Ominous Flame

Chapter 52

Author Notes: I can't believe i'm over 50 chapters for this story...and I'm still not done. It feels like underleague all over again! The only good news is we're near (hopefully) the end of this series. Fingers crossed I actually finish *cries* i do not own Digimon

3rd P.O.V

Another day had gone by. And another step closer to doomsday. "Hey Takuya?" With the fire warrior more tired then ever before as injuries ached through his armor. "What is it?" Shagumon grunted as he lifted one eye open.

Meeting Zoe's gaze. The girl bit her lip as she came up to the bars, her fingers wrapped around them. "Is there a reason you won't talk to me or JP?" For a moment he was silent as he overlooked her thin frame.

Images came and went in his head, not that he could make heads or tails of it, but the feelings that did with those images remained. "Don't know the whole story but uh...you guys stir up some discomfort. Don't really know why." At that she deflated, her gaze downwards. "I see..."

Shagumon's mouth twisted. He really wasn't sure what to say or do. The feelings he had weren't his, or he didn't think they were. Though, something in him made him open his mouth. Like he had to rectify his blunt answer.

"Look. I'm not your friend, but I know shit went down between you three. He probably would've put up with the awkwardness but I'm too tired for bullshit. Whatever it is that happened, happened, and you guys may've talked it out, but that doesn't mean things are going to be perfect."

He winced as his body cracked, aching from his latest mission. "If you got something to say to me, say it. But don't give me bullshit." At that she nodded, understanding. "I...know this won't mean much, especially now but I wanted to say thank you." Shagumon raised an eyebrow.

Really confused. "Say what now? Either you've gone crazy in that cell full of dudes, or i'm hearing things wrong." She gave him an awkward smile. "I know it sounds, crazy, but...hear me out." He remained silent. Giving her the go ahead to continue.

"From the beginning, even before we officially met you, you always looked out for us. When you joined the group, despite keeping secrets, you did whatever you did to keep us safe. And even now-when you're not you, you're still doing that, and not once have I ever thanked you for it."

She sighed, turning her face towards the ceiling. "At one point or another, all of us relied on you, and I'm realizing just how...much I took advantage of that. You were always someone to turn to. Even when you were hurting, you kept a smile. And I never offered a hand in return." She leaned forward.

Her hand outstretched. "You may not be Takuya, but I've seen and heard you while talking to Tommy and Koichi...you are still a part of him. Even if that's not the case at all, you're still helping us. So...thank you. And I'm sorry that I haven't been a good friend." Something flashed in Shagumon's eyes.

Something warm, something that disappeared not even a second later. "Save it for when you're not locked up." His voice was low, a gentle rumbling. "?" Zoe furrowed her brows, confused as Shagumon turned away.

Ignoring the open hand reached out towards him. "What do you mean?" His head glanced behind him, catching her gaze before shifting towards the others, finding Koichi awake, silently watching his actions in turn.

"When the time comes...and you will know when...leave this place." At that he left, shifting forms the moment he's out the door. Koichi smiled as Zoe called for him to come back. With a small sigh, he closed his eyes.

The image of another black chain wrapped around Shagumon cracking remained as he drifted off to a peaceful sleep. Slowly but surely...he was changing. "Ophanimon was right." The darkness that Cherubimon had been corrupting him with was fleeting. Slowly but surely.

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"Holy shit what happened to you?" JP winced as Shagumon returned hours later, sporting new wounds. New limps. "None of your business. Has Ranamon fed you yet?" A frown formed on the brown haired human's lips.

His temper growing. "No. And what? You can talk to Zoe all civil like but not me? She told us earlier that you plan on busting us out. Why not just do that and let Koichi and Koji help you?"

Flames spewed from Shagumon as his eyes glowed a harsh red. But he suddenly closed them, exhaling as he limped. Not bothering to respond as he left. "W-where are you going!? I'm not done talking to you!" JP yelped as a hand grabbed his shoulder.

Stopping him from further shouting. "You need to calm down JP." At that the warrior of lightning growled. "No, this is bullshit Koichi. I get it, he's turned evil so he isn't fully Takuya anymore but that still doesn't explain why he can be civil to everyone but me and Koji." His reply came with a knowing eye.

