A Few Days Later…
Ryo was packing up a few things. "We're going to find the Wild Lance," he said in a singsong voice as he packed. Cyberdramon growled at him. "I don't appreciate the fact that you dislike my sort-of singing," said Ryo. Cyberdramon just stared at him (sort of). "I'm kidding, buddy! I'm kidding!" Ryo cried, laughing. Cyberdramon shook his head. "I don't understand what's so funny…"
Rika picked up her pack and slung it onto her back. She then held a pack out to Renamon. Renamon just stared at it. "Come on, Rena. Take it," Rika said, waving the pack a little. Renamon took the back and just sort of blinked at it. Rika chuckled, took the pack again, and put it over Renamon's shoulder, ensuring she didn't crush the Digimon's arm feathers. Renamon blinked again then shrugged a little. "Don't shrug anymore. The pack will fall if you do," instructed Rika. Renamon nodded. "Very well."
Walking outside, Rika and Renamon met up with Lee, Takato, Jeri, Ryo, Suzie, Lopmon, Cyberdramon, Leomon, Guilmon, and Terriermon. Ryo looked ecstatic about going on this adventure. Rika chuckled at the look on his face as she approached them. "Are we all set?" asked Lee. Everyone nodded. "Then… let's go!" cried Ryo.
After three hours of hiking through the jungle, Lee paused and called for a break. Everyone gladly agreed and they all sat down to rest. Lee wiped the sweat off his forehead and took a quick drink from his canteen. He then took out the map that the Amazons had bonded together to make one full map and looked it over. 'We're only half-way there…' he thought, sighing. He wiped his brow again, putting the map away. Ryo came up to him. "How much longer do you guess?" he asked. Lee shrugged. "At this pace, maybe another two, three hours." Ryo sighed. "Why don't we quicken the pace then?" came Rika's annoyed voice. "And how do you propose that?" asked Lee, turning to face her. "We have Digimon," Rika replied.
Renamon was carrying Rika only, running on the ground. Growlmon (who had Digivolved) had Takato, Lee, and Terriermon. Leomon carried Jeri, Suzie, and Lopmon and Cyberdramon carried Ryo. Things were going much quicker now. Growlmon led the way so Lee could tell which direction to go in.
Suddenly, the group came to a beach. Growlmon barely stopped in time to keep the two Tamers and the Digimon on his head from plunging into the water headfirst. Lee slid down onto the ground and pulled out the map again. "Great… I hope everyone's up for a swim!" he cried. Everyone groaned as they got down from their Digimon. "Do we have to?" Suzie whined. Lee nodded. "Actually, it all depends. Who wants to go?" said Jeri. "I'm for it!" Ryo exclaimed. Takato and Rika nodded. "Well, Suzie, the Digimon, and I will all stay and wait here then," Jeri proposed. "Good idea, Jer!" cried Takato with a grin.
Takato, Lee, and Ryo pulled off their shirts and slipped off their shoes also. Lee put the box he had in his pocket and Ryo snapped on his weapon braces. Takato pulled a small crystalline globe out of his pocket. "What's that Takato-mon?" asked Guilmon. Takato smiled. "You'll see," he said as the globe filled with a blue mist. Takato slowly lifted the globe so that sunlight flowed through it, making him seem blue in color. Everyone stared in surprise and awe as Takato started to change.
First, Takato's hands became partially webbed and so did his feet. After that, gills appeared on the sides of his neck and his ears became slightly pointed. The blue glow faded and Takato sighed, lowering the globe. He stashed it back into his pocket and turned to the others. "I'm all set for a nice swim," he chirped. Everyone stared at him for moment. Guilmon poked Takato's gills and Takato immediately put a hand over them. "Hey!" he yelled. Guilmon made a "bree" noise and walked back to Jeri. "Well, come on," said Rika. She slipped her pants off, revealing bathing-suit-like undergarments. Ryo blushed a bit before walking into the shallow, blue water.
