Author's note:
I had it pointed out to me that Rika's grandmother is really named 'Seiki', and this is accurate. In my defence, I can only say that, when I started writing her in, I didn't know, nor did I think to check. As frequently happens (with me, anyway), I chose the name 'Yuka' deliberately; exchange student living with a friend of mine that I met a few times. So it's a personal choice, but if all of FF.Net (Or, at least, everyone reading my stories) wants me to change it, I shall.
And now, on with the story...
==Friday
"Takato..." Jeri called. Takato looked up, and saw Jeri running towards him. "Taaakaaatooo..." she said again.
Takato smiled, holding his arms out. "Jeri. This is so perfect."
"Soon we'll be together forever..." Jeri said softly, coming closer. "Takato..."
Takato felt his heart leap. "Jeri...I l-"
"TAKATO!"
"GAAAHHH!" Takato almost took out Henry, standing up so fast. "Wha...what's happening?"
"Takato?" Henry asked, confused look on his face. "Come on, lunch is almost over. You gotta stop staying up so late playing with Guilmon."
"Lunch, right. Great timing, Henry." Takato muttered darkly, going inside.
Henry shook his head. Terriermon crept out of the bushes. "Ahem?" the digimon prodded. "Was he or wasn't he?"
Henry sighed. "Alright, he was. Here." Henry handed his partner a chocolate bar he had been saving for after school. "That boy needs a hobby."
"Maybe you could ask him for some advice, eh?" Terriermon chided.
"Put a sock in it."
=====
Digicross Tamers episode 19
"Friend versus Tamer...Taomon, decide!"
=====
Nami looked over the class, sighing a bit. Hitomi's seat was empty today; she had taken ill with a flu bug that had been going around. Several other people in the classroom were missing as well, also sick. "Class, as you know, several people have become sick and are unable to attend classes today. Could I please have volunteers to take homework to them?" She nodded as several students raised their hands, volunteering to deliver the day's assignments. "I have to stay late today, so could I please have someone take Hitomi's homework to her?"
Wordlessly, every eye in class slowly locked onto Kenta. "Um, I guess I could." Kenta said nervously.
"Have fun on your date." Kazu teased.
"Kazu." Nami said sharply. "Since you have so much to say, maybe you would like to start with today's math problem?" Nami held back a sigh. She was glad Alice had volunteered to check on Hitomi today; her school had closed after several of the teachers had called in sick, and no substitute teachers could be found in time.
==Nami's apartment
"How are you?" Alice asked, checking Hitomi's temperature. "I think your fever's gone down a bit."
"I'm fine, thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't want to put you through this. I mean, making you miss school, and you might get my illness..."
Alice sighed. "I see Henry wasn't exaggerating. It's not your fault, my school had to close today anyway, and as Dobermon might say, I've had my shots. Now lie down and stop apologizing."
"Eevee..." Hitomi tried to get up.
"Lie down." Alice ordered. "Eevee's in the next room, and Dobermon has been instructed to keep him and Noctowl there." Alice smirked as she heard Dobermon growl slightly. "Just try to get some sleep, alright? If you need anything, I'll be right here." Her smirk faded as Hitomi's pokegear rang. "Hello, Mr. Motomiya. She's resting, Mr. Motomiya. Nothing's changed in the 20 minutes since you last called, Mr. Motomiya. Good-BYE, Mr. Motomiya." She switched the phone off, sighing.
==New Bark Town.
June looked up. "Dear? Maybe we should wait until tomorrow to call back?" Somewhat annoyed, Growlithe decided to drag Kyle away from the communicator. He didn't complain when Izzy and Kari decided to help out.
==School, after last class.
"Yes, get off there, it's on the 20th floor." Nami said to Kenta. "She's still very ill, so don't stay too long, or you might get sick too." Kenta nodded, and left. "Staff meeting." Nami sighed. "There has to be a better way to do things."
"Ah, Ms. Asaji." the principal said, exiting a room as Nami walked by. "Some of us are concerned about this Hitomi situation-"
"What situation?" Nami asked, voice controlled.
"Well, we feel that there might be some conflict of interests, one of your students staying with you, and we were..." the principal trailed off as Nami looked at him, face dark.
"Are you questioning my judgement, Mr. Terada?" Nami asked quietly, voice filled with ice. "Or my competency?"
Suoh Terada resisted the urge to cringe. He suddenly felt like he was five and was being scolded by his aunt. "Umm...no, not at all, please, consider the matter dropped."
==Nonaka home.
Rika sighed, bored. Takato and Henry had been called by Hypnos just after school ended, and sent across town to investigate another possible D-field. She would gladly have gone with them, but she had been stuck in an assembly. 'Spirit Day.' Feh.
"You seem annoyed." Renamon noted, sitting on a treebranch. "We could go after them, catch up in no time." Rika looked away. "Or are you worried about someone?"
"She's got a cold, that's all!" Rika snapped. "I just wish I could have gone along to check out that digital field instead of having to sit through the principal yap on about school pride."
"Rika!" her mother called from the living room. "Jeri's here to visit!"
"Hi!" Jeri called.
"I'm out back." Rika replied. Jeri made it to Rika's room a minute later. "What brings you by?"
"Oh, just bored. Takato and Henry took off after school, do you know where they went?"
"Digital field." Rika replied.
"Oh." Jeri looked a little hurt. "Takato never said anything to me."
"Too embarrassed, probably."
"I'm sorry, what was that?" A small smile crept onto Jeri's face.
==Tamers Digital World
"Hurry!" the larger digimon yelled, holding a large shell-shaped cannon in front of him, aimed at the approaching hordes. "Get through and find the others! They have to be stopped, there's no telling what might happen!"
The other digimon swung one of his two swords in an arc, sending a wave of energy out. "I cannot leave you here, brother! We have to escape together!"
"No! Vajramon, you have to go through! One of us has to stay here and close the portal in case those...things try to use it! DO not worry, I shall not die by the hands of this rabble! Now get going!"
Vajramon nodded. "Very well. If you see Pajiramon..."
"I will take care of her. GO!"
Some distance away, two other figures observed one digimon leave, while the other first destroyed the portal, then managed to escape, destroying many digimon as he left the battlefield. "Fool." one said.
"It matters not. We have our own portal to use. Now we must go to retrieve the Catalyst. Besides, it is not good to separate siblings, right?"
==
Henry looked around, digivice held out. "Well, if a digital field was here, it's gone now." He glanced at Guilmon, 'disguised' with a hooded jacket. "Was that the best you could do?"
"Hey, it's not like they had Invisibility cards I could use!" Takato replied. "Besides, it worked for Tai. And it's probably better than stuffing him into a backpack." As he spoke, the backpack Henry was carrying squirmed.
"Well, it is quieter." Henry answered. "You getting anything?"
"Nope. If there is a digimon here, my digivice can't find it. Guilmon?"
"I don't smell anything." He stopped, looking up.
"This better not be another bread store." Takato groaned.
"No...digimon!"
==
Vajramon staggered out of the digital portal, still weak. "So, this is the human world." he groaned. "Gahh...the stench. How can anyone live here, Numemon dumps aren't this foul! Catalyst...I must find the catalyst..." As he spoke, he knelt down, exhausted.
After a few minutes, he recovered. "I must go. There is too much to be done..."
"There!" someone yelled. Vajramon looked up, and saw two humans and...Digimon! "Is that a Deva?"
The wiser-looking human held up some sort of item, pointing it at Vajramon. "Vajramon," the human said, "Ultimate level, Vaccine type...it is a Deva!"
The first human, looking a bit silly with those...goggles?...on his head, seemed thrilled. "Alright! Guilmon, get ready!" The large red Digimon snarled, eyes narrowing.
"You can command Digimon?" Vajramon gasped. "Wait! I must talk with you, I have no intention of fighting!"
==
Rika fought the urge to moan. Jeri had insisted that they go shopping, an idea which her mother only too readily agreed with. "Oh, Rika, of course you can go!" her mother had said.
