Four Years Later…
A young man, at the age of eighteen stood on a cliff, high on a mountain opposite of Shikoi. The man gazed around his surroundings, a snow leopard at his side. "Neko, Neko… what now?" he asked. The leopard purred and nosed his hand. The man looked down and smiled. "Ryo! There you are," someone called. Ryo turned around to see Takato, now fifteen and reasonably built. He had grown quite a bit. His features were more prominent and he was rather handsome. Moderately tanned, he looked like any girl's dream. Ryo smiled at Takato as the boy came to his side and looked out over the area that he was staring out at. "I have good news," said the younger boy. "Hm?" Ryo replied, turning to him again. "We're free to leave. They don't need us to fight in the war yet," Takato answered. Ryo felt overjoyed. "Time to go back to our friends…"
Ryo was packing his belongings up when Lee came to him. Lee had grown like Takato, except Lee wasn't as built and wasn't very tanned. He was more of a "hidden-power" type. He was powerful, even if he didn't look like it. Ryo smiled at him. "All ready?" he asked. Lee nodded, smiling broadly. "All set, yes. Just waiting for you," he said. Ryo tied his pouch and got to his feet. "And I'm ready. Let's go."
Takato was binding his pouch to his horse's saddle when Ryo and Lee arrived. Kazu had been summoned home by his parents, as had been Kenta, given that they weren't needed yet. Takato tied the pouch tightly and jumped onto his horse, turning it and speaking to it softly. "Good boy," he said at last, turning to face Ryo and Lee, whom were on their own horses. They all smiled at one another and headed off into the jungle, the same jungle they had left their friends in four years ago.
Two girls of fifteen sat opposite one another, talking as they worked on arrowheads. One had brown hair and soft brown eyes. The other had flaming red hair and purple eyes. A third girl bounced into the room. She was about ten and had purple-brown hair. Her eyes were a bright brown color and her face was bright. "Hey! Someone's coming and Enyo says to come quickly!" she chirped. The other two girls got to their feet and walked towards the main gate from the garden they had been sitting in.
Enyo saw the two girls and turned to them. She bowed deeply to both. "Men coming, from the camp," she said simply. The brunette turned to the other girl. "Rika, do you think…?" she asked. Rika smiled broadly. "I think so, Jeri. Suzie, come here! I think our boys are back," she said. Suzie bounced over. "Really?" she cried happily. Leomon, Cyberdramon, Guilmon, Terriermon, and Lopmon came running also. Kazu and Kenta had already picked up Guardromon and MarineAngemon when they were on their way home.
Rika, Jeri, Suzie, and the Digimon waiting in suspense. There was dead silence. Suddenly, a form came running through the trees on a horse and the horse reared, whinnying loudly. A few Amazons backed away when two more forms came out of the trees, slower than the first, but also on horses. Rika stepped forward when the horse rearing went back onto all fours. A form sat upon the horse and she peered at him. The person lifted their head and two cerulean eyes gazed out from the piercing shadows of a hood.
The person got down from the horse and brushed some dirt from their cloak. They then threw back their hood and Rika let out a cry of joy. Ryo ran his fingers through his hair. Rika threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, kissing him again and again.
Takato and Lee jumped down from their horses and threw their own hoods back. Jeri immediately was enveloped in one of Takato's strong hugs and she held onto him tightly. Suzie squealed in joy and grabbed onto Lee's legs. Lee pried her off and lifted her into his arms. Terriermon leapt onto Lee's shoulders and clung to him. Lopmon giggled. Guilmon tackled Takato, licking his face as Takato laughed and screamed for him to get off. Cyberdramon made a loud noise and lifted Ryo clear off the ground, licking him also. "NYAH!" was all Ryo could get out as he tried to push the huge dragon away, laughing.
