Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon, just the plot of the fic. The muses would also like to disclaim the fact that some of the words are now 'smushed' together which happened during the revising process...it's not our fault...
Author's Note(s): Grrrr...so I had this chapter all nice and neatly revised and was nearly done with it-only a few more paragraphs left and then I could repost it...when...grumbles I hit the wrong sequence of keys on the keyboard...and the window closed up on me...(wails) It as terrible, I was so angry at the damn thing. ANYWAY, so I had to revise this again for like, the third time...because this first time my coworker had accidentally closed it when she was here with me. Growls again BUT, it's now done! So enjoy all you wonderful people you...and yes...I plan to update my other fics soon...very, very soon...
Warning: This fic contains slash/yaoi...if you're not a fan of male/male pairings, I suggest that you hit the wonderful back button to the top left of your page there and run far, far away to forever hold your peace. You've been for warned.
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji with some Junpei/Izumi hints scattered throughout
Time Setting: AU season 04 fic
Chapter III: Agunimon's Spirit Awakens (Part II)
Both boys shielded their eyes from the bright light, and when the light had dimmed down enough for Kouji to believe that he could see he lowered his arm-and gasped. They must've tripped some kind of mechanism or something because ahead of them, the once dark tunnel was now brightly lit with torches all along both sides of the cave.
Taking caution, Kouji went over and grasped hold of one of the torches lifting it out of its holder so that way, at least if the torches didn't last all the way through the tunnel they'd at least have some light to continue on with. Looking over at Takuya, and nodding in the general direction setbefore them Koujistarted forward andTakuya followed, looking around them with awe.He wasn't sure if Kouji had seen what he was seeing now, but it seemed as though there were markings-incantations or something of the like, etched into the cold hard stone. If Kouji saw them, he didn't say anything...in fact, he didn't say anything forquite some timeand the silence was starting to creep Takuya out.All that could be heard were their soft footsteps that echoed throughout the underground tunnel.
"So.Kouji...um...where do you thinkthis tunnel will eventually lead us to?" Takuya asked, trying to get atleastsome conversation out of his new found friend.
Just a friend, or is he something more? A voice whispered inside his mind, and Takuya tried his hardestnot to pay attention to it...but...the more the question flitted around inside his head, the more he thought about it, and the more he realized he wanted it answered...soon.
Takuya had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, that he hadn't fullyheard Kouji's reply to his question-instead,he only managed tocatch the end of the dark haired teen's answer.
"...the end of the world?"
"What?" Takuya asked,as he quickly brought himselfback to reality and Kouji laughed a shallow laugh.
"You weren't paying attention, were you Takuya? And you were the one who asked me the question in the first place!" When Kouji turned his head enough,so that he could see Takuya's face, Takuya found a smirk on it.
"Well...uh...I had a lot on my mind?" Kouji laughed once more-but this time it was a bit gentler as he repeated what he had said a few seconds ago.
"I was saying, that maybe it could lead us to nowhere or maybe it could lead us to the end of the world...who knows?" Takuya nodded, once again sinkingdeep into his own thoughts. This time, it was Kouji who couldn't stand the silence.
"Is it just me, or is it getting really warm in here?"
"Nope, it's not just you." Takuya murmured,as he pulled his shirt away from his chest a couple of timessince it was starting to stick to his skin with the sweat that had been gathering. Looking over at Kouji, he realized that the normally pale-faced teen actually had a little bit of color from the warmth they were feeling.the sudden heat was rising as they headed deeper into the tunnel. Kouji's bandanna was also looking damp with perspiration, and soon both boys grew very uncomfortable.
So uncomfortable, that Takuya wanted to take off his shirt and just go with his bare chest. But, he decided against it as they finally saw somelight coming through an opening ahead of them.
"You think that maybe the source from all this heat is beyond that?" Takuya asked, pointing to the opening and Kouji quickly nodded in reply.