"But...mom..."
"Go on, I'm sure you and Jeri will have fun." Her grandmother added. "Rumiko, why don't you go with them? Dinner won't be ready for a few hours."
Rika's mom clapped her hands together. "Oh, Rika, we'll have so much fun! I think it's time you changed that wardrobe of yours-"
"Rumiko." Rika's grandmother interrupted, waving a finger at Rumiko.
"Oh, alright. No makeovers." Rumiko sighed, crossing her arms. 'But just one little-"
"Only if Rika says so." You owe me one, Yuka mouthed to Rika. Rika nodded, defeated.
"Great! Let's go!" Jeri said, grabbing Rika's arm and almost dragging her out of the house.
"Oh, it's so nice to see Rika making new friends!" Rumiko said happily, following.
Yuka sighed, watching them leave. "A few months ago, Rumiko would have had to drag Rika out of here, kicking and screaming."
Renamon appeared out of the shadows. "She has changed. And yes, I will be following her. I believe Gabumon will not be far behind."
"I'm glad. It's nice to know that Rika will always have someone watching over her. Even if she would never admit to it." Renamon nodded. "Get going, now. Try not to frighten Rumiko too much."
"I will be discrete." Renamon said, vanishing.
==
"Who's coming?" Henry gasped.
"Pajiramon and Antylamon." Vajramon replied. "They have very specific orders to capture the Catalyst and bring him back, and not to be too careful about collateral damage."
"Why are they after Calumon, anyway?" Takato asked. "I mean, there's not a lot he can do here, right?"
"The one who has taken over the Sovereign's rule of the digital world fears what the Catalyst could do."
"Restoring the power to digivolve?" Takato asked, still confused. "Gabumon told us that Calumon was created to hide the power of digivolution; without the power to digivolve, you'd think that it'd be, well, easier to take over. Uhh, no offence, Vajramon."
"These children are our saviours?" Vajramon wondered, ignoring the dirty look Terriermon threw at him. "It is rumoured that Calumon, as you call him, has other abilities, aside from his power over digivolution. Is he still safe?"
"We did manage to fight off some of the other Devas." Henry replied.
Vajramon's eyes widened. "You defeated a Deva? Forgive me, but I find that hard to believe. The Devas are the mightiest warriors in the Digital World."
"Not when we digivolve!" Terriermon piped up. "You should have seen me take on that oversized rooster! I walloped him! With a lot more style and grace than when Guilmon here digivolved to War Growlmon and roasted Vikaralamon!"
"You two...beat Vikaralamon and Shinduramon?"
"Uh, yeah." Takato replied. "And we kinda beat Makuramon too."
"My fears may have been groundless." Vajramon sighed, trying to stand.
"Hey, how do we know you're on our side?" Henry asked. "For all we know, you could be after Calumon too."
"He is." a voice said, as the entire area filled with fog. "He is a traitor and must be destroyed. As you shall be."
Vajramon turned, hooves cracking the asphalt under him. "Pajiramon." he gasped. "Do not force me to fight you, sister!" The newcomer was a giant sheep, with a humanoid torso and carrying a crossbow.
"You have given us little choice, fool." A second voice called. Takato and Henry were able to make out some details. This digimon was large, had almost comically oversized arms, and long ears coming from its head.
"Let me guess." Henry groaned. "Antylamon."
"Takato?" Guilmon whispered. "Isn't that Renamon's friend?"
"I don't think so." Takato answered grimly, taking a card out.
==
Rika trudged along, bored almost to tears. As she had feared, Jeri and her mother had hit it off almost instantly, going into every clothing store they came across. So far, they hadn't bought anything, but Rika knew that, before the day was out, she'd be buried under boxes. At least they hadn't made her try on any fancy dresses. Yet.
She regretted the thought as soon as it entered her mind. Sure enough, her mother ran over to her. "Oh, Rika, you just have to come in, I found the most lovely thing for you to wear!" Eagerly, she took Rika's arm and pulled her into the store. It was a traditional store, and Rika saw several kimonos in the window. She shuddered; if anything, she hated wearing kimonos even more than dresses. She could barely move in the things. She saw Jeri step out of a changing room. "Oh, Jeri, you look so lovely!" Rumiko exclaimed. "Rika, you just have to try one on. Please? For me?" She couldn't see her, but Rika could hear Jeri trying to hold back a fit of laughter.
"All right." Rika sighed.
Rumiko nearly fell over. Rika had never agreed this easily. It took about five minutes, but when Rika stepped out of the changing room, Rumiko's eyes almost shone. "Rika...oh, you... that suits you perfectly." She was near tears. Even Jeri seemed a bit stunned. Rika shuffled a bit, uncomfortable with all the attention. "Okay, you can change back." Rumiko said, feigning resignation. "Kawakuba? We'll take them both. Just charge it to my account." The store manager nodded.
"Ms. Nonaka..." Jeri gasped.
"Oh, it's alright, Jeri!" Rumiko interrupted her. "You look lovely in that kimono. SO, take care of it and make sure to wear it on special occasions, alright?" Jeri nodded.
Somebody shoot me, Rika thought. Maybe I can trade parents with that Akira girl from Hitomi's world. Her hand brushed against her digivice, which suddenly started to flash. A second later, the floor shook.
"An earthquake?" Rumiko asked, looking around.
Jeri's digivice had also lit up. She glanced at Rika, who had finished changing back and had just stepped out of the changing room. "We'll go check. Wait here!" Jeri said, as she and Rika left the store.
Rika and Jeri hurried down the street, Rika putting her glasses on as they entered the now-familiar mists of the digital field. "Renamon?"
"I am here, Rika. As is Gabumon." Renamon appeared by Rika's side, ready for a battle.
"This way, Jeri!" Gabumon called to his partner, a little blinded by the mists. "We're almost through." He glanced at Rika. "Devas?"
"Probably." Rika replied. "There! Renamon, do it!" she called, taking a card out. Jeri did likewise. "Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!"
"Renamon, digivolve to...Kyuubimon!"
"Gabumon, digivolve to...Leomon!" With a snarl, Leomon charged forward, attacking the first target he saw.
"Leomon! Wait!" Vajramon cried, ducking Leomon's sword.
"V...Vajramon? Why are you here? If you've come for Calumon, then I'll-"
"No!" the Deva replied, desperately. "Please, you must save the other children! There are two other Devas in here, and I-" with a gasp, Vajramon seemed to go rigid, then fell over, crossbow bolt in his back.
"Vajramon!" Leomon said. Looking up, he saw a second digimon approach, one he recognized. "Pajiramon? Vajramon...he was your BROTHER!"
"He was a traitor." Pajiramon replied coldly, loading another bolt into her crossbow. "He fought against the True Sovereign. Will you as well?"
Kyuubimon stepped forward, but Leomon held up a hand. "No. She's MINE! Fist of the Beast King!" Pajiramon batted the blast aside with her crossbow. "Kyuubimon, tend to Vajramon! I'll keep this one at bay!"
"Leomon!" Jeri gasped, but the lion was too far away now, battling Pajiramon.
Rika looked at Jeri. "Go!" she yelled. "You're Leomon's tamer, right? So get going!" Jeri nodded, and went after him.
"I....I know you..." Vajramon murmured to Kyuubimon. "You are evolved from Renamon, yes? Antylamon spoke of you often..."
"You know of Antylamon?" Kyuubimon gasped. "Where is she?"
"She...she always regretted that she was chosen to be a Deva and not you. But in the end...it might have been for the best. Beware, the Devas are almost all evil now. The last I saw, Indramon was free, but I know of no others..."
Kyuubimon's eyes went wide. "Vajramon! Vajramon! What happened to the Devas?"
"Henry and Takato!" Rika suddenly said. "Weren't they checking out something around this area?"
"The children...she has them..."
