Amethyst Blizzard: *looks around* Um…you guys aren't gonna kill me, are you? I know, I haven't updated this in about two months, but really and truthfully honestly (gee, where have I heard that before?) I haven't felt much like writing this lately. Yes, I know, sad isn't it? I have had major writer's block for this and it took much inspiration for me to sit down at my computer and type it. The reason being unknown to me; maybe I'm just not feeling this fic anymore. However, I will continue to update it, just not as regularly.
Ok, with that done, this chapter will be dedicated to those reviewed my last chapter: DigiqueenTMIM, con2020tran, KristiexxNguyen, firehottie, alexi and jack-in-the-box.
To jack-in-the-box: Well, I did manage to get off my lazy ass (and I quote) and write this, all thanks to the reviews I have received. So keep 'em comin'!
To alexi: I know the song 'Bring Me To Life' was featured in this fic, it just went under a different name because of the copy write issues. Evanescence are my favourite band, by the way ;)
Thanks to all of you guys for the reviews!!
Rika's gonna have an abrupt personality change in this episode, just so you know. You have been warned!! I'll also explore Rika and Ryo's relationship a little more, though it'll be bitter. Very bitter! You have been warned again!!
Floramon: *whispers* If you keep warning people, they won't read this fic…*coughs loudly* Um…according to the law, we have to have a disclaimer, saying that we don't own Digimon or any of their characters and that they all belong to the creators of the show. But…that's according to the law…not to Amethyst and me…
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Devil's Advocates
Chapter 13: The Calm Before The Storm
The creature screamed yet and again and as it did, the surrounding area was covered in a glaze of dusty mist; the only thing piercing through was the blood-red horizon. Though wild and vicious, the creature was still restrained by chains, one around its neck and the other two stilled onto each of its wings. The creature gave a vicious jerk of its head before once again throwing it back and screeching.
Sakuyamon still stood idle in the air, her previous question remaining unanswered. 'What is that?' Rika's eyes were glued to the silhouetted shadow of a phoenix rising in front of the setting sun. It was enormous, this creature, and she could tell it was powerful. Even more powerful than all their strength combined.
"Ryo!"
Sakuyamon turned at the sound of a scream and realised Ryo was still lying on the ground, beside his Rookie partner. From where she was standing in mid air, Sakuyamon saw Ryo cringe and try to stand, though to no avail. Then she saw Stacie run up to him. 'She must've been the one who had screamed.' Rika thought from inside her safe cacoon. She was torn between the desire to stare at the creature in awe and the notion to see if her friend was alright. He had taken a big hit, after all.
Sakuyamon drifted slowly to the ground, deciding that the second option seemed the most logical. She landed gracefully on the ground, next to Ryo and Monodramon, and separated in two. The two entities, human and Digimon, became two sperate forms, glowing in mysterious amethyst light.
Rika walked up to the teenage boy and noticed a small cut in his hand. Blood seemed to be seeping slowly from the gash and Rika could see a smear of the red substance on Ryo's cheek. Other than that, he seemed to be ok. A bit unaware, but that was only temporary.
Stacie crouched down beside the boy and Rika caught a glimpse of her hand. It too had a small gash in it, though it was smaller than Ryo's. Stacie lifted her hand to Ryo's and began to pull him up, but as she did, a fierce wind brewed around them. Hand in hand, Ryo and Stacie stood together, staring at one another, knowing exactly what was happening. Stacie had said it herself before. Mephismon wanted to combine both of their DNA so the Phoenixmon would be under their control. And while that enormous power was behind them, Mephismon could do whatever he wanted to manipulate the two.
The wind grew, creating a vicious whirlwind around the two humans. In the blood-red glow, faint sand could be seen being dug up from underneath them and getting caught in the small whirlwind.
Rika stared in awe at the sight. She had no idea what was going on and something inside her told her that she didn't want to know. Renamon stiffened beside her Tamer, fur slowly rising around her flesh.
"Whoa, that's gonna hurt in the morning."
Rika turned and saw Takato staggering up beside her, Guilmon doing much the same. Takato's goggles were slightly cracked and were lined with murky dirt. He peeled them off his forehead and threw them onto the ground. He turned to Rika and smiled. Guilmon flinched beside his own Tamer and his eyes began to turn into slits. He could feel the sinister power, the evil presence surrounding Ryo and Stacie.
