Frontier 02: Home Frontier- Chapter 29: Did We Win?
madjack89: Oh my god, just one more chapter until 30!
Takuya: Wow.
Kouichi: I guess congratulations are in order.
madjack89: Thanks, Chief!
Daiki: Does this mean we get cookies?
madjack89: Um, sure! We can have cookies at the end!
Daiki: Yay!
Shino: Are you sure about that? I don't think Dai needs any more sugar considering he acts like he's on a constant sugar rush.
JP: You gotta loosen up, man!
madjack89: That's right!
Kouji: I'm with you, Shino. Nobody here needs any more sugar.
madjack89: You're such a downer, Kouji-kun!
Kouji: Kouji-kun?
madjack89: Review time!
Dawn of Glory: I'm sorry I took so long! I was busy and stuff! Oh well, I'm sure you'll forgive me (maybe)! Anywoo, in answer to your question, Naruto's English catch phrase is Believe It! (Gets annoying after awhile, but I still love it!) His Japanese catch phrase is Dattebayo (I don't know what it means). Thanks for reviewing!
greywindfalcon: Wow, so much coffee! It's okay if you don't feel like drawing! After all, I'm the one that asked you. So it's cool! Thanks for reviewing!
agoodcupoftea: I got your message (though I guess you figured that out already)! Kouichi is a sweetheart! That's why we all love him! Anyways, thanks for reviewing!
GoldenDragon326: Yeah, the idea of Zoe flying around recklessly with Kouichi clinging to her for dear life popped into my head, so I gave it a name and put it in the chapter! Kouichi doesn't mind the flying when it's not reckless, though. Aw, I'm sure your pictures would be fine! I wouldn't take them as insults! Oh well, I guess I'll see your review for this soon! Thanks for reviewing!
Kayland Elric: (Takuya: Wow, I guess you are like the twins. Thanks for telling me!) What else do you say? (Takuya: …Sorry for running away in the middle of answering a review.) Good boy! Okay, let's see this review. Yeah, I probably should have done it differently, but I couldn't think of another way to organize it. Sorry! And actually, I drew Kira with a picture of Zoe as a reference and it turned out pretty good, but I don't have a scanner either (which is why I asked for help). Can you tell me the name of the website you're talking about? That would be really helpful! Okay, thanks for reviewing!
kyokoaurora: Thank you! lol
hazeleyedharmony: (Takuya: Thanks!) You're going to try drawing them? Yay, thank you so so so so much! I am truly grateful! And whatever size your reviews are, I'm always glad to receive them! Thank you very, very much!
aluminion: Um, Heroes looks like a cool show, but I can't say I've ever actually watched it. Maybe someday…but anyway, I am planning out in my head how Kira Beast Spirit Evolving is gonna go, and so far, it should be a riot! (Takuya: I'm scared.) (Kira: Of what?) (Takuya: Ahhhh!) (Kira: Dot dot dot?) Thanks for reviewing!
Umeplumblossom: I'm sure you don't suck at drawing! But anyways, thanks for reviewing and not yelling at me for being slow!
garnettfox: Dude, they're twins? Sweet! And they're not human? Sweet! Anyway, this story sounds cool you should put it up on fanfiction so I can read it! Thanks for reviewing!
Kouji: Why did you call me Kouji-kun?
madjack89: Just cause.
Takuya: Paranoid much?
Kouji: That's right…goggle boy.
JP: Burn.
Takuya: too angry to reply
madjack89: Okay, time to start the chapter! Heh heh…
--
Grumblemon rolled out of the way as Duskmon thrust his sword down, right where Grumblemon's neck had been.
"You have to do better than that!" Grumblemon taunted, glancing down at the ground. That's it! he thought excitedly.
"Here goes nothing!" Just as Duskmon charged toward him, sword held out, Grumblemon dug into the cement, burrowing a hole in the ground which he escaped into.
Duskmon skidded to a halt, glaring down at the hole. "How clever. You dug a hole. I wouldn't have expected THAT from the warrior of earth."
"Did you expect this?!" Grumblemon suddenly popped up behind Duskmon, swinging his hammer around to hit Duskmon. Duskmon smirked, leaping out of the way. While he dodged the attack, Grumblemon retreated back into his hole.
Duskmon landed on the ground, looking annoyed. "You know you can't win like this! I'll just dodge every attack you make! Give up!"
Grumblemon listened to Duskmon from below, growing nervous. He's right. I can't beat him like this! I need to think of something else, fast!
