With their victory over Harpymon finished, Takato, Guilmon and the others headed back, leaving the park and making their way through the streets.
And while Terriermon and Calumon got to hang around with the Tamers, Terriermon resting around Henry's shoulders, acting like a backpack and Calumon getting carried by Rika, Renamon used her great speed and stealth to keep in the shadows, making sure she was not see, while Guilmon did his best in copying Renamon's actions and tried to be as stealthy as her, give or take a few missteps, which lead to him falling to the ground.
But lucky for the Tamers, it was already getting late, with most of the streets deserted, so Guilmon's presence was not detected.
Going down an alleyway, Takato, Henry and Rika were about to part as they saw it split at the end, their paths about to seperate when a voice cut a across them.
"Going somewhere?" They all heard a voice say, looking ahead as a blonde haired man in a black suit and glasses entered from their left, looking at them with a small smirk.
A little worried, Takato asked. "Who are you?"
"That's none of your concern." The man replied, pushing up his sunglasses as he then said. "But I know who you are. Takato Matsuki, Henry Wong and Rika Nonaka."
"And how do you know our names?" Rika asked with a glare, part of her not caring if they were human and wanted to sick Renamon upon them.
"You've been under close observation. This game you're playing is dangerous. I suggest you find a new hobby." The blond just commented.
Sensing they are not alone, Guilmon and Renamon hid in the darkness so they could listen.
"And I know about your Digimon. Terriermon, Calumon, Renamon and the devil." The mystery man went on to say, his last few words puzzling the Tamers.
"Devil?" Henry questioned, before he asked. "Do you mean Impmon?"
"No. That thing might be an annoyance, but he is a minimal threat. I talk about the one who holds the Digital Hazard of course." The man replied, smirking at Takato, before glancing from the corner of his eye, as if personally speaking to the Hazard Digimon. "Guilmon, I believe you call him."
From hearing that, a solemness fell upon Guilmon.
"Is he right? Is Guilmon a devil?" Guilmon asked, to which Renamon put her hand on his head and said with a gentle tone. "Far from it. You might have some bad Data in your being, but you are no devil."
"I've said what I've wanted, what you do next is up to you. But I do hope you take my words seriously when I say that Digimon are cannot be trusted, they are just data. And sooner or later that data will be erased." The blond then said, turning and taking his leave.
"You're wrong! First off, Digimon are not just data, they're living things, just like us. And second, Guilmon is no devil, he's a kind Digimon and our friend!" Takato said defensively, his words caused the mystery man to stop for a moment, listening to what Takato had said, before he resumed walking away, leaving the Tamers silent.
"Rika?" Renamon then asked, jumping out of the shadows and approaching her Tamer. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Rika replied, before questioning. "But I just don't get who that guy was. What's his deal with Digimon?"
"I don't know, but I didn't like what he said, it's not ture. Digimon are not just data, they are living beings, just like us." Takato said with a little anger in his voice, looking over at Guilmon, who jumped down alongside Renamon, where the brunette then embraced his partner, hoping the unknown man's words didn't scar his partner too badly.
But Henry saw it was getting late, to which he turned around to look at Takato, Rika, Guilmon, Renamon and Calumon.
"It's getting late, we should head home and we can talk about this tomorrow" He said, earning nods from Takato and Rika, who started to walk home, with Rika taking Renamon, Guilmon and Calumon back to her place, knowing that not only did she have more than enough space for the Digimon to sleep, but also knew that her mother and grandmother would show them the same kindness as they had Renamon.
-The next day-
Within the park, Takato was sitting at a table, smiling confidently as he was in the middle of a Digimon Card game with Kazu, showing a great amount of skill.
"That's it, I win." Takato then said, placing both a Hyper Wing and a Speed Card alongside each other, leaving Kazu and Kenta in awe.
"I can't believe you beat me." Kazu said, never expecting takato to be able to defeat him.
"Amazing. I've never seen a combo like that before." Kenta added, he too impressed at Takato's skills, making the Matsuki smile.
"Not too shabby. Guess real life experience pays off." Takato replied, remembering using the same combo to defeat IceDevimon.
But with his words, it got Kazu and Kenta curious.
"What do you mean by real life experience?" Kazu questioned, certain Takato was hiding something.
"Too bad, but it seems we are out of time." Takato replied, trying to change the subject as he picked up all his Cards and set them aside.
Not letting it go, Kazu questioned. "Quit playing dumb, Chummley. I heard what you said, now what's up?"
"Nothing." Takato lied, before standing up and saying with a nervous smile. "Well I've got to go now, it was good seeing you."
"C'mon, just one more game." Kenta begged.
"Yeah. I want a rematch." Kazu added, refusing to accept a defeat from Takato.
"Sorry, but I have more important things. Real Digimon battles don't win themselves." Takato replied, his words puzzling Kazu and Kenta.
