Digimon Tamers: Rika's AU
Chapter 29: All Aboard
"We leave in two days. Take the time to prepare for literally anything, plus you'll have time to tell your parents. Make sure all this is done before we leave."
Those words burned into Rika's mind. Not long after confessing her love, now she is going to the Digital World to destroy the remaining Dark Ones, Rika had confidence in doing this, since she knows how good she is with a sword and Takato's Guilmon can go to Ultimate. But she still felt a sudden discomfort, it was so sudden, forced to leave her parents for who knows how long; she knows how worried her mother can be, she would be left on her own for a long time.
None the less, she had to tell her mother. The next day; we find both Rika and her mother Rumiko in the living room on separate chairs. Rika had just explained everything to Rumiko, she was left with a very worried expression, Rika knew what her mother was feeling, this too caused Rika to feel worried as she held onto Viximon tighter.
"I… I just don't believe it" said Rumiko feeling tense and worried.
Rika tipped her head down a bit. "I'm really sorry mom… but I have no choice…"
"You'd… rather take orders from an older child than your own mother?"
Rika faced her mother again. "I know it sounds strange… but… you saw what happened in the city, you saw the horror and carnage."
Rumiko sighs. "Unfortunately yes."
"Thomas believes that only me and my friends can do this since we're the only people he trusts… and I trust him… he's saved my life a few times… if we don't go to the Digital World to stop the Dark Ones… then even more disasters like that will happen, not just there. But the entire world will suffer the same fate."
"… Rika…"
Rika tipped her head down a bit again. "I'm sorry… but… it has to be done. But know that it pains me to leave you like this."
"I… I understand… you're not the same little girl I took care of on my own any more… you've grown so much stronger… your just like your father when we were dating… he was strong… and tough… he would always do the right thing. Your turning into him more and more every day."
"Thank you… and don't worry, I'll be safe… Takato will be at my side no matter what… he promised that the day we first met."
Rika felt a mixture of sadness and happiness inside her, making her shed tears slightly. 'If only her father were here to see her right now… Jiro… it looks like your passing has helped her more than upset her.'
Rika heard that due to her telepathic powers, but she just remained silent. Then, both of them stood up and walked closer to hug each other.
"Rika… promise me you'll come back safely."
"I will mom."
At the bakery's. Takato had just explained the situation to her parents, they too had the same worried look as Rumiko. "I'm sorry… but that's the truth… we need to do this."
Takato's mother looked worried. "Oh Takato…"
"But… what if something bad happens to you…?" asked Takato's father.
"I'll be fine. Honest… Guilmon will be at my side, and Thomas is an incredible fighter, after all; you saw what he did didn't you?"
Takato's mother sighed. "Takato? … alright… I trust you will come home safely."
Takato's father nodded. "Y-Yeah… you can bring as many food from here as you want. I'm certain it'll be useful."
In Henry's home, he had finished explaining everything to his family, but Suzie immediately grabbed onto his leg surprising him. "I…I wanna go to Henwy!"
"I'm sorry but no." said Henry trying to remain calm. "It'll be too dangerous for you, I don't want you to get hurt… you saw the destruction those monsters made before to the city, they're going to be more dangerous in the Digital World."
"I don't care! I wanna go with you and Tewwiermon!"
Henry looked over to his parents. "Mom, Dad, please say something. I can't take her with me."
The parents looked at one another, then Henry's mother walked up to them and pulled Suzie off of him. "NO! NO!"
"We're sorry, but Henry's right. It's best for you to stay here." Said their mother.
"Henry can go because he has a Digimon to protect him." Said their father.
"Can't Tewwiermon protect me too?"
Terriermon who had been sitting on Henry's shoulder slowly shook his head. "I don't think I can protect two at once. I'd rather not take the chance either."
Suzie started to cry, Henry felt guilty for saying no, but he knew he had no choice. "Look, I promise I'll come back safely, and when I do. I'll be sure to tell you all about it, I'll play with you when I get back as well."
"Don't worry, we know you'll come home safely. You better start packing right now." Said their father.
Henry nodded. "Right, come on Terriermon." He then walked into his room trying his best to ignore Suzie's crying.
