Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 36: Pumped Up
Takuya and Kira: Happy late birthday, Madjack!
madjack89: Aw, thanks, you two!
Zoe: We made you a cake!
Dai: It's chocolate!
madjack89: I do loves me some chocolate cake!
Kira: Yeah, we even let Taki help out this year! I measured out the baking soda, and then he got to pour it into the mixing bowl! We cheered for him and everything!
Takuya: …You guys are mean.
Kouji: They wouldn't even let me in the kitchen because they said I'd give the cake "bad vibes."
Dai: We were making a happy cake and…well…it's a happy cake!
Kouji: *sigh* Take your damn present already, Madjack. They wouldn't let me help out with the cake, so I got you something on my own.
madjack89: *gasp* You got me something for my birthday? *rips open present* There's nothing in this box.
Kouji: That's a decoy. I actually called up the main characters from that new series that you're so into, Slayers.
Neji: I helped out. It's up to them whether they show up or not.
madjack89: You got me the Slayers gang? Aw, thank you so much, guys! *hugs Kouji and Neji*
Kouji: Uh-huh…
Neji: You're welcome.
madjack89: Okay, time for reviews! Oh, and guess who else I got from TobiGB!
Xemnas: *glaring at me*
*break*
garnettfox: In all honesty, I'm not sure when or how I'm gonna bring Darkgra into the story yet, but I know it must be epic! (Darkgramon: *nods* Yeah.) Sorry about Shino's not-so-happy ending, but I'll make him happy…someday. Anyway, TTFN right back at ya! (I love Tigger!)
13wolfsbane: Aw, I won't tell him, Yin! That would be mean! (Shino: Hooray, I finally get respect after revealing my back story!) That's usually how it works. (Shino: True.) Do you really think I'd kill Kouji? …Don't answer that. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, Yin! And thanks, 13!
DigiBleach: Exactly! Kouji must live so he can be abused! (Kouji: *sigh*) I can't answer that question about "Se," but it's kinda obvious, you know? (Too much suspense and your heads will explode!) Okay, thanks for reviewing!
GoldenDragon326: (Kouichi: Um, I don't think kidnapping some random girl through a plot hole would make Shino any happier.) (Shino: Yeah, not really. Thanks for your concern, though.) (Dai: I have a giant hammer!) (Kira: And I have…my fists!) (Shino: I have my fists, too.) (JP: Technically, we all have our fists. Oh, and guys…Thunder Fist.) (Others: Good point.) Can I get a word in edgewise, guys? (Everyone: Sorry.) Eh, it's all good. Alright, thanks for reviewing! (Kouji: Friendship? Really? What does this look like, Yu-gi-oh Abridged?) (Takuya: Burn!)
61wisampa: I gotta agree with Frontier being the all-time best season of Digimon, but I really do like Xros Wars. It's a nice change to see a Digidestined using his brain! (lol) Yeah, no more love triangles…I think. (Sometimes I can't even remember what's going on in this story…) Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Aldamonburst: Hm…peacemaker…still, I wish she could do something MORE useful. And I know Zen can use the weapons, I just want to pick on him! (lol) Thanks for reviewing, Burst!
Taeniaea: Thanks!
mudkipmon: Yeah, Kiriha's eyes worry me. It's like he's staring into your soul…anyway, back to the review! Yay cookies! Hey Dusky, you're the best villain ever! (Duskmon: Heh…like I didn't already know I was badass.) Kinda cocky there? Oh well, he deserves to be! Thanks for the review!
hazeleyedharmony: (Shino: Great, now I'm emo…) (Kouji: *glares*) I'm going to a place called McDaniel, and it would only be creepy if you showed up outside my dorm room. (lol) Yeah, I kinda see how college cuts into writing time, but I'll make it work. Thanks for reviewing, hazel!
fg1fg: Yeah, Shippuden flashbacks get a little tedious, but eventually something will happen…right? (lol) (Kouji: They weren't good.) Aw, poor little crazy Kouji! (Kouji: *sigh*) Dusky's feelings are a little complicated, so we'll just have to see what happens! *wink* Glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
silver fire wolf: Ah, a Sonic OC. I've never seen or played anything Sonic related, but I know he's a speedy hedgehog thingy! And don't get all ticked off, older brother person! Thanks for reviewing!
