Amethyst Blizzard: Heyas, I'm back! I am so sorry for the wait of this chapter but to be truthfully honest, I really haven't felt much like writing lately. But I do now! *nods head* Yeah, all because I have an eight week holiday and I'm so happy 'bout that. :)

Hm, I feel like doing the disclaimer this time. Sorry Floramon.

Floramon: *humming to 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'* Uh, what?

A/N: *sigh* Never mind…  I sincerely do not own Digimon. There, happy. And all of its characters don't belong to me because according to the law, they just don't. 8( However, I do happen to own Michael Vartan. Yes, I stole him off Jennifer Garner, I'm guilty. ;)

By the way, this chapter will start off in Rika's point of view and we will visit her subconscious because I am just oh so evil. And because the some italics aren't working, you're just going to have to pretend they're there. They'll be in between the six stars.

Ah, the wonderful powers of sugar………Can't get enough of it!! I NEED SUGAR!!!

Devil's Advocates

Chapter 12: The Calling

******

I opened my eyes slowly when I was awakened by the sounds of running water. I was still quite groggy and my vision was unfocused until it became accustomed to the strange golden light. My head still felt slightly fuzzy from passing out before, but at least I was awake now. I squinted in the golden sunlight and realised at once that I wasn't anywhere in the Digital World. Nothing in the Digital World could be so beautiful and wild.

All around me were green branches and tall trees, surrounding the small, shallow lake in the centre. The place looked to be some sort of lagoon or forest, but how was that possible when a minute ago I was in the Digital World? Maybe I was delirious or still unconscious, but this somehow felt real.

I flinched when a warm, strong hand touched my shoulder and gently stroked it. I turned to see who it was, and when I did, I realised I was actually in the lake, the water lapping around my neck. I looked up and saw Ryo, smiling down on me, his bare chest showing. I really didn't want to know what I was wearing.

"You're awake. You fell asleep."

I turned back around so I didn't have to face him and thought that this must be a dream, or a nightmare, considering I knew it was only going to get worse, as nightmares do. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, tried to think of a reasonable explanation for what I was doing. But somehow, all answers seemed to fade with the questions.

"Are you okay?" Ryo's voice seemed close, too close, and shivers ran up and down my spine when he ran his hand down my back. What was he doing? What was I doing? What the hell were we doing?

Without thinking, I found myself nodding and actually enjoying his closeness. I leaned back into him and I felt the water once again rise above my neck and lap against my face. It was warm, tropical, and again I wondered where we were. Maybe we actually were in the Digital World and away from the others. Just the two of us, alone………

I shivered at my own thoughts and at once scolded myself for thinking about things that were out of my control. This wasn't real, it was just an illusion. Of course it wasn't real, how could it be when just a couple of minutes ago we were fighting that purple Digimon and that axe that fell from the sky.

Of course! We were fighting just a minute ago in the Digital World so this mustn't be real! But as strange as this may seem, I felt a sudden wave of disappointment. As much as I didn't want this to be real, I did want it to be real.

I felt myself being turned around and surprisingly I didn't fight him. It was like I wanted to face him, to face his feelings. My face was level with the top of his chest and I had to force myself not to look at his gorgeous features. Instead I stared at his chest and noticed a small scar running along it. I traced it with my finger and noticed it was quite deep, though healed. I felt my face being brought up to face his and I tensed slightly at his touch. It was soft and yet I felt uncomfortable. Maybe it was because I was nervous, or maybe because I wanted everything to be so perfect with him.

With his hand around my chin, he lifted my face to his and our noses touched before our lips met………

**

I bolted upright as the dream dissolved. I breathed heavily several times as I tried to clear my head. It was only a dream. A dream that had already dissolved into consciousness, but I still felt like I was dreaming. I stroked my saturated hair away from my eyes so I could see clearly but as I did, I took a strand in my hand and looked at it. Auburn, the colour of the blazing sun, the colour of fire in its early stage. That was sometimes how I felt, like fire, burning bright, blazing with fury. It kind of ran in the family.

I put the strand behind my ear and finally took the chance to look at my surroundings. I was in a room of some sort, in a bed coated with red roses. Although I thought this odd, I kept looking around. The room looked like a chamber and there was a small window on one side. The grey bricks supporting the room looked exactly like the ones in that castle back in the Digital World. A sudden bitter feeling spread over me as I remembered what had happened in that building. One of my best friends had been kissing a girl who was supposed to be missing. What was she doing there anyway?

"The problem with you is you want too many answers to questions that only you understand."

