Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of the associated franchises. I am just using them to entertain the masses with a good story. I only own the characters, plot, and other story elements that I had to create.

Chapter 5

A Duet, a Duel

The next morning Henry got dressed and checked his calendar. It was December 22nd. Three days till Christmas. He had already finished his Christmas shopping before school was out, so he had a day to kill. He went into the kitchen where his mother was making breakfast and ate some of the eggs she was frying. He then went back to his bedroom and laid his plate with a couple fried eggs on the bed for Terriermon to eat. He stretched as he sat down at his computer. That is when he noticed the paper airplane sitting beside his mouse pad and he remembered what had happened the night before. He picked up the plane and turned to Terriermon who had already eaten the eggs and said, "Come on. We need to take this to Renamon or Rika at the very least."

Terriermon nodded his head as he jumped up onto Henry's shoulder and they snuck out of the house before the torment of Terriermon's life, Suzie, could get her hands on the bunny digimon. They were walking down the street a few minutes later. As they walked Henry tried to think of why someone would try to send Renamon a message. Heck, he didn't know if it was a message, but it was the only thing that made sense. He took a short cut through Shinjuku Park and decided to stop in on Guilmon. When he reached Guilmon's hideout Takato was their with his daily bread delivery.

Takato noticed Henry walking up and he waved as he said, "Hey Henry."

Henry got closer before he said, "Hey, how are things with you?"

Takato smiled as he said, "I am good, actually finished my Christmas shopping yesterday."

Henry nodded his head as he said, "Good, then you can come back me up when I go to Rika's."

Takato gave Henry a strange look when he said, "Why would you go to Rika's house?"

Henry reached into the backpack he was wearing and pulled out the paper airplane. He told Takato what happened and Takato could see why Henry wanted back up. Knowing Rika, she would think it was a joke or something and rip the paper airplane up. After Guilmon finished his breakfast the four of them headed out for Rika's.

They were at Rika's house a little while later, only being delayed by a group of kids who tried to steal Terriermon off of Henry's shoulder. Henry and Takato stood in front of Rika's front gate for ten minutes. Neither Henry, Terriermon, or Takato wanted to be the one to knock on the door, so they made Guilmon do it. After a few seconds the door opened and it wasn't Rika. It was Rika's grandmother. She smiled at them and said, "Hello, can I help you?"

Takato got in front of Guilmon, trying to hide him as he said, "We would like to talk to Rika."

Seiko nodded her head and said, "Sure, she and Renamon are in the living room." Seiko turned to lead them through the house, but Henry and Takato hadn't noticed. They had turned their head toward each other in surprise. Since when did Rika's grandmother know about Renamon? They would have stayed like that longer but Terriermon used his ears to knock Henry and Takato's heads together, and bring them back to reality.

They followed Seiko into the house. When they rounded the corner for the living room, they saw Rika and Renamon were playing a board game, Scrabble. Apparently Seiko had been playing with them because there was a spot for her on the board. Rika turned her head and said, "Hey goggle heads, what are you doing here?"

Henry walked over as he said, "Well, last night Calamon came to my house from Shinjuku park with a paper airplane, and…"

Rika sighed as she said, "Get to the point brainiac."

Henry took his backpack off and set on the in front of him. He pulled the airplane out as he said, "Well, I would have just thrown it away, but it's got a seal on the wings. It also has Renamon's name on the side."

Rika turned toward Henry with a bit of surprise as he handed it to Renamon. She looked at the paper airplane for a second before she used her claw to break the seal and she unfolded it. On the inside there were only three words. It read:

Renamon

H……………………E…………………..L……………………P

Roy

Renamon looked at the note for few seconds before she handed it to Rika. Rika looked at, the letters looked like a poor attempt at cursive hand writing, but they were legible. Still, why would Roy send a message like this? Rika's head said that it was just a practical joke, but there was something to this message. She could feel it in her gut.

Henry and Takato looked at the note over Rika's shoulder and Takato asked, "Roy, isn't that the name of the kid who fought off those bank robbers."

Henry nodded his head as he said, "Yeah, I heard that name on the news yesterday, but I doubt it is the same guy."

Rika didn't take her eyes of the paper as she said, "No, it is the same guy."

Takato looked at Rika as he asked, "How can you be sure?"