A similar scene occurred in every other home. Parents being worried but having their confidence in their children since more than half of them are Tamers; a little later, we find Rika and Takato at the park outside Guilmon's home. Guilmon had just came out looking as cheery as ever.
"Hey Takatomon! Are we going now?"
"No boy. We still have one day to go… my parents said you can stay at my house for the night if you want."
"Really? Cool!" cheered Guilmon.
Rika nodded slowly. "Y-Yeah… hey Takato?"
"Yeah?"
Rika didn't want to admit this, but felt she could trust Takato with this. "I… to be honest… I feel really nervous about all this. About leaving our parents to enter a new world to us… and… well I almost died from one of those Dark Ones, and Phantomon was the weakest… and…"
"You're scared of what will happen to you if we end up meeting a member of the Dark Ones, aren't you?"
"Y-Yeah… I mean… Phantomon tricked me into trying to kill all of you, in turn, I was almost killed, and so was Thomas. If Phantomon was the weakest and that happened. Think of what the others will be like."
Takato slowly wrapped his arms around her for a hug. "To tell the truth. I'm nervous too, but as long as we stick together, we'll be safe."
Rika slowly smiled, she always enjoyed getting hugged by him. "Y-You're right!"
'But if something does happen to her… I could never forgive myself.'
"Hey Takatomon… something's been bugging me."
Takato let go of Rika and turned to Guilmon. "What's up boy?"
"The haunted house… why did it disappear like that? And how come Phantomon never used a single ghost Digimon?"
Takato looked a bit surprised. "That… that's a very good question."
"That's something to ask him when we can… but he said not to bother him since he's doing preparations too." Said Rika.
"Hey guys!" Rika, Takato and Guilmon looked to their right and noticed Kazu and Kenta running towards them. "I knew I'd find you two here."
"What's going on?" asked Takato as he stepped forward.
"It's the weirdest thing… today we saw Jessica." Said Kenta.
"So what? I see Jessica almost every day." Sid Rika as she crossed her arms. "Wish I didn't though."
"Yeah, but she wasn't wearing one of her flashy dresses." Said Kazu looking surprised.
Rika herself looked surprised now. "Really?"
"So… what was she wearing?"
Kenta shrugged his shoulders. "Well… strangely enough, an outfit made especially for exploring for long periods of time… You know, beige shorts and vest, a backpack, brown boots, even her hair is tied up. She looks like she's going somewhere."
"I am!"
Everyone looks to their left to see Jessica herself in the very same outfit Kazu and Kenta described. Rika was pretty surprised to see her like that, she has known her for years and Jessica has never ever worn anything like this. "Jess? … So… where are you going?"
Jessica stepped forward. As much as I hate to admit it… but I'm going with you!"
Soon everyone grew shocked at Jessica's statement while all shouting "WHAT!?"
"You heard me! I'm going with you to the Digital World!"
Rika stepped forward looking angry. "And what makes you think we'll agree? You're the most selfish, arrogant, spoiled brat I know!"
"I have my reasons… And one of them is Thomas!" Everyone grew confused. "Thomas allowed me to come with you."
"He did!?" exclaimed Takato.
"That's crazy!" said Kazu.
"Thomas you are SO dead!" Growled Rika.
"I think it's ok, after all… the more the merrier." Said Guilmon looking cheery.
Rika sighed. "I guess if Thomas said yes, then I suppose we don't have much of a choice. No doubt he's going to lead us."
'I can't believe I have to work alongside pineapple head… but if it's the only way to repay my dept. to Kenta, so be it.'
Rika grew a little surprised hearing Jessica's thoughts, but she was silent knowing she had to keep her telepathic powers as much of a secret as she can. 'A dept. to Kenta…? What happened between them?'
Takato shrugged his shoulders feeling unsure. "I don't know why you're joining us but whatever, please just try not to cause trouble."
"You could say the same to Kazu and Kenta, they don't have Digimon either." Said Jessica.
"Yes but we know they're not likely to…" Rika turned to Kazu and Kenta, then back to Jessica. "Well… ok that's a bit debatable but my point still stands."
Rika soon fell silent, she couldn't understand why Thomas would allow Jessica to join them, since she knows that Thomas hates arrogance just as much as Rika, she then ignored this thought, Thomas normally knows what he's doing.
