Me: Okay, people-I don't own Digimon or "Forgotten" by Linkin Park-never have, never will, from the looks of things!
Rika: Whoa-what's up with you?
Terriermon: Yeah-you look madder than even Rika could get!
Me: Since you put it that way, I guess I could tell you-sometime Thursday afternoon, an anonymous writer gave me a flame for the previous chapter. Let me tell you-I was appalled by what was said! I've deleted the review, but I could recall every word if I wanted to-that's how my mind works.
Takato: You have a one-track mind?
Me: (grits teeth; calms down) No, I rarely forget things, especially when someone puts down my work!
Rika: Sooo...what did that person say?
Me: I'll keep what that person called me a secret, but basically you were defined as a softie, whereas I wanted you to be seen as someone who is growing up, someone who would eventually have to deal with loss-but not too much of it, since you still have to reconnect with your mother.
Rika: (slightly irked) Apparently, that "anonymous writer" has no emotions of their own.
Me: On the contrary-emotion is what possibly provoked that writer to flame me. Nevertheless, I'm still angry that that comment was made in the first place! Besides, aren't you supposed to cry during the Season Finale?
Rika: That remains to be seen, but, because Renamon leaves me, yes.
Me: There-that alone is proof that you do shed tears.
Terriermon: Momentai. You'll bounce back from this ordeal, too-just like we'll bounce back from the D-Reaper deal!
Me: Thanks, and this chapter is not only dedicated to Anthony, who's an awesome writer-check
out his story "One Person makes a Difference"; it's completed-but it's also based on the
aforementioned Season Finale.
Digimon Tamers: Tamers V.S. Dracula
Chapter XVII-On the Lam from the Law
"If you think we're gonna give up, you got about a million other thinks coming!" -Terriermon,
"Azulongmon Explains It All"
Talk about an anticlimactic battle! Right from the start, Beelzemon and Gallantmon kept
repeatedly trading blow for blow, sometimes not even striking at their adversaries, which is
what Beelzemon pulled when he split the Digital World in two. Meanwhile, when the others
realized that Dracula had captured Ai and Mako, Henry suggested that Jeri, Leomon and
Calumon go and find them. While the three of them went to accomplish their own mission,
Gallantmon and Beelzemon launched their strongest attacks, each sending the other to a
perilous grave! Takato nearly broke his promise to Rika, if he hadn't remembered all the good
things that had come from being with her. With that, Gallantmon returned, but in his Crimson
Mode! The Mega Digimon nearly cleaved Beelzemon in two, but Jeri, Leomon and Calumon
reappeared with Ai and Mako in tow. What an ending! But, Dracula's still out there, isn't he?
The instant the Tamers and their Digimon exited Guilmon's home, they were greeted with a flash of lightning, a booming sound of thunder and raindrops pelting them from head to toe! To make matters worse, the sky was completely covered with rain clouds.
"They didn't mention anything about a rainstorm earlier." Rika muttered grimly, while standing beside Takato, who was herding everyone back inside the tiny cave.
"Weathermen never correctly tell you the weather-it could be rainy tomorrow when they say it'll be clear as day. Or, it could be bright out to roast a vampire and they could say that a hailstorm will come crashing down on us-"
Almost as if Terriermon had predicted it, hail started pelting the ground near the Tamers' feet! Everyone else turned and glared at the Rookie Digimon.
"You can't blame me for this-I'm not a weatherman."
"The point is-" Henry quickly silenced his partner before talking. "-we still have to get home, rainstorm or not."
"And I guess we'll have to explain what happened to the modeling agency, won't we?" Takato asked.
"Undoubtedly." Rika replied calmly.
"So, are we meeting tomorrow?" Jeri asked as she and Henry turned to head in a completely different direction than the others.
"If it's still like this, we'll just call." Takato said, a half grin on his face.
Luckily for Henry and Terriermon, Jeri actually had an umbrella with her, "in case of emergencies," her father had said.
"This would qualify as one, wouldn't you say?" Terriermon quipped a second later as he prodded Henry to move forward under the umbrella, where Jeri was waiting.
"I take it you're going to walk Jeri home?" Leomon rumbled to the blue-haired Tamer, who blushed before responding.
"Yeah-out here, at this time of day, with this kind of weather-uh, I didn't mean that she needed anyone to protect her! What I was saying is that, what would her father think if I didn't bring her back home and it suddenly started raining...?" Henry groaned sadly while dropping his head in defeat.
"Ruff! You're too sweet, Henry Wong." Since Henry pulled his head back up in amazement from Jeri's response-when she responded with her infamous sock puppet-Terriermon cried out as he unexpectedly fell off of his Tamer's shoulder and onto the wet ground!
