Ominous Flame

Chapter 6

Author Notes: Welp. It is chapter six folks...and that means we are due for a time skip boys and girls. Not too far mind you...but it's time we get in on the anime's storyline. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

It had been precisely a week since Shagumon returned to his human form. A week of 'Takuya' slowly becoming who he was back in the human world. Although...that wasn't quite the truth now that he thought about it. No matter how hard one tries to clean out a stain...it never truly goes away.

And that was what the fire user was feeling as he thought about the corruption that overtook him thanks to Cherubimon. A weary caution, an unholy rage-two traits that were greatly present in him that wasn't really found before was only scratching the surface of the damage done to him.

There was just no way he could return to the happy, overly energetic idiot he was. He had lost his innocence to the wicked. "Hey Tommy I got a question?" It had seemed he had been lost in his thoughts a bit too long as he finds the group quickly moving to their next destination.

"What's up Zoe?" The young boy tilts his hat, his expression curious. The look made the warrior of flame smile. Remembering his brother often doing the same thing when wondering about something. "It seems like you've changed. Did something happen?" The blonde haired girl couldn't put her finger on it.

But she couldn't help noticing something was different about the eight year old. And Shagumon couldn't help agreeing. His step was bouncier, his eyes brighter. He was looking his age as he should be. "Hmm no, not really. Ohhh look there's more meat apples~"

She tried to protest, but it did no good as the warrior of ice ran. Squinting his eyes as he grabbed as many as he could. "Wonder what's up with him..." The boy that Shagumon had seen previous...the one in the jumpsuit could only shrug as he now walked beside the girl.

"Ease up Z. He probably is finally getting used to this place. And thanks to that fight he won he seems more confident." She offers him a smile. "Yeah that's true." In any case everyone was glad for it.

Tommy was young, and it didn't seem like the other kids around him were used to interacting with siblings or little children. "Keep up the pace guys. We're getting close to the next village." The last two companions were an interesting sort.

Identical twins. "Once we're there we can find an inn to rest before restocking our supplies." Koichi and Koji, the warriors of darkness and light. Opposite in powers, and personality. But both strong, and able to perfectly work in unison as they both lead the small group of human and digimon to their next destination.

The two had made quick work of the bakumon that had been attacking them last week. As well as the other digimon that had come their way. Of course the other three had helped as well-but it was clear the two of them shared a close bond.

As each night the two of them, when doing shifts of keeping watch would quietly talk among themselves. Now Shagumon despite watching over them, wasn't one for eavesdropping on what looked to be important, private conversations.

Besides-he had learned that the being of light, Koji had a far sharper sense of intuition than anyone else there. The bandana wearing boy had nearly caught him on multiple occasions and had almost blasted him with his powers.

It wouldn't be long before he got lucky and initiated a confrontation. Demanding why he was spying on them. For whatever reason, after watching the group fight against bakumon, Shagumon found himself unable to join in, to reveal himself.

Tommy would've probably been ecstatic on them reuniting so soon. But the others would've probably been worried. Especially should they find out that he used to be an ex lacky of Cherubimon. That Bokomon would definitely be suspicious considering how he knew practically all there was to know about the legendary warriors.

One look at his digiform and his flames and he'd automatically know something was wrong. For now, he would stay hidden until the time came when he was needed. "Wow~" Though that was easier said than done when the group arrived into a more populated territory.

"Whoa this place looks so cool." Regardless of what form he took...it would be hard to blend in. "Ohhh welcome welcome~" Looks like he would have to stay on the outskirts, and stay upon rooftops when night fell.

Though that wasn't going to last long, as they were heading more towards mountain territory. Shagumon found his face scrunching up as he glanced at the various digicitizens that was in view from the trees. "They're up to something."

He couldn't place his finger on it, but their cheerful faces and happy chatter didn't feel like it did the last time he had seen this place. Granted it was only one time. But something felt off the longer he observed. Their expressions forced with stiff movements.

Still, all he could do was keep an eye on these ShellNumemon. They were small snails...what could they do? Plucking a meat apple from the tree he was resting on, he set it aflame. His head tilting with interest as he finds the dark flame taking on a slight orange tint in the center.

It was barely noticeable, something that if he had blinked would've never seen. However a sense of surprise over took him. For as long as he had been given these abilities he's only seen dark, ominous hues of purple and black.

The fact that he saw a hint of orange was a good sign. That he was fighting off the evil within him bit by bit. Becoming the fire user he was supposed to be. It made eating the apple feel all the better. "This ones hot dog flavored. Not bad." He was remembering a lot more, and his emotions had fully returned.

Having learned a lot within the week. Also finding out he could indeed digivolve as well. Spying on the other children becoming a benefit as he realized that he could at will switch forms with the odd device with him.

Though his form was still that of an evil minion, with his mind slowly fogging the longer he stayed as Shagumon-he was able to fight and do what he wished. But he found himself mostly in human form. Feeling most comfortable, as well as being easier to hide when needing to.

"Man that hit the spot." Rising to his feet, he grips his empty hand onto the branch above him to keep him steady. Now fully finished with his meal he tosses the apple far behind him before wiping his mouth with the back of his glove.

The sky by this point was starting to darken. The sun preparing to rest for the night. "Time to get moving." With nimble agility, something he was still getting used to, Shagumon leaped gracefully onto one of the rooftops. Locking his gaze down on familiar yellow hat.

Already it looked like he was getting ready for bed, yawning as he rubbed his eyes. "Can't say I blame him with all the walking they did earlier..." Suddenly Shagumon furrowed his brows. It was odd how...possessive or-no.

