A/N: (: I love cliffhangers, don't you guys? And to make something clear, whenever there is a break between each character's POV ("xxxVxxx"), the events are happening within the same time frame.

Chapter 8 – The Invasion of Italy

"The fire has spread across every level of the hotel, Chief. The building is about to collapse in just moments, we need to evacuate the immediate area." A charred fireman said.

The Chief nodded in response and spoke into his radio, giving a command. He looked back over to the families waiting down the street and jogged towards them, stopping abruptly; the once, tall and beautifully decorated hotel had begun to slowly collapse. Flames ate through the structured beams within minutes, oblivious to the water gushing upon them.

Firefighters hurried away from the building, flailing their arms and shouting Italian commands at those whom had been watching.

Nearby buildings, too, had been burning away from the great fire. Catching and burning anything it touches, like a vicious disease. After several terrifying and defeating moments, the hotel collapsed into nothing more but a burning pile of rubble.

XxxVxxx

"Yes, I understand, Yamaki, that there is a portal, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do." Mr Wong clenched his fist at his side. "We monster makers have no way of sealing this portal and as of last night, we had been working steadily on the Spirit Evolution andamanmadeportal. With little success, I might add."

Yamaki slammed his hands onto the desk, "with little success? We need those kids' Digimon now. We don't have time to work on this Spirit Evolution. You told me your son said five thousand digital creatures are about to come through the portal. Well, this portal is open now. And so help me, God, that we do not have any way of concealing this problem."

Mr Wong shook his head, "I'll call Henry and ask what the situation is like in Italy."

"No need to," Riley chimed in. She walked over to Mr Wong and Yamaki, frowning. "We have estimated that approximately two hundred and ninety-three Digimon have already emerged into the real world."

"Dear God. How fast are they coming through?" Mr Wong asked.

Riley shrugged. "There's no estimate on that. It seems as though whatever can make it through the barrier between our world and theirs has come through. More are emerging as we speak."

Yamaki headed towards the door, "I'm going to Italy. Find out if those kids have had their Digimon come through a portal or not."

xxxVxxx

"Henry?"

"Dad?" Henry pressed a finger into one of his ears and his cellphone against the other. "I can hardly hear you; there is too much noise around. Is everything OK? Have you found out anything about the Spirit Evolution?"

"Henry, what is going on?" Mr Wong shouted into the phone.

"There was a fire at the hotel, dad. Everyone is fine, I hope," Henry incoherently added the last part. The truth was, he didn't know if any of his friends were safe. Because of the evacuation, he had been separated from everyone else. He ran aimlessly around the street, searching. "I'll call you back. I can hardly hear you."

Henry flipped his cellphone shut and hurried down the street. He pushed past several news reporters and a security guard. Stopping in his tracks, he recalled the events of last night and how Ryo mentioned a security guard was in on the attack with Shimizu and Nico. He turned to look.

"A Tamer?" The security guard said. "The boss ain't going to be so pleased seeing you around."

"What do you want with Italy?" Henry growled.

The security guard reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that. You and your friends will be long gone before then."

xxxVxxx

Rika listened to the sounds of water dripping into puddles. She listened for minutes before finally rolling over. The ground beneath her was cold and damp. She shot open her eyes and found Ryo laying face down with notable scratches and tears shredding through his clothes. A thick layer of soot covered his body from the ash of the fire.

She suddenly felt a tinge of pain strike through her body like lightning. She cringed in pain and looked down to see her shirt soaked with blood. She took off her shirt and examined the wound: a large cut ran from her lower left breast to her right hip. The blood glistened in the dim light.

"That's going to leave a mark," a female voice said. Rika pressed her shirt against her. Through the shadows came a tall and slim figure. "I thought the worst of Ryo and you. My apologies."

Rika left out a smile but it was wiped quickly from her face. "As to be expected of you, Renamon." Renamon nodded and kneed down beside Rika. "So how did we get out?"

xxxVxxx

"Henry! Henry, where are you?" Takato shouted. He and Jeri pushed their way through the crowd looking for Henry, whom was lost in the herd of fleeing citizens. Jeri had her hands clasped around Takato's as they searched. "Henry!"

"Do you think something happened to him?" Jeri asked, concerned.

"No," he said flatly.

Jeri gave Takato's hand a squeeze, "maybe he's back near the hotel waiting for us."

Takato shook his head, "no. He ran this way, I saw him. We just have to keep looking. And if these damn people moved out of the wa-"

"-hold it right there." A voice bellowed over the crowd. Everyone stopped moving and turned to look.