I tensed and turned a trembling head towards that smooth voice. On the other side of the room, sitting on an identical bed to the one I was on, was Ryo. His legs were spread and his head was casually tilted back, while his arms supported his entire body. But what struck me completely dumbfounded was what he was wearing. Covering his entire body apart from his head and hands was a complete prince attire. The royal, slightly flared pants, a loose fitting cloak over the top of a shirt complete with the brush shoulder pads. It was so old-fashioned that I had to force myself not to laugh. Instead I just glared at him. "What are you doing here, and why are you so recently in my dreams? Are you some kind of a dream-stalker or something?"

He sighed and laughed, slightly mocking me. "There you go with those questions." He shook his index finger at me while smiling. "Rika, when are you going to stop asking and start taking risks? You're getting boring."

I gaped at him. Was he insulting me? "I don't take risks?" I stood up from the bed to enforce my point.  

He shrugged, seemingly unaware of my aggravation. "Well, if you consider jumping off cliffs to save a Digimon whose not really a Digimon and risking your life to save your friends by giving your power to me, then I'd say you do take risks, but that's not what I'm talking about. Is it?"

He grinned at me and I could tell he was loving every second of this. "Ok, Mr Perfect. You want a risk; I'll give you one. I'll jump out of that window." I motioned to the small window to the side of both of us. If I was still dreaming, then I wouldn't die would I?

He pretended to consider it before shaking his head. "No, see if I wanted you to kill yourself then I would give you the go ahead, but as I said, that's not what I'm talking about."

He still wore that self-assured grin and I felt like punching him. Why did he have to do this to me? Just when I was confused enough by that other dream, he had to stalk me into my next one and mess it up as well. Then I felt a wild urge surge through me and I made my way to the window, but before I could climb onto the edge, a strong hand pulled my wrist and made me fall backwards. I felt Ryo slip and lose his balance and when he fell, he dragged me down with him. He heard his back connect with the hard ground and felt my own back fall against his chest.

We stayed that way for a couple if minutes before I decided to get up, but Ryo still held my wrist. He leaned over and whispered into my ear. "See, that's what I'm talking about."

******

Rika abruptly sprang up and as soon as she did, her head fell into contact with a hard object. She was knocked back and again her head fell against something cold and hard. She shook her head a couple of times then opened her eyes again. Her vision was bleary until it became accustomed to the dim light. She sat up slowly, making sure to avoid the block of wood above her. She was in some kind of wooden alcove.

"Sorry. We should have warned you about that but you sprang up like a daisy in the field."

Rika turned to look at a familiar face that was a haunting image of her own. Alicia was sitting in the stony corner of the building, a slightly sarcastic smile plastered on her features. Rika was beginning to think that that was her natural smile. Brad was sitting at her side, a slightly worried look on his face. In that moment, he looked so protective of her sister that Rika thought that something had happened between them before. "Where am I?"

Alicia raised her eyebrow as if to say 'duh'. "That castle that was partly blown up. You do remember, don't you? You passed out while trying to practice your telekinesis." That last word was slightly emphasized and Rika could tell her sister was mocking her, just like Ryo did in her dream.

Brad stifled a grin beside Alicia and earned a cold glare from Rika. She stood from her wooden 'bed' and walked over to the gaping whole of the castle, where Stacie was standing, watching whatever was outside. Rika gasped at the sight before her. An enormous green Digimon stood before MegaGargomon, Gallantmon, Guardromon and a kneeling Kyubimon. Kazu and Kenta were close together, cheering their friends on, while MarineAngemon huddled into Kenta's jacket. Ryo and Cyberdramon were nowhere to be seen.

Stacie shifted beside Rika, who felt only slightly uncomfortable at being close to the one who had kissed the guy who was supposed to like her. Rika could tell Stacie was even more uncomfortable but Rika didn't really care. All she cared about was helping out her friends. For a moment, the two stood side-by-side, slightly shadowed by the immense darkness of the castle.

Rika looked up at the sky of the Digital World to find it completely embraced in darkness. The fog had substantially grown during the time she was unconscious and now it had completely blocked out all light, but surprisingly, she could see everything clearly. It was like there was a layer of darkness on the surface, and underneath laid a layer of light.

Rika started when Stacie gasped beside her. She followed the teenager's gaze to where the Digimon were fighting. The enemy Digimon had great big green fists, which consisted of mainly bolts on each of its knuckles. Rika's gaze followed the grey-bandaged arms up to its large chest, where many more bolts impeded from the great Digimon. Its face was a mask of wood and metal ran along the edges of the head. Two large bolts wedged out of either end of it and large blades hindered out of its shoulder. A large axe was seen, held up at the back of the Digimon by a diagonal strap. Rika looked down to its waist and followed the huge black pants down to the feet, where two metal shoes placed. They were plastered to the ground and Rika could see large spikes pointed out of them.

