Here is the next chapter to my story and I do believe that this makes things very interesting. This chapter will further explain about the Daisuke look-alike. Also there'll be some surprises that you may not have expected. Well, not to waste anymore of your time, here is the lastest chapter and for the disclaimer, I don't own digimon.
Freedom is a package deal – with it comes responsibilities and consequences.
Author Unknown
Chapter 4:
Personal Demons
"Is everything secure?"
"Yes. All of the precautions have been taken."
"Are we positive nothing will go wrong?" Currently Daisuke and friends were at his place. They were gathered around to discuss about an important matter.
"Relax Daisuke. Everything that was needed to be done has been taken cared of." informed Miyako as if it was no big deal. "We securely contained our guest in the basement as you requested. There's no way for him to move without us noticing." Even with that attempt of reassurance Daisuke wasn't all that sure. "Are you going to tell us why you're being so paranoid about this?"
For a while it seemed like Daisuke was debating on whether to explain his reason. After a moment he apparently had came to a decision. "While I was under the grasp of our current 'guest' he told me some interesting things. One of those things was who he is." When that was said everyone had their immediate focus on what they hope would be a revelation. "He was telling the truth when he said that we had encountered him before. The identity of the person is none other than…Dai."
As to be expected, Daisuke's friends weren't all that pleased to hear that surprising news as they all had unpleasant looks on their faces. All of them that is except for James who didn't understand what was going on.
"Un, sorry about asking this but I feel like the odd man here but I need to ask. What's the big deal here? Who's this Dai person that has you all so upset?" No one knew how to explain the situation to James. Feeling that she was the one who should tell him, Mimi went ahead and told her boyfriend.
"Dai is a vampire that we encountered half a year ago. We went against him only once but he left an impression on us and before you ask we had a reason why we didn't turn him to dust. The reason being that Dai was Daisuke. To be more precise, Dai is the name of the demonic side that was apart of Daisuke." That revelation really surprised James but he kept quite as Mimi continued with the back story. "He temporarily took control of our friend's body and one of his first objectives was to try and kill all of us. Thankfully we were able to stop him and Daisuke regained control."
"Damn, that was some serious shit." stated James after hearing the whole story. "But how can we be certain that this person is actually Dai and not someone pretending to be him?"
"Its him." answered Daisuke. "I didn't think it could be him but the things that he whispered to me changed my thinking. Trust me, he's the real deal."
"How is that possible?" asked Miyako. "I thought that when you became human all of your demon side was destroyed. How could he possible be alive?"
"To be completely honest, I don't know. That's why I'm going to see if I can get our guest to shed some light on the situation. In the meantime you guys stay here." Daisuke was about to head out until a voice called out to him.
"Now you wait one minute Daisuke." The owner of the voice was none other than Hikari. "There's no way in hell that we're going to let you go and meet that maniac by yourself." It wasn't hard to see that everyone was in agreement with Hikari. "We're going with you."
Daisuke was about to refuse them but the unwavering stares that he was getting stopped him. "Fine then, you win. Come along if you want. Just remember this one thing. When Dai and I was one person we essentially shared one mind. He'll know everything that I knew and he'll use it to his advantage if possible. Whatever he says, don't let it get to you because it may leave you vulnerable to him."
Once getting a nod of understanding from everyone they moved out. Going over to the basement they headed down where heavily chained to the wall was Dai who seemed to be asleep. "You can stop pretending. It's obvious that you're not sleeping." informed an impatient Daisuke.
As he predicted, Dai opened his eyes and looked at all of them with an expressionless stare. "Couldn't trick you could I? Not surprising seeing as how you were once a part of me."
"I think you have that backwards." By Daisuke's tone it was apparent that particular subject was a touchy one. "Here's how it'll go. We're going to ask you some questions and you're going to answer them or else." By Daisuke's tone of voice you could see that he was completely serious. However, Dai didn't show the lease bit concern.
"Or else what? You'll kill me?" It was clear that Dai was taunting them. "We both know that you want to know how I'm here and you won't kill me until then." Surprisingly, Dai had a small smile come across his face. "It's quite funny you know. You refer to me as evil and a monster but you're in no position to call anyone that. Wouldn't you say so Daisuke?" When that was said everyone looked at the aforementioned person in confusion.
