Chapter 12: Snake in the Subway
The next day within the Wong's apartment, Henry was lying in his bed, sound asleep, that was until the call of Terriermon woke him up.
"Terriermon..." Henry groaned as he opened his eyes, his vision met with the image of Terriermon, but looking closer, he saw his younger sister, Suzie was holding him, carrying Terriermon around like another of her dolls.
"Come on Henwy. Time for wakey." The youngest of the Wongs called with a big smile on her expression, moving Terriermon around and pretending that the Digimon she believed to be a plush toy was the one trying to wake her brother up.
"Suzie, what are you doing?" Henry questioned, rubbing his eyes with his right hand, while sitting up, wondering why his sibling had disturbed his sleep.
"Rise and shine! Henwy, that angry kid is on the phone again!" Suzie informed.
'Angry huh? I'll give him angry.' Henry thought as he picked up the phone and answered it.
"Takato, what is it? This better be important, it's six thirty." He said, fairly annoyed.
"Hey, Henry! Rise and shine!" Takato called, sounding full of energy, which woke Henry right up, before the brunette said. "I was thinking that as Tamers, we should always be on the lookout for new Digimon, so what do you say we go patrolling today?"
"I'd like to, but..." Henry began to say, looking over at the calendar and seeing the date had been circled for his Kendo class.
"I've got other plans. Sorry." He then informed, hanging up and leaving Takato's end of the phone line with a deadpan beep.
From Takato's end, the Tamer hung up the phone and sighed.
"And Rika's gone to the theatre so I guess I'll go and see Agumon on my own. Guilmon's with Renamon as we speak." Takato thought aloud, preparing to patrol Shinjuku himself.
But as he reached for the door, Takato stopped when he saw that outside the Matsuki bakery was Kazu, Kenta and Jeri, alongside the rest of his classmates.
Confused, Takato asked. "Uh, what are you guys doing here?"
"Well we were just in the neighbourhood and... uh..." Kenta tried to say, before Jeri explained the reason for them. "They came to meet Agumon."
"Wait. You all know about Agumon?" Takato asked, his tone filled with shock.
"We saw you with him outside of that building last night." Kazu replied, still remembering the amazing match of the Tamer Digimon combatting the wild/terrible/ferocious Devidramon.
"Is that ok?" Jeri then asked, not wanting to seem forceful or rude toward Takato.
"Sure." Takato replied, he too not wanting to seem rude or disrespectful toward Jeri or his friends, while also knowing that if he declined, all his classmates would continue to bother him until he finally gave in.
With Takato's agreement, the students followed the brunette who took them to Agumon's shed, where all but Kazu and Kenta were greatly surprised to see a real Digimon standing before them, while Jeri smiled as she carried Calumon in her arms, getting a little more attention than Agumon from the female students.
"Sorry, Agumon, but they sorta ambushed me before I could head out and asked me if they could see you." Takato replied, rubbing the back of his head from the embarrassment he felt.
"We apologize for interrupting you, but we promise to keep your existence a secret." Jeri suddenly said, making sure Takato wasn't blamed completely and to ensure that the Digimon remained unknown to the people of Shinjuku.
"They don't mind as long as they bring peanut butter." Agumon said with a laugh.
"Alright you guys. Agumon's a complete secret so anyone who tell will answer to me, so let's have some fun!" Kazu said as all kids cheered, which made Calumon cheer alongside the kids, looking forward to all the fun he could have with his new friends.
"Oh bother." A voice interrupted, the tone filled with disgust, where all look up to see Impmon leaning against a tree.
"You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. I bet you think you are making friends, but the three of you are nothing but jokes that I cannot even stomach." Impmon said, bothering the Tamers to see him, while leaving the students confused and wondering who the new Digimon was.
Curious, Kenta asked. "Takato, do you know this Digimon?"
"That's Impmon. He's a Digimon who loves to pull pranks and bother others, so do yourselves a favour and just try to ignore him." Takato said in reply.
"How can you ignore someone as ugly as him?" Kazu questioned, which just made Impmon scoff.
