The Saga: Successors
By: Linkmaste
Chapter Twelve: Mako and Suzie's Date
Edit Author's Note: I found the whole date chapter so...stupid. Maybe it's because I didn't really think about the characters or I just wanted to add more fluff than anything else but I think this chapter needed a battle. And an old enemy. So, sorry it took forever to update this but I'm doing my best. I'm also adding more to Rika's development and that will continue throughout this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. I own Lindy, and Hopemon.
Mako snuck out into the night, giving one last look at his house. So far, Impmon kept his promise and was keeping Lindy busy tonight-freaking out over her hidden hand bag stash that she tried to keep a secret from him. What the imp didn't know was that Mako was sneaking around back and pulling two helmets out of his bag.
He cautiously walked up to Behemoth and asked if it was ready.
A low purr was the response that Mako had to take for as a yes. The two quietly rolled out of the back yard, down the street and when they were at least a block away. Mako grinned.
"Alright, ready to ride to Suzie's!"
The black demonic motorcycle didn't respond in the usual purr or rumble of its engine. Instead, it kicked back into a wheelie-with Mako gripping for dear life on the handlebars. And with powerful burst, sped down the road, roaring loudly announcing that Behemoth the demonic motorcycle has hit the streets of West Shinjuku.
Mako laughed in excitement as he steered Behemoth down the street where Suzie lived. Looking through his helmet, he found the apartment he visited a few times.
There on the steps she was-beautiful as ever. The Tamer suddenly felt like his stomach was going to churn or flip. Her pink hair was down in graceful curls and her outfit was simply amazing. He hope he looked okay-he was wearing his favourite jeans and shirt. Plus his lucky socks too.
"Okay, here Behemoth." Mako instructed, turning to the side walk. It was odd seeing a ten year old driving a motorcycle, but technically he wasn't driving, Behemoth was, and all Mako was doing was giving Behemoth directions. As he stopped, Suzie stood up looking somewhat shocked.
"Hey-he-hey Mako." She stammered blushing. "Wow, is that Behemoth? I thought he-it...got destroyed."
Mako laughed. "Nope, Impmon put it back together. I got a special request from it so don't worry, everything's on me."
Suzie looked a little uncomfortable until she put a hand on the bike, and it rumbled gently. "Well, as long as it doesn't possess me..."
"I won't let anything happen to you." Mako replied, his eyes crinkling when he smiled.
Mako tossed Suzie a helmet. "I don't get why Impmon never has helmets. I swear, he's going to break his head while riding this thing. Plus, I don't think your parents or Henry would like it if I took you around unprotected."
"Good point. Thanks." Suzie laughed and jumped on the bike wrapping her arms around Mako. Both blushed. Behemoth purred and then roared back to life-driving down the road again. As the black motorcycle sped off, two bunny like digimon were barely clinging on. They remained hidden from Suzie, and Mako's knowledge but for some reason Behemoth didn't possess them.
"Maybe, this wasn't such a good idea!" Terriermon cried closing his eyes and gripping the metal bike tightly. Lopmon didn't reply just gave a gasp as one of her hands slipped but it quickly attached again to the metal bar at the end of the bike.
"What kind of partner just let's a ten year old drive a bike!?" Lopmon screamed, taken away into the night of Mako and Suzie's date.
Rika wasn't in a good mood. First, she got a less than satisfactory grade on her algebra exam, then she got another text from that Hiro guy, and finally her hair tie broke. She swore loudly, staring at the snapped hair tie in her hand. Instead of the usual anger that would bubble within her, it was more of a saddened feeling that sat within her. Rika liked that hair tie...
"Rika, language." her grandmother passed by the room looking shocked. It wasn't like her to just lost her cool over a hair tie. Curious the elder woman put a hand on Rika's shoulder. "We have plenty of hair ties."
"It's not that..." Rika sighed holding out her worn blue hair tie. It wasn't anything special-it actually looked ratty and unattractive with signs it was well used and worn out. "I liked this hair tie, I had it since I met Renamon."
