Frontier 02: Home Frontier – Chapter 9: Choice
madjack89: Hey there, everyone! I was just browsing around on youtube, and you know what I learned? Digimon Adventure teaches people how to hitchhike and kick puppies! Kicking a puppy is a terrible thing to do! Ken is a jerk! And what if something had happened to them when they hitchhiked?
Takuya: Yes! Take that, Tai! You too, Davis!
madjack89: Takuya, I still like Digimon Adventure. It just surprised me because I missed those episodes. And are you really one to talk, Mr. Walk In On Zoe When She's Changing?
Takuya: …
Zoe: Well, she's got a point.
Ken: And I get better by the end.
Kouji: Ken? What are you doing here? Go away! This isn't your fanfiction.
Ken: If it were MY fanfiction, me and Davis would probably already be—
Kouji and Kouichi: AHHHHH! I don't wanna hear it!
JP: Ewwww…
Tommy: What?
Kira: We'll tell you when you're older, kid.
Tommy: Everyone always says that…
madjack89: Okay…? I think it's time I answered your reviews.
Takuya: Wait!
madjack89: What?
Takuya: Can I answer the reviews this time?
madjack89: Um…sure, I guess.
Takuya: Sweet! Okay, here I go!
*break*
GoldenDragon326: Well, of course the side commentaries are awesome! They usually have me in them! But about Gatomon…I hate her! She's always a jerk to me! I hope I get to scan her! Really soon! And thank you for reviewing!
greywindfalcon: Hey, you're my buddy from before! How are you? I'm pretty good…wait, what do you mean by message? Hey, are you in on it, too? And what's this Zoe and Kouichi stuff? Since when are they together? I am so confused! Can somebody please explain all this to me? Why…why…why…
*break*
madjack89: Alright, while Takuya bangs his head against a pole, let's get on to chapter nine!
Ken: Wow, he is really oblivious, isn't he?
Kouji: He may be an idiot, but he's our idiot.
Ken: I feel your pain.
—
Takuya stood near the school gate, glaring at Hotaru with malice. JP, Kouichi, even Kouji flinched back from him, scared by the look in his eyes. He had been like this for the past week and he was just getting himself angrier by the second.
After their encounter, Hotaru had been ignoring all of them. He had even threatened Daiki not to go near them, so the only time they could really talk was in class. Daiki seemed confident that Hotaru would get over this and everything would be back to normal. Takuya knew that wasn't true. There was more to what was going on than he was telling them. He continued to think this as he watched Hotaru and Daiki walk through the gate, not giving him a second glance.
JP snorted. "Okay, I've had just about enough of this! Can't you two just kiss and make up or something?" stated JP, pleading Takuya with his eyes. The twins looked at Takuya too, ready to grab him if he tried to fling himself at JP.
Takuya glared at JP, and then sighed angrily. "No, JP. It isn't that simple. Don't you see that?"
"All I see are you two being complete asses!" exclaimed JP, anger mounting.
Suddenly understanding crossed Kouji's face. "I see what you mean now," he said.
JP and Kouichi gave him confused looks, not getting what he meant. "You think that something hurt Daiki in the past, like maybe he was in that car accident that killed his parents, and Hotaru doesn't want that to happen again, don't you?" said Kouji, voicing Takuya's thoughts.
Takuya smiled. "I swear, we must be on the same wavelength, Kouji," he said, confirming Kouji's assumption.
"Hm, that is possible," said Kouichi, giving credit to their thought.
JP still looked sullen. "Well if that's the case, we need to rest his fears that Daiki will be hurt, but we all know that that is a very likely possibility, including him."
Their faces fell, knowing that JP was right. Then Takuya perked up, an idea forming in his head. "What if we showed Hotaru that we could protect Daiki from getting hurt?"
"And how do you propose we do that?" asked Kouji.
Takuya shrugged. "I'll call you once I figure something out!" Then he turned and ran down the street, heading toward Tommy's school so he could pick him up.
—
Daiki looked up at Hotaru, confusion apparent in his light green eyes. Hotaru had never acted like this before. He had always been fair with Daiki. He had never gone this far for his safety. Why was he starting now?
Daiki had tried to stay optimistic, saying that Hotaru would get over this and go back to being his usual calm and collected self. But he knew that this wasn't just about his fight with Takuya. This barely had anything to do with that. This was about Daiki's safety. Daiki's health. Daiki's heart.
Daiki shrugged off the memory, putting it back into the deep recesses of his mind. That was how he dealt with depressing things. By shrugging them off. And as he stared up at Hotaru, seeing the cold expression he always wore nowadays, he found that he couldn't just shrug this off. This isn't Hotaru, he thought, a determined expression crossing his face. So I'll have to bring the real Hotaru back!
In that same instant, Daiki yanked his arm from Hotaru's grip, wheeled around, and ran down the street, feet pounding against the pavement.
"Daiki!" cried Hotaru, a mixture of shock and anger crossing his face as he ran to catch up to him.
I'm sorry, Hotaru, Daiki thought guiltily as he crossed a street and disappeared around a corner, leaving Hotaru far behind.