That night, the Amazons had a huge feast in celebration of the boys return to them. Everyone laughed, ate, and drank. Rika declared it one of the best feasts ever had in their village. Ryo just chuckled and took another swig of his sweet drink. Rika chuckled. "You really like that, don't you?" she said. Ryo nodded, drinking the last of it. "The best I've had in four years," he said, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. Rika smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. He smiled broadly down at her. Suddenly, Rika started laughing. Ryo didn't get it and just blinked. "What?" he finally asked. "You're drunk, you fool! It's so easy to see in your eyes!" Rika cried through her laughter. Ryo smiled foolishly.
Takato stretched his arms after many hours of celebrating. He turned to Jeri, who was standing by the fire, laughing as she talked with Rika, Ryo, and Lee. Takato walked over to them and put his hand on Jeri's shoulder, smiling. "And Kazu just went 'BAM' down! I mean, he just tripped over nothing!" Lee said, laughing. Jeri giggled. "Oh so Kazu!" she cried. Rika and Ryo laughed while wrapped in one another's arms.
Later that night, they all decided that they best rest for the next day. Terriermon clung to Lee's head as he walked to his room, Suzie and Lopmon beside him. Jeri and Takato were lifted onto Leomon's shoulders and Guilmon walked beside them. Ryo and Rika were carried in Cyberdramon's arms and Renamon ran along the ground below them while they flew.
Takato yawned as Leomon set him down in front of his room. "Thanks, Leomon. I'll see you in the morning, Jeri. C'mon Guilmon," he said, patting his Digimon on the head, smiling sleepily. Guilmon licked him again before they disappeared behind the closed door. Jeri sighed, smiling faintly. "Today went by so fast… But, my Takato is back. He isn't going to leave me again, either," she said. Leomon smiled softly. "Yes, Jeri. Now, let's rest."
Takato lay in his bed, but he couldn't sleep. He had gotten a weird feeling back in the jungle when they were on their way to the village. He thought back to that time, just hours ago…
A snap caught Takato's attention. He kept his horse moving, as to not attract the others' interests, but looked around for the source. There was nothing. Nothing that close enough to make a noise of that volume. So, he ignored it.
Not long after that, Takato saw something moving in the dense trees. He didn't say anything, though he felt he should. He gazed out into the shadows and his eyes caught a glint. He stared harder, hoping to see what it was. Suddenly, two piercing blue eyes stared at him. He gasped silently. There wasn't anything in this jungle that had blue eyes except for Ryo. The Amazons all had purple, brown, or gray. The Shadows all had red and the humans of Senshi had brown, black, gray, purple, and shades of any of these colors, eyes. So, what could it be?
Takato sighed. 'You must have been imagining things again, Matsuki… give it up and sleep,' he thought to himself. He closed his eyes. Right then, there was a tapping on his window and he groaned. He got out of bed, stepping over Guilmon, and walked over to the window. He thrust it open with a mighty heave (praying he didn't push it up so hard that it flew right out of it's holding). Peering down, he saw only a shadow. "Who's down there?" he called groggily. "The one you saw," came a soft voice. This snapped Takato awake immediately. "What do you want?" he demanded, quietly as to not wake anyone. "Come with me," was all the person (if it was a person) replied.
Takato was walking through the jungle, wearing just his pants and his cape, following the shadow-person. 'What is this thing…? And why is it leading me around?' he thought to himself. Suddenly, the person stopped. The form shoved aside some brush and stepped through. Takato followed, unsure of what he was literally walking into.
Takato looked up to see a large jungle canopy, almost two hundred feet above him. Around him were many caves, all carved into sheer rock. He gazed in wonder, curious as to what was in them. The form in front of him flung back its cape. Takato was surprised. The creature in front of him looked sort of like a humanoid Renamon. This one was female with brilliant silver-blond hair, glittering blue eyes, and fair skin. She had the arm feathers, tail, ears, hands, and feet of Renamon. Her fur was silvery colored and her gloves she wore were blue with a star on each.
