Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 16: The Red
madjack89: Guess who's back from the beach!
Kouji: …You?
madjack89: Thaaaat's right! And I come bearing a new chapter of F2R, in which I bring all this Kira/Taki drama to a close!
Takuya: I don't know whether to be happy or nervous.
Dai: Be both!
madjack89: That's the spirit!
Takuya: sigh
madjack89: Anyway, today in this commentary, I have decided to answer the request of one of the reviewers!
Everyone: Oh god…
Kouji: If I hear the words Star or Wars…
madjack89: Actually, this request has more to do with Kouichi than anyone else.
Kouichi: Me?
JP: Well Chief, it's been nice knowing you.
Kouichi: grows pale
madjack89: Oh, calm down guys, I just invited a guest to the commentary is all! He should be here any minute!
Kouji: Who exactly is this guest?
Voice: Hello Madjack.
Kouichi: Oh no, I know that voice.
madjack89: That's right! I invited Itachi to today's commentaries! Yay!
Itachi: …
madjack89: Say hi to all the nice peoples, Itachi!
Itachi: Hello.
Kouichi: It just had to be Itachi…it couldn't have been anyone else voiced by Crispin Freeman. Someone harmless, like Kyon.
madjack89: It was a request!
Itachi: Speaking of requests, I was told to tell you something, Kouichi. Come here.
Dai: Don't look in his eyes! Especially if they start spinning!
Shino: And some people have called Digimon weird.
Kouichi: shuffles slowly over to Itachi What is it?
Itachi: leans closer to Kouichi You lack hatred.
Kouichi: …eye twitches
madjack89: Time for reviews!
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apapa155: Isn't that person from Bleach the midget with white hair? I only know he's voiced by Steve Staley (I have yet to watch Bleach). Go ahead and like him, he's got the same voice actor as Kouji! (lol) Anyway, I'm not killing anyone, okay? Everyone always worries that I'm gonna kill the characters off. Thanks for reviewing!
DigiBleach: Kouichi's just the type of guy to risk his neck for others, especially Zoe! I was very surprised that almost everyone was anticipating this moment that Calmaramon would show up. She has more fans than we thought! (lol) Thanks for reviewing! Believe it!
Dawn of Glory: Sorry about the cliffhanger! I can't help it! And I don't think you're that bad! (From one sadist to another.) I'll take that! grabs picture and burns it She'll find out what she looks like near the end of the chapter. I…AM…NOT…KILLING…ZOE! Sorry, everyone just keeps telling me not to kill people. I'll send you a list of the references I used in the last chapter, okay? Thanks for the review!
GoldenDragon326: I don't think there is any way to make that squid look good. (lol) Anyway, Kira already knows what Zoe's Beast Spirit looks like and all. Yay references! Thanks for reviewing!
fg1fg: Here's your darn Beast Spirit, okay? (lol) Dai will not be denied his picture. Thanks for reviewing!
garnettfox: Aw, no problem! Sorry about your sister, I hope she'll be alright! Thanks for the review!
Nightmare Soldier: Poor Kouichi. Oh, there is a shape-shifting Digimon? I just made one up because I thought there weren't any. Oh well, what's done is done. I think that SkullGreymon is very handsome (lol)! Eh, Kira should just be happy to finally get the darn Beast Spirit! You know, I bet Kouji could use the Force like that! Ha! (Kouji: Hate…you.) Thanks for reviewing!
Aldamonburst: Oh, don't worry, Hotaru HAS his Beast Spirit, he's just not gonna USE it. That way he can still Fusion Evolve when the time comes! (Spoiler!) I'm sorry! I didn't know there was already a shape-shifting Digimon! Let's just forget he exists, okay? Once again, a very amusing sketch of the evil gang! Thanks for reviewing!
TobiGB: You're welcome! I brought Itachi just for you! And he'll even stay for the end commentary! And thanks very much for the treats and the review and the compliments and stuff! (lol)
ladyaura: Well, thanks, I'm glad you liked the chapter! The freaky talking cat shall be explained in this chapter, never fear! I'm glad you like my portrayal of Kouji, and thanks for reviewing!
