Chapter 11 - One wrong turn…
~Two weeks later~
It was five in the morning.
I crept quietly into the hall. Taking a hasty look I assured myself that I wasn't detected. I went quietly up to the door, key in hand.
To my surprise, it was unlocked. Carefully, I twisted the handle. There was a slight creak as I slowly opened the door. I winced inwardly.
I crept through the open door and was about two steps in when the door slammed shut. I spun around and saw…
…nothing?
Then I looked down. There, standing in front of the door, arms crossed, in all his might was…
…Terriermon.
"Henry!!! Where were you all night! I've been worried sick!"
Oh boy.
"Where else have I been for the last two weeks? Over at Jeri's…"
I knew that was a mistake the moment it came out of my mouth. Terriermon's mouth dropped open as fast as his mind dropped to the gutter. After Takato and had explained everything to her, Jeri seemed exceedingly happy to have him back. They talked some during school, where Rika was still giving him the cold shoulder. Jeri and I had been spending a lot of time together since, this time, though, we had fallen asleep watching a movie. Not that it mattered to Terriermon. He would torture me every chance he got. He grinned. I knew that grin. It was the 'I'm going to start tormenting you' grin.
Nuts.
"Henry, and they call me a dog! I knew you had it in you!"
"I-It's not like that I swear! I was just telling Jeri about Takato…"
"Yeah, right, Henry. They say when you make up after a fight this kind of thing happens…"
"Terriermon!!!!"
"Heh, heh, heh… eeep."
I ran after the pint-sized menace with a gusto, but in the end he was too fast and agile for me to catch. As I stood there panting, something occurred to me.
Not once, with all that noise, did Takato tell us to keep it down.
"…Terriermon… where's… Takato?"
"He… said that… he had… something… to do… Said he'd… be back… later…"
"…Oh…"
Then, I walked into my room and collapsed, determined to catch a few more hours' sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat on a hill, waiting for sunrise, lost in my own thoughts. I thought I had accepted my parent's death years ago, but sitting here, in front of their graves, it suddenly dawned on me how real the situation was. A single tear dropped from my eye as I remembered my last moments with them. We were happy. We were very happy, ironically, that I was alive.
I remember how happy we were in those last moments. I remember the explosion. I remember running back in. I remember the rubble.
But mostly I remember the blood. Things were a little blurry for a few minutes after that.
So, now sitting here, I knew what I had to do. I had placed a deep red rose on both graves. I knew that Rika and I would be talking of my parents eventually, and I needed to mourn now, so I wouldn't breakdown later. I needed to get it out of my system. I only knew one way how.
The sun peeked over the horizon, and the graves were illuminated from the back, casting the letters, while still readable, in shadow.
I got out my sketchpad, sat down and began to draw. I drew everything. I drew the hills. I drew the surrounding graves blurry, as if slightly out of focus. I drew my parent's graves. I drew them in detail, including the chips, dents, and all other sides of aging. I drew the roses I had just placed down to the petals and the thorns. I put a little more space between the graves than there was in real life. In the center, I drew two figures. I drew a small boy with a blue shirt and yellow goggles, on his hands and knees, head hung down, crying. And next to him I drew a dinosaur, it's head turned up as if in mid howl. Though I had a small set of watercolor paints with me, I purposely left the picture in shades of gray, except for my rendition of Guilmon and myself. That I painted some color into, but I left the colors dull. It seemed to capture the picture more.
All of this I drew constrained to a circle. The circle became an eye. An eye in his face; an eye in my own. This too was colored. A red eye surrounded by flesh tones.
And then, when I was finished, I carefully closed my pad and stood up. A second tear dropped from my other eye as I turned and walked away. I had one more picture to draw this morning, and a second task after that. I turned and took one last look at their graves.
"…Goodbye…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I now stood in front of Shinjuku Park. This place held memories as well. I stopped and looked around. I smiled. At least these were good memories. I sat and once more began to draw.
I drew the park, the hill, the steps, the shed, and the trees. All of those that surrounded the clearing where we all spent so much time together. Times that would never come again.
I shook myself out of that and concentrated on the good times instead. I could see each of these scenes in my head even though some had never happened, and I began to draw.
