Immolation

Chapter 2

Author Notes: Well this is a bit late, considering my track record for this mini series it's no surprise. Still it's time to get this show on the roll. Last time we had an encounter with Grumblemon where Koji and Takuya made a dash for safety. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

"Phew. Made it." It didn't take long for a downpour to come down on him with harsh gales and raging thunder. Agunimon shook his hair, water droplets flying as he entered a cave hidden deeply in the forest, his arm full of meat apples.

If the warrior of flame didn't know any better, he'd think his companions were out there, causing this storm in an attempt to further screw with Grumblemon's tracking skills. He knew that was impossible right now, but he felt some comfort from it all the same.

It was highly likely(especially now with the weather) that the little ground gremlin got out of his fire tornado to resume his hunt. Though that was a huge concern for Takuya, he had more pressing matters to attend to as he went about making his friend as comfortable as possible.

Small groans of pain escaped Koji as Agunimon tried to gently wrap him in a bedding of dry grass and leaves. A small fire was quickly made towards the inner section of the cave to not only dry the pair off, but also keep them warm.

"Sorry man." He hoped that Gigasmon would be off their trail long enough for them to recover so they could reunite with their allies. But they've been here long enough to know better then to just have hope things so their way.

They had to be prepared for the worst case scenario. "D-don't worry about me. What about the others?" Koji struggled to get up, to move, but both the pain and his fiery rescuer kept him from getting far. Though Takuya could see why he was worried.

Out of their three missing friends (not counting their digimon companions) JP was the only one that still had his spirit. And his fighting skills weren't as good as his or Takuyas. If Gigasmon caught up to them...there was no way he'd have a chance.

"I ran in the opposite direction as them. And they already got a huge head start in escaping. If he's following anyone's trail, it'll be ours." He returned to his human form then, falling to his knees. Bruises and cuts were seen all over.

Looking just as, if not worse then his bandanna wearing ally, but he was still mobile, so he took advantage of that by checking over his laying companion. Making sure none of his injuries were bleeding too badly. "Stop, i'm fine. Worry about yourself."

The warrior of light didn't mean to make his statement as harsh as it sounded. But he didn't need to get looked at when his friend was in worse shape. Not only did Takuya take more damage, but he was in his spirit form much longer.

There wasn't a doubt in his mind that the pyro wielder was exhausted. The rain most certainly didn't help factors as it physically weakened him. Still the brunette was stubborn, not even bothering to take offense to the harsh command. At this point he was used to it.

"Just hold still and let me see. You got nailed into the ground for pete's sake." A rebuttal was on the edge of the overly serious teen's tongue. Having recalled Grumblemon slamming his digidestined friend into the earth with his hammer.

It never gets vocalized as Koji hisses in pain, all he did was shift in position yet it felt like he was run over by a truck. Takuya's shaky fingers gingerly examine his stomach, his eyes furrowed in concern over the dark bruises forming. He wished Bokumon was here right now.

The knowledgeable little digimon though wasn't a doctor really would have a much better, more accurate diagnosis for the wounds. Or would have some recommendations to help speed up the healing process.

Right now Takuya was all but helpless, unable to do a thing to help ease the pain they were both in. At least they had food, which didn't take long to cook and devour. Restoring some of their energy. "Get some rest Koji. You've earned it."

At the very least Koji could sleep as he heals. "But-!" The raven haired boy immediately wanted to protest. The BOTH of them needed rest, they didn't even know how bad Takuya's injuries were! "Nope~ Time for some shut-eye." However it was clear that he wasn't going to get a choice in the matter.

Their leader was VERY stubborn, especially when it came to everyone's safety. If he didn't want Koji to move in his condition, then he simply wasn't, end of story. Even the warrior of light's own body was agreeing with the hot tempered digidestined that he needed to sleep.

Despite his valiant struggles he could feel his eyes closing. "We'll trade off when I wake up." That was the most he could get out before falling unconscious. But his tone left no room for argument when he fell asleep nearly instantly. The fire wielder sighed in relief, resting his head against the harsh walls.

