I have posted a newer version to this story which is third person so it's going to be a little more descriptive with new chapters. Don't forget to review on this. Reviews make me happy.

Also when I say Flaremon is speaking it's his voice, but when I say he's doing an action, it's obviously Rika being forced by Flaremon to do it...so like...yeah _

Chapter 12 – The Lion Hero

"This is it, Flaremon," Baihumon said, staring at us. He watched with satisfaction as Flaremon and I are being consumed by his most lethal attack.

I glanced over at Ryo who had his back turned to us, paying no attention yet accepting the fate of my life. A tinge of hurt grabbed hold of me knowing that he had allowed Baihumon to kill me. It wasn't fair that my life is now going to be over because of some stupid non-existent creature. One who had taken everything from me beforehand. First Renamon, then my body, followed by Guilmon, the others and even Ryo.

Sora had her hand gently stroking the crease of Ryo's back. I felt sick with jealousy knowing I'd never be there to do that, ever.

Your last moments are thinking of him? Flaremon snarled. I could sense the irritation in his voice. Half our mind was occupied with these thoughts and the other half was plotting and planning an escape.

We're done for anyway. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I refuse to cry.

Yes, we are. How do you feel, Rika? I'm taking your life. You'll no longer be able to see your so called friends again. And as you thought, no longer touch that foolish King. Ha, I'm even taking you away from your family. So how do you feel? Are you enraged with hatred or sickened with sadness? You'll no longer have your life because you agreed to help me.

"Shut up!" I screeched.

Shut up? I am but merely telling you the truth. You'll be turned into nothing. I doubt you'd even be remembered.

"Knock it off, Flaremon!" I tried to take a step but the weight of the metal was overpowering. It slowly crept up my legs and around my waist. My insides and veins felts as if they were slowly being compressed and ready to explode.

Your partner died for you, Rika. No one will remember either of you now. Flaremon suddenly began laughing. I clenched my fists. There's nothing you can do.

"Go to hell, Flaremon!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Suddenly, an attack appeared from beyond the crowd captivating the looks of everyone. My attention turned toward the source of and my jaw dropped in disbelief. Leomon strut in my direction, not looking nor speaking to those around. His bright blue eyes captured mine and he held the gaze as if conveying a message. He stopped in front of me, grabbed the topmost layer of metal and ripped it down my body. The attack disappeared and I collapsed, unable to feel my lower body.

Leomon bent down, picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder before finally turning to the others. "You should be ashamed." His voice was croaked and harsh. Anger and hurt flashed in his eyes.

"Leomon, is that really you?" Ryo asked, astonished.

Leomon nodded but faced the Sovereign. "Have you no mercy for one who saved our world? This human child need not be destroyed. Surely you know there are always ways around defeating a threat."

Baihumon bore his teeth before speaking. "You fool. You giant, pathetic lion. You were best dead!"

"And the fate of my life is none of your concern, Sovereign." Leomon retorted.

"You do not know what you have done. You wish that thing to live? It will kill us all!" Baihumon edged forward ready to pounce, but Leomon stuck his hand out indicating to stop.

"I am ashamed of you all. It disgusts me to see you have come down to such an option to want to kill your friend." Leomon placed me back on the ground, putting a paw in front of my chest.

Baihumon shook his head, "have you no idea what this child is capable of? She possesses Flaremon within. Flaremon will see to our world be destroyed. We must kill her before it's too late."

"You know as well as I there are ways to work around killing Rika." He said, looking down at me. "We already know that Flaremon understands he will be killed despite being in a human. Surely he, too, wishes to be separated from her." Leomon glanced around the others. Ryo looked as though he was taking in every bit of information and processing it, although was unable to pitch forth anything into the conversation. I could tell that Leomon wanted to jump down his throat as well, but decided against it.

"You're a fool for having trust and faith in a human. It's a wonder why you've shared the fate of so many." Baihumon cracked. "I'll be the one to take your life this time."

The great Sovereign muttered out an attack that Leomon so easily dodged. He pulled out his sword and picked me up before running toward Baihumon. He jumped frantically into the air bringing his weapon down, slashing the giant tiger in the eye. Leomon then jumped onto its back, knocking it to the ground before finally fleeing the scene.

