Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of the amazing characters or digimon in the story.
On a side note, as you can see by the title things are about to get dramatic. But I assure you, this is just the beginning. You have not seen anything yet. The story will evolve even further into more mature elements, but the transition is natural and never forced. And just like Tri the characters can come off uncaring. Well, at least they will have a shred of compassion this time.
Chapter Seven: Murderous Provocation
Hikari sat up in bed removing a cool towel from her forehead. Salamon was resting comfortably next to her. She could not have felt more glad she was right there.
Just then her door opened and Taichi peaked his head through.
"Good that your up," he said. "We're all meeting up at Koushiro's to talk about our plan. And...well Takeru will be their as well," he said hesitantly. "But I don't want you talking to him."
Hikari felt like protesting, but Taichi had already shut the door.
"Be ready in fifteen minutes!" He shouted.
Hikari had no time to react yet. A buzzing sound caught her attention as she received a message on her phone.
She looked down excitedly but fearfully. It was from Takeru.
"See you soon." she said reading the words.
She started to slowly put everything in order making her bed, but then glanced down to get another message.
"Let's go out after for some ice cream. My treat."
Hikari literally could feel her heart leaping for joy. It had seemed like ages since she had spoken to him and since Taichi had forbidden her from seeing him. Even though it had only been a day or two. She quickly jumped out of bed and started getting ready.
Takeru removed the last bandage from his face, his injuries nearly no longer visible on his body from his fight with his brother. He slowly got dressed in his usual outfit, the house empty except for him and Patamon. He could not get Taichi's and Yamato's words out of his head as he put on a medium green shirt and beige shorts, his beige cap facing forward.
He stared at himself in the mirror wondering about the person looking back.
"Yamato and Taichi have both become my enemies," he said staring down at his hand clutching his digivice.
What was once a task given to him by both of the older digidestined when he was a child, and then taken away, was no longer going to be a task. No, he would take this up as his mantle.
"I've got to show her I care," Takeru said looking at his phone.
He recently had sent Hikari an invitation out for some ice cream but received no response. The way he worded it made it seem innocent enough and not like he was asking her out on a date, even though that was his intention.
He did not care if Taichi, Yamato, or even Hikari's mom did not want him to be with her even if it was just as her protector. No, the only person he would listen to when it came to his feelings for her was only Hikari. If she told him to stop pursuing her then he would have no choice.
He recalled the conversation with Taichi before about the six girls he invited to the concert and how heartbroken Hikari had been.
He had not realized she had been hiding it all this time from him. Had he known he would have severed all contact from any other girls just to be with her. No, he had to be confident. He had to win her heart again no matter what it cost him. Even if that meant risking everything and their relationship to tell her how he truly felt and the consequences he would have to face.
Whether for good, or for evil, nothing would stop him.
"Takeru," Patamon said fixing his hat that looked crooked. "Are you ready to go?"
He smiled as he patted Patamon's head. He walked over towards his dresser, put his cell phone in his pocket and went on his way.
"Absolutely," he said, walking with his buddy, slamming the door as he left.
Hikari was still getting her hair right passing by every reflective surface her and Taichi happened to pass by on the way to Koushiro's.
"We're just going to see the others. It's not like you're going out on a date or something," she heard her brother complain.
Hikari could not dare to tell her brother the truth.
Eventually she arrived with her brother at Koushiro's place.
"Glad you could make it," she heard Koushiro welcome them jamming on his computer.
"Have a seat," Mimi said waving at Hikari.
Oddly enough, though Taichi wanted them to be apart the only spots available were right next to Yamato.
Taichi sat next to Yamato almost begrudgingly.
Yamato turned his head as if pretending he was not even there.
Hikari could feel Taichi giving him nervous glances.
Takeru next to her smiled like normal as if he had been waiting for her. At least he looked like he was feeling better.
She smiled back like normal to him, though she knew there was a lot of tension.
You would have thought nothing was happening between us, she thought, but she felt her heart pump twice as fast. Her best friend albeit casually invited her out for ice cream and none of the other digidestined were invited! At least, it wasn't a group message. It looked like it was addressed solely to her. She could only hope that was the case.
"Why are you suddenly so chipper?" Sora asked appearing over her on the couch.
"Oh, I am just glad to be back," she said, Takeru still smiling.
"We were worried about you," he said his voice concerned. "Is your fever gone?"
She felt him place his hand on her forehead, Mimi practically falling on top of Koushiro upon seeing this.
Hikari could not help her face was turning red unable to process Takeru's sudden-how could she put it? Affection or friendship? He had not been this way for quite awhile or hardly at all. Takeru had never been so how could she put it? Direct with her like this before? Before he would have just asked if she had been feeling better.
"Hey, are you all right?" he asked, looking more serious.
She looked into his determined caring eyes and tried not to get lost in them. He had not missed a beat from watching over her like he always had.
Hikari's mind raced desperately to come up with an excuse.
"I'm fine. It's just a long walk," she replied, Sora looking at her like that was the lamest excuse she could come up with.
"That little louse," Taichi grumbled.
Hikari noticed him leer at Yamato as if telling him to do something.