"Real Digimon? Who are you trying to kid here, pal?" Kazu asked, thinking Takato was full of it as he said. "You're a lier!"
"I am not!" Takato said back, his defensiveness getting the better of him.
"Ha, ha, ha. And I've got the Loch Ness monster in my bathtub." Kenta teased, he too thinking Takato was making it all up, calling his bluff as he then said. "Then show us a real Digimon."
"I will!" Takato said back, stubbornness getting the better of the brunette as he said to the pair. "You want a real Digimon, then follow me."
-Sometime later-
Following Takato, the brunette lead Kazu and Kenta to the old shed within the park, ready to show off his Digimon to the boys.
"Now you have to swear you won't tell anyone about this." Takato said in a serious tone, not wanting Guilmon's existence to be known and fall into the wrong hands.
"Whatever." Kazu replied.
"I swear." Kenta added, taking the promise a little more seriously.
Certain he could trust his friends, Takato opened the shed, going inside to find the wall at the end had been dug into, creating a fairly large tunnel.
"Guilmon?" Takato called out, but got no reply, only his voice echoed in the dark hole.
"Yeah right, doofus. You're so full of it." Kazu said, he and Kenta believing Takato had made up the fact Digimon being real, looking closer into the darkness, where they then saw a set of yellow eyes, followed by a snarling sound, freaking the boys out, making both run out from the shed in pure fear, making Takato laugh.
"Did you call me?" Guilmon then asked, stepping from the darkness as he looked at his Tamer with a curious expression.
Takato calmed down from his laughing, where he looked at Guilmon and smiled. "I wanted you to meet my friends, but I guess they got scared when they saw your eyes in the dark."
"Guilmon scare friends?" Guilmon asked, to which Takato rubbed his partner's head and assured. "Not on purpose. You are a good Digimon, and a good friend. I'm sure Kazu and Kenta would see that if I gave them a second chance."
"Just stay there, boy." Takato said, heading out of the shed and running off. "I'll be right back."
-Returning to the park-
Kazu and Kenta had taken shelter in one of the structures of the park, catching their breaths after their experience.
"What do you think that was? Do you really think it was a Digimon?" Kenta asked, trying to catch his breath
"No." Kazu denied, trying to be brave as he said. "It had to be a trick. Everyone knows Digimon are not real."
"Yeah... you're right." Kenta agreed, he too trying to sound brave, before both froze up a little as they saw Takato running over to them.
Concerned, Takato asked. "What's wrong, guys? Why did you run away?"
"Umm... stuff to do..." Kazu replied, not wanting to admit he was scared, before asking. "How'd you make him look so real?"
"Well he looks real because he is real." Takato replied.
"Yeah right." Kazu said, keeping a brave face, while inside he was still scared.
Not wanting to talk about it anymore, Kazu and Kenta were about to leave.
"You are beginning to freak us out, dude." Kazu said, confusing Takato, who asked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you made a Digimon out of rubber eyes and a flashlight, and you're trying to mess us up with it." Kazu said back, heading off, as did Kenta.
"You're crazy. Why would I do something like that?" Takato questioned, before calling out. "C'mon guys! I know it's freaky, but he's a real Digimon! You didn't even get to meet him."
Calling out to them, the brunette failed to realize he had caught the attention of another person, that was until he heard them call his name, looking over to see Jeri walking over to him with a curious expression.
"I'm sorry but I overheard your conversation." Jeri apologized, before having to ask. "Why were you arguing with Kenta and Kazu?"
"Arguing?" Takato asked back, playing innocent and making sure Jeri didn't learn the reason.
"It sounded like you were arguing about a real Digimon." Jeri said.
"A real Digimon...?" Takato asked, continuing to act as if he had no idea what Jeri was talking about.
But she saw through his charade.
"Would you stop repeating me!" Jeri snapped, before demanding an answer. "Is it true?"
"Uhh... if I told you that it was, would you believe me, you wouldn't be scared?" Takato asked, not too sure of he should reveal Guilmon to Jeri or not.
"I believe you. I want to see him, please." Jeri replied, her tone and her expression filled with hope, which Takato found unable to deny and agreed to.
"Alright then. Follow me." He said, just hoping that Guilmon wouldn't scare Jeri or cause any sorts of trouble.
-Arriving at Guilmon's shed-
'This might be the absolute dumbest thing I have ever done.' Takato thought, greatly regretting in agreeing to show Jeri his Digimon.
Looking through the bars of the shed, Jeri asked. "Does he live here?"
"Well he sometimes hangs out at Rika's place, but he likes it here, just don't ask me why." Takato replied, which made Jeri look in the darkness and ask. "A real Digimon?"
"Amazing. Just wait and see. I created him." Takato said, sounding fairly proud of himself.
