Me: Okay, people-I don't own Digimon, 'cause if I did, Takato and Rika would've gotten together during the D-Reaper saga and would've stayed together, as would've Henry and Jeri, blah, blah, blah...I also don't own "With You," by Linkin Park...

Takato: Wait a minute! Don't you have some explaining to do right now?

Me: That's right! To Digikittyo123, I would've planned to bring back OmegaGallantmon in this, but after countless hours of planning on my part, I decided to bring in one final Digimon of my own creation! Don't worry-I'm sure you'll appreciate this new Digimon, since he appears in the final chapters of this story. Also, why did Kazu sing the Spider-Man song? On a personal note, I think he couldn't think of anything else to sing.

Rika: So, in other words, OmegaGallantmon had his moment of glory back in "Tamers V.S. Dracula." In this one, its whatever Digimon he's got thought up in that insane head of his. And, as for Kazu's singing career, he's just crazy, so whatever song he thinks of will be forgotten by the next story.

Me, Kazu: Hey!

Me: To Lan Hikari-who considers herself my biggest fan-thanks for the suggestion, but thanks to you suggesting this in the first place, after countless days of racking my brain until it hurt-

Terriermon: Which didn't take that long!

Me: -I finally came up with a level higher than Mega, and it's all thanks to you! Also, for one of the Digimon, I've also come up with a higher mode-and I'm sure I've probably wrecked the rest of the story by telling you this.

Terriermon: Momentai! They don't know that it's gonna be-

Henry: (covers Terriermon's mouth) Sometimes, buddy, you talk too much for your own good!

Me: (sighs) Thank you! To Frozen Phoenix, I hope you don't mind, but for a brief second, I'll be taking a page from your book "Swiftly Burning Ice" in order to describe Kuzuhamon. Also, this is an actual Digimon in the card game, and I plan on using her main attack-Womb Mandala, opposite of Sakuyamon's Amethyst Mandala-in this, too. She's also a Data-type like Sakuyamon is, and I'll be sure to mention that.

Terriermon: Whew! Are you done telling everybody what you need to tell them?

Me: No. To Hirokono-

Rika: Waaaaaaait a second here! (returns to reviews for previous chapter, flips through them and stops at Digikittyo123's) You dared to ask if my Gogglehead would give you a kiss, knowing what I would do to you?!

Takato: Rika, wait! Since giving a regular kiss would mean my death, how about this kind? (blows a kiss to the screen-and possibly, to Digikittyo123)

Rika: (grits teeth in anger; blushes slightly) Gogglehead, you have until the count of 3 to run...1...

Takato: Eep. (runs)

Rika: ...3! WHERE ARE YOU, TAKATO?!! HOW DARE YOU GIVE THAT GIRL A KISS! I'LL BEAT YOU SO BAD, THE D-REAPER'LL SEEM LIKE A DAY IN THE PARK!!

Me: (sighs) To Hirokono, the reason I wanted 3 Sakuyamon was this-having in Kuzuhamon created balance between Renamon's normal Digivolution-good-and her sudden corrupted Digivolution-evil. As for Lady Sakuyamon, I thought it would be interesting to see how the previously mentioned Digivolutions-Sakuyamon and Kuzuhamon-would fight against her. Now, onward to "With You by my Side...!" (races after Takato and Rika) Hold on a second, you two! You aren't supposed to kill each other!

Terriermon: Yeah-Momentai, already!!









Digimon Tamers: A Rukato Wedding

Chapter VI-With You by my Side...







"Guilmon, you'll always be my friend..." Takato Matsuki, "Give a Little Bit"

"She's my friend...I care because Renamon's my friend!" -Rika Nonaka, "The Icemon Cometh"







When Rika and Renamon made the choice to stay in the Real World long enough to save some innocent people, Rika was already beating herself up on the inside because of this seemingly bad decision. When Takato and Guilmon finally reached the Ice-Reaper's realm, the entire place had been corrupted by him changing it over the course of 3 years! They tried Biomerging to form Gallantmon, but without that Red card, their first try was a dud. Then, while Taomon ran interference against Lady Sakuyamon, Rika ended up meeting Angela, a girl who wanted to be invited to her wedding ceremony. Rika told her she'd think about it and left her with Susie for the time being. At least she didn't say no! Then, once he got ahold of the Red card, Takato and Guilmon successfully became Gallantmon once more! Finally, when Rika and Renamon made it to the Ice-Reaper's realm, they'd been led into an ambush and, after being hit by one of the Mega Digimon's attacks, found Takato and Guilmon trapped inside a block of ice! That made Rika so furious, she corrupted Renamon's data and Kuzuhamon was born! This cannot be good!