"What is he talking about Daisuke?" questioned Hikari.
Before Daisuke could answer, Dai continued. "Oh, that's right. My former weak half never really told you what he did before he met you. What did he tell you again?" Something like training to fight against the evil of the world. Kind of ironic wouldn't you say so my former other half?" Finding something funny, Dai chuckled. "Maybe I should enlighten your friends to what I'm talking about."
What happened next was a complete shock as without warning, Daisuke went over and struck Dai with a vicious punch to the face. "How about telling how you're alive when you should've been dead? At least that's what the prophecy said."
Whether the punch hurt him or not wasn't the case as Dai simply chuckle again. "Don't tell me that you actually believed what those Mystic Scrolls. It wasn't the so called prophecy that set me to be free of you. It was an outside force who did the act. Someone you should know very well. Tell me Daisuke, does the name Shishio ring a bell?"
When that name was said the expression on Daisuke's face changed from irration to one that was between shock and seriousness. "You guys make sure that those restraints are secure. I go something to take care of."
Before any of them could get a word out, Daisuke was already up stairs and out of the basement. "My, I must've struck a nerve." mocked a very amused Dai. "I hope he'll be okay."
-/-/-/-/-
Immediately after leaving the basement, Daisuke headed over his desk and leaned over it in the hopes of gathering himself. Suddenly Daisuke let out a yell before he started to toss various things that were on the desk and didn't stop until there was nothing to throw. "There's no way that it could be him. There's no way that he could actually be involved." Apparently he was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice that he was no longer alone.
"Daisuke, are you all right?" Turning around he saw that he was now joined by his girlfriend, Hikari. By the look of her face she appeared to be worried about her boyfriend.
"What are you doing up here Hikari? Aren't you suppose to be making sure that our guest downstairs stays there?"
"It's being taken cared of." Hikari answered. She knew that Daisuke was trying to change the subject and she wasn't going to fall for it. "What Dai said struck a nerve with you didn't it?" Not seeing a point in denying it Daisuke decided to come clean.
"Striking a nerve would be an understatement." It was a few seconds before Daisuke continued. "I never told you about everything about my past after I became a vampire have I Hikari?" Receiving a nod from her was all that Daisuke needed for an answer. "To say that it isn't all that you expect it to be."
"Come on now, it can't be all that bad." Hikari's opinion was soon changed when she caught the look on Daisuke's face. "What could possibly be so had tha tit would cause you to be this way? Does it somehow involve with that Shishio person that Dai mentioned does it?"
Running a hand through his hair in the hopes of relaxing him Daisuke tried to put what he wanted to say into words. "You already know how I became a vampire but you don't know the story that happen afterwards. What I did when I rose from the dead."
A feeling of concern came over Hikari as she started to go over to him but stopped when Daisuke spoke up again. "Meeting with Katara and being trained you already know. But what I kept hidden from you was my quest for vengeance. The vengeance that I had toward the demon that was responsible for turned me into a vampire." Hikari couldn't hide her surprise when she heard that. "Whenever I had the opportunity I tried to see if I could find him and after a year I finally found him."
Flashback, Fourteen Years Ago…
The night sky was set a blaze. It was so bright that it made it seem as though the sun had risen. The cause for the light was the city of Edo being covered in a blanket of fire. As the inhabitants were running from the flames in the hopes of finding safety, a single individual was actually running to the center of where the flames were spreading. That individual was none other than Daisuke Motomiya.
"He's near, I can feel it. Somewhere in this created hell is the person that I seek." Running through the burning city, Daisuke hoped that he would find the person that he was looking for. This proved to be difficult as he constantly had to avoid the flames and falling debris. "Things are looking bad. If I stay here for much longer I'll be consumed by the flames. However, I'm willing to allow it to happen if it means that I get that person."
Heading closer to the center of the city Daisuke came across a group of school buildings. He was going to run pass them but stopped as he sensed something. Cautiously Daisuke entered one of the buildings. By the stuff that was inside it appeared to be a classroom for young children. Putting those thoughts aside Daisuke walked further until he encountered someone. "So, this is where you've been hiding yourself."
