Chapter Four: It's Rika's Life
"Ok, explain it to me again." Rika, once again, found herself in Yamaki's office.
Yamaki was sitting in his usual spot behind the desk with his interlocked fingers resting below his shades, Riley was standing by his side, and Shibumi was off to the side, putting together …something from the junk scattered around a nearby reclining chair.
"As Shibumi explained to us," Yamaki sighed, probably tired and frustrated. "The deletion explosion in the Digital World did not completely wipe out all data in the network. Packets of data escaped thru the portals and are trying to bio-emerge here, in the real world." He said, while sitting back in his chair.
Hearing this Rika nearly jumped out of her chair. "Hold on, are you saying that Ratzilla out there was some kind of Digimon?"
Yamaki leaned forward, as if preparing to 'once again' explain, until…
"Yes and No," Shibumi interrupted, having finished with whatever he was doing with the chair. "While these creatures do posses the ability to bio-emerge and also have the ability to absorb data from others like them. They don't posses the structural integrity to maintain a physical form in our world. Therefore, they infuse themselves into something from our world to hold themselves together. I guess you could call them Data Corrupts; things from the real world corrupted by incomplete data." He finished up; rubbing his beard with one hand.
Rika, Riley, and Yamaki repeatedly blinked at the Monster Maker.
"Ok, let's say I understand all that." Rika said, pushing a lock of hair out of her face. "How does that explain what happened to Takato? He looks like dino-boy! It can't be coincidence that his data just decided to corrupt gogglehead!" She moved her hand moved from her hair and started to wave it around frantically, emphasizing her point.
Nonchalantly nodding his head, Shibumi said "If you would follow me please," and began walking from the room, motioning for the other three to follow him. When they were half-way down the corridor, he began talking again, not bothering to look at any of them. "You were right; it was no coincidence that Takato got corrupted by Guilmon's data because it wasn't corruption."
"Wait! You just said…" Rika said, coming up on his left and trying to look him in the face.
"Yes, but the situation is different." Shibumi kept up a steady pace and a calming neutral voice, but his eyes began to squint and the mark on his head glowed slightly, making him look lost in thought. "The Corrupts would have begun making their way to our world after the detonation. But it would have taken them a while to find and open the portals, which is why they are only now arriving. Your partners' data had another route to this world."
"What, did they piggybacked on our digivices, or something?" Rika asked, half stumbling in her stride.
"For the lack of a better term; yes." Shibumi continued, not breaking stride or that annoying calm in his voice. "At the moment of the explosion, their remaining data was pulled toward the only remaining bond they had, with you. The D-Arks thus used up the energy that kept them solid in our world in order to ensure that your partners' data could reach you."
Rika was caught off guard after she realized she had been lead to the large waiting room where the remaining tamers and families were waiting.
For the first time, Rika really notice the oddities about her friends. Henry was massaging his hands and lower arms like mad. Jeri looked like she just woke up from the worst night sleep, ever. 'Mr. Perfect' didn't look so perfect with his right arm hanging limp at his side. Kazu, who normally was so hyper and jumpy, was very slow and occasionally jerked as he moved. Kenta had a glazed look in his eyes, as if he wasn't fully aware of what was going on around him. Suzie was being more vocal than her brother; while also rubbing her arms, she was also complaining to her mother also about having a bad headache.
It took awhile for Rika to spot Ai and Mako, until she saw them hiding behind the couch Takato was sprawled out on; the dark area being as far away from the window that completely covered the other wall.
"Welcome to the NEW digital age, Ms. Nonaka." Yamaki said grimly.
(renewing audio devices)
Jyanyu Wong took a deep breath. "I'm not cut out for this." He said while trying to straighten his back out.
"What's the matter Tao? This too much work for an old programmer like you?" Babel joked as they both deposited their load onto what everyone dubbed, 'Shibumi's Chair'.
"You're one to talk," Curly said with a smile. "Who was it that came running in here this morning, completely out of breath, and asking 'What did I miss?'" As she was talking, she positioned the sleeping Takato in the proper spots according to Shibumi's directions. "I remember when you were the gofer for the team because 'you had the energy of a teenager', as you said."
"Besides," Jyanyu said, catching his breath. "I don't know if it's from the infusion or natural growth, but Takato gotten a lot heavier."
The Monster Makers had a moment of silence while Dolphin and Shibumi continued tinkering with the mechanics that appeared SLAPPED onto the otherwise normal leather recliner. "No offence Shibumi, but, Dolphin, do you honestly think this…" he tapped the chair with his foot. "…contraption will do what he says it'll do?"