"I don't think so...I know so." Takuya knew what Kouji meant by that statement. It did seem as though the closer they got to it, the more the heat got unbearable.
"I think I was right...and I'm starting to really hate being right, right now." Kouji muttered, as Takuya finally came up to where Kouji had stopped and looked over the other's shoulder...gasping loudly.
They were standing on a cliff...and below them, was nothing but...fire...?
"Whatin the hell is this! A lake or something turned to flames?" Takuya yelped as he started to back off, grabbing hold of Kouji's yellow and blue rimmed shirt...bringing him along with him. Kouji followed willingly, as both boys were now perspiring quite heavily. Both were feeling thirsty beyond belief-Takuya felt like he hadn't had water in days and he was positive that Kouji was feeling the same.
"There's no way out if we continue on so we'd better get back.oh...shit." Now it was Kouji's turn to grab a hold of Takuya's shirt, with Takuya still holding onto his own shirt, and Takuya gave him a strange look that pretty much said: 'okay, what's wrong now?'
"I just saw something fly around out there!" Kouji whispered frantically, and both of their eyes opened wide with fright.
"What...what could possibly be able to live in heat like this? Or even survive in it?" Takuya panted out, and Kouji shrugged moving so thathe could get a better look. Takuya reluctantly followed, not really wanting to stay there longer than they absolutely had to.
"Takuya...?" Takuya walked so that he wasright up beside Kouji, since the opening gave enough room for the both ofthem to stand side by side, and stared at where the teen was pointing at, for he was pointing upwards, and Takuya's heart nearly froze with fear when he finallysaw what Koujihad seen.
"Oh...oh no..." Both boys were now whimpering with the same fear that showed in their eyes, for up above the firey lake beneath them,was a huge swarm of sleeping bats...hanging from the stalactites. One of them stretched its wings and yawned, causing bothDigi Destinedto tense up for a minute as their minds thought that it was about to wake up. Suddenly, Takuya's Detector beeped low, and the brunette made agrab for it before it could make any more noise that would set the millions of bats off in a frenzy at any minute.
"That thing has a lousy sense of timing." Kouji whisperedharshly,as Takuya held the black and red device in front of him,while it lit up as the same feminine voice from before announced quite loudly:
"These are Batsomon. They can adapt to their climate whenever they need to, and as quickly as they need too. Though some say that they prefer the heat of the fire over anything else, for the flames tend to increase their strength-and surprisingly their size as well. They are in deep hibernation during this time of year, and if you waken them, you'd better be prepared to run, because their attack is lethal." With that, the Detector stopped glowing, and went back to normal as the voice suddenly disappeared.
Both Takuya's and Kouji's eyes were as wide as they could go as they had hoped to the gods that the voice from the Detector hadn't been to loudenough towaken theBatsomon. Takuya gulped nervously,as hecautiously put his Detectoraway and started to walk ever so slowly backwards, as Kouji was doing already. But before Takuya could get deeper into the safety off the tunnel and away from the cliff's edge, the cliff started to crumble, and he started to fall. No matter what he did to try to hang onto anything. His screams echoed through the cave and through the tunnel as Kouji pivoted quickly and tried to reach his friend before it was too late.
But it was already to late. Kouji had been one second to late, as Takuya went plunging down to the fiery lake down below, the crumbling cliffside going with him. Kouji closed his eyes, feeling the tears start to burn their way through.but he promised himself that he wouldn't cry. He wouldn't. He hadn't cried since many years ago-and he wouldn't start now.
"TAKUYA!" Kouji yelled, and so wrapped up in the fact that he was going to loose what had to be one of the first friends he had made in a very long time-and quite possibly someone he was more interested having for more than justa friend-he hadn't seen the Batsomon all awake rather angrily as they eyed him. The onething that warned Kouji of the Batsomon's awakening was their sonic noise that echoed throughout the cave. Kouji clasped his hands over his ears, trying to protect his fragile ear drums from the intensity of the piercing scream that seemed to emit through the Batsomon. Now, Kouji didn't usually try to run from any danger, and usually he wasn't scared of anything-hadn't really been scared of anything for a long time. But as the Batsomon detached themselves from the stalactites in the cave, and he heard their obnoxious, loud screaming Kouji turned heel and started running for his dear life.
