Ominous Flame

Chapter 40

Author Notes: Holy crap...forty chapters. And with me falling behind on my uploads. Sorry folks. I can go on with excuses...but i'm not going to waste anyone's time lol. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

Why...couldn't he do anything? It was another day where the sun shines but there's no joy to be found. "Koichi, come here sweet child." She was so sick. Her health was falling fast. "Grandma?" Every day he visits her, hoping to lift both of their spirits.

Praying that the doctors that take care of her give him the news that things were turning around. That she was finally getting better. But every day he finds himself more and more depressed. "My dear boy listen to me..." Today was no different at first.

He greets her, the two spend time playing with cards while waiting for meal time to roll by. Talking about all manner of topics throughout the games. But...it's after she eats that the pattern shifts. "?" She gives him a smile, her hand resting against his cheek.

"I'm not long for this world." He didn't want to hear it. She can't leave him. Not ever, and not like this. "You-you're going to get better! The doctors said so!" He wanted more time, time to spend with her. Time with her here period.

Koichi's never asked for much in his life, only for his family to stay in good health. A desire that has all but been ignored as now his poor mother was working herself sick to pay for the hospital fees...if his grandmother dies, he'd lose the only friend he has.

And all the work his mother has been slaving over would be for nothing. Dammit he didn't want to say goodbye! "Koichi...listen to me ok?" Tears were starting to blur his vision. Yet he meets her gaze, knowing better than to disobey.

She had helped raised him after all. "You're not alone Koichi. You have a brother. Koji...living in Tokyo." What? "A brother?" She nods her head, and in doing so brings forth so many other questions.

Why now? Why tell him now while she lays there slowly dying? And why were they separated? "When I die child...find him. Find him and the answers you seek." He wants to shake his head. There was no meaning of disrespect, but he couldn't do it.

Even if(when) his grandmother passes away and he goes to confront this brother-then what? "But Grandma..." There's no guarantee this sibling wants anything to do with him. "No buts Mr. Promise me that you will look for him. That the two of you will be reunited once more."

It would only hurt more if he were turned away or rejected. Yet all he could do was nod. Earning him a relieved smile. "It'll work out Koichi, have faith." What else could he do? Who was he to argue with her. But he wasn't expecting much. It wouldn't be the first time that fate came to bite him in the ass.

"Koichi!" It was hard to move. Quiet voices pounded against his ears like drums, so hearing extra loud-too close to the ears- voices was complete agony. And Koichi wanted nothing more but to return to a state of darkness.

Where nothing hurt. "Koichi! Come on-wake up!" But harsh pleads, along with a rough shakes to his body made that impossible. "K-Koji?" All he could do for a moment was groan as his brother helped him sit up.

Not really having any patience waiting for him. "What the hell happened?" But considering what was seen when the younger twin opened his eyes...it was no surprise his brother was eager for answers. The entire campsite, along with whatever trees nearby the circle was nothing but ashes.

Now that he was awake, a strong aroma of smoke hit his nose, making him squint. And they were missing someone. "I..." Someone very important. But the moment he saw his group of friends surrounding him, his memories resurfaced.

"Takuya!" Whiplashing him as he curled in on himself. "Koichi where is he?" That sinking feeling deep within them grew as the younger twin choked back a sob. They wanted the teen to say that they were overthinking.

That the campfire was just fed too much wood. And their missing companion was simple in the forest to go to the bathroom-or or something! Anything then what was most definitely the truth. "We were attacked by the other legendary warriors. They took him."

Koji's grip on his sibling tightened as the news hit. And it hit hard. They shouldn't have been surprised that this happened. But they were. "All of them!?" They knew that a battle took place. The evidence was around them after all.

They heard the sounds and saw the smoke when they were gathering firewood and searched for more supplies. But none of them, not even Koji expected them to band together. They had gotten caught off guard at the worst possible time.

Hidden in the shadows of the forest with not even a hint of their presence, and what digimon they had been dealing with were pushovers, mere annoyances more than anything. So the group had gotten cocky.

Had they'd stuck closer to the campsite, or stuck to more than simply two people, things would've been different. At the very least, they would've lasted longer, stood a far better chance at confronting them.

