This chapter has been in my head since I wrote the last one and it demands to be written so here we go!

Ch. 20. To the Digital World & Back Again?

Matt's POV

Why do people keep knocking on my door so early in the morning? I get up to see what this person wants if it's Tai stopping by after his morning run I'm going to kill him. To my surprise it's a frantic looking Alice.

"Um…Hi?" I'm a little self-conscious standing there in just some shorts but she doesn't seem to notice. "I think Rika's still asleep but if-"

I was interrupted, "You mean she's here?" Why does she sound do hopeful?

Confused I tell her if she wants we can check then maybe she'll calm down and tell us what's going on. I freeze as soon as I get through the door. The bed hasn't been slept in.

I feel more then see Alice fall to her knees my eyes are glued to the bed more specifically what was left on the pillow.

What? No good night kiss?

I can still hear her asking for a kiss feel what I felt at that moment but I'm an idiot I should have realized what that meant. She was saying goodbye but why? Why didn't she tell me I would have gone with her?

"I knew it they're gone." They? Of course, I think bitterly, why would she need me when she has her precious Taka and Hen?

I walk over to the bed to see the pendant I had given her at the school festival. I can still hear her laughing voice teasing me about it.

Is this your way of confessing Yamato?

And here I thought you would be the only girl smart enough to know it doesn't mean anything.

What you're not going to pin it on me? Isn't that what the guys supposed to do when he chooses the girl he wants to wear his pin?

Alice stands abruptly snapping me out of my thought and I realize I was gripping the pendant hard enough that the pin drew blood.

"Get your team we are going to Hypnos."

Suddenly I get why the Tamers are just as afraid of Alice as they are of Rika. That scene with Keiko was just a preview Alice was not a girl to be messed with. Despite my anger at the moment I couldn't help but feel sorry for Henry because if his girlfriend ever caught up to him he was going to be in deep shit.

At The Hypnos Building

While I gathered the others Alice had made a phone call to Hypnos and made a list of demands that were all surprisingly met.

Now we were all gathered (including Rika, Takatoand Henry's parents) around a giant table waiting for this Yamaki guy to explain what happened.

It looks like he's finally going to start.

"Yesterday evening a portal was found and Henry was informed. From what they told me he contacted Takato, Rika and Ryo." We all looked at the Ryo wondering he had been told why he was here with us and not with them. "Ryo?"

Ryo sighed before looking at everyone his eyes locked with mine for a few seconds and he seemed resigned like he was ready to give up but what he was giving up I couldn't say. "They told me they were going and no one else was to be let through so to most of you now I am the enemy."

There was silence until Alice broke it by shouting, "But why you! You know the digital world better than anyone. Why not go with them?"

"Because that's not what I was told to do" Everyone looked at him incredulously but he stopped them from interrupting. "Every Tamer knows that when Takato is disobeyed something bad happens. He's a good leader." He stated looking at his team mates before looking down at his clenched fists. "Do you think this is easy for me? They're my friends to. Rika tried getting them to let her go alone said it was her fight that there was no point in giving up everything. They wouldn't let her I was left to guard the portal no one goes in and if they fail and it leaks to this world I lead the front line to put an end to it."

It was Sora who asked what we all wanted to know, "Why do you keep talking like we'll never see them again?"

Kazu turned to her for once the joker wasn't laughing or trying to lighten the mood both his eyes and voice where dead when he spoke and when he did I felt my heart stop, "Because we won't. The portal is a one way ticket, once in there is no way out we got back last time by miracle but miracles don't repeat."

"No, no there has to be a way to get them back!" I yelled before I could stop myself.

"There isn't" Mr. Wong said brokenly. "The arc program was lost to the D-Reaper we have no way of duplicating it without Takato the arc turned into his glider as Gallantmon. Just as always we are useless to help our children." He was close to tears like the other parents.

"Matt?" I looked at Kari who looked close to tears herself, "Did she say anything to you leave a note something?" She had stood up by now her voice was getting more and more frantic both T.K. and Tai got up to try and soothe her but all she did was look at me waiting for my answer.

I couldn't speak through the lump in my throat so I just shake my head letting her know Rika had left nothing and watch her fall limp against my brother and hers. The pendant was weighing heavy in my pocket so I pulled it out and held it in my hand hoping the burning would stop.

"Why would she?" I am seriously close to punching this guys lights out. "Rika has never been good with emotions why leave a note knowing that Takato's parents would call Jeri when they realized he was missing. That Jeri would panic and call Alice and Alice would find out then run to see Rika to find only you. Then we'd end up here." He spread his hand to the whole room and the people in it.

But he's wrong she's not bad with emotions my hand subconsciously raises to my lips feeling everything she had shown me with that kiss. I could see Jeri and Alice looking at me and knew they understood they must have felt it when their boyfriends said goodbye.

"There has to be a way I won't give up as easily as you all have!" I look at Izzy eyes pleading if anyone can find a way it's him. He has to help me get her back, help me keep her safe.

His eyes move to my hand and he sees the pendant. He must recognize it he was there when I put it on her laughing with everyone else while she teased me. He looks shocked for a minute before his expression changes to determination.

"Matt's right! We can't just give up if you allow me access to your network and resources maybe I can set up a system similar to the one we use to go in and out of our quadrant."

Yamaki looked deep in thought before startling us all with his shout, "Riley!"

"Yes Sir?"

"Give this kid whatever he needs and gather the rest of the Monster Makers they may be able to help him."

"Sir?"

"He's going to help get those three knuckle heads back home."

That response received an enthusiastic "Sir yes Sir!" She ushered Izzy away quickly they were followed by Mr. Wong. All we could do is wait.

You better be in one piece when I get there or I'm going to be even more pissed off at you then I am now.

Rika's POV

"How did he gain so much power over the Sovereign?" Takato asked but neither Henry or I could answer to shocked by what we were seeing. The ice freak had iced the whole place where the desert should have been there was only ice.

"It's about time you got here." We could see the Dog Dava coming towards us. "The Sovereign is waiting so get those asses moving!"

"Jeez what a grouch." Of course the stupid rabbit has to open his mouth and start an argument with the dava.

The boys are more serious than usual I feel a pang in my chest when I remember why.

"I'm sorry you had to leave them because of me." I look at the ground I couldn't look at their sad faces knowing I caused them.

I feel a sting on my head and look up to see Henry with his fist on my head like he does Suzie, "What are you talking about it's the ice freak we're mad at he should have left you alone though don't expect us to."

"Yeah Rika" Takato cut in throwing his arm over my shoulder, "We're like the three musketeers all for one!" He lifted his hand in the air waiting for us to join. We sweat dropped before giving in lifted our hand to join his and we shout, "And one for all!"

"Now that you're done it might interest you to know that you are being left behind by the dog." Stupid Renamon always so smug when she catches us goofing off.

We start walking again I hug the jacket I'm wearing closer to me. It's one of Matt's he let me borrow it once and I never gave it back. I guess I never will so I better suck it up and see what he Sovereign wants.

All done let me know what you think.