Regless sits with a glass of rum and coke by the fireplace} Evening all.
Hope you'll enjoy this chapter.
Black sits opposite to Regless with a cup of tea} As the title implies... This one has the after effects of the little rumble at the dance.
Yami Hamtaro: Uhh, why aren't you guys fighting or arguing?
NeoWarGreymon is smoking his pipe next to Regless} They apparently have a period of being nice to each other every once in a while. I would've never guessed.
Regless: Yep, Black's stock piling all the weapons till we start ticking each other off again.
Black: I wonder why everyone thinks I hate you.
Regless: Who knows, normal people are weird... I hope I said that right.
Yami Hamtaro: No
******^******
Perfect Hazard - Chapter 17 - Public Enemy Number 1
******^******
Henry opened one eye drowsily. Everything was still blurry but he was able to see that he was a bright room, with an irritating beeping background noise. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He didn't have the strength nor the capability to speak at this point. He tried shifting his head down to get a better look around but, again, even this simple task eluded him. He stopped trying after his eyes cleared a bit more and he realized there was someone next to him, Suzy, fast asleep and partly leaning on him. Lopmon and Calumon were on her lap. Looking down he noticed she was also holding his hand, but he was unable to feel it, or squeeze back.
Henry gazed at the ceiling trying to gather his thoughts **What happened... I was dancing with Jeri. Then I saw Takato walking towards me. He biomerged for some reason... not all that surprising... wait I don't recall seeing his partner. And when did Alice give him that ability anyway? She said it was Takato's miracle... That knight had the Hazard symbol on it but, he was different. That couldn't have been Takato, he stabbed me and... took... Jeri! Where's Jeri!!!**
Henry began squirming in his bed as best he could, the movement was enough to wake his little sister, who rushed out of the room and called in the boys parents. Lopmon came with her while Calumon just plopped onto the floor blowing nose bubbles sweetly. Henry's father and mother immediately bolted to Henry's sides and confined him from squirming and more.
Janyu "Don't try to move, your still badly hurt. And there's a hole in your lungs too so don't try to speak."
Lopmon "It's a good thing Marine Angemon was there, it was able to keep you stable till the doctors were done. You were hurt really bad, the fact that you didn't die instantly is both incredible and fortunate."
Henry's mother had tears in her eyes already (Don't know her name) "You'll have to have more surgery... and a big scar but, the doctors say you be fine... eventually."
Suzy "I was weally scared Henwy... You were all covered in red and... and..."
Terriermon pooped up from behind Suzy "Yeesh, you think you would've known to run away from giant dark knight"
Lopmon comforted her crying Tamer while Henry was still looking sympathetic... but annoyed. His parents told him to get some sleep and left the room except for Suzy and Lopmon, who went back to sleep next to their brother. They had told him of what happened but they left out the most important detail.
Terriermon hopped onto Henry's chest "Hey buddy, you alright? ...Apart from the obvious I mean."
Henry **Jeri...**
Henry turned to his right, and noticed someone else in the room. She was unconscious, barely alive it seemed. It was Ms. Asagi, she looked mangled badly, like she had been hit by a car... or thrown into a wall. She had twice as many machines hooked up to her as Henry did, her breathing was regulated and her pulse monitored. There was a clipboard next to her bed of which Henry struggled to see. He shuddered when he read the words 'Coma' next to his teacher's name.
Henry **What did this?**
***Meanwhile: The Nonaka Residence***
Rika woke up next to Takato with her arm touching his. She had slept there intending to ward off any sign of Ruki just in case but the contact triggered one of Takato's skills and they had shared a dream again, something they were getting accustomed to. They had talked for hours about nothing in particular. The odd thing was, they agreed on most of what they spoke of. Despite the fact that Ruki hadn't come home, she still went to sleep as she had done the previous nights. She was actually surprised not to find Ruki on his other side in the morning. It brought a feeling of relief... and a silence that was almost unnerving. Realizing how close they were, she blushed and got up carefully trying to wake up her Gogglehead. Rika walked into the kitchen trying to hide how good she felt, a small smile kept appearing and then disappearing time and time again. When she actually got to the kitchen she was greeted with her mother and grandmother, both sitting at the side of the table opposite to Rika.
Rumiko "We need to talk."
Rika paused for a moment "Oookay... What about?"
Mrs. Nonaka "It's Takato dear. You see, we got a call late last night... It seems he attacked the dance at about midnight."
Rika's eyes widened. That was simply impossible "What? No, he was with me the whole time."
Rumiko "Come now, as much as I'd like to believe you, there were hundreds of people at that dance, all confirming it was Takato."
Rika growled slightly "I told you, he was with me. We weren't anywhere near the dance."
Mrs. Nonaka "Well... We can't ignore your feelings Rika, nor can ignore those of everyone else. There was been a warrant for his arrest."
Rika narrowed her eyes. "What... When?"
Rumiko took a sip of her coffee "They should be here any second. Rika, please don't make this difficult."
Rika took a moment to think about this before making another response "Well... Can I at least say goodbye?"
Rumiko nodded "Alright. Don't worry Rika I'm sure if he's innocent it'll be cleared up at the trial."
Rika stepped back in surprise "Trial!?"
Rumiko nodded "Well, what did you expect?"
Rika took a gloomy expression "Nothing I guess."
Rika walked into the bedroom and over to the snoring Gogglehead. He looked so helpless and goofy the way he was right then. Spread out in all directions, he had apparently made himself comfortable in the few moments Rika was away. He was muttering in his sleep too, Rika lean closer to figure out what he was saying. She blushed and stepped back when she realized Takato was muttering her name. Forcing redness in her cheeks away, she leaned over again, this time grabbing his nose to stop him from breathing. He began to sputter and wake up instantly.
Takato "Rika? Huh, what's gives?"
Rika slipped on her violet shades and grabbed a deck of digimon cards, slipping them into her back pocket "We're leaving, get ready."
Takato got up in a haze and started reaching for his sword. He looked at Rika questioningly "But wh-"
Rika cut him off "Don't ask questions either. Just call Grani and have him meet us on the roof. Renamon."
Renamon appeared behind Takato and caused him to yelp in surprise. Smiling to herself, she turned to her tamer. "Something happen?"
Rika swiped a card "Yeah, Cherrymon Activate! Fill the house with your mist."
Renamon nodded without hesitation "Illusion Mist!"
Rika "Good, Biomerge Activate."
A minute later, Sakuyamon could hear her parent calling for her. The mist had managed to fill the house up completely and the Mega was leading the smaller human around by the hand.
Takato "Would you please tell me what's going on?"
A loud, partially distorted voice was suddenly heard "Takato Matsuki, we know your in there. Please come out with your hands up!"
Takato "WHAT? Why?"
Sakuyamon "You've been framed it seems. Apparently you were spotted at the dance... attacking people."
Takato "No way, I left early and went to find you."
Sakuyamon exited a door, they were still protected by the main gates of the residence, She grabbed Takato in her arms and leapt to the roof while her mother stumbled over to open the gate in a hurry. "I know but it's our word against a hundred others, so let's go."
Takato stuttered as Grani appeared from the sky "Wh, where are we going?"
Sakuyamon "...I haven't thought about that yet... For now, we'll just hide in the clouds."
Takato looked up and gaped at the site above him "What clouds?"
Sakuyamon looked up also as the dragon took off. The clouds were being eaten by the hole in the sky that was once no more than a tourist attraction. But it was also spilling something out, something red and almost beautiful... If it weren't for the fact that it was eating through the ground it landed on.
Sakuyamon "What... is that?"
Takato "Dunno, but we'll have to figure it out later cause right now we got company."
Sakuyamon looked head. Sure enough, Takato was right. A couple of choppers were looming dead ahead. The first thing she noticed was that those were not police choppers. The ones the police used didn't have missiles attached to the sides. These were military, but why they were here was anyone's guess. Another loud, obnoxious, voice was spoken from another loud, obnoxious, megaphone.
Announcement "Takato. You are to come with us."
Takato looked and Rika hesitantly. He didn't want to go, but picking a fight with the Army wasn't something you just do on a whim. He needed a second opinion from the person he trusted most and got it when Sakuyamon nodded and spoke lowly.
Sakuyamon "Your being to passive. Take a stand. You didn't attack anyone at the dance, so don't take the fall for it."
Takato looked down a bit "But, those missiles could hurt Grani. I'm not sure I can shake them."