First, on the steps, I drew the familiar forms of Jeri Katou and Henry Wong, sitting, laughing, and talking. Against the shed was the ever-watchful Leomon, making sure that his partner was safe. Inside the shed itself, Kenta, MarineAngemon, Guardromon, and Monodramon watched Kazu and Ryo play the card game. From the expression on Kazu's face and Ryo's superior smirk, Kazu was losing… badly. In the center of the clearing, you could almost hear the laughter as Susie, Ai, and Mako chased Lopmon, Impmon, and Terriermon in a strange game of tag. Off to the left, I drew Renamon, lounging up in the tree that was 'hers' as much as Guilmon's shed was 'his'. Below her, gazing up at her digimon was the ever-beautiful Rika Nonaka.
I smiled in nostalgia as I looked at the image that covered half of the page. Then, as before, I drew two more. Up above all the others, I drew two smiling faces. Guilmon's and mine. I had to rely on some of Kenta's pictures for my own, but Guilmon's was no sweat. I drew them in such a way that it looked as if they were watching over the others. Gone, but not forgotten.
I painted all of this. I painted bright, vibrant colors that made me feel warm inside.
As I stood up and closed my sketchpad, like at the cemetery, I stopped to take another look around. I smiled, and turned around whistling a happy tune as I headed back to Henry's apartment. I felt like a brand new person. I felt like my soul had been cleansed.
This is gonna be a good day. But I still have one more thing to do.
I took out my good-luck charm and gazed at it, and then I nodded. When I next saw her, or at least waited until it was lighter before heading to her house, it was time to do what everyone once said was impossible for a second time.
It was time for Tai to become friends with Rika Nonaka.
But first I still have clear up that Alicia incident.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was lounging in my room, watching something boring on T.V., when my Mother came in.
"Rika, Honey, you have a visitor."
A visitor?
"Who is it?"
"He said his name was Tai. He wanted you to talk about some schoolwork. Why didn't you tell me you had a group project?"
"Because if I had told you I had a guy for a partner, you would probably have sent out wedding invitations by now. He's not even a friend, he's an annoyance."
"Well, be that as it may, be polite if nothing else Rika. This is for school after all."
"All right, mom."
I turned off the set and went to the door. There was Tai, looking really embarrassed about something that had nothing to do with me based on the fact that his eyes were bugged out and looking down the street.
"What's with you Glove-boy?"
"Can I come in? Thanks."
He pushed his way in before I could say anything and shut the door.
"What the hell? You can't just come barging in here!"
"Shhh! She'll hear you!"
"Huh?"
He motioned over to the window next to the door. I was a little curious, so I walked over and looked out. There, in the street was Alicia. She was peering around carefully, as if looking for something.
Or someone.
"What'd you do Glove-boy?"
"Nothing! She just leapt out of a crowd and attached herself to my arm! When I managed to get free, I ran off. I've been dodging her all morning!"
I laughed. I laughed long and hard. I hadn't done that in a while. Then the doorbell rang. Tai looked panicked and ducked into a closet, mouthing 'I'm not here.'
I opened the door. True to Tai's panicked prediction, it was Alicia. She smiled at me. It was a sickeningly sweet cloying smile and it turned my stomach.
"Hello, Rika. Have you seen Tai by any chance?"
To torture or not to torture?
Unfortunately, the conclusion was 'not'. As much fun as seeing him squirm would be, I wanted answers. Chances were I wouldn't get them if her were mad at me.
"No, I haven't. Why?"
"We got separated earlier. He said some things he obviously didn't mean, like not liking me 'like that', I mean who wouldn't want me…"
I sighed, and cut her off.
"Look, as much fun as strolling down narcissism lane with you is, I have things to do right now. Bye."
And I slammed the door in her face. I chuckled at the screams from outside. Then I noted that I was chuckling in stereo. I opened the closet and there stood Tai, trying desperately not laughing out loud.
"What?"
"That was great!"
I smiled in spite of my self. Then my eyes narrowed.
"I want answers."
His shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I know. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
I nodded, and we walked back to my room. He sat down on one side of my table and looked distant for a moment. Then he straightened up and looked at me.
"My early life isn't important, I was just an ordinary boy. But then, one day, I received a digimon, Jyarimon. I didn't know why at the time, but I felt that I was meant to do something important. Eventually I went to the digital world, and while there, I met Azulongmon. He said that he wanted me to do something for him. I agreed. So, as ChaosGallantmon, I came here and helped you battle the D-Reaper. About a week and a half ago, in the eastern quadrant, the girl I now know as Delia Otenuski tried to delete Azulongmon. So, I was sent here to attempt to discover what her, and apparently her partners are up too, and stop them if necessary."
"The eastern quadrant!? You mean where the show is?"