Perhaps the term was 'worried' while he kept his gaze on Tommy. Though he supposed it couldn't be helped considering the circumstances. The kid was kind. Not only did he find him and tried getting him to rest when he was found lying out in the open last week...

But there was just that instinctual pull to watch over him. Instantly from the moment he saw him, Tommy reminded Takuya of his little brother Shinya. They were around the same age, were both good kids with a sensitive side who only wanted to be loved and accepted for who they were.

It could just be their ages, but the resemblances(both appearance and personality wise) were uncanny. Of course now that he could properly remember and understand his dreams, he knew now he felt homesick. A young teen, when stripped of his powers was still just that.

A teen...who was thrown into a cruel fate he did not deserve. He missed his parents, his mother cooking delicious home cooked meals while asking about his day. His father who when he wasn't too tired from work would help him with his homework or play a few rounds of soccer.

And obviously he missed lounging around in his house, messing with the little squirt and playing video games with him. It was natural to feel this way. Tommy...was the closest thing he had to a friend. Right now-other than Ophanimon and his desire for payback, there really wasn't much to keep his sanity in check.

This little boy, who was a crybaby with little confidence made Takuya want to be better. Becoming a protector rather than a monster. "Hmph, and to think he said he wasn't important." Sure he was the legendary warrior of ice and had strong and-what looked to be caring individuals to look after him.

But frankly Takuya felt better watching over him. "Beautiful night..." It was times like these Takuya was grateful to be alive. Well as alive as one could considering his circumstances. There was no denying(as much as he wanted to) that he currently was in two separate places.

Him here, able to turn into a digimon, and...back in the human world probably dying. Was this his soul? Just...what did Cherubimon do to him? "Mind explaining what you're doing up here?" The voice behind him was full of irritation.

Shagumon should've been prepared for someone to try and sneak up here. Fortunately he didn't flinch or jump at the surprise visitor. "Well hello to you too buddy. I could ask the same of you." Of course it was Koji. And he had a nice big scowl gracing his face as Takuya looked over his shoulder.

"Checking up on what a random human is doing up on a rooftop. Or following us for that matter." Takuya kept his back turned, not showing any sort of tension as he looked down at the town below.

The lights were dimming and the residents looked to be settling for the night. "I don't know what you mean. I'm just taking in the sights." He heard a snort, before light footsteps grew louder. Koji was right behind him. At any point able to simply push him off the edge.

Instead of attacking like he thought he would, the warrior of light sat down next to him. Making sure that they held eye contact as he glared at Takuya. Showing a strong sense of defiance as he calls his bluff. "Don't play dumb with me. I've sensed you tailing us for the past week. And I know Koichi has too."

Well color him impressed-both brothers sensed him. "I don't know about this Koichi character but personally I think you're just paranoid. I don't know who you are. And frankly you're starting to annoy me." The fire wielder stretched his arms over his head.

Feigning disinterest. Even without Cherubimon's influence on him, Takuya was pretty sure he would've struggled befriending this guy. "Please-like i'll believe a crappy lie like that." A stubborn, cold, lone wolf.

How ironic that he represented light-which was considered warm and welcoming in most mythical stories and fairytales. "Think what you want dude, but i'm not here to pick a fight. But if you want to start one, i'll more than happily finish it." At this point the two of them are standing up.

Their eyes still in a deadlock. Neither willing to back down even as a harsh breeze rushes forth. If things escalate any further...a brawl was going to happen. It may even involve them digivolving should it come down to it.

"Then explain why you're stalking Tommy. I don't like the brat that much but I'm not going to let you hurt him." It was no wonder the kid seemed to be walking on eggshells if this guy had such an attitude problem. How many times has he snapped like a crocodile to anyone that approaches him?

If his greeting of a stranger anything to go by, a lot. "Aren't you just a ray of sunshine-not a nice thing to say about your friend." A smirk tugged on Koji's lips, knowing he caught him. It's not like Shagumon planned on keeping up this irritating little argument anyways.

"Who said I was friends with any of them? I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have a brother. Still i'm surprised you know who I'm referring to considering you've never met us." Guess Shagumon had to give it to him, he lost that round.

At least for the petty argument they were having. However, his mood soured even more as he heard slight grumbles from down below. He knew it. "Geez if this is how you treat people you like and tolerate, I'd hate to see how you'd treat your enemies. Take a chill pill man...we got bigger problems."

Immediately Koji followed his gaze, both of them narrowing their eyes with suspicion. Digimon had just snuck their way into the room where everyone else was peacefully asleep. Crouching low at the edge of the roof Takuya readies himself.

"I knew they were up to no good." With a huff, he launches himself off the roof, flipping midair before perfectly landing onto the ground. "Hey wait!" Growling Koji follows suit, somewhat startled with how easily he was able to maneuver his body like an acrobat.

However he quickly snapped back into attention as he catches yellow and red not too far ahead of him. "What the hell's going on?" Takuya places a finger over his lips as his companion catches up.

Both peering behind a wall to find the ShellNumemon taking the rest of them away. "I got a bad feeling about this." Despite his statement, the fire wielding human quietly follows behind the shelled slugs. They travel at a literal snails pace towards the mountains.

Watching as the dark sky began to slowly but surely brighten. "Just what are they up to?" Whatever it was couldn't be good. "Wake them up!" They could only stay hidden as the digislug reveal their motivations for kidnapping the group.

"Shit..." Takuya knew exactly who the ShellNumemon were referring to. Now this was definitely a problem.

to be continued

Author Notes: Whoop whoop we got chaos in the near future. Big fun. Well ladies and gents that is it for now. Thank you all so much for reading. Please feel free to fav/follow/review as it means so much to me. Tchao for now.