"Yes. Takuya fought against Mercurymon, while I was occupied with Ranamon and Arbormon." Zoe along with the others found their eyes widen in shock. "He what!?" There was no way he could've! Koji had his d-tector.

The guy, though was miraculously mobile was still dealing with his stitches and burns. There was no way. Yet the digidestin knew he wouldn't lie. Why would he? Still it didn't paint a pretty picture. "You gave him his dagger!?"

It didn't take much for them to figure out How the pyromancer was able to get involved without digivolving or using his element. "We need to go." Koichi shook his head, frantic. Already horrific images were forming in his mind. "Koichi?" This wasn't the time to play catch up.

The more they stood around(or in his case sitting) and talking, the farther Takuya was from them. The faster the chances of Cherubimon taking complete control from him. "Come on, we-!" However despite his insistence, the warrior of darkness didn't come out of the fight unscathed.

As he tried standing up, he stumbled, thankfully caught by his brother before he could fall face first. Worried all the more as Koichi instinctively clutched his stomach. That last hit really hurt. "We're not going anywhere until you get checked out." No.

"I'm fine-we need to go." The expressions on his friends' faces disagreed. His brother especially. Who decided to take charge(as he always seems to do when things got difficult.) "You're starting to take too many traits from the hot head. Hold still."

It was exactly because of the hot head that Koichi was panicking in the first place. "We need to rescue him! Who knows what Cherubimon could be doing to him!" They all understood his concerns.

Together they were a harmony of anxiety, ready to release itself like a volcano. Yet Koji still stood firm. "I'm not having you fight if you're beaten black and blue dammit! I'm not losing you too." It was strange how...easily he was able to read his twin's expressions and understand exactly what he's trying to say.

Even if it doesn't sound the same in other's ears. Now...despite never admitting it to anyone, Koji, for all of his gruff and prickly personality was loyal and very much attached to those he cares for. Though he had never met her, Koji had been heavily invested in learning about their deceased grandmother.

Desperate to know what type of person she was. As well as horribly upset that he never got the opportunity to meet her when he finally did. It was the same for Takuya. Even with the two of them starting off on the wrong foot, he grew attached to him.

And considered Takuya family. To the warrior of light, he was just another brother, albeit one that was very frustrating to deal with. So finding one brother hurt and the other missing did not sit well with the bandana wearing male in the slightest.

Just by looking into those dark blue eyes, anyone could clearly see the regret, anger and grief coursing through. Regret and grief over not being fast enough to help. Anger that his family has been hurt and kidnapped. With those few little words, body language and twin telepathy, Koichi calms himself.

"I'm sorry." Giving his brother silent permission to do a check up and see just how badly he was injured. Everyone remained silent-unsure what they could say or do with the exception of Bokomon who threw in his medical knowledge to give a proper diagnosis. Though the next few minutes dragged on.

However, sooner than expected relief filled Koji and Bokomon as the wounds though were painful, were more or less minor. Nothing that could leave a lasting impact or be damaged further from traveling. "Now what?" Even if there was...that wasn't going to stop Koichi.

He's made too many promises. Agreed to so many responsibilities to not only himself but the people around him. To Takuya. A fire burned deep within his heart as he stood up. Able to read the unease in the others. All...but one. "Let's get Takuya back." Gazes look on in surprise as Tommy speaks up.

His posture full of confidence and strength as his focus lays towards the dark forest ahead of them. "Shinya's still waiting for him to come home and celebrate his birthday...after all he's done for me- I'm not letting things end like this." They were all on the same page as determination raged on in their blood.

A silent vow made between their eyes. No matter what they were going after Cherubimon. "What are we waiting for?" They were going to get Takuya back and save the Digital World. There was no other way they'd let it play out otherwise.

to be continued

Author Notes: Team Tommy for the win as he curbs everyone's depression to press forward. And for those confused, I did do a flashback between Koichi and his grandmother. This is what really kicked off his journey even before Ophanimon messaged him.

So next time we will be doing different perspective, though not what you may think. But again that is next time. Guys thank you all for reading my story. If you like it so far, please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. Tchao for now~