As the day went by, Rika began to suspect something, she is a Data Streamer and so is Thomas, if she enters the Digital World, where everything is data, does that mean that her Data Streamer power will have more use. This was something she felt desperate to ask.
A few hours had passed, when Rika was sitting on the bench in her back garden waiting for Takato to return another Bio-Emerged Digimon back home, she had decided to make a visit to Thomas, despite his request to be left alone.
At Thomas's farm, Rika had not long arrived with Viximon, luckily Thomas had just finished preparing so he had time to speak with her, Rika was sitting on a desk with Viximon snug in her arms after asking her question.
"You think Data Streamers are more powerful in the Digital World?" asked Thomas.
"It is just a thought, I assumed since you once said that Data Streamers are data manipulators, and since the Digital World itself is made of data."
"Well… it is and it isn't true… you see, Data Streamers come in multiple styles, but no two Data Streamers can have the same power as I mentioned before. You have Telepathy, I have Healing and Recoding, the only way someone can have the same powers as someone is if it's either through inheritance like you, or that other person dies.
"I see… so… will I have more control over my telepathy?"
"Not sure, it really depends on how long you've had it for and how well you are in controlling it to begin with… basically there's a chance of you having more control over it… or…"
"Or?"
"Your powers become amplified over a hundred times causing to lose control… basically how you look at it, your powers will amplify, as well as your own physical prowess, you will be faster, stronger and more agile… but your physical skills will reflect your Data Streamer power level, since yours is low, it won't increase as much until you develop it overtime."
Rika was pretty surprised, this meant her powers could either be the same, stronger, or a hundred times stronger. But she also felt surprised hearing her how she herself will become stronger, she soon pictured herself. "So… what will you be like?"
"I'm not to different, I've learned to control and hold back my powers greatly. I don't use my recoding powers much but I definitely use my healing powers a lot... almost 24/7 actually."
Rika felt the need to ask, but she changed her mind and decided to stick to her topic. "Do you know any other Data Streamers?"
"They're very rare, I only knew very few, but one I'll never forget."
"Um… Belle?"
Thomas looked a bit upset. "Y-Yeah… back when she was alive… she was far more powerful than I am, Mega Levels had trouble keeping up with her, she never needed her Digivice or her Digimon partner."
"Wow… if Belle was alive, we wouldn't be needed to fight the Dark Ones would we?"
"Not at all… in any case, could we drop the subject on Data Streamers and Belle?"
Rika felt a bit guilty now, she forgot how much of a sensitive subject it was. "S-Sorry…"
"It's ok, but there is one thing I can tell you." Thomas smirked a bit. "There might be a chance that Takato and the others could have very little Data Streamer power in their blood."
Rika looked a bit surprised. "Really?"
"Even if its 0.001% that can still be amplified in a person's body giving that person either greater strength, speed and skill… or a unique ability that's nonhuman like."
"Right, so like my telepathy?"
Thomas nodded. "Yep, of course it could be anything, even something that looks and feels silly… like this one time, I saw someone who could glow in the dark."
"That… is a pretty silly power." Said Rika with a faint smirk.
"Yep… oh by the way, seeing as how you're here and all, mind if I give Viximon a quick check up?"
"Sure." Rika hands Viximon to Thomas and he walks off to a small machine. 'So my powers might become more powerful in the Digital World, maybe I'll be able to control it better… and we ARE technically in the Digital World now… maybe…'
Soon Rika grew a devilish smirk, if she can read minds, then maybe she could read Thomas's to find out his past, soon she drove her thoughts to Thomas hoping that would help her try and read his mind. Rika began to feel the same sensation when she reads a person's mind, she began to delve deeper and deeper until-
'BACK OFF!'
The sudden shout and force shocked Rika and threw her off the desk falling flat on her back feeling quite shocked and stunned. She lied on the ground trying to figure out what just happened, she then noticed Thomas walking up to her with a devilish smirk himself with Viximon in his hands.
"Nice try, but reading another Data Streamer's mind isn't going to be easy… especially when their powers greater than yours." Rika felt annoyed looking up at Thomas.
For the remainder of the day, Rika had been looking around her room and putting important or necessary items into a few suitcases, she had even went shopping for a few food supplies, which her mother was able to help with. The sun began to set, and it was almost time for bed, we find Rika changed into her pyjamas sitting on her bed with Viximon snug in her arms.