Takato gulped. "Oh, dear God."

xxxVxxx

The cellphone began to vibrate feet away from Henry's beaten body. Henry hastily stretched an arm out to grab it, but the security guard stepped on the phone, before stepping on Henry's hand.

"You're still not dead? Are you Tamers some kind of immortals? Or just the kind of people to piss me off?" The security guard roared. "I have other work to do, so just die." He pulled out his digivice and it began to glow. His body slowly began to change in front of Henry and where the once human guard stood now was a blue-armoured lion-like Digimon with white fur, holding a sword the length of its body.

The Digimon lowered its weapon down to Henry's throat. "Good-bye, annoying Tamer. Aurora Blaz-"

"Terrier Tornado!" A green tornado spun fast and knocked the Digimon off its feet. Terriermon stood in front of Henry, with his fists clenched, waiting for a fight. "Why don't ya pick on some-MON your own size!"

"Terriermon, don't make this guy even more upset," Henry warned, shaking his head. Remembering his D-Power, he pulled it out of his pocket and held it towards the enemy. The screen lit up and displayed information about the armoured-lion. "Spadamon, a warrior Digimon. His attacks are Sugar Pound, Blue Brave, and Aurora Blazer. Those attacks would sure knock your socks off."

Terriermon growled, "ready, Henry?"

Henry nodded. "Ready."

xxxVxxx

Skullsatamon hovered over Jeri and Takato, snickering. The horror in their eyes was amusing to him. "The boss is getting mad that you's kids are running away and ruining our plans."

"What do you want with us?" Takato shouted.

"Isn't that obvious?" Skullsatamon said, leaning his head to the right. "I want to kill you, quick and painfully."

"Save it, loser." Guilmon shouted. "Takato, are you alright?"

Takato smiled, "Guilmon! We're fine, but let's save the introductions for later. Are you ready to fight?" Guilmon gave a toothy grin. "Alright, let's Digivolve!" Takato pulled out a card from his back pocket and slid it through his D-Power. The card changed into blue and Guilmon began to Digivolve.

xxxVxxx

Ryo awoke, hacking out a lung. Rika sat next to him while Renamon was on lookout.

"Ryo! Are you alright?" Rika asked, rubbing his back.

Ryo glanced over at Rika and tried to smile. His eyes were blood shot red and watery. "Ye – yes, but.. I think.. I'm going to.. die from.. second hand smoke." He said between coughing.

Rika grinned, "you're an idiot."

"You love me," Ryo shot back. Rika flushed and looked away. "So how do we get out of here?"

"Renamon knows the way out," Rika explained. "She brought us here. Saved us from being murdered by that evil Digimon."

"And what about the others?"

Rika shook her head, "I don't know, but Renamon said Guilmon, Terriermon, and Cyberdramon have made it back to the real world. She never seen Guardromon, Lopmon or MarineAngemon."

Ryo frowned, "so if our Digimon have made it back, we can only safely assume that the portal is open."

"Correct," Renamon said, appearing in front of them. "The portal has been opened and the evil Digimon are now running through the city like wildfire."

"Where is Cyberdramon?" Ryo asked.

"Probably out looking for you," she replied. "Or fighting."

Ryo suppressed a laugh. "I can just about imagine the damage he has caused already. If he is out fighting, I mean."

"Right, so by time we get out of here, Italy should be demolished. Great," Rika rolled her eyes. "So let's go and kick some digital ass!"

xxxVxxx

"Atomic Blaster!" WarGrowlmon unleashed his atomic bombs from his metal plating on his chest. The attack flew at Skullsatamon, who dodged it. Skullsatamon ran at WarGrowlmon with his staff raised above his head. WarGrowlmon let out another Atomic Blaster, nailing the ground in front of Skullsatamon. A shroud of dust stood between the two opposing Digimon.

"Foolish attack there, dinodumby." Skullsatamon taunted. "Bone Blaster!" The jewel from his staff ignited and a power beam of fiery light shot towards WarGrowlmon. With the dust still thick, WarGrowlmon barely seen the attack coming. It pierced him straight through the chest. He roared in pain as he fell to his knees.

"WarGrowlmon, get up!" Takato pleaded from behind the giant dinosaur.

WarGrowlmon darted his eyes between Takato and the dust. "I can't win, he's too strong, Takato."

"You have to, buddy! You can beat him, I know you can!"

WarGrowlmon placed a paw on the ground and attempted to hoist himself up, but was knocked back down by another Bone Blaster. His data began to disperse.

