Frontier 02: Home Frontier- Chapter 26: Taking Us?
madjack89: Hey everyone! I thought I'd take this opportunity to say that I apologize for taking so long with chapter 25 (and this chapter, for that matter). I'm very sorry! But, on a lighter note, we've made it all the way to chapter twenty-six! Woohoo!
Kira: You never thought it would get this far, did you?
madjack89: Nope, but I'm glad it did!
Takuya: Guys!
Kouji: What now?
Takuya: Shino isn't here! I can't find him anywhere!
Zoe: This doesn't have anything to do with the last chapter, does it?
Everyone: stares at me
Kouji: You did not.
madjack89: Look guys, he's just not here because I'm building up the suspense, okay?
JP: Sure, that's what you want us to think, you backstabber!
Tommy: You said you weren't going to kill any of us off!
Kouji: Liar!
Kouichi: Guys, I think we're jumping to conclusions. So Shino's not here; he'll probably turn up soon.
Takuya: You have way too much faith in Madjack, Kouichi!
Daiki: Actually, I have to agree. If she were to kill us off, she would do it in a much more exciting, suspenseful, heartbreaking way.
Takuya: She does like to play up the drama.
madjack89: That's the spirit!
Kouji: You must enjoy our misery so much.
madjack89: I guess so!
Kouji: sigh Just start answering reviews.
madjack89: Okie-dokes!
kyokoaurora: I didn't think that this particular scene would be so anxiously anticipated, but that's still cool! Continue to scroll and you will finally get what you've been waiting for! Thanks for reviewing!
garnettfox: I wouldn't know how to write for your character, truthfully. Sorry! But your characters seem pretty awesomely wacked-out crazy cool! And you called me Maddy (I only know two other people that call me that)! Well, thanks for reviewing!
JewelledTears: Sorry if I stepped on your toes with that comment (please don't hate me)! Kouichi, help me out here! (Kouichi: She didn't mean it in a bad way. Don't worry, I didn't really mind it. Besides, she meant everyone else, too.) See? Sorry again and thanks for reviewing!
hazeleyedharmony: Because you've given me these cool reviews, I'm going to give you a cool answer! Here I go!
intro- It amuses me to think of Kouichi freaking out, which is why I did it! Heh!
part 1 (Kira)- I love Kira too! But the reason she's fighting Duskmon is simply because she's always up for a good fight! She's kind of violent…
part 2 (Hotaru/Dai)- Aw, I like Impmon! It's okay that you don't, though. And that is a good guess about Dai (I still plan on revealing his past, and Hotaru's, but not yet).
part 3 (Kouichi/Zoe)- I love writing stuff with these two! They are so cute together! And I'm still fuming about the lack of Kouichi Beast Spirit Evolutioning! (Kouichi: It's what I get for coming in halfway through the series. sigh)
part 4 (Takuya/Shino)- Yeah, Chikao's not such a bad guy after all, is he? And Shino would say something to you right now because you're a fan of his, but…you know.
coupling- I was disappointed that they didn't have a Kouichi/Zoe pairing myself. And there is DEFINITELY evidence of it!
Thanks for your reviews and complimenting my writing style! I try!
Kayland Elric: I know! I really want the second one! Oh well, I guess all good things come to those who wait! Thanks for the review!
GoldenDragon326: I did do winded on purpose (heh). Everybody agrees that Kouichi needs a Beast Spirit Evolution sequence! Grrr! And Shino apparently picked up a few fans (you're worried about him)! He'll be happy to hear that, I'm sure! Thanks for reviewing!
greywindfalcon: It's okay! I just hate computer troubles. And really fangirls…really. Thanks!
Tori R: I have indeed read Breaking Dawn! It was awesome! I love happy endings! Thanks for your review!
agoodcupoftea: Kouji and JP are cool, aren't they? And I agree, Shino's a bit more ruthless than Kouichi (I made him that way intentionally). And I'm glad you finally caught up! Hooray! Gracias (Thanks) for le review!
madjack89: Okay, time for more drama! Yay!
Takuya: If Shino died in my house, I swear…
--
~an hour or so before the whole "Shino might have just died" thing
Yutaka took a step back, eyes almost popping out of their sockets. He had just witnessed a scene that could never happen, yet he had just seen it. Standing before him was a small white bear that looked like it was ready to blow something up with its arsenal of…something. Yutaka just didn't know anymore.
He tried to open his mouth and say something, but all that would come out was, "Huh?"
The bear smiled weakly, saying, "Hey Yutaka. It's me, Tommy." Yutaka scrutinized the bear for a moment. It sounded like his little brother, but there was no way it could be Tommy.
