Ominous Flame

Author Notes: I've been away for too long *hugs story* I've missed you sooooo! Not gonna bother making this author notes any longer than it needs to be so let's go. I do not own digimon.

Chapter 47

3rd P.O.V

When Koichi woke up...he realized he wasn't alone. And the shaking wasn't from the ground either. "What?" As his eyes opened, his brows furrowed in confusion as he looks all around. He had expected to find the others all around him.

Instead he found himself staring into a green armored woman with wings glowing behind her back. "Ophanimon?" He only had descriptions and a vague idea of her appearance thanks to meeting Seraphimon, so he wasn't sure.

But he could see why she was a celestial-an angel digimon. 'It is good to finally meet you Koichi. Though I fear time is short.' Snapping out of his daze he sits up, questions on the tip of his tongue.

"What is this place? Where are we?" She offers him a small smile as she places a hand onto his head. Her light dimming as she does so. 'I've entered your mind. Takuya was trying to break free during your battle, and used my powers when I intervened.' He was confused even more than before.

But he didn't get a chance to ask as visions formed behind his eyes. 'When Takuya first became Shagumon, I had slowly been giving him my powers. He was stronger and faster, slowly regaining his identity...' It took him a moment to realize what it was he was looking at.

She was sharing her memories. And with these memories, he was able to finally meet the evil version of Agunimon. Just like Takuya said, Shagumon truly resembled a dark twin. He swallowed seeing his power in full force. A villages' worth of digimon slain within moments. Lush trees and flora turned to ash.

Though he didn't feel any damage from watching these scenes playing in his head, it didn't change the fact that he was grateful meeting Takuya the way he did. Had he and the others ran into him while still under Cherubimon's control...chances were they wouldn't have been able to stop him.

'When he found himself free from Cherubimon's enchantments, I set him out on a journey. To find his memories, allies and purpose for this world. There was little I could do to help but, with what strength I had left, used my magic to watch over and if need be interfere.'

The visions at Shamanmon's temple. The times she's spoken to them through their d-tectors. Even getting into Seraphimon's castle...all of it was her doing. Along with her speaking to him when a light encompassed him and Takuya during the last battle.

However...all those times she got involved had their cost. In this case it was her life. 'Takuya has at this point inherited my powers, powers Cherubimon doesn't even know he has. But those enchantments are stronger than ever. Trapping him from taking control of his new body.' But there was hope.

Hope that Koichi's been desperate for. 'Thanks to you...harnessing your own element you were able to give him the chance he needed to free himself.' It was those chains. The ones that moved all around his body.

'He is still lost. But he is one step further into fulfilling his destiny.' It turns out his theory was correct. He and Koji could manipulate their powers. They could bring their friend back. "Why tell me this? What about the others?" Her smile dims a tad.

Her body starting to go transparent. 'Do you recall Seraphimon's final moments with your group before being forced to flee?' How could he not? That was one of the lowest points in their time here. Up until then there had never really been any major casualties for the digimon they called friends.

Their homes may've been destroyed, but they were alive and could rebuild. And of course they defeated their enemies, but Bokomon had told them at the beginning how any defeated digimon would revert to a digi-egg. Sent to where they would be reborn and have a second chance in life.

Yet seeing Seraphimon fall, and then Sorcermon sacrifice himself so that they could flee with their lives...it left everyone upset and shaken. However what does that have to do with anything now? How does that help him?

'You were the closest to Seraphimon during the battle and you are the inheritor of one of the elements he protected. Before Mercurymon reflected his attack, Seraphimon gave you his blessings-much how like I did with Takuya.' Sorcermon's reaction to Seraphimon's defeat immediately came to mind.

He couldn't believe that he went so easily. Sure he may've just woken from his comatose slumber, but he was fully healed. His magic gathering over time. Even if it was his own spell bounced back, he shouldn't have fallen like that. But now...knowing, it made sense. Why Koichi in general felt such a surge of energy.

Why he and Takuya were able to pick themselves up so quickly after a rough battle. Hell, even their intuition. That sixth sense that guided them throughout their journey. For a moment he winces. A flash of an argument echoing in his ears.

