Me: I've had quite a weekend, which I will alert the general public on at a later date. I don't own Digimon, nor do I own "Shackled" by Vertical Horizon. It's been a while since I've used this song.
Takato: You sure you should be using this one after so long?
Me: Yeah, so don't worry about it. Rika's the one who should be making your hair stand on end. This chapter is dedicated to Angel-Chan, who helped me figure out how to start this chapter and how to keep the ball rolling. Onward, ho!
Rika: Please! It's not like you're really on a horse, is it?
Me: Sure-spoil my dreams of one day being able to ride one!
Digimon Tamers: Tamer V.S. Tamer
Chapter VIII-Shackled into Darkness
"'Cause my shackles you won't be, and my rapture you won't believe…" –Vertical Horizon
"That duels aren't the only battles we'll have to fight; this I sort of understand…" –Ash Ketchum, Revelation Lugia soundtrack
"Well, Gogglehead-what's your decision? Live, and help us take over the world, or die and we'll still take over the world, but without your help?" Takato grimaced as he struggled to make a choice about his current situation.
"Takato, whatever you decide, it's your choice, but I'll be right by your side." Guilmon said calmly. Takato looked over "Rika's" shoulder and realized that his partner had actually listened to-at least part of the conversation!
"Either way, Guilmon'll be right by your side. What…do…you…choose?!" Rika's clone hissed irritably.
"Without Rika with me, having Guilmon doesn't mean that much to me. And she did think I was a weak Gogglehead at first…" Takato was torn between saving the city or himself. That's when he finally came to a decision.
"I'm not sure if I agree with this idea…" Calumon whispered quietly.
For so long my life's been sewn up tight inside your hold, and it leaves me there without a place to call my own
I know now what shadows can see; there's no point in running 'less you run with me
It's half the distance through the open door before you cut me down…again
Henry, Rapidmon, Rika and Renamon finally breached the barrier protecting the Digital Field!
"We've made it. So, where's our runaway leader?" Henry spoke up. He grew silent when Rika eyed him with a glare that could've stopped a raging bull from running.
"The only one who can make wisecracks about Takato, in anyway, shape or form, is me! Now help me find him." Rika whispered with a chilled voice.
"No need. He's right in front of you." The four turned in shock to see their clones with their Digimon partners in Ultimate level. What shocked them most of all was the fact that Takato was next to them, with Gallantmon beside him!
With a voice as hard as ice, Takato declared, "Now the game begins…"
Let me introduce you to the end…
And I feel the cold wind blowing beneath my wings-it always leads me back to suffering, but I will soar until the wind whips me down, leaves me beaten on unholy ground again
So tired now of paying my dues, I start out strong but then I always lose
It's half the distance before you leave me behind; it's such a waste of time
"Takato?!" Both Henry and Rika were stunned, to say the least, as were their Digimon, but Renamon didn't show her surprise. Rika, however, felt like a block of cold steel slammed over her heart and literally crushed it.
"That's my name-don't wear it out." Takato joked cynically. Ignoring the others' stares, Rika ran up to him and gazed into his eyes, attempting to read him like she'd been able to not too long ago. She caught a glimmer of hope flashing inside of him, as well as a silent plea for help, but other than that, the look he gave her was similar to ones she'd given him or Henry back when they were just starting to work as a team.
"Are you ready to fight?" Takato openly asked, but Rika understood what he was really asking her for.
"Bring it on, Gogglehead." Immediately, Rika grabbed a Modify card and her D-Power; Takato was able to do the same.
Digimodify!
"Digimodify!" Takato and Rika chorused, swiping their cards through their Digivices simultaneously.
"Digivolution, activate!" Rika yelled out.
"Invisibility, activate!" Takato retaliated.
Digivolution!
"Renamon Digivolve to…KYUBIMON!!!"
Digimon!
As Kyubimon prepared herself for an attack, Gallantmon disappeared at the same time!
"Rapidmon, get in there!" Henry advised, making his way over to Rika. "What'd he say?" he whispered, making sure she only heard him.
"He's trapped-if he doesn't help them do something, they might kill him, Guilmon and Calumon."
"Calumon? Where-?" Rika rolled her eyes as she pointed down at Takato's feet, where the tiny Digimon was.