Sakuyamon stepped in front of Takato, her back facing him "Leave these chumps to me, we'll meet...... at your parents' house, The Matsuki Bakery. Now... let's show them what we're made of Gogglehead."
Sakuyamon jumped off of the dragon and fire a Spirit Strike warning shot to get the attention of the offending metal birds. They turned to defend themselves and Takato took off diving straight down. It would be easier to hide amongst the various buildings than it would be in the sky.
Takato **I better get Guilmon.**
***Meanwhile: Shinjuku Park***
Gardromon "He's... strong for a... Rookie."
Guilmon struggled against the grip of the larger Gardromon, who had to use a strength card just to hold the dino still. "Ugh, lemme go."
Kazu "Not till you tell us why you attacked everyone at the dance."
Guilmon "I told you I followed Takato and stayed with Renamon."
Kenta "Kazu... Maybe he didn't do it. I don't remember seeing him there."
Kazu "Get real, we all saw him. He stabbed Henry and kidnapped Jeri."
Guilmon stopped struggling for a moment after hearing those words "Stabbed? Kidnapped? ...Takato isn't going like that."
Kazu glared at Guilmon "stop pretending you don't know... Little help Kenta."
Kazu heard the sound of something hitting the concrete sidewalk. When he turned to see what it was, all he saw a fist colliding into his face. Gardromon dropped Guilmon to help his, currently unconscious tamer. Unfortunately for him he was struck out of the way by a larger digimon, Cyberdramon. Marine Angemon climbed out of Kenta's pocket and began to heal everyone in site. Cyberdramon was itching for a good fight, but a little fairy that can heal damage as fast as you can cause it, didn't qualify. He grabbed Guilmon an his partner jumped on him. Alice finished putting Kazu down gently and hopped on Dobermon.
Ryo "Alright let's go."
Cyberdramon "To where?"
Ryo pursed his lips "...hmm."
Alice "The Bakery. I'm sure Takato will head there."
Ryo looked at Alice and smiled "Alright, you heard the lady."
Guilmon "Umm, thanks Ryo but... why are you helping me? I thought you would be on Kazu and Kenta's side."
Ryo flashed that million dollar smile of his. "When you've been fighting for as long as me and Cyberdramon here, you learn a few things. Me and Alice both agree it wasn't Takato we saw at the dance."
Alice "Yes, I got a clear look. Takato had no partner when he transformed into ChaosGallantmon... Besides it feels like I owe him. If he didn't figure out how to Biomerge on his own..."
Dobermon spoke up in his usual gruff voice "Then I would have deleted myself giving him the ability."
Guilmon had already stopped listening and gone feral as soon as ChaosGallantmon was mentioned. "He's still alive?"
Ryo "You know something then?"
Guilmon nodded again "He needs to be deleted. Now!"
Alice "..." **He seems pretty upset with this ChaosGallantmon. I'll ask him about it when we get to the Matsuki's house.**
***^***
Jeri drifted through the realms of consciousness, unable to move or even open her eyes to find out where she was. **W-What's happening?**
Voice replied to her thoughts **Your being reformatted.**
Jeri **What?! Into what?**
Voice **Me.**
***^***
Takato stood outside the door of his parents home. Or at least the people that used to be his parents. He lifted his hand to knock, but dropped it down. He had been doing that for five minutes. He knew his parents watched the news... They had probably heard of the warrant for his arrest. Would they turn him in if they found him? Would they just let him walk in? There was only one way to find out for sure but Takato hesitated still. Finally the door opened from the other side. His mother, Mia, was there, with a list in hand and a purse in the other. It was obvious she was just leaving to do some errands. She looked at the boy in front of her for a moment studying him carefully. Takato was looked at the ground nervously.
Mia "...Did you do it?"
Takato's head shot up and looked Mia in the eye "No! Of course not."
Mia sighed "There's a lot of people who think you did... I'm not one of them. Come in."
Takato did as he was told and saw his father making more dread. The man looked up, blinked, and nodded. Apparently he shared his wife's point of view, something Takato would be eternally grateful for. Since it might scare the customers away if they saw him in the main room, he went up to his old room, now Rika's, and looked around. It was very plain and matched her perfectly. The bed was a mess of covers all lumped and tangled together. Takato silently wondered why his parents hadn't remade the bed yet.
Takato "...This room needs drapes or something..."
Takato walked over took a seat on the bed. This was going to be a long, long day. Suddenly the covers shifted and knocked Takato off the bed. He gave a yelp of surprise when he landed on the floor, then the mass toppled over and landed on him. He surprised to see Ruki's face, still sleeping apparently.
Takato "Ru-Ruki!"
Ruki "ZzZz"
Takato was temporarily paralyzed, heck you would be too if your were an elementary school student and a beautiful girl just rolled into your lap. Ruki's head bobbed up and down, coming dangerously close to Takato's. Pushing the feeling aside, he picked her up in his arms and put her back on the bed, making a mental note that she was heavier than she looked.
Takato **So this is where she was, I wonder why...**
Ruki "Mmm...mmm"
Ruki began to wake up stretching and with her eyes still closed, Takato quickly turned the other way turning beat red. The digimon in disguise turned slightly sensing movement, she was surprised to see Takato facing the other way, and even more surprised to find him awake at this point in the day. The covers had fallen around her waist, and she suddenly realized why Takato wasn't looking at her. Since she didn't expect anyone else to come into the room, apart from Mia, she had decided to sleep in nothing more than a borrowed robe that was both too big, and undone. Ruki covered herself in a flash, but she didn't seem angry.
Ruki "Uh, Takato? What are you doing here?" A thought crossed her mind "You didn't come here just for me, did you?"
Takato turned an even deeper red, one that matched Guilmon's hue perfectly "Err, no. A lot of people think I attacked the dance last night so... I ran here."
Ruki frowned slightly, but hid it well. Despite the fact that the bond between Takato and Rika was stronger than her own, she couldn't help but feel disappointed Takato hadn't come for her. "Wait you were there to stop me and Rika from fighting, you couldn't have been at the dance."
Takato nodded "I know but they got a lot of people saying otherwise so..." Takato stood up, still not bothering to turn around "Hey Ruki, I never found out why you left yesterday, if it's something I did or-"
Ruki "NO! It's not you. I just... I just don't feel like talking about it, okay?"
Takato nodded "Anyway, I'm glad your alright."
Ruki looked up a bit surprised "You are?"
Takato nodded again, this time turning around partway "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
Ruki blushed and looked down at her feet muttered "I dunno, I'm new at this... Thanks Takato."
Mia came in the door at that moment and looked straight at Ruki "Hi, have you seen... Nevermind." Mia turned towards the Goggleheaded Tamer with a look of suspicion "What were you doing up here with Ruki?"
Takato blushed and began waving his hands wildly "I-I just came up cause I didn't want the people below to recognize me from the news, I had no idea she was in here."
Mia held out her hands "Well that's part of the reason I'm here, I got some contacts for you and some hair dye. You'll be able to go back into the general public with it. The other part was to warn you we have a sleeping girl in this room but, it looks like you already found out."
Takato took the items hesitantly and gave them an odd look, he had no idea what he going to do with them. Mia seemed to pick up on this and looked over to Ruki.
Mia "We only have to people working here today so could you help him with those?"
Ruki nodded energetically but her thoughts were considerably different **No, I don't even know what they are.** "Sure, just let me get dressed first. Hey Takato, can you leave for a moment."
Takato "Sure."
*^*
Takato stood next to a bathtub filled with water "Alright, it says on the box to soak hair thoroughly."
Ruki "Okay! ...How?"
Takato "Simple, I just dunk my head in the bathtub of water and leave it there few seconds."
Ruki "Okay!"
Ruki grabbed the side of Takato's head and, using her abnormal digimon strength, forced it into the tub. The had so much leverage she accidentally through the entire boy in... without giving him a chance to suck in a deep breathe. After a moment she pulled his head out. Takato was just glad to have oxygen again.
Ruki "How long is a second?"
Takato "Huff- -Huff- Just try -huff- saying one locomotive, then two, and so on. But let me take a breath this time!"
Ruki responded with her usual cheerfulness. "Okay!"
Takato took a deep breathe and waited to be submerged again... and waited... and waited. Finally he let it go.
Takato "I had a breath y-"
Ruki forced Takato's head into the tub again smiling widely **One locomotive. Two locomotive. Three locomotive...