It was a reminder of how far Rika and Renamon had come. She first got the hair tie before playing in the card tournament. Since then, it was on her through all of the adventures she had with Renamon and the other Tamers. A dismayed expression was on her face, showing the grandmother that not only was the teen was upset over the hair tie, but something else was eating at her as well. It had been weeks since Rika seemed herself and she caught glances of her grades. The Tamer was a straight A student but now, she was slipping slightly. Not enough to be damaging, but enough notice. Seiko gave a smile,
"Is everything okay?"
Rika made a few sounds from her throat, sounding like she was confused on where to start. She had so many issues floating in her head, and talking to Renamon was fine but...sometimes she knew her partner wasn't able to understand completely. Rika could get attached to things easier such as a hair tie while Renamon was able to suggest that she throw it away and get an new one. It wasn't harsh in the way she said it but, Rika couldn't bring herself to just throw it away.
It wasn't just the hair tie eating at her or making her sad. There was that Hiro guy who was actually...pretty nice. Sure, he was a little strange and awkward at first but after chatting with him (while occasionally giving Jeri and Lindy death stares) he was nice, loved music, and had some knowledge on poetry. But, despite all this Rika just didn't have any...feelings for him. It was obvious he liked her, even a blind Raremon could see that, but Rika knew she liked someone else.
Whenever she could gather the courage to tell him was unknown.
Alas, there was something she wanted to do for awhile. Something that as a eighteen year old and as an adult technically, she should just find out. It captured her memories, her dreams as a child especially during the Parismon invasion.
She wanted to find her father.
"Grandma, can you tell me about...my dad?"
Seiko let her hands drop and a tired expression overcome her. Her shoulders sagged, and the way she walked had a bit of a drag to it. The elder woman sat down,
"You want to find him?"
"I have to know, is it-" Rika bit her lip. She didn't want to hurt her mother or her grandmother's feelings but it was simply a question of finding him and seeing for herself who he was. "Is it wrong to want to know?"
A piece of paper slid to Rika. On it was a scribbled address looking worn and weary. Seiko gave it to Rika, carefully placing it in the young adult's hands.
"Do what you need. I understand how difficult it was growing up without a father. We did our best raising you with what we had."
"And I would never forget that, Grandma." Rika hugged her tightly. "You're my family. I just..." Rika trailed off.
"I understand."
The Tamer picked up the piece of paper and looked at the address. It wasn't far-just thirty minutes in the subway. She grabbed her leather jacket and headed out, saying she will be back soon. Rika brushed her long hair back and made a face. Maybe she would find another hair tie on the way back.
Taking a quick peak into the dark night, Impmon rose an eyebrow. Behemoth-his demonic motorcycle wasn't in the back yard. That was strange. Usually, it wouldn't leave on it's own. He tore into the crisp night and looked at where he last saw Behemoth. Looking down, he saw tire tracks from the bike leading to the street. Also there were footprints too. A familiar set of foot prints that belonged to one of his Tamers.
"Son of a..." whispered Impmon, widening his eyes.
"Impy! I cleaned up the bags, where-" Lindy jumped outside and landed on a tree by the purple rookie. She cocked her head to the side. "Hey, what are you doing? I gotta get ready to supervise Mako and Suzie's date-have you seen my-"
"He took Behemoth," Impmon seethed to himself. This was payback for that little blackmail stunt he pulled so he could get out of the chores. How the heck did Mako convince the bike to even take him!? He didn't notice Lindy giving him a suspicious look.
"Impy...what's going on?"
"Uh, ya know how I kinda said that Mako was still here and moved back his date to eight tonight?"
Lindy folded her arms.
"Impy-"
"I lied-"
"IMPMON!" Lindy shrieked. "Yuki's going to kill me!"
"That's not all..." Impmon trailed off. Lindy looked to the bike and back at him.
"You're kidding me...seriously? Mako took your bike? Why!?"
"Well...it's kinda a long story." Impmon sheepishly looked away rubbing the back of his head. She was going to kill him for blackmailing Mako. Lindy teased their Tamers as often as Impmon did but maybe he went a little too far with that photo. As Impmon explained what he did, Lindy's face grew more and more blank. At last, she pinched her nose with her gloved hand.
"I'm going to go get him."
"Wait I'm commin'-"
"You, stay here!" The dark blue rookie ordered. "I'm going to give you and Mako both lectures about black mailing each other. Honestly, I feel like I'm the only adult around here..."
