Digimon Tamers: Takato V.S. Takato Chapter IX: The Tamer of Darkness, a digimon fanfic

Me: Okay, folks-I don't own Digimon, nor do I own "Lazy Eye" from the Batman & Robin soundtrack done by the Goo Goo Dolls-one of their best pieces of work, one might say!

Takato: (grins evilly) You can say that again! The background music during the chorus at the middle and end-too cool!

Rika: Finally-something you and I can relate to!

Takato: (blushes) I didn't think you were into that kind of music.

Me: I'm gonna leave these two to the talk that conflicts around alternative music, so until then!

Digimon Tamers: Takato V.S. Takato

Chapter IX-The Tamer of Darkness

"Keep worrying. Later on, you will realize that it'll help you make better decisions." -Takato Matsuki

"If you think that your partner is close to the point of deletion, just think of how he survived 'Susie's Torture of Chambers!'" -Henry Wong

Just when the Tamer Team reunites, calamity strikes! Takato and Rika learn from Beelzemon the fate of the SnowAgumon and the one lone SnowGreymon when the Mega catches up to them. Takato quickly Biomerged with Guilmon to reform Gallantmon-good thinking! Gallantmon used his Shield of the Just attack to alert the other Tamers to their location, and they got there just in time. Problem was, Beelzemon gained the upper hand, and Henry felt useless because he wasn't helping out. Luckily for him, he snapped out of his depression to Biomerge with Terriermon to form MegaGargomon! The two Mega Digimon nearly bested Beelzemon for good, but they were attacked by an unknown assailant, who turned out to be Ryo! Has Ryo really betrayed the Tamers, or is there a darker power at work here?

Takato was being led forward by his fury, amazed and angered that Ryo would help a Digimon like Beelzemon out of a jam like that when, according to Rika, his partner would be aiming to absorb the Mega's data, like Jeri should be.

"Takato, wait up!" Holding back a growl of resentment, Takato turned to face Rika, who promptly slapped him, gently, but firmly, on the cheek.

"That's for telling me what to do! I wouldn't defend Ryo on any level, any world, or any country-got it?" Rika demanded impatiently.

Takato was struggling with his anger-truly struggling with it, to not let it loose.

"Rika, I'm not in the mood for your smart remarks right now, so I'll forget this slap ever happened if I get a hint of an apology, okay?"

The other Tamers came in and suddenly were brought to a halt by Renamon, who motioned for everyone-Tamer and Digimon-to step back, slowly.

"An apology? For what-this?" A second later, Rika mockingly slapped Takato on his other cheek.

"Rika, you're really pushing it. You're also lucky that for some reason, our link isn't functioning correctly at this time."

"Why is that-'cause I figured it out and you didn't? I wouldn't give you an apology if you were the last person on the face of the Digital World! If anything, you should apologize to me!"

That one response-refusing to apologize-finally caused Takato to snap once again.

"WHAT FOR?! I'm not the one who slaps her boyfriend around like he's a piece of meat-that's you! Sure, I've made some mistakes in this relationship-if you can call this a relationship in the first place-but who's really messed up here-YOU! You wanted to break up; we broke up. You just slapped me right now for no apparent reason, other than the fact that I'm gonna go and teach this kid who you apparently have some issues with a lesson for betraying us!"

"I slapped you because you told me what to do when I was only going to say that things aren't always what they seem. It may not have been Ryo, but someone posing as him."

"Are you saying that there's a clone of Ryo and Cyberdramon? Yamaki isn't like that anymore. He doesn't even know about him!" Takato objected.

"True, but who's to say your clone can't clone anyone of us-wait, I take that back. Technically, you're not that equipped in brain power, so why would your clone be?"

Takato growled angrily before striking his palm with his fist, restraining himself from doing the one thing that would've ended his relationship with Rika for good!

"If you're gonna just stand here and insult me, I don't even know why I wanted to get back together with a smart aleck, tomboyish, selfish brat like you in the first place!" Takato grabbed Guilmon and stormed off in a rage, not even waiting to see the results. Rika simply stood there in shock, not even noticing the tears trickling down her cheeks before her rage got the better of her like it had with Takato, and she ran after him.

"If this is how people in relationships get back home, I'd rather stay single!" Kazu replied.

Unbeknownst to any of the Tamers, Takato's clone had actually found the ability to clone, thanks to the modifications he'd done to his Digivice. Not only had he cloned Ryo and his Digimon partner, he'd made sure that they were simply reformatted back into data when they'd reached his secluded hideaway, a few meters away from the Tamers' position.

"Darn that Ryo for realizing that he and his partner had been cloned! Now they'll be on the lookout for me. And until Beelzemon gets back here, I'm on my own. Too bad about the little tiff between my good half and his girl. That means the world is finally restoring itself to normal, supposedly. Maybe I can help them out-somehow..."

The world spins 'round in secret lives, everyone that needs to hide (hide...)

Cheap parade of endless lies filters through this lazy eye!

And I don't believe in signs; no I don't believe your lies

Takato had gotten a far distance before his anger cooled off and he realized he'd made a foolish mistake.