"You did?" Jeri asked, her face lighting up as she then questioned. "What kind of Digimon is he?"
"He's tough and he's a serious fighter. His special attack is Pyro Sphere." Takato replied, sounding quite proud of himself, before he was silenced when he and Jeri heard a small growling coming from the shed, looking into the darkness, where both saw a set of yellow eyes glaring at them.
Noticing Jeri looking a little off, Takato began to rethink showing her Guilmon.
"I was just kidding, it's fake. Rubber eyes, flashlight, you know? I had you going, you know how us boys are, right?" He lied, standing before the shed, trying to make sure Jeri didn't see Guilmon.
"I'm sorry if I..." Takato began to say, apologizing and pretending it was all a joke, only to freeze up when he heard Guilmon's voice behind him.
"Hey, Takato, I'm hungry. Did you bring some bread?" The red dino Digimon asked, leaving Takato and Jeri silent, though only momentarily, for Jeri suddenly screamed.
Thinking the worst, Takato couldn't look, expecting Jeri to be afraid of Guilmon, however, he was thrown off when Jeri wrapped her arms around Guilmon, hugging him as she said with a big, joyous smile. "He's so cute!"
"Cute?" Takato asked, before questioning. "Don't you mean cool.
"I think I can be both." Guilmon commented, a little confusion in his voice as he then asked. "But who is she?"
"Sorry." Jeri apologized, breaking her hug and introducing herself. I'm Jeri."
"I'm Guilmon, nice to meet you." Guilmon replied, continuing to show his kindness, as well as his curiosity as he asked. "Is she your girlfriend, like Rika?"
"Well... she was a dear friend..." Takato began to say, blushing at first, before allowing to reveal his emotions as he said. "But now she is mine. I really care about her. I am in love with Rika."
"That's good because you know what happens if you cheat on me?" Came a mocking voice as Takato turned to see Rika and Renamon appear calumon on Rika arms.
"Oh wow! You've got a real Digimon too?" Jeri asked, amazed as she examined Renamon, where the brunette then stated. "She is beautiful. And her fur looks so soft."
As much as the Digimon were enjoying Jeri's company, namely her compliments, the group knew they had other things to do.
"I am ready to start training, Renamon." Guilmon then said as he approached Renamon,making his soon-to-be girlfriend smile and say in reply. "You've got it."
A little saddened, Jeri had to ask. "You're off so soon?"
"I'm afraid so. Renamon's helping Guilmon get a dangerous power inside him under control, but she is also his soon-to-be girlfriend." Rika replied with a smile, watching as Guilmon and Renamon then headed off, causing Jeri to look over at the red haired Tamer and smile.
"Train me." Jeri said, trying her best to sound strong and serious.
"Huh?" Takato and Rika asked, confused.
"Rika, I want you to train me. I want to become a Digimon Tamer. I want to be just like you, smart, strong, brave." Jeri explained, trailing off as she added. "And have a cute boyfriend to love."
"I mean when it is the right time, have a strong Digimon." Jeri quickly corrected herself, not wanting Rika to think she was trying to steal Takato away from her, while Takato couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, the thought of Rika and Jeri fighting for his affection came to his head.
Looking at Takato and Rika, Jeri had to then ask her friends. "So when did you guys become a couple?"
"A few days ago." Rika replied, before explaining. "Takato saved my life when we were fighting a wild Digimon named Devidramon, and after the battle was over, we got a chance to talk about our feelings."
"It was then I realized that I loved Takato, and not just as my best friend." Rika finished, showing her emotions as she smiled at the brunette and took her hand in his.
Hearing that, Jeri smiled.
"Best friends and now boyfriend and girlfriend. That's so romantic." Jeri said, holding up her right hand, showing her dog-like puppet, where she spoke through it, adding. "Ruff! I agree. We are so happy for you."
"Hey guys!" Takato, Rika, Calumon and Jeri heard a joyous voice say, turning to see Henry, along with Terriermon on his head, the small beast Digimon smiling and waving at seeing his friends.
"So what's going on?" Terriermon asked, noticing the new girl amongst the group, where he then asked. "Who is she?"
"Terriermon, it's a little rude to ask somebody their name when you don't introduce yourself first." Henry scolded his partner, walking over to Jeri as he then said. "I apologize for Terriermon. I'm Henry Wong."
"Jeri Katou." Jeri replied with a smile, doing a small bow in respect, before looking at Terriermon as she then said. "And it's nice to meet you too, Terriermon."
"Nice to meet you, Jeri." Terriermon said as he used one of his ears to wave at Jeri, not minding as Jeri took him off of Henry's head and allowed him to rest on top of hers', commenting on how soft and cute Terriermon was as well.
And though she seemed nice, Terriermon had to ask. "But what is she doing here, and where are Guilmon and Renamon?"