With a sinister look on her face, Kuzuhamon faced the Ice-Reaper and Lady Sakuyamon with her staff held firmly in her hands.

"Perfect. Her anger was at its exact peak, therefore allowing the darkness to consume her entirely! Now, all that's left is for me to pick up the pieces, and Rika shall be mine!" Turning to his remaining Assassin Digimon, the Ice-Reaper mumbled in Kuzuhamon's direction, "You may do to that one what you wish."

"Yes, my lord."







"That can't be Renamon...I won't believe it...!"

Takato forlornly looked over at Rika, who continued to stare blankly at Kuzuhamon before turning back to stare at his Digivice, with the golden lightning symbols over it and the golden circle with the strange markings engraved in it.

"I wouldn't have gotten this Digivice if I hadn't gotten so angry over Leomon's death and when Rika broke up with me! Could this be all my fault?"

As for the other Tamers and their Digimon, they stood there in shock and amazement at the events that had unfolded.

"This isn't right. It's still Renamon, but it isn't her." Guilmon noted, his eyes dilated into their viral state.

"Renamon's supposed to be a Data-type, but it looks like she became a Virus-type!"

Henry pulled out his Digivice and scanned the latest Mega Digimon.

"Looks like you're wrong about that, Terriermon! Kuzuhamon, a Mega level Digimon and a Data-type, just like Sakuyamon. Her main attack is Womb Mandala, probably the opposite of what Sakuyamon does."

"So now what are we gonna do-just leave fox face to beat up on those clowns, or are we gonna help her?" Impmon demanded quickly.

"I agree. It's time to get back in there and fight!"

"Cyberdramon, calm down! This isn't helping anybody. Look-I'm gonna go over there and try to talk some sense into Rika. We'll be back as soon as possible. Biomerge, activate!"

Before anyone could stop him, Ryo Biomerged with Cyberdramon to form Justimon once again, and the Mega Digimon headed in Rika's direction.

"The only person who could snap Rika out of her depression is Takato, but it looks like he's depressed himself!" Jeri exclaimed.

"Not to me. It looks like he's just contemplating what's going on." Lopmon explained calmly, which, unfortunately, gave her, Susie and Calumon away.

"Susie?! What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay back in the Real World!" Henry griped in anger, but to Henry's surprise, Jeri stopped him.

"In case you haven't been around for the past number of years, Susie's a Tamer, and she's growing up. You moving to college is proving that you won't always be around to look out for her. And, with Lopmon by her side, she'll always have someone to protect her-even if that someone isn't her big brother."

Henry grimaced as he looked at Susie, who had looks of defiance and confidence on her face at the same time.

"Please, Henry...let me help out Takato-or, isn't he 'the angwy kid?"

Both Wong siblings smiled slightly, and that smile only grew deeper when a voice responded back in a mocking tone, "I'm not angry!"

"Hey, Takatomon! Where have ya been-the Twilight Zone?" Terriermon grinned wickedly at the brown-haired Tamer, who stood there nonchalantly with Guilmon next to him.

"No more staying up late at night alone, Terriermon."

"Aw, nuts!"

"Well, I did quite a bit of soul searching over there. I first thought that all this was my fault, but then caught myself. How could actions from the past have caused this to occur? Rika only did this out of anger because she loved me. And, now, I've gotta go and save her from the same fate!"

"Unless you can beat Ryo to it, 'cause he's practically over there." Terriermon responded.

"What?!" Takato turned to see Justimon getting over to where Rika was, until he was stopped by a certain Digimon...









"Hang on, Rika! We're almost there!" Ryo insisted as Justimon dodged frozen rocks, stalactites, and other things to reach Rika's position, and just as he was getting there...

"Avalanche Claw!!"

Justimon roared in indignation as he was suddenly rained on by a significant number of icicles! That's when the Ice-Reaper revealed himself, a smirk on his face.

"You would dare to rescue my Tamer in order to 'one-up' your leader?"

Justimon growled angrily, "I'm doing this because even though the 3 of us have had our differences in the past, I consider both Takato and Rika my friends, and what you've put them through is nothing short of torture! Voltage Blade!!"

With a light grunt, the Virus Digimon caught Justimon's arm and kept it at bay, his evil smirk slightly growing broader.

"So, this is considered an act of friendship, is it? Well, then say goodbye to your friend! Tundra Freeze!!"

"NO!" Justimon roared as, from the palm of his hand, the Ice-Reaper fired a blast of cold ice, aimed straight for Takato and the others!

