to them. 'Come,' he rumbled. 'I am no enemy to those who bring no fight nor death to my chamber.'

Neemon was the first to approach. The man-beast's face cracked into a smile. 'You are a merry one, are you not?'

'I'm Neemon,' Neemon replied. Tomoki had no idea if that meant he didn't understand the statement or he was just introducing himself.

'And I am Merukimon,' the man-beast replied. 'I rule this icy kingdom and, I am sad to say, I get few visitors to entertain.' He regarded the rest as they came closer, mollified. 'And I fear I will have little time to entertain you. I trust the mage can conjour a rainstorm again?'

Kouichi nodded, but looked confused.

'A fire has begun in the forest kingdom,' Merukimon explained. 'Many digimon flee. A Chosen runs as well, after the cause. And though he may best it, a warrior can do little against a fire that spreads out of control and the forests are far from the ocean where our rain-bringers dwell.'

Tomoki wondered what would have happened if there hadn't been a mage Chosen. From what he understood, it was the results of the test that determined that. And, anyway, the gate wasn't always open. Surely there were times the world went with no Chosen at all.

'The openings of the Gate are always well timed with tragedies in this world, small or great,' Merukimon said. Tomoki wondered if he'd thought aloud. 'I cannot say why. Sometimes, it feels like we are being strung along by a puppeteer, but perhaps that is what fate is called.' He stood, and Bokomon fell backwards trying to keep eye contact. Merukimon reached over the side of his throne and knelt on one knee, offering his hand. In it was a swirling blue sphere.

'The water sphere?' Takuya asked.

'Yes,' Merukimon replied. 'I know your wish, and I approve of it. Take this sphere and open the Tower of Destiny.'

'I – ' Takuya looked choked up, but he took the sphere. 'Thank you.'

'And you.' He turned to Kouichi. 'There is a sphere of earth in a pyramid in the middle of our largest desert. Do with that knowledge what you believe to be right. Your instincts are not as wrong as you believe.'

Kouichi's eyes widened. 'Lopmon…' he whispered.

Merukimon's lips twisted into a sad smile. 'Not wrong,' he repeated, before turning to Tomoki. 'And you, little weaponless adventurer.'

'Y-yes?' Tomoki stuttered a little.

'Even you have a fight in this world, so be prepared.'

Merukimon stood at that. 'Now go,' he said. 'The fire, or the Tower of Destiny.'

Tomoki realised they could split up or go together.

'Together,' Takuya said, before anyone else could say a word. 'Minutes won't hurt me, and besides…we've become friends, haven't we?'

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They appeared at the edge of the fire and Kouichi immediately pointed his staff at the heavens and drew something with the tip. Circles…and a square… A magic circle of some sort. Above them clouds grew fast, and in seconds it was raining heavily upon them.

Takuya pulled his helmet on. It kept the rain off his face. Then he helped Kouichi with his hood; Kouichi was preoccupied with the rain magic. 'An extra second wouldn't have hurt,' Takuya muttered, sounding half amused and half exasperated.

Tomoki's own hat was large enough to keep his eyes clear. Not that there was much to see. Even when the smoke was dragged down and the fire dampened. Only charred trees deeper in, and blackened ones here.

Now that the fire was out, it looked only sad.

Kouichi lowered his staff and sat down. 'It's a tiring spell,' he said with a smile.

Neemon and Bokomon dashed about in the puddles before they cried in surprise. The others ran to them, Kouichi a little slower because he'd had to stand up first. They found bits of armour. Then a Chosen putting them on. A chosen whose hilt looked like Takuya's, Tomoki noticed. With five studded gems – spheres – embedded.

Takuya inhaled sharply, but it was Kouichi who said the name. 'Kouji!'

The 'wait' was lost when Kouji vanished.

Kouji, Tomoki thought. Takuya-nii seems to know him too.

He looked between them. Neither gave him an answer. Kouichi just sat down heavily again.

'That time wasn't your fault,' Takuya said. 'And we can easily catch up to him.' He frowned. 'But you look like you could use a break.'

