This chapter is a bit…confusing. I admit it, but that's just how it's supposed to be…Hard to understand. One chapter more, that's all. Just one more chapter.
I think they had a German working character designs for this season. If you notice, both of the original forms of the Spirits of Light (which I can't spell), Lowemon, and their attacks were all in German syllables, not Japanese…That's a bit…Well, odd, isn't it? Cool…But odd…
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Digimon, Kouichi or the others. Bleh.
Life Is But A Dream…
Chapter 4: Inside Out
Kouichi gasped as JagerLowemon slid to a sudden stop. He grabbed SnowBotamon before she could fall off and nearly hit his head on the heavy black armor. "What's…happening?" he asked with a groan.
"Grumblemon." JagerLowemon said bluntly, a Kouichi realized that the little earth-warrior had rather abruptly popped out of the ground in front of them.
Grumblemon lifted his giant hammer over his shoulder and jutted his head down the path. "Safe spot close now." he mumbled. "JagerLowemon rest there with human. We be watching, he no get through."
"Who's 'we'?" Kouichi asked.
The little Digimon turned his beady eyes on him. "We be Grumblemon, Mercurimon, Arbormon, and Kumamon." he said, then a strange sort of smile spread over his brown lips. "No worry. We keep him far away."
Kouichi stared a moment, then nodded in thanks. JagerLowemon picked back up to a run, leaping past the Earth Warrior with a growl of appreciation. In only moments, he slid to a stop and let Kouichi slide off.
The boy found himself at the bank of a crystal-clear lake, fed by a glamorous waterfall that looked like it was pouring out liquid diamonds, sparkling in the light of a full moon. The trees around them leaned forward and grew tall to hide this place completely. It was like he'd walked into one of his own dreams…
JagerLowemon came to the side of the bank, leaning down to drink heavily. SnowBotamon bounced forward, lapping up the water like a kitten. Kouichi followed suit, knelling down to scoop some of the crystal-clear water into his hands, lifting it up to his lips.
He suddenly let out a gasp and the water he'd collected fell with a splash. JagerLowemon snapped his head up. "What is it?!"
"Nothing…" Kouichi whispered, trying to sound more convincing than he felt. SnowBotamon looked up at him and squeaked in worry. "I'm sorry I startled you…It's nothing, really."
His fingers once against brushed the raised, vaguely-circular outline on his chest. It had grown again, to the size of a baseball from the feel of it, and now pulsed painfully every time he tried to move his left arm. He whimpered a bit, feeling waves of pain as it pressed against his skin.
"W-Why?" he though desperately, a few tears forcing their way out of his eyes. "Why is it doing this? Why is this happening to me? Why…?"
His thoughts were interrupted, as JagerLowemon suddenly appeared directly beside him, his large, cat-like nose butting his hand back to gently brush where the tumor was showing through his shirt. "This is it, isn't it?" He said quietly.
Kouichi wanted to answer, but his whole body hurt from the pressure the Digimon was putting on the sore spot. There was a slight rush of wind, color and light, and Lowemon stood there. His hand was ever-so-gently hovering just over the aching growth.
"This is what has been causing you so much pain." he whispered. "This thing…is what he's using to kill you…"
Kouichi looked up at him with a startled gasp. Lowemon's eyes were heavy-lidded and looked rather sad as he pulled his hand away. "The others don't realize it yet…" he muttered quietly. "They don't know about the connection Duskmon and I share."
"You…and Duskmon?" Kouichi asked, a bit confused.
"Yes." Lowemon nodded. "We were, after all, born of the same spirit. When he came here…I felt him. I still do, on occasion. I hear his thoughts in my dreams, and I feel his rage when I'm awake. It's painful, sometimes, especially now that you're here."
Kouichi continued to look at him, confusion reflecting in his eyes so that he looked like a small child. "I thought…You said he wanted something from me."
"He does." Lowemon said slowly. "Kouichi…I'm afraid the thing he wants from you…Is your life."
Kouichi took a deep breath, heart sinking into his toes. "So…That's why…" he whispered. "He…He caused this, didn't he? He's…"
"Kouichi." Lowemon knelt so that he could look his equivalent in the eye, putting a huge hand on each of the boy's shoulders. "I'd give my own life before I ever let him do anything to you. Anything. The fact that he was able to put that…that thing inside you, that he was able to bring you back here in the first place, it's all a mistake on my part. But I will not make the same mistake twice. I will not allow him to hurt you again."
Kouichi stared at him a moment, unsure of what to say. Then a very slight smile spread over his face. "Thank you, Lowemon."
The Digimon nodded, a smile reflecting in his eyes, then stood. SnowBotamon squeaked in a agreement, bouncing up and down excitedly until Kouichi reached over and picked her up, at which point she took up roost on his shoulder once again.
Lowemon turned his head, obviously hearing something in the distance. Kouichi tensed nervously. "What is it?"