—
"Daiki!" Kouji jumped as he heard Hotaru's voice from around the corner. He stopped abruptly, noticing Daiki rounding a corner on the opposite side of the street. In the same moment Hotaru dashed out in front of him, heading for the street. However, Hotaru hadn't noticed that a car was speeding down the road as he stepped off the sidewalk.
Kouji reacted almost instantaneously, holding Hotaru firmly by the arm and yanking him backward just as the car sped past the spot where Hotaru was just a second ago. Hotaru stood motionless for a moment, realizing the gravity of what could have happened.
He turned, intending to briefly thank Kouji and continue on his way, when he saw that Kouji was more rattled than he was. Hotaru noticed that Kouji was shaking slightly and he still had Hotaru's arm in a death grip. But he didn't even seem to be focusing on Hotaru as he was looking out at the street, a mixture of fear and pain clouding his gaze.
"Hey Kouji! Hey Hotaru! Heading home?" Zoe's voice sounded from behind them as she came up the road, still wearing her school uniform. Then she noticed how tightly Kouji was holding Hotaru's arm. "Are you guys okay? What happened?"
Kouji instantly let go of Hotaru's arm. Hotaru noticed that he had also instantly recovered from a moment before and now looked indifferently at Zoe. Kouji shrugged, saying, "A car was coming, so I stopped Hotaru from running in front of it."
Zoe gave Hotaru a puzzled look. "I thought I saw Daiki on the other side of the street, Hotaru. Were you chasing him or something?"
"That's what I'd like to know," Kouji added.
Hotaru glanced at Kouji for a second, thinking, It's none of my business. If Kouji doesn't want to tell us, I have no right to pry.
Then he turned to Zoe and said, "While we were walking home, Daiki ran away from me suddenly."
"Well, maybe it's because you pushed him too hard!" Zoe said accusingly. Seeing Hotaru flinch, she softened a bit, saying, "Look, I know that you were just thinking of Daiki's safety, but this is something that involves both of you and whether you like it or not, you're responsible for the safety of, not just Daiki, but two worlds now."
Hotaru stared down at the pavement for a moment, thinking of what Zoe had just said, and what Kouji had just done. Then he slowly raised his head. "I'm not making any promises for now, but if you can help me find Daiki, I'll be extremely grateful."
Zoe and Kouji looked at each other, and then at Hotaru. "Well, I suppose it's a start," Zoe said, grinning brightly.
—
Gatomon stood in the alley, watching as Daiki ran up the street, getting closer and closer to her. She turned to the Digimon behind her, giving it a small nod. Instantly the Digimon moved out in to the street, blocking Daiki's path.
Daiki stopped in his tracks, staring at the big, black, dog-like Digimon in front of him. The Digimon smirked. "This is pathetic. How can this tiny weakling possibly be a legendary warrior?" Then the Digimon laughed, watching as people stared at it with shock and horror.
"You're just another one of them, after all. And you don't have your precious little 'leader' to save you this time!"
Daiki stared at the Digimon, recognition dawning on him. "Takuya told me about you. You're that Digimon he fought when he first got his spirit. Your name was…um…uh…it was…hm…"
The Digimon looked at Daiki in shock. He was just standing there trying to figure out his name! He wasn't even concerned that a giant Digimon had appeared in front of him ready to kill him. The Digimon reared back, anger flashing in its eyes. "I'll shut your stupid mouth for good! Emerald Blaze!"
Then the Digimon leaped up into the air, spewing green flames from its mouth and from the mouths of the other two heads on either side of its main head. Everyone else in the area began to run, while Daiki ducked into an alley. For a moment he thought he saw Gatomon, but he knew it couldn't be her because she would be helping him.
Daiki reached into his pocket, pulling out his D-Tector. He quickly Spirit Evolved to Grumblemon then dove on top of the Digimon, halting his fiery assault. The Digimon grunted and shrugged of Grumblemon like he weighed nothing at all. Grumblemon landed with a thud onto the pavement, while the other Digimon cackled.
"I knew you were just another worthless little shrimp!" It paced toward Grumblemon slowly, claws gleaming in the afternoon sun. Grumblemon struggled into a sitting position to see the Digimon getting closer and closer, hate burning in his eyes. "Your idiot of a leader only managed to beat me because I let my guard down. Now I think I'll return the favor by killing one of his own! An eye for an eye!"
While the Digimon chuckled to himself, Grumblemon was bouncing up and down with excitement. This is the first actual battle I've had by myself! he thought, eyes shining. Alright, I have to concentrate. The others said that I could pull my hammer out of the ground anywhere, so all I have to do is reach down and…
Grumblemon got up, raised his hand, and brought it down again, aiming for the pavement. The Digimon stared at him in confusion then amusement as his fist hit the pavement at full force. It started laughing hysterically as Grumblemon hopped up and down, cradling his injured hand.
"I'll just end this now before you have another chance to embarrass yourself!" the Digimon growled between chuckles, raising his paw in the air and preparing to bring his claws down upon Grumblemon. However, just before his claws met with their target, someone jumped in front of Grumblemon, holding his paw just above their face.
"Just can't stay out of trouble, can you Dai?" smirked Agunimon, turning and winking at Grumblemon.
