Crimson Aura

Crimson Aura

By: Theodore 'Blitz' Leung

Theoleung@sprint.ca

Disclaimer: All Digimon and their characters (except for those introduced in this fic/series) do NOT belong to me. I do not have permission to use their characters, but it's a FanFic, so, who cares? =) This story line belongs to me and me alone. Please ask for permission if you wish to use it. Thanks. Now let's get onto reading!

Marc handed the piece of paper to Tao, who decided to show up for school the very next day. Tao stared at the paper in his hand questioningly.

"What is this?" he asked the taller boy.

"It's from a friend," Marc replied, bowing his head slightly and walking off towards his next class. Tao gave the other a curious glance, though Marc didn't see it. Tao unfolded the piece of paper, seeing a picture of him and Shastina hugging in the Digital World. A small piece of paper was also placed in the folded picture.

Never give up. I'll always be here for you.

~Shas

Tao regarded the letter for a minute, unsure of how to make of it. He checked time, noticing that Math class was going to start in about 30 seconds.

"Aww…screw Math," Tao muttered, pocketing the picture and the letter. He took his coat and shouldered his bag, heading outside to the tree where Harriermon and Biyomon were perched.

"Harriermon, we got to do something!" he shouted towards his Digimon. Harriermon nodded, turning to face Biyomon.

"Be quick Harrier," Biyomon told the male counterpart. He nodded, leaping off from the tree and onto Tao's shoulder. The two began to walk off.

"There something between you two?" Tao asked, causing the bird to blush.

"What makes you think that?" he asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Intuition," Tao responded, smiling lightly and continuing to walk down the path. He retrieved his Digivice, hoping to open a portal.

* * * * * *

K.H. checked the time. Only a few more minutes before he would be relieved from school. The grinding of chalk against the blackboard was getting to his nerves, and he'd be happy if it would just stop now.

The bell range, which was promptly followed with a shuffle of books and feet as students filed out. The teacher tried to assign more work, but to no avail. K.H. was quickly out of the room and heading towards the computer lab, where he deposited Kinoumon.

K.H. pushed through the doors to the computer lab, glancing left and right to make sure no one was around, before calling out his Digimon's name.

"Kinoumon, come on," he spoke. "We're going home." The dragon like Digimon leaped out from underneath a table. K.H. took the Digimon into his arms, patted him on the head, then began to head out. At least, the teenager hoped to get out of the room, until his Digivice began to go off. "Or, we're taking another field trip to the Digital World," K.H. told his Digimon.

"At least there's no bus fare," Kinoumon responded, smiling lightly.

* * * * * *

"I think we should ask Tiberius to figure out how to open these Digital Portals ourselves…" Marc told Xemon. The Dragon Digimon stood by his side, surprised with the sudden opening.

"Be thankful it was after Math class," Xemon told his partner.

"True," Marc agreed. It wouldn't do him justice if he suddenly vanished from Math class, especially when he was writing an answer down at the front of the class.

"Well…shall we start moving?" Xemon asked. Marc nodded, heading forward from the location they were at.

* * * * * *

Shastina blinked once, staring out towards the rising sun. She failed to get any sleep that night, and was standing on the balcony of the Kamiya residence. The golden glow of the sun splashed against her face, but she didn't seem to mind it at all.

"Couldn't get any sleep?" Kari asked from behind, yawning. "It's six in the morning…you were up that long?" Shastina remained silent. Tigramon was peacefully sleeping with Gatomon back in Kari's bedroom. She knew however, that Kari's look of tiredness turned into something much more serious.

"You're worried about Tao…" she stated, not questioned. Shastina grinned lightly, her back still turned to Kari.

"It's nice to be so predictable, isn't it?" she asked, though not expecting an answer. Kari's expression turned to one of concern now, but was interrupted with a short and light rapping against the door. Both Shastina and Kari turned to face the door.

"I got it," Kari told Shastina, heading over. Shastina didn't say anything, only turned her head back towards the rising sun.

