Hey guys, sorry if this is running a little later than usual. There were a few things I had to take care of, mostly just waiting around for my internet connection to come back. It's all good now though and we have another chapter here for you guys to enjoy and let me tell you, things are going to get intense from here on out. Well, let's get this show on the road shall we?

Chapter 18: Dance with the Devil.

A blur of white streaked before them- snatching up Takuya by the scruff of his neck. Takuya yelped in pain as the Digimon's cold fingers burned his flesh. Zoe gasped in fright. IceDevimon- a Digimon they'd had the misfortune to encounter before.

The Digimon grinned crookedly, running his tongue along his pointed teeth. "Miss me little human?" he asked with a devilish smile.

Takuya writhed in the white demon's grip, trying desperately to pry himself free from IceDevimon's grasp.

"Oh how I missed this, watching my prey squirm ever so helplessly." IceDevimon smirked at Takuya's attempts at escape with his scratching and flailing. "What a delicacy you are. I've never had a hybrid before."

Takuya yelped, terrified by the thought of being eaten and lit his entire body in a great flame. "No way man! You are not eating me!" he screeched and released waves after waves of flames at IceDevimon to get it to let him go.

The ice devil grunted as the flames blew into him. It wasn't exceptionally painful but it was a strain on him. "It's pointless to struggle against me little hybrid. You're so small and so weak. Like before. Do you remember? When all you could do was watch?"

"Hey! Let him go you creep!" Zoe commanded and threw a chair at the evil Digimon as best as she could.

The Digimon looked at the blonde, grinning maliciously. "If you insist." He released the boy, dropping him roughly. IceDevimon held his hand over Takuya, summoning icy tendrils that wrapped around Takuya's body.

The flame digimon cried out in pain and the cold burned his flesh and chilled him to the core. The warmth that energized him, drained from his body. extinguished by IceDevimon's bitter cold.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Zoe cried, terrified for her friend.

IceDevimon just laughed at their anguish. "Such sweet misery." He then turned his attention to the blond while still freezing the boy with the tendrils. "How about I have some fun with you too? The little hybrid won't last too long now."

Zoe backed away terrified as the Digimon's long hand reached out to her. She was too slow and was soon in his ice cold grip. The sheer cold burned her skin and slowly freezing her solid.

"I wonder who'll freeze first. The hybrid or the girl? Oh this is such good fun." IceDevimon mused to himself as he watched the two suffer under his grasp.

Takuya heard her scream and felt a great blaze trying to build itself up in his core. He struggled and cried out trying to melt away the cold. He would burn this devil to ash for what he's doing to them.

"L-let her go!" Takuya demand weakly, forcing himself to fight against the tendrils' grip.

IceDevimon laughed harder. "Aww, the little hybrid has a bit of fight left in him. Allow my to remedy that." He reached for Takuya, the tips of his long fingers glinting. He pierced the boy's flesh with his frozen fingertips. Takuya cried out in agony, collapsing in pain. Color drained from his body as the little warmth left inside him was extinguished.

"Takuya!" Zoe cried out to him after hearing his screams. "Let us go! Let us go!"

"I don't think he can hear you little girl." IceDevimon taunted and poked at Takuya to see if he'd get a response. The small fire Digimon moaned weakly, almost all the feeling in his body gone after the ice could touch put out the warmth. "I think I broke him."

"Taku…?" Zoe shivered, having grown numb as well.

He could hardly lift his head. IceDevimon was so strong. Takuya hadn't even been able to make a move against the icy demon. He lay, dying a slow icy death at the monster's feet. His vision blurred as he tried to look up at Zoe.

She would die too. They were both going to die at the hands of this frozen psychopath. He wanted to protect her, save her from IceDevimon- even if he did not survive. "Zoe..." He felt so cold, but he wouldn't let her down.

Takuya tried to push himself up, trembling weakly and shivering from the sheer cold. Zoe called out to him again, hoping to spark up the fight inside him.

"Please…" Zoe begged, hoping more than anything for a miracle to happen.

