Frontier 02: Rebirthing- Chapter 8: Fortune Telling
madjack89: Hey guys! For all of you who cared if Taki was okay (which was actually pretty much no one), don't worry, he's fine. Luckily, Kira didn't break his nose!
Kouji: Yeah, but there was blood everywhere.
Tommy: It was scary! I didn't think that much blood could come out of someone's nose!
JP: Well kid, according to the anime Law of Hemoglobin Capacity, our bodies contain over 12 gallons of blood, sometimes more, under high pressure.
Tommy: What?!
Kouji: Holy crap, JP, isn't that going a little over the top?
JP: Guys, let's face it; anime doesn't follow any laws of physics whatsoever. So we made up our own!
Dai: So that's why Mikami from Death Note spurted all that blood when he stabbed himself with a pen!
Shino: A pen?
JP: Yup, that's why!
madjack89: What about the Law of Militaristic Unreliability! That goes along with Digimon quite nicely!
JP: And let's not forget the all-important Law of Juvenile Intellectuality!
Kouji: I'm almost afraid to ask, but what the hell is that?
madjack89: It's a law that says "Children are smarter than adults. And almost always twice as annoying."
Kouji and Shino: …
Hotaru: You know, that's about right, actually.
JP: It sure is.
Dai: Hee!
madjack89: Okay guys, time for reviews!
garnettfox: I'm glad someone else likes Witchmon as much as me (I love her to death)! Aw, Boltmon sounds cute! And Darkkittymon still sounds adorable too! And you're not the only one with your characters chatting in your head. (Dai: Hee hee!) Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
GoldenDragon326: Hotaru = Mercurymon + much cooler than Mercurymon originally was because he got on my nerves! Oh, that's right! I can do Momentai with Terriermon! Thanks for reminding me! And the thing with Bakumon is that he was voiced by Crispin Freeman, just like our little Kouichi was (I just like making Crispin Freeman references)! Okay, thanks for reviewing, and for the paper towels!
hazeleyedharmony: You make a valid point. In fact…Shino! (Shino: What?) Does it hurt firing leaves out your nose? (Shino: …Shut up, Madjack.) Okay, never mind!
part 1: Yeah, probably not.
part 2: Yeah, probably not (again).
intermission: bows Thank you, thank you!
rest: We all need a break sometimes.
Crispin Freeman!
No, our dear Chief never can catch a break (with me lol). Thank you very much for reviewing!
apapa155: Hi Guilmon! And I enjoyed that with Taki and Kouji too, but…I don't know where I would fit it in! Of course, even after I'm done with the main plot of this story, I'm probably still gonna continue it (because I love it so much)! So it may happen then! And hello Love! Okay, thanks for reviewing!
Ashka-chan: Thank you very much! I do try!
Dawn of Glory: Heh, yeah, I am pretty mean to them, aren't I? (Kouji: You're just figuring this out now?!) Oh well, it makes the story more interesting! Thanks for reviewing!
LadyWarGreymon: It's okay, computer troubles happen. I'll get to Shinya in the future (I didn't forget about him). Technically, Dai didn't defeat Duskmon, Duskmon just kind of left. And he wasn't really trying (heh)! I'm probably not gonna have Hotaru Beast Spirit Evolve just because I can't find a practical use for his spirit, but Kira should be very interesting! Alright, thanks for reviewing!
shadica: Hm, that's an interesting guess. We'll have to see if you're right! Thanks for the review!
Nightmare soldier: I know how that is (with homework). Yes, Beast Spirits are muy interesante! Well, thank you for reviewing, mi amiga (lol)!
beybladeingninjaprincess: You hear that, Kouji? You still get to be in my story! Hooray! (Kouji: For the love of god…) Wow, Dai beating people up! THAT'S an interesting mental picture (lol). But yeah, Zoe's buttin' in on the twins a little, but maybe Kouji just needs to learn to share! (Kouji: Shut up!) But not even Zoe could break up freaky telekinetic twin powers! Alright, thanks for the review!
madjack89: Alright, time for chap—
Kouji: Wait a minute!
madjack89: What?
Kouji: Where's Kouichi?
