I'm so sorry that this was up so late. You guys probably think that I died or something. It's been a while, I have to get ready for my final exams. Yikes! I don't think the next chapter is going to up any sooner. Anyways, this one is extra long cuz I promised. Oh, and I don't know whether Lopmon's a female or male, just pretend she's a girl if she isn't. I'm quite sure she is though and she and Terriermon aren't related, they've never met each other until Suzy became a Tamer. Keep that in mind.
Wolfmon: Thanks for your idea on what weapon to give Suzy, I was having a hard time deciding so I decided to use your idea, thanks again!
Shuichon: Thanks for all your ideas they sound pretty good, but seriously I have no clue what you're talking about. I've never heard of any of the things you mentioned o_O. Sorry.
Chapter 7: Effects of a Battle Won"How do we know where they are?" Takato called to Henry.
Henry shrugged, discouraged, "I have no clue. We've been searching for 3 days already and nothing." It was night time and the Tamers had been struggling along to search for Rika and Ryo.
"They gone," Kazu moaned, "Probably dead…"
Henry growled, looking angry, "They're not dead!"
"Whoa Henry, calm down," Takato advised, "Don't take it out on us. It's not your fault we can't find them."
Henry grunted and kept walking.
"Henry," Leomon said, "It's no use walking in circles, the Digital World is a massive land, if you don't know where you're going, you don't have a prayer of chance of finding them."
Henry's grey eyes flashed angrily, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Henry," Suzy whined, "I'm tired. Slow down!"
"We can't slow down!" Henry exclaimed, "We're already slow enough, Ryo and Rika will be millions of miles away now! We have to walk faster!"
Suzy's eyes filled with tears as Kenta quickly stepped it.
"Aw, Henry give her a break," Kenta protested, "She's young and she doesn't know that much. All little kids get tired, I'm tired too!"
"But what about Ryo and Rika?!" Henry snarled in a completely unlike Henry attitude, almost seething.
"Henry!" Takato looked shocked, "This isn't like you at all. Are you feeling okay? Huh? Rika and Ryo are will be fine, they can take care of themselves very well."
Henry's normally calm grey eyes glittered angrily, "I don't care if they can take care of themselves or not, they won't be okay if the Dark Minions find them first!"
All of the Tamers seemed to be a little afraid of Henry now, it was seldom that he acted with such impatience and ruthlessness.
"Hey," Kazu said lightly, "Take it easy, Ryo will look after Rika. After all, they are together."
"Yeah Henry," Terriermon piped up, "Momentai. If Ryo just got the love of his life, he won't let it go that easily."
"I hope not," Henry said, his eyes losing the irritated spark, "I know Ryo's all out powerful and all that, but it's his cocky and confident attitude that worries me."
"Nah," Terriermon laughed, "You can't have too much confidence, I have so much, it's great!"
"Too much," Lopmon said softly, her eyes gleaming in amusement, "Too much cockiness and too much bluntness."
"Hey!" Terriermon protested, falling down.
"Keep going," MarineAngemon advised, "We'll find them, we have to."
"No, we'll never find them in the dark," Juri said, "Let's rest now, we'll be up and ready tomorrow."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Ryo," Monodramon said, "Don't you think we should head back?"
"Sssh!" Ryo hissed, gesturing to Rika who had fallen asleep wearily, "We've been walking forever, let her rest."
Rika murmured something and rolled over, Ryo gently pushed her on her sleeping bag, covering her with his.
Monodramon rolled his eyes skywards, humans were so…
"Hey!" Ryo snapped, "I saw that!" He slapped Monodramon lightly, frowning.
"Do you have the time to spare to talk to me?" Monodramon questioned sarcastically, "Or are you taking care of your beloved?"
Ryo flushed, "That's not funny."
"Are you going to handle that sword well?" Monodramon asked impatiently.
Renamon chuckled quietly, mixing with the dark cave they were in, "You don't trust your own Tamer?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Monodramon cried.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Renamon replied calmly.
"Oh yeah?" Monodramon demanded, "I trust Ryo, it's just he's a bit reckless sometimes."
"Oh?" Renamon's voice hinted amusement, "You're not?"
"That's not funny!!!!!!!!!!!" Monodramon snapped, steaming now.
"Sssssssh," Ryo hissed.