IceDevimon watched them not expecting the boy to still be able to fight back. He had frozen the Digimon boy to the bone yet there was still fight within him. "What's this? Oh, he's still trying to resist me. I think it's high time I end this."

"You're not… you're not going to win." Takuya muttered, trying to pull himself up from the ground. He needed something. There had to be some kind of power hidden in him that he could use. "I'm not… going to let you hurt us anymore…" he growled, building up every ounce of his will to fight back.

Takuya managed to get up to all fours, snarling at IceDevimon. The ice Digimon sneered, having grown tired of Takuya's unwillingness to accept his defeat. "You will die first you mongrel mutt."

He lashed out at the boy, knocking him to the ground. Takuya pushed himself up again, combating the freezing feeling in his body. "If I die I'm taking you with me!"

IceDevimon bared his fangs and tightened his grip on the blond making her whine in pain. "I still have the girl. You wouldn't dare do anything to…" he stopped mid sentence when he felt something. A warm wave of heat had pulsated from his prey. It wasn't strong at first but it was noticeable and it was slowly building itself up.

The fire Digimon could feel the heat pump throughout his body and thaw him out. He would get Zoe out of there. She's all that matters right now. To protect her, to save her, he would have to give it his all and light the ice demon ablaze with his fury.

"Frozen Claw!" IceDevimon slashed at the small Warrior, aiming to freeze him solid with one blow.

At the same time Takuya pulled his hand back, lighting it with a great flame. "Noble Heart!" he punched with the flames, colliding it with his enemy's frozen claws.

IceDevimon flinched at first, closing his massive hand around Takuya's. "Fool." He grinned smothering and extinguishing the boy's flame with his icy touch. Takuya cried out in pain, trying to wrench his hand free. Ice formed around Takuya's hand and crept up his arm slowly.

The frozen demon let go, allowing Takuya to struggle with his frozen hand. He laughed, lips drawing back into a sinister smile. "You're but a wet match without a light little hybrid. You're mine." He reached for the flame Digimon.

Zoe cried out to Takuya, fearing this would be the end for them both.

Takuya's head snapped up as IceDevimon's hand closed around him. His eyes were yellow and wild. Zoe gasped as the dark aura that had clouded his mind before formed around him. He snarled, the ice on his hand melting away and heat radiated off of his body.

IceDevimon dropped the boy, holding his burned hand. "You little-" His expression of rage turned to on of fear seeing the deadly look Takuya had in his eyes.

Takuya growled wildly and prowled closer towards the ice devil, his body ablaze with black flames that flared wildly with his rage.

"That can't be… a dark evolution?" IceDevimon watched the boy carefully, examining him with fear and intrigue. The boy had grown so much more powerful in sheer moments. "Things have just gotten a little more interesting."

Zoe just watched in fear. It's the ordeal with Ogremon all over again but far worse. Takuya didn't seem to be hindered by exhaustion and simply ignored the pain in his hand. "What've you done…"

Takuya's mind was set on one thing, destroying the devil and saving Zoe. He roared at them and lunged at IceDevimon. The devil was able to dodge the flames but the heat radiating from his attack was enough to thaw the icy creature.

He pinned IceDevimon on his back, crushing the demon's wings. IceDevimon cried out in pain, releasing Zoe in order to better fight off the enraged flame Digimon.

Takuya extended his claws, longer and pitch black in color, and raked them across IceDevimon's face. IceDevimon howled in pain holding his face.

"Takuya! Takuya stop!" Zoe had gotten to her feet and cried out to him in fear.

The boy paid her no mind, raising his clawed hand above the icy Digimon with the intent to finish him off once and for all. He lit his fist ablaze and drove his talons through IceDevimon's chest.

IceDevimon cried out in pain feeling Takuya's flames burn him from the inside-out. In a matter of seconds the demon shattered in a powerful explosion of flames and ice.