Shino: Zoe's not here either.
Tommy: And Takuya and Kira are gone.
madjack89: Hm…I don't really know where they are! I guess they'll show up by the end commentary!
Kouji: They better.
madjack89: Yeah, whatever Kouji. Alright, time for chapter eight, which marks the beginning of the saga revolving around Kira and Taki! Woot!
--
"You've got to be kidding me," JP muttered, staring at the small town-like setup ahead of him.
"Goody, it's THIS place again," Kouji grumbled.
"Guys, this place wasn't that bad at all," Zoe said. "Except for maybe the part with Takuya's Beast Spirit," she added quietly.
"No, that wasn't very nice at all," Bokomon said, agreeing with Zoe's statement.
Witchmon turned and smirked at the confused faces of the other five children. "Guys, prepare yourselves, for we are about to enter the Fortune Telling Village!" she proclaimed, lifting her arms above her head.
In front of the gang, in a grassy clearing, stood a group of multi-colored tents. Various Digimon were gathered around these tents, either waiting to have their fortune told or telling another Digimon's fortune.
"Oh yeah, this is the place where Takuya got his Beast Spirit, right?" Shino asked.
"Yeah, I sure did," Takuya muttered, glancing uncomfortably down at the ground.
Everyone stared at Takuya sympathetically, not quite knowing what to say. Suddenly, Kira cried, "Oh, c'mon guys!"
She swung her arm around Takuya's shoulders as she continued. "This place is supposed to be a fortune telling village! Don't even try telling me that having your fortune told isn't fun! How about we concentrate more on gaining wisdom and crap about the future instead of thinking about the past?"
After a brief pause, Bokomon said, "I believe Kira is correct. We could use just as much wisdom now as we did the last time we were here."
"Then to Shamanmon we go," JP said, grinning.
The others nodded, following JP down the hill and toward the village. However, Takuya grabbed Kira's sleeve as she was about to follow after the rest of the gang, holding her back.
Kira turned and stared quizzically at Takuya. "What's up, Taki?" she asked curiously.
"Well," Takuya began, smiling lopsidedly. "Just…thank you, Kira. You were trying to get everyone's attention off what happened here before, including mine. So…thank you."
Kira smirked, amused by Takuya's awkward little smile. "Sure thing, Taki," she said, patting him reassuringly on the back. "That's just what us girlfriends do."
"Right," Takuya agreed, chuckling. Then he held out his arm and said, "So, we're off to see the Wizard?"
Kira's smile grew mischievous as she linked her arm with Takuya's, saying, "The wonderful Wizard of Oz."
Then they both skipped down the hill after their friends, singing as they went.
--
The leaves of a bush parted slightly as a black cat poked its head through, staring curiously at the mass of tents in front of it.
"The Fortune Telling Village, huh?" it said to itself, stepping lightly out of the bush. "Hm…this gives me an idea."
Suddenly the black cat grew, its shape bulging out and transforming almost grotesquely. After about four seconds of this, a Labramon stood in place of the black cat.
It chuckled, saying, "Still stealing Digimon from Tamers, huh Madjack?" (Shut up, you!)
"Oh well," the Labramon continued, sneaking stealthily up to the back of a tent and lifting up the flap. "This should be a sufficient disguise. Those impertinent little children won't know what hit them."
With that the Labramon ducked into the tent, disappearing from sight.
--
"Shamanmon!" Bokomon called out the fortune teller's name as the gang entered the stone tower in which he lived. But when everyone looked inside the stone structure, they realized that Shamanmon wasn't there.
"Well, what do you think we should do now?" JP asked, glancing at the others.
"He's probably just off taking a break. Shamanmon's council is very sought after," Bokomon said. "But I suppose we could come back later and make sure he's alright."
"Basically we're making sure Ilsemon hasn't gotten to him, right?" Witchmon asked, already knowing the answer would be yes.
Everyone looked around the big empty room one last time and then closed the door to Shamanmon's home.
"So what shall we do to pass the time while we wait?" Zoe asked everyone.
"Duh! Fortune telling!" Takuya and Kira said at the same time, grinning.
