Ominous Flame

Chapter 10

Author Notes: Well I'll be, we've made quite a bit of progress as now Koichi and Koji have cornered our favorite little pyro. Fun times await as I do not own digimon. But first let's do a recap shall we?

Last time on Dark Flame~

Now it was Shagumon's turn to curse. "I'll have to decline?" It wouldn't take much for him to break out of the prickly grumps grip, though he stayed in place. "I insist." Not wanting to irritate the wounds he took so long patching up. So with a sigh he walked, allowing himself to be guided to their camp.

3rd P.O.V

Well it seemed that despite the circumstances behind him being dragged he was getting an up close and personal demonstration of twin telepathy as his kidnappers-or he supposed he should say, 'insistent hosts' silently spoke to one another.

Their expressions constantly shifting while still mirroring each other. It was incredible. "What's your name? As what you've probably gathered I'm Koichi and this is my elder brother Koji." Both siblings stare as Takuya snorts into his hand, amused. "Could've fooled me with how immature he is."

Automatically Koji glares, his eyes blazing in irritation. Though Koichi couldn't stop himself for laughing as well. Feeling the need to clarify. Polar opposite reactions to the max. "Technically he's older. Your name?" Already the boys were playing to their strengths to get him to drop his guard.

They had a good cop, bad cop play going very well. Though he supposed the least he could do was try to properly explain himself. "Takuya!? Are you finally joining us!?" Of course he didn't didn't even need to say anything as they returned back to the little campsite the group had made.

"Takuya?" All they had to do was let Tommy get one good look at their guest with the sun high up into the sky. A slow start to the day picking up with a familiar yet new face. One that Tommy was more than eager to pounce on and hug.

With the elder boy grinning while holding him in place for a moment before putting him down. "Apparently it's a crime to be walking around alone so they kidnapped me for food. Got anything good to eat?" The fire wielder plopped himself right on the ground, making himself at home without a care in the world.

Ignoring the dumbfounded looks he was receiving. Making everyone assume he was either completely reckless or an idiot. "Hey-you're that guy that helped us before!" He happened to be neither of those thank you very much.

"Yep. That'd be me. Glad to see all of you are alive and well." After several minutes of confusion ringing around, introductions were made. Not that it needed to happen since Takuya had been hot on their tails since the very beginning.

He at this point practically knew all of them, from their names to their digimon forms and even their personalities. Just like when he first saw them in the Forest of Dreams-they were an interesting group to be sure.

Still the fire user was only given a few moments of peace to eat despite everyone fretting and lecturing Koji on the stupidity of his actions. It was actually kinda funny how he blushed, unable to look in any direction other than his-and he glared harshly, as if it was Takuya's fault he went off in the first place.

He would've laughed if not for the fact that he could feel a strong, curious yet penetrating gaze on his human form. "Young man I must ask, are you a legendary warrior?" Leave it to Bokomon to get down to business and start the interrogation.

He sat on a log, narrowing his eyes as he took in the young teen sitting across from him. Watching said teen eat like he had gone without food for days. "No...I'm not." There was a sad glaze in his eyes as he stated that.

Even if Ophanimon had chosen him as the warrior of flame, it doesn't change the fact that because he was no longer under her protection-his powers and spirit was tainted. Cherubimon made him into a weapon of death. Where at any time he can be reconverted to evil.

Deep inside he could feel the wretched digimon still trying to dig his claws into his very being. He did not deserve that title, he was not a hero. "Truly? Then what of the fire you hit Grumblemon with when he attacked us in ShellNumemon's village?"

His lips twitched at the comment, of course the observant bookworm saw that. Talk about inconvenient. "I've always been able to manipulate fire. Back in the human world they call it 'pyrokinesis." To prove his claim(even though it WAS a complete lie) he snaps his fingers, allowing a small dark flame to form.

Something none of the other digidestined could do as humans. It was funny to see how everyone jumped back with the exception of Tommy, who still looked as mesmerized as he did the first time he saw this little trick. "Incredible!"

Just as fast the fire dies in the palm of his hands. "Wowie! Magic!" Not wanting to waste anymore energy. He was tired. Just because Koji was the one that got the royal beatdown doesn't mean Shagumon came out unscathed.

He took cover by the rocky architectures that hid away a tribe of Gotsumon, striking at a distance whenever it looked like Grumblemon was about to get the upper hand. That didn't mean he didn't get his fair share of bruises and cuts.

From the flying stones and mini earthquakes that took place throughout the fight he tried, but couldn't dodge it all. "Why is your fire black?" Thankfully all the wounds were minor and were healing at a steady pace. "It's always been like that." Neemon really needed to stop clinging to him though.

As light of a digimon cat(?) thing was, he was pressing down on some still tender bruises. "So what are you doing traveling on your own? Shouldn't you have gone back home on the trailmon?" Trailmon?

That was a new one for Takuya, but he didn't bother answering Zoe's second question. Rather(after pushing Neemon gently off him) he interlaced his fingers together, resting his head on them as he give each one of them a look.

"Let me ask you-are any of you familiar with someone known as Ophanimon?" It didn't surprise him that none of the humans were aware of her. Lucky for him, Bokomon spared him giving everyone an explanation of her greatness.