"Guilmon is training with Renamon." Takato replied, rubbing his head, embarrassed as he went on and said. "As for Jeri, she overheard I had a real Digimon, and I showed her Guilmon, but she didn't run away, scream or anything."
"And don't worry, I can tell that having a Digimon is very important and a big secret, so I promise we won't tell anyone." Jeri said in an honest tone, setting Terriermon down, who looked at her with a curiousness.
"We?" He asked, just as Jeri showed off her puppet again, opening and closing her hand as she made it speak.
"She means me as well. Ruff!" The puppet said, making Henry and Terriermon sweatdrop at Jeri's actions, while looking at the puppet.
Both Henry and Terriermon found Jeri's interest in puppetry a little odd, but seeing her cheerful smile, Henry couldn't help but then smile back.
Curious, Terriermon then asked. "So Jeri, other than seeing us, what brings you here?"
"I was hoping Rika could train me, so I could be like her." Jeri replied, causing her puppet to add. "Rika has everything we could ever want, namely a caring boyfriend."
Turning the puppet toward herself, it then said. "Henry seems nice. Maybe ask if he's interested."
Blushing at herself from getting too submerged into her puppetry, Jeri took the puppet off of her hand and tucked it in her pocket, continuing to blush at what she had said.
"I'm so sorry." Jeri apologized, greatly embarrassed as she said. "I don't know where she gets those thoughts."
Henry blushed so red, it looked like he head would pop, while Terriermon was laughing hard on the ground.
But not wanting the awkwardness to last forever, Rika spoke up.
"Alright, Jeri. I will teach you to be a Digimon Tamer." She said, breaking the awkwardness between her and Henry, as well as stopping Terriermon's laughter.
Hope replacing her embarrassment, Jeri had to ask. "Do you really mean it?"
"I do." Rika replied, before adding, her words referring to Jeri's puppet. "But when I am teaching you, it's just you, no guests."
Jeri nodded happily as she took Rika's hands in hers' and said with a continued joy. "I understand, Rika. Thank you so much."
"No problem." Rika replied, smiling back at Jeri, hoping her decision wouldn't come back to haunt her, before managing to break her hands away from Jeri's and reach into her pocket.
"Renamon!" The red haired Tamer then called out, causing Renamon to appear, landing from the air, where she knelt before Rika.
"You called?" Renamon asked, looking upon her Tamer and watching as Rika took out her D-Power, handing it to Jeri, confusing her and Renamon.
"Rika, I do not understand." Jeri said, having to ask. "Why did you give me this?"
"That is a D-Power, a Digivice that allows you to bond with your partner." Rika replied, looking at Renamon as she went on to say. "Renamon, for today, Jeri will be your Tamer. You will do what she tells you."
"I understand." Renamon said, respecting Rika and her form of training, facing Jeri as she remained kneeling and asked. "What do you wish of me, Jeri?"
Looking at her temporary D-Power and her temporary partner, Jeri smiled, only to find herself stuck for ideas.
"If I might be so bold, might I suggest we train?" Renamon suggested, rising to her feet and explaining. "A good work out will help us get to know each other better."
"Alright then." Jeri replied, smiling as she said with a little authoritativeness in her voice. "Renamon, I order us to train."
"As you wish." Renamon said, liking Jeri's enthusiasm, already sensing she had the makings of a fine Tamer, with Henry and Takato watching as Rika showed Jeri how to use the D-Power, just before Takato started to talk to Henry.
"Did you figure out who that man we ran into yesterday was?" He asked.
"Afraid not. I tried to chase after him, but he's pretty fast." Henry replied, before commenting. "The only thing we do know is that he has some problem with Digimon, so he cannot be trusted, at least for now."
"I still cannot get what he said out of my mind." Takato said, clenching his hands as he stated. "He's wrong. He's wrong about Digimon and wrong about Guilmon. Guilmon is my friend, not a demon or anything as bad as he makes him out to be."
Henry nodded, agreeing with Takato's words, just before both boys looked at Rika and Jeri, seeing Rika was standing behind Jeri, her hands on Jer's as she was teaching her about using Digimon Cards.
"...then when you finish slashing the Card, that Data is uploaded into your partner, allowing them to use that power." Rika told Jeri, the brunette nodding in understanding.
"Let me try." Jeri then said, moving a few feet from Rika, taking a firm stance as she readied the Digimon Card Rika had given her, as well as the D-Power.
"Digi-Modify! Hyper Chip Activate!" Jeri called, copying Rika's actions and slid the Card through the D-Power, expecting Renamon to gain an increase in her strength.
However, looking at her, Renamon shook her head, saddening Jeri a little that it didn't work.
"Oh well." She then said, quickly back to her cheerful self as the brunette commented. "It was my first time using performing a Card Swipe, maybe I just need a little more practice."
