Now to continue with 'Digimon Tamers: A Different Story'. I got a review warning me about the D-Link feature I included on the D-Power. Let me clarify what I mean by 'Tag-Team system': What I mean by that is two Tamers teaming up and digitally linking their D-Powers to Digi-Modify their tag partner's Digimon in addition to their own. I will be careful about that, though.
Meet Rika Nonaka
Takato was shocked to see the girl that was known as the 'Digimon Ice Queen' in person and that she was talking to him of all people. "Now how do you know my name, Takato Matsuki?" Rika asked. She knew that he was going to ask the same question and hoped and prayed to high heaven that Takato's answer wasn't her mother.
"I actually knew about you because of the Digimon Card Tournament last year. You've got to be one of the best Tamers ever," Takato said, unknowingly answering Rika's prayers. "Now I know you knew I was going to ask the same question." Rika gave an amused reaction from both the compliment and the fact that her newest acquaintance practically read her mind.
"My grandma Seiko gets her bread from your family's bakery whenever she needs it. She even described you to me." Rika stepped closer to Takato, who backed away for obvious reasons. "Now don't be shy. Renamon told me about you and your Digimon, so I just thought I'd see how skilled you are. I'm not going to have her absorb his data like we usually do. I just want to see how you can fair as a Tamer."
Rika's attitude perplexed both Takato and Renamon, both of them knowing that she has a normally cold personality, even though the former had just met her. Nevertheless, he got ready after having to explain the training situation to Guilmon. Lucky for Takato, Guilmon knew his own techniques, so he was somewhat prepared. "Okay, Takato Matsuki, you decide who gets the first move!"
"This is actually Guilmon's first fight, but ladies first, Ms. Nonaka," Takato said, shocking Rika.
'And here I thought chivalry was dead. I'm really starting to like this boy already,' Rika thought. "So Guilmon really is a rookie. You heard him, Renamon."
"Right," Renamon said, charging at Guilmon. Her paws glowed and lit up in a blue flame. "Power Paw!" She struck at Guilmon with a punch, which he decided to counter.
"Rock Wrecker!" he exclaimed, catching Renamon's punch. Renamon kneed the young Saurian in the gut, causing him to let go. She then kicked Guilmon right back in Takato's direction. Takato then caught Guilmon and took the fall himself, surprising Rika again.
"Are you alright, Guilmon?" Takato asked.
"I'm fine. I just wasn't prepared."
'He broke Guilmon's fall. Even though Digimon are just data, he actually risked himself for his partner like he was something more than that,' Rika thought. Guilmon got up and ready for a real fight. "Are you okay?" Rika asked.
"We're just fine, Ms. Nonaka. Thank you," Takato answered, unaware that Rika's question was meant specifically for him and not Guilmon. Takato then pulled out his D-Power and a card as Guilmon charged with another Rock Wrecker. "Digi-Modify, Hyper Speed Activate!" This time, thanks to the speed boost, Guilmon's Rock Wrecker hit Renamon and sent her flying into a tree. Just as Renamon was about to get up, an apple fell and landed on her head.
"That little dinosaur can pack a punch," Renamon said.
"It was that 'Hyper Speed' card that his Tamer used. Smart move if you ask me. What's say we step it up a notch?" Renamon looked at her Tamer and nodded. "Digi-Modify, Power Activate!" Renamon leapt into the air and formed energy into diamonds around her.
"Diamond Storm!" the fox Digimon exclaimed. The diamonds flew towards Guilmon, who still had the 'Hyper Speed' card activated. Guilmon dodged to the best of his ability. He still got hit by Renamon's Diamond Storm, though. "Gotcha, Guilmon. You can't escape."
"Pyro Sphere!" exclaimed Guilmon. The attack caught Renamon by surprise. Takato and Rika checked how much damage each of their Digimon.
"Renamon's taken 60% damage. What about Guilmon?" Rika asked.
"Amazingly enough, Guilmon took the same amount," Takato said. This surprised both of them. 'Man, I can't believe I'm keeping up with Rika Nonaka. Then again, she has to be holding back so Guilmon won't be destroyed.'
'This boy's doing amazingly well. 'Hyper Speed' was a good choice on his part. I think I'm in love,' Rika thought. "I'm very impressed, Takato Matsuki. Although, Renamon and I are holding back just a little. What's say the next hit wins?" she asked.
"You got it, Ms. Nonaka. Are you ready, Guilmon?"
"I'm ready, Takato."
"What about you, Renamon?" Rika asked.
"Same here, Rika. Power Paw!" Renamon exclaimed.
"Rock Wrecker!" exclaimed Guilmon. When the smoke cleared, Guilmon and Renamon each had an arm extended with a paw on the other's cheek. Guilmon was the first to fall, followed by Renamon.
"Guilmon!" Takato shouted, running towards the Digimon. He checked on Guilmon first, then Renamon. "I'm sorry, Guilmon. I know we were battling the 'Digimon Queen', but I should've done better than that."