Antylamon slowly walked towards them. "Hello, Kyuubimon. I see you managed to digivolve."
==
Leomon grunted as he felt one of Pajiramon's bolts bite into his side. It was only a graze, but it still caused him to flinch. He landed, rolled, and dove behind an abandoned car as Pajiramon let out a mighty shriek that shattered the glass around him.
"Leomon!" Jeri called.
"JERI! RUN AWAY!" Leomon shouted. He glanced at where Pajiramon was...CALUMON? What was he doing here?
"Hello." Calumon said to Pajiramon. "Are you new here?"
"Go away, maggot!" Pajiramon commanded. Calumon ran, panicking. Leomon tackled Pajiramon, trying to stop her from firing.
"Should I tell Antylamon of this?" Pajiramon asked darkly, throwing off Leomon. "She is here, you know."
"No! You lie!"
"The only liar is that human you follow around like some stupid Chuumon. Destroy her and join me!" Jeri stepped back, suddenly terrified.
Leomon replied by trying to drive his sword into Pajiramon's hindquarters. "I will never betray Jeri or her friends!"
==
Kyuubimon stared at the giant rabbit Deva. "Antylamon." she gasped.
"Beware..." Vajramon gasped. "She was the first to fall..."
"No!" Kyuubimon replied harshly. "Antylamon, you remember me, right? We fought together, at Black WereGarurumon's school! We battled to decide which of us could become a Deva!"
"I remember." Antylamon replied, voice calm. "I remember how powerful you were, and how terrible I felt when I was chosen. But the True Sovereign appeared, and showed me a taste of true power. Kyuubimon, join us!"
Rika's eyes narrowed. Antylamon's voice was too calm for this situation. It was almost emotionless, now that she thought of it. "She sounds like a robot." she muttered.
Kyuubimon looked back at Rika, then up at Antylamon. "What happened to you?"
"It happened when I was exploring part of Lord Azulongmon's domain. It was there that I discovered the voice of the True Sovereign. I understand...Oh, Kyuubimon, if I could only share it with you, the sheer joy I experienced."
"Joy?" Vajramon snarled, struggling to his feet. "You turn the other Devas...MY SISTER!...into mindless robots, destroying all before them? How can you call that joy?"
"The digital world is filled with pain, Vajramon. All those who would support it must be a part of that system. Therefore, to revive the Digital World, we must purge all those flawed elements."
My god, Rika thought. She's completely psychotic! None of this is doing anything to her! "Renamon...she's crazy!"
"MY SISTER IS NO MERE ELEMENT!" Vajramon shouted, drawing his swords and charging. His blades swung downwards in a screaming 'X' pattern.
Antylamon swung her arm and blocked the attack. "Pathetic." she replied. "Treasure Axe." As Rika watched, one of Antylamon's hands changed into an axeblade, and, with a graceful spin, she swung her axe around and cut Vajramon in two.
"Pajiramon..." Vajramon disintegrated, data being absorbed into Antylamon.
"Kyuubimon, please join me. I do not wish you to meet the same fate as Vajramon. Or that human who came with you."
"Do not make me choose, Antylamon." Kyuubimon replied. "I know you are still in there, somewhere." She nodded to Rika, who slashed a Greymon card through her D-Arc. "Nova Blast!"
==
Pajiramon pulled back, not badly injured by Leomon's attack. The girl, however, was another matter. Pajiramon had seen her use that strange object and what looked like small rectangles to keep changing Leomon's attacks. Time to level the field.
"All right girl, you want to get involved in the fight?" Pajiramon nodded off to one side, where Jeri saw two green spheres. "I assume they're your friends, yes?"
Jeri looked, and gasped as she saw Takato, Guilmon, Henry, and Terriermon, held in a pair of what looked like glowing green spheres. "What did you do to them?"
"I merely thought it would be quicker to dispose of them after I had finished with you. However..." Pajiramon stepped over to the two spheres. "I'll let you chose. Which one do I finish off now?"
"You...monster!" Leomon gasped, sword in hand but unwilling to attack. "Don't you have any honour?"
"Honour?" Pajiramon asked. "My only honour is that of serving the True Sovereign. Your misguided loyalty to...that," she indicated Jeri, "could be forgiven. Pity I'm not that forgiving. So, girl, which one shall I destroy last? This?" her crossbow hovered over Takato and Guilmon's prison. "Or this one?" she asked, aiming at Henry and Terriermon's cage. "Choose, or they both die."
Jeri nearly fell apart right there. Quickly, she glanced at the card she had pulled while Pajiramon was speaking, and gasped. "A blue card?" I could digivolve Leomon again, just like Takato did to Guilmon, she thought. But with Pajiramon using them as a shield...
"I'm waiting."
==
Antylamon stepped back, ignoring Kyuubimon's attacks. "Your combination is impressive, Kyuubimon. Perhaps humans are not so useless as I had been led to believe."
Kyuubimon stepped back. Was she actually reaching Antylamon?
"But that makes it only more imperative to destroy them before they can become a threat to the true sovereign. I always wondered, Kyuubimon...which of us is truly stronger?" Antylamon dropped her arms. "I will use no weapons, Kyuubimon."
"Rika. Stay out of this." Kyuubimon stepped forward.
"What? Hey, Antylamon's an Ultimate level digimon! She's-"
"She's my friend, Rika. As long as there is a chance to save her, I must try. Please trust me?" Reluctantly, Rika nodded. "Alright, Antylamon, I agree. But only if you promise to leave Rika alone." Antylamon nodded.
Anxiously, Rika watched the two circle, then, after a tense minute, they both charged, Renamon wreathed in white flames, Antylamon's axes coming down. She felt a card in her hand, and sucked in a gasp as she recognized it as a blue card. She looked up, and saw Renamon fighting Antylamon, running up one of her arms and crashing into her head with a Dragon Wheel. Kyuubimon jumped off, ready for her next attack. "Rika, get out of here!"
"I'm not leaving! And you'd better not leave me either!" Rika shouted back. "You hear me?"
Kyuubimon smiled a bit. "Of course. I will always be here for you, Rika."
"Pay attention!" Antylamon shouted, burying an axe in front of Kyuubimon. "That human is making you weak. You always drifted off when Black WereGarurumon was teaching us."
Kyuubimon glanced at Antylamon. "Perhaps. Foxtail Inferno!"
Antylamon dodged the fireblast, and then swung her axe blades forward. Renamon started to dodge, then changed direction, knocking Rika out of the path of the blades. Kyuubimon was hit, two ugly gashes in her side forcing her down.
"You...promised not to hurt Rika." Kyuubimon said, struggling to stand.
"You must choose, her or me?" Antylamon replied. "I thought we were friends. Or has this human taken my place? Let me finish her, and we can go visit the True Sovereign together. We will destroy the humans eventually anyway. Why prolong her suffering?"
Rika looked at her partner, who seemed to be lost in thought. A sudden cold spike of fear went through her. Renamon...her partner wouldn't really...?
"I asked you not to make me choose, Antylamon. Rika? Do it."
Rika was caught between relief and excitement. "Digi-modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
==
From the cover of an overturned cart, Calumon watched Rika and Kyuubimon's battle. "There's too much fighting going on." Calumon whined. "I know, but it still feels bad and scary to watch everyone getting hurt. What? Wait for what? Oh, okay." Calumon sat down, despondent.
"I wish there was some way I could help. There is? Wait for what sign?"
==
"Jeri." Leomon hissed. "Trust me." Out of the corner of his eye, Leomon saw the blue card she was holding. He knew that if he could digivolve like the others did, he could defeat Pajiramon before Takato and Henry were injured. However, Jeri was frozen.
"Oh well." Pajiramon sighed, bending over and picking up Takato and Guilmon's emerald cage. It shifted a bit, and became a round shield, protecting most of Pajiramon's torso and forelegs. "Why don't we do it this way? Feel free to attack, Leomon. Ah, but I see these two are...special to that girl." Pajiramon grinned sadistically.