Renamon laughed, which was rare for her, "That's amusing."
"Grr," Monodramon snarled, "Do you want to fight me? Huh? Huh? Huh? Come on, are you chicken?"
"Monodramon!" Ryo warned.
Renamon shook her head, "No yet, but I wouldn't want to have you bear the shame later, so I think I'll pass."
"What!?" Monodramon spluttered, "Give me a break, I'm a million times stronger than you."
"Bragging is a show of weakness," Renamon said calmly, "It proves that you're not secure enough to take critism."
Ryo laughed, "Good point Renamon. Gee Monodramon, I just want what's best for Rika."
Monodramon stomped to a corner, curled up and ignored everyone.
Ryo laughed quietly as Renamon faded away.
"Mmm…Ryo…?" Rika whispered.
"Hey," Ryo said, smiling, reaching down to touch Rika's shoulder.
Rika shifted up, "What time is it?"
Ryo glanced quickly at his watch, "It's past 2 AM, why?"
"We should go look for Henry and them," Rika said, biting her lip.
"Yeah…" Ryo hesitated, "But we have no clue where they are, I'm sure they left Piximon's place by now and if we don't know where they are, it'll be like walking blindfolded. The Digital World is huge!"
Rika sighed, "But I'm worried, what if they run into another Dark Minion? It'll be chaos for them."
"For us too," Ryo reminded her, gently brushing his lips across her forehead.
"Ryo, don't!" Rika rolled her eyes, "You're so typical."
"What?" Ryo asked innocently, giving her that sweet, intimate smile that she loved so much now, to think, she used to hate it. "We'll have to keep going and keep an eye out for them along the way, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Rika said, playfully swatting his hand away, "Stop treating me like a little kid."
Ryo laughed, and pulled her close, "I'm glad I found you."
"It's the other way around," Rika reminded, teasingly tugging his sleeve, "Remember? You would've gotten killed without me."
"So it is," Ryo laughed again, his blue eyes shimmered in the dark, "So it is."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dark Ghost!" the Darkness thundered, causing the whole fortress to tremble.
A transparent figure floated out, sneering, "Yes, your Highness?"
"Blah, don't give me that junk you bastard," the Darkness snapped, "Dark Vampire's been destroyed."
Dark Ghost's eyes widened, "What? But how…? No, it can't be, the children again."
"What did you think?" the Darkness snarled, "We dealed with the old children centuries ago, now we're faced with more! You had better come up with a good plan and defeat them!"
"Your wish is my command," Dark Ghost slurred, "Of course."
"GO ON!" the Darkness screamed, "GO!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Henry Wong, slow down!" Kazu pleaded.
Henry had woke them all up at 7 in the morning and was mercilessly marching at a rough speed.
"Henry!" Takato exclaimed, "Suzy's lagging…you've got to think about her too!"
"Henry!" Suzy whined, "Please stop."
Henry's face was tense with anger, "There's no time to stop!"
"Momentai Henry, momentai!" Terriermon begged, looking worried for his Tamer.
"I'll carry Suzy," Kazu volunteered.
"Since when did you become helpful?" Takato asked.
"Since now," Kazu said, lifting the young girl up on his shoulders, "We've got to find Rika and Ryo, you know, and I've got plenty of energy to spare!"
"Thanks," Suzy murmured.
"Poor Suzy," Lopmon worried, "Why doesn't Henry stop for a while?"
"It's Rika, he's worried about her," Terriermon said cheerily.
Lopmon gave him a strange look and edged away a bit.
"I think you scare her sometimes, Terriermon!" Takato laughed.
"What?" Terriermon looked confused.
"Yeah," Juri agreed, giggling, "I think Lopmon thinks you're strange."
Lopmon cocked her head, nodding, "And very energetic, to say the least."
"No, I'm just strong," Terriermon bragged.
"With a very big ego," Lopmon added pointedly.
"Hey!" Terriermon protested, looking very confused that even Henry cracked a smile.
"Come on Henry!" Takato threw his arm around his best friend's shoulder, "Cheer up, we'll find them. Fate brought us together, it won't keep us apart."
"Thanks Takato," Henry smiled.
"They'll be fine!" Kazu said.
"But you're not!" a voice laughed.
"Oh no," Kenta muttered, "It's Dark Vampire again."