Kumamon stared at his boots. He hates me…
Yutaka's eyes narrowed slightly and he held out a hand to the strange bear. Kumamon looked up at his brother, hope shining in his eyes.
"Tommy?" Yutaka asked quietly, taking another step toward Kumamon. "You're…different."
Kumamon grinned happily. "I'm called Kumamon when I'm like this." He paused and held out his paw to Yutaka. "I'm still me, though. We all are. And we're all trying our best to keep everything safe."
Yutaka stared at Kumamon for a second then smiled and took Kumamon's paw in his hand. "We?" Yutaka asked. "Don't tell me."
Kumamon giggled. "Yeah, Takuya and everyone else, too."
Yutaka's eyes suddenly hardened. "What about Takuya's cousin?"
"No," Kumamon shook his head, growing anxious again. "Why?"
Yutaka looked up at the sky. "Can you get us to Takuya's house quickly?"
Kumamon nodded. "I can Beast Spirit Evolve into Korikakumon and carry you there with me."
Yutaka sweatdropped. "You can get bigger?"
"Yeah," Kumamon said, grinning sheepishly. "You see, we have two different spirits that…"
"Save the explanation for later," Yutaka said quickly, holding up his hand. "Just hurry and do your little thing so we can get going."
Kumamon cocked his head in confusion. "Why? What's wrong with Takuya?"
Yutaka's jaw clenched. "I think he's in trouble."
--
"Tomoyo!" JP burst through the trees, followed by Kouji.
Tomoyo turned her head, staring at their scared expressions. "Uh, did I miss something?" she asked.
"Oh thank god," JP said breathlessly, embracing Tomoyo.
Tomoyo began to blush, hugging JP back. "I don't know what I did, but can you tell me so I can write it down?"
JP chuckled then turned and glared at Kouji. "Digimon are gonna exploit her, huh?"
Kouji shrugged. "You should know better than to listen to me about these things at this point. In case you haven't noticed, I'm paranoid. I'm even admitting it.
"And Madjack, what the hell? That was kind of a letdown." (Look up.) "What?" Kouji said, looking up.
Suddenly Renamon jumped out of a tree, unleashing her Diamond Storm attack.
"Oh, c'mon!" Kouji exclaimed, shoving JP and Tomoyo out of the range of the attack. He winced as one of the razor-sharp diamonds grazed his arm, leaving a gash.
He grasped his arm in pain, grimacing as blood began to seep through his fingers. "Thanks, Madjack," he said sarcastically. (You're welcome!)
"Twice in one night," Renamon stated, looking at Kouji. "Perhaps you aren't as good as we thought."
JP glared at Renamon. "You're just asking to get your ass kicked," he said, turning to Kouji. "You okay?" he asked.
"I'll be fine," he said quickly, taking out his D-Tector. "Besides, I need to get some payback against this thing."
"I'm a thing, am I?" Renamon asked, sounding bored.
"Well, usually I don't consider Digimon 'things,' but for you, I'll make an exception," Kouji said.
"Burn!" Tomoyo muttered.
"Tomoyo, get out of here," JP said quietly, pushing Tomoyo gently away. "I don't want you getting hurt."
"You better not get hurt, either," Tomoyo countered, backing up into the trees.
Renamon glanced at Tomoyo's retreat. "So, you wish to fight me?"
"Do you wish to fight us?" Kouji asked.
Renamon was silent for a moment. Then she said, "No."
Kouji and JP stared at her, confused.
Renamon smirked. "But I don't have a choice in the matter." With that, she disappeared.
"Hey, what the hell was that about?" JP asked, relaxing a bit. "She doesn't want to fight, then she does, then she runs away?"
"No," Kouji said. "She's quick. This is probably…" Suddenly Kouji caught movement in the trees out of the corner of his eye. "JP, hurry up and Spirit Evolve!"
"Look out!" Tomoyo cried.
"What?" JP asked just as Renamon loomed up behind him. Then, quick as a flash, her arm shot out, knocking JP several feet away. He landed with a thud on his side.
"JP!" Kouji cried, rushing over to him.
JP got slowly to his feet, Kouji helping to support him. "I'm fine," he grunted, glaring at Renamon. "But that thing is going down!"
"Right," Kouji agreed, and they both Spirit Evolved.
Renamon stared at their transformation, still looking bored. "This could be a bit more of a challenge. But not much."
"Woot! Kick her ass, guys! And I just knew you were the wolfy Digimon, Kouji!" Tomoyo hopped up and down, acting almost like a cheerleader.
Lobomon smirked. "She's definitely a keeper," he said.
"Enough talk," Renamon said suddenly. "It's time that you showed me what you're made of."