"Thanks." Henry stammered, the blush on his cheeks growing even redder.
"Hey! What about me? What am I-chopped liver?"
"Why didn't I listen to my mom when she told me to take an umbrella?" Takato complained as he, Rika, Guilmon and Renamon ran as fast as they could to avoid the rain and the hail while making their way to his parents' bakery.
"Maybe those goggles cut off your circulation and blood can't get to your brain." Rika joked cynically. Takato frowned as he eyed her with a look, but didn't say anything.
"I just realized two things-one, what happened to Impmon and his Tamers?" Takato's question had confused Rika for an instant or two until Renamon answered.
"They took the train back home-and to get there, they 'blended in with the clouds' as Beelzemon put it."
"Okay-two, where's Calumon? He was with Jeri earlier, and when we left, he was gone."
"I'm heeeeeeeeeere!" Calumon exclaimed excitedly as he popped out of Rika's backpack, a joyous smile on his face.
Rika slapped herself on the forehead while stopping momentarily and yanking the In-Training Digimon out of her backpack.
"What are you doing in there?"
"Jeri promised me some food, but that was a few hours ago. I've already eaten that, and I'm still hungry."
Rika sighed, but not even the Digimon Queen could refuse a Digimon like Calumon.
"Okay-once I get Gogglehead and Dinoboy to their place-"
"Hey!"
"-we'll find something for you to eat."
"Yay!"
Takato's mood had grown somewhat darker after that last statement, but he chose to ignore it,
for now.
"Well, Guilmon, until it's safe for you to return home, you can sleep on the floor in my room." Takato advised as the five of them arrived at the Matsuki bakery a few moments later, soaking wet. Immediately, Takato was yanked into a hug by his mother, who had a frantic, worried look on her face, not caring that her son looked like a dripping, wet mop.
"Mom!? Rika's standing right here!" Takato whined, blushing and noticing his girlfriend's tiny bouts of laughter.
"What do you expect me to do? We hear about you and your friends destroying a modeling agency, and you think I'm going to sit back nonchalantly through the entire thing?"
Takato's brown eyes widened in surprise as he pulled away from his mother; Rika's own violet eyes narrowed in astonishment and a hint of anger was visible in them as well.
"What?" Takato and Rika chorused, the shock evident in both of their voices.
"Look." A second later, the TV was turned on to the afternoon news.
"We've just received word of what can only be described as an act of betrayal from within. Less than three hours ago, our former allies, known as the Digimon, along with some accomplices, destroyed the Nonaka modeling agency on the western side of Shinjuku. Police are already advised to bring in these three as well as any other accomplices for questioning. As for the Digimon, they have been authorized this one order: shoot to kill."
SMASH! In a fit of anger, Takato threw the remote control at the TV screen, where it promptly struck and shattered it, sending glass onto the floor.
"That's crazy!" Takato screamed angrily, restrained by Rika, who's own face was contorted in anger. "Guilmon wouldn't hurt anyone or try to destroy anything."
"And, there's no way I'm letting anyone delete Renamon! They'll have to get past my bullet-riddled body first." Rika added heatedly.
"The police were by earlier, asking questions and also wanting to see your room, son." Takato saw the looks of shock and determination in his father's eyes, as well as his mother's. "We answered as best we could, but we wouldn't let them into your room, not without a warrant."
"Thanks, but I guess it's not safe for me here anymore." Takato admitted sadly while hugging his parents. Rika's look of anger was replaced with a look of remorse.
"Have you heard from my mom or my grandmother, yet?" Rika suddenly asked, refraining herself from releasing her anger on anyone else, and regretting that even more later on.
"They called a few minutes after the police left, saying that they'd also been investigated by the police. Your grandmother had this to say: 'as long as that nice boy Takato and our own kitsune Renamon is with her, I'm sure Rika will be fine on her own.'"
Rika and the Digimon-even Renamon-were pulled into the hug by Takato's mother, who, despite her tears, had that same look of determination on her face.
"No matter what happens, all of you-even the Digimon-are a part of this family, and no one-not the police, nor any evil Digimon..."
"Nor even a blood-sucking vampire." Rika cracked sotto voce, which caused Takato to laugh quietly.
"...nor any abnormalities will break this family apart-ever!"
The lightning flashed outside as two police officers entered the bakery a second or so later, guns drawn. Almost instantly, Guilmon's eyes dilated as he protectively moved in front of Takato; Renamon reappeared in front of Rika.