Shadowfox94: Yes, so many crazy twists and turns to come! (JP: Wait, I haven't gone crazy. Yeah! *does little victory dance*) I don't know, you came kind of close in episode 24. (JP: Don't ruin this for me, Madjack.) Okay…yeah Kouji, your FTTP is awesome! (Kouji: *sigh* It's not the whole connection thing, it's the fact that Takuya named it that annoys me.) You would be annoyed by that. (Duskmon: I'm already kinda neutral. I wouldn't give a crap about any of this if it weren't for the fact that I owe Nina.) Plus you're obsessed with Chief! (Duskmon: *glares*) Thanks for reviewing! Go Xros Wars!
TobiGB: Madara, shut up. Seriously. (Nina: Hi Madara!) No, Nina! (Nina: Aw…) Hm…the gang would make an interesting Organization XIII. (Xemnas: I would never let any of these children into my organization.) Yet you let Demyx in? (Xemnas: Shut up!) Thanks for reviewing, GB! (Kouichi: No, Madara…)
*break*
madjack89: Hey Xemnas, know what time it is?
Xemnas: Time for you to let me go?
madjack89: No, it's time for a new chapter!
Sasori: Told you it wouldn't work.
Xemnas: *glare*
JP: *hands Xemnas a piece of paper*
Xemnas: *reads* Hey Sasori, you know what real art is? An explosion.
Sasori: God damn it, no it's not! *starts bickering*
Kouji: Did you really need to do that?
JP: No, but I wanted to get Madjack something for her b-day, too. I thought watching Sasori bicker might be fun for her.
madjack89: Thanks, JP!
Pein: *sigh* It's like being at the base all over again…
—
"You know, I can honestly say that I never thought I'd be going to war at the age of thirteen," Shino commented, smirking slightly. "My, how the world has changed."
He was pleased to get a faint chuckle from Zoe, but it didn't last long. Things had been a bit…strained between them since he'd nearly gone insane one day earlier. Of course, she assumed it was her fault that this had happened, though that was completely false. Shino wished he could tell Zoe the truth so she wouldn't have to feel needlessly guilty, but he couldn't find the courage to admit that he'd been lying to everyone for so long. He knew they'd forgive him, but would they be able to trust him again?
Shino shook off these thoughts quickly. The last thing he should be doing after almost losing his mind was start reflecting on these touchy subjects. Besides, he WAS going to war in a few hours. He should have been taking this time to concentrate and prepare himself. Instead, he'd decided to take a stroll down the tunnels with Zoe, getting Kouichi's permission beforehand.
He still remembered the other's startled expressions when Kouichi had granted Zoe's request to talk with him alone. Of course, no one but Zoe and Kouichi knew how close he'd come to the brink yesterday. Well, Kouji might have found out from Kouichi. Thanks to their "FTTP" or whatever they had, it wasn't easy for them to keep secrets from each other. And they'd been discussing something last night…
"Are you alright, Shino?" Zoe suddenly asked, drawing his attention back to her anxious face.
Shino sighed heavily. She'd asked this same question of him nearly fifty times now. But that was just the way Zoe was; she worried too much. "I'm fine, Zee," he replied, truly meaning it. One thing he had told the others was his and Mai's story. Kouji had been right; it felt extremely good to finally share his bottled-up thoughts on that subject. And heck, at least Mai hadn't died. Not like what had happened to Kouji. Or Kira. Or Dai. Or…anyone. Compared to everyone else, he'd gotten off easy, so why worry about Mai anymore?
Zoe searched Shino's face for a moment, probably trying to figure out if he was telling her the truth. Shino was beginning to get a little uncomfortable when Zoe muttered, "I guess you won't do anything stupid."
"Huh?" Shino tilted his head, feeling perplexed.
Smiling slightly, Zoe explained, "Kouichi and I were really scared for you yesterday, Shino. I can't speak for Kouichi, but I had no idea what was happening to you. It was horrifying, seeing you like that. I just want to make sure that you really are fine now and that you're not going to do anything really crazy during this battle."
