Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: The timeline for this chapter is a little bit involved. I've made little notes here and there but most of the details exist in the chapters themselves. Good luck!
He could hear them as he fell into and out of consciousness. The voices skirted the edges of his hearing, nearly indecipherable, but every now and then he could make out a word or two. Opening his eyes to see took too much effort and he was simply content to lie still and let himself be healed. The Aal had joined their powers with his in order to speed up the process.
He had been brought to the old cave where he had taken his first steps towards immortality. There were still hints of his power here even after twenty years had passed. A picture to capture his soul and then a simple slash from his sword to destroy that picture centuries later so he could make use of that soul. All of it done to serve one simple purpose.
'Oh Hakuto, would you pity me if you saw me now.'
The first one to learn of the invading army's approach was Hikari. There was nothing tangible that alerted her. It was only a sense of unease, which grew steadily with each breath. Finally, unable to bear it, she awakened her powers and went searching for the source of her malady. What she found was an alien presence that defied her powers completely. Despite her best efforts, she could not penetrate its defenses. Furthermore, it soon became clear that this presence was heading straight towards her. It was not long after that when a lookout spotted smoke on the horizon. From its frequency, it was surmised that an army was accompanying the presence. And so on a cold, gray day, she stood atop the Outpost's defensive wall to greet whoever was out there. Behind her stood the two angel Digimon, Willis and a whole entourage of humans and Digimon.
"Can we hold them off?" Willis asked as the size of the force arrayed against them became apparent.
Hikari surveyed the army that was setting up camp outside the outpost and said, "I am not sure whether we will need to but prepare and evacuation plan just in case."
"You don't think they will attack?"
"Nothing about this fits their pattern. Generally, the Dark Ocean armies utilize surprise to their advantage and strike quickly. However, this time they did everything to make sure we knew they were coming. Also, they seem to be setting up camp."
"So we wait for the next move?"
"Can't say that I'm not curious."
Willis grunted then turned and began issuing orders to his commanding officers. Meanwhile Hikari continued to survey the army arrayed against them. Sudden movement at the army's main encampment caught her attention. It seemed like they were using the matter manipulation technique to construct what looked like a giant microscope. She was still staring at it when it fired a beam of light in her direction. Hikari considered using her shield and then rejected the idea. The light was aimed at the section of the wall next to her own. It would miss her completely.
The beam of light suddenly expanded and then Isuzu Asahina was standing beside her. There were shouts of alarm from the troops but she raised a hand to quiet them. This was nothing more then a simple communication although the manner in which it was executed was interesting. But considering the woman's eyes were fixed on her chest and not on her face proved there were still problems with the technology.
"Impressive," Hikari said, passing her hand through the other woman's head. "I wonder though, can you hear me?"
"Of course, but try not to disrupt the light again. It carries your voice back to us."
Hikari shrugged. "I wondered when you would return. A woman with your reputation could never stomach a defeat."
"How astute of you. But that was only part of the reason. It occurred to me that perhaps you might want to know more about Takeru."
Hikari's eyes narrowed as another image appeared behind Isuzu. It was Takeru, on his knees with his head bowed. His hands were stretched out to either side as if something was holding him. Isuzu grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked his head up. Hikari clenched her hands when she saw what had been done to him. His eyes were glazed over as if he had been drugged but the more horrifying detail was the numerous knife scars that crisscrossed his face.
"Like I said before, defiant 'till the end."
There was blood trickling down her hands. She had clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails had broken the skin of her palms. A detail she noticed detachedly. In truth, everything had become numb, the world shrinking down until the only two people left were the man on his knees and her standing over him.
A sudden gust of wind snapped her out of her daze. She looked skyward and saw Angemon take off towards the army's main encampment. With a sigh, she stepped into his mind and forced him to come back. He fought her all the way and she saw that he was suffering as much as her. There was so much sorrow, anger and guilt that it threatened to devour her. Unable to bare it, she knocked him unconscious.
"Take him away. Get that Crest off him if you can. I think the Inhibitors should be able to keep him under control even with the Crest."
"Hikari." Angewomon touched her shoulder gently.
"I'm fine," she replied. "We cannot act hastily and I won't allow it."
A soft chuckle from Isuzu. "You really are as cold as they say. Probably the reason why he came onto me in Kroy. That surprised me, to tell you the truth. Remind me to send you the video feed from our cameras one of these days."
Hikari just stared at the hologram, not trusting herself to speak. The silence dragged on for a bit and then Isuzu shrugged. "Nothing more to say? Well then, let me talk. You can end his suffering by handing over this base and entrusting yourself into our custody. If you don't, tomorrow you will wake up to his screams."
"We are done here," Hikari said as she turned away. "I would rather destroy this base then let you get your hands on it."
Isuzu smiled chillingly. "Let the games begin."
"Hi Yama."