"What do you want?" Mr. Matsuki asked calmly, but Takato sensed the hidden anger behind the calm.
"Two eyewitnesses saw these four running through Shinjuku Park and tracked them coming to here. I'm afraid the children are under arrest for questioning and the two-three Digimon will have to be detained."
Angered, Rika held onto Calumon tightly while retorting, "Fat chance, buddy! You want these Digimon, you'll have to go through us!"
"Yeah!" Takato added bravely, instantly pulling out two Modify cards.
"I don't want to have to use force, but I am authorized to do so if I must."
Smirking, Rika replied, "Then do what you gotta do. Renamon-take 'em down."
"Power Paw!!" The attack sent the two police officers to the ground in different directions!
"Rock Breaker!!" Guilmon knocked out one of them with his strong attack while hitting the other with his tail.
"Son, here!" Takato turned to his father and caught a gigantic bag containing some bread, canned foods and other odds and ends. "Your mother and I thought you might need this."
"Thanks, dad! And, I'm sorry about the damages-pay for 'em out of my allowance!"
"What damages?"
Digimodify!
"Digimodify!" Takato swiped a card through his Digivice a second later. "Digivolution, activate!"
Digivolution!
"Guilmon Digivolve to...GROWLMON!!!"
Parts of the bakery fell apart as Growlmon exited the building with Takato, Rika, Renamon and Calumon-who had gone to sleep-on his back.
"Those damages! Thanks, mom, dad!" Takato yelled loudly. That's when things went from bad
to worse as a searchlight instantly focused on the Champion Digimon!
From the top to the bottom (Bottom to top I stop!)
At the core I've forgotten (In the middle of my thoughts)
Taken far from my safety (The picture is there!)
The memory won't escape me! (But, why should I care?)
From the top to the bottom (Bottom to top I stop!)
At the core I've forgotten (In the middle of my thoughts)
Taken far from my safety (The picture is there!)
The memory won't escape me! (But, why should I care?)
"Henwy, what's going on?" Susie cried worriedly as her big brother ran as fast as he could, being forced to carry not only Terriermon through the rain, but also his little sister, who was holding onto Lopmon for dear life away from the police, who'd been waiting for him at his house when he'd gotten home. Terriermon had saved Susie and Lopmon by firing a Bunny Blast attack, aimed at the floor, which didn't hurt anyone, but forced the officers to release them.
"Something's very wrong, Susie, and once we find Takato and Rika-"
"You mean the angwy kid and his fwiend?"
"-yeah, them. Once we find them, we can figure out why we're on the run from the police for our lives!"
"Hey, Henry-please tell me you have an umbrella on you, 'cause the hail's starting up again!" Terriermon warned.
"It's in the bag my dad gave me, but I can't risk stopping to get it now!"
"On the contrary...you have all the time in the world." Dracula appeared directly in front of
them, knocking Susie and the Digimon to the ground! Laughing quietly, the vampire bit Henry's
neck and started to drink his blood.
There's a place so dark, you can't see the end!
Skies cock back and shock that which can't defend
The rain then sends dripping acidic questions-forcefully, the power of suggestion
Then, with the eyes shut looking through the rust and rot and dust, a small spot of light floods the floor and pours over the rusted world of pretend and the eyes ease open, and it's dark again...
From the top to the bottom (Bottom to top I stop!)
At the core I've forgotten (In the middle of my thoughts)
Taken far from my safety (The picture is there!)
The memory won't escape me! (But, why should I care?)
"STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST! COME QUIETLY, AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT!"
Takato and Rika shielded their eyes from the bright glare of the searchlight as best they could-Rika pulled out her shades; Takato pulled his goggles over his eyes, which didn't help him out that much.
"He's right about that-no one will get hurt." Takato advised to Rika before yelling to his partner. "Growlmon-destroy that searchlight!"
"With pleasure, Takato! PyroBlaster!!"
"Run!" Takato screamed as they were rained on by not only pellets of rain and hail, but glass, since Growlmon's attack had completely shattered the glass around the searchlight. Turning around, the Champion Digimon bounded away from the hovering helicopter.
"Takato, where are we going? We can take these guys down!" Rika insisted.
"Rika, that wouldn't do any good! We're wanted-for some reason or another-and our Digimon are gonna be shot at on sight. We've gotta get to Henry or any of the others as soon as possible, and we can't hurt police officers. They're just doing their job."
"Even if their job requires them to take Growlmon away from you?"
As Takato turned to glare impatiently at Rika-who was glaring at him right back-he already thought of the answer to her question.