"I'm an idiot, Guilmon! Here I am wanting to be with this one girl who's changed my life for the better, and I insult her in ways that could've driven her back to being the way she was before we met." Takato collapsed to his knees before shaking in sadness, his tears dripping down his face and falling into his cupped hands.

"I don't deserve her, boy! I never did. If she was here, I'd take back everything I said to her. She may be smart aleck, but I like that about her. She never takes anything from anyone-she only wants to be challenged by the best! I haven't seen Rika be selfish to anyone! Of course, the fact remains that I haven't been with her for who knows how long is still in the air. As for her tomboyish ways-I love that about her most of all. She isn't like other girls-at least, not until she's around me. (sniff) I'm sorry, Rika. I was an egotistical jerk, and if you want to, you can-what was it she said to Jeri once before?"

"I believe I said to her, 'mopped the entire Digital World with his face.' I forgive you for being you, and I'm sorry for hurting you in the first place. Next time, just listen to what I have to say, alright, Gogglehead?"

Takato was astonished as Rika helped him back up and wiped away his tears.

"But-I just smashed your heart into pieces! Aren't you gonna hit me for that, since I do deserve it?"

"Trust me-those slaps are punishment enough, for now. And I've pulled myself back together from worst situations than one fight, remember?" Rika grinned to herself and leaned forward, finally getting the chance to kiss Takato under normal circumstances...

"Colossial Claw!!"

...that had been ruined by Cyberdramon's attack! Rika pulled Takato down at the same time Renamon dived forward and tackled Guilmon down!

"What's he doing here? And why is Cyberdramon attacking us?" Rika yelled out.

"Who knows? Now do you believe me about Ryo betraying us?"

"Okay, I'll give that one to you."

"Hello, kiddies? Remember me? Double Impact!!"

Takato, Rika and the others ducked down even lower as they were trapped between Cyberdramon and Beelzemon!

"This is all we need-caught between two psycho Digimon-and one used to be on our side!" Takato exclaimed.

Chorus: Caught in the breakdown!

Caught in the breakdown!

Before Takato or Rika could think about what to do, the real Cyberdramon flew in and struck the clone with a shot to the chest, instantly deleting him and the Ryo clone on his back.

"What the-?" Takato was stumped.

"Look who we found on our way to try to stop him-Ryo! He told us he'd been cloned by a beam of red light the previous night, but he hadn't told us about it since 'our mission was more important than what was transpiring.'" Terriermon explained.

"Are you telling me that the Ryo clone stopped Takato and Henry from taking out Beelzemon?" Rika asked in exasperation.

"More or less, yeah."

"Less talk, more action, Terriermon. Biomerge, activate!" Henry spoke. Instantly, he turned into data and merged with Terriermon.

"Terriermon Biomerge to...MEGAGARGOMON!!!"

As MegaGargomon raced forward to take on Beelzemon, Ryo entered in on Takato and Rika.

"So-that's twice I've saved you now, huh?"

Blushing out of anger and embarassment alone, Takato stuck himself between Rika and Ryo, his eyes screaming jealousy.

"The only one who can save Rika out of jams like that-other than Renamon-is ME! Sure, Cyberdramon is cool and all, but can you Biomerge with him yet? Does he have a Mega form that we don't know about, huh?!"

Rika reluctantly pulled Takato away, pleased that he would try to act tough to defend her honor-as well as his own pride.

"Henry needs your help over there, Takato, so now's not the time to play 'macho men.'"

"I think he's got all the help he needs, Rika." Renamon remarked. Turning, the Tamers saw SaberLeomon and MegaGargomon take on Beelzemon, the two of them working side by side!

"Wow-never saw this coming! But where's Jeri at?" Takato asked.

Rika eyed Takato with a smirk before responding. "We spend most of our time wondering what happened to you when you first Biomerged with Guilmon, and now you're asking where Jeri's at?"

Once more, Takato felt his cheeks grow hot while gazing into Rika's violet eyes. "R-right. Point taken."

"Not yet." Confused, Takato turned-and was hit with his clone's fist, sending him sprawling to the ground, half conscious!

"Takato! What are you doing here?" Rika growled angrily, noticing Takato's clone in a different set of clothes than usual-the hooded shirt was colored a darker black, and the goggles matched the wristbands, both of them as red as blood.

"I've decided to give myself a new look, and a new name. Tamers-" Takato's clone eyed Rika and the Digimon, then Kazu, Kenta and Susie, who were all near a rock for protection. "-meet the true Tamer-the Tamer of Darkness!"

Lose yourself in no one's life, trapped in all those empty lies (lies...)

Words like fists that tear you down crash before they hit the ground!

And I don't believe in signs; no I don't believe your lies

"'The Tamer of Darkness?' You're kidding me! That's as lame as-" WHAP! Rika cried out as Takato's clone punched her-actually punched her!-across the cheek, sending her flying to the ground! Weak, but regaining consciousness, Takato got up and spotted his girlfriend near him.

"RIKA!"

"Don't worry-she's just gotta learn some respect for the Tamer of Darkness! Beelzemon, head back and wait for stage 2!"