"Hello Yama."
"Yamato"
"Yamato"
"Yama."
The same woman saying his name over and over again. The flashes of memory he sometimes had were always like this. Perhaps his own subconscious trying its best to piece together his tattered past. There was no mystery to this memory though. He knew full well who this was and considering her involvement with someone else, it made some of his memories wildly inappropriate.
"Yamato?"
He opened his eyes to find Weregarurumon standing over him.
"Are they done?"
The Digimon nodded. "They are requesting your presence."
Yamato sighed and rose to his feet. "Let's get this over with." He walked past Weregarurumon and entered the cave. Inside was a bonfire, the smoke dissolving into particles of data before it could pollute the air. Around the fire were huddled the five members who spoke for the Aal now. The remaining Aal were lined all around the walls of the cave. "Have you come to a decision?" Yamato questioned, walking up to the five leaders.
"We have and the response is unanimous. We will assist you in your fight with the Dark Ocean."
Yamato blinked in surprise. "That was easier then I thought. I had been led to believe that you would require a certain amount of enticement."
"Take a look around avatar. Everybody here has lost someone in the recent crisis. We are at twilight of our race and we will not spend the rest our days cowering."
Yamato bowed his head. "When this is done, I will guarantee that whoever remains lives the rest of their days in peace. The Elders can do at least this much for you."
"Tell us what you require."
"Ah, as to that, I have a very specific task in mind."
Ever since she had been a little girl, growing stronger had been an obsession. So much so that she had completely buried the girl who had existed before. But just like any façade, it was not perfect. Just one more layer of armor, which could be cracked with a strong enough blow. And underneath was a scared little girl. The same girl who had sensed her own terrible destiny before any of her friends had even known of their own roles. She had looked to them for strength and had found it in an unlikely source.
He had been so small, a little shorter then her and even weaker, physically. But his strength had lain in his convictions, his stubbornness. He fascinated her and she had wanted that strength for herself. She had put up so many masks to make it so and those masks had fooled everyone but never him. Instead, he had made her transformation the focus of his teasing. Every little comment designed to bring that little girl out to play. He had never forgotten who she really was. She loved him for that.
Hikari drew in a shuddering breath as the screams finally stopped. They were taking down the X shaped crucifix. Takeru had been strapped to it and tortured non-stop for the last two days. His screams had cut through her. They had driven Angemon mad until he had to be sedated so he would not hurt himself. She had heard someone recommend trying to shoot down the crucifix and putting the 'poor bastard' out of his misery. It made sense but she could not bring herself to give that order. Her weakness and she hated herself for it.
For some reason she found herself thinking about the last clone of Takeru that had been sent to her. It had been a day much like this one, gray sky overhead with a bitter cold wind, when she had put an end to his life. That day was etched into her memory.
FLASHBACK
She was thinking back to all that they had shared in the last two months. Every single moment of discovery, of learning, even passion. She had slept with him and that had made this betrayal even crueler. It was no less then she deserved though. She had known full well he was not her Takeru.
"Give me the crest." She said to him, keeping all emotion from her voice.
He looked at her wild-eyed, a cornered animal that saw no means of escape. He slowly raised his own sword.
"Don't be an idiot. I may have trained you but you are not good enough to beat me. Not with just one month of training."
His hands were shaking. She could see that clearly enough. Why would he challenge her knowing that he could not win? Unless the crest had never been the true objective. Was he being controlled?
"I can help you, Keru. Just put down the sword." She took a short step forward, lowering her own sword.
"Stay back, Hikari." He swiped the sword at her viciously. She barely managed to dodge it. "I won't hesitate to kill you."
"You are being controlled. Let me help you." She used her powers to try and probe his mind and found herself blocked. He read it in her expression of surprise.
"Nobody can help me now." He barked a short humorless laugh. "It was fun while it lasted, Yagami."
He leapt towards her, giving her no chance to back away. Hikari ducked under the wild stab and brought her own sword up, running him through. He gave an odd little sigh and sank down to his knees. She pulled her sword free and he slumped forward. She caught him in her arms before he could hit the floor.
"Why?" She questioned. "I taught you better then that."
"Thank you," he managed to say in between the spasms that rocked his body and then he was gone.
Hikari clutched him to her chest, holding him for a long while.
END FLASHBACK
"Did you like that show?"
The voice snapped Hikari out of her reminiscing. Isuzu had come back.
"You will enjoy our encore. Sadly, our torturers needed a break. You would not believe the care that goes into keeping a man in a constant state of pain. I am sure Takeru appreciates it too. Not that it matters much. I imagine the pain has driven him mad by now."
Hikari stayed silent, staring down at the army.
"Nothing glib to say this time? I am..."
"You have made yourself an enemy, Asahina." Hikari replied quietly.
A moment of silence and then Isuzu said, "Such a cutting reply. You will have to teach me how to speak with such finality."
