Shattered Light

By: Linkmaste

Chapter Four: Where in the World is Guilmon?

Authors Note: Ah, here we are. You know, I love battle scenes. And do you know what is coming up soon? A battle scene! Suzie and Lopmon will be making their entrance here as well. But, we're still figuring out where Guilmon went. Let's see how Takato makes out on the search.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.

Takato ran down some stairs to a high balcony that overlooked the Tamers Expo, searching frantically for Guilmon.

The main foyer of Hypnos was large enough to hold most of the event. Along the outsides were vendors, and food stands (including Takato's parents' bakery and Jeri's restaurant). The Guilmon bread was the most popular thing on the menu and the bakers were up at the crack of dawn preparing them. Other stands included various neighbourhood shops that could use a little boost in sales. Popular stands included digimon jewellery, a stand that sold foreign clothing, and even a digimon card stand. Many Tamers were visiting them, providing ample sales for the vendors, which caused a positive buzz in the building. Along the back was the staircase for upstairs where the panel was located.

Yesterday, the Canadian Tamers were on the panel such as Marianna, Tiguramon, Cam and Agumon in the morning. In the afternoon that day was Ally, Gazimon, Katrina, and Bowmon. According to the adult Tamers, they were very popular-even getting asked for autographs! Takato and Guilmon volunteered for today's first panel while Henry and Terriermon went after. Rika and Renamon were not interested and declined. Panels were the second most popular thing as it was designed for Tamers who had questions, or advice for back in their home country. While the world was much better at accepting digimon, some places were still at war, causing all kinds of chaos and suffering.

With the way Henry and Hypnos planned the Exposition, one would walk in, go clockwise around, checking out vendors or the panels, then they would go around and find themselves at the centre where the tournament was taking place.

The stage for the tournament was sized depending on which class was participating. In-training digimon had a ten by ten ring since they were so small. Elevated platforms only rose two feet, so they wouldn't hurt themselves if they fell. Rookies were larger. A twenty by twenty feet ring was designed for them, and champions has the largest with a forty five by forty feet sized ring. The audience would be back far enough so no splash damage would occur.

When the tournament was announced, Henry took no risks. He meticulously made each rule and countered every possibility. He made all Tamers over the age of ten only allowed to participate and each had to sign a waiver so no lawsuits would happen. Terriermon would have told Henry to 'Momentai' numerous times, but he understood why Henry was so tense about the tournament. It was only right that Henry create as many safe guards as he saw fit.

Takato almost ran into Jeri as she walked by downstairs in the foyer. The nineteen year old stopped in time and apologized to his girlfriend for the rush. Jeri waved it off, saying she was using to his mind being up in the clouds and gave a smile.

"Where's Guilmon? I would have thought you two would be stuck together like glue today." Jeri poked around curiously for the 'cute' red digimon, but it was just a frustrated Takato.

"He ran off on his own. I should have known better-he told me he was pretty hungry." Takato replied, shaking his head.

"Well, I'm sure he went to eat some Guilmon bread at your parent's station. It smells delicious over there. I'll text you if I spot him, okay?" Jeri assured the goggle head Tamer with a soft smile and a quick peck on the lips. Takato asked Jeri how her tent was going. It was an awareness station on helping Tamers and digimon who lost their partners. It was steady Jeri said who listened very recently to a Palmon who lost her Tamer to a drive by shooting. Takato told Jeri that she was so brave helping everyone out today.

"It's like what Leomon told me. I have a lion's heart." Jeri recited and blushed when Takato tucked a lock of brown hair behind her ear. He kissed her again and left looking deeper into the stands for Guilmon.

Takato was questioning himself how he had not spotting his partner yet, when his friends Kazu and Kenta waved him over from the side. Kazu fist bumped Takato, while Kenta gave a wave. The bespectacled boy had a medical jacket on, since he was a volunteer paramedic to help out any accidents during the tournament. MarineAngemon was a big help as well, since he would heal others. Kazu was preparing Guardromon for competing in the champion class of the tournament.

With a cocky smile he said, "Guardromon is a million tonnes-no one is going to make him move."

