Shattered Light

By: Linkmaste

Chapter Three: The Tamers Expo

Author's Note: This chapter features two characters from another author's work called 'Digimon Saga' by Kingkaiju. It is a highly recommended story, very good characters and lots of interesting plot twists. He has given me permission to use his characters as long as I disclaim that they are not mine.

Now, let's get to Takato. We'll be with him for a long time in this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. I also do not own Chloe, and Trent-they are owned by Kingkaiju and his story. I own Lindy, and the Canadian Tamers.

"Takato, how did you meet up with Guilmon?"

Nineteen year old Takato Matsuki cast his red eyes at the blonde girl in the crowd. She was standing up with a bee insect digimon that hovered beside her head reposefully. Her lilac eyes were crystal clear and stared at Takato with such intensity that he needed to glance down at his microphone. He didn't think he needed one at the panel, however about fifty Tamers and digimon were jammed into the small room where he and Guilmon were answering questions. The girl speaking was named Chloe. She was from America and her partner was Fanbeemon. They expectantly waited for an answer from the goggle head Tamer.

It had been over six months since the legend of UltimateChaosmon came to life and plotted against both worlds. Takato was chosen along with Guilmon as one of the successors of the Royal Knights. His friends and some members of the Canadian Tamers were even part of the adventure-as either one of the Holy Angels, or one of the Great Demon Lords.

While some things remained unchanged-like Guilmon's appetite for bread-others had. The bond between the Canadian Tamers and Takato's group became tight after defeating UltimateChaosmon. He thought it would be an exceptional idea to keep in touch with them in case something else happened. While they were a little more...crude, they were still very powerful allies. Takato still remembered that house party years ago when he and Impmon travelled to Canada to save Jeri. He never looked at alcohol the same way again and wondered how the loud, northern Tamers could drink so much. Lindy explained that drinking started at a younger age in Canada. Still, did Impmon have to make him drink almost fifteen beers that night? Since then, Takato cuddled with his soda instead of having a drink with Kazu and Kenta.

Even further, a larger idea sparked into Takato's mind. It began with Guilmon, who was sad that he couldn't see Agumon or Bowmon-two allies that the digimon bonded with during UltimateChaosmon. One looked exactly like the orange dinosaur digimon from the T.V series that Takato gushed over, but a bit ruder. The other was a small, yellow, bow like being that only talked in whispers. She was shy but overtime, Bowmon had grown used to Guilmon and perched herself upon his ear.

Guilmon whined that he wished he could see the other digimon from the cold country more often. Takato joked, saying that with all the Tamers from around the world, he could meet so many other digimon. The idea hit him like a bus. Why not gather all the Tamers to get to know each other? Other than saving the world, no one really saw each other just to socialize. The world had become so connected and having Tamers from all over the world as allies would certainty help things. From there, began the birth of the concept known as the Tamers Expo. It would be a two day event where Tamers from all over the world came to talk about their experiences, showcase different Tamers, ask questions, or just look for support.

At first, no one bought it. They said that it would be completely stupid to bring all Tamers together so they would get blow up by some digimon terrorist group.

"Rika, I'm sure the ADA doesn't have the brain power to pull that stunt off."

"You don't know that, goggle head!" Rika retorted, rejecting the idea instantly.

But Takato pressed further, explaining that Guilmon misses Agumon, Bowmon and suggests there could be more digimon that want to be their friends. Eventually, he gained Jeri as his first supporter. His girlfriend wanted to help the children that had their digimon deleted from the Rolling Meadows facility. The ex-Tamer who lost her partner Leomon long ago, felt it was appropriate that she helped others who lost their partners since she understood the pain so well.

Kazu and Kenta were next. They wanted to meet all the cool digimon from around the world and maybe host some kind of tournament.

"A friendly competition, chumley. Nothing more." Kazu assured, earning a few eye rolls and groans.

Kenta simply wanted to join the ride and as a Holy Angel with his partner, maybe he could talk about his adventure in the digital world. Kazu was a little jealous at first when he learned both of his friends were part of this 'super awesome' legend. Yet after hearing of the possibility that everyone was killed, Kazu was completely content being stuck with Andromon doing what they did best. Protecting the human world.