Zoe gasped, absolutely terrified by the brutality of Takuya's final bow to the evil Digimon. "Takuya…"

The small fire Digimon huffed and stayed crouched on the ground as the thick layer of ice covering the mall began to melt away. He acted like a wild animal just waiting for something else to happen.

"Taku…?" The blonde slowly approached the boy, careful not to upset Takuya in any way. "Taku… it's me. Remember?" she asked when he turned to face her, the feral look in his eyes showing no signs of leaving.

He stared at her intently, still visibly tense and on edge. Zoe had no idea what to do or how to approach him. Well she had one thought, but trying to rub behind his ears in his current state wasn't a very safe idea.

She thought about Kouji and Kouichi next, seeing as they had dealt with more of Takuya's antics than she had. They might have a better idea of what to do. She reached for her phone that sat silently in her pocket.

Before she could react, Takuya had tackled her to the ground, pinning her there. His studied her, suspicious of her actions. "Taku..." She pleaded, hoping to get through to him. He tilted his head, staring at her in confusion, like he was trying to understand.

Her voice sounded familiar to him but it put a major strain on his head. Part of him was screaming not to hurt her. That she was important to him. The way she looked at him, pleaded for him to spare her made his heart ache.

"Please… Taku… don't do this. It's me… Zoe. Remember?" Zoe asked, trying to reach out to him. She was quivering under him as he tried to understand her. "Please…"

Takuya growled weakly feeling his head throb trying to process everything. He held his head in his hands in an attempt to make the pain stop. It was coming back to him, slowly but steadily. He knew this girl. He cared for her.

Zoe knew that something was happening. She was getting to him somehow. "T-Takuya… I'm your friend. Please… come back." She pleaded.

He shook his head wildly. He held his head eyes squeezed shut as a soft whine of pain escaping him. Takuya pulled away, falling backwards onto his tail. He yelped in pain and scrambled away.

The blonde bit her lip, her heart aching for the boy she loved. "Taku..." She pushed herself up and went to his side, despite the dark aura still hanging around his body. "Taku- Look at me."

She cupped his chin in her hand and forced him to look up at her. She could see the confusion lingering is his yellow eyes. He trembled, hissing softly.

Zoe decided she had to act. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, hoping to the digital god this would bring him back. Zoe watched as Takuya's yellow irises turned green again as he came back to his senses. The rage that drove him to the edge had vanished from them completely and the dark aura faded away.

Takuya moaned weakly and slumped forward against Zoe's shoulder. "Z-Zoe?" he asked, feeling drained from the fight. "W-what happened?"

"Oh Taku. You're back." Zoe hugged the boy closely, ecstatic to have him back. "Thank goodness. I was so scared…"

"I… I lost control… I lost control again didn't I?" Takuya asked in a low whisper. He pulled away for a moment to look at her, for any signs that he might have hurt her. "I-I didn't hurt you… did I?"

She just shook her head and wiped away the tears in her eyes. "I'm alright, just a little shaken up. I was scared when you were fighting IceDevimon… I was scared we'd freeze to death… but you saved us. You beat it." She tried to assure him.

He pulled away, feeling ashamed. "Zoe... This... this... I… I..." He struggled to find the words. "What's happening to me...?" he whispered. "I... I can't..." He drew his knees to his chest and tried to hide his face.

Zoe touched his shoulder, "Taku..."

He flinched away, "Zoe..." He looked at her slowly. "I'm a monster... I... I have no control..." He was trembling. "I'm no better than IceDevimon..." he said bitterly, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.

"Takuya, that's not true." Zoe turned his face to have him look at her. "You're not a monster Takuya… you know that. I know that. You're a good person Takuya."

Takuya just shook his head. "Zoe… look at me. Look at all the horrible things I've done because of this… I could have hurt you…"

"But you didn't… You didn't hurt me." She tried to reassure him. "You were able to be you again."

"Zoe, I lost control… I don't even remember anything that happened… I just see the damage I caused…" Just taking a glance around he could see large burns lashed around on the floor and walls. There was a particular spot that looked like a small bomb was set off, the spot where IceDevimon exploded. "…does any of this look like something a good person would cause?"

