Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen Warriors ❯ Chapter XI: Eternal Farewell ( Chapter 11 )

During my time as the Qinglongmon Priestess, many days I will always remember, but one day will stand out in my mind forever. Not only was it the day that marked the beginning of the finally conflicts between the Qinglongmon Warriors and the Baihumon Warriors and the Digital Hunters, but it was the day that one of my oldest friends….

My grandmother used to tell me that everyone has great strength deep inside of them, and that many people are only able to call upon this strength once in their lives.

And she was right. “”””””””” ;””””””””””R 21;””””””””””&# 8221;”””””””””” ””””””””” The Chosen Warriors Chapter XI: Eternal Farewell “””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””

Lord Sentry, Commander of the Digital Hunters, stared at a holographic image of the planet Earth. Recorder and another blond man were standing beside him. Hundreds of lights were blinking across the planet.

He grinned maliciously. “Operation: Sleeper is near completion. Soon…”

The younger blond man shook his head. “What about the Qinglongmon and Baihumon Warriors?”

“Ahab will be handling that.”

“Ahab?” he gasped.

Recorder cleared her throat. “Our new plan is to defeat them one at a time, attacking them when they’re in a group is ineffective as they can empower one another. By attacking them when they’re alone, they should be easily overpowered.”

“Will that work, brother?” he asked.

“I’m certain of it,” Lord Sentry responded, “The warriors will die this day.” “”””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;””

Hikari wiped the sweat from her forehead as she stepped onto the volcanic area. “It’s so hot here.”

“Yeah, it is,” Daisuke responded, “I’ve got pit stains the size of dinner plates.”

“That’s disgusting,” Sora said.

He shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

“Try to hold on a little longer,” Taichi said, “We’re almost at that village that we saw from the ridge. Hopefully we’ll find some friends there.”

Noriko flinched as one of the volcano burped a stream of smoke and fire into the air. Ken smiled. “It’s okay. I think these volcanoes haven’t been active in years.”

“Well, I just hope they don’t start now.”

Yamato turned to his younger brother. “How’s your stomach?”

He rubbed it gently. “It stopped bleeding. I think it’s going to be okay.”

“Just don’t strain yourself,” Sora said, “Or that’ll open again.”

“I’ll try,” he said, “I just don’t like the idea of not being able to help.”

Hikari smiled. “Takeru, you’ve always helped me. Remember when we first met?”

“Yeah, wasn’t it when we rescued you from Myotismon?”

“And then Tailmon and Patamon had to fire those arrows at Yamato and Taichi?” she smiled, “I felt so good being able to help.”

“I didn’t think it was good,” Taichi said, “To tell the truth, I almost went to the bathroom in my pants.”

“Yeah, ditto,” Yamato said.

Hikari smiled. “Hey, remember the time you saved me when we were fighting Piemon? We almost didn’t make it back that time.”

Takeru laughed. “Yeah.” He turned to his brother. “Do you remember that?”

“Not really. I was changed into a key chain, remember?”

“Oh yeah,” he smiled.

“Key chains?” Daisuke gasped, “You were actually key chains?”

“Yeah,” Sora nodded, “Now that was weird experience. I thought I was going to end up living out the rest of my life in my mother’s purse.”

“Well don’t worry,” Daisuke grinned, “Once Hikari makes her wish, you won’t have to worry about evil digimon like Piemon again!”

The Priestess of Qinglongmon blushed. “I…just hope so.”

Taichi smiled and placed his arm around his younger sister. “Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.” “””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;””””””””””R 21;”””

They eventually reached a small village nestled in the center of the volcanic area. More Demimeramon and other fire type digimon ran out to meet them.

“Hello there,” Noriko said, lightly rubbing her hand across a Demimeramon’s back.

“Why have you come here?” one of the Agumons asked.

“It’s okay,” a female voice said, “They’re friends.”

“Mina!” Hikari smiled as the Indian Chosen Child stepped out of one of the brick huts littering the village.

She smiled and bowed. “It is good to see you again my friends.”

“You escaped the Solution to the Chosen Children Problem,” Taichi said.

She frowned. “Yes, although my family and my digimon partner were killed right before my eyes. There was so much suffering in my village…all because I was a Chosen Child.” She smiled, ”Now tell me, what brings you here?”

“The Temple of Zhuqioamon,” Taichi responded.

“Yes, I do now where it is, but why are you looking for that?”

Hikari smiled. “It’s a long story.”

She mentioned to the hut she had just exited. “Then please, you must be tired. Come and rest.”

After explaining their situation to Mina, she told them that she did not know where the Temple of Zhuqioamon was, but had a pretty good idea. She offered to take them as far as she could, but Taichi would not let her.