Suzie and Lopmon were next to warm up to the idea. The young Tamer was desperate to meet others her age. Being a teenager, she needed someone she could relate to as a Tamer. Most teenagers were self conscious and Suzie was no different.

The youngest Tamers, Ai and Mako were unsure about the idea. They said that Lindy and Impmon probably wouldn't want to come. The two had their own lives going on, such as Lindy finishing her first year of university in Canada. Impmon was...well, Impmon. He was still enjoying his new controllable hybrid powers to the fullest extent, which meant plenty of terrorized citizens of West Shinjuku. He needed to do whatever he could to keep occupied until Lindy came back home.

That was another thing to be concerned about. Rumours started to appear about the possibility of hybrids being a real thing. Of course, it had not started out that way. When Lindy was babysitting the twins, she took a nasty hit from a digimon to save Ai. Then Lindy had to save Impmon's life by changing him into a hybrid. Six years later, they were finally freed from the curse, but the fact they still loved each other was prominent-and made very aware by a snickering Terriermon, who kept getting fireballs thrown his way whenever he mentioned it. What would the Tamers say if someone asked about hybrids? Ai and Mako were firmly against even mentioning it. Hybrid talk was completely off limits. To the children's relief, everyone agreed. The 'lovebirds' Terriermon coined, deserved their peace and quiet.

Rika was a harder Tamer to convince. Renamon thought having the possibility of air head Tamers coming to West Shinjuku would cause problems. Rika agreed saying it was just taunting the ADA (Anti-Digimon Association) to attack them. When Takato countered saying the ADA was no more of a threat, Rika hotly accused Takato of disregarding everyone's safety. Fortunately Ryo, the legendary Tamer told Rika to chill out. She just wanted nothing to do with a certain Latino Canadian Tamer and her digimon. Back during UltimateChaosmon, Rika and Renamon frequently butted heads with Marianna and Tiguramon. They were not mortal enemies, but Rika could not promise that her fist wouldn't connect with the brunette's face if she pissed her off. It was the closest 'yes' anyone was going to get from Rika and Renamon.

Takato asked Lindy to talk to the Tamers in Canada and see how they would feel about the Expo. Lindy, who Takato was afraid would be uninterested and occupied with her university life, was more than happy to oblige. Within the hour, she got four 'yes', a 'maybe', and an 'only if the red haired bitch and the fox weren't going'. Three guesses who said that one and the first two didn't count.

It was down to Henry Wong now. The calm Tamer was nervous as there were so many Tamers in the Shield database. It was a complex documentation of all the Tamers in the world. It was only used for security purposes, not as a large phone book. They couldn't just go calling up everyone. There were almost two hundred Tamers in the database and most of them were from the American sector. Henry warned Takato that catering to so many different people and digimon would be a enormous task. Regardless, Henry knew that the Expo would provide more allies-something that couldn't hurt for Hypnos and his plan to one day, run the organization.

Terriermon crudely mentioned that everyone was scared of them because they had the most powerful group of digimon. It was nothing to sneeze at: eight mega digimon, an ultimate, and unofficially, two hybrids. It was certainty impressive. Henry guessed that Canada was right behind with six megas and two champions, however the Canadian Tamers mentioned another mega was Lindy's cousin Kari and her partner Gatomon. That made seven.

When Henry and Rika finally caved in from all the begging, and Ai and Mako were assured that their digimon would be safe, the event was given the green light. The planning was pretty straightforward. Takato`s parents owned a bakery and were more than happy to work with Jeri`s family who owned a restaurant to provide food. Invitations were sent out by Yu and his company of Hypnos, he provided a dozen interpreters for any language barriers, and the event would be hosted in the building itself. Even Rika`s mom handed them five thousand dollars to `help out`. She gave her mother a lecture about just throwing money around-especially that much. Rumiko retorted that it was her money and she could do what she pleased. Being a model, she earned a good pay check.

Kazu and Terriermon came up with an idea to host a little battle tournament and whoever won received half the money, while the other half went to charity. It took even more begging and pleading with Henry about the mere concept of a fighting tournament. Kazu even suggested that it would be a `knock a 'mon out of the ring` kind of competition. Terriermon really wanted it to be a knock out tournament, but after a glare that the bunny digimon received, he agreed with Kazu`s idea. Henry came up with an answer after a few days with the following rules: nothing stronger than champions, no digivolving, and it had to just be knocking them out of the ring. No death matches and no one gets hurt. The two trouble makers eagerly agreed to the idea and went to work.