"Right… tomorrows the day we leave Viximon… now no matter what happens, don't drift off too far from me unless I say so."
"Alright Rika, and I promise to protect you."
"And I promise to protect you too."
With that, the two crawled into bed and fell asleep, though Rika wasn't, she was still scared of dying from the Dark Ones or losing those close to her, especially Takato, if he were the die, Rika's heart could shatter even more, since she would lose another one so close to her. Those thoughts clouded her mind for quite a while until she grew tired and therefore finally fell asleep.
The day has finally came.
Rika was standing outside her house feeling ever so nervous, beside her was a few suitcases containing clothing, food, and a few personal things, even a few photos of her and her family. In her arms was Viximon once again, and in front of her was her mother. Both felt uneasy, which was no surprise.
"Ok Rika… I… guess it's time for you to go." Said Rumiko feeling worried.
"Y-Yeah, I can't wait any longer… and don't worry mom, I promise I will come home safely." Said Rika who also felt worried.
"I know, and good luck… I love you."
"I love you too mom."
With that, Rika and Rumiko gave each other a hug that lasted for about half a minute or so, then as they let go of each other, Rika takes out her Digivice and disappears in a binary of light.
Rika now appeared at Thomas's farm just outside his house, there she saw the others, Takato, Henry, Kazu, Kenta, Jeri and even Jessica, alongside Guilmon, Terriermon and Leomon, all the humans each had about three to four suitcases. As Rika saw Takato and Guilmon, she quickly walks up to him carrying her suitcases, which in turn, caused Takato to quickly put his arm around her shoulder the second he noticed her.
In front of all of them was Thomas with DemiDevimon on his shoulder. Thomas just gently pushes his glasses back up and faces the team properly. "It is time. Everyone is here and accounted for… Kazu, Kenta, Jessica… you are not Tamers, so you may not be able to contribute much to this mission, and we may not be able to protect you… are you still willing to go despite my warnings?"
Kazu punched his fists together. "Of course! I'm not letting anyone trash my town!"
Kenta nodded. "I'd rather stand by my friends in the face of battle than sit around being worried."
Jessica huffed. "I said I would join and I'm sticking to it."
Thomas nodded. "Ok…we'll do our best to watch out for you… we are going to the Digital World now." With that, Thomas takes out a portable device and presses a red button on it. There was a sudden earthquake causing everyone to stumble around trying to keep their balance; to their shock, the ground began to open up far from them. As the shaking stopped, there revealed a large opening with stairs. "Down here."
"Is that the way to the Digital World?" asked Henry.
"Not quite, there will be the mode of transportation down there. Please follow me."
With that Rika, Takato, their Digimon and the others began to slowly follow Thomas down the huge flight of stairs while hanging onto their suitcases. The thoughts of Rika dying or losing Takato still plagued her mind, but as she looked at Takato, she then grew determined to win this war forgetting about her thoughts.
"Here it is."
To Rika's shock, their mode of transportation was a seven carriage high-tech looking train. It was white with red patterns all over it, and on the front was two blue circles around the headlights connected by a single line looking like a pair of glasses.
"A… A train?" muttered Rika.
"Never expected that." Said Kazu tilting his head slightly.
"This will be a perfect mode of transportation to fit all of us in, each carriage is designed like a hotel room, therefore its perfect for all of us to eat, rest and play games." Said Thomas smirking
Rika turned to Thomas confused. "Um… aren't we supposed to be fighting Digimon?"
"Would you like to travel over a million miles of wasteland by foot?" Rika felt a little silly as she remained silent. "80% of the Digital World is wasteland, filled to the brim with train tracks. So a train is perfect… besides, I'm certain you'd like a proper bed to sleep in."
"So everything in that train is five star?" said Jessica smirking.
"Four and a half I'd say. The train will shake often and there's no food service... plus there's the possibility of being attacked."
"Either way it's perfect for me!" Jessica soon lost her smirk. "Except for the being attacked part."
"So… who's driving?" asked Kenta.
"Me of course. Now step in and take a look around, it will depart in two minutes." Said Thomas.