"All right, all right," Koushiro happily said getting up off the ground. Hikari thought he would be angry, but noticed that Mimi had fallen on him.
"He's trying to conceal how happy he is," she smirked.
Everyone seemed to settle down as Hikari tried to look serious. So many things had been on her mind lately and Takeru was not helping.
She smiled back at him knowing he was doing this on purpose. A strawberry Chocobomber parfait for sure she thought, Koushiro starting to speak.
"Just so we are all on the same page," he said, "Homeostasis is the one that asked us to be here." He pulled up an interface on the computer, and the being's voice started to emanate from it.
"Chosen Children, I see you all have finally gathered including Hope. That is good. For in order to defeat Fiermon you must work together."
Hikari noticed Takeru take off his hat focusing on her words.
"Fiermon has the ultimate digital power," she said. "For with the power of the Digital Record by merely touching it, he has the knowledge of all the digital world since it was first born. He knows every battle that you went through. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and will exploit them without mercy."
Is that why Omegamon failed to destroy him?" Taichi asked.
"That is correct," she replied. "As he is right now Fiermon has completely taken over the digital world and is performing a ruthless purge."
"A purge?" Hikari said getting up.
She did not like how this was starting to sound.
"What exactly is he doing?" she asked.
"Killing," Yamato said nearly sulking. "He's killing the other digimon."
Hikari put one hand over her mouth, the other digidestined at a loss for words.
"But...why?" Joe asked.
"Because he is looking for data within the other digimon," Homeostasis said. "I believe he is trying to recreate his original form."
"Oh great," Sora said one hand on her head. "So he's trying to make himself even more powerful? He's already one of the strongest!" she exclaimed.
"He sounds different than the other evil digimon we've faced," Takeru said unusually serious. "Most of them just wanted to rule with an iron fist, but if he kills them all he won't have anyone to rule."
"Yes I agree," Koushiro said. "Their must be a deeper meaning behind it."
"Regardless of what that is," Homeostasis said, "he knows what his weakness is and is doing all in his power to prevent his destruction. And I have a good idea of what that is."
"Then tell us!" Mimi exclaimed.
"It is-"
-All of a sudden Koushiro's computer lit up all in red.
"-Classified," a leering presence said in her place.
Hikari turned towards Takeru, him holding both of her arms as if by instinct to protect her shocked to see Fiermon.
"Homeostasis, what is Fiermon doing here?!" Koushiro asked. "Hey!"
"Koushiro, what's going on?!" Taichi asked. "How could you lose the signal?!"
"It's not my fault, somehow Fiermon broke through my system. I've been hacked!" he exclaimed
Hikari felt like hiding in Takeru's arms even more even thoughshe was nearly in his grasp. How in the world could she find comfort in a time like this?
"Children, calm down," Fiermon said in a civil matter. "I am physically not present with you, so you have nothing to fear...at least for now," he said folding his claws under his chin leering at them.
"We are going to defeat you!" Taichi cried out. "And we'll restore the digital world to what it once was before!"
"How can you restore an illusion?" he questioned. "Programs change, upgrade, and digimon are not exempt from this process. The digital world is the nature of change itself, ever shifting," he explained. "What you seek to protect digidestined is not the digital world, but the memory of those you call friends."
"You...just what is your game?" Yamato asked. "Are you also just trying to spread your influence through darkness?"
Fiermon looked lost in thought.
"What a strange thing to say. What would the point be for me to spread my influence? I need no allies. I need no minions. Anything I do I do of my own hand to ensure my success. I don't leave myself any openings or allow incompetence to allow you digidestined to wriggle on through like the wretches you are."
"Then why are you causing so much suffering?!" Mimi pleaded for answer nearly tearing.
"Because it never ends," he said glaring at them. "And in order for it to end I must exact as much suffering as possible. That's why I have channeled you in to this broadcast."
"What broadcast?" Joe asked tilting his glasses on his face.
"This can't be good," Gomamon murmured.
"Gentlemen and women, welcome to this special broadcast," he smirked.
He backed up and the whole screen illuminated for them to see him.
"I have four special guests with me today," he said. "They are digimon whom you all know really well. They have agreed to be this evenings entertainment."He leered at them coldly. "I am sure you recognize them."
There, stranded up by chains connected to a pillar Hikari recognized four beloved digimon: Leomon, Cyberdramon, Elecmon, and Piximon.
She could hardly believe they were all there.
"Without any further delay let the execution begin," he said.
"No stop!" Mimi screamed.
"Elecmon no!" Takeru cried out.
"Elecmon? Fiermon said. "It seems you've been volunteered!"
"No!" Patamon said practically getting ready to attack.
"Please digidestined protect this place!" Elecmon cried out.
Without any warning Fiermon with a single claw pushed into Elecmon causing him to scream out in agony. Then with a pitiful whimper it disappeared into data bits.
"Fiermon you coward!" Taichi shouted angrily. "How dare you do this to our friends?!"
"What friends?" he said not even turning around piercing through Piximon, Piximon screaming until he was nothing but digital fairy dust.
"Piximon!" Koushiro cried.
"How dare you?!" Sora teared up.