Sucking in a harsh breath, he holds his own stomach, rubbing the bruises he knew were there. "That was way too close." He quietly groaned as he examined his own injuries. Sleep was calling him just as much as it did for Koji, but he couldn't afford to, not yet.

Danger was still lurking from the shadows, he needed to be ready for anything. He turns his attention to the mouth of the cave, watching the rain pour. They were lucky to be here right now. With how Cherubimon's been sending waves of enemies their way, it was no surprise that all of them were tired and hurt.

It would've been even worse if all four of the evil legendary warriors decided to tag team. With how almost all of them had their beast spirit the human children would not have stood a chance against the evil digimon. Takuya and his friends could barely handle one of them-let alone four!

And now they were down two fighters and on top of that were separated into two small injured groups. Things were not in their favor at all. Biting his lip, the goggle wearing boy places his forehead on his interlaced fingers, silently praying for a moment that the others were safe.

A thought comes to him then, one that could at least somewhat ease his worries. His fingers reached down into his pocket, fumbling before grabbing his D-tector. "How do I do the damn map on this thing?" There were only two buttons on the device, it shouldn't be hard, yet it took a solid five minutes for it to pop up.

"Finally." Dark brown eyes narrowed as he analyzed his and his friend's positions. A small smile came to his lips. Three red blinking dots were far away from his and Koji's coordinates and from the looks of it were going further away as the seconds pass.

It in all honestly wasn't much, but at least it showed Tommy, JP and Zoe together. "Now if I could get the bad guys on here I'd be feel a lot better." Time passed as he stared outside the cave's mouth. Lightning flashed in the sky randomly, illuminating the darkened forest.

Suddenly there was something in the air, his unease grew twofold. Goosebumps formed on his skin as he stilled, holding his breath. "Dammit, how'd he catch up so fast?" The section in the forest they were in up to this point was peaceful, quiet.

Though he could occasionally hear the sounds of birds or some other flock of flying digimon up above, there were no skirmishes from tribal digimon or even trailmon tracks. That tranquility is what originally attracted the human saviors in the first place.

It was a change of pace compared to all the towns and bustling civilizations they've been interacting with the last few weeks. As cool as it was meeting and making new friends, there was always a risk of running into Cherubimon's cronies.

Not to mention the guilt at the fact that every time there was a confrontation with the evil digimon, Takuya and his friends were forced to watch those friends and homes get destroyed. At least out here no one was dragged into the terrible fighting.

However, because of that serenity Takuya could hear him, he could feel Grumblemon beneath the earth. Searching. Quietly, he staggered to his feet, trembling from the effort. He was in no condition to go out there. The rain out there would slow him down, extinguish his powers.

Going out for another round was suicidal. But as he closed his eyes, evening out his breathing his ears picked up the earth warriors grumbles and gripes as he dug. There was no way of knowing if the evil digimon could find him and Koji with the rain. But he couldn't afford to find out by waiting.

Exhaling the brunette reopened his eyes, taking a glance at his fellow chosen warrior. Still sleeping, at complete ease despite his injuries. Even if he couldn't fight the dump excuse for a digidwarf head on he could at least lead him away from his unconscious friend.

"...Alright, let's do this." Placing his googles over his eyes, ignoring the stiffness in his muscles he runs out of the cave. Immediately he's pelted with harsh, cold drops, but he could see. Lightning illuminated the forest surrounding him, guiding his way. "There you are!"

to be continued

Author Notes: Isn't this a fun time. Takuya is out in the rain...alone. With Grumblemon on the hunt. Sorry to say folks, but i put sad tags for a reason. This is not going to have a happy ending. This is your warning ladies and gents.

if you don't like sad stuff...well i wouldn't continue. But that is it for now. Thank you all so much for reading this little series. If you like it so far, please feel free to fav/follow/review as I would appreciate any and all support i can get.