"Oh my…" Kari gasped, just loud enough for Shastina to hear. "How…did you get here?"

"Finally figured out that Digivice…" a familiar voice answered. Shastina lifted her head, recognizing the voice instantly.

"Um…this way then…" Kari told the other person.

"I…guess I shouldn't have intrud-" he didn't finish the sentence, as Shastina was already on him and hugging him.

"Tao!!" she exclaimed, overjoyed to see him. She didn't care about explanations or reasoning, she was just glad to see this boy.

"Sure, everyone ignore me…" Harriermon muttered. Kari giggled, closing the door.

"And how have you been doing Harriermon?" Kari asked, kneeling down beside him. "Everything fine between you and Biyomon?" Harriermon blushed yet again, trying to hide it. Tao and Shastina stopped talking and glanced over at the bird Digimon, who remained ominously silent.

"Sora sent Tai an E-mail, who forwarded it to me, about these two," Kari told Tao. She patted the bird on the head. "Don't answer, I'll just leave to my imagination," Kari told Harriermon.

* * * * * *

K.H. trudged along, attempting to figure out the purpose for this visit to the Digital World. Kinoumon remained diligently by his side throughout the entire trek.

"Maybe there is no purpose to this trip," Kinoumon suggested. He thought about that for a second. "Nah…there's always a purpose."

"Glad we agree on something," K.H. told his Digimon. "The question is…what is this purpose?"

"Crest come into mind…" Kinoumon responded after a bit of deliberation. "Only you and Shas do not hold two Crests, unlike the other three Digi-Destined."

"Possibly…" K.H. mused, partially agreeing with the theory. "But there could also be more behind this trip then that?" Kinoumon glanced up at his partner.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked, running to the boy's other side.

"Just a bad feeling…" K.H. answered softly. "A very bad feeling…" Kinoumon decided not to pursue the subject anymore, and continued to walk in step with K.H.

* * * * * *

"TORMENT AERO!"

Axeramon slashed his weapon in an upward arc, scarring the ground. A blast of wind energy rocketed from the slash, ripping up the ground as the attack trailed towards Crysdramon. The dragon Digimon narrowly evaded the attack, breathing hard when he had a chance.

"It's Ultimate to Ultimate!" Marc shouted. "Let him have it, Crysdramon!"

"CRYSTAL BURST!"

The blizzard of ice shrapnel lashed out at Axeramon. The humanoid Digimon held his weapon in one hand, protecting his face with the other. Sharp and jagged pieces of ice embedded against his armour while other ricocheted harmlessly off. The storm subsided, Axeramon lowering his arm. With a quick chop of his arm, he knocked all the embedded pieces off his armour.

"That's no storm," he told Crysdramon, smirking and raising his free hand.

"INFERNO CRIMSON!"

Sparks of fire erupted from his hand and went flying towards Crysdramon. The fire, albeit little, altogether would have a enough fire to melt rock.

"SONIC SHIELD!"

Crysdramon erected a shield of energy, hoping to absorb at least half of the bits if kindle charging at him, but his shield might not be able to last that long. He glanced at his partner nervously.

"We need some back up…" Marc thought, holding the red Digivice tightly in his hand. Holes were already forming in Crysdramon's shield, one of the pieces of kindle smashing into his chest. He grunted in pain, but maintained the shield. "Come on…there's got to be a ray of hope somewhere…"

* * * * * *

"So…you opened a Digital Portal over there…" Izzy restated. "And after a little time, opened another Digital Portal leading to here?" Tao nodded. He, Izzy, Tai, Kari, and Shastina with their Digimon sat in the computer room at the Kamiya residence. Izzy came right over as soon as he heard the news. "So…I guess my theory about being able to travel to anywhere in the Digital World AND the Real World is true…"

"I'll admit now, it is very convenient," Tao told the others, placing his hand on top of Shastina's hand. She glanced up at Tao, who glanced back. Both exchanged glances, before letting go. Tai whispered something to Kari, who in turn gave a short giggle. Shastina looked ever farther away, getting an idea what the topic of that whisper was.