"Uh, is that just going to be your plan?" Takato was unsure of Kazu's crazy idea. While Guardromon was extremely heavy, there were plenty of digimon that could pick him up. Kazu looked side to side-as if someone was eavesdropping on their conversation. Quickly, he pulled out a digimon card that had a picture of a metal alloy coated Etemon, the monkey doll digimon.

"Easy chumley, I'm packing serious card ammo today. I don't even think Ryo has this one. It's our ace in the hole, no one is going to beat us."

"Alright, if you say so." Takato gave in, letting his brown haired friend have his moment of glee. Takato inquired about Guilmon's whereabouts again, but the teenagers had not seen the digimon anywhere.

"No worries. I'm sure he's checking out the battles. I know Renamon and Rika are going on soon. You should ask them." Kenta suggested, while MarineAngemon let out a couple of 'pi' sounds.

Takato thanked Kazu and Kenta before running around the Exposition dodging people, Tamers and digimon. Along the way, Takato tripped over a certain purple imp like digimon wearing a red bandana and gloves. The brown goggle head Tamer fell on top of the digimon, almost crushing him.

"Impmon!" two familiar voices cried.

A boy and a girl around eleven years old ran to the fallen duo, obviously more concerned with their digimon partner. They knew Takato could take a fall and be fine. The two were identical twins but their attire was very distinguished from each other. The girl had a side braid that revealed her bright brown eyes. She was wearing a red long sleeved shirt paired with her favourite jeans. A belt looped around her waist and leg holding a damaged purple D-Arc and a deck of digimon cards. If anyone knew the Tamers group, she looked like Rika in her younger days.

The boy was in a casual blue t-shirt and cargo shorts. His hair was newly cut shorter-shying away from his long, messy style. Identical brown eyes were staring at Takato, who felt a little dazed from the trip.

"Ya got to be pretty dense to not watch where ya walkin', goggle head." Impmon groaned being helped up by the brown haired girl, Ai. The twin boy, Mako, helped Takato up.

"Well, you are kinda small." teased Ai, making her partner give a dirty look.

"I can still tower you as a human and as my mega form, so put a sock in it." the purple rookie replied.

"What's the rush, Takato?" Mako asked lightly. "You should still be at the panel with Guilmon."

"He kinda took off. So, I'm looking for him." Takato was getting a little tired of explaining himself so many times. He was embarrassed for landing on Impmon as his face was still bright red.

After UltimateChaosmon, Impmon along with Lindy, were free from their hybrid curse. Impmon was relieved that he would stay as his original form, but sometimes the Tamers could see him walking the twins home from school as his human form, Ian. Takato guessed Ai and Impmon were heading over to register for the competition.

"Impmon and I are going to win that sick cash prize, no problem. We're half of the greatest team." Ai smirked, taking part of the cocky attitude Impmon was known for.

"I dunno sis, you have Rika and Renamon to worry about." Mako warned, wagging a finger at his sister.

"We have a plan for those two, don't we?" Ai looked a little unsure at her partner, but Impmon was on top of it.

"Our cards will do fine and plus I know all of foxy's tricks. They don't know we had been practicing our link."

Takato knew what he was talking about. The twins, Impmon and Lindy had become so close over the years that they had become able to communicate through thoughts and feelings. It reminded him of when he felt WarGrowlmon's hits during battles a long time ago. They first found out the power when Lindy was captured by Omoto and sent a cry for help to Ai and Mako. Since then, they practiced, but still had a long way to go. It wasn't full proof.

"Actually guys, you're one hybrid short. Where's Lindy?" Takato asked.

Ai huffed and crossed her arms, showing him that she was unhappy about Lindy. "She basically backed out last minute because she had an exam in Canada-she's probably just delaying coming back here."

Ai and Mako were sour that Lindy was going to continue studying in Canada. They wanted to be a whole team here in Japan since they were part of the new generation of Tamers. Takato understood, but the hybrid was firm on her education. He had to give her credit on that. Alongside, he could understand the feelings of Lindy's Tamers. They really missed her.

"Ai, she'll come back. She promised," Impmon soothed, an unusual habit of the rookie. "Besides, she was probably shoppin' so much in Canada that she can't fit anythin' into her suitcases."

That was very true. The hybrid woman was notorious for her attire and surplus of clothes bursting out of her bedroom. None of the other Tamers could understand it, especially Rika. It caused a few altercations between the chirpy Canadian and the hot headed Tamer.