Meanwhile, Kumamon was locked in his own bout with Renamon.
"Diamond Storm!" Kumamon dodged left and right as shards of light whizzed around him.
"Is that the only attack you have?" Kumamon exclaimed as Renamon landed lightly on her feet.
She smirked. "Is that the only attack YOU have?" she asked, pointing to Kumamon's (I kid you not) snowball gun. (You can laugh now.)
"You want more power?" Kumamon asked threateningly. "I'll give you more power. Slide Evolution!"
Kumamon was engulfed in data, and moments later, Korikakumon stood in his place, smirking at Renamon. "Still want to fight?" he asked, lifting his axes threateningly.
Renamon stared at him, still looking bored. "Do you really think I'd be perturbed by a mere Beast Spirit?" She charged forward, paw glowing with energy. Korikakumon quickly lifted his axes, which halted her attack.
"You missed," Korikakumon taunted.
"Did I?" Before he realized it, Korikakumon felt Renamon's other glowing paw touch his arm. I forgot her other paw, he thought for a split second.
Then he sunk slowly to his knees, suddenly feeling weak. "Wh-what…?" His vision grew hazy and he barely noticed that he had reverted to his human form. "What're you…?"
Renamon's paw grew brighter as Tommy grew weaker. "This is why Ilsemon values me," she stated. "For as long as I've lived, I have been able to either heal Digimon, or steal energy from them. I've wanted to test my powers on humans." She paused, seeming to study Tommy's weakening state. "Apparently, both affect Digimon and humans."
She took her paw off of Tommy as he fell to the ground, almost completely drained of energy. He attempted to get to his knees, but his body wouldn't respond.
Renamon stared at her glowing paw, gazing at the bright energy held in it. Then it dissipated, flowing into her body. She glanced at Tommy, saying, "I am finished here. I hope to see you again…in the Digital World." Renamon leaped onto the roof of a nearby house and quickly faded into the distance.
Wizardmon glanced behind him, noticing Renamon's retreat. "Odd," he muttered. "I was sure Duskmon would be the first to beat his opponent."
"Screw you!" Duskmon cried, searching the now numerous holes for any sign of Grumblemon. "Don't you humans have a stupid game like this?"
"That would be Whack a Mole," Arbormon answered warily, glancing between Duskmon and Wizardmon. Okay, Renamon left. That's good. What's not good is that Tommy and Hotaru are unconscious. But, if Dai can distract Duskmon long enough, we'll get some backup from the others. Right?
"You should be concentrating less on strategy and more on what you're doing now," Wizardmon said, startling Arbormon out of his thoughts.
"I'm not exactly the impulsive fighter type," Arbormon said. "But if that's what you want, so be it!"
"Calm down, calm down," said Wizardmon slowly, holding up his hands. "I'm not going to fight you yet. First I want to make a proposition."
"Proposition?" Arbormon stared at Wizardmon. "What are you talking about?"
Wizardmon reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small item. He held it in his enclosed fist, smiling. "Shino, let's not beat around the bush. For awhile now, you've been searching for me, haven't you?"
Arbormon fell silent, surprised that Wizardmon knew that.
"That's right," Wizardmon continued. "I know when you're using that stupid power I gave you to track me. And after putting some thought into it, I found the reason why."
Wizardmon slowly unclenched his fist, revealing the object in his gloved hand to be Gatomon's tail ring.
Arbormon's eyes widened in fear. "You took it from her," he said, stating the obvious.
Wizardmon chuckled. "Yes, I did," he said. "Though, it wasn't initially because of you. I just needed to protect her from…" Wizardmon's eyes clouded for a moment, locked in a memory. He shook his head, chasing away whatever he had been thinking.
"Anyway, I realized you're plan. I'd noticed the way you always looked at that Zoe girl, like she was the most beautiful thing on the planet." Wizardmon whispered the next sentence. "You're in love with her."
Arbormon flinched, the pain of rejection creeping through him again.
Wizardmon smirked. "It surprised me that none of you're little friends noticed. Well, except for one: Kouichi Kimura."
"What?" Arbormon exclaimed. "What are you talking about?" He said this, but on the inside, he knew it was true. He had known since that disastrous Christmas Eve. It was ironic how much the tables had turned for them.
"Yes, it's so tragic," Wizardmon continued. "He gets the girl, and what are you left with? Nothing.
"But you wouldn't go down without a fight. You had to get back at him, get even. So you came up with an idea. You started thinking I wonder what would happen if I could turn things around, manipulate emotions."