Narrowing his eyes in anger, Impmon transformed into Beelzemon, then into his Blast Mode and rose his gun to the air. "Corona Blaster!!"

BLAM!! The attack was deflected without hurting anybody. Takato turned around to look up at the Mega Digimon, who grinned slightly and motioned over toward Rika.

"Get on over there, and go save your girl, would you?"









"Womb Mandala!!"

Despite the fact that Kuzuhamon was a worthy opponent, and someone who could dodge her attacks twice as better than Sakuyamon ever could, Lady Sakuyamon was growing bored with this fight. She wanted to take her vengeance out on this Digimon and her Tamer, and she couldn't do it as long as the two weren't merged!

"Aren't you even going to save your Tamer from the fate I plan to bestow upon her?" Grunting lightly, the Assassin Digimon pushed Kuzuhamon away and prepared to launch her attack.

"Shards of Ice!!"

Instantly, a number of icicles rained down towards Rika's direction! Seeing that Kuzuhamon was now distracted, Lady Sakuyamon lashed out at her with her staff and repeatedly started beating on her, brutally!

"Digimodify! Sword of Courage, activate!"

Takato flew toward Rika and grabbed her, holding onto the sword and the scabbard in both hands, pulling her to safety at the same time, unaware that Calumon had grabbed ahold of his hood.

"No one's gonna delete my fiancee today! Not now...not ever!!"









I woke up in a dream today to the cold of the static and put my cold feet on the floor

Forgot all about yesterday-remembering I'm pretending to be what I'm not anymore

A little taste of hypocrisy, and I'm left in the wake of the mistake-slow to react!

Even though you're so close to me, you're still so distant, and I can't bring you back...







"Rika? Wake up..."

"Rika? Wakey, wakey..."

Confused and a little disoriented, Rika opened her eyes and saw what she considered to be the impossible-Takato, looking as normal as he did before he'd been trapped in that block of ice, with Calumon climbing onto his right shoulder.

"Takato...? No...it can't be you...you died...Does this mean we're finally together...?"

A hurt expression appeared over Takato's features before he wiped it away. "Rika, I didn't die-we haven't died! I promised you I wouldn't leave you alone, right? Even though Guilmon and I were trapped in that block of ice, I kept my heart beating-albeit slowly-until you freed us."

Still as stubborn as ever, Rika frantically shook her head, refusing to believe.

"No...You're some kind of trick that frozen freak conjured up to trap me..."

"Rika, it's me!" Takato cried sadly, his voice strained and choked up as he tried to keep his tears from falling. It was at that moment that two things happened-One, Guilmon had finally made his way over to Takato; Two, a familiar voice talked to Takato from inside his head, a voice that wasn't Guilmon's, Terriermon's or any of the other Digimon's, not even their Tamers'.

"Say something that only you and Rika would know about, something neither one of you has told anyone else about..."

Takato's eyes widened in amazement as he looked over to Lady Sakuyamon and Kuzuhamon, the latter beaten until she'd been knocked out; the former getting ready to delete her!

"Renamon...? NO! I won't let you delete my fiancee's Digimon! YOU'LL HAVE TO GET THROUGH ME FIRST!!!"

Takato rose his sword to the sky, and instantly, twin beams of red and blue energy flew out from the blade and struck the Assassin Digimon, sending her freefalling and away from Kuzuhamon, who deDigivolved into Renamon.

Grunting lightly, Guilmon said, "Takatomon, I'm gonna go save Renamon."

Nodding, Takato motioned for his partner to save Renamon, then refocused his attention back onto Rika.







It's true!

The way I feel was promised by your face, the sound of your voice painted on my memories

Even if you're not with me, I'm with you!

Chorus: You-now I see, keeping everything inside!

With you!

You-now I see, even when I close my eyes...









"Rika, if I'm not me, then why would I know about the time I proposed to you in front of the other Tamers when our Digimon came back from the Digital World? Why would I know about the time we had to share a bed back in Transylvania for three nights? Although, personally, I didn't mind doing that..."

A second later, Takato felt a gentle slap on the cheek. Somewhat astonished, he looked down and noticed that Rika was looking up at him, a gentle smile on her pale face.

"Stupid Gogglehead...You weren't supposed to mention that to anybody!"

"I didn't!"

"What about him?" Rika pointed up at Calumon, who was still on Takato's shoulder, with a confused look on his face.

"He was there with us!"

A smile appearing on his own face, Takato embraced Rika tightly, refusing to let her go.