Unfortunately for Kouji, he didn't get very far. For one of the Batsomon had already reached him and had tried to grab him once with its long, outstretched claws. With Takuya temporarily forgotten, all Kouji could do was try and get out of this alive. He'd mourn Takuya later...but, he didn't even get a quarter of the way back through the tunnel before thesameBatsomon tried to grab him again, and this time, it got lucky.for it dug it's claws sharply into Kouji's shoulders. Kouji went rigid with shock and stopped running then as he felt the sudden pain flare up in his shoulders. He sucked in a deep breath and let the tears finallyflow, as the Batsomon carried him back through the tunnel and into the cave where the fire pit that had taken Takuy from himlay, seeping its claws deeper into Kouji's shoulders, as though trying to punish him for disturbing their peaceful slumber. Kouji hissed out in pain, and didn't even realize that he had called out-in a pain filled voice-Takuya's name as the Batsomon soared up higher and higher. Before Kouji knew it, he was going through another tunnel located on the other side oftheunderground cavern,that neither he nor Takuya had seen because it had been so far up and beyond their eyesight. And the other Batsomon were following him and his capturerlike an angry flock...
"NO!"
Takuya couldn't feel anymore, he couldn't think...all he could do was...well, fall. And fall he did, very quickly. Before Takuya knew it, he was plunging into the flames of the lake. But...he was still alive? How was this possible?
Takuya took a breath as he looked around him, and realized he didn't feel any pain from his fall either. He was not hurt, and in fact, he didn't even feel any of the heat down here. It was as cool as the cave above them...the one from earlier beforehe and Koujihad fallen into the underground tunnel. Licking his lips, Takuya looked around and then hugged himself tightly as tears crept into his eyes and threatened to flow.
Kouji-kun is probably going to think I've died or something.and there is no way to let him know that I'm alive and well! Takuya bit back a sob as suddenly he saw a figure in the distance and tried to call out to it, but found himself unable to speak. Shutting his eyes tightly from the terror that was starting to grow within him, Takuya fought togot acontrol of himself and his emotions,shaking himself out of the sorrow that filled his heart. He had to get out of here.he had to get back to Kouji and let him know that he was alright, alive, and well!
Well, if this doesn't get you to tell Kouji your feelings about him, than what will? The little voice whispered again, and Takuya shook his head. He couldn'tjustgo rightup to Kouji and tell himhow it was he felt about him...that he felt more than just friendship. Would Kouji even understand? Feeling suddenly tired, Takuya felt his eyes starting to droop, but a rather demanding voice that seemed toocome outof nowhere, causing him to raise his eyes to the figure that was still advancing-very slowly-towards him.Walkingthrough the fire that was all around him-looking as though he were merely gliding through it...and suddenly, Takuya had a strange sense of De Ja Vu.
"Don't fall asleep Takuya Kambara, for if you do you might never come out of this pit alive." Takuya swallowed a couple of times, finally gettinghis voice to work.
"W-what? What do you mean by that?"
"Some have died here in this pit. I do not wish you to be one of them.I can help you get out of here if you'd let me help you."
"Who are you?"
"I am standing right before you, as I speak."
Takuya's head snapped up, and he saw the figure that had been approaching him was now directlyin front of him, and he stared open mouthed and wide-eyed at it.It...it looked like some kind of freakish monster...but...a cool freakish monster. There was really and truthfully no otherway he could describe what he saw in front of him. The monster had some wicked armor that covered a good portion of its body-it's upper chest and arms-there was padding on its elbows and shoulder blades, and the armor also encased the monster's lower legs. The symbols of flame and fire were etched into its arm and knee guards. It was a truly wicked sight. Takuya couldn't help but stare in pureaweat what stood before him, and even stretched out his arm as if he could touch it. But when he tried too, his hand went right through it, and his eyes opened even wider.
