Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Choices of Heroes ❯ Remember ( Chapter 4 )

It's no accident that the church and the graveyard stand side by side. The city of the dead sleeps encircled by the city of the living.

Diane Frolov and Andrew Schnelder, Northern Exposure, Lost and Found, 1992

 

 

Chapter 4:

Remember

 

 

“Are you guys ready for this?”

 

 

“Yes, we're ready Daisuke.” answered Hikari. All three of them were up against a rundown building ready to fight against some vampires. “I don't know why you're so worried about this. After all, we have dealt with vamps before.”

 

 

“That was different. These ones have been in a group for a while and we're going to be facing them in there home so they'll have the home field advantage. We have to take this as carefully as possible.”

 

 

Getting in-between the two, Takeru spoke up. “How about we quit the chatting and take care of business?”

 

 

Agreeing the three of them cautiously walked down the hallways making sure that they weren't spotted. They soon entered a large room that had several beddings and all other type of stuff. “Apparently we've found these guys' lair and judging by the stuff that's here I can assume that there are a lot of them.”

 

 

“Looks like it. But where are they?” To seemingly answer his question, several vamps jumped down from the rafters to the floor, surrounding the three of them. “I guess we lost the element of surprise.”

 

 

“I guess so Takeru.” exclaimed Daisuke. “Are you guys ready to fight?” Getting the nod from the others the three of them went into action.

 

 

Moving quickly they were able to take some of the vampires down. As time went on things seemed even as both Daisuke and Takeru were handling themselves. However, Hikari, who had less fighting experience then them, was struggling but was able to take down a few. What she didn't realize was that one of the vamps was sneaking up behind her. In a blink of an eye he grabbed her and sunk his fangs into her neck.

 

 

Hikari wanted to scream out but couldn't as her mouth was being covered. Slowly she began to feel the life draining from her body as she could hardly put up anymore resistance. Just as it seemed like the end for her, the vampire pulled away. “This isn't the end of my revenge for you and your friends. I want to make you all suffer and I know the best way to do so.”

 

 

Sticking out his wrist he made a small cut on it and placed it against her face. Being too weak to resist Hikari allowed the vampire to shove his bloody wrist against her mouth and as if she was told to she began to drink the blood of the vampire. The last thing that went through her head was the sadistic laughter of the demon that feed upon her and was currently feeding on. “Takeru, Daisuke. Where are you?”

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

“Man, that was some workout.” exclaimed Daisuke as he and Takeru were surrounded by piles of dust that once were there opposition.

 

 

“I'll agree with you on that. You weren't kidding about how hard it would be to take out a nest. We're fortunate that we were able to do it as well as we did.”

 

 

“But you guys were right. It was a wise move that we all went on this mission together and I must say that we all did a pretty good job. You, me and Hikari... Speaking of Hikari, where is she?”

 

 

It was then that they realize that their friend was nowhere in sight. Fearing the worst they headed out of the room to search for their missing friend. They didn't have to search long as they found her kneeling over a vampire and to their horror was drinking upon its blood.

 

 

Moving quickly the two got the vamp and dusted him but they had bigger concerns at the moment. The trail of blood on her kips was noticed immediately and to their dismay they spotted two bite marks on her neck. Turning to one another they both had the same thought going through their head. “This is not good. This is definitely not good.”

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

“What are we going to do about this Daisuke?” That was the immediate question on his friend, Takeru's mind. It was early morning and they were currently at Daisuke's place with a bitten Hikari lying in a bed in the other room. “I mean, she's barely clinging onto life and she essentially sired by that goddamned vampire before we had the chance to stop it.” The truth was hard thing to deal with but there was no way around it. “You know just as well as I do that if she dies she'll become one of those soulless creatures too.”

 

 

“Do you think that I don't know that?” yelled Daisuke in frustration from the situation. Taking a couple of deep breaths he allowed himself to calm down. “Given her condition I figure that she has a day, two at the most before her spirit leaves this world. Once that happens she won't be alive like you Takeru. Instead a soulless demon will take possession of her body, with the soul objective of killing and feeding.”