Hikari did not reply and a moment later the hologram beside her disappeared. She was alone once again. It seemed a fitting epitaph for her life. She retreated back into her memories. After the clone had died, she had noticed a strand of telepathic power linked to his body. It was fading fast but she managed to trace it to its source.
FLASHBACK
There were a group of five men gathered in the small warehouse. It was a large group and how they had infiltrated her base was beyond her at the moment. A great deal of things were beyond her at the moment, her thoughts fixed entirely on one thing. She snuck forward until she was right over the group. One quick check revealed that all of her weapons were where they needed to be and then she jumped down from the railing right into the midst of the group.
She began moving as soon as she landed. Her sword weaving a deadly pattern until all but one of the spies was dead. He managed to dodge her sword and backed away from her as she slowly rose to her feet from a crouching position. A quick scan revealed that he was unarmed.
"Yagami, Hikari," he sighed. "Well, I suppose this was a risk to begin with. You have caught me."
"Were you the one behind this clone?"
"Behind this one and all the rest. Although, this one was my greatest creation."
Hikari threw away the sword and advanced towards him. He grinned and raised his own arms. "You will regret that action."
He was a well built man and likely stronger then her but she did not care. His punch caught her in the side of the face and whipped her around. She went with the momentum, spun around and backhanded him. It was a pure fistfight from the start. She did not back down and neither did he.
The pain from his blows was no less then she deserved. It seemed a fitting punishment for her weakness.
She did not know how long they fought. Time had lost all meaning until suddenly the sound of him pleading with her to stop broke her out of her daze. She looked down at him lying prone underneath her. She had straddled his waist and continued her beating. His arms were lying uselessly at his sides, the shoulders dislocated.
"Please, I give up." He croaked through bruised, bleeding lips.
Hikari rose to her feet and then retrieved her sword from where it had been lying on the ground. She began to walk back towards him. He read her intent in her eyes and began pleading once again.
"Please. I give up. You can't do this."
His words irritated her. And the next time he opened his mouth, she pushed the sword in until it exited the back of his head and struck the ground. A sharp twist upward and the sword sliced through his skull.
END FLASHBACK
History was playing out before her eyes in the same way again. She had paid for her weakness with his death once before and it seemed she was going to pay for that weakness again. It was her fault for not stopping him from going on this mission. Her fault for allowing Isuzu to escape.
All of this, her fault.
FourDays Later
A flash, a loud thunderclap and suddenly Yamato found himself standing underneath a tree. Several paces yonder stood a large City. Sentries manned its outer wall and they had no doubt taken notice of his sudden appearance. He turned to Kha'noth and said, "Are you sure this is the right place?"
"The Citadel of Yagami, Hikari on the Continent of Sever. Yes, this is the place."
Yamato grunted. "Well, we will know soon enough I guess."
They approached the outer wall and as they got closer the main gate swung open. A lone figure stepped out, raising his hands to show that he held no weapons. Yamato mimicked the action.
"It's not wise to come out here alone." Yamato said. "I could have been anybody."
Iori smiled. "I did not come out alone."
The ground under Yamato's feet suddenly trembled as if something was moving underneath.
"Point taken," he muttered.
"Unfortunately not. With Hikari not here at the moment, I can't verify whether you are who you say you are. So, I cannot allow you to leave."
"Wait, Hikari isn't here?"
"No. Come inside and," Iori glanced over at Kha'noth, "bring your Digimon friend with you. I've never seen that breed before."
"I am not a…" Kha'noth began.
"Wait a second." Yamato interrupted urgently. "I can't stay here. I need to deliver something to Hikari. It is important."
"Do you have anything that we can use as identification?"
"Well," Yamato fished out an ID card; "I was given this at that outpost Sora took me to."
"After Seona, that is pretty much useless."
"My Digivice?"
Iori shook his head. "We can do a DNA test but it will take time."
"We don't have that luxury."
"You should have thought of that before coming here. This is a war we are fighting after all and there are precautions."
"Damn," Yamato hissed. "Kha'noth, take us to Rayne."
"Oh no you don't," Iori sprang forward but only ended up catching thin air as Yamato vanished. He straightened quickly and found himself standing outside completely alone.
Hikari knew that she was being irrational. Four days of standing constant vigil as they tortured him before her eyes. Four days spent rooted to the same spot. They had tried to get her to move, tried to use force when she refused. Her shield had fended them off. With the power she now possessed, she could keep it up for weeks if she chose. Nothing was going to make her move.
A loud noise like a thunderclap sounded behind her. She turned just in time to see two figures appear in the courtyard. Their sudden appearance amidst all the Digimon and Humans caused an instant chain reaction. Everybody's nerves were on edge and quite a few ended up hurling energy blasts at the pair.