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Kouichi: eye still twitching
JP: I think he's developed a nervous twitch.
madjack89: He'll be fine. Anyway, time for chapter sixteen!
Itachi: Make sure you read it.
Kira: …Creepy…
—
"Oh crap!" Kouichi dropped the cat to the ground, startled by its sudden bout of speech.
"Well, that wasn't very nice," the cat mumbled, failing to stand up due to its restrained front legs.
"So you really are a Digimon," Kouji mused, glaring at the cat. "You're a Hallucimon, aren't you?"
The cat flicked its gaze to Kouji and smirked. "Looks like the cat's out of the bag." (Pun alert!) "Yeah, I'm Hallucimon. What of it?"
"Don't act all innocent," Hotaru growled angrily, holding up his "expertly" bandaged arms.
Shino glared at me (again) while Hallucimon smiled in a catty fashion. (I could go on and on with these, but I won't for everyone's sake.) "It's not as if you didn't deserve it, grabbing me from behind and all."
"I think what Hotaru means is that we all know what you did to Takuya," Shino said, interjecting.
"Whoa, wait a minute," JP suddenly said, staring at Hallucimon with wide eyes. "You sound like a guy. Does that mean Takuya kissed…?"
Everyone turned slowly to look at Takuya, whose eyes had grown very big. Then Takuya exclaimed, "Oh my god, I kissed a guy!"
"Technically, Hallucimon don't have a specific gender," Hallucimon explained, licking its paw.
A moment of silence followed. Then Takuya exclaimed, "Oh my god, I kissed an it!"
"Well, on the plus side, it sounds like the Taki we know and love is back," JP whispered to Kouichi, who nodded.
"Okay, so I'm guessing we can safely assume that you either have a really sick sense of humor, or you're completely evil," Witchmon stated, staring at Hallucimon warily.
"I'd say I'm a little of both," Hallucimon said, glancing at Shino. "And you were correct earlier. I follow Lady Ilsemon."
"Welcome to the intelligent circle of our group, Shino," Kouji said, glancing at JP.
"Alright, Kouji, I was wrong," JP grumbled. "But evil twins are still strong possibilities, especially for us."
"It happened once!" Kouji cried exasperatedly. Kouichi just sighed, knowing JP was partially right (^_^).
While the others interrogated Hallucimon, Takuya was staring at the ground, looking troubled. Tommy noticed this and tapped Takuya on the shoulder to get his attention.
Takuya jumped, startled by Tommy's sudden presence. "Tommy? What is it?"
"Well…" Tommy began, not exactly knowing what to say. "I'm…worried."
Takuya smiled. "Tommy…"
"Let me finish," Tommy said, stopping Takuya. "I don't really understand all that's going on. I mean, I've never had a girlfriend before, so I don't know what it's like, but I know that Kira likes you, and you like her, so…she'll forgive you."
Takuya stared at Tommy for a moment, wide-eyed. Then he smirked and said, "Tommy, sometimes I'm amazed by the level of your maturity."
Tommy smiled slowly. "I guess it rubs off from you."
"Try telling Kouji that," Takuya muttered, chuckling. Then he added, "Thank you, Tommy. I'm sorry I worried you."
"It's okay," Tommy replied nonchalantly.
"Do you still love Zoe, Takuya?"
Suddenly, everything stopped, even the wind. The leaves didn't rustle, nor did the bushes. It all stopped.
At least, it did for Takuya. "Don't…" he pleaded quietly, eyes growing wide. "Not that…"
"Oh, don't worry, it should wear off in a few more hours," Hallucimon explained with a smirk. "But until then, I suggest you try to stay away from dear Zoe, or you might not be able to help yourself."
Takuya took a step backward, feeling his friends' stares. "No," he muttered, his feelings for Zoe resurfacing due to Hallucimon's words.
"What are you talking about?!" Takuya looked up, startled by Tommy's shout. Tommy was standing in front of Takuya, glaring down at Hallucimon.
"What did you do to Takuya?" Tommy continued, this time in more of a growl. "Tell us."
"Kid," JP began.