"I'm going to go wish Suzie and Lopmon good luck. Don't worry, I'll cheer for both of you. Kick some butt, okay?" Mako waved at Takato and took off in the crowds.

"He's still crazy about her, even though Suzie told him she wasn't interested." Ai shook her head. "Were you that stupid at our age, Takato?"

Takato faltered, giving an annoyed glare to Ai. Muttering about 'kids and respect for their elders' he excused himself from the blunt Tamer and went to go find Rika. The twins could be rude and mischievous sometimes, but in a jam, they cleaned up their act. After all, the twins grew up with Impmon and Lindy-not a lot of Tamers got to do that. It made their bonds strong.

Rika and Renamon were casually chatting to each other as he arrived on the outskirts of the competition. The crowds became thicker and harder to maneuver through. Rika took notice of him and waved a little. Takato explained his situation and the red haired woman looked at her partner.

"Renamon, do you think you could-"

The vulpine, yellow digimon nodded her head and vanished before Rika finished, unbothered by the request to find Guilmon. She was very skilful at locating digimon that were lost. Takato thanked Rika and she gave a small smile.

"It's alright. Suzie and Lopmon are first up against Impmon and Ai. I'm sure Renamon would find Guilmon by the time the battle finished."

The first round was going to start and Suzie could not figure out where the heck she had placed her digimon cards. The thirteen year old zipped around the waiting room lounge, checking pillows on the couches, magazines on tables, even checked all three of her hand bags for any sign of the customized deck. When she had went though the women's washroom and turned up empty, panic started to settle in-like a dark monster that she used to see in her nightmares as a child.

Now that she had grown up, Suzie was not even remotely afraid of monsters or things that go bump in the night. These days, it was wearing the wrong outfit or not fitting in at school. It was bad enough the girl was a Tamer-a noticeable difference from her school peers. But if anything else added to that, it could make her an easy target to be bullied.

However, a brown, bunny like digimon always made her feel at ease. Lopmon was her partner since she met her in the digital world at the ripe age of six. They planned to find Henry or Terriermon at first, but quickly Suzie became enthralled with playing with the ex-Deva digimon. Since that adventure they were close. Lopmon was a perfect guardian, helping Suzie make decisions and battle the forces of evil. Although, Suzie was in charge of princess time-a favourite game of the young Tamer

Now, princess time was long gone. It was acting classes, and attempts to go into modeling-much to the disapproval of her older siblings and mother. The young girl knew she could do it. Her legs were slim and long, she never strayed from a size two, and her eyes were an amazing sparkle of dark pink.

Becoming a model and an actress was something she always wanted to do and Lopmon had no problem helping her achieve that. The dark brown digimon was just glad to be with her and not have to fight all the time. Lopmon would take a bad hair day over a bad digimon day.

Suzie had to do a very dramatic and convincing speech to Lopmon about how fighting for the cash prize was not a bad idea. With the money, it would be easy to go to New York and land themselves a modeling career. New York was where dreams came true-and Suzie knew her dream would come true there.

"Suze?" came in a soft spoken voice, drawing the young Tamer out of her thoughts. Suzie snapped back, bewildered that she was in a day dream to begin with. At her legs was Lopmon holding a familiar deck of cards. She sighed in relief and took them.

"Thank you, Lopmon. I must have looked totally stupid forgetting them."

"The lady at the registration table kept them safe until I came back." said Lopmon. She climbed onto Suzie's shoulder, a similar habit that Terriermon did to Henry. "Are you ready? We're going to be battling Impmon and Ai first."

Suzie told Lopmon she was ready. Pulling out her pink D-Arc and exit the waiting room, the duo travelled up a small set of stairs into the arena. The announcer was just making the introductions once the initial wave of screams from spectators died down.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and 'mons from all over. Welcome to the Tamers Expo Battle Competition!"

A fresh cry from the crowd was the response. Noise makers, clapping and celebratory cheers was kicking the adrenaline into everyone. The omnipresent voice continued,

"In this round, we have the beautiful Suzie Wong and her partner-the ex-Deva, Lopmon!"

"How did the announcer know that?" muttered Lopmon, annoyed.

"And on the other side is the young Ai Haruki and her digimon Impmon-the trouble maker!"

