Ominous Flame

Chapter 24

Author Notes: So last time some drama went down, leaving some tension between JP, Takuya and Zoe-along with some missing D-tectors. So the hunt is on for some toucans~ So let's begin. I do not own digimon.

3rd P.O.V

It amazingly enough didn't take long for the group to catch up to the run away toucanmon. It helped that the overgrown birdbrains were wasting precious minutes fantasizing on how Ranamon would repay them for getting the spirits for her.

"Get back here!" The group as soon as they discovered what happened split up with the deal that if they don't find anything in an hour to meet up back at the lodge. Everyone rushed off in quick pairs like before, though Takuya just grabbed the first person that was on his decent person/digimon list.

Which of course, the closest happened to be Bokomon. "Waa. This much bouncing is not good for the baby." The poor guy was riding on top of the fire warrior's shoulders, holding on for dear life as all that soccer training started paying off. "You overgrown chickens aren't getting away."

Takuya was in no mood for games as he sent fireballs their way. "Yikes!" But no matter how hard he tried he just kept missing...and his face contorted in grief as he took note of how much darker the flames were compared to earlier.

A dull orange compared to the bright blend of warm oranges, whites and reds. "This is so stupid!" It was fortunate that the toucanmon had short stubby legs, because they were slowly catching up. However the tide turned quite literally in a matter of seconds.

"Ohh if it isn't the boy from Seraphimon's castle. Come to hand over your spirit to little ole me? You really shouldn't have." Immediately Takuya took Bokomon off his shoulders. "Bokomon go get the others." There was no time for arguing.

Or discussion. "On it." No time for the little digimon to ask what the boy was going to do. There was no need to when he already knew the answer. And even if he didn't...there was still Seraphimon's egg to protect.

It had to be protected at all costs. "Look lady I don't have time to deal with you. So why don't you do me a favor and take a hike?" His D-tector was already out and ready to go.

"Honestly cutie you took the words out of my mouth. I don't feel like fighting you since I have more important things to do. But I got a job to do you understand." With a flick of her fingers she sends a blast of water his way.

A blast he was just barely able to dodge, which was fine because that gave him the moment to digivolve. "Urg." But there was something wrong. The shift wasn't as smooth, a split second pain though small was uncomfortable.

He was still Agunimon, but...this was going to be a problem. The worst part is he couldn't tell if it was due to his frustrations with how the days been...or if the necklace really WAS growing weaker in protecting him.

"My my aren't you a sight for sore eyes darling. Though you should know fire and water don't mix. Too bad for you." At the very least she didn't outright recognize him. He could still make this work.

So he's got a disadvantage as far as elements go. That was fine. He didn't need to beat her(though he wished he could say that he could handle her without help) he just had to stall for time. "Huuraaa Pyro Darts!" Even if the guys didn't have their spirits, Zoe still had hers.

Surely she wouldn't leave him to die...right? "Honestly sweetie you can do better than that. Ha!" She was easily able to block his ranged attack, snuffing it out in a second. "Damn." So long as she was in the water, he couldn't do much.

He was more of a close combat fighter, though he's been doing range attacks from the beginning...it would do nothing against her. "Why the long face sugar?" There was no way he was going to give her the satisfaction of victory.

"Grrr take this!" Smashing his metallic fists together he summoned his flames. Focusing all of his anger and hatred into forming them. The fire grew like he had hoped...at the cost of them turning darker, nearly brown with how dark of an orange it was.

He had to start making sacrifices somewhere. And if it was his temper and patience...he'd rather release it on the enemy then one of his companions. So he fires it. "What?!" Her eyes widen in surprise as a hurricane of flames head straight her way.

And was actually able to stabilize against her own water version, creating steam. Giving him the cover he needed to send a roundhouse kick to the stomach! "Ahhh!" She fell right into the ocean depths. Agunimon grinned as he used her own little pillars of water to bounce back towards shore.

His blue eyes scanning the surface...waiting for her to resurface. Now compared to Grumblemon and Arobormon Takuya didn't see Ranamon here fight too often, preferring to let her little fan club of cronies to cater to her every whim.

Honestly if he had to choose he'd rather watch and deal with her since at the very least the death count on her was less. Still he didn't underestimate the power she had, especially since she's got an entire ocean as ammunition.

"How rude!" And like he thought she came shooting out like a missile with her pretty face showing a nasty scowl. "That's no way to treat a lady." With a huff she twists her hand shooting the water to surround him.

Like hands it grabbed ahold of him, lifting him high into the air. Right in front of her. "You ain't no southern belle Ranamon." Not really appreciating his defiance she sent him crashing harshly into the waves.

Pushing him deep into the water until he was smashing straight into the sea floor. "You're cute sugar, but that attitude ain't going to get you any favors that way." Lifting her hand she focused. "Time to teach you some manners-?" She had him pinned to the ground, moments away to blasting him to kingdom come.

He was drowning-yet she wasn't finishing him off. "Could it be?" Instead her gaze swivels around, searching. Completely forgetting about her opponent she swims away, finding a clam. "My goodness-it really is!" In its mouth there it sat, her beast spirit.

Takuya didn't bother sticking around, the moment he was released he made a break for the surface. "Beast spirit evolution!" But of course he didn't make it far. As not even a few feet of away a long tentacle wrapped around him. "Calmaramon."

Well he made it to the surface coughing up tons of sea water, but with a newly ecstatic Calmaramon keeping him in place. "Well I suppose I really should thank you sugar. Thanks to you-I finally have my beast spirit." No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't summon his flames.

All that came forth was steam...all it did was make the stronger villainous laugh. "Try as you like you can't escape me. You should be honored being in my glorious presence." He struggled, damn it all he did. But she was too strong. "Takuya!"

Much to both of their surprise something collided right into Calmaramon's face. "Bwa!" Not only sending her falling backwards, but also letting Agunimon go. "Gotcha!" He has never been so happy to see Zoe in his life. "Thanks Kazemon."

Even with the issues going on between them...it was a relief seeing her smile at him as she holds onto his hand. Keeping him from falling back into the sea. And he knew the moment he got the chance he would thank Bokomon for grabbing her.

"No problem. Who's the ugly piece of seafood?" Oh man with all the shit he's been dealing with the ocean diva, he was ready to laugh at her statement. Sadly he couldn't. "Ranamon. She found me as I was chasing the Toucanmon...and found her spirit during our fight." The odds still weren't good.

Even if it was now two against one, Calmaramon would be a serious threat. "How. Dare. YOU!" It didn't take long for the legendary warrior of water to get up. Before when Takuya kicked her she was annoyed, but over all impressed with the fact he was able to get the jump on her.

With Zoe's stunt...she was enraged. "You think you can waltz right up and kick me in the face like that!? Me? The queen of the sea!?" Zoe wasn't all that impressed with Ranamon's latest transformation.

"Queen? Don't make me laugh, you're just something to throw soy sauce on before grilling. May want to work on the makeup job." Apparently wind and water mixed even less than fire and water as sparks began to fly between the two females.

With him of course smack dab in the middle, powerless to do anything. "Prepare to get those wings clipped girly!" Zoe was just barely able to dodge her, moving them higher into the sky. As grateful as Takuya was for her helping him...they were sitting ducks. They needed a new plan.

to be continued

Author Notes: Whoop whoop cliffhanger time. Part 2 will be happening next chapter folks, and we'll see just how our pair of warriors get out of this mess. If they get out...But that is it for the moment.

Everyone, thank you all so much for reading my story~ If you like it and would like to show support, feel free to fav/follow/review as it absolutely makes my day. I'll see you all next time. Tchao for now.