"Jeri, I have to digivolve!"
"Leomon..." Jeri was shaking now, not sure what to do.
"Well, do something!" Pajiramon called, firing her crossbow, using Takato and Guilmon as a shield. Leomon parried one of the bolts, but the second tore into his leg.
"Jeri! Please, I can save them!"
"But...I don't want to lose..."
"JERI!" Another bolt struck his shoulder. Leomon fell to one knee. This isn't fair, Leomon wanted to shout. She's only a child, she shouldn't be in this position! "Jeri, please, you have to believe I can save them!"
Jeri saw Takato and Guilmon, trapped on Pajiramon's shield. Then she saw Pajiramon's face, and saw how much the Deva was enjoying her torment. That made up her mind.
"Digi-modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
==
Calumon felt...well, not quite sick, but he felt something trying to come out of him. "Uhh...AHHH!" As he yelled, the red triangle on his forehead lit up, two beams of light coming out of it.
==
Kyuubimon felt her wounds heal. "Kyuubimon, matrix digivolve to...Taomon!"
Antylamon stepped back. "But how? No one has digivolved to the Ultimate level since the Catalyst was created! No mind. My Mantra Chant shall take care of your evolution. Mantra Chant!"
"Talisman Spell!" Taomon shouted. In her hands, a throwing iron, shaped like a runic symbol, appeared and she threw it at the incoming attack. Both attacks were cancelled. "We appear to be matched."
"No matter. I shall destroy you and then the girl. Treasure Axe!" Her hands forming into axeblades again, Antylamon charged and tackled Taomon, the two landing in a pile on the ground. "Was it worth this, old friend? Was that human worth the end of your life?"
"Rika is worth everything to me." Taomon replied. "Thousand Spells!" Antylamon roared in pain as several dozen ofuda exploded on Antylamon's torso, throwing the rabbit Deva away. Taomon, also injured by the point blank attack, got up, staring coldly at Antylamon. "I will offer you one last chance to surrender, Antylamon. I have the power to restore your mind, if you will let me. I do miss the old days, when we were friends. Don't let this be the last memory I have of you, Antylamon."
Antylamon felt, for the first time since she had become a Deva, a stirring of fear in her. The girl, she realized. She made this happen. Cautiously, she tried to get up, and started edging around. Then, when she thought she had an opening, she attacked, aiming right at Rika. Rika didn't even have time to say anything as Antylamon made it to only a few feet in front of her.
"Forgive me. TALISMAN OF LIGHT!" Antylamon stopped as a silvery talisman punched through her, illuminating the ground in front of her. The Deva collapsed, defeated, landing right in front of Rika.
==Same time the above section was happening.
"Leomon, Matrix Digivolve to...Grappleomon!" Leomon's' transformation was impressive. He had gotten bigger, and his body was covered in grey metallic body armor. On his lower legs and forearms, what looked like turbines spun slowly.
Jeri glanced at her D-Arc, which had an image on it. "Grappleomon." she read. "Type: Vaccine, Beast Man digimon. Special attack...Lion Beast Killing Wave?" she gasped.
"Not to worry. I have very good aim." Grappleomon replied. "Last chance, Pajiramon. Release them and leave!" Pajiramon, snarling, ignored the offer and kept firing, crossbow bolts bouncing off Grappleomon's armor.
"Be careful!" Jeri called. Sneering, Pajiramon lifted her shield up, taking careful aim with her crossbow.
The turbines on Grappleomon's arms began spinning. "Lion Beast Killing Wave!"
"You've sacrificed the humans!" Pajiramon yelled triumphantly. "Treasure Bow!"
The bolt shot out, but was stopped and shattered by Grappleomon's wave of force. The blast carried on and struck Pajiramon's crossbow, shattering it. "Takato and Guilmon were not my target." her replied. Enraged, Pajiramon tossed the shield aside and charged at the cyborg digimon.
Now, the turbines on Grappleomon's legs spun up to speed, and Pajiramon found herself on the receiving end of a barrage of powerful kicks. "Lion Whirlwind Kick!" The first two blows sent Pajiramon flying, stunned by the force of the attack. "As long as I live, I will never allow digimon like you to harm these humans!" As he spoke, all four of his turbines began spinning, the whine from them sounding like a jet engine. "Tempest Lion Teeth!" He shot forward, almost invisible inside of the small tornado he had generated. It engulfed Pajiramon, though Jeri could still make out the sounds of several blows being exchanged. After a few minutes, the blows stopped, and the whirlwind began to dissipate. Out of the top, Jeri could see small particles escaping, flying into the atmosphere. "Grappleomon?"
"I'm alright, Jeri." Gabumon said, staggering away from the now-gone tornado. "Matrix Digivolving takes a lot out of you. Oh, I think the others are free now."
Jeri turned around, and saw the emerald cage around Takato and Guilmon vanish. A short distance away, Henry and Terriermon were getting up. "Takato!" Jeri yelled, tackle-hugging Takato.
"Hey, how about something for us?" Terriermon said, a bit miffed.
"Let it be." Henry said. "I saw everything. Nice job, Gabumon."
Gabumon nodded. "Umm...is that normal between humans?" he asked, indicating Jeri and Takato.
Henry took one look at Takato's expression (Goofy 'I'm on cloud nine' type -ed) and chuckled. "Some humans. Is Rika here? I thought I heard her name mentioned."
==
Rika stood there as Taomon reverted to Renamon, and strode over to Antylamon, who slowly shrank back to Turuiemon. "Re...Renamon?" Turuiemon gasped.
"I am here." Renamon said, kneeling down and cradling Turuiemon's head.
"I'm so sorry. When I encountered the True Sovereign, he took me over and made me do...horrible things. Oh, if only Leomon could see me now..."
"Leomon?" Rika gasped. "He's here! Wait, I'll go get him!"
"No." Turuiemon replied. "It's too late. Tell him...I'm sorry for letting him down. Renamon...beware, the True Sovereign plans to destroy both this world and the Digital World!" Turuiemon tried to get up, but failed. "Renamon...I must go now. I don't think I will return. There hasn't been a new digimon in the Digital World since you left..."
"What?" Renamon gasped. But Turuiemon said no more. Her body vanished, leaving Renamon kneeling there. "Farewell, Turuiemon."
"Renamon..." Rika whispered.
"Rika. I meant it when I said you were worth everything to me."
"But...she was your friend."
"I know. But I had no choice, Rika. I will never leave you."
==Monday, after school
"Don't say it." Jeri said to Hitomi. Jeri had just finished telling Hitomi about the battle and Gabumon's evolution to Grappleomon. "Don't you dare apologize!"
"Thank you!" Eevee sighed. "Well, someone had to tell you." he said to Hitomi. "How is Gabumon?"
"A bit sad he didn't have a chance to see Turuiemon before she...died." Jeri said. "I think I understand why you tried to keep me from becoming a tamer, Hitomi. Are all the fights this hard?"
"I'm afraid so. But as Takeru might say, digidestined are specialists at fighting hopeless battles."
Jeri blinked. "Takeru? Your cousin?" Hitomi nodded. "Does he always quote Gundam Wing?"
"He takes after his father." Hitomi replied. "Uncle Davis has a whole library of anime videos. How about Rika and Renamon?"
"I talked to Rika on Sunday. She and Renamon are fine, but I think something shook Rika up a bit. She wouldn't say what though."
"I hope she gets over it soon." Eevee said. "We're going to need all the help we can get, if this keeps up."
==Next Episode
Getting desperate at the defeat of so many Devas, Majiramon and Kumbhiramon make their way to the Real World, managing to trap all the tamers except for Hitomi at the Hypnos headquarters. Can Hitomi last against the Dragon Deva, and can the other Tamers escape Kumbhiramon's traps and help her? Next time, on Digicross Tamers episode 20:
-'Mystic Swordsman Karatenmon'
I had it pointed out to me that Rika's grandmother is really named 'Seiki', and this is accurate. In my defence, I can only say that, when I started writing her in, I didn't know, nor did I think to check. As frequently happens (with me, anyway), I chose the name 'Yuka' deliberately; exchange student living with a friend of mine that I met a few times. So it's a personal choice, but if all of FF.Net (Or, at least, everyone reading my stories) wants me to change it, I shall.
