Ominous Flame

Chapter 46

Author Notes: So arguably a shorter chapter here, but I gotta say it turned out pretty well. At the very least despite just barely hitting my word limit, i actually felt pretty good writing it this way. With that, let's go. I do not own Digimon.

Last time on Ominous Flame...

She would do so again. Cherubimon may think he was well aware of the situation. That he has things all under control and that his precious puppet was no longer able to break free. But he was wrong.

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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.

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Though it may be true that currently there was no reaching Takuya, and she no longer had the power to save him. There was another way. One that admittedly was not her own idea. "Please...please reach him." But an idea that would tip the scales once and for all. She just had to keep trying.

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"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.

3rd P.O.V

Koichi pounced once more, forcing all of his weight and his momentum to slash at Takuya. Being a larger chimera of a digimon made him an easy target. Yet, despite using his claws and teeth-there was hardly a flinch.

No signs of him pushing the flaming monster on the defensive. "Dark master!" Even his elemental spells weren't doing the amount of damage it would usually do when in battle. It doesn't help Takuya's new form was far sturdier.

"Rahaaaaaaa!" Just as the warrior of darkness about ready to fire another attack he gets smacked. Only this time instead of pinning the battered jagerloweemon with his claws, it was Saldomon's tails smashing him into the ground. "Koichi!" With a pained groan, the metal lion tried to get up.

Trying to push past the wave of dizziness that was screwing with his vision. But even with the confusion he could see the shadow towering over him. "AHHH!" Those wretched tails slam further into him, crushing his body into the earth. "Draining rain!"

Combine that with Ranamon's spell and much to everyone's horror...the younger twin shifts back into his human form, barely able to move. "Get away from him!" He could hear the other valiantly try to reach him.

but there was nothing they could do. Arbormon and Ranamon were keeping them from advancing to his side. "Takuya...I know you're in there somewhere." Cherubimon's puppet was keeping him pinned.

They were so close, those flaming wings radiating off such intense heat waves that sweat was pouring off his head and back. Any minute now he would use his attack, or slash at him with his claws...and it would be all over.

'...I need you to promise me-should the time come. I need to know you will do what you need to do to protect the others.'

'Very well.'

In the end...it didn't look like he could keep his promise. "I don't know what Cherubimon's done to you-but please. Don't give up." Still Koichi reached, his hand moving towards the digitized beast. Should this be his few final moments, he had to try, one last time.

"Don't lose yourself-isn't that what you told me all those months ago?" The moment his fingers touched his muzzle, a bright light emanated between the two. "?!" Blinding everyone. A gentle warmth overflowed the injured teen. A sense of relaxation overtook him as his wounds miraculously healed as he laid there.

"Takuya Kanbara-remember who you are! Remember those who are waiting for you!"

Dark blue eyes go wide at the familiar voice, blinding or not he refused to shield his gaze. "Ophanimon?!" She interfered just in the nick of time. How, he honestly didn't know how, especially with how he(and probably Takuya himself before his kidnapping) called for her, but was grateful none the less for her help.

As if hearing his thoughts, the light around them grew brighter, more intense. Yet that warmth stayed soft and comforting, like being wrapped in a warm blanket. At least for him. Even with the intense light, Koichi could see Saldomon struggle in place, unable to move.

His face contorted in pain. And with him being paralyzed from the light, Koichi was still somewhat stuck as those heavy tails still kept him down on the ground with no way to lift them off his body. But at least it wasn't harshly pushing against him anymore. He could move.

"Koichi...use your powers. Free him from the darkness that's locked away his heart."

For a minute he was able to see the dark magic with clarity. "What in the world?" Ophanimon's light revealing black chains slithering all around the monstrous digimon. "The darkness...that's locked away his heart?" He wasn't able to see these before.

Is this what Cherubimon did to keep him enslaved? "Please Takuya!" He had no clue what exactly Ophanimon expected him to do. But he followed his instincts. With gritted teeth he reached further, watching as his old friend moved.

Even more frantic than before, trying desperately to move away from his touch. "Come back to us!" Come back to him! The tips of his fingers managed to brush one of the chains, breaking it instantly. "Yes!" That was one down, two more to go.

"RAAHHHAAAAAA!" Whatever Koichi did released Saldomon from his position. His wings flapped, sending large, fiery gusts of wind in all directions as he fled, the light fading the moment he took to the skies. "Wha-Saldomon where on earth do you think your going!?"

Ranamon looked up in shock before turning her attention back to her opponents. A sense of dread filling her. "Uh oh. Arbormon let's-!" She had been so caught up in her battle with Kazemon and Coolamon-and then distracted from that light that she didn't even see how the battle was turning out for her fellow warrior.

Arbormon...had been losing. Even though he was very skilled with close combat and had the spells to help back those talents, he was outmatched. Koji was the best fighter of the group, and JP was able to stun the walking tree with his electric attacks.

"Fractal code-digitize~" Making him a sitting duck especially now that he had no beast spirit to shift into. Ranamon turned just in time to see his final moments alive...before reverting back into a digi-egg. "No!" She couldn't believe it.

And frankly she didn't want to. All of her allies either left or were dead. She was alone, and scared. "Draining rain!" So she had to flee while she had the chance to. Taking advantage of her spell weakening the opposing warriors.

Making use of the shadows in the forest to cover her tracks. "You won't get away with this you brats!" She had to return and report back to Cherubimon. And she was becoming more anxious about it every step of the way.

But either she reports to him, risking death for failing...or she hides only to die by Saldomon's hands anyways. No matter what...she was on thin ice and had to make her next few decisions count.

to be continued

Author Notes: So...ironically I actually like Ranamon. I liked some of the episodes staring her and the fact that she is the only other female digi character always caught my interest. And frankly I feel like she needs more screen time.

Especially since I took out Mercurymon. And oooh...there goes arbormon. So uh yeah. Ahem, that is it for now. Guys thank you all so much for reading this story. Please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton. I'll see you next time. Tchao for now.