"I'm glad you're back, Rika. I missed you too much."

"Mm-hmm. I missed you too, Takato."

It was at that second that a bright light appeared above Takato, Rika and Calumon's heads just as Guilmon and Renamon were making their way over to their Tamers. Amazed, Takato and Rika pulled away just as a transformed Digivice dropped into Rika's outstretched hands. It still had the blue strap, but like Takato's, it had lightning bolts on the sides of it-these were silver instead of gold-and the circle surrounding the screen was silver with those same markings that were on Takato's Digivice engraved in it as well.

"Now we truly are connected." Takato admitted, the smile still on his face.

Blushing as well as smiling, Rika closed her eyes and leaned forward, her lips getting closer to Takato's with each passing second...

"Tundra Freeze!!"

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!" Takato screamed in pain as the Sword of Courage was suddenly frozen, along with his hand! Immediately, his scabbard changed back into his Digivice. Rika reluctantly pulled away and turned to face the Ice-Reaper, who had beaten Justimon and had forced him to deDigivolve back into Ryo and Cyberdramon, then he'd beaten Beelzemon and forced him to deDigivolve back into Impmon!

"Digimodify!" Rika yelled while pulling out a card and swiping it through her new Digivice. "Daggers of Love, activate!"

"Tundra Freeze!!" Just as her Modify card changed into a Dagger, it was instantly frozen to her hand! Rika cried out as she used her frozen weapon to free Takato's right hand and separate it from his own frozen weapon. Then, the two Tamers sadly dropped their frozen weapons and allowed them to float endlessly in the sky.







I hit you, and you hit me back

We fall to the floor-the rest of the day stands still

Fine line between this and that

When things go wrong, I pretend that the past isn't real

Now I'm trapped in this memory and I'm left in the wake of the mistake-slow to react!

Even though you're close to me, you're still so distant, and I can't bring you back







Takato and Rika grimaced in irritation and both turned to their Digimon. Noticing that Renamon was back to her old self, Rika hugged her as tight as Takato had hugged her earlier.

"I'm sorry, Renamon. I should've guessed that my actions and anger would affect you, too."

"We're partners, Rika. Your pain is my pain, your anger is my anger. There isn't anything for you to feel sorry about."

"Look who's decided to side with the good guys again!" Terriermon cheered from where he, Henry, Jeri, Ryo, Susie, Ai, Mako and their Digimon were at.

"You're gonna pay for that!" Rika snapped heatedly.

"Momentai! I was actually serious for once."

Takato and Rika rolled their eyes and turned around to see only Lady Sakuyamon! The Ice-Reaper had vanished!

"Well, at least we'll get an appetizer before the main course." Rika joked as she and Takato held up their Digivices.

"Probably, or, we just might get to tackle the main course afterward." Takato added calmly.

Biomerge Digivolution!

"Biomerge, activate!" Takato and Rika chorused as they both transformed into data and merged with Guilmon and Renamon.

"Guilmon Biomerge to...GALLANTMON!!!"

"Renamon Biomerge to...SAKUYAMON!!!"

At that second, Gallantmon willed his lance to change into his right hand, and once again, that silver ring appeared on his ring finger. Instantly, without using the ring's abilities, the Mega Digimon glowed a bright crimson color.

Mode Change Digivolution!

"Gallantmon Mode Change to...CRIMSON MODE!!!"

The two Mega Digimon appeared in the sky, their combined powers melting the frozen stalactites inside the Ice-Reaper's realm.

"Are you ready for this?" Gallantmon asked calmly. It wasn't an actual question, but it felt necessary.

"I was born ready." Sakuyamon responded. That wasn't an actual answer, but, again, it felt necessary.

"Are you two gonna fight today, or is the world gonna be destroyed before you get a move-on?"

"Terriermon!"

Takato and Rika chuckled lightly inside their spheres before Gallantmon and Sakuyamon flew forward, to face the final Assassin Digimon one last time.







It's true!

The way I feel was promised by your face, the sound of your voice painted on my memories

Even if you're not with me, I'm with you!

Chorus: You-now I see, keeping everything inside!

With you!

You-now I see, even when I close my eyes...

With you!

You-now I see, keeping everything inside!

With you!

You-now I see, even when I close my eyes...







"Amethyst Mandala!!"

"Final Justice!!"

WHAM!! The two attacks combined struck Lady Sakuyamon and she screamed in agony as the two Digimon flew right by her and abruptly vanished.

"Hey, Henry-Sakuyamon fights more noble than Kuzuhamon did." Terriermon noted as Calumon entered in on him and the other Tamers. Jeri agreed with that assessment.