And now, on with the story...
==Friday
"Takato..." Jeri called. Takato looked up, and saw Jeri running towards him. "Taaakaaatooo..." she said again.
Takato smiled, holding his arms out. "Jeri. This is so perfect."
"Soon we'll be together forever..." Jeri said softly, coming closer. "Takato..."
Takato felt his heart leap. "Jeri...I l-"
"TAKATO!"
"GAAAHHH!" Takato almost took out Henry, standing up so fast. "Wha...what's happening?"
"Takato?" Henry asked, confused look on his face. "Come on, lunch is almost over. You gotta stop staying up so late playing with Guilmon."
"Lunch, right. Great timing, Henry." Takato muttered darkly, going inside.
Henry shook his head. Terriermon crept out of the bushes. "Ahem?" the digimon prodded. "Was he or wasn't he?"
Henry sighed. "Alright, he was. Here." Henry handed his partner a chocolate bar he had been saving for after school. "That boy needs a hobby."
"Maybe you could ask him for some advice, eh?" Terriermon chided.
"Put a sock in it."
=====
Digicross Tamers episode 19
"Friend versus Tamer...Taomon, decide!"
=====
Nami looked over the class, sighing a bit. Hitomi's seat was empty today; she had taken ill with a flu bug that had been going around. Several other people in the classroom were missing as well, also sick. "Class, as you know, several people have become sick and are unable to attend classes today. Could I please have volunteers to take homework to them?" She nodded as several students raised their hands, volunteering to deliver the day's assignments. "I have to stay late today, so could I please have someone take Hitomi's homework to her?"
Wordlessly, every eye in class slowly locked onto Kenta. "Um, I guess I could." Kenta said nervously.
"Have fun on your date." Kazu teased.
"Kazu." Nami said sharply. "Since you have so much to say, maybe you would like to start with today's math problem?" Nami held back a sigh. She was glad Alice had volunteered to check on Hitomi today; her school had closed after several of the teachers had called in sick, and no substitute teachers could be found in time.
==Nami's apartment
"How are you?" Alice asked, checking Hitomi's temperature. "I think your fever's gone down a bit."
"I'm fine, thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't want to put you through this. I mean, making you miss school, and you might get my illness..."
Alice sighed. "I see Henry wasn't exaggerating. It's not your fault, my school had to close today anyway, and as Dobermon might say, I've had my shots. Now lie down and stop apologizing."
"Eevee..." Hitomi tried to get up.
"Lie down." Alice ordered. "Eevee's in the next room, and Dobermon has been instructed to keep him and Noctowl there." Alice smirked as she heard Dobermon growl slightly. "Just try to get some sleep, alright? If you need anything, I'll be right here." Her smirk faded as Hitomi's pokegear rang. "Hello, Mr. Motomiya. She's resting, Mr. Motomiya. Nothing's changed in the 20 minutes since you last called, Mr. Motomiya. Good-BYE, Mr. Motomiya." She switched the phone off, sighing.
==New Bark Town.
June looked up. "Dear? Maybe we should wait until tomorrow to call back?" Somewhat annoyed, Growlithe decided to drag Kyle away from the communicator. He didn't complain when Izzy and Kari decided to help out.
==School, after last class.
"Yes, get off there, it's on the 20th floor." Nami said to Kenta. "She's still very ill, so don't stay too long, or you might get sick too." Kenta nodded, and left. "Staff meeting." Nami sighed. "There has to be a better way to do things."
"Ah, Ms. Asaji." the principal said, exiting a room as Nami walked by. "Some of us are concerned about this Hitomi situation-"
"What situation?" Nami asked, voice controlled.
"Well, we feel that there might be some conflict of interests, one of your students staying with you, and we were..." the principal trailed off as Nami looked at him, face dark.
"Are you questioning my judgement, Mr. Terada?" Nami asked quietly, voice filled with ice. "Or my competency?"
Suoh Terada resisted the urge to cringe. He suddenly felt like he was five and was being scolded by his aunt. "Umm...no, not at all, please, consider the matter dropped."
==Nonaka home.
Rika sighed, bored. Takato and Henry had been called by Hypnos just after school ended, and sent across town to investigate another possible D-field. She would gladly have gone with them, but she had been stuck in an assembly. 'Spirit Day.' Feh.
"You seem annoyed." Renamon noted, sitting on a treebranch. "We could go after them, catch up in no time." Rika looked away. "Or are you worried about someone?"
"She's got a cold, that's all!" Rika snapped. "I just wish I could have gone along to check out that digital field instead of having to sit through the principal yap on about school pride."
"Rika!" her mother called from the living room. "Jeri's here to visit!"
"Hi!" Jeri called.
"I'm out back." Rika replied. Jeri made it to Rika's room a minute later. "What brings you by?"
"Oh, just bored. Takato and Henry took off after school, do you know where they went?"
"Digital field." Rika replied.
"Oh." Jeri looked a little hurt. "Takato never said anything to me."
"Too embarrassed, probably."
"I'm sorry, what was that?" A small smile crept onto Jeri's face.
==Tamers Digital World
"Hurry!" the larger digimon yelled, holding a large shell-shaped cannon in front of him, aimed at the approaching hordes. "Get through and find the others! They have to be stopped, there's no telling what might happen!"
The other digimon swung one of his two swords in an arc, sending a wave of energy out. "I cannot leave you here, brother! We have to escape together!"
"No! Vajramon, you have to go through! One of us has to stay here and close the portal in case those...things try to use it! DO not worry, I shall not die by the hands of this rabble! Now get going!"
Vajramon nodded. "Very well. If you see Pajiramon..."
"I will take care of her. GO!"
Some distance away, two other figures observed one digimon leave, while the other first destroyed the portal, then managed to escape, destroying many digimon as he left the battlefield. "Fool." one said.
"It matters not. We have our own portal to use. Now we must go to retrieve the Catalyst. Besides, it is not good to separate siblings, right?"
==
Henry looked around, digivice held out. "Well, if a digital field was here, it's gone now." He glanced at Guilmon, 'disguised' with a hooded jacket. "Was that the best you could do?"
"Hey, it's not like they had Invisibility cards I could use!" Takato replied. "Besides, it worked for Tai. And it's probably better than stuffing him into a backpack." As he spoke, the backpack Henry was carrying squirmed.
"Well, it is quieter." Henry answered. "You getting anything?"
"Nope. If there is a digimon here, my digivice can't find it. Guilmon?"
"I don't smell anything." He stopped, looking up.
"This better not be another bread store." Takato groaned.
"No...digimon!"
==
Vajramon staggered out of the digital portal, still weak. "So, this is the human world." he groaned. "Gahh...the stench. How can anyone live here, Numemon dumps aren't this foul! Catalyst...I must find the catalyst..." As he spoke, he knelt down, exhausted.
After a few minutes, he recovered. "I must go. There is too much to be done..."
"There!" someone yelled. Vajramon looked up, and saw two humans and...Digimon! "Is that a Deva?"
The wiser-looking human held up some sort of item, pointing it at Vajramon. "Vajramon," the human said, "Ultimate level, Vaccine type...it is a Deva!"
The first human, looking a bit silly with those...goggles?...on his head, seemed thrilled. "Alright! Guilmon, get ready!" The large red Digimon snarled, eyes narrowing.
"You can command Digimon?" Vajramon gasped. "Wait! I must talk with you, I have no intention of fighting!"
==
Rika fought the urge to moan. Jeri had insisted that they go shopping, an idea which her mother only too readily agreed with. "Oh, Rika, of course you can go!" her mother had said.