Shino tried to respond, but Zoe pressed on. "That means no trying to take metaphorical bullets for me or anything like that. In case you've forgotten, you're the rookie with your Spirits and I'm a trained professional. I can handle myself. I'm powerful, I'm fast, and, unlike you, I can fly. So just concentrate on keeping yourself safe, not me."
"Alright, alright, I get the picture," Shino said quickly, holding up his hands in surrender. "If someone has you at gunpoint or sword point or whatever point, I promise not to help you. In fact, I will ignore you entirely."
Zoe humphed, but in a good-natured way. "I'm glad to hear it, both from you AND Kouichi."
That made Shino smirk. "You told Kouichi all of that, too?"
"You two are so self-sacrificing that you leave me no choice," Zoe retorted, sighing. "Sometimes I really wonder how I could be worth all your troubles."
Shino could tell her exactly why she was worth his trouble, but he thought that might be overstepping his friend boundaries, so he simply smiled and said, "You're a better person than you think." Jokingly, he added, "I mean, you're good enough for the Prince of Darkness."
Zoe rolled her eyes. "I think you'd better stick with Chief."
—
~One day earlier…
"So, those are Nina's conditions," Ilsemon mused thoughtfully. "She does have quite an intriguing mind. I wonder what she could be planning for those children."
Duskmon remained silent, glaring angrily at his feet. God, did he hate Ilsemon! Even being in her presence annoyed him. "I wouldn't tell you even if I knew what she was planning."
~Dusky, don't be rude!~ Nina scolded mildly. ~She's trying to help us!~
Trying to help YOU, Duskmon corrected, not talking to Nina out loud in Ilsemon's presence, or in…
~Aw, that's soooo cute!~ Nina squealed as Duskmon glanced at Renamon for about the fiftieth time. He'd gone to find Ilsemon as soon as Nina had explained her plan's prerequisites, partially because he'd rather this whole mess of a war be over, and partially because Renamon had gone to see Ilsemon and he would be able to see her again, standing off in a corner, listening silently to his explanations.
Nothing's cute, Duskmon thought grouchily. She looks mad at me for some reason. The obvious note of displeasure in her expression made Duskmon feel a strange mixture of fear and…guilt. Fear that Renamon hated him now, for whatever reason, and guilt for…whatever it was he'd done. This was so confusing…
~I don't think she likes me,~ Nina muttered, sounding a bit sad. ~She looked kinda happy to see you until you mentioned me.~
She looked happy? That surprised Duskmon. He'd thought that Renamon had only become his…friend (What a foreign word…) because of some misplaced pity she'd felt for him, not out of any genuine feelings for him. He was the one with the weird, sudden obsession…
"I suppose you wouldn't," Ilsemon muttered, smiling slowly. "But you do know what she's planning to do with them, don't you?"
Damn her!
~Dusky, be nice!~
Keeping his revulsion in check, Duskmon bit back the nastier response he'd had for Ilsemon. "I might."
Ilsemon chuckled softly. "I figured as much. Well, I believe I can keep within Nina's terms. Capture the Legendary Warriors without resorting to killing any of them. And a bit of torture is acceptable?"
"As long as you don't go too far," Duskmon growled.
~Geez Dusky, I've never seen you get this irritable at Ilsemon before!~ Nina exclaimed, confused. ~Why're you so grouchy today?~
Duskmon knew why he felt this sudden overbearing hatred for Ilsemon, but he didn't want Nina to gush about it, as he knew she would if he told her. He hated Ilsemon even more because of what she'd done to Renamon. She'd completely destroyed Renamon's life. She could have been happy, but Ilsemon had taken all of that away from her for some unexplained reason. And Duskmon hated her for it. No reason.
Ilsemon chuckled, bringing Duskmon's thoughts back to the present again. "Oh, I think I'll be able to restrain myself. It is quite a shame, though. Their minds are all full of such sweet turbulence and pain…but for Nina, I'll merely scratch the surface of what I could do to them. I was actually planning a full scale attack, so that part won't be hard to accomplish."
"Great," Duskmon said, trying to sound a bit less irritable for Nina's sake. "Thank you for your cooperation, Ilsemon."
