Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon

Digital Manifest

Keepers

Chapter: 20/ A Bolt of Lightning

"…So yeah, the guy that Rika's mom is dating seems pretty nice," said Takato as he helped Jeri put some icing on the cake that was being readied for Leomon's surprise party. "I don't know how Rika could not like that guy…but then, that was the first time I ever met him, and Rika being Rika…"

Jeri smiled as she looked over at Takato from the other side of the cake.

"She's still not sure what to think of him, is she?"

Takato's face softened a bit as he finished putting on the last touches and leaned back to admire his handiwork. The lettering on the top of the cake, 'Welcome Back Leomon' was as close to flawless that could be humanly achieved with a squeeze tube of icing.

I certainly have all that time at my parent's bakery to thank for that, thought Takato distractedly before giving Jeri's question the thought and consideration that it deserved. Thinking back over some of the things that she had confided in him shortly after the incident with Parasimon…things that had to do with her real father. It wasn't that she was bitter or anything about her mother choosing to go out with another man, or even consider marrying (if that was going to be the case in this matter), and she certainly had nothing against it but it did after a fashion make her feel awkward. There was the fact that she didn't really know the man at all, and was going to have to get used to him being around. Fortunately Tom handled things pretty well, and though she felt at times (well, rather said) that he tried to be her father, he didn't push things any more than their present relationship allowed, which so far had made him tolerable in Rika's eyes. Of course, when Rika said something was tolerable, that was usually her way of saying that they had progressed to being on friendly terms, much like how things had been with Ryo…only without the vicious insults in the beginning.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Takato finally. "I wouldn't know for sure since I've always had just my parents and…uh…" Takato stammered and blushed in shame and embarrassment as he remembered that he girl in front of him had been in the same boat that Rika was now, only with the exception that Jeri's real mother had died instead of simply leaving in divorce. Although that he knew that Jeri had now moved on, due in part to the interference of a malevolent computer program bent on destroying all human and digital life, he still disliked bringing up the subject. Fortunately for his nerves, Jeri simply smiled softly at the boy and nodded in understanding, taking up the conversation from there as if nothing were wrong.

"I can see where she's coming from," said the brown haired, puppet-loving girl. "It took me a while to get used to my new mother…" Jeri's face fell for a moment as her voice dropped into a whisper. "…A lot longer than I would have liked." There followed a brief silence after which Jeri resumed speaking again, her voice firm, but carrying a note of reflection to it that told Takato that she wasn't hiding her emotions as she had done in the past, but merely looked back on them with a hint of sadness and…disappointment perhaps? Takato couldn't be sure.

"It took me a while to get used to my new mother," said Jeri. "It was hard for me to do because I didn't think that anyone could replace my birth mother. I was really only a kid then, and I didn't understand the changes that were going on in my life. I remember what my dad told me about how a part of my mother would always be with us, and all I could think of was where that part of her was. To see it…touch it…"

Jeri suddenly chuckled and smiled wanly, sniffing a little as her eyes began glistening.

"Jeri," said Takato with concern, reaching out with one hand to comfort her, only to pause uncertainly. "Are you okay?"

Jeri wiped at her eyes and nodded, her smile growing a little bit more and taking on some life to it.

"Yeah. It's just… I guess some things just aren't that easy to talk about even if you've accepted them. I imagine that that's sort of what Rika must be feeling when thinking about her mother's new boyfriend. I don't think that she's afraid that he'll replace her father but…it is a difficult thing to get used to."

Takato looked at Jeri softly, his heart wanting to do something for her, but not quite sure of how to do that. He hated seeing her, or any of his friends upset, and try as he might he never seemed to know what to say or do to help them feel better. He remembered one time when he had expressed such a sentiment to Rika when Henry's father had found out about Terriermon and the existence of digimon after a close call with one of Impmon's fireballs. She had told him then that he should consider keeping his nose out of other people's business. Of course, Takato doubted that the red headed Tamer would consider saying something like that now, having become much more warm hearted since those early days of their acquaintance, but the memory did come regardless. Still, he felt that he couldn't just stand by. He wanted to say something that would help her feel better…

But that was just the trick, wasn't it?

The image of Leomon appeared in his minds eye, and somehow it seemed to give him encouragement.

"Jeri," Takato began. "I…"

Takato halted in mid-sentence as suddenly his keen ears picked up the sound of someone, Jeri's little brother he thought, gasping in surprise followed shortly afterwards by Guilmon's familiar growls. Both his and Jeri's digivices gave a cry of alarm at that moment, and were silenced within seconds. Bringing them out the two Tamers looked at their blank screens curiously, wondering what was going on.

I wonder if it was a false signal, thought Takato as he fiddled with the button on his D-Arc and cursing himself for not knowing anything more about the digivices capabilities. Sighing in frustration Takato looked out towards the exit of the kitchen, Guilmon's growls still quite prominent in the silence that had settled over the house.

