Ominous Flame

Chapter 49

Author Notes: It's been too long my beloved story...school and work have kept me at bay but no longer! So let's go my friends. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

The trek was silent as the glowing moss guided their way, eyes moving in all directions as their feet carried them forward. After their talk, everyone without saying anything put their game face on.

One too many times they've let their guard down or found themselves losing focus. Both cases came with terrible consequences that they could no longer afford to pay for. Bokomon and Neemon were following closely. "Stay on your toes everyone."

Practically hiding behind JP and Koji as they got further towards their destination. In the beginning the group were wandering aimlessly, unsure what they were walking towards. However as they continued going deeper into the forest day by day, they saw it.

"What is with digimon and castles?" A black and purple castle, as dark and menacing as the digimon that owned it. And they knew they were going the right way once it came into view. Because what greeted them as they walked wasn't forest or digimon ready to ambush them-but ash.

Ash from the trees and the digimon that were reduced to fractal code covered the ground, turning their world into one full of gray. "I'm surprised we haven't run into Ranamon or Takuya yet." It was a bit intimidating to see Takuya's previous handiwork firsthand.

He told them(eventually) of the sins he had to endure as Shagumon. "We'll see them soon enough JP. Though now you've probably jinxed us." However, it felt like his descriptions was nothing when seeing it in reality. Especially knowing that back then he was actually weaker when compared to how he is now.

Their instincts were screaming throughout each and every single one of them to turn back. "Man is anyone feeling a chill or is it just me?" That they weren't ready for the next battle. "Now's not the time for cold feet Zoe." Or that the enemy was far stronger than they believed.

"I'm Not! But...it feels like we're being watched...doesn't it?" They could not turn back. "You may be correct, but it makes sense. We ARE in the heart of Cherubimon's lair. There's no doubt he'll be waiting for us."

The future was not set in stone, and they could not live to see another day-let alone obtain victory with that kind of attitude. But they knew better than to get cocky or arrogant-assuming it was going to be easy.

It was now or never for them. "Huh?" Or so they thought. The moment they made their way into the decrepit garden leading to the castle doors a strange set of symbols in purple light formed. "What the!?" Koji growled, finding this very familiar.

"Shit! It's magic." It was very similar to Grumblemon's potions back when they encountered Koichi's beast spirit. The moment the ugly troll had thrown that potion a huge red symbol formed underneath the warrior of light, keeping him stuck there.

Now they were dealing with a similar situation. "How do we get out of it!?" Except there was no potions or Grumblemon. "I don't know!" And from the looks of it, no way out. "Ahh dammit!" It was like they were stuck in quicksand, except nothing was moving.

Not their limbs or head, they were trapped. "Night night yall." Ranamon's laughter echoed throughout the shadows as the strange symbols darkened, forming a blackhole. "Ahhhhhhhh!" They fall, each and every single one of them...to Cherubimon's dungeons.

"Well that went better than expected." The moment the group of warriors fell, Ranamon stepped forth, smirking as she took in the spell her master created. "It's going to be fun watching Lord Cherubimon make a mess of the little darlings." Her smile faded away as she turned towards her companion.

She had expected some sort of comment, but all she got from Saldomon was silence. He was looking at her, his stare blank, but she couldn't help shivering as his gaze pierced through hers. It felt as if she did something wrong.

Which made no sense at all. "W-well, I'm off to go report to Lord Cherubimon that his guests have finally arrived. Head down there and make sure they don't cause trouble." Her fellow warrior grunts, but goes into the castle, supposedly to follow her command.

The water digimon idol sighed in relief as she turns her gaze to the sky. A storm was on the horizon, clouds were forming in heavy clumps. And for once she wasn't the cause of it. "It's almost over Ranamon." Her dream of having an place of her own full of fans was almost in sight.

Her master would reshape this world to be better, in the way it's supposed to be. And all of their loyal allies will finally find the peace they've been fighting for. Cherubimon promised all that cooperated with him would find prosperity in his new world and they were nearly there.

XxXxxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

A chorus of groans ricochet across the walls as the group sit up, one by one. "Ugh...where are we?" Blurry visions winced as colors spun all around the room. "Are these...glowing crystals?" First moss, now stones.

It was pretty, and brightened up the room with little trouble. But they didn't like what they were seeing. "Oh great, we're locked up." Koji grunted as he gripped the bars. Giving it a tug, annoyed when he found how sturdy it was.

"Let's digivolve, once we do that these bars will be history." It was a sound idea, they had their d-tectors. However even as each of them rose it into the air, there was no swirl of energy. None of their elements, not even light or wind surrounding their being.

Each of them looked at each other, confused and concerned. "There is a barrier to prevent digivolving." Bokomon narrowed his eyes as he rubbed the egg. Dread filling his stomach as he takes in what's in front of him.

His gasp startled everyone, forcing them to follow his anguish filled gaze. And Koichi found himself struggling to stop the trembling that overtook his frame. "Ophanimon." Her hands, feet, neck and wings were all bound with chains, keeping her suspended up in the air.

Her head dipped low, with a faint light overcasting her barely breathing body. "Lord Cherubimon punished her earlier. Don't expect her to wake up and answer your questions." Their hearts rapidly pounded against their chests as a new voice rang throughout the dungeon.

"L-let us out whoever you are!" Zoe cursed her stuttering, but it earned a cruel laugh as the figure as they came from the shadows. "Fraid that's not my job girl. My name is Shagumon. And I have strict orders to keep you locked up until my master decides when to end you." This had to be a bad dream.

A nightmare they needed to wake up. "Takuya..." Tommy saw his eyes flicker in color for a minute before they returned to that hate filled red. "Consider yourselves lucky. Had Lady Ranamon not come to me with new orders I would've killed you all the next time I came across you."

Koji snarled as he punched the bars. "Let us out you asshole!" Yet his brother stood there, contemplating. "Again not my job. I'm just here to play babysitter until a new mission pops up." This...isn't at all what he saw when he saw Ophanimon's memories.

Shagumon didn't have a personality. He was a soldier that only did what he was told to do. How many times did Takuya refer to himself as a puppet with strings? Him acting cocky while leaning against the wall with arms crossed is more so something he himself would do.

Thanks to you...harnessing your own element you were able to give him the chance he needed to free himself.

As a beast spirit he was a wild monster. But he still followed commands. This...is the humanoid counterpart that now had an actual human soul fighting tooth and nail to break free. Koichi knew he would help him-save him.

He just needed the chance. Even now he could see those chains cling to him. Tightening the moment their gazes locked. "Before anything else happens I got a question for all of you-but more so you boy-who the hell are you? Why does seeing you give me headaches?"

to be continued

Author Notes: Well damn...this chapter right there is the sole reason why I am never going to get this done in under 50 chapters. If anything I just increased my workload *Sighs* Am I surprised? No...not really.

If anything I saw this coming. But hey a girl can hope right? Anyways that is it for now. Guys thank you for reading. If you like it so far please feel free to fav/follow/review since it means so much to me and I'll see you next time. Tchao for now.