"I'm not sure." the Digimon muttered, muscles taunt. "Stay put. I think something's coming."
Kouichi gulped a bit nervously. They stood completely still for several minutes, holding their breaths, looking around slowly and braced for attack. For several minutes, there wasn't a sound.
Then a splash came from the direction of the waterfall. Lowemon snapped his head around, only to see Kumamon skiing down a semi-iced path made by his own power.
"Lowemon!" he called, leaping free to land on the ground next to the lake. "We've got a problem!"
The Warrior of Darkness grew even tenser, a frown showing in his eyes. "He's coming, isn't he?"
"Faster than ever." Kumamon nodded. "Screaming as he goes, he's totally crazy. It's like something's wrong with him."
A gleam of light suddenly bounded down from the cliffs, projecting on the ground inches from Kouichi's feet, dancing back and forth in urgency. Kumamon looked up where it had come, focusing on a barely-noticeable green dot at the top of the crag.
"That's Mercurimon's signal." he whispered. "He must be getting close already…you two have got to get out of here!"
Lowemon nodded and, with a flash, was back in his Beast form. With his head, he motioned to Kouichi, who obediently climbed on.
The boy looked down at the white bear-type Digimon. "You guys be careful too, okay?"
"Don't worry about us." Kumamon mounted his snowball-gun on his shoulder. "We'll take him, no problem. Just keep yourself safe."
Kouichi nodded with a sad smile. JagerLowemon gave a bit of a thankful growl, then bounded off into the trees.
. . . . . .
Tomoki sat up, rubbing his eyes in slight disbelief. Images flashed momentarily before his eyes…A pretty scene involving a waterfall…a friendly, tall, dark figure, standing beside the pool…And beside a familiar dark-haired boy.
"He's coming…" voices said. "Faster than ever, screaming as he goes. He's totally crazy…It's like something's wrong with him."
Tomoki blinked a few times sleepily, settling back against his pillows. His mind remained on the look in the boy's eyes before he'd awoken, that scared, sad look…
"…Please be okay, Kouichi…"
. . . . . .
For some reason, as they went, Kouichi felt a bit of relief rise in his heart. His friends were with him…Lowemon, and the others…He felt safe with them, despite the situation.
SnowBotamon looked up at him and cooed sweetly. He scratched her behind the ear, not up to saying anything at the moment.
JagerLowemon's speed gradually dropped, slowly to a stop in the middle of the woods. Kouichi looked around, not seeing anything but trees, and the moons poking their heads out of the foliage.
"What is it?" he asked quietly. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure…" JagerLowemon growled, body rigid in defense. He glanced around slowly, then shook his head to the side. "It'll be safer if you get off. But stay next to me, understand?"
Kouichi nodded, climbing off to stand next to the beast-level Digimon. He kept on hand braced on the edge of his breastplate, the other holding SnowBotamon carefully. For a moment nothing happened, and there was an uneasy silence.
Then an all-too-familiar, icy chill floated from amongst the trees. Kouichi felt his breath hitch, the tumor pounding against his skin painfully. SnowBotamon squeaked quietly, sliding back to hide in his shirt fearfully.
Slowly, easily, Duskmon appeared, red saber in his hand, eyes half-open so that he almost looked bored with the monotony. But there was a fire burning in those eyes, crazy and frightening…
JagerLowemon growled, positioning himself squarely between Kouichi and the crazed Digimon. Duskmon surveyed the sight silently, moving closer with every passing second. For a moment, his two main eyes focused on his targeted prey, then he locked eyes with the other Digimon's.
"Lowemon." he said slowly. "Get out of my way."
JagerLowemon bared his teeth, a low growl emitting from his throat in a definite challenge. Then, quite suddenly, he lunged forward with a mighty roar, teeth and claws displayed and ready for use.
Duskmon was only a slight bit taken back, leaping backwards to avoid his opponent's pounce. He swiped his sword forward, catching the lion-like Digimon at the base of the neck, creating a deep gash. JagerLowemon let out a low roar and jumped clear.
Kouichi backed up, still holding the whimpering SnowBotamon, eyes locked on the battle. He bit his lip against the pain that shot through his body with every step, pressing back against a tree. A branch snapped.
Duskmon turned to him slowly, all eyes focused on the boy. JagerLowemon lunged again, this time from behind, but missed when the other Digimon side-stepped his attack.
The Beast Warrior slide to a stop just inches from running into the human. "Lowemon…are you okay?" Kouichi asked quietly, noticing the wound on his shoulder.
"I'm fine." the lion growled. "Stay behind me. I won't let him hurt you."
Duskmon shrugged off the growled warning as though it hadn't been said. He continued his advance on the boy and his protector, raising his blade above his head for a strike…
And was suddenly knocked back by a long, thin blade of light, straight to the chest. The beam slid back into it's place, the white-armored user straightening with a fiery gleam in his eyes.