Guilmon doesn't seem to think that it's the case though.

Walking over to the kitchen door Takato stuck his head out and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw Jeri's little brother slowly backing away from the crimson dinosaur, eyes wide with fear as the digimon stood, muscles tense and growling.

"Guilmon?" Asked Takato worriedly. He didn't believe that Guilmon would do anything to endanger Jeri's little brother, or anyone else for that matter unless he had no other choice but the way Guilmon looked was reminiscent of his early days as a Tamer; Days where he worried about controlling Guilmon and whether or not he'd hurt anyone.

"Takato," said Guilmon, his voice harsh. "I sense a digimon. And it's really big…"

Takato walked up to Guilmon and rechecked his digivice, Jeri following shortly afterwards.

"Are you sure?" Asked Takato, wondering about Guilmon's senses. Big, when it came to Guilmon, usually translated as a digimon that was of high level, and extremely powerful. Although he had never had any reason to doubt his partner, there was one little X factor that for once made him wonder. "I mean, the digivice only picked up a signal for a second. Maybe Yamaki got it or something…"

Guilmon shook his head vigorously.

"M-mm! I'm sure. There's a digimon here. We've got to find it!"

By this point Jeri had activated her digivice and the halo circle that hovered above its screen was giving her an image that was undoubtedly from Leomon's point of view. Her brow furrowed and lips pursed as she took in what she saw.

"Takato! He's right! There is a digimon out there! The others are fighting it right now somewhere in the city! Leomon's headed there now!"

Takato's face hardened and he turned to Guilmon.

"All right! Are you ready boy?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Then let's go!" Takato paused a moment to look at Jeri as he readied his D-Arc. "Don't worry Jeri. We'll take care of everything!"

"I'm coming with…"

"No!" Said Takato firmly, fixing his gaze on Jeri's. Jeri's eyes widened in surprise at his tone and she stared back. After a second Takato, having realized how he must have sounded lowered his eyes.

"Sorry Jeri. It's just…if this digimon is as strong as Guilmon says it is then I'm going to need to biomerge with Guilmon and I…I don't think that it would be a good idea to transport you to the battle if things are going to get chaotic. I don't want you to get hurt out there…"

Jeri opened her mouth to argue, knowing what it was that Takato was getting at. After all, her partner was at this moment heading out into said battle, and was going to need her help if he was to fight affectively. Still, Takato did have a point, and if he stopped to argue about the pros and cons of getting her there to help out something bad might happen. A friend could get killed if he was delayed.

I know that he just wants to protect me, thought Jeri, remembering what the others had told her about his titanic struggles to try and free her from the D-Reaper. But I'm still a Tamer. I can help. I have to, and staying out of danger won't help me be of any help to them.

Takato stood there, his body tense waiting for her to answer. Realizing that time was slipping away, Jeri closed her eyes and nodded, and a second later Takato and Guilmon were both running towards the nearest exit of Jeri's home. Takato looked over his shoulder and called out to his friend.

"Don't worry Jeri! We'll make sure that Leomon stays safe!"

After the two of them had disappeared from her site, Jeri waited, counting in her head. A few seconds passed and she heard the sound of a door slam, and then Takato's call of evolution as both he and Guilmon merged together to form the exalted knight known as Gallantmon. At the sound of the Mega's leaping into the air Jeri ran towards the back door.

Just because Takato didn't want to see her in danger didn't mean that she still couldn't try and help Leomon in the battle that was already raging in the city.

I am so going to kill Gogglehead when I see him again, thought Rika sarcastically as she soared through the air, having merged with Renamon to form the Mega shaman known as Sakuyamon after having persuaded Ryan and his partner to sit this battle out due to Richoemon's injuries. I can't believe that he gave Kazu my cell phone number! I mean, sure I can understand his reasoning from what Kazu told me but still! He gave Kazu my cell phone number! Arrrgh!!!

To recap, Rika had received a call on her mobile phone just as she was entering Hypnos with that Ryan kid, and upon finding out that it was Kazu Shioda of all people that had contacted her (perhaps one of the few people that she claimed to be more annoying than Ryo, though even that was pushing it) she had launched into an interrogation on the visor-wearing child to find out just how he had been able to reach her. It didn't take her long to wring a name out of him actually, as circumstances were such at the moment that a drawn out argument over the subject was not necessarily in their best interests at the moment. She was a little irritated, but seeing as how this had been one of those rare occasions where Takato's Einstein moments actually had a spark of brilliance to them she was going to let it go. Besides, if what she was seeing from this distance was any indication it was, loath as she was to admit it, perhaps best that someone had thought to extend their communication capabilities beyond what they were used to socially.