Rika frowned and clutched her D-Power. "Makes my shoes look dull."

Stacie turned and looked down at Rika's feet, where she wore her usual sneakers with metal bolts. She laughed a little and looked back at the scene in front of her. Rika walked forward, D-Power in one hand, modify cards in the other. "Let's see here." Her D-Power's screen swirled for a moment before the circle appeared before it. "Boltmon. Mega level. His attacks are Tomahawk Crunch and Tomahawk Knuckle. Hmm, now we know what the knuckles are for."

She stopped when she reached a worn-out Kyubimon. She reached out a hand to stroke her Digimon's cheek and when she did, Kyubimon opened her eyes. Her bionic blue orbs stared into Rika's cold amethyst ones and for a second, the pair shared a mutual love for one another. Kyubimon's data seemed to flicker and eventually it floated up and dissolved, leaving Renamon kneeling on one knee on the ground, her features vacant, only a knowing look aimed at Rika resembling any signs of faith.

Rika nodded and held her D-Power up to her chest, returning her modify cards back into their case. "Let's show him who he's dealing with, Renamon. Biomerge activate!"

A flash of light surrounded Renamon and her Tamer before they were lifted into the air. The sphere of light encircled them and sakura blossoms floated around inside of it. Rika and Renamon both merged together in one graceful motion. "Renamon biomerge to………"

Renamon's fur was shed and replaced with skin and a skin-tight black bodysuit. Her amour clanked into place while her kitsune mask fitted into place. Boots and gloves shifted on and her staff materialized into her hands. Fox spirits floated around her before vanishing with the light and sakura blossoms. "Sakuyamon!"

Boltmon turned his attention away from MegaGargomon and Gallantmon and focused on this new opponent. Guardromon, who was pounding mercilessly on Boltmon's large shoe, turned from his position to acknowledge Sakuyamon. MegaGargomon nodded at his counterpart. "Great to have you back, Sakuyamon."

Inside Sakuyamon, Rika smiled at the strange combination of Terriermon and Henry's voice. "It's great to be back. Now let's show this guy who's boss." Sakuyamon lifted up her hand and summoned her spirits. "Spirit Strike!"

Boltmon smirked and flicked one of her large fingers to brush Guardromon off his foot. Poor Guardromon was sent flying and crashed into the side of the castle. Kazu stared in horror and ran after his partner. Sakuyamon's spirits flew through the air and on the Digimon's command, sliced through Boltmon's middle waist, causing a skin-splitting sound to occur. Boltmon's smirk never faulted as he bent down to inspect his now gaping torso. He watched as it sowed back together again like a sowing machine. He could regenerate.

Sakuyamon swallowed hard. "This is going to be hard." Suddenly Rika wondered why Ryo and Cyberdramon weren't with them and a horrifying thought struck her that they might've

"Yeah, we should have told you about that one." Takato's voice could be heard from inside Gallantmon, obviously apologizing about not telling them that the Digimon could regenerate. Guilmon's Mega form was standing at the giant feet of Boltmon, trying to inflict some damage to Boltmon's legs, but he wasn't having much success.