"Considering that all these guys suck," JP muttered, pointing down the steps toward the large mass of tents below.
"I've never bought much into fortune telling, anyway," Kouichi added, glancing at his brother. "Right Kouji?"
"Actually, I think that some fortune tellers aren't complete phonies," Kouji replied in a slightly annoyed tone.
Kouichi flinched. "Sorry," he muttered, "I just thought…"
"That I didn't think much of them either," Kouji said, finishing his brother's sentence. "Well, I didn't until we came here the first time."
"Yeah, Shamanmon was really good. He predicted everything that happened after we went to see him," Tommy said.
"Actually…" Kouji began.
"Wow, a real live fortune teller," Dai said, cutting off Kouji's statement. "This is gonna call for a group picture!"
"Yeah, but before that we might as well look around a little bit, even if all these guys are complete fakes," Takuya said, heading down the steps and toward the tents below.
--
"Excuse me, but would you four be interested in having your palms read?" asked a large, dog-like Digimon, pointing at Takuya, Kira, Zoe, and Kouichi.
The gang turned, staring at the big pink-eared Digimon standing next to a large blue tent. "Just step in here and I'll read your fortune, no charge," the Digimon continued, smiling as he lifted the tent flap.
"Um, I guess we could," Takuya said, glancing at the other three. "What do you guys think?"
"Sounds like fun," Kira said.
"Why not," Zoe said, while Kouichi shrugged, indicating he didn't really care either way.
"Alright, show us what you got," Takuya said to the dog Digimon.
As the four teens entered the tent, JP exclaimed, "Hey, wait a minute! Why don't any of us get our palms read?"
"I'm sorry; couples only," the Digimon said before entering the tent after the others.
"Ripoff," JP grumbled, glaring at the blue tent irritably.
"Well, we can always find some other Digimon to tell our fortunes," Hotaru said, looking around at the many tents scattered through the valley.
"Yeah, I know," JP agreed, shoulders slumping. "It's just this kind of crap that makes me miss Tomoyo."
The others stared sympathetically at JP while Shino suddenly glanced left and right, looking confused. "Um, where did Kouji go, guys?" he asked.
Everyone else looked around and realized that Kouji was nowhere to be seen.
--
Kouji made his way slowly through the crowds of Digimon around him, trying to avoid large horns and fangs where necessary. He glanced at each tent as he passed, trying to find the one he wanted.
Where are you? he thought irritably, shoving his way roughly past an Agumon standing in his way.
"Hey, watch it buddy!" the Agumon growled, staring at Kouji.
Kouji stopped for a moment, turning his head and glaring at Agumon. "I really don't think you want to mess with me right now," Kouji said threateningly, holding up his D-Tector.
The Agumon backed up a few paces, looking nervous. "Whoa, easy there. This doesn't need to resort to violence."
Kouji glared at the Agumon a moment longer before taking a deep breath and calming himself down. "Fine," he said quickly, turning and making his way through the crowd again, leaving the Agumon behind him.
Kouji continued to dodge through the crowd of Digimon until he came to an opening near the edge of the cluster of tents. He stood still for a moment, staring at the ground guiltily.
First I snap at Kouichi, and now I'm picking fights with random Digimon, he thought, clenching his fist in frustration. Why can't I freaking control myself?
He thought this, but he already knew the answer. He wanted Kouichi to himself, like it had been before. He didn't want to have to share him with Zoe, even though he knew how much they cared about each other.
Like me and Seiko. He cringed, trying to keep his memories from overwhelming him. And then that dream, he thought, remembering the odd dream he'd had. Who are you?
"Why is all of this happening to me?" Kouji muttered, feeling slightly depressed.
"Back again, are you?" Kouji jumped, recognizing the Digimon that stood in front of him. It was shorter than Kouji and basically resembled a plant-like green reptilian creature with a pink and yellow flower on its head.
It held out its viney arm as it said, "Would you like me to tell your fortune again?"
Kouji nodded slowly, taking the Digimon's arm. "I think I need some wisdom now more than ever, Palmon."
--
"Alright, how does this little palm reading thingy work?" Kira asked, staring across the small round table in the middle of the tent.