"Takato! Rika!" Henry staggered up on the other side of Rika, panting and wiping his forehead of dry blood. Terriermon panted heavily beside him.
"Yeah, Takato…Rika…" The Rookie Digimon took another staggering step before stumbling and collapsing next to his Tamer, who scooped him up in his arms.
Henry looked solemnly towards both Rika then Takato, then looked towards the two encircled in a swirl of wind. Takato took in a deep breath and frowned deeply, exhaling slowly. Rika fingered her D-Power before taking a deep breath and breaking the silence that had befallen them.
"All for one and one for all, boys…" She held up her D-Power towards Ryo and Stacie's tightly closed hands. Blue light streamed out from the metallic device and struck the light engulfing the teenagers' hands. The wind howled viciously before circling up and diving into the enclosed hands. Ryo and Stacie staggered back and gasped for air, their hands separating and falling limply to their sides.
Rika smirked as the two fell backwards onto the ground, unconscious. She walked away from the two, D-Power in hand, Renamon following. "I'm not that sorry…"
Takato and Henry exchanged worried glances. She was acting a lot like the old Rika…the one who didn't care about murdering countless Digimon only to load their data. This time she had hurt both Ryo and Stacie without a second thought, and the two of them were completely innocent, weren't they? Only Rika knew the answer.
"Dude, that hurt!" Kazu stumbled forward from a shocked Guardromon and accidentally bumped into Rika, knocking her slightly backwards. But Rika kept walking, letting Kazu get away with something like that. Something was definitely wrong and everyone could see that.
Kazu looked at her for a second before turning his head to the two unconscious teenagers lying on the ground. "Guess we should help them, right?"
Takato nodded. "Yeah we should." He began to move forward and help the Ryo up but noticed Henry staring at the remains of the castle. "Henry, are you helping or not?"
Shaking his head, Henry began walking towards the castle, Terriermon groaning in his arms. "Not."
Takato began to shrug his friend's behaviour off then saw Henry's motive for walking off. Alicia was fighting with Brad over something back at the castle. Rika's twin seemed to want to do something and Brad was trying to stop her, obviously concerned.
Henry reached the castle and the two members of the Devil's Advocates stopped fighting and looked away from each other. Henry eyes them both suspiciously. "What's going on here?"
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Back in the real world, Alice was still pacing the now very familiar and worn out floor of the band's rehearsal building. She looked up suddenly and frowned at Jeri. "I'm going to call this place The Zone from now on. Don't ask why."
Jeri shrugged and looked complacently at her friend. "Ok."
Alice sighed in frustration. "How in the hell can you be so calm?! Our friends are in the Digital World, fighting for their lives if they haven't lost them by now, and you're just sitting there like the Queen of Hearts. Why aren't you freaking out like me?"
Jeri smiled at her friend. "It's called faith, Alice."
Alice stared at Jeri for a second before taking in a deep breath (A/N: wow, everyone's doing that in this chapter…). "Ok, I have an idea. We'll monitor them via Hypnos. It's better than sitting here and doing nothing."
Jeri nodded and hopped off the bench she was sitting on, brushing the excess dust off her jeans. "Good idea. And while we're there maybe they could give you something to calm you down."
Alice turned the door slowly. "Yeah, like some aspirin or maybe something a little stronger, like Vodka or something."
Jeri stared at her friend's back while exiting the building, a blank look on her face. "I was thinking more like a cup of coffee…"
**
Alicia looked up at Henry with a pleading look. "I want to help. Somehow. It's all my fault you guys are here, and I don't want you to die because of me. Please, Henry."
Henry looked at her long face and felt himself suddenly drained of all reproach and defiance. "First of all, no one's going to die; we're going to beat these guys no matter what. Second, it's so much safer for you to stay right here…with Brad." A reluctant glance towards the older boy made Henry feel slightly uncomfortable.
Brad took a step forward. "Stay with her, I'm going to help."
Before Henry could object, Brad was already running towards the still unconscious Ryo and Stacie. He looked back to Alicia who just stared at her friend's receding figure, a deep glare on her features, identical to Rika's. Alicia turned suddenly and slammed her fist into the concrete wall, denting it. She started pounding it repeatedly until Henry's warm hand encircled her own. Abruptly, she stopped and stared at Henry's hand. "It's all my fault, Henry…"
Henry softened his features at this remark. He tightly clasped his hand onto hers until he held it in his own. "Why do you say that?"