“You don’t have a digimon partner anymore. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“But…!”

He shook his head. “No. Just tell us where to go.”

“Let’s get some sleep then,” Taichi said, “That’s an order.”

Daisuke could not sleep, however. After tossing and turning for most of the night, he got up and walked outside of the small hut. He stopped at the edge of the village and stared up at the volcanoes erupting into the night sky.

“Something wrong?”

Daisuke spun around and saw Takeru walking over. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he said.

Daisuke just turned back and stared at the night sky. “What’s wrong?” Takeru asked.

He sighed. “All right, I’m worried.”

“You?” he gasped, “But, you never worry.”

“Maybe I never had anyone to worry about before!” he snapped, then shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

Takeru just stared at him. This was something that was obviously bothering him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He sighed. “I guess I’m worried about Hikari. Takeru, what if I lose her? What if the Baihumon Warriors or Digital Hunters get to her? What if I can’t protect her?”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” he said, “The rest of us are here, too, remember? We’re all here to protect Hikari.”

“But, I need to protect her!”

“Why? Why you? Why is it always about you?”

Daisuke continued to stare in the sky. “What if I’m not good enough for her?”

“What?”

“She’s so cute and smart and selfless, I know she can do so much better, what if she finds someone better then me?”

“That’s ridiculous!” he exclaimed, “Daisuke, you’re a great hero! Hikari loves you more then anything! The two of you are really in love with each other, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I know that after everything’s said and done, the two of you are going to live in happiness together.”

“Are you sure?”

Takeru gently slapped his back. “Now stop worrying and get some sleep. I’ve got a feeling tomorrow’s going to be a long day.” “”””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;””””””””

The Baihumon Warriors had set up camp a few miles from the village. Lou was pacing the ground. “We know where they are! Why don’t we stop them before they get the Shinzaho?”

Michael stared at him. “We don’t know where the Shinzaho is!”

“And you’re assuming they do?”

“Why are you fighting?” Mimi asked. “Lou, I never saw you like this before.”

He hesitated, then turned away. “I…just want Maria to make her wishes.”

Michael sighed. “Well, we don’t know where the Shinzaho is, so just hang tight until the Qinglongmon Warriors start moving, then we’ll follow them.”

He sighed and jumped to his feet. He walked to the edge of their campsite, but Tatum stopped him.

“Wait! You’re going after the Baihumon Warriors, right?”

“Yeah, don’t try to stop me.”

“I wasn’t,” she confessed, “Just…good luck.”

He nodded. “Thanks.” He took a deep breath and marched towards the rising sun. “””””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;””””””

In another section of the volcanic wasteland, a monstrous figure was lumbering towards the warriors, and when this villainous being arrived, the lives of the Qinglongmon Warriors would never be the same again. “””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;””””””””

The next morning, the Qinglongmon Warriors set out for the volcano that held the Temple of Zhuqioamon. After much persuasion, Taichi finally agreed to let Mina come with them, but they all agreed that they might find the Temple faster if they split up: Takeru, Daisuke, Ken and Hikari traveled in one direction, while Taichi, Sora, Noriko, Yamato and Mina traveled in another.

Takeru’s group took a high road, traveling across the volcanic chain of mountains, while Taichi’s group took the lower route, traveling around the mountains. Each group hoped that they would find the temple soon, because they knew that their enemies were closing in on them.

Daisuke and Ken were in the lead, which left Takeru and Hikari safely in the rear. The blond boy knew that the only reason he was in the rear was because he was injured. He hated to feel useless, he needed to prove himself to the others again.

“Is something bothering you?”

He turned to see Hikari’s questioning gaze. “Uh, no, nothing.”

She just nodded and turned away. Takeru could tell that she was staring at Daisuke. “You really love him, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” she nodded.

“You two really do make a cute couple,” he smiled, “And I just know that at the end of all of this, you’ll live happily ever after.”

She hugged him. “You’re a great friend, you know that?”

Their journey eventually took them to a rocky, cliff like area where the path was only inches long in some places. “I’ll scout ahead,” he said, “To make sure it’s safe.”

“Are you sure?” Ken asked, “I can come with you.”

Takeru was about to protest, but then stared at Daisuke and Hikari. He nodded. “All right. Come on.”

“Well if he’s gonna go, we might as well,” the younger goggle-wearer said.

“No, we’ll be right back,” Takeru smiled, “Relax. Let’s go, Ken.”

The two Qinglongmon Warriors quickly traveled across the treacherous path, careful not to lose their footing in the narrow areas.