***^***
Half an hour later Takato and Ruki were finished. The contacts were even harder the hair-dye, but it was worth it. He was now unrecognizable to anyone that didn't know him personally. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled, then turned to his mother revealing blue eyes the same color as his shirt but some effect added to them made them sparkle. His hair, once a rich brown color, was now as white as Renamon's stomach.
Takato "I can understand the blue contacts, but what's with the hair-dye?"
Takehiro stepped in the room with a heavy bag of flower and motioned for Takato to follow him "My wife and I were gonna use it for Halloween but we never got around to it. He had to stay open to cover our dept."
Takato "Dept?"
Takehiro nodded again "We've had some problems here. Were alright most the time but whenever one of us has to get supplies or take care of something else... there just aren't enough people to keep up with the orders and such. That's why we were so lucky when Rika showed up on our doorstep." Takahiro smiled as he said the next sentence "It's like we have a guardian angel helping us out. But I don't suppose a modern kid like you would believe in fairy tales like that."
Takato smiled back. This was almost like old times to him, a feeling that gave him warmth "I didn't believe in giant monsters from a cartoon stomping around the world either. But now..."
Takehiro chuckled to himself "You got a point there... Anyway since Rika's not here I could use your help in making some bread. I don't suppose you have any experience with this, apart from watching Rika, do you?"
Takato rolled up his sleeves "Just show me where the hair nets are."
After few minutes of seating up, Takato was kneading the dough and flour next to his dad, something he had done a million times before but always took for granted. This time was definitely different. Every couple of seconds he would glance at Ruki, then try in vain to focus on what he was suppose to be doing.
Takehiro "...You know, if you keep doing that Rika will probably get angry with you."
Takato flushed "Uh, err, what?"
Takehiro "You know what. I see you looking at Ruki. But you also like Rika. As nice as that is, you can't have them both. Your going to have to choose."
Takato sighed surprised it was so obvious... then again this man was his father. "Yeah I guess, but I like both of them. It's like... I just don't want to lose either of them... Do I really have to choose?"
Takehiro nodded "First off, don't ever say that out loud. And yes you do or you'll end up with no one. I used to be your exact situation back in my college years."
Mia made her presence known at that moment "Oh really? I never heard THAT story before."
Takehiro froze and cranked his head around to look at Mia nervously. Then he turned to Takato. "...See, this is why you never say that out loud."
*^*
Ruki was busy minding the till. She was really sad and slow when she showed up yesterday but Mia noticed she seemed to have recovered her usual energy after being with Takato for that short while. Mia had left out a piece of paper with the various prices and told her the basics of how to open the cash register and work the debit and credit card machine. (If you think people would use a credit card for two bucks, you'd be wrong) Her first customer walked in, a older man it seemed, and picked out his pastry, placing it on the counter.
Ruki checked the sheet and turned back smiling "That'll be $1.75."
Man "That must be a pricing error. I've been here before and it's only $1.50."
Ruki checked the sheet again and turned back smiling "Nope, I'm right."
The man dropped of $1.50 and turned for the door "Whatever."
The second his back was turned Ruki's arm shot out across the counter. All three of the Matsuki's seemed to be arguing about something at the moment so no one even noticed her. She quickly got the customer in a headlock that was virtually unbreakable due to her digimon strength.
Ruki was still smiling, after all the customers become uncomfortable if they see a sourpuss "$1.75 or I'll break your neck."
The customer dropped a quarter and proceeding to dash out the door madly as Ruki released her grip to catch the 25 cents.
Ruki was waving as the customer left "Have a nice day!" **Man, I'm good at this.**
***1 hour Later***
Rika bursted in through the door. It was harder than she thought to lose the army guys, even harder to do so without killing any of them. But she was concerned to find out if Takato was actually let inside, or if she'd have to go out looking for him again. She bolted in through the door and scoured the room. The first thing she noticed was Ruki, it looked like she was about to attack a customer from behind but quickly stopped when she noticed she had witnesses.
Rika "Ruki... What are you doing here?"
Ruki smile had just turned into a smirk "Making customers pay."
Rika **I don't like the way that sounded** "Alright, is Takato here?"
A boy called from the side "HEY! You got my name right. I'm over here Rika. I know I look a little different but, yeesh, I thought the goggles would give me away instantly."
Rika blushed a bit having being caught using Takato's actual name. For some reason the thought of him made her nervous now that they weren't being chased by the authorities. She turned to see a white haired boy white a set of deep blue eyes and a sword slung across his waist. He almost looked, dare I say it, impressive. He was helping out with the store, currently stocking the shelves with the new favorite, Guilmon Bread.
Rika "What the...?"
Takato "It's just dye and contacts, so it'll be harder for people to recognize me."
Rika reddened in the cheeks a bit "Oh well you look...uh...nice."
Ruki beamed from her spot across the counter "I'll say, he looks kinda like a warrior... hmm, well, maybe an Angel. Doesn't matter anyway."
Takato **...Angel...? Why do people keep calling me that?...**
Mia raised her head and took a good look at the Gogglehead "Huh, hey your right. I didn't even notice before."
Rika "Hey, ya know... You'd be harder to recognize without your goggles."
Takato raised his hands defensively "No way, I just wouldn't be me without them."
Rika **Well... That's true, Gogglehead.**
The door opened again, this time three figures entered, Alice, Ryo and Guilmon. Cyberdramon and Dobermon were too big so they just took off and began watching the bakery in secret from a distance. Guilmon rushed in smelling bread and locked onto his partner like a homing missile.
Takato "Guilmon, NO!"
Guilmon "Guilmon, BREEEAAD" -Thump-
Alice looked over to the Tamer and Partner lumped together in a squirming mass "...Cute..."
Ryo "Hey everyone! Were here."
Rika immediately spun around "Renamon!"
Renamon appeared as usual, frightening everyone around her except Ryo and her own Tamer "Yes?"
Rika "Ta... Gogglehead is innocent."
Ryo kept wearing his usual smile like it was painted on "I know, that's why I brought Guilmon over. We should have some more guests here shortly."
Alice turned to the other confused. Ryo hadn't mentioned anything to her about other guests "Others?"
??? "We're already here."
Everyone turned around to see Yamaki, Riley, Shibumi, and the rest of the monster makers apart from Henry's dad, who was still with his son at the hospital. The group studied the people in front of them.
Shibumi's eyes rested on the Goggleheaded boy **He seems familiar**
Yamaki "However bad you may think this is, I can assure you it's worse than you realize."
Ruki came out from around the counter "Oh yeah, that's comforting."
Takato joined the rest of the Tamers and Alice. "Huh, what do you mean by worse?"
Riley "It has to do with that stuff that started spilling out of the Juggernaut program."
Shibumi "We should sit down and get something to eat, this will take a bit of explaining."
Everyone nodded except for Guilmon who was in heaven amongst all the food that was around him.
*^*
Renamon "So then why is that goo thing here?"
Shibumi "Err, D-Reaper. Someone is helping it evolve. It could never cross into this world on it's own. Someone or something must want it to be here for some reason."
Rika "Great, first Gogglehead gets framed and now this."
Yamaki arched a brow "Pardon? I've been working on this so I haven't seen the news... What do you mean, framed?"
Ryo "Someone looking like Takato showed up and turned into ChaosGallantmon. He attacked a bunch of kids at the school dance last night."
Ruki Takato and Rika "WHAT?!?!"
Guilmon turned his head from his food temporarily "Oh yeah, that's what I wanted to tell you... that and I need more bread."
Alice "So then you know him?"
Ruki "Uh yeah... He... and I... he's kinda-"
Takato cut Ruki off, he didn't want to find out what would happen if it was discovered Ruki was a Digimon made by Black Zhuqiaomon and his Hazard. "He's a servant of Zhuqiaomon. We met him a little while ago but... I thought we destroyed him."
Ryo "Yeah, I saw that big bird a little while ago too. He was destroyed though."
Ruki "..." **Thanks Takato.**
Alice "ChaosGallantmon must be acting on his own then. But why would he want to bring the D-Reaper here? You said it was destructive to all digimon."
Ryo "Perhaps he simply doesn't care. I've been in the digital world a long time. Some digimon thrive on destruction... Destruction of others... Destruction of the world... and even themselves..."
**Milleniumon... You came back twice."
Shibumi "At any rate, this D-Reaper has shown signs that it will continue to evolve. The longer we leave it, the more difficult it will become. I can set up something to help you that can help you fight it without being destroyed, but it will take some time so I suggest you take it easy today and get an early start tomorrow."