"Yes. That's why the Digidestined weren't sent. They would be mobbed in teh street, and unable to do their work."
My head was spinning. I knew whatever it was was incredibly big for Henry to keep it from Jeri, but that?
But still… I get the feeling that that isn't all of it. He's hiding something else I'm sure.
"Fine. That'll do. For now, anyways."
"Thanks Rika."
He smiled at me then, and I got an urge to smile myself. I fought it off.
The only person who ever affected me like that was Gogglehead…
I sighed.
Where are you?
"Rika?"
"Huh?"
"You all right? You looked a little distant."
"I-It's nothing. Just an old memory that's all."
"Oh. Okay. Should we get to work on the project?"
"Yeah, why not…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"That's weird. Who would leave roses here?"
I glanced back at Tai, who simply shrugged.
He looks a little nervous, though.
"Hey! Glove-boy! What's up with you all of a sudden?"
"Just a little nervous around cemeteries, Rika."
"Riiight."
I suppose he's got a point. Who does enjoy cemeteries?"
Then my eyes narrowed.
"Hey Tai, do you feel like…"
"…Like we're being watched? Yes I do."
Then, Alicia came out of the woods at the edge of the cemetery.
"Hi Tai!!"
Then she spotted me.
"Nonaka."
That came out as a hiss. Tai, next to me, actually didn't respond to her greeting at all. He was scanning the treeline.
"Come with me Tai…"
He seemed to snap out of it enough to pay attention to her.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea."
Then, he took a quick side step and was standing next to me, a strange look on his face, one of anger and determination. His next question startled me.
"What did you do to Renamon?"
She smirked, her expression becoming incredibly evil.
"Oh, she was… taken care of… Dirky-poo!"
Then a smirking Piedmon dumped Renamon at our feet. I rushed to her side.
"Renamon!"
Then, Alicia hauled me up by the front of my shirt and talked so that Tai couldn't hear.
"I am Alicia Waterton! I want Tai, and what I want, I get!"
"Then take him you bitch! Leave me out of it!"
"You don't get it, do you Nonaka? He won't be with me as long as he's with you! So removing you is the only solution!"
Of course, Tai hadn't simply been sitting quietly. He had his Jyarimon out and was having what seemed to be a staring contest. What was weird though, was his glove. It now had a metallic sheen, and the triangles were all raised. Then, of course, Alicia opened her big mouth.
"Tai, come with me. We can give that little weakling of yours true power…"
Tai laughed.
"Side with you? Never! My 'little weakling' as you put it happens to be my best friend!"
"That little fresh digimon? Hah! Once you see true power, you'll gladly join me! DarkTyrannomon! Now!"
With a loud roar, a DarkTyrannomon that was larger than any I had ever seen reared up out of the forest and attacked me.
"FIRE BLAST!"
"Rika!"
Tai suddenly knocked me from out of the fireball's path. He then jumped to his feet and ran into the dust for Renamon. I could see her being carried out by two figures, who were having a hard time dodging Piedmon, while Alicia and her DarkTyrannomon just laughed.
His Jyarimon must of digivolved…
Then I noticed that in his flying tackle, Tai's good-luck charm had fallen from his neck again, landing face down. I picked it up and turned it over. And proceed to be really confused and angry about the whole thing.
It was a picture of Gogglehead and me, sitting on one of the benches in the park. I remembered that day. I had just asked Takato some questions about Jeri, when he suddenly asked why it mattered. I blushed. In a moment of weakness, I looked down shyly and blushed. Then a camera went off. I looked up to see Kazu and Kenta, Kenta with camera in hand. I was immediately up and after them.
But how did Glove-boy get it? Maybe he knows where I can find my Gogglehead… He must! I'll beat it out him! Them I'll kill the both of them!!!
Then I snapped out of it at voices.
"Ready?"
"Ready, Taimon!"
"Good. Grani!"
DIGI-MODIFY! Hyper Speed Activate!
A blue and gold blur in the sky formed the large dragon-like creature that I vaguely remembered ChaosGallantmon riding in the last fight, and a red blur rushed out of the dust-cloud, grabbed me, ran for it, and jumped on.
"Hang on everyone!"
Then, we took off like a bow from an arrow, leaving a cursing Piedmon and Alicia behind. Then I got a look at the large red rookie holding me.
Guilmon!? That means…
I looked again at 'Tai's' 'good-luck charm.' Then I snapped my head back to the black haired boy at the front of the dragon and concentrated. The roots of his black hair were brown.
"GOGGLEHEAD!!!!!!"