Rika put her hand on Jeri's back, looking at her with a smile.
"That's right. Keep practicing and never give up." She said, her words made Takato smile, happy to see both Jeri getting into the role of being a Digimon Tamer, as well as how well a teacher Rika was being for her.
"Hyper Chip Activate!" Jeri called once again, doing as Rika had instructed as she slashed the Card through her D-Power, before looking at Renamon, who looked at her paw, clenched it and smiled at Jeri.
"I did it?" Jeri asked, the realization hitting her.
"I did it!" She then called happily as she hugged Rika, who gave the brunette a comforting pat on the back, before Jeri, getting lost in the moment as she then hugged Takato and then Henry, before coming back to her senses and broke from Henry's embrace, both blushing deeply.
"S... sorry..." Jeri apologized, continuing to blush, as did Henry, who tried to make Jeri feel better as he said. "It's fine... I understand..."
Looking at Henry and Jeri, Rika smiled, just as Renamon landed beside and whispered. "They make a cute couple, like you and Takato."
And while Takato, Rika and Renamon were seemingly supportive of a possible relationship between their friends, Terriermon seemed more immature.
A big grin on his face as he was about to mock his Tamer, but stopped when Calumon covered his mouth, he too happy at seeing Henry and Jeri getting close and didn't want it to be ruined.
However, all then turned their attention as they saw Guilmon heading toward them.
"Guilmon?" Renamon asked, facing him as she apologized. "I am sorry we cut our training so suddenly, I heard Rika call for me and I knew I was needed."
But looking at the red-dino Digimon, Takato could tell something was wrong, causing them to ask. "Guilmon, what is it? What's wrong, boy?"
"On my way here, I sensed another Digimon." Guilmon replied, his words a concern to the Tamers.
"Lead the way." Takato said, he and Guilmon about to leave, before Jeri spoke up.
"Wait." She started to say, gaining the courage to look at Takato and Guilmon as she said. "I want to go with you."
Hearing Jeri's words, concern filled henry as he said. "Jeri, I know you want to be a Tamer, but this is the real thing. It's going to be dangerous and you could get hurt."
"I know, but I will never be a true Tamer if I don't push myself and get some actual combat experience." Jeri replied, remaining with a confident stride and stern expression on her face.
Looking at Jeri, Rika could tell she wasn't going to back down, sighing in defeat as she nodded.
"Alright, but the second things get serious, I want you to run." Rika said, her words made Jeri smile and nod in respect.
"Thank you, Rika. I promise I won't let you down." Jeri replied, remaining eager for her first experience as a Digimon Tamer.
They started to follow Guilmon to the wild Digimon, leaving the park and heading back to the industrial area of Shinjuku, where Takato looked Rika with some concern as he asked. "Are you sure it's ok for her to come? This is an actual Digimon we are going to fight."
"She might be my friend, but today she is now my student. I have faith in her and her abilities." Rika replied, remaining confident in Jeri, which was a good enough reason for Takato, who was confident in both Rika and Jeri, certain they could stop whatever Digimon had appeared and what trouble it had brought with it.
However, the Tamers came to a sudden halt, covering their noses as a terrible mist filled their senses.
"Man, it seriously stinks around here, it's actually making my eyes water." Takato commented, looking at Guilmon as he asked. "Did you bring us to a wild Digimon or a waste disposal facility?"
"Digimon." Guilmon groaned, bearing the smell as he pointed ahead. "Over there."
Looking ahead, Takato and the others were taken by surprise, stunned to see the unconscious forms of many civilians, all they guessed had passed out from whatever was causing the stench, causing Takato to then look at his friends and instructed. "Rika, Renamon and Jeri, can you check if they're alright? Guilmon, Terriermon and Henry, come with me. We need to try to find this Digimon before it can spread its stink any further."
Following Takato's leads, Rika, Renamon and Jeri ran over to the unconscious people, checking on them, while Takato and his team followed the trail, turning a building corner, where they stopped, seeing a giant Digimon in front of them, which had gray skin, looking as if it was melting, with its back facing them.
Seeing the Digimon, Henry held out his D-Power to scan the Digimon and obtain its data.
"Raremon, Champion Level, Virus Digimon. With its putrid breath and bad smells, it puts fighting dirty to a whole new meaning." Henry read aloud.
"Hungry... Must eat... Hungry..." They heard the Raremon then say, looking at it and watched as it slithered away, moving over to a dumpster, which it picked up with both hands, tipping it and devouring every last piece of trash within, causing it to increase in size.
"This isn't good. The more trash it eats, the bigger it gets." Henry pointed out, causing Terriermon to add through his covered face. "And the worse a smell he makes."
"Still hungry... Still hungry..." The Raremon said, grabbing another dumpster, only with one hand and began to feast, showing it was growing in strength.