Hikari caught a sight of blonde hair, the head quickly whipping around. That profile. She cast her shield over the two just before the first blast struck, casting plumes of smoke skywards. And then, she was shrieking for everybody to stop. A wild hope took root in her heart and she began to run down to where the two figures had appeared.
He has cheated death so many times before. Please gods, let this be true. They were probably torturing a clone outside.
She slowed down, eventually coming to a stop as the smoke around her barrier lifted. Standing within her shield was the elder brother and not the younger. The last shred of hope she had clung to turned to ash in that instant, leaving behind a raw, open wound that she could not conceal. She wanted to break down and cry.
"Whew," Yamato exclaimed, "that was close."
A flap of wings and suddenly Angewomon landed beside Hikari. "What are you doing here?" She questioned.
"That is what I am wondering actually," Yamato replied. "And who is that screaming? Are you people torturing someone?"
"It is Takeru," Hikari replied listlessly. "They are torturing him outside."
"Not possible," Yamato waved dismissively. "Takeru is still recovering. He told me to give you this." He held out a D3 and tossed it at Hikari.
As out of it as she was, her reflexes were still those of a highly trained warrior and she caught the D3 out of thin air. She looked down at it in confusion then looked back up at Yamato.
"He's alive, little sister. They lied to you."
A flood of emotions then, all mixed together and she staggered a bit as they hit. Angewomon quickly grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling. She was thankful for that little bit of relief. It allowed her to regroup and push back all the self-recrimination she had forced herself to endure.
"Wha… where is he?" She wished her voice did not sound quite so tremulous.
Yamato glanced around. "We should take this inside."
Hikari quickly straightened and nodded her head. "Yes, that would be wise. Come with me." She marched forward, grabbed Yamato's arm and dragged him after her.
As they left the courtyard, Hikari heard Angewomon ordering the soldiers to get back to their posts. That she was doing it and not Willis meant that he had likely decided to take a little break. It was not until much later that she realized the screams from outside had completely stopped.
Isuzu stared up at the plumes of smoke rising from inside the base and wondered what had happened. Whatever it was, it had been enough to draw Hikari away from her perch. Perhaps Takeru had come back. From the reports she had read, they had never found his body.
"We have lost."
Isuzu looked questioningly at the man seated behind her. Aidan Black was looking much better these days. All of the injuries he had sustained had been healed although there was still an unhealthy pallor to his skin. A sign, if one needed it, of the unnatural state of the man.
"There is an Aal within the outpost. Possibly another Chosen as well. Her spirit has also begun to rise." Aidan rose to his feet. "I think it is best if we leave now. It was a good plan but I cannot let them isolate them from my source of power. We will proceed with the original plan."
Isuzu began to respond but by then he had already vanished.
Hikari stared down at the Digivice. So, he was okay, as okay as was possible when all your skin had been burned off your body. She wanted badly to see him and knew that would not be possible. She had shirked her duties long enough.
Yamato had explained about the Aal and the Forbidden Isle. Then he had lapsed into an explanation about their ability to travel instantaneously within the Digital World. Apparently, they could also sense her presence now. The Aal had commented on how her power had grown considerably. He had also sensed the Undersea Master's presence but that had faded a short while after he had arrived.
The whole conversation had been concluded with Angewomon coming in and informing them that the army outside was leaving. Hikari had given her leave to go to Angemon and tell him the good news. She had dismissed Yamato and the Aal shortly afterwards so that she could concentrate on the D3.
The Digivice presented a unique problem. Obviously Takeru had chosen to have it sent to her because the password was something they both knew. The problem was that they had shared far too much with each other and the list of these things was very long.
Hikari shrugged. 'Oh well, might as well start at the beginning. Playground, Hika chan, Sazaki, sweetie, snookums - Gods, she hated that pet name – tomboy, Rhythm Emotion, Rizumu Emooshon.' The Digivice suddenly went into a 'Now Loading' screen. 'Oh Keru, you dork.' Hikari chuckled fondly.
Her eyes narrowed as the D3 launched its operating system. A soft chime sounded and a voice declared in a singsong fashion 'Su Ka Sa.' She had never seen that particular opening before. The Guardians constructed most digital devices and their OS carried no logos. Furthermore, Sukasa Corp. was the biggest company in Japan when it came to consumer electronics. Why would they be constructing Digital Devices?
Brow furrowing, she began to go through the Digivice. There was only one file on it; the rest of the hard drive was blank. She clicked on the file and gasped in disbelief as a whole chart of information opened up. Using her powers, she quickly found Yamato's mind. 'Please join me in the office.' She shut off the mental contact and began to study the information in front of her. A few moments later, the door to the room opened and Yamato walked in.
"Any luck?" He questioned as he took a seat.
Hikari slid the Digivice over to him. "I've copied the information on my own D3. Get this to the others as soon as possible. Judging by the data, we only have two more days before all hell breaks loose."