Before JP could continue, Kouichi grabbed his shoulder hard. "Hey, what the hell?!" JP exclaimed, wrenching his arm from Kouichi's grip.
"Sorry, but…" Kouichi looked up, glancing at Takuya. "I want to hear the truth, too."
Takuya stared at Kouichi, a smile playing on his lips. "You don't…hate me?"
"Hate you?" Kouichi said, confused. "Why would I hate you?"
"Well," Takuya began sheepishly, "I kind of thought you'd feel a little…betrayed."
"About…you and Zoe," Kouichi said, coming to a slow conclusion. "Takuya, I'm not mad, I don't feel betrayed, and I don't hate you. Something big obviously happened, and it's not like you actually kissed Zoe."
"He just kissed a gay Digimon," Kouji muttered.
"Shut up!" Takuya yelled, glaring at a smug-looking Kouji. Then he turned back to Kouichi and said, "Thanks, Chief."
"No problem," Kouichi replied.
"Oh, will you please stop this goody-two-shoes crap!" Hallucimon exclaimed as if he were being tortured. "Look, I made goggle-head over there fall back in love with cheerleader Barbie using a special flower!"
"Cheerleader Barbie?" Kouichi said flatly.
"Do you mean…?" Bokomon began, staring at Hallucimon with surprise.
"That's right," Hallucimon said, glaring coldly at Bokomon. "That flower's about as extinct as me."
"Okay, what flower is he talking about?" JP asked, turning to Bokomon for answers.
Bokomon sighed, then explained, "It is another species I thought was long dead until tonight. Its name has been lost through the centuries, for Digimon feared to speak—"
"It's like a pheromone flower," Witchmon said, interrupting Bokomon. "You know, like how those little buzzy, stingy things are attracted to flowers in your world."
"You mean bees, right?" Dai asked.
"That's what those little things are called?" Witchmon exclaimed. "They're little buzzing devils! They stung me! Me!"
"Get on with it!" Kouji yelled impatiently.
"Fine," Witchmon huffed. "Anyway, the 'bees' are attracted to flowers because they smell good, or so this sign in this one park said. It's kind of like that with this flower, only the pollen isn't for eating, it's for inducing feelings of infatuation in the person infected toward the first thing they see, which for Taki would have to have been Zoe."
"Or Hallucimon masquerading as Zoe," Bokomon added, feeling put out by Witchmon. "How do you know so much about this flower?"
"How do you think? I've been looking for one!" The others stared inquisitively at Witchmon. "Personal reasons, alright?"
"So, there's nothing we can do about the effects?" Shino asked, glancing at Takuya.
"As I already said, it will wear off in a few hours," Hallucimon explained impatiently. "The flower's effects are temporary."
"But strong," Bokomon interjected. "I wouldn't suggest Takuya getting near Zoe for several hours."
"That might be hard!" Neemon exclaimed, pointing through the trees just before Kazemon crashed into the clearing, landing with a thud on the ground.
Before the others could react, another figure crashed through the trees, towering above them. It looked like an enormous squid attached haphazardly to a mermaid's body. It had ten (I think) large tentacles, yellow eye-like protrusions lined around its mid-section (Duskmon: Ha! What now?!), and long purple hair sticking out of its helmet. It was also sneering down at Kazemon.
"My god, what is that?" Shino asked, staring wide-eyed at the creature.
"That would be Kira," Kouji replied.
Both Shino and Hotaru turned slowly to Kouji, eyes wide and mouths agape. "What?!"
"So that's Kira's Beast Spirit?" Dai asked, staring at the squid Digimon with wonder and fascination.
"Uh, yeah," JP said, taking a few nervous steps back. "That's Calmaramon. See why we kept dodging the subject of Kira's Beast Spirit?"
Shino and Hotaru nodded, still shell-shocked. "This is so exciting!"Dai squealed happily, aiming his camera at Calmaramon.
The flash from the camera caught Calmaramon's attention, and she snapped her gaze away from Kazemon toward the others. Her narrowed eyes looked a bit cloudy, probably stemming from her unbridled rage.
"She's lost it," Kouji muttered through his teeth, slowly reaching for his pocketed D-Tector.