From what I'm looking at right now, it's probably just as well that Kazu did get in touch with me…

Chris and Dracaramon landed on top of the roof, directly behind the strange, crimson armored female figure that looked like a cross between a fox and a Buddhist shaman, their arrival immediately catching the shaman's notice. With one, smooth motion the strange kitsune, shaman dropped what looked like a boy down on the ground and swung her staff in one, wide arch, releasing a wave of pure, red energy towards the new arrivals.

"Hang on, Chris!" Said Dracaramon loudly as he leapt above the oncoming surge of energy. Chris gripped his partner all the more tightly and gulped, hoping that the sudden increase in speed and direction didn't make him lose his lunch.

All this time spent with the guy and I still can't stop myself from feeling just a little bit nauseous whenever he performs his aerial tricks. Oy…

As soon as Dracaramon was coming back down, Chris prepared himself to hop off his partner's back, knowing that Dracaramon wouldn't be able to fight at his full strength if he had to make sure that his human partner didn't get hurt from the close proximity to the fighting. Of course, judging from the type of attack that their opponent had just used on them, Chris had the sinking feeling that that wasn't really an issue any more.

As soon as Chris got off Dracaramon lunged at the female figure, one fore claw extended and glowing with a rainbow like radiance that was typical of the reptile's Diamond Claw attack. The female, shaman entity was unconcerned however with the much larger, reptilian creature that was rushing towards her. In fact, she almost seemed to welcome his attack! Smoothly, gracefully, as if she had absolutely no concern in the world about her attacker, the crimson armored female stepped to the side, dodging Dracaramon's attack and then grabbed a firm hold of his outstretched front leg with her free arm. The next motion involved a subtle shift of her shoulder, and as Chris watched, eyes widening in surprise, Dracaramon's body lifted into the air where it almost seemed to hover for a second right before gravity laid claim over his form and brought it crashing down to the rooftop, causing a spider web of cracks to form where the massive Champion had fallen.

"Uh, oh," was all Chris could say in response to that, and even then those words came out as a small whisper. As the shaman raised the pointed end of her staff above his partner, aiming it towards his throat, Chris wished that he had stayed behind to hear what Kazu was trying to say to him.

No…it can't end like this! It CAN'T!

"Guardian Barrage!"

Before the strange shaman digimon could bring the spear-like point of her staff down on Dracaramon a twin pair of cartoon like missiles blowing whistles streaked towards her and impacted with deadly force, knocking her back a bit and giving Dracaramon enough time to recover and get out of the way before she could launch a counter attack. Breathing a sigh of relief and thanking whatever gods existed for Guardromon's timely arrival Chris took a moment to raise his digivice and activate its analyzer program to see what sort of opponent he and the others were up against. The results almost made him choke in surprise.

Sakuyamon (Red variation)

Stage: Mega

Type: Data

Attacks: Amethyst Mandala, Crystal Sphere, Spirit Strike, Amethyst Wind,

A Mega?! Thought Chris, his mind taking on a sense of delirium at the thought. I put Dracaramon up against a MEGA and didn't take the time to analyze it beforehand?! What was I thinking?! Even with Guardromon and MarineAngemon backing Dracaramon we don't stand a chance! The stats that I'm getting here are way too high for us to combat affectivel…

Chris halted in his thoughts, blinking as his eyes looked down and caught sight of the unconscious figure that lay near the Sakuyamon.

Hang on…is that…Ryo?

Before his mind could even begin to fully process the possible implications that Ryo's presence in the hands of the Sakuyamon, the red shaman Mega dashed towards him, knocking Dracaramon down with a kick as he made to stop her. One, red-gloved hand stretched out towards the blonde haired boy. There was no time for him to get out of the way…

"Kahuna Waves!"

Chris blinked once again in surprise as suddenly the shaman digimon was enveloped in a pink colored heart, halting the Mega's advance. Her hand balling into a fist and smashing into, the red Sakuyamon beat on the heart shield angrily, but so far to no avail.

"Pihpihpih!" Exclaimed a cute, childish voice that Chris had come to know so well after about a week's time of living in Shinjuku. Craning his head over his shoulder Chris saw the two forms of Guardromon and MarineAngemon flying towards him. Although he had no idea as to what Kenta's partner had just said, the frantic look on the little pink fairy's face told him all that he needed to know. Taking the hint, Chris backed off at rapid speed. Though the space as to where he could go was limited, anywhere that wasn't in the immediate vicinity of the red Sakuyamon was about as good as the next.

Had she come after me specifically just now? Chris wondered as he rushed over to where the dormant body of the boy, Ryo Akiyama lay, turning him over to see if he was all right. And what was she doing with Ryo?