Yamato stared down at the Digivice and then pocketed it. "Do you have any recommendations for the others?"
"Tell them to proceed as they have for now. In two days time, we will strike back."
Yamato nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh, and Yamato." He paused. "When he wakes up, bring him to me right away. He is not to go anywhere else. If he argues, tell him that this is an order, not a request."
Yamato chuckled. "I will tell him." He raised his hand in farewell and then left.
Interlude
His ambitions had been thwarted for far too long. Implant a Spore with no thought as to what it might awaken. They were such shortsighted fools. It had taken him a while to get adjusted to his new powers. He could feel them within him, entrapping the Spore and causing it pain. They could purge him of the parasite at will but he refrained. With the right amount of enticement the Spore would serve him. He could hear its silent shrieks, music to his ears.
He had always been a hunter waiting calmly amidst his prey. Hiding deep within the recesses of his mind so that not even the telepaths could find him. Quietly biding his time until his moment came. And now, it had finally come. He had received orders to destroy Baihumon, the Protector of the Continent of Ellum. The request marched in step with his thoughts although the end result would be entirely different.
Ken smiled atop his throne. 'Oh, wouldn't it just.'
End Interlude
Taichi looked down incredulously at the D3 in his palm. It was all there, from enemy numbers to what type of digimon were being used. The most important thing though was the chart of enemy movement. It matched the attacking patterns they had encountered over the last week perfectly.
"Is it something we can use," Mimi questioned tiredly from her seat at the table. She had been pushing her powers to the limit, trying to predict where the enemy would strike next.
Wordlessly, Taichi passed the D3 to her. Fixing Yamato with a steady gaze, he asked, "Where is he?"
"Recovering. He was hurt pretty badly. I still cannot piece together how he escaped."
"Does it really matter?" Mimi questioned, waving the D3. "It's not like we can argue with his results."
Yamato nodded. "You are right. We should move forward now. Hikari recommended that we coordinate our attacks for maximum effect. The minute they learn we have this information, they will change their strategy."
"Two days from now," Taichi muttered.
"Makes sense," Mimi replied. "That date is when all of their forces launch simultaneous attacks across all five Continents. They plan to cripple us but if we get them, we can eradicate nearly 90 percent of their troops."
"Contact the others after you have rested." Taichi said to Mimi and then turned to Yamato. "I want you to check with the other Protectors. See if they can offer us any insight on how to deal with the Dark Spores."
Yamato nodded and rose to his feet. "Understood, but afterwards, I would like to return to the Forbidden Isle. I want to be there when Takeru wakes up."
"Bring him to me as soon as he is awake."
"Sorry, but Hikari gets first dibs on him." Chuckling to himself, Yamato left the room.
"Are you sure that granting him this much leeway is wise?"
"Probably not." Taichi shrugged. "However, let him be for now. Whatever his true intentions are, they seem to benefit us as well. The one I am really worried about is his reckless younger brother."
The door to the room was suddenly pushed open and a man stepped inside. "Lord Yagami, Lady Tachikawa." He nodded his head at both Taichi and Mimi.
"Mr. Frost." Taichi replied. "Why are you here?"
The man took a seat at the table. "I just had a very illuminating discussion with some of the refugees Lady Tachikawa escorted back to this base. Did you know that the twelve-year-old son of Lord Cain was murdered along with his father?"
"I did," Taichi replied gravely. "Make your point, Frost."
The man's eyes narrowed. "You are allowed to rule at the Council's behest. Don't let the power go to your head."
Taichi was about to retort angrily but Mimi beat him to it. "My, all this testosterone in the air. It's enough to make a girl swoon." Her tone changed suddenly, becoming less light hearted. "Don't try to bait us, Adam. You owe your existence to us. We have far too many things to do so make your point and go."
"As you wish. I want the name of the assassin you sent to Kroy. He will have to face the Council when he comes back and we will pass judgment on him. If word of his actionsever got out, we would lose the moral high ground in this war. Not to mention thedamage it would cause the world we will build after this war.I am sure you appreciate the intricacy of this situation."
Mimi was about to reply but this time Taichi cut her off. "His name is Takeru Ishida. He is one of the Chosen but had been missing for some time. He volunteered for this mission."
Frost nodded. "When this man returns, we will hear his testimony and then pass judgment. You will have to abide by the Council's ruling on this matter."
"Whatever you decide is fine with us."
The man bowed stiffly and then left the room.
"What the hell was that?" Mimi said as soon as the door had closed. "You are tossing him to the wolves."
"I know," Taichi said, a small smile playing on his face. "If they want to try and handle him, they have my sincerest condolences. I won't have to do it and you don't know how big a relief that is."
"What are you talking about?"