"No," Leomon said, "It's someone else."
"More of these things?" Kazu groaned.
"There's supposed to be 4, remember?" Henry reminded.
"Who are you?" Takato demanded.
The transplant figure sneered from the sky, "Insolent kids, don't you know that you'll never defeat us? We're invincible!"
"Who are you?!" Kazu hollered, waking Suzy up from her nap on his shoulders.
"Kazu!" Suzy wailed.
"Sorry kiddo," Kazu gave her a sheepish grin.
"I am Dark Ghost," the figure whispered, "And I will avenge Dark Vampire's death!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Kazu demanded.
"It must be Ryo and Rika," Henry said, "They must have destroyed Dark Vampire."
"That's so cool!" Kazu exclaimed.
"Yeah, right," Kenta muttered.
"You pathetic Tamers," Dark Ghost sneered, "Prepare for your doom…"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Stop Ryo," Renamon said, "I think something's wrong with Rika."
Ryo halted immediately and looked back, Rika was definitely lagging, "Rika! Is something wrong?"
Rika shook her head, "No, I'm fine-" Rika wavered forward and would've fell if
Ryo hadn't caught her.
"Rika!" Ryo exclaimed, "What's wrong? You look like you're going to faint!"
"Faint? Me? No way," Rika murmured.
Ryo gave Renamon a worried glance and wiped the sweat from Rika's forehead, "She's burning up. I wonder what's wrong."
"Maybe it's something she ate," Renamon suggested.
"Then I'd have it too," Ryo said, "We ate the same thing over and over again, fruits. Rika, how do you feel?"
"So tired…" Rika murmured, "And dizzy…can't think straight…Ryo…"
"Sssh!" Ryo ordered, gently putting her down, "Renamon, go see if you can find some water."
Renamon nodded and vanished. Monodramon said nothing and continued to sulk about last night.
"When did you start feeling bad?" Ryo asked Rika, gently brushing his hand over her forehead.
"This morning," Rika replied weakly, "We can't stop, we have to find Henry…"
"We're stopping until you're okay," Ryo said firmly.
"But-" Rika protested.
"No buts," Ryo interrupted.
Rika's voice hardened, "Ryo Akiyama, don't you dare tell me what to do? If I want to go find Henry like this I will! You're not my boss!!!"
"Rika," Ryo said softly, "I'm sorry, I know this is getting to you, but I don't want anything bad to happen to you, okay? Please just stay and rest, you'll be fine soon and then we can keep going."
Rika glared angrily at Ryo and turned away, "I hate you."
Pain flashed through Ryo's eyes, but he didn't change his mind.
"Ryo!" Renamon called, "Come over here, maybe these will help."
Ryo got up and ran over to Rika's Digimon.
"Jerk," Rika muttered, struggling up, "If I want to see
Henry, he can't stop me." Rika stumbled
on her feet and wobbled forward. She
noticed Monodramon eyeing her distastefully.
"What's wrong with you?" Rika barked, "You've been sulking all day. Quit staring at me!"
"Do you want me to come?" Monodramon asked, "We'll go a lot faster if I digivolve."
Rika looked surprised, "A-are you sure?"
Monodramon stood up and digivolved to Cyberdramon. "Now do you believe me?" Cyberdramon demanded, "Get on."
Rika nodded and climbed on as Ryo's Digimon took flight, looking back with a sad look. *Sorry Ryo, I have to do this. You don't own me, you have no right to tell me what I can or can't do.*
"Rika, you should drink this-" Ryo said, turning back, "Renamon!"
"What is it?" Renamon asked.
"Monodramon…and Rika," Ryo gasped, "They're gone!"
"What?!" Renamon asked, looking shocked, "No, not Rika."
"And she's sick too," Ryo said, breaking into a run, "Come on, we have to find them, they can't have gotten far."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Matrix Digivolution!" the Tamers cried. All the Digimon shot their attacks at Dark Ghost.
"Oh my God!" Juri gasped, "It didn't work."
Dark Ghost laughed in amusement as the attacks passed right through his transplant body. Henry groaned, that ghost was like a white sheet floating in the sky. It was as tall as an adult and there were chains over its body.
"How are we supposed to fight a ghost?" Kenta wailed.
"You don't," Dark Ghost replied, "Go get them."