"No offence taken, Tao." Shibumi offhandedly said without looking up.
Dolphin, meanwhile, leaned back to sit on his heels. With a reassuring smile, he spoke to Jyanyu. "Well, despite the fact that this has never been done before, the hardware design is sound. Mind you, I never thought of this being possible, but with all that's happened, I been reformatted if it doesn't work."
"That should do it." Shibumi said while standing back up.
With a small humm and the power from two car batteries, individual specks of data began flowing from Takato's head and hands to the three, former, document scanners positioned in corresponding places. Jyanyu caught from the corner of his eyes that Shibumi's eyes were closed and the symbol on his forehead was once again glowing.
The Monster Makers stared in awe for several minutes, basking in the almost mystical feel of the scene… until an earth-shaking explosion knocked them all to their feet.
Babel was the first to make it to the window, followed by the other programmers. They all saw a cloud of smoke and dust had erupted about ten blocks away. Moments later, the next square block caved in on itself, creating another pillar of smoke. "That can't be good."
(uploading soundtrack)
Rumiko Nonaka was not having a good week. First, she went to the New Year's Eve party with Rika; getting to meet the families of all her little friends. While that wasn't so bad, Mr. Shioda and Mr. Kitagawa couldn't seem to get over the fact that she was 'the famous model, Makino'. Sigh fan-boys at any age, she guessed. Then, her world nearly crumbled when Rika collapsed at the park. At the time, while she was also concerned about the other kids, nothing shook her more than the fact that her baby girl was hurt. Then, Rumiko's heart nearly broke again when she saw Rika stumble, knowing how much her daughter's pride meant to her. Followed closely by her baby being heartbroken from hearing that her friend, Renamon, was gone.
From there, things got Strange!
Mr. Yamaki brought Rika and the Matsuki boy back, but now Rika's friend was now RED!
To top it all off, she and Rika were now watching with everyone else, as parts of the city, for apparently no reason, started crumbling. "What is going on?" she asked.
"It's another one of them."
Rumiko turned to her daughter and was shocked by the look on her face. Never, not even when her ex-husband was brought up, had she ever seen Rika so livid. As if this 'one of them' had taken something priceless from her."What is it dear?"
"A Data Corrupt." Rumiko looked on in horror as her baby girl turned around headed to the door. "I'm going down there." She heard her daughter say.
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
Riley was slightly shocked at the Nonaka girl's statement, but orders were orders, "Not so fast Rika," she said as Talley, herself, and two guards got between the girl and the door.
Talley spoke strongly, "Mr. Yamaki said that none of you should leave until Takato's data transfer is done."
"Besides," she added, "You haven't recovered yet. You won't stand a chance!"
Rika paused in front of her and spoke in an unruffled voice. "I hate to disappoint you, but I am stronger than I look."
"Rika, don't go!" Ms. Nonaka pleaded, her arm outstretched to her daughter. "Please, I couldn't stand it if I lost you."
"Sorry, mom." Rika whispered back in a tone that Riley barely heard.
Then, with three quick motions; the agile young girl slipped a hair tie from her wrist, pulled her hair back into it's normal spiked bun, and before anyone could stop her, phased out right in front of everybody's eyes.
"Darn it!" why doesn't anyone ever listen? She fell in step with everybody else as they hurried down the stares.
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
Rika felt a rush as she moved like a shadow from the 10th floor to the lobby. No wonder why she did it so often. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she dashed pass the various workers and straight out the front door. Renamon; you said you would always protect me. I believe in you.
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
Rika skidded to a halt on the main walkway in front of Metropolitan Government Building, as the dust from a third implosion settled on the far side of the clearing. "WHOEVER YOU ARE, COME AND GET SOME! I'M READY!" she taunted.
"Rika!"
That voice, oh no, not him! A different chill ran down her spine as the dust cloud began to sparkle, turning into a cool fog. Images began flashing thru her mind. Visions of horrified faces frozen in their cold prisons and the sickening smile that delighted in putting them there.
"Rika… found you… mine… Tamer!"
Creep Rika thought as soon as she heard that last word. Keep it together Rika. He was dust long ago and if he's not, then it your job to send him back. Rika steeled her nerves and strained her eyes to see what she HOPED wasn't there.
Then the fog billowed forward as a lone figure walked from it. It was human-shaped but it's entire body was made of ICE. Along the lower arms and at its shins there were frozen metal guards. There were metal and cloth wings folded along its back and, strangely enough, and a wheel on the outside of each of it's heels. "So… you just couldn't stay deleted, could you… Icedevimon!" Rika bit those last words, as if they stung like cold fire on her tongue.