"No, Duskmon, thank you for…playing the messenger boy," Ilsemon taunted superiorly.
Damn her, Duskmon thought as he practically stomped out of Ilsemon's sight. I swear, I hope those kids DO manage to kill her!
~Oh, Dusky,~ Nina muttered, sighing.
"Duskmon." Duskmon instantly stopped, frozen in place by the harsh note in Renamon's voice. What had he done?
He turned slightly, and there she was, returning his stare coolly. Say something. He had to remind himself to talk now? God, this was so stupid. "Yes, Renamon?"
"Wait for me out here," she replied, her words clipped. "I want to say something to Nina."
~Oh, I knew it!~ Nina groaned. ~She doesn't like me!~
Duskmon wasn't paying the least bit of attention to Nina. Could it be that Renamon really wasn't mad at him? He was momentarily flooded with relief, then more confusion. He really did need her now, didn't he? Why was that? Why did he need her? He'd never needed anyone, so why…?
"Very well," Duskmon said, sitting down with his back against the wall. "I'll wait here."
—
"This'll be so exciting!" Dai squealed happily, bouncing up and down in place.
Hotaru couldn't exactly share Dai's enthusiasm. "Someone's going to get hurt."
Dai glanced at his cousin sympathetically. "It's just like you to be so pessimistic about stuff like this, but you don't have to get so freaked out. We're going to be fine!"
"Not all of us," Hotaru countered, shaking his head. "I've been through 'wars' like this before. Sure, we might win, but there'll be casualties, and I can't help worrying over who won't come back from this. If it's anyone from the gang…if it's you…"
"Don't think about that if it bothers you!" Dai retorted, smiling broadly. "Just stay positive!"
"Is anyone else getting a glass half empty/half full vibe here?" Witchmon asked, glancing at Dragramon and JP, who both nodded in agreement.
"You should've seen Taru earlier," JP muttered, looking a bit troubled. "He was pacing around and getting himself all worked up. If this keeps up, he'll either have a panic attack before the battle's even started or try to do everything himself and get hurt. Really hurt. So doctors, what are your prescriptions for such a troubled mind?"
"Well, I have one method that you can help me with," Witchmon said, reaching into JP's back pocket, much to his shock and discomfort, and retrieving a chocolate bar.
"You could've asked ME to get that for you," JP mumbled, blushing with embarrassment.
"Yeah, I could've," Witchmon agreed sarcastically, unpeeling the bar and discarding the wrapper. Then, with swift precision, she leaped lightly forward, landed in front of Hotaru, and shoved the chocolate into his mouth before he could lift a finger to stop her.
Surprised and confused, Hotaru just stood there, the bottom half of the chocolate bar still hanging lopsidedly out of his mouth. Both Dai and JP chuckled at the sight, while Witchmon looked pleased. "Chocolate: the happy snack!"
"My turn!" Dragramon exclaimed, suddenly flapping her wings to lift herself off the ground. Then she shot herself at Hotaru, opening her arms wide to embrace him. However, she misjudged how fast she was going and ended up knocking Hotaru to the ground, nearly causing him to choke on his chocolate bar.
"Sorry, Taru!" Dragramon apologized sheepishly. "I thought a glomp might help you feel better. I guess Digimon glomps are too much for a human to take!"
"By the way, in case you guys don't know, a glomp is like a cross between a bear hug and a running tackle!" Dai explained to all you guys out there cheerfully.
"You would know that, Dai," JP muttered, rolling his eyes.
Hotaru lifted himself into a sitting position, a small smile lighting up his face. "You know, now that I think about it, we're in just as much danger down here as we are up there."
"I doubt Ilsemon's army's gonna be bombarding us with chocolately glomps," JP commented, then frowned slightly at what he'd said. "Wow, that sounded wrong…"
"See Hotaru, everything will be fine!" Dai said, ignoring JP. "We're gonna beat Ilsemon and all her little lackeys!"
"Yeah," Hotaru replied, smiling despite his still gnawing concern. Hopefully…
—
Wizardmon limped slowly through the halls of the RMS, beaten and tired. No, Shino's anxieties were no longer bombarding him, but that didn't mean he couldn't be haunted by his own thoughts.