"Takuya..."

He shook his head more. "Zoe... I'm dangerous... I'm too unpredictable... I..." he clenched his fists, "Zoe... I can't..."

She cut him off, kissing him gently. "It doesn't matter Taku. I'm not going to leave you. I want to be there for you, not see you self-destruct."

"But Zoe-"

"No. Takuya. I know this isn't like you. Something must be causing it. I don't know what but I know you would never behave like that. You're not you when you lose control. It's something else entirely."

"How can you be sure?" Takuya asked, wanting to believe her but finding it impossible. "I could be becoming a monster… I just can't control myself… I couldn't with Ogremon… or with IceDevimon… who knows what'll happen if I lose control again…"

"Stop. Takuya please, it's not your fault. This has never happened to any of us before. It can't be natural. Something must be causing this. It's not you."

"I'm… I'm…" He stopped when she pulled him closer in a hug. Takuya couldn't pull away from her. He just let her hold him. "What am I going to do Zoe… I don't want to do this again… I don't want to hurt anyone…"

Zoe tried rubbing his back, hoping the simple gesture would help him even if just the slightest bit. "We'll figure something out. I promise. We can make things better."

She stood up and helped Takuya to his feet. She looked around to see that no one was around to spot them. "Maybe we should find somewhere to go before people show up…"

Takuya nodded slowly. It was a good idea. He didn't want to get caught when people start flooding into the mall and see the devastation from the fight. Even if he changed back, people would be suspicious of the two being around at the scene of the crime.

With that in mind Takuya changed back to his human form. "Come on. Let's get out of here." Zoe guided Takuya back downstairs, using the stairs this time. She would not be going into another elevator for a long time.

Luckily for them no one was around. The blizzard had kept everyone indoors and most were reluctant to enter the streets at first. It gave the couple ample time to leave the building and leave the vicinity.

The blonde still felt cold, with ice and snow still layering the ground despite the absence of their master's influence. Zoe tried to push the cold away and turned to her friend and frowned when she saw the look on his face. He looked like he was still beating himself up about everything. "Taku…?"

Takuya looked up at her slowly, his fears still evidently displayed on his face. "Zoe..." He shivered from the cold, feeling the frozen grip of IceDevimon again.

Zoe went to his side, taking his hand in hers. "Come on Takuya, Let's get you home."

He nodded numbly, remaining quiet as the pair trudged through the bitter cold and snow back to the Kanbara household. No one was home yet as Zoe led the boy upstairs to his room. She made him lie down and rest.

"Takuya..." she started, wanting desperately to comfort him. The brunette looked beyond upset. She could just imagine what horrible and demeaning thoughts were racing through his head. It wasn't pleasant. "Taku..." she pressed, trying to get through to him.

Takuya ventured a look in her direction but he didn't say anything. The look in his eyes made Zoe want to cry. He looked absolutely dejected, any traces of his once happy demeanor long gone. All that remained was misery and self loathing.

She reached out to him, taking the boy's hand in hers to show that she was there for him. "Taku… please talk to me." Takuya bit his lip but didn't say anything. Any progress he made felt lost, having reverted back to the silence that plagued him earlier.

Zoe sighed softly. She felt as though she had won all the battles she could wage but ultimately lost the war. Nothing she did would stick long enough to lift the boy's spirit. She moved beside him, wrapping her arms around his chest. He didn't struggle or push her away.

They stayed there for a long time. Takuya shivered occasionally, still feeling the cold from IceDevimon's attacks. Zoe just held him close trying desperately to make him feel safe and secure.

She was surprised when she felt his arms wrap around her. Zoe wasn't sure if he knew it or not but he was holding her close to him. It was a start but she wasn't sure if she should press her luck, not yet.

Takuya's arm was still cold and was clammy to the touch. She could feel the icy numbness in his arm. In an attempt to warm him up Zoe took his hand in hers and started to rub his arm.