A small tear slid down Alicia's cheek and she wiped it away gingerly with her other hand. She took a shaky breath. "I can feel the pain, Henry. The pain that I created all because I came to this city. If I hadn't come here, then maybe things would be different. Rika wouldn't have lashed out at Ryo like that and so he wouldn't even be here right now. And…things would be different between you and…Alice." Another tear slid down her cheek, but this time Henry wiped it away with his own hand. He gently stroked her auburn hair, respecting her wish to not face him.
"Alicia, some things were just meant to happen…it's destiny. Maybe you coming here…no wait…I know that you coming here was destiny and that you were meant to change people's lives here. Think of your ability, it saved Ryo didn't it? And just think of how many people you could save with that ability. You are so special, never let anyone tell you any different."
Alicia laughed harshly. "I'm a freak. I can see complete stranger's futures unfold just by coming into contact with something they own or have touched. How many people can do that?"
"Not many, but that's the greatest thing about it. Don't you see? You have been chosen by something or someone to carry this talent." Henry lightly whispered into her hair.
"You mean burden?" Alicia replied bitterly.
"Gift."
At this, Alicia turned around and faced the teenage boy. How was it that he had so much wisdom and insight at such a young age? She glanced from his stone grey eyes to where his hand held hers. The bitterness inside her suddenly dissipated and she felt herself giving in to the warm security Henry was offering her.
A loud, deliberate cough made them both jump and turn around. The sight that met their eyes angered them to no end. There, standing in the corner of the castle, was Kenta, Marineangemon curled into his jacket. "Uh…hi."
Henry and Alicia just stared. How could he have not said anything to them before? Kenta watched nervously as they both continued to stare, not moving a muscle. Every fibre in his being was telling him to run, but since he was braver than that, he didn't.
"I uh, sneaked in here when Boltmon trashed MegaGargomon and Gallantmon. It was so loud so I had to huddle into the corner, and besides, Marineangemon was whimpering."
"Hey!" A high-pitched squeak left the Mega Digimon's small mouth.
"What?! Well, you were!" Kenta retorted reproachfully.
Marineangemon turned away, embarrassed. "Me…not."
Henry sighed impatiently before walking out of the half-destroyed castle. "Stay here, Kenta."
Kenta just stared as his friend receded. "Ok…" He then looked to Alicia, who held her hand to her forehead. Kenta blinked, seeing Rika flash in her twin for a second. "Hey Alicia, you really look like Rika."
Alicia turned away from him and slid down the side of the stone wall. "Thanks, I'm sure. By the way, where is Rika?" She craned her neck to sneak a look outside of the building, seeing no sign of Rika anywhere near the others.
Kenta looked as well. "Huh?"
Henry walked purposefully over to Ryo and Stacie. They were finally waking up. "Hey, you two. Welcome back."
Ryo rubbed the back of his head. "Thanks, I think. What happened?" Then he remembered Rika. "Oh…"
Takato sat back on the ground next to his older friend. "Yeah, Rika's D-Power did all this."
Ryo shook his head. "No, not her D-Power. Her."
Takato cringed, understanding. He tried to think of something reasoning to say, but nothing came. He suddenly realised something. "Where is Rika?"
Ryo scanned the area with his eyes, taking in all the damage they had inflicted to the small area as well as trying to spot Rika. "I don't know. But she's acting really strange. Ever since that kiss…" He glanced to where Stacie was sitting, hugging her legs. The two had an understanding and didn't say anything. "We should look for her."
Takato, Henry and Stacie all nodded. Takato held out his hand to Stacie after standing up himself. She took it and he pulled her up. Henry turned to Brad and Kazu and told them to stay with Alicia and Kenta back at the castle. Kazu groaned, but reluctantly did as his friend said. Brad just shrugged. Henry then turned to Stacie to say the same, but Ryo stepped in front of her.
"She's coming with us."
Takato nodded. "Let's split up, then."
Stacie looked to her left and noticed Rika walking towards them. "Look, there she is."
