Chapter 6: Set Fire to the Rain


Ever since the event at the stadium, it felt like someone just fast-forwarded through the rest of the school break. Now, Takuya contended with the start of the new term and needless to say, he dreaded it with every fiber of his being.

Takuya studied the bizarre device that sat on his nightstand. He still had no idea where it came from and no matter how he fiddled with it, the power held within remained dormant.

He picked it up and pressed the leftmost button, lighting up the screen and showing the glowing red sigil of fire. That's as far as he got to solving the mysteries of the device. He hadn't been able to become the blonde warrior again since the soccer match.

With a huff of frustration he tucked the device in his pocket. It struck him as odd at first but he didn't want to be without the device, lest he needed it and it wasn't on his person.

Shouldering his bag, Takuya straightened his uniform shirt and went downstairs. His mother called after him as he darted out the door. Probably about waiting for Shinya or making sure he ate breakfast or something like that. He didn't pay her any mind.


"Hey, did you hear? Makoto from class 2-B said she saw 'her' last night after clubs let out."

"No way… that's so scary! Is she okay?"

"I don't know. She didn't come to school today."

"I wouldn't want to come to school either… I think I'd just die on the spot if I saw 'her' at night!"

Students whispered in hushed voices before classes officially began for the day. Takuya knew exactly what they were talking about as he dropped his bag beside his desk. Rumors circulated about the appearance of a mysterious demonic woman appearing near the school late at night. They couldn't confirm it but it sounded like Kuchisake-Onna or the Slit Mouthed Woman, an urban legend who lurked in the dark, waiting for some unknowing passerby to snare in her trap.

Takuya shuddered thinking about the tale. First you're approached by a woman wearing a mask. She then asks you, "Do you think I'm pretty?" If you answer no, she kills you. If you answer yes, she pulls off her mask, revealing a disfigured mouth split from ear to ear. She asks if she's still pretty. If you say no, she kills you. If you say yes, she cuts your mouth to match hers.

Truly horrific.

The rest of the day went by without incident. Takuya ended up not really paying attention to his classes and nearly leapt out of his skin when the final bell rang, earning a few snickers from his neighboring classmates.

He happily gathered his belongings, eager to jump straight into soccer practice. He made it to the locker room and as he changed into his uniform he overheard his idle chatter from teammates.

"You think we can walk home together once practice is over?"

"Why, you afraid you'll run into Kuchisake-Onna?"

"Don't joke around about that, man! There's already been three attacks this past week!"

Takuya wanted to roll his eyes but he couldn't discount his classmate's concerns, not when he fought against a giant bird monster during the school break. Who's to say a Kuchisake-Onna didn't exist? He'd need to be careful once practice lets out.

He carried those concerns with him to the field and silently hoped he wouldn't need that device any time soon.


Takuya shouldered his bag, gripping the strap a bit tightly. He meant to get home hours ago, long before the sun set. Unfortunately he lost track of time at the soccer club. Coach Yagami wanted to kick off the new semester with a bang. That meant getting the team in tip top shape for their first match of the season. Unfortunately, it also meant putting the team through the training regimen from hell.

"Mom's going to kill me…" Takuya moaned, seeing how low the sun hung while he got changed in the locker room.

Maybe if he booked it Takuya could make it home before dinner. If only he could evolve on demand. He huffed and started his jog home. Thunder rumbled overhead as ominous looking storm clouds rolled over the city.

"Great, just great," he muttered to himself.

Raindrops spattered across the pavement before the rain came down hard. Takuya groaned in frustration and looked for cover. An old elevated footpath caught his eye and he dashed over to take shelter from the storm. He shivered a bit as he pulled out his phone to call his mother. Maybe she could come get him.

Something sounding like leaves rustled behind him, making Takuya jump in fright. He turned to look. Nothing.

He took a steadying breath, "Just the wind, get a hold of yourself. There is no demon ghost lady."

Takuya shivered again, trying to get a signal on his phone. "Come on, Come on..."

He heard the rustling again. Takuya turned to see someone standing on the other side of the walkway from him. The figure stood motionless, its features obscured by the darkness of the storm. Takuya swallowed nervously.

"Are… You… Lost..?" The figure spoke softly, barely audible over the wind and rain.

Takuya froze, "Uh… No?"

The figure took a step closer, "Do… You… Think… I... am... Pretty..?"

His blood ran cold, he knew this verse. His classmates wouldn't shut up about the tale of the Slit-mouthed Woman, and how to outsmart her. Takuya however, couldn't recall how to do so to save his life- literally.

"I uh, yes?" Takuya stammered. His hand reached for the device in his pocket, hoping that this counted as a reason to evolve.