"You stand no chance against me, Tamer. Accept your fate!" Skullsatamon emerged from the shroud of dust, hovering over the ground. His staff was facing toward WarGrowlmon. "Bone Blas-"

"WARGROWLMON, GET UP!" Takato ran toward WarGrowlmon. "GET UP!"

"I – I can't Takato, I'm sorry..." The dying Digimon moaned.

"-ter!"

Takato's gold-plated D-Power unleashed a surge of light as WarGrowlmon was once again struck by the powerful attack.

xxxVxxx

"Uh, Kazu, are you sure you know where we're going?" Kenta asked him, pushing up his glasses. The two were blocks away from the now burned hotel. "I don't think they would have gone off this far."

Kazu heaved a sigh, "I'm not looking for them. I'm looking for Ryo."

Kenta raised an eye brow, "why? He's probably with Rika."

"My gut is telling me that he wasn't in the hotel. I want to find him to make sure he's ok. I don't care about Rika."

"You don't mean that.." Kenta protested. "Just because you two always fight doesn't mean you don't care about her."

Kazu stopped in his tracks. "Of course I don't mean it, but she really gets under my skin. I'm worried that Ryo has found her."

"And why does that worry you?"

Kazu shot his head around in all directions, making sure it was clear no one else was around. "Because the cool guy always gets the cool girl, okay?"

Confused, Kenta nodded. "True, but why does that concern you? Ryo obviously has feelings for Rika."

Kazu grit his teeth before he blushed. "And so do I. Look, I didn't mean what I said to her back at the hotel. I was just angry about last night. It's just.. ever since the Digital World I've felt closer to her, and all of you, but, gah! I don't know." Rain brushed down onto his face as he stood there in defeat over the admittance of his feelings. He felt ashamed of himself for confessing.

"That's cool, dude. I kind of like Jeri, but Takato got to her first." Kenta took of his glasses and attempted to wipe the rain off onto a dry spot on his shirt. "I won't say anything."

"Thanks man."

xxxVxxx

Rapidmon spun around, hi-kicking Spadamon square in the jaw. Spadamon stumbled backwards, giving Rapidmon time to attack. "Rapid Fire!" Bullets emerged from Rapidmon's back making contact with Spadamon. "C'mon, is that all you've got?"

Spadamon spat on Rapidmon's feet. "I could say the same, rabbit. C'mon, I can take you." Spadamon charged at Rapidmon, aimlessly swinging his sword. The sword barely touched Rapidmon, but Spadamon was quick and unleashed an attack, sending Rapidmon sprawling.

Regaining his posture, Rapidmon quickly lunged forward, dodging all of Spadamon's next attacks. "Tri-Beam!" The attack struck Spadamon hard, knocking him to the ground. The Digimon looked up, not willing to give up. Rapidmon aimed his hand down at the almost defeated Digimon. "Homing Blast." Missiles shot out from his back and bullets from his hand made contact with Spadamon.

The Digimon roared out in pain as his data dispersed into nothing more than floating specs and all that remained was a beaten down human.

"That wasn't so hard,"Rapidmon grinned.

Henry shook his head, "you need some tact, Rapidmon. I can see you haven't changed at all, though."

Rapidmon chuckled. "You haven't changed either, Henry." He stepped toward Henry but the security guard grabbed his ankle.

The security guard looked up, his eyes shining with pride. "You will not get away with this. Shimizu will defeat you and become the greatest master to ever live.

"Yeah, yeah. Save it, bucko." Rapidmon said, shaking his leg free of the human's grasp. "Let's go find the others, Henry."

xxxVxxx

"Can you sense the others?" Rika asked Kyubimon. She and Ryo were riding on her back, scaling houses and buildings. Ryo gripped her waste tightly trying to hold on.

The yellow kitsune jumped another building and stopped. "I can sense Cyberdramon's presence." She tilted her head, "he's fighting around here somewhere."

Ryo laughed, "I wouldn't doubt that. As long as he isn't ruining everything in his path."

Rika frowned, "if it's not him ruining everything then it's Shimizu and that damned Nico."

"Damned? I thought you had a thing for him," Ryo teased. Rika rolled her eyes. "But in all seriousness, we do need to find the others. If not them, then Shimizu and fast."

Kyubimon nodded, "yes. There are far too many Digimon on the loose now." She noted a herd of Agumon walking and Pepper Breathing everything.