"You're going to be okay Takuya. I'm not going to leave your side." She whispered to him while trying to keep him warm. Zoe could at least do this for him despite his lack of response.

He shivered again, tears threatening to fall. "Don't go..." He whispered. Zoe hugged him tighter. The defeated tone of his voice broke her heart.

"I'm not going anywhere Taku. I promise." She whispered to him. Takuya trembled in her arms, as a soft sob escaped him. She stroked his hair, making soft soothing noises. "Shh, It's okay now Taku. It's okay."

Takuya looked up at her slowly, his face freshly stained with tears. "Zoe..." He sounded so lost, so uncertain.

Zoe leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "I'm not going to leave you Taku."

Takuya leaned in closer and buried his face in her shoulder. "I don't want to be like this anymore…" he admitted, whimpering and nearly breaking into sobs.

"Taku…" Zoe lifted his face to get him to look at her. She tried to wipe the tears away and kissed his forehead again. "I know you're scared Taku… but I promise everything is going to be okay."

He shook his head gently. "I…I don't know if it can… Zoe…"

"You're going to be okay… you won't be alone. You don't have to be alone. You have Kouji, the others, your family, and myself. We're all here for you. We care for you." Zoe told him, trying to fight back tears herself.

He looked away, unable to meet her gaze any longer, "Zoe... I..." He trembled as he tried to find the right words. "What... what if..."

She laid her palm on his cheek, tilting his head to face her again. "Takuya. You need to stop worrying. If you continue to focus on your fears, that's all you'll ever feel. And I don't want that."

He swallowed slowly, "Zoe..." he whimpered softly, feeling his pain and fears bubbling up in his chest. He felt like he was about to explode from all the stress and pressure. "I can't, I can't..." He shook his head, pulling away from the girl.

"Takuya..." She reached out to comfort him.

The brunette flinched away, "D-don't touch me."

Zoe stared at him with her tears spilling free, hurt by his response. She knew it was the fear and pain that talking but it didn't make it hurt her any less. "T-Taku…"

"Please… I… I can't… just…" Just seeing Zoe like this made his heart break but he couldn't get over this feeling building up in him. He couldn't take it anymore. It was just too much. "I-I… need to be alone…"

"What?" Zoe gasped, on the verge of a break down. Just about anything could set her off into uncontrollable sobs. He didn't speak again. "Takuya… please…"

Takuya sat up and looked away from her. "Zoe… please… I just want to be alone right now…"

"But…"

"Leave!" the boy snapped at her, surprising her as well as himself.

The girl fled from the room, heartbroken and in tears. Takuya could hear her sobbing as she ran down the stairs and out the front door, slamming it behind her. He flinched hearing the door slam.

"What have I done..." he whispered, tear streaming down his face, "Zoe..."

'Poor little freak, all alone' a voice teased from the back of his mind.

Takuya lowered his gaze, staring at his hands. "I..."

'You're nothing but a monster.'

He yelped in pain, and saw that he had become Flamon against his will. "No… No I-"

'How could anyone want a beast like you?'

"S-shut up!" Takuya roared, flames threatening to rise with his anger. He scanned his room for whatever could be calling to him.

'Even if the girl did like you, she sure wouldn't now.'

"No… it… it wasn't… I didn't mean it…" Takuya wanted to assure himself but started doubting himself. He wouldn't blame her for not wanting to even see him again. He broke her heart. He hurt her.

'It doesn't matter. You're just a monster now. She won't come back to you. You're all alone freak.'

"No… y-you don't know that…" Takuya shook his head defiantly but again doubt clouded his thoughts.

'There's no point in this denial. Just accept it. You're nothing but a monster.'

He whimpered softly, pulling his knees to his chest. "Monster..." he whispered, looking at his hands in disgust.

'You don't deserve to live. You only cause pain.'

Takuya whimpered again, loathing himself. The voice was right. He was just a freak- a monster. No one would want him around. Not even Zoe... she must hate him...

