Ominous Flame

Chapter 14

Author Notes: Well...it's been a few days and there's no angry mob or pitch forks impaled into my door. So I think it's safe to say I don't need this anymore *throws off armor* Now it's time to get back to my weekly dose of fun. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

Three days have passed and Takuya still hasn't woken up. Leaving everyone on edge as they sat around Shamanmon's temple, waiting. "Here. Soup's good for you. Will make you nice and full." Everyone was grateful that the mystic digimon had allowed them sanctuary.

Going to the trouble of giving them food and a place to rest. "Thank you." He had even bandaged up the wounded. "Your friend is strong. Gone through many hardship that would break most. He will awake soon." They weren't sure if he had a vision or if he was just confident in Takuya's stubbornness.

Either way most of them were relieved. "Are we sure we still want him with us?" There was still some major hostility from Takuya's little reveal however, and certain people stood suspicious. "Let it go JP. He's done nothing but help us, why question him now!?"

It was mainly JP that found himself sneering at the unconscious boy. "He lied to us Zoe. He's BEEN lying to us. He could've digivolved at any point in time to help us and he didn't. He could've prevented you from losing your spirit!" Tommy glared at the older boy.

Not liking the fact that his brother figure was being insulted. "What's that supposed to mean?" JP snorted, crossing his arms as he looked at the youngest of the group in the eye. "I'm saying how do we know he's not the bad guy? I like how Grumblemon never goes after him during battle."

Oh no, the ice elemental was NOT going to let that train of thought continue. "That's because he's usually attacking from a distance! And we've always kept Grumblemon from going after him. Don't you say he's evil! He's been protecting us even before he joined up!" He refused to acknowledge the idea.

Takuya would never betray them. "Is that what he's been telling you shorty? All he did back in ShellNumemon was untie us. And played doctor when Koji got hurt. We let him in our group without thinking, he's probably the reason we keep getting found in the first place!" Before he was on the fence on Takuya.

Now-he hates him. He's got to go. "If that's the case then why did he get involved when Koichi got possessed by his beast spirit!? Grumblemon wasn't there then-if he wanted to he could've easily let us all get killed and take our spirits." But Tommy had a good argument.

Though he did guiltily look back, silently apologizing as Koichi flinched at his words. These last few days he's been mute, lost in his thoughts as he relived his possession over and over again. Barely sleeping and having little appetite as he got lost in his memories.

Watching as he attacked his brother. Nearly killed Takuya...he was a monster. With a tired sigh he rubbed his face, ignoring the concerned look his sibling was giving him to pay attention to the conversation. "Point is he's too dangerous to have around! We don't know if anything he's said was the truth."

Koji rolled his eyes. "In case you forgot-ALL of us are dangerous with our spirits. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, when he wakes up, we'll talk to him. As simple as that." The blue and yellow jumpsuit wearing teen let out a noise of frustration.

"Are you serious Koji!? The one time I expected you on my side and you say that shit! Out of all of us you're the one that's always been suspicious of him. And said he was trouble. Why change your mind NOW of all times!?" Why indeed...

For once the bandanna wearing twin couldn't blame anyone from looking at him in surprise. This wasn't like him at all. "Tommy was right that Takuya had been following us long before he officially introduced himself. Both me and Koichi knew, and kept our eyes on him."

Throughout it all Koji had always been skeptic of the brunette, questioning his motivation. However time and time again despite the suspicions Takuya proved himself as someone who was only trying to protect them.

Whether it was in the shadows, keeping an eye out and giving a subtle signal to alert them of danger or even just using his powers at a distance, he was always there. Doing whatever he could to give them an edge.

And all without digivolving. "He could've abandoned us at any time. Could've attacked us at any moment he deemed fit. In the end he didn't. He saved me and my brother." And it wasn't like he was exactly hiding that fact either.

There were plenty of signs starting with the look he gave Bokomon when he first asked. There was a remorseful, pained expression as he stated no-that he was not a legendary hero. Meaning he KNEW what they were, instead of being confused.

Bokomon had explained what being a chosen warrior meant long before they felt the pyro user nearby. Even if he saw them digivolve, he still shouldn't have exactly known what they are. Ophanimon or not. Not to mention all those times Koji would take a glance, noting a trembling gloved hand would reach for his pant's pocket.

Hesitating before he instead chose to shoot out a fireball from his palm. No doubt the same pocket Takuya had grabbed his D-tector from. And he even brought up the Celestial Angel trio that protected the digital world the morning all of them gathered around camp.

To an extent knowing more than they did on what was going on. It was a red flag that he could be working for the enemy, but he answered all of their questions without hesitation. Perhaps they weren't asking the right ones.

"Then why hide he was one of us? Why tell us he was a pyro-whatever he called it!? How can he even use his flames while human? We can't!" For the first time since this mess began Koichi spoke up.

Licking his dry lips. "Takuya mentioned having bad experiences with his powers before." That brought realization into Tommy's eyes as he glanced towards the door that held their sleeping friend.

"The night I reunited with Takuya, I had asked why he didn't stick around after giving us a hand at ShellNumemon village and he said he had issues going on, that he was still injured from his time in Dream Forest."

Pieces were falling into place as they all recalled what Takuya said while trying to calm Koichi down.

"Listen to me Koichi! You have to control your spirit. Don't let it consume you!"

"I know how it feels to be overwhelmed from powers you don't understand. But don't let your fears take over your actions."

"Stop before it's too late Koichi! Before someone gets badly hurt. Think of your friends and your brother!"

"Fighting isn't going to fix this. All its going to do is feed into his fear and revert him further into his instincts!"

At some point before Tommy met him something happened with his spirit. Gave him physical and mental scars that constantly made him fearful of his powers as a digimon. So much so he was willing to let himself get killed to prevent Koichi from doing something he regretted.

Not that it worked mind you as Koichi glanced at his own D-tector, pursing his lips as he looked at his beast spirit. He could still feel his claws sinking into soft flesh, feeling blood painting his body. It was sickening.

He could completely understand why Takuya confessed he was scared of himself and to an extent Koichi when they had talked. He had seen the damage they could really do first hand, and though was trying to move on from it, was always keeping himself on a tight least.

JP kept silent as he looked away, sulking. He didn't Really want to accuse Takuya but all the signs of him were there. To an extent by hiding his powers from them he had betrayed their trust. And even now couldn't even defend himself and get in JP's face like he would normally do.

"H-huh?" Everyone turned to Koichi who flinched as the sound of static rang out throughout the room. It was a woman's voice that could be heard. One that sounded familiar to them all. The voice that convinced each of them to get onto the train to the digital world. The one Takuya referred to as Ophanimon

"Who is Takuya Kanbara? Would you like to find out?"

Light radiated off the D-tector, swallowing them all into a moment of the past as amber eyes slowly opened. Shamanmon unaware of what was going on in the other room greeted him with a smile. "Glad to see you're awake."

to be continued

Author Notes: Well getting to another lovely little cliffhanger. Takuya is awake and everyone has disappeared. Big fun. We'll have to see what happens next chapter since Ophanimon has sent everyone on a little field trip.

But that is it everybody. Thank you all so very much for reading my story. If you like it so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean an absolute crap ton to me. I'll see you all next time. Tchao for now.