"But the good thing to know is that you've figured out how to open Digital Portals," Izzy told the others.

"Well…I wouldn't take all the credit," Tao spoke. "Tiberius sent me an E-mail suggesting something, and I decided to try it out."

"Consider it a joint effort then," Tigramon piped in. She smiled lightly from her position on Shastina's lap.

"It's just nice to know what our Digivices are capable of doing," Tao spoke, leaning back against the wall. "And now, we don't have to worry about getting sucked into the Digital World during class."

A short laugh went around the group of Digi-Destined and Digimon.

* * * * * *

Crysdramon cried out in pain, getting knocked backwards. Light surrounded him as he fell, rolling across the grass in his rookie form.

"Xemon!" Marc exclaimed, running to the Digimon and cradling him in his arms.

"I'll admit…it now…that was not cool…" Xemon spoke weakly, and forcing a grin. Marc pulled the dragon Digimon closer to his chest. Axeramon slowly headed towards the Human, menacingly raising his weapon, ready to slice the Human into two. "Marc…run…" Xemon spoke, closing his eyes. "Run…" he repeated once more. Marc refused to move, just stood frozen in his kneeling position.

"Is this courage…or cowardice?" Axeramon asked, pressing one of the blades of his weapon against the back of Marc's neck, though not forcefully. "Embrace the void…or too scared to move?" Xemon forced a light growl, although it made him cough.

"I'll take it as cowardice then," Axeramon concluded, raising his weapon.

* * * * * *

Tao sat outside on the balcony, back pressed against the wall. He held his Clarinet to his mouth, playing high and soft tones. Harriermon perched himself on the balcony railing, admiring the music.

Shastina watched Tao from inside the apartment, also admiring the music, but also feeling sad for the player.

"That's a really nice tune…" Kari commented, approaching Shastina. Shastina sighed, looking towards Kari.

"He doesn't think so," she told the other Digi-Destined. "Kari…I don't know what to do…" Shastina confessed. Kari turned herself to face Tao again.

"Talk to him…he's alone…" Kari answered after a moment of thought. "He believes…he wants to be alone…but at the same time…his heart doesn't want to be."

"He's in turmoil…" Kari concluded, placing a hand on Shastina's shoulder. The two were silent, before Kari left.

* * * * * *

"Damn, you're crazy!" Marc exclaimed, kneeling down, K.H. beside him. K.H. held an open wound on his left arm, trying to keep the blood from pouring out. Axeramon's blade was pressed on the ground, tainted with K.H.'s blood. Kinoumon was beside K.H., anger in his eyes.

"Crazy…just call it reckless courage," K.H. joked, getting to his feet. Marc continued to kneel.

A moment ago, K.H. knocked Marc out of the way of Axeramon's weapon, but in the process, got cut over the left arm. The boy didn't give a cry of pain, only asked if Marc was all right.

Blood continued to seep from the wound. K.H. tried his best to keep the wound closed, but it was difficult.

"Reckless courage?" Axeramon asked, removing his weapon from the ground. "You think to lowly of yourself." K.H. grinned, taking his Digivice.

"You won't have anything to think about once I'm done!" he exclaimed. "Kinoumon, Digivolve!"

"Kinoumon…Digivolve to…Legionarimon!"

The ant like Digimon approached the humanoid one, clashing mandibles together. Axeramon grinned, knowing full well he had the ability to defeat a Champion level Digimon.

"You're going to have to try harder," he told the Digi-Destined. K.H. gritted his teeth, still trying to keep his wound closed.

"I'll show you harder!" K.H. yelled out, taking a step forward but falling over onto a knee. His eyes began to blur. Legionarimon stepped back, trying to support the boy with his body.

"Courage…he's got courage…" Axeramon thought. "But it won't do him any good if he's dead…" Axeramon looked up, then rushed forward, ready to strike Legionarimon.