It seemed as though he was talking to no one but that wasn't the case. Coming out from the shadows was a man who appeared to be in his thirties. He had whitish gray hair that went halfway down his neck and eyes that were black as night. What he had on was a crimson colored shirt that was tucked into his black jeans. Strapped to his waist was what appeared to be a sword.
"Yes, I have been found. But I need to ask by whom." By his tone it sounded as though the unidentified man wasn't the lease bit concern on being discovered. "With you risking your well being you must have a strong reason in coming after me? Pray tell, what reason could you have to willingly come here?"
"My reason is a strong one." Daisuke didn't even try to hide his hatred for the man in front of him. "Five months ago, in Shinjuku, you were confronted by two police officers. You escaped but not before you killed one of the officers. Does that ring a bell?"
"Oh, now I know who you are. You're the one who I bit in Shinjuku. But how can you be standing here? As I recall you were on the verge of dieing as your partner forced me to retreat." Stopping for a second the unidentified man gave Daisuke the once over before he actually smiled. "I see now. You've been turned. You're just like me. How can this be? I don't remember ever siring you."
"Let's just say that unknowingly my former partner gave me a second chance at life, in a matter of speaking. Also, I'm nothing like you." Stretching his right arm outward, a collapsible sword came out which Daisuke grabbed. "Now, let's get to the part where I slice you to shreds, Shishio."
Answering Daisuke's challenge with action instead of words the person now known as Shishio unsheathed his sword and prepared himself to fight. For sometime, neither one moved as they stood where they were. It was as though they were trying to study on what the other was capable of. They were so focus on one another that they took no mind to the fire that was slowly consuming the building and the flaming debris that was falling all around them.
Without so much as a word, the two charged at one another. Neither of them held anything back as they fully attended to end the other's undead life. Despite that both of them were holding nothing back the two of them couldn't get any real advantage. As they fought, Shishio figured that it was a good opportunity to strike a conversation.
"As much as I hate to admit it but you're pretty good." Daisuke simply continued fighting. "Maybe instead of fighting one another we should work together. What do you say to my proposal?"
When he was asked that question it seemed to anger Daisuke even further as his assault became even more forceful. "It'll be a cold day in hell before I join forces with you." Even after receiving such a response, Shishio didn't show any signs of anger.
"Do you think that just because you have a soul it makes you better than anyone else?" The question came so out of the blue that Daisuke nearly halted his attack. "What? Did you actually think that I couldn't sense that you had one? I have for more experience of what we are compared to you. After realizing what you were I was able to feel out that sickening trace of your previous humanity."
Suddenly, Shishio's face went into vampire form. With his facial change so did his assault as it seemed to become even stronger. "Damn it. He's stronger than he was a moment ago." thought Daisuke as he did all he could to protect himself from his adversary's attacks. "Maybe things would be different if I paid more attention to Katara's fighting exercises."
"Face the truth." voiced Shishio. "You may not want to believe it but you can't deny that the two of us…" With a heavy swing of his sword, Shishio managed to cut Daisuke's left arm. Right after that happen Daisuke's face also changed into its vampire form. "..are a like."
Blinded by rage, Daisuke charged forward and was actually able to drive his shoulder into Shishio's gut. Allowing the momentum take them, the two of them went crashing through the window and to the outside. Letting go of his sword, Daisuke got on top of his stunned adversary and started to rain down punches on him.
"I'm nothing like you!" shouted Daisuke as he continued with his assault. 'I may be a creature like you but we're nothing a like." He continued with the punches for another minute until he caught the snide smile on Shishio's face. Becoming somewhat cautious he created som distance between him and his enemy.
With that same smile on his face, Shishio pulled himself back to his feet. Wiping the blood that was coming out of his mouth he let a small chuckle. "Very impressive I must say. I wasn't expecting such force from someone so new to what he is." Stopping for a moment he looked around his surroundings as it was being nearly consumed by the on going flames. "And about us not being the same. You might be mistaken."
Daisuke was so caught off guard by that he halted any thought of resuming the fight. "What in the world are you talking about? We're not the same."
"Is that so? Then how would you explain what happen here tonight?" The confusion on Daisuke's face was all Shishio needed to know to continue. "We're both willing to do whatever it takes to do what we need to do and not caring about those who may get in our way." Daisuke was going to deny the claim but was interrupted. "Did it ever cross your mind on why I was inside that school building?"