Smiling faintly, Wizardmon remembered the last time he'd been happy, nearly three years ago, when Impmon had forced him to travel into the human world with him in order to help a girl he'd met. He hadn't understood at first why Impmon would care so much about a random human girl he'd barely known for one day. Then he'd met her as well.
He'd been completely awestruck by her. Her light, her happiness, all of it poured into whoever she met, filling them with joy as well. At least, that's how Wizardmon had felt. Before he'd killed her.
Wizardmon no longer flinched when his memory conjured up the sight of her broken, bleeding body, lying limp in the street. After all, it always sat at the back of his mind, disturbing his thoughts whether he was awake or asleep. Reminding him that he was a monster.
He should've thanked Shino for all the suffering he'd been put through. It was what he deserved.
"What happened to you?" Wizardmon jumped, startled by Duskmon's sudden question. He hadn't realized that the dark swordsman had been sitting against the wall to his right, staring quizzically at him. "Did you do something to your leg?" Duskmon prompted, pointing out the fact that Wizardmon had been limping.
Wizardmon was only limping due to exhaustion, but there was something more pressing that he needed to address. "Why the hell do you care?" he snapped, glaring at the haphazard excuse for a Digimon. He'd never liked Duskmon. No one did.
Duskmon's eyes narrowed slowly. "Maybe I don't care. I just thought it would be unlucky on our part if you aren't able to fight tomorrow due to injury."
"Our part?" Wizardmon raised a brow at that. "Since when were you such a team player? You hate all of us, and you probably hope that I'm hurt so that there's a better chance of me dying tomorrow. And what fight are you talking about, anyway?"
Duskmon grumbled something under his breath, clearly irritated now. "Ilsemon's sending everyone out full force tomorrow to stage an attack against the Resistance. Of course, that's just to keep the other Digimon busy so she can get her hands on the Warrior brats."
Wizardmon sighed heavily. What rotten luck. He'd been hoping to get a day off tomorrow after what had happened. However, one good thing might come from this battle. "Maybe those kids will finally kill you, Duskmon. I know that'd make me feel better."
Oddly enough, Duskmon didn't give an angry retort. He just lowered his head, suddenly seeming…upset? No, he couldn't be. Wizardmon knew as well as anyone that Duskmon was impossible to perturb. That's why he was so confused when Duskmon muttered bitterly, "You're right. I should be dead. It'd be better for everyone if I was…damn it all!"
Duskmon suddenly leaped to his feet, looking furious now. "Damn it all to hell! Why can't all of this just stop? I hate it! Damn it!"
Wizardmon backed up slowly, disturbed by Duskmon's tirade. He seemed like he was about ready to kill someone. He seemed…insane.
"Duskmon!" Wizardmon turned sharply and found Renamon standing behind him, glaring at Duskmon. Wait, not glaring. She looked…concerned? What the hell had happened after he'd gone to confront Shino? Had everyone gone crazy?
Wizardmon continued to stare, perplexed, as Renamon rushed to Duskmon's side, placing a paw lightly on his shoulder. He expected Duskmon to swat Renamon's paw away, but he didn't seem to mind her touch. She actually seemed to be calming him down. "It's alright," she murmured reassuringly. "It's okay…"
For some reason, an image of Gatomon's smiling face suddenly filled Wizardmon's mind. Whenever he'd felt bad about something, Gatomon had always been the one to make him feel better by doing just what Renamon was doing. Comforting him.
But that was back when he'd deserved her consolation. Monsters didn't deserve sisters like her. Besides, for all he knew, Gatomon was dead, finally leaving him completely isolated and alone. Just the way he'd planned it.
Glancing briefly at the two Digimon before him, Wizardmon continued his slow trek back to his room. He couldn't waste his time worrying over another's problems. After all, he had a war to prepare for.
—
"I don't know about you, Taki, but I am pumped up!" Kira said, determination lighting her eyes. "Finally we get to kick that bitch's ass, not to mention her little crew of flunkies!" (Heh heh…flunkies…)
"Yeah, we definitely have this victory in the bag!" Takuya agreed, feeling extremely confident. "According to Masumon, Ilsemon's not equiped for physical fights, so if we can just get her alone, she'll be toast!"
