Chapter 3: Return

Three days had passed since the night on the rooftop with Renamon, and not a single day had gone past without Rika seeing Renamon. Every night, just before she went to sleep Renamon would step out of the shadows of her room and the two of them would talk, even if they didn't have much to say to each other, the feeling of warm companionship Rika felt during these sessions routinely made them the highlight of her day. Although the Doctors were bemused by her sudden recovery, they released her the day after, and now she was enjoying some late afternoon sunlight in Shinjuku park before heading back to University in a couple of days. Finding a secluded spot amongst the trees, she rested her back against one.

"Are you there Renamon?" she asked.

"Always, Rika"

Unsurprised, she looked up to see Renamon perched on a branch above her head. As always, Rika took a moment to admire her partner's wild, dangerous beauty, perfectly balanced on the gently swaying branch, scanning the horizon with her piercing blue eyes, fur slightly ruffled by the light breeze.

"You look healthy today, I take it the poison is completely gone from your body?"

The days immediately after her release had been difficult for Rika, watching her partner suffer as the digital poison coursed through her, unable to help, and knowing that she was at least partly responsible for her partner's condition. Seeing Renamon back to her old self again, brought an involuntary smile to Rika's lips.

"Yes" Renamon confirmed, "Is there a reason why you called me here?" she asked.

"There is," Rika replied, "I've been meaning to ask you something for the last few days"

"What is it?"

"What are you going to do?" Rika asked simply

"Whatever you ask of me, Rika" the fox digimon replied

"No, I mean in the long term. I'm-"

"Someone's coming" Renamon interrupted, vanishing into thin air.

A young couple, neither of them much older than herself, were strolling through the trees towards her. Silhouetted against the sky, Rika couldn't make out much detail, but the pair looked oddly familiar to her. It wasn't until his familiar voice drifted over to her that she finally recognised them.

"Hey Rika! I heard about what happened, and figured i'd find you skulking around here"

Rika chuckled to herself "And it's nice to see you again too, gogglehead"

The couple were, of course, Takato Matsuki and Jeri Katou. Rika wasn't privy to all the details, but apparently Takato had 'a thing' for Jeri before they became Tamers, and that the two of them grew closer after Takato rescued Jeri from the D-Reaper. A couple of years ago, they finally decided to start going out, and had been a happy couple ever since.

"Who are you talking to out here by yourself?" Jeri asked, letting go of takato's hand and running over to her.

"No-one, I was just talking to myself" Rika answered, glancing up into the tree, silently willing Renamon to remain hidden.

Jeri surprised Rika by throwing her arms around her, "It's been too long, Rika" she said,

"Likewise, Jeri" Rika replied, awkwardly returning the embrace.

"Long time no see, Gogglehead" Rka nodded to Takato, as he finally jogged up to meet them.

"So, Rika, what brings you to town?" he asked

"Not much" Rika replied "I was just planning on visiting my parents for the weekend, but then I had my accident... and you know the rest"

"What about you two?" Rika asked, addressing Takato, "Last I heard you were heading off to that college up north" turning to Jeri she continued "and you were..." Rika trailed off, Jeri didn't like to talk about it much, but her ordeal at the hands of the D-Reaper had a serious effect on her, It took a year of psychological treatment before she could even return to school, and she was still seeing her psychiatrist every fortnight when Rika and the others left school.

"She got a scholarship to one of the top universities in the country" Takato answered putting his arm around Jeri's waist "She's finishing her exams in the summer, and then she's heading up there"

"Congratulations! That's great news Jeri!" Rika exclaimed happily

Jeri blushed a deep shade of red "I don't like to boast about it..." she mumbled

"Nonsense! You should be proud of yourself" Rika assured her.

"Yeah... I guess..." Jeri mumbled, looking up slightly

Takato draped his free arm around Rika's shoulders, "I know a great bar not too far from here" he said, "Why don't we go there, and continue this little catch-up over a couple of drinks?"

"That sounds like a plan, if you're okay with this Jeri?" Rika asked

"Yeah" she agreed.

Five minutes later, the three of them were sat in a booth in a small bar, located in a side street, just off the main road. Takato and RIka has both ordered a Lager, while Jeri sipped from a glass of wine.