Starting to wonder that question himself, Daisuke started to think it over. When the answer finally came to him his eyes went wide in shock. "Don't tell me that you didn't-" The twisted smile that grew bigger on Shishio's face was all the answer that he needed to confirm his suspicions.
"I did. Underneath that building were all the students and teacher tied up and gagged, being unable to escape or cry for help." The look of despair on Daisuke's face greatly pleased Shishio and he only continued to drive it in even further. "If only there was someone would've came along and save them. Too bad you couldn't be that someone wouldn't you say so?"
That seem to be it for Daisuke as all the will that he had to fight was immediately gone. Having felt like he accomplished all that he wanted, Shishio put his fallen sword back in its sheath and started to walk off but not before saying one more thing before departing. "Maybe this'll teach you to not to think with your head and not act on your emotions."
With that the villainous vampire left. Daisuke didn't even attempt to go after him. He just fell to his knees and stared with unfocused eyes he watched what was left of the school building burn to the ground. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for not saving you when I could've." The grief became so great that Daisuke put his hands over his face and allowed the tears that were held back to spill out freely.
End of Flashback…
"When I finally managed to regain some of my composure I got out of the city without being spotted. I soon returned to where Katara was training me without her knowing a thing. Or maybe she did but decided to keep quiet about it, who knows. All I know is that day changed my life." As Daisuke talked, Hikari listened intently.
"Even to this day I wonder if I could do that even all over again would I have ignored those helpless school children and teacher or go after Shishio." It was obvious that Daisuke was getting emotion about the incident. "Am I really like him?" He was so consumed with the subject that he hardly noticed when Hikari came over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Now you listen to me Daisuke Motomiya." The tone that Hikari was using made it clear that she wanted Daisuke's complete attention on what he was going to say. "I may not know everything about your past and I'm not going to pretend that I do. But what I do know is that you're nothing like this Shishio person or the demon that's tied up in the basement." By his expression it looked as though Daisuke wasn't all that convinced with what his girlfriend was saying so Hikari continued on.
"You've done so many things simply because it was the right thing to do even if it meant that you had to suffer because of it." Wanting to somehow put more important to what she was trying to do; Hikari leaned closer to Daisuke to where she was leaning against his back and wrapped her arms around him. "For me you're nobler and down right more good than most of the people I know. Don't you ever forget that."
Not even trying to pretend that her words didn't have an effect, Daisuke turned around while still in Hikari's grasp and began to tenderly stroke her cheek. "Thank you Hikari for your kind words. I've never always told you this but I can't imagine where I'd be if we haven't met each other again at Samuel's party." That moment brought a small smile to both of their faces. "We've had our problems here and there but we've managed to get pass them." As Daisuke continued to talk he was slowly leaning towards Hikari.
"Despite all of the abilities that I had while a vampire and all the good that I tried to do with them I believe that meeting up with you again and becoming closer was the best thing to come from them." Leaning even closer the two closed their eyes and began to kiss one another. They continued this for a while until someone interrupted.
"Uh, excuse me." By the doorway was Daisuke's daughter, Serenity and she had a little smile of amusement on her face. Once noticing her, both Daisuke and Hikari broke away from one another, each of them with a heavy blush on their faces. Noticing their discomfort Serenity decided to push the embarrassment a bit further. "Hey, don't mind me. Continue with what you were doing as if I wasn't here." That comment got the desire affect as the couple became even more embarrassed. "Relax you guys, I'm just hear to give you a report about how my patrol went, that's all."
Going over Serenity sat on the edge of the desk and waited until her father and Hikari were able to compose themselves. "Okay, you came to give us a report so go ahead and tell us what you got to tell us." instructed Daisuke who had managed to get rid of the blush from his face.
"There's really nothing to report." Serenity calmly answered. "There had been the occasional vampire attack but nothing too serious as I simply stopped them and dusted them with a stake to the heart. As for finding any leads on whose been sending your girlfriend those 'gifts', I'm afraid to say that there isn't any."
When Serenity mentioned the last part, Daisuke and Hikari gave each other side glances which didn't go unnoticed. "What's the deal you two? Is there something that you need to tell me?"
-/-/-/-/-
"You guys are really pathetic you know that?" In the basement Ken Miyako, Mimi and James were keeping watch over Dai who was still chained up. "Do you actually think something like this will hold me?"