Inside Sakuyamon, Rika was breathing heavily, staring up at the huge Digimon, wondering what its weaknesses were. Well, its giant hands didn't seem like a weak point, and neither did its metal feet. Its legs looked strong enough with pants that were heavily belted. Its head, though, looked pretty plausible as it was masked with wood, although the outside of the head was surrounded in a layer of metal. Then suddenly something caught her eye. On Boltmon's chest, a deep lightning bolt scar lay in between two screws. Maybe it was worth giving it a try. "Hey, guys. I have an idea."

~~~~

Meanwhile in the Real World, Jeri was having a fun time watching Alice constantly pace up and down the length of the old warehouse. She was getting irritated at seeing a flash of blonde pass her every twenty seconds, but she kept her mouth shut in case Alice was so wound-tight that she would lash out at her.

Alice held her hand up to her chin while she paced, every so often making pondering noises with her mouth. A lot was on her mind, but the matter at hand was so much more important than the others. How did Alicia know that Ryo was in the Digital World when she hadn't even been there before? And how was she able to transport the others into the digital realm? Alice then made a frustrated sound and stopped pacing to punch the wall with her fist.

Jeri sheepishly looked up at her friend. "Alice, I don't know what you're thinking about, but I don't think physically abusing the wall will help the situation."

Alice turned her head to look at her brunette friend. "Yeah I know, sorry Jeri. It's just that Alicia comes out of nowhere, convinces Rika she's her long-lost twin, and then is able to freely travel to the Digital World, not to mention make herself very comfortable wit Henry."

Jeri frowned. "You like Henry, don't you?"

Alice turned her head away from Jeri. "No." A blush crept up and made itself visible on Alice's cheeks.

Jeri made a couching sound and raised her eyebrow. "Come on, Alice. It's obvious. I mean, you're blushing now, not to mention every time he talks to you. Why don't you just tell him how you feel? It wouldn't hurt."

Alice looked down at the ground, a small glimpse of the old shy Alice flashed in her eyes. "Because I've seen what happens when you tell someone you like them and they don't return your feelings. I've seen it Jeri, and it's not pretty." Sadness and pity were present in her voice, and tears welled in her eyes. She'd seen what happened when you couldn't get what you wanted.

Jeri looked to the ground. "Sorry." Realization suddenly struck her and head shot up again. Yes, it all fit. Ryo's disappearance and Rika's strange behaviour, and her sudden wanting to help with finding him. She stared at Alice and the blue-eyed blonde stared back at her with questioning eyes. "You mean Ryo, don't you?"

Alice sighed and nodded her head. "Yesterday, he talked to me about it and I gave him the thumbs up because I didn't think she'd reject him, but she did. I don't think she meant to, I just think she didn't want him to get close to her or something, because she just ran off after yelling at him briefly. Ryo was devastated and I watched him walk off. I don't know where he went but I'm guessing he came here, since this is a gateway to the Digital World."

Jeri's shoulders sunk and her expression became one of pity. "Poor Ryo."

~~~~~

"Tomahawk Knuckle!"

Rika gasped as one of Boltmon's gigantic fists glowed a lime green and swooped down to collide with MegaGargomon in one almighty punch. MegaGargomon jerked backwards in recoil and lifted his own arms up to defend, as did Henry from inside. The Mega was sent back a few yards by Boltmon's force, and clasped the enemy's hand in his own.

Rika and Takato watched in horror as Boltmon raised up his other hand, bolts glowing. Sakuyamon raised her staff while Gallantmon's arm morphed into a sword.

"Amethyst Mandala!"

Sakura flowers began to surround Sakuyamon and with her staff, she directed them straight to Boltmon. The petals swirled in the air then flew towards the Mega Digimon. They struck him straight in the temple, but the metal surrounding Boltmon's head blocked the petals from penetrating his head.

Rika growled in frustration. So far nothing was working and Boltmon just happened to be protecting his chest mark with his other fist, which still hadn't been driven down into MegaGargomon.

"Lightning Joust!"

Gallantmon's sword gleamed and the Mega jumped into the air. He drove his sword right through Boltmon's arm that was still in MegaGargomon grasp. The sword sliced through the arm and thick skin could be heard tearing. The arm dissipated into data, then a gurgling sound was heard. What remained of Boltmon's arm shimmered and a new arm slid through the gaping hole. Green slime covered the latter of it while Boltmon inspected his new arm.

MegaGargomon took this opportunity of freedom to charge up. "Mega Barrage!" Hundreds of missiles flew through the air and targeted themselves at Boltmon. Once they hit him, they exploded and caused Boltmon to stumble back. Smoke appeared all around the Mega and skin-splitting sounds were heard.

The smoke eventually cleared, revealing a very battered, though unharmed, Boltmon. His head remained intact, though his shoulders were missing large chunks, as were his pants and arms, which were crossed against his chest, protecting his lightning bolt mark.

Gallantmon scowled. "Ah nuts. How are we supposed to aim for his mark if he keeps protecting it?"

MegaGargomon bunched his fists. "We'll have to keep trying."

Sakuyamon said nothing, only stared up at the huge Digimon. How was it possible that he was able to regenerate and not even be harmed by a barrage of missiles like that? From inside Renamon's Mega form, Rika gasped when Boltmon reached behind his back his pulled out his axe. "Guys, look out!"

Gallantmon and MegaGargomon turned to look at Sakuyamon, but when they did, Boltmon snarled and raised his fists. He punched MegaGargomon from the front and struck Gallantmon with a back fist. Both Digimon were sent flying in opposite directions and glowing their respective colours and both morphed back into Rookie and Tamer. "Wrong move, boys."

From one of the walls of the castle, a bemused Kazu knelt over Guardromon while marvelling at Boltmon. "So he does talk after all. Amazing."

