Me: Okay, ladies and gents-I don't own Digimon, or part of "Hero" from the Spider-Man soundtrack!
Rika: Wait a minute-don't tell me your still depressed over with last week?
Me: No, but I just can't forget it. What I'm more concerned about is this Saturday's hour-long Season Finale of Digimon-"Jeri Fights Back" and "Such Sweet Sorrow..." The name of the last Tamers episode fits a lot better than "A Million Points of Light," I think.
Terriermon: And he goes into a relapse of "B.T."
Takato: Uh..."B.T?"
Terriermon: "Before Terriermon," or "Before Tamers," if you would like.
Henry: Hey, be a good little bunny, or it's "Princess Pretty Pants" time again.
Terriermon: Couldn't you just pit me against Beelzemon again instead of just striking me where it hurts?
Me: Anyway, these two chapters are sort of like a two-part deal, such as the supposed three-part epic concerning Leomon's death, Megidramon's brief appearance and the arrival of...
Takato/Guilmon: GALLANTMON!!!
Me: (covers ears in irritation) Hey! The two of you aren't Biomerging, so could you knock it off while I speak?!
Rika: (whacks me upside the head) If anyone's gonna tell off my Gogglehead...(promptly hits Takato in the back of the head)...it'll be me!
Takato: (moment of silence) ...Ow.
Me: (rubs head gingerly) As I was saying...
Terriermon: Before Rika pulled the smackdown on you and showed you to your seat!
Henry: No more WWF Smackdown for two months.
Terriermon: Aw, nuts!
Me: ...these next two chapters aren't going to entirely focus on Dracula, since he's gonna be
planning something severe, as well as try to drain the last of the original Tamers of his blood. To
Jimbo Jones, the vampire will be going after Ai and Mako, but it's gonna be for an entirely
different reason, as this chapter will tell you. And, the flashbacks are gonna be from "Takato
V.S. Takato."
Digimon Tamers: Tamers V.S. Dracula
Chapter XV-Unfinished Business
"Then surrender your soul!!!" -Chatsuramon, "Motorcycle Madness"
"You'll excuse me if I'm not impressed, your Highness, but I got a deal to close...and you
happen to be in my way." -Beelzemon, "The Battle Within"
While Takato was taking some R&R to recover from Dracula's bite, Rika was unleashing her
anger out on practically everyone! For one thing, she nearly choked poor Terriermon in the
waiting area, she snapped at Ryo-like that isn't new!-for just showing up at Takato's room and
she seemed to revert back to how she'd been before she'd met Takato and Henry. The only one
she wasn't angry at was Takato, because she'd made a vow that she wouldn't let the vampire
hurt them with any attack he may learn from Guilmon. When Rika and Renamon left Takato's
hospital room to take on the undead being in question, it was harder than she'd thought it was
going to be, because he'd used almost every single one of Guilmon's attacks on them! Even
though Renamon had Digivolved to Kyubimon, and then to Taomon, it hadn't gotten any better
for them battlewise, until Dracula had sent the death blow towards them-Takato and Guilmon
had snuck out of the hospital and had taken the hit meant for Taomon! The Dark Prince chose
that time to leave, but even though Rika's back to normal, I have a feeling we haven't seen the
last of the big, bad vampire.
Beelzemon usually didn't take time out during the night to just fly around and enjoy life in the Real World, but ever since he'd been Ai and Mako's Digimon partner, the Mega Digimon actually started to let himself relax, since in his Mega form, he blended in with the darkness well, unlike other Digimon he could mention, such as Guilmon, whose Champion and Ultimate levels practically stuck out like a sore thumb in the Real World.
"The nightlife...so short, so alive, and so intimidating in its own way, don't you think?"
The Virus-type instantly came to a stop as his senses came across something that he couldn't even identify!
"I guess you would be Dracula, huh? Well, come on, you undead fiend of the night-show yourself!"
Chuckling lightly, the vampire appeared a centimeter or two from Beelzemon's face.
"Don't even think about attacking me. With the power of two Digimon at my beck and call-a Virus and a Data-type-you would be deleted within minutes, if not seconds. And, if I'd wanted to attack you, I would've done so whilst your attention was elsewhere."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah-what do you want from me? I've gotta get home, and surprisingly enough, you just happen to be leaving from that general direction."