Takato nodded "Sounds good. Hey maybe we should get Henry over here and explain it to him... Or does he think I'm guilty?"
Guilmon "Yippee! Terriermon!"
Renamon "Easy Guilmon. Let's have some more bread."
Ryo "..."
Rika noticed Ryo without a smile for once. "What's with the long faces?"
Alice "ChaosGallantmon stabbed Henry and kidnapped Jeri. Henry is currently in critical care with Ms. Asagi... She was found embedded into a wall. The only reason either of them are alive is because of Marine Angemon."
At once a cold silence filled the room as the shock pierced Takato like a knife in the heart. There were still voices but they faded into the background. It somehow seemed unlikely that Henry, of all people would be hurt so bad. He was always calm, collected, and strong. When Takato started out as a Tamer and Rika didn't like him, Henry was defending his friend all the time... and now he's in some hospital? Takato turned to see Renamon resting his hand and Guilmon's shoulder. Ruki was next to him saying something to comfort him but it was like everything had suddenly gone into slow motion. Rika was off with her own thoughts. Even the color seem faded.
Takato asked the next question hesitantly, afraid of the answer "...Will he be alright?"
Ryo "Difficult to say, he lost a lot of blood and the internal damage was... severe."
Rika "...We can't let that freak get away with this! We'll make him pay."
Takato's eyes flashed red, but the contacts kept his anger hidden. The Hazard sign flashed red as well for a moment but disappeared quickly and no one had even noticed. However when Takato spoke, everyone noticed his voice had a maliciousness to them that would frighten anyone. Ruki even stepped back nervously while Guilmon forcefully moved Renamon's paw off him growling very lowly. Renamon looked a bit hurt and her keen ears were the only ones to noticed it.
Takato "...You have no idea how right you are..."
******^******
Regless: Holy crap that took a long time to finish. Most of it was just waiting for me to get back to my mom's computer (I am sooo getting my own as soon as I can afford it.)
Black: At least your done now so get on with the replies.
Yami Hamtaro: I though Ruki was doing to leave Takato alone... how come she's back again.
Black: She did, Takato found her anyway.
To Anime Fan -
Regless: Yep Henry's still alive and kicking but I doubt he'll be saving anyone for a while. Thanks for not giving Black anymore weapons. And as for the evil digimon thing. From the time he turned into the dark knight to the time he had disappeared again, only about three seconds passed, I should've wrote that in. It was really fast.
Yami Hamtaro: Does that make you a minute man. I heard their fast.
Regless: ...Someone hurt him please.
To DC and Evil BlackTerriermon -
Regless: Yep. Things just keep getting worse. Especially with the D- Reaper making it's appearance. Woohoo this'll be fun.
To SerpentTreize -
Regless: Damn right he's still alive. Do you have any idea how many people would try to kill me if I killed Henry?
Black: Me and Yami over there for starters.
Regless: Exactly. Ruki's not going anywhere yet. She can't seem to stop running into Takato.
To Max Acorn -
Regless: Ahh yes. But I think putting Rika in a dress in front of that many people would've been a lil too far ooc. Still, that's not to say she'll never wear one. Sorry about Jeri, but she's not to get any relaxation... I am so dead.
Yami Hamtaro: Pikkan, welcome to the kill Regless club. He's a bat now get to work.
Black: After Christmas!
To -
Yami Hamtaro: Woohoo. Weapons weapons and more weapons.
Regless: ...I think he's worse than you now, Black.
Black: Wouldn't surprise me... Why isn't Rika choking you yet.
Regless shrugs.
To YumeTakato -
Regless: LOL iMac! That's a funny word.
Everyone sweatdrops
Regless: I got more embarrassing moments. And, I'm not a big Yu-Gi-Oh fan so I doubt I'll be finishing your fic anytime soon. Sorry.
To -
Black: Consider it done.
Regless: Thanks for the christmas presents.
Black: ...Why the hell isn't Rika choking you?
To D3Fan -
Regless: No evil Rika. But Takato is a wanted man.
Yami Hamtaro: I'll say, Rika, Ruki, Japan, and so on and so forth.
Regless: And as for ChaosGallantmon, we are steadily getting closer to the final fight. WHOOPIE.
NeoWarGreymon socks Regless in the side of the head "Shut up!"
Regless "Your still here?"
To -
NeoWarGreymon: Hey how are you. These people got rum and coke. This party kicks rocks... Needs some girls though. (Turns around and sees Rika and Ruki choking Regless) nevermind.
To Energy -
Black: Don't worry, he won't kill EVERYONE off. At the very least Marine Angemon will survive. Thanks for the review.
To Wolfen_Man -
Black: Good luck on the finals. I know they make us all a lil weird, why do you think I'm being nice(r) to Regless. It will focus on the real deals but Ruki ain't just going to be cut out so expect to see more from all the peeps.
Yami Hamtaro: Ha Ha. Hamsters don't have finals.
Black: Lucky son of a *****.
To Hillkid -
Black: Evening.
Yami Hamtaro: Nice to meet'cha.
NeoWarGreymon nods his head: ...
Regless waves: Gak!
To Damerei A -
Yami Hamtaro: Hey your name is like Bl-ACKS
Black chokes Yami Hamtaro: Shut up. Anyway thanks for the review. I think Regless should've done more with Ruki but I guess this works. Thanks again.
To Firehedgehog -
Black: Hell yeah, Kari and Takato. That'll be sweet if Rika somehow finds out and goes postal on the Child of Light. Ja Ne
Regless **Heh heh. I got so many ideas for fic like that, another one being Milleniumon Vs Megidramon. But oh well, I got to many thought in my head to order them properly.**
Everyone: Ja Ne
To R6 -
Black: Aww crap, now we got Kenta.
Ruki stops choking Regless and pounces Kenta: Hey what's up. Looks like a few people want you me to get together.
Kenta: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Black: Smooth. Anyway, Thanks for the review. Me and Regless actually do have an idea of who to set Ruki up with... But I doubt you'll guess it.
To Dark Child -
Black: I heard ya. Thanks for the Review. To be honest, I'm half rooting for evil takato to win, he's evil and I like that.
Yami Hamtaro: You need help.
NeoWarGreymon: No, Regless needs help. Is he even alive at this point.
Rika: Trust me, if that's all it took to kill him, he'd be dead by now.
Black: ...Kinda feel sorry for him.
To Devil of Hazzards -
Black: Thanks for the review. Henry is still alive. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.
To Sora Potter -
Black: Again, I'm at a loss for how to reply.
NeoWarGreymon: Give me five minutes with her and she'll speak normally again.
Regless whacks NeoWarGreymon on the back of the head with a frying pan and knocks him out: All shall crumble before the might of my frying pa-
Rika whacks Regless on the back of the head with a frying pan on knocks him out: He's tougher than he looks.
To LoneWalker -
Black: Heh, told that little saying to a friend of mine and she thought it was hilarious. Anyway thanks for the review and have a nice holiday. ChaosGallantmon Forever, heh.
To Sugah High -
Black: Those two are fine. Takato could be in serious trouble, looks like he got some feelings for her. How will this all end? Asking the dying Regless over there.
To Josh -
Black: Damn your really on the ball. Not fully healed, but enough to keep him alive. Thanks for the review.
To -
Black: There it's continued, don't kill him till he's at least done the fic.
To Adam-Kamiya -
Black: 1) ChaosGallantmon was made with that ability the same as Ruki, he just doesn't have the need to use it as much. He did use it when he tried to kill Rika earlier.
2) Either this one or Viral State. Not sure yet.
3) We got the ending but were not sure how many more chapters. (This fic was originally suppose to be only five chapter lone, were in the last rung of it now.)
4) (Yami = Evil) + (Hamtaro = Anime Hamster) = Evil Anime Hamster.
Regless: 5) Different universe. He thinks he'll finish this one up in Viral State. Different things happen to the various dolls. Some might be taken captive, some might be recovered before ChaosPiedmon gets away with them. I got your E-Mail but it's been REAALLLY busy. T.K. will be turned into a doll too because his digimon can heal the others. I have more info for you later, but for now... I would like to know if you have any idea where to find pics of Lilithmon or Dynastymon.
To Kara -
Black goes into Santa mode and place Kara on his lap: Sure he can glow and have flowing hair and Henry was stabbed because he was in the way. I'm taking it easy on Regless but them... {Motions to Rika, Yami Hamtaro, NeoWarGreymon} well... We should pray.