Calmaramon noticed this and slammed one of her larger tentacles down right in front of Kouji, aiming more to threaten than kill. "Not so fast, pretty boy," she growled.
Kouji quickly lifted his hands above his head, taking several steps backward. Calmaramon smirked, retracting her tentacle.
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Witchmon pointed at Calmaramon and said, "JP, attack!"
"What?!" JP exclaimed. "Why me?!"
"Because lightning beats water!" Witchmon explained impatiently. "Did Pokémon teach you nothing?"
"She's got a point," Dai said, agreeing.
"You know what, Witchmon? Shut up." With that, Calmaramon lashed out at Witchmon with her tentacle, catching her in the gut and driving her hard into a tree. Everyone watched as Witchmon fell to the ground, unmoving.
Takuya turned back to Calmaramon, horror-struck. How could Kira do this? How could she attack Witchmon…in cold blood? (Witchmon: What's that supposed to mean?)
In reality, he knew why. He'd experienced it before. A searing, burning, fiery rage coursing through him, blinding him. The red.
"Don't hurt the others." Takuya turned his head at the sound of Kazemon's voice.
Kazemon had gotten to her feet and was now standing in front of Calmaramon. Her fists were balled, fueled by the senseless attack on Witchmon. "You want a real fight? I'll give you one. Just let me slip into something more comfortable."
As she said this, Kazemon was engulfed in data. When the data faded, Zephyrmon stood in Kazemon's place, looking determined.
Takuya stared at Zephyrmon, transfixed. Her boldness and determination were, for lack of a better word, hot. It made Takuya want to…
"Snap out of it!" Kouji yelled, shaking Takuya by the shoulders. Takuya blinked, brought back to reality by Kouji, who was standing in front of him and blocking his view of Zephyrmon.
Takuya clenched his fists in frustration. He was sick of being used tonight. "Thanks," he mumbled, calming down.
"Thank me later," Kouji said quickly, taking charge of the situation. "Zephyrmon can handle Calmaramon for now. We have to run, or we'll present easy targets. We can try to sneak around and catch Calmaramon by surprise once we're in the trees."
"What about Witchmon?" Tommy asked nervously.
"Leave her," Kouji replied curtly. "She'll be okay, she's not a threat. Now go!"
On Kouji's command, everyone made a break for the trees, save Zephyrmon and Calmaramon, whose fight was just beginning.
"Hurricane Gale!" Zephyrmon exclaimed, sending slicing blades of wind at Calmaramon. The squid Digimon reacted quickly, swatting the attack away with a tentacle.
But Zephyrmon had anticipated this and was already in the air, hands and feet glowing with red energy. "Plasma Pod!" Zephyrmon flew straight at Calmaramon, aiming to kill, or at least injure. She wasn't sure anymore. Calmaramon was.
"Acid Ink!" Calmaramon shot a large jet of black acid from her mouth, hitting Zephyrmon head-on.
Zephyrmon fell like a stone to the ground, the acid weighing her down as well as burning her.
"How does that feel, Zoe?" Calmaramon growled, glaring down at a suffering Zephyrmon.
"AH!" Kouichi paused in his retreat, hearing Zephyrmon's cry of pain. He turned to see Calmaramon towering over a defeated Zephyrmon. Over Zoe.
"Hurry up!" Kouichi turned back around, seeing the others staring at him from the trees, urging him forward. Especially Kouji.
Kouichi looked back and forth. He had to make a choice. Retreat or face Calmaramon. Join his brother or save Zephyrmon. Kouji or Zoe.
Kouichi took a breath, closing his eyes. "I'm either really brave or really stupid," he muttered to himself, coming to a decision. Then he turned and ran toward Calmaramon, D-Tector in hand.
"Kouichi!" Kouji took a step forward, but was quickly grabbed by JP. "Let go!" he protested, struggling against JP. "I have to—"
"Have to what?" JP asked harshly. "Kouichi made his choice. We can't all attack Calmaramon at once with the state she's in. It would be just like Takuya. We'd make it worse."
"But…" He chose Zoe…over me, Kouji thought despairingly.