The Tamers watched in horror as an army descended before them, it was a dead army, full of ghosts floating around, chuckling.
With a few smashes and crashes, all the Digimon went back to their original forms.
"That was quick," Kazu gulped, "We didn't even score a hit!"
"It's not fair," Takato fumed, "How come we can't hit them, but they can hit us?"
"Takato, look," Guilmon pointed to a well in the middle of nowhere.
"That's just perfect," Takato groaned, "A well, what good will that do?"
MarineAngemon flew over and disappeared inside.
"Finish them!" Dark Ghost yawned and disappeared, "I'm going to go to the Darkness and collect my reward for destroying his enemy."
Takato and the others freaked out as the army charged towards them.
"Ocean Love!" MarineAngemon blew, zooming out, holding something.
"What that?" Kenta asked, pointing to what his Digimon
holding.
"A wand," MarineAngemon said, "For you."
"Nooo," Kenta shook his head, "That won't be for me, I don't want a girl's weapon. I'm a guy, remember?"
"Another one!" Henry exclaimed, "A weapon? Everyone hold up your Digi-Vices!"
WEAPON ACTIVATION!
Juri gasped as her gold light hit the wand and it flew in her hands, "It's for me, wow…so pretty…" The wand was pink with a gold star on the top.
"Juri, watch out!" Takato hollered.
Juri looked up and screamed as 5 ghosts shot towards her, reaching with their bony hands for the wand. Takato knocked Juri out of the way, slamming backwards as the ghosts claws ripped at his body.
"Takato!" Henry gasped, "No!"
"Takato!" Guilmon whimpered as his Tamer fell on the ground, blood streaming out of his wounded body.
All the rest of the Tamers were too shocked to say anything.
"NO!" Juri screamed, tears filling her eyes, pain and anger.
ANCIENT MAGIC ACTIVATION! Gold light poured out of Juri's Digi-Vice and engulfed her wand. "Takato!" Juri squealed as a strange voice filled her head.
~Juri, use the power of LIGHT, for it is yours to command~
"Light?" Juri asked.
"Juri, what are you talking about?" Henry asked.
"Takato…" Juri whispered in an almost trance-like voice.
"Is she okay?" Kenta asked nervously, "She sounds like a robot."
"Juri!" Henry shook the young girl hard, "Juri! Snap out of it!"
"The power of Light…" Juri whispered, "Power of Light…"
"She's totally lost it!" Kazu moaned.
"Takato!" Kenta cried, "Takato! Get up!"
The ghosts were waving their bony claws and reaching out to grab Takato.
"Takato!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Juri's high-pitched scream echoed throughout the whole Digital World.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"That's Juri!" Rika exclaimed, wincing in pain, "Cyberdramon, that way!"
"Are you sure you're okay?" Cyberdramon growled.
"No," Rika admitted, "But we're not stopping cause of that!"
"Why did you get all mad at Ryo?" Cyberdramon asked.
"Hey!" Rika snapped, "That's none of your business, okay? Why are you mad?"
"Cause Ryo and Renamon take pleasure to jeering at me,"
Cyberdramon replied simply.
"O-kay, I have no clue what you're talking about, but who cares?" Rika said, "Full speed ahead!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You hear that Ryo?" Renamon asked.
"Yeah," Ryo said, "Juri, no doubt. I pity anyone who's standing right beside her, their ears are probably ringing badly."
"How amusing," Renamon said dryly, "We should go and find them."
"Yeah," Ryo swung on his backpack, "Rika probably heard them and is going that way now."
"Why did you do to make my Tamer so mad?" Renamon inquired, leaping from tree to tree.
"Slow down," Ryo gasped, "I can't run like you, you know. And I didn't do anything! All I did was try to make sure that she stayed still."
"She doesn't like the fact that you're in control," Renamon advised, "She doesn't like to feel vulnerable."
"Thanks for telling me now," Ryo snapped, "I'll remember that next time I try to help her."
"Anger will get you nowhere," Renamon said calmly.
"I wonder where Monodramon went," Ryo pondered thoughtfully, "He wasn't so lively today."
Renamon snorted, "He's fuming over what I said last night. Typical."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"LIGHT BEAM!" Juri shrieked, almost losing her balance when a bright white golden light streamed out of her wand and slammed several ghosts on the ground, dissolving them.