"So," Rika began, taking a sip of her drink "What's the story with you two?"

The pair looked into each other's eyes for a long moment.

"There's not that much to it" Jeri began "After the... um, Incident six years ago, I..." Jeri hesitated, clearly having difficulty talking about the subject.

Takato placed his arm around her again, and whispered something into her ear.

"I was in a bad place" Jeri continued "But Takato was there for me... he helped me alot"

After the D-Reaper invasion, they all tried to resume their normal lives, and only visited Jeri occasionally, but Takato was different, he visited her every day, and spent as much of his time as he could with her. In hindsight, it seemed obvious that they'd eventually fall for eachother.

"I was very grateful for him being there for me, and eventually I worked up the courage to ask him out"

"What she means by 'asked me out'" Takato interjected, "Is that she awkwardly stumbled over her words for five minutes before I put her out of her misery and asked her out instead."

"Actually," Jeri retorted "I don't remember you 'asking me out' I seem to remember you being rather more... forward than that"

The two of them blushed at that remark

"Spare me the gory details guys" Rika interrupted quickly, "I think I get the general idea"

All three of them laughed at that.

"So what about you?" Jeri asked Rika, "Are you seeing anyone at the moment?"

Rika shook her head.

"Really, nobody?" Takato asked, almost incredulous

"Yup, no one" Rika confirmed

"Surely a good-looking woman like you wouldn't have any trouble finding someone?" Takato asked

Jeri elbowed him in the ribs.

"I didn't mean it like that!" Takato responded indignantly

Jeri chuckled to herself, "Calm down, Lover boy"

"He does have a point though..." she said to Rika

Rika didn't answer for several seconds.

"I know..." Rika began "... I guess I'm not really interested in finding someone else at the moment"

"Huh, why?" Takato asked

"I've got looks from lots of guys," Rika continued hesitantly, "I even spoke to some of them, and they seemed nice enough, it's just..."

"What?" Jeri asked quietly

"I dunno really... I just wasn't feeling it, I guess I'm still looking for the right person"

"That's okay," Takato reassured her, "You're young, I'm sure you'll find the right person eventually, just don't give up hope." Glancing sideways at Jeri he added "And remember not to disregard the people closest to you, sometimes the one you're looking for can be closer than you think."

"Thanks" RIka said, looking at her watch, and finishing her drink she added "It's late, I should probably be heading home"

"It was good seeing you again Rika" Takato said, standing up

"It was good to see you too" Rika said, standing up and putting her arms around Takato

"See you around sometime"

"You too, gogglehead" Rika replied, Nodding to Jeri she added "Take good care of her, won't you?"

"I will." Takato paused, then added "Good luck, RIka"

"Good luck Takato" Rika replied, then turned and headed for the door.


"What do you think of this one Rika?" Rumiko asks for the hundredth time.

"No thanks, mother" Rika replied with an exasperated chuckle.

The day after meeting Takato and Jeri in the park, Rika agreed to go on a shopping trip with her mother. Normally Rika would have rather done anything else, but seeing her mother's condition while she was recovering in hospital, her perspective rapidly changed.

Suddenly Rika was jolted out of her reverie by the sound of shattering glass, shortly followed by an inhuman roar. Rika ran to the window, closely followed by everyone else in the store. Across the foyer of the shopping mall, the windows of an electronics store had been completely smashed in, obviously by an impact of great force. A large purple and red creature was stomping across the foyer in pursuit of a terrified Mall security officer, smashing aside anything that got in it's way. The reptilian creature stood on two massive legs, flexing its smaller front arms and swinging its gigantic head, easily as large as Rika's torso, from side to side as it walked. From the back of it's head sprouted a large crest. Rika instantly recognised it as Allomon, a dinosaur-type Digimon she and Renamon had the misfortune of battling with previously. Rika slipped her hand into her pocket and clasped her hand around her Digivice, thanking her paranoia for making her bring it and her deck along with her.

"That's a Digimon, isn't it?" Rumiko whispered.

Rika nodded solemnly.

At that moment, Allomon raised it's head and belched a stream of fire into the air. Rika watched, frozen in horror as the security officer stumbled and fell, sprawling on the ground in front of it. Rika took a step forwards, then stopped, feeling a hand on her shoulder. Rika turned, her mother was gripping her shoulder, desperation in her eyes.