He felt a shadow looming over him, but didn't care to look. 'Undead Fang!' Takuya cried out as something bit down hard on the back of his neck. He thrashed around wildly, trying to shake his attack free, succeeding when her slammed his back into his dresser.

The creature cried out in pain and fell to the floor. It was a small imp like creature; its skin a sickly pale blue color wearing a black mask that covered its entire head save for its large mouth. Most noticeable were the two eyes in protruding from its palms, the right red and the left green.

"What the hell are you?" Takuya growled and felt the back of his neck, wincing when it came in contact with the fresh wound.

The small creature sniggered and stood up straight. "Just someone who loves doing their job." Takuya growled in response and lit his fists ablaze.

"Ooh, temper temper. Don't you think you've caused enough destruction as it is?" the Digimon taunted and laughed seeing how Takuya was taken back by his words.

The flame Digimon trembled with anger. "Just who are you?" he snarled.

The dark Digimon snickered, "Dracmon's my name, little monster. I'd be a bit nicer if I were you."

"And why's that?" Takuya snapped, snarled.

Dracmon smirked, "If it weren't for me, you'd be dead."

It dawned on the boy. This Digimon had the same dark aura that had made him lose control. Takuya growled softly, "You... You did that to me?!"

"Well of course. If I didn't then those losers Ogremon or IceDevimon would have pulverized you and that pretty little girl." Dracmon answered with a grin.

Takuya nearly went ballistic. This thing was to blame for everything. "This is all your fault! I swear I'm going to make you pay for what you did to me!"

"Hey, I save your hide and this is how you repay me?" The small evil Digimon leapt away as Takuya tried to pounce down on him. "That's just cruel."

"You have any idea what the hell you did to me?! You turned me into that thing! You ruined my life!" Takuya roared and flung flames at Dracmon, not caring how his misfires damaged his room. His rage had gotten the better of him.

Dracmon landed on the bed and surveyed the damage done to the room. "Ooh, your mum's not going to like this." He taunted, a sinister smirk on his face.

"Shut up!" Takuya lunged at the devilish Digimon again, snarling madly. Dracmon dodged, Takuya missed and took out the lamp beside his bed.

"Wow, you really are a destructive freak of nature." Dracmon teased, now hovering in front of the bedroom door.

Takuya snarled, lighting his fists ablaze again and jumping at the Digimon. He tackled Dracmon, and crashed through the door into the hall. "I'll destroy you!"

"I think I'm the least of your concerns at the moment." Dracmon warned, hinting at something sinister though Takuya paid no mind to it. "Eh, don't say I didn't warn you."

Takuya started seeing red and prepared to breath a plume of flames at the enemy Digimon.

"Takuya?! Are you home?! What's going on up there?!"

The boy gasped, snapping out of his state of bloodlust. That was his mother. She's home. She'll see them. "No… no… not her… not now…"

Dracmon saw an opportunity and slashed Takuya across the face while he was distracted. Takuya cried out in pain and held his face giving Dracmon the opportunity to kick him off.

"Takuya?" his mother was at the base of the stairs. Takuya froze, this was so bad. If she came up and saw... He shuddered at the thought. Meanwhile, Dracmon tried to sneak away in his moment of sheer terror.

"Oh no you don't!" Takuya lunged at Dracmon, crashing to the ground grappling with the demonic Digimon. The pair wrestled on the ground roughly, Dracmon's claws digging into Takuya's skin.

By now both Takuya's mother and father were at the base of the stairs. "Takuya! What is going on up there?!" Mr. Kanbara shouted.

Takuya snarled wildly, trying to force Dracmon into submission, They rolled dangerously close to the stairs. "Mom! Dad! Move!" He shouted to his family as both he and Dracmon tumbled down the stairs in a heap.

"What the hell?!" Mr. Kanbara couldn't believe what he saw. Two monsters just suddenly came falling down the stairs. He pulled his family away from the brawling creatures and watched helplessly as they tore each other apart.

Yuriko shrieked at the sight of the two. They were tearing the house apart in their struggle.

