Chapter 9: Rika's Feelings
-At the Nonaka residence-
Rika lay on her bed, her mood remaining quite cross and upset.
She now hated Digimon after finally making Kyubimon digivolve and seeing that despite her new form, she still lost.
"Damn it. I picked a weak Digimon." Rika scowled.
"That is wrong, Rika!" A furious voice commented, causing Rika to looked to the side and saw Takato and Agumon in her home, entering her bedroom.
Wanting an answer, Rika asked. "And how did you two get in here?"
"Your grandmother let us in. And I hid Agumon in his box along the way here." Takato replied, before getting to the reason of their visit. "But I am here to tell you that you and Renamon should make up again."
"But she lost to IceDevimon! How can I be a proper Digimon Tamer if she can't win as a champion?" Rika questioned angrily.
"But it's your love and friendship for her that made her digivolve" a new voice enter the room as Rika and Takato looked around confused.
"Did you hear a voice?" Takato asked.
"Hello. How long you been up there?" Agumon said cheerfully to the ceiling as all looked up to see the ceiling panel move aside, before a bird-like Digimon flew down.
Taking in her appearance, the avian Digimon had pink feathers that covered her body, covering her arms and allowing her to fly.
From her body structure, Takato, Agumon and Rika could see she was female due to the feathers covering around and above her breasts, while the Digimon had a red beak, a set of azure eyes and red talons upon her clawed fingers and feet, while attached around her left leg was a decorative silver ring.
But not wanting to seem rude the Digimon smiled as she made her introduction.
"I have been here a while now. I have been searching for you for a while, Rika." The bird Digimon said cheerfully as Rika looked at her with confusion and questioned. "And who are you?"
"My name is Biyomon, and I am your second partner." Biyomon informed, wanting to hug Rika, but could sense Rika wasn't in the mood to be touched and instead bowed to show he respect.
"Second partner?" Takato asked, which made Biyomon nod and say. "That's right. It's just like you, Agumon and Guilmon."
"So you like Renamon's sister?" Agumon asked, not completely understanding the bond between Digimon and their Tamers.
"No! Renamon and I are not partners and I don't need you." Rika snapped, continuing to show her detestment toward Digimon, before she was suddenly silenced.
SLAP!
"Takatomon!" Agumon said with great shock when Takato suddenly slapped Rika across the face, leaving a red mark upon the redhead's cheek.
"Have you forgotten your own words when against IceDevimon? Renamon's your friend and always will be. And Biyomon seems like a nice Digimon too! How can you think of Digimon as tools when they are living beings, just like you and me?" Takato questioned with a combination of anger and confusion, leaving Rika silently staring at the brunette, shocked he had hit her, but felt compelled to listen to what Takato had to say.
"He's right." Biyomon said, resting her wing on her chest as she added. "Digimon have feelings too. We laugh, we cry, we feel pain, everything you feel, we feel those same emotions. You and Renamon need to know how to feel loved. And since a Biyomon like me was nicknamed as the Digimon of Love in that Digidestined series, I can help you."
"Wow. Biyomon is so smart and wise." Agumon commented, his praise making Biyomon blush.
"Thank you for your kindness. You might be young, but you're maturing fast." Biyomon then said to Agumon, before her attention returned to her Tamer and caused her to say. "Go and find Renamon. Rika and I need to talk, woman to woman."
"Thanks, Biyomon. I'll leave this to you. Rika, remember what I've told you" Takato said as he and Agumon left, leaving Rika in Biyomon's care, who took a seat beside her Tamer and began to speak.
"Now let's get started by getting to know each other a little better..." The avian Digimon started to say, ready to share any and all she could, just hoping she could get Rika to be more open.
-With Renamon-
After parting ways with Rika, Renamon had taken to find shelter in the park, finding the woodlands an environment to her liking, where she tried to relax against a tree, but continued to think about Rika, the words of her Tamer still stinging her.
"So Rika hates me now huh? That's fine. I don't need her anymore. Maybe I should do what Impmon would do and fight by myself." Renamon thought aloud as she prepares to leave.
"I believe following in Impmon's example and leaving Rika is the wrong path for you." A voice too familiar to Renamon then said with a seriousness, causing Renamon to stop in her tracks as she turned to see Guilmon lean against the tree behind her, his arms crossed and a serious expression on his face.
"It's you. How is it wrong? Explain to me how it's wrong if I want to leave a Tamer who shows no care toward me." Renamon said.
"You need Rika's strength and care. And from what I can tell, you never need Digimon Data at all. Your Tamer's love and care for you should make you more powerful. I should know. Even when apart, I feel my Tamer's trust in me always there and never unwavered." Guilmon said in reply, which caused Renamon to move closer to Guilmon, trusting his words a little.
"Is that right? Let me try this once. If you're right, then I return to Rika. If you're wrong…" Renamon started to say, but was silenced when Guilmon spoke up.