"All right girl!" Kazu yelled, "You show'em!"
"Takato!" Juri knelt worriedly beside her boyfriend, "Are you okay? Talk to me! Takato!"
"Juri…" Takato moaned, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Juri's eyes filled with tears.
"All right," a familiar voice said, "No more waterworks Juri, help is here!"
"Rika!" Henry shouted, relief flooding his body, "Rika!"
Rika's face lit up, "Henry! Finally, I found you!"
"Desolation Claw!" Cyberdramon fired his attacks, landing.
Rika climbed down, her vision blurring furiously. She swore angrily, "What's wrong with me?!"
"Juri!" Leomon exclaimed, his tone wary, "Don't overuse the wand, don't underestimate Ancient Magic, it's far more mysterious than we know. Use the same attack again!"
"LIGHT BEAM!" Juri squealed, shooting down all the rest of the ghosts.
"Awesome!" Kenta said, "We're saved!"
"Cyberdramon's here too," Kazu cheered, "Yes! Where's Ryo?"
Rika stiffened as Henry ran over and hugged her tightly.
"Rika!" Henry sighed in relief, "Are you okay?"
"Henry…" Rika said, "I-I need to sit down."
Henry gasped as Rika almost collapsed right in his arms, "Rika! What's wrong?"
"I've been feeling like this all day," Rika murmured, as Henry guided her down, "So weak and drained, I have no clue what's wrong. Ryo…I left him and Renamon to come and look for you guys with Cyberdramon."
"Ryo?" Henry asked, "You left him, in this condition?"
Rika struggled up, "Henry Wong! I left him to come look for you and you have no right to start lecturing me! I left him because we couldn't agree and he was ordering me around."
"Sorry," Henry muttered, "It's just, you scared me."
"Where's Ryo then?" Kazu asked.
"Somewhere," Rika replied shortly, closing her eyes and blacking out.
"He's hurt badly," Guilmon whimpered, "Takato's bleeding."
"Hey guys!" Ryo's voice cut in, he was dashing towards them with Renamon in the lead.
"There's the man!" Kazu cheered.
Juri started sobbing, "It's all my fault, Takato…Takato…"
"Don't cry," Terriermon said, "I'll go look for any herbs we can use. See you later Henry!" The bold bunny strutted off.
Lopmon stared after him, "I better keep an eye on him, I'll be back soon Suzy."
"Be careful and call if you need us," Ryo said, "Henry! What happened to Rika?"
"I'd ask you that!" Henry exclaimed, his eyes burning.
Ryo looked taken back, "What are you talking about? I certainly didn't do that to her, she was so weak today I tried to stop her to give her some rest and she blew up in my face. I'm worried."
There was a silence, then Henry lost his temper.
"Well, then show it!" Henry growled.
"W-what?" Ryo stammered, backing up.
"Why do you always make her so mad?" Henry demanded, "She's already giving it her all, why can't you be satisfied with that?"
"I don't know what you're saying!" Ryo said, "I've done nothing to offend her, all I want to take good care of her."
"Henry!" Kenta and Suzy both exclaimed, "Please! What's wrong with you?"
Henry looked at Rika, lying still and breathing rashly, "Something's terribly wrong."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Stop following me Lopmon," Terriermon said, huffing up a hill.
Lopmon did her best not to laugh, the other bunny could hardly climb up to steep slope, "Too many cream puffs?"
"Be quiet," Terriermon made a face, stumbling up to the top. He waded to a bush and started snatching off some leaves.
Lopmon calmly went to the other side and delicately picked the herbs with her paws. Silence.
"What are you doing here?" Terriermon asked, exasperated.
"Same as you," Lopmon replied, "Picking herbs for Takato, are we not?"
"Must you make fun of everything I say?" Terriermon demanded.
"Must you take it so personally?" Lopmon retorted softly.
More silence.
And more silence.
And more.
Lopmon coolly gathered some herbs and returned without a word. Terriermon made a face behind her back.
"I saw that," Lopmon said icily, setting her cool gaze on Henry's Digimon, "It's amazing how such a impudent Digimon could have such a reserved and respectful Tamer."
"Hey!" Terriermon snapped, "I'm not impudent, whatever that means, but I know it doesn't sound good. How did you see me?"