Sooo many people (Passes out)
Black sits opposite to Regless with a cup of tea} As the title implies... This one has the after effects of the little rumble at the dance.
Yami Hamtaro: Uhh, why aren't you guys fighting or arguing?
NeoWarGreymon is smoking his pipe next to Regless} They apparently have a period of being nice to each other every once in a while. I would've never guessed.
Regless: Yep, Black's stock piling all the weapons till we start ticking each other off again.
Black: I wonder why everyone thinks I hate you.
Regless: Who knows, normal people are weird... I hope I said that right.
Yami Hamtaro: No
******^******
Perfect Hazard - Chapter 17 - Public Enemy Number 1
******^******
Henry opened one eye drowsily. Everything was still blurry but he was able to see that he was a bright room, with an irritating beeping background noise. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He didn't have the strength nor the capability to speak at this point. He tried shifting his head down to get a better look around but, again, even this simple task eluded him. He stopped trying after his eyes cleared a bit more and he realized there was someone next to him, Suzy, fast asleep and partly leaning on him. Lopmon and Calumon were on her lap. Looking down he noticed she was also holding his hand, but he was unable to feel it, or squeeze back.
Henry gazed at the ceiling trying to gather his thoughts **What happened... I was dancing with Jeri. Then I saw Takato walking towards me. He biomerged for some reason... not all that surprising... wait I don't recall seeing his partner. And when did Alice give him that ability anyway? She said it was Takato's miracle... That knight had the Hazard symbol on it but, he was different. That couldn't have been Takato, he stabbed me and... took... Jeri! Where's Jeri!!!**
Henry began squirming in his bed as best he could, the movement was enough to wake his little sister, who rushed out of the room and called in the boys parents. Lopmon came with her while Calumon just plopped onto the floor blowing nose bubbles sweetly. Henry's father and mother immediately bolted to Henry's sides and confined him from squirming and more.
Janyu "Don't try to move, your still badly hurt. And there's a hole in your lungs too so don't try to speak."
Lopmon "It's a good thing Marine Angemon was there, it was able to keep you stable till the doctors were done. You were hurt really bad, the fact that you didn't die instantly is both incredible and fortunate."
Henry's mother had tears in her eyes already (Don't know her name) "You'll have to have more surgery... and a big scar but, the doctors say you be fine... eventually."
Suzy "I was weally scared Henwy... You were all covered in red and... and..."
Terriermon pooped up from behind Suzy "Yeesh, you think you would've known to run away from giant dark knight"
Lopmon comforted her crying Tamer while Henry was still looking sympathetic... but annoyed. His parents told him to get some sleep and left the room except for Suzy and Lopmon, who went back to sleep next to their brother. They had told him of what happened but they left out the most important detail.
Terriermon hopped onto Henry's chest "Hey buddy, you alright? ...Apart from the obvious I mean."
Henry **Jeri...**
Henry turned to his right, and noticed someone else in the room. She was unconscious, barely alive it seemed. It was Ms. Asagi, she looked mangled badly, like she had been hit by a car... or thrown into a wall. She had twice as many machines hooked up to her as Henry did, her breathing was regulated and her pulse monitored. There was a clipboard next to her bed of which Henry struggled to see. He shuddered when he read the words 'Coma' next to his teacher's name.
Henry **What did this?**
***Meanwhile: The Nonaka Residence***
Rika woke up next to Takato with her arm touching his. She had slept there intending to ward off any sign of Ruki just in case but the contact triggered one of Takato's skills and they had shared a dream again, something they were getting accustomed to. They had talked for hours about nothing in particular. The odd thing was, they agreed on most of what they spoke of. Despite the fact that Ruki hadn't come home, she still went to sleep as she had done the previous nights. She was actually surprised not to find Ruki on his other side in the morning. It brought a feeling of relief... and a silence that was almost unnerving. Realizing how close they were, she blushed and got up carefully trying to wake up her Gogglehead. Rika walked into the kitchen trying to hide how good she felt, a small smile kept appearing and then disappearing time and time again. When she actually got to the kitchen she was greeted with her mother and grandmother, both sitting at the side of the table opposite to Rika.
Rumiko "We need to talk."
Rika paused for a moment "Oookay... What about?"
Mrs. Nonaka "It's Takato dear. You see, we got a call late last night... It seems he attacked the dance at about midnight."
Rika's eyes widened. That was simply impossible "What? No, he was with me the whole time."
Rumiko "Come now, as much as I'd like to believe you, there were hundreds of people at that dance, all confirming it was Takato."
Rika growled slightly "I told you, he was with me. We weren't anywhere near the dance."
Mrs. Nonaka "Well... We can't ignore your feelings Rika, nor can ignore those of everyone else. There was been a warrant for his arrest."
Rika narrowed her eyes. "What... When?"
Rumiko took a sip of her coffee "They should be here any second. Rika, please don't make this difficult."
Rika took a moment to think about this before making another response "Well... Can I at least say goodbye?"
Rumiko nodded "Alright. Don't worry Rika I'm sure if he's innocent it'll be cleared up at the trial."
Rika stepped back in surprise "Trial!?"
Rumiko nodded "Well, what did you expect?"
Rika took a gloomy expression "Nothing I guess."
Rika walked into the bedroom and over to the snoring Gogglehead. He looked so helpless and goofy the way he was right then. Spread out in all directions, he had apparently made himself comfortable in the few moments Rika was away. He was muttering in his sleep too, Rika lean closer to figure out what he was saying. She blushed and stepped back when she realized Takato was muttering her name. Forcing redness in her cheeks away, she leaned over again, this time grabbing his nose to stop him from breathing. He began to sputter and wake up instantly.
Takato "Rika? Huh, what's gives?"
Rika slipped on her violet shades and grabbed a deck of digimon cards, slipping them into her back pocket "We're leaving, get ready."
Takato got up in a haze and started reaching for his sword. He looked at Rika questioningly "But wh-"
Rika cut him off "Don't ask questions either. Just call Grani and have him meet us on the roof. Renamon."
Renamon appeared behind Takato and caused him to yelp in surprise. Smiling to herself, she turned to her tamer. "Something happen?"
Rika swiped a card "Yeah, Cherrymon Activate! Fill the house with your mist."
Renamon nodded without hesitation "Illusion Mist!"
Rika "Good, Biomerge Activate."
A minute later, Sakuyamon could hear her parent calling for her. The mist had managed to fill the house up completely and the Mega was leading the smaller human around by the hand.
Takato "Would you please tell me what's going on?"
A loud, partially distorted voice was suddenly heard "Takato Matsuki, we know your in there. Please come out with your hands up!"
Takato "WHAT? Why?"
Sakuyamon "You've been framed it seems. Apparently you were spotted at the dance... attacking people."
Takato "No way, I left early and went to find you."
Sakuyamon exited a door, they were still protected by the main gates of the residence, She grabbed Takato in her arms and leapt to the roof while her mother stumbled over to open the gate in a hurry. "I know but it's our word against a hundred others, so let's go."
Takato stuttered as Grani appeared from the sky "Wh, where are we going?"
Sakuyamon "...I haven't thought about that yet... For now, we'll just hide in the clouds."
Takato looked up and gaped at the site above him "What clouds?"
Sakuyamon looked up also as the dragon took off. The clouds were being eaten by the hole in the sky that was once no more than a tourist attraction. But it was also spilling something out, something red and almost beautiful... If it weren't for the fact that it was eating through the ground it landed on.
Sakuyamon "What... is that?"
Takato "Dunno, but we'll have to figure it out later cause right now we got company."
Sakuyamon looked head. Sure enough, Takato was right. A couple of choppers were looming dead ahead. The first thing she noticed was that those were not police choppers. The ones the police used didn't have missiles attached to the sides. These were military, but why they were here was anyone's guess. Another loud, obnoxious, voice was spoken from another loud, obnoxious, megaphone.
Announcement "Takato. You are to come with us."
Takato looked and Rika hesitantly. He didn't want to go, but picking a fight with the Army wasn't something you just do on a whim. He needed a second opinion from the person he trusted most and got it when Sakuyamon nodded and spoke lowly.
Sakuyamon "Your being to passive. Take a stand. You didn't attack anyone at the dance, so don't take the fall for it."
Takato looked down a bit "But, those missiles could hurt Grani. I'm not sure I can shake them."