"We need to stop him." Takato stated, drawing his D-Power as he asked. "Ready, Guilmon?"
"Ready!" Guilmon replied, before charging at the Raremon.
"Digi-Modify! Power Activate!" Takato called, slashing said Card through his D-Power and giving the energy to Guilmon.
"Pyro Sphere!" Guilmon then called as he shot forth a ball of fire from his maw, hitting the Raremon on the back, but they saw it didn't even flinch as he kept eating, growing larger, before continuing to slither away.
Shocked, Takato questioned. "It didn't even effect him. How can we beat Raremon if our attacks don't even bother him?"
"To start off, we can cut off his food supply." Terriermon said, pointing over to the Raremon approaching another dumpster.
"Then I can help with that." All heard a familiar, but annoying voice say, followed by a loud 'Bada Boom', where a flame then shot past Terriermon and the others, into the dumpster, causing it to burst alight with flame.
Hearing his voice and seeing the inferno, Takato, Guilmon, Henry, Terriermon and Calumon turned around to see Impmon, who was sitting on a bike post, showing off an ever arrogant smirk.
"Impmon, what are you doing here?" Terriermon questioned, not too sure who he wanted to see leave first, him or the walking garbage pile that was Raremon.
"I was just in the neighbourhood when I heard you losers talking about how you need help, so I decided to be charitable and lend ya some of my strength and my time." Impmon replied, getting off of the post and walking up to the Raremon.
"Hey ugly! What do ya say we fight? Less snacking, more smacking." Impmon taunted.
"Food burning... Food gone... But still hungry..." The Raremon just said, remaining facing away from Impmon, which ticked him off.
"So you're gonna be like that, huh?" Impmon asked, his anger getting the better of him as he cast his fingers in wicks of flame and began throwing them at the Raremon's back.
"Take this! And this! And then another one!" Impmon called, tossing fireball after fireball, where he then said. "I can do this all day, so why don't you show me some guts and fight back."
"Bug... Annoying... Bug off!" Raremon said, showing he had some fight in him as he turned and swung his right arm, smacking Impmon aside and sent him flying into trash can.
Takato, guilmon , terriermon and Henry flinch watching impmon getting smack and send him flying
"Ouch. Now that's going to leave a mark." Terriermon commented, almost feeling sorry for Impmon.
But hearing a loud growling, all looked at Raremon, who was staring at the Tamers with a hostile expression.
"More bugs... Ruin Food... Crush bugs... Then keep eating..." Raremon said, perceiving Takato and the others as a threat, which he believed he had to rid himself of.
"Breath of Decay!" Raremon then called, spitting out a wave of moss green acid from its mouth, trying to liquidate all those before him.
But before the attack could hit its intended target, Renamon jumped in front of them.
"Digi-Modify! Shield of Irony Activate!" Takato and the others heard Jeri call in a mighty voice, activating the effects of the Digimon Card and causing a set of mirror-like platings to appear on Renamon's arms, to which Raremon's acid was then poured into the mirrors, triggering the reflective power of the mirrors.
"Dark Reflection!" Renamon yelled as the mirrors released and shot back the acid at Raremon, making him thrash around as he was struck by his own attack.
"Don't like... Don't like..." Raremon called, shaking the acidic solution off of his body.
Smiling that he wasn't melted by Raremon's attack, Takato called. "Thanks for that, Renamon. We owe you one."
"You can thank my temporary Tamer." Renamon replied, smiling back, while looking past the boys and saw Rika and Jeri join them.
Reunited with Takato and the others, Rika asked. "Takato, what's the deal with that Digimon?"
"It's a Raremon." Takato replied, before going into a little detail of said Digimon. "Due to its lacking intelligence, it feels little to no pain when attacked. Also, the more garbage it eats, the bigger and grosser it gets."
"You can say that again." Rika said in reply, covering her face with both hands as she commented. "And I thought he stank before."
Letting out a loud bellowing, all turned to see Raremon attacking, slamming both arms down, narrowly missing Renamon, but damaging the shields upon her arms, causing them to digitize.
"For one who is so big and sluggish, he is quite tough." Renamon commented, sliding back as she awaited her next commands.
"But against a team, he can be defeated." Jeri said in reply, remaining confident, which continued to inspire her friends, with Takato and Rika seeing a little of themselves in Jeri's motivation.
And motivated himself, Calumon's gem began to glow.
'I might not be a fighter, but perhaps this will help my friends.' He thought, not completely sure how he was able to achieve it, but knew he had the gift of Digivolution, sharing that energy with the unknowing forms of Guilmon, Terriermon and Renamon.
"Guilmon Digivolve to... Growlmon!"
"Terriermon Digivolve to... Gargomon!"
"Renamon Digivolve to... Kyubimon!"
From Digivolving, all were taken by surprise, while Jeri looked upon the new forms that used to be Guilmon, Terriermon and Renamon, completely amazed.