"Rapid Fire!!" Both Rapidmon yelled out. They both caused each other significant amounts of damage, but Henry's Rapidmon was even more hurt than his clone!
As for Kyubimon, she was busy trying to find Gallantmon, but his sense of smell was heightened even more so than hers, and he was invisible!
"Pretend you've been hurt, and be sure to fall. Final Elysian!!" a voice said. Kyubimon recognized it as Gallantmon, and she was tossed to the ground only seconds later because of the attack! Luckily, she wasn't too badly hurt.
"Thank you, Guilmon. Apparently, you and Takato aren't working of your own free will, which means Rika and I won't have to actually attack you!"
Chorus: 'Cause my shackles you won't be, and my rapture you won't believe
And deep inside you will bleed for me
"Face it-you've lost, so here's the deal: you work with us and help us take over the world, or we kill you. Simple as that."
"Wait! You said you would leave Rika and my parents alive if I agreed to this." Takato yelled out.
"We were going to kill you anyway, so it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Taomon?"
"Thousand Spells!!"
"Rika, look out!" Takato cried as he dived forward and pushed her roughly to the tiled floor, grabbing hold of Henry's arm and pulling him down after them. The three of them barely avoided the deadly attack!
"That's our Gogglehead! He's the only one who'd do something as stupid as what he just did." Rika mumbled, but Takato caught the faint smile on her face as he helped her up.
"Takato, why'd you agree to help them if you really weren't on their side to begin with?" Henry asked.
"I'll tell you later, but it all reminded me of a dream I had a while back that came close to breaking, but came true."
"Talisman of Light!!" Takato quickly turned, threw himself to the ground and protected Calumon with swiftness! A gigantic explosion covered the two of them seconds later!
So here I slave inside of a broken dream, forever holding on to splitting seams, so take your piece and leave me alone to die; I don't need you to keep my faith alive
I know now what trouble can be and why it follows me so easily
It's half the distance through the open door before you shut me down again
Let me introduce you to the end…
"TAKATO!" Rika had to force herself not to just go blindly running in the smoke after him. Gallantmon and Kyubimon had were both in trouble-helping Rapidmon fend off his clone, to the point of near defeat!
"Digimodify! Matrix Digivolution, activate!" Rika yelled.
Matrix Digivolution!
"Kyubimon Matrix Digivolve to…TAOMON!!!"
Digimon!
Rika finally took notice of the injuries on her arm and leg, and glanced up. Gallantmon had some markings on his armored body and she could only assume those were wounds.
"If I'm hurt, that means Takato's hurt, too." The smoke finally cleared to reveal Takato and Calumon, chained in shackles that were held up by Rika and Henry's clones!
"How'd you guys get those chains, or whatever they are?" Henry stammered.
"We put them in his bag when we captured him." Takato nodded with a determined look on his face.
Chorus: 'Cause my shackles you won't be, and my rapture you won't believe
And deep inside you will bleed for me…
Gallantmon knew his Tamer was in trouble, and tried to figure out a way to help him. He thought back to the second time he'd Digivolved to the Ultimate level, and remembered-when Takato had screamed in extreme pain, he had, too.
"If Takato can do that to help me, why can't I give him some strength to free him from those metal claws?" The Mega Digimon put his hands together and mimicked Takato, forcing his arms apart a few feet. Takato grunted as he looked down at his arms and saw that the shackles had stretched slightly. He caught on almost instantly, with Rika and Henry figuring it out before him.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Takato and Gallantmon screamed as they pulled their arms farther apart, causing Takato miniscule amounts of pain, but he could handle it. Rika felt Takato's pain, but like him, she could take it. Finally, Takato broke free of his bonds! He bent down and picked Calumon up.
"Now it's time for payback!" Takato stood alongside Rika and Henry, still keeping a firm grip on Calumon, with Gallantmon, Taomon and Rapidmon behind them all. The final battle had truly begun…
Though you know you care…
Chorus: 'Cause my shackles you won't be, and my rapture you won't believe
And deep inside you will bleed for me
And my laughter you won't hear (you won't hear) the faster (the faster) I disappear
And time will burn your eyes…
Well, you heard it, fans! Keep your eyes peeled for The Ultimate Battle, next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!
