Ominous Flame

Chapter 34

Author Notes: Time for a bit of a brighter chapter...or as bright as it can be since i'm the one writing it lol. Still this was a pretty fun chappy to make, so let's get this started. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

It was a smooth ride, one that was more upbeat than the last time the group found themselves on a trailmon. "Got any threes Zoe?" This time Angler, Tommy's partner from the race was their trailmon to the Rose Morning Star.

"Nope~ Go Fish!" Growing closer by the minute. "Dammit." Koji tsked as his hand went to the deck. His face scowling even more as he sees his newest card. "This is stupid. Your go JP." Koichi rolled his eyes with a smile. His brother could be so immature.

Especially when it comes to games. Though he supposed he could let his rudeness slide this time as all of them were having fun and relaxing. "Alright Takky! Hand over that ace you've got. I know you have it!"

Though Takuya was still under bedrest-with fever flashes(at least that's what Ebiburgarmon called them) he was more energetic than everyone's seen him. "Sorry man but I picked up its partner last round. Go fish." Though Koichi was still worried.

"Aww man! Ugh, your go shrimp." He couldn't tell if Takuya was actually having fun, forgetting his problems for a little bit or if he was keeping himself upbeat for the sake of distracting them. "Hmmm...Koji, I'll be taking that three!" It SEEMED like Takuya was happy.

Laughing especially right now as Koji grumbled as he passes his card. "Takuya do you have any queens?" Bokomon gave a tap on his left shoulder, making the pyromancer shake his head. "According to our favorite bookworm I don't. Go fish kiddo."

In general the last half hour has been peaceful. No one expected JP to pull out his deck of cards for some games. If anything Koichi had been prepared for another magic show-but that probably wouldn't be fair to Takuya who couldn't see it. "Ok. Go ahead Koichi!"

At least with Bokomon being his eyes and gaming partner he could at least participate. "JP? Do you happen to have a seven?" But again the younger of the yin/yang twins couldn't shake off his concerns. His mind replaying back to when Takuya first woke up.

"Aha! No go fish!" It felt like the calm before the storm. Making him antsy. "Alright...then it's your turn Zoe." Things have been going well...very well. "Ci ci. How about a jack Koichi?" Frowning the warrior of darkness releases his card.

It was getting down to the wire of the match. "Yay! Takuya do you have any eights?" Again Bokomon gives a tap on the left. "Nope. Try again Zoe." Now there was nothing wrong with some good luck(finally) coming their way. They beat Petaldramon.

Saved Papaburgermon and Ebiburgamon even offered to come with them up to the trailmon's next destination to help with Takuya's injuries on top of teaching them what to do(it was especially useful since the only other person with any medical experience WAS Takuya) when they part ways.

"Shoot. Guess it's your turn now Takuya." This was the first time in ages everyone was able to just...have fun. Act like the kids they were supposed to be instead of heroes saving the world. However it didn't get rid of their current problems.

And he was sure Takuya was thinking the same thing even as he whispers suspiciously with Bokomon on his next strategy. "Koichi mind if I take your king?" It didn't matter if he was grinning ear to ear as he accepted the card. "I'm out~ Count them up." Or if Koichi was pouting(he wasn't!).

But the brunette has shown time and time again that he was very good at hiding his feelings and bottling up his concerns until they burst. "Who won?" It was also strange how...close their digimon friends were sticking to Takuya. "Bokomon says I got four pairs."

Bokomon for offering to be his assistant during the card game(his argument was Neemon would just mess him up) and Neemon clinging on the teen, pulling on his sleeves or pant legs constantly. "Shit I got three." Maybe he was thinking too deep into things.

"Quattro~ I got four pairs too!" But there was no denying the necklace that Takuya wore was more fracture than beads and gems. "Looks like I only got two." And Koichi was pretty sure his brother noticed, drawing similar if not the same thoughts as him.

Even when he revealed his cards with a somewhat smug grin. "I got five pairs. Beat that guys." Koichi smiled as he glanced over to the last of their little group. Just in time to see Tommy raise his fist in the air. "I just did! Six pairs~"

Light chuckles floated around as JP and Koji groaned. This was not their day. "Really!? Takuya are you sneaking him cards?" A snort escapes the brunette in question, actually sounding amused despite the accusation.