Dracula nodded in silent agreement to Beelzemon's statement before continuing on. "True, I am leaving from that 'general direction,' and yet, I was looking for you. As you no doubt know, I am attempting to learn the attacks of all of the original Tamers' Digimon, which would be: Guilmon, Renamon and Terriermon. The third one, I have yet to learn; the first two have exquisite power in their hands! But, weren't you partnered up with your Tamers before the other three-?"
Roaring loudly, Beelzemon grabbed Dracula by his collar and lifted him up with one hand, while with the other, he pulled out one of his three guns and cocked it.
"If you even think about going near Ai and Mako, just once, you're gonna find a bullet or two with your name on it, 'legendary vampire!'"
The vampire's response wasn't what Beelzemon expected it to be. He started laughing while vanishing at the same time from his grasp.
"You have been around humans for far too long. Otherwise, you would already know that I've not only been near your human partners, but I've already captured them for safekeeping. Don't worry-I haven't drained them of their blood...yet."
"Raaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!! Show yourself, you blood-sucking parasite! Double Impact!!"
Beelzemon's main attack hit nothing but dead air, luckily for him! His laughter growing, Dracula reappeared while lobbing a powerful fireball at his back.
"PyroBlaster!!"
"Uhhhh!!! I never knew Pineapple head's Champion attack could pack a wallop..." Beelzemon groaned while dropping to his knees and struggling to get back up.
"Didn't you explain to your so-called 'friends' that no matter what attack I use from any Digimon's levels, that to the opponent, it feels like a Mega hit them?"
"Ya think I didn't? Where are they?! Tell me nooooooooooooooow!!!"
A half-grin appearing on his face, Dracula replied, "All in good time, but first, I need you to do a little something for me. Tomorrow, around oh, let's say...noonish, you go to the bakery of the Tamers' leader and challenge him and his partner for one final showdown-a battle to the death! If you win and absorb his data, I shall release your partners. If you don't, well, you'll be dead; I'm sure you won't need to know the rest of it."
Beelzemon hadn't been expecting that at all! He'd spent practically most of his time in the Digital World apologizing to Leomon and the other Digimon over and over for what he'd done and he'd protected Shinjuku during the Tamers' stay in Transylvania, and now he had to do this?
"What for? Why do you want someone who's been a Virus-type, but who's been good, erased?"
Glaring at the Mega Digimon, Dracula hissed, "Because, while he was merged with his Tamer,
his Tamer's mate and his Tamer's mate's partner, that Virus/Data type, known as
OmegaGallantmon, I was nearly beaten to death again in my own town! Only luck and my
uncanny ability to stay alive prevented me from completely disappearing. And now, I want,
simply put, revenge. My revenge was only partly saturated when I drank the leader's blood, but
with you 'assisting me,' it can be laid to rest."
"An extra month?! And just because I wanted to save my girlfriend from following me down the same path of darkness that I'd went to." Takato mumbled while helping Rika with some clothes her mother would wear for a modeling agency the following day, nearing 12:00 in the afternoon.
"At least you got off with one month, Takato, and I'm just guessing that was only because of what Dracula did to you. I've got to help my mom out with...with...these for two more months! I don't think I could handle it."
"Ironic-the Digimon Queen and her king can take on any evil Digimon in the entire cosmos, but when it comes to baking food or modeling dresses, they both run and hide like little, frightened bunnies."
"Terriermon!"
Takato and Rika turned to stare at Henry and Terriermon, who was waiting for them at the doorway with Jeri, Leomon, Guilmon, Renamon and Calumon. Reminded, albeit temporarily, of what Dracula had done to him, Takato's leaving the hospital unexpectedly in order to save Rika had provoked his parents, but had also convinced them to get him admitted from the hospital during the previous night, otherwise, he would still be there at this moment.
"What are you guys doing here?" Rika asked reluctantly.
"We just thought you guys could use a little assistance with this." Jeri explained.
"And we're all here-" Terriermon pointed to the other Digimon with one ear in the course of five seconds. "-to give you guys moral support."
"Peachy." was Rika's response. Takato laughed lightly at her blunt statement.
As Beelzemon lightly landed in front of the Matsuki bakery, he instantly deDigivolved into his Rookie form. It wouldn't do any good to scare away any potential customers if a Mega Digimon was inside.