"What the...?"
"I am yours if you claim me. But you must hurry." The figure before him started to ever so slowly disintegrate, and Takuya could feel the heat starting to seep through the barrier that must've been somehow created around him.
"No...I...how?" Takuya's mouth went dry once more,as he tried to figure out what to do. He was panicking. Then, suddenly as if out of nowhere his Detector flashed brightly, and Takuya grabbed a hold of it. Holdingit outin front of him, he suddenly understood what it was he was supposed to do. He wasn't sure how, but somehow, he just...knew.
"SPIRIT!"
Kouji had no idea where the Batsomon were taking him, but the one that was carrying him now had sunk it's claws sodeep into Kouji's shoulders,that now it's claws were soaked inhis blood. The dark-haired Digi Destined gave a low sigh...one that could be interpreted as pain, or sorrow. Pain, because of his aching shoulders (which, Kouji knew were going to hurt even more once he was finally released from the Batsomon's harsh grip), and sorrowover loosing Takuya..someone who hehad just started to consider a true friend. Something he hadn't had in avery long time now.
But did I really loose him? Kouji thought miserably, as he allowed the Batsomonwho held him captive to continue its flight. I did see him fall...but...? The teen shook his head. NO one could survive a fall into a pit like that.no one. Kouji sighedonce more,as the bat continued its flight, with the others behind it...
Kouji must've blacked out or something at one point during the Batsomon's journey, because when he finallywoke, he was in an ice cavern, and it was slightly chillier here than the fire pit had been-a total different change in climate. He was lying on his stomach, with his left arm trappedunderneath it and his right one stuck out in front of him. Kouji tried to sit up, and felt nothing but pain, which caused him to cry out as he remembered his bleeding shoulders from the Batsomon's claws.
Speaking of which...
Where are the Batsomon? Kouji thought, as he managed to sit up fully and gentlyprobe his shoulders, hissing in pain as he did so. He needed to clean up the cuts and bandage them-problem was, was thathe didn't have any supplies with him, and at the moment there wasn't even any water around. In fact, now that Kouji was able toget an even better look around him,being more awake and alert, he saw that he was in some sort of icy prison with the bars made out of nothing but ice. As Kouji stood, he noticed that it was darker here in this cave, and remembered that Takuya's Detector had said that the Batsomon could easily adapt to any climate changes necessary. But it didn't help to explain how they got here. Or why they were here, or how far away they were nowfrom the fire pit...? Kouji had too many questions in his mind, and no one to answer them-it was starting to frustrate him. Gripping the icy prison bars, Kouji knew he had to figure a way out of here, he didn't even know if the Batsomon were still around...
Takuya ran, as fast as he could.well, actually he wasn't really even himself anymore, but the Fire Spirit Agunimon. It had been incredible when he had changed into his Spirit. He only wished nowthat Kouji, or anybody really had been their to see it with their own eyes. It made Takuya wonder if those other three kids that he and Kouji had seen on the platform way back at the train station earlier, on their journey herewere okay.
But first, I've got to find Kouji! Takuya thought, wondering where the Batsomon could've taken him. With the Fire Spirit's help, Takuya had managed to get out of the fire pit, and back out into the open. But where to go from there, not even the spirit knew. Takuya sighed as he kept on running. He had to find Kouji, but it wouldn't be the easiest thingto dobecause the Batsomon could fly. Which, gave them a big advantage since that meant that there were no tracks to follow. Suddenly, his Detector went haywire, and he grabbed it from its pouch as his (now) bright blue eyes opened wide.
"That's strange." He muttered. On the detector screen, there seemed to be some kind of map-and there were two dots. One was red, and the other was blue the blue dot was further away than the red dot. Takuya halted in his run, and saw that the red dot just sat there, blinking like the blue dot was doing.