Turns out his little nickname of her being his 'guardian angel' wasn't too far off the mark after all. "Right. So she's the one that summoned you all. All of you are her chosen heroes to save the world." And it also answered his questions as to why Cherubimon was the wicked, destructive tyrant he was.

To think the three ancient celestial digimon found themselves in the same war that took place long before their reign. History seemed to be repeating itself and it was fascinating to an extent. Too bad he didn't have the time to really indulge in this worlds' past as interesting as it was.

"Wait so how do you know all this?! If you're not a legendary warrior then why are you here?" It seemed like JP was taking a note out of Koji's book. Frowning with suspicion in his eyes. Either he was(rightfully) skeptical of Takuya's story or...

He was jealous that the little fire trick caught Zoe's attention in a way that his little optical illusions and magic tricks couldn't. Honestly he couldn't care less... "I've spoken to her. Briefly. Sometimes she gives me visions too. And she told me to guide you all to Forest Terminal." Another lie.

She never told him to do anything regarding this group. But...his instinctual desire to aid them was strong. He has been in their shadow for weeks, possibly months now. And the fact that all of them reacted strongly with gasps or wide eyes to 'Forest Terminal' was enough to show he wasn't the only one heading in that direction.

"You know the way?" Oh he wishes that was the case. If he knew the proper directions he would've left ages ago on his own. If for nothing else than to scope the area out and take out any potential dangers as Shagumon long before they ever arrived.

At this point, the blind was leading the blind. "No. But I do know we're going in the right direction. Everything that's happened so far...it's been for a reason." It was a feeling he had, just like how he could predict the weather.

Or knew something bad was going to happen. He couldn't really explain how he knew, he just did. Plus he's seen them in action. Every battle these kids have fought, every adversity in their wake made them stronger, better themselves in some way shape or form.

"What are we going to find there?" All he could do was shrug. "She never told me what to do once we get there. Only that there was an ally of hers there to properly explain things." It's been awhile since he's heard from her.

To say it was worrying was a serious understatement. "That means you'll be coming with us right!?" Deep innocent eyes stared at him with hope. Small but firm hands practically holding him in place.

Emotionally and physically Takuya is bounded to where he was sitting. Suddenly it feels like he's returned to when he met the green armored digimon all those months ago. Hearing her words in his head as clear as day.

'There are some truths that are hard to grasp and cannot be found alone.'

Maybe...this is what she had been talking about? It was essentially because of Tommy that so many of his past memories of Shinya came back to him. And with each day his Shagumon personality was taking a backseat for Takuya, essentially bringing him back to existence. Flawed, different-but still Takuya.

If he hadn't met the boy, or decided to play the role of silent protector to this rag tag team of individuals...chances are the progression would've never happened as smoothly or swiftly. It would've been messier, harder to ignore Cherubimon's manipulative grooming. "Tommy...I..."

However there was still that doubt that plagued him. No matter what way he goes about this he is a liability. As a human with small embers at his beck and call he is weak compared to the others. As a digimon he was constantly feeling like his entire being is being ripped apart from the inside out.

Both forms he is completely vulnerable. It was too risky..."Please!" Tommy's grip tightened, practically begging that his surrogate brother stay. "You're more than welcome to join us. It'd be good to have an extra pair of eyes."

Koichi chimes in, at complete ease with a smile on his face. "Yeah! We still owe you for helping us before too~" Even Zoe agrees with them. Not at all concerned with his presence. But he could still see the faces JP and Koji were making.

However it was the latter that spoke up, shocking them all. "You've survived this long on your own-we could use you." Well...no one was expecting that. Takuya especially as he blinked, looking absolutely lost and unsure of himself.

It was a few moments of tense silence before a decision was ultimately made. Sighing as he rubbed the back of his neck. "If you're sure..." He gave a soft smile as the eight year old cheered, pumping his fist in the air.

However he only allowed a minute of celebration before turning serious once more. "Before we continue on this...you need to know what exactly it is we're going to be dealing with. There's more than just Grumblemon out there."

Currently only Koji had his beast spirit and don't get the warrior of flame wrong-that was good! "What do you mean Takky?" But it was going to take more than just a stubborn wolf to take down these baddies.

If they were anything like what he was when he followed Cherubimon's orders, they needed to be prepared. "Takky? Whatever-look, Grumblemon isn't the only legendary warrior working for the evil team. I've seen them in action-and let me tell you they're bad news." He had to warn them.

Prepare them for the blood fest that was going to take place. "You mentioned that before." Koji locked eyes with him, a steely, determination held within. "There's four of them. You've already run into our favorite little gremlin Grumblemon the warrior of earth. Next is-"

Whatever advantage he could get on Cherubimon he would use. Praying that he never has to tell them about Shagumon. That he will never lose himself to his own evil and turn against them.

to be continued

Author Notes: Here's the part where things get complicated. Takuya has no real intention of digivolving due to the pain and Cherubimon's influence on that form, but thankfully somebody managed to give him the power to use fire outside of said form.

Nice person. So now we have him traveling with the team. And things will be happening, we'll just see if it's in all a good thing or not. Guys thank you so much for reading this story. If you like feel free to fav/follow/review as it means so much to me and I'll see you next time. Tchao for now.