"I think that this big puppy needs to back away from you guys before I decide to attack!" exclaimed Kumamon from behind the Digimon's back.
"An ambush, huh?" muttered the Digimon, lowering its paw and shaking with anger.
"How did you guys get here so fast?" asked Grumblemon, both thankful and disappointed that they had showed up.
"Well, actually, we were just coming back from the party store when we saw a group of people running down the street, screaming about a giant monster." Agunimon turned to face the Digimon. "I'm guessing you're the giant monster, eh Cerberumon?"
"Oh yeah, that was his name!" said Grumblemon.
"Finally I can stop being called 'the Digimon,'" grumbled Cerberumon. (Sorry! ^.^)
Cerberumon lowered his head, chuckling softly. "You think that I'll just lie down and let you push me around?" He lifted his head sharply, whirled around, and lashed both Kumamon and Agunimon with his tail. The force of the attack sent them flying into the walls of buildings surrounding the street. "I won't go down that easily!"
"Not so fast!" exclaimed Beetlemon, leaping from the top of a building toward Cerberumon. "Thunder Fist!" Beetlemon yelled, hands glowing with electrical energy as he pounded them onto Cerberumon's head. Cerberumon cried out in pain, shaking his head back and forth.
Meanwhile, Agunimon and Kumamon rose to their feet and joined Grumblemon.
"Alright guys, I think its time we rapped this up! Pyro Punch!"
"Crystal Freeze!"
"Seismic Sledge!"
"Lightening Blitz!"
The attacks hit Cerberumon, causing him to scream in pain before Grumblemon held up his D-Tector and scanned Cerberumon's data, leaving just his Digi-Egg.
Everyone turned back to human form, sighing in relief. "Well, at least I figured out that hammer thing by the end!" said Daiki, smiling.
"Good job, Dai." Everyone but Daiki jumped at the voice coming from behind them.
Daiki turned, smiling. "Thanks, Hotaru!" Behind them were Hotaru, Kouji, Zoe, and Gatomon. Hotaru seemed to be considering something. Takuya was about to poke him when he suddenly lifted his head.
"Okay, I give up," said Hotaru, raising his hands in defeat. "I guess Dai and I are back on the job."
"Wha…" Takuya and JP exclaimed, confused by Hotaru's logic. Daiki hopped up and down happily.
"Hooray, my plan worked!" he said triumphantly.
"Actually Dai, it was Takuya, JP, and Tommy that really changed his mind," explained Zoe, resting her hand on Tommy's shoulder. "You see, Hotaru was really worried that if Daiki got in a fix, no one would lift a finger to help him. But, thanks to you three, his fears were put to rest. Good job guys!"
"Oh, I think I get it," said Tommy, grinning happily.
"Yeah," said JP, nodding his head.
"Okay, but how did you figure all of that out, Zoe? And where did you all come from?" asked Takuya, still confused.
"First of all, I'm perceptive when it comes to people's emotions," said Zoe in a bored tone, thinking it would have been obvious. "Second, Daiki can only run so fast. He was pretty easy to catch up to. And Gatomon just popped up like she always does."
"You put on a great show, Taki," said Gatomon, smirking. And good job getting Hotaru and Daiki back into the group for me.
"But that still doesn't explain everything…" said Takuya.
"Alright, now I think I have some questions," said Kouji, speaking up. "First off, where the hell did you come from, JP?"
"I go wherever a hero is needed!" exclaimed JP, posing.
Kouji stared at him. "Yeah, I'm just gonna move on. Why did you stop us from helping Daiki when it looked like he was in trouble? I mean, before Takuya and Tommy showed up?" he asked, moving his attention to Hotaru.
"Dai," corrected Daiki.
"Whatever," said Kouji.
Hotaru looked at Kouji for a second then shrugged.
Kouji's eye began to twitch. "What are you, a mime! We couldn't shut you up for these last few chapters!"
Hotaru shrugged again. "It's okay, Kouji. That's how he is," said Kouichi, coming up behind him.
Everyone turned around and looked at him. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but where did you come from, Chief?" JP asked Kouichi.
"I jumped through a plot hole," stated Kouichi.
Everyone stared at him, sweatdropping.
—
madjack89: Well, there it is! For some reason, it took me three days to write this, so you guys better appreciate it! (kidding) So really, how was it?
Takuya: What was with the twenty questions ending?
madjack89: Do not question your author!
Takuya: Okay, okay…jeez.
Daiki: Hooray! Does this mean I get to be in more of the action?
madjack89: Sure!
Daiki: Yeah!
Hotaru: …
Kira: Okay, yippee for them. But what about me?
madjack89: Your star will shine in the next chapter, Kira, rest assured.
Tommy: Does that mean that you and Takuya are gonna smooch?
Takuya: HELL NO!
Kira: Idiot! *punches him*
madjack89: And I think I'll move Kouichi and Zoe on a little bit.
Kouichi: I swear I'll have an ulcer by the end of this…
madjack89: No you won't. Alright, have a happy Fourth of July! See you!
Zoe: And drive safely!
JP: And don't eat the yellow sand!
Everyone: *stares*
JP: What?