"But...mom..."
"Go on, I'm sure you and Jeri will have fun." Her grandmother added. "Rumiko, why don't you go with them? Dinner won't be ready for a few hours."
Rika's mom clapped her hands together. "Oh, Rika, we'll have so much fun! I think it's time you changed that wardrobe of yours-"
"Rumiko." Rika's grandmother interrupted, waving a finger at Rumiko.
"Oh, alright. No makeovers." Rumiko sighed, crossing her arms. 'But just one little-"
"Only if Rika says so." You owe me one, Yuka mouthed to Rika. Rika nodded, defeated.
"Great! Let's go!" Jeri said, grabbing Rika's arm and almost dragging her out of the house.
"Oh, it's so nice to see Rika making new friends!" Rumiko said happily, following.
Yuka sighed, watching them leave. "A few months ago, Rumiko would have had to drag Rika out of here, kicking and screaming."
Renamon appeared out of the shadows. "She has changed. And yes, I will be following her. I believe Gabumon will not be far behind."
"I'm glad. It's nice to know that Rika will always have someone watching over her. Even if she would never admit to it." Renamon nodded. "Get going, now. Try not to frighten Rumiko too much."
"I will be discrete." Renamon said, vanishing.
==
"Who's coming?" Henry gasped.
"Pajiramon and Antylamon." Vajramon replied. "They have very specific orders to capture the Catalyst and bring him back, and not to be too careful about collateral damage."
"Why are they after Calumon, anyway?" Takato asked. "I mean, there's not a lot he can do here, right?"
"The one who has taken over the Sovereign's rule of the digital world fears what the Catalyst could do."
"Restoring the power to digivolve?" Takato asked, still confused. "Gabumon told us that Calumon was created to hide the power of digivolution; without the power to digivolve, you'd think that it'd be, well, easier to take over. Uhh, no offence, Vajramon."
"These children are our saviours?" Vajramon wondered, ignoring the dirty look Terriermon threw at him. "It is rumoured that Calumon, as you call him, has other abilities, aside from his power over digivolution. Is he still safe?"
"We did manage to fight off some of the other Devas." Henry replied.
Vajramon's eyes widened. "You defeated a Deva? Forgive me, but I find that hard to believe. The Devas are the mightiest warriors in the Digital World."
"Not when we digivolve!" Terriermon piped up. "You should have seen me take on that oversized rooster! I walloped him! With a lot more style and grace than when Guilmon here digivolved to War Growlmon and roasted Vikaralamon!"
"You two...beat Vikaralamon and Shinduramon?"
"Uh, yeah." Takato replied. "And we kinda beat Makuramon too."
"My fears may have been groundless." Vajramon sighed, trying to stand.
"Hey, how do we know you're on our side?" Henry asked. "For all we know, you could be after Calumon too."
"He is." a voice said, as the entire area filled with fog. "He is a traitor and must be destroyed. As you shall be."
Vajramon turned, hooves cracking the asphalt under him. "Pajiramon." he gasped. "Do not force me to fight you, sister!" The newcomer was a giant sheep, with a humanoid torso and carrying a crossbow.
"You have given us little choice, fool." A second voice called. Takato and Henry were able to make out some details. This digimon was large, had almost comically oversized arms, and long ears coming from its head.
"Let me guess." Henry groaned. "Antylamon."
"Takato?" Guilmon whispered. "Isn't that Renamon's friend?"
"I don't think so." Takato answered grimly, taking a card out.
==
Rika trudged along, bored almost to tears. As she had feared, Jeri and her mother had hit it off almost instantly, going into every clothing store they came across. So far, they hadn't bought anything, but Rika knew that, before the day was out, she'd be buried under boxes. At least they hadn't made her try on any fancy dresses. Yet.
She regretted the thought as soon as it entered her mind. Sure enough, her mother ran over to her. "Oh, Rika, you just have to come in, I found the most lovely thing for you to wear!" Eagerly, she took Rika's arm and pulled her into the store. It was a traditional store, and Rika saw several kimonos in the window. She shuddered; if anything, she hated wearing kimonos even more than dresses. She could barely move in the things. She saw Jeri step out of a changing room. "Oh, Jeri, you look so lovely!" Rumiko exclaimed. "Rika, you just have to try one on. Please? For me?" She couldn't see her, but Rika could hear Jeri trying to hold back a fit of laughter.
"All right." Rika sighed.
Rumiko nearly fell over. Rika had never agreed this easily. It took about five minutes, but when Rika stepped out of the changing room, Rumiko's eyes almost shone. "Rika...oh, you... that suits you perfectly." She was near tears. Even Jeri seemed a bit stunned. Rika shuffled a bit, uncomfortable with all the attention. "Okay, you can change back." Rumiko said, feigning resignation. "Kawakuba? We'll take them both. Just charge it to my account." The store manager nodded.
"Ms. Nonaka..." Jeri gasped.
"Oh, it's alright, Jeri!" Rumiko interrupted her. "You look lovely in that kimono. SO, take care of it and make sure to wear it on special occasions, alright?" Jeri nodded.
Somebody shoot me, Rika thought. Maybe I can trade parents with that Akira girl from Hitomi's world. Her hand brushed against her digivice, which suddenly started to flash. A second later, the floor shook.
"An earthquake?" Rumiko asked, looking around.
Jeri's digivice had also lit up. She glanced at Rika, who had finished changing back and had just stepped out of the changing room. "We'll go check. Wait here!" Jeri said, as she and Rika left the store.
Rika and Jeri hurried down the street, Rika putting her glasses on as they entered the now-familiar mists of the digital field. "Renamon?"
"I am here, Rika. As is Gabumon." Renamon appeared by Rika's side, ready for a battle.
"This way, Jeri!" Gabumon called to his partner, a little blinded by the mists. "We're almost through." He glanced at Rika. "Devas?"
"Probably." Rika replied. "There! Renamon, do it!" she called, taking a card out. Jeri did likewise. "Digi-modify! Digivolution activate!"
"Renamon, digivolve to...Kyuubimon!"
"Gabumon, digivolve to...Leomon!" With a snarl, Leomon charged forward, attacking the first target he saw.
"Leomon! Wait!" Vajramon cried, ducking Leomon's sword.
"V...Vajramon? Why are you here? If you've come for Calumon, then I'll-"
"No!" the Deva replied, desperately. "Please, you must save the other children! There are two other Devas in here, and I-" with a gasp, Vajramon seemed to go rigid, then fell over, crossbow bolt in his back.
"Vajramon!" Leomon said. Looking up, he saw a second digimon approach, one he recognized. "Pajiramon? Vajramon...he was your BROTHER!"
"He was a traitor." Pajiramon replied coldly, loading another bolt into her crossbow. "He fought against the True Sovereign. Will you as well?"
Kyuubimon stepped forward, but Leomon held up a hand. "No. She's MINE! Fist of the Beast King!" Pajiramon batted the blast aside with her crossbow. "Kyuubimon, tend to Vajramon! I'll keep this one at bay!"
"Leomon!" Jeri gasped, but the lion was too far away now, battling Pajiramon.
Rika looked at Jeri. "Go!" she yelled. "You're Leomon's tamer, right? So get going!" Jeri nodded, and went after him.
"I....I know you..." Vajramon murmured to Kyuubimon. "You are evolved from Renamon, yes? Antylamon spoke of you often..."
"You know of Antylamon?" Kyuubimon gasped. "Where is she?"
"She...she always regretted that she was chosen to be a Deva and not you. But in the end...it might have been for the best. Beware, the Devas are almost all evil now. The last I saw, Indramon was free, but I know of no others..."
Kyuubimon's eyes went wide. "Vajramon! Vajramon! What happened to the Devas?"
"Henry and Takato!" Rika suddenly said. "Weren't they checking out something around this area?"
"The children...she has them..."