"Welcome. I am Aryel, a Rinnah," she said in a silky voice, bowing deeply. Takato followed suit and bowed also, showing respect for the stranger. After standing straight once more, Takato cleared his throat. "Might I ask what you have brought me here for?" he said simply. Aryel smiled broadly. "Someone who asks questions… strange around here," she said, "Well, I have brought you here because I need to ask something of you." Takato tilted his head. "And that may be…?"
Jeri woke the next morning and stretched in the sunshine. A smile spread across her face in the warmth and she sighed contentedly. Swinging her legs over the side of her bed, she stood up and shuffled over to her shelves. She pulled down an Amazonian shirt, pants, and gloves. She dressed quickly before slipping in her hoop earrings of gold. Leomon still slept against the wall and Jeri twirled past him. She didn't even know why she was dancing, she just felt extremely happy that Takato had returned to her. Her hair spun around her as she spun once more in front of a mirror. She quickly painted on her traditional shooting star on her cheek. She painted a butterfly just below her collarbone and a spiral on her left shoulder.
Leomon woke to Jeri spinning again. He yawned widely and watched her. After a moment or two he said, "Someone's happy." Jeri stopped abruptly and spun to face him. A slight blush was on her cheeks, embarrassed about being caught dancing. "Yes… yes I am, Leomon," she said sheepishly. Leomon chuckled as he got to his feet.
Ryo stirred and opened his eyes. He looked around, having forgotten where he was. 'Oh yes… home,' he thought, a smile coming to his lips. He felt something move beside him and turned his head to see Rika sleeping peacefully. He reached out and brushed some hair from her face. She moaned softly. "Not yet, Yosimetsu…" she mumbled. Ryo tilted his head. 'Yosimetsu… mother, obviously,' he thought with a chuckle. "I'm not Yosimetsu," he whispered in her ear. Rika opened her eyes. "Ryo…" she said before whipping around and hugging him tightly around the neck. Ryo looked surprised. "What the…?" he muttered. "I thought I had been dreaming! But you're really here!" Rika cried, nuzzling his neck. Ryo smiled. "Yeah… I'm here," he said softly.
Cyberdramon yawned as he woke up and Renamon stirred from her sleeping position, opening one eye before sitting up fully. "Rika…?" Renamon called softly to her partner. Rika turned. "Yes?" she replied. Renamon smiled. "Just making sure you're all right." Rika grinned. "I'm just perfect!"
Lee opened his eyes slowly and gazed out the window beside him. Smiling, he sat up straight away, for it was easy for him to wake up quickly. Terriermon gazed up at him, yawning widely. "How… can you wake up so…fast?" he asked Lee between yawns. Lee chuckled. "Spend four years in a place where you have to get up at four in the morning, you get used to it," he said with a laugh. Suzie yawned widely as she woke up beside Terriermon. Lopmon awoke also, stretching out her ears.
Lee pulled his shirt off and stretched his arms. He flexed the muscles in his back. He turned his head when he felt a soft poke near his shoulder blades. "Silly brother… he let himself get scars…" he heard Suzie say to Lopmon. He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I am silly," he replied with a smile.
As Jeri was standing outside, Guilmon came running up to her. "Takato-mon is gone!!" he cried, over and over. "What!" Jeri looked around frantically. 'He can't have gone far… right?' she thought. She ran around the entire village but there was no sign of the brown-haired teen she searched for.