Sakuyamon stepped in front of Takato, her back facing him "Leave these chumps to me, we'll meet...... at your parents' house, The Matsuki Bakery. Now... let's show them what we're made of Gogglehead."
Sakuyamon jumped off of the dragon and fire a Spirit Strike warning shot to get the attention of the offending metal birds. They turned to defend themselves and Takato took off diving straight down. It would be easier to hide amongst the various buildings than it would be in the sky.
Takato **I better get Guilmon.**
***Meanwhile: Shinjuku Park***
Gardromon "He's... strong for a... Rookie."
Guilmon struggled against the grip of the larger Gardromon, who had to use a strength card just to hold the dino still. "Ugh, lemme go."
Kazu "Not till you tell us why you attacked everyone at the dance."
Guilmon "I told you I followed Takato and stayed with Renamon."
Kenta "Kazu... Maybe he didn't do it. I don't remember seeing him there."
Kazu "Get real, we all saw him. He stabbed Henry and kidnapped Jeri."
Guilmon stopped struggling for a moment after hearing those words "Stabbed? Kidnapped? ...Takato isn't going like that."
Kazu glared at Guilmon "stop pretending you don't know... Little help Kenta."
Kazu heard the sound of something hitting the concrete sidewalk. When he turned to see what it was, all he saw a fist colliding into his face. Gardromon dropped Guilmon to help his, currently unconscious tamer. Unfortunately for him he was struck out of the way by a larger digimon, Cyberdramon. Marine Angemon climbed out of Kenta's pocket and began to heal everyone in site. Cyberdramon was itching for a good fight, but a little fairy that can heal damage as fast as you can cause it, didn't qualify. He grabbed Guilmon an his partner jumped on him. Alice finished putting Kazu down gently and hopped on Dobermon.
Ryo "Alright let's go."
Cyberdramon "To where?"
Ryo pursed his lips "...hmm."
Alice "The Bakery. I'm sure Takato will head there."
Ryo looked at Alice and smiled "Alright, you heard the lady."
Guilmon "Umm, thanks Ryo but... why are you helping me? I thought you would be on Kazu and Kenta's side."
Ryo flashed that million dollar smile of his. "When you've been fighting for as long as me and Cyberdramon here, you learn a few things. Me and Alice both agree it wasn't Takato we saw at the dance."
Alice "Yes, I got a clear look. Takato had no partner when he transformed into ChaosGallantmon... Besides it feels like I owe him. If he didn't figure out how to Biomerge on his own..."
Dobermon spoke up in his usual gruff voice "Then I would have deleted myself giving him the ability."
Guilmon had already stopped listening and gone feral as soon as ChaosGallantmon was mentioned. "He's still alive?"
Ryo "You know something then?"
Guilmon nodded again "He needs to be deleted. Now!"
Alice "..." **He seems pretty upset with this ChaosGallantmon. I'll ask him about it when we get to the Matsuki's house.**
***^***
Jeri drifted through the realms of consciousness, unable to move or even open her eyes to find out where she was. **W-What's happening?**
Voice replied to her thoughts **Your being reformatted.**
Jeri **What?! Into what?**
Voice **Me.**
***^***
Takato stood outside the door of his parents home. Or at least the people that used to be his parents. He lifted his hand to knock, but dropped it down. He had been doing that for five minutes. He knew his parents watched the news... They had probably heard of the warrant for his arrest. Would they turn him in if they found him? Would they just let him walk in? There was only one way to find out for sure but Takato hesitated still. Finally the door opened from the other side. His mother, Mia, was there, with a list in hand and a purse in the other. It was obvious she was just leaving to do some errands. She looked at the boy in front of her for a moment studying him carefully. Takato was looked at the ground nervously.
Mia "...Did you do it?"
Takato's head shot up and looked Mia in the eye "No! Of course not."
Mia sighed "There's a lot of people who think you did... I'm not one of them. Come in."
Takato did as he was told and saw his father making more dread. The man looked up, blinked, and nodded. Apparently he shared his wife's point of view, something Takato would be eternally grateful for. Since it might scare the customers away if they saw him in the main room, he went up to his old room, now Rika's, and looked around. It was very plain and matched her perfectly. The bed was a mess of covers all lumped and tangled together. Takato silently wondered why his parents hadn't remade the bed yet.
Takato "...This room needs drapes or something..."
Takato walked over took a seat on the bed. This was going to be a long, long day. Suddenly the covers shifted and knocked Takato off the bed. He gave a yelp of surprise when he landed on the floor, then the mass toppled over and landed on him. He surprised to see Ruki's face, still sleeping apparently.
Takato "Ru-Ruki!"
Ruki "ZzZz"
Takato was temporarily paralyzed, heck you would be too if your were an elementary school student and a beautiful girl just rolled into your lap. Ruki's head bobbed up and down, coming dangerously close to Takato's. Pushing the feeling aside, he picked her up in his arms and put her back on the bed, making a mental note that she was heavier than she looked.
Takato **So this is where she was, I wonder why...**
Ruki "Mmm...mmm"
Ruki began to wake up stretching and with her eyes still closed, Takato quickly turned the other way turning beat red. The digimon in disguise turned slightly sensing movement, she was surprised to see Takato facing the other way, and even more surprised to find him awake at this point in the day. The covers had fallen around her waist, and she suddenly realized why Takato wasn't looking at her. Since she didn't expect anyone else to come into the room, apart from Mia, she had decided to sleep in nothing more than a borrowed robe that was both too big, and undone. Ruki covered herself in a flash, but she didn't seem angry.
Ruki "Uh, Takato? What are you doing here?" A thought crossed her mind "You didn't come here just for me, did you?"
Takato turned an even deeper red, one that matched Guilmon's hue perfectly "Err, no. A lot of people think I attacked the dance last night so... I ran here."
Ruki frowned slightly, but hid it well. Despite the fact that the bond between Takato and Rika was stronger than her own, she couldn't help but feel disappointed Takato hadn't come for her. "Wait you were there to stop me and Rika from fighting, you couldn't have been at the dance."
Takato nodded "I know but they got a lot of people saying otherwise so..." Takato stood up, still not bothering to turn around "Hey Ruki, I never found out why you left yesterday, if it's something I did or-"
Ruki "NO! It's not you. I just... I just don't feel like talking about it, okay?"
Takato nodded "Anyway, I'm glad your alright."
Ruki looked up a bit surprised "You are?"
Takato nodded again, this time turning around partway "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
Ruki blushed and looked down at her feet muttered "I dunno, I'm new at this... Thanks Takato."
Mia came in the door at that moment and looked straight at Ruki "Hi, have you seen... Nevermind." Mia turned towards the Goggleheaded Tamer with a look of suspicion "What were you doing up here with Ruki?"
Takato blushed and began waving his hands wildly "I-I just came up cause I didn't want the people below to recognize me from the news, I had no idea she was in here."
Mia held out her hands "Well that's part of the reason I'm here, I got some contacts for you and some hair dye. You'll be able to go back into the general public with it. The other part was to warn you we have a sleeping girl in this room but, it looks like you already found out."
Takato took the items hesitantly and gave them an odd look, he had no idea what he going to do with them. Mia seemed to pick up on this and looked over to Ruki.
Mia "We only have to people working here today so could you help him with those?"
Ruki nodded energetically but her thoughts were considerably different **No, I don't even know what they are.** "Sure, just let me get dressed first. Hey Takato, can you leave for a moment."
Takato "Sure."
*^*
Takato stood next to a bathtub filled with water "Alright, it says on the box to soak hair thoroughly."
Ruki "Okay! ...How?"
Takato "Simple, I just dunk my head in the bathtub of water and leave it there few seconds."
Ruki "Okay!"
Ruki grabbed the side of Takato's head and, using her abnormal digimon strength, forced it into the tub. The had so much leverage she accidentally through the entire boy in... without giving him a chance to suck in a deep breathe. After a moment she pulled his head out. Takato was just glad to have oxygen again.
Ruki "How long is a second?"
Takato "Huff- -Huff- Just try -huff- saying one locomotive, then two, and so on. But let me take a breath this time!"
Ruki responded with her usual cheerfulness. "Okay!"
Takato took a deep breathe and waited to be submerged again... and waited... and waited. Finally he let it go.
Takato "I had a breath y-"
Ruki forced Takato's head into the tub again smiling widely **One locomotive. Two locomotive. Three locomotive...