"No need for words. A Digital Field has appeared nearby. You'll be up against a Digimon called Harpymon." Guilmon told the foxy Digimon, looking at a nearby field and saying with a continued calmness in his voice. "See if you can defeat her by yourself. But you will soon realise that you can't... not without Rika."
"Sounds good to me. Just watch me." Renamon said back, wanting to prove Guilmon wrong, that she didn't need Rika and leapt towards the area with haste, leaving Guilmon by himself, where a small grin appeared on his face, knowing how the battle would unfold, just before taking his leave, for he too still had his own plans and goals to achieve.
But before leaving, under his breath, he whispered 'Good luck'.
-Back with Rika-
"So why do you need Renamon to be strong?" Biyomon asked as she and Rika continued in their talk, before the avian Digimon then asked. "Is it because of what happened to your father?"
"You know?" Rika questioned, shocked at how Biyomon knew such a terrible event of her past, but then she sighed and nodded.
"Yes. My father was killed in a car accident, and I thought he was strong, which is why I sought Renamon to make her stronger so she could take my father's place." Rika replied, before having to ask. "But why did you seek me out, Biyomon?"
"Because I can feel your love, the hidden love hidden inside you. Even Renamon has hidden love, as do all Digimon, including that Digimon who is suffering from that terrible evil... Guilmon I believe was his name." Biyomon said, making Rika look at Biyomon with some awe as she asked. "Guilmon? You know about him and the Digital Hazard?"
"I've been watching your fights for sometime now. I know all about you, Renamon, Guilmon, that cute and sweet hearted Agumon, the Tamers, everything. And I wanted to help as well. But I was just scared Renamon might get mad at me, thinking I was trying to steal you from her." Biyomon said in reply, before she smiled and added. "But even now, I still want to help you both."
Rika was caught on by her words, as she touched her chest, knowing that Biyomon was right.
But Biyomon tensed up as she sensed a wild Digimon, where she informed her Tamer. "Rika, we have trouble. A Digimon just appeared in the park, and Renamon is heading towards it! I think she plans to face it on her own, but even with her training, I don't think she can win."
Rika was shocked to hear those words as she reached for her Digimon Cards, followed by her D-Power to call Takato and Henry for help, hating to ask, but knew she needed to overcome such a problem if she were to get stronger as a Tamer.
-At the park-
Renamon arrived in the Digital Field to see the digimon known as Harpymon appear before her.
"So, you are Harpymon? Alright, let's dance." Renamon said as she leaps up towards Harpymon and kicked her, causing Harpymon to crash to the ground, before continuing in her assault as she sent out a series of punches to her and kicked her enemy back to the ground once again.
After seeing her opponent down, Renamon just scoffed at the fallen form of Harpymon, where the vixen then said. "It was pointless after all. I don't need Rika and I don't need your Data. It's all..."
But Renamon was cut in her sentence as Harpymon rose again, catching Renamon off guard with a sudden increase in her speed.
"Wind Seeker!" Harpymon let out with a fearsome screech, attacking and impaling Renamon with shards, where Renamon crashed to the ground, fairly damaged at the attack.
'I'm too powerless to defeat her on my own. Guilmon was right... I need Rika for this fight...' Renamon groaned as Harpymon approach her fallen form and rose her claw, ready to finish her.
But before dealing the final blow, another attack cut in.
"Spiral Twister!" A new voice to Renamon announced, before a stream of green flames that curled around itself blasted Harpymon from behind, causing the flying beast to turn to see Rika, Biyomon, Takato, Agumon, Calumon, Henry and Terriermon show up.
"Renamon!" Rika called, actually sounding concerned for her partner, where Renamon looked at her and awe.
"R... Rika? What are you doing here?" She questioned. "I thought you hated me."
Ignoring Renamon's words and confusion, Rika and Biyomon rushed to the vixen's side, where Rika softly touched her form and said with empathy. "Renamon... I am so sorry."
"Huh?" Renamon could only say, confusion continuing to fill her.
"I was wrong. I care about you. You're my friend. Takato and Biyomon told me the truth. I don't want to lose you like I lost my father. And if you're gone, who will save Guilmon when he loses himself to the Digital Hazard again?" Rika said to Renamon, tearing up a little.
"Guilmon... Rika... I am also sorry..." Renamon said tearing up too, feeling more loved and cared again, just before noticing the added Digimon to the team.
"You're Biyomon? I have a feeling you were around. I hope you forgive me." She begged.
"I already did." Biyomon replied with a cheerful smile.
"Rika, Renamon, Biyomon, watch out!" Takato suddenly called in warning as all three turned to see Harpymon charging at them, her taloned feet drawn, ready to shred her foes to pieces.
And from seeing Renamon in danger again, Rika's D-Power then glowed blue and pink as Calumon's forehead glowed with a red light, combining the powers, which filled Renamon and Biyomon, amazing the two at the energy coursing through them.
"Renamon digivolve to... Kyubimon!" The foxy Digimon called, returning to her Champion form, while Biyomon felt similar power entering her being, causing her to call. "Biyomon Digivolve to..."