"You learn these things when you work for the Soveign," Lopmon replied as cool as you please.
"There you are!" Henry ran over to the two Digimon, "Hey, what's wrong? Those frowns would blow away a sunny day."
Lopmon handed Henry her herbs, "Here, give those to Takato. I need to take care of Suzy."
Henry watched in confusion as his sister's Digimon walked over to Suzy and sat beside her. "Uh…that's was strange…Terriermon, did you do something wrong?"
"Me?" Terriermon cried, "I haven't done anything! All I did was make fun of her a little and she had to get so pissed. She said that I was im-pud-ent."
Henry smiled and took the herbs from his Digimon, "I'll give these to Takato now."
"What does it mean?" Terriermon demanded, "What? What? What?"
Henry laughed lightly, "You know what? I think I'll let you find out by yourself!"
Terriermon watched with his mouth open as his Tamer strode off.
"Terriermon!" Suzy exclaimed, grabbing her brother's Digimon in a tight hug, "You know what Lopmon said?"
"Let me guess," Terriermon moaned miserably, "Something bad?"
"She said that you looked like a fish with its mouth hanging open!" Suzy giggled, dropping the poor bunny.
Terriermon glanced at Lopmon angrily, "I don't look like a fish."
Lopmon nodded calmly, her bright eyes dancing with amusement, "You're right, I don't think fishes have such big mouths."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hang still Takato," Henry murmured in a soothing voice, bandaging his friend's wounds.
"Is he going to be okay?" Juri asked in fear.
Takato let out a moan.
"These herbs aren't strong enough," Henry wiped his hands, "He might get an infection. MarineAngemon, do you think that you can heal him? Or does your attacks work only on Digimon?"
MarineAngemon floated over happily and blew his (or is it a her) attack at Takato. The majority of his wounds healed.
Takato groaned and sat up, "Juri?"
"Takato!" Juri shrieked, throwing herself on him.
Henry backed up, "Gosh, Juri give him some breathing room."
He left Juri to explain to her boyfriend about what had happened and went to Kenta.
"Hey, where's Rika? I left her with Monodramon."
"He's over there." Kenta pointed to Ryo's Digimon.
Ryo was sitting beside Rika, his eyes full of pain. Monodramon sighed, debating on what to do. Renamon paced around nervously, watching as Ryo gently brushed his hand over Rika's forehead receiving a soft moan from Rika. Ryo winced, the pain deepening in his eyes, "Rika…why…"
"Ryo?" Henry walked over to him.
Ryo glanced up and got up silently, walking away.
"Ryo! Wait!" Henry yelled, "Look, I'm sorry I got upset earlier, I know it's not your fault, but I guess I was just worried and I lost it."
Ryo didn't look at Henry, "It is my fault."
"What are you talking about?" Henry demanded, "You didn't get her sick."
"Oh I don't know," Ryo ran his hand through his messed-up hair, "I should have took better care of her and…"
"Henry…? Ryo…?" Rika's weak voice came through.
Both boys rushed to her side, "Rika!"
"Are you okay?" Henry asked worriedly.
"Duh," Rika said bluntly, much like her old self, "If I was okay, would I be lying down like this?"
"Good answer," Henry muttered.
Ryo's eyes darted quickly from Henry to Rika. Sighing softly, he started to walk away.
"Ryo!" Henry exclaimed, "Wait! Ryo!!!!!!"
"Ryo…" Rika whispered in a barely audible voice, "Are you leaving me again?"
Ryo looked startled, "Uh…I…"
Rika gazed at him intensely with her violet eyes, "If you want me to say sorry, it's not going to happen pal."
Ryo smiled tenderly, "I wasn't expecting it to. I think I'm sorry though." Ryo headed back, whispering, "Don't worry Rika, you'll be okay, I'll find out what's wrong with you."
Henry groaned, he wasn't really interested in hearing Rika and Ryo's sweet talk.
Rika gave Henry her ice glare, "Where is everyone?"
"Resting," Henry said, "It's been a long day. Takato got badly battered by Dark Ghost."
"What's that?" Rika muttered, "A dark ghost?"
"It's one of the four Dark Minions," Henry reminded his friend.
"Oh yeah," Rika nodded, "I can't believe it, we hardly defeated Dark Vampire, now the good for nothing Darkness hands us another Dark Minion. I'm physically and mentally exhausted.