Takuya glanced at JP, thinking about what he'd just said. This WAS just like when he'd gotten his own Beast Spirit. A frenzied, uncontrollable rage had overtaken him.
The red, Takuya thought, remembering the piercing redness that had blurred his vision. Kira was going through that.
Takuya looked down the line of trees in the forest, seeing Tommy behind one a short way from him. Tommy had been able to break through the red and bring him back.
Suddenly, Takuya knew what to do. He turned to JP and said, "Keep everyone here," before dashing into the clearing, headed for Calmaramon.
Meanwhile, Kouichi stood protectively in front of Zephyrmon, glaring up at Calmaramon.
Calmaramon just smirked, amused. "I thought you might."
"What'll it be, Kira?" Kouichi asked threateningly. "Do you think you can beat me?"
"No," Calmaramon replied quietly. "I could never actually hope to beat the Warrior of Darkness. You're too strong.
"But," she added with a smile, "I know your weakness. You have a heart. You care, and you don't really want to hurt poor, confused Kira."
Kouichi looked down, knowing Calmaramon was right. He'd just wanted to protect Zoe and had moved without thinking. He hadn't planned on battling Kira. Calmaramon smiled darkly, raising her tentacle. "But I want to hurt you."
"Wait!" Takuya suddenly ran up beside Kouichi, stopping Calmaramon. Takuya stared at Calmaramon, looking determined.
"Takuya?" Kouichi said, glancing at his friend.
"Kouichi," Takuya said quietly, not turning his sight away from Calmaramon. "Try getting Zoe out of here. If I fail, I'm counting on you to protect the others. Calmaramon's right; you are stronger than the rest of us, and you always have been."
"Takuya," Kouichi began.
"Don't worry," Takuya interrupted, glancing at Kouichi with a smile and a wink. "I can handle an angry squid."
Kouichi paused, and then nodded, moving to perform his task. Meanwhile, Takuya was about to perform a task of his own.
Calmaramon glared down at Takuya, not seeming fazed by his presence. Takuya gulped, realizing this would be tough. Then he said, "Hey Kira. You got your Beast Spirit."
"Yeah," Calmaramon agreed coldly. "And in a few seconds I'm gonna kill you with it. But first," Calmaramon added, holding a tentacle over Takuya threateningly, "you are going to apologize for betraying me, Takuya."
"Wow," Takuya muttered, chuckling nervously. "You must really be mad. You called me Takuya instead of Taki."
"You've got five seconds to apologize," Calmaramon growled, not amused by Takuya.
"Alright," Takuya said, sighing. "I'm sorry, Kira. I'm sorry I hurt you, and I'm sorry that I'm probably the biggest idiot in the world. Both worlds."
Calmaramon stared at Takuya for a moment, expressionless. Then she said nonchalantly, "Fair enough," and grabbed Takuya in her tentacle, lifting him off the ground.
"Takuya!" Kouichi stepped forward, ready to help Takuya.
"I'm helping too," Zephyrmon said, getting up slowly.
"No you're not," Kouichi replied adamantly.
Zephyrmon was about to protest when JP suddenly said, "No Zoe, Kouichi's right." JP stood behind Zephyrmon along with the others. "We'll handle this."
"Get out of here!" Takuya yelled, staring sternly at his friends below. "I'll handle this alone!"
"Takuya, not to be mean, but how are you going to beat Calmaramon?" JP asked. "You aren't even fighting her, and I doubt you plan to."
Takuya turned as best he could, glaring at the others. "I…will…handle…this."
From the way Takuya had enunciated his last sentence, the others could tell that this really was something he had to do on his own. So, reluctantly, they began backing toward the trees, ready to jump into the fight if necessary.
Calmaramon chuckled as she watched the others' retreat. "Do you really think that'll save them, Takuya?"
Takuya flinched. "What do you mean?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
Calmaramon smiled darkly. "I'm gonna kill everyone when I'm done with you."
Takuya kept his eyes trained on the ground below so Calmaramon couldn't see his pained expression. "This isn't you, Kira."
"This was me long before I met you," Calmaramon replied.