This figure stalked closer, its silhouette more visible against the dark sky and nearby streetlamps. It wore old styled clothing, like the kind worn in traditional theater shows. Long orange hair cascaded down its back and framed its obscured face. It wore a sleek and flat mask, yellow eyes piercing the darkness.

"You Lie… Warrior of Flame..." it hissed, "Cherry Blossom Storm!"

A rush of wind and sharp pink petals slammed into Takuya, knocking him off balance. He hit the ground and his Digivice slid across the pavement. Takuya scrambled to his feet dashing towards his salvation.

The Digimon rushed him, striking the boy with enough force to send him out into the rain. Takuya powered through the pain and stood up with a grin, his D-Tector in his grasp. The device lit up in response to the impending danger.

"About time! Execute!" Takuya called desperately, data enveloping him and transforming him into the tall blonde Warrior from before.

Agunimon growled as Kabukimon stalked towards him. The creature's movements felt unnaturally jerky and puppet-like as it sauntered closer.

"Pyro Darts!"

He aimed the fiery strike at the strange Digimon, but his flames fizzled out in the downpour. His eyes widened in a panic.

"Wedge Attack!" Razor sharp petals barraged the Warrior of Flame, cutting deep into through his armor and gouging his skin.

Agunimon grit his teeth and staggered back, losing ground as he weathered through Kabukimon's relentless attacks. "Damn it…" He needed to think fast. Agunimon threw caution to the wind and rushed forward, trying to close the distance before conjuring more fire to attack with.

"Pyro Punch!" He ignited his fist with a brighter flame and struck Kabukimon only for the flames to sputter and lose much of its bite, leaving only a slight on the digimon's jacket. 'Damn it, this stupid rain is really screwing me over…' Agunimon felt a cold shiver run up his spine as Kabukimon stared at him with demented glee in its eyes. "Uh oh…"

"Cherry Blossom Storm!" More petals flew at him, sticking to his body in the rain. They clung to him, burning and itching like a swarm of wasps stings. Agunimon tried to shake them off as Kabukimon snuck close and struck him hard in the abdomen.

Agunimon cried out in pain, doubling over. A foot then connected with his head, slamming him into the pavement.

"Is this the best the Warrior of Flame has to offer?" Kabukimon mocked and ground its foot into the back of the warrior's head. "Pathetic."

"Deadly Gaze!"

Red beams of light cut through the rain, illuminating the street and striking Kabukimon in the side. The blast knocked Kabukimon off of Agunimon and sent it reeling backwards towards the elevated walkway. The Digimon hissed at the stranger before retreating into the gloom.

Agunimon gasped as he looked up, finding another Warrior standing over him. "Are you alright?" He offered a hand- no, a skull? to help Agunimon up.

"I- Yeah, thanks." Agunimon grunted and got to his feet. He felt uneasy staring at the newcomer, clad in skull-like black armor sporting giant red eyes all over his body. As most of the warrior's eyeballs stared into the darkness where Kabukimon vanished, one eyeball looked directly at him, sending a chill down his spine. "Are you..?"

"Duskmon."

"Agunimon. Thanks for the save."

The dark warrior nodded, "You should be more careful. You're not in your element."

Agunimon wanted to argue, pointing out how Kabukimon ambushed him. He closed his mouth, thinking that would make him seem weak in the eyes of the newcomer. "I'm lucky you were close by then."

Duskmon turned, revealing blood red eyes peering from under a skull like mask, "Indeed. Take care." He took a step back and melted into the shadows before Agunimon could say anything further.


Takuya groaned as he sat down to eat his lunch. Everything still ached from the battle last night. If it weren't for Duskmon, he'd likely be a smear on the pavement right about now with his classmates gossiping over his demise no doubt. Feeling a bit queasy, Takuya picked at his food, not looking up as someone sat on the bench beside him.

"So you're Agunimon, huh?"

The gogglehead nearly choked on his fork. "W-wh-"

"Jeez, calm down, I was just teasing a bit. No need to panic."

Takuya swallowed thickly as he looked up. A student his age with short dark hair and a big grin plastered across his face sat beside him.

"Are you quite alright? It looks like you saw a ghost or something- though I do think I heard some of the girls mention one of the bathrooms being haunted..."

The brunette blinked, completely dumbfounded. "...what?"

"My apologies, My name is Kouichi Kimura, Class 1-C. You're in 1-A right?"

"I am..." Takuya started slowly, "Wait, back up."

Kouichi merely grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Back up?"

"To the beginning. What did you say?"

"Oh!" he chirped brightly, "I know who you are, Takuya. I know that you're that red Digimon, the Warrior of Flame, Agunimon."