 

 

Neither of them said anything as they let the reality of the situation sink in. Finally, Takeru ask the question that they didn't want to ask. “I get all that Daisuke. But the question is what will we do when that moment comes?”

 

 

“We'll worry about that when the times comes. For now, let's try to make whatever time she has left easier on Hikari.” Walking down the hallway the two of them reached the room that held their dieing friend. “Takeru, could you possibly go to Hikari's place and get a couple of her things? Maybe if she had some of her stuff close by it might make things easier for her.”

 

 

Knowing that know wasn't the time for any arguing; Takeru nodded his head in understanding but gave a warning to his friend before he left. “Remember Daisuke. She doesn't have much time left. So you might have to end her suffering before anyone else does.”

 

 

With him now gone, Daisuke reluctantly headed into the room. When he entered he immediately saw Hikari as she lay on the guest bed, too weak to really sit up. Her head was turning to the side as she watched the sun from the nearby window with an indifferent look on her face.

 

 

“Hey, how are you feeling?” It was a stupid question to ask but there was nothing else that came to mind for Daisuke.

 

 

“Lousy.” answered Hikari without turning her head towards him. From where he stood he could see that she was speaking with much strain in her voice.

 

 

It pained Daisuke to see his friend in this condition but kept up a brave front in the hopes that it may ease the tension that was still in the room. “That's not surprising after what you went through.” Eventually he gathered courage walking over he sat on the edge of the bed and to someway put his friend at ease he lightly patted her leg. “But don't you worry. Everything will be fine and you'll be back to your old self again.”

 

 

Finally Hikari turned her head to look at him. “You're lying. We both know that things are not going to be fine. It won't be long until I become a nighttime only girl.” Putting on a obvious fake smile she continued. “But hey, you never know. It may turn out for the best. I was never been a morning person anyways and with my becoming immortal I won't have to worry about getting any wrinkles.”

 

 

She was trying to talk it off but it was apparent that she was just putting up a façade. “I can look young forever if I wanted to.” No longer being able to keep up the charade any longer, Hikari broke down into tears. “I don't want to die Daisuke. I don't want to die.”

 

 

Not bearing to see her like this, Daisuke brought her into the most comforting hug that he could muster. “I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. I'll do my best to make your last moments as painless as possible.” “And that includes that you don't become a soulless creature.”

 

 

A few hours later, Hikari eventually meet her end and all that Daisuke and Takeru could do was to wait until the unwelcome event to occur.

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

Twelve Hours Later…

 

 

“It's time Daisuke.” informed Takeru. “We can't hold this off any longer. We need to do this now.”

 

 

Reluctantly Daisuke agreed with his friend. There wasn't any point in putting this off. Reaching into his coat he pulled out to wooden stakes. Handing one of them to Takeru they to the room where their friend spent her last remaining moments alive.

 

 

Instead of seeing what was their sweet and caring friend that they knew was now what appeared a more sinister and twisted looking version. It was hard for them to believe it but as she sat their on the bed and looked at them with those cold eyes they realize that the thing in front of them was not their friend.

 

 

“Well nice seeing you guys. I am so flattered by the jester.” Even the way that she spoke was not like her as she talked with a darker tone. “What's the deal with the pointy sticks guys? Do you think that I might do some deep necking?” Getting off the bed she walked around the room, stopping short of the window which gave her a clear view of the setting sun.

 

 

“What a magnificent thing the sun. Gives light to those who seek it. But for those, such as yourself Daisuke, hide themselves from it and it shuns us in return.”

 

 

“Hikari, maybe you should lie back down and get some rest.” Stepping closer Takeru went to put a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to bring her back to bed and perhaps get the chance to use the stake. Seeing the danger, Daisuke tried to warn him but was too late as Hikari grabbed his arm and flung Takeru across the room. Moving in he tried to stop her but she quickly dealt with him as well.

