Ominous Flame

Chapter 27

Author Notes: Here we go people. Chapter 27~ It's time to get things rolling. As always(probably a good thing lol. Especially now.) I do not own digimon.

3rd P.O.V

"Mannn of all people I had to get stuck with." Takuya was ignoring JP's whining, though honestly he was feeling the same way. Literally anyone else would've been fine, even Koji no matter how mad he was at him.

Yet it seemed fate played against them as they were forced to partner up for their little buddy system in order to search for the toucanmon. So Takuya could only sigh as he rests his hands against his head, keeping his eyes peeled.

Looking for those familiar, bright colored birdbrains. But all that he's seen so far are vendors selling various goods. "I come bearing incredible blades of war! Prepare yourself when Cherubimon's army invades. You there come come!"

If there was anything that would be considered a mercy, it was the fact there was no watchful eyes on him. No one to question him checking out certain booths. Every once in a while he'd stop by to ask questions, leaving JP to skulk around, irritated while waiting for him.

"Hurry up!" It didn't take long for Takuya to catch up to his grouchy companion but hearing his complaints were not making either of their moods better. "Seriously...what the hell was Koichi thinking, he must've rigged it." It wouldn't have surprised the pyromancer if his fellow warrior did.

It actually sounded funny because no one would've expected that. Koichi of all people cheating the system? But Takuya knew Koji was complaining about the tension between him and JP last night. The twins probably thought the two of them would be able to talk it out if they were paired up.

After all it happened when Takuya worked with Zoe. Sad to say Takuya was going to burst that little bubble of hope. Unless JP really wanted to patch things up, he was fine playing indifferent to his lightning companion.

Because despite what he had told them, Takuya was banking on JP using that grudge to help them fight Shagumon. He wasn't really thinking as far as Zoe, but he also didn't realize till after being friends with her again that his necklace was starting to crack.

And cracking further still. The nightmares were really starting to upset him as well. Oh look, there's another yawn. "Get-over it JP. Let's just focus on finding the toucanmon." He gets a nasty frown for his statement but he wasn't going play nice.

A heavy, exasperated sigh was immediately heard on his left. "Hopefully Zoe's having better luck."

Meanwhile...

"Z-Zoe I can't eat...anymore." Koichi falls, banging his head on the table with a painful thud. A groan escapes him as his stomach feels like bursting. "Come on Koichi! The d-tectors could be the prize!" That's what she said and technically that was a possibility.

But there was no proof...and the warrior of darkness made sure to point that out to her when they first saw the sign on the front of the little restaurant while walking. Did that stop her? Clearly not as she dragged him in, and forced him to help.

Eat fifty plates worth of food within an hour to win a fabulous prize. Honestly with how he's eyeing her stuffing her face with such a joyous expression, he thinks that maybe she wanted to free food. "No more...please." Koichi was not one with a big appetite, especially when compared to Zoe...

How the hell was she so skinny with all the food she was currently scarfing down. "Sir i'm ready for plate twenty-nine!" Good grief, he's only had four meals. "You got it missy!" The prizes better be the d-tectors...because this was agony.

Back to Takuya and JP...

"You mean the others right? There's more of us than Zoe working their asses off." Of course he knew that. "Yeah, but unlike somebody I know, she's been pulling her weight and has the best chance of finding them." JP blinked seeing his companion flinch at that remark.

Striking another nerve. Bad enough Cherubimon was messing with his head, Takuya really didn't need his recent lack of battle success slapped in his face. Let alone by JP of all people. Out of everyone in the group, he's usually the one that backpedals when things go south.

In general he was starting to piss him off. Wearing the flame wielder's patience down to slivers of self-control. "Hey! Are you even listening to me Takuya!?" He could feel his fingers twitch beneath his gloves, an intense heat rising from his core. His temper was rising along with his temperature.

"Why do you allow yourself to toil with this pathetic human?'

Automatically Takuya freezes in place, his eyes wide. "No." That familiar voice...he shouldn't be hearing it. "Hello!? Takuya don't ignore me!" Not now...he was awake. His necklace, though fracturing was still in one piece. He shouldn't be-

"Did you truly think you could ignore me forever? I have work for you to do."