The Digimon seated across the table smiled pleasantly, holding out its clawed paw. "Give me your hand," it said.
Kira glanced slightly nervously at the others, then rested her hand on the Digimon's paw. It stared intently at her hand for a moment, and then carefully turned it palm side up.
"Hm," the Digimon murmured, tracing the lines of Kira's palm gently with its claw.
Takuya and Kira stared anxiously at each other, wondering what this Digimon would say. Finally, it laid Kira's hand onto the table, looking thoughtfully at her.
After about a minute of silence, Kira said, "So…what's your analysis?"
The fortune teller sighed. "You've had a difficult past and, unfortunately, your future doesn't look much brighter."
"Well, that's good news," Takuya muttered, chuckling.
"Next he'll tell me my future's full of depression and despair that fades into a bleak nothingness," Kouichi said under his breath, rolling his eyes.
The dog-like Digimon glared at the two boys, quickly shutting them up. "As I was saying, your future hides a betrayal from someone you hold dear, and you can do nothing to prevent it. Also, jealousy lies in your path, as you find that your beloved has more than friendly feelings for another."
"My beloved? You mean Taki?" Kira asked slowly, pointing at Takuya with her free hand.
The Digimon nodded, staring intently at Takuya. "What do you have to say?" it asked.
"I say that's complete crap," Takuya answered angrily, glaring at the Digimon. "What the hell makes you think I would betray Kira like that?"
"I didn't say that you betrayed her, I said you had feelings for another," the Digimon said calmly.
"Had!" Takuya yelled.
"Had?" Kira echoed in a confused voice. "What do you mean had?"
Takuya paused, suddenly looking nervous. "Well, you see…I kinda had…it was sorta…"
"Kira, we didn't tell you before, but…well…" Zoe said, helping Takuya. "Takuya had feelings for me at one point."
Kira's eyes grew wider as she stared at Zoe and then at Takuya. "You mean you were a Zoe drone too?!" she cried.
"I was a what?" Takuya asked, cocking his head.
"It's what I call anyone that falls in love with Zoe, which incidentally happens a lot," Kira explained, glancing sheepishly at her friend.
Zoe glared back, saying, "You know I don't like it when you call people that. It makes me feel like whore!"
"You're not a whore. Guys are just attracted to your prettiness," Kira said. "But luckily now you have Chief to kick their collective asses!"
"I guess," Kouichi muttered, sighing at Kira's impulsiveness.
"Getting back to the subject," Zoe began, regaining Kira and Takuya's attention. "Yes, Takuya liked me for a while. He told me later that it started in the Digital World, but I didn't feel the same way about him, so nothing happened between us."
"So you guys never saw each other, like, SAW each other?" Kira asked anxiously.
"No, Kira," Zoe said firmly.
"She's telling the truth, Kira," Kouichi added gently. "In case you're forgetting, I was there, so I know for a fact that nothing at all happened."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Takuya suddenly said, covering his bright red face with his hand. "I just didn't want you to be jealous or anything. But I seriously don't have anything going on with Zoe, okay?"
He's really embarrassed by this, Kira thought, staring thoughtfully at her boyfriend's blush. She sighed, looking up and smiling brightly at Takuya. "When have you ever given me a reason not to trust you, Taki?"
Takuya took his hand away from his face, showing just how much he was blushing. The red began to fade from his face as he smiled back at Kira. "Thank you, Kira!" he said happily, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.
Kira paused, then hugged Takuya back, smirking at the goofy expression he'd had. I'll just have to trust him. I mean, it's not like he's with Zoe now, he's with me!
But as soon as Kira thought this she met the eye of the Digimon fortune teller sitting across the tent from her. It stared blankly at her for a moment, then mouthed, "Don't trust him."
"Aw, that was really cute!" Zoe cooed, grinning at her two friends.
"It was cute," Kouichi added, smiling.
Takuya released Kira, turning and rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Y'know, it probably isn't a compliment to call a guy cute."
"People call Dai cute all the time," Zoe retorted.
"Yeah, but that's Dai," Kouichi said, chuckling.