"It's doing a pretty good job so far." retorted Miyako. Saying that made it clear that having to be in the same room with this monster was an unpleasant experience for the four of them would be an understatement.
"Trust me, it's only a matter of time until I get out of his confinements and have free reign to do what I want." He then half heartedly tried to get out of the chains but was futile. "Each of you is some real sorry excuses for defenders of good. Can you imagine what I'd do if I were to escape?" It was then that Dai's focus went to one particular person. "I believe that one of you already has a good idea on what could happen. Isn't that right Mimi?"
When her name was said, Mimi looked at Dai with a somewhat tentative stare. "Don't tell me that you've forgotten. Remember the last time I showed up you made contact with me and that pesky power of premonition of yours kicked in. Even though you only got a pretty good idea on what I wanted to do." Recalling those images sent a shiver through Mimi's body as it was something that she wasn't too fond in remembering. "That proves that you're much as a freak as I always thought that you were."
"Now you wait one damn minute." exclaimed a not so happy Miyako. "You're in no position to be calling anyone a freak and that includes my cousin."
If Dai was intimidated by Miyako he didn't show it. "Please, I think that I have the right to call someone a freak. After years of being able to only watch but never acted gives me an understanding on the subject." By how he said it, the subject was one that extremely angered Dai.
"Face it Mimi, the only reason that Daisuke and the others accepted you was because they felt sorry. The same could be said about your boyfriend. Why else would someone what to be associated with someone like you?"
Even though she tried to hide it, Mimi couldn't pretend that Dai's words didn't hurt. Becoming angered by how her cousin was being talked to, Miyako wanted to knock out their tied up captive but was being held back by Ken. She was going to escape from his grasp and continue with what she set out to do, only for someone to beat her to the punch.
Out of nowhere, James entered the fray and delivered a kick to Dai's head that was so strong that it sent him reeling. "You say another bad thing about Mimi I swear I'll beat you within an inch of your undead life." The sheer anger that was behind his words were so out of character that everyone were slightly taken back by it.
"Mimi may not be like your advantage girl but who cares. What makes her different is what makes her special. I believe that I speak for everyone when I say that we didn't accept her because we felt sorry for her. It was because that we admired her." Turning away from Dai, James sent his sights on his girlfriend. "Even with the burden that she has because of her power, she is able to stay so happy and carefree. In a way that might make her stronger than any of us could ever be."
James' words had the desire affect as Mimi couldn't help but to give him a look of gratitude. Not trusting her ability to talk at the moment she mouthed a 'thank you' which he responded with a nod of the head. Before anything could really start up someone broke the mood.
"Oh, please. That's enough with all this emotional crap." muttered a sickened Dai. "If this keeps up it might kill me." It actually appeared as though Dai was disgusted when he said those words.
"And we can't have that can we?" From the basement stairs was Daisuke with Hikari following close behind. Walking down the stairs the two were now standing in front of Dai. "We can't have you dieing now. Not until we get the information that we're looking for that is. Of course there's no guarantee that there won't be any roughing up along the way." In somewhat daring move, Daisuke lend over to where his face was inches away from Dai's. "Now are you going to tell us what we want or not?"
The response that Dai gave them was quick and direct as he spot right in Daisuke's face. Wiping the spit from his face Daisuke looked at his darker half with an undetermined expression. "Funny, that was really funny." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small bottle containing a clear liquid. "You're probably thirsty. How about you have some water?"
Tipping the bottle to the side the liquid landing on Dai's right leg and he immediately moved it away as there was some slight smoke rising from where the liquid landed. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. I mistakenly brought holy water." Switching from the semi humorous manner, Daisuke became serious. "Either you give us what we want or you're going to be drowning in this stuff. It's up to you."
Instead of answering in a snide way, Dai seemed to give in for the time being. "As you probably already know, Shishio was responsible for us being separated. Quite a fascinating way it was done I might add and no, I'm not about to tell you how it was done." he answered the last part as he new what the next question was going to be. "I wouldn't want you to try and put us back together."
"Trust me, reuniting with you is the furthest thing from my mind." spoke Daisuke with a tone that didn't hide the distain of the suggestion. "So you're saying that Shishio came to Kyoto just to separate me from my vampire half? I don't know whether to kill him or thank him."