 

 

Taking the opportunity to escape she burst through the window and Daisuke was about to follow her but halted as he kept away from the sunlight that still remained. Seeing that he couldn't go after her he went to check on Takeru.

 

 

“Man, I guess this means that she's has turned. But how could she run into the sunlight without bursting into flames?”

 

 

“That's because she hasn't become a fully turned yet. Until she has her first kill she only has some of the strengths of a vampire and none of their weaknesses. We mustn't allow her to get that kill.”

 

 

Heading out of the room he opened the weapons cabinet and started to pull out a variety of weapons. “Are you actually serious about this Daisuke? You're really willing to kill Hikari?”

 

 

Pulling out a broad sword Daisuke looked at Takeru with a determined look. “You must remember, Takeru that the Hikari that we knew is gone and all that's left is a soulless monster that if we don't stop will leave a pile of dead bodies in its path. Now are you going to help me or not?”

 

 

Instead of answering with words, Takeru grabbed a crossbow and a pack of arrows. “Let's get this over with before I change mind.”

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

At a popular nightclub the youth of Kyoto was dancing and chatting with one another looking to have a good time. In this occasion, as a man in his early twenties was sitting at the bar trying to find some lady to hook up with only to come up empty handed. That is until a lovely lady, clad in leather sat beside him.

 

 

“Hey there good looking. Why don't the two of us leave this place and get better acquainted with one another?”

 

 

To say that the man was surprised by this woman's forwardness would be an understatement as it took him a couple of seconds for him to come up with a reply. “Uh, okay then. But before we go can I at least know your name?”

 

 

The lady just gave him a flirtatious smile. “Why of course. The name's Hikari.”

 

 

Quickly the two left the club, being real close along the way. Soon, they were in what appeared to be a empty level of a car parking building. “What's the deal coming here? Is your car here?”

 

 

Turing around Hikari began to kiss him on the neck and even giving him some slight nibbling. “I just thought we should be at some place more private as not to have anyone bother us.” Not wasting another moment the two started to make out and they were really getting into it until she started to nibble on the man's neck a bit harder

 

 

“Hey now, don't be so rough. I'm one for the rough stuff but that's too much. Do you mind lighting up a bit?”

 

 

“As a matter of fact…I do.” Lifting her head she now had on her vampire face and she wasted no time and sunk her teeth into the man's neck. However, she wouldn't have time to get some blood as she was tackled to the ground by Daisuke. As those two struggled, Takeru helped the man up and got him out to safety before returning to see his two friends facing off against one another.

 

 

“My how rude of you. Don't you know that it's rude to interrupt someone when they're trying to get a bite to eat?”

 

 

“Well sorry for the interruption but I'm afraid I can't allow you to go through with that Hikari.”

 

 

Even with the seriousness of the moment, Hikari didn't seem to be fazed by the situation. “Oh, what's the matter? Is poor Daisuke upset with the new me? Or perhaps he's going to go ahead and actually kill me.”

 

 

Gripping the wooden stake in his hand Daisuke readied himself. “If it's necessary I will. I'm not even going to bother in saying that somewhere inside you is the real Hikari and there's a chance to bring her back. I'd be just deceiving myself. In reality you're just a killing machine who forced itself into her body and I'm willing to rid her of that problem if I have to.”

 

 

Once again the two went at each other, not pulling any punches. Unfortunately it looked as though Hikari was getting the upper hand. When she knocked him aside he was replaced by Takeru who tried to come from the blind side but was quickly knocked away as she tossed him into one of the large stone support pillars. Taking this momentary distraction to his advantage, Daisuke charged forward and grabbed onto Hikari. Using his momentum the two of them fell over the protective barricade and fell down two stories to the floor.

 

 

Following up on the opening he placed himself over her with a stake over her heart. He was about to stake her until he caught sight of Hikari's face. It was no longer had the vampire form but the one that belonged to her late friend. “I-I can't. I don't want to do this.”