"Let's just keep going. No use fighting weaker Digimon when our main priority is Shimizu." Rika said, heeling Kyubimon's sides like a horse. She nodded and continued. "Keep your eyes peeled for the others, too. Well, who ever comes first anyway."

"That won't be too hard." Ryo frowned. "Look straight ahead."

Rika scowled. Nico was several buildings ahead, staring straight at them. Clutched in his hand was his more advanced version of the D-Power.

Nico's body began to overwhelm as be began his transformation into a Digimon. His arms and legs stretched out and his belly grew larger. Then, appearing before Ryo, Rika, and Kyubimon was a Digimon. Rika took one glance and burst out laughing. Her tears streamed so fast down her face that puddles formed beneath them.

"That is," she choked out while laughing so hard, "the most pathetic," Ryo rolled his eyes, "looking Digimon, ever!" She fell off Kyubimon and banged her fists on the ground from laughing. Ryo suppressed his laughter but smiled nonetheless. Never seen her laugh so hard before, he mused. "You should have just been a Garbagemon. Or maybe yourself, wouldn't have made a difference." Rika roared with laughter at her own joke.

"Enough!" The Digimon growled. His face burning from embarrassment and a touch of rage.

Ryo pulled out his D-Power and read, "Pandamon, puppet Digimon. His attacks are Animal Nails, Bamboo Punch, Panda Pummel, and Unnanshou. Ultimate level Digimon." Ryo grinned down at Rika, whom was now on her back still laughing. He was astonished by her uncharacteristic like behaviour. But then agian, he thought, she is making fun of him.

Rika hugged her sides. They ached from her fit of giggles. "This should be no problem, eh Kyubimon?"

The kitsune nodded, not taking her eyes off the Pandamon. "Never judge an old book by its cover, Rika."

Rika snorted, "and never trust a handsome looking guy to be a tough Digimon." Kyubimon rolled her eyes.

Pandamon kicked the ground and pointed at Rika. His red scarf blew in the wind. "You'll pay for this, Rika."

"Going to hug me to death?" She joked, causing the Pandamon to lunge forward.

The Digimon fired an exceptionally expeditious attack below their feet, causing part of the building to collapse. Kyubimon jumped in the nick of time with Ryo still on her back. Rika plunged towards the ground. "Panda Pummel!" With even greater speed, the Pandamon hit Rika several times before she could even blink.

xxVxx

"This isn't good," Riley shook her head in disbelief.

Mr Wong looked up at Riley. She was furiously pressing buttons on her keyboard. "What isn't?"

Riley bit her lip, "it seems that an even greater force is closing in. I can't exactly pin-point the location of it, but it doesn't look good."

"Damn," Mr Wong groaned. "I'll inform Yamaki when he calls. He should be leaving momentarily."

"It's a good thing our jet wasn't destroyed during the D-Reaper incident," she divulged. "I just wish he would have invited me along. I've always wanted to see Italy."

Mr Wong chuckled, "I hear it's beautiful. However, if we don't stop the Digimon soon, there won't be anything special left about it."

Suddenly, a phone began to ring. Mr Wong's heart skipped a beat and scrambled in his pocket for the cellphone. He frowned upon reading the name. "Yes, Dolphin?"

"Janyuu, we've finally figured it out," the voice exclaimed, excitement clearly in his voice. "We need you at the lab as soon as possible."

xxVxx

"Rika!" Ryo and Kyubimon's voices screeched in terror.

Kazu and Kenta looked up in time to see the hurt Rika land on Kazu. "Oof."

Ryo jumped off Kyubimon and rushed towards the three. He bent down beside them and grabbed Rika, cradling her in his arms. "Rika..?"

Rika stirred and left out a moan. Blood leaked from the corner of her mouth. "Da...damn that overgrown bear."

Ryo scowled, "now who's the idiot?" He wiped the blood using his thumb. "Don't make fun of the enemy, Rika."

Kazu's face grew hot as he looked at the two. "What happened?" He tried to ask casually.

Kenta straightened his glasses, "looks to me like she fell off the building."

Rika rolled her eyes, "ya'think?" She pushed herself out of Ryo's grasp and stumbled trying to stand. "Kick his ass to the curb, Kyubimon!" Rika pulled out her D-Power and slid a card through. Kyubimon's senses sharpened and became more agile.

"Are you alright?" Kazu asked, patting Rika on the back.

She doubled over in pain, coughing. More blood trickled from her mouth. "I don't care whether I'm alright or not," she told him, "I just want this damn Digimon out of my site."

Kyubimon scoured the skies and roofs but there was no sight of Pandamon. "I don't sense him anymore."