As the others bickered, Kira stared down at her lap, feeling hurt and confused. But Taki wouldn't betray me…he definitely wouldn't lie to me! Then again, he still won't tell me about Chief and Duskmon, and he and Zoe are always bickering with each other like they're an old married couple. Kira shook her head, looking on at her three friends. She smiled, pushing away her confusing thoughts for the moment. I don't need to worry about this. I know that Taki cares about me, and it'll take a lot more than a stupid fortune to convince me otherwise!
The fortune telling Digimon's face rose in a slightly malicious grin as it stared at the four children, particularly Kira. The seeds of distrust have been planted, it thought. Now they just need time and nutrients to grow, and luckily, I'm an excellent gardener!
--
madjack89: Howdy ho, yo! Okay, originally, I was gonna stop the chapter here, but because my internet randomly died on me and I couldn't get the chapter up until now, I decided to add an extra segment to it! I'm just telling you this to let you know how much I love you guys! Okay, on to the extra segment!
--
Kouji sat quietly in Palmon's green tent, staring dully at his hands. Why did I even come here? he began to wonder, his darker thoughts weighing him down. Am I expecting her to magically make my problems go away with a few bits of advice? Hell, I don't even know for sure if she really is a real fortune teller!
Kouji thought this, but he already knew for sure that this Palmon was the real deal. After all, she had predicted Kouichi's appearance just by looking at Kouji once, along with Lucemon's eventual arrival and Kouichi's eventual sacrifice.
"Here's a drink!" Palmon was suddenly standing right in front of Kouji, causing him to jump. He glanced warily at the crude-looking cup Palmon held in her vine-covered hand.
"Uh, not to sound rude or anything, but I've learned from experience to never stick anything in your mouth in the Digital World without knowing what it is," Kouji said, still staring at the liquid-filled cup. "And that includes drinks."
Palmon looked at the cup for a moment, then started laughing. "Ha, that's actually a pretty good philosophy to carry around with you! But this isn't anything peculiar by human standards. It's just tea."
"Well, if it's tea…" Kouji accepted the cup from Palmon, looked at the contents for a moment, and took a tentative sip. He lowered the cup and smirked. "I guess it is just tea. I'm sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for," Palmon said, waving off Kouji's apology. "It would actually be wiser to be a bit more cautious these days.
"But anyway," Palmon continued, "you said that you wanted to have your fortune told by me again, right?"
"That's right," Kouji said, staring glumly at the cup in his hand. "I remembered you from the last time I was here. After Kouichi showed up, I had always wanted to come back here and thank you for trying to warn me about him, even if I didn't believe you."
"'Do not fear the dark, for a light shines within. A friend awaits you, screaming your name, yet you cannot hear his cry. His blood shall awaken your full power and defeat the evil which is to come, but do not fret, for he still awaits you, and you shall answer his call in the end,'" Palmon muttered, reciting her message from before.
"The friend I didn't hear was Kouichi," Kouji said quietly. "His 'blood' helped us defeat Lucemon with the power of Susanoomon. And then we managed to save Kouichi, thereby 'answering his call.'" Kouji glanced at Palmon, saying, "You got everything right."
"They don't call me a fortune teller for nothing," Palmon replied, smirking. "So you've returned and wish me to give you an accurate fortune?"
"Yes," Kouji said, bowing his head slightly. "I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm angry and jealous and depressed all at the same time, and I don't know what to do. So, I came to you, hoping that you would help me."
Palmon gently patted Kouji's head, smiling at him. "Are you sure you want to hear what I have to say?"
Kouji took a deep breath. "Yes, even if you don't have any good news for me, I have a feeling I need to hear this."
"Very well," Palmon said, taking a step back from Kouji. "But before I tell you, let me say this: don't let your anxieties weigh you down like this. Remember to look on the bright side of things."
Kouji nodded stiffly, getting more and more nervous about what Palmon would say.
Palmon slowly closed her eyes, then began speaking. "You shall find a lost soul that yearns for you, but knows not your name. Darkness licks at the heels of the one that has already found the light, but is shunned by the light all the same. But the joining of the light and the dark cannot save you now, for it will only bring greater pain to all. The only way to prevent his rising is to protect the flame from blowing out. And always remember: a light shines in the darkness."