***^***
Half an hour later Takato and Ruki were finished. The contacts were even harder the hair-dye, but it was worth it. He was now unrecognizable to anyone that didn't know him personally. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled, then turned to his mother revealing blue eyes the same color as his shirt but some effect added to them made them sparkle. His hair, once a rich brown color, was now as white as Renamon's stomach.
Takato "I can understand the blue contacts, but what's with the hair-dye?"
Takehiro stepped in the room with a heavy bag of flower and motioned for Takato to follow him "My wife and I were gonna use it for Halloween but we never got around to it. He had to stay open to cover our dept."
Takato "Dept?"
Takehiro nodded again "We've had some problems here. Were alright most the time but whenever one of us has to get supplies or take care of something else... there just aren't enough people to keep up with the orders and such. That's why we were so lucky when Rika showed up on our doorstep." Takahiro smiled as he said the next sentence "It's like we have a guardian angel helping us out. But I don't suppose a modern kid like you would believe in fairy tales like that."
Takato smiled back. This was almost like old times to him, a feeling that gave him warmth "I didn't believe in giant monsters from a cartoon stomping around the world either. But now..."
Takehiro chuckled to himself "You got a point there... Anyway since Rika's not here I could use your help in making some bread. I don't suppose you have any experience with this, apart from watching Rika, do you?"
Takato rolled up his sleeves "Just show me where the hair nets are."
After few minutes of seating up, Takato was kneading the dough and flour next to his dad, something he had done a million times before but always took for granted. This time was definitely different. Every couple of seconds he would glance at Ruki, then try in vain to focus on what he was suppose to be doing.
Takehiro "...You know, if you keep doing that Rika will probably get angry with you."
Takato flushed "Uh, err, what?"
Takehiro "You know what. I see you looking at Ruki. But you also like Rika. As nice as that is, you can't have them both. Your going to have to choose."
Takato sighed surprised it was so obvious... then again this man was his father. "Yeah I guess, but I like both of them. It's like... I just don't want to lose either of them... Do I really have to choose?"
Takehiro nodded "First off, don't ever say that out loud. And yes you do or you'll end up with no one. I used to be your exact situation back in my college years."
Mia made her presence known at that moment "Oh really? I never heard THAT story before."
Takehiro froze and cranked his head around to look at Mia nervously. Then he turned to Takato. "...See, this is why you never say that out loud."
*^*
Ruki was busy minding the till. She was really sad and slow when she showed up yesterday but Mia noticed she seemed to have recovered her usual energy after being with Takato for that short while. Mia had left out a piece of paper with the various prices and told her the basics of how to open the cash register and work the debit and credit card machine. (If you think people would use a credit card for two bucks, you'd be wrong) Her first customer walked in, a older man it seemed, and picked out his pastry, placing it on the counter.
Ruki checked the sheet and turned back smiling "That'll be $1.75."
Man "That must be a pricing error. I've been here before and it's only $1.50."
Ruki checked the sheet again and turned back smiling "Nope, I'm right."
The man dropped of $1.50 and turned for the door "Whatever."
The second his back was turned Ruki's arm shot out across the counter. All three of the Matsuki's seemed to be arguing about something at the moment so no one even noticed her. She quickly got the customer in a headlock that was virtually unbreakable due to her digimon strength.
Ruki was still smiling, after all the customers become uncomfortable if they see a sourpuss "$1.75 or I'll break your neck."
The customer dropped a quarter and proceeding to dash out the door madly as Ruki released her grip to catch the 25 cents.
Ruki was waving as the customer left "Have a nice day!" **Man, I'm good at this.**
***1 hour Later***
Rika bursted in through the door. It was harder than she thought to lose the army guys, even harder to do so without killing any of them. But she was concerned to find out if Takato was actually let inside, or if she'd have to go out looking for him again. She bolted in through the door and scoured the room. The first thing she noticed was Ruki, it looked like she was about to attack a customer from behind but quickly stopped when she noticed she had witnesses.
Rika "Ruki... What are you doing here?"
Ruki smile had just turned into a smirk "Making customers pay."
Rika **I don't like the way that sounded** "Alright, is Takato here?"
A boy called from the side "HEY! You got my name right. I'm over here Rika. I know I look a little different but, yeesh, I thought the goggles would give me away instantly."
Rika blushed a bit having being caught using Takato's actual name. For some reason the thought of him made her nervous now that they weren't being chased by the authorities. She turned to see a white haired boy white a set of deep blue eyes and a sword slung across his waist. He almost looked, dare I say it, impressive. He was helping out with the store, currently stocking the shelves with the new favorite, Guilmon Bread.
Rika "What the...?"
Takato "It's just dye and contacts, so it'll be harder for people to recognize me."
Rika reddened in the cheeks a bit "Oh well you look...uh...nice."
Ruki beamed from her spot across the counter "I'll say, he looks kinda like a warrior... hmm, well, maybe an Angel. Doesn't matter anyway."
Takato **...Angel...? Why do people keep calling me that?...**
Mia raised her head and took a good look at the Gogglehead "Huh, hey your right. I didn't even notice before."
Rika "Hey, ya know... You'd be harder to recognize without your goggles."
Takato raised his hands defensively "No way, I just wouldn't be me without them."
Rika **Well... That's true, Gogglehead.**
The door opened again, this time three figures entered, Alice, Ryo and Guilmon. Cyberdramon and Dobermon were too big so they just took off and began watching the bakery in secret from a distance. Guilmon rushed in smelling bread and locked onto his partner like a homing missile.
Takato "Guilmon, NO!"
Guilmon "Guilmon, BREEEAAD" -Thump-
Alice looked over to the Tamer and Partner lumped together in a squirming mass "...Cute..."
Ryo "Hey everyone! Were here."
Rika immediately spun around "Renamon!"
Renamon appeared as usual, frightening everyone around her except Ryo and her own Tamer "Yes?"
Rika "Ta... Gogglehead is innocent."
Ryo kept wearing his usual smile like it was painted on "I know, that's why I brought Guilmon over. We should have some more guests here shortly."
Alice turned to the other confused. Ryo hadn't mentioned anything to her about other guests "Others?"
??? "We're already here."
Everyone turned around to see Yamaki, Riley, Shibumi, and the rest of the monster makers apart from Henry's dad, who was still with his son at the hospital. The group studied the people in front of them.
Shibumi's eyes rested on the Goggleheaded boy **He seems familiar**
Yamaki "However bad you may think this is, I can assure you it's worse than you realize."
Ruki came out from around the counter "Oh yeah, that's comforting."
Takato joined the rest of the Tamers and Alice. "Huh, what do you mean by worse?"
Riley "It has to do with that stuff that started spilling out of the Juggernaut program."
Shibumi "We should sit down and get something to eat, this will take a bit of explaining."
Everyone nodded except for Guilmon who was in heaven amongst all the food that was around him.
*^*
Renamon "So then why is that goo thing here?"
Shibumi "Err, D-Reaper. Someone is helping it evolve. It could never cross into this world on it's own. Someone or something must want it to be here for some reason."
Rika "Great, first Gogglehead gets framed and now this."
Yamaki arched a brow "Pardon? I've been working on this so I haven't seen the news... What do you mean, framed?"
Ryo "Someone looking like Takato showed up and turned into ChaosGallantmon. He attacked a bunch of kids at the school dance last night."
Ruki Takato and Rika "WHAT?!?!"
Guilmon turned his head from his food temporarily "Oh yeah, that's what I wanted to tell you... that and I need more bread."
Alice "So then you know him?"
Ruki "Uh yeah... He... and I... he's kinda-"
Takato cut Ruki off, he didn't want to find out what would happen if it was discovered Ruki was a Digimon made by Black Zhuqiaomon and his Hazard. "He's a servant of Zhuqiaomon. We met him a little while ago but... I thought we destroyed him."
Ryo "Yeah, I saw that big bird a little while ago too. He was destroyed though."
Ruki "..." **Thanks Takato.**
Alice "ChaosGallantmon must be acting on his own then. But why would he want to bring the D-Reaper here? You said it was destructive to all digimon."
Ryo "Perhaps he simply doesn't care. I've been in the digital world a long time. Some digimon thrive on destruction... Destruction of others... Destruction of the world... and even themselves..."
**Milleniumon... You came back twice."
Shibumi "At any rate, this D-Reaper has shown signs that it will continue to evolve. The longer we leave it, the more difficult it will become. I can set up something to help you that can help you fight it without being destroyed, but it will take some time so I suggest you take it easy today and get an early start tomorrow."