"So this is Digivolution?" She asked, only to then question. "But how did we do that?"
"I'm not too sure just yet, but we can figure it out after we've dealt with Raremon." Henry said in reply.
"Let do this guys!" Takato said with a continued determination as Growlmon started to charge at raremon, follow by Gargomon and Kyubimon.
"Pyro Blaster!" Growlmon roared, releasing a powerful blaze
"Gargo Pallets!" Gargomon followed, firing a barrage of energy bullets from his Vulcan Arms.
"Fox Tail Inferno!" Kyubimon called, adding her power as her tails lit with blue balls of flame that she then tossed alongside Growlmon and Gargomon's attacks, all striking Raremon and causing it to let out a discomforting growling.
"Keep going!" Takato called, encouraging the Digimon to keep up in their attacks, continuing to cause discomfort towards the Raremon.
But refusing to accept anymore pain, Raremon fought back.
"Stinking Gas!" He bellowed, opening his mouth and released a most foul smelling gas, causing Growlmon, Gargomon and Kyubimon to stop their attacks and suddenly fall, with Growlmon and Gargomon trying to cover their faces as best they could from the horrid stench, while Kyubimon was unable to defend herself, due to her body structure and collapsed into unconsciousness, De-Digivolving back to Renamon.
"Renamon!" Rika called in concern at seeing her Digimon fall, just before Raremon slammed both his arms into the paralytic forms of Growlmon and Gargomon, breaking their stances and causing both to fall as both got a full contact whiff of Raremon's breath attack.
"Growlmon!" Takato called in concern.
"Gargomon!" Henry followed up at seeing their Digimon partners in distress, they too De-Digivolving back to their Rookie forms, leaving the Tamers with only Calumon against the mindless mass that was Raremon.
Scared as he watched Raremon approach them, Calumon hid behind Jeri's leg and asked. "What do we do now?"
Shaking herself, Jeri tried to think of something, but found herself frozen with fear.
"I... I don't know..." She said, afraid that she had let her friends down, afraid of Raremon and afraid that the vile creature was about to dispose of her and her friends.
"Fist of the Beast King!" A mighty voice suddenly shouted as blast of amber coloured energy in the shape of lion's head shot above the Tamer's heads, hitting the Raremon and made it stumble back a little, the attack leaving the Tamers in awe.
And turning, Takato, Rika, Henry, Jeri and Calumon all saw a mighty looking Digimon, one Takato recognized as one of the mightiest and noble Digimon of the Digimon Adventure series, Leomon, to which the brunette then had to scan with his D-Power.
"It's Leomon. Champion level. His bravery is matched by his Fist of the Beast King Attack." Takato said, his words made Leomon nod, before walking past the Tamers, drew his blade and faced up against Raremon.
"That's right, young human. And I use that power to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I saw you put up a worthy match against this foe, but allow me to finish what your friends could not complete." Leomon replied, his tone full of pride and strength, showing no fear as the Raremon loomed over him, which inspired Jeri, filling her with a renewed confidence.
"Another bug... I crush bug...!" Raremon yelled at seeing Leomon, slamming his fist down, which Leomon avoided and countered, striking at the Raremon's left arm, bringing his blade upon it and leaving a cut upon the Raremon's skin, which left a scar, but due to Raremon's lacking brain power, it didn't register the pain.
Continuing to attack Leomon, Raremon swung its arms around wildly, spewing waves of acid, doing whatever it could to rid itself of what it saw as a distraction from being able to feast, but Leomon remained strong, continuing to fight back, which continued to inspire Jeri.
"Go!" Leomon then called, holding back Raremon's right arm. "Get your friends and run!"
Doing as Leomon ordered, Takato ran over to Guilmon, managing to hoist the Hazard Digimon onto his back, Henry easily picking Terriermon up, cradling him in his arms, while Rika gathered Renamon, pulling her up and holding her close to her chest as all three Tamers began to make a run for it.
But Jeri just remained in place.
"No." She said, her reply confusing the Tamers, before Jeri let out her emotions with great confidence. "I refuse to run away. I don't want to be afraid anymore. I refuse to abandon a half finished mission. I want to be brave!"
From Jeri's words, all felt her determination, including Leomon, taking a moment to look at the brunette, just as as spherical light of gold coloured energy appeared in front of the brunette, surprising her at first, before she held her right hand out, allowing the gold light to fall and rest in her hand, where all were left in amazement as the light began to take form.
Seeing the familiar shape, Takato asked. "Is that what I think it is?"
"I think it is." Jeri replied, smiling as she then faced Rika and handed the redhead her D-Power.
"Thanks for letting me use your D-Power, Rika, but I think I can handle this." Jeri said, before holding up what the light left and saying. "Now that I have my own."