"Rika, whatever you think you have to do, please don't. I can't bear to lose you again."

"I'm sorry," Rika whispered "I have to."

Tears were forming in Rumiko's eyes. "Just don't get hurt" she pleaded

"I won't" Rika promised.

With that, she tore herself away from her mother and strode boldly out into the foyer.

"Hey! Big Guy! Over Here!" she shouted defiantly, her voice echoing in the sudden silence. The Allomon slowly turned his head towards the new voice and took a lumbering step towards her. Rika looked up, straight into the eyes of the crowd which had gathered around the balcony of the upper levels.

So much for keeping this a secret...

"Renamon!" she called, flicking her hands outwards, revealing her digivice in one hand, and a hand of cards in the other.

"I'm here, Rika" the vixen announced, appearing next to her tamer.

A collective gasp passed through the assembled crowd.

"Renamon, let's walk all over him. Digi-modify! Power Activate!" she shouted, swiping a card as she spoke.

Renamon lept into action, delivering a powerful flying kick to the side of Allomon's head, impacting with a sickening crunch. Allomon roared in pain and snapped at Renamon, missing her by a hair's breadth. Out of the corner of her eye Rika spotted the security officer scramble to his feet and run to safety. Rika returned her attention to Renamon. Allomon responded by losing another gout of fire. Even from a distance Rika felt the flash of heat on her face. Renamon easily dodged the attack, however the attack scorched a large swathe of ground, narrowly missing a group of petrified onlookers.

"GO!" Rika shouted to them.

"Renamon, we need to finish this!"

Allomon swiped at Renamon with it's tail, Renamon ducked under the blow and leapt up into the air, icy blue energy gathering around her.

"Diamond Storm!"

Renamon threw her arms wide, a cloud of blinding white shards of light flashed into existence and streaked downwards towards Allomon. Seconds later, Rika felt a shock wave impact her chest as a small explosion rocked the mall. Allomon roared in pain. For several seconds Rika waited anxiously for the smoke to clear. Allomon was clearly injured, but still standing. It bellowed defiantly and charged at Renamon, who dived out of the way at the last second.

"Time to take this up a notch" Rika shouted "Digi-Modify! Digivolution Activate!"

Renamon was consumed by a blinding light that seemed to emanate from within her. When it faded, her form was replaced by the Nine-tailed fox, Kyubimon.

"Let's finish this Kyubimon!" Rika called

Allomon roared in confusion at the new opponent and charged her. Kyubimon leapt over it, and rapidly spun into a cartwheel.

"Dragon Wheel!"

Wreathed in spectral blue flames, Kyubimon shot towards her target. Allomon looked over it's shoulder and spat a blast of fire directly at Kyubimon. Rika looked on in shock as the two attacks collided in mid-air. Rika flinched as a massive fireball erupted, shattering glass all around. Kyubimon was thrown to the ground, where she lay, stunned. Allomon roared in triumph and charged towards her, smashing through the remains of a sushi restaurant.

"Kyubimon!" Rika screamed, heart pounding, panic rising in her chest. "Get out of there!"

Kyubimon tried to struggle to her feet. Too late. Allomon pounced on her. Pinning her hindquarters down with a massive leg, he clamped his Jaws around Kyubimon's neck.

"No..." Rika choked out. Suddenly she was back in the digital field thee days ago.

Renamon was forced down onto one knee, grappling with a Dokugumon, her arms shaking, visibly struggling to support it's weight...

Kyubimon struggled desperately in Allomon's jaws. However, her efforts were futile, Allomon's grip was too strong. Already, Rika could see her weakening, her efforts becoming more feeble. Kyubimon managed to raise her head and meet Rika's eyes. "Rika... Help me..." she gasped..

Renamon was crouched defensively over her body, fending off attacks from three of of the Dokugumon simultaneously. "Im ... Sorry ... Rika." Renamon Panted...

Rika was paralysed by fear. She looked down at her cards, but she couldn't focus her eyes on them.

No! I can't lose her again she thought, Not after all this time!

Rika watched in horror as Kyubimon's form began to waver and lose shape.

