Ominous Flame

Chapter 44

Author Notes: It never ends! AHHHHHH...how the hell did I get to chapter 44. Curse my obsession with stories and insist on detailing everything. Let's hope I can somehow end this story on a good note this year...since I didn't think this would happen.

Ahem. Sorry about that. I promise(for now at least) my mini meltdown is over. I'm sure those of you are sick of hearing my little woes so let's get the party started shall we? I do not own digimon.

3rd P.O.V

Ranamon didn't even bother to get involved. "Let's go guys!" Instead choosing to rest her back against one of the trees not too far from the battlefield. "Execute! Spirit evolution~" Why should she? Yes she had her orders, and fully intended on obeying Cherubimon.

She was no fool and knew better than to try anything after seeing what happened to Mercurymon. "Thunder fist!" But honestly there was no need for her to do anything. "Hurricane wave!" Which was fine, she didn't like to get her hands dirty, most of the time anyways.

So she hung back. "Blizzard blaster!" Letting Arbormon and Saldomon put in the work as she watched the battle commence. If it could even be called that. "Ominous blaze!" Black, scorching flames decimated everything in Saldomon's vicinity within seconds.

Trees, grass, flowers, the glowing moss...anything that held life was burnt into charred cinders. The only exception being their opponents, the other legendary warriors who were scattering about like ants. Even if their two friends arrive to help, it won't make a difference.

Their defeat was only a matter of time. Right now, she had bigger things to worry about. "What's you doin Ranamon? Why arents yous helpin?" She couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Do I really need to you hunk of firewood? Saldomon seems to have it all covered."

It was scary how dangerous their ally was. He was major threat before, but that seemed like a dim candle when compared to the monster he's become now. Wretched wings and all. "But...Lord Cherubimon said-" She was well aware that despite their differences the warrior of wood was only looking out for her.

She wasn't the only one who was traumatized by Mercurymon's death. "If Saldomon's struggling I'll back him, but i'd rather not drain myself dry. Unlike you...I don't have full access to my powers here." What she said was only true.

Unlike before, she didn't have an ocean, a lake, not even a river to use. Her powers were limited, whereas Arbormon had all the trees here in the forest at his beck and call. And all in all, this entire situation made her very nervous.

Mercurymon was holding out on them all this time by holding onto Seraphimon's digicode and because of that now all of them were under scrutiny. At any point Saldomon could be given the order and they'd be gone right along this world.

To think that all this chaos and destruction was due to one human boy. "Guys!" For the first time in ages, Ranamon didn't feel like a warrior ready to win a war for her master. "Takuya! You got to snap out of it!" No, she felt expendable...useless. "Burning oblivion!"

So she had to play her cards very carefully. "Please Takuya! Fight him!" She couldn't upset Lord Cherubimon anymore than he already was. "Draining rain!" There could not be any mistakes on her part.

"Roundhouse punt!" Though...the questions still formed in her head as she dives in to take out the resisting digimon warriors. Why did Mercurymon hold onto Seraphimon's code? What was he going to use it for?

Up until that decision was revealed Ranamon thought the green armored tin can was the strategist of the group. "Come on you two. I don't have all day. Be little dears and surrender." Of all people he should've known not to try anything under their celestial lord's eye.

Yet he thought he could get away with it...clearly he was up to something. "Ugh! I'm so sick of you Ranamon. Together Tommy!" It was obvious, but what made him truly believe him capable of it? "Taste this! Crystal breathe!"

When...did their long made plans start going wrong?

When did it start seeming like they were on the wrong side of this war?

Were they ever on the right side in the first place?

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Anger bloomed freely in Koichi's mind as he takes his friend's new body. Just how much did he suffer throughout Cherubimon's transformation? "Takuya! You got to snap out of it!" Words weren't reaching him. Nothing was.

"Burning oblivion!" Flames fly from his wings as he takes to the sky, roaring like the ferocious, deadly beast that he was. A wild animal taught to do nothing but destroy. It was everyone's worst nightmare, but worse. "Please Takuya! Fight him!" A hell hound with wings.