"Oh please, you'll hurt my itty bitty feelings. I think I'm gonna cry." Impmon said back, mocking Kazu, continuing to cause conflict between him and the students.
-Within another area of Shinjuku-
After rescuing Terriermon from Susie, Henry and Terriermon were walking along the street, where Terriermon sneezed suddenly.
"Gesundheit." Henry said, before Terriermon said. "If I think I know was happening, Suzie might be weeping."
-Back with Agumon-
Following in takato's instructions, all resumed to play with Agumon, making him the centre of attention, leaving Impmon all alone and annoyed.
"Alright guys. Get ready for Agumon's new attack. Snot rocket!" Kenta called as Agumon blew paper balls out of his nostrils making all cheer.
"Agumon, hmph... As if I care what some knuckleheaded brat says or thinks about me." Impmon scoffed, acting as though he didn't care.
"Is that what you think? Then why not join them in the fun?" A familiar voice asked Impmon, where Impmon then spun around to see Guilmon behind him, arms crossed and giving the troublemaker a stern look.
"What? It's you! Not wearing the cloak this time around?" Impmon snarled, wondering what Guilmon wanted with him and if he could take a crack at the Hazard Digimon.
"This is my cloak. My younger brother turned it into a scarf." Guilmon informed, pointing at his scarf.
"Whatever. You, he and your friends continue to depress me. You guys have the power to do anything you want, but you use it just to spend time with a bunch of lousy humans, acting as their playthings. You wouldn't catch me dead acting like you guys." Impmon told Guilmon.
"It seems to me you are with us." Guilmon replied, his words confusing Impmon a little, who asked. "What are you yapping about now?"
"I was just thinking you are jealous of him." Guilmon then said, before pointing out. "Why else would someone disgusted by my younger brother?"
"Don't bother yourself him, Guilmon. Impmon's always the jealous type." Renamon informed as she appeared, walking up toward Guilmon.
"Huh? Hey, when did you two became a 'couple'?" Impmon asked, noticing the chemistry between the duo.
"Ever since she convinced me to join my Tamer and their friends." Guilmon replied, looking at Renamon with a smile and continued trust within the vixen.
Renamon smiled at Guilmon's words and the way he looked at her, before she asked. "We're a long way to go, so shall we get going?"
Curious, Impmon asked, while trying to sound as if he wasn't interested. "Where you two think you're going?"
"Sorry, but we do have plans. Guilmon and I are on a patrol and training course." Renamon informed, her back facing Impmon, about to leave.
"But you are more than welcome to join us if you change your mind." She then added, smirking at Guilmon, who smirked back.
"Think about it." The red dino Digimon said, turning around and leapt away, alongside Renamon, angering Impmon and causing him to let out another outburst. "Hey! Get back here I'm not done with you two! Pineapple Head and foxface, come back and Fight me!"
-With Rika-
The red haired Tamer was on a train heading back home, having actually enjoyed the performance her grandmother had taken her to, while thinking about her relationship with Renamon.
And while Biyomon sat by her side, the avian Digimon made sure not to scare anybody with her presence, remaining as still as possible to pretend she was a mere stuffed toy.
"Is something wrong, Rika?" Biyomon asked, noticing a change in her Tamer.
"I am just thinking about Renamon and about the Yin and Yang power inside her. Why are they connected?" Rika said, speaking her mind and showing Biyomon that her Tamer had a more deeper side to her.
"I am sure Renamon holds that power for a special reason, but..." Biyomon began to say, but stopped speaking as she picked the energy of an approaching enemy Digimon.
"Rika! A Digimon is coming along the rails!" She warned.
"What? Then we're in a fight! Biyomon, let's get off!" Rika replied as she headed for the exit, stepping out upon the station as she called Renamon's name, knowing any and all backup would be needed.
With Rika's call, Renamon's ears picked up on the sound of her amer, where she and Guilmon leapt from building to building on their way to the redhead.
"We're coming, Rika!" Renamon called out, taking the lead as Guilmon followed.
Back underground, Rika and Biyomon had managed to get all the people out of the carriages and to safety, before the pair turned to see their opponent, which looked to be a giant white snake borrowing his way through the tunnels.