With that, the gang each went into the train in different carriages. Rika, Takato, Viximon and Guilmon took a single one with four bunk-beds on one side, and four tables able to fit four each on the other side, the walls were a clean white and the glass was so clear that it looked like there was nothing at all. Rika and Takato placed their bags besides the chairs.
"This place is almost designed like as if we're getting an entire school." Said Takato as he looked around.
"With the amount of Digimon Tamers out there, I wouldn't be surprised if more came to join us." Said Rika looking around too. She then faced Takato. "Then again, I think adding more Tamers to the team is his idea."
They both noticed Guilmon lying in one of the top beds. "I claim this bed in the name of Guilmon! And boy are these beds much softer than Takatomon's."
Rika then sat on one of the beds, Guilmon was right, these beds are softer then Takato's. Suddenly Thomas's voice could be heard from the speakers on the corner of ceiling. "Ok guys, is everyone in? I'm closing the train doors now. All aboard! Heh… I've always wanted to say that."
Then, the train doors closed automatically, there was a strong shake as the train started to move. Soon the surrounding changed from a dark brownish cave like look, to a blue sky sunny look, the ground was nothing but stone and sand as far as the eye can see. As the shaking came to a minimum, Rika and Takato then sat at the chairs when she placed Viximon onto the same bed Guilmon was on to play with him.
This was it, it was time for Rika to begin her long battle against the Dark Ones, she can only hope there won't be too many casualties.
Rika opened her eyes and found herself in a strange dark area with dark grey mist surrounding the ground, she could not see anything but darkness all around her. She felt a bit scared and confused. "W-Where am I?" she muttered
She looked around more, "Takato! Viximon!" she called. "Where are you?"
"Sorry. But no one is here." Rika jumped a bit hearing that sinister voice. She turned to look behind her, and there she saw a tall slim humanoid silhouette nonchalantly sitting on a large throne made of weights and chains with one leg over the arm, several demon warding talismans were stuck to various areas of the throne, the figure itself had a few chains keeping him tied to the throne. "Well… other than little old me." Said the man with a sinister smug tone as he gently swilled a large glass of a red liquid around.
Rika immediately pulled her sword out and aimed it at him, but grew shocked to see the sword reduce to dust in her own hands. She then faced the man feeling nervous. "Just… what are you?"
"No one special… just a man tied to a chair…" soon the throne became surrounded by seven red and green orbs which float around it in a circular manner. "Just wanted to congratulate you in destroying Phantomon." At that point, one of the orbs shattered into pieces.
Rika felt nervous as she slowly stepped back. But she felt a hand made up of stone press onto her back making her gasp, she looked behind her to see a large statue of an angel was keeping her from moving back. "No need to run away… I'm completely trapped." The man then stretches a bit before taking sip of his drink. "Mind you, staying on this throne doing nothing but drinking this stuff… can be awfully boring."
Rika looked back to the man, she tried her best to look tough but still shivered a bit, feeling greatly intimidated by him. "Just what are you and what do you want!?"
"Ooh… this one is spicy…" Rika felt the stone hands of the statue grab her arms tightly making her gasp in shock, she was then pushed forward closer to the throne in a split second, she began to feel her heart race from all of this.
"Look… you have nothing to worry about… I cannot harm you, I can't even get off of this chair… which is a bit of a problem as my caboose has been cramping up like hell." He chuckled a bit before taking another sip. "Anyway… keep destroying those Dark Ones like a good little girl, know that you have my full support." He said as he reached out to the girl and gently rubbed her chin with her index finger, he quickly moved back just before Rika could try and bite him.
"Why? What will destroying the Dark Ones do?"
The man didn't answer, he simply took a sip of his drink. "Like I said, keep destroying those Dark Ones like a good little girl." He then waved a bit. "Ta-Ta for now."
She suddenly felt the statue holding onto her fly back dragging her at incredible speeds making her scream.
Rika slowly woke up feeling exhausted. She felt a slight rocking sensation and a quiet clattering sound as the train travelled along the tracks. She looks ahead seeing Takato sharing the same bed with her, she was hesitant at first, but realised how much she loved Takato's comfort afterwards.
Rika looked to see Viximon sleeping in her arms, she slowly smiled feeling relieved, she then closed her eyes and fell back to sleep. But she wondered why she woke up? She couldn't remember what dream she was having.
The end for now.