Three times the size of Takuya's human form. A chimera digimon made for nothing but chaos. They had heard the stories and time upon time were warned of what was at stake. The warrior of fire had tried to prepare them to the best of his ability...but in the end it meant nothing.

Because what they warned about was of a stronger, more malicious version of Agunimon. They had been expecting a humanoid Shagumon with wicked dark flames. Seeing what happened to Takuya, to see him transformed into such a wicked, mindless animal, it felt hopeless.

There was no hope in stopping a uncontrollable flame. Their only options being to let it continue burning or extinguish it. Neither were acceptable options in Koichi's mind as he shifted to his beast spirit.

All this time he had been dreading this moment. From the moment he and his brother arrived to see Zoe, JP and Tommy shifted and trying to survive, he knew that this was the moment of truth. Would he be able to keep the promise he made all those months ago(was it truly months ago?)

'Should my necklace break...and I change back I need you guys to take me out. Take my spirit and life if need be.'

'Very well.'

'Thank you.'

'I won't let him win Takuya. We're all going home together. No matter what whether you're in a hospital or at home with your brother I'll find you.'

'Koichi...promise me. Promise me that Cherubimon, no matter what happens to me goes down. That I won't be forced to hurt you guys.'

'Takuya...'

'I'd rather die than stain my hands anymore than I already have.'

In the end they were out of time and...Koichi couldn't just stand there. "Ebony blast!" He had to protect his brother and the rest of his companions. Still that didn't mean he had to give up on his friend returning to his senses.

He had no doubts Takuya was in there somewhere. He just needed some help taking back control. "Dark master!" So he would hold on, for as long as need be. And keep his promise to protect the others.

"Draining rain!" But he would definitely prefer not having to deal with the other legendary warriors while doing that. "Roundhouse punt!" He honestly didn't think they would still be tag teaming, but even with a certain green clad digimon missing, it didn't make this fight any easier.

His friends were barely able to dodge the onslaught of elemental attacks from the trio. "Lupin laser!" It made him all the more grateful to have his brother watch his back as he snarls. "You're going down Arbormon!"

JP fluttered down next to Koichi as Zoe and Tommy made their way for the warrior of water. "We'll handle them, you try and break through to Takuya." This wasn't exactly the plan they had discussed when talking about the hypothetical 'what happens if Takuya turns evil' scenario.

Matter of fact this was the worst possible situation right now. The only thing that would make it worse is if Cherubimon decides to join in the fray-but frankly, everyone was making quick judgements on how to best approach the situation.

Leaving him of course to handle Takuya on his own. Apparently everyone assuming that either a-he had the best chance of bringing him back to his senses or b-he was strong enough to stop him without help. He wasn't sure he was the right choice for both cases.

Either way, there was no denying that this was what Koichi had been training and preparing himself for. "It's time I fulfill my promise Takuya!" With a growl, Koichi leaped, pouncing on Saldomon in an effort to keep him from burning the entire forest down.

The two tumbled, Saldomon's much bigger, stronger body barely reacting to his strike. All within moments of the two, Saldomon quickly had the dark, metallic lion pinned to the ground, his claws pushing him harshly into the stone earth.

"Koichi!" It was getting harder for him to breath as he wiggled, trying to relieve the pain coursing through his stomach and chest. But to no avail, he was forced to stare into the eyes of his friend.

But there was no warmth to be found in those eyes, even as his hot, smoky breath engulfed them. He could already see where this fight was going to go. "Ebony blast!" And he wouldn't let it happen.

"Arrrrraaaaaaa!" The up close attack did the job of getting Saldomon off him, giving Koichi the chance to press on. He couldn't afford to feel guilty as his ex companion continued to cry out in pain. He would apologize later. For now though, he had to keep going. Focus.

to be continued

Author Notes: Not gonna lie-Ranamon was not going to get the attention she has in the story. But you know a few good amvs here and there along with some nostalgia of liking her character as a kid and well-look what we have here.

But without Mercurymon, I need to give someone the spotlight to move the plot along. And she's the best of the bunch-no way in hell I'm struggling with Arbormon's speech dialogue and mindset lol.

Sorry elemental tree friends, I'm not going through it. But that is it for now. As always thanks for reading my story guys. If you like what you're seeing so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. Tchao for now.