Rika walked towards them, Renamon shadowing her every move behind her. The blood-red sun set a perfect silhouette against the two partners. The area was still completely encased in darkness; the only dim light showing through was the sun, which cast a sickly crimson glow on the landscape.
Rika walked up to the group and smiled warmly at them. "Hey, guys."
Renamon stared hollowly through her crystal eyes, her face showing no expression as usual. Ryo noticed her hollow stare but didn't say anything. Instead he turned his attention to Rika and decided to take advantage of the strange intermission of the action. "Can we talk?"
Rika looked his way and smiled sweetly at him. "Sure, I'd love to talk, but before we do, did anyone notice that the strange Digimon has disappeared?"
Everyone looked stunned and turned towards the sky, where the firebird had once been restricted in midair. Now there was not one sign of the Digimon. In fact, everything was still, like the calm before a storm.
Ryo looked at her suspiciously, but once again said nothing. Takato held his hand up to his chin and made a surprised exclamation. Henry, however, stared accusingly at Rika.
"What did you do?"
Rika looked at him sideways, an innocent look plastered to her face. "Me? I did nothing, Henry. Why would you demand something like that of me?"
Renamon still stared blankly forward, her kitsune figure still, and yet again reminded Ryo of the calm before the storm. He took a step forward, towards Rika. "Rika, you're acting weird. What's going on?"
An amused laugh sounded and everyone turned to see who was there. There, before them, was Mephismon, a smirk plastered once again to his rough features.
Ryo lifted his head and glared at the Digimon. "I'm beginning to think that's your natural facial expression. What did you do to her?"
Mephismon glanced at Rika, then at Renamon. "They are merely my pets now. Puppets, pawns, dummies, ways for me to get what I want…whatever you'd call them, Ryo."
Monodramon stepped protectively in front of Ryo. Mephismon simply laughed.
"You really think you could stand up to the power of the almighty Phoenixmon, little Rookie. You're even more pathetic than I thought. Though, I have to admit, Millenmiummon is quite the prize. Too bad you can't bring him out as you are." Mephismon folded his arms, smirking at Monodramon.
"I'll take you on right now." Monodramon readied himself for combat.
Mephismon laughed. "You won't be taking on me, my friend. But don't worry; I'm not going to release the Phoenixmon just yet. The process is not complete yet." Mephismon shot a meaningful glance at Ryo and Stacie, who was backing away slowly. Ryo grabbed her arm with enough force to restrict her from simply running away. They both had to deal with this. Stacie, however, struggled to free herself from Ryo's strong grip.
"Ryo, you don't understand! It will kill us! The power of the Phoenixmon is too much for even the both of us to handle. We'll die out there!"
Ryo smiled reassuringly. "I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen."
Rika rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Save it Ryo, you're pathetic."
Ryo glared at her. "If I'm pathetic for loving, then what are you?"
Rika's smirked widened. "Strong."
"Why are you doing this?" Ryo's eyes softened, fury and frustration evaporating slightly.
Rika's eyes became hollow like Renamon's, pupils dilating somewhat. "I'm only doing what I was ordered to do."
Mephismon shifted. "Ordered maybe, but she's doing what she desires. You hurt her, Ryo, and now she's paying you back."
Ryo couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What about me?! Don't you think I was hurt before? Don't you think I'm hurting now? Cause if this isn't hurt, then I don't know what is. Rika made it clear that she didn't care about me and now she's practically rubbing it in my face. Not to mention what you've put me through. You choose me, of all people, to control a monster, and for what? What are you planning?" Ryo practically spat the question at the Ultimate Digimon.
Mephismon's smirk never changed. "Once again, you think this is all about you. The world doesn't revolve around you, Ryo. As for your question, well let's just say, you'll find out soon. For now, I'm just using you in a means to get what I want."
"I'm not going to let that happen!" Ryo reached for his D-Power, but a cold paw slashing his cheek stopped him. Stumbling back, Ryo caught a glimpse of Renamon, her yellow fur fixing up on end.
"Guilmon!" The reptile Digimon answered Takato's call by growling and stepped up to Renamon, but once again, it was a battle of strength. Renamon jumped up and crossed her arms.
"Diamond Storm!" Tiny diamonds formed and descended down to shatter Guilmon, who was flung back violently. Renamon moved forward and grabbed his tail before he hit the ground. She lifted him up and watched as he struggled to free himself.