"They got that right." Suzie snickered. Staring directly across the pink haired girl was Ai, who had a dark scowl painted on her face. Impmon crossed his arms, unimpressed. Ai got so worked up being called 'young' or 'little'. It was something Suzie always teased the brown haired girl, amiably. Ai would quip about Suzie's past speech impediment that sometimes broke out when Suzie was flustered or emotional.

"Now, remember the rules. No digivolving and the first one out of the ring loses." The announcer called out.

Lopmon jumped off Suzie's shoulder and went into the ring where Impmon stood. He gave a little smirk.

"Hey, chocolate bunny! Why don't ya just walk off and save us the trouble, huh? I don't wanna hit a girl."

"Tough break. Suze and I will be winning the money while you two will be tending to a bruised ego." Lopmon retorted, looking back at Suzie for an approval of her response.

She gave a nod and smiled, making Lopmon proud. She was not much for the 'witty banter' of a battle. That was Impmon's specialty-a smokescreen of the fact that Lopmon had the advantage of hovering. Impmon was stuck on the ground.

"On your marks, get set, GO!"

And with that, the battle had begun. Impmon chucked a few fire balls at Lopmon who dodged them easily. She was used to them by now as Impmon loved playing pranks at the park. It was common to be avoiding his little flames when they wondered in West Shinjuku park.

"Tiny Twister!" cried Lopmon, throwing herself in the air with some effort. She managed to spin her long ears to work like propellers. From there, she knew she had the height advantage. Opening her mouth, tiny shots of ice blasts were fired at the purple rookie.

"Nice job, Lopmon. Just like we rehearsed." Suzie complemented. "You have to think better than that, Ai!"

Ai gave no response. She seemed very focused on the battle; her body was tense, eyes narrowed and her cracked D-Arc was in her tight grasp. After a DemiDevimon bashed it repeatedly on a wall, it was still a mystery how that thing worked.

The ice blasts were on target and Impmon was sent flying near the edge. A little stiff from the cold, Impmon shivered before going back into battle.

"Badaboom! Quit givin' me frost bite!" A few flames were directed at Lopmon, but she dropped herself drastically and completely missed the flames. Still working on staying in the air, she powered herself higher-just avoiding Impmon's reach.

"Lopmon and Suzie came up with an ingenious plan! If Impmon can't hit Lopmon, he's going to be in big trouble." the announcer cried.

"Don't worry. I won't make you two look too bad." Suzie assured, laughing at the opponents situation. "We won't want to hurt your inflated egos too much."

Ai gave a quick eye roll and picked up a card from her selected deck. With a swipe, she cried out:

"Digi-Modify! Devimon's wings activate!"

Dark wings bloomed on Impmon's back that looked rather odd on him, but he accepted the aide. Grinning wickedly, the virus took flight. Lopmon gasped in horror. Suzie knew she had to use a card now and help her partner out.

"Digi-Modify! IceDevimon's breath activate!"

Lopmon sucked in a huge intake of air, puffing her small body twice fold. With a lurch, she unleashed an icy gust of wind that sent chills down Suzie's spine just by looking at it.

Impmon gasped and gritted his teeth preparing for the hit. The impact rocked his body, causing him to stop in midair. His wings were frozen solid and were useless. If the wind kept up, he was going to become a popsicle! Fortunately for him, Lopmon couldn't blow anymore.

The brown bunny dog digimon panted heavily, a little tired from using all that air. That, and her ears were cramping from spinning so rapidly and trying to keep an constant height in the air. It was a good thing Suzie was prepared for Impmon and Ai activating their wings.

"Lopmon, his wings are frozen, knock him out!" Suzie shouted. Lopmon nodded and lunged herself to the purple imp. Her body hit her opponent straight on, sending both digimon flying down to the arena. Suzie frowned. If Lopmon was overpowered by Impmon last minute, this could end badly for her partner. To her luck, she was successful and Lopmon had the purple imp pinned on the edge of the ring. All she had to do was get him off completely. The struggle was real as two forces were trembling at each other's strength. The bunny digimon narrowed her black eyes and pushed her ear muscles into overdrive as she focused on her one goal. Getting the stubborn imp off the ring. Impmon may had frozen wings but he was still resisting, holding her ears inches from his pale face.