Tommy smiled at Takuya and Kira, not as apprehensive about the upcoming battle as he would've been a few years ago. That proved that he'd changed, right?
He knew he shouldn't have taken what Kouichi had said yesterday so seriously. He felt bad even considering that his friend really thought any of that about him. Kouichi had been corrupted. That hadn't been him, not really. But still…he'd raised a valid point.
"Tommy; the baby of the group; the one that everyone always feels the need to protect. And you let us protect you, because deep down, you know that you haven't grown one bit. You're still the same scared little kid you were two years ago, and you won't change, no, you CAN'T change."
He didn't want it to be true, but Tommy couldn't deny the fact that everyone DID still baby him. They still saw him as the kid he'd been two years ago. But he wasn't the same little kid who cried all the time and got bullied constantly for it. He'd grown out of that a long time ago…right?
"Ready to kick some ass, Tommy?" Tommy blinked, startled out of his mental reverie by Kira's excited question.
He glanced at Takuya, expecting his surrogate brother to scold Kira for cussing in front of him. Again.
But Takuya just smiled and said, "Of course he is! Tommy's always ready for some ass-kicking, right buddy?"
Tommy's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Then he nodded, letting his friends' confidence fill him as well. "I sure am!"
"Glad to hear it," Kira said, smirking. "Now, let us gather the troops and head out!"
Tommy followed his two friends down the hall, smiling to himself. Of course he wasn't the same person he'd been back then. He HAD grown, and the others DID notice it. After all, he couldn't be the baby forever.
…Right?
—
"This is it," Kouji muttered, convinced that his assumption was correct. "I know it is. This'll be the battle where Takuya…" He couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence, mostly because he just couldn't picture Takuya being…dead.
"We'll watch out for him," Kouichi soothed calmly, though the prophecy Kouji had recounted to him last night had disturbed him just as much as his brother. Takuya…dead. That was such a foreign concept.
"The worst part is that we can't just write this off as phony bullshit," Kouji said, fist clenching involuntarily as he continued to pace. "We have to be smart about this, or it'll be too late. If I'd been smart enough to remember what Palmon had said, maybe I could've prevented what happened to you."
Kouichi shook his head slowly. "It couldn't have been prevented. I wanted it, after all…"
"Kouichi, don't," Kouji interrupted quickly, stopping in front of his twin and grabbing him by the shoulders. "You made a mistake. It's fine. We forgive you. The end."
Kouichi lowered his gaze. "Sorry. I guess the wound's still a little fresh, if you know what I mean."
"I know," Kouji said, more gently this time. Then, in a more urgent tone, he continued, "Anyway, whatever happens, we have to look out for Takuya. It'd only take a second of us not paying attention for him to…you know."
"So why aren't we telling him about this again?" Kouichi asked, still convinced that they should let Takuya in on this vital piece of information, especially since it concerned him.
"It wouldn't make any difference if we told him. He'd still be as reckless and pin-headed as he always is," Kouji replied, rolling his eyes. "Besides, it would distract the others and they might get hurt, and that definitely wouldn't solve anything."
Kouichi pictured what Zoe's reaction would be if they told the others about Takuya's possibly doomed future. He sighed, knowing that she would completely freak out. "Good point."
"So we'll just watch out for him, and if he tries anything really stupid, we intervene," Kouji said, cementing the plan.
Kouichi nodded, then smiled slowly as he glanced past Kouji's shoulder. "I think someone's here to see you."
"Hi guys." Kouji stiffened slightly, knowing exactly who was behind him. But, since it would have been rude to ignore her, he turned around to greet Masumon.
"Hey there," he muttered, trying to sound as aloof as possible. Why did it have to be so hard to pull off aloof around her? Oh right, because he'd suppressed that urge around her for years.
"Well, I think I'll go see what the others are up to," Kouichi said quickly, trying to hide his mischievous grin as he left the two. Alone.
Thanks a whole freakin' lot, Kouichi, Kouji thought, annoyed that the rest of the gang seemed to think he and Masumon could still have…moments. That couldn't happen ever again, and it was a waste of time to try.