'Summon the warriors Ophanimon!'

'It's not so simple Seraphimon! They are all human. All of them children!'

One between the two celestial's in question. His head began hurting as he strained to hear it. However the green clad digi-woman brought him back to her attention. Those lips soft, yet wry-knowing exactly what he just heard. And what her co-ruler had said to them after waking up.

If only he was still here...'Seraphimon has never been one to look ahead, but in that moment he took a gamble, ensuring that even if he failed...there would still be someone who could stop Cherubimon. As it stands your power rivals Takuya's You are the only one who can save him.'

Her tone made him uneasy. She wasn't just confident, saying that as if it were fact. It also seemed like she was implicating something else...something he was desperately trying to ignore. He couldn't afford to let his feelings take center stage.

Not like she cared calling him out. She had nothing left to lose. 'Don't turn away from your feelings Koichi. It was those feelings that Takuya was able to use to fight back. He needs you.' At that she removes her hand.

"Why?" He was starting to feel like a broken record. But in this moment he didn't really care as he hid his face away. His brother, to a smaller extent Tommy-now an ancient, digital stranger? He didn't see anyone going after JP for his crush on Zoe!

Why him!? He doesn't even know if Takuya feels the same way dammit! 'Love should always be cherished young warrior. This world is cold and cruel, and colder and crueler without it. Both of you have been through much. He at the very least deserves to know he is loved. While he's still alive to hear it.'

Flash images burn into his mind. Takuya in a hospital bed. Surrounded by medical equipment. It was bad enough to hear it through Takuya's conversation with Bokomon...seeing it!? Whatever broken pieces of his heart shredded into slivers.

"If we fight Cherubimon-will it affect Takuya!?" The idea of Takuya dying-he would give anything-DO anything, if it meant making sure those eyes never close for good. It nearly happened before...never again.

So he had to know-if nothing else he had to know the answer to this one question. 'Cherubimon may have control of him, but he is not him. Defeating Cherubimon will ensure his survival.' Koichi released a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding.

Relief was great, but then came insecurity as he stares as her form. Standing before him was a celestial digimon at her worst. He's seen another celestial perish. And another celestial be the reason for their tragic fates.

Under his shoulders and the shoulders of his brother and friends was the world. The world those three up until recently had been desperately trying to protect. "Do you truly believe I can save him? Can me and my friends actually save your world?" He panics as her body begins to vanish.

She was leaving. The light around her barely glowing. "Wait!" He knew...this would be the last time he would ever encounter her again. At least in this form, if at all. It was just something he knew. One that she knew also. So she spreads her wings.

'You and the others have come far young warrior. Time and experience has made you stronger. Know this-regardless of what world you're in, or obstacles that you encounter in life-no dream is unachievable. No wish is out of reach. Otherwise...why answer yes to my questions all that time ago?'

His dark blue eyes widen as she disappears for good. His world no longer an existence of black. "-chi!" Bright colors and shapes blur before him as he slowly returns to reality. "Koichi! You al-" His thoughts drifting back to when his grandmother passed away.

When he learned the truth. "Koji? Yes. I'm fine." And he decided to go search for his brother. "What happened to you?" At the time he had been following Koji, trying to find the opportunity to reveal himself, only to lose him in the crowd of bustling people. "Ophanimon spoke to me." Only for his phone to ding as a message popped up.

'Do you want to become stronger? Do you want to be able to face the truth of your origins?'

He said yes-and though he's stumbled and tumbled to the ground, he's picked himself back up. He's kept going, even when all seemed lost. Now that he knows what it means to have friends and happiness...he would use all he knows.

All that he's learned to make sure he keeps it. And it's going to start with getting Takuya back!

to be continued

Author Notes: Nothing is more fun and confusing than a dream sequence~ I gotta say I'm proud for not remembering much about Ophanimon but still managing to make her sound believable lol.

Er-anyways, uh, next chapter is going to be a bit less confusing(hopefully, maybe) but that is it for now. Guys thank you so much for reading, if you like the series, please fav/follow/review as I constantly repeat myself nearly 50(50!?) chapters in, tchao for now.