Lee followed Ryo slowly. He wasn't a big fan of the ocean ever since he had almost drowned in it once. Takato came up behind him and put a webbed hand on his shoulder. "All's well, buddy. Nothing will happen to you," he said, as if reading Lee's thoughts of fear. Lee stared at him for a moment before smiling. "Yeah," he said with a firm nod. Takato smiled back before walking further into the ocean. Lee followed him and paused when the water got up to his waist. Suddenly, a hand took his gently and he turned to see Rika smiling at him. "How about I stay with you? We share a bit of the same fear," she whispered. Lee chuckled. "Sure. I mean, that is, if you really want to stick with me instead of Ryo," he stammered. "Ah, Ryo'll be fine without me for a while," replied Rika with a casual wave of her hand, "Now let's go!"
Ryo came to water that reached his neck. He took a few deep breaths before diving underwater… and coming face to face with Takato. He yelled underwater, letting out all of his air and thus, causing Takato to have to push him up so his head would be above the water. Ryo sputtered and spit out salty ocean water. Takato came up after him, grinning. "Takato… Matsuki…" Ryo whispered, still coughing. "Yes?" Ryo glared at the fifteen-year-old before him. "You die!" he yelled, grabbing Takato's shoulders and pushing him under the water.
Rika came up behind Ryo, still holding Lee's hand. "You're just making a fool of yourself," she said with a sigh. "Huh?" was Ryo's reply as he let Takato back up. Takato snickered as he lifted his head out of the water. "I have gills, Akiyama," he exclaimed, before going into a fit of laughter. Ryo slapped his forehead. "Can we go already?" asked Lee, eyeing the water nervously. "All right," replied Takato. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an extra pair of goggles. "Salt stings all eyes except mine at this time," he said, holding the goggles out. Lee took them and put them on, adjusting them to fit. Ryo reached out and pulled the goggles that Takato wore on his head off and put them on himself. Rika sighed and moved her hands over her eyes. After he hands passed, a pair of goggles appeared over her eyes. She adjusted them and smirked. "All set to go."
The group dove underwater and Takato led the way. His webbed hands and feet made it easy for him to swim through the cold water. Rika swam beside Lee, occasionally smiling at him encouragingly. Ryo swam easily, but not as easily as Takato did.
About halfway down, Lee suddenly jerked back. Rika whipped around to face him. Lee was slightly blue and his hands were to his mouth. 'He's running out of air! And we're too far down to swim back up in time!' thought Rika, feeling panicked. Takato swam up and gave Rika a questioning look. Using various hand signals, Rika showed Takato that Lee was slowly suffocating. Takato actually sighed underwater. He took a deep swallow of water, passing it over the gills on his neck. He tested to see if he could hold the oxygen inside. He grinned, discovering he could, and let the air out in a big bubble. Giggling, he swam up to Lee. "Lee, I have an idea," he said underwater, more bubbles appearing. Lee nodded fervently. Takato took another big swallow of air and held the oxygen in.
Takato then quickly put his mouth to Lee's and forced the oxygen into the other boy's mouth. Lee looked utterly surprised but soon realized he didn't feel the burn in his lungs anymore. Takato swam back a little bit. "Okay now?" he asked. Lee nodded and gave Takato a weak thumbs up. Takato grinned and swam ahead again. Lee followed him and pointed ahead of them. Rika, Ryo, and Takato followed his gaze and saw the large mouth of a cave. "That's the way?" Takato inquired. Lee nodded again and started swimming towards the cave. The other three followed him.
Rika swam ahead, reaching the cave first. She paused and looked back as the boys arrived. Rika used hand motions once more to show that she would go first. The boys nodded and forced themselves to stand on the ocean floor. 'Thank god this isn't too deep… the water pressure would have crushed us by now,' Ryo thought.