Of course, Masumon noticed right away that Kouji seemed ticked off about something. "What's wrong? Are you feeling a little edgy about fighting my sister?"
I'm feeling edgy because I barely maintain self control around you, Seiko. Kouji could almost hear what her reply would be. Aw, you don't need to feel edgy! Besides, it's good to loosen up every once in a while! And…you don't need to maintain self control around me.
Masumon took Kouji's silence as confirmation of her assumption and smiled gently. "Try not to get so worked up. I know my sister, and she is not the fighting type. She'll be an easy target once her guards are taken out, though I'm still not sure that I want her to be killed…"
Kouji sighed. THAT was definitely something Seiko would say. No matter how evil someone was, Seiko could always see good in them. Like she'd done with him. "So you're saying that the sister who tortured you mercilessly without any remorse whatsoever deserves a second chance? Sorry, but I'm not gonna forgive her that easily."
"I know that it has to be done," Masumon muttered, eyes lowered sadly. "But…make it quick, okay? Don't let her suffer."
I'm not sure I can keep that promise, but… "Okay," Kouji agreed, knowing he'd keep his word despite his absolute hatred of Ilsemon. He wouldn't let her suffer, because her suffering corresponded to Masumon's…Seiko's suffering. And he wouldn't let her suffer again.
Masumon smiled brightly, forcing Kouji to suppress a deep blush. "Thank you, Kouji!"
Kouji shoved his hands into his pockets, trying not to show how much her thanks affected him. Even without her memories, she knew him too well. If he let his guard down even once, she'd be able to tell why he was always so tense around her. Because he still…loved her.
"Hey, try to be careful, okay?" Masumon added gently, smile fading slightly. "I couldn't stand it if something happened to you…or to your friends."
"Uh-huh," Kouji muttered listlessly, more focused on the way she'd spoken than on what she'd said. There'd been a pretty distinct pause between "you" and "or to your friends," almost as if she'd hastily added the last part. If he didn't know any better, he'd think that some part of Seiko's feelings for him was still buried somewhere in her…
But he did know better. Seiko was dead, and that wouldn't change. She'd given up her life not once, but twice for him, and it was selfish to wish she could go back to the way she'd been.
Suddenly, Kouji felt a hand grab his arm and start tugging him forward, snapping him out of his thoughts. He couldn't hide a slight blush when he saw that it was Masumon who was pulling him down the tunnel. (KPBS: 3)
Masumon glanced back and smiled at him, then said, "I think your friends are looking for you. It's almost time to go, after all. I can lead you to them, if you want."
Kouji felt a surge of panic sweep through him when Masumon's hand began to loosen its grip on him. "No! No, it's fine. Lead on." (KPBS: 4) (Yeah, both blushing and sudden surges of emotion register on the Koujipwned meter!)
For a moment, Masumon seemed puzzled. Then the smile returned to her face and she said, "Okay, I will!"
When she wasn't looking anymore, Kouji breathed a sigh of relief. That had been too close. He'd been caught off guard. But he wouldn't be again. Never again.
In the back of his mind, Kouji heard Ellie sigh sympathetically. ~Oh, Kouji…~
—
"No…" Impmon couldn't believe it. This couldn't be her. It wasn't. He knew her, and this wasn't her.
She glared at him with those dark, crazed eyes, chilling Impmon to the bone. "Little Impy…you and I, we go way back, don't we?"
Suddenly, she leaned forward, kissing him lightly on the cheek. Impmon barely noticed. She'd gone missing, hadn't she? That's what Wizardmon had said, one of the few times Impmon had managed to get his former friend to talk to him. He'd been devastated by that. If she was "missing," there had been a good chance that she was dead. And she'd been one of the only friends…more than that, that he'd had left. But now here she stood, right in front of him, back from the dead. He'd just bumped into her randomly.
"Wondering where I've been?" she asked, smiling darkly at him. Flinching, she explained, "I was soul-searching. My little kitty soul needed some cleansing. I needed a brand new perspective."
Impmon stepped forward, eyes pleading. "Gatomon…what'd she do ta you?"