"Seem like we got some leather snake bags to deal with huh?" Biyomon asked, joking slightly, but was prepared to skin the serpent on Rika's command.
"And a good purse to go with it." Renamon added as she and Guilmon made their appearance known, leaping down from the subway stairs, where the pair rushed over by Biyomon's side.
"Thanks for coming, Renamon." Rika said, before she questioned. "Guilmon, you came as well? But where's Takato?"
"He and Agumon are playing with some students, Renamon and I didn't want to disturb their fun." Guilmon informed, which bothered Rika a little to know Takato was playing around while they were about to combat a wild Digimon.
"Alright you three will do for the time being." Rika said, before ordering "Attack!"
"Spiral Twister!" Biyomon called, taking flight and casting a stream of green flames from her wings that swirled into one line of flame.
"Diamond Storm!" Renamon followed up, leaping and casting out a series of light shards.
"Pyro Sphere!" Guilmon finished, remaining in place as he cast out a fireball from his maw, where all watched as their attacks hit their target, but had no effect on the snake Digimon, who snarled and slithered toward his new enemies.
"It's not working!" Biyomon called, stunned that even combined, their power didn't even leave a mark upon the snake Digimon.
"Look out!" Guilmon suddenly yelled, grabbing both Renamon and Biyomon and leaping aside, pulling both to safety just as the snake almost ran them down.
Rushing over to the fallen Digimon, Rika asked with concern in her tone. "You three alright?"
"Yeah, but he's getting away. He must be planning to scare more humans." Renamon theorized, just before Rika took her D-Power out and analysed her opponent.
"Sandiramon, he's a Virus Type Digimon, Ultimate Level." She informed.
"Then you need to make Renamon and Biyomon Digivolve so we can chase him down!" Guilmon suggested, making Rika nod as she drew her Digimon Cards and slashed a set through her D-power
"Digi-Modify! Digivolution activate!" Rika called, slashing the same two Cards and allowing their power to affect her partners.
"Biyomon Digivolve to... Birdramon!" Biyomon called, Digivolving to her champion form, who let out a powerful cry, but remained on the ground to allow Rika upon her back.
"Renamon Digivolve to... Kyubimon!" The foxy Digimon announced, taking to her more beastly form as she prepared to set off.
"Ride on me, Guilmon." Kyubimon offered, knowing it would be faster for Guilmon to keep up with her and Birdramon, causing Guilmon to nod and leap on Kyubimon's back, before the team chased after Sandiramon.
-Meanwhile, abord another train-
"Come on, you want a piece of me?" Terriermon asked as he did some poses upon the train he and Henry had boarded, continuing to throw around a few punches and kicks until Henry silently bonked him on the head.
"Please, stop that." Henry said, not wanting Terriermon's antics to draw too much attention, before both felt the train come to a halt, arriving at their stop, where both got off and on another platform, before Terriermon sensed a Digimon approaching.
"Henry, a Digimon approaching." He warned, before Henry then saw a giant snake Digimon approaching them as he managed to get away from the fleeing crowd so they can be seen on the platform just before the snake crashed through the train and disappeared.
"Now where is he going?" Henry asked, before he saw Birdramon and Kyubimon go past, surprising him to see the group. "Rika! Guilmon!"
"Call Googlehead, we need him!" Rika called, throwing Henry her phone, which Henry caught and watching Rika and the Digimon chase after Sandiramon.
While Henry made the call, Rika continued to follow the Digimon, finding his speed was greater than Birdramon and Kyubimon's.
"We need more speed to catch up to him." Birdramon then pointed out.
"Not a problem." Rika said, drawing the exact Digimon Card for their situation, slashing it through her D-Power as she called. "Digi-Modify! Speed activate!"
"Now that's more like it! Hold tight, Guilmon!" Kyubimon said as the two Champion Digimon each increased in momentum, continuing to chase after Sandiramon.
-At the Matsuki bakery-
Taking a break as the phone rang, Takato's mother picked up the phone, hearing the voice of Henry Wong, which made her smile to hear another of Takato's friends, glad he was so popular.