Rika swam forward into the cave. She quickly vanished from the boys' sight in the darkness. Using her hands, Rika was able to tell which direction to go in, her feet propelling her forward. Glowing eyes peered up at her from the floor of the cave, bubbles rising up occasionally. She swam a bit more before coming to an abrupt stop. Ahead was a large shark, huge, gray, and white. 'A great white… my luck,' she thought glumly. The shark didn't seem to notice her thought. It was interested in something above the surface of the water. Rika did a double take. The surface! She slowly swam into the open space and edged along the wall of the cave, avoiding urchins and sea snakes as she walked. The shark still didn't notice her.
Soon, the water began to get shallower and shallower. Rika was overjoyed when her head broke the surface. She took a deep breath of the semi-salty air and quickly dragged herself out of the water so the shark wouldn't notice her and decide she was a snack. Sure enough, just as she pulled her feet out of the water, she felt the rough texture of sharkskin brush against her. She hissed between her teeth, glaring at the black form under the surface that was the shark.
Getting to her feet, Rika looked around the cave. There was a great open space, then a large tunnel. "Well, we must be on the right track…" she muttered. She paused. How was she going to tell the boys to come? She thought, biting her lower lip. Then, she grinned. 'The Yiori Trai of course,' she thought, pulling out the vial. She shook the bottle gently. Lee was attracted to the liquid, so she figured it would work.
Lee suddenly straightened as they waited. He looked around with quick jerks of his head. 'The Yiori Trai…' he thought. He turned to Takato and Ryo and waved to them. He swam to the entrance of the cave and waved again. Ryo and Takato looked at each other before following him. "Safe to go?" asked Takato. Lee nodded. So, the three boys headed into the cave.
Takato came to the cavern first and stopped immediately. Lee and Ryo paused behind him and gave him equally confused looks. Takato pointed in front of them. The two other boys followed his finger and their eyes went wide. A huge shark was swimming around the area, slowly, menacingly. Lee nudged Takato. Go up and get out of the water, he signaled. Takato nodded and glanced at the shark before swimming upwards quickly and vanishing above the surface.
Lee motioned for Ryo to go next and Ryo looked reluctant. Lee glared at him and motioned again angrily. Ryo's eyes went terribly wide and he swam upwards very quickly. 'That was easy…' thought Lee. He turned and his heart almost stopped. The shark was right in front of him.
Rika looked around. "Where's Lee?" she asked. Takato started to speak but he choked. Ryo patted him on the back. "Back to normal, buddy," he said. Takato nodded and glowed blue once more before going back to a normal human. "He's under the water. Should be here anytime," he answered Rika with a hand motion to the still water. Rika narrowed her eyes and walked to the water's edge. Suddenly, she cursed loudly, reaching back and tearing her weapon out of its hold on her back. "Rika!" cried Ryo, "What are you doing?!"
Lee trembled underwater as he stared at the huge shark. What are you here for? Came a voice suddenly. His eyes went wide. 'What the…?' he thought. Answer me, the voice demanded. Lee motioned to his mouth slowly, as to not startle the shark and cause it to attack. You cannot speak under the water? Asked the voice. Lee shook his head. I see… speak with your mind then. Lee shrugged. 'If that's what you want…' he thought. Good, good… now what are you here for? Asked the voice again. 'I'm here for the Wild Lance. And whom is speaking to me?' Lee said in his mind. A chuckle came, surprising him a little. You're speaking with I, the shark, Wild One. My name is GreyFang, replied the voice. Lee's eyes went wide. 'Talking with…the shark?' he thought, shocked.
Yes, talking with the shark… now, how do you plan to get the Wild Lance? Asked GreyFang. Lee pulled the key out of his pocket. 'With this.' There was silence for a moment. Then came, Well, tell the others that they are going the wrong way if they plan to take the tunnel… look for the golden hearth. Lee nodded. 'Thank you,' he said politely. He reached out and touched the shark's broad head softly before swimming upwards.