"Come on, do you think that he came here just to do that? He's been here for the last few months, doing what he wanted without you having a clue. For example, he had a recent experience in store protection. Reminds you of something similar? That question appeared to be directed towards the women in the room.
"That can't be." Hikari quickly rebuttal. "The person that was behind that whole thing was someone named Xanatos. We try to find out more about the person but found nothing. Are you saying that it was this Shishio guy that was behind it all and was doing it under a pseudonym?"
"You got it in the first try. Apparently you got a brain to go along with that body of yours." Not really liking the look that Dai was giving her, Hikari almost instinctively got closer to Daisuke. "Anyways, when the two of us became unconscious from the spell I was taken by Shishio where I stayed until I recovered my strength. Also, like with the spell I won't tell you where he's hiding. Most likely he already has switched hideouts so it'll be pointless to ask."
On the surface Daisuke had a neutral look on his face but his friends were thinking something. "Then if that's all you can give us there isn't any point to keep you around." Tipping the bottle of holy water he was about to pour the entire liquid out until Dai spoke up again.
"Do you think it's wise to kill me?" That question caught Daisuke's attention as he stopped with the potential lethal dowsing. "Just because I won't tell you those two things, it doesn't mean that I don't have other vital information that you may find interesting. Like information about the Takenaka Corporation's higher ups."
That bit of information caught everyone's immediate interest as they wondered if what their captive said was the truth. Giving the situation the benefit of the doubt, Daisuke put the bottle away. "We need to discuss this before we do anything. Let's go upstairs you guys so we can talk it over." He was about to head up but was stopped when Mimi spoke up.
"But Daisuke, if we're upstairs who'll make sure that Dai doesn't escape?" questioned Ken.
"Don't worry about that. We got that covered. You can come down now." he shouted to the top of the stairs.
Walking down the stairs was none other than Serenity and it was hard to tell what she thought about the situation as she had a blank expression that was similar to the one that her father had moments ago. "Go ahead and have your group talk. I'll stay here to watch over the 'guest'."
With the situation seemingly under control the group headed upstairs leaving Serenity with a still chained up Dai. Neither one said a word as they just stared at one another with looks of disgust.
-/-/-/-/-
"Please tell me that you're not actually believing what he's said Daisuke." Immediately after going upstairs Daisuke and the others got into the discussion about what Dai told them and Miyako was quickly arguing against what the former vampire was thinking of doing.
"Believe me, I trust him as far as I can throw him but we have to look at this on wider scale. Let's face it, we haven't been able to find anything about the higher ups, let alone who they really are. If what Dai says is true then maybe it could help us to get an edge against them. Isn't that good enough to risk it?"
The words that Daisuke spoke with managed to sink in with everyone as they considered the option of listening to what Dai had to say. However, there was still some uncertainty. "Why don't we forget about the possible information seeing as how we got another problem to deal with." reminded Ken. "Like this Shishio character. He's been the one pulling the strings behind this whole thing so he should probably be our main concern. What can you tell us about him Daisuke? By what Dai said it sounds as though you know who we'll be dealing with."
With the focus on him, Daisuke looked away as he didn't know if he could tell his story a second time in one day. It wasn't until he felt a hand that belonged to Hikari on his shoulder did he feel the strength to tell his friends what they had the right to know. "All right you guys. You have the right to know who this Shishio person is. But believe me, what I'm going to tell you will shock you."
I bet none of you expected what happen in this chapter. Remember, I did say a while back that Dai would probbaly reappearing in this series and this was a good way for him to return. Also, I hoped that I did a good enough job in making Dai as a sadistic character.
As for the whole Shishio being the one turning Daisuke into a vampire and causing problems for him and his friends, that was something that just came to me. Originally I plan to have the vampire that turned Daisuke to be a no name vamp who got killed shortly after siring the main character. However, I changed my mind after I thought that it would be a good idea to have him still 'alive' so that he could become a main bad guy during this part of the series.
I know that this chapter may have left some of you hanging on wanting to know what happens but I promise to have the next chapter up on within the week, maybe as early as Thursday. No guarantees though. Until then, please go ahead and leave a review about what you thought about this chapter and how the series is going.