"You two are lucky." Beelzemon had taken a beating after being surrounded by two Mega Digimon at the same time, he was grateful to get some rest. That said, he vanished with ease.

"Trust me-you'll learn to fear me." Takato's clone suddenly punched Rika hard in the stomach, forcing some blood out of her mouth!

"Rika! Leave her alone!" Renamon leaped up and was prepared to attack, but with one move, the Tamer of Darkness used his Digivice and sent her flying toward Henry, Terriermon, Jeri and Leomon!

"If I didn't fear...IceDevimon, what makes you think I'm gonna fear someone who looks almost like my-"

"If you finish that sentence with 'boyfriend,' I will personally feed my clone his teeth-rectally."

Rika gulped while promptly shutting her mouth.

"And by the way-lying isn't one of your strong suits!" While repeatedly hitting Rika again and again, Takato had regained his strength, and was making his way toward his clone. Before he was actually there, the Digivice that was in his clone's hand created a forcefield, surrounding him and Rika entirely!

"Rika! Hey-let her out, NOW!" Takato demanded heatedly, while Ryo, Henry and Kazu had to hold him back.

"Gee, it looks like you guys are caught between a forcefield and a hard shield, right?" The Tamer of Darkness laughed evilly while striking Rika again, who by this time, had all but lost consciousness.

Chorus: Caught in the breakdown!

Caught in the breakdown!

Takato screamed out his rage while slamming his fists against the forcefield.

"There's gotta be a way to get in there and save Rika!" Takato insisted.

"You do know why he's doing this, don't you?" Renamon spoke up. Takato nodded, figuring it out earlier when he'd been slapped aside.

"He's hurting her, because he knows I'd take full responsibility if anything like this happened to her." Takato almost broke down again, but to his surprise, Ryo stopped him.

"Weren't you the one telling me that you were the only one who could get Rika out of jams like this? This is a tough jam, so think-there's got to be a way for you to get through that shield!"

Takato knew deep in his heart that Ryo was right-he had to figure it out, for Rika!

"Knowing my clone as well as I do, he's probably changed his Digivice, modified it, right?"

Takato looked up at Henry, who nodded.

"Anything else, Takato?"

"If he used his Digivice to activate this shield, I can deactivate it with my own!" Takato rose his Digivice to the air and aimed it at the shield. A beam of light struck out at the forcefield, weakening it effectively, but still not breaking it!

"There's gotta be another way in there!" Kenta mumbled.

"Hey, Chumly. Here's an idea: try that knife you swiped!" Kazu suggested. Confused, Takato pulled the knife from his back pocket and looked at it.

"Are you sure, Kazu?"

"Positive! Evil geniuses have flaws in all their plans, so why wouldn't a clone like yours have a flaw, too?"

"Okay." Takato aimed the knife at the forcefield before ramming it hard! Slowly, but surely, Takato made progress.

"You're doing it, Chumly-you're breaking in and saving the day!"

"Go, Takatomon!"

"That's the way, Takato-save Rika and take out that bad you!" Calumon cheered.

Grinning, Takato finally broke the shield before racing forward.

Rika was at her breaking point. She had blood streaming over her face, her cheeks had multiple bruises all over and she was positive she had at least three broken ribs.

"And to think my other half cares for a tomboy like you. Any last words before I finish you?"

"Yeah-GET AWAY FROM MY GIRL!!" With a growl of defiance, Takato stabbed his clone in the back with his own knife.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Takato, Rika and all the other Tamers were surprised at the outcome. When the other clones had been defeated, they'd deleted into thin air, but Takato's clone was bleeding from the injury he'd received! Chuckling, the Tamer of Darkness turned to Takato with an evil smile on his face.

"Well, well, well-looks like you have a touch of darkness inside you too, Matsuki. To save your girlfriend from Death's door, you did the one thing I never thought you'd do-you killed me." Still grinning, the Tamer of Darkness used up the last of his strength to punch Takato on the chin, sending him down to the ground near the others.

"That was, in a word or more, either the bravest thing you've ever done, or one of the stupidest mistakes ever. I'm aiming for the latter, however..." Before Rika could gather what strength she had left, Takato's clone raced off, throwing himself off of a cliff near their position and splashed into the river far below!

No, I don't believe in signs, no I don't believe your lies; no, I don't believe your lies!

Chorus: Caught in the breakdown!

Caught in the breakdown!

Breakdown...caught in the breakdown

Caught in the breakdown...caught in the breakdown...caught in the breakdown...caught in the breakdown...(song ends)

Takato pulled himself up, and staggered over to Rika, worried that his clone had done more damage than he'd seen.

"I'm fine, Takato...I'm supposed to be tough, remember? If your 'insults' couldn't hurt, what makes you think some punches from your clone could work?" Rika offered Takato a weak smile before passing out in his arms.

"Rika...Rika, no! Don't do this to me-I just realized how much I love you! DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME!" Takato cried out with a look of desperation in his eyes.

And you think with the death of Takato's clone, things are gonna be right with the world? I think not! Find out what develops next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!