Takuya felt his heart skip a beat as all the color drained from his face. "W-wha? What! No! That's-"

"You can stop, I know it's you. I mean, I did save your life last night." Kouichi replied smoothly.

"Wait- What?"

"Well, aren't you articulate."

"Hey!"

"Getting better."

"You're that creepy eyeball guy?"

"That's rude, but yes." Kouichi dug into his lunch, taking a bite before continuing, "I am the Warrior of Darkness, Duskmon."

Takuya blinked, his own lunch forgotten. "Duskmon? That's so cool! I haven't met another person who can evolve too!"

"Is that so?" Kouichi shrugged, indulging in his lunch more. "Well, either way, you know I can evolve too. We can work together- if you'd like. I'm sure you also have a lot of questions and while I can't say I have all the answers myself, we can figure out what's been going on with these monster attacks."

"I mean, it's not a bad idea," he admitted, "You really saved my skin yesterday."

Kouichi nodded, "I mean in all fairness you tried to use fire in pouring rain. You need all the help you can get."

Takuya scowled, "I was caught off guard!"

"And that almost got you killed."

"I-" Takuya huffed, realizing that Kouichi was correct. "Yeah… I know. Thanks again. For saving me."

Kouichi grinned at him. "Anytime, Agunimon."

"SHHHHH!"

Takuya tried to quiet Kouichi as he broke into laughter. "Okay I'll stop teasing!"


Once the school day came to an end, Takuya stood at the main gate, waiting for his mysterious schoolmate to appear. Kouichi spotted him and waved, bounding over. "No soccer practice today?"

"How did you know I play?"

Kouichi grinned, "Pfft, you're one of the top players in the school club. That and you're carrying soccer cleats."

Takuya blushed in embarrassment and tried to change the subject. "Which way do you walk to go home?" he gestured down one street. "I live a few blocks that way."

"Perfect, so do I!" Kouichi made a gesture to start walking and the two began their trek home.

After a long silence Takuya asked, "So… How did you figure me out?"

"You're not as stealthy as you look." Kouichi replied nonchalantly, "I also followed you for a bit after to make sure you were okay."

"That's kinda creepy but thanks."

Kouichi just shrugged, "I wasn't sure if I could trust you just yet- looks like I can though. Ah, I need to turn here. I hope you make it home safely!"

Takuya looked confused but nodded with a smile, "Yeah, you too! See you at lunch again?"

"I'd be delighted."

Kouichi waved the brunette off, turning to follow his own path ahead. It was a shame really, Takuya seemed likable enough. Hell if the circumstances were any different perhaps they could be friends.

Once he'd walked a fair distance, Kouichi turned into an alleyway. He pulled out a device similar to Takuya's but black and gray in color. He pressed a few buttons, evolving into the Warrior of Darkness.

"You're late."

Duskmon rolled his eyes "I found what you could not."

The mysterious voice sneered, "Don't patronize me child. I already disagree with Lord Cherubimon on your inclusion. Don't make me do something regrettable."

"How quaint coming from a mirror," Duskmon retorted smoothly, "To business. What am I to do with the boy?"

"As much as it pains me to say, keep tabs on him until we find the rest. When we strike it must be precise, gathering them all together."

Duskmon snorted, "That sounds like a plan destined to fail."

"It is not mine. Regardless, you are to wait and continue searching for the other spirits, all have been claimed by a human vessel. We just need to flush them out."

"And by doing this your lord will uphold his end of the deal?"

The other voice paused, "I do not speak for my lord. You'll have to take it up with him yourself."

"Understood, Anything else I should know?"

"There will be an opportunity for you to find out the identities of a few more warriors. Do not screw it up. Stay back and observe and don't get involved again!"

Duskmon snorted, muttering under his breath "Control your subordinates better."

The remark earned him an irritated growl from the metallic Digimon. "I will do as I please."

"I don't think your Lord will approve of your methods."

"I will not be scrutinized by a human brat," the voice spat.

Duskmon bowed his head, "You're more hot headed than the Warrior of Flame."

"Tch, and what do you know?"

"More than you think."

"You would do well to learn your place, welp. Despite what you think, you and your kind are beneath me."

The Warrior of Darkness bowed his head, "Whatever you say, Mecurymon."


Hey everyone, so I just want to say real quick that we're going to be changing the scheduling for updates to every other week now. Kouji's chapter last week kinda threw us for a loop a little and we want to give ourselves a little bit of breathing room while juggling life and junk. So with that being said, the next update we'll be aiming for will be on May 2. Thank you for understanding and I hope you guys stay tuned in and tell us what you think. Until next time. Later.