Looking at the D-Power in Jeri's hand, Rika was amazed at how fast it took for Jeri to become a Tamer, but smiled.
"Go on. Show me what you can do." Rika then said with a proud smile, which made Jeri nod as she faced Leomon and Raremon.
"Digi-Modify! MetalGarurumon's Blaster Activate!" Jeri called, slashing the Card through her D-Power, giving its energy to Leomon, confusing him at the new power that filled his being, before looking at Jeri, who smiled at him with a continued confidence.
"Crush bug... Crush all bugs...!" Leomon then heard Raremon bellow again, causing him to pull back his fist and attack, only his fist was circled with an icy blue aura that when released, shot off as a great blast of cold air, completely consuming Raremon and leaving its form trapped in the ice.
"I'm not finished." Jeri said, remaining strong as she withdrew another Digimon Card.
"Digi-Modify! Radiant Fate Activate!" She announced, filling Leomon with a great amount of power, his being radiating with a golden energy.
"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon called in a great and powerful voice, throwing another punch at Raremon, his energy shooting off of his fist and into the icy form of the rotten Digimon with such strength it actually smashed through Raremon, causing his form to shatter to bits.
And with Raremon's defeat, all who had suffered from his stench began to reawaken, including Guilmon, Terriermon and Renamon.
"Henry? Terriermon asked, rubbing his eyes, as if he had taken a nap. "What happened? Did we win?"
"We did, but now is not the best time to talk about it." Henry replied, not wanting any of the civilians to see their Digimon or get scared by them, causing the Digimon Tamers to quickly make their way back to the park and back to Guilmon's shed.
Though as the Tamers took their leave, Impmon pulled himself from the trash can Raremon had knocked him into, peeling a banana skin off his head, tossing it aside and questioning, sounding angered and annoyed. "Hey! What about me? I did my share of the work, where's my thanks?"
However, seeing a black van suddenly pull up, the side door opening revealing several men in white lab coats and masks, a panicky smile appeared on Impmon's face.
"On second thought, you can all praise me later." Impmon then said, sounding a little nervous, before turning tail and quickly running away, the scientists about to follow when their boss said. "Leave him."
Turning, the scientists saw the man in the sunglasses leave the van, flicking his lighter as he walked into the alley, picking up an ice fragment that used to be Raremon.
"I see those children want to continue to play their games. But once we are done here, the Digimon threat will no longer be a problem." He commented, before dropping the ice and stepping on it.
Facing the scientists, the blond then ordered. "Gather what data you can from the remains. I want Operation Juggernaut operational as soon as possible."
"Right away, Mr. Yamaki, sir." One of the men replied, getting to work as all collected what remains of Raremon thy could, making the man now identified as Yamaki show off a pleased smirk.
-Back in the park-
Returning to Guilmon's shed, the Tamers all smiled at their latest accomplishments, Calumon showing the most joy as Jeri held him in her arms as he embraced her in a warm and friendly hug.
"Jeri, you're a Tamer! I am so happy it's causing my ears to twitch!" He called, continuing to show his joy, which made Jeri smile, both at Calumon's actions and words, as well as the pride she could see in her friend's faces.
"You have indeed showed a great amount of courage." Leomon commented, continuing to make Jeri smile.
"And I will continue to put that into our other battles." Jeri replied, remaining joyful until Leomon asked. "What are you talking about?"
"I mean I am a Digimon Tamer now, and you are my partner." Jeri replied.
"I think you mistake our relationship." Leomon said, before telling her and the others. "I came to your world to stop the Digimon who would bring harm to those who cannot protect themselves. I consider you an ally, but I am unsure if we are bound to work as one."
From Leomon's words, the joyous atmosphere fell, all watching as Leomon began to walk away, taking his leave and leaving the Digimon Tamers silent.
Jeri started to tear up.
She thought that she had found her Digimon partner, but was denied such a partnership, causing Calumon to look up at Jeri with a saddened expression.
But before Jeri could cry further, she heard leomon's voice.
"You have shown great potential and bravery. Can you give me time to think about it?" He asked, causing Jeri to look over, seeing Leomon had stopped walking, his back facing away from the brunette.
Wiping her eyes, Jeri smiled.
"Take all the time you need." She replied, watching as Leomon then continued to leave, while Jeri continued to smile.
"He will be my partner." She said, her words causing Takato to ask. "But how can you be so sure."
"I can feel it in my heart." Jeri replied, taking out her D-Power and adding with a continued confidence. "Someday we will be partners."
Jeri felt a hand on her left shoulder and turned to see it was Henry, who had a smile on his face as he said with a confident voice. "Both of you will great partners and great friends."
"And until the day Leomon comes to his sense, you still have us." Terriermon added, his words made Jeri laugh and smile, looking forward to the adventures she would have as part of the Digimon Tamers