"Birdramon!" She let out with a mighty cry, Digivolving alongside Renamon.
And while her appearance was similar to Sora's Birdramon, she had a gold chest plate and armour that covered her taloned feet.
"Whoa! Biyomon Digivolved as well?" Terriermon asked with great surprise in his voice, before Henry added. "Then she really is Rika's partner."
"Wow. Biyomon continues to be amazing." Agumon said, impressed by Birdramon's appearance, while feeling her power, teeling she would not go down without a fight.
"Meteor Wing!" Birdramon then called as she showed her power, releasing a stream of flames from her wings that struck Harpymon, blasting her back by the power of the blaze.
"Tail Fox Inferno!" Kyubimon followed up with a great call, setting all nine of her tails ablaze with spheres of blue flames that she then threw at Harpymon, giving Harpymon no time to fight back, counter or avoid the attack.
All harpymon could do was let out another agonized screech as Kyubimon's fireballs, along with Birdramon's fire attacks, bombarded and greatly injured her.
"We've got Harpymon on the ropes." Rika called, drawing two Digimon Cards and went on to say, commanding her partners. "Now to finish this!"
"Digi-Modify! Kyubimon: Speed activate!" Rika called slashing her Card through her D-power, quickly following up as she then announced. "Birdramon: Power activate!"
With the effects of both Digimon Cards activated, Kyubimon and Birdramon felt their overall speed and power increase.
Now knowing there was no way she could lose, the yellow furred vixen leapt up, curled into a ball as she enveloped her body in blue flames.
"Dragon Wheel!" She yelled, releasing the flames from her body, which took the form of a huge dragon, which followed along with Birdramon's fire attack, both attacks went straight through Harpymon, causing her to yell and screech in pain as she was defeated.
And as her body broke apart, turning into Data particles, Birdramon looked at Kyubimon with a curiousness and asked. "Aren't you gonna take her Data?"
"I don't think I need it anymore. And I don't need to absorb any other Digimon Data. I need my Tamer's power to make me more powerful. Thank you, Rika. And thank you, Birdramon for aiding me." Kyubimon replied, smiling at Birdramon and Rika, causing the pair to smile back.
And as the Digital Field disappeared, all sat together in a group.
"So Rika, you finally agree to not take anymore Data?" Henry asked, earning a nod from Rika.
"Yes. I realize that I don't need their Data to make Renamon stronger, she just needs me and I need her." Rika replied, smiling at Takato, Renamon and Biyomon. "Because Biyomon was right. My love for these two have grown stronger. I owe you all thanks for setting me on the right path."
"We're just glad you're safe." Biyomon said with a cheerfulness toward her Tamer.
"Biyomon did amazing. Agumon impressed." Agumon then said, making Biyomon smile and blush at Agumon's kind words.
"Renamon, look like you got a sister to look after now" Rika said as Renamon nod, accepting Biyomon as Rika's second partner.
"Speaking of siblings… Takato… I saw him a while ago. Guilmon was right all along. I needed Rika for strength. He set me on this path so he can show me the truth." Renamon said, smiling as she told her friends. "I owe him so much, after all the times I've saved him."
Curious, Agumon looked at Renamon and asked. "You saw big brother?"
"I had a feeling he might do something like this. He is a wise Digimon after all" Takato said, smiling as he knew Guilmon would return and was glad to see his assistance had helped Rika and Renamon repair their friendship.
"Speaking of Guilmon, we should all do what he was doing, just stopping the evil Digimon from spreading chaos. And we need to protect him as well if he falls under the control of the Digital Hazard once again." Rika informed.
"In that case..." Renamon said as she rose and looked in the sky with a smile. "Next time we meet, I'll convince him to join us, make him my training partner, keep him by my side, protect him from any evil. Because, I never want to leave his side ever again."
"Me too. Big brother fear dark power so much, he need reminder we all there for him." Agumon said.
"Then it's settled. Next time, Guilmon shows up, we will talk him into joining us." Takato said as all agreed to the idea.
"Then what do you say we go on a Guilmon search and tell him what we feel about him? He can be trusted now." Henry suggested.
"Yes, we must make Guilmon a fellow Tamer member now." Rika said.
"Then let's go find him before the day is done." Takato replied as all nodded and all went off together to find Guilmon.
-Elsewhere-
Looking at the full moon on top of a building, Guilmon put a hand to his chest, still feeling the burden of his sins weighing him down, but he felt his friends' trust in him grow.
"Boy. I sure met some good people on my path of redemption." Guilmon said to himself, before he glared and looked up at the Hypnos building from afar knowing that the blond haired man was plotting something against him and the rest of the Digimon.
'And why I do have a bad feeling that guy who been watching us the whole time is plotting something?' Guilmon thought cautiously with a glare as the blonde hair man looked out of the window and knew Guilmon was watching him too making him glare.
'Seems I've been noticed. No matter. I think it's about time I paid his friends a visit before putting my plan into action.' The man thought, gaining a confident smile, for things within Shinjuku were about to change.