 

 

Stepping back he allowed her to get back to her feet. “Oh, poor Daisuke, what's the matter? You can't do it can you?” Becoming overconfident she started to get closer to him.

 

 

“I said I didn't want to. I never said that I wouldn't.” Driving the stake forward he stabbed it right into her heart. Just before she turned dust, Daisuke saw that for a very brief moment a grateful look appeared on Hikari's face. May you rest in peace Hikari.” Throwing the stake to the ground he walked away from the friend that was nothing more than a pile of dust.

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

It had only been an hour since the fight with the demonic Hikari and both Daisuke and Takeru were still feeling the after effects from it. “I know that you're upset about what transpired Daisuke. So am I. But you can't blame yourself.”

 

 

“I'm not.” responded Daisuke with a detached voice. “I had no other choice but to put a stop to that thing. Whether I liked it or not doesn't matter, I just wish there was some way to change things from happening.”

 

 

“Well, there could be a way for that to come about. But it's a little risky.”

 

 

“Let me be the judge of that. What is that thing you were referring to?”

 

 

“Okay then, there is this thing called the Conduit. They're somewhat of a connection to the Powers That Be, who are some supernatural beings who oversee everything that goes on this plain of existence. It's a long shot but they might be able to help us with our situation.”

 

 

“Then let's try them again.” Getting up, Daisuke headed up for the door but was stopped by Takeru.

 

 

“Whoa, now wait a minute Daisuke. I think you want to reconsider about going to the Conduit. It's some serious stuff that you don't want to go up against.”

 

 

“I don't care if it's the Conduit or the Powers That Be. If they somehow bring back Hikari then I'm willing to take the chance.”

 

 

That statement got through to Takeru as he gave in. “All right, I'll take you to the place but don't say that I didn't warn you.”

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

“Are you serious about this?”

 

 

“Of course I am Daisuke. Why would I make something like this up?” The two of them were in some underground cave with some sort of stone formation and a stoned up doorway on the side.

 

 

“You're telling me that the doorway that leads to the Conduit is underneath a post office?” If he didn't like the strange twist of irony Daisuke would probably have thought that it was funny.

 

 

“Well, in a way it does make sense if you think about it.” Starting up a small fire in the center of the stone formation Takeru tossed some kind of dust into it and began some type of chant. As he chanted the stoned up doorway began to glow. “All right, when you get in there speak your peace and leave. Don't take anymore than you have to.”

 

 

Nodding his head in understanding, Daisuke went through the glowing doorway. In a flash of white light he disappeared only to appear in a large white marble room with the only source of light coming from four torches that scattered across the room. “Hello. I'm here to talk to the Conduit.” Nothing happened for a while and he soon thought that the whole thing was all for nothing until a voice spoke up.

 

“What is the reason that you seek us?” The voice was a mixture of multiple voices at once but the source of the voice(s) could not be found.

 

 

“I came to ask if you can bring my friend back to life as she once was.”

 

 

“I came to ask if you can bring my friend back to life as she once was. If so could you please do so?”

 

 

“A vampire, with a soul no less is asking for the restoration of a single human life? Intriguing?”

 

 

“Listen, I don't care if you're intrigued or not.” Daisuke's patience was wearing then but quickly pushed back down his irritation. “Can you do what I am asking?”

 

 

There was no response for sometime and Daisuke's was becoming irritated even more. “”We are able to do such a thing. But why should he do such a thing?”

 

 

“She was my friend and she didn't deserve what happened to her.” To help his plea he fell to his knees. “Please. I beg of you. Give my friend her life back.”

 

 

Nothing was said on either side. Daisuke stayed kneeling down hoping that the Conduit would do as he asked. Suddenly he was pulled back up by some invisible force and pushed him back into a giant stone slab. He tried to move away but couldn't as something was holding him onto it.