"Couldn't even if I wanted to buddy. Besides who's to say me and Tommy don't have an alliance going on? We've been kicking your asses for ages now." To prove his point, Takuya raises his hand.

Allowing for his surrogate brother to dish out a high five. "Oh yeah~ We rule!" Sadly all fun must come to an end as their trailmon suddenly stops with a screech. "Wahhhh!" Not only startling the group.

But also sending most of them and their cards forward. "Owww!" It was by pure luck that Takuya was able to grip his seat and Tommy...keeping them from face planting. "What was that for!?" Zoe, Koji and Koichi weren't so blessed. "I-I'm dropping you off here!"

With mumbles of annoyance and aches, everyone rises from their positions. "What? Why? We haven't reached a town yet have we?" JP opens a window, frowning as he sees what's ahead.

Tracks...a long long set of tracks. "Hey what gives!? We got passes for the Rose Morning Star! This isn't it." Tommy held onto Takuya on one side, with Bokomon on the other, keeping him in place even as Angler starts to shake his whole body.

Zoe plants her hands on her hips, looking particularly angry. Which wasn't a surprise...she was the one who earned those tickets. "Angler you promised you would take us to our destination!" The shaking grows.

Actually making the blind pyro stumble. "Knock it off!" Koichi managed to keep him from falling, thankfully not irritating his wounds(would they ever heal?) "Ah um i'm sorry. But I have other plans. Yes! I need to go. So I'll drop you off here!" He was lying. Terribly at that.

"Are you kidding me? What plans!?" Koji was ready to throw the trailmon into the junk yard. But before any of them could move Angler shifts. Practically dumping everyone but Ebiburgamon out. "Ahh!" This time Takuya wasn't able to avoid falling.

Even with all of the support he aggravated his injuries. His body physically trembling as he held his breath. Trying his utmost not to scream. Not that Angler cared as he immediately back peddled. "The anywhere but here plans! Bye bye!"

No one was pleased seeing the coward ride away. "Get back here!" Koichi and Tommy shared a glance as their friend was on his knees, still shaking. Still trying to breathe. "Takuya are you alright?" If there was one thing they had to give him credit for it was his resilience.

"Do you need help getting up?" He manages a weak smile. "I'm fine-just give me a sec." Not uttering an ounce of complaint as he holds his chest. Carefully, taking digiegg steps to rise to his feet without assistance.

It was a small victory he really didn't have time(or energy) to take pride in. "Where are we?" Bokomon began trembling as he grasped onto Takuya's pants. "We've...reached the Dark Continent's gateway."

That didn't sound like a very nice place to go. "What's wrong Bokomon?" Yet that was the way to the Rose Morning Star. "W-we should go back!" There was nowhere else for them to go but forward. "What!? Why? We can't turn away now!" No matter how scary it may seem.

"Those who have gone through those gates have never been seen again." Takuya winced at that. "Doesn't the book say anything?" Knowing he was right. "All it is are blank pages. There's nothing there that can help us." Any that weren't Cherubimon's minions were either enslaved or killed.

Though he doesn't bother saying that. "Is it really that dangerous?" Knowing it would only terrify them further. "We knew that it would be more dangerous the further we went. Like Koji said before...we can't turn away now."

Tommy and Koichi see a shift in movement. Takuya started taking a step forward, then another...and another. "T-Takuya you shouldn't go in!" Bokomon was trying to halt his advances. Pulling at his ankles.

"I don't have a choice Bokomon. You and anyone who don't want to, don't have to. But I'm taking Cherubimon down." His words reinvigorated their motivation. Everyone sharing relieved glances. Even with how grim the circumstances were...they were here for a reason.

They were the legendary heroes. "He's right." His courage and determination reminded them why they had made it this far in the first place. "It's just a forest, nothing we haven't seen before!" What was at stake. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

To be continued

Author Notes: A bit on the short side when compared to some of the other chapters but still I like how this turned out. We got some light hearted moments with the gang and we're ready to get into the next 'arc' of the series.

Fun times are coming folks-for me haha. But that is it for now everyone. Thank you all so much for reading. If you like this series please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a ton to me. See you next time~ Tchao for now.