"Oh hi, Henry. Takato's gone with his classmates, but I can send him a message for you." Takato's mother informed as Henry tried to call Takato, but no luck.
"No thanks. I have to go. Merry Christmas." Henry said as he ended the call, not wanting to reveal to Takato's parents that he needed their son to fight a giant snake in the subway, before he and Terriermon rushed to another station to assist Rika and the others, frustrated as he thought aloud. "Takato's the one who wanted to patrol and now I can't find him."
At the other station, Sandiramon reached a dead end as he turned to see Kyubimon, Birdramon and Guilmon ready for battle, while Rika stood a fair distance as to give support and not become a target of the snake Digimon.
"Now there are no humans to frighten, now let see how you handle us!" Kyubimon said, lifting her tails upward as she attacked.
"Fox Tail Inferno!" The foxy Digimon announced, casting the tips of her tails in blue wisps of flame that she then launched at Sandriamon, who moved aside and avoided her attack.
"Fire Flap!" Birdramon followed up as she covered her form with flames and shot at Sandiramon.
But like Kyubimon's attack, Sandiramon dodged the inferno and began to use his Venom Axe, planning to strike down Kyubimon with his signature weapon.
"Gargo Pallet!" Gargomon called as he cut in, firing a barrage of energy shots at Sandiramon, stopping his assault.
"Where's Takato?" Rika questioned, expecting to see the brunette rush up and come to her aid.
"I cannot find him. Guess we're on our own." Henry said in reply, drawing his D-Power and awaited to combat Sandiramon.
"I have an idea." Guilmon then said, focusing on the Tamers as he told them. "I will raise my power so Agumon can sense me."
"I can feel them above." The Hazard Digimon then added, looking upward and picking up the energy of his Tamer and brother.
"While I am at it, hold him long enough until Takato arrives." Guilmon said with some command in his voice, getting compliance from his friends.
"Good idea, Guilmon. We'll cover you." Kyubimon promised, trusting Guilmon and wanting to show him that he could continue to trust her.
As Gargomon, Kyubimon and Birdramon resumed to combat Sandiramon, Guilmon leapt to the side, concentrating his energy and powered up as a red aura covered himself, hoping his brother could sense the energy and would soon be around to help.
Just above...
"Fire away, Agumon!" Takato called as Agumon fired the paper balls from his nostrils, where Jeri used Kenta as a shield.
"AWW… HE GOT ME!" Kenta called dramatically, pretending to die and making all laugh, only for Agumon to stop as he then sensed Guilmon's power.
"Takatomon, I sense my brother. He sending a distress signal." Agumon suddenly informed, sniffing around the ground as he then informed. "I can smell the others as well. And an enemy Digimon. They are right beneath us in the tunnels down below."
"Down there?" Takato asked, surprised at Agumon's strong sense of smell, before it hit him as he guessed. "They must be in the subway."
"So you're saying there's an actual Digimon fight going on in the subway system?" Kazu questioned with a fair amount of excitement in his voice.
"This I have to see. So what are we waiting for, let's go!" He then said, desiring to see Agumon in action.
"Absolutely not." Takato protested, his expression and tone most serious as he told Kazu and the other classmates. "This isn't a game, this is for real, and it's dangerous. You could get killed."
"What do you say Agumon?" Takato then asked, looking at Agumon. "You ready?"
With takato's asking, Agumon nodded, causing Takato to drew a Digimon Card, knowing a little shortcut of sorts to the subway.
"Digi-Modify! Digmon's Drill activate!" He announced, using the power of the Card to transform Agumon's claws into a pair of drill arms, which he plunged into the ground, digging into it fervorously.
"Jeri, you keep an eye out here. I am sure Leomon's around." Takato said, which made Jeri nod in reply.
"Takato, wait a minute." Kazu suddenly called, causing the brunette to look at his friend with a curious expression, wondering what Kazu wanted.
"Take this power modifier Card, you might need it." Kazu offered, to which Takato smiled as he took the Digimon Card, set it in his pocket and said in reply. "Thanks. I owe you one."
"Good luck, Takato." Jeri called as Takato made his way down the hole, leaving Calumon within Jeri's care, just before the other students gave their own encouragement, while Kazu added, showing a limit to his generosity. "You better bring back my Card."