Some Tamers were actually interested in competing for the money such as Rika and who thought it would be good to pay her own way though college. Renamon liked the competition. Ryo and Monodramon entered saying they could use some practice after lying around for so long. Ai wanted to enter too and cut a deal with Impmon saying they could split the money. Naturally, the purple virus agreed. He liked money and had his personal reasons for needing the cash. Terriermon pleaded, prodded, begged, and even bargained to sign up for the tournament but Henry was set against it. He could understand others would want to do it, but they were better than that and they didn't need the money that bad. They would be busy playing hosts that day.

Within a few months, it was all set up to occur during a nice weekend in June. It would be sunny and perfect weather for the guests. A total of a hundred Tamers were going to attend including much to Rika and Renamon's annoyance, Marianna and Tiguramon.

"-Takato?"

Takato snapped out of his thoughts and answered the question to Chloe as honestly as possible. Guilmon took over,

"Takatomon drew me! Then he really wanted me to be real, and after wishing it-I came here in an egg!"

The response drew laughs and smiles from the crowd. Guilmon was so charming to everyone-an unique treat. Takato explained further to the American Tamer how he drew Guilmon one day in detail. After a wish from a digi-gnome-a wish maker, he received a blue card and his D-Arc and well…the rest was history.

Chloe smiled, "I never knew a Tamer like yourself, could draw such a cute digimon."

Takato faltered, losing his composure for a slight second.

"Uh, you mean cool right?"

The crowd laughed at Guilmon crying out 'I want to be cute!' Fanbeemon commented that Takato was lucky to have such a strong bond with Guilmon. He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.

"He's my best friend. I wouldn't know what life would be like without him."

Some girls were gasping at how adorable that sounded and it made Takato blush further. He asked if anyone else had a question. A young girl around thirteen from India, raised her hand. She had a green amphibian digimon that was known to Takato as Betamon. She cleared her throat and asked her question in her language while a translator relayed it to Takato and Guilmon.

"Takato, my name is Latika. I do not know much about digimon and I am partnered with Betamon very recently. He's dear friend of mine. I learned that downloading data after defeating a rogue digimon gives him power. However, I know you and the Tamers here frown upon it a lot. Why?"

Takato nodded, understanding the question. Leaning forward, he kept his eyes steady at Latika.

"You see, downloading the data means they will not be able to ever come back. You essentially killed them. Once, we let our digimon download after every fight, but after awhile the power of our bond as Tamer and digimon was enough and the they didn't have to download. When we lost Leomon in our group, he was downloaded by a digimon and as it stands, he can't come back. So yes, we don't like the idea of downloading and there is a good reason for it."

Takato was glad Jeri and Impmon were not there to hear that. He knew that both would feel a little uncomfortable hearing about Impmon's past sins. However, he redeemed himself numerous times. Takato could still tell he blamed himself for Leomon's death. Ever since, the group had been very vocal about not downloading the data after a digimon has been defeated. Maybe then, it can get a second chance at life.

"Takato! Over here!"

Takato glanced over at a hand waving wildly in the air. It was beside the girl Chloe and Fanbeemon. He was young with red hair and a pair of familiar goggles. The Tamer laughed inwardly, proud that he started a whole craze of goggle head Tamers.

"Oh, pick him Takatomon! He looks like you!" Guilmon encouraged, wagging his tail happily. The audience laughed. The teen got up nervously and spoke in an American accent. The translator got to work.

"Hi, Trent here with Huckmon- huge fans. Where did you get your goggles from? Did a family member hand them down or did they come with Guilmon?"

Takato smiled uneasily. He actually just had them in the sock drawer for awhile so his mother wouldn't throw them out. He wore them at first so Guilmon could tell he was not a digimon and eventually...it just became part of his assemble.

"Well, Trent and Huckmon, I kinda wore them-"

"Takatomon, Huckmon has goggles on too! Why don't I have a pair?" Guilmon was off his seat and in the crowd, much to everyone's surprise. He was staring intensely at the goggles on the red cape Huckmon donned. The dragon digimon grinned.