Takato nodded "Sounds good. Hey maybe we should get Henry over here and explain it to him... Or does he think I'm guilty?"
Guilmon "Yippee! Terriermon!"
Renamon "Easy Guilmon. Let's have some more bread."
Ryo "..."
Rika noticed Ryo without a smile for once. "What's with the long faces?"
Alice "ChaosGallantmon stabbed Henry and kidnapped Jeri. Henry is currently in critical care with Ms. Asagi... She was found embedded into a wall. The only reason either of them are alive is because of Marine Angemon."
At once a cold silence filled the room as the shock pierced Takato like a knife in the heart. There were still voices but they faded into the background. It somehow seemed unlikely that Henry, of all people would be hurt so bad. He was always calm, collected, and strong. When Takato started out as a Tamer and Rika didn't like him, Henry was defending his friend all the time... and now he's in some hospital? Takato turned to see Renamon resting his hand and Guilmon's shoulder. Ruki was next to him saying something to comfort him but it was like everything had suddenly gone into slow motion. Rika was off with her own thoughts. Even the color seem faded.
Takato asked the next question hesitantly, afraid of the answer "...Will he be alright?"
Ryo "Difficult to say, he lost a lot of blood and the internal damage was... severe."
Rika "...We can't let that freak get away with this! We'll make him pay."
Takato's eyes flashed red, but the contacts kept his anger hidden. The Hazard sign flashed red as well for a moment but disappeared quickly and no one had even noticed. However when Takato spoke, everyone noticed his voice had a maliciousness to them that would frighten anyone. Ruki even stepped back nervously while Guilmon forcefully moved Renamon's paw off him growling very lowly. Renamon looked a bit hurt and her keen ears were the only ones to noticed it.
Takato "...You have no idea how right you are..."
******^******
Regless: Holy crap that took a long time to finish. Most of it was just waiting for me to get back to my mom's computer (I am sooo getting my own as soon as I can afford it.)
Black: At least your done now so get on with the replies.
Yami Hamtaro: I though Ruki was doing to leave Takato alone... how come she's back again.
Black: She did, Takato found her anyway.
To Anime Fan -
Regless: Yep Henry's still alive and kicking but I doubt he'll be saving anyone for a while. Thanks for not giving Black anymore weapons. And as for the evil digimon thing. From the time he turned into the dark knight to the time he had disappeared again, only about three seconds passed, I should've wrote that in. It was really fast.
Yami Hamtaro: Does that make you a minute man. I heard their fast.
Regless: ...Someone hurt him please.
To DC and Evil BlackTerriermon -
Regless: Yep. Things just keep getting worse. Especially with the D- Reaper making it's appearance. Woohoo this'll be fun.
To SerpentTreize -
Regless: Damn right he's still alive. Do you have any idea how many people would try to kill me if I killed Henry?
Black: Me and Yami over there for starters.
Regless: Exactly. Ruki's not going anywhere yet. She can't seem to stop running into Takato.
To Max Acorn -
Regless: Ahh yes. But I think putting Rika in a dress in front of that many people would've been a lil too far ooc. Still, that's not to say she'll never wear one. Sorry about Jeri, but she's not to get any relaxation... I am so dead.
Yami Hamtaro: Pikkan, welcome to the kill Regless club. He's a bat now get to work.
Black: After Christmas!
To -
Yami Hamtaro: Woohoo. Weapons weapons and more weapons.
Regless: ...I think he's worse than you now, Black.
Black: Wouldn't surprise me... Why isn't Rika choking you yet.
Regless shrugs.
To YumeTakato -
Regless: LOL iMac! That's a funny word.
Everyone sweatdrops
Regless: I got more embarrassing moments. And, I'm not a big Yu-Gi-Oh fan so I doubt I'll be finishing your fic anytime soon. Sorry.
To -
Black: Consider it done.
Regless: Thanks for the christmas presents.
Black: ...Why the hell isn't Rika choking you?
To D3Fan -
Regless: No evil Rika. But Takato is a wanted man.
Yami Hamtaro: I'll say, Rika, Ruki, Japan, and so on and so forth.
Regless: And as for ChaosGallantmon, we are steadily getting closer to the final fight. WHOOPIE.
NeoWarGreymon socks Regless in the side of the head "Shut up!"
Regless "Your still here?"
To -
NeoWarGreymon: Hey how are you. These people got rum and coke. This party kicks rocks... Needs some girls though. (Turns around and sees Rika and Ruki choking Regless) nevermind.
To Energy -
Black: Don't worry, he won't kill EVERYONE off. At the very least Marine Angemon will survive. Thanks for the review.
To Wolfen_Man -
Black: Good luck on the finals. I know they make us all a lil weird, why do you think I'm being nice(r) to Regless. It will focus on the real deals but Ruki ain't just going to be cut out so expect to see more from all the peeps.
Yami Hamtaro: Ha Ha. Hamsters don't have finals.
Black: Lucky son of a *****.
To Hillkid -
Black: Evening.
Yami Hamtaro: Nice to meet'cha.
NeoWarGreymon nods his head: ...
Regless waves: Gak!
To Damerei A -
Yami Hamtaro: Hey your name is like Bl-ACKS
Black chokes Yami Hamtaro: Shut up. Anyway thanks for the review. I think Regless should've done more with Ruki but I guess this works. Thanks again.
To Firehedgehog -
Black: Hell yeah, Kari and Takato. That'll be sweet if Rika somehow finds out and goes postal on the Child of Light. Ja Ne
Regless **Heh heh. I got so many ideas for fic like that, another one being Milleniumon Vs Megidramon. But oh well, I got to many thought in my head to order them properly.**
Everyone: Ja Ne
To R6 -
Black: Aww crap, now we got Kenta.
Ruki stops choking Regless and pounces Kenta: Hey what's up. Looks like a few people want you me to get together.
Kenta: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Black: Smooth. Anyway, Thanks for the review. Me and Regless actually do have an idea of who to set Ruki up with... But I doubt you'll guess it.
To Dark Child -
Black: I heard ya. Thanks for the Review. To be honest, I'm half rooting for evil takato to win, he's evil and I like that.
Yami Hamtaro: You need help.
NeoWarGreymon: No, Regless needs help. Is he even alive at this point.
Rika: Trust me, if that's all it took to kill him, he'd be dead by now.
Black: ...Kinda feel sorry for him.
To Devil of Hazzards -
Black: Thanks for the review. Henry is still alive. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.
To Sora Potter -
Black: Again, I'm at a loss for how to reply.
NeoWarGreymon: Give me five minutes with her and she'll speak normally again.
Regless whacks NeoWarGreymon on the back of the head with a frying pan and knocks him out: All shall crumble before the might of my frying pa-
Rika whacks Regless on the back of the head with a frying pan on knocks him out: He's tougher than he looks.
To LoneWalker -
Black: Heh, told that little saying to a friend of mine and she thought it was hilarious. Anyway thanks for the review and have a nice holiday. ChaosGallantmon Forever, heh.
To Sugah High -
Black: Those two are fine. Takato could be in serious trouble, looks like he got some feelings for her. How will this all end? Asking the dying Regless over there.
To Josh -
Black: Damn your really on the ball. Not fully healed, but enough to keep him alive. Thanks for the review.
To -
Black: There it's continued, don't kill him till he's at least done the fic.
To Adam-Kamiya -
Black: 1) ChaosGallantmon was made with that ability the same as Ruki, he just doesn't have the need to use it as much. He did use it when he tried to kill Rika earlier.
2) Either this one or Viral State. Not sure yet.
3) We got the ending but were not sure how many more chapters. (This fic was originally suppose to be only five chapter lone, were in the last rung of it now.)
4) (Yami = Evil) + (Hamtaro = Anime Hamster) = Evil Anime Hamster.
Regless: 5) Different universe. He thinks he'll finish this one up in Viral State. Different things happen to the various dolls. Some might be taken captive, some might be recovered before ChaosPiedmon gets away with them. I got your E-Mail but it's been REAALLLY busy. T.K. will be turned into a doll too because his digimon can heal the others. I have more info for you later, but for now... I would like to know if you have any idea where to find pics of Lilithmon or Dynastymon.
To Kara -
Black goes into Santa mode and place Kara on his lap: Sure he can glow and have flowing hair and Henry was stabbed because he was in the way. I'm taking it easy on Regless but them... {Motions to Rika, Yami Hamtaro, NeoWarGreymon} well... We should pray.
Sooo many people (Passes out)