Impmon let out a strained chuckle,

"Okay, I'll bite. You can put up a fight. But I'm like a cockroach-ain't easy to smoosh me, brownie!"

"Good. I don't want to smoosh you, just drop you off this-RING!" Lopmon cried out the last word as Impmon changed his weight. His left side changed to sidestepping with his right side and allowed Lopmon to continue pushing forward, almost making her lose her balance upon the ledge.

Everyone gasped-including Suzie-but Lopmon caught herself just in time to smack Impmon away before he could finish throwing her off the ring. Lopmon had to be more careful. The virus may be a trickster, but Ai was a smart girl. She could pick out things that did not look so obvious.

"Fine," Suzie growled. "I'll make him unable to see then." She could not let the younger girl get the best of her-it would be so embarrassing and the other Tamers would poke fun at her. Swiping a card through her device, Suzie called out the card name,

"Digi-Modify! Dokugumon poison thread activate!"

Lopmon spat out three slimy balls of thread. They came out rapidly, but Impmon dove over the first one with ease. The second caught his large foot, but the final one was the killer, as it hit his face-making him temporarily blind. In a panic, the rookie was trying to claw off the sticky string substance shouting colourful curse words. It was not coming lose. He had lost his sight for the battle.

Suzie jumped with joy-they got him now! Lopmon swung to the side and was going to flank him on the right for a grand finish. If Suzie had slowed down and did not get distracted by a cute Tamer waving at her in crowd, she would have noticed Impmon ceased panicking and dropped his arms to his sides calmly. Impmon was still but coiled up, like a mouse trap waiting for its prey.

Lopmon lunged forward, winding up an ear to knock Impmon out with the brutality of a fighter. She went for the final blow.

But, it never came.

Everyone gasped as Impmon at the very last second, had calmly grabbed the brown rookie's attacking ear and firmly gripped it. How could that be? Lopmon was terrified. He was freaking blind and she was silent for the attack. And still, he knew where she was going to strike!

"Ai and I have this trick up our sleeve, you see," Impmon seemed to have read Lopmon's mind and spoke in an amused tone. He caught her other ear as she tried to strike him again. With a heave, he started to spin Lopmon around with his body as a center of gravity-spinning faster all the while continuing his explanation,

"We got this psychic link-I'm sure ya heard of it. That means she can still see and tell me what to do in my mind-without giving away the fact that we knew exactly what you and princess pink over there were up to." Impmon grunted ready to let go. "So sayonara, Lopmon! It was fun battlin' ya!"

The imp let go. The long eared digimon was launched into the air, shrieking as she hit Suzie dead on. The two tumbled to the ground and out of the ring completely. The announcer checked on them. They were dazed, but alright.

"And the battle is over! Impmon and Ai are the winners!"

The crowd cheered wildly, praising Impmon for the amazing comeback. Ai gave a whoop of joy, throwing a fist in the air. They were victorious! Impmon jumped off the stage after getting the sticky substance off his eyes and high fived Ai. The two celebrated as they were one step closer to winning that cash prize.

Suzie hugged Lopmon tenderly. Her partner was a little motion sick from Impmon's odd finishing move, but she was alright.

"It's okay Lopmon, they got us pretty good in the end. We can get the money another way." Suzie felt disappointed in herself for being distracted by that boy Tamer. He was pretty cute though...

"As long as you're okay, I'm fine." Lopmon smiled. She was just glad now they could relax the rest of the day and watch the tournament.

Suzie picked up Lopmon, asking her opinion on the outfit for her next acting gig. After all, a good model and actress always kept her head up for the next opportunity. The pink haired Tamer almost collided with a certain red dinosaur digimon. Suzie waved to Guilmon who seemed to be following someone. Oh well, Takato is never far behind Suzie thought happily and continued on her way with Lopmon. Unknown to both of them that Guilmon was following a mysterious cloaked figure, running through the crowds of the Exposition.

Author's Note: Oh, my! Guilmon seems to have met a friend? Or foe? Who knows. As well, Impmon and Ai make quite a good team don't they? That link sure does come in handy...Next chapter, he and Ai are gunna have to step it up! You guessed it-another battle scene! Any thoughts on the challengers in the tournament? I'll let you know that Rika and Renamon are a team for sure-they will have their match too...