 

 

Then, without warning, parts of the stone slab started to protrude out and into the shape of crosses. When those cross shaped stones made contact with his skin, Daisuke screamed out in pain as they began to burn into his skin. “W-W-What is the meaning of this?”

 

 

“We're just doing as you ask.” the Conduit simply answered. “We told you that we could restore your friend's life but there's a price to pay for that to happen. For someone to bring brought back from death another must take their place.”

 

 

Out of nowhere another stone slab appeared in front of Daisuke and popping out of it were numerous spikes that were ready to stab right into his body. “Are you still willing to give up your own life so that your friend can have a second chance at life?”

 

 

Even with the feeling the burning pain from the crosses that were against his back, Daisuke kept his mind focused on the mission at hand as an imaged of Hikari flashed in his mind. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get it over with.” Taking that as a yes the Conduit sent the stone spikes straight at him. “This is for you, Hikari.”

 

 

Closing his eyes, Daisuke braced himself for what seemed to be his upcoming death. After a few moments of nothing happening, he opened his eyes to discover that neither the stone stakes nor the crosses were nowhere around and that he was able to move around freely again. “Congratulations, you have passed.”

 

 

Suddenly, a smoky like figure appeared but you couldn't get any clear view of them. “Passed? What do you mean I passed?”

 

 

“We had to see if what you asked for was good and that your heart was pure. That is why I put you through that ordeal and you chose correctly. Now I'll grant you your request.”

 

 

“Thank you.” Completely forgetting about what he just had to go through, Daisuke couldn't help but feel grateful. “I'm deeply greateful for this. How are you going to bring her back?”

 

 

“I'll turn time back to just before your friend was bitten. Thus, this day and everything that took place will be erased as though it never happened.”

 

 

“If you do that then how will I be able to stop this all from happening all over again?” Daisuke couldn't think of the logic behind this plan.

 

 

“When time is turned back you and you alone will remember what transpired. Are you willing to take that burden? The burden knowing that anytime one of your friends could wine up like this before. Also note that this is a one time deal and this can't be asked to be done again.”

 

 

Without even wasting a second, Daisuke gave his answer. “If it still means that I can save my friend from death then I'll do it. Let's do this.”

 

 

Even though he couldn't prove it, Daisuke felt as though the figure was actually smiling. “You are indeed a noble warrior Daisuke Motomiya. May the Gods shine on you.” The whole room started to be consumed in a blinding white light. Soon it got so bright that Daisuke had to close his eyes and waited to see what was going to happen next.

 

 

-/-/-/-/-

 

 

When the light faded away he was no longer with the Conduit but back at the vampire nest that he and the others were at just a day before and everything was exactly like it was the first time that it happened. Both him and Takeru were taking on a swarm of vampires and just like before they were handling themselves quite well. Remembering what he needed to do he left Takeru to deal with the remaining vamps, knowing that he could take care of himself.

 

 

Rushing out of the room Daisuke headed to where Hikari was found and saw that she was on the verge of being attacked by the same vampire as before. Realizing that he wouldn't make it in time he had to come up with something quick.

 

 

“Hikari, get down!” Like a javelin he threw his sword at her direction. Fortunately she heard his warning and ducked in time as the sword went piercing into the vamp's heart causing him to turn into dust.

 

 

“Man, thanks for the save Daisuke but next time can you warn me faster?” Seeing his friend alive and still human was too much for him to contain his happiness as he went over and brought Hikari into an affective hug. “Uh, Daisuke, it's not like I don't appreciate you saving me and all but could you let me go?”

 

 

Regaining his composure Daisuke let her go. “Sorry about that. I'm just glad that you're okay.” It was that time that Takeru joined up with them.

 

 

“Damn, that was heavy fighting back there. Why did you all of a sudden leave Daisuke? By the look that you had on your face it was appeared to be something like life or death.”

 

 

“Let's just say that I didn't want something to happen that I would regret later.” Daisuke answered with a knowing smile.