"Gladly," Beetlemon said, hands glowing with electricity. "Thunder Fist!" he cried, pounding his fist into the ground, sending a shock wave toward Renamon. Before it reached her, however, she leaped gracefully into the air, landing a few feet away.
"You missed," she said, staring at Beetlemon.
"Sure did," he replied. "But did you notice who's missing?"
Renamon realized that Lobomon was nowhere to be found a second before he said quietly from behind her, "Gotcha."
"You go guys!" cried Tomoyo happily. "That was awesome!"
Lobomon's arm weapon thing (?) glowed as he pressed it against Renamon's back. "Now before I scan you," he began, "You're going to answer a few questions."
"Yeah," Beetlemon agreed, stepping in front of Renamon. "For starters, who's this Ilsemon chick that's got it in for us?"
Renamon chuckled, closing her eyes. "You're too late," she whispered. "She knows everything about you. And now, nothing will stop her from taking you…in the Digital World."
"Taking us?" Beetlemon glanced at Lobomon, giving him a "is this bitch crazy or what?" look.
Lobomon, however, seemed to be taking Renamon more seriously. "Is that what happened to you?" he asked. "You're not doing this because you want to?"
Suddenly Renamon turned her head, a slightly crazed gleam in her beady little eyes, and glared at Lobomon, saying, "You would know the most about that, wouldn't you?"
Lobomon's eyes widened in fear and realization. "You mean that was…?" He dropped his arm in shock. "No…"
"And it will be a thousand times worse in person," she said, slowly crouching down and preparing to leap.
"Kouji!" Beetlemon's yell snapped Lobomon out of his reverie just as Renamon jumped into the air, disappearing again.
"Kouji, what happened? You just suddenly dropped your arm," Beetlemon said, not having heard Renamon's comments.
Lobomon took a deep, calming breath. "I'm fine," he said. "But I think Ilsemon is more dangerous than we realized."
--
Takuya squinted his eyes, trying to adjust them after the sudden burst of light. When his pupils finally dilated, he prepared himself for the worst.
Instead, what he saw made him smile. In front of him stood a perfectly fine Shino, still looking a little confused. And in front of Shino stood Korikakumon, axes held in front of him protectively. (Ha! Told you!)
"Took you long enough to get here, Tommy," Takuya said, sighing with relief.
"Um, Takuya," said Gatomon. "You might not feel so happy when you see what he did to your wall."
Takuya glanced at the wall to his house and saw the big, gaping hole that Korikakumon had made in order to get in.
"Crap," Takuya muttered, hanging his head. "I'm gonna somehow get blamed for that."
"Sorry Takuya," Korikakumon said apologetically.
"I am really, really getting sick of all of you goody-two-shoes legendary warriors," Wizardmon said suddenly, holding his wand up a second time.
"Avalanche Axes!" Korikakumon cried, beating Wizardmon to the punch. He quickly threw an axe at Wizardmon, who dodged it like it was nothing. However, Korikakumon was prepared for that and had thrown his other axe in the other direction. Wizardmon quickly leaned back, barely dodging this attack.
Both the axes imbedded themselves deep into the furniture in Takuya's living room.
"I've got a crazy idea," Takuya said. "Why don't we take this battle outside and stop DESTROYING MY HOUSE!"
"Sorry," Korikakumon said again, slide evolving back to Kumamon.
"Fine," Wizardmon said, glancing at Shino. "He's here now, so I guess it doesn't matter where we are." Then he disappeared.
"C'mon guys, let's get him!" Kumamon rushed out the hole in the wall.
Takuya turned to Shino. "Go ahead. There's one more thing I have to take care of here," he said, glancing back at his bedroom door.
Shino's attention, however, had been caught by something else. "Gatomon," he said, pointing at her tail. "Where's your tail ring?"
Gatomon turned her head, noticing that her tail ring was, in fact, gone. "I don't know," she said, shrugging. "I must have dropped it."
"You don't seem that sad to have it gone," Shino said, trying to beat back the temptation that rose in him.
Again Gatomon shrugged. "I don't really need it. It helped me do some interesting things, but it's not all that important to me. If you find it, go ahead and keep it."
I swear to god, Madjack! "That's a generous offer, but I think I'll pass," Shino said quickly, cursing me in his thoughts for writing such tempting dialogue.
"Oh, by the way Gatomon," Takuya said suddenly, staring at Gatomon. "I was thinking maybe you should go and check on everyone else. You know, to make sure they're okay? I'm kind of getting this feeling…"
"Say no more," said Gatomon, holding up her paw. "I don't trust Wizardmon either. This is bigger than him wanting revenge, I know it. I mean, where's your family?"