I watched as the others stood around dumbfounded by Leomon's sudden betrayal to the Digimon Sovereign and his attack that more than likely blinded it in one eye. Before long, Leomon jumped into a datastream where we were consumed by digital energy and teleported to another plane in the Digital World.

XxVxx

Fortunately for us, we landed on the outskirts of a village not too far from where the Knightmon roams the castle. The surroundings consisted of large mountainous rocks in odd shapes and a dry flatland. The entire area looked as though the colour was sucked out of it.

"Thanks Leomon," I said, observing the Digimon. The new Leomon looked much like the older one before it died, with a giant scar over its stomach in the shape of a star.

Leomon flashed a huge grin before throwing me into a bear hug. "I have missed you all so very much. Tell me, besides being consumed by a vicious Digimon, how are you? How is Jeri?"

I returned his smile. "I've been doing well. So has Jeri. She's finally dating Gogglehead." Leomon laughed, his smile grew wider. "She misses you a lot, you know."

Leomon nodded. "I can imagine..."

"I thought Beezlemon consumed all your data." I stated.

"He didn't take all of it. What was left formed into a digital egg." He let go of the embrace and scratched his chin.

"So if Flaremon didn't absorb all of Renamon's data, she could be an egg right now?"

It's not possible. Flaremon said in disbelief.

"Yes. However, right now that isn't your concern. We need to get Flaremon out of you and fast. I can see he's already changed you." He poked my fangs.

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Flaremon spoke for me.

"If the Sovereign can't help, or in this case, refuses to, there is one person left who may know." He said, looking deep into my eyes as if he could actually see Flaremon.

"Who might that be?" Flaremon grew impatient.

"Yamaki."

Of course! Why hadn't I thought of that? I grinned feverishly. It makes sense. If anyone could fix this it's definitely Yamaki. "Good idea!."

"Let us quickly find the others and go home together." Leomon suggested.

"They don't want anything to do with me," I told him.

Flaremon laughed. "So what? We don't need them."

"They may be our only way back," Leomon said.

I nodded. "Takato has a communicator. But what about Ryo?" I wasn't sure why I asked about him or why I even thought to.

Leomon shook his head. "For right now he's going to stay far away, I imagine. You're a threat to him and the Sovereign. By now I assure you that he wants nothing to do with you. You must understand why."

"I hope this mess gets straightened out fast." I said.

"As do I. Don't forget that shall I leave your body you will be my enemy." After all we've been through, I thought and grimaced.

"You'll be mine as well. Except, I'm now partnerless."

Leomon looked at us and shrugged. "Optimism never hurt. After this is over with, I will take you to the digiegg village."

"So you really do think she's alive?" I was hopeful. Even if Leomon was giving me something to look forward to, I really wanted to believe she was still alive out there somewhere.

"I killed her and absorbed her data," Flaremon said.

"Doesn't matter. It is impossible to kill off a species of Digimon. Whenever you think you have, you are most definitely wrong. As long as humans imagine us and use their so-called 'internet', our species will continue to grow and never fade away.

"Bullshit!" Flaremon roared, poking Leomon in the chest. He didn't flinch. "Are you telling me that the Sovereign are still alive?"

Leomon shook his head. "No, but I wouldnt be so quick to assume that they're dead. They could be an egg. Look at yourself, Flaremon. You found a host for your data and are very much alive. Even if Rika is a faux-body, you are still there."

Flaremon grumbled. "I'll be sure to kill the last one and the King before they make their appearance."

"I won't let you kill Ryo." If Flaremon wasn't in me I would have guessed he'd be giving me the exact same look Leomon was. A mix between disbelief and astonishment. "I know he tried to kill me...well, Flaremon anyway."

"He has better friends," Flaremon said.

I frowned. "And a lot of explaining to do." I knew the brief history on everything and how Ryo had met everyone and about Flaremon's past, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'm still missing a large piece to this puzzle.

Leomon smiled. "Let's set up camp."