He immediately dismisses the wretched voice. "Takuya?" Hands grip his shoulders, forcing him to open his eyes. Wait...when did he close them? "Uh-your eyes." They were red, dammit, this wasn't good. "I-sorry JP but I need to go!"

Within a second he broke the taller boy's grasp. "W-wait Takuya! Where are you going?!" Anywhere but here. He had to leave the town. Get as far away as he could possibly get. But what he wanted and what happened were two different things as he only made it a little past the edge of town, towards the forest.

"I won't allow you to escape. You are mine to control."

Takuya shook his head as he placed his arm on the closest tree, using it to keep him upright. "No. I'm not your puppet anymore Cherubimon. Find someone else to enslave!" It seemed the wicked celestial didn't like his defiance.

Because the pain increased tenfold. "Ahhh!" He falls to his knees, hands desperately clutching his chest and necklace as he bows over. His forehead hits the ground, his goggles falling off due to the harsh movements.

"I created you Shagumon! I own you! You may believe you can defy me thanks to Ophanimon's meddling...but she can't erase your sins or overpower me."

He had to stay calm. Breathe...everything within him hurts, but succumbing to it is just what Cherubimon wants. He can hear him, that's fine. The bastard can hurt him even from the other side of the Digital World. Is that a problem?

Yes. Absolutely, but he had to rationalize. He was still in his human form. Though it was a struggle, when he shifted forms he was still Agunimon, not Shagumon. And despite it slowly breaking, he still had Shamonmon's necklace. He was still in control. He didn't have to deal with this alone. Endure. Fight. Win.

"A valiant effort. But your friends' words won't be able to support you forever."

How...did he know? "What?" How did he know that he was traveling with people? Wait...didn't he mention JP moments ago? Again ho-A wince formed on his face as harsh laughter echoed through his mind, the sound overwhelming his ears.

"Oh yes...I know all about your little adventure Shagumon. I've been seeing the world through your eyes. Everything from you following those brats to Seraphimon...it's been entertaining watching you try and form a new leaf. But the time for heroics is over."

Over his fucking dead body. But even as he said that his black flames surrounded his form. Causing a startled gasp to release from his mouth. He-wasn't doing this. His flames shouldn't be destroying the grass around him-he wouldn't allow it!

"Once I release you from this weak skin you insist on wearing you will be my warrior of flames once more. I will give you a new form to destroy this world with."

A new form. It didn't take long for the cogs to turn in Takuya's head. No matter what it wasn't happening. "Sorry guys." Well...it seems his little request to the twins was unnecessary after all as he pulls out his latest purchase.

"What are you doing!?"

Honestly he didn't think he would be using it so soon. But he wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to buy it when it presented itself, a razor sharp dagger, encased in a black sheath. "I'm not your pawn Cherubimon. I may've been once. But no longer."

And he most certainly wasn't going to hesitate if he had a chance to stop the madness before it even began. Even if his fingers trembled as he released it from its leather casing. There was a sense of fear deep within him as he remembered his other self in the human world.

Still unconscious and covered in hospital equipment. If he goes through with this...then that's it probably. For the both of them. No matter what, death would be awaiting him. But if given the choice, he'll embrace that then continuing on as a destructive monster.

"How dare you!"

Even as the flame swirled faster, burning him, and the pain increased once more, he had held onto his resolve. "This is it!" He found the strength to move. The necklace glistening in the light as he went with first slashing his eyes, so he could no longer show Cherubimon the world he wants to ruin.

It hurt, but that was fine. He was used to pain at this point. It would be all over soon anyways as he then stabs himself. Aiming for the heart. "Takuya!" He lost himself quickly, slumping over, further embedding the knife into his body. Falling into the blissful darkness.

"You may've gotten your wish now Shagumon. But this isn't the end. You WILL return to me. And my first order when you've become my faithful servant once more is the execution of your precious little friends."

to be continued(?)

Author Notes: Decisions, decisions my friends. I've hit chapter 27 and from the looks of it killed off Takuya. Now the question is how sadistic am I Lol? Do I make Takuya suffer more by letting him live-because that will happen should I decide.

Or do I end it now and let him fall into a peaceful slumber? I mean I already know what the answer is but I'll be interested to see what you guys think. But that's it(possibly forever.) for now.

Everyone thank you for reading this story. If you like please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much to me. I know it gets repetitive but it does mean a lot lol. Ahem-Tchao for now.