Chapter 3: Of Beasts and Humans

Hello~! Hope is back and ready for Chapter 3!

Now that I think about it, pretty much all of my stories have protagonists (good guys) going against each other. Huh. You learn new things about yourself everyday, as I've learned that I have an evil side to my personality. Or maybe I just like conflict between two good sides. Yeah, I'm evil.

Thanks to all that reviewed/followed/favorited.

Anika Noni Rose: Thank you so much! If you've noticed, I've added line breaks to the previous two chapters.

KnightVnox: Thanks for the review! Where the story is going, only time will tell because I sure as heck am not.

Darkblade-the-Tempest-Warrior: Update? Well, here you go! :)

Thanks for all the reviews/follows/favorites!

(This chapter has been edited.)

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

"..talking.." - Speaking out loud

Talking - thinking or reading from analyzer

'Texting' - text message

"Digimon" - evolution or important words

"Attack" - attack move

Talk - Human Spirit communicating

Talk - Beast spirit communicating

Chapter 3, ready for lift off… Let's begin!

Chapter 3: Of Beasts and Humans

I'm telling you, I don't think this is a good idea.

Oh, pipe down. This is the best we've got so suck it up.

Guys, can you please stop arguing? Honestly, how did you two become essentially the same being, as all I can see is you both fighting. Takuya was beginning to get annoyed. The two had not shut up and it was getting on the boy's already frayed nerves.

They couldn't seem to come up with any good ideas to contact the others. Takuya's D-tector had decided to not work properly, and it only allowed for Spirit Evolution. That meant no call functions. In the meantime, Takuya decided to practice his fire-wielding.

"Alright, are you ready?" Takuya seemingly asked himself out loud, though in truth he was talking to his spirits.

As ready as a starving dragon is to eat his prey.

Ignore that savage.

There was a tornado of flames that swirled around the Warrior of Fire. Takuya could feel the energy in his body, the heat in his chest, and the burning rush of being consumed by pure fire blazing through his veins.

Let's hope this works.

Thrusting his fist forward, Takuya let out a spiraling inferno. The flames shot towards the direction his punch had been thrown, which happened to have been aimed at the roof-access door of the building he was currently on top of.

"Well… crap."

"Look! Did you see that giant fiery tornado, Taiki? It was so cool!"

"Idiot! We aren't looking for 'cool' things! We're looking for things that aren't normal! I swear, you couldn't possibly be the one that Taiki chose to succeed him…"

Taiki sighed in exasperation. As much as he cared for his juniors, they could definitely get on his nerves very quickly. Tagiru and Yuu were having another argument, though this was not the time for their antics. His phone buzzed.

'Hey, Taiki! It's Airu here! ^_^ Ryoma wanted me to tell you that some legendary digimon appeared but then ran away. Ren's Xros loader said something about a 'beast', or whatnot. We should meet up again to talk about this more! Don't forget to bring my subordinate! While we're on the topic of Yuu…'

More unusual things? That's odd. Something big must be happening.

"Okay, I'll head up there to check out what's what. Come up when you're done arguing," Taiki said to the two that weren't listening.

He cautiously made his way up the tall building, minding the stairs. Who knew what could happen. They had managed earlier to catch sight of a random fire that seemed to erupt from the top of this building.

Without another sound, Taiki made quick work of the stairs and came upon the roof access door. Silently, he eased the door open…

"I'm sorry if it was stupid, but it's not like you said anything to stop me!" an unfamiliar voice rang out. Taiki started. It was a boy his age, wearing an olive cap with goggles over them. He could only catch the profile, but it seemed as though the boy hadn't noticed him yet.

He was lean, but muscular. His outfit was nothing out of the ordinary, except maybe the goggles, but Taiki was used to them by now. He was talking, but nobody else was there.

"I didn't mean to blow the door up! It's still on its hinges, right?"

There was a pause.

"You're the idiot! If you had any objections, why didn't you say them before I nearly melted the door!"

Another pause.

"Eh? Of course I'm not paying for it! Do you really think I have money with me?"

…

"If others saw it, they wouldn't understand anyways. Probably think some kind of accident happened. Which scarred the door…"

…

"Well… Okay, so practicing up here probably wasn't the best idea, but at least we're high enough that people wouldn't notice."

Oh really? I highly doubt that fact.

"What the heck?! Are you going to disagree with me on everything? That's it! I'm done talking to you!"

Well, good riddance! Good luck going around without me!

He doesn't need you. He's got me, the best dragon in existence.

Cocky much?

You're just jealous. The kid's got good taste to see who's got the real power around here. Fire is meant to burn. It just happened to burn that door. Who cares?

You insolent-! Fine, do whatever you want! Count me out of your shenanigans!

"Guys, please calm down. I'm not choosing sides between you two. If you need to work this out, please do it without involving me."

Fine, have it your way. But while we argue, you best take care of the dropper of eaves.

He means eavesdropper. There's been a boy in the doorway listening to you speak out loud. He probably noticed your idiotic display. You might be sent to the mental institute soon.

Takuya casually took a glance at the newcomer, barely making a motion to alert watchful eyes. The boy had brown hair was wearing a red shirt. He seemed to be staring very intently at the Warrior of Fire, and it sort of made Takuya uncomfortable.

"Hey, buddy. You need something?" Takuya called out in a friendly manner. He knew not to sound hostile until he knew what the boy had heard.

"Uh, I was coming up here to… nap. I just happened to hear your voice. Who're you talking to?" the new boy asked. Ah, an observer who just happened to be 'passing by'.

"Really now? Well, I was just practicing for a new play I was trying out for."

"Oh? That's cool. Did you see any fire up here? I could've sworn I saw something."

Internally, Takuya was sweating bullets.

"Fire? Sorry, but I don't think I've seen anything dangerous."

"Is that so? While I'm here, would you mind telling me if you've seen anything suspicious?" Taiki pressed.

"Not that I know of. Why do you ask?"

"I've been hearing a few strange things have been going on around town. I'm just curious. By the way, what's the name of the play you're trying out for? I might have heard of it."

"Of Beasts and Humans," the kid answered without skipping a beat.

Beasts? Didn't Airu mention something about a beast? Taiki thought to himself. Just before he was about to follow up with another question, two boys burst through the door, which Taiki had walked only a couple of steps in front of while talking to the stranger.

"TAIKI!"

Tagiru and Yuu ended up bulldozing poor Taiki. Immediately arguing again, they didn't even notice the stranger that had been conversing with their senior.

The extra ended up laughing his heart out, finally drawing attention to himself. He had to put his hand on his stomach because it was hurting so much. That's when Taiki saw it.

A red tattoo. Fire. It resembled the guy, Koji's.

"Excuse me-" Taiki started before getting cut off.

"Who do you think you are?! Laughing at us? What's your name so I can pummel you!" Tagiru shouted indignantly.

"Like you could pummel anyone! You're too weak!" Yuu mocked. They continued for a couple more minutes before someone shut them up.

"Guys!" Taiki had had enough of their immature behavior. He turned back to the stranger, wanting to apologize for his juniors.

"Sorry, they're usually like this, but-" he cut himself off this time. The mysterious bystander had disappeared. Taiki quickly searched the rooftop, but there wasn't a single sign of the boy. But there was one thing that caught his eye.

There was a large area on the door that looked as though it had the target of all-black paintballs filled with soot.

To Be Continued…