"NO!" K.H. shouted, with renewed energy stepped into the way of the attack meant for his Digimon. Legionarimon had no time to react, his side exposed while trying to protect his partner.

K.H. fell over, knocked onto the ground. Slowly, he got back up, grinning slightly.

"Next time…try using the blade…" he remarked. Axeramon remained silent, knowing full well he used the side of the axe head for the attack. "Alright Legionarimon…let's get serious." K.H. loaded the Crest of Logic onto his Digivice.

* * * * * *

Davis was kicking the ball back and fourth outside on the soccer field. Only he was on the field, and he was enjoying his time dribbling the ball and juggling it about. Of course, if he were paying attention, he would've noticed the crimson streak that flew out of his duffel bag on the sidelines.

* * * * * *

Tai and Izzy were discussing about the new Digi-Destined, trying to figure out the source of the energy drain on the Digital World.

"Tai…if the First Generation Digimon said they don't know, then what makes you so sure we can find it?" Izzy asked, clicking away at the computer.

"They lied once," Tai reasoned. "Why not again?" Before Izzy could counter, Tai's Digivice began to react. Both Second Generation Digi-Destined stared at it, before a red streak blasted out of it and out the window.

* * * * * *

The twin beams of light merged into one, zipping past the battle location and turning back around, hovering beside K.H. A small symbol was in the middle of the aura which neither Digi-Destined nor Digimon could decipher, except for one.

"So…the Crest of Courage has finally chosen someone…" Axeramon thought, smiling lightly. The beam entered K.H.'s Digivice, automatically loading.

"Um…dunno…but I think you better try it out, K.H." Marc suggested, finally getting to his feet. K.H. was silent, still weak from the loss of blood, but had little choice in the matter. K.H. weakly held the Digivice towards Legionarimon.

"Legionarimon…Digivolve to…"

The ant like Digimon slowly changed in form, his hind legs merging into one as his body curved upwards. The forearms slowly retracted back into his body. Soon, when all was complete, there was a large serpentine form with a long tail to support the body. There was a large pincer at the end of the tail. His arms were composed of pure fire, with a large crimson fin coming out of his back. His eyes were barely noticeable under the helmet he wore.

"Epralmon!"

The Digimon hissed at Axeramon, ready to fight the other Ultimate. Axeramon rushed forward, axe-like weapon ready.

"BURNING PINCER!"

Epralmon's pincer engulfed in fire, raising up and grabbing the pole of the weapon. Axeramon tried to force the weapon down, but couldn't force the weapon any further down.

"ABSOLUTE CROSSFIRE!"

Epralmon's arms extended forward, slashing at the crimson armour of Axeramon. He cried out, dropping back from the serpentine Digimon. His pain subsided, the humanoid Digimon forcing a smile.

"Well fought," he commented, standing up straight. "Until next time then!" he shouted, before leaping away. Epralmon was about to pursue until K.H. dropped to his knees.

"Well…that was…fun…" he spoke weakly, falling over.

"K.H.!" Marc and Epralmon shouted, running to his side. Marc quickly tore a piece of his shirt off and wrapping it around the wound.

"Damnit…you shouldn't have been fighting in this condition…" Marc thought, cursing himself for allowing K.H. to do that. Epralmon reverted back to his Rookie form.

"Will he be okay?" Kinoumon asked, definite concern in his tone. Marc checked K.H.'s vital signs, and exhaled.

"He'll be fine…just give him some rest," Marc answered, raising K.H.'s left arm to keep some blood from flowing up to his arm. Kinoumon also exhaled, licking K.H.'s cheek.

* * * * * *

"The Crest of Courage has found its user," Axeramon told Serangmon. Drowsmon stood still, listening to the report.

"So…there's only one more Crest to be revealed then…" Serangmon mused, standing up. "Excellent."

"So…what shall we do now?" Drowsmon asked anxiously.

"We wait…" Serangmon responded. Silence befell the room the three were in.

Fin

Completed: 12/30/00