Gatomon stared at Impmon for a long moment. Impmon thought he saw a flash of the old, kind Gatomon cross her expression for one short second. Then the crazy gleam returned to her eyes and she lashed out with her paw, pinning Impmon against the wall.
"Ga…" Impmon struggled to say her name, to bring her back, but she had him pinned by the neck, cutting off his air supply.
Gatomon grinned crookedly. "It's too late…it's all too late. I have to make it stop. I have to kill you, kill them, kill everyone. No more…no more…"
Impmon landed with a thump on the ground, gasping for air. Gatomon was already walking away, glowing with data as she went. A moment later, a new Digimon stood in her place. She'd Digivolved. No one would recognize her. She'd be killed by the very kids she'd promised to protect. That was Ilsemon's punishment for her. A death sentence.
At that point, Impmon passed out.
—
"So Takuya will be here soon?" the boy asked quietly, eyes filled with hope.
Ilsemon smirked. "Of course. I'll escort him here myself."
The kid smiled slowly. That was all the resolve he needed. Soon, Takuya would be here. Then he would prove to him, to everyone, that he was just as special as Tommy. He'd show them that he could turn into a big-shot Digimon, too. Then they'd all see.
Suddenly, the boy remembered something important. "You won't hurt him, right? Or his friends?"
Ilsemon chuckled. "Of course not, child. I'll do as you say. After all," here she bowed her head slightly, hiding her dark smirk from the boy, "I wouldn't want to upset my catalyst..."
—
madjack89: Guess who's here, everyone!
Lina: Hey there, guys!
Gourry: Hi!
Amelia: Hello, fanfiction readers!
Zelgadis: Yeah, hi.
Lina: Ignore Zel. He's kind of like the Kouji of our group.
Zelgadis and Kouji: *glare*
madjack89: Wow, Lina, Gourry, Amelia, and Zelly! I may fall subject to fangirl spasms momentarily.
Amelia: Though I'm the one that had to force Miss Lina and Mister Zelgadis to come in the first place.
Lina: *shrugs* I came, didn't I?
JP: Wait, if you're like Kouji, how'd Amelia convince YOU to come, Zelgadis?
Zelgadis: *blushes slightly*
JP: Oh…oh! Wow…isn't she kinda young for you?
Zelgadis: *still embarrassed* Shut up!
madjack89: Aw, how cute! *hugs Zelly*
Zelgadis: *stiffens*
Kira: *pokes Zelly* Wow, your skin really IS hard!
Lina: He's kinda like a cross between a rock, a porcupine, and a fangirl magnet.
Zelgadis: I am not!
Dai: Heh…hi Amelia.
Amelia: Hello there! What's your name?
Dai: I'm D-Dai. *blushes*
Shino: What's up with Dai?
Hotaru: Amelia was Dai's first anime crush.
Shino: *sigh* That figures.
Takuya: Wow Kouji, I can't believe you actually called up the Slayers gang, who you can barely stand and which you knew would lead to more Light Saber jokes…
Gourry: Um, I don't know what a Light Saber is, but you can see my Sword of Light. Light come forth! *weilds HIS Light Saber*
madjack89 and Kira: Yay!
Takuya: …just to make Madjack happy.
JP: You actually do like her, don't you?
Kouji: *embarrassed* Shut up.
madjack89: Wow, what a great b-day present! Thank you, Kouji and Neji!
Kouji: *still embarrassed, nods*
Neji: No problem.
madjack89: Well, I guess it's time to end the chapter so we can go party with the Slayers gang!
Lina: Let's go blow up a bandit camp!
Kira: I like the way you think, girl! Though might I suggest blowing up a couple pesky Digimon first.
Lina: Sure!
Amelia: Evil Digimon shall perish before us! Right, Dai?
Dai: *blushes profusely, nods*
Gourry: Well, I guess it's okay if they're evil and pesky.
Zelgadis: *sigh* How do I put up with this?
Kouichi: It's okay, Zelgadis.
madjack89: Tee hee, Crispin Freeman!
Zelgadis and Kouichi: *sigh*
madjack89: Alright guys, see ya in chapter 37, when the battle shall commence!