"They can put the harshest restrictions on him but getting those to stick will be another matter. And they will have to deal with Hikari too. That's one less problem for me to worry about. Now then, get some rest and I'll do the same. This news has actually put me in a much better mood."
"Pretty devious Taichi. Seems like you're not as clueless as I thought you were."
He grinned in response.
OneDay Later
He was falling, endlessly falling. For how long, he did not know. Oblivion had engulfed him and he could not say that he found its touch unpleasant. He had yearned so much for that embrace once before. An end to feeling, to pain, to hurt. It was a more generous end then he deserved and in the end, he had been denied it. He felt that the same would be true this time. That thought awakened anger and it was a bridge to his real self.
With a loud gasp, he shot awake. Pain wracked his body, his skin itchy and hot. It felt oddly like it had been stretched taut over his body, that at any minute he would burst at the seams. He laid his hand against the wall for support and realized that he was inside a cave. He was swathed in a pair of sheets and it was quite apparent that those were the only articles of clothing that he had.
"You're finally awake. It is about time."
Looking sideways, he saw the imposter that wore his brother's face.
"How do you feel?"
"Thirsty," he croaked.
The imposter sat down on his knees and held out a cup of water. "Take small sips."
He did not listen and downed the cup in one gulp. "More," he said, passing the cup back.
He ended up drinking nearly twenty cups full of water. A bi-product of the inferno he had survived. He paused in his thoughts. How had he known that he had survived an inferno?
"How are you feeling now?"
Takeru leaned back against the cave wall. Its coolness helped to soothe his skin. "Better," he admitted. "The D3…"
"I delivered it to Hikari as you wanted. We have the information."
"Good. How long was I out?"
"It has been five days."
Takeru closed his eyes. Suddenly a wave of dizziness washed over him. His head was pounding terribly. He had a feeling that he was forgetting something and then suddenly, he knew. His eyes shot open. "Ken," he struggled to his feet. "I have to get to Ellum."
Yamato frowned. "Why?"
"The traitor, it's Ken." Groaning, Takeru reformed his blankets around himself. "Tell Taichi that I am going to go stop him. I will need one of the Aal." He paused suddenly. He knew of the Aal but how had he known he was on the Forbidden Isle?
Yamato did not seem to pay it much mind though. "We already know that Ken is the traitor. Hikari had Iori send one of their operatives to the Continent to investigate. Neither the Aal nor the Telepaths can get through the barrier over the Continent."
Takeru shook his head. "He is planning to kill one of the Protector's. No mere person will be able to stop him. I have to do it; I can counteract the Spore. Get me an aircraft and one of those arm-blaster's if you can."
Yamato shook his head. "Already rushing off to the next crisis. Do you even care what Hikari has gone through because of you? They tortured a clone of you in front of her non-stop for four days."
Takeru ran a hand through his hair. "How is she?" He asked simply after a long time.
"She was devastated, blaming herself for what she thought was happening to you. I told her the truth though and she is better now. However, she has given me orders to bring you back to her as soon as you awaken."
"I can't. This is too important."
"She said that if you tried to run off again, to tell you that what she has said is an order, not a request."
Takeru grimaced. "Do you have my D3?"
Wordlessly, Yamato handed it over to him.
"I assume all the right people have the information that is on this device?"
Yamato nodded.
Takeru switched on the D3 and put it in recording mode. "Hey snookums, don't be mad but I can't obey your orders at the moment. You are free to take your anger out on Yamato over here."
"Hey."
Takeru quickly shushed him. "I just need to do one little thing and then I will come back to you. There's so much I need to tell you including this little thing about me kissing another woman. Hopefully, you'll have cooled off till then and I fully encourage you to take that anger out on our enemies. See you later, Hika Chan."
Takeru tossed the D3 back to the imposter. "Take that back to her and then leave as soon as possible. She will be very very angry."
"You could at least wait until I bring Angemon and your Crest here."
"Is he with Hikari?"
"Yes."
"Then leave him there. He will be more use to her and I have been on worse missions without a Crest. Now, quit stalling. We have little time as it is."
Sighing, Yamato rose to his feet. "All right then, follow me."
Willis bit the bottom of his lip as he stared down at the vast clearing that had only yesterday housed a large army. He had felt a bit like Rumpelstiltskin, waking up and finding the world around him changed. The explosions had awakened him but by the time he had walked out into the yard, the excitement had already passed.
Hikari had summoned him to his office later and had shown him the information Takeru had brought back. She had formed a telepathic link with Iori and the other Outpost Commanders and together they had worked out a strategy on how to crush the Dark Ocean Armies that would launch a fierce strike against them all tomorrow. The only unknown was whether the fiercest strike would come against the main Citadel or at his own Outpost. The information they had said it would be at the Citadel but Hikari's presence at the Outpost changed things.