"You're sick," Monodramon said abruptly.
"I know that," Rika said, annoyed, "Don't you think I can tell whether I'm sick or not."
"It's not a regular sickness, not like the flu or something," Monodramon said, "It was Blood-Eyes' Sonic Flash. It was meant for attacking Digimon, not humans. Once a human receives direct contact from it, it will make them sick and slowly drain their energy."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?!" Ryo snapped.
"Ryo," Henry's voice was low and wary, "Don't yell at your Digimon, it won't do any good. Maybe he just remembered this."
"No," Monodramon said, purposely countering any excuse that Henry had made for him, "I knew this a long time ago."
Henry sweat-dropped, "O-kay."
"Then why didn't you say anything?" Ryo growled, clenching his fists.
"Ryo!" Rika said, "Don't make it worse between you two. Please, maybe this sickness or whatever it is, will go away."
"I doubt that," Lopmon said, appearing beside them, "If you had told me that you had been hit by Sonic Flash earlier I would've said something. I just thought you ate something wrong. We'll have to get an antidote for you in Terror Mountain."
"Where's that?" Rika asked.
"There," Lopmon pointed to a tall, snow-peaked mountain, "No Digimon have ever ventured that far before, no one know what's up there."
"Great," Rika said, "How about that, why is anything we need never around here?"
The rest of the Tamers ran over as well.
"Boy, have I been trashed around," Takato said with a laugh.
"You think it's funny?" Kenta gulped.
"No," Takato said, "But I'm fine now."
"What's happening dude?" Kazu asked.
"We're going to Terror Mountain," Henry said.
"What's that?" Terriermon piped up.
"It's a mountain filled with Terror, you silly," Guilmon laughed.
"You both are silly," Lopmon sighed, "It's that mountain right over there."
"Ohhhhhhhh," MarineAngemon breathed, "Very high."
"Very high is right," Kenta added, "And very impossible too, why do we have to go there?"
"Because Rika's sick," Henry said, "There's supposed to be an antidote there that would help her."
"Well," Juri said, "The sun is setting now, so we should get some rest and go tomorrow."
"Sounds like a plan," Takato agreed, "Now how about something to eat?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ryo walked out and stared at the sky, everyone was sleeping peacefully and you can guess what's on his mind.
"Leaving again?" Renamon asked.
"I don't know," Ryo shrugged guilty, "I might, if I just go to find the antidote myself, then it might be a lot faster than having to drag Juri and Kenta along."
"What will Rika say?" Renamon questioned.
"You tell me," Ryo ran his hand through his hair, "I don't know. Even if I do leave I'll have to convince Cyberdramon to come with me, but he's in such a bad mood right now…"
"Oh I don't think so," Renamon said, "I straightened things out between him and me, he should be fine now."
"Thanks," Ryo grinned, "I really should go, after all, it's all fault that Rika's sick. If I hadn't ran away in the first place, then she wouldn't have to chase after me."
"No kidding," Monodramon grunted, "If you want to go I'll go."
"Thanks," Ryo smiled his drop-dead gorgeous grin, "I think I will, Renamon, will you try to explain to Rika?"
"I will try," Renamon said.
"Thanks again," Ryo glanced back and went to get his backpack. He passed Rika and gently caressed her forehead. "I'll be back as soon as I can," Ryo whispered, "Try not to get into trouble, I'll miss you." Ryo brushed his lips lightly across her forehead. Rika murmured softly and rolled on her side. Ryo doubted that Rika would miss him at all, she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Sometimes Ryo wondered if he was ever needed at all.
"Come on Cyberdramon," Ryo said, slashing a card. He climbed on his ultimate Digimon and flew off with a grim look on his face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Ryo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kazu hollered, "Where are youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
"Ugh," Rika snapped, "Shut up."
"Where's Ryo?" Henry wondered.
"Maybe Dark Ghost kidnapped him," Kenta fretted.
"Can we go already?" Rika said impatiently.
"Rika," Juri said, grasping her wand tightly, "Aren't you worried at all?"
"Yeah, he is your boyfriend," Takato added.
"He is NOT," Rika snapped, "If Ryo wants to leave and abandon us that's his freakin' problem, okay?"
"He'll come back, I'm sure he will," Henry said confidently, "You know how Ryo is, he likes to do things his own way."
