A/N: Hey, I'm going to stop writing my author notes like I do on the internet because I guess some people can't exactly read it. Oh well, I don't have too much to say right about now. For all of you who think Ryo was ooc (out of character) for the suicidal scene, I just got to say that I had to make that guy break down! He is way too cool with things, I mean, I just watched Blame it on Ryo again... he was way too calm and perfect! If you disagree with me, BITE MY @$$! Whatever, I mean, hey it was just a flashback. It's not like it has some major effect on the story... If you wanna argue with me, be my guest... Anyways, here is chapter 4! ^_^

As Rika forced her eyes open, she grew more accustomed to the darkness. She always assumed that when she woke up, the sunshine would be there to dance across her face and greet her warmly. Unfortunately, she was wrong. She groaned and sat up, feeling a sense of guided courage. ::Stupid, frozen ice chair. I hate this... I'm so getting the hell outta' here.:: "Nothing's gonna stop me, not even some retarded, slimy hands..." She mumbled. More determined than ever, she made her way across the frozen landscape. She scowled at the sudden breeze that slashed through.

Surprisingly, she found no trouble walking across the tundra, it was easy, almost too easy... As she took her next step, the thin sheet of ice shattered, causing Rika to fall into the icy water beneath.

"Didn't I tell you to not wander off!?" A voice boomed. "It appears that you will be needing my assistance."

"No way!" Rika screamed as she choked in the water.

"Would you rather die or swallow your pride?" Icedevimon appeared and held out his hand. ::I cannot allow her to die or our plans will be soiled.:: "Take it or you shall perish."

"NEVER!" She screamed, her mind spinning dizzily.

"TAKE IT, IT WAS A COMMAND!!!" He grew annoyed at her ignorance and grabbed her wrist, pulling her up.

"I didn't need your help. You know I would've rather died." She shivered. "Why did you want to save me anyways?" She felt a deep deception of fulfillment, sufficiency and security.

"Our plan can only unfold with our Ice Queen. We cannot risk losing her." Icedevimon smirked.

"What do you mean 'our' and 'we'?? I'm not gonna help you do anything!!" Rika screamed and stood up. "I'm going to find a way out of here and you can't stop me!"

"Ah, but I can." Icedevimon whispered as Rika ran off. "I would be careful dear, there are more dangers in this domain." He shouted.

Rika thought about what he said and stopped. "Wait-" She turned around just in time to see chunks of ice flying towards her. Her world went black even though it already was...

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Ryo raced to Hypnos and commanded Yamaki to open the gate. He landed onto a particularly hard spot in the Digital World but immediately stood up. ::I'm going to find you Rika, just please, please, take care of yourself until I find you." He chuckled at his own conscience. ::She probably wouldn't like it too much if I worried about her. I guess don't need to 'cause I know she can take care of herself.::

He walked along the path to find where their old campsite was. Luckily, the rest of the gang was still waiting there.

"HEY!!!" Ryo shouted. "Have you guys seen Rika anywhere?"

"We thought she was with you!" Kazu hollered back.

"So, what's up? Is everything alright?" Takato asked as the group ran up to greet Ryo.

"Does everything sound alright?" Ryo sighed. "This really sucks...."

"Wait, what happened?" Henry asked.

Ryo explained their current situation. Kazu was furious. "YOU COULDN'T SAVE HER?? YOU JUST LET THAT BASTARD TAKE HER AWAY THAT EASILY!!?? GOD DAMNIT RYO!" He screamed.

Ryo stared sadly at the ground. "Kazu, I'm really sorry... If I could rewind time, I would-"

"YOU WOULD WHAT?? JUST LET HER GET TAKEN AWAY AGAIN?? MAN RYO, BOY AM I DISAPPOINTED IN YOU!" Kazu crossed his arms.

"Kazu, be a little nicer. I mean, it's not his fault! He did do his best to save her, right?" Henry suggested calmly.

"No," Ryo murmured. "Kazu's right, it is my fault. I should've been able to save her..."

Kazu sighed audibly and walked over to his stuff and started to pack.

"And what might you be doing??" Kenta questioned.

"It looks like nobody is going to save her anytime soon so I'm just going to go by myself!" He glared at the group.

"And do you have any idea of where you're going oh smart one??" Henry sighed.

"Quoting Rika, 'Wherever you go, there you are.'" Kazu answered. "C'mon Guardromon!" His digimon obediently followed.

"No," Ryo shook his head. "I got her into this, and I'm gonna get her out of it." Ryo climbed on Cyberdramon. "You coming Renamon?" She nodded and followed the two as they flew off in another direction.

"Aw, nuts. I guess we're the ones left behind." Takato frowned.

"Is it just me, or does Kazu like Rika?" Kenta was still shocked since his best friend just ditched him.

"How thought provoking... It's not just Kazu," Henry smiled. "It's Ryo too."

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"So, Ryo, where exactly are we going?" Renamon pondered as she leaped from tree to tree.