"Hey-is anybody working here today, or what?" Impmon yelled out.
"Just a second-oh! You must be Impmon. Guilmon's mentioned you once or twice. Are you here to try out the Guilmon bread?"
While eyeing Takato's father with a look of shock, that look didn't fade away as Impmon soon turned to find a bread shaped exactly like Guilmon's head in one of the shelves!
"Uh, maybe later. Do you know where your son is, sir?" Impmon respected Takato enough to know that he would have to treat his family with the same respect, despite what he would have to do to save his partners from Dracula's iron-clad grip.
"He has to work with his girlfriend at a photo shoot today, at least, I think that's what he said. It should be over on the other side of town-"
"Thanks! I'll come by later to try out Pineapple head's bread!" Beelzemon yelled back as he
flew off a moment later.
"The question is, what are we gonna do about Dracula?" Takato finally asked what no one else had wanted to ask. When he and Rika finally went on their lunch break, the tiny team of Tamers and their Digimon had talked about stuff from their trip to Transylvania to what the Digimon had done while they'd been in the Digital World for a month and things that had occurred up until now.
"Since he knows Guilmon and Renamon's attacks, he isn't someone we can take lightly any longer." Leomon declared loudly.
"Yeah, and what if he comes after Henry next? Isn't he the missing piece to this equation?" Terriermon spoke up, a tinge of worry in the Rookie Digimon's voice for once.
"Renamon and I did hear that creepy vampire mention something about him being the last original Tamer left last night, and once he got Henry, nothing we did would be able to stop him." Rika explained.
"So in other words, Henry would just have to go under house arrest!" Takato cracked.
The room grew silent a moment later, save for the "Huh?" that Guilmon and Calumon had both asked at the same time.
"Never mind." Takato groaned as he blushed lightly while dropping his head in embarrassment.
"Wouldn't Impmon's Tamers be considered original Tamers as well?" Renamon noted calmly.
"Two things, fox face: One, the name's Beelzemon! Two, unlike you and your humans, I never merge with my partners, since I don't want them anywhere where I'm gonna be, or they might get hurt during the crossfire."
The Tamers turned toward the window and saw Beelzemon flying outside, patiently waiting for something, or someone.
"Pineapple head, we gotta talk. Bring your partner out here, too. He may want to hear this."
Takato and Guilmon were about to walk outside, but Rika held him back.
"Hold on a minute! Whatever you have to say to Gogglehead and Dinoboy, you can say right in front of us."
Shrugging, Beelzemon held out his right arm and a gun appeared in his hand. "Fine, but you'd better get out before the cops have to check your dental records."
The Tamers and the Digimon raced out within seconds of Beelzemon's warning. Once they'd all gotten clear, he mumbled, "Is there anyone else in there?"
With a raised eyebrow, Rika shook her head. "No, they won't show up until 2:00."
"They may show up, but it won't be here, redhead. Corona Blaster!!"
BLAM!!! The Virus-type immediately covered the Tamers as best he could from the flying debris that covered up most of the other Digimon seconds later.
"What was that for? Takato and Rika still have to work here-"
Henry's explanation was interrupted as Beelzemon grumbled to Takato, "I wanna finish what we never ended, kid-our match! We had to stop 'cause of your 'soul mate's' interference!"
Takato forced himself to remember what had happened the week following their return from the
Digital World...
Flashback
"Guilmon Biomerge to...GALLANTMON!!!"
The Virus Digimon looked around for Beelzemon, who'd seemed to disappear from view entirely! Henry and Jeri had run over to where Rika, Renamon and Calumon were at.
"Where are you? I can sense you, yet I can't see you!"
"That's cause I'm here! Darkness Claw!!" Beelzemon had caught Gallantmon off guard and ambushed him from behind, sending him to the ground and causing him damage!
"Takato, get up!" Rika had yelled out.
Terriermon and Leomon had raced in at that time to see Gallantmon being mercilessly beaten by Beelzemon!
"And you claim to be one of the most powerful Digimon ever. You aren't even fighting back! Say goodbye, Pineapple head."
Biomerge Digivolution!
"Biomerge, activate!" Rika had yelled out while transforming into data and merging with Renamon for the first time.