~Two weeks later~
It was five in the morning.
I crept quietly into the hall. Taking a hasty look I assured myself that I wasn't detected. I went quietly up to the door, key in hand.
To my surprise, it was unlocked. Carefully, I twisted the handle. There was a slight creak as I slowly opened the door. I winced inwardly.
I crept through the open door and was about two steps in when the door slammed shut. I spun around and saw…
…nothing?
Then I looked down. There, standing in front of the door, arms crossed, in all his might was…
…Terriermon.
"Henry!!! Where were you all night! I've been worried sick!"
Oh boy.
"Where else have I been for the last two weeks? Over at Jeri's…"
I knew that was a mistake the moment it came out of my mouth. Terriermon's mouth dropped open as fast as his mind dropped to the gutter. After Takato and had explained everything to her, Jeri seemed exceedingly happy to have him back. They talked some during school, where Rika was still giving him the cold shoulder. Jeri and I had been spending a lot of time together since, this time, though, we had fallen asleep watching a movie. Not that it mattered to Terriermon. He would torture me every chance he got. He grinned. I knew that grin. It was the 'I'm going to start tormenting you' grin.
Nuts.
"Henry, and they call me a dog! I knew you had it in you!"
"I-It's not like that I swear! I was just telling Jeri about Takato…"
"Yeah, right, Henry. They say when you make up after a fight this kind of thing happens…"
"Terriermon!!!!"
"Heh, heh, heh… eeep."
I ran after the pint-sized menace with a gusto, but in the end he was too fast and agile for me to catch. As I stood there panting, something occurred to me.
Not once, with all that noise, did Takato tell us to keep it down.
"…Terriermon… where's… Takato?"
"He… said that… he had… something… to do… Said he'd… be back… later…"
"…Oh…"
Then, I walked into my room and collapsed, determined to catch a few more hours' sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat on a hill, waiting for sunrise, lost in my own thoughts. I thought I had accepted my parent's death years ago, but sitting here, in front of their graves, it suddenly dawned on me how real the situation was. A single tear dropped from my eye as I remembered my last moments with them. We were happy. We were very happy, ironically, that I was alive.
I remember how happy we were in those last moments. I remember the explosion. I remember running back in. I remember the rubble.
But mostly I remember the blood. Things were a little blurry for a few minutes after that.
So, now sitting here, I knew what I had to do. I had placed a deep red rose on both graves. I knew that Rika and I would be talking of my parents eventually, and I needed to mourn now, so I wouldn't breakdown later. I needed to get it out of my system. I only knew one way how.
The sun peeked over the horizon, and the graves were illuminated from the back, casting the letters, while still readable, in shadow.
I got out my sketchpad, sat down and began to draw. I drew everything. I drew the hills. I drew the surrounding graves blurry, as if slightly out of focus. I drew my parent's graves. I drew them in detail, including the chips, dents, and all other sides of aging. I drew the roses I had just placed down to the petals and the thorns. I put a little more space between the graves than there was in real life. In the center, I drew two figures. I drew a small boy with a blue shirt and yellow goggles, on his hands and knees, head hung down, crying. And next to him I drew a dinosaur, it's head turned up as if in mid howl. Though I had a small set of watercolor paints with me, I purposely left the picture in shades of gray, except for my rendition of Guilmon and myself. That I painted some color into, but I left the colors dull. It seemed to capture the picture more.
All of this I drew constrained to a circle. The circle became an eye. An eye in his face; an eye in my own. This too was colored. A red eye surrounded by flesh tones.
And then, when I was finished, I carefully closed my pad and stood up. A second tear dropped from my other eye as I turned and walked away. I had one more picture to draw this morning, and a second task after that. I turned and took one last look at their graves.
"…Goodbye…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I now stood in front of Shinjuku Park. This place held memories as well. I stopped and looked around. I smiled. At least these were good memories. I sat and once more began to draw.
I drew the park, the hill, the steps, the shed, and the trees. All of those that surrounded the clearing where we all spent so much time together. Times that would never come again.
I shook myself out of that and concentrated on the good times instead. I could see each of these scenes in my head even though some had never happened, and I began to draw.