"I'm just trying to trace her D-Power so I'm not exactly sure." He mumbled.

"Any luck?" Cyberdramon questioned.

"No..."

"So are we basically traveling blindly??" Renamon sighed.

"Pretty much. But I trust her to take care of herself until we find her." Ryo paused. "Wait, did you hear that?"

They grew silent and listened. "Guardromon, man, slown down!" A voice hollered.

"How can we? I thought you said we had to follow Ryo!" A voice called back.

"Shut up! He might hear you!"

"Too late Kazu." Ryo yelled to the little running figure on the ground. "What are you doing? And why exactly are you following me?"

"Dude, I uh, wanted to, um, apologize? Heh heh...." Kazu shouted back.

"Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Kazu, seriously, did you think I would buy that? Why are you really following me?"

"Uh.... Okay, okay... You sounded like you knew where you were going so... yea...."

"Well, frankly I don't. So quit following me."

"I can't... Ryo, listen... can we talk?" Kazu's voice trailed off.

"Fine." Ryo answered. "Cyberdramon, land over near Guardromon." When Cyberdramon landed, Ryo hopped down and walked to Kazu. "Yes?"

"Oh god, how do I put this into words.... Um, uh, hmmmm.... Let's see..." Kazu paused to think a bit. (A/N: Of course, his brain is a bubble! When he thinks, it goes **poof** ~ o^) "Do you like her?" He asked quickly.

"Who? Rika?"

"Who else? Well, do you??" Kazu demanded.

"As a friend..." Ryo blushed slightly. ::Maybe I do like her more than as a friend. After all we've been through, I actually think I do. Wait a minute, of course I do, who am I trying to kid? But I'd never tell that to Kazu.:: "Do you Kazu?"

"Uh, um... hey look at the time. It's gonna be nightfall soon, we better get a move on." Kazu turned away, trying to hide the red seeping to his cheeks.

"Okay, but we can't do anything at night. We might as well rest for a bit and continue on in the morning." Ryo faked a yawn. "I think Rika will be fine until then."

"Sure..." Kazu sat down and leaned against the tree, instantly falling to his sleepiness.

Ryo waved his hand in front of Kazu's face just to make sure he was asleep. "Cyberdramon, Renamon, let's go." He whispered.

"You're just gonna leave him here?" Renamon asked.

"Yup." Ryo answered. "Is Guardromon asleep?"

Cyberdramon checked and nodded.

"Then let's go." Ryo climbed onto Cyberdramon and motioned for Renamon to follow. Flying off into the glowing moonlight, Ryo was washed with guilt but quickly shrugged it off.

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Rika groaned and opened her eyes, finding a comforting light surrounding her body.

"My Queen, welcome..." A voice whispered in a hoarse voice. The odd thing was that the voice was coming from an area of blackness.

"Who, who are you??" Rika sat up and hugged herself.

"I am the darkness... your eternal master. My Queen, it is so good to finally see your face..." The dark cloud whispered again.

"I am so outta' here." Rika snapped.

"I don't think so, not that easily at least." The darkness snickered. A hazy, smokey, vision appeared before Rika. It was of Ryo...

"Now, let's see how well our queen can protect her friend..."

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"Ryo! Watch out!" Renamon shouted as he was once again grabbed by Icedevimon.

"Don't try to resist," Icedevimon smiled. "For I am bringing you to her."

Cyberdramon and Renamon were about to attack when Ryo told them off. "Don't worry, I'm gonna get Rika back."

As Ryo and Icedevimon disappeared, Renamon and Cyberdramon were left with a bad feeling.

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Rika gasped as the vision slowly changed into the real Ryo. She looked at him for a while and then ran up to him, throwing her arms around his body, just to make sure he was real and to show him how happy she was to see him. He embraced her back. "I'm sorry I let him capture you, I felt so weak when I saw him carry you away." He whispered. She let go of him and smiled. "It's okay, at least you're here now." She paused. ::Now let's see how well our Ice Queen can protect her friend...:: That stupid voice mocked her. "We have to get outta' here."

Ryo nodded. "Okay, but, um how?"

"Nooo idea....." Rika mumbled.

"Survive this test and prove yourself worthy to be our queen...." A voice whispered as Ryo and Rika soon found themselves in a dark forest area.

"Uh oh... this is not cool...." Rika murmured as a Ladydevimon appeared in front of them.

"Defeat me and you pass your first test." Ladydevimon smiled.





A/N: Hey, school is now officially over for me! I'll miss all my homies, let's get together over the summer, especially if you're moving.... Okay people, I just got back from an end of the year rave party and some wannabees screwed it up. Hey, I know liquid now! :-P I'm really, really tired and I have no idea why I'm up writing.... Oh well... I think I'm gonna go goth... I'm being random but what can I say, MAJOR SUGAR RUSH!!! Tomorrow is my b-day so plz review so I feel like continuing... I have no ideas whatsoever so just give some to me... I know everything has been kinda boring so far but hopefully there will be more action next chapter.