As Lindy took off into the night, Impmon slouched. His girlfriend sounded actually pretty mad. Still, it wasn't completely his fault! The imp didn't think Mako had the guts to take Behemoth!
"Hey Impmon." Ai greeted as the purple hybrid walked into the room. She was reading one of her assigned books for school. A few chocolate bars were beside her and a hot towel was draped across her abdomen. She finally got into a comfortable position.
"Hey." Impmon laid down on the bed beside her letting his head hang off the edge. He looked sour.
"What's wrong." Ai asked not taking her eyes off the book. She could tell in an instant that something was off. Impmon never just laid down beside her all quiet.
"Mako took my bike and Lindy's pissed off at me."
Ai snorted.
"I could have told you that Mako was planning on taking your bike."
If the hybrid had the ability to set people on fire with just his mind, Ai would be lit up brighter than a bonfire. The brunette flipped a page looking engrossed in the book.
"Well, Lindy went to go fetch Mako and get him off Behemoth before Yuki freaks out. I'm stuck here..."
Then, the purple and white D-Arc started to glow red and whine in a high pitch frequency. The duo looked at the device on the desk in interest.
"A digimon?" Ai asked putting her book away. She picked up the device, and a compass presented itself pointing East, towards the city and towards the location of Mako and Suzie's date.
"I sense it, it seems pretty powerful." Impmon felt the tingling sensation in the back of his neck. Then, he paled. "It can't be..."
A nervous feeling crept into him, like he sensed this power before. It had been years but something about this sensation was blaring warning lights in his head 'Danger!' 'Danger!'.
"Impmon?" Ai asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head. "It's nothin' C'mon! Let's go figure out who's the unlucky mon who came to ruin Mako and Suize's date!"
Mako and Suzie chatted happily, sipping their milkshakes and munching on their fries. The diner was actually pretty neat here! Suzie was about to get a salad but Mako waved it aside.
"You gotta try to the cheeseburger! Just this once?"
"Oh, alright." Suzie closed her menu. "I'll trust your judgement...this time."
Mako laughed.
So far, the date was going smoothly. The ride to the diner was perfect, and Behemoth drove just at the right speed. They parked in the back and got one of the best tables in the diner-the one with a mini jukebox in the corner. Right now, they were talking about school and some stupid projects they were working on in each of their classes. Mako was complaining about his partner for his project while Suzie was worried one of her group mates wouldn't turn her part in.
"I wish we were in high school-I hear they never get group projects." grumbled Suzie. Mako made a unsure face.
"I dunno, Lindy said that she always had to do group work with your brother."
"That's true. But you at least have Ai to do work with! You two can probably just read each other's minds and get everything done-"
Mako made a exaggerated sigh and took a bite of his cheese burger that was settled in front of him.
"Okay, for the last time: Ai and I can't read each other minds-it's not like that!"
"Then what do you call it when you two look at each other all weird like when deciding something? I see you two do it all the time?"
Mako chewed thoughtfully.
"I dunno, it's more like a...feeling? I can't really explain it."
"It's freaky you two and your partners can do that."
"Can't you and Lopmon do it?" Mako asked. "I mean you two have been together for as long as us and our partners."
"No! Sometimes, we can't decide on what to eat! She hates spicy food while I love it!" Suzie rolled her eyes but looked at her food.
"Oh." Mako grew quiet, and stared at his food suddenly not feeling hungry anymore. Maybe he should have let Suzie pick out the restaurant. "I didn't know you liked spicy food..."
The Tamer threw out a hand in haste, "No, I didn't mean it like that! I love this place you picked out for us." Suzie gave a dazzling smile making Mako blush. "It's perfect."
Just like you Mako thought without missing a beat. He was smitten by the Tamer. Suddenly, the girl started to snort and cover her mouth like she was hidding her laugh. He stopped chewing,
"What is it?"
"You have cheese on your nose." Suzie laughed. She fetched a napkin and dabbed the boy's nose like she was cleaning him up. "There, keep that up and you'll have manners like Impmon."
"Hey, he actually got better with his manners! I remember when he would just steal our food all the time! Now, he just goes after Lindy's food."