"I don't believe that!" Takuya exclaimed, no longer able to hold back his emotions. "I feel so guilty about what's happened, but enough is enough, Kira! You've become a soulless, ugly monster, which I know you never were! Have you even seen what your Beast Spirit looks like yet?"
"Shut up!" Calmaramon tightened her grip, crushing Takuya in her tentacle.
Takuya cried out in pain, but didn't give up. "You haven't seen your reflection, but you know. You saw how horrified Shino and Hotaru were, seeing Calmaramon for the first time."
"Why bring us into this?" Shino asked meekly from behind a tree.
"Face it, Kira," Takuya continued, staring Calmaramon in the eye. "Your Beast Spirit is really freakin' ugly!"
"Screw you!" Calmaramon cried, about to squeeze the life out of Takuya. He closed his eyes tightly, preparing for the worst.
Then something made Calmaramon stop. Something that always shook her every time she saw it. A tear rolled down Takuya's cheek. Takuya was crying. Kira hated seeing guys cry, especially ones she knew. It stemmed back to all the times her dad had cried after her mom died.
Calmaramon's eyes softened. "Please don't cry, Taki," she begged softly.
Takuya's eyes shot open. "Kira," he said, hope filling his voice.
That hope reminded Kira of what had just happened. What she'd done. What she'd almost done.
"Oh my god," Calmaramon muttered, wide-eyed. In her stupor, she loosened her grip on Takuya, causing him to fall.
Before he hit the ground, though, Zephyrmon swooped over and grabbed Takuya, placing him gently on the ground. "Alright, I've reached my limit," Zephyrmon panted, turning back into an exhausted Zoe. "Oh look, cartoon stars!"
"I gotcha!" Kouichi called, rushing up to Zoe and grabbing her before she collapsed from exhaustion.
"Thanks," Zoe mumbled, smiling at Kouichi. "All three of you!"
"Close, but there are only two," JP said, grinning mischievously at Kouji.
"Shut up," Kouji hissed, staring warily at Calmaramon. "This isn't over."
Takuya stood apart from the others, watching as Calmaramon glanced in all directions, frantically searching for something. Takuya pointed to his left and said, "The lake's that way, Kira."
Calmaramon glanced at Takuya and nodded. Then she moved slowly in the indicated direction, looking like she was in a daze.
When she disappeared through the trees, Shino turned to Takuya and asked, "Isn't it bad to point the unstable Beast Warrior of Water toward water?"
"She just wants to see herself," Takuya replied, following Calmaramon's route through the trees.
When he got to the lake, Calmaramon was already staring at her reflection in the water. She turned suddenly, sensing Takuya's presence. She was crying. "I am a monster."
With that statement, Calmaramon transformed into Kira, who ran to Takuya, wrapped her arms around him, and sobbed. "I'm an idiot!"
Takuya embraced Kira, holding her tightly while vowing never to do this to her again. "We're both idiots."
The rest of the gang crowded on the edge of the forest, silently watching Takuya and Kira.
"Okay, now it's over," Kouji said.
—
Palmon was trudging through the forest, carrying her few possessions on her back. Suddenly, she sensed something. She hadn't felt this in such a long time, but there was no mistaking it. She knew who was behind her.
"Hello, Hallucimon," Palmon said, greeting the black cat behind her.
The cat smirked. "Do I detect a trace of anger in that greeting? Not happy to see me?"
"You already know the answer to that, traitor," Palmon hissed, glaring at Hallucimon.
"Who have I betrayed?" Hallucimon asked curiously, sauntering up to Palmon.
"Your fellow Hallucimon," Palmon replied curtly. "Now that I think about it, you've betrayed all Digimon. Even me."
"That depends on your perspective," Hallucimon said, "I believe that Lady Ilsemon is doing good."
"You know I'm not just referring to that," Palmon spat. "You and your gang set off the mass Hallucimon genocide all those years ago, because you had such a huge superiority complex and threatened the Digital World with enslavement!"
"But who was it that committed the genocide?" Hallucimon asked slyly.
"Who was it that provoked them to do so?" Palmon retorted.
Hallucimon shook his head. "My dear, confused kin. Why do you defend those children?"