Takuya's eyes widened. "That's right. They went out tonight. They should definitely have been back by now, or at least have called."
"And that's where Gatomon, the cat detective, comes in," said Gatomon, leaping toward the hole in the wall. "Good luck, you two. Be careful." And then she was off.
"She really needs to teach me how she can run that fast," said Takuya.
"She's a cat, Taki. She's got four legs," replied Shino, sighing.
Takuya looked at Shino. "You called me Taki," he said, grinning.
Shino looked at Takuya, then looked away. "It's shorter than Takuya, so…"
Takuya brought his hand up slowly and rested it on Shino's head. "Shino, welcome officially to the group," he said, chuckling.
Shino stared at the ground, feeling guilty. You guys are too good for me… "Didn't you have something you had to do?"
"That's right," Takuya said, turning quickly on his heel. "I gotta…well it's a long story. I'll tell you later, okay? Be careful with Wizardmon. He's got it in for you!" Then Takuya disappeared into his room down the hall.
Shino sighed again, stepping outside. "How did I end up getting more confused than ever after already making up my mind?" he asked himself, not expecting an answer. "No one told me how much drama comes with being a hero."
--
Yutaka stood behind a large tree in front of Takuya's house, honoring his promise to his brother that he would stay hidden. He had heard some crashing and banging, and he had seen his brother running out of the hole he had put in Takuya's wall, but he knew better than to get involved.
"This isn't my battle," he kept telling himself. "Tommy will be able to handle himself. Takuya will protect him, if nothing else."
But he hadn't seen Takuya leave. Where was he?
"Chikao! What in the hell are you doing?!"
Yutaka jumped, hearing Takuya's voice coming from the open window to the right of where he stood. He decided to peek inside to see what was wrong. He could at least handle Chikao.
What he saw made him wish he had never come there in the first place
Chikao stood in the middle of Takuya's floor, holding a knife to his own throat. Takuya stood in the doorway, hand still on the doorknob. He was breathing hard, looking like he was trying to calm himself down before speaking again.
"Chikao…please…" Yutaka could barely make out Takuya's small voice. "Please…put the knife down. I forgive you, okay? Is that what you want?"
Yutaka watched Chikao glance at Takuya, a dull, emotionless expression on his face. "Takuya, all of this was my fault. Everything has been my fault. I was actually hoping that you would just come in and find my note and…me."
Yutaka stared at Takuya, trying to gauge his reaction. Takuya stared at the floor for a few moments, and then he lifted his head, smiling.
Yutaka's eyes narrowed. What are you thinking, kid? he thought to himself. This isn't exactly a happy moment.
"If that's what you truly think will fix everything, then go ahead. I won't stop you."
What? Yutaka looked at Takuya like he was crazy. It wasn't as if he liked Chikao particularly, but he didn't want him to die. Did Takuya?
Chikao smiled. "Thanks, buddy," he said, making a motion to plunge the knife into his throat.
"Stop!" Yutaka cried out before he could stop himself.
Chikao jumped, dropping his knife to the floor. Takuya looked up at the window. "Yutaka? What are you doing here?" he asked. "Wait, did Tommy…oh my god, you know!"
Yutaka paid no attention to Takuya, instead glaring at Chikao. Chikao looked back.
"Chikao," Yutaka began, "if you kill yourself…then I will, too."
--
madjack89: Something just occurred to me.
Kouji: What?
madjack89: Well, when you guys were in Sakkakumon, Mercurymon was in there to beat the crap out of Taki.
Takuya: Shut up!
Kouji: No, you shut up!
Takuya: No, you shut up!
JP: I do believe that was a Brother Bear reference.
madjack89: Guys, let me get back to my point!
Takuya, Kouji, and JP: Sorry.
madjack89: Well, anyway, I just wanted to point out that if Sakkakumon is Mercurymon's Beast Spirit, how was he inside of Sakkakumon? Wouldn't he have been Sakkakumon?
Kouichi: …Well huh, that's a pretty good point.
Kira: Taru-kun, try Beast Spirit Evolving and see what happens!
Hotaru: Um, no thank you.
Kira: Darn…
Shino: Hey guys. Miss me?
Takuya: Oh yeah. Yay, Shino isn't dead!
Kouji: Yet.
Takuya: Pessimism!
Kouji: Screw you! I was just being realistic!
Shino: Why did you bring me back here, Madjack?
madjack89: Sorry Shino. Oh well, guess we'll see you guys in the next chapter!
Kouji: You're an idiot!
Takuya: I know you are, but what am I?
Kouji: Damn it, Takuya!
(And happy Halloween, I guess. Don't really like Halloween, so…)