"Don't blame yourself, Takato Matsuki. You're a good Tamer and Guilmon's a good Digimon," Rika said. I took some time to figure him out. The fact that you broke his fall, the fact that he didn't show up in the database…you created him, didn't you?" Takato nodded. "Well, even though Renamon and I were your guys' first opponents, you did pretty well. Here's a tip: practice, practice, practice. You can have the most powerful Digimon in the world, but it won't do a lick of good if you don't practice your skills. With the time you take in training your partner, you can improve on yourself as well."
"Thanks, Ms. Nonaka," Takato said.
"Please, call me Rika."
"I wouldn't be offended if you would just call me Takato. Hey, I know this is a long shot in the dark, but I'll be helping my parents at the bakery during the weekend if you want to…you know…come by. I mean, that's up to you." Rika giggled at his nervousness.
"I'd love to. Grandma Seiko has to get some bread this weekend anyways, so why not? I'd love to hang out with you some more." Takato looked at his D-Power and saw what time it was. "Got somewhere to go?" Rika asked sadly.
"Yeah, I've got to get Guilmon back to his hideout and head home. My parents would freak if they saw him and I have some homework to get done," Takato said. "But I am looking forward to hanging out again, Rika. You and Renamon stay safe on your way back."
"Don't worry about us, Takato. We'll be fine. You and Guilmon stay safe."
"We will." With that, the two Tamers and their Digimon parted ways, leaving the battlefield as friends.
Takato and Guilmon got back to the concrete shed and saw Henry and Terriermon waiting for them. "There you guys are. What happened? Terriermon and I picked up a fight that you guys were having with another Digimon," Henry said.
"You're not going to believe what happened, Henry. Renamon actually led us to her Tamer. It turns out that it was the same girl from my dream. She was none other than Rika Nonaka, the 'Digimon Queen'." This surprised Henry, as he knew that Rika was pretty cold on a normal basis.
"What the heck would the 'Digimon Ice Queen' want with someone like you, Takato? No offense."
"She wanted to see how I faired against her in a battle. Guilmon and I didn't do half-bad, but I know that there is plenty of room for improvement. Rika and Renamon held back enough to where they wouldn't destroy Guilmon."
"Oh, so you got on a first-name basis with your 'dream girl', huh?" Terriermon joked.
"Terriermon…" said Henry.
"Momantai."
"Takato, as a friend, I'm going to give you some advice: you can hang out with Rika if you want to, but be careful. I don't want her using you for any kind of personal gain," Henry warned.
"Okay, Henry, but she has been kind to me thus far. She even told me to practice with Guilmon as often as possible," Takato said.
"Good advice from an expert."
"Plus, during the battle she was smiling, almost as if she was having a good time."
"Ooh! ~Takato and Rika, sitting in a tree~," Terriermon began.
"Terriermon…" Henry began.
"Oh come on, Henry! Can't I have a little fun?"
"Only if you want Suzie's 'Princess Pretty Pants' torture again." That shut Terriermon up.
Later that night, Takato got his homework done and he got ready for bed. He found that he had one slight problem. 'Why can't I sleep tonight? That was an intense battle and I know I'm worn down, so why am I still wide awake?' he thought. He then looked at his D-Power and saw that he had a message. "I had a good time today, Takato. I'll see you again at the bakery. Rika."
'Could it be because of Rika?'
Meanwhile, Rika got her homework done as well and, like Takato, got ready for bed. Renamon phased into the room to speak to her. "Rika, you've been acting strange ever since Takato was brought up last night. Is something wrong?"
"Huh? No, nothing's wrong, Renamon. Why?"
"Because you've had a smile on your face ever since we met Takato and Guilmon at the lake, you were kind to him even though you gripe at your own mother for trying to make you wear dresses and hats, you had me hold back just enough so we wouldn't destroy Guilmon, and you gave him advice when you normally put down your opponent. I can understand the Guilmon thing, but why the other ones?"
Rika pondered a moment to find an answer. Why was she nice to Takato when she's normally the 'Ice Queen'? "I guess…I don't know. I guess Takato's innocent looks and personality got to me today. Judging from the battle, I could tell that he would be the type to sacrifice himself for his friends. I guess he's just pure-hearted enough, but I could tell that he has his own bullies to deal with at his school," Rika said. "I just feel the urge to help him not just as a Tamer, but as a person in general. I guess we were meant to meet each other, because I know he can help me in the same way."
"So essentially what you're saying is that you two are destined to be soul mates?" Renamon asked.
"I guess so, Renamon. I guess you could say that I'm in love."
CHAPTER 3 END
So Takato and Guilmon had their first battle and it was against Rika and Renamon. The next chapter will have Rika volunteering at the Matsuki Bakery. Keep your eyes peeled.
More features I'm adding to the D-Power: Messaging (if it's been done before, let me know), Health Meter (the ability to check the Tamer's partner's health), and Com-link.
Also, Rika is going to be a bit OOC in this when it comes to Takato. Takato, Henry, Guilmon, Terriermon, and Renamon are going to stay true to form.