Turning to look at the Sakuyamon Chris frowned. The shaman was extending rings of crimson energy around her, forcing the heart bubble that she was trapped in to expand. Soon, if MarineAngemon's bubbles followed normal laws of physics, the heart would reach a breaking point and then pop. They had to be ready to handle it as best as they could until backup came. If backup came…

Chris shook his head, dispelling those thoughts as quickly as they came. He could already see Cyberdramon making his way over to the roof that they were fighting on, the battle having caught his attention. And there looked to be something flying behind him, though much further off so he couldn't tell for certain what it was; hopefully one of the other Tamers who could help him and the rest against this digimon.

Raising his digivice, Chris felt a familiar electrical current cross his palm as the light of evolution enveloped his partner, and a second later the Champion was replaced by the mechanized war-machine known only as…

"…METAL DRACARAMON!"

Steel claws slamming to the earth, Metal Dracaramon growled as the glow of digivolution died down.

This ought to help things out a bit, thought Chris grinning, belying how he was really feeling underneath. This would be the first time that he had ever thrown down with a Mega level digimon. There wasn't a chance that this was going to be an easy fight. Not at all…

Ryo was groaning as the shaman digimon continued to expand her rings. The heart was getting close to the breaking point now. Chris's eyes took in each and every digimon partner that was already in visual range, and his digivice began to glow slightly. For the first time Chris felt as though he were in sync with each and every one of them…no, with the whole world around him! It was as if he was finally seeing the world in three dimensions and he had never realized it until this point! In a way…it felt…good.

Chris's eyes settled back on the Sakuyamon. It seemed that for an instant the shaman's eyes (or at least Chris guessed that she had eyes underneath that fox mask) settled on his glowing digivice before pressing her energy rings against the heart shaped barrier that trapped her.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Cyberdramon bring his claws together, preparing to attack.

We've got to time this just right, thought Chris.

The bubble burst.

"NOW!"

The shout left Chris's throat in one mad stream, and as if on cue Cyberdramon, Metal Dracaramon, Guardromon, and MarineAngemon let loose their attacks all at once.

"Arsenal Barrage!"

"Guardian Barrage!"

"Kahuna Waves!"

"Desolation Claw!"

As one, the attacks rocketed towards their adversary and detonated with explosive force. Chris raised one arm to shield his face from any debris that the explosions might have kicked up, feeling as though something was draining out of him. In fact, he had to admit he felt rather tired all of a sudden.

Way too much excitement, thought Chris with a touch of dry humor as the last of the explosions died down, leaving nothing more than plumes of smoke rising into the air. Chris narrowed his eyes, wondering if they had actually managed to get their opponent. He didn't leave out too much room for hope though. The Sakuyamon was a Mega after all.

A light laugh emerging from the smoke was more than enough answer for Chris.

Aw nuts… thought Chris as the smoke suddenly blew apart, revealing crimson armored Sakuyamon for all the world to see with not even a sign of dirt or scratches on her. She might as well have just arrived…

"Nice effort," spoke the crimson Sakuyamon for the first time since the battle had started. "Now, if you would be so kind as too…"

The shaman digimon was cut off by Cyberdramon suddenly landing in front of Chris, a deep guttural growl emerging from his throat as he flexed his claws and took a step towards her. The Sakuyamon didn't at all look impressed with the Ultimate though, and instead pursed her lips in what could be taken for annoyance. As if sensing something, the Mega looked over in the direction where Cyberdramon had come from, noticing the other figure that was just now approaching.

"I see that we're about to have even more company," said the Sakuyamon before lowering her voice, her tone taking on a note of irritation. "I didn't want this, but my mission is far too important to fail because of you. Spirit Strike!"

With that battle cry, the red armored Sakuyamon slashed out with her staff, summoning four fox spirits of fire, water, wind, and lightning into the world. All four digimon that were on the roof tensed, expecting the fox spirits to strike out immediately, as was typical of most digimon attacks (especially since three of them were already well versed in the appearance of a Sakuyamon's attacks), but strangely the spirits were behaving differently. Instead of simply seeking out a target and attacking it they landed in front of the Sakuyamon and began to grow larger, becoming more animal like as they grew until finally they stood from paw to shoulders larger than the Sakuyamon that birthed them, growling at the four digimon. They were quadruped like a normal fox, and built along the same lines as well. Flames licked at their bodies in the place of fur as a golden glow emerged from where their eyes would be, and they held an air of menace about them that made Cyberdramon tense up and deepen his growl.

Chris felt a cold drop of sweat crawl its way down his back.

"Now then," spoke the red armored Sakuyamon softly to the four fox spirits. "If you don't mind…"

Needing no more invitation the four fox spirits lunged forward to meet their enemy, as did Cyberdramon and Metal Dracaramon, claws and laser cannons glowing.

Chris had time for one last thought that seemed rather appropriate for the situation that he was in.

Why can't we get the easy ones?

The clash of battle came a second later.

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