For a moment, Kouichi couldn't believe it. Then he stuttered out. "L-Lobomon!"
The Warrior of Light looked back at him with a grin. "Hangin' in there, I see." he said approvingly.
A slight flash. Lowemon straightened to his full H-form height, keeping his eyes locked on their opponent. "We can't let our guard down." he muttered to the newcomer. "We have to end this now."
Lobomon wasn't concerned with the lack of courtesy. Lowemon did have, after all, a bit of Kouichi in him, and neither of them wasted time on words when they were concentrating on something. He took a step forward to stand next to his spiritual-brother.
"I know." he whispered. "If we don't do something, he'll just keep coming. There has to be some way to stop him."
Duskmon growled, drawing up to his full height. With a roar, he lunged forward, saber raised to break through their protective barrier. Lobomon raised his own blade, the two connecting in a block that sent sparks flying.
"Kouichi, get out of the way!" Lowemon growled to the boy, pulling out his staff to lunge.
Kouichi let out a strangled gasp and scrambled to the side, slipping under the attacks to do so. In mid-step his body suddenly went rigid, a wave of white-hot pain surging through him. A short cry escaped his lips moments before he hit the ground.
Duskmon noticed it first and turned to advance on him. Lowemon slid in front of him, swinging his staff forward with both hands. He caught his corrupted counterpart in the stomach, throwing him back.
"Kouichi, are you alright?" Lobomon asked gently, knelling to help the boy up. SnowBotamon whimpered in sympathy.
"I-I'm fine…" he muttered, pulling himself up with one arm. "Really…Lobomon, don't worry about me now…"
Duskmon suddenly stopped moving. That's it, he pushed Lowemon's attack backwards and stopped moving. For a moment, he glared at Kouichi, then threw his head back and let out a savage roar.
Dark energy suddenly blossomed out of his body, forming a dome that seamed to cover everything. Lowemon jumped back and threw his arms up in an attempt to defend, while Lobomon covered Kouichi and SnowBotamon from the blow. The boy peered out apprehensively as the darkness covered everything…
Next thing he knew, he was on the ground, leaning against a tree-truck he supposed he must have been thrown into. For a moment, his senses spun, then they re-aligned with a gasped.
"Lobomon!" he gulped, finding the Warrior of Light lying several meters away, not moving. He glanced around fearfully, finding his other protector in the same position on the other side of the clearing. "Lowemon!"
There was a low chuckle. He snapped his head up to find Duskmon, perfectly unscathed, walking towards him with his saber bared. He scrambled to his feet, looking for a place to run, but found himself trapped…cornered…unable to escape.
"Now, Kouichi…" Duskmon hissed, getting ever closer. "It's about time you stopped running from the inevitable…"
A bubble suddenly hit him in the eye. He hissed, rubbing it with his free hand as more came, popping all across his body.
SnowBotamon had positioned herself firmly between Kouichi and his attack. With a resounding chant of "Bo-bo-bo-bo-bo." spewing from her, she fired as many Bubble Blow attacks as she could at the taller Digimon. Kouichi stared at her, dumb-struck.
"Little pest." Duskmon growled, kicking the little white thing like a soccer ball. SnowBotamon went flying and crashed into a tree, falling to the ground with a helpless little squeak.
Kouichi snapped out of his daze. "SnowBotamon!" he gasped, eyes wide, then snapped back to the approaching threat. And for a moment, as he looked into those blood-red eyes, scenes of his life seamed to flash before them.
Takuya, auburn eyes burning with a determined flame as he kicked a black-and-white ball into a goal. Izumi, sitting on a blanket during a school picnic, letting the wind blow her hair behind her like a cape. Junpei, stashing chocolate in his locker and giving up a bar to keep the rest a secret. Tomoki, laughing at some joke and not watching where he was going…
His mother, her face, her eyes, her smile, holding him close and stroking his hair, warding away all his fears. Kouji…His brother, his twin, the one he'd searched for so long to find, just sitting and talking…Just being together…Just him and his friends…His family…
"They're waiting for me."
Kouichi turned to Duskmon, his eyes not wavering. Lowemon struggled to pull himself up on one arm. "Kouichi, get away!" he warned. "Run, get out of here, now!"
"I'm not running away anymore." the boy whispered, his voice growing steadily louder. "This ends here, one way or another. You want to kill me, fine. I'm not letting you hurt my friends anymore."
Duskmon took another step forward. The tumor surged with pain that should've brought the boy to his knees, but he braced himself and remained standing. He bit his lip as the Digimon got closer.
"Kouichi, no!" Lowemon cried.
"I'm sorry…"
"You want me, Duskmon?" the boy asked. "Come and get me."
Duskmon raised his weapon, lunging forward. Kouichi closed his eyes and waited for the end.
. . . . . .
"Doctor! Doctor Kido, he's stopped breathing again…!"
TBC…