Gargomon towered where Terriermon once stood. The champion level Digimon took the diamond storm like it was nothing. Renamon appeared to be surprised, but she hid her emotions away again. In retaliation, Gargomon called out, "Gargo laser!"
A green laser shot out of Gargomon's gun. Renamon, still in shock of the digivolution, took the hit straight on. The fox flew backwards and almost into Rika. Rika yelled at her Digimon to stand up, but Renamon was struggling.
"He's really powerful," Takato said to Henry. It was supposed to be a compliment, but Henry didn't take it as such.
"This isn't supposed to be happening," Henry responded in the calmest voice he could muster up. The panic was written all over Henry's face. "He can't control himself at this level."
Gargomon aimed again at Renamon and fired. Green bullets slammed into the fox Digimon. Renamon began to fade in and out as she tried to grasp a hold of her data. She was fighting a losing battle and Gargomon was about to kill her.
"Gargomon, stop!" Takato shouted before Henry could.
The champion Digimon turned Takato's way. Gargomon's expression revealed that he too was panicking and couldn't control himself. His gun was aimed toward Takato and Claire. Claire gasped, "He wouldn't really shoot us, right, Takato? He's on your side."
Henry jumped in front of the two friends. His arms were spread wide and his D-Power in his left hand. The tamer yelled, "Stop this. You do not kill Digimon. You sure as hell don't attack people either."
Gargomon was able to lower his gun, but for good measure, Guilmon tackled him. Guilmon pinned Gargomon to the ground. Losing control again, Gargomon's guns went off. Bullets went every direction. Henry shoved Claire and Takato away from a line of bullets. Takato led Claire to behind a tree before running back into the heat of battle.
Instead of leaving the two Digimon alone, Renamon kicked Guilmon off of Gargomon. While Gargomon was still down, Renamon began pounding away. She continually punched the giant bunny in the face. Gargomon was losing energy. With each punch from Renamon, Gargomon grew smaller and his features began to morph to Terriermon's features.
"Leave him alone!" Claire shouted before shoving Renamon. She knelt down next to Gargomon, who was no longer had guns to shoot, to check on him. Gargomon was finished de-digivolving into Terriermon.
"Renamon," Rika simply said. It sounded like a command.
Renamon slapped Claire across the face for interfering. Claire held a hand to her face in shock. Renamon even appeared shocked that she did that. She glanced back at Rika before disappearing into thin air.
"Dumb piece of shit," Rika mumbled. Renamon was a coward and she was going to fix that. She had to. Rika didn't want to be stuck with someone who didn't want to win as bad as her. No defenseless, Rika began to run away. She called over her shoulder, "This isn't over."
"Takato, do I chase her?" Guilmon asked, already set to dash after the red head. Takato patted him on the head and told him no. "But she made Renamon attack Claire. Am I not allowed to do that?"
"Rika was wrong by doing that. Rika is all kinds of wrong, Guilmon. I promise to treat you better than that," Takato answered him. He wrapped his arms around Guilmon and tears filled his eyes. "Did you see how Renamon was almost killed? She would have killed Terriermon if Claire hadn't stepped in."
Henry scooped up Terriermon into his arms. The Digimon was passed out from the battle and severally bruised. Terriermon was still breathing, so he would be fine eventually. He shook his head at poor Terriermon. Henry turned his attention to Claire, who was still holding her face. He noticed that she also had a black eye. Claire wasn't new to being beat. He lightly touched her cheek and asked, "Are you okay?"
Claire pushed her hand away in agitation. Henry was surprised by her reaction, but he kept his composure. He didn't deserve her anger, but she had been through a lot in a short amount of time. Claire told him, "I'm fine. Bruises heal. Terriermon is in rough shape though. Is there anything I could do to help? I'm a part of this now and I'm not going to be a sitting duck."
"What do you mean you're a part of this now?" Takato countered Claire. He pointed the direction Rika ran off to. "Wasn't that enough to scare you off? A Digimon attacked you!"