Both laughed and enjoyed their cheese burgers and milkshakes. From the window, Terriermon and Lopmon were watching.
"So far so good." Lopmon said, turning to the green bunny digimon. "Looks like they're enjoying themselves."
"Can't we grab something? This chaperoning is making me hungry!" Terriermon whined.
"Well, at least someone is watching over those two." came a voice.
The two bunny digimon turned to see Lindy running over to them with an unamused expression on her face. Folding her arms, she walked over to the glass window. Lopmon waved and gave a smile,
"Lindy, it's nice to see you."
"Like wise, Lopmon." A brief smile was wiped away by Terriermon waving an ear.
"Lindy! Where's your boyfriend? Did you finally have enough of him?" Terriermon's light teasing was not welcomed by the hybrid. She huffed and glared at him.
"He's in the dog house. I'm collecting Behemoth and taking Mako home for a lecture on why you don't steal demonic motorcycles when you're a ten year old boy."
"Oh, but they're having fun." Lopmon looked conflicted. Her Tamer was smiling and looking like she was enjoying herself, she didn't want it to be ruined!
"Lighten up Lindy, they're fine." Terriermon said. "I mean we could have had a heads up Mako was going to take the Behemoth but, we're still alive."
Lindy bit her lip, looking conflicted. After a few seconds she made a low growl.
"Fine, but after dessert it's straight home for my Tamer."
Rika walked out of the subway following crowds of people out to the streets of East Shinjuku. She walked along the streets until she turned down a small residential street full of apartment like clusters of buildings.
"Seven-two-four-three." mumbled Rika, looking from the piece of paper up to the houses. She was at seven two two one so she had a little ways to go. As excited she wanted her feet to move, they seemed reluctant and becoming more like heavy stones. Each step needed more effort until Rika stopped completely. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to finally see her father again? Hardly a memory came to mind when she tried to distinguish him from a crowd of people. Probably one of the most noticeable features was his violet eyes-darker than Rika's but she had the same fire that he had-according to her grandmother.
"Rika?"
Renamon was behind her standing hidden in the shadows. In the right kind of light, you could see the faint golden fur and gleaming blue eyes staring intently at her Tamer. Rika made an uncomfortable noise.
"Should I...should I be doing this?"
"It's your choice."
Looking back up, the house stood before her-her father's home apparently. It was a small quaint home, probably no bigger than for a family of three. A small garden was planted out front, and the lights were on inside. A signal that someone was home at least. Rika started to cross the street when a car pulled into the driveway.
A gasp was lost in the wind. Rika's heart throbbed and soared feeling the excitement race in her veins. A shiver controlled her body as she awaited who was in the car.
And all that Rika awaited, and all that Rika hoped it had ceased the moment that the door opened and a little girl ran out around five or six years old. She had ebony hair and violet eyes and shrieked in happiness as she was embraced by the man getting out of the car. He picked her up, awarding her with kisses and hugs while holding her steady with one arm, and balancing the groceries with another arm. In the doorway appeared to be a woman who awaited a evening kiss and small talk about the work day.
She could have gone and talked to him. She could have gone and shouted his name. But, she didn't.
Rika couldn't.
Oh, how a fool Rika was.
Her once stone weighted feet had suddenly transformed into feathery light runners which carried her back into the busy streets, knocking some people aside without a car. Rika heaved, struggling to breathe properly and tears prickled at the corner of her eyes.
Stupid! Stupid! STUPID!
She was hidden in an alleyway, headphones glued to her ears, and thoughts alone for her to pick and sort through. She sat down, tucking in her knees and letting her head rest, trying to hide the fact from Renamon that she was indeed crying.
It was after a few moments that Renamon put an arm around her and let Rika cry on her soft fur, hardly a price to pay for being there for her Tamer. She knew how much Rika tried to hide away her hopes and excitement. The moment she saw that little girl run out of the door, Renamon saw something click in Rika's violet eyes. A kind of understanding flashed across her face and it made Renamon's heart ache for her.
"I thought," Rika hiccuped. "I thought...what was I thinking?" Rika smashed the ground with her fist. "I'm so fucking stupid."
The vulpine digimon didn't say anything but let Rika continue sorting through her words.