It's my life
It's now or never
His cold, hate-filled eyes pierced down to female before him. She would have been his if not for that lizard and fox. She is out of my reach. –screeccccccchh— ARGH, no! She will be mine! If not with me then, within me! "Rika… ABSORB!" he yelled out as the wheels at his feet begun spinning, rapidly launching him forward.
Rika narrowly dodged out of the way as he brought his fist down on the spot she had been standing. "So you wanna play rough, fine by me!" Rika yelled as she brought a fist around to punch him back.
"Ahhh!" He drew great pleasure as she stopped; her hand had turned pale-blue and coated in ice from touching him. He licked his icy lips and wondered what she would taste like.
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
"Rika!" Henry yelled as he and everyone, besides Takato and Shibumi, ran thru the entrance.
"Leave alone!" the creature yelled before turning it's head to face him and the other tamers. "ICE SCREAM!" it yelled as a wave of ice and snow rushed out of it's mouth and built up into a tundra between us and the plaza.
"No!" I yelled while pounding my fist onto the ice wall, "We got to help her!"
"Heh, help self!" the monster said as it turned back to Rika; who had fallen to her knees a few feet away, cradling her frozen hand close to her. "Absorb Rika, they next."
The monster's last words seemed to make Rika bristle. Henry watched in awe as she slowly stood up and looked the creature in the eyes, data swirling around her. "NOT ON YOUR LIFE!" she yelled as the data began to spin faster, condensing into an orb. Henry mouthed along with the words he heard. Data Infusion!
(It's my life)
Rika was lost in thought as the data enveloped her. Only one concept was running thru her mind. No body hurts my FRIENDS! With that, a comforting tingle filled her body.
My heart is like an open highway
Like Ryo said
I did it my way
Ryo's jaw hung loose when the bubble popped. It was Rika, but… wow! Her skin was now covered by a soft, light coat of yellow and white fur; her ears were now two inches longer and pointed at the tip; her feet had changed so that she was balancing on eight white paw pads instead of heels and toes; and finally, a bushy tail had come out of her spine, right above where her jeans had been hanging loosely on her, it's tip reaching to halfway down her shins.
"DIE!" the monster yelled, once again swinging a fist at her, but when the fist was a few inches from her face… she disappeared.
I just wanna live while I'm alive
"Hey, Frosty!" Rika taunted as she phased back in behind him. "Try blocking this, DIAMOND PAW!" Her fist turned into hard gemstone as it connected with Neo-Icedevimon's shoulder, breaking off chunks of crushed ice and sending cracks along the rest of his body.
"Aggh!" He yelled, spinning around to attack her face-on again. "Wench, Die, SWEET DEMISE!" Cones of colored ice appeared from inside his wings, flying at the fox-girl.
"Correction, I'm a vixen!" she yelled back stretching her hands upward, "VIXEN STORM!" A ring of blue fireballs formed over her hands. As she brought her hands forward, the fireballs launching forward, melting the colorful spears as they crossed paths, and each one hitting a vital point on neo-Icedevimon.
"NOOO! ICE SCREAM!" In one final, desperate attempt by the ice demon, it launched another wave of ice and snow. This time aiming at the foxified Nonaka.
"Oh, yes." She taunted back as she jumped thru the oncoming blizzard and went in for one more attack, "Now stay dead, DIAMOND PAW!" Once again, her fist became precious stone. This time, being powered by all of her loathing for this creature, the impact on the monster's face caused his whole body to shatter. The pieces of ice turning back into data and… a vendor's ice cream cart!
Rika's eyebrows rose as her face remained placid. "Huh, go figure." …what a stupid thing to possess.
'Cause it's my life
Suzie followed as everyone headed thru the melting ice wall. Ryo was the first to reach Rika, and Suzie thought she recognized the strange smile on the legendary tamer's face. He better not be doing what I think he is.
"Hay Rika!" Ryo yelled, even thou he was right in front of the data-infused girl. "Those were some FOXY moves!" he said while grabbing Rika's hand.
He did… Suzie thought as she turned away from the coming carnage. She heard the war cry of, "SHUT IT WITH THE STUPID PICKUP LINES, RYO!" followed by the sounds of a double-fisted, Rika-patented, ego-breaking beating. Stupid boys.
(End Soundtrack)
Author's Notes: The lyrics were (with some editing) taken from Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" Also, one/two line(s) in this story was taken from another show. Guess which lines and which show correctly, and I'll give you a fanfic-cookie (one that you can only eat in fanfic reviews).