"How could you honestly do this?" Mimi wept. "Our dear friends..."
"Digidestined," Cyberdramon said barely functioning. "I am just a data program. But you must preserve the data file that is our home. You must."
"That's enough out of you!" Fiermon exclaimed lifting up his hand, and Cyberdramon being scattered to the winds.
"Please no!" Hikari cried burying herself in Takeru's arms. "Cyberdramon!"
"That just leaves the last one," he said zooming in the screen. "I'm sure you recognize this one. After all you've seem him die a thousand times already," he chided. "I figured you'd be used to this by now."He grinned maliciously. "As a matter of fact I had him reconstructed just so you could see me kill him!"
"Leomooon!" Taichi cried out.
"If my death will give you the strength to persevere then so be it!" Leomon cried out.
Fiermon turned toward him annoyed. "No despair? A virtuous death? Please, don't let this be so boring!"
He cried out "Winged Fury!" savagely piercing Leomon. Every digimon and partner winced as Leomon was repeatedly stabbed over and over again by Fiermon's wings until they could not bear watching anymore and turned away, his death cries evaporating over the digital world.
"I swear," Taichi said wiping tears from his eyes, "We will destroy you!"
"We'll pay you back for everything you've done!" Yamato also cried, his voice hoarse.
Hikari felt herself weeping along with all the other digidestined.
"That's right, mourn for what you have lost," Fiermon said the chains behind him empty. "This is but a shadow of things to come for you digidestined." He held out one hand and then looked at the other.
"If you seek to fight me with courage, I will show you your cowardice!
If you seek to battle me with friendship, I will consume you with loneliness!
If you desire to come at me with love, I will bring out your hatred!
If you try to outdo me with knowledge, I will reveal you for your foolishness!
If you believe being dependable will help you, I will show you how useless you really are!
If you wholeheartedly think you just need to be sincere, I will bring out the lies that you've scattered around you!
Should you have faith that your hope will win in the end, I will be waiting with despair!
And then before all of this is over should you bask in the light, I shall corrupt you with darkness!"
Hikari felt all eyes leering over in fear at Fiermon.
"I know you Taichi, Yamato, Sora, Koushiro, Joe, Mimi, Takeru, and Hikari," he said. "Rest assured one day you will be permanently deleted. I will be waiting in the wings ready to strike you and your digimon down," he said, the broadcast deleting.
Hikari stood there shocked by what happened and the direct threat Fiermon gave them. They had never been threatened by name before. It felt so personal as if the demonic digimon wanted to end their lives with his own hands.
Tailmon jumped into Hikari's arms as if consoling her.
"Hey, it's going to be ok," she said nudging her fur against her chest. "Nothing will stop me from wiping that smug look off of his face."
"Tailmon," Hikari smiled. She felt like laughing; her cuddly digimon cheering her up. It seemed all of the digimon were cheering up their partners even though they were all terribly sad.
"We can't let him get to us," she heard her brother encourage everyone. "He may know our crests, our names, and our fears, but he does not know the bonds we have with our digimon!" Taichi explained. "He will go down just like the others!"
"I want to do some research on this Fiermon," Koushiro said scanning through his computer. "First time I've ever been called dumb," he said. "You know I can't let that slide."
"And I'm more than just an honest pretty face!" Mimi added. "Isn't that right Koushiro?"
"Well, um, yeah," he said his face turning red.
"Mimi is a pretty face and a trendy dresser," Palmon complimented. "She's like a flower."
Hikari smiled as Mimi cuddled with Palmon.
"Takeru, it's going to be ok," she heard his partner Patamon say. "He can be as melodramatic as he likes. He still can't get to our spirit."
She felt Takeru's smile as he rubbed his head. He did not say anything
.
"Well, what's the plan now?" she heard Sora ask optimistically. "The only thing that I 'hate' is him," she said. "Maybe I can bring some sandwiches tomorrow? Are we meeting up again?"
All the digimon went crazy over the food.
"I think it's a good idea," Yamato agreed. "I think he's going to try to drive us apart. Like he's going to try to target us one by one."
"That being said," Taichi added approaching Yamato, "I thought I told your brother to stay away from my sister. Seems he's ignoring me and I don't like it."
"Join the club," Yamato said rolling his eyes. "I tell him she's an unstable mess and is no good for him, but does he listen to me? Nope!" he exclaimed.
Hikari felt embarrassed that Yamato said that about her, but she did not resist that observation. In fact, her and Takeru were both kind of like that.
"Well," Takeru said, Patamon resting on his shoulder like a parrot, his voice hanging heavy as if upset and drained by the loss of his friends, "I'm heading out now. Thanks for including me this time," he said walking away. Hikari felt slightly offended he left her so suddenly, but as he left he seemed to point at his phone.
Hikari put her phone in per pocket and looked at Tailmon who was also smiling. She started heading out with Tailmon.
"And where are you going?" Taichi asked.
"Oh just going out to do some shopping," she smiled, realizing it seemed kind of heartless to say that after four of her digital friends were deleted moments ago.
"Hikari," Tailmon said holding her hand. "I want to go out for some ice cream."
She put one finger to her lips as they headed out.