Kouji was silent, seeing whether Palmon would continue. When she didn't, he said, "Wow, that was even more cryptic than your last prediction. I couldn't really tell what you meant by any of it, except maybe the part about the flame blowing out."
Suddenly Kouji's eyes widened as a horrible realization struck him. "Takuya represents flame, and if you blow a flame out, you're basically killing it."
Kouji slowly turned his gaze to Palmon, who looked guiltily back at him. "Is that what you meant? That Takuya is destined to…die?"
"Not quite," Palmon said. "You see, according to what I saw, the only way to prevent 'his' rising is to save your friend from that fate, so hope isn't completely lost."
"When you said 'his' rising, you meant Lucemon, didn't you?" Kouji asked, not waiting for an answer before continuing. "Then you're trying to say that if Takuya…if you're prophecy is fulfilled, then there is nothing we can do to stop Lucemon?"
Palmon paused before responding. "I believe so."
--
"Argh!" Shamanmon cried, awakening from his trance with a start. As he got shakily to his feet, all the images he had witnessed flashed through his mind.
So many Digimon struck down…death was prevalent everywhere…the legendary warriors…no, there was nothing they could do…they had been engulfed in darkness already…Lucemon and his demonic sister stepping into the human world…more death…the ten warriors' families first…a curly haired human girl…the ground around her body spattered with blood…a young human girl crying…Lucemon reaching around her neck…choking away her life…slipping…slipping…
Shamanmon shook his head, coming back to his senses. This could be prevented, if he could just warn the children in time.
Shamanmon ran through the trees as quickly as he could, moving farther and farther away from his pond. His cool, tranquil, meditative pond.
"It will not remain that way if I do not hurry," he said to himself, continuing to run while the branches and leaves of the trees engulfed him in their depths.
--
Takuya: Holy crap, we are seriously screwed this time, aren't we?
madjack89: Oh, there you are, Taki! Where'd you guys go, anyway?
Zoe: We used our get out of the beginning commentary free cards.
madjack89: …I never gave you guys anything like that.
Kira: Fine, we skipped, okay? And what the crap are you gonna do to me, Madjack? I thought we were buddies!
Takuya and Kouji: Welcome to our world.
madjack89: Sorry Kira! It'll turn out right in the end, I promise!
Dai: Oh Madjack!
madjack89: Yes Dai?
Dai: Are you forgetting what holiday just passed us by?
madjack89: Oh yeah, Easter!
Dai: Yay Easter!
Hotaru: You just want chocolate, don't you?
Dai: Yay chocolate!
Shino: Please let it be sugar-free.
madjack89: Don't worry, Shino, I definitely would not get Dai sugary chocolate for Easter.
Shino: Thank god…
Dai: Yay, Madjack got us all Easter baskets! You're awesome, Madjack!
madjack89: Aw, thank you, Dai!
JP: So, where are these alleged baskets?
madjack89: Hold your horses, JP. Just let me pass them out! passes out baskets
Dai: gorges on SUGAR-FREE chocolate
Takuya: takes out something What is this?
madjack89: That would be the necklace I got you, Taki. See how it's got a little flame pendant on it?
Kouji: There's one in my basket, too.
madjack89: Yup, I got you all necklaces as a little thank you gift for you guys putting up with me all this time! You're welcome!
Zoe: Oh, these are really nice! I'm definitely gonna wear mine from now on!
Hotaru: Thanks.
Shino: Thank you.
Dai: still gorging on chocolate
Kouichi: Thank you, Madjack. And you really aren't that bad.
Kira: Despite this last chapter, I agree with Chief. And this necklace is kickass!
Tommy: Thank you!
JP: Not bad, I must say.
Takuya and Kouji: …Thanks.
madjack89: Oh, you guys rock! I even got Takuya and Kouji to thank me!
Takuya and Kouji: Humph.
madjack89: Okay, happy belated Easter and see you in chapter nine!
Dai: my gosh, he's STILL gorging on chocolate!