“Why were you so eager to leave?” Ken asked, lightly putting his weight down on a cracked ledge.

“I just wanted to give them some time to themselves,” Takeru said, “They really need some time alone, to talk about what they’re feeling.”

They continued on in silence. Eventually, the small ledges gradually grew larger and brought them up to a gentle slope that stretched to the top of a large volcano. The mountain side was cracked in various places and steam poured out from the fissures. It was the strange building near the mouth of the volcanic mountain, however, that caught their eyes.

Takeru smiled. “Ken, is that the Temple?...Ken?”

He turned to his friend, only to see a sight that made his spine turn to ice, Ken was lying on the ground, unconscious, while a menacing figure glared at the blond young man. “Lou,” Takeru sneered, “What did you do to Ken?”

“He’s fine,” the Baihumon Warrior said, stepping over the fallen warrior, “I just knocked him out. I don’t want any interruptions.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to kill you,” he said, “For embarrassing me in front of Maria, for beating me every time!”

Takeru shook his head. “Lou, listen to me, I…”

The Baihumon warrior quickly evolved all the way to his final level of Tidus from Final Fantasy X. He swung his sword forward and pointed at Takeru. “Evolve or don’t, either way, this sword will be through your chest!”

Takeru clenched his fists and quickly evolved to his final level of Cloud Stryfe from Final Fantasy VII. He swung his massive sword in front of him a few times before holding it with both hands and staring directly in Lou’s face. The Baihumon Warrior suddenly sprinted forward and attempted to attack by swing his sword down from the air, but Takeru swung his own sword up to block it. He desperately held back Lou’s sword as best he could, but he was standing lower on the slope of the mountain and Lou was higher, giving him leverage and gravity was on his side. Takeru had to shift his weight in order to keep his head, but when he tried to slide his foot back, the dust and pebbles covering the mountain caught his foot and his fell backwards. Fortunately, he was able to swing his other foot around, knocking Lou over.

Both combatants jumped back on their feet and continued to attack. Their swords met many times as they moved across the mountain slope, clashing and clanging. Lou’s sword slice Takeru’s arm, ripping his shirt and lightly drawing blood. Takeru punched the Baihumon Warrior in the face, then attacked with his sowrd in the other hand. However, Lou was able to block with his own sword. Both warriors broke off their attacks and stared at one another.

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” Takeru said.

“Because Maria needs to make her wishes!” he shouted, “I owe her that much.”

“What?”

“I’ve known Maria since we were both really little. The school we went too…we were the only ones that weren’t Caucasians. It was like just the two of us…” He yelled out and charged forward, swinging his sword as fast as he could. Takeru jumped back, narrowly missing the blade. He landed on the ground and swung his foot around, knocking the Baihumon Warrior back onto the ground. He jumped back onto his feet and started to punch Lou as hard as he could.

“You think I don’t understand? What do you think about me and Hikari, huh? When we went into the Digital World the first time, we were the youngest ones! Everyone else seemed so big and powerful-it was just the two of us! I swore I’d do anything to protect Hikari, and make sure her wishes come true! I know exactly how you feel!”

He slowly stopped his assault and Lou jumped back onto his feet. He stared at Takeru, panting loudly. “M…maybe we’re not so different after all, then.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” he said, “We both want the same thing for that one girl that was always there for us, to help her make her wishes. We’re both here to serve and protect our Priestesses”

Lou sighed and nodded. “Yeah, but, where does that leave…us?”

Takeru shrugged. “I…I don’t know.”

“Well, maybe…” he suddenly stopped talking and lurched forward. His head fell backwards and his body went limp.

“Lou?” Takeru cried, “Lou!” His eyes drifted down to the Baihumon Warrior’s chest, and saw a large red spot began to form. He looked over the fallen warrior to see a massive figure standing behind him, a familiar Digital Hunter, who had slammed a sharp knife through Lou’s back.

“Ahab!” Takeru gasped.

“I’m glad to see you remember me,” he said, grinning maliciously, “I’ve been ordered to destroy you, so, no offense, just following orders.”

He flung Lou off of his blade, and the Baihumon Warrior fell down the mountain slope, disappearing in a mix of pebbles and dust. Takeru would have gone to help him, if Ahab had not chosen that moment to begin his attack by slamming his hammer into the Qinglongmon Warrior’s shoulder, sending him flying backwards. Takeru jumped back onto his feet and charged forward, his sword ready for blood. He slashed as hard as he could, but only attacked empty air. Ahab was gone.

Takeru started swinging his head around, searching the mountain side. How could something so big completely disappear?