"Wait a minute.is this.a map of where I am now?" If it was, then that meant that the red dot was his. Because it had stopped where he had stopped. Then that must mean...
"Kouji, hang on buddy I'm coming!" Filled with energy once more, and the desire to see Kouji again, Takuya took off at a faster speed than he had been going before. He would see Kouji again, he wasn't going to loose his new found friend to the Batsomon, or to any other danger that would await them in the future...
Quick new end AN: UGH! This chapter drove me up the wall with all the revising that I had to do to it, that, and with everything that happened originally...ick. I hope all my other chapters revising wise go smoother than this one did! LOL! Anywho, more revising to come with other chapters! I tend to do the revising stuff mainly at work when it's slow so every once in awhile another chapter will be replaced! And once again apologies for any smushed words you find...
Responses To Reviewers:
Kelly Q-you're awesome, I love your fics, and thanks for reviewing mine!
Ice Puppet-girl, life's all good! I hope this chapter that I put up will be a ray of sunshine in yours! don't worry, I'm just in a very hyper/weird mood today for some reason.-
Splash-OMG, OMG! Splash reviewed one of my fics! watches as author bounces around happily you have no idea what that meant to me, really.I LOVE all your fics.seriously, you're SUCH a good author! And I ALSO wanted to thank you for dubbing the Tamers movie that I found.it was so cool, and I'm sooooo happy that I found it and downloaded it.! I also love all your fanart too, it's so Kawaii! (Additional Note: LOL! I went overboard with this one, didn't I Splash? It's all good though, you know I still think you're an awesome writer, update soon girl!)
Silver Angel-wow, we've almost got the same name.- thankies for reviewing both chapters!
Jen Minamoto-uh, yeah, I suppose that the whole grammar thing is big for everybody these days.but to hell with it, I'm just having fun with writing this story! Hopefully my grammar will improve, no? - (Additional Note: See, see? (points above) I told you I'd improve my grammar! LOL...)
Dilly-Pickle
Hyper Pegesus: YOU CAN let go now you know..? okay, that's much better, this author can BREATHE! finally so here's another chapter. and this time don't double glomp me please.but I'm glad you're enjoying this fic all the same! Because I'm having fun writing it!
Anonymous.yes, its back up and running, and it's a nice long chapter...
Random Rockstar Hee-Chan
Kawaii Roxy Love the name girl!
Kaya Kydra: Wow, your review was sooo excellent made me fell all nice and happy inside! Just what a girl needs to read over again and again to get her butt moving and updating. .sniff, sniff there's someone out there who appreciates me. yeah, a whole bunch of someone's, go me! -
Misty Eyes: I know, I know hangs head over to the side but I kind of wanted Kouji to be a little OC here.but don't worry too much about that, because eventually when I have the two of them meet up with everyone else, Kouji goes back to his nice cold, little self.and the only time's he acts like the way he's acting now, is when he and Takuya are alone, not with the others. there's a method to my madness here. (Additional Note: That, and I've discovered that I like my Kouji uke...hehe...winks. So I guess that can cause for at least a little bit of OCness, ne?
Saya: sweat drops.;; girl, what did you do.eat to much sugar? Or did you just accidentally hit the review go button one too many times.heh.- -.anyway, thanks for reviewing, and here's the next chapter! this time, only hit the review button once okay? It works, it really does work when you just hit it once-trust me!
Bishonen4everAce: Hey, I like your name! It's unique.- Anyway, I wanted to do it from Takuya's point of view because he's a little bit more of an easier character to write from.you're right, Kouji's almost too mysterious at times. but hey, that's why we all love him! Besides, the Loner Boys are supposed to be mysterious, no? But anyway, I don't want to make anyone cry.especially my first reviewer! So hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, and keep on reading because it's going to get a lot more interesting as we go on.
Wow, that felt like a lot of people.(or at least it felt like it-) anyways, thanks guys for having the faith in me that I can actually do this plot.and chapter four will come out soon! Hopefully before the end of next week!