Rika handed the message to Seiko as she said, "I know because a few days ago Renamon, my grandma, and I went to the hospital where he was staying and thanked him for saving Renamon's life. My grandmother had only found out about Renamon that morning, and we decided that Roy deserved a thank you straight from Renamon, not some anonymous message."

Henry stood up as he put his hand on his chin. He thought for a few seconds before he said, "Still, something is strange about this whole thing."

Rika nodded her head and was about to agree when her, Takato, and Henry's digivices went off. Rika pulled her off its belt clip and said, "There is a digimon. Come on Renamon." With out another word Renamon stood up and disappeared into the shadows. Rika quickly grabbed her deck of the table and ran out the door.

Henry and Takato quickly followed with Terriermon and Guilmon right behind them. Seiko sighed as she put a word on the game board and said, "Will finish the game later." She stood up and went to go take a nap.

The group of tamers and digimon ran down the street. The digimon had bioemerged in the park. As they ran Renamon followed silently in the shadows, but she still couldn't get the message out of her head. She looked ahead as she thought, "Roy, what has happened to you?"

At the Hypnos building the place was busy. Yamachi made sure he had the digimon location before he pressed the call button on his head set and said, "Agent Slayer, time for your first mission. There is a digimon in Shinjuku Park, in the area of the newly constructed outdoor concert area. You are to go out and destroy that digimon, and if you see those three digimon that have over stayed their welcome in the real world, destroy them as well."

In Roy's room, Yamachi's voice was like a bomb for Roy. He knew it was coming, but he didn't know when or for what reason. The control program took complete control of Roy's body and guided him to the room down the hall. He grabbed the sword that was leaning against the wall. He strapped it to his belt, and headed out to do his new job. He took the black sunglasses out of his pocket and put them on. This was the Roy who was under Yamachi's control. The blackness reflecting that mad man's evil persistence and will to do anything to get a job done. He left the Hypnos building, and took a breath of the cold air. Roy felt the cold air in his lungs, but could not enjoy it for a second later the control program had him running at a full sprint toward the digimon's location.

The tamers reached the new outdoor theater structure. There were many rows of stone benches that all faces a large stage that was covered by a white stone sound shell. The whole area was enveloped by fog, and on the stage stood a single figure. The digimon was a little taller then a human, and covered in a pitch black cloak. The only part of his body you could see was his head, which was only a mask that looked like the mask from the phantom of the opera. Otherwise, he was just a phantom, a loose combination of digital data. Henry took out his digivice and waited a second for the analyzer to come up. When it did he read it aloud, "Operamon, a lover of the fine art of opera, but don't get on his bad side. His weapons are a sword he conceals in his cloak and his voice. Special attacks are Soprano Slice and Musical Duel."

Rika turned her head and said, "Musical Duel, what the heck is that?"

Henry shrugged as he said, "Knowing our luck, we are about to find out." With that the group ran up to the stage and Renamon, Terriermon, and Guilmon jumped up onto the stage. Operamon turned around and said in a low, calm voice, "Well, it looks like I have an audience, but I am not in the mood for a quartet, how about a duet." With that Operamon used his Soprano Sword to knock Guilmon and Terriermon off the stage. He then turned to Renamon and said, "Musical Duel."

In a second it seemed that music filled the air from an orchestra they couldn't see. Operamon then pulled out his sword as he began to sing

Well, well, well, what do we have here?
Rookie Digimon, ooooh, I really scared
So you're the ones everybody's talking about, ha, ha

Operamon at that moment lunged at Renamon with the blade and he began to fight with her. He swung his blade around enough that she couldn't attack, and she couldn't escape. All she could do is dodge and block. As he swung his sword Operamon continued to sing.

You're joking, you're joking
I can't believe my eyes
You're joking me, you got to be
You can't be the right guys
Your weak, you're scrawny
I don't know which is worse
I my just split a seam, if I don't die laughing first.