Lee's head broke the surface and he took in a deep breath before climbing out of the water with the help of Rika and Takato. He smiled broadly then paused. He turned to the water and kneeled down. "GreyFang, we can speak better now," he called. Rika, Takato, and Ryo stared at him like he was crazy. Suddenly, the shark raised its head out of the water slightly. That's good, he said to Lee. Lee glanced at his friends. "Can they hear you?" he asked. Not unless they are Wild Ones like you, replied the Great White. Lee turned to face his friends. "Can you hear him? He says that you won't unless you're 'Wild Ones' like me… whatever that means," he said to them. The three shook their heads. "Darn… oh well," he turned back to the shark, "They can't. They must not be what you say I am."
The great white let out a growl-like noise. Be careful, Wild One… you aren't alone here, he warned. Lee nodded. "I shall, GreyFang. I've learned to listen to those who know more than I. And, please… my name is Lee," he said, with a smile. Lee… Lee Wong? GreyFang asked. Lee nodded. GreyFang snapped his jaws, causing Rika to growl and grab her weapon. Lee turned his head and glared daggers at Rika. "No." Rika snarled softly and lowered the weapon. Lee turned back to the great shark. "Is my name of importance?" he asked. Of course it is! You're great-grandfather was the last holder of the Wild Lance! That is… before it was broken, GreyFang replied. Lee tilted his head. "Indulge me, great one."
GreyFang told Lee the story of the destruction of the One Enemy. Lee could picture every part in his mind's eye and he was shocked that it was his great-grandfather who had held the Wild Lance. "Tokatai… That sounds familiar," said Lee after the shark had finished. "It sounds like my name," Takato added. Lee paused before turning to Takato. "Tell him… tell him what your name is," he said. Takato raised an eyebrow. "Takato… Matsuki Takato," he replied, using the traditional Japanese way of saying a name.
GreyFang snapped his jaws again. "Why am I thinking that's an expression of surprise?" asked Lee with a laugh. GreyFang chuckled in his mind again. It is, my friend. Matsuki Takato, is it? His great-grandfather was very important also… his great-grandfather was Jenrya's best friend, he said. Lee grinned. "And now Takato and I are friends!" Yes… that may be the main key to winning this war that plagues us, said the great shark. Lee ran his fingers over the rough skin of the shark. "Well, we best go now… we need to find that Lance as soon as possible," he said. The shark bumped its head against Lee's hand. Very well. I will be your escort back to the land as soon as you return here, he said. Lee nodded. "Okay… good-bye for now."
Takato, Rika, and Ryo walked towards the huge tunnel. Lee coughed loudly and they stopped. Turning around, they saw him pointing towards a huge fireplace-like area. "There is where we need to go," he said. The three were silent for a moment. Lee walked over to the hearth and ran his fingers over the metal. Wherever he touched, the metal became gold. He ran his hands over most of the metal. Rika and the two boys stared at the golden hearth-way. Lee pushed against the stone center. Suddenly, the wall gave away and he fell. The three others ran over. "Lee!!" cried Takato. "Ugh… I'm fine, I think," came a voice from down below, "It's not a long fall. Come on down." Rika nodded and jumped down.
Lee fell back as Rika landed on top of him. "Oof… as if I didn't hurt enough…" he groaned. Rika blushed, embarrassed. "My apologies, Lee-kun," she said nervously. Lee smiled. "You used Japanese," he chirped. Rika smiled. "Yeah, I did…" Lee smiled broadly and gently lifted Rika off him, standing once more. Rika sat on the floor for a moment, watching him. 'Why am I so nervous around him…?' she thought.
Lee called up to Takato and Ryo to jump down. The two boys landed with dull "thumps" on either side of Lee. "Rika, let's go, love," Ryo said kindly, reaching his hand out. Rika smiled and took his hand, pulling herself up and close to him. Ryo snaked his arm around her waist. "Let's go, lovebirds," Takato laughed. Lee felt a pang of jealously when he saw Ryo and Rika. 'What the…? Why do I feel… jealous?' he thought. He sighed before smiling. "Yeah, come on," he chirped. The group headed off into the darkness.
Fwaha. No comment really. Nothing to say.
Akiyama Shadow