-Back with the others-
Kyubimon, Gargomon and Birdramon leapt away from Sandriamon's attacks, holding their own and buying time for Guilmon.
But knowing they couldn't keep it up forever, Henry asked. "Guilmon, how much longer?"
From the question, Guilmon then stopped as he looked to the ceiling, where Sandiramon spotted the Hazard Digimon.
"Venom Ax...!" The snake Digimon began to call, about to strike with another poison coated axe attack, but was interrupted when the roof above him crumbled and the forms of Takato and Agumon fell down, hit his head and land on the ground beside Rika.
"Right about now." Guilmon said with a smirk, glad to see his Tamer and brother drop in.
"Sorry I'm late." Takato apologized, which caused Rika to say. "It's about time."
"We don't have time. We need to Digivolve" Guilmon said as he and Agumon rejoined the battle, where Agumon said with determination. "Whatever you say. I am ready."
"Digi Modify! Digivolution activate!" Takato called, drawing a set of Digivolution Cards and slashing both through his D-Power.
"Agumon Digivolve to... Greymon!" Greymon roared, taking to his giant dinosaurian form
"Guilmon Digivolve to... Growlmon!" Growlmon followed up, ready to crush Sandiramon alongside his friends, to show his power, to show he was in control over the Hazard and not the other way around.
And with the combined five Champion Digimon standing before them, Takato looked at the Card Kazu gave him and said. "Well for once, Kazu gave me a useful card."
"Digi-Modify! Power activate!" The brunette then called, which caused Growlmon to let out a mighty roar, feeling his energy levels increasing drastically.
"Bunny Pummel!" Gargomon meanwhile announced, starting off in their attacks as he uppercut Sandiramon again, before leaping out of the way, giving Growlmon, Greymon, Birdramon and Kyubimon a clear shot at the snake Digimon.
"Meteor Wing!" Birdramon announced, once again casting her wings in blaze and tossing the flames at Sandiramon.
"Dragon Wheel!" Kyubimon then followed up, curling up and casting her form in blue flames that she then tossed at the snake Digimon.
"Pyro Blaster!" Growlmon finished as he released a powerful inferno that shot alongside Greymon's and Kyubimon's flames and Birdramon's fire shots, where the four attacks turned into a single and powerful blast that devastated Sinduramon.
The combined force was too much for him and caused the snake Digimon to then collapse.
But instead of showing regret or remorse for his loss, he just started to laugh.
Telling Sandiramon was different from the wild Digimon they had faced in the past, Kyubimon questioned. "He's still laughing. What's so funny? Who are you?"
"I am one of the twelve Devas, sent here by the Sovereign one. You may have defeated me, but my brethren will avenge me." Sinduramon told the Tamers, his words a great shock to all, while causing Gargomon to ask. "So are you telling me there are ten more of you whackos coming our way?"
Ignoring Gargomon and his question, Sinduramon continued to speak.
"Prepare yourselves to be conquered. We are the Digimon who refuse to be tamed by mere humans. We will rule your realm and there's nothing you can do to stop us. The twelve Devas will destroy you all." The snake Digimon stated, just before his body broke apart and his Data scattered all over the area, which left the Tamers with more unanswered questions.
Confused, Rika asked. "Guys, what's a Deva?"
"I have no idea. All I know is that Sinduramon was different from any Digimon we fought before." Henry replied, which caused Gargomon to agree with his Tamer and add. "Tell me about it. I think it was just luck that we managed to stop him before he could sink his fangs into us."
"We can talk about all this later." Takato suddenly said.
"For now, what do you say we get out of here before anybody catches us and thinks we're the bad guys?" The brunette then suggested, not wanting Guilmon to be blamed for the damage and panic that the Deva Digimon had caused.
And in agreement with Takato, Rika, Henry and the Digimon made their way back up the hole as quickly as they could, knowing they would encounter more foes like Mirihamon and Sinduramon, but found themselves in a surprising position when they got back to the surface, finding that Kazu, Kenta, Jeri and the other students had stayed around, all amazed to see the Digimon had Digivolved.