First, on the steps, I drew the familiar forms of Jeri Katou and Henry Wong, sitting, laughing, and talking. Against the shed was the ever-watchful Leomon, making sure that his partner was safe. Inside the shed itself, Kenta, MarineAngemon, Guardromon, and Monodramon watched Kazu and Ryo play the card game. From the expression on Kazu's face and Ryo's superior smirk, Kazu was losing… badly. In the center of the clearing, you could almost hear the laughter as Susie, Ai, and Mako chased Lopmon, Impmon, and Terriermon in a strange game of tag. Off to the left, I drew Renamon, lounging up in the tree that was 'hers' as much as Guilmon's shed was 'his'. Below her, gazing up at her digimon was the ever-beautiful Rika Nonaka.
I smiled in nostalgia as I looked at the image that covered half of the page. Then, as before, I drew two more. Up above all the others, I drew two smiling faces. Guilmon's and mine. I had to rely on some of Kenta's pictures for my own, but Guilmon's was no sweat. I drew them in such a way that it looked as if they were watching over the others. Gone, but not forgotten.
I painted all of this. I painted bright, vibrant colors that made me feel warm inside.
As I stood up and closed my sketchpad, like at the cemetery, I stopped to take another look around. I smiled, and turned around whistling a happy tune as I headed back to Henry's apartment. I felt like a brand new person. I felt like my soul had been cleansed.
This is gonna be a good day. But I still have one more thing to do.
I took out my good-luck charm and gazed at it, and then I nodded. When I next saw her, or at least waited until it was lighter before heading to her house, it was time to do what everyone once said was impossible for a second time.
It was time for Tai to become friends with Rika Nonaka.
But first I still have clear up that Alicia incident.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was lounging in my room, watching something boring on T.V., when my Mother came in.
"Rika, Honey, you have a visitor."
A visitor?
"Who is it?"
"He said his name was Tai. He wanted you to talk about some schoolwork. Why didn't you tell me you had a group project?"
"Because if I had told you I had a guy for a partner, you would probably have sent out wedding invitations by now. He's not even a friend, he's an annoyance."
"Well, be that as it may, be polite if nothing else Rika. This is for school after all."
"All right, mom."
I turned off the set and went to the door. There was Tai, looking really embarrassed about something that had nothing to do with me based on the fact that his eyes were bugged out and looking down the street.
"What's with you Glove-boy?"
"Can I come in? Thanks."
He pushed his way in before I could say anything and shut the door.
"What the hell? You can't just come barging in here!"
"Shhh! She'll hear you!"
"Huh?"
He motioned over to the window next to the door. I was a little curious, so I walked over and looked out. There, in the street was Alicia. She was peering around carefully, as if looking for something.
Or someone.
"What'd you do Glove-boy?"
"Nothing! She just leapt out of a crowd and attached herself to my arm! When I managed to get free, I ran off. I've been dodging her all morning!"
I laughed. I laughed long and hard. I hadn't done that in a while. Then the doorbell rang. Tai looked panicked and ducked into a closet, mouthing 'I'm not here.'
I opened the door. True to Tai's panicked prediction, it was Alicia. She smiled at me. It was a sickeningly sweet cloying smile and it turned my stomach.
"Hello, Rika. Have you seen Tai by any chance?"
To torture or not to torture?
Unfortunately, the conclusion was 'not'. As much fun as seeing him squirm would be, I wanted answers. Chances were I wouldn't get them if her were mad at me.
"No, I haven't. Why?"
"We got separated earlier. He said some things he obviously didn't mean, like not liking me 'like that', I mean who wouldn't want me…"
I sighed, and cut her off.
"Look, as much fun as strolling down narcissism lane with you is, I have things to do right now. Bye."
And I slammed the door in her face. I chuckled at the screams from outside. Then I noted that I was chuckling in stereo. I opened the closet and there stood Tai, trying desperately not laughing out loud.
"What?"
"That was great!"
I smiled in spite of my self. Then my eyes narrowed.
"I want answers."
His shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I know. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
I nodded, and we walked back to my room. He sat down on one side of my table and looked distant for a moment. Then he straightened up and looked at me.
"My early life isn't important, I was just an ordinary boy. But then, one day, I received a digimon, Jyarimon. I didn't know why at the time, but I felt that I was meant to do something important. Eventually I went to the digital world, and while there, I met Azulongmon. He said that he wanted me to do something for him. I agreed. So, as ChaosGallantmon, I came here and helped you battle the D-Reaper. About a week and a half ago, in the eastern quadrant, the girl I now know as Delia Otenuski tried to delete Azulongmon. So, I was sent here to attempt to discover what her, and apparently her partners are up too, and stop them if necessary."
"The eastern quadrant!? You mean where the show is?"
"Yes. That's why the Digidestined weren't sent. They would be mobbed in teh street, and unable to do their work."