"I didn't say we couldn't attack, only that when the situation calls for attack."
"So, any ideas on where we're going?" Renamon questioned.
"The tunnels where we hid at before. That's perfect!"
"Hold on, Takato. For one thing, that creepy vampire is there-remember?"
"True, but we don't know how far down he went last time, so, it should be safe."
Rika groaned while holding on to Takato's ribs-and making sure the sleeping Calumon was safe
in her backpack. "Why do I feel like I'm gonna regret this?"
Chorus: In the memory, you'll find me-eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly until the sun rises up...
"HENWY!" Susie started crying as an angry Terriermon and Lopmon got to their feet, ready to defend their Tamers.
"Hey-tall, dark and extremely ugly-get your fangy teeth away from my buddy! Terrier Tornado!!"
"Blazing Ice!!"
The two attacks rang true, striking Dracula in the stomach and forcing him to drop Henry, who, unlike Takato and Rika, hadn't lost that much blood. Terriermon landed safely and ran over to his partner, a worried look on his face.
"Henry, are you okay? You aren't growing fangs inside your mouth, are you?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks, you two!" Henry smiled as he hugged Terriermon tightly and went to comfort Susie, who, thanks to Lopmon, had stopped crying. A second later, the vampire started laughing evilly, tendrils of energy coursing throughout his body.
"Something tells me that's not a good thing." Terriermon said while jumping out of Henry's arms and in front of him, Lopmon repeating his actions.
"Apparently, since it looks like he's absorbing energy beams, I don't think it is either, Terriermon."
"This wouldn't be a good time to Momentai, would it?"
"No, Terriermon, I'd say it wouldn't be."
Moving all around, screaming of the ups and downs, pollution manifested in perpetual sound
The wheels go round and the sunset creeps behind street lamps, chain-link and concrete
A little piece of paper with a picture drawn floats on down the street till the wind is gone, and the memory now is like the picture was then-when the paper's crumpled up, it can't be perfect again
From the top to the bottom (Bottom to top I stop!)
At the core I've forgotten (In the middle of my thoughts)
Taken far from my safety (The picture is there!)
The memory won't escape me! (But, why should I care?)
From the top to the bottom (Bottom to top I stop!)
At the core I've forgotten (In the middle of my thoughts)
Taken far from my safety (The picture is there!)
The memory won't escape me! (But, why should I care?)
"Takatomon, we're in trouble! I can't hold my Champion form much longer." Growlmon warned worriedly.
"That would be a problem. Any suggestions?" Takato asked Rika calmly, the anger they'd felt earlier dissipating.
Before Rika could comment, Growlmon not only came to a stop because they were literally surrounded by a horde of police officers, he also deDigivolved back into Guilmon!
"Great-when we really need a way out, Dinoboy chooses now to deDigivolve!" Rika responded while getting back up, poised to attack.
"Attention, children and Digimon-stay right where you are! We have you surrounded."
"Can you Digivolve?" Rika whispered to Renamon, who nodded.
"You'll have to be quick. I haven't dodged any of their types of weapons before."
"Don't worry-we'll get out of this without a scratch."
Digimodify!
"Digimodify!" Rika yelled as she found herself swiping a Blue card through her Digivice. "Matrix Digivolution, activate!"
Matrix Digivolution!
"Renamon Digivolve to...KYUBIMON!!! Kyubimon Matrix Digivolve to...TAOMON!!!"
"Open fire!"
"Talisman Spell!!"
Just as the protective bubble started to shield the Tamers, as well as the Digimon, Takato suddenly cried out as he was shot in the chest! With a weak groan, he collapsed to his knees.
"Takato!" Rika wanted to go over to him, but she grunted in pain as clutched her own chest and when she pulled her hand away from her shirt, the unmistakable stream of blood was trickling down it.
"Taomon...get us out of here." Rika gasped while dropping to her knees and crawling over to
Takato's position. Quickly, the bubble protecting the Tamers and their Digimon floated away to
safety, but not without a price.
Chorus: In the memory you'll find me-eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly until the sun rises up...
"Rika, are you awake?" Taomon asked, a hint of concern in her voice. With a weak nod, Rika cradled Takato's unconscious form in her bloodstained hands, Guilmon extremely worried.
"Try to find Henry, if you can. I'm sure he's the only one who can actually get this stupid bullet out of him."
Prepared to scan the area in which they'd flown to, Taomon hadn't had to look far. Henry, Susie and their Digimon were running near their direction, but they weren't alone.
"Rika, I've found them. And it appears they have a guest."
"Henry, why aren't we kicking this guy's butt? We're strong enough; we can take him!"