"Because they are children," Palmon replied. "They may have the Spirits, but they have nothing to do with the Legendary Warriors' attack on the Hallucimon all those years ago. They don't even know of it!"
"Oh, they know of it, thanks to that book worm of a Digimon following them. They just don't know who committed the murders," Hallucimon said. "But that's beside the point. I believe that you are the traitor, showing kindness to that Warrior of Light."
"He needed guidance," Palmon said quietly. "And I have done nothing to betray my kin. I was merely lucky and survived the genocide."
"As did I," Hallucimon said, looking Palmon up and down. "We just chose different paths. I allied myself with Ilsemon, while you hid in this puny form and allowed yourself to be taught by that pathetic Shamanmon."
"Shamanmon is a greater Digimon than you," Palmon growled.
Hallucimon glanced to the right, smiling slowly. Then he began to transform, growing in size until he stood well over Palmon. When the transformation ended, Lobomon stood where the black cat had been.
Before Palmon could react, Hallucimon drew his Light Saber (if only Kouji were here…), thrust it out straight to the right, and impaled an unsuspecting Shamanmon on it.
Palmon stared on in horror as Shamanmon looked down, realizing what he'd run into. He tried to say something, but the fake Lobomon was already scanning his data.
After Shamanmon's Digi-Egg flew away, Lobomon turned to Palmon and said, in Kouji's voice, "How great is he now?"
—
"It's too bad that we couldn't find Shamanmon," JP said, walking along some Trailmon tracks. "If there's one lesson I learned from this little adventure, it's never go to a fortune teller that you haven't checked out beforehand. That way you can make sure you get legitimate advice."
"Amen," Hotaru muttered, glancing back at a depressed-looking Kira, who trudged several feet behind the rest of the group.
Takuya looked back as well, then sighed. "That's it, I've given her enough time to brood. I'm gonna go talk to her." With that Takuya stopped, letting the others get ahead and letting Kira catch up to him.
"Good luck," Kouichi said quickly. When he turned to tell Takuya this, though, his eyes met Kouji's for a brief moment, before Kouji turned his head and looked the opposite way. But in that moment Kouichi thought he caught a trace of some emotion in Kouji's eyes that unnerved him. Kouji had looked betrayed.
I'm probably just being paranoid, Kouichi thought, dismissing his fears as he turned back to the conversation the rest of the group was having.
"I'm not as mad about not finding Shamanmon as I am about that Hallucimon escaping," Zoe growled, clenching her fists. "I can't believe it did something like this while pretending it was me! And now I'm almost embarrassed to ever face Takuya or Kira again!"
"Yeah," Kouichi agreed, also a bit angry at Hallucimon for that incident with Takuya and that flower. "It's too bad it got away while we were preoccupied with Calmaramon."
"Speaking of which, was that seriously what Kira's Beast Spirit looks like?" Shino asked skeptically. "I mean, did she make it that…interesting to look at because she was angry?"
"Nope," JP answered, shaking his head. "You witnessed Calmaramon in all her squidish glory."
"And unfortunately, thanks to this incident, Kira will probably be even more reluctant to use Calmaramon's Spirit," Bokomon added.
"Yeah, poor her," Witchmon muttered, staring despondently at the ground.
"You still mad about the whole Kira attacking you thing?" JP asked, confused by Witchmon's uncharacteristic behavior.
"No, I'm not mad about that. I can't blame Kira for getting a little crazy after what happened," Witchmon replied, still staring at the ground. "She just got me thinking about things is all."
Zoe stared at Witchmon, concerned. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, alright?" Witchmon said, smiling half-heartedly at Zoe.
"Witchmon," Zoe began.
"I said it's nothing!" Witchmon shouted angrily, glaring at Zoe before running ahead of the others, for once acting only as their guide and not wanting to talk at all.
"Wow," Dai muttered, glancing first at Kouji, then at Kira. "Everybody's having problems. Madjack must be planning something big." (Hee hee.)
Meanwhile, Takuya was walking along beside Kira, waiting to see if Kira would say something. When she didn't, he started the conversation with, "So, what are we going to do now?"