He looked down at his Digimon when Guardromon groaned. "Kazu………"

Rika gasped as Boltmon grabbed his floating axe and smirked at her. He twirled it towards Sakuyamon, his smirk never fading. The axe was flying through the air so fast that Rika could hear it tearing the air pressure. It was too fast and Sakuyamon knew she didn't have the speed to move in time. The axe would hit her. Rika shut her eyes closed and ducked her head from inside her Digimon, while Sakuyamon raised her staff in a last defence.

But the pain never came. The axe never hit the Digimon as a figure was standing in front of her. Rika opened her eyes and to her astonishment, Justimon was standing in front of Sakuyamon. He had deflected the axe with his arm, as there was a little nick in it. Sparks flew out of the small cut in his arm as a sign of damage. He turned to face Sakuyamon. "Are you okay?"

Rika grunted in frustration. "Where have you been?"

Inside Justimon, Ryo smirked at her. "Around. Now, is anyone going to invite me to this little party?"

Rika glared at the older boy. So he had just decided to disappear then reappear when she was in danger and about to be deleted. Yep, sounded like Ryo. "Whatever. We have to aim our attacks at the lightning bolt mark on his chest. He seems to be protecting that most, so I think it's his weakness. Got it?"

Justimon nodded and turned to face Boltmon. The Mega was glaring at Justimon with pure hatred in his eyes.

"You ruined my opportunity. Fortunately for you, I have being ordered not to kill you, but the girl is a different matter altogether." Boltmon snarled. He obviously wanted Rika dead for some reason, but had been told to keep Ryo alive.

Justimon stepped protectively in front of Sakuyamon, arms outstretched. 'You'll have to go through me first if you want her." After thinking a bit, Ryo added. "Despite what she says."

Sakuyamon raised her staff and twirled it in the air, while Justimon raised his arm. Ryo set himself in position. "This is where it ends."

Boltmon raised both of his arms in an angry rage and began to power up, leaving his chest mark wide open.

Rika saw this and Sakuyamon raised her staff higher. "Now!"

"Sprit Strike!"

"Molten Blade!"

Justimon's blade glowed red and he prepared himself to drive into Boltmon's chest. Sakuyamon's fox spirits swirled in the air and wrapped themselves around Justimon's blade, giving it exponential power. In the moment Justimon drove forward, Boltmon's arms glowed neon green.

"Tomahawk Knuckle!"

Boltmon's knuckles struck Justimon the moment he sliced into his opponent's chest, striking the lightning bolt scar. Boltmon screeched in agony while Justimon was flung back by the force of Boltmon's attack. Boltmon flung his head back and screamed tremendously one last time before he burst into data.

Sakuyamon watched Justimon fly back and crash into the hard ground with a thud. He morphed back into Cyberdramon and Ryo while Sakuyamon stared in horror. They weren't moving. "Ryo!?"

She began to glide back down to the ground to help him when she was stopped by a horrifying screech. Sakuyamon turned around slowly and watched as the horizon stretched out. The dark fog slowly dissipated and gave way to the blood-red glow stretching on the horizon. It almost looked like a sunset in the pink sky and for a second, Rika was mesmerized. She even forgot about Ryo and that horrible screech that sounded a moment ago. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Rika was quickly snapped back to reality when she realized something. This was the Digital World, dusk doesn't occur, only nightfall. From the horizon, a shadow silhouetted against the blood-red sky. A shadow with large wings and a sharp, piercing beak. It shook its wings in awakening and lifted its head to the heavens. It screeched loudly in delight, then lowered its head and seemed to look straight at Sakuyamon.

Rika stared at the creature, truly mesmerized, but at the same time, terrified. She swallowed hard, but never took her eyes off the large creature. "What is that?!"

~~~~~

**

A/N: Well, what did ya think? I think we all know what this creature is since its one of the main catalysts of this story. Rika's dream at the start kind of symbolized the two sides of someone, in this case, Ryo. A caring, romantic side, and a mocking, somewhat mean side. It will be key in a couple more chapters, so take it all in ;) Also, the part when Rika wakes up and she takes a strand of her hair and looks at it, well I don't know if you remember, but in an earlier chapter, Alicia did the same thing. Yes, I am very symbolic person.

In the next chapter, we will see this new creature in action and find out just why Alicia's band called themselves the Devil's Advocates. The reason is kind of ironic………

Please, please review. I'll give some of my special chocolate bunnies if you do. They are sitting on my desk right now, melting away in the very low sunlight gleaming through my room………Just ignore the part about melting ;)

Floramon: Yeah, don't pay any attention to Amethyst………she's crazy.

A/N: Hey! Just because I am very possessive over my Fanta doesn't mean I'm crazy.

Floramon: Well, isn't that the reason why Fanta is two-timing you with Pepsi?

A/N: Shut up………