Second Wave
Chapter One
"A sinkhole has appeared in West Shinjuku, swallowing a vehicle. No reports yet on injuries or casualties," a female reporter for the Channel 9 News announced. Her silky black hair blew with the wisp of the wind, covering her face. Her yellow rain jacket was drenched by the rain. She wiped her wet hair out of her face and continued. "Several eyewitnesses state the ground under Shinjuku had been glowing. Police have not verified any claims."
A redheaded teen turned her attention away from the television set on the wall of the small restaurant and stuffed her mouth full off noodles. "Y'know, I'm naht sweprised –"
"Please, don't talk with your mouth full, Rika."
Rika swallowed. "Sorry, mom. Anyway, as I was saying, I'm not surprised that a sinkhole has formed in that area."
Rumiko, with her tea mug close to her mouth, rose a brow. "Why is that?"
"The D-Reaper destroyed a good chunk of that area." She said. Her stomach growled and she took another bite of her noodles.
"That was well over six years ago, honey."
"Well, yeah, but the structural damage to the property probably finally gave way," Rika said, as a matter of fact.
Rumiko smiled. "I haven't seen you this chatty in a long while. It's nice." Her face suddenly grew serious. "Can we talk about what happened?"
Rika suddenly felt a pit in her stomach twist. She lost her appetite and pushed the bowl forward. "I don't want to."
"I know, sweetie, but we need to." Rumiko pleaded. Her words backed with genuine concern. "So much has happened this summer and I am deeply sorry. But we need to discuss it at some point."
"Does right now really have to be when we do?" Rika asked. She felt clammy and sick. Her face felt hot and the noodles felt ready to come out.
Rumiko knew this would not be easy. Rika is not the type of girl to want to gossip or chat about feelings. She, herself, is not one to really discuss feelings. But Rika was her daughter. And her daughter needed her mother. Heck, she needed her own mother to help her, but it was not possible.
She sat up straight and put her phone in her purse. "It has to happen, Rika."
Wishing she had her own phone for a distraction, she turned her attention back to the news. "I know. I just… can't."
Rumiko saw the sudden sadness flash in her daughter's eyes. She felt heartsick knowing her daughter was feeling that way. "Rika." She reached across the table and took Rika's hands in hers. She could feel her daughter trembling. "It was traumatic, I know. It isn't easy for me to listen to this just as it isn't easy for you to tell me. But you must trust me, honey. I'm here for you."
Rika bit her bottom lip. She desperately wanted to tell someone what had happened to her. It was like a frozen can of soda just degrees away from exploding. However, now was not the place. She did not want anyone to see her look so weak. "When we go home. I really can't talk about it in public, mom."
Rumiko sighed. "Okay, I understand. And, I have taken the next few days off work. We are going to spend it together. Maybe do a little shopping. Or we could stay in and watch some movies. Whatever you would like to do. Oh! I have a gift for you." She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone and another one still in the box. She slid the boxed phone toward her daughter.
Rika's eyes grew wide. She had not expected it. "Thank you."
"It's programmed with my number in case you ever need me. I'm sorry, I haven't been able to find your friends to get their number." She apologized.
Rika smiled, "don't worry about it. Thank you. I mean it."
Rumiko's phone rang. She excused herself to answer it.
Rika played around with her new Android phone, setting up the free Wi-Fi to log into her account for apps and games. She barely had time to enter her password when her mother rejoined her at the table. "Everything OK?"
"Not exactly. Grab your coat. We need to go." Rumiko said.
Rika heard the panic in her voice. She placed her rain jacket overtop of her sweater and grabbed her backpack. Bottles clanked together as she threw it over her shoulder. Her mom gave her a look, however, never questioned her. Rika stuffed her new phone into her pocket, and they left the restaurant.
The sky was dark. The rain hit them like cold pellets. Rika's jeans were soaked in minutes from the downpour. Her mother was shielding herself with an umbrella that the wind was trying to steal. "Where are we going?"
Rumiko took her hand as they pushed through a crowd of people heading in the opposite direction of them. "The park."
Rika was about to ask why but then it became obvious quickly. Shinjuku forest was lit up like the Fourth of July. The entire park was surrounded by a large, purple light. Rika put her black sunglasses on as they walked into the light as panicked civilians rushed out. The ground trembled beneath their feet.
Despite the howling wind and the intensity of the rain, the two moved deeper into the park until they reached their destination. Before they stood all the Tamers, except for Ryo, as well as Yamaki and Riley.
Takato, Jeri, Henry, Suzie, Kazu, Kenta, Ai, and Mako all stood huddled together. The taller teens protecting the smaller ones from the rain.
"I'm thankful that we were able to reach you, Rumiko." Yamaki greeted them. His suit was drenched from the rain. He took Rumiko by the hand. "I'm sorry for this rather urgent news. We need the children to return to the Digital World at once."
"Wasn't Hypnos disbanded years ago?" Rika asked. She shied away from the others to stand near her mother.
"Technically speaking," Yamaki answered. "We have a way of still working."
The group stood near Guilmon's old hideout. The purple light emitted from within. Rika looked from the hideout to Yamaki. "What's going on?"
Riley answered, "our reports indicate that there is a portal opening beneath Shinjuku."
"Correct. If the problem is not resolved, I'm afraid the city will be swallowed by the Digital World." Yamaki finished.
"How can we help?" Takato asked.
It had been a long time since Rika had seen any of her old friends. She had almost forgotten what they sounded like.
"We need you to stop whatever is causing this issue," Yamaki replied firmly. "We don't have any time to spare. He walked over to Henry, pulling a device from his pocket. "An extremely upgraded Communicator. We will be in touch. I do, however, ask that we leave the smaller children behind."
Suzi, Ai, and Mako groaned. Suzie said, "we can help just as much as they can."
"We need you three here as backup," Riley said. They nodded unwillingly. "The time to go is now. We are counting on all of you. Again."
"A portal has opened up in Guilmon's hideout," Yamaki explained. "Head toward the light. Good luck."
Toward the light? Rika thought. Don't they usually say, "don't go toward the light"? She turned to her mother. "So much for our plans. This might be safer."
Rumiko's eyes watered. "I hope so. I'll see you shortly, honey."
The others were all near the gate of the hideout. They waited for Rika to join them. She waved goodbye to her mother before being engulfed by the purple light.