She had chosen to stay at the Outpost instead of traveling back to the Citadel. A noble gesture but foolhardy, although, if her powers had expanded as much as she had claimed, they would easily win the coming battle. And then perhaps, he could finally go home.
A gust of wind alerted him to a Digimon's presence a moment before it landed near him. "How are you feeling?" He remarked by way of conversation.
"Well enough," Angemon replied.
And that was that. The two continued to stare out at the field below the Outpost. Angemon suddenly stiffened, his wings unfurling.
"What is it?"
"They left something behind."
Before Willis could say anything else, Angemon leapt off the wall. Willis tracked him as he dipped his wings and glided low over the field. Suddenly, he wheeled about, flapped his wings and rose further into the air. And then he was heading back to the Outpost. Willis stared at him questioningly when he returned. Wordlessly, the Digimon held out a D3. Above the screen, the words, 'for Hikari Kun,' were inscribed in Japanese.
"A trap? Maybe a virus?"
"I doubt Isuzu Asahina would try anything as transparent. Take this to her. I cannot see her just yet."
Willis took the D3, a frown on his face. "You should not blame her for locking you up. She suffered as much as you did."
Angemon's lips quirked into a humorless smile. "I don't blame her. I blame myself for not seeing through their deception earlier."
"Blaming yourself won't help things either."
"I will get over it. Thanks for your concern."
"All right," Willis shrugged. "I should get this to her."
He left Angemon atop the wall and headed down to the courtyard. From there, he made his way into the main compound. He found Hikari inside his office going over reports from his commanding officers. She looked up as he entered the room and smiled.
"Willis, come sit down. You can help me get through some of these reports."
"You're asking for help? I didn't think you knew how."
"Ha ha. I figured I would get some sleep after I was done but my generous nature doesn't allow me to foist all this stuff onto you."
"How unfortunate," Willis remarked as he took a seat. He tossed the D3 to Hikari. "We found this outside. Angemon does not believe that it will be harmful."
"Not in any physical way at least." Hikari muttered as she turned the D3 over in her palm. Then, with a slight shrug, she pocketed the device.
"You're not going to look at it?"
"Nope, maybe after tomorrow. I don't want any head games distracting me from what needs to be done."
A muted chime suddenly sounded in the room and seconds later Yamato appeared out of nowhere. His Aal companion stood behind him.
"Hello, can't stay long. This is from Takeru." He tossed a Digivice at Hikari. "All right, get us out of here."
"Wait, what?" Hikari said as she caught the D3 but by then he was already gone. She was still staring at the D3 when she heard a soft scraping sound. She looked up and saw Willis trying to quietly get out of his chair. "Where are you going?"
"Uh, yeah. I forgot I had to do something." He laughed nervously and began to edge towards the door. "It's Angemon you see. He's blaming himself for all the wrong reasons. I really should be there for the big guy." He opened the door of the office and practically bolted from the room.
Hikari rolled her eyes. "Men." She looked down at the Digivice in her hand. 'So, you decided to ignore my orders. I hope for your sake you had a good reason.' With a small sigh, she switched on the D3 and opened the video file on it.
When it was done, she sat in thoughtful silence and then fished out the other Digivice that Willis had delivered. It also contained a video file. After she had watched that one, she sat still for a long while and contemplated just how she was going to deal with this situation.
A good portion of his memory was missing, yet another hold in his mind. It was frustrating. He remembered the Dark Ocean and the sound of the waves, the conversation with Isuzu and then Ninjamon. He even remembered stumbling out of his cell and using the dead guard's knife to drain the chemicals. Then, a step, another and the next thing he remembered was waking up in the cave.
The dashboard in front of him beeped. Takeru thumbed a few switches and adjusted his flight pattern accordingly. If his information held up, he would be able to avoid any enemy patrols between him and his destination. It would also give him some time to recuperate and think.
His memories were missing but he remembered how hot it had been. His flesh had burned until there was nothing left. How he had come back, he still could not understand. The level of power it would require to return from such a state was astronomical. He was not sure he could have done it even with his Crest. And yet, he had done it without the Crest. His powers had completely regenerated his flesh. It did not even bear any of the old scars anymore. However, he had lost a whole lot of weight as a result. His body was nothing more then sinew and bone at the moment and it was only his will that kept him from complete collapse.
Hardly the most auspicious state to be in when going into what was sure to be a long, brutal fight.
He had also lost the ability to manipulate his features and that unsettled him more then he cared to admit. But, that was not his only worry. He still had not figured out how to explain to Hikari about the kiss between himself and Isuzu. It had meant less then nothing but she would never see it like that. He knew how possessive she was of the things she considered hers and he had little doubt that he fit into that category. After all, that had been the main point of their last night together.
'Gods, I am so totally screwed.'
One Day Later
The Temple was deserted and therefore quiet. The only sound was the steady clack of his boots hitting the marble floor. It was the sound of inevitability, the sound of one's doom approaching. Ken Ichijouji found the sound very pleasing. What he would do today would spell doom for the Chosen and the Dark Ocean.