"Amazing!" Kazu said with a big grin at seeing the Champion Level Digimon, finding a newfound respect for Takato, Rika and Henry as he then said with a continued joy in his voice. "Real Digimon Tamers. This is so cool!"
But as much as the Digimon and their Tamers were enjoying the praise, Henry then pointed out. "Takato, I don't think we should leave our Digimon in the opening like this."
"Right, let's head back to the shed." Takato said.
"Last one there has to hang out with Impmon!" Kazu called as all ran towards the shed.
-Several hours later-
As the sun started to set, having enjoyed their day spending the rest playing around with Takato's classmates, while Henry and Terriermon headed home, taking Calumon with them as a house guest, Takato and Rika remained behind with Agumon, Biyomon, Guilmon and Renamon to talk things over.
"Guess we have some powerful Digimon now to fight now." Takato pointed out as Rika nodded and said. "Yeah, but we should keep an eye out for Deva Digimon from now on."
While agreeing with the Tamers, Biyomon noticed Guilmon staring at the sky with a serious and worried expression, causing her to ask. "Guilmon, what's wrong?"
"Something about Sandiramon's last words puzzle me." Guilmon replied, before asking. "What do they have against us and this world?"
"It is puzzling, but don't worry, Guilmon, we never allow them to do that." Takato said with a sincerity and caring in his tone, before he remembered something important that had almost escaped his mind.
"Oh, Agumon. Henry and my class are going on a field trip tomorrow. And Terriermon and Calumon are coming so would you like to come as well?" He offered.
"Of course. Sounds like fun." Agumon replied with a big grin, before asking. "And what about you, big brother?"
"No thanks. I need to resume my training to find a way to suppress my powers for good." Guilmon said, feeling he could control the Digital Hazard better, but knew there was still the chance it could consume him again.
"Don't worry, Takato. I'll stay by his side and look after him." Renamon offered, making Rika smile, surprising all a little, before the redhead offered. "Yeah. I can bring you guys some food and drink for you two."
While Renamon nodded, Guilmon gained a puzzled expression.
"What's food and drink?" He asked.
"What? When was the last time you ate or drank something?" Takato asked in response, where all stared in shock at Guilmon.
"I was focusing on ridding my dark powers, I didn't have time to think of stuff like that." Guilmon said casually, stunning all, but also amazing them to see Guilmon's mind and body could focus without need of sustainments.
"Brother, food is amazing. I eat bread and peanut butter every day." Agumon said with joy.
"No wonder you're so skinny, rib cage. And you might need a bath too because I bet you haven't washed for a while either." Rika commented, smirking a little as she suggested. "You and Renamon can bathe together."
"A bath?" Guilmon asked, which caused Renamon to blush at the thought of them having a wash together, thinking of Guilmon's body and feeling a bit insecure of how he would react to seeing hers' but knowing she is showing her naked body all the time but still unsure on how he take it.
"Seriously? Right, Takato. Before we do anything else, We should plan a 'date' for Guilmon and Renamon." Rika sighed.
"Yeah. Might as well. Guilmon may be battle focused, but he seems almost clueless about other aspects." Takato agreed as Guilmon scratched the back of his head, embarrassed, while Renamon blushed further, feeling embarrassed at being put into such a position by her Tamers, as if they were commanding her to date Guilmon.
Seeing Renamon's discomfort, Biyomon decided to step in.
"Hey, Rika. You mind if I go with Agumon on this trip?" She asked.
"Sure, why not?" Rika replied, facing Takato as she asked. "Takato, keep Biyomon protected for me will you?"
"No worries. You can count on me." Takato said in reply, before facing Agumon and Biyomon, where he asked. "Agumon, Biyomon, can I ask a favour to you two?"
Agumon happily nodded, willing to do anything for Takato, while Biyomon nodded with some curiousness in her mind, just as the two Tamers whispered what they desired out of Agumon and Biyomon, while Guilmon looked at them in confusion on as to what they were planning and why Renamon's face was turning more red, thinking she was feverish, but inside her own mind, Renamon's thoughts were leaving her quite flustered.