Jeri came to the boundary wall, panting. "Takato!" she managed to call out before leaning against the wall to catch her breath. Leomon came up beside her and lifted her onto his shoulder. "Look," he said, pointing. Jeri followed his gaze and gasped softly. Takato was fast asleep in the nook of a tree just outside the boundary. His chin was to his chest and his arms folded over his waist. Jeri climbed onto the wall, ran swiftly to the tree and jumped onto a branch near Takato. "Takato… Takato, wake up," she called to him softly. Takato moaned and his hand twitched slightly. "Come on, Takato…" Takato finally opened his eyes. "I was…" he yawned, "…having such a nice dream…"
Jeri reached towards Takato. "Come here," she said gently to the groggy young man. Takato rubbed his eyes and stretched. "Coming, coming…" he replied sleepily. He stood up in the nook and looked at Jeri. "Good morning," he chirped. Jeri chuckled. "Good morning, Takato. Now come here," she answered, stretching her hand towards Takato again. Takato took her hand and jumped over onto the branch she was on. Together they went back onto the boundary wall, climbing down to the ground.
Leomon stood beside Jeri while Takato stretched once more. "What where you doing in that tree, Takato?" asked Leomon. Guilmon nosed his head under Takato's arm and Takato smiled, scratching Guilmon's neck. "I…" he started. He paused, thinking back to the night before.
"You must give this to the Prince," Aryel had said to him. She was holding out an octagonal box. Takato took it and blinked. His finger pressed something and the top of the box spread out to a star shape with eight sides. He was surprised for a moment. Pressing the button again, it closed.
Aryel smiled at him. "Also… give these to your friends. You'll know which to give to each of them when you really think about it," she said, handing him a pouch. Takato took the pouch. "Is this all?" he asked. Aryel nodded. "Yes. Now…" she passed her hand over his eyes and he felt tired. He fell, fast asleep before he hit the ground.
"Takato?" inquired Jeri, waving her hand in Takato's face. Takato jumped slightly. "S-Sorry. Just thinking about what happened…" he stammered. Suddenly his eyes widened. "The pouch! And the Key!" he cried before climbing up the wall swiftly. Jeri stared at him like he was crazy before following him.
Takato jumped back into the tree and crawled to the nook he had been sleeping in. He searched around the area of the tree fervently. 'Where is it?' he thought to himself. He looked up above him and grinned. 'There it is…' he thought, grabbing the pouch resting above him. He jumped back to the boundary wall, landing beside a dumbfounded Jeri. "Um, what was that all for, Takato?" she asked. Takato smiled and held up the pouch. "I have something for each of us," he replied.
Soon, all of the Tamers (Ryo, Rika, Lee, Takato, Suzie, and Jeri) were gathered in one area in the garden. Takato opened the pouch and pulled out the octagon shaped box. "Lee." Lee took the box cautiously and turned it around and around, looking it over. Takato smiled before reaching into the pouch again. "Suzie," he said, not really understanding how he knew the next gift was for her. Suzie took a small, red crystal on a golden chain from Takato. She smiled broadly and put it on.
Takato reached in once more and pulled out a large blue gem on a thin black rope. "Jeri." Jeri took the gem and looked it over before putting it around her neck. The gem glittered in the sunlight and on the ground where the sunlight passed through the gem there was a blue aurora. Jeri was awed at the sight and looked down at the gem. "Amazing…" she breathed.
"Ryo." Takato held out a small wrapped up package and Ryo took it from him gently. He tilted his head and unwrapped it. Inside were two golden bracelets with a gem on each. The gems' color matched Ryo's eyes. Ryo slipped the bracelets onto his wrists and smiled broadly. "I know what these are," he said softly. Takato looked at him. "What are they?" he asked. "Weapon bracelets. Watch," replied Ryo as he touched the gem on one of the bracelets. It glowed and the shape shifted into something else. When the glow faded, there was now a sword attached to Ryo's wrist. Ryo grinned before changing it back into a bracelet.
"Rika." Rika took another wrapped package from Takato and stared at it for a moment. She began to cautiously take the wrapping off, wondering what she would find. 'Feels like it's my birthday, unwrapping this,' she thought. She pulled off the last piece of paper, revealing a large glass vial filled with a glowing, white liquid. Lee got to his feet abruptly. "Yiori Trai!!" he cried, his eyes wide. Rika looked at him with a strange look on her face. Suzie pulled Lee back into his seat. Lee ran his fingers through his hair nervously before sighing deeply. "What is 'Yiori Trai'?" asked Ryo.