My head was spinning. I knew whatever it was was incredibly big for Henry to keep it from Jeri, but that?
But still… I get the feeling that that isn't all of it. He's hiding something else I'm sure.
"Fine. That'll do. For now, anyways."
"Thanks Rika."
He smiled at me then, and I got an urge to smile myself. I fought it off.
The only person who ever affected me like that was Gogglehead…
I sighed.
Where are you?
"Rika?"
"Huh?"
"You all right? You looked a little distant."
"I-It's nothing. Just an old memory that's all."
"Oh. Okay. Should we get to work on the project?"
"Yeah, why not…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"That's weird. Who would leave roses here?"
I glanced back at Tai, who simply shrugged.
He looks a little nervous, though.
"Hey! Glove-boy! What's up with you all of a sudden?"
"Just a little nervous around cemeteries, Rika."
"Riiight."
I suppose he's got a point. Who does enjoy cemeteries?"
Then my eyes narrowed.
"Hey Tai, do you feel like…"
"…Like we're being watched? Yes I do."
Then, Alicia came out of the woods at the edge of the cemetery.
"Hi Tai!!"
Then she spotted me.
"Nonaka."
That came out as a hiss. Tai, next to me, actually didn't respond to her greeting at all. He was scanning the treeline.
"Come with me Tai…"
He seemed to snap out of it enough to pay attention to her.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea."
Then, he took a quick side step and was standing next to me, a strange look on his face, one of anger and determination. His next question startled me.
"What did you do to Renamon?"
She smirked, her expression becoming incredibly evil.
"Oh, she was… taken care of… Dirky-poo!"
Then a smirking Piedmon dumped Renamon at our feet. I rushed to her side.
"Renamon!"
Then, Alicia hauled me up by the front of my shirt and talked so that Tai couldn't hear.
"I am Alicia Waterton! I want Tai, and what I want, I get!"
"Then take him you bitch! Leave me out of it!"
"You don't get it, do you Nonaka? He won't be with me as long as he's with you! So removing you is the only solution!"
Of course, Tai hadn't simply been sitting quietly. He had his Jyarimon out and was having what seemed to be a staring contest. What was weird though, was his glove. It now had a metallic sheen, and the triangles were all raised. Then, of course, Alicia opened her big mouth.
"Tai, come with me. We can give that little weakling of yours true power…"
Tai laughed.
"Side with you? Never! My 'little weakling' as you put it happens to be my best friend!"
"That little fresh digimon? Hah! Once you see true power, you'll gladly join me! DarkTyrannomon! Now!"
With a loud roar, a DarkTyrannomon that was larger than any I had ever seen reared up out of the forest and attacked me.
"FIRE BLAST!"
"Rika!"
Tai suddenly knocked me from out of the fireball's path. He then jumped to his feet and ran into the dust for Renamon. I could see her being carried out by two figures, who were having a hard time dodging Piedmon, while Alicia and her DarkTyrannomon just laughed.
His Jyarimon must of digivolved…
Then I noticed that in his flying tackle, Tai's good-luck charm had fallen from his neck again, landing face down. I picked it up and turned it over. And proceed to be really confused and angry about the whole thing.
It was a picture of Gogglehead and me, sitting on one of the benches in the park. I remembered that day. I had just asked Takato some questions about Jeri, when he suddenly asked why it mattered. I blushed. In a moment of weakness, I looked down shyly and blushed. Then a camera went off. I looked up to see Kazu and Kenta, Kenta with camera in hand. I was immediately up and after them.
But how did Glove-boy get it? Maybe he knows where I can find my Gogglehead… He must! I'll beat it out him! Them I'll kill the both of them!!!
Then I snapped out of it at voices.
"Ready?"
"Ready, Taimon!"
"Good. Grani!"
DIGI-MODIFY! Hyper Speed Activate!
A blue and gold blur in the sky formed the large dragon-like creature that I vaguely remembered ChaosGallantmon riding in the last fight, and a red blur rushed out of the dust-cloud, grabbed me, ran for it, and jumped on.
"Hang on everyone!"
Then, we took off like a bow from an arrow, leaving a cursing Piedmon and Alicia behind. Then I got a look at the large red rookie holding me.
Guilmon!? That means…
I looked again at 'Tai's' 'good-luck charm.' Then I snapped my head back to the black haired boy at the front of the dragon and concentrated. The roots of his black hair were brown.
"GOGGLEHEAD!!!!!!"