Arbormon stared at the ground, trying to block out Wizardmon's words.
"And then it came to you: Gatomon's tail ring. With that, I could remove Kouichi from the picture and become a shoulder for Zoe to cry on."
"I won't do it," Arbormon whispered.
"She'd love you and not him." Wizardmon laughed. "I must admit, I was impressed. I didn't think you had it in you, but you really are just as bad as the monsters you fight."
"No I'm not," Arbormon said, fear intensifying.
"And now look at you, trying to act the saint, while inside, you still want her for yourself. You want to make Kouichi pay for stealing her."
"No I don't," Arbormon said, voice growing louder.
"Well, here are your options. You could either play pretend heroes with your 'friends,' or take this tail ring and realize your greatest desire. They can't give it to you, but I can."
"Shut up, you son of a bitch!" Arbormon snapped, glaring furiously at Wizardmon. "I made my decision."
Wizardmon smirked. "Then why are my words affecting you at all?"
Arbormon's eyes narrowed. Why was it so hard to refuse Wizardmon's offer? He couldn't still want to ruin things for Kouichi and Zoe, could he? I'm not a monster, he thought vehemently. But…do I think like one?
"I…I don't know," Arbormon answered quietly, hanging his head.
"I see," Wizardmon said, glancing to his left. Suddenly, he smiled. "Let me help you make up your mind."
Wizardmon lifted his wand up just as Agunimon leaped out of nowhere, headed for Wizardmon. He came to a halt just inches from Wizardmon's glowing weapon.
"Crap," Agunimon muttered.
"Takuya?" Arbormon exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, at first I was trying to catch up with you guys. Then, I was trying to help you out with Wizardmon here. And now I guess I'm being held at wand-point by a Vivi wannabe," Agunimon explained, ticking off the reasons on his fingers.
"Vivi wannabe?" Arbormon chuckled. "You know, that's pretty good. Why didn't we come up with that one earlier?"
"I don't know," Agunimon replied, laughing at his own joke. "But it is pretty accurate, when you think about it."
"Enough!" Wizardmon cried, jabbing his wand into Agunimon's chest.
"Argh!" Agunimon wrapped his arms around himself as his chest began to burn with a heat that rivaled his own.
"Magical fire is funny that way," Wizardmon said, still pointing his wand threateningly at Agunimon. "It can burn even someone like you."
"Takuya!" Arbormon stepped forward, meaning to distract Wizardmon so that Agunimon could escape.
Wizardmon turned his head to face Arbormon. "Even if you distract me, he can't run. I've paralyzed him."
"You can attack both of us, but I'll endanger Takuya if I attack you," Arbormon muttered, cursing under his breath.
"Why are you so damn smart?" Agunimon asked sarcastically, glaring at Wizardmon.
"Because I use my brain," Wizardmon replied, returning his attention to Arbormon. "I think this would be a good time to test you."
Wizardmon held up his other hand which still held Gatomon's tail ring.
Arbormon stared at Wizardmon quizzically. "How does this test me?"
"Like this." Wizardmon's fist clenched around the ring, causing it to emit a small cracking sound.
"No!" Arbormon cried, eyes wide.
Wizardmon stared at Arbormon triumphantly. "I knew that you wouldn't give her up that easily."
Arbormon flinched while Agunimon glanced between Wizardmon and Arbormon. "Shino, what's he talking about?" Agunimon asked.
Wizardmon smiled wickedly. "I'm leaving it up to you, Shino. Either you go for the ring or you go for your friend."
Agunimon scoffed. "What kind of test is that? Gatomon even said she didn't care that it was gone, so it must not be that important. Right, Shino?"
Agunimon's smile faltered when he saw the indecision in Arbormon's eyes. "Shino?" he said softly.
"It's finally dawning on you, isn't it?" Wizardmon chuckled at Agunimon. "He might not choose to save you."
Genuine fear crossed Agunimon's face. "But…Shino's my…"
"Your friend," Wizardmon finished Agunimon's sentence for him. "Well, there are more powerful things than friendship. Love, for example."
"Love?" Agunimon glanced at Arbormon. "Shino…" Suddenly it came to him. The only person it could logically be was… "Zoe."
Arbormon nodded. "That's right."
"But then…" Another thought suddenly popped into Agunimon's head. He gasped. "No Shino, you can't! You just can't do that!"
"It's the only way," Arbormon muttered half to himself.