Rika swore. "Get up there and look again." Obeying her order, Kyubimon jumped onto the building opposite of the one that crumbled.

"Animal Nails!" Pandamon's voice cracked. His nails extended several inches, shimmering in the dim light. His paws were stretched out in front of him as he made a quick dash towards Rika.

"Foxtail Inferno!" Kyubimon's attack came from off the building, hitting the Pandamon. He looked up bemused.

"Do you honestly think you'd stand a chance against me?" Pandamon mocked. "You're only a champion."

"Damn right she's a champion," Kazu interrupted, shooting his fists in the air. "You don't know who her Tamer is!"

Pandamon threw back his head and laughed, "so what? You'll never be able to defeat all of us Digimon. Shimizu will take over this world before you can even finish a hundredth of us."

Rika threw Kazu a look before turning her gaze upon Pandamon. "Does he think he can actually take over the entire world? That's so cliche of a bad guy."

"Be that as it may, you are all still not nearly powerful enough to stop him." Pandamon defended. He retracted his claws. "You are just wasting your time as you are mine."

"So are you just going to run away then?" Ryo finally spoke up.

Pandamon shook his head and pawed at his scarf. "I was thinking. I won't kill any of you if you just join us. What do you say, Rika?"

Rika scoffed. "Not in a million years. I'd lose my title being seen next to a Digimon like you."

Pandamon grit his teeth. "Fine. You're going to be the first on my kill list then. Panda Pum-"

"Desolation Claw!" A wave of powerful and bright light emerged from behind, knocking Pandamon into several trash cans."

"Told you that you should have been a Garbagemon," Rika jested with a smug look on her face.

Kazu and Kenta left out a small laugh. "You never change."

Rika turned to them and glared, "and why should I? Just because we're in a different country doesn't me-"

"Enough," Ryo hissed. "We need to focus."

"Who left you in charge?"

"Stop it Rika!"

Cyberdramon stood behind Ryo, staring at the Pandamon. Pandamon regained his stance, contracting his claws once more. "So this is how you want to play, huh? Two on one? We'll see who's the better mon here."

Ryo peered up behind him. Cyberdramon sighed from the all too familiar look. "Go easy on him, he's human under that fur."

"Desolation Claw!" Cyberdramon roared again. Pandamon, however, dodged it easily but was hit with an unexpected blow from Kyubimon. He shook it off before dodging another attack from the cyborg.

Using quick and agile moves, he kicked Kyubimon hard in the ribs before unleashing his Bamboo Punch on Cyberdramon. His attacks landed but easily bounced off Cyberdramon's rubber armour. Cyberdramon grinned, retaliating with his Cyber Nail. Pandamon stumbled back, huffing just as Kyubimon pounced on him, biting hard into his neck.

"Arg! Get off me you ugly mutt!" Pandamon turned around and jabbed his claws deep into Kyubimon's stomach. She roared in pain as she collapsed to the ground. Rika ran over to her, placing a hand on her open wound. Kyubimon threw her an apologetic look.

Cyberdramon narrowed his eyes, "she's a fox. Desolation Claw!" The attack hit Pandamon by surprise and he finally doubled over, out of energy. "I can see you were all talk. You barely put up a fight."

"Hmph, it's not over yet." The panda sneered. Before he could make another move, Cyberdramon drove his nail through him and the panda fell to the ground, defeated. The data drifted off and Nico appeared before them, semi-unconscious. Using the last bit of his energy, he crawled towards Rika. "I-I'm so sorry."

Rika raised an eyebrow. "For what? Almost killing me and my partner?"

He nodded, not willing to look her in the eyes. She couldn't tell from his blank facial expression whether or not he was lying. She simply turned her head. "They're coming."

"What?" She snapped.

Nico gulped. "They're com-" Before he could say much more, he fell into an unconscious sleep.

Everyone exchanged glances. "What do you suppose he meant?" Kenta asked.

Ryo shrugged. "More Digimon? Who knows. We better go find the others though. Rika, Kyubimon? Are you two fine?"

Rika frowned. "She's hurt pretty bad. Maybe we should find someplace safe before we find the others. Cyberdramon can carry her until then."

"Good idea. We do need a hideout so we can come up with a plan. And...rejuvenate of course. What do you suppose we should do with him though?"

"Throw his body into a river?" Cyberdramon growled. Ryo shook his head. "I think I know of a good place to rendezvous."

xxVxx

A/N: Ok, ok, I know. The writing got a little sloppy towards the end.