'It's fine.' Kouichi held out a hand. 'We don't even know if you can open the Tower for all of us.'

'If I can't, how about I drag him back?' Takuya offered.

'No…' Kouichi's smile seemed forced, Tomoki thought. 'That would be you doing something it should really be me doing.' He shook his head. Though the hood was on, his black locks were damp. 'That might be selfish.'

'Maybe.' Takuya's expression was funny. 'Your parents must be in a panic.'

'Yeah…' He looked up at the still cloudy sky. 'I hadn't thought of that at first. In a way, it wasn't even all my decision. I honestly don't know how I walked –'

'Like a zombie.' But it seemed, for Takuya's standards anyway, a weak joke.

'But I knew what I was doing the second time.' He closed his eyes. 'I could have died in that hospital. I was drifting, most of the time barely aware, barely able to move. I could have died like that.'

'Died?' Tomoki whispered hoarsely, but nobody heard him. It was obvious, once it was said out loud. But frightening all the same. Surreal.

'And whatever the reasons, I'd done something I need to…apologise for. Put right. Do what I should've done originally instead of hesitating – which I guess is what got me here in the first place. The only thing I could do like that. Come here: because I can walk here. Talk. Do things. Make decisions and follow them. Still, even here has limits.'

Tomoki was completely lost, but what he did understand was the rawness in the other's voice. And Takuya looked uncomfortable as well. Like Yutaka did whenever Tomoki cried (which was a lot).

So Tomoki gave the other a quick hug from behind. 'You can still do what you need to do,' he said. 'It's not game over yet.' He flushed when the word "game" slipped out. How many times had his brother told him life wasn't a game? And he knew that, but it was still so easy to liken things to games sometimes.

Luckily neither Takuya nor Kouichi – nor Bokomon or Neemon for that matter – seemed bothered. 'Right.' And Kouichi dropped his hood – and maybe rubbed his eyes while he was at it – and looked at Takuya.

Who looked teary eyed himself. 'I don't know if that's courageous or plain stupid,' he confessed. 'If it were me, I probably wouldn't have even thought I could die. But…I get the regrets part. I really do. I wouldn't started time over so Shinya didn't have to wind up like that, but now I know that was wrong. Even if – ' He shook his head. 'Something comes out of everything. Time's not the sort of thing that should be turned back, no matter how we wish it. That's just selfish. And then we'll wish and wish and wish and keep on rewinding because we can't be satisfied. What-ifs are awful like that too.'

Tomoki understood as well. And he thought it was very brave of both of them to accept the possibility of death, even if Takuya didn't say it out loud.

He knew exactly what Takuya's wish was now.

And he had a feeling Kouichi wouldn't wish for the thought that had flittered through Tomoki's head, but he said it anyway. 'Why don't you wish to continue living?'

'Have you heard off the woman who made a wish like that and hung in a bird cage forever after, wishing she hadn't?' Kouichi asked.

Tomoki shook his head. But it sounded like something his brother might have.

'It's a poem, I think. Or a myth. But basically, like time, life and death isn't something you should mess with. Maybe it's not even possible.' He closed his eyes. 'I don't want to wish for something like that and then regret it. Regretting your life is…' He couldn't seem to find the words.

'I think I get it,' Tomoki said. 'I think I would have made that wish and then come to regret it.'

Takuya clapped him on the back. 'Maybe we're both idiots,' he said.

'No!' Tomoki looked horrified at the very idea. 'The both of you are so…wise.'

They both laughed, surprisingly. 'You make us sound old,' Takuya said, before he adopted a serious face again. 'The earth sphere or the Tower?'

'The Tower,' Kouichi decided, standing up. 'I'm fine,' he added, before returning to the previous statement. 'I still don't have a wish I can't fulfil with what I already have.'

Maybe, Tomoki thought, this world was borrowed time for Kouichi. Or borrowed quality. That was why the wish didn't matter. Or he didn't want it. Getting the wish would mean the end of the journey. And then…what then?

Takuya raised the sword, hilt-up. It shone, and then they were standing at the bottom of a tall, spiralling mountain.

Probably the Tower of Destiny.