Antylamon slowly walked towards them. "Hello, Kyuubimon. I see you managed to digivolve."
==
Leomon grunted as he felt one of Pajiramon's bolts bite into his side. It was only a graze, but it still caused him to flinch. He landed, rolled, and dove behind an abandoned car as Pajiramon let out a mighty shriek that shattered the glass around him.
"Leomon!" Jeri called.
"JERI! RUN AWAY!" Leomon shouted. He glanced at where Pajiramon was...CALUMON? What was he doing here?
"Hello." Calumon said to Pajiramon. "Are you new here?"
"Go away, maggot!" Pajiramon commanded. Calumon ran, panicking. Leomon tackled Pajiramon, trying to stop her from firing.
"Should I tell Antylamon of this?" Pajiramon asked darkly, throwing off Leomon. "She is here, you know."
"No! You lie!"
"The only liar is that human you follow around like some stupid Chuumon. Destroy her and join me!" Jeri stepped back, suddenly terrified.
Leomon replied by trying to drive his sword into Pajiramon's hindquarters. "I will never betray Jeri or her friends!"
==
Kyuubimon stared at the giant rabbit Deva. "Antylamon." she gasped.
"Beware..." Vajramon gasped. "She was the first to fall..."
"No!" Kyuubimon replied harshly. "Antylamon, you remember me, right? We fought together, at Black WereGarurumon's school! We battled to decide which of us could become a Deva!"
"I remember." Antylamon replied, voice calm. "I remember how powerful you were, and how terrible I felt when I was chosen. But the True Sovereign appeared, and showed me a taste of true power. Kyuubimon, join us!"
Rika's eyes narrowed. Antylamon's voice was too calm for this situation. It was almost emotionless, now that she thought of it. "She sounds like a robot." she muttered.
Kyuubimon looked back at Rika, then up at Antylamon. "What happened to you?"
"It happened when I was exploring part of Lord Azulongmon's domain. It was there that I discovered the voice of the True Sovereign. I understand...Oh, Kyuubimon, if I could only share it with you, the sheer joy I experienced."
"Joy?" Vajramon snarled, struggling to his feet. "You turn the other Devas...MY SISTER!...into mindless robots, destroying all before them? How can you call that joy?"
"The digital world is filled with pain, Vajramon. All those who would support it must be a part of that system. Therefore, to revive the Digital World, we must purge all those flawed elements."
My god, Rika thought. She's completely psychotic! None of this is doing anything to her! "Renamon...she's crazy!"
"MY SISTER IS NO MERE ELEMENT!" Vajramon shouted, drawing his swords and charging. His blades swung downwards in a screaming 'X' pattern.
Antylamon swung her arm and blocked the attack. "Pathetic." she replied. "Treasure Axe." As Rika watched, one of Antylamon's hands changed into an axeblade, and, with a graceful spin, she swung her axe around and cut Vajramon in two.
"Pajiramon..." Vajramon disintegrated, data being absorbed into Antylamon.
"Kyuubimon, please join me. I do not wish you to meet the same fate as Vajramon. Or that human who came with you."
"Do not make me choose, Antylamon." Kyuubimon replied. "I know you are still in there, somewhere." She nodded to Rika, who slashed a Greymon card through her D-Arc. "Nova Blast!"
==
Pajiramon pulled back, not badly injured by Leomon's attack. The girl, however, was another matter. Pajiramon had seen her use that strange object and what looked like small rectangles to keep changing Leomon's attacks. Time to level the field.
"All right girl, you want to get involved in the fight?" Pajiramon nodded off to one side, where Jeri saw two green spheres. "I assume they're your friends, yes?"
Jeri looked, and gasped as she saw Takato, Guilmon, Henry, and Terriermon, held in a pair of what looked like glowing green spheres. "What did you do to them?"
"I merely thought it would be quicker to dispose of them after I had finished with you. However..." Pajiramon stepped over to the two spheres. "I'll let you chose. Which one do I finish off now?"
"You...monster!" Leomon gasped, sword in hand but unwilling to attack. "Don't you have any honour?"
"Honour?" Pajiramon asked. "My only honour is that of serving the True Sovereign. Your misguided loyalty to...that," she indicated Jeri, "could be forgiven. Pity I'm not that forgiving. So, girl, which one shall I destroy last? This?" her crossbow hovered over Takato and Guilmon's prison. "Or this one?" she asked, aiming at Henry and Terriermon's cage. "Choose, or they both die."
Jeri nearly fell apart right there. Quickly, she glanced at the card she had pulled while Pajiramon was speaking, and gasped. "A blue card?" I could digivolve Leomon again, just like Takato did to Guilmon, she thought. But with Pajiramon using them as a shield...
"I'm waiting."
==
Antylamon stepped back, ignoring Kyuubimon's attacks. "Your combination is impressive, Kyuubimon. Perhaps humans are not so useless as I had been led to believe."
Kyuubimon stepped back. Was she actually reaching Antylamon?
"But that makes it only more imperative to destroy them before they can become a threat to the true sovereign. I always wondered, Kyuubimon...which of us is truly stronger?" Antylamon dropped her arms. "I will use no weapons, Kyuubimon."
"Rika. Stay out of this." Kyuubimon stepped forward.
"What? Hey, Antylamon's an Ultimate level digimon! She's-"
"She's my friend, Rika. As long as there is a chance to save her, I must try. Please trust me?" Reluctantly, Rika nodded. "Alright, Antylamon, I agree. But only if you promise to leave Rika alone." Antylamon nodded.
Anxiously, Rika watched the two circle, then, after a tense minute, they both charged, Renamon wreathed in white flames, Antylamon's axes coming down. She felt a card in her hand, and sucked in a gasp as she recognized it as a blue card. She looked up, and saw Renamon fighting Antylamon, running up one of her arms and crashing into her head with a Dragon Wheel. Kyuubimon jumped off, ready for her next attack. "Rika, get out of here!"
"I'm not leaving! And you'd better not leave me either!" Rika shouted back. "You hear me?"
Kyuubimon smiled a bit. "Of course. I will always be here for you, Rika."
"Pay attention!" Antylamon shouted, burying an axe in front of Kyuubimon. "That human is making you weak. You always drifted off when Black WereGarurumon was teaching us."
Kyuubimon glanced at Antylamon. "Perhaps. Foxtail Inferno!"
Antylamon dodged the fireblast, and then swung her axe blades forward. Renamon started to dodge, then changed direction, knocking Rika out of the path of the blades. Kyuubimon was hit, two ugly gashes in her side forcing her down.
"You...promised not to hurt Rika." Kyuubimon said, struggling to stand.
"You must choose, her or me?" Antylamon replied. "I thought we were friends. Or has this human taken my place? Let me finish her, and we can go visit the True Sovereign together. We will destroy the humans eventually anyway. Why prolong her suffering?"
Rika looked at her partner, who seemed to be lost in thought. A sudden cold spike of fear went through her. Renamon...her partner wouldn't really...?
"I asked you not to make me choose, Antylamon. Rika? Do it."
Rika was caught between relief and excitement. "Digi-modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
==
From the cover of an overturned cart, Calumon watched Rika and Kyuubimon's battle. "There's too much fighting going on." Calumon whined. "I know, but it still feels bad and scary to watch everyone getting hurt. What? Wait for what? Oh, okay." Calumon sat down, despondent.
"I wish there was some way I could help. There is? Wait for what sign?"
==
"Jeri." Leomon hissed. "Trust me." Out of the corner of his eye, Leomon saw the blue card she was holding. He knew that if he could digivolve like the others did, he could defeat Pajiramon before Takato and Henry were injured. However, Jeri was frozen.
"Oh well." Pajiramon sighed, bending over and picking up Takato and Guilmon's emerald cage. It shifted a bit, and became a round shield, protecting most of Pajiramon's torso and forelegs. "Why don't we do it this way? Feel free to attack, Leomon. Ah, but I see these two are...special to that girl." Pajiramon grinned sadistically.