"Guilmon, I'm coming, boy!" Takato ran forward to help his partner, but Renamon was faster. She flung Guilmon back into Takato and they both fell backwards, hitting the ground with a thud.
Blood seeped steadily from the three deep cuts in Ryo's cheek. He let the crimson liquid stream down, all the while glaring at Mephismon. The Ultimate held his glare with his infamous smirk.
"See this dart, Ryo?" Mephismon held a small cylinder with a tiny prick on the end up so Ryo could see it. "This is the instrument of your doom. This is the same dart that struck Rika before, consequently making her sedated and under my control. It also made her dream, of you. Do you know what she dreamed?"
The appointed question had Ryo slightly startled. He glanced at Rika, who still stared hollowly forward, her eyes drained of emotion. Cautiously, he shook his head. "No, I don't."
Mephismon looked as though he had already known the answer. "She dreamt that the two of you were in the Oasis of Dreams. You are familiar with that place, are you not?"
Ryo stared; unable to grasp at the reason Mephismon was telling him this. He did remember the Oasis; he had gone there once before when it was just Cyberdramon and himself, no one else. Before Rika, before the Chaos, before everything with the Tamers, though he wasn't aware anyone knew of that. Obviously, Mephismon had watched him for a very long time if he knew about this. The Oasis of Dreams was a place of solitude, a place of pleasure and solace. Suddenly, he knew why Rika had dreamt that the two of them were there together. Ryo nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Good." Mephismon looked as calm as the undisturbed ocean at night, once again reminding Ryo of the calm before the storm. "Rika dreamt that she had seen your scar, and had been fascinated with it. You've never told her about it, have you?"
Ryo glared, holding up his hand to his chest, lightly tracing his shirt where the scar was. "No."
"Well, she knows about it now." Mephismon clasped his hand around the dart and folded his arms again. "She also dreamt about your more, shall we say, mocking side. You weren't exactly humble in your prince attire." The Digimon smirked and watched Ryo's reaction.
"Prince attire?" Ryo breathed quietly. What was the significance of that?
Stacie stirred beside him. "It means that you could give Rika an entire lifetime of riches if she let you. An entire kingdom, if you will."
"That's right. Your friend there is very perceptive, which is another reason I chose her to be your counterpart." Mephismon exclaimed, once again being cryptic. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some other matters to attend to." He glanced at the deformed castle where Alicia, Brad, Kazu and Kenta sat around in a circle, casually conversing, unaware of what was to come. He vaporised into thin air, a relic of darkness and mystery appearing strongly where he had once been.
Rika reached for her D-Power and held it up to Renamon. "Time for an upgrade." She took out a random card from her holder and slashed it through the slot. "Digivolution activate!"
As the card slashed through, it sparked and changed colour, to a black, plain card. Renamon's data began to peel off, revealing her data, which also changed from a pale blue to a black shade. Renamon's shape changed and formed into a four-legged figure. When the skin wrapped again around her data, it was black. The icy flames of her fetlocks shredded and became crimson. The white fur around her neck remained the same, but the bow around her neck became a purple and white pattern. The nine, black tails sprouted, the tips remaining white. Her pale blue eyes glazed over and suddenly became a crimson shade. They gleamed maliciously with fury. "Kyubimon!"
Takato breathed in sharply and took a step back, noting the changes in the Champion. Her usually yellow fur and now a pure black tone, and the flames around her feet were a deep red. But the thing he noticed most were her eyes, those once deep crystal blue orb were now crimson, a vicious shade empty of emotions, all except fury. "That is NOT Kyubimon!"
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A/N: Hmm, that wasn't as long as I planned it to be, but the first half of it wasn't really planned, it just sorta happened. 0_o The Devil's Advocates didn't exactly get an explanation, but that will happen in the next chapter, promise. Not much to say except that I hope everyone remembered that Rika was hit by a dart a couple of episodes before, and consequently, she was rendered unconscious and had those *cough* strange dreams about Ryo…
So, Rika's gonna fight against her friends until something happens. *gasp* I wonder what that will be? And if anyone is confused about the plot or whatever, feel free to ask questions, although everything will be explained properly in future chapters.
Till then, toodles!
Amethyst