RIka was standing in the park, surrounded by the other tamers, as Renamon De-digivolved in her arms, and then began to float away "No! Renamon, Please, I Love you!" she cried.

Rika was brought back to reality by a series of short, sharp cracks. Looking up she saw a group of soldiers in gas-masks and black uniforms storming into the foyer, firing at the Allomon with assault rifles. The bullets bounced of it's thick hide harmlessly, but they must have at least hurt it somewhat, as it let go of Kyubimon and span around towards the soldiers.

Ignoring Allomon and the Soldiers, Rika rushed over to Kyubimon, who was laying unmoving on the ground, and fell to her knees beside her. Rika cradled Kyubimon's head in her arms.

"Kyubimon? Are you okay?" she cried "Please be okay, please, please..."

At last she managed to crack her eyes open and weakly raise her head.

"Rika... Look" she gasped.

Rika looked over. Another soldier had entered the foyer, this one was carrying a long metal box on his shoulder like a rocket launcher. He pointed it at the Allomon and pulled a trigger. A cluster of three energy bolts shot out of the end of it, and span towards the target. On impact, the Allomon was shattered into a cloud of data, which quickly dissipated.

One of the soldiers slung their rifle over their shoulder and removed their gas mask and helmet, revealing shoulder-length black hair. "God shot, Six" she said, addressing the soldier carrying the metal box.

"Thank you, sir" he replied

Turning to the other four soldiers, she issued a series of orders, speaking with obvious authority.

"Two, Four, sweep the rest of the building, make sure there aren't any more surprises waiting for us. Three, Five, secure the perimeter.

The soldiers saluted, split into groups of two and ran off in different directions. The commander turned and walked over to Rika and Kyubimon, stopping about ten paces away, clasping her hands behind her back.

Rika stood up and positioned herself between the commander and Kyubimon.

"I won't let you hurt her," she said defiantly "If you want to get to her, you'll have go through me."

"Calm down," she said gently "We don't want to hurt you, or your digimon, I just wanted to check you were both okay"

"Oh" Rika responded, confused.

"Allow me to explain, I'm Major Itou, I'm with the Digital Anomaly Response Team, DART for short. We're a division of Hypnos"

Rika said nothing, working over the implications in her mind. She realised that the weapon they used on Allomon must have been based on Yamaki's Yuggoth program.

"You must be Rika Nonaka" she said.

Rika nodded slowly.

"So then, this must be Kyubimon" She continued, gesturing behind Rika.

"I am" Kyubimon replied, shakily getting to her feet.

"Are you hurt? Do you require medical attention?" Major Itou asked, addressing Kyubimon directly.

"No, I will be fine, Major" Kyubimon replied, nodding her head slightly.

"Is there anything else you wanted, Major?" Rika asked

"Yes, while we are grateful for your timely intervention today, we would appreciate it if you stay out of our way in the future. The government will contain the problem, this is not a place for amateurs like yourselves."

Rika gritted her teeth. Amateurs?! We've got more experience fighting digimon than your whole damn team!

"Have I made myself clear?" The Major asked.

"Perfectly, Major." Rika forced through her teeth.

"Good. Farewell, Rika." The Major turned and walked away, speaking into her earpiece.

"Rika, it would be best if we didn't leave through the normal exits" Kyubimon said, crouching down to allow Rika to climb on her back.

"Are you sure you're strong enough to carry me?" Rika asked, concerned.

"I am."

"I'm sorry, Kyubimon" Rika said as she clambered onto Kyubimon's back.

"What for, Rika?"

"I have failed as your Tamer, Kyubimon."


Author's notes:

Sorry this one took so long to get out, I was struggling with writer's block for a while, and had to take a break from writing for a while to recharge my creativity. Although, now I'm back, and moving the story onwards again!

For anyone who got the completely obvious and unsubtle Heroes reference back in the last chapter, congratulations, award yourself +1 geek points :P. And don't worry it's just a name-check only, and not actually our time-traveling friend (Although that would be an interesting crossover...).

I know that Allomon should have been calling out his 'Dino Breath' attack when he used it this chapter, but screw it, this is fanfiction, and I can do what I want. :P

Anyway, as always, whether you enjoyed the chapter or not, please leave a review!

~Superbun