He heard a loud rumble and spun around just in time to see Ahab charging at him from behind one of the steam geysers. Takeru barely managed to block the hammer attack with his sword. Unfortunately, the Digital Hunter hammer knocked the sword from the Qinglongmon Warrior’s hand. Before he could react, Ahab grabbed Takeru sides with his massive hands, squeezing as hard as he could, and the wound on his side ripped open. Takeru screamed in pain. “””””””””” ;””””””””””R 21;””””””””””&# 8221;”””””””””” ”””””

Hikari and Daisuke were still seated in the area where Takeru and Ken had left them. The Priestess of Qinglongmon suddenly felt a sharp chill shoot down her spin. She cried out and fell onto her knees.

“Hikari-chan!” Daisuke cried, rushing to her side, “Hikari-chan! Wh..what’s wrong?”

“I…I just felt like…like part of my soul just got ripped out! I…I don’t…” She gasped loudly.

“Takeru! Something’s happened to Takeru! We..we’ve got to find him!” “”””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””

Takeru could feel the injury in his stomach rip open once more. His sides were on fire as blood gushed from the wound. Ahab laughed. “I didn’t know you were already missing part of your abdomen.” He squeezed even harder. “I guess this won’t take long at all, and then when I’m done with you, I’ll take care of your unconscious friend over there, and then I’ll capture your Priestess, and watch as Lord Sentry slowly destroys her.”

“Hikari!” Takeru shouted, “No! You….won’t….hurt….her!” His hands were free, so his brought them above his head and locked them together. Despite the extreme pain, he slammed them down as hard as he could into Ahab’s head. The Digital Hunter released his grip on the Qinglongmon Warrior and staggered back. Takeru dove for his sword.

“I’ve only got one chance at this,” he panted. He glanced down at his stomach, which was already covered with blood from his open wound, “But…” He shook his head. “Hikari’s in trouble, I’ve got to stop this guy.”

He gripped his sword tightly and once again charged at the Digital Hunter. Ahab readied himself and swung his hammer forward, intending to smack Takeru to the ground, but the Qinglongmon Warrior suddenly leapt into the air, missing the Digital Hunter’s attack.

Takeru raised his sword and shouted out, “Omnislash!”

His body was suddenly covered with energy and he began to slice and slash at Ahab at an incredible rate. He was moving faster then the human eye could hope to see. The Digital Hunter could not even manage a defense. Finally, Takeru raised his sword high over his head and slashed down for a final time. The Digital Hunter went limp and he slammed into the ground.

Takeru panted loudly, sweat pouring down his face. He smiled to himself, then felt an immeasurable pain shot through his body. He had never felt a pain like this before, but he knew what caused it. With what energy he still had, he glanced down to his stomach, his entire shirt was covered with blood. He tried to stay on his feet for as long as he could, but his energy soon ran out and he fell to the ground. “””””””””R 21;””””””””””&# 8221;”””””””””” ””””””””””̶ 1;””””

By the time Daisuke and Hikari arrived, Ken had already awoken and was trying his best to tend to Takeru’s massive wounds. Daisuke stood in shock while Hikari cried out and ran over to her fallen friend.

“Takeru!” she screamed, “Takeru…what…what…Takeru!”

He slowly opened his eyes. “H…hikari.” He smiled, “I’m…glad you’re safe.”

“What happened!” Daisuke shouted.

“B…battle,” he coughed, “I won, if you’re wondering….”

Ken jumped to his feet and ran to whisper into Daisuke’s ear. “I can’t do anything,” he confessed, “If only Jyou were here.”

“What about Noriko?” Daisuke suggested, “She helped before.”

He nodded. “Good idea. I’ll go to find them.” He ran back through the cliff-path. Daisuke turned back to his fallen friend. Hikari was kneeling beside him, gently cradling his head in her lap.

“Takeru…Takeru….” she repeated.

Daisuke shook his head with rage. “How the hell could you think about fighting alone?”

“Daisuke!” Hikari scowled him, “Stop it!”

Takeru chuckled weakly. “It’s been a long time since I heard you yell at me. Remember how we used to argue all the time? Weird, huh? That I’d think of that…right now…”

Hikari looked at him questioningly. “Takeru?”

He smiled again. “Hikari, I just want you to know, that I will always be your friend, and that I’ve never been happier in my life, then I was when I was a Warrior of Qinglongmon, when I was one of your protectors.”

“T..takeru…” she laughed, “Y..you’re acting like I’ll never see you again.”

He ignored her and continued speaking. “I…I just know that when this whole thing is over, you’ll both live happily ever after. I know you will.” His smile grew even larger and eyes slowly closed.

“Takeru!” Hikari screamed, “Takeru!”