"Jeri, I have to digivolve!"
"Leomon..." Jeri was shaking now, not sure what to do.
"Well, do something!" Pajiramon called, firing her crossbow, using Takato and Guilmon as a shield. Leomon parried one of the bolts, but the second tore into his leg.
"Jeri! Please, I can save them!"
"But...I don't want to lose..."
"JERI!" Another bolt struck his shoulder. Leomon fell to one knee. This isn't fair, Leomon wanted to shout. She's only a child, she shouldn't be in this position! "Jeri, please, you have to believe I can save them!"
Jeri saw Takato and Guilmon, trapped on Pajiramon's shield. Then she saw Pajiramon's face, and saw how much the Deva was enjoying her torment. That made up her mind.
"Digi-modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"
==
Calumon felt...well, not quite sick, but he felt something trying to come out of him. "Uhh...AHHH!" As he yelled, the red triangle on his forehead lit up, two beams of light coming out of it.
==
Kyuubimon felt her wounds heal. "Kyuubimon, matrix digivolve to...Taomon!"
Antylamon stepped back. "But how? No one has digivolved to the Ultimate level since the Catalyst was created! No mind. My Mantra Chant shall take care of your evolution. Mantra Chant!"
"Talisman Spell!" Taomon shouted. In her hands, a throwing iron, shaped like a runic symbol, appeared and she threw it at the incoming attack. Both attacks were cancelled. "We appear to be matched."
"No matter. I shall destroy you and then the girl. Treasure Axe!" Her hands forming into axeblades again, Antylamon charged and tackled Taomon, the two landing in a pile on the ground. "Was it worth this, old friend? Was that human worth the end of your life?"
"Rika is worth everything to me." Taomon replied. "Thousand Spells!" Antylamon roared in pain as several dozen ofuda exploded on Antylamon's torso, throwing the rabbit Deva away. Taomon, also injured by the point blank attack, got up, staring coldly at Antylamon. "I will offer you one last chance to surrender, Antylamon. I have the power to restore your mind, if you will let me. I do miss the old days, when we were friends. Don't let this be the last memory I have of you, Antylamon."
Antylamon felt, for the first time since she had become a Deva, a stirring of fear in her. The girl, she realized. She made this happen. Cautiously, she tried to get up, and started edging around. Then, when she thought she had an opening, she attacked, aiming right at Rika. Rika didn't even have time to say anything as Antylamon made it to only a few feet in front of her.
"Forgive me. TALISMAN OF LIGHT!" Antylamon stopped as a silvery talisman punched through her, illuminating the ground in front of her. The Deva collapsed, defeated, landing right in front of Rika.
==Same time the above section was happening.
"Leomon, Matrix Digivolve to...Grappleomon!" Leomon's' transformation was impressive. He had gotten bigger, and his body was covered in grey metallic body armor. On his lower legs and forearms, what looked like turbines spun slowly.
Jeri glanced at her D-Arc, which had an image on it. "Grappleomon." she read. "Type: Vaccine, Beast Man digimon. Special attack...Lion Beast Killing Wave?" she gasped.
"Not to worry. I have very good aim." Grappleomon replied. "Last chance, Pajiramon. Release them and leave!" Pajiramon, snarling, ignored the offer and kept firing, crossbow bolts bouncing off Grappleomon's armor.
"Be careful!" Jeri called. Sneering, Pajiramon lifted her shield up, taking careful aim with her crossbow.
The turbines on Grappleomon's arms began spinning. "Lion Beast Killing Wave!"
"You've sacrificed the humans!" Pajiramon yelled triumphantly. "Treasure Bow!"
The bolt shot out, but was stopped and shattered by Grappleomon's wave of force. The blast carried on and struck Pajiramon's crossbow, shattering it. "Takato and Guilmon were not my target." her replied. Enraged, Pajiramon tossed the shield aside and charged at the cyborg digimon.
Now, the turbines on Grappleomon's legs spun up to speed, and Pajiramon found herself on the receiving end of a barrage of powerful kicks. "Lion Whirlwind Kick!" The first two blows sent Pajiramon flying, stunned by the force of the attack. "As long as I live, I will never allow digimon like you to harm these humans!" As he spoke, all four of his turbines began spinning, the whine from them sounding like a jet engine. "Tempest Lion Teeth!" He shot forward, almost invisible inside of the small tornado he had generated. It engulfed Pajiramon, though Jeri could still make out the sounds of several blows being exchanged. After a few minutes, the blows stopped, and the whirlwind began to dissipate. Out of the top, Jeri could see small particles escaping, flying into the atmosphere. "Grappleomon?"
"I'm alright, Jeri." Gabumon said, staggering away from the now-gone tornado. "Matrix Digivolving takes a lot out of you. Oh, I think the others are free now."
Jeri turned around, and saw the emerald cage around Takato and Guilmon vanish. A short distance away, Henry and Terriermon were getting up. "Takato!" Jeri yelled, tackle-hugging Takato.
"Hey, how about something for us?" Terriermon said, a bit miffed.
"Let it be." Henry said. "I saw everything. Nice job, Gabumon."
Gabumon nodded. "Umm...is that normal between humans?" he asked, indicating Jeri and Takato.
Henry took one look at Takato's expression (Goofy 'I'm on cloud nine' type -ed) and chuckled. "Some humans. Is Rika here? I thought I heard her name mentioned."
==
Rika stood there as Taomon reverted to Renamon, and strode over to Antylamon, who slowly shrank back to Turuiemon. "Re...Renamon?" Turuiemon gasped.
"I am here." Renamon said, kneeling down and cradling Turuiemon's head.
"I'm so sorry. When I encountered the True Sovereign, he took me over and made me do...horrible things. Oh, if only Leomon could see me now..."
"Leomon?" Rika gasped. "He's here! Wait, I'll go get him!"
"No." Turuiemon replied. "It's too late. Tell him...I'm sorry for letting him down. Renamon...beware, the True Sovereign plans to destroy both this world and the Digital World!" Turuiemon tried to get up, but failed. "Renamon...I must go now. I don't think I will return. There hasn't been a new digimon in the Digital World since you left..."
"What?" Renamon gasped. But Turuiemon said no more. Her body vanished, leaving Renamon kneeling there. "Farewell, Turuiemon."
"Renamon..." Rika whispered.
"Rika. I meant it when I said you were worth everything to me."
"But...she was your friend."
"I know. But I had no choice, Rika. I will never leave you."
==Monday, after school
"Don't say it." Jeri said to Hitomi. Jeri had just finished telling Hitomi about the battle and Gabumon's evolution to Grappleomon. "Don't you dare apologize!"
"Thank you!" Eevee sighed. "Well, someone had to tell you." he said to Hitomi. "How is Gabumon?"
"A bit sad he didn't have a chance to see Turuiemon before she...died." Jeri said. "I think I understand why you tried to keep me from becoming a tamer, Hitomi. Are all the fights this hard?"
"I'm afraid so. But as Takeru might say, digidestined are specialists at fighting hopeless battles."
Jeri blinked. "Takeru? Your cousin?" Hitomi nodded. "Does he always quote Gundam Wing?"
"He takes after his father." Hitomi replied. "Uncle Davis has a whole library of anime videos. How about Rika and Renamon?"
"I talked to Rika on Sunday. She and Renamon are fine, but I think something shook Rika up a bit. She wouldn't say what though."
"I hope she gets over it soon." Eevee said. "We're going to need all the help we can get, if this keeps up."
==Next Episode
Getting desperate at the defeat of so many Devas, Majiramon and Kumbhiramon make their way to the Real World, managing to trap all the tamers except for Hitomi at the Hypnos headquarters. Can Hitomi last against the Dragon Deva, and can the other Tamers escape Kumbhiramon's traps and help her? Next time, on Digicross Tamers episode 20:
-'Mystic Swordsman Karatenmon'