Operamon's sword slices began to increase in speed, and Renamon was having trouble staying ahead of him. As he fought, he continued to sing

Now when a powerful digimon says
There's trouble close at hand
You'd better pay attentions now
Because I 'm a Operamon
And if you aren't shaking
Then there's something very wrong
Cause this may be the last time
That you hear me deadly song

As the song continued Operamon's speed and strength seemed to get stronger. Renamon got ahead of him enough and was able to land a punch. She then back off, but Operamon seemed unharmed. He raised his head up and then charged at Renamon again as he sang:

Well if I'm feeling antsy
And there's nothing much to do
I might just cook a special batch
Of my snake and spider stew
And don't you know the one thing
That would make it work so nice?
A tall vixen digimon to add a little spice

Renamon dodged the blows, and tried to tell the guy off, but her voice wouldn't respond. Operamon noticed she was trying to speak and he said, "Here dear, why don't I make it a duet." Operamon was about to say something when he noticed Terriermon and Guilmon get back on the stage. He quickly turned toward them and used his Soprano sword to knock Terriermon and Guilmon out, and off the stage again as he said, "The show is started, and new actors aren't allowed." He then turned back to Renamon and said, "Now, where was I. Oh yes, Musical Duet Duel." Renamon suddenly felt strange, and then she began to sing along with the ghostly music

Stop right now or you will face the dire consequences
Rika expects me to destroy you
So please, hold still a second

Operamon chuckled as he said, "You have a marvelous voice my dear, but you are no match for me." He then waited for a few seconds before he sang

You're joking, you're joking
I can't believe my ears
Would someone shut this gal up?
I'm drowning in my tears
It's funny, I'm laughing
You really are too much
And now, with your permission
I'm going to do my stuff

The music paused for a second as Henry asked, "What is he going to do?"

Operamon chuckled and turned toward Henry as he said, "I am going to do the very best I can."

Operamon then began singing some filler music that sounded like someone mourning over the death of someone close. After doing that four times Renamon was able to get away from him and get to the other side of the stage as he sang:

OH, the sound of rolling dice
To me is music in the air
Because I am a gambling Operamon
Although I don't play fair
It's much more fun, I must confess
When lives are on the line
Not Mine, of course, but yours, little miss
Now that'd be just fine

Renamon was getting annoyed with this guy, and she beginning to wonder what would happen at the end of the song, During the whole thing it seemed like Operamon was dancing, and all the while his sword was beginning to glow brighter and brighter. Against her better judgment, she tried to say something normally, but instead she sang:

You make yourself sound so very powerful
But I know better, I will take you down

Operamon smiled as he pointed the tip of his blade at her and slowly began to walk towards her. As he sung:

Oh, brother, you're something
You put me in a spin
You aren't comprehending
The position that you are in
It's hopeless, you're finished
You haven't got a prayer
Because I am the great Operamon
And you are officially dead

With that Operamon swung his blade in a wide arc and released a massive attack, energy built up while he was singing the song. It struck Renamon squarely on the chest, and she went flying back into the audience seats. Rika ran after her while Henry and Takato looked at Operamon in fear as he moved closer to them. Suddenly a black blur came out of nowhere, and clashed blades with Operamon. Operamon backed off from Takato and Henry. He quickly spun around and looked at the strange attacker. He grunted as he said, "You, a mere human are trying to stop my grand opening opera. You will pay."

The man just looked at Operamon with no fear on his face as he said, "If you want a true challenge, try to conquer me with your weak lyrics."

Operamon growled as he said, "You dare insult me lyrics. You will pay for your disrespect."

The man in black smiled as he said, "Well then, let the duel begin. Do you know the song The Devil went Down to Georgia?"

Operamon smiled, this guy was just begging for trouble. That song was the one of the two strongest songs in his arsenal, and he was asking for it. Well, Operamon thought, might as will give it to him. With that he held his sword in a battle pose as he said, "Let the Musical Duel begin."

The invisible band began to play again, but now it sounded like a small group and it sounded like a country song, with a central fiddler player. Henry and Takato watched as Operamon looked the guy down, and this mysterious gut just smiled as the music reached the beginning of the song. He took a breath and sang:

A digimon went down to Georgia he was looking for a soul to steal
He was way in a bind because he was way behind and he was willing to make a deal
He came across this young man wielding a sword and doing it quite well
And the digimon jumped up onto a stage and said Boy let me tell you what

Operamon jumped in at that point, planning to play the part of the digimon in the song. He pointed his sword at the human and sang:

I bet you didn't know but I am a swordsman too.
And if you care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you.
Now you swing a pretty good sword, but give this digimon his due
I bet my sword against your soul because I think I'm better then you

The human smiled as the song continued and he sang

Well, my names Roy and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, because I'm the best that's ever been.