Lee sat back in his seat. "Yiori Trai is the life source. That liquid gives the holder the power to give life… and the power to take life away, simply by concentrating and touching the person or whatever," he explained. Rika looked down at the vial in surprise. "You mean… just by touching someone, I can either kill him or her or bring them back to life?" she asked, awed. Lee nodded. "Sounds dangerous," came Renamon's silky voice. Rika turned to see Renamon behind her. "I didn't know you tagged along," she said. "All the Digimon did, Rika." Cyberdramon, Terriermon, Lopmon, Leomon, and Guilmon came out of the trees of the garden.
The group chatted in the garden for a little while, reminiscing and talking about the future. Jeri and Takato surprised everyone by telling them that Takato's and Jeri's parents had already set the two of them up for marriage. "It's not very fun, knowing you already have someone to wed. I mean, to think that all this time we've been engaged so early, I could have been flirting with other girls!" Takato complained. Jeri knocked him over the head. "You be quiet, Takato Matsuki!!" she cried. Takato rubbed his head. "Yes, Ma'am."
Aryel watched Takato and the others from a tree just outside the village. 'I hope this works… we need that weapon awakened by the right person…' she thought, staring at Lee. She smiled softly before turning and jumping out of the tree, running back to her home.
Ryo and Rika walked back to their tree house. As they walked up the steps, they silently wondered what was going to happen next. Everything was too right… too perfect. 'It won't stay this way for long…' they both thought. Ryo looked at Rika out of the corner of his eye. She was deep in thought; he could tell by the way she was biting her lower lip. They came to the structure and walked up the steps, still in silence.
Rika pushed the door open and froze. Ryo tilted his head. "What is it?" he asked. Rika didn't reply. "Rika?" Ryo stepped forward and peered over her shoulder. His eyes went wide and he dropped his book he had been holding. The room had been ripped apart.
The other Tamers came as soon as Ryo and Rika called. Lee came up to the door and knocked on the door. "Come in," came the muffled voice of Rika. Lee opened the door and stared in shock. "What the…? What happened here?" he asked, surprised. Ryo looked up from sifting through the remains of the bed. "That's what we would like to know," he said. "I want to know how whoever did this got in here. It's hard to get past our guards," whispered Rika, barely audible. "Hey guys! We're-" Takato fell silent as soon as he came into the room. Jeri followed him, looking surprised. Suzie and the Digimon came next.
After all of them cleaning up for a while, Ryo sat on the floor and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "I want to know what the person, or creature, was looking for…" he said. The other humans, Terriermon, Renamon and Lopmon sat near him, the group sitting in a circle. Leomon and Cyberdramon stood beside the circle. Ryo rested his chin on his hands and closed his eyes. His mind raced for something that someone might want to steal. Then, it clicked. "Of course!!" he cried, sitting up straight. Everyone stared at him. He dashed over to a pile of stuff and dug through it. Rika stared at him. "Um, Ryo dear, what are you doing?" she asked nervously.
Ryo lifted a large box out of the pile and dropped it in the middle of the circle. He opened it and dug through the contents. He finally lifted out a small book and flipped through the pages. "Here!" he exclaimed, pointing at a page. Everyone peered at it. "Looks like some sort of map," said Jeri. "It is a map!" Ryo chirped, "A map to the Wild Lance! Or, that is… half of the map to the Wild Lance." Lee gasped and pulled out his trinket he had received. He pressed the button on it and it opened. "Look!" he cried. He pulled out a torn piece of paper and Ryo gently took it. "Could it be…?" he whispered. He smoothed the paper out and lay in inside the book. "Oh my…" Ryo's eyes lit up. "It's… the full map," he breathed.
Chapter 6!! Seven coming soon.
Akiyama Shadow