"Shino!" Agunimon cried. "Listen to me. I know what it's like to be rejected, okay? It sucks, but you have to let it go! She's happy; isn't that all that matters?"
Duskmon paused to glance at Wizardmon. "Whatever happened to getting revenge on that kid," he muttered, annoyed.
Wizardmon glared at Duskmon. "You really thought that I would waste this opportunity to strengthen Ilsemon's ranks because I wanted revenge? You underestimate my self control, Duskmon."
"And you overestimate mine," Duskmon growled, swinging his sword out just as Grumblemon dove back in his hole. "Damn it!"
"Okay," Arbormon said, bringing Wizardmon's attention back to his own altercation.
"You've made a decision?" Wizardmon asked. "Alright; which will it be?"
Arbormon closed his eyes, chuckling to himself. "I choose…"
"Thunder Fist!" Suddenly Beetlemon shot down from the sky, pounding his lightening-charged fist into the ground just in front of Wizardmon. Wizardmon clenched both his fists, stunned by the sudden attack.
The hand that held his wand caused the wand to shoot a flame straight at Agunimon. Before the blast hit him, Arbormon shot out his arm, grabbed Agunimon, and pulled him out of the way.
Wizardmon's other hand crushed Gatomon's tail ring.
Beetlemon faced Wizardmon, looking triumphant. "Out of all the last minute saves I've performed, I think this will always be one of my favorites," he said, pointing at Wizardmon. "I mean, just look at your eyes! That's gold right there!"
Wizardmon scowled. "You…"
Duskmon chuckled while staring at Wizardmon's ruined plot, though he wasn't laughing at that. "There you are," he muttered, spinning around just in time to block Lobomon's attack.
Their swords collided, both equal in strength to the other. Lobomon glared at Duskmon with unconcealed fury. "Duskmon…"
Duskmon smirked. "This scene seems quite familiar to me. Episode 21, right?"
"Why are you here?" Lobomon growled.
"To haunt you in and out of your nightmares," Duskmon replied. "Though I suppose memories of me would trouble your brother more than you."
"What did you do to him?" Lobomon's sword began to glow brighter as his rage grew stronger.
"You always assume the worst," Duskmon said, smirking. "I paid him a visit, but I assure you, we were just catching up. We're all friends here, right?"
"I'm no friend of yours!" Lobomon glared at Duskmon as if he'd like nothing better than to run his sword through Duskmon's throat, repeatedly.
Duskmon stared at Lobomon evenly. "You might want to be more careful. Letting your emotions rule you like this could be your downfall."
"Oh, now you're giving me advice?" Lobomon asked slightly hysterically. "What would your new 'master' think of that, huh? Would she punish you like a dog?"
Duskmon suddenly flipped Lobomon's (I gotta do it) Light Saber over, causing it to fly out of his hands. Before he could react, Duskmon had both his blades crossed at Lobomon's throat.
"I serve but one master, and I assure you, she is more powerful than even you, oh glorious warrior of light," Duskmon said quietly, a mad twinkle in his eye. "She will have your blood, but it will not be from mine hand." He slowly lowered his blades from Lobomon's neck, seeming to come back to his senses.
Lobomon trembled slightly, trying to calm himself down as well. "So Ilsemon does want me dead," Lobomon mused.
Duskmon chuckled. "I never said that my master was Ilsemon."
Suddenly a hammer flew through the air, coming in contact with Duskmon's skull. He landed in a heap on the ground, unconscious.
Lobomon's eyes widened in surprise at Grumblemon, who was staring triumphantly at Duskmon, holding his hammer firmly in his hands. "I did it!" Grumblemon exclaimed, bouncing up and down with joy. "I beat Duskmon!"
Lobomon sighed wearily. "Congratulations," he said, smiling despite himself.
Wizardmon suddenly rushed over to Duskmon, evading Beetlemon's grasp. He grabbed a bottle out of his coat, preparing to smash it on the ground. He glared at everyone in turn, eyes resting on Arbormon. He smirked, saying, "I'll see you all in the Digital World."
Then he broke the bottle and a burst of smoke engulfed him and Duskmon. When the smoke cleared, they were gone.
Everyone stood in silence for a moment, staring at the spot where Wizardmon and Duskmon had been.
"Um, can I come out now?" Tomoyo asked, stepping out from behind a tree.
Beetlemon smiled. "Well, looks like it's over for now, guys."
"They'll be back," Lobomon said, reverting back to his human form.
"Can't you just be happy that we won?" JP asked, turning his attention to Tomoyo, who ran up and flung her arms around him.