"I'm not going to let my dumb, ignorant friend run off on an adventure without me. You're crazy if you think I don't want any part in this."
Claire was too stubborn for her own good. Digimon wasn't a game anymore. It was serious business. She could get hurt, kidnapped, or worse… Killed. Takato opened his mouth, but Henry spoke first, "Okay. You're in."
"What?!" Takato exclaimed.
"She risked herself for Terriermon. She doesn't even know the two of us and… Renamon could have killed her."
"And that's the exact reason that I don't want her involved," Takato practically begged.
"I like Claire, Takatomon. She smells like you," Guilmon said his input. Claire patted him on the head as a thanks. Takato blushed at "she smells like you."
"I know Terriermon would agree to it if he was awake. You're out voted," Henry said, hinting at a smile. The bit of smile disappeared when he looked back at his Digimon. "I think we need to stay the night here. I can't take Terriermon home like this. Suzie will notice and call me out on it. Plus, if Rika comes back…"
"I can go get my cards from the playground. Rika used her cards to modify Renamon the battle before. I have an idea that might give us an advantage," Takato schemed. "I can pick up more bread too from the bakery."
"I have cards too," Claire threw in. She crossed her arms as she thought. "I think I took mine home though. I can grab an icepack or two for his bruises."
"Takato, tell your parents you're staying the night with me. I'll tell my parents I'm staying with you. Claire, since you've stayed with Takato before, tell your parents you're staying again," added Henry.
"I don't even have to tell them," Claire mumbled.
With that, Takato and Claire left to do their deeds.
Henry had fallen asleep holding an icepack to Terriermon. He would jerk around every few minutes, but would not wake himself up or Terriermon. The duo had a long, stressful day, so Takato, Guilmon, and Claire were careful not to wake them.
"I see why Henry didn't want Terriermon to fight. Just look at him," Claire said in a low tone. The bunny appeared in much better shape, but was still bruised. The Digimon was healing quicker than a human, so he would be better by morning. "Maybe the reason he fell so easily was due to the fact that he doesn't fight. Rika did say fighting makes Digimon strong."
"You're taking advice from Rika?" Takato joked. Claire rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue. Takato, being serious, said, "Henry is right by not letting Terriermon fight, but he's also wrong. Some fights are necessary. This war we've started with Rika… Battling has become necessary. Especially since she's attacking people, too."
"Will I get to fight next time?" Guilmon questioned.
Takato's D-Power lit up and made a loud noise. Henry's simultaneously went off. The blue-haired boy was scared awake and almost tossed Terriermon in the air. The noises were so loud that it even woke up Terriermon.
"Another sleepless night," Henry groaned. Says the one that was just sleeping, Takato thought.
"Digimon," growled Guilmon. He was hunched over, already set to battle.
"Is it Rika?" Claire asked.
"I don't think so. The D-Power went off the first time because Rika was attacking our Digimon. It didn't go off earlier. I think this is different," answered Takato. He stared at the D-Power's screen.
Terriermon hopped onto Guilmon's head, grasping onto his ears. He looked over his shoulder at Henry and announced, "There's a Digimon to battle and I'm ready to go."
"You are not going to ride Guilmon off into the moonlight to chase Digimon!" Henry exclaimed. He reached for Terriermon, but Guilmon happened to turn his head away to speak to Takato.
"Momentai, Henry. We're made to fight and be cuddly."
"Takatomon, this Digimon is big and cold. We need to hurry," Guilmon warned before running out of the cement building. Terriermon held on tight as Guilmon ran.
The three friends followed the Digimon into the city. Takato was thankful it was late at night and no one was on the streets. He became even more thankful when they came to a stop at a frozen building. Literally, the whole tower was covered in ice.
"Well, now we're sure it's not Rika," Claire commented.
The confirmation became stronger when the trio saw Rika run up to the building. Renamon appeared by her side. Rika snapped her fingers and Renamon kicked the frozen door in. The pair disappeared into the building.
"Guilmon, we're going in, too," Takato told his partner. Guilmon smiled in anticipation.