"It's like two pieces of the pie, Terriermon." Leomon took time out to explain the reason. "While Sakuyamon has always been a Digimon of truth and justice, Kuzuhamon is known as a Digimon of vengeance and destruction."

"Ooh-who knew Rika had a darker side? Betcha Takato will like that Rika a lot more better when they get married-"

"Terriermon!"







As for Lady Sakuyamon, her body was smoldering, and she was furious. How could two Biomerged humans and their Digimon pets be so strong, and do this much damage to her, then just vanish into thin air?

"Where are you? Come out and face me, or your friends will pay the price!"

The skies flashed a dangerous crimson color as both Gallantmon and Sakuyamon soared through the air, spinning around and combining energies.

"DUPLICITY BLAST!!!" Almost immediately, the two Mega Digimon combined weapons-Gallantmon, his double-bladed lance; Sakuyamon, her staff-and they fired a beam of red and blue heat!

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Takato and Rika screamed inside their spheres as they sent their own energy inside their own Digimon.

"You two don't scare me! Shards of Ice!!" Grunting loudly, Lady Sakuyamon fired a quick number of icicles, all of which Gallantmon and Sakuyamon dodged.

"We should!" A second later, the attack hit its target, and a gigantic explosion resounded as Lady Sakuyamon screamed and was turned into bits of data, data which Sakuyamon absorbed.

Sakuyamon grinned at a confused Gallantmon and replied in Rika's voice, "What? It's like you and Jeri said-they don't deserve to be reborn, if Digimon do get reborn here at all."









NO!

No matter how far we've come, I can't wait to see tomorrow...

No matter how far we've come, I, I can't wait to see tomorrow...

Chorus: With you!

You-now I see, keeping everything inside!

With you!

You-now I see, even when I close my eyes...

With you!

You-now I see, keeping everything inside!

With you!

You-now I see, even when I close my eyes...(final acoustics; song ends)







Gallantmon and Sakuyamon touched ground near the other Tamers and their Digimon.

"Hey, Takato-where'd you get that ring from?" Henry finally found time to ask that question. "It looks familiar."

Inside his sphere, Takato grimaced. If he told the truth, his friend might get angry, and he didn't want that, so he told a half-truth.

"From someone who worked at Hypnos."

It was at that moment that everybody heard the Ice-Reaper's manical laughter.

"I knew he wouldn't just chicken out!" Sakuyamon instantly turned around, wielding her staff in the air and waiting with impatience written over her face.

"You fools! Did you seriously think I would come back just to claim my Tamer? No, not just that. Oh, I do plan on having Rika as my Tamer, but I also plan to dominate your world-both the Real World and the Digital World! How, you ask? Like this-I'm going to turn your sun into a ball of ice, which, in turn, will not only freeze your world up, but also the Digital World! And, with this ring, I can do just that!"

"Not while we're still breathing!" Gallantmon roared while flying up to where the Ice-Reaper materialized and holding out his double-bladed lance. "FINAL JUSTICE!!!"

Holding out the golden ring, the Ice-Reaper absorbed the attack entirely, to the shock of the other Tamers!

"Well, so long, kiddies. Rika, after I've taken over your world, I'll be back to get you..."

"STOP!!" Gallantmon demanded angrily while flying in after the Ice-Reaper through the portal!

Sakuyamon grunted with irritation while flying in after the two Virus Digimon. "I didn't come all this way just to lose Takato and my home at the same time!" Rika yelled inside her sphere.

"Well? You ready, Terriermon?"

The Rookie Digimon gave Henry a knowing look, one that clearly stated he was willing to go all the way.

Biomerge Digivolution!

"Biomerge, activate!" Henry, Jeri and Ryo chorused as the three of them transformed into data and merged once again with Terriermon, Leomon and Cyberdramon.

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

"Leomon Biomerge to...SABERLEOMON!!!"

"Cyberdramon Biomerge to...JUSTIMON!!!"

Roaring loudly, Impmon transformed back into Beelzemon, then into his Blast Mode, flying instantly through the portal, making sure that Ai and Mako were holding onto his shoulders.

"You ready, Susie?" MegaGargomon asked as Susie made sure both Lopmon and Calumon were safe before hanging onto the Mega Digimon's broad shoulder.

"Mm-hmm."

"Then let's go save our world!" Justimon advised as the three Mega Digimon soared in after the others.

Okay! It looks like things could be winding up earlier than expected. Let's hope the Tamers can pull together and stop the Ice-Reaper from carrying out his plan! Find out what develops next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!