"I beat Duskmon!" Daiki exclaimed, still hopping up and down. "I really, super-duper beat him!"
Kouji smirked. "Dai, where the hell do you get all this energy from?"
"Oh sure, you laugh at him," JP muttered between Tomoyo's kisses.
While this was going on, Shino was staring wistfully at the shattered remains of Gatomon's tail ring.
"Shino," Takuya said quietly, approaching Shino from behind.
Shino sighed, trying to hold back his grief. "At one point, I really thought I had a shot at her," he muttered. He sighed again, turning to face Takuya. "I would have picked you, if you can believe that at this point."
"Of course I believe it," Takuya said reassuringly, placing a hand on Shino's shoulder. "It would take a lot more than that to shatter my trust in you."
Shino smiled bitterly. "Thank you, Taki."
Takuya chuckled. "Now that's what I like to hear!" He grabbed Shino's arm and dragged him over to the others, who were trying to figure out how to go about treating Hotaru's wounds and reviving Tommy.
"Kouji, what took you two so long to get here?" Takuya asked.
"Takuya, it has been a long night, and there is nothing I would like more than to break your nose just for the hell of it," Kouji snapped.
"Somebody's cranky," Tomoyo said.
Kouji glared at her. "You know, I'm not above hitting girls."
"Aw, don't pick on him, guys," JP said, trying to defend Kouji. "It has been a long night, and with Duskmon and all…"
Takuya's expression grew somber. "Oh, right," he murmured, glancing at Kouji. "Are you alright?"
Kouji sighed. "Like I said, it's been a long night."
Everyone was silent for a moment. "You ever feel like you're missing out on something, Dai?" Tomoyo asked sarcastically.
"I'm used to it," Daiki said, shrugging.
"Well, I'll feel better when I see that Kouichi's okay," Kouji said.
"Incoming!" Everyone looked up suddenly to see Zephyrmon flying toward them, Kouichi clinging tightly to her.
"Aw, I miss everything!" Kira cried, rounding the corner just as Zephyrmon landed in front of Kouji.
"Hey Kira," Takuya greeted her, slightly confused. "Um, how did you know we were here fighting some Digimon?"
"Because Mr. Freaky Eyeball Duskmon took it upon himself to rip my window right out of my wall and drag me into a fight," Kira explained. "The nerve of him!"
Takuya flinched, glancing over at Zephyrmon. She returned his glance and mouthed, I'll explain later.
Takuya nodded, looking back at Kira. "You know, Kira, I really doubt that he had to drag you into a fight," Takuya said, chuckling.
Kira glared at Takuya, and then smirked. "You know me too well, Taki."
"Kouji," Zephyrmon said after several moments of trying to get Kouichi off of her. "Can you please get your brother to stop clinging to me?"
Kouji sighed. "Kouichi, you're on the ground now." Kouichi didn't budge.
"You think he's in shock?" JP asked.
"No, he'll be fine. Watch." Kouji stepped up to Kouichi and poked him in the side.
"Gah!" Kouichi cried, falling to the ground. He got up slowly, glaring at Kouji and Zoe. "You two just love to torture me, don't you?"
"It was necessary," Kouji and Zoe said at the same time.
"Well, there's one good thing that came out of tonight," Daiki said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at him questioningly. "We won't get in trouble from our parents again!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Daiki was right.
"But where are they?" Takuya asked, looking up at the sky.
--
madjack89: Yes indeed, where are they? We'll have to find out in the next chapter, which will barely have any of you guys in it at all!
Takuya: What?! But we're the main characters!
madjack89: But I'm gonna explain where your parents are, where Witchmon is, and what Yutaka and your cousin are doing.
Takuya: Fine.
Kouji: She won't have a chance to do anything to us, so fine.
Daiki: Can we have those cookies now?
madjack89: Sure! Here you go!
Daiki: Yay! starts wolfing down cookies
Tommy: I want some too!
Kira: Yeah, save some for us!
madjack89: Calm down guys, I have another batch for the rest of you.
Takuya, Kira, and Tommy: Yay!
Kouji: They're like some big stupid happy family.
Zoe: They're our big stupid happy family, Kouji.
Kouji: Yeah, I know.
madjack89: And with that out of the way, I will end on this note: HA HA, I GOT OUT OF SCHOOL EARLY TODAY DUE TO SNOW! WOOT! Okay, see you guys in the next pulse-pounding chapter of Frontier 02: Home Frontier!