Ominous Flame

Chapter 56

Author Notes: WE live. Or more accurately I live. I live and love to write, so it's time to get another upload in. Last time Takuya returned in full force. So i do not own digimon.

3rd P.O.V

Koichi came back in bits and pieces as something cool was pressed against his forehead. "Hm?" He felt rough fingers brush against his hair, tickling his face. "Finally coming to huh? You and the others slept for awhile."

His bleary gaze locked onto red amber. "T-Takuya?" Koichi narrowed his eyes, willing his swirling vision to clear, finding his weary, but smiling companion above him. "Take it easy, you and the others are dealing with a fever." A fever? "What?"

That wasn't what the warrior of darkness wanted to ask. He meant to ask why, or how. But his entire body hurt, a deep throbbing pain found all throughout him. "It's because of Cherubimon's magic. You're actually doing better than the others right now." Takuya sighed slightly.

His gloveless fingers brushing the hair out of his face again. "And you-" Takuya's smile grew a bit wider, amused. "I'm fine." Koichi snorted, mustering the harshest glare he could in his condition, not believing him for an instant. Which really wasn't much of a glare at all.

"Don't give me that look Koichi, seriously. Bokomon, Neemon and Patamon have been watching me like hawks. And I promised no more secrets. I'm not hiding anything anymore." The raven haired teen had no clue who Patamon was, but hearing that Bokomon and Neemon were alright was a major relief.

They had to leave those two on their own to fend for themselves and with Cherubimon's dark energy wave attacks, he had been worried they got hurt. "Good...that's good." His fire elemental counterpart huffed, unsure what exactly it was Koichi was referring to, but didn't bother asking.

More content in making sure his friend was comfortable. "We'll talk more when you and the others have healed more. Rest." Those warm, soothing fingers palmed Koichi's eyes, gently shutting them.

Takuya had expected his fellow legendary warrior to fight him, eager to get up and have his questions answered. But that didn't happen, instead he fell to a peaceful slumber. Showing just how exhausted he truly was. "Are you still Shagumon? Or are you Takuya?"

Allowing for Bokomon to continue his endless pestering. He had managed to delay answering in order to make sure everyone was together and treated, but with Koichi back under, the white furred digimon wasted no time.

"I'm sorta a mixture of both? It's hard to explain..." He hummed to himself for a moment. Rubbing the back of his neck as he eyes flashed colors for a moment before he met narrowed black orbs. Thankfully they didn't show signs of suspicion or caution.

But just being stared at still didn't deter the feelings of discomfort that filled his being. "Shagumon and I have kinda merged. Its his powers that are keeping Cherubimon's influence at bay as well as protecting us from his dark magic, but Takuya is calling the shots as far as actual decisions."

And Takuya wasn't kidding about no longer hiding things. Though he wished everyone was awake before having to deal with these long winded conversations. Yet, he couldn't say he was surprised in the slightest.

"Koichi says he can see chains wrapped around you. What are they?" This was going to be a long day. Considering all of them were alive in order for this conversation to occur was a miracle in itself. Again though...was hoping he could get his thoughts all together and wait before the interrogation.

But he would try his best to explain. "Cherubimon...from what I was able to gather from Ranamon, destroyed my body after capturing me, remaking my Shagumon form with Seraphimon's fractal code and Cherubimon's dark magic."

As much of a pain in the ass she was, Takuya was somewhat wishing he had the water nymph here to help explain. "Those chains were supposed to make sure I stayed loyal to him, that I couldn't become human again but Koichi and Ophanimon broke them."

Bokomon was poking his body, furrowing his brows. "Are you alright?" Checking the various wounds that covered his frame. Despite not being negatively affected by the dark waves, he still had injuries that needed to heal.

"As alright as I could be with everything going on. Not that it really matters...I'm more worried about our days being numbered." Takuya glanced up towards the sky. The rift in the sky has grown more, swirling.

He had no idea what the wicked celestial was doing in there, but it wasn't good. "Mamapa! Neemon and I just finished checking everyone!" Speaking of questions needing answering, Takuya turned towards Bokomon with a raised eyebrow.

Before turning to the flying digimon that was zipping all around him with big, innocent blue eyes. "Sooo...mamapa?" By instinct Bokomon pulled Neemon's pants while growling. "Eeeeooowwieeeee!" Even though the poor digimon didn't deserve the abuse at all.

"That is the rookie form of Seraphimon, Patamon. And I am his mamma and papa. We're even wearing matching belts." Patamon landed on Takuya's shoulder, nuzzling his cheeks. "Nice to meet you!" A headache was quickly forming.

There was a lot of things...that all of them needed to catch up on. "I see...nice to meet you Patamon." And unfortunately very little time to do so. But for now, all of them could take the time to rest and recover.

Red eyes landed on each unconscious companion, all in front of a fire he was able to make for them. "Neemon what are you doing laying about-there's still-" While Bokomon was berating his fellow digimon, a sharp pain hit Takuya's chest.

Causing him to hunch over slightly. The baby digimon looked at him in concern, feeling the jolted movements. "I'm sorry you're in pain. Do you want me off?" Takuya was extremely grateful that Patamon was considerate and more importantly quiet.

"You're fine little guy. There's nothing you can do to help but I appreciate it." He closed his eyes, his mind flashing back to the other version of him back in the human world. No doubt struggling to live, just like him. There were still so many things he didn't know.

For now all he could do was watch and wait. Eventually his friends' sickness will fade, then he can finally be honest with himself as well as them. Time and time again he had thought keeping secrets was the best thing he could do to protect the others.

But...he made a promise to Koichi. He somehow got a second chance to help his friends and to clear the air between all of them. It was the least he could do for everything he's put them through.

'Hang in there kid.'

'We'll hold off the bastard as long as we can...'

His eyes flashed open as two deep voices hit his ears. Though he had never heard them before, he knew exactly who it was that spoke to him. Immediately his fingers reached into his pocket, pulling out his d-tector.

He pressed a button, revealing two images on the screen. One was of Agunimon. The other, Shagumon. Both versions of the legendary warrior of fire spoke to him just now. Offering what little encouragement they could to lighten his fears and concerns.

However...all of them knew they were on a time limit. Both the world and his life was on the line. With no guarantees of victory. Still after everything they've all gone through, he couldn't give up. Takuya could sense the end was near.

Now all he had to just make sure that end resulted in his friends walking out of this in one piece. "Ngh..." Red eyes shifted up, finding Tommy squirming in his sleep, no doubt struggling with his fever. He got up to go to him, hoping they recover soon.

to be continued

Author Notes: Whoop whoop-aren't you all proud of me!? For once it's not Takuya suffering! Instead I have everyone sick and him playing doctor lol. So of course I need to make this last for a couple chapters.

Maybe add a little drama and trouble here and there hehe. But that will be all for next time. Guys thank you so much for reading. As always if you wanna show some love, feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much to me. See you next time, tchao for now.