“S…still here,” he muttered, “still…still…here…”

Then, it happened. Hikari felt it instantly. No, she did not feel something, it was more like, she suddenly felt nothing, an emptiness that she felt to the depths of her heart and soul. She gently released her friend, and her body began to shake violently, loud sobs coming from deep within her.

Daisuke fell to his knees, staring blankly at his hands. He was not sure how long he sat there, but Hikari’s sobs eventually brought him out of his spell. He reached over and pulled her towards him, hugging her as tight as he could. “””””””””̶ 1;”””””””””” 221;””””””””””& #8221;”””””””””” ;”””””

When Ken found the others, he lead them to the volcanic slope as fast as they could run. However, when they saw the horrific sight before them, they slowed to a stop. Everyone stared with a cold, chilling feeling in their hearts.

“D..daisuke!” Taichi called, “W..what happened?”

The younger goggle-wear slowly walked over to the group. He took a deep breath. “T…takeru fought…alone…he…he…” He could not finish as tears began to form in his eyes.

“Takeru…” Yamato said in a weak voice, “…Takeru…” He fell to his knees, and began to pound the ground with rage and furry. Sora placed her hands onto his shoulder and massaged them. “Takeru!”

Hikari heard Yamato’s cry for his brother and she began to sob even louder. She buried her face in her hands and cried, long and hard. Memories of Takeru began to flood her mind, bombarding her every sense. Her friend was all around her.

She was not sure how long she cried for, but when she finally removed her hands, she saw that the others were standing around Takeru’s body, which Mina had covered with a sheet. Everyone had tears in their eyes.

Daisuke noticed that she was staring at them, and helped her to her feet. “Come on, Hikari,” he gently said, “If Lou and Ahab were here, then the Baihumon Warriors and the Digital Hunters can’t be far behind.”

“I don’t care,” she said.

“What?”

“I’m not going on.”

“What are you talking about? What about summoning Qinglongmon?”

“I’m not doing it!” she screamed, “Who cares about my wishes; Takeru’s dead! Is this what it takes to summon Qinglongmon? Is this what it takes to get wishes granted? Friends have to die! I won’t do it!”

“Hikari!” Taichi snapped, “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just stop now! What about…”

He was cut off when Yamato stepped in front of him. He sighed deeply as he addressed his Priestess. “Hikari, I know how you’re feeling, because I feel it a thousand times worse. He was your friend, but he was my brother. And when I think about…about how I’ll never see him again…” He took a deep breath, keeping his tears under control, “I’m sad, we all are, but I know that he wouldn’t want us to cry over him. He’d want us to live for him. He died for you, for us…it would make him so happy, if we used what he gave us, to continue on, to get the Shinzaho, to summon Qinglongmon. I know he would rest in peace, if we could do that.”

Hikari was crying as Yamato lead her over to Takeru’s body. “It’s time to say goodbye.”

“Takeru!” she sobbed, “T..thank you, thank you for every thing you ever did for me. Thank you, and I’ll always miss you.”

Daisuke spoke next. “Takeru, I’m sorry for all those times I fought with you. You always were a great friend.”

Ken sighed deeply. “I wish I could have helped you. If I wasn’t unconscious, then maybe you’d still be…” He shook his head, “Goodbye my friend, may you rest in peace.”

Noriko sniffled. “I wish I could have gotten to know you better, it ended too soon. Goodbye.”

Sora wiped away her tears. “You were always so selfless and caring. You did so much for us, I just wish it didn’t have to end like this.”

Taichi spoke next. “Takeru, I still remember you as that little kid who seemed so weak, but you weren’t. You had the biggest heart out of all of us, and you proved it time and again. I will miss you.”

Yamato was last. “My brother, my little baby brother…I still remember when I saw you for the first time in that hospital room. Dad told me that it was my job to watch out for you…” He chuckled, “But it seems like you were the one that always looked out for me. Takeru…you will always be my brother…and I will always miss you.”

Hikari pushed past the tears and forced a smile as she lead her Qinglongmon Warriors up the mountain slope towards the temple that was resting near the mouth of the volcano. The warriors stood proud and determined as they walked through the large doors. They would press on, and never forget their noble and courageous friend.

As the doors closed, Yamato gave one final glance at the mountain side…

…and the grave marked with a large buster sword. “”””””””” ;””””””””””R 21;””””””””””&# 8221;”””””””””” ”””””””””

Takeru was one of my oldest friends, with a heart that few could ever match. He fought long and hard for his friends, and tried to find the good in everyone. He always thought of others first, and never once considered turning his back on anyway.

Takeru, my friend, I will never forget you.