"Renamon Biomerge to...SAKUYAMON!!!"
In shock and amazement, Beelzemon relinquished his hold on Gallantmon, who'd had time to change his right arm into his lance.
"Lightning Joust!!"
"Ahhhhh!!!" Beelzemon grunted as he felt the impact of that attack and hit the ground hard.
"I have been conflicted, but now I have cleared my mind of those thoughts. In either case, Beelzemon, you have been causing nothing but pain, suffering and torment towards those who have tried to help you. It is finally time for you to meet your match."
The Digimon in question grinned evilly. "Heh. Should've known Pineapple head couldn't beat me without help."
Grinning herself, Sakuyamon retorted, "He could, but teamwork is something we enjoy. You, on the other hand, are alone."
"All right-bring it! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Beelzemon roared with anger as he flew toward Gallantmon and Sakuyamon, guns blasting away at the two Mega Digimon...
End flashback
"...Your point is?" Rika asked sarcastically.
Narrowing his eyes at the Digimon Queen, who didn't even flinch, Beelzemon continued on. "It's been nagging at me ever since I let you go-which one of us is the strongest? Sure, we're both Megas with our own power, but in a fight to the death, could I outlast you, or what?" Beelzemon knew that most of what he'd just said was a lie, but he'd always wondered what would've happened if Rika and Renamon hadn't Biomerged when they had to create Sakuyamon that day.
"That said, I'm challenging you to a battle to the death-winner take all."
"In other words, you mean data." Takato growled.
"Yeah, data. We already know what's gonna be won or lost, so all we need is a spot, and I've got just the perfect spot-now!"
Dracula appeared, with a cloak covering his body from the sun's rays, and he started chanting in
Latin. Seconds later, a portal appeared that sucked up the Tamers and all of the Digimon there,
including Beelzemon!
The Tamers screamed helplessly while endlessly falling throughout the barrier between the Real World and the Digital World until they all crash landed at a place that was too familiar to them all.
"Uh, we're not where I think we are, are we?" Jeri stammered worriedly, clutching Henry's hand tightly.
Flashback
"Humph-served him right for getting in my way."
End flashback
"I think we are." Henry admitted sadly as Takato and Rika checked each other for injuries. "This is where we were when Leomon was..." The Tamer stopped talking at that moment, because he knew that even though the Champion Digimon was still with them, the subject, no matter how it was brought up, still weighed down on his girlfriend's heart.
"I thought it would be an ideal place to have our battle, even though it never truly recovered from what we all did to the place. You can still see some cracks in parts of the ground. And now that we've strolled down memory lane long enough, let's start the battle."
"Wait a minute!" Takato objected heatedly. "Why was Dracula there, and why does it seem like you had this set up?"
"I knew you wouldn't come willingly, and I knew she-" Beelzemon pointed a finger in Rika's direction, who glared back at him. "-wouldn't let you outta her sight, so this was the only way. Now, are we gonna fight, or do I have to persuade you?"
Takato gritted his teeth, but Rika gently, if not cautiously, massaged his shoulders. "How?"
BLAM!!
Takato worriedly turned to look at Rika, half expecting her to fall over dead. To his surprise, there was smoke billowing in the air, but it was coming from in front of her and not out of her body! Beelzemon had fired a shot at the ground just meters away from her.
Takato felt tears of anger and pain well up in his eyes before spilling over. "Don't you threaten me! You have no idea who you're messing with, do you?"
"Of course I do, but for chivalry's sake, I'll let it slide. Now, come on-let's end what we started, or are you gonna need lead poisoning flowing through your veins to get you started?"
At that statement, Rika felt tears of her own appear, but they weren't of anger, for once. This time, it was for an entirely different reason...
Flashback
"Whenever you allow Calumon to get away with the crazy things he does, it makes your beauty shine out even more."
With a look of disbelief, Rika looked down at what she had on-her shirt with the broken heart, a pack of Modify cards and a brown coat before eyeing Takato with that same look.
"You're kidding me! How could I look beautiful with clothes like these on?"
"I once heard someone on TV say, 'clothes don't make the man.' That doesn't make a lot of sense right now, mostly 'cause you're not a man, but it seems to fit. And, it doesn't matter to me if you were wearing those clothes for the rest of your life, or-" Takato suddenly came across some thoughts he hadn't intended to think of, and his cheeks flushed crimson.