"I don't think Takuya has necessarily forgiven and forgotten the arguments between you two, sealed away or not. Shagumon from what I've theorized is a corrupted digimon that despite having no memories follows his instincts based on Takuya's previous feelings on things."

JP had no rebuttal for that. In fact he was speechless as he soaked in his companions' words. His thoughts drifting back to when he spoke to Takuya after his suicide attempt. After being honest with himself and Takuya, practically pouring his feelings out...The words that left the fire elementals' lips that brought forth guilt and shame returned in full force...

"I'm sorry that you've held these feelings for so long. I never wanted to make anyone uncomfortable or hurt them with my presence." So broken yet still keeps moving forward.

Smiling softly with compassion even when he was forced into such horrible circumstances. "However...I can't forgive you. Not when we both know how the future's going to play out."

Takuya...never did truly forgive him for what happened did he? And JP had told him that was fine before, but was he really ok with that? From the way he and Shagumon had been treating each other, obviously not.

"Ok fine...I get it, but what happened between him and Koji? Sure they argued, especially in the beginning. But there was no fights that I saw with them that was major." They paused as they heard the sound of metallic footsteps.

Both of their eyes wide as they saw Saldomon returned, with dishes full of food resting on his tails. "I don't like him because he wants to pick a fight with me. And neither of us can afford to actually trade blows. Enough said. Now if you're done talking shit behind my back shut up. I'm tired."

With a huff, he pushed the dishes with his paws, one by one under the metal bars. "Thank you Takuya." Despite only receiving a grunt, Koichi chuckled as the burning chimera laid down in front of them. Out for the count not even a moment later.

"It may not seem like it JP but he's changing. I can see the magic shackles that bind him cracking." JP groaned as he picked up his plate. "I know that, but he's not telling us anything. Those injuries are getting worse every day. And he's not explaining what's going on with Cherubimon."

That was an unfortunate truth that he couldn't deny. Still, despite the secrets(seems that will always be a key trait for Takuya regardless of the time or form) there was a trail of clues to follow. And Koichi wasn't sure if he was glad to figure it out or not.

Knowing what the implications meant. "He mentioned to Zoe to be ready...to me, it sounds like he's going to rebel against Cherubimon." Not once had they run into the demonic digimon, only Takuya and Ranamon. But each time they left, the two of them came back more tired and wounded.

Yet despite that there was a knowing look in Shagumon's gaze, especially when he shared glances with the warrior of darkness. "In his state? And without..." JP cut himself off, both of their heads swiveled to the empty cage across the other side of the room.

Pain glazed over them for a moment, but the raven haired teen recovered quickly, shaking his head. As if doing that would purge the terrible images that bled into his mind. It didn't work, but he continued talking anyways.

"He's going to probably provide us cover to run away. I remember he said that when the time comes we need to 'leave this place.' Not 'fight', not 'help him', but leave..." And that was the one thing...

None of them were going to do. "We're not going to let that happen right?" If Takuya planned on doing this solo, he was going to be in for quite the surprise. "Not at all. Come on JP. Let's get the others up before this gets cold." There was this feeling in the air.

A tension that trickled in at a subtle pace. "You got it! Guys!" They had been spending a long, unknown period of time locked up but were unharmed. They couldn't digivolve but the moment they were away from these enchanted bars that would change.

The moment Takuya deemed it the right time and let them out, they would defeat Cherubimon. "Time to eat!" Takuya would be saved, and then they would all return home...together.

To be continued

Author Notes: Alrighty...another chapter for the books. And I know this is a bit of a weird one but I wanted some spotlight to fall onto JP and Zoe. Not only had I pushed them slightly to the side for the past several chapters, but...I wanted to show Takuya or in this case Shagumon's behavior.

He's following his instincts/feelings, and as we know, these two characters specifically had some bumps in the road as far as their relationship with our favorite pyro so I wanted to dive a bit deeper into that.

But uh that is it for now guys. Thank you all for reading. If you like it, please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me and I'll see you next time. Tchao for now.