"I guess," Takato said reluctantly, "We should head over to Terror Mountain to get that antidote for Rika."
"We should but we're not Gogglehead," Rika snapped, "I feel much better now, all that stuff was probably just temporarily anyways. Let's get on with our journey, we're not waiting for the Legendary Tamer to come back, okay? Let's hit the road before I hit someone."
"But Rika-" Henry protested, "You might still be sick."
"I feel fine," Rika said, "Anyways, I'll be using the medicine, not you. And I say we don't need to waste our stupid time hunting for something I don't need. Now is everyone clear on that?"
"Sure, sure, clear as day," Takato gulped.
"Too bad the day isn't clear," Terriermon remarked, "It's going to pour any minute now."
"It will," Lopmon agreed, "Since you're being so negative."
"Hey!" Terriermon protested, "What's with you and all this criticism?"
Lopmon ignored him and turned to Rika," If you got hit by that Sonic Flash, you really should take the antidote."
"Thanks," Rika said, "But no thanks, I'm fine. Absolutely."
"Henry!" Suzy cried, "Look what I found!" Suzy was holding something that reflected the sunlight into the Tamer's eyes.
"Ugh," Kenta groaned, "Suzy, put that down, you want to blind me or something."
Suzy hugged the mirror, "It's pretty." The young girl admired herself in the reflection, "I'm so cute!"
"Suzy!" Henry scrambled over, nearly tumbling over rocks, "Give that to me." Without warning Henry snatched the mirror out of the girl's hands.
"Henry!" Suzy cried, "It's mine, I found it!"
"I know you found it," Henry said, "Where? It's dangerous to just pick up stuff here. If could be a trap by the Dark Minions."
"Henry, dude, it's just a mirror," Kazu yawned, "Let the kid have it."
"Henry!" Suzy cried again, "I found it over there." Suzy pointed to a stone structure. In front of it was a stone panel with unreadable writing carved on it.
"It's a weapon," Kazu said in awe, "Hey, that's not fair, even the kid has a weapon, why can't I have one?"
"We don't know if it's Suzy's or not yet," Henry objected.
"It is mine," Suzy said confidently, "See? It's pink on the sides. I held up my Digi-Vice and said WEAPON ACTIVATION! Like you guys do, and it worked! Yippee!!!!"
Suzy took the mirror and smiled into it, "Mirror Mirror on the wall, who's fairest of them all? Me, me me!"
Henry groaned, "Suzy! You're too young to have a weapon. That's too dangerous."
"It's not dangerous," Suzy said, "It's pretty."
"Oh, Suzy," Juri said sweetly, "Can I take a look?"
Henry groaned again, running his fingers through his head, "This is crazy! How am I supposed to handle this?"
"Relax," Takato comforted his friend, "It's gonna be fine, Suzy's growing up after all, she'll need real life experiences."
"I'm sure," Henry sighed, "I don't know about this."
"Chill man," Kazu suggested, "Your sis is one lucky girl."
"Henry," Lopmon said solemnly, "I agree that Suzy's a bit young to possess a weapon, but this might actually do her good. The mirror reflects the attacks and shoots them back at the whichever direction the mirror aims for."
"That's great!" Takato exclaimed, "Now Suzy's even more protected than before."
"What if Suzy aims the mirror in the wrong way?" Henry worried.
"Man," Kazu sighed, "Nothing will make you happy, dude. You worry waaaaaaaaay too much."
"You do," Takato said with a smile, "But you're the cautious one, we'll see what happens."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rika groaned, her vision blurring, falling to the ground. Her energy was being badly drained and she couldn't control her breathing. But she wasn't going to let Takato and them find out.
Rika moaned and gazed up at the sky, *Ryo, please hurry up and get that antidote for me. I know that's where you went, to Terror Mountain, even though you didn't tell me. I'm not mad, just worried and helpless now. Hurry! I can't last much longer like this. I'm going to black out soon. Ryo, hurry!*
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Finally! Finished, I think it was pretty long, don't you? I'll try to have the next chapter up soon, but don't count on it. Keep your ideas coming and please try to be specific, some of them are confusing. Does anyone think that Kazu and Suzy will make a good pair? Or maybe Kenta and Suzy? Or should I just leave it? Review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^_____^