Realizing what he'd meant, as well as seeing the color splashed on his face, Rika smiled knowingly at Takato.
"I didn't know you thought that way about me."
"Actually, I don't! It's just that-um, well-I can't help but notice how beautiful you've become in my eyes, and uh..." Takato's cheeks had turned even redder and his gaze trailed to his shoes. "Go on-hit me."
Rika's own cheeks grew hot, and tears started to form in her eyes as a thought she hadn't even wanted to think about crossed her mind.
"Thanks, Takato. That means a lot-really, it does."
"Sure, Rika! No problem at all...uh, Rika? What is it?"
Takato looked back up to see Rika crying quietly, her face cupped in her hands. Worried, and saddened, he reached over and hugged her gently.
"Rika...what's wrong?"
Rika hadn't expected to just blurt out what she felt at that moment, but just being straightforward was what was needed at this time.
"Takato...I'm scared."
Gulping, Takato fought back his own tears before asking, "Scared? Of what?"
"That something might happen to you while you were merged with Guilmon, and that you would leave me. My dad ended up divorcing my mom, and I don't want to be left alone like she was."
"Oh! Uh..." Takato was left completely speechless. In his eyes, Rika had been the Digimon
Queen, invincible to any kind of emotions! She may have felt pain at times, but this was, at least,
the first time he'd ever seen her break down at all.
Chorus: And they say that a hero can save us-I'm not gonna stand here and wait!
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles-watch as we all fly away...
(instrumental break for 13 seconds)
Now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you...
It isn't the love of a hero, and that's why I fear it won't do...
Chorus: And they say that a hero can save us-I'm not gonna stand here and wait!
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles-watch as we all fly away...(song fades into background)
Takato suddenly remembered something he'd seen his parents do during one night when he'd stayed up and had come down for a midnight snack-he figured it would work here, so, he summoned up his courage and mentally prepared himself.
"Be brave, Takato..."
Gulping quietly, Takato pulled Rika's body close to his own and brought his head down on Rika's neck. Gently, he started kissing at some parts of her neck while working his way downward. Gradually, Rika's sobs stopped after a few moments; however, she moaned into his ear. Worried that he'd done something wrong, Takato pulled away, blushing involuntarily as Rika came out of her daze.
"Sorry, Rika! I just, well, I remembered that my dad did that with my mom, and it worked then, so I hoped it would work here too, and, um..."
Smiling gently, Rika wiped away some tears and pulled Takato into a passionate kiss, not letting go until it was absolutely necessary-that meant, when they both needed some much-deserved air.
"Rika, I promise you-I won't leave you alone, for whatever reasons. We can work anything out; you proved that to me when you broke up with me about the link. I will always be by your side, through think and thin, through good days and bad, through rain, sleet or snow..."
"Shut up and kiss me."
End flashback
Of course, Rika remembered all this within ten seconds, more or less, so she hadn't seen Takato step up with Guilmon by his side until it was almost too late.
"Takato, wait!" Confused, Takato turned around and was pulled into a quick kiss by his fiancee. Seconds later, he was temporarily dazed, until Rika whispered into his ear.
"Remember your promise...don't you dare leave me alone."
"I won't."
Biomerge Digivolution!
"Biomerge, activate!" Takato demanded as he transformed into data and merged with Guilmon once again.
"Guilmon Biomerge to...GALLANTMON!!!"
"Raaaaahhhhh!!!!"
Beelzemon grinned as he stared at the Exalted Knight Digimon, who stood there in all his glory.
"Looks like we both have someone special we care about, Pineapple head-your Tamer has his girl waiting right there because of a stupid promise, and I have my Tamers trapped by that blood-sucker back home! All the chips are down, so it's now or never."
Raising his right arm up, where it promptly changed into a lance-the shield instantly appeared in his left hand-Gallantmon rumbled, "This is for all the marbles."
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Beelzemon roared as he raced forward, guns blazing at Gallantmon.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Gallantmon roared as he prepared to face Beelzemon one last time.
Talk about the battle of the century! Can Takato keep his promise, or will Beelzemon force him to break it by absorbing his data? Find out where the chips lay next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!