"What was I going to do? March up there and say 'hi dad, don't you remember me? Invite me over for dinner and we can start being a family. I'm so stupid. I'm so stupid Renamon."
"Rika," Renamon sighed. "You couldn't have known that-"
"Of course he would move on, I mean he and mom were so young having me. He found some other woman, and had that little girl..." Rika rubbed her eyes.
Rika finally settled down, her breathing had calmed down thankfully for Renamon. The digimon thought that she would have started to have a panic attack by the rapid intervals of her gasping for air and the ten minute sprint she went on.
"You don't need him."
Rika's eyes snapped to her partner in surprise. The stone edge to her voice made her skin crawl, along with the ice blue eyes that went down to Rika's core.
"Your mother and grandmother raised you. They are your family. Sure, without him, you wouldn't have been born but he chose to leave. That was never your fault and if you keep blaming yourself I will smack you."
The threat had taken Rika for a loop. She never threatened with that kind of talk unless she meant it.
"I know it wasn't easy for you to live without a father. I never had one, but I would imagine to grow up wishing you had one would have been a terrible, terrible kind of pain." Renamon closed her eyes. "You grew from that pain and become so much stronger from it. Haven't you looked at yourself, Rika?"
The Tamer was silent. Indeed, she was one of the strongest Tamers-able to survive all kind of danger and threats. From D-Reaper to escaping Hypnos and leading the group to defeat Erika Rose. Rika was proud of her accomplishments, and her passion that burned in her heart. Without that, she wouldn't have been who was she today.
"I..."
"If you want to reconnect with your father, then I will not stop you. But, I can't watch you silently blame yourself for him leaving your mother. You had no control over that nor you ever will. What you can do is go home and hug your mother, and grandmother." Renamon said.
Rika threw her arms around the digimon, taking her by surprise. Sometimes, the red haired teen could take the digimon by surprise, even after all these years. Finally, Renamon hugged back letting her Tamer find her words.
"I need to hug you too..." Rika smiled slightly. "Because without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. You know that right? I might not say it enough but I do love you."
"I...love you too." Renamon stood up and held a paw to assist the teen. The soft moment was over, and now Rika felt better and less down on herself.
The duo started to head back to the subway, but Rika's blue D-Arc started to whine and cry out, flashing a dangerous red.
"Looks like we got trouble." Rika said frowning. Renamon made a grunt. "Let's go!"
The duo ran off down the streets unknown that Hiro had caught sight of the red haired Tamer.
"Now where could she be running off to?"
At the cheeseburger diner, Mako and Suzie were just diving into their desserts. Suzie looked a little amused again as Mako took a huge bite of his sundae.
"You're going to get a brain freeze," teased Suzie. She took a small bite of her strawberry sundae and thoughtfully let the spoon touch her lips.
"You know, from all the hassle I got from Henry, I would think that he would have sent Terriermon or convinced Lopmon to follow us. It's nice to think that my brother actually trusts me."
Mako stopped eating his ice cream and put the spoon down.
"Your brother...he isn't a big fan of me is he?"
"Oh, no! I think it's more of the little rivalry between Terriermon and Impmon. Those two do have a bit of a past. Henry thinks you're a good guy."
"Really?" Mako was surprised by that.
Suzie nodded her head putting more ice cream into her mouth. Picking out the cherry she placed it onto Mako's ice cream.
"I hate cherries."
"Oh, do you now?" Mako had a teasing glint in his eye. "I'll be sure to give you lots and lots of cherries then."
"Mako!" laughed Suzie, playfully swatting him.
Suddenly, both of their D-Arcs started to sound off, causing the other patrons of the restaurant to give them dirty looks.
"Looks like something is near by." Mako glanced at his broken D-Arc where the compass went beserk, like it couldn't decide where the digimon was coming from.
"I got a reading! We should check it out." Suzie said, pulling out her wallet to pay for dinner but Mako threw some money on the table already.
"A lady never pays for the first date." he winked. He thought he saw a bright red blush swarm Suzie's cheeks but he had already grabbed her hand and they duo left the diner in a rush. Suzie broke free and took the lead.
"Let's take Behemoth and we can grab our partners and-" the two children turned the corner of the back alley to find themselves in the middle of the bioemerge! White fog burst forth from the centre and rushed out, like a storm. Blinded, Mako grabbed Suzie's hand and shielded his eyes.