They had been fools to think they could control him. All the Dark Spore had done was awoken his true self. He had played along, all the while plotting his own grand design. And now the time had finally come. The Dark Ocean would attack his troops gathered in the South, not knowing that he had already informed them of the coming attack. Their armies would be defeated and he would return to his own triumphant troops after harvesting the powers of a God.
The reign of the Digimon Emperor would begin again and this time no one would stand in his way.
Ken rounded a corner and came to a stop. So, not as deserted as he had first thought. He smiled and said, "I had hoped they would send you."
"Turn around and leave," Takeru replied. "You are not going to get past me."
"Is that a fact?" Ken rushed forward, closing the distance between them. Takeru swayed aside, avoiding the first punch. He ducked under the second and then slammed his fist into Ken's face. The man's face jerked sideways but his only other reaction was a mocking chuckle. Takeru hit him twice more but he kept laughing. He ducked under the fourth punch, stepped inside Takeru's guard, grabbed the collars of his shirt and flung him halfway across the hall. Takeru took the fall on his shoulders and rolled backwards into a crouching position. Ken's laughter echoed through the hallway.
"Look at you. You didn't even bring any help, did you? Trying to play the righteous hero again. It's never going to change all those dirty, evil things you've done."
Gathering his power, Takeru channeled the energy into his arms. He then rushed Ken before the other man had a chance to react. A rapid exchange of blows followed but this time Takeru's hits did real damage. A fast uppercut finally snuck through Ken's guard, taking him under the chin and sending him crashing to the floor.
"More… complicated then that." Takeru panted lightly. "For a child genius, you always werea bit simple."
"Oh really," Ken replied, springing to his feet. "Oh guys, can you forgive me?" He said in an imitation of Takeru's voice. "I wronged all of you. Hah, how pathetic was that little show. Now me, I'm not held back by guilt. This world belongs to me because that is my destiny."
"And here I thought it was just an unhealthy obsession with your dead brother. What was that fantasy again? Something about blowing bubbles?"
Ken withdrew the sword at his hip. "You will regret saying that."
Takeru smirked and drew out his forcelance. "I've seen your tough act before. The very first time we fought, you put on a show. Huffing and puffing, bragging about how cool you were."
"And you punched me out."
"Fun, wasn't it?"
Ken sprang forward and Takeru met him halfway. From the first clash of their weapons, Takeru knew that he would not win. The other man possessed far too much strength and he was still not fully recovered from his ordeals of the past few days. That left him with only one chance.
As their weapons clashed again and again, Takeru slowly maneuvered himself into position. Ken parried the left end of the force lance as Takeru swung it towards his face. In that same instant, Takeru let go of the lance and withdrew the dagger he always kept up his sleeve. He lunged forward, his movements quick and precise but he only caught empty air. Ken's fist struck him then, a thunderous uppercut which lifted him off his feet and sent him crashing to the floor.
"A little something I picked up from your Girlfriend. You like?"
Takeru groaned, trying to reach for the forcelance. He gasped loudly a moment later as Ken drove his sword into the back of his left hand, pinning it to the floor.
"This is your first real defeat, isn't it? How does it taste, hero?"
Takeru snarled and grabbed Ken's leg. Mustering every ounce of his power that he could, he fed it directly into the man's body. Ken threw back his head and screamed as wave upon wave of healing energy flooded his body. And then suddenly, he fell forward, unable to stay conscious.
Takeru grunted as Ken fell atop him. The sword pinning his left hand twisted, sending spasms of pain throughout his arm. Gritting his teeth, he rolled Ken off himself. Removing the sword proved to be much harder. It was lodged firmly into the ground and he could not muster the strength to pull it out.
He took a slow, calm breath and then yanked hard with his left arm. The sword sliced through his hand, exiting between his middle and ring finger. And then, the pain hit threatening to drive him unconscious once again. He pushed back against the Darkness that encroached upon the edges of his vision and stumbled to his feet. Retrieving the dagger that he had lost earlier, he forged a makeshift bandage and wrapped it around his hand.
"You are such a pain in the ass," he remarked to Ken's unconscious body.
After he was finished, he sank down beside Ken's unconscious body and closed his eyes. It was only for a moment, he told himself. Just a little more time to get his strength back. The Darkness was so inviting though. He felt it envelop him as soon as he closed his eyes.
He awoke some time later, his hand throbbing painfully. Nothing around him had changed. Ken was still lying on the floor unconscious. Stumbling to his feet in a daze, he grabbed the fallen man's leg and pulled him along. His aircraft was behind the Temple. He just had to get Ken onboard and then he could leave.
He lost consciousness twice more along the way but made it to the aircraft by sundown.
To be continued.
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