"Not now, when he can use Guilmon and Renamon's attacks as well, Terriermon! And, we have no idea where Takato and Rika are at."
"Talisman of Light!!"
From behind them, Dracula grunted loudly as he was sent down to the ground. Henry grinned as Taomon appeared, with the others in tow.
"We do now, Henry."
Approaching Takato and Rika, Henry felt his blood run cold. "What happened to him?"
Raising her head up, Rika's violet eyes didn't display any sign of emotion, except for hatred. "We were ambushed by the boys in blue. I had Renamon Matrix Digivolve, but obviously, that was a sign to fire, and a stray shot ended up getting Takato. Therefore, since he's hurt, so am I." Rika grunted while holding her bleeding chest tightly. "Can you get the bullet out of him?"
"I, I think so. I take it you saw the news, huh?"
While stroking Takato's chestnut colored hair, Rika simply nodded once again, a look of revenge in her eyes instead of hatred.
"My dad gave me some things he thought I would need. Apparently, he gave me some first-aid stuff in here, too. Where were you guys going?"
"The tunnel underneath the city, where we hid out before."
"Then, we should get there before-"
Recovered from Taomon's surprise attack, Dracula's right arm shot out, where it transformed into a lance.
"Don't move. This won't hurt...much."
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
Now you got me caught in the act-you bring the thought back
I'm telling you that I see it right through you
As Rika held on to Takato's body and Henry hugged his sister tightly, Dracula responded, "Not the way I would've preferred you to go, but now that I have learned all of your powers, the three of you are expendable. Lightning Joust!!"
To the Tamers' surprise, they weren't hit by the massive attack at all! A long, black colored whip snaked out from the darkness and wrapped itself around the vampire's arm. Waking up, Takato rose his arms up and put them around Rika as best he could.
"What's doing that?" Takato asked weakly.
"Search us." Terriermon retorted.
"Who dares intrude on my moment of triumph?" the vampire ranted angrily.
"I do!" Seconds later, a familiar Tamer and his partner, who was growling under his breath, appeared from the darkness.
"Ryo?!" Takato croaked out, emotions of jealousy burning through his eyes. Rika felt the same way, but since both Tamers were bleeding heavily, and since Rika was keeping Takato standing, she couldn't comment on the way he rescued them. Henry quickly pulled out his Digivice and scanned the weapon.
"Interesting-the Whip of Friendship, a Hybrid-type weapon. It can extend out as long as you want it to, does the same things as the Sword of Courage and the Daggers of Love, sends out bolts of electricity and could be the only rivaling weapon against the aforementioned Sword of Courage."
"Impossible!" Rika sputtered irritably while she and Takato stared at the Legendary Tamer in shock. "He has the Whip of Friendship? And, what kind of a weapon is that? The sword and dagger, I could understand, but a whip?"
"Dracula, it's time you said goodbye." Ryo announced, keeping a firm grip on the vampire's arm. "Cyberdramon?"
"It's about time! Desolation Claw!!"
Raising his left hand, Dracula used a counterattack! "PyroBlaster!!"
The Ultimate Digimon grunted as he was sent flying into a building. Ryo himself grunted as his grip on the Whip of Friendship loosened. Releasing himself, Dracula dropped the whip and strode forward.
"Come on, Gogglehead-you've got to have some strength left! It's Sword of Courage time!" Rika demanded, pulling out a familiar Modify card. Forcing himself to stand, Takato managed to pull out another familiar Modify card before the two of them swiped them through their Digivices.
"Digimodify!" Takato and Rika chorused with ease.
"Sword of Courage, activate!"
"Daggers of Love, activate!"
Chorus: In the memory you'll find me-eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly until the sun rises up...
In the memory you will find me-eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly until the sun rises up...(song ends)
Instantly, as Takato and Rika's weapons appeared, their wounds disappeared! Dracula came to a stop, his eyes narrowed at this new danger.
"Let's show Mr. Perfect how we hogtie a vampire!"
As Ryo and Cyberdramon landed next to the others, Takato and Rika took to the skies, shooting bolts of red and blue energy from the hilt of the sword-or the tips of the daggers-and struck Dracula all over, until he was smoldering! Grinning, the two of them landed back in front of him, Takato and Rika's weapons pointed at his undead heart.
"Rika, I think it's time we skewered a vampire."
A second later, a lone police officer ran out of the darkness-from Ryo's entrance-and pointed a gun at Takato's head!
"Freeze!"
Uh-oh! What have the Tamers gotten themselves into now? And, can they get out of it alive? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!