"I knew I should have brought my sunglasses." cursed Suzie.
When the light adjusted, the duo were by a few garbage dumpsters hidden by the digimon that appeared. He was large, almost ten feet all looking like a purple horse standing on his hind legs. White thin hair was slopped over the poll and crest concealing his eyes. Among his muscular and toned body, was a large golden horn strapped on his back. The two Tamers didn't need to be geniuses to take cover. Suzie focused her pink D-Arc on the digimon.
"I'm getting nothing on this horse digimon." she seemed nervous. "Mako, we should leave and get ours."
"Do I hear the sound of disgusting human children?" the digimon asked, voice rumbling. It peered over to the dumpsters and gave a sick grin. "How puny you two are! And no one here to challenge me? I guess I will have to destroy you and wait for someone else to come."
"Leave us alone!" Mako growled, putting Suzie behind him. He was still on a date with her and wanted to show how brave he was-when inside he was on the verge of having a panic attack. His digimon were no where and this 'mon looked like he meant business!
"You're going to stop me? I would like to see you try! I'm unstoppable." chuckled the purple horse digimon.
"We might not look like much but you shouldn't mess with us!" warned the Tamer, taking out his D-Arc. "We have digimon that will hurt you if you try to attack us."
"And they don't play nice." warned Suzie taking her D-Arc out as well.
"Let's see about that-Stomping Ground!"
The one large fore hoof lifted, ready to strike the two children. They gasped and started to run but they were too slow already. He was going to squish them.
"Double Typhoon!"
"Bada-boom!"
Six balls of fire and what appeared as a tornado or brown and white hit the horse digimon with a thud to pause the attack.
"Lindy!" Mako cried, rushing over to the dark blue hybrid. She lit more flames on her hands and narrowed her eyes.
"Mako, get behind me."
"Lopmon, Terriermon!" Suzie gasped. "What are you two doing here?"
"We were watching your date." Terriermon smirked.
Mako faltered looking at Lindy.
"Uh, I guess you were too?" the rookie frowned.
"I'll talk to later about that and stealing Behemoth. For now, who's this guy?"
Lopmon's eyes went wide when she looked at the purple horse and Terriermon made a gasp.
"You're supposed to be deleted! How are you even alive!?"
"Do I know you puny bunny?" the digimon peered down at the brown rookie with disgust trailing in its voice.
"You should! We kicked your ass before Indramon! We can do it again!" Terriermon cried. "Bunny Blast!"
The attack was swatted away.
Information on the horse digimon appeared before Suzie's D-arc as soon as Terriermon said his name. The hologram provided the picture and his attacks.
"Indramon: one of the twelve great Deva digimon! His special attack is Horn of Desolation."
"Indramon? That was one of the digimon your brother faced a long time ago." Mako took out his D-Arc. "He's an ultimate digimon right?"
Suzie nodded and looked to Lopmon.
"Let's even the playing field then."
"Lindy, you ready to warp?" Mako asked.
"Anytime you are." Lindy stepped forward, her crest of hope glowing bright.
HYBRID CREST DIGIVOLUTION
"Lindy crest digivolve to...Hopemon!"
MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION
"Lopmon matrix digivolve to...Antylamon!"
"The stench of humans is upon you two...and one of you is not like the others." Indramon turned it's head slightly to Hopemon. "You revolting half-breed. I sense the human in you."
Hopemon flinched.
"Hopemon! Don't listen to him!" Mako coached taking out a card.
DIGI-MODIFY
Mako took the card and twirled it in his fingers before sliding it in.
"Digi-Modify! Power activate!"
"Staff of Fate!"
"Bunny Blades!" Antylamon called out and launched herself into the Deva with hardened axes appearing instead of her hands. They made Indramon counter with his hoof.
Hopemon flew and teleported herself behind the horse Deva attacking again but it wasn't working. The large yellow conch horn lifted itself off from the digimon's back and it started to hum.
"Pathetic. You are all weak disgusting half breeds and digi-slaves. Horn of Desolation!"
With that, Indramon blew into the horn and a powerful blast shot itself forward, aiming right at the group with no protection in sight.