"Takato should make you goggles then, Guilmon."

"Guilmon..." Takato moaned feeling a little embarrassed that his partner just tackled through some Tamers just to get a look at Huckmon's goggles. "Why don't I make you a pair when we're done today?"

"Okay Takato, but after we eat. I'm so hungry!"

"To answer your question, Trent," Takato began "It was so Guilmon could tell I was a human, not a digimon. He kinda has a hard time telling the difference-"

"-but I know you're Takatomon-Rika is Rika, Henry is Henry, Lindymon is-bwah!"

Takato covered Guilmon's muzzle and laughed awkwardly. Way to let that one slip Takato thought, fearing someone would ask about 'Lindymon'. But no one questioned it, and was still laughing at the antics between the two. They looked like a couple of clowns.

"Um, so what's next?" Trent asked cocking his head to the side. "You saved the world, you're a Royal Knight, you got a girlfriend. What's next in life? Are you going to become a full-time Tamer?"

The question hung in the air with meaning. Many Tamers perked their interest if they were not listening before and looked to Takato for an answer. However, the almost adult Tamer had no idea how to respond.

With everyone slowly growing up, there was the inevitable notion of splitting apart. It wasn't instant. It began with Lindy moving back to Canada to go to university. The blonde was always hanging around them whenever she caught a break between soccer, school and her Tamers. Secretly, Takato was curious if she was going to marry her boyfriend and maybe start a family. Impmon a dad...now that would be a crazy thought.

It was not just to the two hybrids who were moving on; Henry was planning to run Hypnos. After the loss of Janyu Wong a few months back, his friend was working harder than ever with Yu and Riley to help programs work, soothe the media on digimon, and even help out with the event today. Of course, Henry wouldn't move far away, but the job probably required him to travel...a lot. That made Takato sad. Henry needed so much support during his father's funeral and all the Tamers came as a sign of respect. Even Kazu and Kenta wore actual dress shirts, dress pants and acted their age for once. Rika was shocked at that. The Monster Maker team member had suffered from lung cancer and within three months of the first diagnosis, he died. It was a sad moment for everyone and it still hung in the air like an awful odour.

Rika was another story. She wouldn't tell a lot of people but she had this amazing eye for taking pictures with her camera. Takato asked Rika if she was ever interested in becoming a digimon photographer. Aside from the usual smart remark about 'being a stupid goggle head', Rika confessed that she felt a little trapped with her status of being a Tamer. Was it expected that all Tamers stay as Tamers forever? Or could they get other jobs as well? While Takato assured Rika that they were more than capable of having other jobs, the thought pestered in his mind. Were they supposed to do this forever? Was this their only career?

Kazu, Kenta, and Jeri were all taking a year off to explore what they wanted to do. Maybe, he should do the same. To his dismay, his mother was hell bent on him applying to every university, and every scholarship that existed to man kind. (Even the ones in Canada-to which Lindy laughed at Takato's attempts to write an English essay on why he should get a grant).

Takato cleared his throat and was about to tell Trent his lame response of 'we shall see,'- when he noticed that Guilmon was not beside him. In fact, Guilmon was no where around him. He looked up and around the room. His partner had just got up and left like that? What was he thinking?

"Uh, I gotta go find Guilmon...uh, Henry and Terriermon are next and they love to talk about the digital world and digimon laws! I'll uh-be back later." The hasty statement caused everyone to stand up, shout more questions and cameras flashed. He ran past a slightly annoyed Henry with his mouthy digimon, Terriermon.

"Jeez Takato, you have been a Tamer for how long and still lose Guilmon?" The bunny snickered and Henry rolled his eyes. Takato didn't reply, just exited the room and ran down the stairs, toward the main lobby of the Tamers Expo.

Author's Note: Oh no, Guilmons gone missing!? I wonder where he went...well, I guess we just have to explore the Expo a little to find out! Maybe we can catch some battles at the tournament? Wouldn't that be fun? That's coming up next! Thanks to KingKaiju for letting me use Trent and Chloe and their digimon! Again, great story be sure to check them out! I shall update soon!