Then, a voice came out with the band and while Roy and Operamon's swords clashed the song continued by singing
Roy you raise your sword up and battle with your heart
Because hells broke loose in Georgia and Operamon deals the cards
And if you win you'll get his sword, hard a diamonds, but if you lose this digimon gets your soul

Operamon and Roy split apart and stared each other down. The fiddle in the invisible band played some fast notes, and then the voice in the air sang:

The digimon raised he sword up high and he said, "I start this show."
And fire flew from his fingers and traveled up his sword.
He drove the sword into the ground and it made an evil hiss
And a bunch of evil ghosts appeared and the battle continued like this

The fiddle in the music played a quick pace with an evil tone as the ghosts flew at Roy. He dodged each attack thrown at him and struck down each ghost with deadly accuracy. He waited for the song to advance a bit before he smiled and sang

When the digimon finished Roy said, your pretty good Operamon
But you stand in that place right there and let me show you how it's done.

Roy charged Operamon before the digimon knew what was going on. He put Operamon on the defensive and made him back off and circle the stage as the voice in the wind sang the chorus for the song. As their swords clashed the invisible singer came out of the band and sang:

He played fire on the mountain run boys, run

(brief fiddle interlude)
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun

(brief fiddle interlude)
Chicken in a bread pan picken' out dough
(brief fiddle interlude)

Daddy is your sword dull. No child, no

(brief fiddle interlude)

When it was done Roy ran his blade through Operamon's side, and the digimon backed off. He sighed as the voice in the air sung

The digimon bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat
He laid that sword of his down near Roy's feet. Roy shook his head and said,
Digimon you won't get to try again
For I was told once, and with great intention, your death comes on my swords blade.

With that Roy drove the swords blade through the mask that was Operamon's face. The mask cracked, and then Operamon broke into a million bits of data. The music ended instantly, leaving only the silence of the park. The digital fog lifted, and Henry was about to thank the stranger when he noticed he was still holding his sword while he walked toward Terriermon and Guilmon.

Henry then realized that this guy wasn't done, and he yelled at Terriermon and Guilmon to get out of the way. It wasn't a second later when Roy tried to cut them to ribbons, but thanks to Henry's warning they got out of Roy's attack range. Guilmon and Terriermon continued to dodge Roy.

Back in the stands Rika was practically paralyzed. Renamon had woken up in the middle of the song, and soon knew why Rika wasn't saying anything. This guy who slain this powerful digimon was the same guy who had saved Renamon's life. Renamon turned to Rika and said, "Rika, this must be why he sent us that note. We have to find out why he is doing this."

Rika nodded and she ran up the aisle between the seats while Renamon made a great leap and landed on the stage. Roy's attention shifted to the weaken fox digimon, and he looked at her coldly. He then ran up and began to do battle with her. Unlike with Operamon, Renamon was down in a few seconds. Roy was standing over her, ready to drive the blade in, and for a second time seemed to stop.

In side Roy, he tried with all his heart and soul to stop the final stroke. He struggled against the many mental chains that bound him to this metaphorical wall, but he couldn't break them. Finally, the control program lifted the sword to finish Renamon off, and Roy exploded with anger and determination. He would not kill her. He pulled against the chains, and then started to feel them give way. With a few more seconds of pulling his right arm, his sword arm broke free of the chains. The change in control sent his body off balance. Outside, the control program was trying to stab Renamon right in the heart, but Roy was holding it off. Finally, Roy used the last of his strength and drove the sword into his own body. He stabbed it through his thigh. The sudden impalement weakened the control programs grip on Roy enough that he was able to shed his first tears in a long time. He then looked up at Renamon and said, "Please, I don't want to kill anymore. I don't want to kill you."

Renamon was about to reach up and touch him when Roy saw new chains begin to form around his body. The control program was regaining control. He quickly used the last of his strength and said, "Run, please, for your own safety, RUN."

Renamon looked at him with shock as the many emotions that filled Roy's eyes for that brief moment began to fade and the emotionless digimon slayer began to reemerge. Though Renamon didn't like the idea of it, she knew they had to run. She quickly got away from Roy and picked Rika up. She then turned to Henry and Takato and said, "We can't defeat him. We have to run."

Rika began to struggle against Renamon's grip, but then remembered her dream, and slowly nodded her agreement to Henry and Takato. Not taking this as a good sign, Henry quickly picked Terriermon up and the group fled the area. Roy held himself there as long as he could, but when the control program regained complete control. He didn't take chase. It instead directed him back to Hypnos to get the wound treated.