Dracmon glanced at the family watching and smirked. They were completely horrified with the violence and Takuya's roars of rage were only making it worse.

Takuya unleashed more flames at the evil Digimon though due to their close proximity and struggle, the flames misfired and burned the living room couch.

"Oh god, Hiroaki, do something!" Mrs. Kanbara begged after seeing the flames grow.

Mr. Kanbara snapped out of his stupor, running to the kitchen to grab the fire extinguisher. He returned, putting out the flames on the couch, before turning it on Takuya and Dracmon.

The two Digimon pulled apart in fright, Takuya shaking the foam from his mane. Dracmon smirked, jumping at the Kanbaras. "Undead Fang!"

"No!" Takuya tackled the Digimon, snarling wildly. "Noble Heart!" He struck Dracmon hard, determined to protect his family. Dracmon wailed in pain, reeling backwards. Takuya snarled at him. "I won't let you hurt them!"

Dracmon smirked, "Then finish me."

Takuya took the dark Digimon's challenge, launching himself on top of Dracmon. He slashed at the demonic Digimon. "I hope you rot in hell!" Takuya snarled wildly.

The Kanbaras watched in horror as Takuya ripped Dracmon apart.

Dracmon struggled against the boy's assault but took a chance, aiming the eyes in his palms at Takuya's face. When Takuya made eye contact with the heterochromatin eyes. "Eye of Nightmare."

Takuya felt a jolt surge through him and lost all feeling in his body. He tried struggling against it but it was as if his body had a mind of its own. "W-what's happening to me…?"

Dracmon just snickered. "I'd like to stick around and play a little more but I've got to go." He moved his hands and Takuya got off him, against the boy's will. "But I'll give you one last parting gift before I go."

The boy struggled, feeling his body change. Takuya's eyes widened when he realized what Dracmon was going to do. "No! Don't! Please!"

The evil Digimon just laughed and watched as Takuya's body emitted the all to familiar bright light of evolution before disappearing.

Takuya sat there in the middle of the destroyed living room, in shock. His family stared at him in horror and shock. The brunette was terrified. The look on their faces was terrible. "M-mom?" Takuya started timidly.

His mother took a step towards the boy, but found her husband blocking her way. "Stay away from that thing!" The boy looked at his father in pure, horrified shock.

"Dad... It's me... I'm... I'm still me..."

"Takuya..." Yuriko looked at he son, scared and confused. She seemed to believe him.

The look his father held said he believed otherwise. "That's not our son- That thing is not our son!"

Takuya flinched hearing the hatred in his father's voice. "Please- you have to let me explain!"

The boy tried to approach his family but Hiroaki swung the fire extinguisher at the boy, keeping him back. "D-dad…"

"Don't you come near my family!" his father commanded, threatening to swing the extinguisher at him again. The look in the man's eyes showed that he was serious. That he considered Takuya a threat to his family's safety.

"Hiroaki… w-what if…" Yuriko tried to find her voice but with everything that happened she just couldn't find the words to finish her thought.

"That thing… that freak is not our son!"

Takuya felt himself break after what his father called him. His father had called him a freak. "Y-you don't mean that…" he tried to reassure himself and stepped closer to them.

Mr. Kanbara swung the fire extinguisher at Takuya, striking the boy in the arm. Takuya cried out in pain, falling to the ground. He cradled his arm gingerly, stunned that his own father had attacked him. He sat there staring at his family, brokenhearted with tears welling in his eyes. He couldn't find his voice.

"Get out!" Hiroaki shouted, brandishing the extinguisher at the boy.

The brunette scrambled to his feet, minding his injured arm. He bolted out the door, tears streaming down his face. His own family... The people who were supposed to love and care for him no matter what had rejected him- cast him out.

And there you have it folks. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. If you guys still have any issues or questions I'll be sure to try my best without giving anything away for the future. I'm not really used to writing replies so bare with me and I'll get right to you when time permits or when we do another Q&A. Hope to hear from you guys (I know there're a lot of you). Later.