Kira sighed heavily. "I don't know. I really screwed things up, didn't I?"
"We both did," Takuya said firmly.
"Yeah," Kira muttered sarcastically. "A Digimon set it up so I would see you and a fake Zoe kissing, but the only reason it got the idea to do that was because I had no trust in you."
"Hey, I should've known that it wasn't Zoe in the first place," Takuya retorted. "I feel really stupid not being able to tell a friend from some random shape-shifting Digimon. I was completely tricked."
"I was tricked too, and me and Zoe have become pretty tight," Kira said.
Takuya was about to reply, but then realized what he and Kira were doing. "We're playing the blame game, aren't we?"
Kira paused, considering this. "Well, I guess, but we're kind of playing it backward because usually the game involves blaming other people."
"I guess that's true," Takuya said, chuckling. Kira chuckled too, and soon they were laughing about nothing at all.
When his laughter subsided, Takuya turned to Kira with a small smile. "So, are we cool? I mean, I know how hard it'll be to earn your trust, but I'll try my best."
Kira stared at Takuya for a minute or so, and then smiled slightly mischievously. "Taki, close your eyes." Takuya gave Kira a wary look. "C'mon, try trusting me, why don't you?"
That statement made Takuya tentatively shut his eyes and stop walking for a moment. After waiting for what seemed like at least a minute, Takuya said, "Kira, can I please just open—"
Takuya didn't get to finish his sentence, for in the next moment, Kira had pressed her lips gently against Takuya's, giving him a slightly shy kiss. Takuya's eyes shot open in surprise, but quickly closed again as he began kissing Kira back. They stayed this way a moment longer, and then Kira pulled back, cheeks flushed slightly.
Takuya opened his eyes slowly, giving Kira a confused look. Kira smirked and said, "Don't be a dummy, Taki. I already trust you." She leaned closer to Takuya, getting right next to his ear, and added, "And I don't know much about kissing, but I'd say you're a pretty good kisser."
Then Kira turned and ran to catch up with the rest of the group, leaving Takuya standing in a daze. Kira had kissed him. Even after what he'd done, she was still willing to trust him. Takuya smiled to himself. "I'm never gonna find another girl like you, am I?"
He then began running after Kira with a renewed confidence.
—
madjack89: There you have it! Many, many things happened in this chapter, as we see Kouji and Kouichi beginning to drift apart a bit and even Witchmon seeming to have something to brood over.
Itachi: Kouichi still doesn't have enough hatred.
Kouichi: …Can you please leave?
madjack89: Kouichi, he's our guest! We can't kick him out!
Kouichi: Fine.
Shino: Actually, I agree with Kouichi. This guy is beginning to creep me out, especially with those red eyes.
Kira: Well then it's a darn good thing you've never seen Naruto before, Shino.
Dai: Yeah, then you'd probably be holed up in a closet right now like Takuya.
Takuya: from closet It's self defense!
JP: Oh crap, I just realized something.
Kouji: What?
JP: First Madjack had Neji in a commentary because he has the same voice actor as you, Kouji. Now she invited Itachi because he's voiced by Crispin Freeman, just like Chief.
Kouji: So?
JP: Steve Blum plays Orochimaru in Naruto.
Everyone: …
Orochimaru: Hello, JP.
Everyone but madjack89 and Itachi: AHHHHHHHHHH! runs
Orochimaru: …Why does this happen every time?
madjack89: Because you're a Michael Jackson wannabe. (BTW, R.I.P. Michael.)
Itachi: Burn.
Orochimaru: Oh, like you're any better!
Takuya: comes out of closet It sounds like someone's got a scratchy throat.
Orochimaru: Takuya!
Takuya: AH! runs back in closet
Itachi: Double burn.
Orochimaru: Every time!
madjack89: …Alright, in the next chapter arc, the focus will mainly be on Zoe and Kouichi as Duskmon finally unleashes his true master's plan upon our unsuspecting little Chief! Until then, bye!
Orochimaru: I'm not creepy!
Itachi: Yes you are. Goodbye, everyone. And TobiGB, I hope you're happy.